07.18.05
Rant – Detasseling
I need to rant a bit. I’m posting here because its a bit less visited, but I really don’t care if the people about to be mentioned see it.
< rant >
Ok, start of the third round, everyones dragging a bit but overall we remain hopeful since tjaden told us only 3 rounds. Me, being me obviously, I slapped on my head phones and did about a 9-10 minute half round. Wade had cleaned off my glasses, so I told him I would dig him out. On the way back, I pass three of our groupies (Mandy, Nic, and Jay). I tell them to triple leap frog back for logan, and they would be done in no time.
So, a few minutes pass, I come to the waterway. Logan and Wade emerge from the corn on the other side. Since the other three aren’t in sight, I decide to head back and let the two leap frog. I get to the end, no sign of the other three. I go back down logan’s row and stop when I get to wade. Logan is still back at the waterway, apparently (and very understandably) dehydrated. He had been drinking his water and his water only, which by now was quite warm and probably festering with backteria. Warm water on a warm day + backteria = sick. And it can make you sick…very sick.
Anyways, we eventually get out of there and head for some water. The other three members have disappated, no where in sight. On their way back to finish the round and get back on the bus. So, logan and wade get the last two in the 4 frame and I go in the final frame. It worked out well that way because wade and logan got dug out, and logan hopped over and helpped a bit towards the end with me.
I’m sure you all can tell where this is leading. Back in the bus the three are sitting there, having been there for several minutes. By now I was not in a good mood… at all. I asked them where they went, why the didnt dig him out. Nic said they got plugged back in.
I highly doubt it. First, they would let you get water. Second, I’ve never heard any of the seasoned vets (like Brian in this case, who was manning our side of the field) complain about digging out your fellow frame members. Not once over two years, and now I’m on number three.
So, this leads me to my final point of this rant. Apparently the well being of themselves is more important of their friends. While I like to be nice and snappy, I seem to accel pretty well in detasseling. I move quickly with good accuracy, and besides the heat I don’t get too tired (goes a little down hill after 10 hours). However, there is no reason why I would go off and satisfy my thirst at the expense of my dehydrated comrade.
In conclusion, Wade and Logan will have much much higher dig-out precidence than any of those three. I’ve never had to do this before, but this basically means Logan/Wade will have a bit easier time on detasseling than them. Go Wade and Logan. Value friendship, especially if one of your friends needs it.
< /rant >
This inspired a non-fiction piece (or idea/journal entry) for creative writing, which can be found at: http://www.nick-cash.com/wp/2005/09/01/journal-3-non-fiction-1/