Saturday, April 3, 2010

No Day at the Beach

Tomorrow after the rest of the family get back from church, we're going to the beach. For all the time I was living in Virginia, I never got around to the beach. Once, on a trip up from Charlotte, I drove out to the shore, shucked my shoes and ran down into the surf shouting, "Thalassa! Thalassa! at the top of my lungs, but that was almost seven years ago. I haven't been on a traditional beach outing since sometime in the early 90s. Why is complicated.

Going to the beach brings out all of my insecurities regarding my self image. As a man, I'm not in the greatest shape. I'm doughy around the middle, but I don't look like a beached whale or anything. The problem is, I just don't like to be seen that way. I know that I am no bathing beauty, and this body of mine has no place on the beach in a woman's swimsuit, but I just can't see going into the water in anything else. One of my housemates offered to get me a swimsuit, but I told her I wasn't going into the water. Part of me wants to, to have fun with my nephews, but I can't do it.

Should I even go?

3 comments:

  1. Going into the water is not compulsory on a visit to the beach.

    I solved the problem by going to a naturist beach where body shape is not an issue, costumes just squeeze you in and shout look at me, when naked you hardly get a second glance. Go figure!

    Caroline xxx

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  2. Watch that second comment. It's full of porn links, and probably trojans.

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  3. How about simply wearing a pair of shorts and tank top? Nobody says you need to wear a bathing suit... I'm trying to think through the issue of going out presenting fem and then running the risk of unexplainable tan lines.... the things we go through, lol...

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