Let's Get Inked - GMFL

GMFL. That is what is about to be tattooed onto my ribcage within the hour. An uploaded photo of the tatty will come soon, don't you even worry.

I had always thought that I would get a tattoo when I was around 16 years old. Something that "meant something" to me in Chinese. Of course, it would probably actually read something else knowing my luck. Or it was going to a tribal band around my calf or something. An extremely attractive and popular soccer player in high school had gotten one after he had graduated and was abroad "discovering who he was". And by discover, he came back and broke up with his girlfriend because he liked the way the D tasted. I envied him so much, and wanted a tattoo like him.

Fast forward to going with a friend on her 18th birthday to get hers. It was the usual tramp stamp that she had to have. It wasn't flash and she had drawn it. But in the typical tramp stamp place. I held her hands and realized the permanency of her new ink. And also witnessed the pain that she was in. But, she had done multiple colors and it was a decent size - so I guess you have to take that into account as well.

After that, I swore off tattoos. Nope, I would not be getting one. I was better than that. I did not want the pain, nor the permanent artwork on my body. What would I want to live with on my person for the rest of my life was the question that I constantly asked myself and I could never come up with a good enough answer.

Well, that was all until GMFL came about. Something special between Goose and I. And we have joked for awhile that we would get it tattooed on our bodies somewhere, someday. I said that it needed to be in a place that does not see the light of day. Like my taint. Or the inside of my lip. I was seriously ROTFLMAO when Goose said that we were not horses and therefore could not get it tattooed on the inside of our lips. I remember that day well. I was in out in public running errands. And I remember thinking to myself how all of those people must have thought that I was insane becuase I could not stop laughing. Like a hyena. That put an end to that, but not that GMFL tattoo as we have talked about it since the GMFL inception.

Today. GMFL. It's happening within the next hour. We werethisclose to doing it last weekend. But didn't due to an hour long wait at the ink parlor. And my anxiety was never going to be able to handle that long of a wait. All signs point towards yes tonight though. Picked out a font that we believe is artistic and that I can live with for the rest of my life. There is no wait at the place we are going to. So...why not? YOLO.

No first tattoo experience could quite be complete (at least not to a queer man such as myself) without the proper soundtrack. I didn't really know exactly what would be considered music to get tattooed to. I looked online and found nothing. And the Genius recommendations of iTunes did not suggest anything after I purchased a cocktail jazz CD that would suggest "music to get your ink on". So, I created my own soundtrack. And it is - of course - appropriately titled: "Let's Get Inked - GMFL". Although maybe "Get Your Ink On" would have been a more appropriate title? I digress...

I am about to pop the tattoo virginity. It's my body. GMFL.


UPDATE: Tattoo completed. It hurt like a bitch. GMFL.

Why Aren't There Cameras Following Me at All Times?

Seriously. I ask myself this question all of the time. My life is literally like a reality TV show, and you truly cannot make this stuff up - even if you tried.

I would almost guarantee that if there actually were cameras following me around a la Ed TV style, I would surely be one of the highest rated, and longest running shows on television. The situations that I find myself in on an ongoing basis border on insanely ridiculous, to beyond drama filled, to so out there crazy that you would swear that the my day-to-day life is not actually a work of non-fiction.

Currently, my job has taken me to a part of Florida that is beyond out of my element. The people are uber conservative, right wing nut jobs, and for someone who leans a more to the left (predominantly on social issues) it is slightly more than odd to be here. On more than one occasion, I have been told - so as to try and fit in a little better - to "gay it down" a little bit. Now, don't get me wrong, I know that I am not the most masculine gay man, and nor am I the most feminine of them. But the only way I know how to "gay it down" would be to not open my mouth.

The town gossip stopped by the house the other day. This. Is. CLASSIC. Here came another "tone down the gayness" speech. Before they came over, I was expressly told to not be seen hugging my Chihuahua, use the word "fuck", lay spread eagle on the couch, or have anything on the TV other than Fox News. If you know me, then you know that I literally spend my entire day clutching my Chihuahua Pepe while flipping back and forth on the TV between LOGO, 9-5 starring Dolly Parton, Golden Girls and Will and Grace, screaming the word FUCK and laying spread eagle on the couch in a pair of short shorts with a straw in my mouth drinking a Shirley Temple.

All kidding aside though, this is merely one instance in my everyday life that is beyond hysterical, laugh out loud funny, you can't make this shit up even if you tried scenario that I am always in. And the town gossip didn't end up coming over. Laughter ensued at the ridiculous things I was told I could not do in front of them after their lack of arrival.

From the shenanigans that I get into on my own, to the predicaments that I find myself in at always the most inopportune moments of my life, I am not sure how or why some of these things happen to me. I let it all roll off of my back and smile about it all later.

More craziness to come soon. Trust.

A Little Bit About Me...

Well, here goes nothing. This is the first blog post of a blog that I have been swearing that I was going to write for ages. Although the premise for the blog has morphed significantly from what I was originally going to post about. Initially, it was going to be all about gay sexcapades, but not one that was just a sex blog. More along the lines of dating, being single and living the life of a gay man in the South but with as few choice and naughty details thrown in for good measure.

Now it has changed to just being about me and my life. The trials and tribulations of a 26 year old gay man, with a job, a dog, and a virtually nonexistent love life. Nonexistent by choice though - I have standards and am picky - let's get the straight from the get go. Don't get me wrong, you will still get a chance to read about all the unsuccessful attempts that I make at having a dating life. They will just be recounted sans all of the naughty details. The blog is going to be about my friends, my life, going out and partying my face off. The escapades and charades that are all around me. Not a gossip blog though - I only want to tell it like I see it.

I want to capture the memories, because I have so many of them and I want to make sure I never forget them. And all too often, the memories go as the alcohol flows. And even more so, as time goes on, the memories fade. I want to capture the fun and enjoyment I have with the most amazing friends and family a person could ask for. I want to hold onto those butterfly feelings when I first meet that special guy that invariably will be out of my life in a short period of time until it is on to the next one as I constantly search for someone to spend the rest of my life with.

But don't be fooled. This is not only going to be about the positive aspects of my life. You will hear about the d-bags and how selfish they can be, the bad days and frustrations that I experience with work, being a man in his...ummm...mid 20's? The not so good days will be written about as well as they are memories, and those experiences define us and make us who we are today. Without the good and the bad, I would not be the person that I have become.

As I continue to write, I know that this blog will also morph with me. I do not know what I want to accomplish out of it, other than to record a life so wonderfully fabulous - along with the tragic hot mess moments - so that I can remember them one day.

Real names will not be used to protect those parties involved, but if they happen to read it, they will know. I don't really know about followers and how to get them, but I am sure that they too will come in due time.

About me: I just turned 26. An age that I don't think is good or bad. Just an age. And not one that I consider to be a "hot" age. 23 is a "hot" age. So are the early 30's. At least, that is IMHO. (Did you catch that? First acronym in the blog...) I am 26 years old. I am a gay male. Stats? Unimportant, but if you want to picture the blogger that writes for your entertainment, I am 5'11", 155 lbs. Dark brown hair and eyes that change based on what shade of blue, gray or green that I am wearing. I am considered to be slim to average in build. I don't know if I will post pictures on this blog with face pictures yet or not. That decision will come with time. For now, no face pics.

I run/walk when I get a chance, and do enjoy being outdoors and participating in a somewhat active lifestyle- although not on a regular basis but when the mood strikes. I love the beach and pool equally, swimming, kayaking, biking (even though I don't own one), and other things as well. On the flip side, I pretty much die over Bravo reality television and other mindless TV. I love to curl up and read a good book, go to the movies, drive around and get lost while looking at real estate, pop into an antique store or get up really early and check out what garage sale treasures I can find.

Christ. This is starting to sound like an online dating profile. And yes, I do enjoy long walks on the beach.

I have the greatest friends. I love to laugh and it is true; laughter is the best medicine. I work too much, but play just as hard. I love road trips and would rather drive than fly, even though flying is easier and much faster. I have a rescued Chihuahua named Pepe (and for the record, Pepe will be the only true name that is on this blog) who is my best friend in the entire world. Why? Because he loves me unconditionally, and no matter what situation we go through, we have been through it together.

I love my job. It is not something that I ever thought that I would get into, but a path that I am enjoying going down and exploring all of the possibilities that it is offering to me. Doing what exactly is unimportant. But I love my job and accepting it was one of the best decisions that I have made - personally and professionally - to date. I work a lot, but have freedom in my job which I love.

I live in a quaint - but super cutely decorated - duplex in the heart of a city in Florida. Original hardwood floors and windows, and decorated in semi-contemporary modern decor. It is humble, but perfect for me. I wind up traveling a lot for both business and pleasure, and it certainly feels like home when I am there.

Let's see. Did I cover all of the bases? Probably not. But I think I covered enough of them for this first blog post.

To recap, what is this blog going to be about? An online diary that will capture that craziness, drama, amazingness, stress and anxiety, all rolled up into one online feature that will hopefully give you a glimpse into the life of a hardworking and professional gay man trying to enjoy life, work to pay the bills and enjoy life all while trying to find the man of my dreams.

LYMIDEC you all.

- Skinner