#innertubing

This idea was suggested by Nathansnake, but last month! I wanted to get in one more summer-related drawing idea before it was too late. I like to imagine he uses his tail to steer, like, well, a rudder. :3

(with the inevitable Appy Polly Loggies, as before)

[Mise en scene: Innertubing on some remote river down South, just seeking to cool off and find some inspiration for music ideas.]

GROOVE, just relaxing his massive frame on his innertube: What more could I exactly want out of this tubing experience, come to think of it?

COUNTRY: Groove, I believe, may have a valid point out of this.

KITTY JO: I would have to agree there ... besides, what could be more relaxing than just a lazy afternoon on the river, splashing the occasional bit of water over your belly just to cool things down?

SCOOTS: Obviously, there must be a possible story out of this experience ... as seems to be the case with practically anything and everything ensuing, is there not?

LIPPY THE LION, just taking stock of life as the two are floating along: Hardy, if I may explain why this tubing excursion on this rather pleasant afternoon ... think of it as my way of saying that you've got to "go with the flow" every now and then!

HARDY HAR HAR, ever the myopic and frustrated one: That's easy for you to say, Lippy ...

LIPPY THE LION: And why would that be?

HARDY HAR HAR: I have to relieve myself!

LIPPY THE LION: Which definitely reminds me ...

[At any rate, we find this most unlikely partnership parking their innertubes beside the stream for a toilet break of sorts....]

LIPPY THE LION, feeling relaxed at the relief ensuing: Boy, that certainly felt good--

[Whereupon--]

HARDY HAR-HAR, noticing the innertubes suddenly floating off downstream without them: Lippy, in case you didn't notice, our tubes are starting to float off downstream!!

[The news of which startles Lippy to such extent that the pair race downstream for about two-thirds of a mile to try and catch up, only to wind up on each other's tube. To wit--]

LIPPY THE LION, somewhat startled: Uh, Hardy--do you realise that you're on my tube?

HARDY HAR-HAR: Or even the fact that you're on my innertube? [Which even more startles both to such an extent that they have to find some decently shallow spot in the river to realise the mistake and swap back their respective innertubes for to continue the journey in relative peace. After a short while of this--]

LIPPY THE LION: Have I ever mentioned to you, Hardy, how interesting a friend you must be, even allowing for your pessimistic take on the world?

HARDY HAR-HAR, myopic as ever: Many times, Hardy ... many times. But still, isn't this tubing adventure rather wonderful, to begin with?

LIPPY THE LION, rather excitedly: No doubt about that!! And besides, I know this swimmin' hole just ahead where we could do some serious cooling off before we finish the journey!

HARDY HAR-HAR: What more could you ask for?

A few years ago I went to a week-long music summer camp. It was kind of a nature camp too, for kids who sing or play an instrument. The whole thing was set up at this area right next to a giant lake, so when the campers weren't busy with the music classes that took up most of the day, we got to swim or do whatever else we felt like doing outside.

I have a love-hate relationship with that week, because there were good and bad things about it. The schedule was insanely rigorous for some reason, and we were forbidden from going back to our cabins for the entire day except for one designated period of 10 minutes at the start of Free Time. Phones weren't allowed. Meal times started and ended on the dot, and my stomach was killing me by the end of the week. Everyone was forced to sing in the camp choir regardless of whether they were a singer or if they wanted to do it.

But the best thing that happened was one night near the end of the week.

The camp counselors were college students who all had nicknames. We didn't get to know their real names until the end of the week. My cabin's counselor was Amazon, and one night after we were all ready for bed, she didn't turn out the lights.

"Everyone get your stuff on, we're going out."

We were confused as we pulled on our sweatshirts and shoes, because curfew was supposed to be pretty strict. Amazon grabbed a few flashlights, and everyone else who had one brought it as well. We trekked down the hill from our cabin and onto the giant field in the middle of camp.

We were instructed to get in a big, spread-out circle in the field, and then Amazon told us what we were doing.

"Okay, so this is called star-tripping. Someone gets in the middle and picks a star to look at, then focuses on it and starts spinning around. Wait until you're super dizzy and then sprint as fast as you can towards someone else's flashlight and see how long it takes you to fall down."

One of the older girls went first. We were all cracking up as she stumble-ran out of the circle and faceplanted on the ground. Everyone took a turn in the center of the circle, and we all stayed on the ground giggling for a while.

One of the main counselors drove through the field in his truck before we went back.

"Hey, girls."

I, being the weird one (and the youngest in my cabin), felt the need to respond with "Nothing!" and everyone started laughing, including the counselor in the truck.

"I didn't even ask, but okay! G'night!"