Bubble baths and other comforts

The delights of home are a sort of subtle sensory pleasure - the quiet, understated things that get you through each day. After discussing this at length with several friends, my compiled list of daily indulgences includes: morning coffee and a cigarette, long jogs, cheap tui na massages, wine, wine and more wine, and - my favorite - bubble baths.

To correctly execute a bubble bath as a sensory experience, not simply a glorified way to get clean, follow the following steps:

1. Drink alcohol. This is a must.

2. Run the hottest water you can stand. If your head's not buzzing from the booze, it should from the heat.

3. Go old school: pink Mr. Bubble works for me, but SpongeBob bubble bath or any Disney variation are just as good. We all took baths as little kids; re-create your childhood!

4. Sweat it out. There should be an element of discomfort and intermittent swearing as your body temperature rises. This is a good thing, trust me.

5. After your bath, rest in a cool room, preferably reading crap magazines or watching bad TV. Drink cold water, recover.


The idea here is stolen from les russes, who drink vodka and beat each other with tree branches in communal saunas before rolling around in snow (my grandfather was one such russe). But in practice it works just as well in the chilly environs of New York City. It's harsh out there, and temperature extremes bring an enlightened kind of release. Most importantly, baths take you out of the grind - and back into your body - for a few precious moments.

Now go play!