This should be a hoot

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Up and moving

Amateur paddlers turn pro rakers

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This is it. Time to push forward and get back to the world. I have been laying low since surgery a week and a half ago. Trying to get up and moving has been more difficult then I imagined.
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Gonna take Monday and Tuesday off and return to work on Wednesday. I have yet to make more then one day with out collapsing on the couch and napping for hours. The discomfort keeps me up most of the night... Kinda feel like I'm in Zombieland... ( by the way it is a very entertaining movie).
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The girls were life savers this weekend as we are in the midths of autumn and that means leaf raking. Lots and lots of leaf raking. There is only one other poor bastard which has it worse then me when it comes to leaves and that's my neighbor Peter. He goes it alone each year. On rare occasion I see his kids grab the working end of the rake, but its very rare. Poor Bastard.
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Anyway my girls rocked the yard! They went pro last year but upped their game this year and took it downtown. I'd say have surgery more often with this type of response, but... NOT!
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Marissa did make a comment about me missing out on some great fall paddling this weekend (weather was unseasonably warm and the sun shown bright) She could have gone out, but she stayed home and hung with her pops. Kinda cute all worried and concerned for my well-being.
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I did write a short story for a book that is being put together for the MR34o by Race Director Scott Mansker. You can see a preview of it by - Clicking Here - Also a documentary will be coming out on the event and should be available by Christmas. Go to the MR340 site for updates on its release.
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Back to the world, Brian.... Back to the world - The Capt'n

The Common Yachtie

America's Cup, What legend and lore are made of. Has it lost it's appeal to the common yachtie? Here's the scivy found on the web. For the venue - Click Here
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America's Cup Features Battle Of The Billionaires
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Personally I would like to see it sailed in affordable boats for the common yachtie - all countries involved, from every yacht club with a youth program, Now that would have global appeal, proceeds to feed the hungry, aid the less fortunate - The Capt'n

One might say...

As I lay around in a vicatin induced state of confusion and haze, there are moments of clarity as I check the web for more information on Eye of the World and there pending adventures. Hey step away from the bar this weekend and throw a little beer money at these guys. They could use the support.

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My days are filled with short walks to the fridge and naps, I pull away from my gruelling schedule to seek out other worthwhile around the world sailing adventures. I came across this gem.

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On May 17, 1984, Marvin Creamer circumnavigated the globe without the use of navigational equipment. No GPS, compass, sextant, not even a time piece! Check it out at: The Voyage of Globe Star

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One might say... Incredible - The Capt'n

Team Race to Heal

What's positive about being laid up for a week after having surgery, is it gives you time to reflect back on the year's events and the people that made it happen.
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Jaimie Kinard (far right) from Team Race to Heal -Hawaii has been very supportive during our girl's "Race to Heal" campaign this past year. Jamie allowed us to use the Race to Heal Logo's on our gear and equipment and wrote a great article for the Honolulu Advertiser Newspaper for us.
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It looks like they have their website updated with an all new look, check it out - Click Here
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I'd just like to say thanks to Jamie for all her support and inspiration to our girls, and good luck in your future endeavours.
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Love the new website!! - The Capt'n

The Big Rescue - Stranded

The Captn's last sea duty - The Mallow WLB 396 -1978 circa

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Like Angels from the sky, no not the Coast Guard; rather Heather who saw a pathetic head scratching chap hunched over an open hood of a jeep. (she gave me a ride home) And Debbie who's skills are un-paralleled in the areas of setting up a tow. (saved me $80.00 got my jeep and me back to world.) I tip my hat to the father's who taught their daughters the how to when to why to's. I think women who can back up a trailer and parallel park are hot!!

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Stranded in the middle of nowhere deep deep in the community of Lake Mills - Sentry Foods parking lot, I managed to use all my survival skills, (kept myself from walking over to the Mexican restaurant for nachos and a cold beer) Managed to stay focused and got home safely.

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I would like to add through this crisis, Koa the wonder dog was cool calm and collected, never waivered. The jeeps at the shop, I'm home safe and sound; Didn't even have to activate my PLB.

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We'll see what the car doc says.... hopefully a nip and a tuck, really don't want to spend a billion dollars on a jeep make over.

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You can send your electronic get well cards to my jeep to brian0017 AT yahoo DOT com

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For those keeping score, the Capt'n goes under the knife tomorrow. Oil change, and some bodywork -The Ole Double Hernia Repair.

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Keep'n it Real -The Capt'n

Counting down the days

William T. Piquette

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Closing in on the the start date of an incredible journey around the world, the organization known as EYE of the World pushes from shore November 2nd, 2009 - click here

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The "Rise" and "Fall" catted up - Wa'apa Sailing Canoe

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Alan Stewart will be on board, known as SOS in WaterTribe circles. Famous for their homelessness build of two Wa'apa Sailing Canoes. It's a great read on Alan's Blog - click here

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To the parents of the crew of the William T. Piquette; you didn't actually think your children were the sit around home white picket fence Kiwanis go to meet'n types - did you?

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Look to the future, look to the children, trust in them - The Capt'n

Busy busy...

As most of you know I have been spending a lot of time over on the KCA blog - posting for the Ultimate Kruger Challenge that is taking place on the AU Sable and Manistee Rivers - If not venture over and see what has transpired, a truly epic journey across Michigan - still in progress!
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Boo is in school these days and has taken up Cross Country as her off season paddling sport. Pretty inspiring as an aggravated ankle (from a previous break) and multiple dislocated knee can't keep her from competing.
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Her coach said most kids would have quit the team by now with having to sit out meets and nurse injuries. I guess they are just getting to know Boo a little better. A quitter she is not.
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Boo will be presenting to the Shorewood Elementary School on October 27th. She will be the keynote speaker on her adventures on the Everglades Challenge and Missouri 340 and her dedication to raise awareness around finding a cure for breast cancer. October is breast cancer awareness month.
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That's my girl!! - The Capt'n