“The countdown continues”
“We are in the final planning stages.”
Recharge all batteries. Buy sun screen. I have the koozies.
Today’s Crew Meeting, 10-20-13
I think it would be a good idea to get everybody together to discuss the upcoming launch. I can use my GoToMeeting software. Go to www.gotomeeting.com and download the software. (This is free and it won’t hurt.) If you hit a snag, email me. No phone is necessary. You simply use your computer’s mic and speakers. Very cool.
All questions can be asked which will give me the opportunity to dodge the one’s I can’t answer.
Due to a 5-hour time change for D&V, we will have to schedule wisely. D&V, tell me a good time and we will try to work around your bedtime habits. Since starting this note, we are already 3-minutes closer to blast off.
Today’s Captain’s Video. 9.19.13
One correction: Four cabins … not three.
(I have been in touch with the entire crew and everybody appears to be stoked. In the weeks to come I will be fine-tuning your preparation list which will not include “H.” (Frank, will explain the last sentence to Dougie.)
We need to discuss the “slush” fund which I believe will make life easier for all of us once underway … and even with pre-cruise food shopping. Supplies, on-shore meals, mooring ball rentals will be taken from the “fund” until it goes dry. Pick a number? How does $200/head sound? Be candid. I invite your thoughts. If there is anything left over we divide by eight and return accordingly after the captain takes his 60% cut. (This is a BVI Tradition that goes back 100 years.)
By the way, The St. Thomas Ferry (round trip) appears to be about $70.00. ($60 +). Stay tuned. Frank and Judy might be safer buying your own. Don’t purchase w/o speaking with me. The rest of us … I probably will handle through Sunsail.
I will be sending soon a list of what is included in the charter (stuff).
Refresh your camera batteries and buy a large chip in readiness to capture a week of memories. This promises to be one for the record books. (Speaking of which, I plan to stow my camera in a plastic bag to keep it safe from the salt air when not in use.)
Today’s Captain’s Communique. 8.12.13
As we approach launch a number of last minute thoughts and reminders probably will enter my mind. I would prefer that you file these under “Cautious Captain” rather than “Nervous Nellie.”
If you find me repeating what I consider to be important information, you can file these under one of two categories: (1) They are worth repeating, (2) I forgot I already told you this. I suppose there is a third option, I am a lousy editor. Again, I ask you to select with love in your heart.
So Captain Bly, get to the friggin point. The Dingy Painter. This is the line that attaches to the nose of the small boat we will be towing behind us. Although not publically announced yet, it appears that Bosun Norm Klieber will be named the “ODO.” This is not a title to be taken lightly and comes with two stripes. (No, not lines on your shoulder. Two Red Stripes. The Jamaican beer of choice. Oftentimes consumed with a stick of beef jerky in the BVI’s. Who knew?)
If you are one for nicknames, you can soon refer to Mr. Kleiber as Normodoo, or Odey for short. But back to biz. Pronounced: Norm-a-doo, or O-deeeee. **** see below.
In every book I have ever read on the subject, and that happens to be many, I noticed the same passage.
“No captain (worth his salt) has failed to chop up the dingy painter into a million pieces by forgetting the damn thing is back there while backing up.”
Yes, my good and capable crew, your captain is a member of good standing in this club, albeit entry was 30 years ago, if not 40 … off of the treacherous waters just north of Hell’s Gate while courting one Ms. Barbara DeGeronimo. I remember it as if it was just yesterday ….with knife in teeth, a tanned body with fine-tuned muscle development, the young lad dove 57 times under his sloop to free the tangled “painter” from his prop while siletnly earning the life-long respect and admiration from the young maiden in distress. (Yeah …. rght!) I wish this had made me a charter member in The Immaciated Painter Club (IPC), but it did not. That prestigeous position probably goes to Christopher Columbus, or perhaps some aborigine in Australia affectionately known as “Two Sheets.”
Why “Two Sheets?” you may ask. Simple. As you now know the “sheet” is the line that controls the sails. The original Australian Guppy Boats (back then called Guppy Boats for short) were rigged with three of these control items. Two for the jib and one for the main sail. Well, Mr Big Shot Aborigine failed to remember the #1 Back Up Rule (BUR) … always referenced in bold type as a sign of respect among us certified seagoing captains.) Yep. You guessed it. One sheet entered the water undetected (probably because Normodoo was not on board) and it was chewed up to smithereenes … now there were only two lines left (sheets.) Hence the nickname Two Sheets. Glad you asked? (Not to be confused with “Johnny Two-Sheets” the mob hitman from Carteret, NJ)
Where was I?
WE DO NOT WANT THE DINGY PAINTER, OR ANY OTHER LINE, ROPE, TWINE, STRING, SHEET, PILLOW OR MATTRESS FOR THAT MATTER TO GET FOULED IN EITHER ONE OF OUR TWO PROPELLERS. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN (JUST ONCE) THE QUESTION SURFACING AT EVERY REMAINING DINING EXPERIENCE (BE IT ONBOARD OR IN SOME ELEGANT BEACHFRONT CHOW-DOWN SHACK OR BROKEN-DOWN BAR ON SHORE) WILL BE: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO NORMADOO?
CAPICHE?
PS. ODO, aka Normadoo or Odey = Official Dingy Operator.
Note: Johnny Two-Sheets died in 1962 from an overdose of RedStrip Beer and Jamican Beef Jerky, Consider yourself warned.
Today’s Captain’s Communique. 7.23.13
Footware. There are a few things that will put a crink in your vacation. One such thing is a stubbed toe which is easy to do when you are running naked around a five ton frigate propelled by an oversized bed sheet. The fact that this is not a sloop (single masted, single hull) and it is a cat (double hull = flat surface) is in our favor. (Still, be on the lookout for Kleiber’s pop-tops. Kath is working on this). As far as I am concerned, there is no need to sleep in your boat shoes unless you are a tad delinquent on your seasonal toe-clipping responsibilities.
On deck? Come sea – Come sa! Optional footware on deck and underway. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. (I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds like something the captain should say.) You might want some water shoes for when you enter the pool at the Baths. (Dougie — not when you “take” a bath, when you visit the “baths.”) Don’t buy red ones … I hear that the Tortola Tiger fish are attracted to red, orange, yellow, Bermuda blue and chartruse.)
So where are we? I often wear flimsy water shoes … simply because they kind of look sexy … after a few cold ones. What should you be considering? Nothing expensive … if at all. Just beware and consider yourself warned that you might want something light on your feet at times … just because. A light (old) pair of tennis sneaks (trainers) would suffice. Just remember that a wet deck can become slippery. A slippery deck can become precarious … and Precarius was a greek god of Jost Van Dyke who also had a beachside swim up bar. Go figure! Stay with me. This is your Captain speaking.
Note To Frank: Note to Frank: (The inference here should be obvious.) Wingtips won’t cut it … although they too look sexy when accompanied with bermuda shorts and black knee sox. (Judester– double check Frank’s luggage before leaving home. I swear to god I’ll throw his wingtips to the Tiger Fish. If he insists, bring his red ones.)
