happy

I recently had an interesting experience with a naturopath, when she asked me how many alcoholic beverages I consume in the average week. “Five?” I asked. “No, wait. Maybe eight. Or 12?” I paused, trying to count as her pencil hovered above the form. “What is the threshold for binge drinking again? I’m pretty sure I’m just under that.” (Later that day, I found out the threshold for binge drinking – four or more drinks in a single sitting – and told my friend, Jamie. “What, is that from the 50s?” he asked, incredulously.)

I say this with reluctance because I don't want to sound too much like a Cathy comic strip, but bathing suit season can be difficult. All of the careful staging and camouflaging you can do with clothes — a belt here, a slip there, a high-waisted hot short never — is undone the second you strip down to a bikini. The love handles, meaty thighs, stretch marks and cellulite are all on display for the world to see. If you have any body insecurities, this is the pretty much the worst nightmare. After all, during sex, you can always dim the lights — not a possibility while you're ankle-deep in lapping waves or splayed out on a dock.

Over at Brain Pickings — a very cool site, by the way — Maria Popova brings attention to a new book by Robert Penn, It's All About the Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness on Two Wheels. In addition to delving into his personal relationship with the bicycle, Penn also explores bike history and culture.

They say that money can't buy happiness—and that's partially true—but there is one little thing you can do with your dollars that might give your day a boost: Treat a friend to lunch.

Writing in this week's Globe and Mail, Sarah Hampson had an interesting story about happiness in relationships: "Happiness in couples is contagious. So is misery."