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It's hard to believe that so much time had passed since I was at the University, but here is a reminiscence of a day at Lake Empire which was a CO lake that belonged to Binghamton University in New York State
Being Idle
Imagine a lawn sweeping down to a sand beach on the shore of a small, quiet lake. A few picnic tables spot the lawn, some under the shade of trees. Behind the lawn is a building containing showers and dressing rooms. About 50 feet off the beach is a float on which some people are sunning themselves. A rowboat and a couple of canoes are drifting on the lake. A few people are swimming or lounging on the beach.
It is a mild summer day and I have just completed the 40 mile drive from the university to the lake that the school owns. The lake had originally been bought for the purpose of building a conference center but that never materialized. Instead, the students took over and turned it into a place to which one could escape. It was a truly idyllic place, Far enough from any road to avoid all traffic noises and away from any air traffic lanes. There are some grills and some electric lights in the bath house, but beyond that, I feel as if I have been transported back to a simpler time.
I need some quiet time so that I can work on my dissertation. As it is during the week I know that few people will be using the lake. I figure that I can find a tree to sit under while I try to get my thoughts in order. It's been a long intense year but I finally finished this year long research project and can now start putting my findings down on paper. If I really push myself I can get this written and defended before the Christmas break. I drive up the bumpy dirt road and pull into the dusty parking lot. The lake is hidden from the lot. After a short walk up the winding path the lake suddenly appears. I was right – there is hardly anyone here. A shady spot under a tree beckons me. I sit and open my folder, spreading my papers around me. It's time to get some work done.
I look around. I hear birds and crickets in the distance. Distant voices from those on the beach. The splash of a frog or fish jumping in the water. Wispy clouds move slowly across the sky. The cattails are moving in the slight breeze. I lie back and look at the sky through the branches of the tree. Maybe I'll think through what I have to write before putting it on paper. The rustling leaves and their shadows are so soothing. My mind drifts. Time is passing and I had better get to work. Now where was I? I look down at my calculations. My mind wanders. I am distracted by the students on the beach. I watch them swimming, sunning themselves, picnicking, going through the courting rituals of those in their late teens and early 20s. I should get some work done. I know I can do it. Maybe if I stretch and take a short stroll.
I leave my papers on the grass with a rock on top of them to keep the wind from scattering them. There is a trail that meanders around the lake. I stroll down the path. I walk through the stand of cattails. The path veers away from the water and enters the woods. It is cooler in the shade and the air is calm. Mosquitoes find me. I beat a hasty retreat. There are some vending machines up by the building. I think I will get something to drink.
Time to get back to work. I get back to my papers and start to go through them. Still hard to concentrate. It's such a beautiful day. Maybe if I take a quick swim I will be able to get my mind on my work. I strip and trot down to the beach. The water is just the right temperature. I swim out to the raft and climb on to it. I'll just lie out in the sun for a few minutes. I wonder how long I've been out here. The sun's move a little across the sky. I'd better swim back and get some work done. Back on the beach. I trudge back to my refuge under the tree. I'm wet and the air feels a little too cool in the shade. I guess I'll move into the sun. The sun is too bright and I forgot my sunglasses. I'm dry now so I guess I will be comfortable back in the shade.
It's so relaxing to lie back and watch the clouds drift by through the branches of the tree. I know that my subconscious is working on my problem. Maybe if I just relax and forget about work it will all come together in my mind and I will be even more productive when I start writing. It's still early in the day and I can get some work done later. I watch the kids playing on the beach. I'd like to join them, but I have to get some work done today. There's a volleyball game going on. They could use another player. Hell with it, I don't feel like exerting myself. I think I will just sit here and watch. I wish that I had thought to ask someone to join me today. I thought I would get a lot of work done. My lab partner is also working on his dissertation. If I had asked him and he had joined me maybe we would have stimulated each other to get some writing done. That's not realistic – he is just as much of a goof off as I am.
It's getting late and I still have an hours drive to get back home. I didn't get much done today. Maybe tomorrow will be more productive. It's supposed to be another nice day. I know I am disciplined enough to get the work done. Today was just an aberration. I'll come back tomorrow. I know I can get more work done here than at the library or at the lab or at home. No one will bother me here and I can get most of the writing done once I concentrate on it
Being Idle
Imagine a lawn sweeping down to a sand beach on the shore of a small, quiet lake. A few picnic tables spot the lawn, some under the shade of trees. Behind the lawn is a building containing showers and dressing rooms. About 50 feet off the beach is a float on which some people are sunning themselves. A rowboat and a couple of canoes are drifting on the lake. A few people are swimming or lounging on the beach.
It is a mild summer day and I have just completed the 40 mile drive from the university to the lake that the school owns. The lake had originally been bought for the purpose of building a conference center but that never materialized. Instead, the students took over and turned it into a place to which one could escape. It was a truly idyllic place, Far enough from any road to avoid all traffic noises and away from any air traffic lanes. There are some grills and some electric lights in the bath house, but beyond that, I feel as if I have been transported back to a simpler time.
I need some quiet time so that I can work on my dissertation. As it is during the week I know that few people will be using the lake. I figure that I can find a tree to sit under while I try to get my thoughts in order. It's been a long intense year but I finally finished this year long research project and can now start putting my findings down on paper. If I really push myself I can get this written and defended before the Christmas break. I drive up the bumpy dirt road and pull into the dusty parking lot. The lake is hidden from the lot. After a short walk up the winding path the lake suddenly appears. I was right – there is hardly anyone here. A shady spot under a tree beckons me. I sit and open my folder, spreading my papers around me. It's time to get some work done.
I look around. I hear birds and crickets in the distance. Distant voices from those on the beach. The splash of a frog or fish jumping in the water. Wispy clouds move slowly across the sky. The cattails are moving in the slight breeze. I lie back and look at the sky through the branches of the tree. Maybe I'll think through what I have to write before putting it on paper. The rustling leaves and their shadows are so soothing. My mind drifts. Time is passing and I had better get to work. Now where was I? I look down at my calculations. My mind wanders. I am distracted by the students on the beach. I watch them swimming, sunning themselves, picnicking, going through the courting rituals of those in their late teens and early 20s. I should get some work done. I know I can do it. Maybe if I stretch and take a short stroll.
I leave my papers on the grass with a rock on top of them to keep the wind from scattering them. There is a trail that meanders around the lake. I stroll down the path. I walk through the stand of cattails. The path veers away from the water and enters the woods. It is cooler in the shade and the air is calm. Mosquitoes find me. I beat a hasty retreat. There are some vending machines up by the building. I think I will get something to drink.
Time to get back to work. I get back to my papers and start to go through them. Still hard to concentrate. It's such a beautiful day. Maybe if I take a quick swim I will be able to get my mind on my work. I strip and trot down to the beach. The water is just the right temperature. I swim out to the raft and climb on to it. I'll just lie out in the sun for a few minutes. I wonder how long I've been out here. The sun's move a little across the sky. I'd better swim back and get some work done. Back on the beach. I trudge back to my refuge under the tree. I'm wet and the air feels a little too cool in the shade. I guess I'll move into the sun. The sun is too bright and I forgot my sunglasses. I'm dry now so I guess I will be comfortable back in the shade.
It's so relaxing to lie back and watch the clouds drift by through the branches of the tree. I know that my subconscious is working on my problem. Maybe if I just relax and forget about work it will all come together in my mind and I will be even more productive when I start writing. It's still early in the day and I can get some work done later. I watch the kids playing on the beach. I'd like to join them, but I have to get some work done today. There's a volleyball game going on. They could use another player. Hell with it, I don't feel like exerting myself. I think I will just sit here and watch. I wish that I had thought to ask someone to join me today. I thought I would get a lot of work done. My lab partner is also working on his dissertation. If I had asked him and he had joined me maybe we would have stimulated each other to get some writing done. That's not realistic – he is just as much of a goof off as I am.
It's getting late and I still have an hours drive to get back home. I didn't get much done today. Maybe tomorrow will be more productive. It's supposed to be another nice day. I know I am disciplined enough to get the work done. Today was just an aberration. I'll come back tomorrow. I know I can get more work done here than at the library or at the lab or at home. No one will bother me here and I can get most of the writing done once I concentrate on it
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