Moose Tracks
An internet buddy saw this picture of me and remarked that it finally gave him a sense of scale in regards to me. My first thought was that I am surrounded by a bunch of really really tall trees and generally you look smaller relative to something really really tall. But I figured out what he meant. This is one of only a handful of pictures that you can see me from head to toe. Because I am petite-ly challenged, you can’t get all of me in a frame whithout standing at a distance. Other pictures are cut off at the waist or the knee or whatever, so you really can’t get a sense of how tall I am. You can see that I have a long torso in those pics, but you can’t always see that I have legs to match. Maybe I should carry around one of those “You must be this tall to ride this ride” signs to tower over in every picture.
Yes, I’m tall. I’m 75 inches;1.9 meters; just under 19 hands (taller than Seabiscuit). I have been 6′-3″ since I was in the ninth grade. At the time, I hated it. It happened almost over night and even though I was suddenly the tallest boy on my basketball team (including the two black guys, one of whom surpassed me by 12th grade) I was just as suddenly unable to control my newly grown body. I was all legs and arms, hands and feet, and didn’t know how to use it. Add to that the fact that I was barely 135 lbs and you’ve got one gangly awkward goofball. The only real plus was that I could comfortably fold myself up into any small space, but given a choice I’d take having some meat on my bones over the ability to become an oragami of flesh. “Oooh, look everyone! Tony is a lotus blossom… Now he’s a swan…Do a bunny rabbit!”
After a while I got back control of my game and by senior year the natural progression of the body going from boy to man put some meat on my bones. Some meat. I might have been a man, but I was still a skinny one. Somewhere along the way, I got used to being tall, and now I love it. I don’t even slouch any more (all tall people at least go through a period of trying to be nornal sized). In fact, I wish I was taller. Right now, I’m just tall compared to average height. I wish I was tall compared to a tall guy. Even with the drawbacks of being tall: sleeve length problems; the inability to stretch out on the sofa; banging your head on low doors (which you’d think you’d only do once on any given doorway. Not true. I guess tall people are slow learners.)…even with all that, being tall is totally cool. I can easily reach high shelves for Granny. I can see over most people at a parade. And I think its cute when a guy has to stand on his toes to kiss me.
A couple of years ago, the metabolic slow down that guys seem to experience in their late 20’s seemed to coincide with a commitment I made to working out. Finally my frame started to fill out. It’s funny. To me, I am finally pretty much the size I was meant to be. But lately a number of people have made comments that make me wonder if I am seen as a giant. I have one friend who says I’m a moose, and another who likes to call me “Biggun” (but that may be for other reasons).
The result is that just as I am getting over many of my old issues about my body, I’m developing new ones. Instead of being self-conscious because I’m the human form of one of those walking-stick bugs, I’m starting to feel like Godzilla. Like people are going to run for cover as I come along. Like mothers everywhere are snatching their babies into the storm cellar. Like I’m going to have to swat away surrounding Air Force helicopters. Like “Condi,” “Rumy,” and Tom Ridge are are kicking it up to orange.
Granted, I have gotten as high as 210 lbs. even though my metabolism is still faster than a crack whore on fire. But mostly I just fluctuate between about 180 and 195. Just as I’m tall relative to average, I admit my overall build is probably bigger than average. But relative to…say, a football player–even a college football player (kickers aside) I’m not a big guy. Even so, now when I knock something over, or bump into someone I wonder if it’s because I’m taking up too much space or if it’s just my natural clumsiness. Whatever it is, maybe I just need to surround myself more with really really big, really really tall guys. Then, relatively speaking, I’ll look average. Hey, maybe it will be fun to be the one standing on his toes for a change.
April 17th, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Tall men rule. I’m 6′4″ and 205. My ex usesd to say I was tall, but not “freakishly” tall. He was 5′7″. The only downside to being tall is that you hit your head on things. Doorways, car-door frames, store signs, etc. are particularly bothersome. Ah well, it beats the alternative.
April 17th, 2005 at 6:02 pm
I’m jealous as all hell. I wish I was a couple inches taller but since I can’t change it, I’m resigned to being average height.
I think your being tall adds to your uniqueness. And it sounds like you are making the best of what genetics gave you. (pun not intended for a change)
April 17th, 2005 at 6:33 pm
I suspect that everyone feels awkward about some aspect of their body, at least at some point in their lives. Personally, I think you’re perfectly proportioned. It’s all about symmetry. I, on the other hand, am mostly legs. Though I’m only 5′10″ I have a 36 inch inseam. I’ve always felt something like a human grasshopper or bullfrog. Regarding your height, 6′3″ is certainly sexy, but nothing approaching an oddity. I once dated a guy who was 6′8″and 280 pounds of lean muscle! THAT, was a little freakish! It was impossible to go anywhere without people gawking at us as though an NBA star and his Mini-Me had just arrived for their personal visual entertainment. All this to say, you’re beautiful exactly as you are.
April 17th, 2005 at 10:02 pm
I’m only 6′1″ and the shortest of all my friends. We all own Great Danes and it seems that everyone has things to say about height. But then…we don’t really blend in. Tall is so good and tall and hung is so, so much better. Glad you shared this- T.
April 18th, 2005 at 3:35 am
Hey stud, wow… 6′3″ huh? Finally I met someone who’s taller than me. I’m about 6′1″ - 6′2″ myself and trust me, you want to have metabolism on crack.. hehehe because once it slows down and you break above 200, the weight just flies on like nobody’s business =). I miss my days at 185 or so… oh well, there’s a good goal for me to work towards again… and besides, you know that theory on tall lanky guys… :))
April 18th, 2005 at 11:50 am
At 13 I had a “growth spurt” where I grew from 5′3″ to my pesent height of 6′2. Suddenly I was hearing “My, you’re tall! You should try out for basketball!”
I slouched over alot, and would trip over my own feet. It took a little while to get used to it, but I think that’s normal.
I used to have a basement apartment that was only like 5′9″ high and I would slam my head against the ceiling EVERY SINGLE DAY. I’d get up from my chair to get something from the refrigerator . . .WHACK! OWWWW!
It’s amazing I didn’t give myself a concussion. I broke my lease after two months. I couldn’t stand it anymore.
After years of feeling inadequate (for whatever reason), I am finally comforatble in my own skin.
Oh, there’s always room for improvement, but there’s only so much you can do about it, right?
April 18th, 2005 at 3:39 pm
Just a short guy here.. (5′9″) saying that you are handsome just the way you are… I too always wanted to be taller… as in I’m really 5′8.5″ Im always reaching for that nine… I was going to say somthing here.. but the old age has snuck in and again I have forgotten it.
April 18th, 2005 at 5:25 pm
No reason at all for you to have any issues with being tall. Tall men are very sexy. There’s even a whole fetish about tall men called macrophilia.
April 19th, 2005 at 3:35 pm
I think everyone is unhappy with his/her physique at one point in our lives. Case in point, Cameron Diaz was interviewed by Ellen Degeneres, she told Ellen she hated her tall skinny statute, she prefers more bodylicious curvy figure… anyway, IMHO, I prefer a high metabolism because when the pounds start to pile on, it is SO hard to get rid of them. LOL!
p.s. you look sexy regardless!
April 19th, 2005 at 5:18 pm
macrophilia? sounds dirty, like having sex with tall dead men or something. I know what you mean about being intimidating. I’m 5′10, but I look real mean, especially after I’ve shaved my head. when they see me coming, people cross to the other side of the street. it was frustrating at first, but now i kinda like it. no one , but NO ONE fucks with me. ever.period.
April 22nd, 2005 at 4:12 pm
Well, I was okay with being 5′8″ until I read this blog. Tony, you have to make up for it by making me stand tip-toe for a kiss! ;P
August 17th, 2005 at 6:10 pm
you should be happy . you are a healthy guy that happens to look really good . i would not let what people say to you hurt . they have no idea of what it takes to come to reality . they can not wear your shoes . i know i cna not . be happy and love life hunny .
October 15th, 2005 at 3:41 pm
Hi You’re very cute and tall …so there is no problem …. me I’m a guy who fantasizes about being as small as a powerless bug in your hand . I want to scream, be trapped, and struggle helplessly as you stomp my little body under your dirty shoe …. so much more problem to find someone for me …
March 24th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Just ran into funny one about being tall, figured you tall guys might like it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD0vON0fbjQ&mode=related&search=
August 9th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
i am a mere 5′9″ and even as a kid i was charmed by tall guys in my class. as i grew older, i realized that i have always found them extremely attracive. granted, we all have our limits and boundaries, and i would probably draw the line at men over 6′4″. i always found liam neeson wildly attractive. i was working at a business where his wife natasha was a fundraiser and she found out i had the hots for him. so guess what she did? she made sure to introduce me to him! she grabbed my hand and said, jay i want you to meet my husband. i was so nervous, i pleadsed nooooo. but she insisted and pulled me across the room by my arm to meet mr long, tall and hunky. i almost swooned.