Regifting "a la brotherhood"

Yes ! we were at it again. This time, we missed Piper and our engage Eric, and most of all the sook of our captain for life, Diana. But we had John and Susan, and Guimy, a friend of Natacha.
I won't repeat the blog of last year, but let it be known that this is one of my favorite events of the table. It is always a lot of fun and the gifts are sometimes quite amazing.
This year, I believe Rocket Boy ended up with the best gift of all, although Pilot did not do bad either.
As always, it was a very happy family reunion hosted again by a brother and a sook (Cruz and Ann) who both have a Doctorate in partying. Food and drinks were of the highest quality and plentiful and contribute a lot to making that event so enjoyable.
There are so many things coming up in the next year that Boxing Day 07 will be here before we know it. If it were true that having fun makes you healthier (I do believe that), we are well on our way to doing away with the health care system.
And don't forget to check the photo album of the table. There are more pictures there.
Orza !

Working boucan

This time, this was dead serious ! And again, almost everyone was there, in the middle of the week, Captain for Life Blue Stache and Diana, Rocket Boy and Sherry, Tricia representing Boats, Upwind and June, El Maestro, Brise Galets, Country Boy, Cruz and Ann, Piper and Maria, our engage Eric and our hosts Limey and Holly.
Aware of all the serious work at hand, Limey and Holly made sure we were not going to go hungry and had prepared a delicious seafood gumbo. And again, there was plenty of drink, but hardly any of it was water !
Since I don't live around Washington, DC, I won't leak anything . . . .
We were preparing whatever event we are going to get involved in in 2007. All I can say is that it proved again that without our Sooks, the table would barely float.
Oh, by the way, based on the only image that have been posted so far of the Zaf in Argentina and that was found noteworthy (a left cheek with a brotherhood logo on it) I now understand more clearly why the whole country was up in arms for a nanosecond exposure of the right breast of Janet Jackson.
And they said that we were serious people. . . .

World Zaf 2006 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

It did not happen !

I am only referring to the doctored picture of myself dancing the tango ! But you can only see it if you go to the photo album of the Zaf 2006 and it is the last one so that you have to go through the whole lot. And more photos are to come, so keep checking from time to time.
The Zaf itself had a kind of shaky start, with people having to change hotels as they checked in, and half of the brothers being told of one dress code, and the other half something else. Luckily the US delegation showed up casual when almost everybody else was formal, and this showed our sense of freedom !
One the first evening, an oversized brother gave me a big hug with a glass of red wine in his hand and I ended up with a redesigned T-shirt. This proved to be only the first incident of a serie of many, three for myself, during the various functions, where red wine was always available in large quantity.
The first function took place at the city hall for Buenos Aires and was intended to check in incoming brothers, get registrations for the various tours and obviously have a few drinks while meeting with brothers the world over, some that I had not seen since the last Zaf.
Wednesday was devoted to shopping, or walking for those like me who was not too keen on the shopping tour. The crowd was divided into the morning tours and the afternoon ones and we met at lunch in separate restaurants.
On Wednesday night we were treated to a very nice show with indian, horses and soldiers, representing the history of Argentina.
Thursday was city tour day in buses. Our guide seemed to be fascinated by one feature of Buenos Aires, the "dog walkers", people who make money by walking wealthy people's dogs in groups of 8 to 12, for a fee of course. Apart from that, we drove through a city which feels very much like a european city, with monuments donated by various nations.
Lunch was at the same restaurants than tuesday except that the 2 groups swapped.
In the evening, we all went into the Boca district and were treated to a Tango show. If you looked at the pictures, you will see a sea of wine glasses on the tables.
Friday was Hacienda and gauchos day. We all went to a hacienda (kind of ranch) outside Buenos Aires, and had a demonstration of a polo game, followed by the gauchos demonstrating their skills on horses. This was followed by a huge barbecue, attended by all at the same place.
Saturday, was bus, train and boat ride, the boat ride taking place at the mouth of the river where islands in formation are used by the people of Buenos Aires to build week-end houses. Lunch was offered in the italian district and this was the first opportunity I had to spend some time with Jacques Rial, Tony Olmer and Jorge Sapiains.
Saturday night, as always, was the big event with brothers all dressed up in whatever costume they fancied the buccaneers of the 18th century were using. They were many speeches and a little music, and everyone went home, intent on meeting again in 2010 in Sydney, Australia. Brothers, start saving because it will without a doubt be a lot of fun over there.
Most of us were flying out on Sunday night, and it gave the three brothers of the Chesapeake bay table a chance to have lunch together and with Bernie and Margie from the solomon islands (technically, they belong to the Keys table). And then, after hanging around for the better part of the afternoon, it was off to the airport for the long flight home.
Once again, this Zaf was the opportunity to make new friends, meet again with old friends, and feel the true meaning of the brotherhood.
Orza !
Brise-Galets

Fellini's

A few of us were still around for the visit in town of brother Dogwaes from the Savannah table and Alise on their way back from Baltimore to Savannah. Captain Blue Stache and Diana, brothers Boats and Tricia, Country Boy and Frankie Ann, Limey and Holly, Brise Galets and El Maestro were able to make it to Fellini's for some Italian chow and a relatively quiet get together.
It gave me a chance to hear a wonderful brotherhood story from Dogwaes, but I won't say anything as you will hear it soon through the Tortuga Post.
A few drinks, some very nice food and the pleasure to be together. What else do we want . . . .
As always the link to the photo album of the table is on the left hand side of this page.
Orza !

Chili and the Chesapeake Bay brothers

Chili con carne, chili sin carne, chili con pollo, red chili, white chili, that was the idea this time.
We were also lucky enough to have a visiting brother, Swedish Navigator from the Savannah table, just off the Norwegian tall ship and home of the Norwegian table, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl that was visiting Norfolk again. We missed out on brother Dogwaes as the ship had already left, but that will give us another chance at a party next Friday when Dogwaes and Alice pass through Norfolk on their way back to Savannah.
Again, almost all brothers and sooks as well as our engage and wife were in attendance as we only missed Country Boy and Frankie-Ann.
While enjoying the chili and the vast quantities of wine available, Rocket Boy made and unsuccessful attempt to set fire to the neighborhood by burning wood looted from Limey's house during our last get together. It failed.
However, this allowed us to hear of our fireman Piper setting fire to his own boat, on the fuel dock at Deltaville (actually it was a short caused by moisture in some part of the battery charger). Confusion and smoke ruled the day until a flame showed up and then the matter was quickly and professionally resolved.
As always, there are more pictures of the event on the Chesapeake Bay photo album.
Another wonderful evening under the belt, we are looking forward to next Friday.
Orza !

Yard work

At Brother Limey and Sook Holly's house

Sook Holly, a very vibrant member of our group, gave the table a big, big scare when she suffered a heart attack on September 26, severe enough to send her to ICU and to have her stay at the hospital for several weeks. Fortunately, it was spotted as it was developping and I am told that she was already at the emergency room when it happened, which helped avoid any brain damage. She still had to have an electrical device implanted in her to avoid further complication, but she is now recovering at home, and we are all relieved and grateful for that. We are all wishing her a speedy and full recovery.
Last Saturday, the table was planning to go to the house where she and brother Limey have recently moved, and help with cleaning the yard which was in great need of a lot of TLC.
The weather forced on us a last minute change with a rain storm on Friday night, spilling over into Saturday morning. Yet, many of us were able to reshuffle our Sunday schedule to join the party. Our Captain for life Blue Stache and Diana led the charge with in attendance brother Rocket Boy and Sherry, brother Upwind and June, brother Cruz and Ann and brother Boats who had the foresight to bring with him an engineering hammer specially designed to nail in the landscape timber. I was there too as well obviously as brother Limey.
Chain-saws and rakes kept busy for the main part of the morning, and by lunch time the major part of the work was completed. It showed that there is no conflict between sailing and gardening. One could even suspect some professionalism when looking at this gang at work and the quality and quantity of tools available. Maybe the table has found a new way to moonlight. . . . .
One thing for sure, it feels really good to belong to that group !
Orza !

PS : As always, more pictures can be found in the photo album of the table.

The perfect storm

Short of self destructing itself, Ernesto could not have timed itself more perfectly. It brushed close to the Tidewater area on Friday, turning streets and under passes into rivers, proving that cars don't float and then went, leaving in its wake two days of perfect weather for the Labor Day week-end before allowing less than pleasant weather to return on Monday.
As always, this raft up was a great success. It is not very original to state that we had again near perfect attendance, but that's the way it is with the Chesapeake Bay table. Better get used to it.
This is a format where the Sooks shine even more than usual, by showing off their culinary talents (although we have quite a few brothers who know quite well how to use a stove). Forget about being on a diet when you come to a Cheapeake Bay table raft-up.
Most of the pictures were taken by Holly as I had forgotten my camera on Saturday. Actually, I am glad I did as the pictures are very good. Maybe I should restrict myself to writing and have the pictures sent to me by sooks and brothers.
We had the perfect weather, we had excellent food, of course we had the Barbancourt and the Bloody Marys, but we also had very pleasant and nice guests and family.
The question is, can we better ourselves again next time ?
As always, the pictures can be found in my photo album titled "Chesapeake Bay table events"

A brother from Florida is in town

While we were at the raft up on Memorial Day, we learned that brother Barnacle from the Sun Coast table (also known as Bob Langenbach) and his captive Evonne were sailing through our waters, on their way to the Great Loop.
As usual, this could not happen without getting together for a few drinks.
Despite the very short notice, our Captain for life Blue Stache, Rocket Boy, Piper, Boats, Country Boy and Brise-Galets, all of them in the company of their sooks (as you can verify on the few pictures), were able to get to Batty O'Brian in Portsmouth and celebrate our visitors.
Quiet and pleasant event that provided a nice ending to this three day week-end.

A long way from home . . . .

First time in many years that I joined a raft up on my own bottom, and it was quite a long way from my slip in the marina. all of 0.66 nautical miles !
I tied up alongside CatNap around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. At first, it felt like Christmas. Francine was giving shirts around and I got exactly what I wanted ! I think that from now on, I won't be wearing anything else on casual dress events.
Then, it was our Captain for Life handing pins in preparation for the next world Zaf where trading pins is one of the favorites traditions.
Then, to add to Orza, CatNap, Ti Moun and Casual Class sailed in Talisman, Shanty and Maraj to complete a raft up of seven boats.
The festivities could begin . . . .
The highlight of the evening was the induction of brother "Boats", also known as Red Davis, with firing of the canons from Orza, Casual Class and CatNap, and as always, with the help of that liquor from Mr. Barbancourt.
After the induction, several of us chose to go meditate before resuming the evening on Orza.
The night could have been quiet, had it not been for one of the police boats on the water that sailed around us, sirens blasting and generating a big wake that caused some damage on Maraj and almost landed Ti Moun on the deck of Talisman ! Obviously, this policeman was well aware of the boredom caused by a calm sea and the need to shake up things a little bit to liven up the week-end.
Except for the early clean up going on aboard Orza (made necessary in part by Brise-Galets and the casqueronis brought by him from Texas for the induction and creating a bit of a mess on the after deck of Orza !) the Sunday morning started quietly around 9:00 a.m. to bloom into a huge breakfast and Bloody Marys at 9:30 a.m. There is quite a nice competition going on between Blue Stache (the chef aboard Casual Class), El Maestro (which translates as well into Chef !), Ann, Francine, June, and I probably forget other talents in the table and I don't think you could get quite a similar breakfast anywhere in town. Hats off to all those who prepared it.
After a short meeting to confirm our commitment to organize a National Zaf to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, it was time to sail to other adventures.
Having to go all of 0.66 miles, Ti Moun was the first to cast off and head back to Rebel Marine. Orza, the slowest of the bunch (she only cruises at speed not published but known to exceed 25 knots ) was the last one seen on the site of the raft up.
That was another very successful event for the table, with 100 % participation of those in town (Rocket Boy was out of town, and Limey out of the country altogether and our new engage Eric was taking delivery of his new boat and sailing down the bay).
And again, a big welcome to Boats into our table and into the brotherhood !
As usual, there are more photos about this event that you can look at in my library.

The 2006 Texas Trailer Trash party

I never anticipated that I was going to have so much fun ! What a week-end. I should have known, having had a taste of what the Texas brothers can do at the San Antonio Zaf.
It started early on Friday to catch a flight at 8:00 am for San Antonio where we got around noon.
Oso, a.k.a. charlie, Marquis de Sade a.k.a. Craig and Cheryl were at the airport to meet us and took us straight away to a Mexican restaurant, owned by Lebanese, with very nice decoration and great food.
Then, it was on the first step of working the credit card, this time at the "Mercado" downtown. This is why you always have more stuff coming back than going out....
We then got back to Craig and Cheryl's house where Rumline a.k.a. Larry and his captive Jean, as well as Graywater, a.k.a. David and his captive Barbara were staying.
In the evening, margaritas were flowing non-stop out of a machine while Tricky Dick a.k.a. Dick was preparing the food. Obviously, there was more than margaritas and my strict bicyclist diet went out the window.
Very early next morning, a quick cup of coffee and then preparation of the Brotherhood float for the Fiesta parade. Monty Python a.k.a. Monty and Audrey had done a fantastic job building it and we merely had to hook it up to Craig's SUV and drive to the parade line up. It did not start until all tanks were filled up with tacos and bloody marys. The atmosphere is that of a carnival, great crowd, more than 70 floats, and lots and lots of fun. Big Dog was working the crowd, beads and coins were flowing out of the coffers, and for a little more than one hour everybody was thoroughly enjoying the moment.
After the parade, everybody went their own way to spend a pleasant afternoon, and I took time to take my captive to the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Then Rumline and Jean picked us up to take us to Sheplers (Western Country store) where Natacha did some more damage to the plastic.
Almost as soon as we were back to Craig's house, it was out again with Jean and Larry, this time on a treasure hunt to find the Trailer Trash location (Rumline does not have a GPS in his car !). After a nice tour of the countryside, we arrive at the Trailer in time for more drinks while brother Jofes a.k.a. Josef was attending the goose, the pork chops, the beans and the rice, the chickens, and more . . . .
With the sun setting and a camp fire going, there was live entertainment and dancing, and some more fun well into the night.
Fortunately, we could sleep next morning as the traditional breakfast and more bloody marys at Monty's house did not start until around 10:00 am.
From there, Craig, cheryl, Natacha and myself went for a Riverwalk cruise and some italian sweets and wine before getting to the airport for our flight back to Norfolk.
Only New York, with brother Rascal, and the Chesapeake Bay, with your Brise-Galets were the out of state participants. But the three Texas tables were well represented and I am sure that when the word goes out stronger than before of how much fun this event is, next year will see more brothers from other tables.
Mark your calendars, for next year around spring break. You will not want to miss it.
And as always, there are more photos to be looked at in my library.
Congratulations to the San Antonio table for a wonderful and well organized event.
Orza !

Tip a Few - April 2006

Once again, a delightful get together of most of the members of the table. It took place at Mark's, who lives by the water although he is right in the middle of town. What a lovely secret little oasis of calm.
Almost everybody was there, again plenty of food, "gratin dauphinois", weight watcher chocolate sweets, not so weight watcher chocolate cake, plenty of drinks and enough munition from the Barbancourt distillery.
This was needed as we accepted in our table our new engage, Eric Matherne, who was presented with his "engage" T-Shirt, the Grrreat Dictionary and a copy of the Guide.
This was spring, the weather was fully cooperating and romance was not far away . . . .
More photos available as usual on my library.
We can't wait for the next one.
Orza !

Serious business

Another brother's only meeting. And another meeting with 100 % participation with the late arrival of El Maestro. We started the meeting with nice sky and temperature in the 70s. It ended with showers, wind and temperature in the 50's. That is Tidewater weather for you. . . .
Thanks to brother Piper, there was a nice warm chowder waiting for us, as well as chicken wings, steamed shrimps, pizza, brownies, and some liquid (I won't specify) to wash it down. We needed all that to go through all the very serious business awaiting for us.
Preparation for the upcoming World Zaf in Argentina, talks about the next table meetings, exploration of the 2007 event (hush, hush), and so many other items that I can't quote all of it here.
At least the few pictures will allow our Sooks to verify how busy and serious we are when we have those "brothers only meetings" !
And if you see a few red eyes, be assured that it has only to do with the photographic flash light !
And as usual, the other photos are on my library.