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

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…

Easter weekend.

I spent most of the time working on our house and lawn. I’m slowly preparing the band room to be rented by the end of May 2009. We expect to be very picky about that tenant so you just never know. It will add another 10,000 in cash flow to our household which pays for half of Kelly’s college expenses.

Kelly has committed to attending a college and we are in the process of working out her arrangements. Sending her away is going to be expensive.

Mabel has a good lead on a good job but she has to travel fairly far to work. I have a few fair leads on some okay jobs but nothing has hopped out at me for the moment.

I’m not comfortable and have been unable to relax for the longest time. I sure would like to know what the future holds.

On a lighter note I am moving my band room into an upstairs bedroom so music will still be available to me in a smaller space. I can live with that thought.

Mabel and I have been spending a lot of our nervous energy getting in shape. Both of us have lost about 15 pounds. I have noticed my running pace has improved considerably. I could stand to lose another 10 to 15 pounds so that my weight was right at 170-175.

How did we do it? Simple really. Eat less, exercise more etc. The real secret is to cease your intake of any soda, bread, hollow snacks and alcohol.

Stress is also a factor. We have stress in abundance. Lots and lots of stress.

Spring is upon us and I am looking forward to many a long, hot summer day outdoors.

Peace,
Bobby