All this shit bring to mind once upon a time. I was working the evening shift. I did it for 5 years, the last 3 of those being 9:30 in the evening to 6:00 in the morning. I would be going away from traffic as everyone was heading into Manhattan, I would be driving to the aaaaaaaaaaaah coooooooool beeeeeeeeeeeach.
At that time I stopped going to the famous beach and headed to another town near Kennedy Airport. It was also known as Riis Park, next to Rockaway Beach in Queens. Plenty of parking, the lot was empty at 6:30 AM. Only the Park Employees beat me here. I would ditch all my clothing in the vehicle except my towel and keys and few dollars (in case my car was stolen ). Man the beach didn't open when I first got there but I didn't give a shit and dropped my sandals and my towel at waters edge. I could float like a log and I did! I would place my hands behind my head, fingers clasped together and legs crossed and just float out. I would just love only the tip of my nose out of the water and my toes (no gut back then). One time I fell asleep as I was so relaxed. I felt something poking me in the side. I opened my eyes and looked to see a lifeguard in a row boat. I lifted my head out of the water to show him I was conscience and treading the water out of my float position. Finally the life guard said, "You are too far from shore, you better head back in." The shore was behind me. I turned around and saw I was about a mile or so from shore. I said, "Sure thing, Thanks for checking." He rowed away and I rolled back on my back and slowly kicked my way back in. I was against the tide which would explain why I was out so far. That was the first and last time I ever saw a lifeguard in a row boat. As I floated slowly back towards shore the music to jaws entered my head. I really hate when that happens. It skeers the bejesus outta me all the time. I am trying to keep a pace and not panic. That was the last thing I needed to start splashing and me the only human meat around for them bad sharks!I remember an incident when I was 5 years old. My father held me in a firemans carry over his back and I was puking. Seems the undertow took me under and this stranger plucked me from the water and handed me over to my pa was the way he explained it to me. I guess you learn to drown before you learn to swim.
