I would call myself... "Obsessive" if I had to pin it down I guess it is because when I was young I didn't have much that was truly mine. Growing up in a low-income house, when I hit puberty and discovered girls, if I wanted to smell good I had very few choices afforded to me. For that reason I think now that I am grown and have my own money I tend to be indulgently obsessive. I have scaled back my BPAL obsession somewhat over the years but I still wear it everyday I just stick to my favorites. I would like to try several scents I have just learned "restraint" *twitch twitch* yeah that's it.

One of the funny challenges of being a Fragrant Fellow is the look of shock and consternation from people. I guess straight men aren't supposed to know words like "dry down". People often stop and ask me where I buy my "amazing cologne" and look perplexed at me when I reply "Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab". Women are often less prejudiced and even say they intend to get some for their significant other. A perfect example of this was the owner's daughter when I worked for a beauty supply company in Chicago who sniffed, somewhat uncomfortably, at me when I wore Dracul and then with an odd predatory look in her eye said "I have to buy that for [husband's name]".

I mean I guess historically "manly men: wear Aqua Velva, Old Spice and Brut but times change. I love smelling good and I refuse to support the conglomerate corporate devils that make the commercial colognes so BPAL was like a bright candle burning in the darkness calling me in from the cold to feed me hot cider. So I am a BPAL disciple for life.