Crapola Weekend: Check

So, for a variety of reasons, I had quite a crapola weekend. And most of it was a direct result of the bad attitude I’ve acquired lately.

It started Friday evening with my desire to enjoy a glass of wine. It seemed as though I’d never opened a bottle of wine before because I BROKE THE FREAKING CORK! How irritating is that?? I mean really, it doesn’t take a lot of talent or skill, and I’ve certainly done my share of uncorking.

I tried to enjoy the wine but the more I had to either dodge cork pieces or pick them out of my teeth, the more I decided to screw the wine and go straight to bed.
Saturday I was just lazy and watched movies in bed and visited some friends. Saturday night I decided to watch a movie that was recommended by a friend, The Pianist. It was a very good movie but I was told it would “break my heart” so I envisioned some sad wartime love story. I failed to notice that it was also a Roman Polanski film…then I would have expected something else.

It’s a film about a Polish Jew’s survival in Nazi Germany. And it makes Schindler’s List look like an episode of Sesame Street. It was not what I was expecting. The images in my mind from the movie kept me up all night long. Each time I’d fall asleep I’d think of yet another horrific scene from the movie and wake up. Even in the morning, as I was caring for the dog and getting a start on the day, I was still disturbed and had to pop in 30 minutes or so of a pleasant movie just to unwrap my mind from The Pianist.

And now it’s Sunday, which was bittersweet. Today I had my first un-enjoyable day of paddling. (I might also add that is was like my 2nd day of paddling ever so I really can’t whine) School was in session and I swam two too many times. I got very frustrated and angry with my inability to raise and lower my edges appropriately. Eddy lines are not my friends at this point in my paddling.

What was even more frustrating was the fact that no matter how many times I was told what to do if I flip…I screwed it up every damn time. The second time, as I was shielding my face from the rocks just below the surface of the creek, I thought to myself “this is why I am supposed to lean forward when I flip.” But it was too late…it really is amazing how quickly you can think of things that don’t matter and how you can be taken by complete surprise when you really should be thinking.

The good news is that I had an incredibly patient teacher who really gets a kick out of beginner carnage. He even allowed me to work through my temper tantrum after the first swim…and patiently waited for me to work up the courage to try again. I’m very thankful for that…now I want try it again. The funny thing is after it was all said and done, he also acknowledged the fact that I began with a negative attitude. Gee, was it that obvious? Oh yes, my glass was half empty all weekend…half empty…with cork bits.

Sunday night: Operation Ditch the Bad Attitude