(I somehow lost my post in the middle of reviewing it--sorry if this ends up posted twice! Now let's see if I can remember what I wrote.)
I was talking with a friend about swimming and she said she started "swimming for life" x number of years ago. I got the sense that she meant that it was more than a good workout--it kept her "alive." I have to admit that it has that kind of effect for me, too. At the risk of sounding too new-agey, it's nourishing in more than a physical sense.
What does swimming mean to you? How does that compare to other sports or activities you do? How does that meaning influence your goals and performance?
Former Member
Yes, my real name is Ruben, hence, Ruben and The Novelty Shack, being the "Band's" name. All of my friends on MySpace are either rising comedy musicians (Nuclear Bubble Wrap. I've known Jace, their frontman online for three years now) or regulars on the Dr. Demento Show (Raymond and Scum).
I'm glad you liked mine and my friend's stuff. I'll be sure to let Jace know you liked his stuff.
It's been a while since I've posted here at the USMS forums and well... I'm back with quite a tale!
On July 1st and 2nd, I attended my *FIRST* Long-Course Zones Meet and I had a *BLAST!* I was entered in nine events and came home with eight medals! two third place medals, four second place, and two first. I think I did my best 50 fly! That's right, Mark, 50 Fly!! I was DQ'd on my 100 back, but that's okay because it's a learning experience and it also tells me that I need to improve on my backstroke
Now onto other swimming related news: Yesterday, I recorded a swimmer's love song, called (I'm No) Competitor. You can download it at:www.weirdojace.is-a-geek.com/.../(I'm No) Competitor (Rock Vers.).mp3
Edit: Please note that the link may not work at times as I'm borrowing webspace from a friend's computer.
Okay, this isn't exactly about swimming, but I didn't know where else to post this. I've been working on a sci-fi comic, called "the Pleiadian Enterprise" (pronounced Play-aid-ee-un), which takes place in a millenium from now.
Anyway, here is one of my characters, meet Layne Feive. Her name is pretty much pronounced "Lane Five".
The name actually came to me while I was swimming on Saturday and I decided to create a character for my Sci-Fi comic.
Newmastersswimmer:
Very funny. I am now going to have to read all 23 pages of this thread in my spare time, which I don't have any of now. I seem to recall a poetry thread on which you might have contributed. So you should feel free to chime in! P.S. You really gotta change that user name. You are an old hand at this now.
New Poem By The Fortress (Set to the cadence of The Night Before Christmas):
‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE NATIONALS
“Twas the night before Nationals and all through the states.
Not a swimmer was stirring, not even their mates.
Their practices were swum in the pool with great care.
In hopes that PBs soon would be there.
We swimmers were trying to taper and rest.
We aspired to pass the pressure-filled test.
We had purchased our fastskins, water repellent and new.
The price tag was staggering, but still they did woo.
We had started to dream ‘bout swimming stars past.
When into our dreams a resounding voice blast.
We jerked up our head and said “Who can it be?”
We awakened and squinted icon Ande.
He of the glorious “tips” he did share.
He of the “Ask Ande” thread b’yond compare.
It was Ande, the master swimmers’ Saint Nick.
Who coached us to pace, to split and to kick.
Ande insisted we all could swim faster.
If we fully embraced the rage to master.
He said, “Onward, let’s go” to Geek and to Gull.
To Peter, to George to Terry – none dull.
As soon as we heard him, without even trying.
The spirit to swim came a flippin' and flyin'.
We dolphins were happy with grins on our faces.
We hoped to perform well to earn first rate places.
We all had our flu shots and avoided infection.
We had practiced our SDKs to perfection.
We’d drilled and swum FAST in both practice and meets.
We timed out kick sets to the very last beat.
We thought evil thoughts of our secret nemeses.
We plotted their defeat with guile and ease.
We had lifted our weights and even cross-trained.
Though quite controversial, it left us less pained.
Our starts had improved, our turns were a glory.
Especially for masters folk, both nimble and hoary.
Proper splitting had now become quite routine.
As had the use of the VASA machine.
We’d hated the breaststroke, despised butterstruggle.
If the Dictators ruled, swimming would be all a muddle.
We dutifully went to our PT appointments.
We did ART, got massages and practiced deportment.
We’d gulped down our vitamins, CoQ and guarine.
For those with sore shoulders: Glucosamine!
We logged onto the forum all night and all day.
The battles ‘tween posters intrigued us to stay.
We faithfully read Ande’s daily swim blog.
With an espresso in hand, , it helped clear the fog.
We named our pet peeves and aired out our rants.
Everyone agreed: There shall be no “can’ts.”
But ‘tween fights and good humor, training tips prevailed.
When practice made perfect, our coaches regaled.
The head guru, Ande, told us it was time.
We’d put enough yardage and sprints in to shine.
So he grabbed up his giftbag and poured out more presents.
We shouted our thanks for his omnipresence.
Then we heard Ande ‘xclaim as he faded from sight.
Happy laps to you all and keep up the good fight.
I think you will like a lot of the poetry and banter contained in this old thread Fortress. I actually only contributed a small number of poems to this thread compared to many of the other poets on this thread (like swimmy, seagurl, fisgurl, sonic swimmer....etc...).....My first poem on page 3 of this thread (titled "Ode to Water") is probably my best poem...(it all went down hill after that first creative burst I suppose...LOL!!).........it was a lot of fun to write it though. Ande enjoys writing song lyrics as a creative outlet....in fact it is a rather serious passion of his (although none of his lyrics appear in this thread)....Sonic Swimmer has written some really creative songs too. I just really like the overall concept of using this thread as an outlet for posters here to express thier passion for swimming in such a creative fashion. It is still one of my favorite all time threads.....I still nominate it for a coveted USMS threadie!!
Newmastersswimmer
p.s. To all the new and old posters: Please continue to add more song lyrics and poetry to the ever expanding thread here!....and thanks to the fortress for helping to resurrect it!
