So I figured this would be a good time to give my body some time to recuperate. Putting holes in myself every week can't be good.

But being the "piercing guy," I've got to give you some insight into my life. So, here's week six:

When I started the semester, I was just another faceless beat writer for The Daily Collegian. I never could have dreamed one day I, James Conroy, would be baring my chest in the paper. Granted, Playgirl isn't calling, but there I am topless on the front page of the Arts section and on the Internet for the entire world to see.

Like it or not, I have become a celebrity -- albeit an insignificant one. Yep, I'm right up there with Kato Kaelin -- or down there, depending on your point of view.

I haven't actually heard it, but the word is I'm even the topic of discussion on WKPS-FM (90.7). And next week I start on my first feature film. It's another one of those high-school drama films co-starring Usher and that Buffy chick.

OK, maybe that's not true, but hey, it just might be around the corner.

Being a celebrity at Penn State might not be a big deal, but it is really interesting to walk down the street and have people recognize me. Or to go to a party and hear, "Hey everybody, it's the piercing guy."

For instance, at a party last weekend, people actually wanted to have their pictures taken with me. But I don't really understand it. Although some of you may think that I'm an egomaniac, I'm not. I don't see why these people would want their picture taken with me. I'm just some freak who puts pieces of metal in his body.

Some have called it a publicity stunt. Hmm. Now that I think of it, I agree. Although I did not start this to be a publicity stunt, I admit it has become one. I never thought that I would be interviewed by a national publication -- the Chronicle of Higher Education has been calling -- but this column has grown to that extent.

The downside: It may have become too big. It's kind of like the Frankenstein story. I've created this "monster," but it's out of control.

So, we all know what's going to happen at the end of the story. I'm going to end up snapping some little girl's neck and getting chased by a torch-wielding mob.

That might be a little drastic, but who knows where this adventure will end? I know that's the question you're all asking yourselves. You really want to know if I'm going to get my penis pierced, right? Well,

I'd like to tell you, but there's just not enough space in this week's paper.