Posted by JLabaree on April 22, 2006 at 02:42:09 from 24.198.206.216 user JLabaree.
In Reply to: Re: Messing about in boats - Re: Best memory/experience with boats posted by Alan Hakim on April 21, 2006 at 10:38:19:
But the quotation has changed it from negative to positive in this precise context.
Yes! and that's the beauty (truth) of what Ratty’s on about - "messing about" is often a reproach because it is assumed (rightly) that you're not actually accomplishing anything. By extension, the assumption is you're not serious about whatever it is you're doing an unfortunate assumption. For us of Puritan stock, not accomplishing anything and not being serious are both major no-nos: everything should serve a higher purpose of some sort, preferably Progress, and therefore needs to be taken seriously (how Native!).
The essence of Ratty's quotation is the recognition up front that, indeed, the very fact that you are NOT accomplishing anything lends a great deal to why it's so much darn fun to "mess about it boats." Note, however, that not all boat-oriented activity is "messing about" - if you are actually accomplishing something, it doesn't really count (it's still great fun, though, and much better than doing most anything else, it’s just not messing about).
I rather think the S&As would have understood that, with the possible exception of John, who seems to be constantly trying to prove himself to someone or other (gee, I wonder who!).
- Jonathan