My Two Cents: Can I Live?

I don't usually do this (long posts), but err, here goes nothing. 
Not sure if I told y'all (maybe via twitter), but I got a tattoo on my finger. I love it! Yep, that's right, tatted on my right hand. Why there? Because it’s cute, and I wanted it there! You know the phrase, "it's my life" (not a question, more like a statement). Well, I live by it - but I feel like I can’t live at the same time…  


I'll explain: Apparently, external creativity (hair, makeup, dress, tattoos, piercings, colorful nail polish, etc) and professionalism cannot coexist, especially in corporate, conservative Washington D.C. (boooooring).  This is my problem.  I can’t live my life freely!  I have to wear rings to cover my joy. Every blessed day (Mon-Fri) you can find me sitting at my cubicle (it’s not really a cubicle, but for the sake of this post, imagine it is) donned with an over sized ring.  I’m getting sick of it; literally nauseous.  

Gone are the days I used to work in more creative environments that were extremely lenient on dress codes. I yearn for the chance to rock a cute, colorful, patterned turban on my bad hair days or fuchsia lipstick or pink freakin’ nail polish! 


Sidetracked: Maybe, just maybe, I could get away with wearing a deep shade of red lips, but my favorite shades of red are usually everything BUT subdued. Bold and alive is how I like em’, not quiet and dead. 


Back to my problem: If these two environments could coexist my life would be a lot more pleasing.  I understand my wishful thinking is completely futile. I get it, this complaint and my whining is in fact, comical.  Blah, blah, BLEH! 


I'm simply a creative spirit, and I'm not sure how that's paralleled to being unprofessional.  Let’s be clear, I’m not creatively extreme in the workplace.  I am not going to show up to my job with colorful hair, outrageous makeup, a belly shirt, face tattoos, etc.  Although, I did wear pink nail polish to work for about two weeks… :/ (bad ass? Yeah, I know). Still, there are certain things that I will not do just because I know better and it really isn’t a part of my demeanor.  The questions still remain: Why is it acceptable to look creative in certain environments, but not all? Why is pink nail polish inappropriate in a conservative context? Why can't you take me seriously if I have a bow tatted on my finger? 


Honestly, I know all the answers to these questions, I just don't agree with them.  I need a job, and I'll be keeping my job. I'm not THAT crazy and anti-conservatism (I am), but let’s be real.  I’m not going to quit or get fired for the sake of a tattoo.  In today's economy, finding a job isn’t exactly easy and once you find one, keeping it isn’t exactly easy!  I believe everything happens for a reason.  I am supposed to work in a conservative environment for reasons I haven't fully developed. There's always a bigger picture, a greater plan than anyone of us could ever imagine. I believe in that concept tremendously, and I’m patiently waiting for my future to unfold. This kill-joy situation just happens to be a temporary road block. BLEH! 


I suppose it would’ve been much more acceptable to get my bow somewhere else for the sake of this post, but where’s the fun in that?! I’m no punk. I LIVE my life the way I want!  

Although, I must say, out of all my tattoos this one is obviously the most noticeable and the most annoying to cover up.  Once, I forgot my ring at home and had to drive back to get it (luckily, I was just a block away) and ever since then, I leave two rings in my purse. Pathetic? I know.  On the contrary, I hardly notice it, so maybe others don’t either? I’m right handed, so it should be obvious, but then again, it’s a bit subdued.  Aw, hell! I really don’t know, and it’s a risk I’m not willing to take.  You won't find me in my cubicle bringing unnecessary attention to my right hand.  

To play off of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, I feel I should be judged by the content of my character, knowledge and experience and NOT my appearance. That is all. I agree a person’s appearance is a vital part of first impressions. I understand the concept of image (ahem, I’ve never had a problem with looking good), but until I open my mouth and say something ignorant, don’t try to “school” me about professionalism. 


I'm simply voicing my opinion about a matter I can't do anything about. Sue me. What's the point? Well, this is partly my blog, and I can say what I want. :) Find another job that allows me to express myself creatively? Easier said than done. One big contradiction? Tell me about it, I’d love to hear. 


Really though, I just want to live and be happy.


Can I?

My two cents,

Genevia