rush of blood to the head
Published February 15, 2007 | 
Stand here beside me baby, watch the orange glow
Some’ll laugh and some just sit and cry
You just sit down there and you wonder why
So I’m gonna buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
I’m gonna buy this place is what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head
-coldplay
I’ve been sick to my soul with some of the heartless blathering around the web. I’m sick of hearing people rip into others, releasing their own jaded perceptions of the world. Listen, I’m jaded. I trust very few people. Yet I have to tell you, the one major attraction I’ve felt to the kayak world has been the quality of the people holding the paddles. Almost without exception I’ve met the most wonderful people I could have ever imagined since I’ve been involved in this sport. In getting to know so many of you I’ve learned that although we’re all human and have our faults most of us are people who strive to be simply, good. I honor you for that. So to you mean spirited souls; Say what you will, let ‘er rip. Start a fire. Insult, criticize, lambaste, harangue, attack, do what ever brings you joy. It’s ok by me. I want you to feel good too.
Here at Quixotica I write each day from my stomach. It can certainly be a wild ride. Lately I’ve been feeling nauseous. Stress, loss, deceit, self-righteous meanness, has taken a toll. Lucky these things pass. I will surround myself in the beauty of the people I’ve come to care for. They will again remind me that all is not lost. I will remember that I got into paddling for the water, I became addicted because of the people. Friends, mentors & heroes, I’ve come to hold great affection for each of them.
There’s a saying I’ve pinned to my desk, “Don’t let the bastards bring you down”. “Ok me”, I won’t.
There, I feel much better now.
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12 Responses to rush of blood to the head
Glad you feel better. So (easy to say) let it go. I haven’t read the stuff you’ve referred to here, but usually it is not about you and me. It is someone projecting their “stuff” on everyone else. Look at it this way and you are more likely to feel sad for them (for all the sh*t they’re carrying) than to feel hurt or angry. Works for me. And…please keep writing from your heart.
While t’ would be nice if it were true, being a paddler doesn’t make you better. There’s lots of disappointing paddlers, just as there’s lots of awesome ones as well. As with life in general, we need to look closely, choose wisely, shed carefully and find the joy in what’s left. There’s always some wonderful joy in those left over! But you already know that.
Derek,
I think the people you speak of are posers and not paddlers. The real paddlers I know are a kindler, gentler sort. (The ones that aren’t I tend to cut out of my life as life is too short to waste your energy on them.)
Please keep postin your musings as so many of us enjoy hearing them.
Suz
Is this about all the crap that has been posted online at p.net recently or is it about Aled Williams leaving Rockpool and starting up IN-UIT kayaks? http://www.in-uit.co.uk He has the coolest logo ever!
Although I sometimes lurk on the more popular paddling forums, I always stay away from them at times of tragedy or controversy. During these times I prefer to hear news not opinion, especially not opinions from those who are too inexperienced to understand it all. Thanks for your great postings. This one really hit us hard.
Dawn
One of the reasons I so enjoy kayaking is the community that I’ve met based around it, whether on the water or online – and while, Derrick, you merely fit into the latter category at this stage
I thoroughly enjoy your postings and also those of my fellow kayakers. Paddle long and blog!
Sometimes you are part of the problem, sometimes you are part of the solution.
Today was my day to be part of the problem.
Tomorrow will be better.
I know what’s got to you. I didn’t read it, but I knew it when I saw it. Like spoiled milk, there was a sign as good as an expiration date on it. Because of that, I chose not to open it up anymore. I’m sorry you didn’t do the same, though I’m sure you went through the entire thing looking for honest questions you could have answered. I do hope you return there when you feel stronger again; if you remove all sources of light from a room, all that remain are veiled in darkness.
Jim
Head up Derrick! You are writing from your heart, not from your stomach. And that’s good.
Bloody insulters, criticizers, lambasters: they hurt, but you are strong! Let them go.
I had equal feelings after reading some bloody discussions and accusations on the german-seakayakforum lately. I admire your ability to bring your feelings in words. Great post!
Hi Derrick it’s much harder to be creative and positive than to be critical and negative. Which course of action will result in the world being a better place? Keep it up!
)
I missed reading your blog for a couple of days… and wow! Bub Bam! You nailed it!
Write from the stomach? … My perception is you write from the heart.
Anything about another person that tweaks my consciousness, good, bad or indifferent, is actually a part of me. It may not be a part that I’m constantly acting out, but if I look hard enough it’s “in there”