Spent a great dinner hour aboard Eeyore last night at sunset with Dorene DeMars (up from Tacoma to crew on a -I kid you not here- Pocket Rocket 22 in the annual Pacific International Ton Championships (PITCH), and the Seattle O'Days on their now Bellingham berthed Cal 33.
They continue to refuse to part with their boat to my personal benefit, but have given me instead their bubbling friendship. Ah well, one ship or another I guess. What ever.
Dorene is also outstanding good company. It turns out, she is not married to you Joe Demers, after all. Thought you'd like to know. Something about a one-vowel distinction in the spelling of your last names ? And the fact that you live on opposite coasts.
I am sure your real partner will probably be glad to hear that I have now gotten this all cleared up, too. Don't mention it.

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When Dorene was dropped off by her (automobile) ride into town Friday night, she cell-phoned here to Orion and I. I was amazed and aghast at how thinly the balance of her crew (and skipper) seemed to be treating their foredeck woman. Asked her if I could come out and fetch her here, or help her with anything. She said no, that's how crew was sometimes "handled". "Valued" appears not to be an operative word as applied to crew ?
She said, "No, really, it's OK....there's a vending machine nearby, I think I still remember the combination to the door on the showers, and as long as I don't stand up, I'll be just fine sleeping on board the boat tonight."
Boat named, appropriately, "Perfectly Strange".

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Munching down some of Becky's world famous shredded beef burritos, Dorene recounted to us the first day's race results. One of three starts scrubbed by the committee after a variety of tortuous start attempts. Dorene's boat appears to have done well on their second start of the day.

Three starts also planned for her class this day. And -wow- do they have some weather today! Major rides happening out there right now - wind kicking up fiercly from the south, and significant "white chop" visible - Orion's old word from babyhood for the foamies (and I STILL love it). Ahhh, yes. It must once again be PITCH weekend in lovely B'burg. Too little wind to merit all three starts on one day, and flags being hoisted on the next.
But wait !   By golly, those aren't protest flags - they're small craft advisories. Heave to boyz 'n girlz: let's RACE !!

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Charlie Husar, I am beginning to believe that all of what you have often written about creative crew abuse is actually the truth.
Dorene is next heading to the Annapolis show, had just confirmed her travel arrangements, and was beaming. Please try to show this great Cal-PNW player a good time you east coasties - or at least be sure to keep treating her in the fashions to which she has permitted herself to be accustomed!

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j. - all the PITCH news that's fit to crimp - m. Labor Day weekend in Bellingham, Washington

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