Raydiance

A suntanning salon in Bolton. Populated by various individuals skulking in for their fix and skulking out. They sit there in the small lobby waiting for their bed to be readied and you can see them furtively looking about; does somebody I know see me? It's odd this behaviour of furtively watching out while waiting for the tanning bed.
The first day, I pulled off my clothes in haphazard fashion, slathered the tanning lotion on (60 bucks a bottle) and lay down gingerly on the cold, plastic expanse of acryllic and fluorescent tubing. Claustrophobic a little, uneasy a lot. But the blast of light and heat was great. Looking at the door to make sure no one would barge in while I was basking. Glancing at the clock on the bed every 30 seconds wondering when it would be over ( I hate lying in the sun; it is so boring).
The second visit; I waited with trepidation for the light to go off. And it does; with a huge clunk propelling me into the cold dark of Canadian winter again.
The third time; I was much more relaxed; not watching the clock, not watching the door for would-be invaders but I still waited for the clunk. The fourth day; I was getting real good. Really enjoying the blast of light and heat. In efficiently. Out efficiently. Thanking the girl at the desk; they always ask politely: "how was it?" And I always answer fabulous.
So I don't mind the clunk of darkness hitting me. I'm up to 11 minutes in the basic bed. I don't need much more.
I turned on the radio the other day to listen to CBC2 and Tempo while basking and was the most relaxed I have ever been, indoors or out. Not watching the door. Open to the world; naked in a public place basking in artificial light.
It is working wonders on my body. Giving me a nice colour that is quite simply, fabulous. Colour to parts of my body that have never seen the light of day. It does more for my mind than anything. This giving of colour. I love it. And live it.