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

Hmmm,

Just sitting here thinking about life.

I got an email this morning and my sister tells me her Best friends brother in law (and passenger) died in a car wreck last night. These men were 20 and 21 years old.  Single car crash at a high rate of speed. All over the news of course…

God knows I have done my share of that stuff. I guess it wasn’t my time.

My other buddy texted me to let me know his son got into Cornell University. This is the same 17 year kid who wrecked his motorcycle and broke a wrist, knee and ruptured a testicle. We call Chris “Captain Blueball”. Guess it wasn’t his time.

I hit a jetty once when I was surfing. I was knocked out and broke my board. My friend pulled me to shore and I have no recollection of the incident till this very day other than blood all over the back of my head and my broken board.  Ever heard the phrase “Swim with a buddy”?  Trust me it makes sense. You would have never met me if I wasn’t saved by my buddy Bruce.

Looking back, I was upset about my board. I was too stupid to think I could have died. I never told my parents exactly what happened.  You just put this stuff out of your mind.

Every day we live, we run the risk of dying. I accept these risks as a part of life. I would rather live my life as a series of experiences.

We only get one chance.

Make today count. While you are at it, tell someone you love them.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

Holy Cow.

What a night! There are many parts of my city that are still flooded.

I think peak winds hit us around 75 miles an hour and we had tidal surges that covered all the streets leading away from our Peninsula.  Our tidal surges in other words made the water levels rise seven feet above mean high tide. The water came up to the dunes!!!

I live 16 feet above sea level. I’m okay.  There are several places in this area where your house is barely above sea level. I think I lost a privacy fence at one of my rentals. I have to check it later this evening. My problems are nothing.

My house had a leak coming across the garage floor slab that goes to our mechanical room, mudroom and garage. We worked on that issue from 3pm till 1am. 

I’m happy to report we kept the water from flooding this area but it was a LOT of work.  No house is waterproof and heavy winds blowing rain against your house will force water to seek its lowest level.

I am lucky.

There are multitudes of people who lost their homes. I’m sure the damage is incredible. I saw several boats above the piers by my home for instance. Not pretty.

Emergency services made several rescues and we are still assessing the damage. As in they had to go fetch people out of their homes by boat!!!

Gonna be a long weekend. I have lots to do and plenty of neighbors to help.

Peace,

Bobby

Today is absolutely gorgeous. Low 60’s at night and low 80’s during the day.  Water temps are still hovering around 74 degrees. Fall is coming in slowly!!! Hooray!

Sense of humor? Oh yes. I still have my whacked out sense of humor.

What have I been doing lately?  Well…You know those mortars you buy in South Carolina? I have taken to riding around on my golfcart, stopping and firing one off and moving on to the next location. They are beautiful I want to add but it scares the neighbors….Normally, I can fire off 3 or 4 rounds before someone complains.

My golf cart is now a mobile mortar launcher!!!

Four wheelin’ on the beach is something we do several times a week during the fall winter and spring.  We get absolutely retarded in that stupid golf cart. RETARDED!!!! Come to think of it I am retarded with everything I drive…

Lifting weights and running? Yes, I still am thank you for asking.  My speed on distance runs has betrayed me. Aww heck, my speed has betrayed me across the board who am I kidding?!

No more heart episodes. I’ll be happy to put that behind me forever if I can.

it is official. The Redskins absolutely stink. I am prepared for a long ugly season. All I can say is thank God it is soccer season around the rest of the world!!!! I mean who loses to the Lions? (Say REDSKINS!!!)

Put a hair gizzy or rubber band around your kitchen sink sprayer (Thus keeping it on) and aim it where someone would turn on the faucet. Get’s ‘em everytime!!! Love Love love that trick!!!! Works best at Thanksgiving or Christmas!! Getting your dad on a Sunday morning before church scores triple points.

Tell ‘em Fiju-Fic sent ya.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

Yom Kippur ends at sundown.  This is the holiest of all Jewish holidays.  During this time they seek out forgiveness of their sins against God and others…Interesting that this is their holiest of all days. I think it to be the most lovely of all traditions and holidays no matter who you are or what you believe.

The fall is here and is evident in the way the shadows dwindle on the landscapes. I will do my very best to embrace the fall although I do not like it.

You can still find me on the beach in my spare time. My skin still reflects my time spent by the water. No worries, I’ll be there through the winter….

Things I love? Hmmm these things are beyond any little list.

This journal has and always will be about the people, places and things I love.

Stay tuned.

Peace be with you,

Bobby

Perhaps the best fishing pier on the planet….

Frisco Beach on Cape Hatteras July 2009.

Perspective is a real eye opener. Sometimes, I take for granted the things we do and see.

We have a foreign exchange student from Montenegro. She is the youngest of three girls that have stayed with our family in some form or fashion. Saska is 31, Sanjice is 29 and Jovanna is 17.

They come from a very nice family. They personally know the Prime Minister and all that stuff…Anyhow…getting back to Jovanna.

Hmmm…She is very reserved and only opens up around our family. There is absolutely nothing athletic about her at all. N-O-T-H-I-N-G. There is no teaching her how to surf. Too dangerous. Can she sing? Um, nope. I am polite because I hear her singing when she is happy (Which is often). Ladies and gentlemen; she can’t sing. God bless her pointed little head, even teaching her how to ride a mountain bike hasn’t been easy.

She does speak several languages and can even translate that old Russian in Syrillic if you need it. She is a very applied student and makes straight A’s in all of her classes so far including her AP courses. I have told her that she needs to join some clubs to increase her base of friends at school. Meeting people and making the transition to friendship is difficult for her.

Our trips to The Outer banks and to DC have blown her away. Montenegro is small and they don’t usually take road trips like we do. College life here is very different than their college life.

At the end of the day she tells me all of the neat and unique experiences she has enjoyed with us and that she looks forward to all of the adventures yet to come.

Life is all about the experiences….

Kelly joins us this weekend. I am looking forward to it.

I hope that you and those you love have a wonderful Labor day weekend.

See you on the beach.

Peace,
Bobby

I use that term to describe someone who has gone crazy.

Mabel has “left the reservation” for instance. I don’t think I have ever seen Nurse Ratchet cry so much in the span of a month….

The good news? Kelly has acclimated to her new living arrangement. Her first classes begin today. We have already heard several stories of alcohol related incidents at school which have resulted in trips to the ER in one case…Kelly has always told us most everything that goes on in her life and college is no exception.

We have always been close and remain close. Now we spend lots of time sending absurd picture texts or short recordings to each other via text messages. She sent me one of a can of Ravioli for instance. I sent one of a concert in the park last night.

They have one diner on campus that is only open from 9pm till 4am for instance. That is crazy. Then of course the other stuff that makes you bite your tongue. Late nights rule college campuses across the country.

I *think* she comes home over Labor Day weekend. Hard to keep that kid away from the beach I swear.

The surf was up at the S turns this weekend but I didn’t go because I no longer have my surfin’ buddy to join me. Maybe next week? Who knows? In terms of watersports she is still my go to girl. I managed to spend time with my wife, sister and friends all day yesterday.

I sense the fall weather continues to creep into the picture. I imagine we will give up the beach stands by the time November rolls around.

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.

Just to share the love a bit….She is from Michigan of course. We have some pretty salty lighthouses. I will see all three of these the weekend of the 22nd.

Cape Hatteras

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Ocracoke Island Lighthouse.

Yes, I took all these pics.

See you at the beach!

Cheers,
Bobby