Can I Wear Sunburn Before Memorial Day?

The sun rises after 7am over the beach, but shows little light before hand. I met a childhood friend for an early breakfast near downtown Miami on a balcony just as the sun rose.  Eggs, toast, coffee and tropical fruits were followed by a dousing of SPF 50.

We took a long boat ride (motor) with our families in her boat, sandwiches wrapped in foil, and plenty of extra water.  An extra VHF is always a safe bet as well and a pair of American Optics sunglasses (gift from a friend) surprisingly did not fall off into the ocean.

 

After a few hours, we saw a wave runner floating by itself, which always initiates concern.  When I looked closer, two small heads were bobbing in the water getting increasingly distant from their watercraft.  We sped over and saw two girls barely treading water and holding on to their life vests getting pulled away in the current.  We pulled them aboard, and my friend (a Coast Guard officer) began berating them in her expert Spanish for not wearing their vests (in favor of maximizing their tans).  With no medical issues apparent (nothing "beyond first aid") we released the two vapidas to their craft, both of them infuriatingly having  maintained their chewing gum throughout the ordeal, and both still pompously sassy with entitlement despite their exhaustion. If this is our future, it's hopeless.



Later that evening, cigars and rum that was good enough to drink only with ice.

The multi-bedroom spot we've been occupying is far different from the normal Northeastern aesthetic.  While I enjoy temporary stylistic differences, the bare post-deco stainless steel/glass/marble/white everything is an adjustment.  Simple household tasks require endless wiping of surfaces as every water droplet is accentuated.  Children's hand and fingerprints quickly cover every surface and are showcased with rays of sun.  The air temperature and low humidity can be described only as flawless, and the air conditioner has not been turned on at all, with nightlife's noise a small price to pay for open window sleeping.

My temporary office has seen little use, but I am on my third can of sunscreen with my pale Western European flesh barely keeping pace with the vitamin D assault.

Back in Boston, the city is likely clogged with the marathon runners and the legions of smug yuppies who spend hours each day training for these silly races instead of spending time on better things like their families, going out drinking, or hosting/attending parties (I sensibly gave up competitive running in college).

85f forecasted for Boston, and the same in Miami, but the only thing I'm running is a bar-tab.