Commodore's Corner - February 2009
It just occurred to me, after taking what I thought to be
the prestigious title of Commodore, that Commodore and commode are
mighty similar in spelling, so I thought I would look into it. Most
of us know a commode as a more ‘refined’ name for a
sh***er or a toilet. When I looked up the definition of Commodore,
it all became clear why this similarity existed. A Commodore in
the Navy is “a grade of flag office next in rank below a rear
admiral”(dictionary.com). The operative term here, of course,
being “below a REAR admiral”. Oh well, I’m honored
none the less. Just don’t s**t on me.
I am gearing up for the Keys trip. Set my new tent up out back
to check for leaks in case of rain. I must say, though, that when
I look outside at the tent and the temperature is 27 degrees outside,
it does not look very inviting. Thank goodness I’m going
south where the temp at night has been in the mid sixties and
during the day, the low to mid seventies. Imagine a place where
the fluctuation in temperature between day and night is 5-7 degrees
and not 20-30 degrees. John Lennon forgot that line in his song.
Sincerely,
Your Commodeor, sorry, I keep forgetting the ‘e’ come
after the ‘or’.
Your Commodore
Trailer Trash
Yes, that’s right, we took a trashy trailer and cleaned
it on up. January 10th saw us gather at Lee Chapin’s house
to take the rusty mobile home trailer under frame and make it
worthy to put down at fabulous Shell Point Beach. Starting around
10am, we got three pressure washers going on that thing. To show
the intelligence of the lot that was there, 2 out of 12 people
that came thought of bringing boots. Needless to say, when you
get 3 pressure washers, ranging from 1700 to 2600 psi, squirting
a metal trailer that has all kinds of nooks and crannies, you
will get wet. Fortunately, the day was absolutely perfect for
this endeavor.
After washing the trailer off, out came the grinders and metal
brushes to further eradicate the rust. Three electric grinders
were cranking away, with the rest of us scrubbing away with the
brushes. Andy, grinding away for a good 45 minutes, near completion
of the trailer, looked up with a rust mustache under his nose
and a rust goatee on his chin, and asked Lee “do you have
any breathing masks?” Alas, he got to use it for about 5
minutes. After the grinding, we blew the dust off with Lee’s
leaf blower.
Lee and Leah, always gracious hosts, had hot dogs on the grill
and cold beer for lunch around 12:30. We sat by their pool under
shaded chairs to enjoy the sustenance.
Around 1:45 we got to painting the frame. Lee brought out a portable
radio so that we could hear the Duke vs. FSU basketball game while
we painted away. We finished the first coat around halftime of
the game and, to our surprise, were treated to a taste of some
incredible tasting rum that Lee had brought back from his trip.
The rum was from Guyana and was truly smooth and delectable, putting
everyone in the right mood for a second coat of paint.
We finished up around 6:30 with cleanup and everything. Though
it took a while, the results were astounding. Thanks to Wright,
Lee, Guy, Ann, Bill, Andy, Linda, Tina, Rick, and Perry for coming
out on a beautiful day to get this done and thanks to Amy for
all the brushes. We are on our way to having our own abode for
equipment. Next up, moving the axles, getting some spinners on
the wheels, and putting down the floor.
BobbyG
From Your Vice
 Now
how did this happen – Vice Commodore? Guess it all started
when Chris took one of those . . . “I wonder what’s
happening at Shell Point” trips a few years ago. He drove
to The Point expecting things to be as normal as ever. He was
overwhelmed by the changes – no hotel, no ship store and
the Coast Guard “house” was moved to a brand new building
& location. Since it was a nice, windy early Spring day he
decided to hang in the parking lot and watch to see if anyone
was out and about sailing. He observed a kite boarder and a couple
of windsurfers rippin’ and shreadin’ and wondered
to himself – when did the pros take over Shell Point? He
decided to take a walk down and check it out just a bit closer
only to find out that those “pros” were some of our
own SPSC members – Richard, Hugh and Andy W.! So he hung
around to shoot the breeze for awhile and that’s when it
happened –something inspired him . . . “Who feels
it knows it. It has always been thus.” Must have been the
Swami telling him was time to hit the water again!
Chris came home and said “Let’s get back into windsurfing.”
I was more than happy to oblige. So, we set to work, we built
a board rack for the truck, paid my 10 year old nephew $5 bucks
to crawl under a spider infested man cave shop and pull out the
boards. We got the rest of the equipment out of storage and checked
it all out. We decided well, it’s old but what the heck,
it’ll work just fine. We anxiously awaited the weather report
for just a breath of wind, packed up the truck with our old, but
useful, gear and headed down to Shell Point.
Needless to say we were just a little rusty with our skills but
once back on the water things started to fall back into place.
We had been away from the Club for quite a few years but ya know,
it’s like we never left. SPSC has a camaraderie that is
like a family and we are so happy to be back among some of the
best people we know!
I’m excited about the Keys trip ‘cause I want to
get on a shortboard! I can’t help but wonder what spontaneous,
outrageous and/or adventurous activities might take place this
year in Fiesta Key. Guess we will all find out soon enough as
it is right around the corner!
I’m looking forward to serving as your Vice this year!
Donna M.
The Band, February Log
Swami and the Festoons are back at it, practicing weekly, to
get ready for the Wind Ceremony on MARCH 21. Mark your calendar
because this is truly the largest and best attended rock concert
on Shell Point Beach. Why, no one has yet discerned, though it
could be because it is the ONLY rock concert every year. True,
other bands show up to entertain during the Stephen C. Smith and
such, but the Wind Ceremony is all about the Swami, the Festoons,
the fire, and just having a great time. People from as far away
as Tallahassee show up.
The band was in form last night. Not sure what kind of form,
but there was something there. Dusted off some golden oldies from
past iterations of the band and did a decent job on them. Tried
some of the ones we did last year and really sucked. No, they
were ok but need work. Didn’t try any of the new ones, but
will next practice. We have at least three new songs that we hope
to spring on the crowds.
No disasters occurred, though the guitars ignored Debs and my
airing of grievances during Festivus, so we can air them again
later this year. Swami unveiled the design for this years shirt
and all I can say is “WOW!!!!”. The colors and the
drawing are totally unlike anything seen before. And you can OWN
this picture by coming to the Wind Ceremony on March 21st, sponsored
by Miller, Busch, Heineken, Grey Goose, Dewers and whatever other
booze y’all bring down!!! See you there.
Beatbox
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