Van handle

[vaneramos]

Everyone knows how cruel kids can be with names. Each has been distorted by a few schoolyard bullies. But imagine growing up with a name like Bill Waffle. From an early age I was regaled with choruses of waffle wifflers. The stupidest comment came from Jeff McDonald: "Hey Bill Waffle, where's Joe Pancake?" If only I had found out before graduation that his middle name was Ronald.

My clan made the best of it. My brothers used to call each other Waff and Wiff. But I never thought of Woof.

Several months ago Mike, the moderator of a yahoo bear group, contacted me. He had seen some of my photos and wanted to use them for an upcoming feature. I agreed.

Erotic photos of me have diffused through cyberspace. I don't bring them publicly to LiveJournal, but I don't hide them either. If you want the group info, email me.

For those perplexed by the word, in bear culture WOOF! is an interjection of sexual attraction. So when Mike showed me today how he had altered this photo, I was flattered and amused by the play on my name.

"That's because you are a WOOF!" he told me. "Use it."

Comments

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

That is a very good picture of you.

Y' know, you are quite the woof!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, John.

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

Mike has a good eye. *grin*

You are indeed a very woofy man. And both the photo in the journal entry an d the icon pic are very sexy.

I'd say they capture you perfectly. *g*

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Bob. I haven't forgotten about getting together, it's just that my weekends have become very busy and my energy hasn't been the best. Hope you're doing well.

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

I haven't forgotten, either, but things have been much the same for me. I'm sure we will do that when we both can get our schedules in conjunction.

[zombietruckstop.livejournal.com]

I'd like the yahoo group :)

[wonderboynj.livejournal.com]

Would it be tacky for me to hang up a blown up version of that on my wall as a poster? ;)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Tacky or not, I'd be flattered. Woofy icon, btw!

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

You think we can make woof a verb too?

I'm figuring out the declensions for Brian's poster.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Hehe, you would! Smooch.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

Yes I would!

[trinapink.livejournal.com]

Oh, my! That's a wonderful picture. What a hottie.

And the story is wonderful too. "Woof" is perfect.

I used to get called "Latrina" (my name is Katrina). Ugh

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, T. I posted some shots from the original series in September 2003:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/vaneramos/85289.html

[trinapink.livejournal.com]

Oh, Van! They are wonderful! You have so many interesting sides, and yet you are always clearly recognizable. There's a underying Van-ness that shines through the layers.

I like the corn one (and the bamboo, of course). Such a different look! But a beautiful man. And how cool that you took them yourself. Thanks for sharing these.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and you're welcome. :-)

[apel.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful picture of you. Lots of soul in those eyes. To me Van Woof sounds like a Dutch aristocrat. :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Hehe, my grandfather had a theory that the Waffles were originally Dutch, but it turns out they were Swiss!

Thanks for the compliment. Soulful or not, I think I look dour in this particular image. I prefer my expression in the third shot here:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/vaneramos/85289.html

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

Might I add MAJOR Woof, as overused as that term is.

But I second the motion on the spirit behind those eyes!!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks. You might like to see the series I originally posted here:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/vaneramos/85289.html

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

honestly, I prefer the tree on in your older post over the one he's touched up. The eyes, the slight evil grin, etc. seems must more relaxed and natural. But that's just me.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I like that photo better, too. It's my gentler side, which is genuine. I suppose the one he chose emanates a certain butchness many men are looking for.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

What's best is, while "Woof" is completely accurate, it really only *starts* to describe what's wonderful about you.

And yeah, having grown up with taunts like "Shitvany" I always figured you'd gotten some flak over Waffle. ;-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

what's wonderful about you.

Thanks, Pete. You knew I needed to hear that, didn't you?

xoxo

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

*woof! woof!* wags tail, puts paws up on crotch and smiles, hoping for a treat*

I had a last name that got made fun of in school as well. The fact that I was, um, pleasingly plump (?) did not help matters.

I'd love to see that site unless it's a members-only kind of thing...

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-)

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

sweet image, uh about those links?... ;-)

be well