I bought the above jewelry in Hawaii, and it looks better on me than in this photo. You'll notice that the earrings are for pierced ears. Unfortunately, I hadn't worn any earrings in over a week and a half and I had trouble getting the hooks into the holes in my earlobes and gave up before going to dinner.
Getting my ears pierced was a big thing for me, as I had been afraid for a long while of the consequences of doing this. Having studs in my ears would be obvious while presenting as Mario, and I didn't want anyone asking any questions. I had thought about getting my ears pierced when I first started to go out as Marian, yet didn't do so. A job that paid well could have been at risk, and the display of ear jewelry could have made my then bosses uncomfortable with me. As it was, I was already on their hit list, and I was let go 10 years this coming May.
After being laid off, I was free to get my ears pierced, but still afraid to do so. What would people think? It took me another few years before I said "F**k It!" and stopped caring what people will think. If I go to see my brother, my ears are unadorned. But if I go out as Marian, I will try to hang something pretty from my earlobes.
Luckily, after I got home from dinner, I was finally able to get the earring hooks through my earlobes. Now, I know that I have to do this more often, so that the hole stays easy to find and use.
