The 65-inch screen smart tv looked even bigger in the lounge than it had in the store. I began to wonder if I'd overdone it but after an hour or so unpacking it and connecting up a few cables I stood back to admire my purchase.
The heater was on, and the room was warming up as I rearranged the furniture.
We'd agreed we'd each be wearing two items of clothing when we began the call, but with the intention of shedding those fairly quickly. It's not easy to find anyone willing to go fully nude in a video chat, show their face, and have their mic on too. I don't personally get any satisfaction if the other side isn't willing to go that far.
But I felt confident after exchanging a series of photos online, culminating in full frontal nude shots, that we'd each go ahead with it. Ten minutes to go before the call.
I fired up the camera and checked out the picture of myself filling the screen, moving the couch a little closer to get a perfect position. I'd planned to be able to stretch out completely naked, but still have room to stand in front of the camera and still be seen for the undressing part of the conversation.
Two minutes to go.
I quickly whipped off my shorts and t-shirt just to check I looked OK naked...good tan...fully smooth. I redressed, took the top off a cold beer and laid out on the couch to wait for the call, heart pounding in anticipation of what I was about to do.
It was one minute after the agreed time when the familiar sound of an incoming call came.
I let it ring three times before pushing the remote to accept the call, minimising my own image so I'd have a full screen view from the other end.
"You got set up OK?" asked the voice from the other end, "it's a good picture here...yours?" "Very good here" I said, taking in the view of a comfortable lounge..."I'm a bit nervous, but I do want to go through with it...shall I take my top off first, or shorts?"