Reading Response

    I turned 19 last year in the month of September.  I was in a relationship with someone whom I thought I would be marrying (haha what a joke that turned out to be!).  With the idea of marriage on my mind, I thought about the possibility of never hearing my last name again being spoken to me.  "Ruby Bynum" would no longer exist!  Seeing as it was my birthday, I wanted to treat myself to something that I had long contemplated getting: a tattoo.  And what better way to ink up your body than to get your last name across your shoulder blade?

    When I read "People as Pictures" my own tattoo hadn't crossed my mind at all, there was just no comparison.  The processes are so unalike; the Japanese use gouges and chisels, something I had never known before.  The only way I knew possible was by way of different shaped needles, which was how mine was done and I strongly believe mine was much less painful.  The excruciating process of Irezumi is sometimes involuntary and can act as an initiation right that's done at the time of puberty or even as punishment.  Mine was merely a gift to myself and an experience I had often wondered about. 

    Secondly, my own tattoo can't compare to the elaborate and beautiful art displayed on these bodies.  Knowing the pain that these people go through somehow make it all the more mesmerizing.  Some of the Japanese tattoos are amazingly colorful, detailed and cover large areas, taking a much longer time than my own two hours of sitting in pain. Some of these tattoos took up to a full year!  I cannot imagine nor fathom that idea!

    Lastly, my tattoo has completely different meaning to me than theirs do to them.  The Irezumi is a cultural tradition.  Unlike myself, they probably don't regret getting their tattoo either!  (Not that I completely regret mine, just wish it was drawn differently).  I'm very interested in how they chose and who exactly will choose what they'll get tattooed, (for those that were not voluntary).  Is it similar to when you walk into a typical tattoo parlor and browse through books and books of body art and chose what you would like?  Does the person getting tattooed take time to decide what they want and how they want it?  Does an elder pick it for them or does the artist make it up for them?  It's a topic that I wouldn't mind researching.

Who's This Red Head?

   Hey there, my name is Ruby and I am experiencing my first year at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (not very exciting, I know!).  But I believe years from now when friends and co-workers ask me where I went to school that they'll say, "Really?  Alaska?  That's awesome,".   Right now I am technically declared as an Art major, but I'm sure that will change soon, for I am completely undecided.  

   I grew up in Alaska and I love this beautiful state.  My family and I moved around a couple times, but we settled in Delta Junction, just 100 miles from Fairbanks.  When I was in high school I never aspired to go to any specific college, except the University of Montana. I had printed out the application, was excited to get accepted...but something held me back.  To this day I still don't exactly know why I didn't send it in.  My only other choice was UAF... It was attractive because my brother attends (which I thought would be comforting and helpful) and it's close to home. 

   My favorite thing is to be with my friends and family.  I enjoy watching sports, (with them or by myself).  I enjoy baseball, softball, and hockey but I love basketball and I'm passionate about volleyball.  I played volleyball all through junior high and high school and during my senior year, we went undefeated at the Regional level.  Besides my passion, I like to go ice skating, ride bikes or four wheelers (especially in the mud!).  I love the outdoors, long road trips, and visiting new places.

   I don't regularly read any piece of writing besides the Bible.  I like to pick up magazines from time to time, but I never buy them...I'd rather save my money for something else.  I rarely read any newspapers, they're not that exciting to me.  I enjoyed all of the books I've ever read by Dean Koontz and Jodi Picoult.  My favorite book in the entire world is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card which is about a boy prodigy named Ender who saves the world from aliens.  It sounds really plain and boring but it's really entertaining.  Someone should seriously make a movie on it!