I have noticed a trend

I once practiced an esoteric sport with few participants and all those most likely crazy. It is a gear-heavy sport; one where each piece of gear is designed to either protect one's self or break one's opponent.

me, leaving the field 2005 credit bogpages.com

Krov and I back to back 2006 credit bogpages.com

Keegan, myself, and KooKoo 2001 credit bogpages.com

Notice the elaborate equipment? The gear alone could take a gal two years on average to build and acquire. She might make some herself while relying on more experienced fighters, advising during the building and buying phase. Regardless of how she came up with all her other gear her helmet would have to be purchased, because very few people have access to the kind of equipment needed to shape and weld 12 gauge steel. My particular helmet, which I am rather proud of, was custom made for me by Johann Blau. It is a dinky little thing, an "English Lobster Pot."

So now I no longer fight but I still have a sport that is equipment intensive. I mean, look at this:

Okay, I KNOW your attention was grabbed by the bright red English phone box! So I cropped it out. Now, *look* at "Coach." If ever there was an embodiment of well-used and worn equipment it is on this guy. He is wearing the BCU (British Canoe Union) standard for every last item. Each piece has a function, a purpose.

When I first found this photo while editing my pictures from a recent trip to Southport NC, it rang a bell. A loud bell, or maybe that sound was the boom of a battle-starting cannon...

I really am a gear-head. Holy cow, Gulfstream Dennis is right! I have some weird gear-fetish. The buying, the maintaining, the using, of said gear bringing me great satisfaction, even joy.

Well, it could always be worse. At least it's not drugs or alcohol, or gods-forbid, cigarettes. Even chocolate is not as dear to my heart as my boats. What a strange life I have. I hope you, my dear reader, are entertained in some small part.  There is a phrase that I feel embodies my style, my gear-style: it is an Italian phrase "Bella in Selle," which means "beautiful in the saddle." It is a term applied to cycling but in this case I think it fits paddling as well.

Welcome to my beautiful life. I hope you enjoy the tour.