A glisten in the sun

Today I had a vivid memory of fishing with my dad. I pictured that moment when the fish you have hooked is right near the surface and you can see its scales glisten in the sun for an instant before it plunges back down refusing to surface. I remember seeing them swim sideways and even spiting out their stomaches to try and free themselves. I remember seeing them open and close their mouths as I stared at them face to face.

I don't remember ever wondering what such an experience might be like: being pulled out of where you have always existed. Normaly only leaving the water for an instant here or there because you see a tastey morsel just on the other side of the surface, but quickly returning. Then one day you are cruising around like normal, doing your thing, and you realize there is a line ever go gently (or not so gently) pulling you around. The panic doesn't set in right away. It sets in when you realize that this line is taking you out of the water where you might be held up next to someones face as you suck at the air to no avail. Where you cannot possilbly survive. Soon to die of suffocation and be left in the sun to rot.

Maybe the experience is nothing like this. Maybe it is all just a mindless responce to being pulled in a direction. I wonder if they do feel for their life as they feel a pierce through their lip and this all begins. I wonder if they would feel the same if the lake was polluted and on fire.

As I sit and wonder what it might be like I can't help but think that I feel like that about God from time to time. Even a little right now.

Power Tool Usage of the Week

Chipping Hammer (a.k.a. hand held jack hammer) (Note to self: learn to close mouth while using.)



Hole Hog (drill on steroids) (Note to self: remember that this drill can take your arm off if it hits a knot or nail or just feels like stoping while you are pushing it through a mounted 2*6, unless you are lucky enough to have a wall nearby in which case it will just smash the life out of your finger.



Sawzall (a.k.a. Reciprocating Saw) (Note to self: good for sawing through ABS pipe, drywall, 2*4s, stuck screws and nails, and pretty much anything else you can find on the job site. Is also useful for enlarging holes that were drilled too small or a little off center)


Power Drain Snake (Note to self: don't drink the standing bath water you find in the drain, try not to touch the black slime covering the tool as you retreve it, keep puke bucket handy because you never know what you are going to find down there, oh and never eat with your bare hands again, ever.)



Flashlight (note to self: not as convenient as a head lamp but sheds more light. Very important for those 50 foot craws under houses (to be read "over the river and through the insulation/dead mice/not so dead mice/dust") out here on the west coast. Also, revive the "Dont You Know What A Basement Is" campainge to educate the people out here)


Nothing all too scary this week but next week I will be working with a 45 year old Frenchman who grew up in England. Yes, he is cool. Yes, he says the 'F word' and 'bloody'. Yes, he loves his wife (a.k.a. 'babe'). Please feel free to direct any questions about plumbing or the Frenchman in my general direction and I will be answering those questions in good time.

P.S. Adam, I had expected you to show up at our front door by now. Am hoping that you are still alive.