"over his head"
A lifeguard talked about having to rescue a woman who was screaming help. When he got to her, she was on her knees, "drowning"! Either panic stricken or finding a dramatic way to meet the lifeguard?

Bruce - you are not on your knees, not over your head and you are not an "old fool". You are a human being making the most of your life - following your dream and making it real. You are LIVING!

And if scraping something off your shoes is the worst thing that happens....