Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the bay All the cruisers were snoozin' for it'd been a long day Up with the sun for coffee and the Net Gossip, news, and weather more fun you'll not get Breakfast in the cockpit is fruit and fresh bread We chat and we laugh til the sun's overhead Next we load up the dinghy and head to the dock To get Maggie to her flight, we keep an eye on the clock She makes her flight and soars o'er the sea And now just like that, our four becomes three But no time to dawdle there's more work and more play Then over the radio hails a boat 'cross the way "Can we borrow some milk to make up our pie?" So I swim it over, hey what a guy Along with the milk, we send a bone for their dog As I paddle I chuckle, This'll go great on the blog. Next on the list of our social to-dos A picnic and dinghy drift, bring whatever food you choose. The dinghies all convene and tie off together Luckily for us it remains such fine weather Now back to the Starshine to settle in for the night Sure it's only 6:30, but we're losing light Sea cruising people are quite social it's true But its safe to say they'll be in bed before you. So now all is quiet, we do our own things Steve's on the computer checking on the Vikings Hope reads her book, the third one since noon Luckily there'll be a book exchange soon Me, I just sit here and soak it all in Reflecting on what a great day it's been And I think of my friends wherever they be Wishing them the same happiness and wonder as me So now this is posted I'll sign off just right Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Wednesday December 24 2008

File under: poetry, holidays

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on Wed 24th Dec, 2008 03:47 pm PST Wren said: This year's Christmas poem is the second in what I hope becomes a series of x-mas posts from exotic places and situations. For last year's poem, click here.Have a reggae Christmas (and a reggae new year)! ************************ on Wed 24th Dec, 2008 08:00 pm PST Saxtor said: An irie christmas to I and I, mon. ************************ on Wed 24th Dec, 2008 09:58 pm PST Mom said: Oh what a trip this has been Happy Christmas to you and the rest of my kin. ************************ on Thu 25th Dec, 2008 04:43 pm PST maggie said: nicely done! i'm struggling to stay awake past cruisers midnight. wishing i was still there for the festivities! ************************ on Thu 01st Jan, 2009 12:37 pm PST NANCY KLAREN said: Great job! Continue the tradition. (I read last years.) ************************

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My Kind of Beach

Of all the qualities they choose from to rate a beach (sand quality, surf, proximity to tiki bars, etc.) the biggest one for me is isolation. Yeah it can be nice to have someone bring your alcohol-free, parisoled mai-tai right to your beach chair, and having bronzed bodies to watch as they strut their stuff is good times, but I guess I just prefer space and peace and quiet. In my travels, I've found a few great isolated beaches (Thailand, Palmyra, Cambodia, etc.). Now I can add Grenada to that list. Getting out to Bathway Beach took a little doing; a halting bus ride and a long walk in the warm sun, but I guess that what keeps it isolated. In the 3 hours we spent there reading, beach combing, and processing coconuts sans machete*, we only saw 2 other souls. So despite the fact that the water wasn't really swimable and I had to go without ice cream for the afternoon, I'm still rating Bathway Beach among the top beach of Grenada.

Tuesday December 23 2008

File under: travel, Grenada

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on Wed 24th Dec, 2008 12:41 am PST Horge said: Seems very nice, though I'm suspicious of the name. Maybe it's empty because all the locals know that's the way wastewater from their bathrooms goes :) ************************

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A 3-Hour Tour...

My usual travel style may well be described as directed wandering. I usually know more or less were I'm headed and more or less how. Yesterday, however, there was no "more or less" about it. The guided personal tour is an experience I've tended to shy away from. I didn't know what I was missing. Yesterday, a local by the name of Keith took us on a half-day tour of the interior of the island. It was 3 hours of non-stop information; plant names and uses, local critters, historical tidbits (the 1983 US shenanagins, 2004 hurricaine desctruction, etc.), demographics info, import/exports, and the answer to any question we could ask. Besides all the info, we got to see spots a public bus couldn't take us*. Yes, a guided personal tour has its place every now and again. And if you ever take one in Grenada, ask for Keith!

Sunday December 21 2008

File under: travel, grenada

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on Sun 21st Dec, 2008 09:04 pm PST per said: yah, but can Keith whistle a sweet melody wif his finger pursed between his toothless gums? I think not. nice banana airbag. ************************ on Mon 22nd Dec, 2008 10:36 pm PST Joe said: i'll be sure to do that. thanks for the hot tip. ************************

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FC 56 - Freedom Is Just Another Word

This week, I'm going to have to bypass the usual banter and disclaimers warning of an unfunny comic, etc. etc. In just a short while, I'm headed into shore to hook up with a local taxi driver (that comes highly recommended) to take a tour of Grednada and then be dropped off on the north side of the island to spend some time up there. And I haven't even started packing yet. What I will say, though, is that this is the comic I have been sitting on for a few weeks while that multi-panel comic plot was playing itself out that I talked about being so excited about. So for disclaimers, etc. you can go back and check that out. (Oh, and because of the nature of the aspect ratio of this one, I will include the text from the 3rd panel here, in case it is unreadable on your computer. "Johnny would have never guessed that the inspiration that served to change his life would come from curbside furniture.")

Friday December 19 2008

File under: comic

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on Fri 19th Dec, 2008 04:19 am PST Dave said: Aha! I get it! (nice fire, btw) ************************ on Fri 19th Dec, 2008 08:13 am PST Saxtor said: AWESOME! ************************ on Mon 22nd Dec, 2008 10:32 pm PST Joe said: that's awfully nice furniture on the lawn, are you sure its free? its the little details wren, that REALLY sell the funny. ;-) ************************

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Boat Life

Boat life, from the brief experiences I've had with it in the South Pacific, on Lake Union, and now here in the Caribbean, suits me. And it seems the more I learn, the more I like it. My accomodations here in Grenada are aboard SV Starshine, a 37-foot cutter anchored in Prickley Bay. Notice I said anchored, not docked. That means: a) No shore power. All power aboard is from the solar panels, wind generator, or, when the need arises, a small generator*. b) No shore water. Water comes from rain water catchment, or a water maker when needed*. A daily swim off the bow does away with the need for showers, at least for me. c) Dingy in dingy out. No popping down to the corner store for an after dinner ice cream. Aside from the ins and outs of being anchored, other new boat stuff presents itself everyday. From the morning dispatch via VHF radio ("the Net") to the close knit community among the cruisers, I dig it all. (The warm weather and wonderful company doesn't hurt either.)

Thursday December 18 2008

File under: travel, Grenada

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on Thu 18th Dec, 2008 10:52 am PST amanda said: Sigh. I just can't imagine it. Not with the snow falling rapidly outside. Are we on the same planet? ************************ on Thu 18th Dec, 2008 11:19 am PST per said: so nice! I'd trade these land locked sticks for a pair of rubbery tide-going sea legs in a heart beat. Will there be any cruising to compliment the anchored community life? ************************ on Fri 19th Dec, 2008 02:54 am PST Wren said: The plan was to cruise up to Carriacou, 25 or so miles north, but the swells and wind would make it a pretty gnarly trip, so at least for the time being, I think we are staying put. My hope is that maybe in the next couple weeks, a little out of harbor sailing will be experienced. ************************ on Fri 19th Dec, 2008 04:16 am PST Dave said: Wren, who are you staying with (i.e. who owns that boat)? While we have similar weather, your living on a boat right now (and not working) easily trumps me. I hope you're having a great time. ************************ on Sat 20th Dec, 2008 11:29 pm PST Mom said: You'd better not come home yet, there's no path shoveled to the Outback (or through it for that matter). We have snow drifts in the yard and driveway! Real drifts! Oh, the slings and arrows of your outrageous fortune of being In the Carribbean now! ************************ on Mon 22nd Dec, 2008 01:22 pm PST Jen Kay said: That sounds awesome! Of course you would be off somewhere great right now. I would love to be anchored out on a sail boat...hope you're lovin it! Merry Christmas ************************ on Wed 31st Dec, 2008 06:33 pm PST Amiel Martin said: hey wren, if you like sailboats so much, you should come sailing with Hallie and I: http://www.twitpic.com/u0vh ************************

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Carribbean Todo Checklist

First 24 Hours of a Caribbean Vacataion Checklist: 1. Swim in warm warm water. 2. Take a bunch of pictures. 3. Get a little sunburned. 4. Buy tacky touristy crap. 5. Complain about the heat. 6. Realize that you don't have any right to complain about anything really, because you are in the freaking Carribean for gosh sakes. 7. Drink parisol-ed drink. 8. Make blog post about first 24 hours in Caribbean in an attempt to make friends at home jealous. Six out of eight, not too shabby.

Monday December 15 2008

File under: travel, Grenada

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on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 05:56 am PST Luke said: I'm just jealous of how cute you look in that hat! ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 06:27 am PST Kat said: Officially jealous. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 07:09 am PST Sara said: The wind chill is -16 here. Yep, I'm jealous too. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 07:10 am PST Hope said: a bus driver asked him if he was Jewish ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 04:37 pm PST Joe said: ya know what the weather is like back home? you're a jerk for posting this blog and these pix. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 05:52 pm PST Jule said: don't forget to eat some overly spicy Caribbean food and then have to sit out a day of your vacation because of stomach cramps. In case you didn't know, it is cold here. read previous comments for further details. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 06:17 pm PST dave said: you spelled Caribbean three different ways in the first three listings of the word. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 08:51 pm PST Sarah F said: man! you lead the good life, wren. we're wearing our puffy wisconsin coats here and watching all the kids staying home from school sled on ice in the street. ************************

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D.C. Jump

[on a brief layover in DC, I stopped in to check out the new Capitol Visitor Center]

Friday December 12 2008

File under: travel, misc

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on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 09:06 pm PST Nesbitt said: I can't believe you didn't call! You are in DC like all the time! ************************ on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 10:40 pm PST Mom said: So is the joint getting all spruced up for the incoming administration? ************************ on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 10:54 pm PST per said: ya know, that dome is made proportionally to accept that pose perfectly within the circular vault of its heavens. who's that standing on top? anybody... ************************ on Sat 13th Dec, 2008 02:42 pm PST Joe said: per, to answer your question, i believe its your mother ;-) ************************ on Sat 13th Dec, 2008 11:49 pm PST Dave said: The Statue of Freedom, of course. And there is a law that no private building in DC is allowed to be built taller than that statue. ************************

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FC 55 - Building Walls

It's back to the old one panel comics, at least for a bit. My little foray into the multi-panel comics with a plot, recurring characters, (inside jokes,) etc. was a good experience, though, and I imagine I will readdress the genre before too long. But for now, back to my origins. I give credit to my brother's friend Kevin for this one, although he may not know it. He didn't do the drawing (as you can tell by my now tell tale style), but he did give the inspiration for the joke. (Inspiration for the plaid shirts, however, came from my many years of manual outdoor labor.) (P.S. No, this isn't an editorial comic trying to undermine security precautions or in support of terrorism. Believe me, it's not that complicated. If you don't get it, you probably do but it just isn't funny. (That last caveat pretty much goes for all my comics.))

Friday December 12 2008

File under: comc

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on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 12:12 pm PST Hope said: bwa ha ha! ************************ on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 07:28 pm PST Joe said: :-) ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 05:54 pm PST Jule said: I thought I came up with that one and then Kevin said it loud enough to be funny. or maybe it was the other way around. ************************

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Punkstos Bday

Punksto, hands down the cutest child in her generation of my family, turned six years old this weekend. We made the trek down to Olympia to help her celebrate, and celebrate she did! Family dinner, delicious cake, and a party at the gymnastics place, where mats for tumbling, bars for swinging, and trampolines for bouncing abounded. (It was a great place to practice the new(ish) trick.) ((The gymnastics place didn't let "adults" play on the equipment, which was kind of like putting a piece of pizza in front of someone on the Atkins diet, pure hell. I was ready to risk it all and make a break for the springboard into the foam pit. But I held myself back, for Punksto's sake. I guess that is my present to her: not getting her banned from the gym.))

Monday December 8 2008

File under: misc

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on Mon 08th Dec, 2008 11:27 am PST gretchen said: happy belated birthday, cora! we were certainly thinking of you on your special day. i hope your birthday wishes all come true! ************************ on Mon 08th Dec, 2008 03:24 pm PST Saxtor said: Adults can't play on the equipment, but grandmas can, it appears. Margaret appears to be putting all that living room trampolining to good use. ************************ on Mon 08th Dec, 2008 06:48 pm PST Joe said: I just put it together that Cora and Punksto are the same kid. How'd she get that name? ************************ on Mon 08th Dec, 2008 07:20 pm PST Mom said: Here's the poem Cora recited to us on her birthday: When I was one I had just begun. When I was two I was nearly new. When I was three I was more and more me. when I was four I was even more. When I was five I was so alive. But now I'm six, I'm as clever as clever. So, I think I'll be six now forever and ever. adapted from A.A. Milne ************************ on Tue 09th Dec, 2008 08:05 pm PST Andrew said: Rhyming "clever" with "clever"? Brilliance! Happy Birthday Punks! ************************

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FC 54 - The Rebuttal

You can tell right away, dear long time reader, that this comic wasn't made by me. Not because it is inferior in artistic quality or joke caliber. Quite the opposite I would say. Any pen and paper drawing automatically gets props above any paint shop pro-ed drawing. As for the joke caliber, I genuinely LOLed. Ms. Hannah (of HBadventure) provided this comic without so much as a paint fill bucket click by me. It is her rebuttal to my recent series (that stars a character that may or may not be loosely based on her). (If you haven't been following that series, allow me to refresh your memory.) Throw in a little game night inside jokery, and voila. Inside jokes are funny. So is this comic. Thanks Hannah! (P.S. See? One panel comics can be funny!)

Thursday December 4 2008

File under: comic

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on Fri 05th Dec, 2008 10:36 am PST Saxtor said: Now THIS is a comic. Clowns - check Ninjas - check A mega-burn - checkcheckcheckcheckcheck Huzzah! ************************ on Mon 08th Dec, 2008 06:35 pm PST Dave said: now that I get it I think rebuttal comics are great! ************************

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