[at-l] re: jobs, life and such

[l_parker at cacaphony.net (L. Clayton Parker)]

I am totally certain that there are MANY of you out there that will back me
up on this. The most memorable moments of my life almost always included
being COLD, WET, or MISERABLE.

Please don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that anybody should actually
SEEK OUT these conditions; BUT, I would not trade those experiences for
ANYTHING.

I have been colder than almost anybody on this list (-120 degrees while
working outdoors); wetter, (harvest season in North Dakota);
miserable...well we won't go there, I've already said enough...

Nevertheless, I would not trade ANY of these moments of my life for
anything. There are a few others on this list who have had similar life
experiences and I am certain that they will agree. There are still trails in
life today, but they have changed in both kind and degree.

Today, I face trials of money, schedules, and deadlines. Believe me, teay
are not my first choice, even though they pale to insignificance beside the
things that have passed. It seems to be part of the human condition to
accept the travails of Mother Nature while simultaneously railing at those
that are man made. I can deal with rain and snow woth aplomb, cold? Who
cares? But an employee not showing for work...grrr.

So, I would rather be COLD, WET, AND HUNGRY on the Appalachian Trail than
sitting here, in an office, worrying about the next paycheck, ABSOLUTELY ANY
day.

SO...My advice to aspiring through hikers:

IT ONLY GETS WORSE AFTER YOU FINISH.

So hike the trail, then keep going, hike the next trail, and the next, and
the next. Because when you stop , it's over and the dream ends. Real life
begins and that is much worse than the AT...

Sorry for the negativism, but BUSINESS considerations just canceled my next
hike!


Lee I Joe


Once I knew where I was going, but now I have  forgotten.  Sometimes my mind
wanders.  Sometimes it goes alone, and other times it takes me along...this
isn't one of those times...




> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-l-bounces@backcountry.net
> [mailto:at-l-bounces@backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Paul Magnanti
> Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 12:37 PM
> To: Nina Baxley Rogers
> Cc: at-l@backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [at-l] re: jobs, life and such
>
> Indeed. Even when I am cold, wet and miserable..I am
> still happy on some gut level. Perverse as that
> sounds! :-)
>