Re: [Paddlewise] Bad weather - lovin' it!

From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 08:50:01 -0700
Yeah, been thinking about you, even said a prayer for you, you big lug.

My friend Dorathea (Mike Jackson knows her) is going through the whole b. 
cancer thing - what an ordeal. She insists paddling has helped her to keep 
perspective. Hairless and under chemo derision, she headed to Vargas with my 
used VHF the other week, and is off to God's Pocket soon. I asked her how 
she does it; how she can still paddle during this ordeal. I'm a whiner 
myself - bod not working, I'm off the water complaining to anyone who will 
listen. She says she's fine while on the water - upbeat, focused on staying 
perpendicular, in her glory, living the life (life being the operative word 
eh, pardon all the puns). She did say when she hits the beach though, she 
can barley navigate up the incline. But out on the water - that's incredible 
resolve, man! Staying perpendicular, that's the ticket, for paddling, and 
for life as long as we can.

I've lost 3 co-workers to cancer this year, one just two days ago, 5, yes 5 
others were also diagnosed with the big "C" this year alone struggling with 
their own battles now, and it's not even half way through the year. It's our 
demographic, Gordin. Nothing we can do really, though many of these folks 
are smokers. So, heal up, stay positive, stay humble, and get out there and 
paddle. Life is a short fling, that's it, then you are gone. Enjoy it, 
explore it, and use guide books at your own discretion.  :-) How we get 
knowledge from words is an interesting aspect of being part of the human 
race. I know, being in a church it's scary how literally some folks take 
words in "The Guidebook."

And enjoy the rough stuff. It's kind of fun not letting the sea bully you 
anymore - though ultimately it'll slap you silly and stomp on you if you 
push it. The grin you get taking it near the edge, or even within your 
arbitrary or self-set limits, is a salve for many ailments in life.

Doug L

>
> Doug Lloyd wrote:
>
>
>> You will be ready for night storm paddling soon!!!
>>
> Paul M wrote: Flat sunny days are frankly boring.
>
>
> Had my second day surgery of the past month today.  Like Doug I prefer 
> rough water paddling and like Paul I find flat sunny days kind of, well, - 
> dull. But right now I'd welcome a flat day sunny or any day.  It'll be two 
> weeks before I can return to paddling.  Which means I will have been on 
> the water twice in the last six weeks.
>
> But don't feel sorry for me as I've turned a corner today.  Even though I 
> will have to wait 10 days before I know the results of this last bit they 
> pulled out of me; I know I've got this thing beat.
>
> So instead of paddling I'm laying down paddling plans.  Big ones.
>
> Gordin Warner 
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Received on Wed May 14 2008 - 08:51:28 PDT

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