what's in a name?
How is it that I can speak with a naked guy on a regular basis for the past three years and not know his name?
Once or twice a week, I sit across from this feller in the sauna of my favorite gym and discuss whatever comes to mind. To me, the sauna is like a barber shop or a favorite watering hole where I can go relax and shoot the shit with the locals. Just about everything is discussed within the confines of those cedar walls. Some of the topics covered are: boys, politics, media, men, nominees, movies, dates, music, television, relationships, routines, travel, best cruising locations, blow job techniques, and the list can go on for days.
So I met this guy over three years ago and for the life of me I cannot remember his name. I distinctly remember asking him at least three times for his name, but, for some strange reason, it just doesn’t stick. I think his name is John or Steven or Chris but I know for sure his name is not Ward or Yassir or Floyd (those I would remember). To make matters worse, he knows my name and always uses it. “Heeeey, how are you?” and “What’s going on Mo?” are my clever attempts at concealing my gaffe.
I feel absolutely awkward asking for his name again because:
a – it shows that I didn’t think enough of him to remember his name and
2 – I know I won’t remember it – again.
He’s a great guy but I never see him outside of the gym. Actually, I don’t even see him in the weight room since we have different workout focuses. In a strange way, I think it is funny that I don’t know his name. How long can I keep this up? “Heeey Oldtimer, how are you?”
Once or twice a week, I sit across from this feller in the sauna of my favorite gym and discuss whatever comes to mind. To me, the sauna is like a barber shop or a favorite watering hole where I can go relax and shoot the shit with the locals. Just about everything is discussed within the confines of those cedar walls. Some of the topics covered are: boys, politics, media, men, nominees, movies, dates, music, television, relationships, routines, travel, best cruising locations, blow job techniques, and the list can go on for days.
So I met this guy over three years ago and for the life of me I cannot remember his name. I distinctly remember asking him at least three times for his name, but, for some strange reason, it just doesn’t stick. I think his name is John or Steven or Chris but I know for sure his name is not Ward or Yassir or Floyd (those I would remember). To make matters worse, he knows my name and always uses it. “Heeeey, how are you?” and “What’s going on Mo?” are my clever attempts at concealing my gaffe.
I feel absolutely awkward asking for his name again because:
a – it shows that I didn’t think enough of him to remember his name and
2 – I know I won’t remember it – again.
He’s a great guy but I never see him outside of the gym. Actually, I don’t even see him in the weight room since we have different workout focuses. In a strange way, I think it is funny that I don’t know his name. How long can I keep this up? “Heeey Oldtimer, how are you?”
There’s a great scene in Lie Down With Dogs where after two boys have sex, one asks the other for his name. Tommie's response “But Tom, we both have the same name.”
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