Here I am, struggling to type this message, sunburnt from head to feet, wanting to shoot my bow. It is that time of year, due to Hurricane Katrina, that I am finally able to take my bow out. It just so happens to be the one time when I can hardly move an inch.

The BowTech Allegiance is sitting in my room waiting to sling some arrows into my newly purchased Morrel's bag target. The temperature, with a high on 92, is perfect for shooting. But I have one little problem- It's hard to move when your back and shoulders are covered in second degree burns.

It all started Friday when I was out fishing. I caught two ground mullet and a speckled trout. I put them on my stringer and tossed them back into the water. I was happy with my catch. It was my first time fishing since the storm. The fishing died down, being 2:30 PM, so I decided to jump in for a few minutes. I took my shirt off, a death sentence for the southern sun, and dove in. I was swimming in for thirty minutes when I heard a loud splasing about ten feet away. I quickly looked over at my stringer and saw the signature marks of a black tip shark. The next thing I know I am running on top of the water trying to get back up on the dock.

I pull up my stringer to find the speck gone, the tail end of a ground mullet floating, and the head end of the other ground mullet still on the stringer. I take the head end of the ground mullet and attach it to my hook. I threw it out there and started reeling in slowly. I saw the fin surface above the water, and feel my line jerk suddenly. I hooked him.

After several minutes of fighting him, he snapped the line and swam off. I was filled with excitement until I looked down. I was sunburned from head to feet.

I have been laying down for the past three days. I have the bright idea to get up and go shoot my bow, without a shirt, back covered in blisters, in 92 degree weather. I am curious to see how loud I will scream when I first pull back 70.4 pounds, hearing my skin crack. Wish me luck!