First of all, I need to apologize for this delayed posting. It is later than I normally post my Friday entry here. The post I originally intended to publish is on my desktop at home and I’m not anywhere near there at this particular moment.
The Spring/Summer season here in the USA is the time for the baseball sport which is enjoyed by countless people. The object of the game is to hit the ball with a bat, run to the bases and then win the game. However, the bat used is not one of human anatomy. The bat was originally constructed of wood and then later aluminum.
This brief post entry here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! is a substitute for my intended publication. The two men above are obviously not swinging their erect and excited penises in honour of the baseball sport. They’re merely having fun!
It is a fun weekend here in USA. The Memorial Day holiday is Monday, thus a three-day weekend, the unofficial beginning of the Summer season. A majority of the outdoor pool facilities open for the duration of the summer and aquatics are of course the prominent activity, along with barbecues (outside cooking), picnics and of course, the baseball competitions, both amateur and professional.
Everyone please have a safe and successful holiday weekend!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, May 26, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “USA: Memorial Day!”
This is observed annually on the very first Saturday of the month of May. It was first celebrated in 2005 on 10 September and the following year on 9 September, 2006. After the second event, it was decided to change the date to the month of May. The first Saturday of the month was determined to be the best time for gardening.
Since the beginning, it has always been identified as World Naked Gardening Day – a simple and self-explanatory title. Now, it has evolved to International World Naked Gardening Day. Redundant? Yes! Necessary? No!
Aaron, my spouse, and I have hosted a WNGD “planting” for indoor houseplants in our condominium since we began living together. We didn’t hold them during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2023. Initially, we invited acquaintances and friends, and our small condo unit would be quite congested. Since the coronavirus concerns, we now only ask a few other bare practitioner couples to join us. Aaron serves as chef, and I take responsibility for cleaning afterwards.
Indoor gardening!
World Naked Gardening Day maintains a website and the link is:
Visit the site for additional information on World Naked Gardening Day. When I was composing this post entry, the site the last update as being 2017. The webpage does contain links to other naked gardening applications.
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The Evolution of a Bare Gardener!
Based on the poem: “Seasonal Interchange” by Michael Aitkin, World Naked Gardening Day webpage.
In Winter, when the trees are bare,
We mortals don our winter wear.
In Spring, when trees begin to dress,
We mortals then start wearing less,
Until, for some, with Summer’s heat
The role reversal is complete.
Happy World Naked Gardening Day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, May 5, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Mayhem!”
Before anyone types a nasty note for me, his hands are arced into a shape of the human heart. Clearly a representation of affection and love! Why focus on affection and love in April and not February which is when we have Valentine’s Day? The reason is simple: I love April! I love Spring! I love Aaron, my spouse! And he loves me! As a footnote, both Aaron and I were born during the month of April – different dates and different years!
As a reminder, we’re both advocates and enthusiasts of nakedness! Bare practitioners from head to toe – bare, commando or clothed! If you haven’t already, we cordially invite you to join us in our body and clothes freedom endeavour!
A “new” pictoral representation of Aaron and myself: an interracial couple!
When Aaron saw this photo, he immediately approached me with the idea of using this to represent the both of us here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! I felt the same except I would prefer more of the palm fronds (leaves) visible!
Me bare in a public park in early April!
April is also the first full month of the Spring season here in the Northern Hemisphere. We’re also heat and sunshine addicts – another reason to appreciate the commencement of this month! At last, the bleak, boring, drab winter landscape is now dissipating and our natural surroundings are now slowly reappearing with the brightness and colours of the fresh season!
Yours truly at the LBJ Memorial, GW Parkway!
The beginning of Spring often provides chill, cool mornings that are not the best time for posing bare. This monument is covered by shade for most of the morning hours and I remember how cold it is until the early afternoon! As our outdoor weather temperatures begin to rise, we bare practitioners increase our “natural-in-nature” outings! More fun for everyone!
Flexing together!
The month of April is compatible with our bare practitioner identity – especially our cherishing of our nakedness, both privately and socially. Optimum skin, minimum covering! Bold and proud!
Not warm enough – yet!
We observe the arrival of April simultaneously with the beginning of Spring. It is early in both the new month and the new season. The external water temperature may not invite our indulgence now, but we’re prepared to enjoy it in the foreseeable future!
Happy days are here, once again! Welcome April! Welcome Spring!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, April 4, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “April = ReNew + ReNude!”
Phoenix Fellington, our “unofficial” official spokes-model, (left) offering advice to a co-star!
Background:
As a casual introduction to today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride, our featured host is our very own man, Phoenix Fellington, (pictured above, left) worldwide celebrated performer/director in the gay porn industry and the “official” unofficial (not financially compensated) spokes-model (representative) of this site! Not only is he proudly and publicly an advocate for our distinguished bare practitioner lifestyle – he personally demonstrates and vocalizes his confidence and support whenever possible!
A few reminder notes on our successful spokes-model. His birthname is TreLeron Fenderson and he was born on 18 October, 1994, in the city of Detroit, Michigan, USA. He is a former U.S. Marine now very active in the gay pornography industry.
He never tires of proclaiming to the media, “I love being naked outside!”
Directions for his co-starring actors!
Ever since he began his professional career as an honest and openly clothes free and same gender loving man, he’s always been demonstrative and inspirational for us all to “truly be ourselves, to be real!” He had no serious regrets serving in the military under the “DADT” (don’t ask, don’t tell) restrictive guidelines in effect. Like the majority of us, he’s full of gratitude to then-President Obama for his executive order terminating that unfortunate exclusion during his first term of office.
Phoenix Fellington, encouraging the bare and gay experience!
The two .gif images displayed here are Phoenix as he was beginning his professional experience after his military service. He wasted no time in extolling others to take pride in themselves as same gender loving and in their nakedness. If that was their destiny in life, then be the best that you can possibly be doing what makes you happy. It’s all part of life!
A confident inspiration for us all!
Thank you, Phoenix Fellington, both for your encouragement and for all your inspiration! You are an example for us all!
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Creative exercise!
Routine maintenance!
Conclusion!
New Year’s Resolutions versus Spring Resolutions:
Self-improvement is one of the primary motivations for introducing changes into our lives. We all want to “feel better” about ourselves and we want to look better. The desire may very well be present, but our timing is probably not an encouraging factor. The arrival of the winter season, coupled with the bleakness of the weather for the next three months, seriously reduces the likelihood of success.
Our commitment and determination may be strong, but the reality of rolling over in bed for an extra hour of comfort, sleep, and warmth is the reality that often overcomes our resolve. Procrastination trumps positive productivity. Human nature is a trait our species battles on a daily basis. Why add another stress factor as a part of our routine?
A return to reality! The arrival of the Spring season and our renude (renewed) environment (nature) accompanied by our positive attitudes are much better and conducive for the success of any changes. Every step forward brings us closer to our final reward!
Affectionate kissing!
One of the major goals (purposes) for the creation of ReNude Pride (this site) in January 2017 was to provide a space that is receptive and welcoming for same-gender-loving (SGL) people (bisexual or gay) who prefer nakedness (clothes freedom). Our community and culture embrace the descriptive label bare practitioner. It avoids the terms/words that usually invoke bias and judgment. My spouse, Aaron, and I both believed bare practitioner was neutral in the minds of most people who were inclined to marginalize both our community and our culture.
Race Cooper!
“As a Black Canadian gay nudist man in the USA porn industry, I know and have witnessed bias, hatred and prejudice because of race and sexual orientation. It is unfair and unjust. It is wrong. As an actor/performer, I’ve never experienced “in my face” criticism for being and public nudist. But I know of fellow nudists who are judged because of their nakedness. Clothes freedom is a part of who we all are. Just like race a sexuality, we don’t have a choice.
In Canada, race, sexuality and nudity is just a difference. You shave your pubic hair, I let mine grow naturally. We’re both gay men, we’re just different in some ways. “
~ Race Cooper ~ Joseph Ross Anderson ~ The Pink News London, UK June 2020
Interracial couple!
Aaron and I are an interracial married SGL couple. He’s African-Canadian and I’m Greek and we both believe that the above quote from Race Cooper may possibly ease any alienation and/or discomfort sensed by other interracial couples within our bare practitioner community and culture. Hopefully, this inclusion sets a welcoming message for everyone.
For several post entries on this topic from the past, click the links below to access:
It isn’t just “wishful thinking!” It is more than simply a thought that repeats itself day after day, with no end in sight! It is a recurring dream that happens about this time of the year, every year! We’re tired of the dregs of winter – the barren wasteland of dirty snow, a desolate landscape and frigid air! The need for a change of scenery and outdoor air temperature is upon us. Then, it happens! A dream of happiness and hope enters into our sleep one night and reminds us all that dreams are real!
Let’s face the facts: St. Valentine’s Day has happened – it is now part of our past! The month of February is now more than half over, the month of March is now fast approaching and along with it – the first day of spring, 2025! The bleak season of winter is about to fade away forever. There is now happiness and hope on the horizon!
Race to the waves!
Of course, we all know that the seasonal transformation won’t occur overnight. We still have a few more weeks of winter to endure and then the transition from winter into spring slowly begins to happen. Yet, that dream has happened! The dream that reminds us all that reality is upon us and that a bright future is returning to us! Take a deep breath and relax!
First arrival, the biggest splash!
There are many characteristics of dreams that provide us all both benefits and resources in surviving and thriving over the final challenges of the winter. Our memories of the fun, the successes and the thrills of the past enable us to overcome any obstacles that present themselves.
Beach fun with friends!
As bare practitioners, we have the camaraderie and the fellowship of our community and our culture to enhance and reward our social expectations and to offer support in future endeavours. We are very accomplished in the dream-world category!
Removing!
One of the awesome and prominent features of the dream, at least in my version, is the adventure of stripping off/removal of the shorts or the swimsuit. The eliminating of this layer of covering is equal to the total freedom of clothing! Achieving our bare practitioner status is identical to engaging in that liberation with others!
“baring the buttocks!”
The actual “baring of the buttocks” – the moment of relief, release and satisfaction – is the amazing and inspiring climax of the dream for everyone. The fulfillment of our survival of winter itself!
Confusion!
Despite the uncertain times that we are now experiencing – especially the recent political changes with the maga-soiled diaper – full of excrement – now sitting in the Oval Office at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – the dream will happen! It may not be ideal and it may not be perfect, but it will happen and that maga-odor that contaminates the White House will be eliminated! We just need to remember, this dream is real!
Fun and happiness for all!
The dream has happened! The sandy seed has been planted in the beach of our upcoming summer! Yes, there may be storms along the way as they are a part of nature. We survived the electoral holocaust of 2024 and we survived the winter of 2025. A few more weeks of winter isn’t everlasting! The dream will bring spring our way!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, February 21, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Race Forward: Race on Race!”
Alternate title:Their jollies stuffed inside their jock-straps!
Before anyone panics, ReNude Pride is not abandoning naked, natural, nude and/or nudity! The male jock-strap is one of the minimal and most relaxing of any type of male garment in existence. We’re just complying with the holiday season!
Exchanging kisses!
We Wish You A Jolly Jock-Strap!
We wish you a jolly jock-strap!
We wish you a jolly jock-strap!
We wish you a jolly jock-strap!
Every day of the year!
Gaining familiarity!
A holiday bromance happens!
A simple holiday adaptation of the traditional holiday song: We Wish You A Merry Christmas! The lyrics are courtesy of my musical spouse, Aaron.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, December 23, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Deck the Halls!”
As the introductory buttocks (above) remind us, we don’t abandon our acquaintances, friendships and good times as we soon depart 2024 and welcome 2025! Now is an excellent time to anticipate our future and commence planning for another upcoming nakation! No matter how we travel, airplane, boat, car or foot, there are affordable arrangements that can be made this far in advance!
Investigate opportunities, share with others, look around you and research what is appealing, available and cost options. Removing the frustration and stress of immediate deadlines and time constraints provide us the chance to prepare ahead and to budget in advance of an overload of frantic tasks to complete within a limited amount of time.
Nakation planning does not require a detailed and elaborate availability. The time factor of a particular length of nakation can vary between a set number of hours each week to an entire month of freedom. It’s important that we all remember the basic: what truly matters is that the arrangements and desires are both accessible, affordable, convenient and satisfactory for us.
Bottom-line: it is our nakation! There is another benefit that I failed to include above. It is a naked vacation! There is very limited concern or worry over any type of “dress code!” Hopefully, as bare as possible!
Seeking!
Of course, a relaxing and successful nakation is not specifically guaranteed the expense, alone. Some of the best, the most relaxing ones and the most productive ones are the least expensive and simplest ones we create with our acquaintances and/or family and friends. As easy to organize as a one-day skinny dipping (swimming naked), the next day a bare picnic or cook-out, to be followed by a trip to a secluded site, sunbathing while natural with a good book.
The ability and freedom to be natural in nature often provides the comfort that we value. Another option is to enjoy the time away from the jobsite while bare and alone!
Confusion!
Many bare practitioners become so overwhelmed by family, social obligations and other demands and expectations during this festive season that the customary habit of enacting the tradition of New Year’s resolutions often is too burdensome, too restrictive or just “too much” to even consider. The chaotic, frantic and hectic nature of life experienced throughout this time of the year surpasses all the fun and joy that we’re supposed to be having! Where is it written that all resolutions must be made only on New Year’s Day?
My spouse, Aaron, and I are both frustrated and tired of this ridiculous and unfair custom. Our solution to this dilemma is basic, simple and thus far, manageable. Instead of New Year’s resolutions, we observe and participate in First Day of Spring resolutions!
New Year’s Day happens annually during the coldest season of the year. This always follows a very busy major holiday period where practically every waking moment is filled to capacity. Do any of us have the time to seriously examine and explore improvements we want to implement into our lives?
Treadmill fitness!
My husband and I prefer a less demanding and more relaxed occasion to introduce variations in our lives and in our routines. The First Day of Spring isn’t magical. It may not automatically begin an overnight change in the temperature and weather conditions but it lacks the urgency of the New Year’s season. The first of spring does offer a sense of rebirth and renewal, and that reality increases the chance of success in the resolution undertaking!
That factor alone aids in the improvement of the attitude towards flexibility and helps create an environment and mindset conducive to progress. It also enables the reduction of feelings of frustration and stress!
My job would be ideal if I could lecture in front of the class completely clothes free! Unfortunately, education isn’t always as progressive as it should be!
Critical instruction!
However, there are some happy benefits that accompany educational instruction: among those is the semester break (holiday) between the Autumn semester and the Spring semester! My break begins today, Monday, 9 December (unofficially) after I submit my final rankings for Autumn. Classes resume in January. A nice way to spend the holiday time!
My spouse, Aaron, has some time off from his job and we’ll be spontaneous in our December excursions! We’re intentionally trying to remain as uncommitted as possible in order to take advantage of being both clothes and job free! An additional benefit is the freedom to be spontaneous in any social offerings! Few expectations and time together!
Time together!
Relaxing with the freedom to be us!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, December 13, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Seasonal Adjustment!”
Before I create any confusion and/or misunderstanding, this post entry for ReNude Pride is most definitely not a cocktail (mixed drink) recipe. The “twist” in the title above is involved in a popular social game – actual title “Twister” – so there is no twist of a citrus fruit necessary to be added to alcohol!
The Game:
Twister is not a convenient board game that is undertaken while seated at a table. It is an active challenge requiring minimal equipment: a chart that is unfolded on the floor or ground and a spin device that denotes particular colours (either red, blue, green or yellow). A spin of the device indicates the colour that the players must physically connect with using either their hands and/or feet.
Originally geared primarily for children, the activity soon became popular with young adults. As the number of clothes free enthusiasts grew, so did the “fun-to-play-naked” fans. The close proximity of the audience and the curious and sometimes compromising positions the players endured added to the excitement of involvement in the game of Twister! Among the bare and same gender loving population, the Twister engagement was astronomical!
As the game progresses, bodies – while nude – often become entangled which provides interesting and unusual encounters with the bodies of others, either a close friend, a casual acquaintance or a complete stranger! A very roundabout way to “break-the-ice” (introduce) oneself to others in a fun and non-threatening (uncomfortable) manner! The results can create lasting friendships or episodes of awkward familiarity!
The fun entailed with Twister is best experienced rather than explained! There are indeed some things that words just are unable to describe! Fortunately, the activity is suitable for play both inside a dwelling or outside in nature as a bare practitioner or clothed.
A pair of identical twins!
If and when a pair of identical twins are entered into the Twister situation, the contortions as well as the game itself can occasionally create unexpected consequences! For two devious minds, in particular, my spouse, Aaron, and my identical sibling, Alex, the opportunity is simply too rich to ignore!
The Devious Duo: Aaron and Alex
The situation that I am referencing took place back in 2010, the year that Aaron and I initiated our relationship. We had met one another that Spring and by that Autumn we were introducing ourselves to acquaintances, family and friends – a somewhat lengthy and involved process that is, at times, very time consuming!
Aaron’s oldest brother, Paul, was undergoing the “coming out” stage of his life and uncertain as to his status, whether he was a bisexual man or a gay man. Aaron and Alex had the idea that the four of us spend a weekend together, especially as I had never before met Paul. The details were arranged by the “devious duo” (Aaron and Alex), the date arrived – early October – and the weekend was underway!
Paul, aware of his attraction to men, remained in limbo (confused) as to whether he is a gay man (male attraction only) or if he is a bisexual man (attracted to both men and women). Aaron and Alex adopted the idea of a weekend “exploratory” gathering in order to provide Paul the chance to determine his status in the SGL world. I thought this a nice gesture and was honestly surprised that they conceived of this idea! Neither one of them were quite that perceptive!
Confused!
Aaron had invited me to his family over the winter holidays – our first together – so I was eager to meet Paul. We had exchanged emails, and I believed that as this was a crucial time in his life, I could offer advice and help in any way possible. I imagined it would allow us to build a bonding together.
I also knew that Aaron and Alex were conspiring some sort of “initiation” for Paul into the “world of twins!” They were both insisting on my collaboration, but I was adamantly refusing to be a co-conspirator in this episode. Aaron had already let Twin and I know that Paul’s American Sign Language (ASL) skills were not as advanced as his plus his confusion over his sexual identity and if that wasn’t enough, he was spending a weekend with identical twins! Give the man some breathing room! No type of “initiation” required!
The “devious duo” despicable plan was to create confusion for Paul involving Alex and I and our identical buttocks! They thought it would be funny, innocent and engage Paul through humour! I appreciated the humourous aspect but remained firmly opposed to any complicity in their conspiracy! My intention was to meet and assist Paul, not to embarrass him! I knew for a fact that Twin (Alex) could manage that reality solo!
Identical twin buttocks!
Just prior to our weekend gathering, Paul sent to me a confidential email and asking my help. Before this planned gathering, we’d exchanged emails but never met. He had overheard two of his sisters gossiping about our approaching weekend. They had shared that Aaron (their brother), and my Twin were planning a surprise episode and that I had declined to be involved. This prompted his request for my assistance.
My response to his message was a negative. I had refused to cooperate with our brothers in their plot to embarrass him (Paul), therefore, I couldn’t, in clear conscious, collaborate in his scheme. I did assure him that I had not violated Aaron and Twin’s trust in me and that I would respect his need for confidentiality.
Realizing that I now had two conspiring forces vying for my attention, I knew that I needed to proceed with care and caution. The planned weekend arrived. Aaron and I had readied our apartment for our guests, my brother Alex and his brother, Paul.
Twister game competition!
Being aware of the probability of some sort of competitive contest between Paul and Aaron and Alex, I reached a decision to try to avoid any resentment and/or conflict. I knew that we planned our meals out in local restaurants which limited our time together to basically Saturday afternoon/early evening and then again early Sunday afternoon. Not too much “free” time but enough for a possible problem to occur.
If there’s one lesson that I remember from my undergraduate education, it is to plan ahead to keep the students busy and involved. No matter what age or level of education, this lesson is applicable to almost everyone. To ease my self-appointed role as “peace-maker,” I had a Twister game available so that we would have an introductory game and then had a secondary activity, body painting, in place so that we could engage either separately or combine them both together. If we needed a third, I figured we could use charades. A last resort was our selection of dvds.
If we needed the dvd option, then I concluded that the entire weekend was a failure and let everyone fend for themselves! We were all supposed to be adults!
The weekend was fun and successful! Twister was a dynamic twist for all! Body painting was postponed until Halloween!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 18, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Through the Eyes of Another!”
It has been quite some time – at least three years – since I have referenced my bare and gay modeling job and/or the two years that I was involved with it. I have no embarrassment, guilt or shame over that fact/reality. After all, it was an enormous milestone in my life that contributed to the publication of ReNude Pride (this site). Credit should go where it is due!
While earning and learning my baccalaureate degree at my university, I was an active member of the Lavender Club. This was the student club for bisexuals, gays and lesbians. At that time, those three were the sole identities professed by our community and our membership. The overwhelming majority of us considered ourselves gay.
The second largest component group identified as bisexual and was predominantly male followed by the third grouping: lesbian. To our knowledge, there was no census, survey or research done to uncover the discrepancy in numerical memberships. The unofficial reasoning that circulated among us students was that none of the women wanted to be known as a “lavenderlesbian!” This observation was often repeated in jest!
As a student member of the Lavender Club (please make a note of: lavender), our faculty advisor was Dr. Rose (please note: rose). He also was the coordinator of the university’s programme of using graduate students, if interested, as nude models for the art and/or photography classes. Lavender? Rose? Were the university administrators attempting to organize a “rainbow” of surnames for the bisexual, gay and lesbian students?
Bare Professional:
Autumn posing!
As referenced above, Dr. Rose was the sole coordinator for the university’s naked models for the School of Art and he was the one who interviewed all prospective candidates. My situation was different from the others as he was aware of my comfort and familiarity with nudity as well as membership in several Washington, D.C. area clothes free social clubs. He approached me into joining his group of bare models. Of course I agreed! My first assignment as a naked model was to pose for a photography class interacting with fallen leaves the autumn after my graduation. Interacting with a pile of Autumn leaves while the students photographed me? Really?
A simple task that was a nightmare of a challenge. How “creative” could I be with a pile of leaves? Dr. Rose repeatedly emphasized to my modeling partner and myself that the project entailed both our nudity and nature (the leaves). Using the leaves to cover our anatomy was absolutely not an option. Little did he know that was never considered as a possibility by me! My goal: naked, front and center!
As for my modeling partner, he was obsessed with the wearing of a facial Halloween mask for the project. When I asked: why? He answered that he didn’t want his family or friends to know that he was posing nude. I convinced him that this was a project for the photography students, not creating pictures for an art gallery.
Once the project began and working with the leaves developed a pattern, the job became somewhat easier. It was no longer a tedious task. The camera (photography) students started to interact with us and we performed, danced, showered and countless other methods of socialization with the leaves ensued! The class became enthusiastic about the assignment and the focus evolved into having fun!
I realized how fortunate I was. An openly (out-of-the-closet) gay man who was being paid for having fun being naked! The center of attention of this group of photography students as we manually communicated (using ASL) suggestions and ideas as to what to attempt next! A very cool situation considering the fact that we were outside and it was already late October!
Leaves everywhere!
While posing, I began to fancy myself as a performer (actor) in the gay porn industry! Naked with all cameras and everyone’s attention focused on my every move and every whim with no one judging or shocked by my body and clothes freedom or the obvious fact that my man-to-man attraction was not a “taboo” (forbidden) subject! An ideal career aspiration for a 21-year-old man!
Author’s note: imagine me, nude and gay, entertaining the world with my talents! Unlimited financial success due to my superlative relationship with leaves!
While posing, I began to notice that the sunlight seemed to fade and then return. Dizziness one minute and then disappearing the next. Suddenly, after gasping for air, I lost my sense of connection with reality. I felt as though I were floating on waves. The next cognizant thought I had I was on a gurney in the back of a trauma vehicle on the way to a local hospital. I had fainted!
I had lost consciousness and stopped breathing while labouring among the leaves! I had never experienced such an episode in my life! I was kept in hospital for two days and informed that I was allergic to pollen from my co-stars – the leaves! My identical twin brother, Alex, nor I had ever experienced any allergy reactions before! This was actually a first for the both of us as well as all of our brothers!
This incident brought an immediate termination of my exceptional career in pornography with leaves! I continued to work as a bare model for the university’s School of Art and Photography for the remainder of that scholastic year and the next. Henceforth, I restricted my assignments to avoid contact with fallen leaf pollen!
Carpet of leaves!
My diagnosis with an allergy served notice to my parents and siblings to undergo testing. Growing up, there were no serious or urgent health issues for any of us. Fortunately, only Twin (the familiar name Alex and I use in referring to one another) and I were the only ones determined to be susceptible to pollen. Another amazing distinction to being identical twins: Deaf, gay, nudists and now allergy sufferers. Our unique notoriety qualifications listing continued to grow!
Upon being informed of his pollen allergy, Twin immediately asked the doctor if he was certain his allergy was to pollen and not to our shared preference for nakedness! Our physician assured him that it was solely a pollen allergy. Even today, we continue to laugh over his concern as to the cause of our allergy! In his defence, he reminds us that we were “only” 21 years old at the time!
As a footnote to the allergy theme here, in our paternal family we do indeed have a cousin, Michael, who is also a Deaf and an active bare practitioner. Within our family, his own “claim-to-fame” is that he does not suffer a pollen allergy!
Landscaping!
Another footnote to my career as a bare model, I was relieved of any consideration for any future leaf responsibilities! However, in response to my incident, no engagements involving leaves was ever taken again by the School of Art! No one affiliated with the now School of Media wanted a repetition of my reaction and hospitalization. Evidently, once was quite enough!
A humourous closing note, shortly after my return to graduate studies at my university, a notice was anonymously posted on campus: “Warning! Roger does not play well with leaves!”
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 11, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Armistice Day/Remembrance Day!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 