BTW does anyone else besides me wonder why Jake did not follow the herd and get his ear(s) pierced like sooo many other guys??
Why fuck with perfection?

Seriously, I think it's very smart. Whenever I look at someone in a movie who is supposed to be a "serious actor" and then see him sporting an earring, as much as I like that fashion statement on men in private life, (Harrison Ford springs to mind), it colors my perception of the character just a bit. It distracts me, you know? He must realize it would be a distraction, regardless of whether he's actually considered doing it or not. Your job is to make the audience believe you are that character. Anything that would distract and detract from that would be a detriment. No offense to Heath - I think all his are sexy as hell and I think he manages to keep it all from being a distraction when he plays a role - but I think trying to cover up and hide that kind of stuff has got to be a pain in the ass at the bare minimum, and might make it difficult for him in certain scenes if he's the least bit aware of trying to keep the tattoos hidden.