Skiing in the Rain

Jim, Dave and I each skied a set today in the rain. It has been a long time since my corneas have been pelted with rain drops as I endeavor to stay centered and lean away from the boat. I thought it would suck; but it was kind of cool. The slight disorientation made me care less about things I usually fret over. More fodder for my "full-seeming" life. Sorry fact: 600 mg of Ibuprofen is both the minimum dose required to mediate the pain from my fractured patella; and also, it seems, more than enough to cause an ulcer.

Low Water - Props Beware

The long, dry summer has become fall. The water on the pond is as low as I've ever seen it. Extra care is needed to stay off of the rocks.

Malibu Prop Repair

Hint of Fall (2010 Edition)

Every year it seams there is "The Tease", where it's all chilly and stuff for a week or so, and most everyone packs it in; then we have an "Indian Summer" in October. The `97 Nautique has had a great run this season, and with 539 cumulative hours, its off to its winter nap. Just a little early.

Brian into a headwind

Brooke cleaning up her 32

I like to say when it comes to the slalom course, "the difference between 32MPH and 34MPH can seem like a million". I've been there. My ski pal Brooke placed 32MPH solidly in her repertoire this summer. This video sequence is unfair, in that it's not what I saw in the mirror most of the time.

Brooke on Dubes (2010)

Brooke and Maggie (2004)

Kasim's "The Project"

This is a cool idea to support a friend and terrific talent: The Project
Here's what I submitted:

Kasim in the Bearsville Shop (1978)

Cece might be right

Cece, my dear friend and erstwhile Bushkill neighbor recently declared "Summer is Over". I begged to differ, but with the morning air at 55 degrees, and the pond water for the first time below 70, I think she might indeed be right. Certainly some more great days ahead; but the summer of 2010 is just about out of steam.

Davis Park, West Shokan, NY (1975)

September Watersking 2010

Day 65 and all is good: sore after two sets with Jim today.

Jim on deck

Shep on course

Camp Meadowlark 2010

We spent a glorious, chill weekend on Maidstone Lake in Vermont as guests at our friend's camp. Splendid!

Steve Relaxes

Beach Day 2010

Sitting on Old Orchard Beach. Nice.

Another Evening on the Pond

For an hour a day, more days each week than not, no-drama, and blissfully-sore.

Summer for Sure

Every year has its moment when summer is not only here for sure; but you question how much longer it can possibly last? 52 days on the water so far: A measure that we're healthy, not injured, and the weather, maybe a little too warm and dry, has cooperated.

Sultry Summer Evening

"Work has a habit of getting in the way of life", or so the saying goes. It has been hot and humid, almost oppressively so at the RF bench in our lab; with no time to break away for an evening set. That's OK; it's the exception, not the rule. And the pond almost looks like it is enjoying it!

August Evening, No Skiers Around

Kids Ride for Free

Over the years the pond has become more of an adult scene; although you couldn't tell that from our behavior. So it is fun to see some kids and their folks working their way towards the boat.

Evening on the Pond

Life is good when you can just show up, ski, and chill with like-minded souls that pretty much just want to do the same.

Camp Bisco Nine

"It's Fire!", a phrase that neatly sums up my appreciation of Camp Bisco Nine this past weekend. The music, the kids, and the vibe were all way-cool. Girl Talk was the most breakout-crazy tent scene. Our camp buddies, Mario and Sam, Lewis, Devon, Darryl, Jen, ..., all awesome-kind! ... The past: Camp Bisco Seven.

Diet of Summer

Summer came rolling in this July fourth weekend with good friends and food. It hasn't hurt that I've been out on the pond a lot too.

Bushkill-OCS Reunion 2010

Lynn, Tom, Charlene, Judi and Mary Lou did all the heavy-lifting; so I was glad to show up, talk in my hyper-stentorian tone, and try to explain (discover?) my behavior back in the day. We had an evening at the BI, a cookout at Davis Park, and a great time.

An Infinite Nowness

I think I prefer the notion of an "infinite nowness" to an "eternal nowness". The former feels more like a mathematical construct I might try to wrap my arms around; the latter too imbued with the spiritual construct of an "eternity". Either way, I dig the concept. It's a point projected to cover an n-dimensional space - which feels good!

Whammy's Hill, Rangeley ME (2000)

First Passes of 2010

Just a month after the "earliest-ever" ice-out, we are making our first turns and feeling good and sore. It's always good to be back. These first days are special. But I'm still sore.

Too soon for coaching?

Spring Again

A month now past the earliest ice-out I can remember. The buds are on the trees. The course is in the clear. And the promise of summer's slow-motion is just ahead.