I was searching through some old photos and videos tonight and found this video from January 2007 of a moment within a trip around India. I had gone for work and then taken some extra days to relax and see other parts of the country. We found some waves in Kerala, India (way in the south) that were enormously fun to play in. Also dangerous, we later learned (hence the undertow). I played in the waves on three or four separate occasions and they were among the most fun I have ever… EVER… had. I’m the one on the right, cackling, and getting washed up on shore.

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Check out the video here:

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This makes me so happy.

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… relevant to this blog only because it destroyed our home and I learned a new meaning of "starting over". Actually, many families had it much worse that ours did. Some literally had their homes blown to pieces. Ours was simply unlivable for several months. Our neighborhood was flooded, our pets were displaced (some were never to be seen again; others turned up traumatized) and furniture that we had just purchased the week before had been carried by the storm to other parts of the house, now muddied. A water line that was waist high - indicating where water had just sat and hung out during the storm’s flooding - lined the inside walls of our house. Quite a lot for a high schooler - or anyone, for that matter - to deal with.

But, as I said, I did learn about starting over, a lesson I suppose most of us are faced with at some point in our lives… starting over after heartbreak, following the painful end to a relationship, or the loss of a family member, friend or beloved pet. Many endings are painful, but if we are fortunate or look for the silver lining, I suppose many endings are also beginnings of good things. Regardless, reflecting on loss is - I think - a good reminder to reflect, too, on what we have and who in our lives we are grateful for: the partner who is there for us when times are tough, our sex drives that pull us closer to that person we can’t get enough us, the children who may climb into your bed in the morning to wake you up bright and early, or the parent who nags you because they love you dearly.

Gratitude, gratitue, gratitude.

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This was the 2008 HGTV dream house in Key Largo, Florida! Oh, it was so beautiful. We went to go see it this past January. This is the side that we walked in on. On the left, there was an outdoor shower. How cool is that?

Just as it is important to have safer sex (by wearing condoms), it is also apparently important to have "safer Dream Home touring" - everyone who toured the home had to wear little booties. Here are mine.

That’s me getting a close-up detail of this seashell mirror (when I was little, we used to make seashell everything, having grown up in South Florida).

And yes, keep in mind - mirrors can be fun to use during sex! And not always in the way you might think. If you have a big mirror in your home, you might even find it fun - and a good start to foreplay - to stand in front of a mirror with your partner and check out each other’s bodies. Or to sit with a mirror alone and check out your own, noting what you appreciate and like about it.

GORGEOUS kitchen! If memory serves me correctly, I think it looked as though they had first painted the walls that cool earth tone and THEN layered see-through tiles on top of it. Clever, aren’t they?

And an absolutely stunning bathroom. I hope the winners (Stephanie Dee and family) make good use of this home.

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I’ve tackled lots of work today. Thinking about going for a bike ride now…

UPDATE: The bike ride was amazing. I rode a route that I have only ever done once before in my life as it’s pretty challenging (for me). Hills are hard for me! I have a hybrid bike and have been thinking about investing in a decent road bike. Would they truly make the hills easier? I have no need to go faster. Going too fast actually scares me a bit. However, I would really like for hills to be easier and to get more power with my pedals so that I can go farther and for a longer period of time. Anyone know much about bike riding?

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See it - and the caption - on this web site.

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At the Jamie Lidell show at the 930 Club in DC. Countdown to less than an hour. Yay.

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If you haven’t already sent out your cards, ordered flowers or otherwise found ways to recognize the important mothers in your life (yours or other women who are important to you), now is the time to do so. Dads, this is also a great time to recognize your child’s mom - whether or not you are still together with her. One new dad I know is throwing a party for his wife, which I personally think is incredible. Very good sex and relationship karma.

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