What have I done?!?

At A Glance Author Charles Contact Charles@bme.anon Artist Chris Studio Skin Art Studios Location Redding, CA, USA

Let me introduce myself. I'm a 23-year-old male living in the conservative heart of northern California. For most of my life I lived up to the expectations placed upon me by my family, friends, and community. But by the time I was nineteen I'd had enough. Not to say that how I was living wasn't a good way to live . . . that is if you're a good fundamentalist Christian boy . . . but, I was denying the free-spirit inside me that is now slowing transforming my life.

The transformation began 4 years ago when I came out of the closet and announced to the world, "I'm gay!" That small event led to an inner-transformation, learning to accept myself, others, and to be open-minded when confronted by things I thought strange or had never encountered before. Excited by the prospect of discovering some of what I had been denying myself for many years I got my hands on some gay magazines and videos, with no shortage of exposed flesh to take in. Many of these men possessed tattoos and body-piercings, both of which had never really interested me before, but in this new light they became incredibly erotic. However, decorating myself with these adornments never crossed my mind, that is until two months ago when I began this journey with a large tribal design on the outside of my lower right leg.

My first rule of body modification is never tattoo or pierce anywhere that cannot be hidden with professional attire. There are frankly too many aspects of a full-life that can be jeopardized if we do not live up to at least some of the social conventions of the greater community. So with this in mind I proceeded to have first the right, then the left nipple pierced. That was a month ago.

Everyone has different reasons why they choose to alter and decorate their bodies. Mine is very simple, even base; it's very sexually stimulating. Which leads me to the subject of this story, my Prince Albert piercing.

I suppose I became interested in this particular piercing some years ago when I discovered a gay classmate of mine had one. It didn't hurt that I thought he was incredibly desirable and I wondered what his little man looked like, but alas I never had the pleasure of meeting him. But with that in the back of my mind, it was some time before I came across the gorgeous gay porn star, Jim Buck, who has, in my opinion, the perfectly proportioned capture bead ring adorning his perfect penis. It's so beautiful it makes you want to reach out and suck . . . err . . . touch it. However, I was not willing to undergo the same procedure myself, fearing the pain that I imagined of a needle piercing such a delicate and well loved piece of my body. That is until some of the testimonials I read on BME convinced me that the piercing was less painful than having your nipples done.

So the adventure began eight days ago when I drove across town to the same studio which had done my tattoo and both nipple piercings. I am extremely impressed by their work, professionalism, and cleanliness and knew that they could handle such a delicate job with the utmost care. So with no fear I walked in and spoke with Chris (who also took care of my nipples) about what I wanted done. He discussed with me the finer points of the piercing, but said he could not perform the piercing because he didn't have the appropriate jewelry in stock. He referred me to the competition to find the jewelry necessary and told me to return later.

Disappointed, I drove to the competition and asked for the jewelry I had in mind, 14 gauge, one-inch diameter capture bead ring. The gentleman at the counter said they don't make them in those proportions so I went home saddened by how the day had turned out.

Daydreaming over the pictures and testimonials on BME I reviewed the jewelry recommendations and rethought the size of jewelry I wanted to get. I decided upon a 10 gauge, ¾ inch capture bead ring. By then it was two days later and Monday afternoon and I couldn't wait for my lunch break at work to hunt down the jewelry. This time the competition had the jewelry I wanted and I lamented the fact I'd have to wait until the weekend to have it done. However, I'm a fairly impatient individual and couldn't wait that long. As it was slow at work I blew-off going right back and drove to the piercing studio to see Chris.

Chris approved my jewelry selection, I paid my $75.00, and into the piercing room we went. Slightly embarrassed I revealed only enough flesh for him to have the necessary room to do the piercing. The hard-on I had driving to the studio had completely disappeared and the little man had gone into deep hiding. It seemed all the hormones that got me into the chair had vanished when it came to actually doing the deed. With all the testimonials I read I was expecting the cleaning of the urethra and the receiving tube to be the most painful part of the experience, but much to my surprise I really didn't feel anything. I couldn't bring myself to watch any of the procedure so I covered my eyes with my forearm and concentrated on breathing.

"Alright, take a deep breath," Chris said, and I knew from the nipple experience this was the moment of truth.

I inhaled and then the most excruciating pain I have ever felt flowed from my penis, worse even than having my nipples done. It lasted much longer than I would have liked and I kept mumbling, "is the jewelry in. Is the jewelry in."

After Chris secured the bead in place he let me compose myself and left the room so that I could check it out and dress the piercing. I was in utter shock. I couldn't believe what I had done to myself. I couldn't bring myself to look at it so I placed a folded paper towel in my underwear and left the piercing room. Chris stopped me, re-instructed me on the aftercare, and asked if I liked the placement. I just shook my head and left.

By this point I wondered why the hell I did this on my lunch break, and by the look on my face when I walked back into work the girls knew exactly what I had done. One even kindly went to the drugstore and purchased some panty liners for me.

The rest of that day and part of the next I was pissing fire. But by the end of the second night I was comfortable enough to jerk-off. After letting the initial shock pass I'm quite happy I decided to have my Prince Albert done. It's been six days and things are healing just fine. Erections have been slightly uncomfortable because the jewelry is a tad bit too small in diameter, the ¾ inch I thought I had purchased turned out to be a 5/8 inch which pissed me off, but I've ordered a 7/8 inch diameter ring off the internet and can't wait for it to arrive so things will be more comfortable.

If your thinking about having this piercing done I say go for it. Personally I'm contemplating a frenum, guiche, and pubic to go along with my other piercings, but for now I'm quite happy with what I've got.