Sunday 18 September 2016 – Confounding expectations

I was listening to a programme this morning about an American  woman who travelled to London in her first year of study and for the first time felt at home, getting involved in writing and music. This was so different to her expectations (based on those of her family). It made me think how expectations can affect us, our outlook and levels of happiness or satisfaction. It is good to confound expectations especially if they are imposed by a rigid family or community culture or just unthinking. Imagine if there was a reality show like Married at First Sight, where “experts” match a person against a hobby/activity. Never in a million years would I be matched to ocean swimming. But, confounding expectations, it is a perfect match for me.

Also, stirring things up, I am doing the Sunday blog when usually I do Fridays. Who knows what I am capable of. I will just have to try things out.

Today was a bit grey. It was forecast but still a bit disappointing after the sun yesterday. But on the other hand, the water was 18 today whereas yesterday was freezing.

The weather did not put people off. Swimmers are thinking of limbering up for their summer badge campaigns. Now there is a 2,000 km badge to add to the rich load we already have to go for.

 

Rob already has so many badges he will have to investigate adhesive products which can attach them to the sleeves of his wetsuit

 

We are all using a variety of devices and techniques to measure our improving performance – heart rate monitors, gps watches, and Richard counts strokes.

 

I have swum in the Waikiki Roughwater – about 3.8km and hard work for me but a float in the sea for some:

 

Lisa and Allison have created a fun hub for kicking off the daily swim – the WOW hub and they are wow

 

Angela plus one

 

Angela plus two

 

Look at the great hair of all of these swimmers but particularly of the one on the left. I am sure it lasted beyond the swim

It was Leisa’s birthday yesterday. Happy birthday Leisa!!!

 

 

 

Thomas is here for his regular swim with his own entourage. While I generally live by the code of live-and-let-live, I don’t hold that view for people who swim breaststroke close to other people because they usually have a strong kick and usually kick me (including yesterday). But Thomas is kinder and accepts that people can swim breastroke if they like. I think he will have enjoyed the swim today.

 

 

Having got excellent advice from the friend in Perth about the BB swim, I am hoping that friend will pass on more good advice that Edwina can share.

 

Encounters with the early swimmers was very mixed up as there were so many of them coming out just as so many of us were going in.

 

 

 

 

Even though I am not a dad, I am very keen on telling dad jokes. My husband is too. Our children are so lucky. You know – the child asks “Are we there yet”and I answer “No, we are here”. Well this kind early swimmer posed for a photo even though I observed that his cap was so cold it had turned blue. Swimming puts you in a good mood.

 

see the numbers pouring in at 7 am. Good turnout. So good we log in electronically now. Remember only a little while ago we signed a sheet!!!

 

Confounding my own expectations of being able to get to Shelly as well as photo people at the point (or so) here are some swimmers at the point

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Today we celebrated the birthdays of Capless Dave and Steve who usually swim early but stayed on at Shelly to serve us hot chocolates to celebrate the occasion. Happy birthday Dave and Steve

 

It is good to share a birthday

 

This warm drink offering concentrated the swimmers at Shelly beach where the water is always a little more cold

 

 

Then it is goggles on, press start on the garmin/suunto and get ready to go

 

 

Gillian

 

Dom

 

Here is Elaine. You expect that if you buy a camera, you will be able to take great photos if that camera has special features. I have the same camera as Elaine. Here photos are magnificent and she makes the difference. I am so glad she shares them including with the Museum.

 

Here is Jack who kindly took the birthday photos for me as I was too slow. Thanks for helping !!

 

Below is Geoff/Jeff who agrees with me that once you are accustomed to swimming with goggles it is hard to swim without. I told him about the time I drove to Manly from Lane Cove for the swim and realised I forgot my goggles (and did not think to check out Lost Property). I swam for a bit and then I thought about getting a jimble sting on my eye ball. That made me dog paddle the rest of the way

 

I saw a big blue fish that was not a groper on the way back. I love that gropers and this fish are so brave by being a bold colour. I support the listing of Cabbage Tree Bay as a marine sanctuary and hope all of us do. (compare photo skills)

 

Finishing off my double I saw Shelly with her transponder.

 

Finishing off I saw Inge John and others (I think) completing a triple. They are such fabulous swimmers

 

What I am reading: still going with Richard Fidler’s The Ghost Empire on the Ottoman empire/trip with son/Istanbul. Very enjoyable.

Lastly, when I improve my stroke and swim better, I am getting one of these swim parachutes to get stronger. Funnily, today I was swimming crooked and don’t know why

 

It really looks special when on

 

 

Confound expectations for girls in Africa and support Nat:

http://www.doitinadress.com/natalie-sengchanh

 

I really liked the blog on Monday featuring art and swimming and Fiona’s 3,000km. Before coming along to BB I suppose I did not think that an exceptional artist could also be an exceptional ocean swimmer. There are a lot of those stories in BB. Good to hear some.

 

I don’t know the stats today yet but will add in comments asap.

 

Have a great day.