I got this advertisement in the mail earlier this week. It really made me smile. We moved to Chicago little over 7 years ago from Toledo, Ohio. We would never see this sort of advertisement there. I love this city. 🙂
Happy Pride!
Reply
Tag Archives: Ruff Thoughts
Today’s Gym Jam
An all time Favorite. The lyrics from this 11 year old song continue to inspire.
“Jump”
There’s only so much you can learn in one place
The more that I wait, the more time that I waste
I haven’t got much time to waste
It’s time to make my way
I’m not afraid of what I’ll face
But I’m afraid to stay
I’m going down my road and I can make it alone
I’ll work and I’ll fight till I find a place of my own
[Chorus]
Are you ready to jump
Get ready to jump
Don’t ever look back oh baby
Yes, I’m ready to jump
Just take my hand
get ready to jump
We learned out lesson from the start
My sisters and me
The only thing you can depend on
Is your family
Life’s gonna drop you down like the limbs from a tree
It sways and it swings and it bends until it makes you see
[Chorus]
Are you ready?
There’s only so much you can learn in one place
The more that you wait
The more time that you waste
I’ll work and I’ll fight till I find a place of my own
It sways and it swings and it bends until you make it your own
I can make it alone [repeat]
Quote of the Day
“It’s very easy for many people to confuse Passion for Boasting”.
A resounding Quote of the Day… and it’s only 10am.
Which I’m following up with a quote of my own… it’s easier for people to attack what intimidates them.
This can be relate to many things in life. Don’t be a Hater, Guys. To each their own. Find your own happiness.
My Current “Gym Jam”
RUFF THOUGHTS: “Goodbye to the Inked Hottie at my Gym”
Yesterday, I ended my Gym Membership so that I can pursue the perfection of my CrossFit techniques and hopefully compete someday (that’s another topic). I thought it was rather ironic that on my last day at this gym, I’d see several of my Gym Crushes including the Inked Hottie that I’ve talked about in the past. He has the greatest Chicago Theater banner tattoo’d on one of his calf muscles. Living in Chicago, you’ll see A LOT of Chicago Love displayed on human skin. His is really well done. He’s also so damn clean cut when he arrives. Sometimes, in a business suit with a respectable hair cut. Incredible body. blue eyes and a look about him that says… “You wouldn’t know it but I’m a real kinky fuck under this Clean Cut All American boy look”. Just the way I like em’.
I’ve never been good at creepily snapping photos of guys while they’re not looking but here’s a few photos and a video for me to remember him by. Thanks for the Gym-Spiration (and Tattoo inspiration), Handsome.
The video looks much better with a full screen.
8 Things Gay Guys should say to each other (more often)
Quote of the Day
It never fails: people will think you’re crazy- but usually only when you’re on to something good 😉 do what makes YOU happy
— P!nk (@Pink) May 7, 2014
RUFF THOUGHTS: “Keep Em’ Guessing”
People are fascinating.
Last saturday night, I was making my way to the exit of Jackhammer bar where I ran into an old co-worker where we proceeded to catch up and leave the bar together. A very sexy built Ginger who we’ll call “Bubba”… just because when he reads this he’ll have a good laugh. “Bubba” is a very sweet man that I don’t see often because we run in different “circles” of friends and both have odd hours with jobs. A long while back, when we were co-workers, we had an incident happen where we saved a man’s life in a very crazy situation. So, needless to say, that was a bonding experience for us.
As we started to leave, we both keep getting stopped by friends. Mind you, the music in Jackhammer is L-O-U-D… but I can still hear his friends. “Who the hell is that guy you’re leaving with? Is he gonna tie your down and pound your Ass into oblivion?” was one of the many comments (and looks) I overheard in the bar along with “Bubba’s” giggle saying “That’s not the case“. As we walked out of the bar onto the sidewalk, another group started commenting to “Bubba” with “You are definitely not making it to Church tomorrow!“. He jokingly shouts “BYE NOW!!!“. He can see that I’ve overheard all of it.
So, I grabbed his hand and we proceeded to skip down the street in full leather and tall Wesco Boots with 15+ people just staring at is… their lusty fantasies of two masculine Men leaving the Leather bar totally ruined.
At times, people project how they want to see in people. The Leather Scene can be sooooo serrrrious at times. It doesn’t need to be. The laughter that followed our romp down Clark Street made my entire weekend.
GEAR FOR SALE
Great toy for a Traveling Bondage Top
Here’s a GREAT item for your toy bag. Especially, if you travel or do bondage demos. The ASYLUM MASK is lightweight and highly effective. While the vision is taken away the mouth isn’t gagged but you can breath out of it easily for long periods of time.
Or, you can stuff a piss soaked jock strap in the boy’s mouth first.
WOOF OF THE DAY
Little something I’m trying to perfect in my CrossFit classes so I can do this on the beach in Hawaii this December.
Yes, SIR…
UPDATE: Anyone know what Video this is from? I think it’s a Colt Video…
RUFF PICS: Happy Hump Day!
Happy Hump Day, everyone. Just doing a little private rehearsal for Sunday’s modeling gig.
LOL!
You know, I would think this was a really sexy photo if it didn’t remind me of the hill from my favorite childhood movie “THE GOONIES” where “Brand” flies off a cliff on a little girl’s bike. LOL!
RUFF PICS: Dore Alley Fair 2011
Here’s a photo that a random Dore Alley Fair attendee took and sent to me a while back. Yeah, it’s always strange to have someone send you a photo of yourself that was taken a long while ago but I’m glad to have it and share with you. He must have a great camera. Look how the flogger impacts onto my back.
RUFF PICS: IML 2010 (I think)
The 2011 hotel carpet was hideous… but the boy… is still Beautiful.
I miss his Bubble Butt and Sassy Mouth. Both beg to be filled.
“Best Friend”
I can’t get enough of this song off the new Foster The People album, “Supermodel”, released today. Instant favorite. Seeing their show in Chicago in May, too.
Duct Tape on the Mind…
This is something I’d really like to try sometime. A full body duct tape “Catsuit”.
Very sexy and different in Red.
Full Credit to LondonRopeTop
RUFF THOUGHTS: “Dealing with Emotional Vampires”
We all have lessons in life that have to be experienced repeatedly to finally learn from. One of mine has been dealing with Emotional Vampires. When people “dump” their day’s issues on you without so much as a “Hello, how are you today?” (huge pet peeve) …or … what I find is very common in the Kink World, people that are unsupportive (or “Judgey”) of your sex life and even your sexual comfort levels in comparison to theirs. For example, I’m not a huge fan of Orgies where there’s just sex going on. Just not my thing. But, I do enjoy BDSM related Play Parties. I’ve gotten some negative feedback from less kinky people saying they’re the same. I agree (to a point) but still not my thing. Why try to make me feel hypocritical because I’m not interested in your Orgy?
Maybe they really think my kind of party is possibly more fun? Or maybe they’re not getting invited to either kind? Who knows. But, it’s not worth letting anyone make you feel hypocritical or like you are missing out.
Do what YOU are comfortable with pushing boundaries when YOU are ready.
Below is a quick article that spawned my thoughts today. I don’t agree with the author’s thoughts on quickly writing off negative people without having attempted a mature conversation first… in most cases. Choose your battles wisely. There will ALWAYS be another Orgy or BDSM themed Play Party.
-Ruff
The care and feeding (and shunning) of vampires
Vampires, of course, feed on something that we desperately need but also can’t imagine being a source of food.
You have metaphorical vampires in your life. These are people that feed on negativity, on shooting down ideas and most of all, on extinguishing your desire to make things better.
Why would someone do that? Why would they rush to respond to a heartfelt and generous blog post with a snide comment about a typo in the third line? Why would they go out of their way to fold their arms, make a grimace and destroy any hope you had for changing the status quo?
Vampires cannot be cured. They cannot be taught, they cannot learn the error of their ways. Most of all, vampires will never understand how much damage they’re doing to you and your work. Pity the vampires, they are doomed to this life.
Your garlic is simple: shun them. Delete their email, turn off comments, don’t read your one-star reviews. Don’t attend meetings where they show up. Don’t buy into the false expectation that in an organizational democracy, every voice matters. Every voice doesn’t matter–only the voices that move your idea forward, that make it better, that make you better, that make it more likely you will ship work that benefits your tribe.
It’s so tempting to evangelize to the vampires, to prove them wrong, to help them see how destructive they are. This is food for them, merely encouragement.
Shun the ones who feed on your failures.
LOL!: All Chicago Gay Hockey Assn. Wants for Christmas
Scary bit is… I’m very good friends with a couple of these guys and it doesn’t have to be Christmas Time for them to sign this song. Anytime. Anywhere.
RUFF PICS: My friends are very funny…
Gym Jam of the Week: THE KILLERS (& M83)- “Shot at the Night”
From their upcoming Greatest Hits album, The Killers have released a song they’ve done with “M83” who you may know from the song off the “DRIVE” Soundtrack “Midnight City”. This is a great collaboration. I really hope they do more music with them.
This Week’s “Gym Jam”
RUFF THOUGHTS: “Setting the Tone with a Friend”
One of my favorite ways to start a scene (if not my favorite?) with a Friend is to have him arrive at my place, let himself in and find a note with instructions. The instructions are pretty simple. Strip. Use the bathroom. Find your way to the middle of the playroom. Kneel down. Put the hood on that I’ve left. And just wait there with your hands behind your back and head down.
I make him wait a bit. Usually making gradual more and more noise leading to my heavy boots coming down the stairs. Circling. Inspecting my property. My prey.
See… it’s the hood that starts the scene for us both. His vision is taken away. And I don’t actually see my friend’s face. We don’t see the expressive faces we both know so well. You know, the ones that geek out over Apple computer talk, Superhero Talk or the new shoes he bought. I just see… property. A toy. Or… in the right agreed upon situation…
A SLUT.
I don’t really suggest this scene for people who are playing with each for the first time and also feel the Top needs to have another level of alertness to the boy. When I’ve done this scene as a bottom, while waiting, I’ve gotten momentary anxiety(and boredom if the Top isn’t well prepared). I also ask to wear kneepads if I’m going to be on my knees a very long time. But, then again, some people are more used to being on their knees than myself. 😉
If you have a creative way to set the tone of a scene that you’d like to share, feel free to email me and I’ll share it here. RuffsStuffBlog@gmail.com
RUFF THOUGHTS: Words of Advice
This is actually something a friend in San Francisco said during my visit. He was doing some reflecting on himself after his one year anniversary of moving to the Bay Area. Gay Communities are so very different in each city (and yet… the same) and come with some very interesting and occasional rough adjustments. He’s a strong, beautiful and funny man. I’m very, very proud of him.
“Life is way too short. Enjoy each moment. You can’t be everything to everyone, but just remember the good you’ve done and how important you are to those that really care about you. Don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t let others bring you down. Its a hard lesson to learn, but it’s worth it. And most importantly, Remember the good in everyone even when its not visible”.
