Maybe I should get pierced again...

[Musician000]

I used to have a few piercings... my tongue, eyebrow, and labret. This was back when I had hair... long hair... when I was confident enough with standing out and being unique.

Well, once the long hair was gone I got rid of the piercings, too. I sorta gave up on being different and tried to mellow out. My hair was my source of power, and without it I thought I could just fall into being a "normal" guy.

That "normal" guy has been struggling this past decade... trying to live life tame hasn't been too kind to me and it's about time to take some bold steps towards asserting my individuality again.

Going Sly was the first step... and it's an equally radical appearance as a guy with long hair. They both make a statement, though the long hair was much more of an escape, easily hung in my face to block out the world. Going Sly is a bold statement to the community that's seen me rise and fall before that I'm back... and this time I'm not hiding.

So, piercing may be a nice additional step to move things along. I still have yet to get my first tattoo, though... something I've wanted dearly since I was in grade school. Tattoos are so permanent that I've been waiting for just the right time... no rush on that one.

I never got my ears pierced because I was always self-conscious about them. I always obsessed over how they stick out from my head and the right one does moreso than the left. I thought getting ears pierced might just draw attention to that... but maybe just a subtle bit of jewelry in the ear might help accessorize this newly Sly skull.

Question: Can someone be going through a midlife crisis at only 28 years old? I'm sorta getting out of the age range where I can blame what I'm going through on adolescence 

[IRONHORSE]

Well, what you're going through strikes me as a crisis, but I don't really think we need to label it beyond that. Let's just call it a crisis. It seems you're unhappy with the direction your life has gone, and are on the brink of making some pretty big changes. This is cool... change is scary, but also invigorating!  And a tattoo or piercing to commemorate taking the reigns back in your life can be a great reminder of where you were, and motivator to continue to change, even when things get scary. BUT - ultimately (and trying not to get too "zen" on you here) that tattoo or piercing is just an inanimate object - and the true change must come from within.

[Paul]

Don't think you are going through a "crisis", just being yourself.   If it makes you happy and harms no one else, go for it.

[Sly Red]

Question: Can someone be going through a midlife crisis at only 28 years old? I'm sorta getting out of the age range where I can blame what I'm going through on adolescence 

Of course you can  I have midlife crises as often as necessary, though at 56 I feel I'm a little more entitled 

After going Sly I decided my 14 ga. earrings were just too diminutive for the sly look, so I went to the piercing shop and had them put in 10 ga.  BTW, your ears look perfectly balanced.  I say go for it.

Red

[StumpyDave]

My ears are well balanced - they're both huge!

Depends on your job and upcoming changes for piercings.  If you work in a conservative environment it may be inadvisable.  If not go for it.  As you've already found out, if you don't like it you can take them out and let them heal up.

I have an ear pierced but don't wear a ring for work.  I used to have a nipple pierced but after one of my sons pretty much ripped it out during a game I gave up on that idea.

[tomgallagher]

Geez Dave, you just made my blood run cold.

[PBurke]

i had my ear at a 6ga but ended up taking it out cause of work. go for it bro.

[marty22]

Midlife crisis? I guess mine was early 40's. Nowadays I do as I please (within reason).
And BTW to Musician000-your ears do not look bad at all.

[Musician000]

I know they don't look bad... but when younger I had a tendency to obsess over little things. Also, I used to be very thin and now that my face has filled out my ears don't seem to stick out as much.

BUT - ultimately (and trying not to get too "zen" on you here) that tattoo or piercing is just an inanimate object - and the true change must come from within.

That's very true. When I posted this topic last night I may have been a bit manic or whatnot... I did just rid my scalp of every bit of hair earlier that day...  Crisis might be somewhat extreme of a label...

It's gonna take a while to get used to my new look...

[time2shine]

It's gonna take a while to get used to my new look...

You'll get used to it, and everybody does at their own pace.  Stay confident, and people will associate that with your new look.

[IRONHORSE]

I think you're on the right track, Bro. You've already taken a big step in defining your new "look" by going sly (and may I say again how good it looks on you! ) I certainly won't badmouth tattoos (I have 7) or piercings (left ear pierced twice - I come from a time when what ear you had pierced bespoke your sexual preference.) But settle in with the sly look for awhile, and spend some time thinking about what a tattoo or piercing would mean to you personally, and tell others about you. The tattoo artist/piercing person will still be there in a month, and a year. Then again, you may decide you don't want either, and that's cool too, because you'll still be rockin' the sly look

[Scott]

I'm 29 going on 30 in a few days and I got my ears pierced back in January and love 'em - up to 4g and get compliments quite frequently.  I wouldn't necessarily define what you're going through as a mid-life crisis - you're just trying to enhance your look.  Go for it - you can always take them out if you don't like them.  I think your ears look fine.

[zetaeffe]

Ear rings look great with bald heads in my opinion,
so I say "go for it"

[GASlick]

I say go for it too.  But I believe it has been mentioned before, you have to take into account what your lifestyle is.  for example, I own my own business and work in a hospital.  Earrings are not really a good attribute for a salesman or a x-ray tech.

On the other hand if you're a rock star, tattoo artist, or something along those lines.....then no big deal.  As far as tattoos, I have no real opinion.  I have three and all are easily covered or shown as I choose depending on what I'm doing.  Working - covered; At the pool - showing

Just my 2cents

[Musician000]

I say go for it too.  But I believe it has been mentioned before, you have to take into account what your lifestyle is.  for example, I own my own business and work in a hospital.  Earrings are not really a good attribute for a salesman or a x-ray tech.

On the other hand if you're a rock star, tattoo artist, or something along those lines.....then no big deal.  As far as tattoos, I have no real opinion.  I have three and all are easily covered or shown as I choose depending on what I'm doing.  Working - covered; At the pool - showing

Just my 2cents

That's all very true... about my lifestyle and such. I've sorta been at a crossroads in life, and the path of the whole rock star lifestyle still has it's appeal. I actually was on that path some years ago, but opted out due to my son... I had sorta given up on living that sorta edgy lifestyle after that... seeing the band I was in achieving fame and such and thinking I missed my opportunity.

I'm 28, though... I'm still young enough to rock, right? I took some years off to play Mr. Mom and attempt to tone down my lifestyle, but that might very well be the lifestyle I belong in.

It's all a somewhat complicated story... one day I may post a topic about it all as get some input from you guys because the past has a way of sticking around.

My hesitation and this "crisis" I mention has to do with that crossroads... about whether to head into the business world, law enforcement or become a teacher... or maybe I need to jump back into the music world and give the rock and roll lifestyle one more shot before I settle...