Kayak Beats Versailles Woman

[Yes, I did notice the headline and I believe it to be true. The kayak seems to have turned into an agressive beast. -just kidding-]

I learned a few things last night but one of them was not how to roll a kayak. I really need to start with a thank you to my readers who have listened to me whine, moan, and cry about how I cannot roll. Guess what, I'm going to do it again but the good news is that it will be a while before you see any more posts about me in a kayak. I'm done for a while.

1. I learned that wearing Crocs without wool socks while walking in snow is very cold.

2. I learned that anticipation of some things really is as bad as the act itself.

3. I learned that trying to learn how to roll a kayak from your boyfriend can be a disaster.

Which shall I elaborate on first?

#1 needs no further discussion so I'll leave that one alone.

#2 can be expanded. For background purposes, whenever I go to the dentist I always work myself into a nervousness about what an awful experience I am about to endure. I go in and visit Mary, the way cool dental hygienist, and then see Dr. Watts, the way cool dentist. Then I leave with my complimentary sample toothpaste, toothbrush, and dental floss [they really try to guilt you with that last one]. I walk [or occasionally drive] home and think about how I worked myself into a tizzy about nothing...it was just fine. Well, last night I sat by the side of the pool thinking about I how I would feel if I couldn't roll a kayak again and how would I live with the failure, embarrassment and shame? Albeit blown out of proportion, that was still what I was thinking. Eventually I got in a boat and got in the pool.

That brings us to #3. After watching for a while I starting practicing hip snaps. Chris came over to help me with my rolling. I was a little gun shy about this because I've seen other people in a similar situation. Well, it worked out just the same. After about 1 - 1.5 hours I was in tears and he was beyond frustrated. I did a final wet exit, put my boat, etc. by the door, and marched my duffel bag and wet buns right into the locker room. I cried in there for a little while and then left. No help with the boats. No byes to my friends. Just bawling like a baby all the way home.

Aye....to make a short story long, I'm done with trying to roll a kayak. Nathan, a friend and also the owner of Canoe Kentucky, replied to an email I sent asking about other options. Maybe one day I'll be willing to hear about some other ways to paddle that don't require rolling a kayak or I'll enroll in a class where I'm not dating the teacher. But for right now the kayak is the victor and I'm not too proud to say it. Perpetuating miserableness is not worth winning "the game."