March 30, 2008
March 21, 2008
Boulders metaphorical and actual
I've just spent seven days out in the field and accomplished the equivalent of one day's worth of work. I'm not nearly as frustrated as I would expect. I still care deeply about my project but no longer care about the day-to-day setbacks. And boy are there a lot of them. I've been working down at Wilsons Prom where I haven't been able to gather enough hands to push the boat into the water off a beach that's a 3-minute drive from my cabin. Instead, I've been using a launch ramp that's a 1.5 hour drive away by road, and then a 2-3 hour drive by boat. On Tuesday these numbers added up to make a 14 hour day in which only 2.5 hours were spent doing research. A businessman would describe this as extremely low ROI and urge that you invest your monies elsewhere.
Also on Tuesday, half of my thumb went numb while I was holding on to the throttle of the boat. At first I thought it had gone to sleep, but considering it's yet to wake up I can only assume that it's a nerve rather than blood issue. Or it's really hungover and needs a good long nap.
Despite the long boat ride, Wednesday was a day that reminded me why I'm doing this sort of work. The ride down the east coast of the Prom in the early morning light was gorgeous: steep tree-clad slopes pitching down to meet the water in a line of rounded rosy granite boulders. Sitting on turquoise waters between camera drops watching surf wash up on crescents of yellow sand. A dive that was tropical in clarity: those same rosy boulders forming steep underwater cliffs down to soft sand, the sides covered in undulating kelp. A school of 100+ silvery salmon slowly circling me, my bubbles making a hole in a swirling salmon donut. Days like these act as intermittent reinforcement and keep me going. It would appear that I only need a couple a month - I'm not a very demanding person.
In the middle of all of this I feel a strong well of confidence lurking just under the surface, a bit like one of those boulders I suppose. It makes me feel solid and allows me to achieve a Buddhist-like detachment when it comes to delays. The confidence is there because I'm actually getting stuff done; despite immense hurdles and set backs I'm actually pulling off this project. I can't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I received a lot of positive comments after I gave a talk to the department a couple of weeks ago, which has also contributed to my general well-being. I guess I am like a pet: all I need to be happy is intermittent reward, positive reinforcement, love and food.
Well, almost happy. I would also like my thumb back.
Also on Tuesday, half of my thumb went numb while I was holding on to the throttle of the boat. At first I thought it had gone to sleep, but considering it's yet to wake up I can only assume that it's a nerve rather than blood issue. Or it's really hungover and needs a good long nap.
Despite the long boat ride, Wednesday was a day that reminded me why I'm doing this sort of work. The ride down the east coast of the Prom in the early morning light was gorgeous: steep tree-clad slopes pitching down to meet the water in a line of rounded rosy granite boulders. Sitting on turquoise waters between camera drops watching surf wash up on crescents of yellow sand. A dive that was tropical in clarity: those same rosy boulders forming steep underwater cliffs down to soft sand, the sides covered in undulating kelp. A school of 100+ silvery salmon slowly circling me, my bubbles making a hole in a swirling salmon donut. Days like these act as intermittent reinforcement and keep me going. It would appear that I only need a couple a month - I'm not a very demanding person.
In the middle of all of this I feel a strong well of confidence lurking just under the surface, a bit like one of those boulders I suppose. It makes me feel solid and allows me to achieve a Buddhist-like detachment when it comes to delays. The confidence is there because I'm actually getting stuff done; despite immense hurdles and set backs I'm actually pulling off this project. I can't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I received a lot of positive comments after I gave a talk to the department a couple of weeks ago, which has also contributed to my general well-being. I guess I am like a pet: all I need to be happy is intermittent reward, positive reinforcement, love and food.
Well, almost happy. I would also like my thumb back.
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