Kicking off today’s post with a little unedited video I took back in 2009 - AFTER the storm. This was what was left after the second substantial low had gone over our head. (waves had calmed to about 1/2 of what they were at their peak). I remembered holding the camera still on the stern rail so the sense of motion-in-the-ocean would translate. Anyone get seasick watching?? :)
happy birthday
Last week I crossed the 1/2 century mark. Easily a ‘waves of emotion’ type of day… if that were my thing. I think I’m more contemplative than that or maybe my stoic male ego won’t let me admit that it’s an emotional event (my wife is nodding her head while reading that line)… but I digress. In posting this video realize that the video was from 2009 (13 years ago for the math challenged) I remember the experience like it was yesterday. Posting it near to my milestone birthday triggers an overused quote of mine: ‘The older I get the greater I was’ which inevitably tap dances on my psyche - wave of emotion? Perhaps…
The gang at Gaines Marina in Rouses Point are pretty awesome. They know I am a charter boat and they always put me in the storage shed last and take me out nearly first. This year they outdid themselves and I was the first in the water. I got an email on my actual birthday that Red was in the water! WAIT - FAAAACK!! The plug was not in the boat!!! What plug?? yah - the one that keeps the lake out! Turns out the boat was in the slings about to be launched and I got a call from the yard guy asking where the plug was and it was installed without event. Whew - crisis narrowly averted but seriously - WAVE of panic - Happy Birthday.
compliment(ary)
In a completely different incident (warning: purposeful detail omission coming up), I was given one of the nicest compliments I have ever received. In wake of the milestone birthday, it is very easy for me to have the type of reflection that can leave me questioning my relevance in the world. For me such personal inquisition comes in waves as I move about my day to day. It’s not pervasive but it can be penetrating and is always provocative. I try to let it settle and pass… I’m not always successful,
In this case it was poignant relative to my time spent trying to avoid rock … on this rock (aka sailing). Getting a few simple words that validated half my life’s journey so far… kinda washed over me in a wave of goodness that is generally difficult for me to articulate. Being handed a sense of relevance is pretty awesome. I am inspired to pay that forward - here’s my invite for you to do the same.
We are now into May. It’s crunch time in the boating industry in Vermont. Red is in the water and Blue is set to splash next week. Red rests at her temporary berth up north, and Blue will be launched some 7 hours further south. In less than 2 weeks time they will head towards each other to meet in Burlington for the sailing season. Our next post will have the conclusion of electric conversion project for your enjoyment. In the meantime be on the lookout next Friday the 12th for Red and Blue - southbound and northbound respectively tracking along the coast of Lake Champlain. Even if only in ceremony … go ahead and:
like a 4 year old at a parade - give us a big wave!
Finally - if you haven’t had enough blatant wavery (couldn’t resist making up at least 1 word per blog), please meet our new mascot vehicle! Cool as a cucumber and ready to give and receive all the waves a wanting public can muster! The Sail Vermont(mobile) will be banging around town for the rest of the season - give us a wave (we promise to wave back - and smile!)
