Well, one of my nipple piercings came out. It's been on the move for a while, and the day finally came. I got my tits done about five years ago by the good people at High Priestess in Eugene. I did it because I was wild and 20, and because my ex-girlfriend dared me. After the fact I found (as I'd suspected and hoped) that girls who were not my ex-girlfriend found the feature quite alluring.

The piercings were simultanious, both at the same time. It was a major rush and probably less hassle to get them done like that, but the right-hand one, done by the apprentice, was always more trouble than the master-pierced left. It took longer to heal, was generally more fussy, and about two years ago the metal stud started making it's way slowly downward with the gentle assistance of gravity. Lately it's been hanging by a thread. I have photos. The process has been kinda painful -- all the times it got caught on something, or smacked around by accident -- and I'm glad it's over, but now the right half of my chest looks strangely barren and featureless.

I have the barbell now; it came out without pain or incident in the shower. The last layer of tissue holding it to my body was so thin it was translucent, and after washing the area to soften it up, I was able to pull it free. Now I find I miss it; have to see about having it redone.

On the other hand (literally), I've noticed that the left-side is a lot more lively, tingling and stiffening and the like, as if finally being the lone piercing on my 25-year-old body has given in a renewed sense of purpose. I also find that without the "problem nipple" I feel a lot less worried about getting hit in the chest. Maybe this little change-up isn't all bad.