Alchemy and Golf

  2008-08-31


View image
It's been literally years since I last went golfing. But I had the opportunity to hit the course again in Vernon over the weekend. Despite a fair bit of apprehension, I had a good time out there, though I could really use some quality time at a driving range before I would be willing to pick up another club in the light of day. The course was thankfully by far the shortest I have ever played, where each hole was somewhere between 60 and 110 yards long or so. The course was built on the side of a small mountain, you could say, so it's quite a hike, but has very scenic views... I was out there celebrating the wedding of a good friend of mine, in what was my big vacation of the summer. Vernon was truly gorgeous, and I regret not having gone out there earlier. The weather was thankfully perfect, and the wedding went off a hitch (thought there were of course a few minor glitches). The only problem with that weekend is that it was way too short for what is an exceptionally long drive (we spent about 20 hours on the road for the four day weekend). But I have to say, it was even better than I thought it might be running into a lot of friends that I hadn't seen for years. I attacked that weekend. So many friends that I will not see again... It's one of those times that generates more flux than usual. I am in a position where once again I need to make many long term structural changes, at the same time that many other people do. This, though painful, is perhaps for the best, as it is far too easy to try to seize the familiar. I just celebrated my 24th year, and married off my good friend. Though I attempted vainly, it is difficult to suppress the natural thoughts that bubble to the surface. Namely, what am I doing, exactly? That's a question that's difficult to answer. Years of teenage angst give way to confusion and wandering. It seems that I am not alone in this either, as I watch films like Garden State... I guess I am looking for my "personal legend", as Paulo Coelho might call it.