Mary and Me

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ACCEPTANCE: DOES IT REALLY EXIST?

Here we go again.

A topic that some people will choose to ignore even exists. Acceptance.

Societal acceptance, acceptance among and with those you call family or friends, acceptance with coworkers, those in the community you interact with often.  Yes, there are differing variables to each group somewhat, but the overall gist is the same.  

How well do people in general actually accept those persons who are different from them?

A person may have a disability, may be missing an appendage, may have burns or scars, maybe even simply having tattoos or piercings, and that person is shunned by a majority of what's called "normal" folks.  

How does that make you feel? How does that make that PERSON feel? Ever thought about that?

We all have people we know who have different sports teams they love, friends who may be atheist, or muslim, coworkers who are obsessed with Pokemon Go etc.  You may even know people who are into things that you may have been taught are taboo or a no no. Could be BDSM, it could be uusual hair color or styles, eyebrow or nose piercings. We all understand that people are different and that that is a good thing! 

We don't have to agree with them on everything. We don't have to do what they do, go where they go, support what they support. BUT, we should be accepting.  If a person is not hurting others, or involving themselves in illegal things like being a drug dealer, a thief, beating their spouse and so on, why then are we so quick to judge and single them out?

Here's a peak into the folks I know. In my fold I have people who are lawyers, doctors, nurses, veterans, first responders, clergy, old, young, educators, musicians, bikers, felons, fathers, mothers, artists, writers and a lot of others that fall somewhere in between. OH, and I have friends who are, wait for it.....nudists.  Yep, they feel more comfortable for many different reasons being in a clothes free lifestyle. Weird, you say. Not so much. Just different. Does everyone I know accept me fully with all my issues, and uniqueness? Nope! Do most of them accept me? Yes Sir! 

Before I continue, this will be a 2 part post and here's why. The point of this post is to raise awareness of what acceptance really looks like and why it is important. My goal is to be able to share in part 2, some photos of me with some people that know me and who are accepting of MY nudist lifestyle. It is not to single anyone out, or any of that. It is simply to show that there are in fact, good people out there who will accept your differences, including being a nudist. 

Look, I get it. Nudism isn't mainstream in America like it is in Europe and elsewhere. However, with the rise of equality for all, i.e. LGBTQ, Transgender, racial equality, shouldn't nudists fit in that somewhere? I'm not saying let's vote to have everyone naked anywhere in the country 24/7. We aren't ready for that as a people. Being able to be friends with and get along with folks who practice nudism where they can, aint nothing wrong with that. lol.

I ate breakfast at one of my favorite local spots this morning.  The staff knows we well. I've been going there for years. I took a leap of faith and asked if anyone would be interested in being a part of this blog post. I explained why and a little about that topic. It was a no pretty much as the answer, but hey, if you don't ask, you don't know.  I value them as servers, cooks, and appreciate their excellent service always and I also enjoy their company. 

I'm hopeful that others will join in and help with this blog post, and I am confident others will. If they choose not to for whatever reasons, no biggie. I appreciate the consideration. 

I will be talking to more folks this coming week about being a part of the part 2 post and will be writing it as soon as it is doable.  In the meantime, hang in there, be kind\to one another, and remember, everyone is different and that is a very good thing!!

So Goeth the Gramps

 Welcome back!  

Man has it been far too long! I'll spare you the details of where I've been, what I've been doing largely, but for now...

Let me jump right in and get to writing this new post. 

As you MUST be well aware of by now having seen my previous posts, I am a nudist individual. Some of that is by choice and some of that is due to the medical need to be Au Naturale thanks to sensory processing disorder. That's neither here nor there. 

So, this past year has been most interesting. I've taken on a new venture with a friend. It is a recording studio. Since I am a long-time musician, writer, singer, and sound guy, it really made sense. We've had a couple folks come in and record with us, others come do regular jam sessions, and another few who are just very curious. Our venue is definitely atypical. We don't do that standard booth, headphones in a closet where you are isolated like a kid in time out. We have an actual live stage for bands/artists to perform on WHILE being recorded. The atmosphere is unreal and unmatched. 

The studio is great.  The only downside at this time is, wait for it, there's no dedicated heat or ac YET. We have big fans we run when it's hot, and a big wood burning stove when it's cold. Works pretty well in both extremes. But, with my health issues, on those hot hot days, I am miserable!! I've forewarned my business partner that there will come a day when I may be up in the booth naked, simply because I have to be to survive. Florida gets hot, folks. LOL. That time hasn't come just yet, but it is fast approaching. 

*Most everyone I know is aware of my life choice and how I live and why. There are a select few I keep in the dark for the time being, more for my sanity than theirs. 

At home, with friends, family, I can be me and that is a glorious situation to enjoy.  At the studio, not so much.

And, yes, I am weird, and I do weird things. Hey, I am unique!! 

Most folks love it. As some would say though, " you are nuts!"  

Also, true. Back to my storied details. 

As part of running a recording studio, you have to network, meet new folks, secure clients, and hobnob, rubbing shoulder in the community. Having a combined 95 years of experience between Tom and me doesn't hurt. 

We have been fortunate to have met some very cool people. One of my favorites, who needs to get her butt back to sing with us again soon, is Tina. Full of life, funny, talented, a bit nutso like we are, and come to find out, pretty open minded. 

Tina... Well, she loves singing most anything that female country artists sing, some rock, and EVERYTHING ELVIS.  

I swear she is addicted to the King. 

After several months of being friends and connected, discussions evolved and more about my lifestyle came into play. This past week there was some banter back and forth, gifs exchanged and what not. Come to find out, she is pretty open minded when it comes to my penchant for being naked, and is utterly hilarious with her comments, emojis and responses. Kudos!

To say that running a recording studio is all roses and candy is a total misnomer. It is work. Sweaty, long, daunting, taxing on the brain and body, and just downright awful at times. 

Do I love it? You betcha I do. It has always been my dream to either play and sing professionally or help those who do by offering my services and expertise. I am the primary go to guy when it comes to setting up the stage, gear, mics, software, sound board and all the pedal boards, inputs and other knickknacks that come with music production. I would love to have another person on board who could do a lot of that for me, but that is not an option as of yet. 

There are days when I will go into the studio venue 5 hours ahead of a band or group coming, JUST to ensure that everything is working properly, and we are sitting on go once they arrive. Add in a 4-5 hour session, and an hour or 2 of post work once they leave and that makes for a very long day.

By the time I finally roll into the driveway at home, I am beat. One of my saving graces is the ability to walk in, set my keys and wallet down and just drop trouser and all. Coffee making, dog petting, wife smooching, and then hour or so to decompress must happen. 

Like I said, my sensory issues really ramp up in the heat and humidity around this area so long busy days at the studio often times push me to the brink of what I can stand physically. 

Wearing crazy outfits 

I'm sure doesn't help matters.

But, as I did Monday,         

no outfit at all definitely helped!

Dealing with flu like symptoms the entire day was rough in itself, and the humidity, and the fever I was running. The show must go on regardless of immediate circumstances.  

The group that came Monday was one of our usual gaggle of musicians who have their own band for the most part, minus a couple folks here of late. 

It went as well as it could. Some songs done well, and a few others that need some tweaking seemed the norm for the day. 

 

We aren't perfect but man is it enjoyable. I've contemplated often, JUST how many folks would actually still come and record or jam with us IF it was stated up front, "Hey, the sound guy is likely going to be naked. That's how it is. It is our place, a private studio and venue, and you are a guest and client."

Would that even fly? Would it be possible to find musicians who wouldn't care or mind and who might even LOVE the idea and follow suit, sans suit? 

My brain in constantly running 1000 mph night and day with just such subject matter in tow. Don't even ask me my thoughts on the duck billed platypus!! LOL.  That'd take a long conversation. Needless to say, there is a niche for just about everything these days, somewhere in America. Wedding chapels for dogs, nude car washes, bedazzling your vajayjay, support groups for those obsessed with bacon, book clubs for comic books, furries, you name it. Why can't there by a niche for what works best for me? 

Legit question I'd say. Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and toss the idea out there in the community and region and see what happens. What say you?  Yes or No? I value your feedback always, and especially as it pertains to this. 

I'm still not over this flu mess, and it is getting a bit late. Be on the look out for the next post later this week.

Be well. Rest thyself mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Catch ya on the flip side sooner than later.

Oh, and thanks for sticking around again! You are important, and I appreciate you!

Time for tans to Fall

Summer is gone, temps are dropping drastically and those days of warmth where enjoying outside activities au natural will have to be put on hold until warmer days return again. The tans of summer days filled with sunshine and warm breezes have already begun to fade.

As nudists, most all of us enjoy the good old outdoors. Gardening, yard work, building projects, boating, fishing, sunbathing are just some of the activities we usually look forward to doing during the warm and hot months of the year. Anyone knows, clothed or not, when you are in the sun, you get some sort of a tan and once you arent in the sun as much that tan tint fades. We nudists do enjoy an all over tan, lol. So now that the fall is upon us and winter will soon be knocking on our doors, those golden tan will be totally gone, what do we do? What can nudists who are so used to the outdoors do in those colder months?

Here are just a few ideas I'd like to share. Some are obvious, and others, maybe not so much, but all are great options to keep the nudist freedom going all year long.

Whether it's just you, or you and your partner, cooking is always a great experience: (and your pets surely won't mind)

Many cities now are offering nude yoga classes. I haven't been to one because I am far too clumsy, but friends go often and always express how amazing the experience is.

How about bowling? Yep, bowling! There are far more areas out there now that have nudist groups that plan nude bowling  nights than you may think.   You still have to don those ugly shoes but, hey.

We all like to eat and eating with friends is good so how bout a nude dinner with friends? Even incorporate watching a ballgame if you like. 

You can host a board game night, craft night with the girls, guys can watch a fight on the tube, couples can get together and play canasta. 

All these ideas are inside in the warmth of the indoors but still give the golden opportunity to still be you. This is just the tip of the cold weather thwarting iceberg. No matter what you opt to do, do something! Don't let mother nature keep you all bundled up for no good reason til spring brings warm days. You are a nudist! Live like you want to. 

Don't sweat the cold days, the snow, the winds, frigid rains and losing your tan. In a few short months, hopefully, the outdoors will be a welcoming place yet again for us to enjoy. For those lucky enough to have warm days year round,  well, the rest of us envy you a wee bit.

If you're like me, to heck with the cold. I'll sunbathe and enjoy my time no matter the temps!

Just a side note: those of you who are frustrated with Facebook and all the privacy issues, the farming out of your information, content and data, there is an alternative. It's called Mewe. Come check it out. They don't own your content, your privacy is never compromised, nothing is sold to marketers, and you aren't censored and you are free to express your views and beliefs on anything. It's a great social networking forum. If you come on over, let's connect!

https://mewe.com/i/gregorythomas

And it has begun...

New Year, New you.. NOT so fast!  With every new year there are always those pesky, hard to attain resolutions a lot of people try to adhere to. Not to be a Debbie downer, but I have refrained from making resolutions. I saw a post the other day that said, " one day does not make That much of a difference. If you weren't doing it yesterday, why do you think now will be the magic answer?" Valid point I think. Anyway, new year, new resolutions. As I said, I don't make resolutions, I make plans, plans that involve action. Those are ones that have the better chance of being successful.

So, what kind of plans have I made? Glad you asked, or didn't ask.  This post will be short as my plans are relatively simple.

1. I really need a new best guy buddy. The ones I have had in past years have basically all moved on with new families, careers and have even left the area. GUYS need guys in their life. Playing sports with, watching ball games, working on cars, camping, those types of things are integral to a man's healthy mindset.  So I am already working on locating and fostering some new guy friendships this year.

2. For too long there are a couple of things that I have put off. Whether it is fear of failure or just plain lack of motivation, I need to this year take a few more risks that could benefit my future.

3. I have always been a people pleaser. I've done so to a fault, sacrificing large parts of myself, stifling my own wants and needs and choices. This year that is changing. I still love people and will do my best to help those needing it, lend a listening ear, and will still bend over backwards when push comes to shove. However, I must take more time for Me, my needs and must stop the worrying over how anything I choose to do, endorse or partake in makes others feel.

4. Last on my list, and I know this is going to sound really ridiculous, but, I want to make a point to slow down each day more and enjoy things like reading the paper or having naked coffee. There is something wonderful about being good with your own self, feeding your soul, which also means feeding your naked self. It has been proven that being naked has health benefits and there are quite a few of them. So, coffee in my natural self reading the paper or a good book? You betcha!.

If you haven't experienced loving your body yet, I highly encourage you to take the plunge. It may start with not dressing right out of the shower, laying on your bed surfing your twitter and facebook feeds. Give it a try at least once. You might surprise yourself with how amazing and natural the feeling really is.

As January is marching on with the fury of a thousand wild horses, make some plans. Get them started. Change is a good thing and especially so when they involve you becoming a better you!

Peace for 2019 and encouragement for making changes for the best you possible!

What's your Angle

Nudists like to be around other like minded people. That is just a fact. Much like footballs fans, NASCAR fans, people in the same line of work, ones having same interests like to be around others like them. Since there isn't yet laws on the books that permit public nudity in the USA as a whole, many of us nudists share our daily experiences, life events via social media. That involves chatting, posting in groups where our friends are, and yes that Does mean sharing our nude selves.

Being enthusiastic and excited to share with others, even the most seasoned nudist can forget a few things, let's call them protocols. Nudists are by and large wholesome minded, morally upstanding individuals. When making posts to social media especially, we do our best to share pics and posts that go hand in hand with a wholesome, non sexual/objectifying way. 

I thought it might be a nice idea to go over just a refresher course real quick as to how we should go about our postings.  For me, seeing something usually registers better and more long term than just being TOLD something. So, let's get started! REFRESHER 101.

Tripods are awesome. Selfie sticks are pretty great as well. When it comes to capturing our selves, our activities, we won't always have a friend there with us, so what can we do? Set up a tripod, sure. Pray out arm is long enough to use a selfie stick, sure. Prop our camera/cell against a tree, um, maybe. Like in any art form, film industry, photography in general, angles play a huge role in not only the subject matter but also the context that is trying to be portrayed.  Let's look at some examples.

To make this simpler, I'll post a number of nudist photos and in your own head, decide if it is a thumbs up (appropriate) or thumbs down (not appropriate.) Then below them all I'll weigh in on my take from being a nudist for over 25 years.

Got your opinions yet? How bout a few more.

Okay, that should be enough of the good and bad to make the point of what thing we SHOULD be posting and sharing as nudists. 

The first pic, although it does have the woman's vagina closer to the camera than other parts, I would say it is an appropriate pic. Here's why. In the context of where she is, with a selfie stick, no one there to take pic for her, that may be as far as she can reach. She also is simply enjoying her time there on what appears to be a beach. Her face is also IN the pic. 

The next 3 in that section are perfect for posting and sharing. They show activity or just a normal non sexually suggestive or objectified center in the pics. The 5th pic in the first section, you know the shot from Down below looking up the woman's body? Yes her face is visible and that's good. However, at that angle, her vaginal region is the central focus our eye naturally is drawn to. There is nothing sexual about her pic, but again, to those who are new, or do not fully understand nudism, context and all those variables, the 5th pic should not be one to post and share. 6th pic uses a selfie stick. Well shot, within arms reach but fully captures the surroundings enough that the viewer knows what is going on. 

In the 2nd set of pics, 1, 3 and 4 are fine. Number 2, def not. There is nothing wrong with a man's penis at all. It is simply another part of the body. But again, making that the focal point in the pic can send out the wrong signal. That angle should be avoided. For those who are astute, you may be saying, "um but #4 is questionable." You have a point. Let me break it down for you.  Although the way the woman is sitting, with legs spread a bit, looking at the whole picture, and it's context, we can understand that that is a normal way we sit in such a situation. Her hands are in a good place, not suggesting anything inappropriate, just posing for a pic probably taken by a friend at the beach. Yes, some would say there is a grey area. In my nudist groups I would not have a problem with that pic because I see the whole thing, the big picture if you will.

As nudists, both new in the lifestyle or seasoned nudists, it is important how we display ourselves. Bringing others on board, friends, family, co-workers, takes them understanding and embracing the wholesomeness, family friendliness of nudism. Leading by example is what works. Sure as adults we are well aware that a penis, or boobs, or vagina is just another body part. We aren't stupid or prudish. Context...that is the benchmark. What you share with another person away from a group setting, that is up to you. In ANY true, legit nudist social media group/page/platform, we should all work hard to foster the right message.  I have one more pic example I'd like to share with you.

Okay....

This woman is smiling, obviously happy in her state of undress and is showing what a normal nude female body looks like. Being it is not a totally vag shot, the lines on is it appropriate or not can be a little blurred. For most of us, I don't think we would have a huge objection to her pic. In my groups, I would likely message this lady, and ask if she had another that had less of an angle from down below. It can be a little tough trying to frame yourself when taking a pic propping your phone without aid of a tripod, selfie stick etc. It takes some trial and error. For me, if I was planning on sharing and posting some sort of pic and one like hers was in the ones I had taken, I would choose another to use.

Perhaps that's just me. You will never please everyone. That is just impossible. The old adage, better safe than sorry I think is a good one to follow. If there is any question how a pic you post may be construed or taken, just refrain. Choose wisely, and your online group experiences will not only never come into question, but will also represent all of US, in the best light possible. 

Hopefully this post has jogged your memory and reaffirmed what you are already doing.  Go enjoy your day. Enjoy your time nude as God intended, and let's keep being great advocates for normalizing nudism.