The FIFA Lottery

$1223 authorized on the account, so looks like 3 of 7 matches successfully landed.  All in Salvador?  That remains to be seen, but clearly the outline of the second major trip of 2014 is taking shape marvelously, with the first firm commitments to be taken from the account.  What a bonus if any of the tickets are unexpectedly bonus matches as well.

Need to take more time to contemplate the possibility of such time off, and what this time next year might hold, and whether the cash flow is such that a way can be found to see the world and beg out of responsibilities of negotiating leases and criticizing witnesses.  I think so.  Funny how I do not feel as though I am growing older as these trips flood past.  Just reminscing about India, and the quality of the photos recalling memories of the speed of that trip and the inability to settle in and absorb it due to the pressures imposed by time.  Which place will offset that burden?  Nepal?

Those mountains do offer hope.  First up, TZ and BRA though.  Man, 2014 is shaping up to be as epic as anything to date.  And as discussed with Briggs the other night at the Frog amidst the costumes, the hardest part is just saying the word "Go".  After that...  

"Just A Good Dude"

"We'll see how Africa goes, other than the actual planning, we haven't really talked about it, but in my mind there is an implied, inevitable moment that will occur when we are both drunk on a beach in Zanzibar that may (or may not) clarify things."

Ah life, what a great sentence that was to write, or so said I to Gatts just now via email.  After a night on George's that is the start of a long goodbye to the boat.  Would have been nice to have cleared Clarke and Irving as well, but it was always destined to happen just as it did.  Memorable birthdays and such.  Will you be in Nepal this time next year, or will there be some other island destination...

Wow, the clouds in their slow movement now look so like a painting in full 3 dimensions.  That only a master at his full capacity could capture with brush-strokes. 

Opened this to remember the four items listed by Ed to get projects such as the one that has consumed so many hours off the ground - vision, courage, passion, intellect.  That's some list, and happy to check those boxes.  A good night of Guinness and then some.  Let it continue.  At least for a little while longer...  until decisions need to be made, I guess.

One Year More?

So yet another in the long list of future plans hatched out last night.  With Tanzania and Brazil lined up for the first-half of 2014, combined with the babies and the Southern Cross looming for the Spring/Summer, there seems to be a natural shape through to this time next year.  Could we be packing up the boat while temporarily lodging on Purcell's Cove road once again, awaiting a flight to London for the Emirates and then Annapurna magic.  Hilarious, lying in bed and wondering where might be worth traveling in November and then remembering the best time for views in Nepal.  Por que no?

So much up in the air though - including the random call about the Wild Rose in which your availability into June of next year is questioned.  Anything that results in a bit more time on the Rock is to be welcomed in that window.

For now, off to get "fuzz-topped" in celebration of a decent milestone.  Heed Andrew's cautions, but enjoy the island and the madness all the same.  Good to be able to offer such birthday presents.  Funny the difference a year can make though.  No doubt.

A Fuzz-Topped Few Weeks

Swingeing details of so many permutations and computations moving at pace.  Night after night of crazy hours to vault ahead of the targets as we set things up for the Xmas escape.  Crossing the 1300 hour mark in time for hopefully a soft landing in the next two months, for that is all that remains pre-Kili.  Shayo seems teed up, so fingers crossed on that front.  Can his arm be twisted based on Ann's email?  Here's hoping.  And sitting front-row at some historic deal-making, with "Hollywood" public servants and thanks on behalf of the people of the Province.  As they plan against the desire of being fuzz-topped themselves at reaching the end of another difficult period, and recall nights of 7 drunks on a stage performing for the 2 remaining waiters.

Need to get back pronto on the 7 minute track and the outdoor hikes and the 15.0 incline, but worth savouring this.  Amidst the stolen George's Island signs that need to be smuggled into the car at some point when you find the time to load up the storage locker and otherwise sort through the laundry.  Probably some of the most intense work ever done here at the firm, so worth taking a moment to note that and savour it.  A fun week on that front - some solo sailing, SBTS, Energy Award dinner, Joel and Mo with the Symphony, and a last trip to George's to try and lay a kiss on drunken LC.  Heh.  Good to see Nasser last night - like a second brother indeed.  Here's hoping we see him in Brazil.  Born in a Class 5 hurricane...  

Banquets of Consequence

"Everybody, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences".  A corrupted, if better on its own, quote from RLS's "Old Mortality", which reads:  "Books were the proper remedy: books of vivid human import, forcing upon their minds the issues, pleasures, busyness, importance and immediacy of that life in which they stand; books of smiling or heroic temper, to excite or to console; books of a large design, shadowing the complexity of that game of consequences to which we all sit down, the hanger-back not least."

Thoughts of mortality, with the email that went around earlier today about the fixing of watch batteries as a soother for dementia: "Dad really enjoys replacing batteries in watches, and it’s a great exercise for his hands, and for his mind.  He was recently diagnosed with dementia, and a lot of the things that gave him enjoyment have been taken away.  If anyone has watches (not expensive ones) that they would like repaired, I know he would be thrilled to do them for you for a MINIMAL cost.    He would probably be happy to make a couple of dollars for each."

And so it goes, time ticking as fast as we know it.  Off to catch one of the last sailing jaunts of 2013 to kick off a reunion of 9 years for you.  A stunningly gorgeous October 3, and escape before an email from Bruce can pull me back.  Remember that?