An aspect of my continuing weight loss/fitness regimen is some building excitement for this upcoming Summer season. For the first time in decades I'll feel comfortable taking off my shirt at the beach or at pool parties. Oddly enough, even though I am comfortable being fully nude around other (consenting) people in private, that strangely doesn't translate to comfort being shirtless in public places. I'm sure that psychologists have an explanation or at least a term for it, but I have - had - a mental discomfort with being overweight and topless in public for decades based on poor health and body image. It's part of the ongoing psychological examination I'm still doing, despite the six decades of trying to understand who I am. That's the core purpose of this blog, of course, so hopefully it isn't too repetitive. This year has been particularly good as far as showing me that my self-esteem is based not on how I'm perceived by others, but how much I feel ...

  As I mentioned in my last blog entry, I'm getting into far better shape than I've been in for quite some time. I exercise 30+ minutes every morning, and am following a specific eating plan that seems to be doing a better job than any other plan I've attempted. (I've tried them all: Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, weekly injections, FenPhen - before they realized it was a really bad diet plan.) This one is definitely the best and likely even the easiest to maintain. So it's having a terrific effect on my physicality. I've healthier and stronger than I've been in years, and am eagerly anticipating my next physical to see what effect this all has had from a medical standpoint. I'm hoping to cut back on a number of weight-related meds I'm on, as well as finding out how the weight loss and physicality have improved my overall health. And, as predicted, I'm becoming even more comfortable undressed, to the extent I'm considering a day t...

I love to travel. My wife and I are frequent travelers to as many exotic destinations as possible, though we have a huge portion of the world left to explore. But given the stresses of the modern world I find myself also beginning to crave getting away from it all. I'd love to find some remote beach with a shack, strip off and spend four or five days with nothing but the ocean, the shack and the sun to keep me occupied. Okay, and a fully stocked library for good measure. I need to get some alone time. Some time away from people and activity. To be naked with nature and enjoy the solitude. I came to that conclusion the other day when I was watching some tv program where a character is in such a remote location, and I thought "God, that looks terrific." Of course, the character was clothed and trying to find a way off the island and back to civilization, but I'd be happy to give it a go myself. There's a different television show originating, I think, in...

I met a friend for cocktails last night and she and I got around to the topic of sexiness and appreciating someone's appearance. What we commonly refer to as "checking out" that person. We don't mean anything by it other than an aesthetic look at something we like. We just like to look. (I've mentioned my love of looking before, referred to officially, as scopophilia. Which,as a photographer I just do naturally.) In modern American society it's unacceptable to objectify another person, and I get that. I really do. And I genuinely respect any other person - male or female - as an intelligent human being (until they prove me wrong). Christopher Meloni's legendary ass But, dammit, I like to look. If a woman is wearing a low cut blouse,  I am attracted to her cleavage. I'm a cleavage guy. I think women's breasts are beautiful, in any shape or form, and when presented with them I'd like to appreciate them. If a woman is taking contr...

Years ago I decided the best description for my approach to life is that of being a Hedonistic Bohemian. In other words, I loved deriving pleasure from life and it formed the basis for many of the habits and enjoyments I experienced. From sexual pleasures to enjoying good food, to good wine (and other drinks), to spending time expounding on all sorts of topics with friends, my life was focused on the good things we, as humans, can experience. In many ways I still consider myself a Hedonistic Bohemian. I love to wander, love meeting new people and engaging in a social experience. A Bohemian. I love the more carnal pleasures of good food, strong drink and - once upon a time - enthusiastic sex. A Hedonist. On a recent trip to the Caribbean I spent an hour or more most days on the balcony of a cruise ship with my pants off, or in the ship's bar drinking martinis with newfound friends, or enjoying the tours and foods of the various destinations we visited. And on most days...