The 1979 rebellion

Somehow after this weekend I feel about talking about one of the more important years in all of this life after playing games and that and really it was around the time I started getting back to being me.

The year had began as Rat Trap started it's climb down the charts, the pounding Y.M.C.A. was right at the top and I had on paper at least advanced two years on from formally being a teenager and music was a massive interest of mine to the point that record was a Birthday Present earlier in 1979.

The thing around that teenage period was that peoples idea of what you "really" were started to change, they tended to see you as less of that boy, being more serious, engaged with your O level studies at school, the many nudges around girls and careers to the point you felt you were pushed down one route.

But in lots of other ways things were similar like you read comics rather than life style or current affairs magazines, the very same ones you had when you were seen as that boy and you watched children's tv mostly.

As it was I was still being spanked (not that I minded, wordy lectures just confused the hell out of me so a sore bottom worked better at getting the point over) very much a child so it was a bit confusing really.

"It'll never happen" - I just love that Toots playing with her dolls or Teacher selling off his canes (as some of us ahem "know" ours didn't sell them off....) but there's a frame missing from that  and it should feature Dennis with a caption saying "He'll never get over ten" which would of been very apt for me.

Beyond the world of dressing you like a mini Dad and pushing you into men's spots really I just hated that whole thing because simply nine times out of ten I didn't feel teenaged at all - hardly having a teenaged life as such - just pushed into tight clammy denim jeans when not at school and as punk was in its ascendency 1979 was the year this battle came to its head so by the Summer hols I demanded (gosh!) shorts in public going around outdoor markets as the previous year I did still have a couple of pairs from two year before that fitted and I had had a growth spurt since then.

While I didn't gain what really wanted - tailored short trousers aka "School Shorts" - I did win having bought for me short sports shorts and an understanding that unless we were going anywhere that needed formal attire, I was to be dressed in shorts.

I looked like that one and half or two inch seems even!

That to me when the slow start towards extended boyhood just respecting the existance of legal age and any conseqences and I started then to look into getting new formal short trousers as the formal school days edged out.

Things that come together eventually III

I wrote a couple of entries last year talking a bit about how in a number of ways I am finding myself acting and being more of my emotional age not least with how the current Pandemic is affecting  life in a lot of ways.

This also covered the extent to which in the wider community I was being seen more as child as I go by more how I am and feel rather than roles that aren't really me.

There are certain images concerning how you would see yourself I have spoken about because in time they've become a muse for boy who remains so, an inspiration for where I'd be now. 

I am a product of very much the seventies and early eighties as I was somewhat reminded of watching a rerun of the 1980's episode of Back In Time For School series and the previous episode covering the 1970's when it comes to the cultural influences and attitudes.

My still a child self is highly informed by that spilling over to how as that child I associate how I dress as to being my age.

We've looked a bit at uniform on here not as much as the other blogs admittedly and really he is more like boys of my era dressed like not least wearing much shorter shorts than boys today so for school.

One issue with short trousers today are most cheaper pairs have no lining at all which we were used to and that those that do today do use for some reason or other black which wasn't what were had.

It happened that a limited run was organized by a certain retailer of otherwise regular David Luke proper grey short trousers as worn still in a number of schools such as combined infant/juniors or prep schools but with white lining.

A new pair more like those I wore then was what I wanted.

This cropped picture shows the approximate length having being trimmed from seven inch  to three inch of this classic shorts with a zip fastening that I was more used to and the fastening tabs although they are elasticated at the back

This is the full length lining that for my pair has been restitched after alteration.

Boys of my era stepped into our short trousers seeing the white lining, not quite the classic white but off white polyester/cotton lining before tucking our shirts in, fastening and zipping our flies up.

I was rather taken by a boy in that show who remarked upon not being sure about showing so much leg in his very brief P.E. shorts in a bit about school games but that was the thing, we did show more of our legs, it was very much boyish.

The authentic ten year old Chris was used to and expects to wear short short trousers not mid thigh never mind just above the knee that expose more of his legs and thighs.

The best short trousers for me are a new pair as short as those that prep school boy from 1980 wore that have the same sort of lining and that is what I have now.

They are taken up to a highly authentic length so when worn with the rest of my outfit, I look as that boy I remain and feel.

They just feel fantastic on me!

Recalling the summer outdoor play 2020

Way back in September 2017 almost to the day on the other blog, I wrote a little about what the summer hols felt like as that boy, off from school for around 6 to 8 weeks where we'd be let loose for a period before returning to school.

That for most of us meant moving up a form or year group in September if not transfer to another school such as a high school so you could say that ritual was a pretty important one in our lives.

That was our time to explore our surroundings with mates, discover new places and things and play for hours or at least until our Mum's called us in for tea.

It was also the time that they, because in our era the best we got was a say, put us in t shirts and games shorts in part cos it was easier for them to wash and also because they recognized we needed to get as much sunlight on our bodies regulated by applications of suncream on our bodies to be healthy.

This for me it was different because I spent my time taken back in time to that routine and what is more I had shorts that were much shorter than any I had worn since then on just like I did then being new old stock 80's shorts.

I felt very different because while I always wore shorts they had tended to be the baggy Bermuda sort when not tailored school type ones.

I felt a lot healthier for being out in them getting my thigh's downwards well tanned  rather than looking very white and having those adventures again made me feel very much that boy all over again.

I really don't need longs or long shorts to be me.

Fur lined reflections

The last week while not exactly brilliant with the weather did bring about one major mood lifter.

Last Wednesday was the day this legally adult but eternal boy of ten went to the Barber's to have my first short back and sides in four and a bit months at which instance you could say my hair looks like a nuclear explosion with bits spouting out in all directions cos I just missed one trim by a few days and then everything got shut down.

I mean traditionally at any rate we do go on and on about our hair but when I struggle to get it beneath my cap without it wanting to fall of me head like, there's a bit of a problem, what? Better call a man out to fix it, lol!

I felt just like a little boy all over again in the barbers seat.

I got a bit wet yesterday going out for a walk for exercise and fresh air even though I had my red waterproof jacket over my sweater and shorter charcoal grey shorts which are almost the same but a smidgen longer than the shorts I wore in my last year at Junior School.


Looking in the mirror gives me that deja vu feeling and you know I just love being me cos I've always been who I was no matter how much people have tried to alter the wrapping to suit them, ultimately I'm my own sweet that's in it.

A boy like me needs to be put in four inch inside leg shorts just as he was back then.

* partly inspired by post 1,600 of TSB2

Bringing out the boy

I'm not generally into anything beyond uniform outside of play wear and my footie strip although with many actual schools being off for some days there's an argument for saying the LB/ASB can presently take his cue from events and alter his presentation a little as much as I'm for dress shirts and ties normally. 

Tailoring matters I think in this life and one aspect around tailoring that does make a difference I feel is when it comes to getting the right leg length for you because newer generations are taller than we were at their age and many suppliers are only supplying longer inside leg lengths.

What may be just above the knee on them is more on or even only just above the bottom of my knees almost into Knickerbocker  territory.

By taking up to six inches, while not standing out too much in public settings that on a grey pair redefines me as a boy, a little longer than what I wore then and presents me in a way I feel most comfortable  with.

I like how these shorts presents me as without making super obvious, they do not smooth away my maleness.

Being comfortable in your own skin matters.

That's the difference finding and having your inside leg on your shorts adjusted makes and it is so worth it.

Gender cultural elimination

In modern day Britain the return of the School Term is being marked unparalleled stupidity at a high school in Lewes, East Sussex with a complete turnabout in the schools uniform in a way that is disturbing but sadly not unknown. 

This, the last time I looked was BOY, he's pretty happy about being one and has fight over the last four years for the right to wear tailored school shorts which an increasing number at high school now do as they did upto the early 1970's.

She is a GIRL, she likes being one and while some girls do wear trousers (or shorts) a sizable number do wear skirts or dresses mirroring what adult women wear and in most schools as in the work place that's your choice so long as it's presentable.

Now at this high school you are NOT a BOY or GIRL  nor will you be referred to as one  because you no longer have a gender but you will wear only trousers in the interests of gender neutrality and supporting trans rights.

Yes, supporting trans rights while saying you aren't a gender and denying gender expression though your attire. It's so messed up I don't even know where to begin taking it apart.

People who feel they are transsexual do have a gender identity that this school would deny while those the 99.3 who are not also aren't allowed to express their gender identity because the entire policy is routed in protecting the even small number who are unsure they even have a gender identity.

Newsflash. Some boys share a few traits with girls and some girls share traits with boys but that doesn't mean they are not BOYS and GIRLS because biologically that's how you're wired with girls having breasts, wombs and vaginas and boys testicles and penis.

There is no more gender identity confusion today than at any other point in time so much as an attempt to deny gender by sowing doubt something that enabled the human race to procreate in the first place by disregarding completely biology. 

The GSS Revival

Ours was not that much of a gray world with gray shirts going upon going to high school for white ones but it was one where there was some reluctance around wearing the shorts as much as I did in Juniors just before and to which I had to be said I much preferred but here in 2019 this summer it's happening the Fifth aka Year Eleven are finishing their exams ready to leave school...in shorts!

That's a big reversal since the mid 70's when almost overnight seniors went all long all the time followed shortly by Junior four right down to two by the end of the decade in many state primaries.

Back then to be seen even in denim shorts was to attract negative attention from "Why are you in those shorts" to outright intimidation although whenever I could get away with wearing them such as school trips I always did refusing to give into any and all intimidation.

In so many ways I look more like a boy like him in mine than anything which in a week with plenty on my mind was at least a blessing.

One person on a music site asked about my schoolboy anime avatar puzzled why it is the only male one - cat girls and the likes are not unknown - so said in a need to know matter of fact way it was the representation of the younger in spirit me  who loves music especially music of the past.

One day they learn more of the ALB life but that's enough to be getting on with!

Can you live as ALB for real?

One thing that sometimes people ask about me is how do you just get on with things, isn't just a fantasy existence you play at behind the keyboard between four walls and maybe the odd person who just might be in on this anyway?
Well okay there are some people who clearly have issues with life being lived in a very much child-like way whatever angle you may personally come across it.
To me that's because they've invested so much in the whole putting away of anything from their childhoods to get the status the clearly enjoy at least on the surface that they don't wish to be confront by your ability not to.
It's a kind of jealousy that you're doing what they said to themselves no one can.

This said it is actually quite surprising the number of people who do just accept it especially if you do show some social awareness and tone things down just a fraction to take out any items that might invite curiosity such as school caps or ties. 
Recently I had to see a person who carries out assessments in connection with my benefits as a disabled person and I decided actually I would attend dressed more as I feel comfortable in grey sweater, grey school shorts and long socks with a white school shirt on because in part because I have developmental disabilities  I am in many ways that child even now.
They did not bat an eyelid nor ask any questions about why it was I was in school uniform minus tie and cap but instead were focused on my needs.
Clearly to them, being asb/alb so long as you used a bit of common sense was not an issue and on top of voting twice in full asb with tie on goes to show that you can actually live this life for real.

Six days to go

It is but six days away from Christmas which in same ways is a bit different in feel this year and for reasons I won't go too much into is pulling me out of it.

The week began with going into town to get some of the last minute touches to Christmas including getting some things for Mom because as I boy it's my job to help her and be obedient while I getting my things.
The town looked lovely with it's traditional black and white and brick buildings festooned with decorations galore while junior school children were going around town caroling  in groups so even if it was a cool day, it was the more enjoyable being be very traditional carrying out the old rituals.
It's those rituals that help make it magical bringing everything to life.
Daddy and I were fed up with the news especially the "Brexit" stories day after day so he kindly let me watch the Christmas Dangermouse special instead on the CBBC channel which provided a much needed lift.
The other side of the coin was Tumblr had messed up a blog of mine so I'm in appeal with them for the second time in as many days but have started some work on  replacement which be centred around vintage scouting and age regressed school uniform stuff as my main one is a group account that can't message or do asks.
Having a narrower focus may help in avoiding some of the pitfalls and as half expecting things I had transferred some series of posts to another account so there no point do a straight remake.
As well when I mentioned about the torn shorts in transferring one pair navy shorts over for roaming and cub scout like activities outdoors, I got a new pair of grey shorts to replace them by.

That's torn it!

The week had got off to a good start making progress in the re-establishment of the Traditional Schoolboy 2 tumblr gaining a good number of followers as one thing about the original that I didn't like was their being a spate of kink/bdsm/porn blogs following and then having to delete and occasionally report them.
Equally the main one, gained 320 followers and clocked 1,600 posts in the just under 8 months being on that platform which is quiet some achievement really.
One thing that did happen this week is I tore my cargo shorts or perhaps more accurately they were a bit worn and *something* I did caused a tear from where one panel was sown at the bottom of the seat and the material seemed threadbare so sowing it up wouldn't really solve the problem.
I think I had had these for a good six years at least and so I have bought a replacement set of shorts and moved a blue pair over for everyday play wear that happen to be a little bit shorter which probably is a good thing as it does look and dare I say feel more traditional on me without going into 'short shorts' territory. 
I also got totally drenched on Monday when I went out to play, got up to the furthest point I normally walk up to as the heavens opened with rain bouncing off the road that much I was struggling to see what was in front of me.
My coat and its hood got wet as did my grey long socks and the lower legs of my shorts plus the shoes so I spent time having to dry them all out.
I had to take them off to dry myself off with a thick towel and change my shorts and socks, the latter being so wet you could seen lots of water coming out when I wrung them out over the sink

Welcome to my dorm

One what tends to be the blog that looks more into feelings and that this is the week where that space I mentioned last week has paused, its course run and its direction being very much now directed to here.
The week saw more me being outside learning to watch and listen more to nature as I saw two grey squirrels playing on the edge of a wood as they scavenged for acorns to bury without a care in the world.
It also was a week as we are in The Fall where temperatures did drop and indeed on Sunday it was 11 degrees C (52 degrees F) but I was outside 'playing' with just a sweater over my top and wearing long socks with my shorts.
While out I soon became warm as I run, jumped and walked around and indeed I was as warm as toast by the time I came in but the most interesting thing was I noticed walking around a familiar feeling of tingling around the inside leg from just below the shorts to my Y fronts which when I looked closer there were goose pimples.
That was something that took me straight back to this time of year when official a boy as I often felt them on say cold mornings walking by farms to school in my shorts with maybe a duffle coat if we were lucky.
While it would not make sense to go out quite like that when it's extremely cold, one thing I did learn was I don't need longs on nearly as much because I can and am becoming more hardy and actually that should be encouraged in me.

Another thing about this week was it has been just over two months since I established a Alb/Asb forum for boys like me as one place we had used did have periods of being down and in fact shortly after registering mine and getting the basic functionality going, it shut down without warning.
Anyone who has read "The other blog" tm knows the issues I have had over the years around identity and feeling comfortable in my own skin and while sites can be good for seeing other people and interacting a little, what you don't get is conversation.
What I needed was was more a boys only space to introduce myself and let my boyishness out in a way that felt safe to me and where I'd bond with them.
Less of a reblogging of images place but more a place to talk, explore and share about what this adult little boy/adult schoolboy thing is and means.
So far we've got 21 members, are fairly active  and many of the posts have been high quality written well with depth of feeling.
Given the challenge it was for me to set this place up after finding a suitable host I feel both elated and gratified we've made a great place to be under the stars as adult boys.