I’m keeping things sharp and tight these days.  It’s keeping me focused on what’s important to me right now.

A full on rugby season is eminent.

Goals:
1-stay in one piece
2-win a lot
3-laugh a lot

I’d love to see you at a game.  Here’s the schedule.

While my weight has stayed the same (approx – 250lbs), I’m getting leaner and stronger, in light of the running and cardio.  I’ve also been focusing on my core, so as to support an achy back, but i feel it only a small part of the battle.  Inasmuch, I’ve all but convinced myself that 93% of back pain is between my ears.  When I am happy and feeling good – no pain.  When everything is grey and my breakfast tastes like cardboard with a dash of dirt – my back expresses itself in incredible ways (pain).

Last month I completed a Basic Keel Boat sailing course, which allows me to now rent a sailboat.  Watch out, ye old salty dog!

I first held my hand on a tiller as a boy in Boy Scouts, with Lazers and Sunfish.  At 14 years old, my dad bought a 14′ flat bottom Jon boat, which we still have at our river house in Burgaw, NC.  I’d have to say that that is where I really learned to pilot a vessel.

I also recall courting a maiden in college under the helm on a 20′ Hobie Cat.  Real smart.

“Yes.  Absolutely.  I’ve sailed all over.  There’s the mast and boom.  Those are the sheets and..and that thing controls the rudders.” I explained to the 16 year old manning the rental station in Wilmington, NC

“Ok.  Here’s the sail.  Have fun.” He replied and walked back to his goings on under a medium sized umbrella.

We were on Wrightsville Beach facing the sound and the wind was at about 15 knots.

I almost tipped it several times.  We nearly drown several times, but we didn’t.  However , she didn’t go on another date with me.

I simply did not know how to control the wind in a craft that fast. Alas..

I do now!

The thrill of sailing is capturing my spirit more and more every time I am on the water.

Moving right along, I built a “Quick Bag”.

It’s basically a backpack with all of the necessities I would need if I just had to go.  Like, right now!

No, I haven’t robbed a bank (yet).  I just know emergencies happen and I like to be prepared.

The grooming has taken place over my entire life.

First as a Boy Scout.  Camping as a teenager.  Road trips and hurricanes in college. Global vagabonding and a few minor earth quakes having since moved to California.  Constantly seeing the disasters on the TV’s at the bank (I hate watching the news for this reason).

To sum things up, the proverbial shit does hit the fan sometimes.

I’m prepared for it.

• SAS Survival Guide
• Map of Los Angeles county and California
• Written contingency plan
• Copy of drivers license, passport, birth certificate, and credit cards
• Portable CB radio w/ extra batteries
• Signal mirror and small flares
• Head lamp w/ extra batteries
• Lock blade knife
• Hatchet
• Water purification pills (Iodine)
• Water bottle (rigid)
• Water bladder (flexible)
• Gloves
• Mittens
• Ear plugs
• Sharpie
• 2 Pens
• 2 Pencils
• Binoculars
• Compass
• Flint and steel
• 2 lighters
• 2 packs of matches
• Folding stove with fuel cells
• 2 trash bags
• Shoe laces
• Tourniquet
• Twine
• 200′ para cord
• Small roll duct tape
• Small roll electrical tape
• 12 zip ties
• Foreign country power converter/transformer
• 4 D carabiners
• First Aid Kit + medicine and contacts
• Bear spray (I camp in the Rockies and I don’t currently carry a firearm.  In addition to bears, this stuff would certainly deter the belligerent drunk..and rabid dog..so it made the cut)
• Sleeping bag
• Self inflating sleeping bag mat
• Wool hat
• Work grade jeans
• Light convertible pants/shorts
• Rugby shorts (super comfortable/swimming/indestructible)
• 2 breathable shirts with zipper pockets (holding secrets)
• 1 light jacket
• 2 socks
• 1 pair sneakers
• 1 large hiking bag
• 4 misc sized nylon compression sacks

I’d like to spend a bit more time adding to my first aid kit, replacing the clothes with more multi purpose gear and a pair of solid boots, and perhaps even a different bag.  I’d also like to get some dried foods and bottled water and certainly some disaster currency ($100 small bills cash, tobacco, alcohol, batteries, etc.). In due time.

Its a start and it provides a ton of peace of mind to know its just sitting there, if I need it.  It took me about 3 hours to put together on a rainy Saturday and most of the stuff I found laying around the house.

Some really good resources can be found here, here, and here if you want to make one for yourself.

If you never need it, great. FANTASTIC!  If you do need it, well, I suppose it’ll be a good thing you took the time to make it happen.

That’s it for now.

This past year has been nothing short of amazing and 2011 is going to be awesome! (I really love prime #’s)

Be sure to look out for next month’s Bug for the first annual Year in Review!

Stay close,

AD

pr – have I mentioned lately that I love my mom?  It probably wouldn’t hurt to say it again: “Hey Mom!  I love you!”

You may ask, why have I received this email from you, Aaron.  The short answer is that our lives have probably crossed paths at some point and I have your email address.

The longer answer may require a connection

Are we connected?  We’d be a lot cooler if we were..

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171 Pier Ave., #251
Santa Monica, CA 90405