I woke up this morning to my alarm clock and lay in bed for about five minutes not wanting to start the day. After forcing myself to get up I threw a shirt on, brushed my teeth and stumbled out of my dorm to get a quick breakfast. After two hours of studying I wandered into my 12:00 econ class and promptly fell asleep with horrendous dreams about the theory of consumer choice and indifference curves. Finally 1:10 rolled around so I woke up and drearily left that class only to drift into civ. For the next 50 minutes I couldn't pay attention to the conversation on mans search for meaning because all I could do was stare out the window at the beautiful day and count down the minutes till the end of class. Finally at 2:05 I was able to run back to my room take my shoes, shirt and pants off. I grabbed my paddle and donning only an old pair of surfshorts, a tank top and my slippers, I ran across campus to grab my canoe. After a quick strap job I was off and driving down the 10 freeway blasting my old Ho'aikane CD and letting my hand surf the air outside my window. Finally I arrived at my reservoir, unstrapped the canoe and was in the water within 5 minutes.
The next hour was by far the best of my day -- my mind was blank and focused only on keeping my stroke long and hard. With all my muscles working in unison the canoe got that magical glide we all strive for. For an hour nothing mattered to me; not my philosophy paper that's due next week, or the psychology midterm I probably bombed, not even the economics midterm coming up that I haven't even begun to think about. The parking ticket that I got the other day seemed to vanish along with all my apprehensions about the future. I only had to concentrate on making the right muscles push and pull at the right times and everything was perfect.
The shortlived paradise ended the second I put the canoe back on my car. My sunburnt neck began to hurt and the extremely polluted reservoir water began to itch. There was traffic on both the 57 and the 10 freeways but eventually I got home and put my canoe away in the dark. After the short walk back up to my dorm room I put away my paddle into its corner and took a shower. It was time to return to my boring life, so I opened up my psychology book and began to study. After a little while I noticed the tight discomfort in my back and shoulders, but it only made me sit back and smile.
(sorry about this post... i was a little bored and i've been thinking about paddling a little too much)
Submitted by phct on Mon, 03/29/2004 - 10:15pm
I want to escape from this routine of classes too. But I'm in New England! Reservoirs here only recently thawed. Paddling would be a great relief. This summer: surf(or attempt) and paddle.
A really great story though. Made me happy reading it.
Keep it up son.
#1 Mon, 04/05/2004 - 8:05am
lol
It's quite a natural high isn't it? :)
#2 Tue, 03/30/2004 - 7:25am
exactly what i do everyday... go to work then to school then finally i get to paddle
#3 Tue, 03/30/2004 - 9:09pm
WOW!!! THat sounds like such a great time, I wish that I could do that every day. Except I am stuck in Colorado for now. But I am going to be moving to Kauai in 13 months while you will still be stuck paddling in your resevoir. LOL
#4 Wed, 03/31/2004 - 1:24pm
[color=#004040]you're way lucky that you actually get to paddle. no one has even heard of or care about paddling here [eugene,OR]. i actually got to paddle in that resevoir over spring break and i forgot how fun it is since i haven't been in a boat since summer.[/color]
#5 Sat, 04/03/2004 - 7:58pm