This week marks my 8th anniversary of UNB. 8 years of talking and writing about underwear. It seems like yesterday I sat down in front of my computer and started this journey. I won’t go into the origins story, I have done that so many times over the years!

What has 8 years of UNB taught me over the years?

I am the IT guy – When UNB was first launched we had shared hosting. Which was great till we grew too big and had to get our own server. A friend helped me move it over and then March hit this past month. We were down for the most of a 4 day period. This taught me all about web servers and moving WordPress sites.

Underwear Guys are the best guys – Over the years I have talked and befriended many readers out there. Regardless of bi, gay or straight, underwear guys are the most amazing guys. The blog has let me meet so many good guys. We begin with the underwear connection and then discover more we have in common. The support from long-time readers is amazing. You guys remind me why I do this, for 8 years.

Problem-solving is one of my strengths – UNB is on a budget. You may think we are this glamorous organization but we aren’t. We range from 4 to 12 guys over the years. When we have issues that hit the blog, I have to come up with a way to solve them. Usually on a budget and creatively. In the early years I would freak out and worry, now its worry then “I got this.” I have fixed many problems I never thought I could on my own.

What will the next few year hold? I’m not sure, other than the blog will go on! We are in the process of developing a community amongst all the underwear guys out there. It’s amazing how we are all very similar. Across all sexual identities, we virtually have the same story.

We are going to do some more anniversary stuff next week. The reason is I think of UNB as created in Mid October, when in fact the domain renewal is the first week in October. Stay Tuned and I’ll walk you through some of our best moments of UNB! .

Save 20% off at Planetundies.com on the HOM Lines Explorer and Terrain. Just use code 4820 at checkout! This is good through October 11th!

I was talking to a new potential UNB guy this weekend. He mentioned that he was reading one of the big sites. They interviewed women on what underwear they want to see their guys in, and it was boxers and boxer briefs. We both went “HUH?” Being gay has made this easier. It’s more socially acceptable that we can wear anything we want. Becuase after all underwear is gay (said with implied sarcasm).

I have talked with so many guys, gay/straight/bi, that love underwear. They all want the same thing. Something that is fashionable, fun and makes them feel great. It’s an extension of their personality as much as their clothes or hair style. Sometimes it’s even more of a state because of a conservative environment. Underwear is the one area they can express themselves.

The US Mainstream media reinforces the notation that underwear is about function, not form. Underwear is something that is to be made fun of let’s not even get into the whole “you’re gay” for liking underwear thing. We are striving to fight this labeling. We have readers who are gay, straight and bi.

When a major outlet talks about underwear they always show boxer briefs and trunks. Few rarely show briefs, jocks or thongs. It’s always conservative colors and styles. So, I do believe that the media reinforces the “you must wear this type of underwear.” If you don’t wear what everyone else is wearing there is something wrong with you. You need to fit in with the rest of society.

We disagree with this big time. Underwear is one area we can truly express ourselves in a personal way. We can wear exactly what makes us feel sexy and gives us confidence. That is the point most mainstream media leaves out. They look at underwear as a necessity, not a way to express exactly who you are!

Over the course of my 8 years doing this blog I have met so many guys. We all want the same thing. Underwear that fits great and makes us feel sexy. Look at the make up of our guys! Sorry for the rant. I just saw something that just pissed me off in the media and had to vent.

We love Max Emerson. Not because he looks amazing in underwear. Also, not because he’s funny and entertaining. But, he’s doing some great things out on the internet. If you tie in undies so be it, we stand behind that. His latest video is about his tour of NYC with CJ Koegel from the Real World on MTV about 10 years ago, but seems like 12 (watch the video).

Why do we love Max? First he shows a love of underpants! He’s done a lot in his underwear, both modeling and YouTube. He’s just funny. All his videos show his personality and can make you laugh. This one had hide and seek in the park, rides the subway and finds fans of CJ.

He also has his own line at Related Garments. Each pair sold $5 goes towards editing his movie, Hooked, and submitting it to film festivals. The movie, Hooked, if you haven’t heard is about raising awareness for  LGBT youth homlessness. Which is a cause everyone who reads this blog can get behind.

Not only do you get the underwear but two pairs of matching sox. In the words of Max, you get “underpants and matching socks.” Max knows a bit about underwear for being an international underpants model. You may also remember that he did the video series “How to be an underpants super model.”

The underwear for one pair and two socks is $28. The colors are available are black and grey. Also, you can get a set of three for $59.

We love undies and why not buy a pair that gives something back to the world. To get these pairs go to the Related Garments site. And buy a pair of Max’s underpants! Then become the next great underpants supermodel of the world and be in one of Max’s videos!