Red over red — the pilot is dead.

For some reason that little rhyme came to me the other day. I learned it when I was getting my bare boat charter certificate in Seattle, 15 years ago or so. What it means is that the boat that’s showing two red lights in a vertical line isn’t being steered by anybody, so don’t expect it to get out of your way.

I’ve been feeling a little like that lately, like I’m more-or-less drifting with the current. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing, but for someone who’s been used to having a long-term plan at all times it’s a little disconcerting. Maybe it’s just that I’ve never really had the certainty that I thought I did, but before I wasn’t aware of it. Most people are comfortable living a reactive life and going with the flow, but I’m not. Not at all.