Knowing when to admit you're too old for some things...

Back in 2000, shortly after having knee surgery, I had my belly button pierced. I have both ears pierced multiple times and liked the idea of the belly button ring. Unfortunately, it never seemed to heal quite right and required a degree of looking-after that grew tedious in recent years. But still, I liked my belly button ring.

Flash forward to last week, just before my birthday. I met Tom at Primal Instinct in Malden where his tattoo artist is working on the massive piece of art on his leg. I was chatting with the owner, who teaches piercing, and mentioned the ongoing battle with my belly button ring. He was surprised, saying it should have healed by now (eight years later!) and asked to take a look. A few seconds later, a full diagnosis: pierced too deep, the ring had settled to one side. And my skin was clearly allergic to the metal (I had replaced it a few years back with what we thought was a titanium ring, which we thought was least reactive). His recommendation: replaced the ring with a stainless barbell immediately, and potentially re-pierce the navel down the road if the barbell didn't straighten things out.

What ensued was a week of being VERY uncomfortable. It became quite clear that the piercing was just plain off, and instead of laying vertical, the barbell twisted on one side and pulled my skin. Finally tonight I couldn't take it anymore and decided enough was enough. Out it went. Within just a few hours, I had no pain and the skin no longer looked angry. But it's clear that I'm going to have scaring from the allergic reaction my skin had to the various metals over the years.

Moral of the story: at 35, looking "cute" doesn't cut it when I can barely sit still because of the discomfort. Mind you, I have no regrets and would do it all over again, given the opportunity. But I wish I had gone to a better piercer!

Other things that cease to become cute at 35:
1. Mini skirts (I don't mind short skirts, but have been picking skirts that fall just above the knee)
2. Baby doll dresses. At this age, you get mistaken for actually being pregnant.
3. Some tattoos. Most people know I have one tattoo on my bikini line, and I get razzed for how small it is. But at least it's not some trashy tat that I'll regret when I get older!
4. Denim shorts. I don't know why, but they just look better on teeny-boppers.

Oh, I'm sure there are more!