Some wise person once said, “you’d never eat a hot dog if you knew what was in them”. I can’t argue with that! So why’s my paddle 10 fathoms below the surface? This is a shot of me working on reverse sweeps. Sometimes I just get my paddle too far down there!

So here’s the tid bits. Yes, you may have read Aled Williams has left Rockpool and is now starting his own company called “IN-UIT“. The plan is to produce kayaks using some modern methods and to be able to hit the international market. Good for Aled!! Rockpool will continue onward as well. So many choices!! A couple people asked if that effects Wendy and I. Well, yes but I can’t tell you exactly how yet. Stay tuned.

Over on Simon Willis’ Blog is an interesting question. What do you think of putting lights on a paddle? Sort of taking the Lendal Glow in the Dark blades a step further. Well, there is a little questionaire to fill out over there, so state your opinion. Really, go for it!

Justine Curgenven has posted some of her recent articles on her website. A couple of good reads especially for us in the states who don’t get the UK magazine “Paddles“. You can find those here. She also displayed the full cover of This Is The Sea 3 on her blog. So that’s nice to see. . well, I’ve seen it. . . a lot.

Now if you think I’m a bit bi-polar for posting a “normal” news blog soon after one of my moody little diatribes. . . Well, I am! Well, no but remember the bit about “friends”. . . You cheered me up! Thanks!

Ok. What’s going on with this new year? I’ve got to tell you I’m not having a great couple of weeks. Feels like there’s a bush fire and there’s no direction to run without getting burned. Some animals stand, stunned as the flames encircle them. Others run into the fire, some survive and some don’t. I’m a run into the fire sort. But now I question my survival. I must focus and get through the flames.

I’ve been sick to my soul with some of the heartless blathering around the web. I’m sick of hearing people rip into others, releasing their own jaded perceptions of the world. Listen, I’m jaded. I trust very few people. Yet I have to tell you, the one major attraction I’ve felt to the kayak world has been the quality of the people holding the paddles. Almost without exception I’ve met the most wonderful people I could have ever imagined since I’ve been involved in this sport. In getting to know so many of you I’ve learned that although we’re all human and have our faults most of us are people who strive to be simply, good. I honor you for that. So to you mean spirited souls; Say what you will, let ‘er rip. Start a fire. Insult, criticize, lambaste, harangue, attack, do what ever brings you joy. It’s ok by me. I want you to feel good too.

Here at Quixotica I write each day from my stomach. It can certainly be a wild ride. Lately I’ve been feeling nauseous. Stress, loss, deceit, self-righteous meanness, has taken a toll. Lucky these things pass. I will surround myself in the beauty of the people I’ve come to care for. They will again remind me that all is not lost. I will remember that I got into paddling for the water, I became addicted because of the people. Friends, mentors & heroes, I’ve come to hold great affection for each of them.

There’s a saying I’ve pinned to my desk, “Don’t let the bastards bring you down”. “Ok me”, I won’t.

There, I feel much better now.

I got off on a diatribe. Of course you’ll never see it. Delete buttons are great that way. You can just blather on about whatever comes to mind then hit, “Delete”. I thought since it was Valentines day I might make a stab at the heart. . . well, love anyway but I found I’m way too strange to tackle that subject. When I think about Valentines day I start wondering weird things like how many kids will get suspended for handing out Valentines Cards. In our world I think those tacky sayings would probobly constitute some form of assault, well, harassment at the very least! If I could make a Valentines card. It would have a nice white frilly white lace front with no words. On the inside in nice silver script it would say, “Nice Bum!”.

Valentines day could also be seen as religious. That could cause problems as well. I wonder, can government employees send other government employees valentines cards or would that be a violation of the separation of church and state? I know what you’re saying, “Valentines day is not a religious holiday”. Well there is this:

“There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine’s Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it “From Your Valentine”. Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.”

On the other hand like most holidays we have here in the western world it all comes back to Rome;

Valentine’s Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.”

And then I got thinking about Valentines day gifts. Sure some people like flowers. Others would be bloody offended. Oh, and what about those red teddybears?? You know there are about 10,000 of those poor bears in bins at the second hand stores this time of year. All with dates like “1983″ on their bellies! You can buy a woman lacy underwear and take your chances. You might spend the evening in bliss, or just as possible you may spend it alone. Woman could just as easily buy guys some of those leather Speedo type things. . Thing is would she really want to see a guy in leather Speedos!?!? I think NOT! Well not in my world anyway. Thing is giving your partner, friend, companion sexy gear is really all about you anyway. “Happy Valentine’s Day Dear. I love me. Would you put these on and show me how much you love me as well!?. Well, at least she gets a card!! Yikes!

I don’t know about you but I’ve decided that chocolate is the only safe gift left. But then chocolate has that funky chemical, Anandamide in it. Back to jail you go. Thought you were giving her chocolate but actually you were being introduced to the long tawdry history of “Micky Finn“.

So happy Valentines day. Be careful out there!!

I have to admit it’s a bit hard to move forward from the weekend. Somehow though it seems like it’s time for me to get back into the swing. The picture above is just a little reminder that us kids in Wisconsin do know what big seas are all about. This is really an amazing shot. This is a big beast of a cargo ship getting a good seeing to by Lake Superior. To see a few more photos of the frightful Gales of November Go Here.

On the other hand. . It could be the North Atlantic doing a mean impersonation of Lake Superior. . .

* photo by John Henegan. Used by Permission. Thank you!

I walked into the gas station to grab a soda. It was 7am and the winter sun was just slipping down the streets of the little town. The man behind the counter smiled, “Gonna be a great day!”. Yep. It was. I was devastated. I was an EMT and I had just left a suicide. When the crew left to take the person from the home, it was decided I’d hang around a bit until more family arrived. A young woman just sat on the steps in her pajamas. I sat beside her as an officer moved around in silence in the bathroom around the corner. We never spoke. The rustling of my bulky EMS jacket seemed like an invasion. I tried to sit as still as I could. Slowly the sky out the window began to light a strangers living room. Christmas lights twinkled. A car arrived. Without a word we exchanged our watch. Sister? Cousin? Aunt? Didn’t matter. She now had family. A few days would pass and the questions would begin, but in this cold December morning there was nothing to say.

I woke up this morning. I could not resist browsing the news. I dare say like you, I was hoping for answers. Instead I found a picture of Vicki sitting alone beside Andrew’s boat that had been loaded on to a trailer. Something like many of us, I did not want to see. In the flurry and madness of it all, you reach out for your partner. You steal a moment, you gather your strength. Then you straighten your back and go back in there to fight another day.

Monday is coming in New Zealand. The world is oblivious. The work week has arrived. The ritual rush is on. Someone, a clerk, a passer by, will ask cheerfully “How ya do’in today?” You’ll look at them briefly, the last 48 hours will flash through your mind. You’ll look to the ground and say, “Fine.”