Dan is in his early 20's and lives in Calgary. He has 39 piercings all over his bodyÑand I mean all overÑand 11 tattoos. In three months, he will be a Registered Social Worker. Dan began his collection of body art, or modifications as he calls them, in his early teens. On a recent visit to Toronto, he agreed to let us tag along on this anniversary of sortsÉhis 50th piercing. HeÕs getting his labret done (the skin between his bottom lip and chin).

Q: Dan, your labret piercing will take place in 15 minutesÉhow do you feel?
A: IÕm nervous, scared, excited.

Q: Why the labret?
A: Just because I donÕt want to get a genital piercing from someone I donÕt knowÉand because IÕm running out of space on my face.

Q: This is your 18th piercingÉwhy are you still scared?
A: Because it still hurts; itÕs taking out a plug of skin.

Q: What are the things to look out for when youÕre considering a piercing?
A: Cleanliness, safetyÉWatch somebody else first! All of the implements should be coming out of an unopened package and everything should be sterile. The artist should be clean.

Q: Any advice for some of our readers thinking about adorning their bodies?
A: TattoosÉdonÕt do it unless youÕve been thinking about it for three years or youÕll be unhappy about it. DonÕt just pick something off the wall. And IÕve never seen a couple that got matching tattoos stay together, including myself. PiercingsÉthey grow over so go for it; unless youÕre going to stretch your ears in which case you should do some research to discover the cultural significance.

Q: How do you feel when people refer to your piercings and tattoos as "mutilation?"
A: ItÕs so rude! ItÕs not mutilation itÕs modification, making something, someone better. My body art has made me feel more attractive, improved my self-image and made me more confident. All improvementsÑnot mutilation.

Q: WhatÕs your advice for young people in dealing with their parents on this issue?
A: IÕve had to take out tons of piercings, and IÕve been kicked out of the house for coming home with tattoos. I say, let your parents know ahead of time that youÕre thinking about it, talk it through with them as to why you want it done out of respect for their concerns. But if they say no, do it anyway, because you have to be true to yourself.

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