Swim Briefs

For the first time in oh such a long time, I went swimming in my swim briefs. No, they're not "Speedos." I bought them in Italy or Malta and they were not made by Speedo. Just think about this before you call swim briefs "Speedos." Similarly, not all jeans are Levi's. There are many companies besides Speedo that make swim briefs. Nike, Tyr, and Adidas are some examples. Furthermore, Speedo doesn't just produce swim briefs. They make swimwear and goggles for men, women, and children. Now that that is settled, I will continue by saying that it is okay for men to wear swim briefs out in public--provided that they have the body to do so.

I was a swimmer for my high school swim team and every boy on the team wore Speedo swim briefs. They were worn to enhance performance in the pool and not for fashion or exhibitionism. As a child and adolescent, I was very, very thin and quite modest of my body. It was next to impossible for me to gain weight. I wore the Speedos, but covered up with a towel whenever I could. For that reason, I haven't worn swim briefs since high school swim until this morning.

So what changed? I was really thin up until a couple of years ago. I had fewer classes and started driving to school instead of taking the bus. My mother spoiled me by overfeeding me. She cooked LARGE portions and I didn't want all that delicious food to go to waste. Anyway, I started to gain weight, but in all the wrong areas. My abdomen suffered the most. I gained 4 inches around my waist. My face also became rounder. Unfortunately, my arms and legs were still skinny. All that excess fat was stored in all the wrong areas. I had gained 20 lbs.

I was really upset with myself and my mother. I was upset with myself for being a pig, and upset with my mother for feeding me like one. I started to reduce my food intake and began to run, ride my bike, and walk. All that hard work and determination paid off. I lost 3" from my waist and dropped 15 lbs. I'm still determined to lose that excess inch off my waist. I even started to swim again. Swimming is definitely my favourite form of exercise. I find running and weight-lifting tedious and unrewarding, but swimming and bicycling are fun to me.

I had been wearing my tight, square-cut swim shorts. They are not as revealing as swim briefs are, but they are just as comfortable and serve their purpose in the pool. I rinse them and hang them out to dry after every use. Last Saturday, I could not wear them because had I left them hanging overnight, unaware that it would rain that night. I wore my swim trunks to the pool. It was difficult to swim in them and flip turns were uncomfortable. Imagine doing sit-ups with boxers on. Fortunately, I found my swim briefs the next day.

I checked in the mirror to decide if I would look decent in them. The flab was gone from my abdomen and I did not see any love handles. My pectoralis muscles were bigger and definition had returned to my abdomen. I was also feeling less self-conscious about my body since I had been bicycling in my biker shorts. I put on my swim briefs, swam efficiently and comfortably, and was no longer ashamed of my body. In fact, being able to look decent and feel comfortable in my swim briefs made me proud. As long as my family and friends aren't around, I am comfortable wearing swim briefs.

For those who are completely against men wearing swim briefs, I question your antipathy and simplicity. Chances are, if you see a man and he's wearing swim briefs, he isn't doing it for fashion or attention. He's wearing it to swim better. In Europe, men often wear swim briefs and women go topless. It's no big deal. Americans can be so conservative and uptight about sex and the human body. I say, if you're in good shape and comfortable with your body, go for it! Never mind what others have to say.

Oregon

I have been living in Oregon for about a month now and loving it. I'm living in a rural town 25 miles west of Portland. I must say that I am happy here. It's a beautiful state with friendly people and a lower cost of living. I do enjoy what Oregon has to offer. I haven't been here long, but I can see myself becoming an Oregonian.

I drove up here from Los Angeles in late June. I was glad to leave that crowded apartment and overpopulated city behind. My road trip took 3.5 days. I stopped at Napa, Crater Lake, and Silver Falls. Napa was okay. Wine tasting there was expensive, and I wasn't pleased with the wine there. The Cabernet Sauvignon wasn't to my liking. I have an affinity for French and Italian wine. If that makes me a snob, then I'm a snob.

My next stop was Crater Lake. It was a long drive to get to the lake, but well worth the trip. The view was spectacular. The water appeared as brilliant blue as the sea at the French Rivera. There was still plenty of snow remaining, and the trees were lush and green. The ambiance was beautiful and serene. Crater Lake is the most beautiful lake that I've ever seen.

I wanted to see Silver Falls especially upon learning that one can walk behind some of the waterfalls. The roads to Silver Falls were long and winding, but again, it was worth it. I hiked through the park and saw most of the waterfalls. It was a fun and good exercise. I took pictures and picked salmonberries along the trail. The only problem was that some parts of the trail were muddy.

Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It's the only big city in the U.S. that I can see myself living in. The public transportation system is excellent. The city is also very accommodating to bicyclists. I will surely bring my bike the next time that I'm there. Parking is rather expensive in Portland. I've been to the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, Crystal Springs, Rhododendron Garden, the Audubon Nature Park, the Saturday Market, and Powell's bookstore. I enjoyed all those attractions except for the Saturday Market. That didn't impressive me much. Perhaps because I have seen bigger markets elsewhere.

My latest stop was Cannon Beach and Seaside. The Oregon coast sure is picturesque. I was there in the morning until dusk. I walked along the beach, took pictures, went to the aquarium in Seaside, flew my kite, and had delicious seafood. It was a long and fun day.

I hear that summer is the best season here. I suppose that all that rain isn't so fun. Oh well. I'll be studying most of the time anyway. School starts in 3 weeks. Until then, I will explore Portland and perhaps go to Mt. Hood.