Tanning and Treats

I think this might be the first time I've had a real tan in decades... I may venture to the shores of Long Island Sound once or twice a year, but generally slathered in suntan lotion and resulting in fleeting copper tones at most. Europeans definitely don't seem to take as much stock (and really, "why let stock get so low?" ; ) in suntan lotion, or at least I don't see them mid-slather. It exists, as I was offered some by the family that is hosting me, but I, with my Polish skin, fair hair, and blue eyes have been the only one to use it. Random anecdote: I once new a guy (an ex-boyfriend on some levels though neither a.) ever actually fit the description and b. ) in hindsight definitely does not deserve the title) who told me that he didn't believe in suntan lotion. Why he felt he could justify the non-existence of melanoma is beyond me. A testament to his continual insistence on avoiding anything difficult or important, I am sure. For the sake of contrast, I had another ex-bf of sorts who gave me a notebook with the instructions to "Put some good stuff in here. You know, funny stuff. The good stuff." It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see which man was ultimately more akin to my heart and supportive of my life.  I offer up this comparison mainly because I recently rediscovered this notebook, pages until now free of brilliance or mistakes, and have at long last decided that the benefits of failure far outweigh the perfection of a creative thought. Both add magnificence to your soul... I tarnish its pages on a daily basis amidst my new adventure...

In other news, I wish to harken once more on the two main vices I currently possess... One of course being wine, and specifically rosé. For some unknown reason, I seem to have developed a reputation for being a lover of the specific genre. And while I do adore this pink-hued elixir, I really can't claim that I don't also love almost any other kind of wine, red or white, as well. In one of the cafés that resides in my resort-esque neighborhood, one glass of wine is 2€... What the WHAT?! In contrast, my other vice, ice-cream slash gelato (I have been particularly enjoying the flavors menthe and caramel fleur de sel lately) is almost twice the price. This is clearly a supreme example of which this indulgent culture thinks is the better choice...

Enjoying the beach yesterday late afternoon, and yes, there were many topless folk about...