Sunday, September 20, 2009

Floundering - or is that Foundering?

I don't know if the fact that I am much older than I think I am (22) has anything to do with the amount of time it takes me to recuperate from a summer of helping out my brother - but I feel like I've been run over by a raft and bumped along the bottom of the river.

I've been home almost a week now and I'm still wallowing around like a beached whale. I raise a flipper only to have it flop back to the sand and I give a sad little 'oomph' from my blow hole and sink further into the fog.

During the summer I noted that if I came home for a few days when we didn't have trips that I usually didn't get out of bed much before 10am and even then I was hoarse and had heavy-lidded eyes. Yet when I am back at my brother's I am up at 6:30am and having my coffee (roasted by my brother) and getting ready to leap from my little trailer at 8am - bright and cheery (usually) and ready to greet the incoming rafters.

Even with the recession my brother was busier this year than last and we put it down perhaps to the idea that people have remained closer to home to have fun rather than traveling further distances and spending more money. People often overlook the simple fact that there are many things to do right around them - but then the grass is always greener on the other side, isn't it?

So - add more people coming through to be entertained with the thrill of whitewater rafting - to the simple fact that it was the most frustrating and stressful summer of them all. Some of my readers have had emails from me over the summer talking about what I was enduring. Suffice it to say - all it really takes is one person who can ruin it for everyone. Whoever made that statement first really hit it on the head didn't they?

I've often thought of writing a tv series about whitewater rafting. There is so much that goes on right on the river and also behind the scenes. Over the last 30 years we have experienced some of the most incredible and some of the most ridiculous events you can imagine. The sport in itself attracts a certain type of person to go out and try it and it also attracts a certain type of person who is going to be a guide.

We have discovered that in the end - all guides are basically the same. They aren't normal people. They have some kind of crack in them that makes them a great whitewater guide. All of them are a little different than what is considered 'the norm' for society. Not only do they thrive on excitement and thrills but they also have the ability to entertain people and be able to do so while holding those lives in their hands. Not showing the strain of what that entails is an incredible asset. Knowing what that entails is what is important to my brother and to myself.
We are proud of our clean track record. In fact we always say 'Safety first - fun next' to anyone who will listen.

So - all this blabbering about my summer is only to say I'm still tired and I'm still gathering my wits. When I find them and put them all into one container I will continue on a more sane basis. As promised I will do a recap of 'The Man Tales' and then continue on with the story. That is if anyone is still interested. There might also be a few ravings in there about mental health issues - it depends on the day. Stay tuned or change the dial.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are only doing what nature intended - and allowing your mind and body time to rest after a very busy summer! (Animals do it instinctively, but us humans have been programmed to go against nature).

Be kind to yourself and do things you enjoy, reading, relaxing, crafting, whilst you re-energise once again.

Friend of the Bear said...

Hi. Glad you're back - I'm looking forward to your future posts when you feel up to it. It's only natural after all the stress and excitment of the summer that you're going to need a little while to recover your energy levels and settle back into normal life.

Best wishes,
Bearfriend xx

Maggie May said...

Glad you are gathering yourself up for the future posts that we are all obviously still interested in! Waiting to get reading!
You have had a very busy summer and the stress has probably made you feel like a good rest! Do some catching up before you get started on the blog.
We can wait. X

Mya said...

Wow, sounds like you need a good rest, Aims. Any physical activity that combines with water tends to be very knackering - or that's what I find, anyway! You're welcome to my albatross - he's quite tame and has impeccable manners.

Mya x

Leslie: said...

Well, I for one, will remain tuned in, especially to hear any "rants" you might have about mental health issues.

At this time of year, I notice myself dragging, too. I call it approaching hibernation mode like a bear would go into a cave to sleep all winter long. I crave sleep sometimes but am now waiting to see a sleep specialist after having had an overnight test done to see if I'm actually sleeping!

So sleep all you need to right now as you've had a busy summer - your body probably is just catching up. Don't think anything of it, but enjoy your waking hours.

Remaining tuned in....and sending hugs.

Henry North London 2.0 said...

Vitamin D and E and C and B and Co enzyme Q10

Take lots and see yourself bounce back

Irene said...

Hi Aims, take all the time you need to recuperate and then treat us to the Man Tales, please. I can't wait, but I'll be patient. Listen to the man about the vitamins! Take them, they'll help.

Love and hugs,
XOX

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Aims ~ So glad you are back and recuperating from a hectic summer. Just take each day as it comes without any rush to do anything. Put the negative crap behind you and enjoy the newness and freshness of each new day.

I, for one, am looking forward to more 'Man Tales'.

Wishing you health and peace in all areas of your life.

Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

Rachel Green said...

Get well soon, deal lady!

Anonymous said...

New reader here! Congrats on POTD!

Anonymous said...

I eagerly await you're continued tales but please take your time. Anyone would be exhausted after that sort of summer!

Anonymous :) said...

Another new reader. I love the (22). I asked my 70+ mother years ago how old she was on the inside. She guessed about 30.

Anonymous said...

Well this 75 year old would just love to float with you especially on a day when she feels 30, which is most days. Congratulations on being David's Post of the Day.

imbeingheldhostage said...

Thoroughly enjoyed this and think it was well chosen for POTD at David's place!
BTW, I grew up by the Colorado river and knew quite a few guides with cracks :-)

Boozy Tooth said...

What a fun read! I need to come back, spend some time here and get better acquainted!

Congratulations on your POTD honor from authorblog.

Sandi McBride said...

First off, Congrats on Post of the Day from David...well deserved! What worries me most is that we don't hibernate as much as we should, winter being a time of rest for more than the bears! Just take life easy, the rest will do you wonders!
Sandi

grandmamargie said...

Write when you're ready. I'm right here and will stay. Take care of yourself.

CiCi said...

Interesting post, found you through David. You make a good point in this post that there are many things for people to do in their areas. I am happy to hear you and your brother are working a business that is doing well.

Cheffie-Mom said...

Hi, I'm Debbie. I came over from authorblog. Congrats on the Post of the Day Award!!

terri said...

Came over from POTD and thoroughly enjoyed my visit here!

Hilary said...

I paddled on over here from David's. Congrats on the POTD. :) Sounds like a long rest will do you the world of good. It also sounds like you had a very interesting, albeit exhausting summer. A book or tv show might well be a fun outlet.

Daryl said...

Congrats on a POTD mention ...

Everyone heals at their own pace .. and after a long strenuous summer (complicated by a broken toe!) you deserve a nice slow return to 'real'
life .. xoxo

Anonymous said...

I'll stay tuned, Aims. You've had a tiring summer but I dare say an adventurous one. I watch the rafting and couldn't do it myself, would be too chicken. Like Polergirl says, allow yourself some resting time.

And I say, take care of yourself.
Love K xx

Akelamalu said...

Rest up and be kind to yourself. x

Dr.John said...

I think I'll stay tuned.

Maria said...

Congratulations on POTD. I enjoyed your post very much. I hope you get the rest you deserve. I'll be coming back to see you again.

Jewels said...

You are much braver than me. While I think I could probably get IN the raft, I would probably have my eyes sqeezed shut in terror the entire time!

Congrats on POTD!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Welcome back! We've been a lot more active too and feel better for it but it takes its toll on the joints whilst we get fitter. Lok forward to readin your posts when the old creative juices kick in. X

Anonymous said...

Hia Aims, I think it's right to go flop. When you've been running on nervous energy your body does want to recuperate when it's in a safe place.

Don't worry just go with it and get your energy and balance back.

ADDY said...

Sorry aims, I must have missed this one. You and me both. Am going to sit down right now with a nice cup of tea. Shall I pour you one too?

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Lovely to have you back aims, just take all the time you need to get your energy back. M xx
PS. those vitamins sound like a good idea

Lane Mathias said...

I won't be changing the dial. Just recuperate and fill up the tank as it were. It sounds like the summer took a lot out of you.
Whenever you're ready. x

BT said...

I can quite understand why you're exhausted aims. I did one days hard gardening yesterday and I, too, was wrecked. Today I've felt miserable and tired and had a couple of hours in bed this afternoon. We just have to listen to our bodies I guess.