solder / welding brass

[Highspeed]

I find it generally a good idea to be less distinguishable..

Don't get the phrase 'White Trash' tattooed on the back of your hand like I did then

[HTRN]

Not all of us are as concerned about how we would be described to the police...

Some of us have discovered that looking like a criminal gets one treated like one

[Greg]

Not all of us are as concerned about how we would be described to the police...

Some of us have discovered that looking like a criminal gets one treated like one

Replace "criminal" with "goddamn freak" or possibly (really the best you can hope for) "useless upper middle class trustafarian". Unless you're one of those perpetually needy children with a 'LOOK AT ME' complex (how I loathe such people) it really is better to maintain a situationally appropriate appearance.

[Greg]

I HAVE body art... none of it is visible in normal business casual attire.

Right now, I have full coverage tattoos above the sleeve line on both biceps. My right arm is my family, my left is my country. All have a very deep personal meaning to me.

I had another tat in a more delicate area at one point, but I ended up with a nasty wound right there, and it wiped out the tat. I scarred there, so I haven't had it replaced... besides, the significance of the tat was in the moment... and that moment was gone.

I expect that I will eventually have my full upper arms and shoulders, part of my back, and my pecs covered.

Personally I don't find that substantially different than merely keeping a journal. Probably because of the part I bolded. (The keeping a journal thing... even more so for you, who is all too aware of the ephemeral nature of things- you want to remember something, you put it somewhere it can't get lost or catch fire, etc).

Which is all completely different than facial piercings and ear (or nose) gauges.