On Somes Sound

Some snappys from our brief getaway down east. More on clicking through to the album.

Sunset at Low Tide

Gypsy

Crab Creek Girls

Pond at Northeast Harbor

Relaxed!

Northeast Harbor

Susan let me tag along to the Crab Creek reunion of sorts up in Northeast Harbor these past few days. It has been great weather, coming to an end today with an eerie, perpetual rain. We're staying at "The Rock", a family compound on the eastern shore of Somes sound. Skip took us out for a sail yesterday in Betsy and Abe's boat, "Endeavor". Elizabeth (the other Betsy) left for Canada-ville today. Haven't uploaded my snappys yet, so I'll post one that is at least from Maine, 100s of miles from here...

The Rangeley Inn (winter 2000)

Summer in Swing

Every year seems to have its moment when you are sure summer is here. This weekend was that extended moment. Even while down in DC last week for some serious business, I was looking forward to getting on the water, as the Dubes Pond Webcam had gone online. So, of course we skied, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

We had M+M over to keep the party going on the home front...

It's Windy, perhaps

Paul makes it look so easy, he can talk about hamburgers. Shep puts in the miles. Dave skis seven (seven) -32 passes without blinking. And the boat crew offers Brian solace by suggesting, "It's Windy"!

Three Baby Phoebes

Three baby Phoebes hatched this morning in a nest on our house. Mom has been bringing them (presumably) tasty worm bits while dad flits about on a tree nearby.

I'm on a Boat Lift!

What a wet, stressed-out June. July feels like a bug in brandy. After a better-than-normal start in April and May, I think I got out to ski maybe three sets in June. Once before Bonnaroo, and twice after. This morning at the pond was just gorgeous. Team Nautique took its place on the shore station: Look at me: I'm on a Boat! (video link)

I'm on a Boat Lift

Dog Days of Summer

The longest day of the year: nice! But it's a different kind of wet here in New England.

Playing on Dock (SML June 2009)

A Duffel Bag Filled With Rocks

Why is it that Summer is Kodachrome; and Fall is Ektachrome? At least in my mind anyhow (writes the color-blind one). I'm digging the return to familiar patterns; except that the center of mass is far enough away from stasis, so as to keep us on edge. Life's arc wouldn't be challenging otherwise. ... Good ego lashing today as I got a letter in the mail, I am not making this up, from a dear friend I haven't heard from in a decade that said, and I'm really not making this up, that I'm a "duffle (sic) bag filled with rocks". Harsh. So I can't help but ask myself how I messed that up so well? People talk about first impressions; this has me thinking that last impressions may also mean something. Or maybe one's view of someone just drifts as the memories fade? Or it may just be spot-on correct; although I hope not an invariant and universal perception.

Kodachrome Summer on Eastern Point

Bonnaroo 2009

Bonnaroo 2009 was "Shasta-rific"! It's cliche, but the Friday night Phish set was my best ever. Best surprise of the show was seeing the Beastie Boys. The Decemberists did "The Hazards of Love" in its entirety (and more). Kaki King, great as always. Much more.

View from the VIP Knoll

Team Shasta

Kaki King at Sonic Stage

wash uffitzi, drive me to Firenze

We left New Hampshire yesterday for the 13 hour drive to SML, VA. I kept reminding myself that hauling a 4 ton trailer means that more stopping distance is required. Yet there was still one incident that got my attention as eyes returned to the road ahead after looking at the GPS. Fortunately, we left Miss Melanie to the on-the-road intertube duties. Serious regression as we looked up the lyrics to Cavern, and debated various YEM interpretations. A surprisingly easy drive, considering the distance and the trailer. ... Arrived SML, drinks and dinner with the Hurt family. Today I have to figure out how I'm going to jump out of this impossibly small birthday cake for Lori.

Onteora Ski Team

Having fun; on and off the ski team bus. Click-through the photos below for the rest of `em.

The Fun

The Girls

The Boys

The Prize

Onteora Candids

I shot several thousand still images on a 35mm Honeywell Spotmatic in the mid-1970s. The vast majority where shot on bulk-loaded Kodak Plus-X that I would usually push a stop or two. Being a teenager at the time, many of those photos were shot around my high school, Onteora Central School, on the days I actually attended. Many of the better shots, not necessarily the ones without gratuitous “birds” and “moons”, went into the `74, `75, and `76 OCS yearbooks. Most just sat in glassine envelopes for decades.
There are more than a few duds, but certainly some kind gems among this first tranche of 700+ “Onteora Candids”. A few of my faves, among many, are below; the rest in Smugmug on clicking through. Enjoy!

Fran and Lacey

Bianca

West Shokan Bus

Jason and Tony

Mr. Fiedler

Marjie

Andy

Barb

Mr. Wesselmann

Mike

Ellie and Sherry

Phish at Phenway

It's been a whirlwind getting the proverbial deck clear for next week's Bonnaroo run. But not so busy to pass up seeing Phish at Fenway park on Sunday - my first show since the 2-night run at Tweezer ahead of Coventry.

Decent Seats

Blinky Lights

The Best Just Ahead

It seems too easy reminisce about the past. We have all these facts, this evidence, that proves how great things once were. Fine: the past is fixed; but the future is not. So while a quantitative measure of ones decrepitude may be trending downward toward a ground state; the upside is limitless insight, wisdom and opportunity. Me thinks it's a good thing.

Shep, Lori, Chris (ca. 1990)

Post Lake

I fondly remember summertime in the early 1970s at Post Lake in Wisconsin. I was in awe that Barb and Judy could easily get up on one ski. At the time, I couldn't manage to get up on two. I think to some degree that "wanting to be same" stuck with me; and maybe that is why skiing remains such a passion of mine.

Post Lake 1972
I'd gone back to Post Lake a few more times in the late-70s and early-80s; it was great, but it wasn't the same vibe.

Post Lake 1975

Prison of the Rhythm

We're getting into the swing of things as Memorial day weekend lies just ahead. Rhythm is a good thing. A great thing , really. Both in the pendulum-like accelerations behind the boat; and in the pattern of simply being at the pond on a regular basis. The good stuff.

Paul Turns at 4-ball

Jack the Judge

Shore Station

The boat lift is in. It turns out you still need a driver, but there is no dispute there is less dock faff when the boat is ready, held just above the water.

Paul Leans Against Air

Skiing to the Handle

The pond warms up quickly. Gone are the chills and the spray burn. Thoughts start to return to technique. Maybe escalate to two sets tomorrow if my patella allows.

Tech Talk

Brooke's New Ski

Brooke was smiling as she got the feel of her new ski.

Early May Set

All Work, No Play

Just back from meeting with a client and their client. Brilliant view, despite the clouds.

Nice View

Work and Play

I managed a quick set yesterday and today. The water and air were chilly, but today the wind was down and out of the south. This made actually getting around all buoys possible. "Work" remains the compliment of "Play"; and thankfully there is some balance. A busy week ahead, and just five weeks until Bonnaroo!

Spray Burn 2009

Brian and I skied an unhurried set this morning, my fourth day out this year. Whereas the past three days I had been whining about it being cold; the subject of blame has now shifted to that of spray burn. Ahhh, that tender spot on your trailing calf where hydrodynamics and physiology come together to make Mr. Ouchy. I searched this blog and was pleasantly surprised to find when I last brought up this topic in 2006, it was already June! So the good news is that we are about a month ahead of the game. Right on!

On the Water

The air temps in the mid 80s and a sunny late-April day. The gang gathers and we are back.

Paul Leans with Care

Dubes 2009 - Day 2

A week goes by and I peg any sort of warming trend incorrectly. The air is a few degrees cooler (but the breeze lighter) and the water the same chilly 55. What a fool I am for not bringing any neoprene. The water is higher and there is almost a current on the pond as evidenced by the busy spillway. Anyhow, we did some course work, and I tried not to whine; and had one short, sweet set. Noon tomorrow, the gang will be there, photos to follow. Psyched!

Dubes 2009 - Day 1

This is season 18, 19, or 20 at Dube's Pond. Dave isn't sure. But we think it is one of those three. Along with Brian, we braved the 55 degree water and 65 degree air to get our first passes of the 2009 season. Brrrrr. Windy Too. But it felt good to get out and now be pleasantly sore. Quick estimate: 20 seasons, 50 days a season, two sets a day, six passes a set... that 12K passes. And we're still not perfect (yet).

Ye Olde Connelly

Happy and Bleeding

After a morning of noodling around with Python, "Pythonizing" as I described it to Steve, I succumbed to the mood of the day and started listening to tunes. It's hard to grasp that it has been almost two decades since PJ Harvey's "Dry". A fave of mine, which harmonized well with Wendy&Lisa and JH for many long, bliss-filled summers at Rangeley.

Hunter Cove (ca 1992)

Portland

Although only 90 minutes away; we just don't get to Portland often enough. Last night a gallery opening, and a good sushi dinner at Benkay.

Gilbert's Chowder House

Limpy the Deer

About a year ago we were distressed to encounter an injured deer that didn't look like it had a chance. This past month, Limpy, as we have come to call her, is back on the hill. It's uncomfortable watching the slow movements; but she looks healthy and alert.

Limpy (March 2009)

Five Great Days

Back at work after five great days. The photo below showing Upper Plunge with the fun not nearly used up yet...

Skier: Gidget

KTEX2009 Day 5

It was forecast to be snowy, but the day was blue skies and some wind. I found that the skiers right of everything on 9 was great. Speaking of Blue, air-Blue arrived in the afternoon, we had dinner at Hongas, drinks at Excelsior, then Noir Bar where Steve is still MIA.

Andy and Danni

Shep, Chrissie, and Clara

KTEX2009 Day 4

First tracks in ankle-deep pow down Plunge and Lookout. Any other commentary is superfluous.

KTEX2009 Day 3

A gorgeous, sunny day, if a little bit windy at times. Skied with the girls in the morning, then rendezvous with Gabriel for his 2PM local's "early start"...

KTEX2009 Day 2 PM

You just never know you may run into in this old mining town.

KTEX2009 Day 2 AM

Sun shining bright, I rode the fourth chair up 8 and the second up 9. Lookout, Bushwacker twice, and then Lookout to Cats Paw (still soft) to come back an meet Heidi at the airport. Sweet!

859AM at Chair 8