Wow....where does time go. Seems like just yesterday I was under water stuck in a current fighting for my life and trying to find the surface. Actually, that would be my wife's explanation. My near-death experience was part death and part trying to find the "Beer tube" after losing my coke-bottle glasses to a large rock in the center of a river. Either way, I thought the end was near. And yes, I lost my beer when my tube flipped and I went under to see my life flash before my eyes. Probably for the best....never a good idea to show up to the gates of heaven with a beer in your hand and no glasses. So, how did I get to this point? Well, let me back-track some and talk about the planes and trains.
My wife and I snuck away to New York to see good friends of ours that were living about an hour north of the city for the summer. Getting there brought me actually closer to death, or death of others, than the river ever did. We flew out of KC since the flights were much cheaper. Flying out of "Des Moines International" takes a loan from a local bank, a dowry, and you have to leave your first born or your laptop computer at the terminal as collateral. I would leave Jack for the record as my laptop went with me, but flying out of KC was the way we went. Despite my history with Delta Airlines, we still chose to fly with them. Let me tell you about their slogan: "They love to fly and it shows". Uhhh...if you love to fly so much, why do your freaking cancel or delay ALL OF YOUR FLIGHTS!!! We were to leave from KC at 7, but it got delayed until 8, then 8:30, then 9, then 10, and then 11:10. At one point the automated lady in the ceiling confirmed our flight would be leaving at 8:30 despite the terminal man telling us it was now delayed until 10 p.m. When the shouting died down, computer ceiling lady confirmed the bad news. It was so bad and people were so wrapped up in their own anger that no one but Reagan and I giggled like teenagers when the man next to us let one rip while listening to his IPOD. We really don't think he knew that he did it out loud, but at that point, no one cared. Once into NYC after 2 in the morning, we toured the city until 4 a.m.
But the flights on the way back were great right? Nope. 7 a.m. flight cancelled. Only one up to noon that got cancelled. Then our 2 new flights (yes, 2 flights instead of 1...that is awesome!) were both delayed. We finally got into KC about 7 hours after we were supposed to and then got back home to 2 kids and my Mom...ALL very anxious to see me! But, we did get to fly first class on the first flight, however, we were so tired that we slept through the free alcohol, hand towels, foot rubs, tour of coach to laugh at the commoners, and whatever else they give out. When we were done, my wife now agrees with me that we will never fly Delta again.
As for the train, no biggie there, but we did get to ride the NYC subways. We also got to see Ground Zero, eat authenic Chinese food in a side alley of Chinatown, walk around Times Square (we even ate at the cool McDonald's in Times Square....something I have wanted to do before I die early due to clogged arteries!)., and got a tour of King's Point Academy from Christian who graduated there. All very cool. But the highlight and most interesting part of the trip was the "lazy ride down the river on an inner tube)
So, apparently New York has had a lot of rain this summer. That led to the lazy river, where sometimes you have to push yourself down due to the shallow areas, to swell some. So the four of us rented 5 tubes and 5 lifejackets. Why 5 you ask? Duh, the 5th tube is for the beer/pop and the 5th life jacket is to tie that tube to us at times so we can easily switch out our empty. Well, good idea, poor execution at times. See, the river was moving pretty good and some of the rapids actually a little interesting. I went through the first "rapids" first and had no problem. We did some scarier ones later, no problem. But with the lazy part of the river being somewhat relaxing and the life jacket hurting my neck, I routinely took the life jacket off and on (foreshadowing anyone??). I always put it on before the rapids, most of time securing it with the buckles (more foreshadowing). But when we reached one set of difficult rapids, I trailed Christian and watched him go over the small falls and flip his tube and plop into the water. Much like laughing at someone falling on the ice and then moments later staring at the sky, I noticed his debacle and started to grin and then I was underwater. No problem, just pop up...the water is only 4-5 feet deep, plus I miraculously fell in head first and missed the rocks that caused the waterfall. One problem, I seemed to have been stuck in the current. I fought my way to the top within about 5 seconds. Reagan claims I was under much longer. When I surfaced, I realized my tube and the vacant beer tube were further down the river and attempting to run away. I started to swim and float that way, but kept hitting rocks in the shallow water. Then, I noticed I had no life jacket or glasses. So I was blind and non-buoyant....not good with my anxiety disorder. Reagan started to panic as I made progress to my tube and then gulped water and then repeated this process. At one point, I didn't think I would ever catch my tube, but eventually I did and found a life jacket and put it around me. Ahhh....death averted. Seriously....die out of state in a 3 foot deep river?? That would be lame, glad I made it.
But...I lost a hat and my glasses in the river, a contact in the ocean, and my sanity in 2 different airports...needless to say, I had less the pack on the way back. But, one of the best trips ever and that is all that matters. Now, back in school for the first day of the year, I look back and see how much fun that trip was. Actually, how much fun this summer was. We moved, we vacationed, I didn't have class, I hung out with the kids....what a life right!? I do cherish every moment I live and work, as we all should. Summer may be done, but as with the changing of the seasons and the new experiences and weather they bring, each season also brings new experiences to our lives. Enjoy each day all that you can, life truly is too short! Take care and hopefully I can blog here and there during the school year. I still haven't told you about our new mower, my new job, and all sorts of other exciting stories!!
Love&Prayers,
Ben
3 Things to leave you with:
1. Too many times we say "we have to do something" when really we should say "we get to do something". What do you get to do today? Read this quick newsletter to see what I am talking about: http://www.jongordon.com/newsletter-080309-havetogetto.html
2. A special thank you and prayer to all the students, staff, and families that make education work each and every school year. My school and my brother's school have experienced too much tragedy the past several years, so I pray that this year is only positive!
3. And just because I need a site that makes me laugh at the end of a long day, I have found this site and love it. Check and it out and enjoy our societies failed attempts caught in photo or on video: http://www.failblog.org/
