Where The Heart Is.
I try with all my might to lead a busy and interesting life. What else is there left to the individual amongst the collective? This command decision often leads to a strange dichotomy of dreaming too big, and putting my head down to work at dreams too often. I realized that I needed to pump the brakes; literally and figuratively. Three and a half days vacation taken from my pursuit of doctoral candidacy proved to be just the thing. It was not just the hiatus from all things chemistry, it was the destination. Where the heart is. My heart is in many places, in fact, I think it is everywhere. The world is a beautiful place, full of beautiful things. That said, it exists one place above all others. The Outer Banks of North Carolina. A bastion for all of the things I hold most dearly. I left work on Thursday with the intent to get to the beach as quickly as possible. This changed when I got back to my apartment and decided that there was no way in hell I would come home to the slovenly mess I had allowed it to become.
So I pumped the brakes.
I spent my afternoon and evening relaxing and cleaning. Packing and dreaming. Not too big. Just dreaming about how I might expedite these sorts of excursions. For they will serve me well in the coming years. Circumnavigating the States takes one mindset. Strike missions to a single destination take another. I arrived at Will's place around 10:30 PM. Pulled out his sleeper couch, and crashed after an 18 hour day. A subsequent sunrise next to one of the greatest companions of my life, coffee in hand, was the immediate remedy. All else to follow only acted to reinforce my love for this place. I surfed to my hearts desire and beyond. Rashed, bruised, burnt, and burnt out. I surfed more.
The world is my god; and the ocean, my temple. Worship was held every day.
The prior statement says it all. I have no more need to describe what time in the water does for my soul. That night my friends opened at Outer Banks Brewing Station, "The Carrots". We partied hard, and jammed to some phenomenal music. I stayed the night at Spencer's parents and caught up on life the following morning. Told them of the things I have done, the things I am doing, and the things I dream of doing. Bridget and James have supported me since childhood, they are kind and nurturing individuals who seek nothing other than the pleasure of helping something grow. Their dog, Ben, is a rambunctious individual who lives up to the memory of his three-letter-named predecessor, Max. I beached it with the crew through the rain. Splashing around and having fun; how the time flies. We all parted ways; to carry on with our own. This is what makes these friendships so integral to who I have become. Fair-trade. We take from each other, and give in return equally. Never asking for more than the other is willing-or-able to provide. They have catalyzed my trajectory and will forever continue to do so.
I left with a lot on my mind. Not about my own affairs, those never truly leave my mind. More about the affairs of another and how I might help him. There was to be a companion on the road-trip with me. Life, however, had different ideas. He saw me off, and called me frequently. This hasn't changed since my return, nor will it I imagine. I think there are certain people whom you encounter that will never fade. His attitude towards life has inspired my own to a great extent, so much so that I call him "brother". We all have foggy times though. Moving through time is not always as easy as one might hope. There is a difficult road ahead, but I know of no other who could fill the position and do it with style. Work hard, my friend. Keep your feet under your through the section and prepare to get the wave of a lifetime. Your lifetime. Never forget: "The goal is to thrive; not survive."
I returned to Raleigh later than I had hoped, through a torrential downpour and some flash flooding. Unpacked the Land Cruiser and brought the respite to an end. Time to use what I learned to dream bigger and work harder.
