The Quest for Piggly Wiggly & Other Stories From a Packed Weekend

 OK, weirdly I decided that this was a great logo & I wanted a reusable bag to carry my groceries from the Piggly Wiggly's.  We don't have them up here--so I was on a quest.  Sometimes I just get on these tangents, but in all honesty, we needed breakfast stuff so I had a legitimate reason to go there.  Sadly, the PW we went to in New Bern had no reusable bags.  The cashier was very helpful though--she said that they had bumper stickers (not the same but still fun), again we struck out.  I now am in possession of 2 regular plastic grocery bags--ah well--perhaps online is the option.  I must say that I'm very happy that Xing Fu indulged my quest & didn't make too much fun of me.


We'd driven down to NC & I'd been a bit worried--all those hours in a car--how would that work?  Boredom?  Irritation?  Nah--all of us did quite well & aside from the nasty rain at one point, we made it down to Oriental in fairly good time.  I'd found these cabins right on the river in this town & they were really quite charming--the cost per night was an amazing value & it was quite a comfortable night.  The next quest was of course the one for a good bbq--every time I'm down in NC, that's what I look for--and happily found--two times this year.  One was Moore's in New Bern--great NC style stuff--we'd been last year & I knew that another visit was in order.  After dinner we went back to Oriental & walked along the docks--it was quite a magical evening--a hot, sultry July night with the stars shining after the storms pushed through, surrounded by sailboats, & listening to the fish flip & play in the water.  My son decided he'd rather watch TV than go look at a bunch of sailboats in the dark--OK, so I guess that is a bit over-the-top--the sailboats in the dark, but in my mind there's nothing more peaceful than listening to the gentle swaying of the masts & lines gently bumping.  Plus there were a lot of great boats to look at--even in the dark.  (yeah, ok--my son says I'm sailing obsessed--guilty as charged)

                               Oriental, NC


The next day we dropped the kid at camp (and yes, I cry every time) & Xing Fu got an opportunity to see this great sailing camp--watch my kid summarily dismiss his mom, & then we took off to meet a couple of Xing Fu's friends from college.  It was very cool because I had an opportunity to sit back & watch the interplay--I think I learned a lot about Xing Fu & the type of friends he has--it was a great experience for me--I enjoyed being the fly on the wall at one point--glad that these guys were comfortable enough with me to go about their discussions & normal interactions without altering their behavior because "a woman was there."  I continued to indulge my best bbq quest & we all enjoyed a great meal--& I also was able to satisfy my desire for grits too (mebbe there's a bit of southern in me--does the fried okra give it away?)  I guess it makes sense that I'd like his friends as well.  The next day we left to make the long drive back up to Baltimore & still no Piggly Wigglys...

Driving home was another opportunity to grow our relationship--the hours passed & as I usually despise long car trips, this one passed in a blink--again reaffirming what I've known all along--we are a good fit--that we don't run out of things to talk about.   Recently read a brief article in Redbook that states that "good relationships are built on daily loving interactions."  Can be a look, a hug, whatever, but the daily connections are key.  So far, we manage to do that even on the evenings we aren't together--and when we spend long hours in a car...and it has been easy.   


We needed to get back to Baltimore because we had tix to see Counting Crows & Augustana at Pier 6.  Yet another concert--one of three for this summer--coming up Arcade Fire & Spoon (!!!! again!!!) & then David Gray & Ray LaMontagne.  Hopefully add the Virgin Festival as well.  It was a great evening of music & rounded out my birthday (yup).  Oh, did I mention that the 12th was my birthday?  This one was one of the better ones & unlike last year's, no disappointment in sight.  


It was a great jam-packed weekend--forgot to mention the racing on Friday night (imagine that), & now to get ready for the next series of events: one of my buddies from college is in to visit on Friday (we're going to the ballgame  & maybe, just maybe the Orioles will pull out a win--a girl can dream) & then on to Screwpile....and then maybe a few days off....but I wouldn't trade this--it has been wonderful.

"Ass to the Rail, Balls Over!"

Sailing is an inconsistent sport, especially while racing. One day you're sitting dead in the water & the next things are happening so quickly you can barely think. The last few Wednesdays have been quite tame & then there was Saturday & this past Wednesday. My son was racing with me on Wednesday--the last time before camp starts so I was anxious for him to get out there. I just don't think he was prepared for the intensity. There was a fairly brisk breeze & in the past, under light air, crossing the boat on windward tacks hasn't phased him. He wasn't quite ready for the hiking-out part of life--leaning against the metal lifeline, hanging over the edge. Quite the thrill ride. In other words--get the boat flat--as much weight as possible to get maximum boat speed across the water. Again, I came home with a bunch of bruises all over my legs & a cut on my knee, but it was worth every bump & gash. I think my kid loved it but he needs some time to adjust to the change in wind force--you race a much different type of race from the light air races. Everything in triple-time--like a fast forward button that doesn't pause.

I really am a novice racer & learning this sport has been at times great fun & at others quite terrifying. The unpredictability of the wind & what it can do the the sails, to the lines, to you, well.....things can go very wrong very quickly if everybody isn't on their toes, especially under heavy air. Listening to the horror stories of experienced crew--on the one hand, what NOT to do & on the other--always an opportunity to learn. Even after you've done the right thing. Example: After raising the spinnaker the person in the pit (me, in this case) flakes the line. What this means is essentially coiling it so that when we douse the chute very quickly, there are no knots to foul up the works & cause the spinnaker to catch air or drag in the water--both extremely bad things to have happen. So during one of the douses on Wednesday, even after I'd flaked the line, a knot miraculously appeared and caused the works to grind to a halt. I couldn't get the knot out & felt like a real boob because well, it appeared that I hadn't done my job. When you're new, you just don't want to make stoopid mistakes like that, even if you actually didn't...it just looks like you did. I think that's one reason I love racing--not the mistakes or the problems, but that you're battling the elements, yourself, & the unpredictability of it all, throw in a bit of danger and... what a fucking thrill ride!

So I was scheduled to race this weekend but instead I'm taking my son down to North Carolina for sailing camp. Four weeks & I really hope he comes back with more experience beyond sailing sunfish. I'd really like him to get competent with Lasers--those he can really race around here. He's too big for Optis. In the morning we will be driving down to Arapahoe. He is so excited--this will be his second year. I am excited because I get a few weeks to just be single again--no responsibilities beyond me, my animals, & my house--I already have a few dates lined up. Then later this month, I hope to sail in the Governor's Cup...