Sunday, October 23, 2005
The Swamp and The Life of Pi
I was reading The Life of Pi and I was so engrossed by the tale that I briefly considered skipping my planned golfing trip to Gainesville. I decided to go for the golf because the only way to play at The University of Florida course is to be accompanied by a student or alumnus and I didn't know if I would ever get the chance again. Besides, I had already committed to being the chauffeur. The book would have to wait.
Jimbo graciously granted me persmission to use his van to transport my friends Amy, Robin and Margaret to Gainesville. We left early in the morning so that we would have time for a leisurely breakfast at Shoneys in Starke. I wanted time to show them the Baughman Center where Owen and Michelle had been married and the Sweetwater B&B where the reception had been held. Along the way, I pointed out The Swamp where the rehearsal dinner was held and Durty Nellies where the under-thirties had repaired after the wedding. Robin is the Gator alum but apparently these establishments were established well after her graduation from UF. She was familiar only with The Swamp because she still goes to all of the home football games. She has had occasion to enjoy a pre-game drink or two there.
I enjoyed the day though I did not play well. The course is not difficult but it was unfamiliar and I think I approached it more tentatively than I should have. Once again I wondered how special it must be to feel so strongly about a school. Robin is an ardent Gator and she dressed for the occasion in the requisite orange and blue. While we were waiting to get out on the course, I saw an elderly couple approaching the first tee. Dragging their pull carts behind them, they both proudly sported the colors. They were very Old Gators. They looked at us as with some disdain, as if they found us wanting, or at the very least, not Gators. I envied them.
This evening I finished The Life of Pi. Wow.
Jimbo graciously granted me persmission to use his van to transport my friends Amy, Robin and Margaret to Gainesville. We left early in the morning so that we would have time for a leisurely breakfast at Shoneys in Starke. I wanted time to show them the Baughman Center where Owen and Michelle had been married and the Sweetwater B&B where the reception had been held. Along the way, I pointed out The Swamp where the rehearsal dinner was held and Durty Nellies where the under-thirties had repaired after the wedding. Robin is the Gator alum but apparently these establishments were established well after her graduation from UF. She was familiar only with The Swamp because she still goes to all of the home football games. She has had occasion to enjoy a pre-game drink or two there.
I enjoyed the day though I did not play well. The course is not difficult but it was unfamiliar and I think I approached it more tentatively than I should have. Once again I wondered how special it must be to feel so strongly about a school. Robin is an ardent Gator and she dressed for the occasion in the requisite orange and blue. While we were waiting to get out on the course, I saw an elderly couple approaching the first tee. Dragging their pull carts behind them, they both proudly sported the colors. They were very Old Gators. They looked at us as with some disdain, as if they found us wanting, or at the very least, not Gators. I envied them.
This evening I finished The Life of Pi. Wow.
# posted by Ginny @ 3:20 PM 
