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.