Yes, A Stand Up Paddle Board

I love my Baby Red unconditionally. She will always be my treasure, my pride and joy, my first love.  We still enjoy playfully splashing around in the water and watching the sunset over horizon, but I decided to build a paddle board for a few reasons. 

1)      Idle hands are the devil’s play things – If I’m not consuming my spare time with something constructive, I might just set fire to this city

2)      Craftsmanship – This has proved to be a useful hobby, so I better keep up with the practice

3)      More portable – I love Baby Red, but a woman of her size is more than I, alone, can handle

5)   Another vessel – Maybe I can tow this behind Baby Red when she's at full capacity

4)      Core workout – No comment

After watching Drew Brophy’s video, I’m even more ecstatic about this project.  I can’t wait to start getting my hands dirty.  Just like boats these days, most paddle boards you’ll see are made of synthetic materials (foam and fiberglass).  It’s a personal thing, but I feel a sense of satisfaction seeing lumber progress into a finished product, especially when the grain of the wood is showcased. 

Inside a wooden paddle board

The inside of a wooden paddle board consists of an intricate skeleton.  I’m planning to build this puppy at my place in DC, rather than using my dad’s workshop in Virginia.  I don’t have the tools to cut those pieces, so I will have to settle for building the board from a kit.  I'm in the process of searching for the best kit.  Anyone have suggestions?

Maybe one day I can be this cool

I Try Drawing.. and Reveal My Next Project!

Every year, my childhood friends and I go to New York City for the 4^th of July.  One night this year we ventured to a bar in East Village called Affaire.  Let’s just put it this way… even for New York, this place was WEIRD.  To set the scene--we were in a candlelight dungeon, trance music was blasting, only two people were dancing, and “artists” who haven’t washed their hair in days were painting canvases.  This is very snobbish of me, I know, but I expected people who put forth so much effort to look and act artsy to actually be good artists.  When I peaked over to see what they were painting, my reaction was Really?  That's it?  Maybe they truly are geniuses.  I don't know anything about good art, so who am I to say anything.  Reminds me of a short story…

I babysit three children of well-to-do parents.  There’s a 8”x10” painting in their living room.  For the longest time I thought one of the kids painted it in preschool.  This is the painting:

It wasn’t until months later that I flipped the print over and saw it was painted by Joan Miro.  I Googled to see who she was, and found out HE is a famous artist.  Oops.

A week and a half after my trip to NYC, I bought a sketch book to show that you don't have to be smelly to do art.  A friend of mine in college said she wanted to do a sketch a day.  I thought that was an awesome idea.  I am doing just that.  I haven't drawn since I took art in 8th grade, so I learn as I go and let my eyes dictate how I move my pencil.  Here are a few I've done:

A baby

Frames

An eye

Maybe it's time to reveal my next project to show you where this is going.  Next, drum roll please,  I am planning to and hoping to build a stand up paddle board!  I think I can integrate some drawing into this project as well.  Watch the video below to see what I'm thinking.  I'm a fan of Drew Brophy's work.  Maybe I can even do something like this with a boat one day...

The Reader Meets the Writer

This summer I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest.  It was the first time I ever spotted killer whales in the wild (Vancouver), witnessed the wrath of Mt. St. Helen’s (she was actually very calm), and saw multiple fully tattooed faces in a single day (Portland).

I’ve been planning this trip since summer 2010, so by coincidence, when I was researching how to build a wooden boat last spring, one of my favorite reads was written by a native Washingtonian, Sam Devlin.  I even quoted him in blog on my March 25 post.  I didn’t realize this at the time, but later when I looked at his website to check out some of his work, I noticed an address with Tumwater, WA, about 20 minutes away from one of my travel destinations.

My favorite read and guide to building boats (written by Sam Devlin)

I didn’t realize how uncool it was to email Mr. Devlin to request a tour of his workshop until I told my friends and they called me a nerd.  Despite the bit of ridicule from my peers (which happened to come from the same people that thought I would never go through with building a boat), my visit to Mr. Devlin’s was an experience of a lifetime.

We arrived at his workshop on the morning of August 24.  I could tell he was really busy because his phones were ringing off the hook, but he walked us around and showed us his company’s current projects including an extension on a ferry.  The tour was short but being the enthusiast, I was fascinated.  He has a staff of about 13 employees, all of which were working on different tasks on different boats.  When I thought Mr. Devlin was showing us to the door, he brought us to his office and asked how he could help me.  I explained I had already finished my boat, but that I’m intrigued by people who can do what they love for a living, something he is clearly practicing.



Mr. Devlin and Me



Our discussion became one about finding your passion and the challenges we face when we do something we love, including making ourselves vulnerable by putting our work out there for critics to see.  His phone continued to ring, but he continued to talk right through the sound.  Mr. Devlin even gave me the last copy of one of his favorite books, The Year of the Boat written by Lawrence Cheek.  I've been reading it and I feel like Cheek is speaking right through me.  Where was this book when everyone kept asking why the hell I was building a boat?

My current read: The Year of the Boat by Lawrence Cheek

Some Shots of Summer

I’m sad to say that the lazy days of summer are at its end. Baby Red will continue to receive frequent visits by me this fall, but come winter, the cold and early sunsets tend to keep me indoors more hours of the day.  To maintain my sanity, I’ll blog more frequently than I have in the past few months and keep everyone updated with Baby Red and any other projects I tackle.

I do have a lovely story to share from my vacation in the Pacific Northwest (I will post tomorrow), but today I thought I’d post some never before seen photos from this summer.  Enjoy!

Natalie posing.  One of Baby Red's first times out on the water.

During a picnic dinner on the Potomac

Katy rowing for the first time

Becky in front of the Lincoln Memorial (August 28, 2011)

August 28, 2011

August 28, 2011

Late Night Swim

I’m long overdue for a new post.  Luckily, I had a blog worthy night. 

Laura and I, once again, went on a little adventure.  According to experts, the early August night sky sets around 8:15, but I think the last bit of sunlight doesn't disappear until 9.  I didn't get off of work until 7:10, and we didn't hit the water until 8, so we had a good hour of twilight.  DC recently (and finally) got some rain this week, so the river was thick and comfortably choppy.  We rowed out far enough from Jack's that we could let the current take us back.  It was relaxing...and much needed.   

There was something eerie about the mood.  The clouds were swooping upwards and the Potomac was strangely quiet.  I guess most of the kayakers had settled in for the night, and the few yachts that were out were only found by the waterfront, which was far away.  We were all alone.

This looks like an escape from Alcatraz

I've always thought Georgetown University looked like an evil castle

We started to head back.  The sky was black by then.  We were rowing by the Washington Canoe Club and Potomac Boat Club when Laura said, "Someone just jumped in the water...or fell!"  We rowed closer to Jack's and sure enough, there were three people swimming around in the river.  Another guy and the owner of Jack's were staying dry on the dock.  We pulled Baby Red up and I turned to Laura, "I'll jump in if you jump in."  I grabbed her hand and SPLASH.  We were wet and treading water. 

Paul yelled, "Pool toys!" and threw a few stand up paddle boards for us to play on.  One of us would hop on and stand up while another person pushed them along.  Most of the time, the rider would just fly off.  It was a great night.  Unfortunately, it was so dark, this is the best picture I have.

John

Baby Red Throws a Birthday Bash

After two occasions of partying on someone else’s boat (I met up with the Bolivian and her boyfriend a second time last week), it was about time I host a little get together.  This was actually Meggie’s spectacular idea, so for her 24^th birthday, we met up at Jack’s Boathouse to do some kayaking/canoeing/rowing.  Never having any nautical experience before building the boat, I didn’t realize that yachts sometimes anchor themselves next to each other.  We decided to do the same thing…only we looked much cooler.

Baby Red well stocked and dressed in birthday apparel

It would have been Un-American to live a day with zero commercialization, so Red Bull was sure to make an appearance on their Jet Ski.  They provided us with free drinks and swag.

And a few more visitors...

Wednesday: Unexpected Yacht Party

Lately, work has been pushing me over the edge, so while I’ve been spending time behind my desk pondering what I want to do for a living, I’ve been spending my evenings thoroughly enjoying myself.  For instance, my Wednesday:

I called one of my best friends, Laura, after I finished work around 8pm.  She came over to my bungalow, and then we hit the high seas.

At first we chatted and enjoyed the sunset...

Rowing like an angry woman (side note: I wear this shirt way too often)

Friendship circa 1992

We heard live music from the Waterfront, so we decided why not row to Tony and Joe's and grab a drink.  As we got close to the dock, a very friendly gentleman offered to let us tie up to the back of his boat; that way we could step out of our boat onto his and then onto the boardwalk.  He introduced himself and told us he was here with his girlfriend.  He told us to meet them at the bar.

Brian tying us to Channel Surfer

Looking like wash-ups, Laura and I climbed out of the boat and walked through the outdoor bar.  We spotted our new friend with a group of women.  Some people live by the motto age is just a number.  And indeed, our new gray haired friend (about 50) was dating someone half his age.  Awkwardly, we hid, ordered drinks, and discussed our game plan.  Do we try to sneak out without them seeing us?  Or do we do the polite thing, say thank you, and make small talk?  We knew one thing for sure, we could not let them leave with Baby Red.

After a few drinks, I saw the group head over to the boat!  I walked over and asked if they were leaving.  They weren't, and they invited me and Laura on their boat for pizza and drinks.  I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:

Karina, Brian's Bolivian girlfriend, raising an empty bottle of Petron.  She suggests adding a mini bar to Baby Red.

There was a dog onboard

Brian taking Baby Red out

Karina, the girlfriend, could not stop talking about "****ing Baby Red" as she so lovingly yelled it in her thick Bolivian accent.  It was quite late when Laura and I rowed back to Jack's Boathouse.  We texted Karina to let her know we made it safe.

Her response: Make sure baby red has its blankie and tuck up.  Next nite we are sleeping in your boat

Lewes, Delaware and an Insanely Priced Boat

Last weekend, Katy and I had no intentions of going anywhere, but on a whim, we decided Sunday would be a great day for the beach.  Katy’s mom is from Lewes, Delaware, and since we were going to Rehoboth, we took a detour to the first town in the first state (as the welcoming sign indicated).  I had never been, and it was just as Katy had described it... “Quaint.” 

Photo courtesy of http://www.lewes.com/

Lewes is right on the beach with the Delaware River gently bending its way through the town.  If I could compare it to any place I had seen before, it was a little Nantucket-ish (or maybe I should say Nantucket is like Lewes, since Lewes was established exactly 10 years before the Grey Lady).  Simply put, it's a beautiful old town surrounded by wooden homes, shaded with thick burly trees, retired men fishing in the river, and its beach lined with tall beach grass and sailboats. 

The Zwaanendael Museum.  Photo courtesy of http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/americas/trail-of-the-unexpected-a-hitchhikers-guide-to-getting-around-americas-first-state-1053733.html

Christmas time on Second Street in Lewes.

Something you just might see in Lewes.  Photo courtsey of http://beachyinthecity.blogspot.com/2008/07/travelling-cape-may-nj-lewes-de.html

I wish I had taken pictures, but I didn't think I would be blogging about this experience.  We even saw a homemade boat flipped upside down on the dunes (a design I had seen in Gavin Atkin's Ultrasimple Boatbuilding), and still, I did not think to take any pictures.  We lifted up the boat to see inside and underneath was a nest with two mice--one shaking from fright, the other dead asleep...or possibly dead.

After revisiting Katy’s childhood summers, we went to Rehoboth Beach (only minutes away) to read some of “The Bedwetter” by Sarah Silverman.  Reading aloud, I probably said words I should never repeat, but I read them just as the author intended.  We finished our day back in Lewes for dinner and ice cream, and then headed home.

On the way home we drove through many a pasture and antique stores as daylight turned to twilight.  Something caught my eye as we were driving.  I turned the car around and stepped out to inspect this homemade boat.  It wasn’t made out of plywood, and looked like something early settlers would have built (minus the motor).  To my surprise, someone was watching us and yelled from afar, “The guy’s selling it for $5,000.”  Wow.  I said thanks and snapped a few pictures.  Hopefully he didn’t get his friend’s hopes up because I was not really interested in making the purchase...especially after having satisfyingly built my own.  If anyone's in the market, however, look for this boat along Route 9 in Delaware.  Needs some work, but maybe 5k is the going rate for this sort of thing.  Sorry the pictures are dark.

What should I do with my life?

June 9, 2011

me: What should I do with my life?

Bonnie: Welllll, the last time we had a conversation like this, you built a boat

Thanks for reminding me how this all started, Bonnie.

Mysterious Find at Eastern Market

On Sunday I ventured off to Eastern Market in Capitol Hill.  It’s without a doubt the best market in DC, and probably one of the best within 200 miles of the District.  Although I’m typically not an impulse shopper (I'm not much of a shopper at all), I am when it comes to market shopping.  Truth is, you never know if or when you’ll see the same item again.

One vendor was selling prints of vintage posters and I immediately caught my eye on this puppy:

The poster shows Georgetown University (the gray castle), Car Barn (the brick building with the clock--formerly a tobacco warehouse and trolley facility, now classrooms and offices for the University), the Washington Canoe Club (long building along the river), and the Potomac Boat Club (green and white building).

Realistically, these buildings aren't so close together, but you get the point

I rarely ever see posters of Georgetown (never from this perspective), but I knew I was going to be handing this vendor my hard earned money.  How could I not?  When I move to another city, I will decorate my new digs with a few paintings and photos of my favorite spots in DC for the memories.  This painting not only shows my favorite spot in Georgetown, it shows the home of Baby Red (before Jack’s Boathouse was established)!  It’s perfect.

The arrow is pointing to the home of Baby Red

I don’t know anything about the poster.  There’s no artist name or anything.  The vendor said some company in New York has a CD of old posters and that this is rare.  Whether he was telling the truth or not, I couldn’t find the print online.  When I Googled georgetown key bridge poster, the results didn't come up with the poster but instead pictures from my blog!

Picture of Katy in Google Images

Whether this was painted decades or just a few years ago, what was its purpose?  Tourism?  Seems unlikely.  Georgetown University?  Perhaps, but why doesn’t it say University after Georgetown.  Anyone have a clue?