Most people, when they go swimming, think it’s all about
them. But it’s actually all about
the water. Take the Reed pool for
example. What’s going on with the
water there? Nothing much. It just
lies there. There’s a good physics
reason for that. And when you go
swimming, the water still doesn’t do anything exciting. It keeps you afloat, and you kind of
stir it around and scatter waves about in all directions. But those waves are just small
fry. They’re just minnows. In June, at Centennial Reunions, we’re going to rouse a
leviathan.
The “Mother of All Waves” has lain dormant in the Reed pool
for all these years. We’re going
to enter her lair and wake her up.
To see her in action, that is our quest. Guided by Rubber Duckie and armed with the Pendulum of
Destiny, we will go in … and out … and in … and out … and in … and the wave will grow until the
spectators are shouting “Hey wait a minute! It’s getting too big!
It’s beginning to slosh onto the floor! Make them stop! Make them stop!”
And we will stop.
We will stop to paddle to the middle of the pool, there to be carried
back … and forth … and back … and forth … propelled and exhilarated by the
power of a wave of our own making.
But as we bask there, going back … and forth … and back … and forth … we
are left pondering that age-old question:
Between the human race on the one hand, and the laws of physics on the
other, who is the master? Who is
the master?
Here’s a chance for alumni to consider this question and get
a different kind of workout, either Thursday at 10:30 a.m. or Friday at 10:30 a.m.
So be sure to remember your swimsuit when you pack. And if you plan to join us, please send
a note to the course instructor, Brad Wright ’61, at bandrwright@yahoo.com so he’ll know
whom to expect.
