The Illustrated Woman

I don't get it. I just don't get it!

Megan Fox, the young lady who makes male brains melt in Transformers, has been named the sexiest woman alive on a variety of lists, but Google her image and you can't find a shot where she hasn't defaced a part of her beautiful body with tattoos.

On her ribcage are the words "There once was a little girl who never knew love until a boy broke her heart." On one shoulder is "We will all laugh at gilded butterflies" from King Lear.

There's a symbol for strength on her neck, Marilyn Monroe on her forearm, a star on her ankle and her boyfriend Brian's name (What can I say? I have great taste in women) way south of her navel.

Why? Why? Why? Does she think we won't look unless she supplies us with reading material?

Random thought on tats

Perhaps a thought like this qualifies me for early geezerhood, i.e., "What's wrong with these young whippersnappers nowadays?!?" But:

If a girl grabs a razor blade or some other sharp object and starts cutting into her body, it's interpreted as a cry for help and mental health professionals are called in.

If a girl hires someone to grab a needle and cut an illustration into her body, it's cool and sexy and everyone stands around admiring the work.

A little butterfly in the small of the back is kind of cute. A labyrinth of pictures covering an arm or a face or a torso? Looks like a cry for help to me.

Am I a geezer or am I on to something here?

Afterthought 15 minutes later: I'm not trying to tell anyone what or what not to do with their bodies. I'm just curious about this distinction between "harmful" cutting and "artistic" cutting.