A beer can Friday

I was driving along and….

I saw Freddy’s boat at PYC.  Yes , I will tell you the story on why I don’t want to join.

Freddy invited me in to his table.

I enjoyed a beverage and hor d orvers. There was about 9 people at the table and two women.  The guys welcomed me and we set more chairs as everyone wanted to be at our table to tell stories.  I told the over the bar story and freezing the alternator.    We talked about our sail on Thursday.  I complimented Freddy on his awesome driving skills.  He was great on Thursday.  All the boys were having a grand time.

 

One of the women sniped “you are being sarcastic?” 

 

Holy Shit!  I sail with the two best sailors in the world Fred and Denny.  My only comment was –

“Are you kidding me?”

 

I would sail to the end of the world with Fred and Denny.  Fuck the hor d orvers – which were great by the way.

I left after that.

 

 

I had invited my friend Benny for the beer can.  We had agreed on the night before that he would be there at 5 on Friday the next night.  Benny wanted to sail his boat so I could help tune his mast.

Benny doesn’t answer his phone let alone answering a text.

Benny wasn’t there.  John was.  We semi put up Benny’s boat and relaxed. 

Then we heard from Benny – I’ll be there.  Ok.  “My boss found a way to kill himself – I am at the hospital.” It was 6:00pm the gun goes off at 6:30pm and we were screwed..

Ok – Skippy –“let’s set up my boat.”  I will refer to my evil twin Skippy from now.  The other John put Benny’s boat away.  Out we went.

We had waited so long we were ½ hour late to the start.  No Worries.  We were fast to the first leg.  Put up the chute.  We were fast.  John said – “wow what a cool feel to your helm.”

A beautiful night for a sail.

We finished.  John said “do you want to take down the chute and go home?”  I replied “Why?  We haven’t heard from Benny yet.  He has had a bad day.”

We got a call from Benny – I thought – holy shit his phone does make more than one outgoing calls.  Benny had cut the cables on the overhead lighting but only grazed his boss. Didn’t kill him.  I will let you know I am lying about him trying to kill his boss.  He likes his boss – Benny did not cut the cables and it was an accident.  But, Benny was in charge and he had to take him in for stitches.  

Curmudgeon was grumpy.

We were going after X.  We almost caught him.  We had gained 35 mins on him.

John – ‘let’s dump the chute’ Skippy – ‘let’s wait for Benny’. 

Benny’s phone worked for the second time ever.  Skippy – meet me at the Boy Scout Ramp…

I am a Boy Scout at heart but I hate the Sea Scout Hierarchy.  We tried to GIVE them a boat with upkeep and they couldn’t handle it.

The Scouts chased Benny out after he even left my name.  It only paused the guy for 1 min.  “You know John Cole?”  Then he chased the Curmudgeon harder.

Skippy – “go to the 42^nd street ramp”

We had trouble seeing it in low light.

Curmudgeon got on the boat.  We handed him lemonade and sailed for a while longer.  Curmudgeon left the boat.

Benny said what my old sage Fred said.  This is why we sail.  Benny calmed down.  He is always a great guy to be around.

 

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor sailing.

But if I had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction sailing harder

Is also great

And would suffice.