Last Day of School...

I just had to go surfing this morning, no matter what it looked like. There is just something about getting out there, before the summer crowds arrive, before that dismal feeling permeates as one realizes what summer really entails.

Bob had a taste of it this morning, when some neanderthal paddled out and took over his break. Just because you can paddle a barge, it doesn't mean you are entitled to every set wave. I think they exchanged words. It's all about to hit us, as the crowds increase and the pickin's get slimmer.

So,this morning I went to the pier. It's closer. I timed it. Now it is exactly five minutes from my door to the water. Too bad the surf wasn't bigger. It looked pathetic and small, but I hallucinated enough to think I saw a wave breaking on the north side. I guessed it was worth it. Most of them closed out, and of course it got better when it was time for me to go off to work. By then, three guys had paddled out, and I was over it. TJ said hello, and I said goodbye.

At work, I had an amazing last day. Seemed almost surreal. The principal gave me a real classroom. You have to understand what my former working "office" was like. It was a planning room, in between two classrooms. I was fairly content for two years there. I had gotten used to the computer center components buzzing overhead. People would come into this room and ask what that noise was. I didn't really notice anymore. Like living near a paper mill, I suppose. You get used to it. I had gotten used to my little kids table where I worked my magic. I had become accustomed to sitting in the little kid chair, all hunched over like a damn leprechaun. I liked it when Pam or Donna popped in for something. We talked. We became friends. Now Pam is retiring. Donna has moved to the third grade hall. I moved across the hall into a real classroom. Was it because I passed those tests? I don't know. Everyone kept stopping by to talk to me, to congratulate me. And how they would laugh, when I told them, "Look! I even have a real adult chair," pointing to the fake leather swivel model. Look, I even have windows now! This could be a problem. I was already studying the leaves outside intently every few minutes, checking to see if the wind was still offshore.

It was a really good last day. I may be sharing the room with a psychologist, but she will only be there on random days. I feel pretty lucky, indeed. Plus, I got a little raise.

So, after work, I called to see if Karen had gone surfing today. Bruce answered, and he asked if I wanted to paddle out with them around 5 p.m. I was there within an hour, and we were riding our bikes into the park. The waves were teeny tiny, and the wind turned onshore right away. It was okay for a little exercise, and to feel the warm summer sun, but it was not too exciting, and I had so much to do, and so I left. I forgot I didn't have the gate combination and had to ride all the way back to the main road. It was okay, it's summer, and now I have no where I have to be. And the wind on my face, as I rode, felt like freedom.