I'M YOUR CAPTAIN AND I'M FEELING MIGHTY SICK

I get very content in my ruts...my boxes. And stepping outside the proverbial box isn't easy. Not impossible but not easy. Taking an intro kayaking lesson at Paddlefest two years ago was one of those times that I dabbed a toe outside my comfort zone. Then wading further into the abyss, I took another lesson with Hawk at Humboats. I took a couple demos with Greg at ProSport. I took a few classes with Marna from Kayak Zak's, including my own personal prerequisite, Rescue and Recovery class (I thought it best to know for sure I could get myself back on board should I somehow fall out). I spent a Saturday afternoon falling out and getting back in a kayak, using a variety of methods before I was convinced I was ready to purchase my own vessel. A couple of weeks ago, I finally bought a Kestral 140 in highly visible Mango yellow. With a bit of engineering, I was finally able to transport the beast on the roof of my xB and decided that Paddlefest was the perfect opportunity for the virgin voyage. Stepping out of the aforementioned comfort zone generally comes with butterflies. This time, butterflies were non-existent. Instead there were Tasmanian devils whirling my morning mocha into a froth. We got the kayak on the roof, strapped on and tied down and off I went to the launch ramp. I knew I could do it but was afraid I couldn't. I had intended to join in a 10:00 tour of the bay and Eureka Slough so had the incentive of a schedule to goad me along. I loaded safety gear, donned wetsuit and personal floatation device and was on the water by 9:55. Couldn't find the group tour anywhere. I hadn't really paid much mind to the location, presuming it would be an obvious gathering of kayaks but, alas, I was mistaken. So, I took a two-hour tour by myself.

With some effort, I paddled against the incoming tide around Woodley Island watching all the while for the promised boat parade and Blessing of the Fleet scheduled for the Maritime Expo. How did I miss an entire parade? I was REALLY looking to get some fallout from that blessing. But I did have fun exploring those quiet corners of the Bay. Sneaking a photo of an egret was not so easy. I'd pull my camera from it's little waterproof box, get it focused right about the time the current would turn me away from my quarry. I'd set the camera in my lap, steer the bow back around just in time for the damn bird to fly off. *sigh* I WILL get better at this.
I pulled out of the water about noon and called Hope, who had planned to come down and demo a kayak or two. When it turned out she was uneasy being out there alone, I put back in and joined her on the water.

So I've done it. I loaded. I unloaded. I put in, took out and loaded up again. By. My. Self. YES! I say to heck with the box. I have successfully built a staircase out of my rut.

BUH BUH BUH ANOTHER ONE RIDES THE BUS

I'm not sure if there's a difference between old green and new green any more than between old money and new money. Money is money and green is still green, whether you're just starting to pay attention because it's in or you've been recycling for years. I'm old green. I can't remember not recycling or composting. I have grocery bags older than two of my kids. Yet... there are some sticking points. I'm happy in my rut and I can justify it any number of ways. Driving myself is so convenient. I can leave when I want and stop where I want. I have errands to run after work. Besides, my car gets good mileage.... Yeah, you get the point. But last week, my Catholic guilt grabbed my old green by the throat and -ta da -- I bought a bus pass and joined the mass-transit crowd.

I used to commute to work in Santa Cruz regularly. I worked at City Hall and the buses ran by my house and dropped downtown regularly. The ride was 50¢ with a day pass costing a buck. We live in Eureka now and I've wanted to ride the bus....I really did. But, to CR? When would I leave? Can I fit work around the bus schedule? It's hard. Maybe tomorrow. Every excuse to not give it a try. Last week, I got the entire 4-1-1 from Glo and borrowed her bus pass. I hurried through packing my lunch and scurried out the door, straight down to 5th. The bus was on schedule. The driver was helpful. The riders were few. I arrived in my office exactly on time. That afternoon, the ride home was just as uneventful. The next day, I bought a pass for my very own. That brings the cost of the ride down to $1.50.

I may not be saving money but I am saving fuel. If I don't drive two days a week, I'm not buying fuel for my car on those days. I'm sharing the fuel it takes to ride that bus with all of the other riders. Sure, I'll have to schedule my errands. What night will I grocery shop? What night is my hair cut? But once I figure out those days, I can ride the bus on the days with no errands. I'm not sure if this will continue once school starts. Two of us riding the bus versus two in my car that gets good mileage will require a new equation with the variable being the price of gas by the end of summer.

Either way, I feel good. I broke out of my rut. And the ride gives me time to read James Patterson books I've had set aside.