Nude Novice Notes: Valuables, Part 1

As apprehensive as many are attending our first naturist/nudist function, there is yet another item to consider: our valuables. Wallet, keys, jewelry, photo identification, tickets for the Wizards game after the event, MCD (mobile communication device) and the list is endless depending on the individual. Remember that knowledge is power and preplanning is the key to success. Don't panic; here are some suggestions to aid in the safety of all valuables. These ideas may not work for everyone, so please be creative and choose what is comfortable for you. Improvise if necessary; after all, it is your personal property security!

THE UTILITY TOWEL

It is the custom/tradition within our culture of nudity for each man to bring his own towel to each social gathering, regardless if it involves an aquatic activity or not. This cultural norm is purely a matter of hygiene and of common courtesy. It demonstrates self-respect, social responsibility and consideration of our brother nudists. In our society of nakedness, it isn't reflective of an individual judgment. It is a custom that is simply part of our collective values.

These particular utility towels were a Christmas gift from Twin this past holiday. They serve a dual purpose as they contain a zippered pouch in which to store valuables. This solution may work for some. Personally, I prefer this for indoor nude socials. Also, they are available in several bold colors and feature a catching logo. Since receiving them as a gift, I've ordered several others online.

THE FANNY PACK

This convenient pack, sometimes referred to as a kangaroo, has a little more storage room than the zippered pouch on the utility towel. It can be adjusted around the waist and worn on the sides so as not to obstruct the view of ones ASSets (both frontal and rear). The fanny pack is available in most sporting goods stores and comes in either cotton, nylon or leather.

For me, the fanny pack is best for pool parties and other outdoor gatherings because it allows space for additional items such as sunscreen and lip balm. If you pack carefully, you can possibly squeeze in a condom or two and a small container of lube for any opportunity that may present itself.

Part 2 is to be published tomorrow, September 1, 2010. Until then,

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Vacation

Vacations are a time out from the mundane, the ordinary and the routine. They can be exciting, refreshing and relaxing. At the same time, a vacation may also be a time of stress and tension. One thing is for certain; regardless if the respite time is nude or textile, a vacation always encompasses at least one surprise. My little holiday last week was no different: relaxing and fun, a small amount of tension (traffic) and this surprise.

While taking a well-deserved nap one afternoon, Cuz took this photo of me sleeping. He also dared me to post it here. Now, as many of you already know, dare me to do anything and it becomes mission accomplished. I can't resist the temptation.

Moral of this little observation on last week: if you travel anywhere with Cuz, make it a point to secure your camera before you sleep! LOL!

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Naked Family Vacation

Early tomorrow morning, Twin, Cuz, along with three friends and myself are heading to Gunnison Park/Sandy Hook Beach in New Jersey for a weeklong visit. This is one of the few clothing-optional public beaches along the East Coast. We've booked a hotel nearby and look forward to a week of some serious chill and nude beach fun. It's been a minute since my biological naturist family and my nudist family took a road trip. I'm looking forward to it!

Towards the end of the week, we're heading into Manhatten for a weekend of fun before returning home. I should resume blogging the week of August 30, 2010.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Slap It! Squeeze It?

Relax. Calm down. This isn't a posting about anal sex (although there may be one here on that topic in the near future). This item is about the camaraderie that exists between us members of the queer nudist fraternity. Even among complete strangers, there is a bond unlike any other found in the broader gay community.

One evening last week, a very good friend (same gender loving naturist) and a new acquaintance (a nude novice) sent me a text asking if I were home and felt like some company. At home, I'm nude and upon arrival, they made themselves comfortable also. While putting out some snacks, my acquaintance playfully slapped me on my ass. I responded with a grin and a booty-shake. We all laughed.

The novice then remarked how free and uninhibited the nudist culture was from the general (clothing) society. We agreed and then followed his observation with a discussion on the brotherhood that is within our particular community and almost totally nonexistent in the gay world. Just go to any queer club or event and experience all the attitude and aloofness. Few men, if anyone at all, will even give you the time of day. Don't get caught communicating using American Sign Language; that alone is an automatic death sentence.

Yet, when we go to a same gender loving naturist function, a clothing-optional beach or resort, and the atmosphere is entirely the opposite. Most men are carefree and friendly. Everyone is relaxed and unburdened with attempting to pretend to be what they are not. The stress of being artificial is absent and the focus is on simply having a good time.

When clothed, there is a different set of rules that restrict our behavior. We are too conscious of space, distance, feigning indifference and exuding judgment. We are so uptight that we forget to have fun and enjoy the company of those around us. When textile, we cringe at the very thought of a near-stranger touching us, much less giving a casual friendly slap on the buttocks. This is probably the reason so many people are so miserable as they navigate the course of their daily lives.

Give me nudity anytime. Life is too short to spend my time in misery. I'd much rather be in the presence of my naked brothers doing what we do best: celebrating our true selves!

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Ground Zero Mosque

I am postponing today's planned posting in order to address this issue. This entire controversy is so unnecessary and senseless. People are opening their mouths and speaking before they are engaging their brain. At least Mr. President Obama has the courage to speak against this bigotry and to defend our Constitution against this outrage. This is also the same Constitution that we all embraced last week with the overturn of California's Proposition 8. The same principles applied in that case are being discarded here.

The Constitution separates the secular and the sacred. Government may not interfere nor impede religion. The construction of a mosque two blocks from the site of the former World Trade Center, as long as it meets zoning and construction requirements, is of no concern for government. This is a private development on private real estate. No public monies are involved.

Freedom from religious persecution guided many to immigrate here in the first place. This fact alone should silence any opposition to this proposed project. We have no right to prevent this construction from happening. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens, regardless of the faith.

On September 11, 2001, more than 100 devout American Muslims lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Almost a dozen first responders of the Islamic tradition sacrificed their lives in service to others, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation. There is no reason that this faith community should be prohibited from building a mosque as close as possible to Ground Zero.

The very suggestion that all Muslims are terrorists is senseless and unfounded. It is the same as implying that all Americans are crackheads. This entire controversy is the right-wing using scare tactics to further their own twisted agenda as we approach the November elections.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Mixed Company

For the past several years, an older, same gender loving man that I know (we met during my graduate school days) hosts a small gathering to observe his birthday. He is very open about his penchant for younger men. The guest list consists of between six to eight (early 30s to late 40s) gay men, all of us affiliated with a local Deaf professional network. When extending his invitation to this event last night, our host, EC, also let us know that he had a special birthday surprise for all of us in honor of his 68th year.

I asked my good friend, Armpit Eros (http://hirsutearmpits.blogspot.com) to accompany me to the party. Although hearing, he is widely known within the Deaf community as a professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. He is also a brother naturist/nudist.

Yesterday evening, entering EC's apartment, we discovered his birthday treat for us. Our host was in the middle of his living room in only his birthday suit (nude), mingling with perhaps half a dozen of his textile guests. Greeting us and other arriving men, he offered each of us the chance to join him in his nudity if we were comfortable. We both complied immediately, removing all save our jewelry and footwear. None of the other men displayed any visible reaction to our nakedness.

During the course of the evening, I questioned EC about his birthday surprise. He expressed no interest in social nudism but the desire to offer something different in celebrating the occasion. He also added that he seriously doubted he would ever do this again. By the end of the evening, only one other guest joined us in removing his clothes. Another man stripped off both his shirt and undershirt and yet another took off all except his boxer briefs. Exactly a dozen men attended EC's bash, four of us completely naked.

Now, being nude in a predominantly clothing crowd wasn't a new experience for my close friend or me. We did learn that it was a novelty for everyone else. Not shocking necessarily, just unusual. No one openly admitted any discomfort. Wouldn't it be a better world if this level of tolerance was prevalent throughout our society?

Both Armpit Eros and I felt sensual, as opposed to sexual, pleasure with the situation. It was relaxing and refreshing knowing that we were being viewed as who, not what, we truly are. It was nice just to be ourselves.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Naked

When I am naked, my body is liberated,
I'm psychologically exhilarated,
My mind is set free!

When I am naked, all inbred shame is exonerated,
All restraints are eliminated,
I am happy to be me!

When I am naked, I've no problem being viewed,
I'm not lewd or rude, just nude,
For all to see me!

When I am naked, I always will remain,
Honest to my game,
Nude as I wannabe!

When I am naked, I am myself honestly,
I offer no apology, I am quite logically,
Unashamedly and proudly me!

When I am naked, I rejoice in my nudity,
I personify the absurdity,
That clothes are for me!

When I am naked, I am simply naturally,
Emotionally, soulfully and spiritually,
Being the man that's me!

Prop 8 Overturn Critics

I do have some thoughts to share regarding the critics of last weeks overturn of Proposition 8 in California. They may appear trivial or unremarkable; yet I feel compelled to post it here. I may be preaching to the proverbial choir; however, I want to get this off my proverbial moderately hairy chest.

Many complain, lament, rage and rant about the rumored hidden agendas of activist judges. Hidden agendas or the fact that it is their constitutional responsibility to make judgments? They're only doing what we pay them to do: their job. Judge Vaughn Walker's decision was thoughtful and well researched. Up until now, the critics were comfortable in the knowledge that he was appointed to the judiciary by a conservative, Republican president: one of their own. Perhaps the honorable judge based his ruling on sound reasoning? Isn't the impartiality of justice the purpose of having a judiciary system in the first place?

Judge Walker's interpretation is based on strict constitutional precedent and tradition. There was nothing inappropriate nor cavalier in his actions. Because he followed the letter of the law, his opponents now want to question both his integrity and his jurisprudence. They don't agree with his decision so now he's an outlaw.

On top of that, they now accuse him of being a queer, and a closeted one at that. So, what if he is? He's the same man now as he was when he was given this job. Nothing's changed. After all, haven't heterosexual judges ruled both against and for us in the past? Swallow your sour grapes and move on.

Next, they even attack the Constitution. Really, they don't want to go there. They are the ones who incessantly use this very document to justify their right to bear arms and their right to verbally abuse anyone who disagrees with their opinion. They all seem to forget that people who live in glass houses should be the last ones to throw stones. Just because it looks as though you just might be on the unconstitutional side of this argument doesn't give you the right to bash it entirely. What else are you going to use the next time your ownership of lethal weapons is under scrutiny?

Fifty plus years ago, similar arguments were hurled across the nation in response to the verdict in Brown vs. Board of Education. Get over it and get on with your life. Progress goes hand in hand with equality.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

August D~Lites

It's been a long minute since I've shared a weekend treat here. I hope these two get your weekend off to a great start! Please be safe and careful!

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Random Thoughts

THE TARGET INCIDENT

Target's CEO issued an apology to all store employees on Thursday, August 5. Gregg Steinhafel stated that Target was "genuinely sorry" for angering employees regarding a political donation to a conservative group backing a Republican gubernatorial candidate who supports the extermination of gays. He announced that in the future, the retail chain would initiate a review process for political donations. Mr. Steinhafel also added: "The diversity of our team is an important aspect of our unique culture and our success as a company, and we did not mean to disappoint you, our team or our valued guests."

As a potential victim of execution should this Republican gubernatorial candidate win in Minnesota, I don't think that disappointment sums up exactly how I feel about the entire matter. And I would also appreciate some sort of apology from Mr. Steinhafel before I will ever entertain the idea of shopping at Target again (even though I never really shopped there before all this). This entire episode never should have happened in the first place.

And what about all those within our GLBT community who regularly shopped at Target before this incident? How does Mr. Steinhafel propose to address this matter to all of them? After all, they are the individuals and families who spent hard-earned dollars in Target on an ongoing basis.

PROP 8 OVERTURN

Like most members of our same gender loving culture, I was excited about U. S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's overturn of California's Proposition 8 this past Wednesday, August 4. His ruling is on strictly constitutional grounds that must be addressed by both sides in any future appeal, even before the Supreme Court. The fact that the decision is so steeped with anti-discrimination precedent, it makes the task of defending the proposition even more difficult. This news could not have come at a better time. Our community needed the psychological victory.

However, I am still dismayed somewhat. Here it is, the year is 2010 and we as a nation still have to look to headlines concerning basic equality as newsworthy. Shouldn't we as a society be so beyond this by now? We should all have total equality, period.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Nude Croquet: Ouch!

I enjoy being naked; therefore, almost all social activities where I can participate naturally appeal to me. I like to play sports and have done badminton, basketball, flag football, kickball, relay races, swimming, tennis and volleyball while nude. As an active and competitive man by nature, these games allow me the chance to truly be myself: engaging competitively and nude, simultaneously. These tests of endurance and skills enable me to live my life to the fullest as a queer nudist. I'm loving every minute of it!

An undergraduate classmate of mine is the sole child of a family that has a home (estate) in Middleburg, VA (spelled: m-o-n-e-y). As long as I have known AG, he has remained ambiguous regarding both his nudity and his sexuality (meaning: closeted). Over the years, those of us who know him have come to terms with this fact of his life and have moved on. He is simply being himself, nothing more, nothing less. As a matter of fact, it has been within the past ten years that he has even acknowledged that he is Deaf as opposed to hearing-impaired. The two of us were never particularly close, I always considered him an acquaintance.

I was surprised when I received an invitation from AG for a dozen of his "closest gay nudist friends" to attend a social at his family home for this past Saturday (his parents are out of the country for two weeks). Nudity was mandatory and the activities involved included croquet, swimming, cocktails and a buffet. The last time I was invited to his family home was almost five years ago and that occasion was for thirty "friends." I guess I'm moving up the social scale!

The opportunity for naked croquet intrigued me and I readily accepted the invite. I vaguely recall playing the game years ago. I know it involves wooden balls and mallets and navigating through hoops in the ground. Aside from that, my memory was blank. I googled the game a week before the social in an attempt to cover my ignorance. I was also hoping to maybe just do the pool thing and avoid croquet altogether.

Upon arrival, I and the others were informed that croquet was first on the agenda before swimming and beverages and food. I was grateful for my research and confident that I could offer at least a little competition. However, nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.

The game started and it was my turn. I looked down to eyeball my mallet and ball and noticed my own generous low-hangers. The mental imagine sent shivers down my spine! My testicles and a wooden mallet? Oh, hell no! No fucking way! I froze for what felt like eternity before taking my turn. Predictably, the whole experience was downhill from that point. I couldn't shake this picture from my brain. I completed the game, coming in second place. Surprisingly, considering the mental anguish.

I have finally discovered an activity that I am DEAFinitely not going to enjoy while naked. This one is just not for me. Been there, done that. No thank you.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!