A quick public service announcement for those like me prone to sunburn: you can get burned while sitting in the shade.
I learned this today after spending a few hours reading on our balcony. The weather was hot but breezy, and I was just wearing shorts and an A-shirt (I’m not comfortable writing the more common name).
I didn’t have on any sunscreen because I was sitting in the shade.
This evening I looked in the mirror and noticed that my left shoulder, forehead, and one side of my neck were pink. After pressing my fingers against my skin I had those telltale marks that linger white for a second before turning pink again.
But only on my left side - the side that was facing the balcony railing and the external wall of an apartment building about 20 feet away.
Then it dawned on me (sorry) that the sun’s rays reflected off the apartment wall and caused the burn, even though I had been all comfy in the shade.
Moral: Wear sunscreen whenever spending time outdoors, or at least don’t dress like Kevin Federline.