Three Hour Tour.

I'm beginning to learn that one of the greatest qualities a person can possess in life is the ability to seem to know exactly what they are doing. Allow me to illustrate. Peter and I decided to canoe from London Street to the Trent Campus last week. This is about a 15 kilometre round trip and it includes three dams that needed to be portaged. All three of these were good tests of our ability to act as if all is as it ought to be.

Dam one consisted of hauling the canoe over eighty yards or so of slimy rocks and then through the back yard of an old folks home. Our tactic was quite simple. -'According to our carefully planned route, we will find a spot to throw the canoe back into the water right over this hill. Ah, Yes, there it is. Just as we planned.'

Dam number two was a bit more complex, but we managed to get through without looking phased. Just a little matter of throwing the canoe over a twelve foot chain link fence topped with triple strand barbed wire.

Number three was a bit more public, so we decided that our best option was to comment loudly about how the trees and water level had changed since our last trip through here the week before. In truth we hadn't the foggiest about where we would find water again, but, like Columbus, when we found what we were looking for we didn't waste any time second guessing ourselves.

On our way back, nonchalance and confidence were less a façade than an actual persona. Plus, we had no doubt in our minds that the people waving at us from the bank were clearly in awe of our prowess. On the third or fourth time drifting past, it may have been somewhat difficult to appear cool and collected as we sorted out which end of the map was north. Fortunately, from the bank no one could see that it was really just a page ripped out of Where's Waldo.

If there is anything that you should take away from this, it's that confidence will get you places in life. Here are some examples to use in your day-to-day routine.

'Yes, I did mean to knock over the pyramid of crystal wine glasses. I planned it the moment I walked into the room.'

'Oh, I knew the horse would kick me as I leaned over to pick up the gum that I intentionally allowed to fall out of my mouth. I rather enjoy it-it helps clear my head.'

It's like my dad once said, 'It can be a little humiliating carrying a snowmobile down the road on a wheel burrow, but just don't give them a chance to ask questions.' Which is exactly the policy I used as I rattled down Water Street dragging a free barbecue during rush hour. A good stare down reminds the locals that they are the ones who should feel uncomfortable for staring. Plus, I am now one of the ruling elite who have chosen to singe off all of their arm hair while lighting the blasted thing.

Tot ziens

Day Three.

The birth of a new day is a wonderful thing. It is full of possiblity. A chance to forget that one may have spent the day before staring at a wall to avoid a particularly daunting task. The opportunity presented by the break of each new day is a reference to the birth of a new life, a new job or a new place. A chance to step on into the brightness of the future and begin shaping the life that one might wish to have. One more chance to reach for perfection. How wonderful is the hope that wells up as the first rays of sun burst over the horizon and gently waken the world from its nightly slumber.

The excitement that I feel at the arrival of a new day is only heightened in the fall when I look out the window and see the reds and yellows that are so typical of an autum day in Ontario. I have often been concerned at my sanity in the past when I take pause to consider the meaning of the leaves changing their colour. Death and decay are not the most hopeful of thoughts. However, in my mind, I am reassured by the final burst of colour that a maple tree exudes before becoming dormant for a season. Yes, I realize that it is a mere chemical reaction inside of the leaves that results in the colour change, but for me it is a blatant reminder that, in just a few months, these same trees will flower and once again clothe themselves in delightful shades of green. It is only logical that Thanksgiving should be celebrated in fall, surrounded by such a colourful promise that the trees will only sleep for a short time before coming to life to lift us out of winter's dismal grasp.

That's enough for today. I'm off to enjoy nature without my window sheilding me from a good, brisk breeze.
If you are wondering where I was going with this, go outside.

Also, get yourself a re-usable water bottle this fall.