End of 2010 and Looking Forward to 2011

Well considering we are nearing the end of 2010, I thought it nice to recap the year's sailing. I've had some great sails this year, both casual day sails and races.

I don't know who else follows me on this blog but for the record I would like to thank Martin and crew for allowing me to race with them on Cool Change each and almost every Thursday Night for the DIYC Thursday Night Races. We also race as a team in the Egmont Key Race, the Keel Boat Regatta and the Labor Day Night Race. It has been a blast to have some awesome races with such a cool crew of people.

I'd like to thank Pat and Lea for their friendship, for sharing the opportunity to race and sail on Rebel Rose and for allowing me to be present at their very private and intimate wedding. You both are very special people and I thank you for your friendship.

I'd also like to thanks Jessie for the Saturday sailing adventures on her O'Day. Some of the weirdest and chellenging moments on a boat by far. Those experiences have definitely made me a better sailor simply for the mere reason of having to think fast and react quickly. With Jessie - docking, forestays, engines and any number of other things is always interesting and a challenge.

I had a great experience with Reggie on his beautiful boat named Quo Vadis. I was fortunate to sail with Reggie and two life long friends of his back in May. We sailed from St. Petersburg to Key West. What a great experience with it's own set of challenges and adventures. Reggie is definitely a good friend and I thank him for his friendship and invitations to sail on such a beautiful boat. The Catalina 309 is definitely a boat I can see myself owning one day soon.

2010 was also a year of education with regard to sailing. As previously mentioned, I completed the US Power Squadron's Boat Safety Class at the tail end of 2009 but in 2010, I completed the Seamanship class and also a Chart Smart course. In mid January 2011, I will start the US Power Squadron's Weather Course and plan on getting the Piloting I class completed and maybe Piloting II if time and opportunity permit.

2011 is also a year of importance for me in other area of my life. In a few short weeks I turn 40.... I know - I know, I look great for my age and thanks to my commitment in 2010, I am 55 pounds lighter, stronger and in good health. I committed to working out and dropping the pounds throughout the year and am happy with the results and reward. I plan to keep this a habit in my life. I also have some focused work goals and a detailed plan of action to achieve those goals in 2011.

So with all that said, if there are any followers, I'd like to wish you a very Happy New Year. I hope you reach whatever you have as your dream, vision or focus in the new year.

Cheers!

Sunday Race

Well it has been a little while since a post so one was overdue, but then again there has not been much sailing to talk about. I've been busy with work, nieces' birthday parties, cold weather and just down right no sailing opportunities. Needless to say I was in need.

I met with Pat yesterday for the Sunday series of races at DIYC. The weather was very overcast with winds out of the Northwest, which means COLD... We got a new sailor to come on board with us, which was a good thing since it might have been a little to much to handle for just the two of us, racing anyway. We had a great start and all the legs were just fast reaches. We averaged 6 knots or so, which was pretty good given the conditions. It was an awesome sail with everything from heeling and rail in the water, to excellent sail trimming and fast sailing. Although it was cold, it was perfect.

So it's back to the grind,working towards the goal and plan...

Dreaming of Sailing

Well not much to report other then it has been real cold here in the Tampa Bay area. I guess I just decided to take a break from stuff to check out my Blog and realized a few things, that were not entirely unknown to me but I guess I just focused on today. First I realized that I may be the only person who actually visits this Blog and secondly, that may be because there really is not a lot of content except when I happen to have a sailing outing. Oh well, it is what it is!

I guess I was just day dreaming about some awesome sailing experience and staying focused on the fast approaching 40 year mark, focusing on some work and things that need accomplishment and finally some reward for getting it all done. Today, if I were to dream up a reward it would be the ability to charter a 30ish foot sailboat in the BVI for a few days of coastal sailing either with good company or on my own. With this cold weather I'm dreaming of warm breezes to fill the sails, warm water to sail and swim in, plus warm weather for cigars and cocktails.

Anyway, back to work... I have some projects with work that I want to get done before the end of the year and I want to outline a game plan for the 1st quarter projects of 2011. I want to get the jump on them as well so when 2011 hits I can hit the ground running. OK, one last daydream of two beautiful sailboats.