The Existential Pleasures of Skinnydipping

I saw the "On this Day" feature on the JamsBio Homepage that Michael Stipe's birthday is today, January 4th. It reminded me of the many memories I have associated with one of R.E.M.'s songs. It can't be easily pinned to a single year since it spans my entire life. So the best I can do is say 2006 because it was the last time I went skinny dipping.

It goes like this:  skinny dipping is one of life's purest and simplest joys. First you're naked. Second you're in water. And third, if you're lucky, you're skinny dipping with someone else who either looks good naked or is at least a helluva a lot of fun. I've been going skinnydipping since I was old enough to undress myself - to strip down and jump in - anywhere, everywhere, so long as there's water.

Particular moments stand out - ones where I was with a girl, in the middle of a warm lake with water like glass and a bright clear moon. Or with a group of friends throwing and diving for the Frisbee with waves from Lake Michigan crashing all around and the skyline of Chicago right in front of us. And nice swims in Colombia and Venezuela. Toss in the fires on beaches, guitars, sand and kisses - what a glorious thing.

I don't think anyone can truly grow old if they keep skinny dipping because it makes you feel alive - and that you just might live forever. R.E.M.'s song Nightswimming is to me about the finest anthem to capture the magic of living to skinnydip, or skinnydipping to live. Thanks Michael (and R.E.M.) and Happy Birthday (suit).