Let's talk about kissing - Thought Leader

Kissing: in essence, two people licking each other and (sometimes) trying to devour the others’ lips. I’ve got me a definition that says: “A kiss is a touch of the lips as a sign of love, reverence, sexual desire or greeting.” Love, reverence, sexual desire or greeting. You’ve pretty much got the whole spectrum of human interaction covered there.

But, oh, the delight of kissing! The thrill, the excitement, the comfort of it. One of my only regrets about getting older is that first kisses become a lot scarcer. You know that feeling, the one you get when you know that before the night is out you will have kissed this veritable stranger who occupies much of your thoughts and who will, after this touching of lips, become much more to you?

I miss that.

Lest you think I’m the only one all in a fever about kissing, did you know that the average person spends two weeks of their life kissing? (Not quite sure how they calculated that one.)

Or that the scientific name for kissing is philematology? (How’s that for romantic? “Ooh, baby, I could spend the whole night philematologying you!”)

Or (and this is as good a reason as any to pucker up) you burn 26 calories for every one minute of kissing? So instead of worrying about that extra piece of chocolate, just make sure you add an extra minute of smooching to your exercise regime.

Unless you live in Indiana in the good old US of A, that is. And sport a moustache. In Indiana, it is illegal for a moustached man to “habitually kiss human beings”. Animals, no prob.

So why all the fuss about kissing?

Well! I’ve got me a little competition running, and it’s starting today. Strange Nervous Laughter (my book) is sponsoring a kissing competition (wait! don’t start yet!) where the best kissing photo wins a brand-new iPod Nano 4GB with video (you know, the one that was launched just last week?)

All you have to do is email your best kissing photo to [email protected], or join “The Kissing Group” on Facebook and post it in the gallery there (yes, I am taking advantage of the social utility to connect to those around me).

The top 10 photos will be displayed on www.bridgetmcnulty.com (updated regularly) and the winner will be announced in two short weeks on Monday September 24.

So what you waiting for? You now have a foolproof reason to smooch as much as you want for two full weeks … just make sure you have a camera nearby.