This summer, I am finishing out certain general college prerequisite credits; specifically, a lingering physical education credit. I figured, it's summer, I have the extra time to lay around whenever I so please. I might manage every so often to encourage myself into a quick yoga session in the morning, but the truth is that I will allow myself carte blanche when it comes to slovenly wallowing. I am a master at strolling the ephemeral malaise of the internet, having spent more time on a computer than I ever did, say, pursuing my childhood passion for fishing. I needed something that would be moderately strenuous and infrequent enough so as to not encroach on this embarrassing abundance of down time that I was sure I would use for something meaningful and worthwhile.
I eventually decided upon a hiking class that met only four sundays out of the entire summer term. It would steal less time away from work than yoga would, and it seemed more appropriate that, after three terms of acquiring the core basics of Hatha procedure, I would not only try something different but actually get outside more than just a couple times this summer. I always claim the quick and easy accessibility to the outdoors as one of those key reasons that I chose to move here, but my track record over the four years that I have been here has proven that to be more of a stock answer than anything. I definitely have gotten out to enjoy the fruits of the surrounding flora, by not with any notable frequency. Definitely not enough to cause anyone to mistake me for an extrovert.
I do love being outside. I have certain vices and inhibitions that keep me indoors more than I care to think about too much. Motivation has a way of feeling hard to come by, which is it's self awfully hard to be believe. What is there to obstruct it but one's own unwillingness to accept it? I love to drive especially. It's more of a caveat than actually being outside, but it allows me a sense of control that is otherwise absent in my life outside my apartment. I used to go on hikes with my family, and I can remember the feeling of it; the intimacy of inclusion with the benefit of essentially being on your own. It really is the best outdoors pastime for someone of my demeanor.
The class meets two more times this term. We are already that far in. The last hike happens right after I return from a trip to Yosemite with my family. At this rate, 2014 will be remembered as the most active year of my adult life so far. It's somewhat embarrassing to admit, but you have to start somewhere, and now is always appropriate.
I'm still going to love going on drives the most; turning the world into my own panoramic picture show with my cracked windshield, wondering at the sheer size and volume and complexity of it all, enveloped by the confidence of that control.
