Bullet points.

This could be short or could be long. I don’t know.

1)      Racism. I‘ve seen some discussion on the subject in KCL. All it takes is one human being who is different than another and BOOM you have potential for conflict. Education is the only way to solve racism.

2)      Straight A’s continue for Jovana, our exchange student. The kid should be an engineer. Unfortunately, they have no use for Engineers in her country. Engineers, Physicians and Lawyers are not well paid in Montenegro.

3)      Kelly has been pounded with snow these last couple of weeks. Friday and Saturday they are getting 15-26 inches of snow after having snow all week up in DC. Folks, we are from the beach where the snow never goes…It has officially freaked her out.

4)      Me? Oh I have completely lost my mind. I had two rentals come vacant at the end of January. One is rented already (Wonderful turn around and picked up 45 more bucks a month in rents.) The other? I should have it ready to show in the next two weeks. Those folks were not the cleanest humans on the planet. I will pick up an extra 45.00 bucks in rent there as well. Lots of work. Many long nights!!!

5)      Nurse Ratchet? Um, her mentor and old physician co-worker passed away suddenly about 2 weeks ago. He died of a massive heart attack. They worked together the day before he passed. She has cried everyday since. Not pretty. Actually, I have never seen her depressed. She is CRUSHED.

6)      My brother is working with one of the producers of Lady GaGa on some music tracks. They both went to Berklee together. Frankly, this is his big break. The downside? My brother is a monster in the studio. In fact, he has his own studio in his house. Killer. We are having a divorce party for him on the 8^th!!! It is official.

7)      My little sister? I love her. She is just back from a business trip to Atlantic City. She was excited. Me? You can keep Atlantic City. She has already fallen off the wagon on her running and diet.

      Hopefully, I can fix my golf cart tonight or tomorrow. I snapped a strut off jumping some dunes awhile back. Were we out of control? Yes. Was it fun? That cart should be outlawed.

9)      Superbowl? I see the Saints winning it unless Peyton Manning gets red hot.

10)  I miss you all very much. I still read you but have not logged on to comment or write. I think that status will be consistent for awhile.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

Well…

Here we are 18 and some odd years later. I can’t believe the kid is leaving for college already. We make our way out tomorrow evening. I remember the day she was born and the nurse first put her in my arms.

I remember all the events in between. I know because I have been there all her life. Now we will be left with an empty bedroom until she returns for the holidays or occassional weekend.

Kelly leaves for college tomorrow and I am excited yet sad that she is going to be away from us. DC may not be that far away but in my mind it is too far.

I know I have been harping on this subject for awhile. I will probably harp on it for a long time to come.

She is my little girl and always will be.

I am ruined. My little buddy is going away.

We come back on Saturday just in time for a funeral and then a going away party for some lovely friends. UGH!!!!

You know what? I sense the fall is coming. Hurricane season makes it obvious. I don’t like the fall….I really don’t like winter.

Nurse Ratchet cries so much I don’t know what I’m going to do.

The ride home will be long and full of emotions.

This chapter of our lives is over. A new chapter begins.

This little space has and always will be about the love I have for my family and friends. My life and world revolve around my family.

Time for Kelly to make her mark on the world….

Life moves pretty quickly.

Enjoy each day.

Peace be with you,
Bobby

Nurse ratchet at one of our favorite Surfing spots last we call the boilermaker or boiler. This steamship wreck is off the coast of The Pea Island wildlife refuge. If you look closely you can see the stack of the Oriental on the right.

When you paddle out about 100 yards you can see the ship underneath you of the water is clear. On good days the visibility is about 15 feet or so which make it a pretty good snorkle event.

You can’t miss a 200 plus foot boat under that stack so if you are surfing it, steer clear…

My mind often wanders to philosophical thoughts when it is raining. I write these posts just to air out my beliefs. I will confess to being somewhat eccentric and set in my ways. You see snapshots of my life, both the good and the not so good.

I make sure these snapshots are an accurate reflection of my perceptions at the time. I don’t mind exposing my weaknesses to you. I have found that you will always give me perspective.

I have run my series of lifecycles however. Just thinking about coaching soccer reminds me that I was once a player. I could play anywhere you wanted me but my specialty is and will always be as an attacking midfielder. Now that I am 45 and with heart issues *that* player has left my body forever. I am a great coach and think I have 15-20 more good years if needed in the sport. I sure am very qualified.

I remember being Jenny’s boyfriend well before I was Mabel’s boyfriend. Fortunately for me that previous relationship cycle came to an end. Mind you, I learned a lot from Jennifer (One of my guitars bears her name) but that relationship was a stepping stone for what was to become my destiny with Mabel.

I still make a good father and Mabel is still a wonderful mother. We are done in the baby business however. She hit menopause this year and I had the big snip several years ago. That part of our lifecycle is completely over. I want to add that I am a fantastic Uncle and have unlimited potential as a Grandfather so I guess my lifecycle duties will change somewhat.

I think it is safe to say that at 45 you look at productivity vs stagnation. I don’t have the classic midlife crisis like many of my peers. My life has always been filled with the people and activities I love so having a crisis isn’t my concern. I have all the tools and toys I could ever want. I am not one for owning anything if it doesn’t serve a purpose.

Family, Friends, Faith and Health are the cornerstones of any happy life. You can’t write a billion dollar check for any of these things to make them *real* either. I cling to this philosophy much like a survivor in a boat accident clings to a lifejacket.

I remind myself to enjoy my family, friends and health as they all have a lifecycle. Believing in something bigger than myself helps me get through the next tragedy and uplifts me when things go well.

Just remember to make the most out of every lifecycle along the way. Spinkle your life with ample amounts of love and I can assure you there will be some wonderful times ahead.

Will there be tragedy as well? Of course. Just make the most of the good times while you can.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

A pic of yours truly at Maho Bay on the Island of St. John.

I saw them walk out on stage last night. I know exactly what they were thinking. The anticipation of the crowd and the performers was tremendous. Watching musicians live out the dream is incredible. Incubus rocked the house.

I have lived that dream but not on that large of a scale. The largest festival I have played had close to 2000 people and I will never forget it as long as I live. We had over 800 watch us on father’s day this year and for me it was tremendous. I still have the big Rock & Roll dreams and I am 45. The sheer power must be overwhelming.

Anyhow, I was just thinking about the state of anticipation many of us feel when an event inspires us.

It could be anything. Preaching to the masses. The first pitch of a baseball game. The first big wave of the day, A piano recital. The list is endless I am sure.

I try my very best to live in a state of anticipation. It helps me stay organized and this anticipation allows me to focus on the next task or event.

Look to the future.

Live in the moment.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

Frisco Beach on the Island of Cape Hatteras. Shot taken July 2009.