June 15, 2018 – Sausalito, California

“Oh, shi…”

Surprise and instinct wash over me as I tumble into the bay from Jeff’s kayak.

It’s cold.

My clothes are like anchors.

I quickly glance around to evaluate my surroundings and locate the things I had with me and on me. You’re too heavy. Get on the boat. I struggle to climb aboard The Jubilee, leaving the kayak overturned for now. My sandals are floating in the water along with the paddle. Okay, now what? I manage to turn the kayak over from the edge of the boat… for a moment. But there’s too much water inside. I can’t hoist it onto the boat in order to drain it.

Damn it all.  

I remove some clothing and dive into the bay to retrieve the paddle and my sandals before they all float away. Toss them aboard. Climb back up.

I’ll have to tow it…

Normally, Jeff would have been around at this time of the morning to help me in this situation. However, we recently came to an agreement in which I would “charter” the Jubilee for $375 (for one month) and he would use that money to travel to the East Coast to see his ailing father and other family members. Before leaving, he made sure to take me on a quick sailing trip around the harbor area. This adventure consisted of me helping him tidy up the boat and test out some sails. Departing from our mooring was a fascinating sight, as Jeff had to quickly navigate around the neighboring “Anchor Outs” using only the power of the wind. It was during this time that I heard him exclaim a curse word for the first time.

Since he was gone, I decided to bring my iPod out to the boat for entertainment purposes. It was in my pocket when I fell into the water. Dead, dead, dead. This, the latest frustration on my list. At the top? My bike being stolen right off of my car outside my aunt’s house the other night. Add to that list my petty financial complaints about work, and I have myself a pretty bad week.

These faults are none but your own, Nicholas.

I fasten the waterlogged kayak to Jeff’s second kayak with a bowline knot and tow it to shore. There, I drain the water and allow the sun to work its magic.

And now, it’s time to start the day.

“Of all acts of man repentance is the most divine. The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none.” – Thomas Carlyle