Observation

A Google alert on my name turned up this article today: Managing daily distractions: observe and reflect, by Steve Brunkhorst. It quotes my February 2000 article on Suite101, Develop your observation skills. By failing to identify the source this violates Suite101's copyright rules, but I no longer have a contract with Suite101 and don't see how the reference does me any harm.

The sauna

A Guelph alley







Another scene from downtown Guelph


After my workout, I shower away the first course of sweat, then enter the sauna and recline. The room is usually empty nowadays. I've fantasized about turning off the light and masturbating in hot darkness.

At this same gym I met David, a young Honduran with jet hair and alabaster skin. He cruised me one afternoon in the sauna during the final horrendous months of my marriage. I'd received attention like that in change rooms before, but always turned away. That day I admired him cautiously. I can't remember what we talked about. Still I was horrified and fled. I avoided the gym for several months, until after the separation. Eventually, I would return to invite him home.

The gym has been renovated since 1995. The sauna is new and clean. The clientele has changed. Nobody cruises anymore.

I start to break into a sweat. My body grows tense and claustraphobic. I want to go through the simulation of panic, knowing it won't kill me. I count six long breaths, then three more, and three more, until my toes tingle. Getting up, I scorch my soles.

A moment later the cool shower washes over me like a wave of calm.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Another photo is posted in doorwindowwall.

1001 Nights, Part !V

Barbara Campbell has asked me to submit another short story for 1001 Nights Cast, and it's scheduled to be read tomorrow. She has returned to Sydney so the timing has changed. It will be broadcast at 18:11 Sydney time, which translates to 4:11 Toronto time (ESDT), so I won't get to hear it. I'm posting this in case anyone else is awake at that uncivilized hour, or has a better time frame. Just go to this link at the appointed time:

http://1001.net.au/

Today's prompt has just been posted, and I'm about to start writing. The dealine is 1:10, but I only expect it to take three hours. I'll post a link to the text tomorrow. To get me going, I just finished a bowl of chili and I'm savouring the last couple glasses of red wine djjo bought on the weekend.

Popular interests meme

( For the analysis )