Thursday, June 26, 2008

Facing Forward


Clarence said a striking thing about rowing that I've always valued, the upshot of which was that he liked rowing because you were approaching life backward. You could clearly see the past, and you glanced quickly at the future over your shoulder mostly so you wouldn't run into anything destructively immovable. Too much of the future was predestined by the behavior of others for you to be in control. The most you could hope for is to be ready and attentive.


-Jim Harrison, True North

10 comments:

s. douglas said...

So, what you're saying is, "We're not in control."

What are ya, sum kinda' Commie?

okjimm said...

nah,,,,,,, more of a Calvinist.

Randal Graves said...

This is why I like the past. I'm in control of what I selectively filter.

I figured you for a Calvinist instead of a Hobbesian.

Blank said...

Looking at the past too much can be depressing. But I still like the analogy.

susan said...

I think that's called skillful means.. the filtering and rethinking the past with the possibility of knowing how to deal with the next disaster.

btw: Have I mentioned how much I've missed Calvin and Hobbes?

Anonymous said...

The past and the future and the here and now are all the same.

DAD said...

Yooooo my friend! I saw in the newspaper that a Belgian society which fabricates some beer, (Stella Artois) is going to buy back the society *Budweiser*!
You are finally going to drink some good beer!:)

I love this small boat.....

Kiss for you guy!

DAD said...

Soon, I bring you of some goat's milk cheese for you!

anita said...

i tend to take trains a lot (amtrak, metro-north, long island rail road, nj transit, etc.), and i always do my best to find the car where the seats are facing backward. i kind of think part of the reason i do that is because i prefer the feeling of being pulled rather than that of being pushed. what the means in the broad scheme of things, i do not know.

okjimm said...

wow....trains....I don't think I could do too much of that. Forward,backward....I guess it kinda depends....on a quiet lake, up north, rowing is definitely the best....the view seems more encompassing and complete and inclusive.....gentler. on a river you need a canoe,or kayak.....and certainly a forward view to watch where you are going and to look out for the asshole jet skiers and boaters who haven't a fucking clue ... some times decisions gotta be made on the wind and waves....or whatever floats your boat.

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