Pooling a Few Thoughts…

Last week I posted about the opening of East End Pool which is the best time of the year.  With that writing done, I’ve got a few general things to comment on about the pool and beach season.

First off, we all know about my barefoot phobia.  It rivals that of WGN Morning News co-host Robin Baumgarten’s fear of naked feet.  Still, with the weather warm, I know lots of flip-flops and bare piggies will abound.  I’ll just do my best to avert my eyes from looking at other people’s feet. I try to limit the showing of my own bare dogs to pool time and moving around in my house.   For the record, I think those folks with a foot fetish are the most bizarre freaks of all time. 

I’ll look the other way as you check out this pic of someone in flip-flops.

I increase my swimming by two laps each day.  Each dip, when I get in the water, I’m thinking about how laborious doing that exercise will be.  Then after about 6 or 7 laps my groove takes over and then it’s easy and most of all, enjoyable.  If I have a goal to do 30 laps, I’ll count 15 of them then for the next 15 laps I’ll count backwards.  As of right now I’m up to 40 daily laps.  I’ve got to get up to 66 laps to equal a mile of swimming.  That’s going to take 13 more swim days!

I’ve got laps to do. Flirting with Scarlett Johansson will have to wait.

Sun Screen is EXPENSIVE!  I never really noticed this before but a mid-sized tube of Banana Boat 30 SPF rub-on cream costs fifteen dollars at Jewel.  I’ve got my freebie spray and some roll-on sunscreen from my buddy Al Flash and he’s got more he’s sending me for free.  Still, I just took one for the team and my skin and bought a tube of the Banana Boat for future use. 

This stuff is expensive but necessary so I buy it and use it.

Call me crazy, but I think women look best when they’re wearing a one-piece swimsuit.  It shows off all the contours of the female form and yet leaves some body parts a little bit of a mystery.  As I’ve noted before, women sporting butt floss bikini bottoms grosses me out. I don’t need to see anyone’s ass cheeks no matter how ‘hot’ they think they look.  Plus, thongs look uncomfortable and worst of all, UNSANITARY!

Women are more appealing in a one-piece swimsuit.  End of story.

On the subject of women, be it at the pool, beach or just getting around town, in the summertime you’re nobody unless you’ve got a black sleeveless sundress to wear.  It’s standard issue for females 18 to 80.

Standard summer wear for women of any age is the black sleeveless sun dress.

One trend I notice mostly in men is the wearing of a wristwatch in the pool.  I know some do this because they’re timing how fast they swim laps.  Those guys and women are excused from my curiosity and the shaking of my head. But those who are just puddling around wearing a watch, I don’t see the purpose.  Yes, we get it, your watch IS waterproof.  Now take it off before you get a lame looking tan line.

Unless you’re timing your laps, a watch in the water makes zero sense.

Finally, one of my favorite things to see at the pool or beach is parents introducing their babies and toddlers to the water.  As a safety measure, it is SO important for little kids to be wary of pools, lakes, ponds, and learn how to be one with the water. Pop on those floatation vests and water wings ASAP. The sooner kiddos learn to swim (via mom & dad or swim lessons) the better.  Plus, hearing the kids squeals and laughter when in the water is a real kick too.

Parents and little kiddos in the water is a great thing to see.

NEXT BLOG- Remembering the Summer of ’83.