Anticipation

I don't know how many of you grew up going to some kind of community pool or country club, but hopefully you can relate. We used to line up behind the diving board and the person on the board was never allowed to jump until the person that had jumped last had made it to the edge (so as not to jump on top of the person that had just come up for air in the deep end). So I spent a lot of time at the pool waiting in line. Some kids are completely comfortable with this, but I always remember being very aware of how I was standing. Being up there, right beside the diving board, made you feel like there were always someone's eyes on you, and I never knew what to do with my arms. Obviously I didn't have pockets, so that wasn't an option so I usually tried to settle with crossing my arms or putting me hands on my hips. (just like the girls in this painting). I'm guessing that most guys don't have any empathy for this, but I think girls are probably a bit more vulnerable in the diving board line, especially early teenagers. I mean, when else are you essentially wearing glorified underwear in the middle of a crowded place. Yet the diving board was definitely worth all of the anxiety- We used to play "olympics" (and Emily Brewer was always the judge) to see who could make the smallest splash, best dive, most creative jump, etc.... Anyway- enough about my diving board escapades- feel free to share yours.