Passing Thoughts on the Water Ferry (2012)

October 26, 2012

I’m finally in a position where I can write. Supposedly even think. And yet… as I sit here atop MBTA Water Shuttle “Laura” returning from Hingham to Boston, my mind draws a blank. In the chaos of the whirlwind, I yearn for these moments. Fresh air, sound of a boat engine, perfectly blue skies and moderate temperatures… water everywhere. And yet, when I’m here, nothing.

I think, as I have often thought, that your mind doesn’t respond to a “command and control” environment any more than most human beings do. I am commanding my mind to write, to think, to create, to stretch when it is convenient for my physical body to do so. Not when it is convenient for my mind to do so. And therefore, my mind will not comply. No, it will force me to wait for the inevitable upcoming whirlwind moments and stop what I’m doing in the most forceful of moments and write then. Because, for me at least, that’s what its going to take.

And that’s what I will do.

In the meantime, I’ll try to just enjoy this boat ride.

I just had a great meeting with Steve Silverstein from Not Your Average Joe’s and Rick Vanzura who is CEO of Wahlburgers. Rick brought Paul Wahlberg over to say hi – was great to meet him again. He let us take a pic too. I love Wahlbergers actually… the food rocks and I like Paul. And unlike others they seem to be doing really well in the Hingham Shipyard waterfront development. Rick likes to meet with me and Steve every so often… I like the comradery and I am honored to spend time with these guys.

Now the city of Boston stretches to the west, the sun at about 20 degrees above the harbor at Hingham looking back. A tattered American flag blows at the bow of MBTA Laura. Me stretched out across one of the upper deck benches, shoes off, happy socks getting some air.

It’s tempting to say it doesn’t get any better than this. But clearly it does. But when my mind is truly tormented by my business, by my insecurities, any moment like this is at least a moment to cherish. And so I will.