Here Comes the Sun

When the temperature outside becomes warm enough for tank tops and bathing suits, I smile. Although I know it means six months of sweaty car rides and high electric bills are upon us yet again, it still makes me happy. The sunshine represents a feeling of freedom... not only from feeling cooped up inside for the winter, but from the regularity of what we've let become normal: fabricated lighting and climate controlled environments. To me, there is something to be said about nature's NATURAL cycles... although I very much appreciate my air conditioning, I also very much enjoy what we are given on a daily basis. And during Spring, Summer, and some of Fall in Austin, it's sunshine.

My whole life I've been warned against skin cancer. Given that my Irish family has a running history of a few incidents here and there, I try my best to take it seriously. While at the dermatologist for my skin exam a couple years ago, I was asked how many times I had been sunburned in my life. I paused. "Am I really supposed to be able to answer that question?" I scoffed... I mean, at my age and with my swimming background, I can't even begin to have an accurate guess. I replied with doubt in my voice: "One hundred? Maybe more?" This would mean I was burned about 5 times each year from when I was 5 years old, about the time I started swimming outdoors each summer. And when I thought about it that way, I realized I must have been burned way more than that. At least once every Saturday at the meets and then again at each Schlitterbahn trip. You can't forget the team parties and 4th of July festivities... the list goes on and on. The dermatologist's facial expression showed disappointment. Woops. At least my exam checked out with nothing to worry about... for now.

Fast forward to today, Tuesday, April 10th, 2012. My skin is still a shade of pink (I like to call it sunkissed) from the weekend's outdoor adventures at the pool and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Some would say it's unhealthy. I say it's life. Ok, ok, I should use sunscreen. But it's so greasy and smelly and gross. It makes my hands feel dirty and stings my eyes. And it comes off when you get in the water anyway, so what's the point? I realize these are childish and naive excuses... but I feel a sort of pride when I see color in my skin. To me it means activity. Fun. Life. It reminds me of the fun I had during my treasured time outside the office. Not to mention it looks great under a white tank top.

So for my dear friends and family that roll your eyes at me every time you see me basking in the sunshine without a greasy layer of man-made chemicals on my skin, remember that the sun is natural. I would like to thank you for your concern but also remember that many people lived long, happy lives before sunscreen was invented. One could even argue that I'm getting my much needed Vitamin D. Hah. At least I know I'm being careless. Next time we're outside and you're worrying about wrinkles I'll be soaking it all in, happy to feel the burn.

Sunshine & Lawn Chairs

Although baking my body in the sunshine is nowhere near healthy, I like to think that the Vitamin D I'm acquiring and pure relaxation is... and as I've said before, Mr. Boyfriend tells me I don't relax enough. I'd like to see the argument against taking a nap on a comfortable lawn chair with the sounds of a waterfall splashing softly in the distance.

I can't tell you how many times the phrase "I'm going to go lay out" (or some version of it) has left my lips during my life; growing up a swimmer, it was perfectly natural. Putting on my bathing suit first thing in the morning was (and is) like my version of coffee - it woke me up and got me energized. Now that I don't have actual swim practice to attend I can go strait for my bikini instead of my racing suit. Monday through Friday requires actual clothing, but thankfully, from March until October, the weekends are for the pool.

I could tell today was going to be one of the last days warm enough to bask in the afternoon heat before it gets replaced with true Fall temperatures. So, I happily tied on my suit, grabbed my best towel and threw on my sunglasses. It was only 3 o'clock and dinner wasn't until 7 - I had at least two good hours all to myself and the sun. On a whim, I grabbed the book I'm currently reading Shit My Dad Says, although almost every time I tell myself I'm going to read while at the pool I don't even get the publication out of my bag.

Maybe it's because the sun isn't as strong during this time of year as it is during the Summer (and therefore doesn't produce such definite tan lines) or because the book is absolutely hilarious while also endearing, I started reading as soon as I laid down. As any practiced sunbather has probably done, I held the book at such an angle as to not block any part of my body. Hey, an even tan is a good tan, right? I spent the next hour and 20 minutes (flipping over half way through, of course) turning page after page, all the while giggling and at times, tearing up with emotion. If you've ever felt like your Dad was hard on you as a kid or even as an adult, read this book. It will help you understand and appreciate the lessons he was probably trying to teach you at the time.

Books or magazines aside, laying out to me is like Church for some. The second my skin touches the towel and the sun warms my face, I feel at ease. I'm reminded that there is a power bigger than us. I specifically remember one Winter that seemed to last too long... it must have been early April before temperatures reached the mid 70s, acceptable bikini weather. (Anything below 74 is a bit chilly, even in the sun. Believe me, I've tried it more than once.) When I was finally able to season my wintry white skin, it was like I had just floated up to heaven. I felt my body sinking into the lawn chair like it was a puffy cumulonimbus cloud...and the rays of sun energize my soul like Red Bull gives those cartoon characters wings. I guess a little bit of me feels like that each and every time I lay out.

Another Summer behind us, I must bid farewell to my 2010 days of sunbathing... Halloween is almost here and then comes Thanksgiving: not exactly pool weather. I look forward to welcoming the month of March (although there have been times, 1999 & 2005, when I was able to get sun kissed as early as January) when I know my 2011 tan will begin. Until then, Sun, shine brightly on my Summer-bound friends Down Under.