Arrived back in Key West today after a week at sea. We took a fews days heading down to the Dry Tortugas(a national park and island with Fort Jefferson on it) and then spent a few days exploring the area and doing some diving. It was a great adventure...with many exciting moments. Especially the night that the winds got so high that our anchor began to drag and we found oursleves nearly hitting another boat at around 2am....good experience "What to do when your anchor comes loose in the middle of the night and the winds are cranking and you don't have much control."
Other highlights where the Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies...these are the birds that are in the middle of mating season...wow that was a sight and a noise I must say. We were anchored right next to the island that thousands return to every year for a wild mating frenzy. They literally fly around day and night nonstop...very loud.
Went diving...that was great. Felt so good to be under the water again...ahhh I love the underwater realm...peaceful and mysterious place. Got my sea legs too...learned how to stand and walk to maintain balance. Its like you are surfing...keep your knees bent and move with the waves. No seasickness....yipee...just a little twinge in my tummy here and there. Spent a lot of time on the bow spirit(very front part sticking off the bow) taking in all the beauty and practicing my balance. Its my favorite spot...the rythmic motion of the boat on the waves and the sound of the water splashing against the hull soothes your soul and softens any thoughts running through your mind. Gazing out onto the vast ocean and sky that spreads out infront of you in all directions really has a way of putting things into perspective. Many dolphins came to visit us on our sails....many times I rode right above them on the bow spirit and drummed on the fiberglass to keep their couriosity...they are attracted to the rhythms.
Heading to Ft. Lauderdale for the last leg of my time here.....no Bahamas or the Caribe....they will have to wait until next time. Its all good...everything happens the way its supposed to and many times not the way you expected.
Lots of love to all and all and all.
Kristen
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
29th Birthday Mission:"Grab 29 Asses"
I just had my 29th Birthday on Monday here in Key West. Yvonne(crewmate) and I went out for a casual night on the town and started the night at Hogsbreath for live music and good food. Since our table faced the stage, we had view of everyone's backside and this turned into a conversation about different types "ass" and how the pants can either hide or accentuate a person's ass. We started thinking we should do reseach on the subjet and that turned into the idea that my birthday mission should be to grab 29 asses. I was a bit timid at first and didn't like the idea of grabbing without asking first and so I asked each person very kindly "Excuse me, would you mind if I grabbed your ass?" I could not believe how many men did not ask why or say no....they simply turned around and allowed me to take hold of one cheek and smile for the picture. I was astonished that they were not offended and only one person out of 29 said no....he was on duty "Key West Rescue Squad" and said there were too many people around according to him. But he did say that I could grab his ass later when he got off work. =) The best part of the whole experience was that not only was it fun for me and Yvonne, but it brought joy to everyone we encountered. They actually felt honored that we chose them for my mission. This silly little stunt, showed me how good it makes people feel to be noticed, even if its for something like this. I met more interesting, kind, and fun people in one night than I could imagine. Below are the photos...
Taxi Cab 2 Ass(also known as Family Man Ass).We held up traffic for this shot
Random Guy Ass
Cop Ass....heehee, he had no idea.
Bartender Ass
First Ass of the night....Petty Cab Ass
Old Man Ass
BONUS: Listening to Ass
Taxi Cab 1 Ass..check out his expression
Taxi Cab 2 Ass(also known as Family Man Ass).We held up traffic for this shot
Random Guy Ass
Chick Ass...she saw me grab random guy and wanted her's grabbed, too
Security Ass
Cop Ass....heehee, he had no idea.
Musician Ass...he thought I was making a song request..."Can I grab you ass, please?"
Two in one Ass. Also BONUS:Hugging Ass
No see um Ass. He was sitting down when I made my selection
Bartender Ass
Sacrificial Ass. His wife volunteered him
Surprise bare ass! Didn't see that one coming.
Lonely Ass. I thought he was going to say No, but he was surprisingly cooperative
Football Player Ass
Staff Ass. Just kept on working like it was a normal occurance.
Drummer Ass. He saw the bum ass grab and wanted his ass grabbed, too.
Spread-um Ass. He was at the crime scene as was willing to play the part.
Rescue Squad Ass. BONUS: "No you cannot grab my ass"
Bearded Ass or Blurry Ass
Illegal Ass. Didn't ask permission for this grab.
Spring Break Guys Ass. Not enough hands, had to use a foot, too
Butt Crack Ass
Innocent Ass
Lonely Ass. I thought he was going to say No, but he was surprisingly cooperative
Football Player Ass
Staff Ass. Just kept on working like it was a normal occurance.
Reluctant Ass. He didn't see the humor in it, but didn't say No.
Bum Ass...he was especially delighted with my request.
Drummer Ass. He saw the bum ass grab and wanted his ass grabbed, too.
Spread-um Ass. He was at the crime scene as was willing to play the part.
Rescue Squad Ass. BONUS: "No you cannot grab my ass"
Pet and Grab Ass. This was my personal favorite
Pirate Ass...another favorite
Bearded Ass or Blurry Ass
Illegal Ass. Didn't ask permission for this grab.
BONUS: Triple Ass Grab
Inspirational Ass. Also a BONUS:Kiss Ass.
This was the ass that we saw at the begining of the night who started the whole conversation. I saw him 4 hours later and asked "Could I please kiss your ass, because it inspired my birthday mission and is the reason we have had such a fun night?" He was very pleased to know his ass could have had such an effect. =)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sailing Through the Night
We left Naples Friday and made a short sail down the coast to Marco Island. On Saturday we left port at 7am and sailed all day and through the night until we arrived in Key West Sunday around 11am. It was wonderful!
I have always imagined what it would be like to be so far out, no land in sight for hours and then what it would feel like to sail through the night with darkness all around. But you can only imagine, then your there in it...and you think I could never imagine the feeling that I am having right now, because your imagination doesn't do it justice.
We took shifts through the night and I could barely sleep because I was so absorbed in the beauty of the night. As I lay tucked in my sleeping bag watching the top of the sails and mast track along side Orion, I kept having to remind myself where I was....in the middle of the ocean, all alone and nothing but occasional dolphins who ran along side us, the stars, clouds and moon. I dosed in and out of sleep until I took the helm at 230am for my shift. Steering the boat feels like a form of meditation because you find a point in the horizon if their is one to line up with and focus on it. Luckily, we were close enough to land by that time that I could line the bow spirit(pointy thing on front of boat) up with the a little flashing red beacon. Its a bit hypontizing cause you are constantly dipping over the waves and focusing on just that light. The coolest was how it seems like the night will never end and all of a sudden day breaks and the darkness fades....just nature reminding us once again that there must be darkness to have light and vice versa.
We celebrated my birthday here in Key West...that is whole other post in itself with pictures and everything. Right now the winds are not in our favor to head to our next destination, so we are hanging in Key West and doing day sails and diving. I went down today for the first time in 4 years...it felt great to be under the water again.
I have always imagined what it would be like to be so far out, no land in sight for hours and then what it would feel like to sail through the night with darkness all around. But you can only imagine, then your there in it...and you think I could never imagine the feeling that I am having right now, because your imagination doesn't do it justice.
We took shifts through the night and I could barely sleep because I was so absorbed in the beauty of the night. As I lay tucked in my sleeping bag watching the top of the sails and mast track along side Orion, I kept having to remind myself where I was....in the middle of the ocean, all alone and nothing but occasional dolphins who ran along side us, the stars, clouds and moon. I dosed in and out of sleep until I took the helm at 230am for my shift. Steering the boat feels like a form of meditation because you find a point in the horizon if their is one to line up with and focus on it. Luckily, we were close enough to land by that time that I could line the bow spirit(pointy thing on front of boat) up with the a little flashing red beacon. Its a bit hypontizing cause you are constantly dipping over the waves and focusing on just that light. The coolest was how it seems like the night will never end and all of a sudden day breaks and the darkness fades....just nature reminding us once again that there must be darkness to have light and vice versa.
We celebrated my birthday here in Key West...that is whole other post in itself with pictures and everything. Right now the winds are not in our favor to head to our next destination, so we are hanging in Key West and doing day sails and diving. I went down today for the first time in 4 years...it felt great to be under the water again.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Back in Naples
I bid Ft. Myer's farewell last night and spent the night on the boat here in Naples. It felt good to be back at my floating home and to see Cap't Roy again. He has gone down to Key West today to pick up Yvonne and her kayak and the plan is to head out tomorrow. I have how to both believe that things will go as planned, yet not get attached to if they really do. Naples is a nice place and I have already scoped out some good places to visit, should our departure be delayed. They have a wildlife rescue here, some nice shopping, a yoga studio, and some great little coffee shops.
Today visited nearly every pawn and thrift shop in town looking for a deal on a wet suit. None were found but I picked up two movies, a straw hat, a bag for $5 bucks and almost bought a bong and seriously wanted to buy a set of beautiful congo drums. I was surprised to see so many drums, is it just Florida or do lots of pawn shops in Texas have drums? I passed on the drums knowing there was no way to get those suckers home with me and ended up getting a brand new wet suit that cost more then I wanted to spend....so I sang "Happy Birthday to me....." to make myself feel better. My 29th b-day in 5 days....wonder where I will be. Hopefully on the water. Spring Break is happening here......I had the pleasure of watching a "Booty Shaking Contest" on the beach yesterday....some of those girls should be professionals, they sure could shake it!
That's about all for now....if you don't hear from me for a while, that means we are sailing!!!! The first stop is the Dry Tortugas, which is known for its amazing diving.
Lots of love to all!
Today visited nearly every pawn and thrift shop in town looking for a deal on a wet suit. None were found but I picked up two movies, a straw hat, a bag for $5 bucks and almost bought a bong and seriously wanted to buy a set of beautiful congo drums. I was surprised to see so many drums, is it just Florida or do lots of pawn shops in Texas have drums? I passed on the drums knowing there was no way to get those suckers home with me and ended up getting a brand new wet suit that cost more then I wanted to spend....so I sang "Happy Birthday to me....." to make myself feel better. My 29th b-day in 5 days....wonder where I will be. Hopefully on the water. Spring Break is happening here......I had the pleasure of watching a "Booty Shaking Contest" on the beach yesterday....some of those girls should be professionals, they sure could shake it!
That's about all for now....if you don't hear from me for a while, that means we are sailing!!!! The first stop is the Dry Tortugas, which is known for its amazing diving.
Lots of love to all!
The first "Last Night" in Ft. Myer's
BELOW:Roy's family (Shelly & Ryan) and Yvonne
Arm-balances can be good party tricks!
The Funnies Page
One of the things I look forward to each week in Ft. Myer's is the publication of The Island Sand Paper. This local paper has the greatest Funnies Page.....I have decided to share my favorite one so far.
The IRS decided to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor was not surprised when Grandpa showed up with his attorney.
The auditor said, "Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable."
"I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it," says Grandpa. "How about a demonstration?"
The auditor agrees and Grandpa says, "I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye." The auditor thinks for a moment and says "It's a bet."
Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops and Grandpa says, "Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye." Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet.
Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand with Grandpa's attonery as a witness. He starts to get nervous.
"Want to go double or nothing?" Grandpa asks, "I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into the wastebasket on the other side and never get a drop anywhere in between."
The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibily manage that stunt, so he agrees again.
Grandpa stands besides the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightly, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk.
The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win. But Grandpa's own attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.
"Are you okay?" the auditor asks. "Not really," says the attorney. "This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it!"
Hahahaha.......Clever little Grandpa, huh?!?
Don't Mess with Old People
The IRS decided to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor was not surprised when Grandpa showed up with his attorney.
The auditor said, "Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable."
"I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it," says Grandpa. "How about a demonstration?"
The auditor agrees and Grandpa says, "I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye." The auditor thinks for a moment and says "It's a bet."
Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops and Grandpa says, "Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye." Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet.
Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand with Grandpa's attonery as a witness. He starts to get nervous.
"Want to go double or nothing?" Grandpa asks, "I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into the wastebasket on the other side and never get a drop anywhere in between."
The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibily manage that stunt, so he agrees again.
Grandpa stands besides the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightly, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk.
The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win. But Grandpa's own attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.
"Are you okay?" the auditor asks. "Not really," says the attorney. "This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it!"
Hahahaha.......Clever little Grandpa, huh?!?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Expect the Unexpected
Well, we left port last Tuesday, sailed for 7 hours, enjoyed a lovely sunset from the boat and then hauled the boat out of the water in Naples, FL. Yes, another minor set back. That silly crack in the fiberglass around the rudder post just didn't want to stay fixed and we had a nice little stream of water coming through it.
I have been chillin' in Ft. Myer's again. Everyone has gotten a good laugh out of my return. They call us Boomarang 2. You see, there was these Australians a couple years back that were going through the same pains of re-fitting a boat. They had a big party when they left, the next day the boat was back for repair, left again, came back again, etc. Hints the name Boomarang. So I guess I am actually the boomarang in this story because the boat didn't come all the way back, but I did. Since the boat isn't here to be worked on, I have had some free time to explore more of what Ft. Myer's has to offer. I have met more interesting people, have spent nearly every sunset on the beach, and many in a canoe with my friend Carveth playing hand drums. I spend my mornings reflecting on what I am learning about myself through the hardships and rewards of this experience and through the relationships I have formed with those around me. Luckily, I have my dear friend Bob to ponder life with from the deck of his boat with Parish(the sweetest little pup who helps me not miss Xela so much). Bob is a 63 year old, white bearded, barefoot, sailor who is like a old man version of me. =)
On a sadder note, there has been a loss in the community. My drum buddy Carveth lost his brother 2 days ago. Apparently he was drunk and fell off his boat, hit his head on the rocks and died. Crazy how life can take a twist and leave you in utter shock because all of a sudden everything has changed. Reminds me to stay present so as to not miss what is being offered. That is what this experience has taugh me most, to look under the surface and see what you are being offered each day. Sometimes we miss it because we are too caught up in what we think we are supposed to be experiencing and not in what is happening right now.
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