40mm across, 25mm deep

While I was on the dock stretching, our perfectly-balanced OJ prop was essentially destroyed by the 3-ball magnet. The leading edge of one blade lost 2-3 mm at the tip; but the trailing edge lost perhaps a full square inch of surface-area in a gouge running 40mm across and 25mm deep. To repair this prop and restore balance requires removing an equal mass from the other three blades; an action that would irrevocably alter the prop's hydrodynamics. No way for our vintage `97 Nautique, otherwise in excellent condition with less than 500 hours. New OEM OJ prop on the way.

Trailing Edge Damage

Stentorian Tone

“It’s OK to do that in this genre”, I said to my wife about STS9’s gratuitous use of female vocal samples in their live performance. I guess the taper behind me heard it too. Surprising, as I thought that my head, about 1m away and 45 degrees off-axis from his stereo pair, would be attenuating the acoustic output from my mouth directed into Susan’s ear. His remark had me whispering the rest of the show. Later when Umphree’s got up, a couple carried on this elaborate chitty-chat right in front of the mics, making me far less concerned about my stentorian tone.




STS9 at BoA Pavilion Boston (July 2008)

Lean Like This

One pleasant side-effect of my summer hiatus has been my water skiing. This evening, a big smile for sure, as I get into -28 for the first time this year. And I won't be writing about how my knee feels! Boo-yah!

Cindy at -32

The Early 1990s

Lori likes Chris

Nice Cell Phone, Steve!

Rangeley Days

An 80's Wedding

Another batch of negatives scanned, and with some surprise, I notice that styles really haven't changed that much in two decades. Taken from medium format film, the images are crispy-sharp. Check out the originals on your high-res display. Many more after the jumps...

Camp Bisco Seven

Punctuation of this slow, hot summer was provided by Camp Bisco this past weekend. It was an unexpected pleasure to hear Lotus. And an expected pleasure to hear The New Deal. ... The future: Camp Bisco Nine.

Jeff Inverted

My Knee, One Year After

Here I am about a year after at least doubling the number of bone segments that comprise my patella. The funny thing is that although I had very little pain with my telemark fun last winter; I have chronic pain following two or more waterski sets. It is interesting in that the pain seems to lag the activity by two to four hours. Inflammation where the bone is damaged? Maybe, but I'm no doctor. "Everything in Moderation", is my plan - and so only one set for me at times. Still having a blast and skiing well.

Shimmer

I like the way memories of the past shimmer. It is the uncertainty or "noise" which sets them apart and makes them sparkle.

Shawn and Debby, Post Lake, Wisconsin, July 4, 1975

Missing Smith Mountain

Friends called from SML to say "hi" while I cope with juggling kittens. I've always wanted to juggle kittens, like Steve Martin; so I suppose all is well. A few strong t-storms blew through. A weak bolt nailed a unwitting sacrificial while pine fifty feet from the house. Poor Mr. Pine.