There is a section in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution called “Vent”. It’s where people write in to express their frustrations about any and every occurrence in everyday life.
Right now I feel like writing to them. Between XML and HTML editors that won’t work right and the closing article deadline, I have an extreme need to VENT!
I was attempting to post an article about first aid and safety. Somehow, technology has gotten the best of me, so I will simply link to it from here.
The article is titled “Don’t Forget Your First Aid Kit and Course, and it’s by Wayne Spivak, a regular contributor from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Office.
It really is quite timely, with summer here and boaters headed out on the water. Everyone needs to carry a first aid kit on the boat.
I could relate personal several stories – and I may do that over the summer – about the need for first aid kits. But for now, suffice it to link to Wayne’s article.
For venting’s sake, I’ll tell you flat out – I got skunked yesterday. The bait shop was out of live shrimp; the wind blew 20 to 25 knots; and, the trolling motor wiring went bad. It was not a pretty picture.
I’m supposed to know what I’m doing – right? I have the boat; I have the tackle. I should be catching fish. But not this day.
The problem I had with technical issues today was one thing. What was more frustrating to me personally was the small aluminum boat sitting at the ramp when I was coming out of the water.
Two teenage boys sitting in the boat asked what I had caught (actually I did manage one flounder and some short seatrout). Grinning ear to ear, they proceeded to pull out eleven – count ‘em, eleven - nice flounder.
More than envious, I bartered for a couple of their flounder so the wife and I could have fresh fish. I certainly hope this is the end of a series of very frustrating events. The bright side is, I made some friends with the boys and their parents. Maybe THEY can put me on some fish this summer!
