To me, the only body types that are unattractive are anorexic and obese. So, if you’re Skeletor or a pumpkin patch kid, you might want to reconsider your diet. Otherwise, you’re healthy enough and that’s what really matters. Big women, little women, women of all shapes and sizes, I guarantee you that your confidence and how you carry yourself is what matters the most. I can also guarantee that the vanity of a woman who whines about a few extra pounds is FAR more repulsive than that supposedly extra weight.

When my wife asks me if her butt looks big in whatever she’s wearing, I respond with “Yes it does, and it’s super hot!” The funny thing is, that’s is TOTALLY contrary to how I was raised… which was to never mention/guess/comment on a woman’s age, weight, or pregnancy status. If a woman asks you if she looks fat she wants to hear “no honey, you look beautiful, those pants are really slimming.” but I found that to be dishonest.

In any case, women, get over it. You look fine. You don’t have to compete with the women on TV so there’s no use trying. As long as you’re happy and healthy, who cares? Be proud of what you’ve got. There’s no need to feel self-conscious. As I’ve always said “If a person cannot see you as beautiful, it does not mean that you are not so. It only means that they do not really see you.” and “If truth is beauty and beauty truth, then as long as you’re true to yourself, you’ll never be anything less than beautiful.” and it’s true! It is so true. It is my sincere hope that one day, the women of the world will discover that they don’t have to listen to the media and realize that they are beautiful.

Just remember, the clothings stores, the makeup manufacturers and quite a few people in between all make money by making you feel bad about yourself. They make you think that you need their products/services in order to be attractive and it’s just not true. Don’t fall for their dastardly advertising/brainwashing tactics. Be your own woman and be proud of who you are. Trust me, we’ll love you for it.

Type to you later,
~Nathaniel

There is also the issue of the gothic fashion genre. These kids wear mostly black and often have elaborate costumes and makeup that must take hours to prepare. Yet these kids say that they don’t care about their appearance or what people think of them. Now, I live in Texas and it is fairly hot down here. When I see a “runny goth” (my phrase for a goth whose makeup is running from all the sweat), I know that they don’t suffer through that heat in all that black because they enjoy it. Trust me, if given the choice between walking to work wearing all black, or wearing bright pink, I would pick the bright pink because I would rather not have a heat stroke. One of the most amusing days of my life was when I went to Edgefest. There where a ton of borderline goth bands there and there was no shortage of “runny goths” I just found it HILARIOUS that these kids where so vain that they would risk heatstroke under piles of black leather and metal studs so that they would look “cool”. Well, let me tell you, there is NOTHING cool looking about a runny goth, it’s actually quite pitiful.

What’s more funny is that these extremely vain kids want to turn around and bash the “preps” for being so vain and caring about their looks. That’s just hypocrisy. I would argue that the goths that spend hours putting on their makeup and “costume” are MORE vain than the prep that spends 2 minuets putting on his Tommy Hilfiger outfit.

Lets recap:
The things I don’t like about SOME goths are as follows: Exclusion, forced conformity to gothic stereotypes, limited and impractical wardrobe, vanity, and hypocrisy. I think that pretty much sums it up. If you consider yourself a goth, or rather, if you identify with the gothic subculture, please, don’t do these things. Not because I don’t like them, but because it makes you look like a stupid jerk kid. BE YOURSELF!!! if that includes wearing all black, listening to death metal, having tattoos/piercings, being fascinated with death, etc… then more power to you. If you’re vain, that’s you’re problem, I’ll just laugh at you when your makeup starts running from the heat. It’s not healthy to dress in all black in the southern states, if the heat doesn’t get you, the rednecks will. For those of you in the northern/colder areas of the US and the world, go for it. I would wear black every day if it wasn’t so damn hot. Also, if you are depressed, seek help. If you want you can even contact me and we can talk about it. I also suggest http://www.samaritans.org/ they’re a free, non-judgmental non-profit organization that specializes in emotional support. You can call someone up, or email them 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. They’ve actually helped me through a few rough spots.

As far as my frustration with these supposed goths goes, I decided to create a piece of artwork that pokes fun at this particular type of goth. We’re all PINK on the Inside! is a direct stab (pun intended) at this particular facet of the gothic subculture. If you’re a goth and don’t like “skin goths’ or if you’re anyone who just doesn’t like goths you’ll get a kick out of it. Also, if you’re not against wearing a bit of pink, you can buy these as t-shirts (in a variety of colors and styles).

Let me reiterate: I am not against goths, I do not hate goths, I am against conformity, labels, exclusion and vanity.

That about covers it for now,
Type to you later,
~Nathaniel