Y’know, when I think about windsurfing, I usually remember riding on Michelle’s board when I was but a wee lass on Saipan, chin at the tip of the board looking out over the sparkling blue green waters of Garapan Beach. Those were my favorite days. The windsurfing shack was a WW2 bunker cleverly revamped to serve a modern purpose. Sure, it was crumbly, and rocky, but oh, I loved to sit on those steps and watch the colorful sails crisscross in the distance. It was peaceful.

I guess that’s what I was aiming for when I decided to try windsurfing again. I could picture it perfectly: Me, heading in to the sun, standing comfortably on the board as I skimmed over the water, fish leaping out at my feet, dolphins guiding me through the lagoon.

Yeah?

Yeah?

Not so much.

Windsurfing, my friends, is WAAAAAY harder than it looks. Especially if it is choppy and windy and holycow! the sail is heavy and what is upwind? And if I lean backward how I am supposed to concentrate with my butt in and my arms straight and my legs bent and I WILL FALL! for the umpteenth time. And why did I come out here again? Oh, that’s right. I’m a glutton for punishment. Today my arms, abs, and back are so sore I can barely type. Or clean the house (not really, but it’s a convenient excuse to throw out there when I get puzzled looks from my men WHO LIFT WEIGHTS! I LIFTED A SAIL! OUT OF THE WATER! MULTIPLE TIMES! So don’t flex your muscles at me, buddy.), or do my dishes.

My friend, he of the sprints, sensed my growing frustration and gently tousled my drenched head as he swore I was learning something. “Okay,” I relented “but does it have to be so windy?” This from a girl who pretended (yup, let’s go with the air quotes here, kids) to teach tourists how to windsurf at THAT HOTEL in Saipan. 1.) The boards were anchored to the beach and 2.) There wasn’t really any wind at all.

This is usually the point where I quit. Decide that something is too hard and give it up. As much as I would like to quit torturing my aching body, I cannot let go of the sail. And, I’m unfailingly competitive. I have to do it, too! How many times am I going to live here? Have access to this? The weather for it?

I don’t want to have any regrets about not taking advantage of all the opportunities that are provided to me here.

What do they say on Star Trek? Is it Star Trek?

Resistance is Futile.