A Snowy and Shivering Scottish Christmas Walk

A wintery mix greeted the Guards, Band and Gentlemen of the St.Andrews Society of Washington DC for the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk.

Relaxation afterwards at legendary Pat Troy's and Murphy's Grand Irish Pub with lots of comaradery, music, libation and swords.

The Washington Post got a great shot of our Drum Major, David Close

My Dinghy's Got Dreadlocks

See video:

The Diamond Ball

The 60th Anniversary Tartan Ball was in a new venue this year. A more intimate group had fun and again made money for our charities. The Colour Guard was at their best at the anniversary of their debut last year.

"Mark Time!"

Camaraderie and great food as well!

J/24 East Coast Championships

Tim Wilkes Photography


Great pictures from Tim Wilkes of the boat on which I race although I missed this day with a pulled calf muscle.

Annapolis sailor, Tony Parker, won the regatta....I don't want to talk about where Alianalizabeth stood at regattas end.

A Fine Day for a Kirkin

We had a delightful time presenting the colours for the Potomac Presbyterian Church.

The Formula

SuccessFormula
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a(s+k)+goals=pbc->IR(op)
How I do what I do.

Success shared is success squared.

A week of networking and working on the Net. After the first of many business networking functions (a couple of good prospects) and some work on my website for Successwright, I've found another important axiom headlined above. I now know why self-help people are so evangelical. Remember when we were young and taught to share? Would it not be a violation of that to not share something truly life changing?

I'm reveling in the good feelings gained by sharing my secrets for success.

Physician, heal thyself...

... Coach, get coached. Today I started my personal performance coaching. This will be what I'm doing for others soon. Lots of networking and prospecting in the next few weeks as I test the success of Successwright.
To do this right I must become a product of my product. We'll be focused on my growing ability to awaken in others their fullest potential in leadership, sales, time management, customer loyalty, strategic planning and removing the obstacles to achieving more, working less and celebrating often.
Let me show you what I've learned and help you write the play of your life rather than be an actor in someone else's plan.

Sunday on the Boat with Evan

The last of the windless days of summer.

Summertime and the livin ain't breezy.

Light air sailing, featuring my new sail, "Big Blue"

Bartenders' Day on the Bay Part III

How many bartenders being trolled does it take to catch a shark? Don't know... the sharks didn't want any of the five bartenders seen here on my third installment of the ever popular and thoroughly lubricated "Bartenders' Days on the Bay". We'll be having another on 29 August.

Governor's Cup 2009

Seaquel, a 32 ton, long range performance cruiser from Caliber has no business in the competitive Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association. But, enter we did at great expense of cash from the Captain and sweat and supplies from the crew. We scored no trophies but all agreed we had the fleet's:

Best upwind trim of a bimini

Best accomodations

Here's a montage of photos from the 2009 running of the oldest and longest sailboat race on the Chesapeake Bay. Running from the current Governor's residence in Annapolis to the one of colonial times in St.Mary's City, MD.

http://tinyurl.com/SequelGovCup

We covered 46 of the 70 miles between our great start at 6:30PM and 2 the following morning. From 2 until 9AM we went six more miles as the wind abated. At 9AM we joined 12 other boats in our fleet of 32 and retired, motoring in to catch the post race party.

Mary's (PhotoGirl/CruiseDirector) write up follows:

Seaquel's first Race, the 2009 Governor's Cup

Thursday morning Adam and Mary set off to ferry Seaquel from Herrington Harbour South to Jabins Yacht Yard. After Thursday night racing in Glenn's boat, Glenn, Rusty, Adam and Mary set about moving weight off the boat. The diver arrives around 9pm and informs us that the bottom is too scuzzy to clean propery without a haul. We decide to put the bimini back on and keep all the creature comforts on board since we are here to have fun and do not expect to win.

Friday Glenn and staff finish making Adam's new drifter sail "Big Blue". Bruce and DJ arrive from DC to help us fret about whether the sail will be ready in time; Glen delivers the sail and we head out to the starting line behind schedule with Glen hanging from the mast. Bruce takes the helm for a great start and Glen coaches. The fleet sets off under gray skies with us in third from the starting line.

Sunset brings a moment of relaxation and Mary takes iphone pictures to e-mail to families. Just before dark Adam and Glenn install Big Blue. We can barely see the lights of our competitors on the dark horizon, the wind is light and Adam rigs a flashlight to shine on the tell tales of Big Blue. We take pleasure in shaming a real racing boat into taking themselves more seriously as the see us starting to pass them. The crew sails through the night; everyone catches a few z's at some point. Adam single hands his boat at night for the first time while the rest of the crew snoozes below.

Commercial shipping traffic passes us at dawn; The wind dies to nearly zero and it starts to get hot. We decide to throw in the towel and let Harvey the invisible rabbit steer the boat. Mary takes photos of more determined members of the "bimini class" still racing (if you zoom in one of them, it looks like Harvey may be steering their boat too). As we pass the lighthouse, Glenns fills time telling stories of disasters at sea while his hands are busy making making the new dinghy painter. The crew quarrel about driving arrangements for the car ferry back from St Marys. Mary puts on her "Cruise Director" hat to settle the dispute by calling in another car.

We pull into St.Mary’s Yacht and Camping Center marina to take showers and jump in the pool before heading to the college for after-race festivities.Glenn wants to get home urgently, but our driver Scott is hopelessly lost. We decide to meet both drivers at the college and let Glen take the first car we meet. Mary grabs a couple of shots of racing boat at anchor amidst the commotion of pulling into St Mary's College, where the party is held. Both drivers Scott and Shirley are waiting for us, Glenn, DJ, and Bruce abandon ship; Scott comes aboard for the trip back. After a couple of hours saying hello to other sailors, looking at photos from the trip, and listening to music at the after race party, we head to the marina for a peaceful night.

We let down our guard causing us to nearly hit a daymarker and run aground in the dark , Seaquel backs right off without a problem and we tie up for some shut-eye. Sunday morning is damp and grey, but we get a few decent sailing hours in before we have to turn on the motor. The return trip includes time to be silly and play with the camera between squalls. Another boat has their sail torn in the stormy weather but Seaquel returns to Herrington Harbor safe and sound by early evening.

A Melding of Two Loves

Love the comfort and freedom of kilts and where are you more free than on the water.

The First SCOW Raft Up of the Season

Well attended by the usual Sailing Club of Washington suspects and some great weather.

XO Marlan and Skipper Adam provided accomodations and anchor support.

Skipper Adam enjoying a finely trimmed sailplan.

Get 'er done!

Advancing on the fleet with an incremental move from DFL last week to 6th of 11 boats this week, the Red Neck Yacht Club drifts downwind in a lovely if light Spring night on the Potomac. Races are every Tuesday at the Washington Sailing Marina.

Contact Daingerfield Island Sailing Club for details

Final touches on a week's work.

The folks at Seaside Boat Works scoping out how to attach my RIB to the back of Seaquel. Shiny and freshly painted, lubed and certified, we're heading home today.

Right now it's Our Tern but soon it will be my turn

Awaiting the annual haul out for maintenance to be done in the coming week.


...and here is Seaquel on the hard for the week. Work done is bottom fairing and painting, maintenance of motor, hardware, rigging, custom lifeline gates and dinghy hardpoints and a good compounding and wax.

A great Gold Cup

The Washington St. Andrews Society Pipe Band and Colour Guard presented for the opening ceremony of this time honored Spring tradition in the horse country of Virginia. I'm the guy at far right.



Fortunately the band marched across the steeplechase course BEFORE any of the high strung horses made their own contribution to the grass beneath our feet. So I didn't have to learn how to get shit off my spats after all.

The First of Many Days to Come at My Marina's Tiki Bar

The Colour Guards go to Church

The Washington National Cathedral specifically for the 69th "Kirkin' of the Tartans" which celebrates Scottish heritage by getting the plaids we wear blessed each year.

I carried "Old Glory" and ensured she came to no harm before reading Psalm 67 from the very pulpit presidents and popes have used in past years.

...and no lightning strikes.

Well I didn't forget everything...

...about foredeck on a J24.

Out for a few hours in a waning storm. Racing starts in 2 weeks.

View from my "office."

Ah the end of another workday. Time for a coldie.

I heard the Pipes from the Hill

With its blossom in full display, this Cherry Tree frames a spotlit US Capitol. From the steps of the Capitol I heard the bagpipes on the balcony of the Rayburn Building where a reception featuring the caucus of senators and congressmen promoting and supporting Scottish American cooperation was held. There was good fellowship, fine whiskey, great music and of course tartan plaid in celebration of the national Scottish-American holiday, Tartan Day. Tartan Day is April 6th the anniversary of the
Declaration of Arbroath.

Sweetwater Season Begins

My favorite outdoor bar begins its season today.

At the Victory Party - Winning the "Cherry Blossom Regatta"

In a blustery but sunny end to the Cherry Blossom Festival, the annual DISC Cherry Blossom Regatta tested boats and bodies in gusts up to 23kts. Mainsail either in the water or flapping in the wind, S/V Rebecca got her 7.5kts on to win line honors in both races run. Lots of round ups and very wet but not too cold.

Kudos to Martin (Killer Tailer) and Henry (Killer Tiller).

Live slow...sail fast!

Redneck Yacht Club Apres Voile

Dinner at "Jim's" (Hard Times Cafe) after a shakedown of the RNYC's new boat, S/V GitRDone. Chili is just the thing for chilly.

Sunny Sunday and my own private waterfront bar.

Snow on the boat

A day after the marina got 8" of snow.

Every Dog has his Day

Another dusting

Another snowy day

Another snowy day adding some beauty to the bitter cold now and for expected next few days.
Good weather for getting a jumpstart on Spring cleaning.

A Glaze on my World

An icy sheen over the woods outside my office makes a good start for a day best spent at home.