[Rhodes22-list] Herb's sailing trip

Thu Oct 30 01:55:03 EDT 2008

Wow Herb,
            Thanks for so elequently sharing the story.  Great imagery and
human connections.  I am so glad you told me about the trip.  Thanks, and if
you have any other stories please share them.  Tell you what.  I found some
old journals I wrote as a kid over in Italy and some old negatives, all in a
box of my late mother's.  The day after these elections I'll pass some of
the stuff on if you will tell me another story.

Chris G
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Herb Parsons" <hparsons at parsonsys.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 5:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Herb's sailing trip


> A friend of mine from NO (Slidell actually), lost his boat that was
> slipped across mine during Katrina. He used the insurance money to buy a
> 39' Allied Princess in Florida, and needed it to be moved to Houston. We
> planned on 7 days, but had a little trouble with the diesel and had to
> detour to Biloxi.
>
> I had actually sailed my boat down the coast of Texas from Corpus
> Christi to Port Isabel (and almost decided to move to Port Isabel in the
> process), but that was the first time time to lose sight of land. There
> is something almost magical about looking behind you, and suddenly
> realizing that even the haze of the hotel buildings is gone, and all you
> see is sky and water. I honestly believe that is what I was born for.
>
> The waves glow at night in some areas with the luminance of the marine
> life in them. We had flying fish literally fly into the cockpit (we
> didn't eat them, though I asked if they were decent food). I was shocked
> at the depth, and breadth, of the Gulf waters that turn from blue to
> brown from the flow of the Mississippi. And there's something that
> almost haunting to hear an oil platform's low moan of a warning siren
> when your surrounded by darkness and a light fog. Another memory that
> stands out clearly was watching a Carnival Cruise liner pass in the
> darkness, lit up like a small city, and thinking to myself "Those people
> think THAT'S a cruise...."
>
> I've never been seasick in my life, and thought this would be a good
> time to find how much I can take. Though we never had bad weather, the
> second night out, it was VERY rough seas. The layout of the Allied
> Princess doesn't have as much room as other boats the same size that
> I've seen, and the "plan" was for the four of us was to alternate
> between the two usable berths (one older guy couldn't stand watch, but
> he was a great cook, and wanted to make one last sail, sadly, this was
> it, he passed six months later, more on him in a moment). I was so
> excited, I stayed awake all of the first night. The second night, the
> rough sees night, I told them I was going to make room for myself in the
> V-berth, so I wouldn't have to alternate berths. They all laughed and
> said I'd last a night at the most.
>
> I remember bedding down after my 10-2 (10pm, 2am) watch in 10' seas,
> thinking "OK, this isn't so bad. Sort of like a ride at Six Flags. I'm
> not sure I can sleep though...." Next thing I knew, it was 6:30, and the
> cook was asking me if I wanted to eat breakfast or sleep all day. They
> all laughed about how they could see air underneath me on some of the
> waves, but I never stirred.
>
> I had the last laugh, we had blueberry pancakes. ALL of them lost their
> breakfast. I did not. I've still never been seasick. I hope for another
> opportunity someday soon.
>
> The cook (I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember his name), had major
> heart surgery about 6 months prior. He was told that he would probably
> not survive. He sold his two boats, and his retirement homes, to provide
> for his wife.
>
> Then he survived, and was boatless. He told the owner that he would like
> to come with us for one final sail, but couldn't handle the rigors of
> standing a regular watch. He would ride along, relieve briefly when
> needed, but would cook all of our meals. This guy was amazing at what he
> could cook on an alcohol stove, in a pitching boat on 10' seas. We ate
> like kings, I kid you not. When we fixed the clogged fuel filters in
> Biloxi, he begged off the rest of the trip. It was too hard on him, but
> he thanked us profusely for the opportunity to sail again. I was proud
> to have been a small part of giving that to another sailor.
>
> On last funny story from the trip. Because I was (believe it or not) the
> youngest of the remaining 3 (at 49 years old), I drew cooking duties.
> I'm not a cook. My first morning, I said "Well guys, no blueberry
> pancakes, but I've done my best. You've got two choices:
>
> You can have scrambled egges
>
> Or you can go hungry"
>
> On the plus side, everyone kept breakfast down on that calm morning.
>
> Anyone (OK, ALMOST anyone) needing help moving a boat across the water,
> give me a shout. That was one of the best vacations I've had.
>
>
> Chris Geankoplis wrote:
> > Herb,
> >         Tell me about the time on the Gulf, business or pleasure?  What
form
> > of transport.  Exotic or mundane?
> > And yes no one should judge you (or me) till they've introduced
themselves
> > and gotten to know us, I think.
> > Chris G
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Herb Parsons" <hparsons at parsonsys.com>
> > To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 4:02 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] How much time do you spend on the computer?
> >
> >
> >
> >> Chris,
> >>
> >> I really DON'T mean to just be argumentative on this one, but I DON'T
> >> see Metaphor's point. I've come home (after sailing across the gulf for
> >> 10 days) to over 3000 emails in my in box. I dare say I didn't miss any
> >> important ones. The little red X in Thunderbird is pretty easy to use.
> >> It only takes me a line or two to see if an email is something I really
> >> need, or just chatter. Most are chatter.
> >>
> >>
> >> Chris Geankoplis wrote:
> >>
> >>> Brad,
> >>>         Thanks for that well reasoned, and humorous response; like Ben
> >>>
> > C. I
> >
> >>> never quite dispair, and then you come through with such a great
> >>>
> > response.
> >
> >>> I see Metaphor's point but if he just stays around till after the
> >>>
> > election
> >
> >>> he can bennifite from all the Fasciests, Commies, Sheep, and wolves on
> >>>
> > this
> >
> >>> list because after all we are all boating lambs...well except when it
> >>>
> > comes
> >
> >>> to which type of motor to use, or anchor or.......
> >>>
> >>> Chris G
> >>> ----- Original Message ----- 
> >>> From: "Brad Haslett" <flybrad at gmail.com>
> >>> To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >>> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 6:53 PM
> >>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] How much time do you spend on the
computer?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> Dear Mr. Wager/Crabber?
> >>>>
> >>>> Are you a gambler?  Perhaps a crabber?
> >>>>
> >>>> Rude?  Self impressed?  No sir, I'm a pilot.  Think about it and
> >>>> figure it out for yourself.  Little man - aggrandized view of your
own
> >>>> importance?  What part of pilot don't you get?  I'm not a
aggrandized
> >>>>
> >
> >
> >>>> little man, I am a god!
> >>>>
> >>>> Listen.  My adventures have been "bigger-than-life" for a kid of a
> >>>> construction worker from a town of 650 people.  The amazing thing is,
> >>>> they are not bullshit and if you envy them then you have a problem.
> >>>>
> >>>> Again, many of us on this board have dined and stayed at each other's
> >>>> house, sailed on each other's boats, and come to each other's rescue
> >>>> in private. You might want to lurk a bit longer before you become so
> >>>> judgmental.
> >>>>
> >>>> To answer your question about boats and boat names - I once owned a
> >>>> Rhodes22 and I regret the day I sold it.  I now own a 30' S2 named
the
> >>>> "CoraShen" after my daughter Cora and her grandfather Mr. Shen.  Mr.
> >>>> Shen died recently.  He was a "little man" who was "aggrandized" by
> >>>> his thousands of employees and one of the kindest and gentlest men I
> >>>> ever met.  His story is buried in the archives of this list.  There's
> >>>> a lot of interesting history there, and as Ed would say, "search the
> >>>> archives".
> >>>>
> >>>> Perhaps you should consider barking for awhile on this list before
you
> >>>> default to biting.
> >>>>
> >>>> Brad
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 9:28 PM, Metaphor <mwager at bluecrab.org>
wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>> Mr. Haslitt,
> >>>>> Sorry, but I get the impression that you are a rude, self impressed
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> little
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> man with an aggrandized view of your own importance.   You copy a
lot
> >>>>>
> > of
> >
> >>>>> posts from other sources, and tell grand stories about yourself and
> >>>>>
> > your
> >
> >>>>> bigger-than-life adventures, but otherwise offer little of
substance.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> When
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> people don't agree with you, you belittle them.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>  Do you own or sail a Rhodes?  If not, why are you even on this
forum?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I have had many questions answered by sailors, but none by you I
learn
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> most
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> by simply listening to what they have to say.  You just seem to blow
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> your
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> own horn so loudly that only you can hear the sound of your own
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> pomposity.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> There are forums out there that are in the big leagues. You might
find
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> the
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> challenges in one of those more demanding than pandering to your two
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> friends
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> on this one.  Other forums that I participate in have an PM (private
> >>>>> mnessage) option that  allows for personal conversation between
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> individuals.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> If it is not available on this thread, you might try regular emails
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> between
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> you and your two other friends.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I probably could figure out how to use the filters here, but too
often
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> on
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> these threads, posts are not properly (should I say honestly)
labeled,
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> so
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> filters don't work.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> By the way, Metaphor is the name of my boat.  What is the name of
> >>>>>
> > yours?
> >
> >>>>> Brad Haslett-2 wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Met, uh, Phor?
> >>>>>> You're smart enough to bitch, you're probably smart enough to
filter
> >>>>>> your e-mail.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Brad
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> On Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 8:31 PM, Metaphor <mwager at bluecrab.org>
> >>>>>>
> > wrote:
> >
> >>>>>>> I've got a simple question, but mostly applied to Herb and Brad,
and
> >>>>>>> somewhat
> >>>>>>> to Tootle:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Do you guys have jobs or real lives, or do you spend all day on
the
> >>>>>>> internet
> >>>>>>> and then posting to this forum?  There are a couple of other
volume
> >>>>>>> posters,
> >>>>>>> but none so prolific as you are. I get the sense that the sailors
> >>>>>>>
> > are
> >
> >>>>>>> pretty
> >>>>>>> much giving up getting airtime in competition with the political
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> nature
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> of
> >>>>>>> this forum.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I try to follow the various threads, but have lost interest in
this
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> forum
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> because it has so little to do with sailing, Rhodes 22's or
nautical
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> life
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> in
> >>>>>>> general.  Reading the same paranoid information from the three of
> >>>>>>>
> > you
> >
> >>>>>>> over
> >>>>>>> and over again is tiresome, so much so that I've begun to applaud
> >>>>>>>
> > your
> >
> >>>>>>> challengers -- Ben C, petelargo, etc.,  simply because they are
> >>>>>>> challenging
> >>>>>>> you, and I have (but not always) voted Republican.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Your time would be better spent arguing on a political forum
rather
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> that
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> a
> >>>>>>> sailing one, and leaving this forum to talk about the boring
details
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> of
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> the
> >>>>>>> Rhodes 22 -- you know, technical issues, innovative re-designs or
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> fixes,
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> sailing techniques, great sailing adventures, that kind of stuff
of
> >>>>>>> interest
> >>>>>>> to Rhodes 22 owners and sailors... certainly there would be fewer
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> posts,
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> but
> >>>>>>> the Rhodes 22 boat issues would not be so buried under the volume
of
> >>>>>>> political posts found here.  A search of the internet would
probably
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>> find
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>> a
> >>>>>>> few sites that you might find more of a political nature.
Thanks...
> >>>>>>> --
> >>>>>>> View this message in context:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >
http://www.nabble.com/How-much-time-do-you-spend-on-the-computer--tp20180185p20180185.html
> >
> >>>>>>> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>>>>> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list
go
> >>>>>>>
> > to
> >
> >>>>>>> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >>>>>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>>>> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go
> >>>>>>
> > to
> >
> >>>>>> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >>>>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> View this message in context:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >
http://www.nabble.com/How-much-time-do-you-spend-on-the-computer--tp20180185p20180851.html
> >
> >>>>> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>>> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go
to
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go
to
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> __________________________________________________
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>> __________________________________________________
> >>> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to
> >>>
> > http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> >>> __________________________________________________
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >> __________________________________________________
> >> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to
> >>
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> >
> >> __________________________________________________
> >>
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> > __________________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
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