I’ve only been to one Masquerade ball in my life. It was a rare and crazy experience, at the least. One night, maybe around 5 years ago, I remember being bored while living in New Orleans. I picked up my camera and went walking around downtown New Orleans in an area adjacent to the French Quarter. As I past an alley I noticed some young adults dressed up walking into the side of a building. They were dressed up very nicely… in suits and ties, gowns, dresses and adornments, hats and masks.
It looked so interesting! I had to walk over and check it out. Though I was dressed in business casual, I knew they wouldn’t let me in… I didn’t have a ticket, nor did I know anyone there. All I had was a camera and a smile 🙂 . So, I began taking pictures of people who were in line to the event… so I could appear to be a paid photographer. I walked up to the door, past those in line, I gave the doorman a head nod and he let me in… and they even gave me a mask! Lol 🙂
When I entered into the building I was amazed! It was a celebrity-hosted masquerade party. These are a few pictures I took at the event. Throughout my life, I’ve never been a huge “partier”. To this day, I have never been drunk. At the time, I probably only experienced maybe one or two parties, clubs, or events similar to it.
I speak of this memory not just to tell a story, but only because it is a picture of how I feel right now.
Today, I saw a friend on social media who posted a picture with her legs wide open. Though she was wearing clothes, it was still a very sexually provocative picture of herself. Because, it’s not how much skin you show that makes an image sexual, but the image you’re trying to send across. I thought it was a great picture. I’m a photographer. I love imagery. I’m also a single man… so I love seeing a picture of a beautiful woman.
What’s interesting to me is my friend who posted a picture with her legs wide open is also a woman who promotes abstinence before marriage, she is a woman who promotes Christian values in dating, and she speaks about how men should have high character.
Now, she is free to do whatever. I’m not judging her, but acknowledging her hypocrisy. I would have never thought she would take that type of picture. Just seeing her portray herself like that made me question my relationship with her.
I thought to myself… is this woman wearing a mask when she speaks her opinions on dating? Do I even know her? The answer is… I don’t know.
Here is what I do know… my current dating life is like that masquerade party.
I’m walking around alone, beside women who are wearing masks. And, though I didn’t come with a date or enter in with a mask like everyone else, for whatever reason I’m also at this party. So, I need to make the most of it.
If two people want to be in a relationship, they both have walk in agreement. We both have to agree to wear masks or agree not to… if we want it to work. And, to be honest, I don’t want to wear a mask. There it is. So, either take off your mask or keep it moving. I’ll see you when I see you.
