Moments — I just wanted to get something down on paper.

Happy Labour Day everyone; well at least in Canada and the US. It is a hot one and hard to imagine we are sliding into autumn. I’m sitting on the deck and thought I would put something down on paper. I don’t actually write with pen and paper, but I do like the sound of it — it sounds very deliberate and meaningful.

I started the day by posting this on Slack —

“Enjoy your Labour Day fellas and celebrate all your efforts so far... because tomorrow is back to school”.

As you can appreciate there is no one on our Slack channel who is back to school but one response asked if I was repeating Grade 13. “I would if I could” was my reply, and after some thought added, “I probably should.” I have forgotten so much over the years and what I do remember, I wonder if it’s still relevant. Life — an exercise of learning, relearning, and trying not to forget faster than you learn.

Grade 9 auto mechanics came in handy the other day when I got into my car and it wouldn’t start — the battery just couldn’t turn over the engine without a boost. A repeat of the incident the following day confirmed I needed a new battery, and although a “plug and play” exercise, I spent most of my time loosening the bolts on the bracket that holds the battery in place. Various tools, a small propane torch and some WD-40 helped me solve the problem. All it cost me was the price of a new battery, some time, and a little blood.

Standard wrenches and a metric nut; wait, I have a metric socket set. The WD-40 won’t loosen the rusted nut and bolt; wait, heat expands metal. There is blood running down my thumb; wait, it’s not a bad cut and how did that happen anyway? Besides, I’m almost finished installing a new battery.

I relayed this story to a philosopher friend of mine, particularly how I aways underestimate how problems will arise and never appreciate how rusty the nuts and bolts really are. In response, he pointed out that if I didn’t believe I could do it, I would never have started it in the first place — rusty bolts and their ilk are just part of the process. Deep down, I knew it was true, because not once was there any use of colourful language or lamenting to the gods, “why me!”

The days of excitement for the first day of school are long gone but the echo resonates still. I am excited for tomorrow as it kicks off new adventures and possibilities; even if tomorrow is just Tuesday. Keep learning and enjoy challenging the rusty nuts and bolts.

I should mention, as we talked about rusty nuts and bolts, my philosopher friend really wanted to talk about the opinions of others and how it’s important it to get opinions, be them right or wrong. By doing this, you are forever testing what you know, validating and correcting. So let me correct myself, keep learning, relearning and enjoy challenging the rusty nuts and bolts.

The breeze is up and the sound of the trees is relaxing. I am glad I took the time to put pen to paper. It’s a gorgeous day.

iamgpe