Boat Culture - you want in?

It was a glorious day boating on the James River with friends - just cloudy enough to mask the heat, but nice enough for the ultraviolet rays to effect the tan situation. Although, I sadly have a long way to go before I'd consider myself sunkissed.

My boat-owning friends who host my aquatic adventures (since I'm a bit of a landlubber) are opening my eyes to the wonders of boat culture - and dock ettiquette. Waving is completely normal as you cruise by, helping folks align their boats back on the trailers is also expected - not an extraordinary act of kindness as you would consider someone stopping to help with a broken down vehicle on the shoulder of a highway. Needless to say, the sociology geek in me witnessed all sorts of neat interactions.

I'm wondering if I want to be a part of this watersports culture.

My best friend and I paddled on the Rappahannock River on board open kayaks during our college years and LOVED the sunshine, exercise, and views. We brought friends along whenever possible, but for the most part, it was the two of us in our boats. One of the reasons why I settled on purchasing a Jeep after graduation (as opposed to a zippy little Honda or Toyota) was that I wanted to purchase a kayak for use on the James.

Here I sit two years later. No kayak yet, but the wheels are turning. Perhaps a tandem rig (2 passenger) so I have the capability of bringing another person along (the only safe way to enjoy water sports)? This solves the problem of having to purchase 2 boats and/or making friends who see the merits of kayaking to the point of investing the necessary funds and time?

So who will be keeping me company? First I guess I should say who's going to talk me into it?
:)

Heads or Tails?

Yesterday, a wise man relayed a lesson taught him by his grandmother: If you find a coin on the ground heads up, it is for you to keep. If tails, you must share it.

So I happened to be walking with this wise man when he came upon a dime - not even a penny - with tails facing the sky. In keeping with good teaching, he handed the dime to me. I offered to let him tweak the rule since it was a ten-cent piece after all - no measly copper penny - but he insisted. I laughed, placed the dime in my pant pocket, and predicted a likely outcome.

"You know, wise man, I appreciate your kindness and your grandmother's teaching, but I'll tell you what will become of that dime. I will find it in the bottom of my washer machine in the very near future."

Well I just got home from an evening out on the town; I'm settling in for the night, tackling some home projects and chores. I'm sitting here, overwhelmed by the events of the past few hours, but can't help but smile at the fun, shiny, silver surprise after my first load of laundry.

Inspiration

I have a Chicago song in my head...

"You're the inspiraaaaaation..."

The short version of the story is that, by some sort of great accident, I attended a seminar on blogging for the principals in my school system today, as it's a new initiative for principals, teachers, and students - to enhance communication and more importantly, to enrich instruction and increase engagement.

And while it's not time to implement teacher participation on Goochland County's webspace quite yet, I'm the kind of person who wants to run with an idea that's worthwhile sooner than later. Now. Like right now. This minute. What are you waiting for?

So welcome to my "personal" blog - created as a fun summer project, a practice-run, an attempt to join the other 10 million blogging voices (and contribute to the demographic: 90% of bloggers between age 13 - 29. I'm safe for awhile longer) to test the waters, to keep pace with my friends who have been a part of the blogging revolution for awhile, and perhaps to encourage the presenter from today (a colleague of mine and one darn-fine blogger - check out www.biberfan.org) that I buy it. And want to start sooner than later. Now. Like right now...

:)