Fear and Loathing...

I found a copy of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing: The Campaign Trail '72 aboard Tranquilo and was able to read much of it when not trying to barf...and then I stole it to take home and finish. Um...holy appropriate reading for right f-ing now. Even if you're not a gonzo fan, this insider look at the seamy side of campaigning for president in these United States during war time is as relevant now as it was in the waning months of 1972 when the good doctor laid it down. Much of what he has to say is a serious bummer but nothing surprising when you consider how disillusioned we have become since then (remember, this was just before Nixon's Watergate scandal, years before Reagan sold our pride, and decades before our current bastard president put the final torch to our national trust in presidents in general). Well, I would write more on this but I must be off to a barbeque in honor of yet another soldier heading off for Iraq... in the meantime please try to find a copy and give her a read.

So...I'm back

Do I look a little smug in that top picture? Come on, admit it...of course I do, and here's why...I have the greatest tan known to man. No wait, that's not it (although it is kinda true). Its because on my birthday I swam a mile and a half back to the boat at three in the morning through a shark infested reef and lived to brag about it. No, still not quite right, though also quite true.

Its because I chose to do something rare, had a wonderful time, learned more about the world around me, made quality decisions (no broken hearts, no tropical diseases, very few illegal activities), and came back to Tacoma with a renewed sense of confidence and still about 50 dollars in my account. That spells success to me, my friends...and that's not even including 4 weeks worth of salty stories to scare my mother with, ridiculously stronger friendships with two of the baddest motherfuckers ever to waltz out of the Old World, and an inspired knowledge of every inch of the noble Tranquilo, the 48 foot pile of awesome we took to sea (when I say inspired, I mean it...inspiration born of near panic at times...but we'll get to that in due course).

Plus, I peppered the Caribbean with the Edify logo (as evidenced in the lower photo).

My single regret, and I must mention it because it has been worming its way upwards through the swagger, is having missed the wedding of a dear, dear friend. Hopefully though, I can make it up to him and his lovely bride sooner than later and we can all move forward...

As for now, I am returned to the arms of my sweetheart (on her birthday no less...beat that, my fellow P-I-M-P s[es]?) in cloudy, cold Tacoma, looking out of place with my spectacular tan and shell necklace, and getting on back to work in an immediate fashion. I shall review my notes and regale you all with tales of the P. on the sea in future posts, illustrations and pictures included. I shall also get back to work on swaying hearts and minds to the Edify cause with sharply written tracts on religion, politics, personal triumphs, bad decisions et.al. I know we've all missed that...