Kevin Costner managed to collect an enormous budget for "Waterworld". He wanted to make a statement about climate change and somehow influence people to take another look at how they interacted with the environment. He had good intentions.
I had the best of intentions at the end of the school year. I was going to read one book a week. I would sit down and write at least two meaningful, well crafted, and high-end short stories which would be published. I was going to go fishing with a fly rod I have not touched in over a year. None of that happened.
What did happen?
1. I took my son to football camp number 1 while my wife went to class.
2. I took my son to science camp while my wife went to class.
3. I took my son to football camp number 2 while my wife went to class.
4. I visited a lifelong friend and his family in South Carolina.
5. I saw X-Men the first class, The Green Lantern, and Mr. Popper's Penguins.
6. I sighted in a Remington 700 in order to be prepared for deer season.
7. I read two really bad science fiction novels (which I never read).
8. I read In Cold Blood.
9. I read The Onion Field.
10. I read Resurrection by Tolstoy.
11. I took my son to the dentist.
12. I took the MAT.
13. I took my son to Six Flags.
14. I registered for classes at Jacksonville State.
15. I coordinated the family football conditioning camp (Bailey ran plays and pulled a tire across the lawn).
16. I wrote my course syllabus and lesson plans.
17. I looked at the fly rod.
18. I thought about going on a short backpacking trip but found the temperature was to be in the low 90s, and then I canned the idea.
19. I wrote a few notes about one short story idea, but never sat down for any "real" work.
20. I rented a brush cutter and decimated the landscape of the back acre.
21. I had a raging headache for two days and stayed in bed for three.
22. I watched crappy television shows, and then complained about it.
23. I contemplated planting a garden. You know, the organic, permaculture type. I started reading about the philosophy behind it and became intrigued. The next thing you know I have eight pages of diagrams with ideas scribbled all over the place. I looked at yesterday. Did you know it was 95 degrees today? How the hell I am supposed to start an organic permaculture thingy if the heat index is stuck on "oven"? I'm not. I can't. I won't. I take it as a sign from God. When He is ready for me to get started on such an endeavor he will decrease the temperature to 72 for a high. The agrarian concept can wait for October.
Twenty-three things. That's decent. But, just like Waterworld, it will be a forgotten flop. I will never reminisce about the summer I did nothing. I need to bring my "A" game next time.
