Batch Lore

I am deeply concerned about an obvious failure in this great nation’s Food and Drug Administration regulations. As a bachelor, it is clear the government has failed me. I found myself reading the expiration date on a bottle of salad dressing. “Best before AUG2008”?  What the heck is that? What does “best” mean? And more importantly, where is the label that reads, “TOXIC AFTER: XX/XXXX”?

In case you were wondering, it didn’t taste very good.

Felix!

Saturday was Felix Appreciation Day! I want to make good on one of my New Year's Resolutions, which was to make better use of Felix.

Felix is a 34' Gemini catamaran, affectionately known as the Catalinamobile. 

Last weekend, I did some serious scrubbing on Felix's deck. The non-skid surfaces again got this stubborn black algae, or something like that, so I took some harsh chemicals and a scrub brush to them. Thankfully, it was far easier defeating the menace this year--last year was ghastly. 

 Spud the Wonder Chili looking Bristol off Santa Barbara Island

Felix has a dinghy, named Spud the Wonder Chili. (It's probably best if you don't ask). I got to Felix on Saturday, late morning, and immediately splashed the dink. With the outboard still in the shop, now was the time to give old Spud some cleaning. I pulled the inflatable up onto the dock and broke out the air pump, (foot model). Soon, Spud was back in the correct shape, then I broke out the Comet and a nylon scouring pad. Eek! Old Spud was a lot dirtier than I thought. I joked with myself about owning my own new island formed by the ridiculous amount of dirt running off with each rinse. It was some serious work and I was soon filthy and winded. After the dink, I scrubbed the oars, the gas tank and quite a few other things lurking in the hold. Finally, thanks to a well-timed text from the Virgin Islands, I found the bolt-thingy that attaches the BBQ to the rail! Felix is far more prepared for Catalina! Yippeeee!