going to school on the weekend. Whose bright idea was that?

There's a reason I'm in night school. It's because Rzanimals like me are not meant to be up and around before 9am, especially on a Saturday morning.

Rudely ripped out of peaceful slumber by the LOUDASS static of the radio alarm, I drag my butt out of bed, tearing myself away from the warm soft furry naked heaven of my beloved. After this wrenching, Herculean effort, I try to focus enough to remember all the things I needed to bring. Sheets, books, lunch, practice log, lunch... Then my friend Jessica arrives, rumpled but sparkling and we're off.

I'm always startled by how many people are out and about, clearly awake and functioning normally. Morning people... Not me, I feel oddly displaced, like a life form from another planet trying to remain undiscovered, going through the motions of being a normal human early morning bustler. Luckily Jessica's a night owl too, so we just babble at each other and laugh happily without really feeling the need to follow our conversational subjects all that closely.

Fortunately for us, class is fun. Particularly today, the morning was Somatic Presence. We got to lie on the floor, dance, chat, and be held in the loving attention of our classmates. Yeah, I dig massage school.

Then we got learned about ethics. Things like confidentiality, moral terpitude, and conduct becoming a massage therapist. No, we don't have sex with clients, it's not that kind of massage. You'd think folks would know that already, but I guess "massage" parlors still abound, even though it's illegal for them to use that word.

Massage is a healing feast for the senses. It's sensual, NOT sexual. You have to create a safe place for that. Somewhere people can be naked(under the sheets) and feel completely comfortable. Touching people is a beautiful thing when done with skillful professional care and clear intent.

I guess you have to learn how to say NO too.