Raebolio.com

When the civilization you live in runs on commerce and capitalism, money touches every aspect of your life. Thus, the more (or less) of it you have, the more (or less) agency you have. I've had the experience of living in either of the two extremes. On one hand, living comfortably in a suburb with a well-off family. On the other, sharing a home with one or more professional-aged people and still just barely making rent, let alone having enough left over at the end of the month to put away. I've spent a lot of time around both types of people: people who grew up rich, and people who grew up poor. I've seen how being in both situations shapes your expectations for how much life can give, and how much it can take away. From the very first moment that my brain was capable of forming long-term memories, I remember people telling me money can't buy happiness. "Can't Buy Me Love" by the Beatles has a nice, wholesome message - having someone genuinely love ...

HEADS UP: images containing raw tattoos exist herein, so tread carefully if blood stuff affects you.*** Tattoos are becoming more and more common these days. I thought today I'd give my two cents about the matter. I asked my mother once how people with tattoos were regarded when she was my age. She kind of pursed her lip for a few seconds and said something along the lines of, "usually, people with tattoos were seen as...not classy people." She went on to explain that tattoos were mainly worn in the US by bikers and criminals and that it was seen more as a sign of indoctrination into some sort of unsavory community or another. It meant that you were in so deep, you didn't care how society viewed you; you proudly displayed this aspect of your identity, because you already had all the support and confidence you needed. It was a symbol of belonging to a larger community of people. I think it's interesting how tattoos have gone from symbols meant to intimidate a...