Don't tell me what i can and cannot do!

Soo i went to dinner with my father so my mother could have a "moms day". And i was talking with him and somehow the conversation went to tattoos. I told him that when i turn 18 i am going to get a tattoo saying CARPE DIEM on my wrist. He looked at me and laughed. Then he said that you aren't getting anything inked on your body. I tried to explain to him that it would be small and i would pay for it. Then he stated a reference from the Bible. First of all how can he reference something from the Bible if he hasn't even attended church for over 2 months.Secondly, once I turn 18 he cannot tell me what to do at all. He tried to tell me that getting a tattoo would effect your chances of getting a job. First off if the tattoo is on my wrist and it says something that a lot of people live by.
I quickly changed the subject because i was getting upset and he wasn't trying to hear what i had to say. So then i started talking about college and how i would like to go to Princeton, Standford, John Hopkins, Or Georgetown. Again he looked at me like i was crazy. He said "out off state tuition is expensive. And when would you see your family?" My problem with this statement is that my father left his home back in St.Louis Missouri to join the military with my mother. He was sent overseas, so i do not understand why it is a problem if i go to California or New Jersey ( which is only 3 hours away). And my family could come up to where i go to school and visit if they are so inclined.
My point is i don't like people telling what i can and cannot do. To me it makes no sense when you did the exact same thing when you were my age. His response " You can't compare me to you".