Archive for the ‘Random Thoughts’ Category

Preposterous, when you think of the time that each has spent.
Words heaven sent and truly meant to show
Old, may I sit down here and learn today?
I’ll hear all you say.
I won’t go away.
– dexy’s midnight runners

So, I was driving along just west of my home town here in Wisconsin and caught the glimpse of a boat out of there corner of my eye.  Kayakers know this sensation well.  We can spot a small hull at midnight from 500 yards away while traveling at the speed of sound.  I drove by it the first time around not wanting to let my crazy curiosity get the best of me.  The second time by, I knew I had to stop.    Read the rest of this entry »

September ’75 I was 47 inches high
Mom said someday I would have
A bad ass mother G.I. Joe
for your little minds to blow
I still got beat up after class
– ben folds

“Wow, those are some impressive numbers Greg.” “Yes, they are Marve. Now let’s see what the judge from Denmark has to say.” - So here’s the thing.  I’ve been pissing a lot of folks off recently. I even pissed off the manager of the local homeless shelter! Unusual for me, really.  But I’ve been told if you are not making someone mad, you’re hiding.  I get that…

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Everybody gonna jump and shout
Everybody gonna sing it out
Everybody gonna dance around tonight
Well you can come on to my place if you want to
You can do anything you want to do…
-mccartney

I have to tell you, I really dislike events where the organizers spend too much time telling coaches and participates what sort of time they are having; “We had a great day, didn’t we!!?”, “What wonderful weather we had today!” (so far so good….), “Remember, the most important thing we should do today is have FUN!”, (Warning! Warning!) “Give yourselves all a round of applause!”  (There’s the wind up, here comes the pitch!) “Fun, great, fun, wonderful, fun, great, fun, weather, wonderful, fun, love, vendor, fun, sun, wonderful fun on a sticky bun fun!!!!”… (AND…. breath!)

You know what I’m on about!  While all this pep talking might be fine in small doses, I think everyone knows what sort of “time” they are having and telling them shouldn’t be necessary.  In fact when people start telling me what sort of time I’m having, I start to feel psychic beat down coming.   Read the rest of this entry »

Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who? – the who

A Facebook page is a free, no brainer way to market your company.  Not having a Facebook page today suggests either a  unique marketing mindset or lack of it… Some companies see social media is a way to really connect with their customers, provide better customer support and as a way to reach out to the next generation as well. Some companies simply feel they don’t need or have the time to deal with social marketing.  I’m in the first group in that I think some companies will be regretting their lack of connection now in about 10 years or so.. but that’s my opinion and I could certainly be daft as brush…   Read the rest of this entry »

To draw you must close your eyes and sing. – Pablo Picasso

Do you have a paddling song?  Maybe a whole repertoire? What songs do you sing when you paddle?  How did you choose them?

People have paddling songs for lots of reasons.  Some folks sing in groups just because they are class clowns or entertainers.  I remember once paddling with a group of guys who knew all the lyrics to all the songs of the classic nautical musical, “HMS Pinafore”.  That took some work and obviously needed to be shared around whenever possible!  Besides, what better way to impress the girls than singing tunes from “The Lass that Loved a Sailor”? Read the rest of this entry »

We told each other that we were the wildest
The wildest things we’d ever seen
Now I wished you would have told me
I wished I could have talked to you
Just to say goodbye – springsteen

The city of Two Rivers, Wisconsin has a Current Designs kayak on every corner along the main street.  Kayaks also decorate the fronts of a variety of businesses in the area as well.  The city even dedicated a park to the local kayaker’s called appropriately “Paddler’s Park”.   Two Rivers is a kayaker’s town.  Paddlers have the tireless advocacy of local businessman and kayaker Phil Rohrer to thank for the city’s attentions.  Thanks to Phil and the local clubs he inspired Wisconsin had a paddler’s mecca in the making… Read the rest of this entry »

I’d love to get a letter / Like to know what’s what
Hope the weather’s good / And it’s not too hot
For you
Everyone says hi – bowie

Just a moment to check in with everyone that’s been following along here at KayakQuixotica.com for some years now.  Yeah, I’m still alive!  How about you?? LOL!  For my part, I’ve been paddling daily again for a while now.  I just keep the silly kayak on the Jeep at all times so I can quickly jump in the water over lunch or right after I drop my son off to school. I recently did a wilderness first aid course and am spending Memorial weekend in Milwaukee doing an ACA ICE with my friend JB.  It looks like great weather for a paddle and s**t weather for L4 certification.

Regarding paddling Scotland.. Oh man.  Yeah, I want to and have the trip forefront in my mind.  However some family heath issues have really forced me to stay close to home for more than a few days at a time over the last year or so.  No sense in detailing it, but if I can reasonably find a way to escape for a few weeks without having to fret .. I’d take it.  I’d give anything for a bit of ‘me’ time at the moment… Read the rest of this entry »