jay | Comfortable in my own skin

(chuckle) I made it to last night's PPP, yes.

I was listless and depressed when I left the house -- it had been building during the day, while I had been arguing online, defending some negative-balance behaviors that I wasn't sure that I still fully embraced. But once I'm engaged in a debate, I can't concede the given issue... which sometimes leads me to doggedly hang on to points otherwise past their shelf life. A dark side of bloody-mindedness... (grin)

Anyway, I had a flash of insight while driving eastward over the Dumbarton Bridge, internal clouds cleared, some kick-backside music came on the radio, I roared up 880 going 85-90 in the Mustang and arrived confidently and feeling at peace with myself and others. And had an excellent time.

And, I should say, had brought some truly-luscious raspberry-chocolate brownies made by

patgreene. Stripping and sliding into the warm water, foam noodles wrapped around, waved at our hosts

dawnd and

akienm and I joined the other 60-odd people in the pool and hot tub. (Without two foam noodles, I sink... one drawback of a higher-density body, I guess ;).

sinboy came over to talk -- we chatted amiably for a half hour, bobbing in the deep end. I really enjoyed reconnecting, as he and I really hadn't had a chance to talk since last spring.

karenbynight dropped by and we giggled together. (happy birthday!)

rosefox arrived, stripped (with an appreciative audience) and hung out with us for awhile. I drifted over and talked with

jasonhollister and

kokoro43 about their job searches (and NASA hiring), then decided to get out for awhile and de-prune.

Dripping, I walked around the pool and started to reach for my bathrobe -- only to discover a couple (

polydreamz and

enchantedwahine) snuggled in chairs in front of it. They handed it to me, thus avoiding being dripped-upon... and I reacquainted myself with Jon and was pleased to meet Anna. And then chatted with the mother of an adorable toddler (Indy? Emma?) who

ag_unicorn mentions likewise.

Re-entering the pool,

kokoro43 told me that he'd been deputized to bring me to someone --

p3aches. I'd promised her some cuddles and talk, which I was happy to give... she's had a rough week. And receive... she's *very* snuggly :-). Circulating, I caught sight of a blonde flash from across the pool and happily joined

grynz and

philosophertone. Interrupted briefly by

mikz's amiable dive-in to plant a passionate kiss -- on K, of course ;-). Who in turn surprised me later with a kiss (k = k++ ->22 ;)

I circulated a bit more, seeing

missk and

akienm and meeting

aztiluth for the first time. Free of his Greek upbringing, no less! (smile)

hopeforyou was at the party, but I never saw her get in the water. She looked exhausted, listless, even lower-energy than when I drove her home from work on Wednesday. (concerned look) I didn't spend much time with

circusscreamer, but she looked resolute and emotionally intact after her bad week. And looked well-supported :-).

Lastly (but certainly not least ;) I stayed late until 1:30am or so, cleaning and carrying out trash and recyclables -- and getting a chance to hang out with the estimable (and lovely)

dawnd in the kitchen, putting away leftovers and dishes.

I returned home at 2am, happy and content with myself and those around me. I wasn't even fazed to discover that someone that I'd been concerned about (losing my temper, making a scene, etc.) at the PPP wasn't there -- because he was out with

patgreene! Deliciously ironic, that... I should reward her for "decoy" duty. (chuckle)

Anyway, it was fun to be comfortable in my own skin (literally ;) for awhile, and to soak up hot water and warm personal energy...