katakat.com bytes from a participant observer

Ok, so I'm supposed to be writing a paper now, but I'm procrastinating. Blogging about smaller accomplishments is so much more interesting. I decided to take up swimming this summer. It has become my goal to actually do laps in the condo complex pool that I've been paying for the past four years and rarely ever used. Considering that I haven't taken lessons in decades, this was not an easy decision, and I've been putting it off for years. Looking for an exercise that was lower-impact than karate, I figured it was time to try floating again. I enrolled for 8 lessons at the YMCA, and I have already learned the freestyle and two versions of the backstroke. Of course, I do need lots of practice, but the fact I picked these up in only about 3 sessions is pretty amazing for me. Not that I've ever let my weak swimming skills (or lack thereof) get in the way of canoeing, sailing, waterskiing, or any other water activity. I just didn't get the technique down properly. Now if I only didn't look so dorky in this getup: I'll bet you're looking at the above photo thinking, "Wow, she is really pale," and yes, I am. in fact, I've been practicing in the pool when it gets dark so as to avoid having an audience. So I guess I'm a vampire. Maybe *that's* why you can't see me in the photo....