But body modification doesn't only mean piercing. It stretches from the "normal," like piercing and tattooing, to the more extreme, like scarring and branding. So I have expanded my column to include other things -- let's call it "James' Adventures in Body Modification."

Your new girlfriend probably won't be too happy to see the name of your ex on your arm, and that little butterfly on your breast is liable to look like an eagle after years of gravity.

Welcome to the world of Mehndi tattooing.

Some people may know this better as henna, the name of the plant used to create the temporary tattoo.

Because Mehndi lasts anywhere from one to four weeks, it is a good alternative for anyone who is unsure of getting a tattoo.

Although the process of Mehndi originated in Eastern countries such as India and Morocco, it has gained popularity in the West and has even been seen on the hands and feet of stars like Madonna and Gwen Stefani of No Doubt . . . and now me.

The traditional placement of Mehndi is on the hands and feet, but it can be put pretty much anywhere you want.

Although Mehndi is becoming more popular, it is still nowhere near as popular as piercing or tattooing, so it is harder to find Mehndi artists.

It is possible to do the Mehndi yourself if you think you are talented enough. Some Asian or Indian stores like Krishan Indian Grocery Store, 230A W. College Ave., carry the henna packets to do the designs yourself. The pastes range in cost from $1.99 for the henna powder to $3.25 for a compete kit. In addition, there are various World Wide Web sites dedicated to Mehndi and henna where you can order the paste to do the work yourself.

If you want a professional to handle your Mehndi, the only place in town (as far as I can tell) is Forbidden Fruit, 110 Hetzel St., where I had mine done. Totem Tattoo, 225 W. Beaver Ave., used to do Mehndis but doesn't anymore.

I chose to get the tattoo on my palm because it's supposed to last the longest there. The process of applying the henna paste took about 30 minutes. The more intricate and larger the design you choose, the longer the process will take.

My tattoo is brownish-red, but other colors are possible with the addition of chemicals to the paste. However, many people avoid other colors because they are not natural. One color that seems to be a problem is black. According to www.MehndiMagic.com, black henna "is not really henna, it is dangerous, and may soon be banned by the FDA."

The process is absolutely painless. There was some discomfort from having to hold my hand still for so long, but no pain.

Once the design was made, I had to wait for it to dry, which brings me to my first tip of the week. Depending on where you are getting the design, wear the appropriate clothes. When I tried to put on my sweatshirt while the design was still a little wet, it smeared, and some of it had to be re-done.

To keep the paste from flaking off as it dried, I used a cotton ball to apply a mixture of lemon juice and sugar on the design. It's a good idea to do this when the paste looks dry -- it should have a shiny glazed look.

Now came the hardest part of the process: waiting. It may not sound that hard, but go ahead, try to not use your right hand (or left if you go that way) for eight hours. Waiting is important because the longer you keep it on, the darker and longer-lasting the tattoo will be.

Which brings me to my second tip of the week. If you're going to get the Mehndi on your palm, be ready to be one-handed for a while. You should probably bring a friend along to help you open doors and other things you take for granted (insert masturbation joke here).

After keeping the paste on for about eight hours and trying to sleep with it on, I finally got sick of it and scraped it off at 5 a.m. All you have to do is scrape it off with your fingernails, which can get a little messy. You'll probably need to clean your fingernails after that.

My first day with the Mehndi was the darkest. Every day since then it has faded slightly, mostly on the tips of my fingers.

People's reactions to the Mehndi have been the same as reactions every other week. They range from "That's so cool!" to "What the hell's wrong with your hand?"

At Forbidden Fruit, a Mehndi can cost anywhere from $10 for a very small design to $40 an hour for something more intricate.

One side affect I have discovered is the distinct organic smell on my hand, but other than that I'm happy with it. It is definitely an attention-getter and it's something a little unusual.

Maybe I might even get a tattoo, but should it be some girl's name on my arm or the butterfly on my chest?