Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Sixteen to Fifty

...or is it seventeen? I don't know. It'll get here when it gets here. Although time does seem to be speeding up at a precipitous rate ... and it's likely to just get worse as fifty comes and goes. Or at least that's what they say.

I'm quite looking forward to my birthday gift to myself, though -- my very first ever solo vacation, a few days "on the Cape" before fetching intellikid & stuff home from BU next month. Meanwhile, today I indulged in a 90 minute massage, which felt as good as a week-long vacation. Yeah, it was far more enjoyable than the procedure pictured...

Which begs the question: Why is it completely acceptable for dogs, cats, and other domesticated critters to solicit physical touch from humans, while it is generally frowned upon if we humans publicly seek out the same sort of contact from each other?

Discuss.

16 comments:

  1. I have been trying to writing to this comment all evening but I have been disracted...

    50 isn't so bad. Been there done that, not using Depends yet.

    Those who like to be touched should be paired with those who like to touch, but it doesn't always happen.

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  2. Uh huh, Doug....who was it that said, "A man is only as old as the woman he feels?"

    I guess part of the "problem" is that some humans don't know when and where and who when it comes to "appropriate" forms of touching...my boss being a perfect case in point. *shudder*

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  3. I believe I may have said that one time or another, Intell ;-)

    I don't touch very often, and I am always mindful when I do. I do like to be touched, but it doesn't happen to me often, either.

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  4. Aging is he worm hole of life...as politics is the pie hole of life.

    I have no idea why I said that, I cannot explain my brain.

    The animal question: My theory is, if humans were to be unrestrained in the touchy department, it could, as it does with dogs and cats...it could lead to butt sniffing. Not all taboos are bad, methinks.

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  5. Hello, soon-to- be- milestone-birthday girl!

    I hope you have a lovely time on your solo vacation. I've done that a few times, and they really are wonderfully refreshing things to take. Admittedly, I love to be alone. I should have a been a hermit, a recluse, that man who adopted Heidi, but with fewer goats, and no Heidi.

    Enough about me, let's talk animals: I think it is considered entirely acceptable because Animals are unable to communicate verbally with us. Perhaps they do with each other, but there exists a gap in language.

    I suppose we are considered to have more outlets for feelings and requests.

    I also don't think it is considered odd to seek out touch from those we know and love.

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  6. My heart SEES you. Here, in the tropics we tend to be more touchy-feely than our neighbors to the north.

    A warm pat on the back is so wonderful after you have told someone you have been through hell and back. A holding of the hands when a friend wants to impart his friendly affection. It is really reassuring.

    Allow me to wish the Spring Sun to bring you some warm caresses and that the touch of nature keeps your heart warm. Corny? Yes. Heartfelt.

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  7. Jaded, I don't know what you meant but I agree wholeheartedly (re: the wormhole/piehole thing) And I suppose you do have a point about the butt-sniffing thing. Why is it you're the only one bringing that up? :-)

    L o S -- I need some quality alone time!! Yeah, listen to me -- I complain about not enough touchy-feely, then talk about anticipating some solitude. Oh, well...I can have it all, can't I?

    R.O. - Yes, isn't it ironic that Northerners who could use the shared body heat more often shy away from it? Anyway, we have had a long string of warm sunny days here, and I've enjoyed ol' Sol's caress!

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  8. Because I'm a deviant? OK, I'll go away.

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  9. Thank you...and I thought so...it has that air about it. No, not really intell, you know I don't mean that...mostly.

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  10. Whew... and what an air it is!

    The touchy thingy...we're talking different species of animals here. If there were some sort of gigantic bear who loved stroking us I'm certain we would line up and beg just like cats and dogs. Without the tail wagging of course. Too bad, I've always wanted a tail. Can you imagine how good tail wagging must feel? My lower back feels better just thinking about it. Shut up JJ.

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  11. Mr. C, if it feels good, do it! As a matter of fact, I'm going to go wag my tail tonight at the Wailers show. Every little ting gonna be all right...

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  12. There's hardly a better tail waqging band aroud than the Wailers. Shake a tail feather for me.

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  13. Mr. C, I thought maybe you were at the show, 'cause there was a gentleman in a Panama hat there. Anyway, it was a good time...

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  14. I'm taking after my cats -- those beautiful bunters, nuzzlers, and lovers of warm soft spaces. We live in a crazy society when one person can sue another for touching! One kind and respectful touch can suffuse another person's whole being ... it's like an injection of pure warmth.

    Fifty's not so bad :-) I've been there ... survived it ... it sure can make for some rocky moments when you realize, "Holy shit! Half a century ... I've done a lot of living!"

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