Day 232 – Reflections

232/365 (August 20, 2011) – Thought about riding today, thought maybe out towards Harrison and maybe up past Stave Lake, then was reminded of the nasty construction zone at the dam I drove through early last week, and thought ‘nah’! The boat needed some loving and I needed to mark some exams and papers, enjoy a few glasses of wine, have a BBQ on the back deck, yes, that was what was in order for a sunny Saturday. When you have more than one pastime, and you’ve invested in several different hobbies, you have to try to ensure that what you have spent money on previously doesn’t become wasted or neglected.

Spread out the enjoyment. Don’t get too immersed in any one thing at any one time or risk losing the enjoyment that the other hobbies gave you. It’s too easy to get overly excited about one thing and forget the enjoyment you gained from others. Humans, we are so greedy for the next experience that we forget to slow down and enjoy the moment, we race to find the next one.

Balance.

I find the only place I truly relax is on the water. Be it floating on my back, or in a kayak, or on the boat, there is just a peace out on the water that I can’t get anywhere else. Riding brings something similar, a focus that frees my mind, I can just concentrate on the feel of the road, enjoy the blur of the trees passing by. I used to feel the same way about driving and would often just find a road and go – alone – and enjoy the solitude. When Kirk and I ride, we can only communicate using hand signals, I like it that way, no talking, just the two of us, together but alone, no one else to think about. When we go on a long road trip we often stay silent and enjoy our own thoughts. And I love that when we are on the water, the same applies, conversations are optional. Some people don’t get that. We used to take some of our non-boating friends out on the water, not so much anymore, actually it’s pretty rare now. We had too many cases of people that didn’t get it. One fellow tried to invite himself out with us once, we asked if he might contribute for some fuel costs, his words were “Well you are going out anyway!” He also complained that we had acrylic glasses and he didn’t like to drink wine out of plastic, and I’m not sure he contributed to the potluck dinner either. He never got invited back. And he sort of wrecked things for other friends too I guess. Not only did he not comprehend that fuel for a boat is astronomical and an offer to contribute is always a way to get invited back, but he didn’t get the bit that we go for peace and extra bodies and complaints mean more work mentally. It means being social in an environment where we go to get away from the need to be. The boat is our personal oasis, even when it’s tied to the dock.

On the water I can just stare at the ripples, the changing light, listen to the slap of the water, hear or see the occasional jumping fish, the whoosh as a kingfisher swoops by, enjoy the mournful cries of the gulls, the chuff of a passing seal, smell the salt air.

I balance on the motorcycle, but the water balances me.