On bathing.

[randomness]

I really like a long, leisurely shower. Even better is one followed by a soak in a hot tub. I've gone in on group motel room rentals of hot tub rooms in order to get at a hot tub; it's best in winter, when the contrast between the steamy bath and the dry cold outside is most satisfying. If I lived in Japan I'd probably take advantage of the available facilities a great deal. Even here in the States, one of the highlights of a visit to my parents' is using their shower and jacuzzi. But I prefer to do that the way the Japanese do; wash first, then soak.

I had a girlfriend my senior year who said that she'd been told by some authority-figure that any shower of over fifteen minutes was a "therapy shower", with the distinct implication that such showers were self-indulgent and to be avoided. Fortunately, she didn't seem to agree; she brought that up as we were showering together, laughing about how much longer than that time limit we were taking. And what's wrong with some shower therapy, anyway?

I think I've showered with everyone I've ever dated for more than a short time, and some who I didn't date for very long at all. To me, it isn't necessarily about sex; it's certainly an intimate act, but it's also very friendly and nurturing. You scrub my back, and I'll scrub yours. It's fun, and you get clean.

But even if I'm alone, I like to take my time bathing. I don't need many bath products; soap and water will do fine, as long as the water is a comfortable temperature and pressure. Shampoo is nice to have, of course, as is conditioner, but soap and water are the only essential ingredients. I'll admit that some of my most memorable showers were the ones where water temperature and pressure were unreliable, but those aren't ones I'd care to repeat.

So, this morning, upon finding that I'd woken up absurdly early, I got into the shower and washed throughly. I knew I could take my time as it was implausible that anyone else would need the hot water, at least not for a long while after I was finished.

When I finished, I found the cat sitting on the commode lid, staring over at me. She gave me an incredulous look, as if to say, "You meant to do that?"

"It's nice. You should try it sometime," I said to her. She stalked off, in that way cats do when they're told something they think is utterly absurd.

Comments

[dana325.livejournal.com]

Have you been to http://www.urbanoasiscambridge.com/ ?

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

I haven't, but now I feel I must!

Thanks for the pointer!

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

I have now!

Thanks *so* much for the pointer!

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

On my doc's recommendation, I am using a hot tub 5x a week (except at *this* lovely time of the month). It was ok at first, then I resented it pretty terribly cuz something you used to like that is now mandatory is sometimes no longer fun. But right *now*, I actually kind of miss it cuz I am sore.

For $34/month, you can join the ymca and use the hot tub whenever. Cheaper than a motel room for just one night.

I like baths, too. Some neat folk I know have a lovely bath tub and have offered to let me use it. I plan too. Nothing beaths a bubble bath with scented bath gel, soft music, and lit candles.

And yes, cats are funy:)

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

And I can spell. No, reely:)

[quietann.livejournal.com]

**snicker** about the cat. My old cat Midnight used to get in between the outer shower curtain and the inner liner when I was showering and bat at me. It was perfect for her; she could bug the hell out of me without getting wet.

I love long tub soaks, with bubbles.

As far as the shower time issue goes, anyone who's been through a drought will have that to some degree. Long showers, alone or with someone, still feel incredibly indulgent to me. I normally am in and out in less than ten minutes.

[mmeubiquitous.livejournal.com]

Ah, memories ;)

Jane, you might remember, used to hop in the tub and look up at me quizically whenever I was preparing to take a shower, only to streak off in a flurry of little kitty legs the instant I turned on the tap. She doesn't do that anymore. Of course, she's 11 now, so I imagine it's beneath her elder kitty dignity...

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Ah, memories ;)

;)

Jane, you might remember, used to hop in the tub and look up at me quizically whenever I was preparing to take a shower, only to streak off in a flurry of little kitty legs the instant I turned on the tap. She doesn't do that anymore. Of course, she's 11 now, so I imagine it's beneath her elder kitty dignity...

Jane! I haven't seen her since you all moved. I'm glad to hear she's still up and about!

[dpolicar]

Hee!
Every once in a while Sasha will stick her head in through the shower curtain with that "There you are! Tag!" expression on her face. It amuses me. Not that this is terribly relevant to your post, but I thought I'd share.

[tyellas.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm. bathing. The place I am about to move into has a deep tub. After not having regular access to a tub for a year, I can't wait.

My cat Northey approves thoroughly of baths, and will jump into a damp tub and pad around in it.

[evilbunnymayhem.livejournal.com]

*agreed*
My old roomie still calls me "stinky" because I have so many bath products an always made the bathroom smell like a spa. Right now I think I have 2 kinds of shampoo/conditioners and 2 showergels.
It's pampering yourself, a safe place that's yours and yours alone for that amount of time.
I knew I found the guy for me when monkeygod bought me my own towel and he liked my shampoo.

My dog used to sit outside the shower and wait for me... then lick my legs when I got out. Dogs are so weird.

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

I always marvelled at your ability to have good clean fun with people. It is indeed a
lovely thing to do. I installed a demand water heater, so I'd always have enough
hot water to fill my large soaking tub or a shower of any length, even with both
showerheads going.

I've gotten the same look from the cats here, too.

[noire.livejournal.com]

You've seen my bathroom. Enough said...

[sea-bound.livejournal.com]

Granted, you have to get on a plane, fly to Dominica, rent a car (with a $1200 deposit), drive up steep and rocky mountain roads, miss the entrance several times because you were either on the wrong road or you thought you'd gone too far when you hadn't gone far enough, and then drive all the way back (probably in the dark), but this place is AMAZING:

http://www.3riversdominica.com/rates_packages__day_tours__roseau_valley.php

Japan makes them easy to get to, but for an adventure before your bath, I highly recommend this place in Dominica. *g* I do miss the Japanese onsen though.