AI art by me: he’s better looking than me tbh.

I’ve explained this in a few comments, but never in a full post, so here we go: I chose the name Jon Grey for my lifestyle persona for a few reasons.  I’ve used ‘Jon’ as a first name in so many different instances that I now answer to it, as well as my birth name. I eschewed the H that is often used because it is shorter without it, and I know too many Johns.  I will add to that the stigma of being a “john” in regards to sexual things. This part of my name has never caused any confusion or questions, but it felt right to explain the first name before the last name: Grey.

The typical assumption is that I chose it to refer to the character from the 50 Shades books or movies.  It is a normal thing to think, considering what I write, who I am, and who I profess to be.  In general, I don’t mind the association, but the books and movies fail to provide an accurate description of the dynamic or lifestyle.  It bothers me a little that people think I chose this name to be considered the same kind of Dom. As I’ve said, it isn’t a big deal and is a compliment when I am described as being very “Grey.”  

The actual reason I chose Grey has more to do with the symbolism of the color.  

We live in a world of black and white for a lot of people.  There is good and evil, right and wrong, yes and no.  I spent many years in the white zone.  I was there so long that people began to expect it of me, and I found that irritated me.  Why?  Because I knew it wasn’t the real me.  I was born to be an exception to the rules.  I am most comfortable in the border areas between states of being: superposition.  I believe in making the world fit me, not the other way around.

To be more clear, I was born with a condition that was supposed to be a lot worse than it was, which was my first case of being the exception to the rule.  The way my life has gone and the wonderful things I’ve had happen in it are again more of the exceptions than the rule of how it should have turned out.  I have been called “larger than life.”  A few here who know me personally can say whether you find this true or not.  I do know I can be a bit overwhelming sometimes… while at others, I am as quiet and solitary as a monk.  

I take pride in being the Grey Man.  I can be seen when I want and fade away when I desire.  Because of my physical situation, I’m so used to being “seen” that I’ve learned how to blend into the background.  I have three layers of disguise that I use when I go out to the mall and people-watch, write, and roam my corner of the world.  I’d explain them, but I don’t want to give away all my trade secrets.  I’ll let it suffice to say that when I am looked at, their eyes pass on and I become just a hole in reality, a shade of grey in the shadows, a silent observer.  

It’s kind of funny; the ones who do see me, regardless, are the kids.  Little kids see everyone and don’t just pigeonhole them.  I will smile, wink, and sometimes wave at my little friends who will notice me noticing them noticing me.  They don’t expect it for most of them.  Some love it.  If I only scored as well with big girls as I do with flirting with little girls…sigh.  Oh well.  Speaking of which, I have a cute little ginger playing peek-a-boo with me as I write this.  Dad is clueless.  Mom is shopping.

Now it is better known why I chose the appellation I use.  I don’t expect it to change anything, but I felt I’d reached a good comfort zone with my readers here and in this burgeoning community, so I just wrote a post about me.  Thanks for making it this far, if you did. L8rs, Baby.  Lol.