Jester
11-12-2007, 07:25 AM
I woke up Sunday at 7:00 am. Voluntarily. Yes, ME. Mr. Don't Even Bother Calling Me Before Ten AM If You Want Continued Use Of All Your Limbs. But I had a very good reason: horsepower. And lots of it.
It's powerboat race week here in old Key West, and while I was working during the other races this week, I had Sunday off. I HAD planned to watch the races from the Navy pier, as I have in the past. Then my buddy Photo Dude told me he had passes for a catamaran. I'd finally get to see the races from the water.
And it got better. Not only did we have free passes to said catamaran. Not only did said catamaran have free beer, free breakfast and lunch, and again, free beer. But said catamaran was part of the race course...it was the marker for Turn 3. And, of course, there was that free beer.
You may be asking, "Jester, how much cooler can it be to be watching powerboat races from on the water, on the course itself, than from on land?" Answer: Oh. My. God. Pure horsepower. Pure speed. Raw and unadulterated. And they were flying by us and coming very damn close. Let's just say if one of the boats had gotten out of control the wrong way, the catamaran would have been a really BAD place to be. Yes, we were THAT close. The captain early in the day, as part of his announcements, said "If you see me jumping off the boat, you should probably follow me. But don't take too long to do it." That last because these boats were going anywhere from 100 to 160+ miles an hour. And on the water? You got no brakes, kids. And when the first races started, the phrase that went through my head was something I heard an announcer say years ago at the Indianapolis 500: "Other sporting events begin. The Indianapolis 500 EXPLODES!!!" Powerboat races don't start. THEY EXPLODE!
So naturally I was revved. I amused many people, my friends included, by wearing my brand spanking new jester's hat. (Yes, I bought another one Saturday night. Don't ask me why. I have no idea. But it's a really really nice one!) And I was definitely taking advantage of that whole "free beer" thing. My mom often says I drink too much. I always tell her I don't drink nearly as much as she thinks I do. Sunday would have definitely been a "Mom's right" day, though. WooEEEEEE, were we having some fun!
Afterwards, we went out for a few more beers (I bought Photo Dude several rounds...he got me on that catamaran for FREE!), we had some dinner, I called my friend who lives in the same building as me for a ride, I went home, and passed out for a while. And am now reasonably sober, though STILL rather charged up from those boat races. All I have to say is, once again.....WOW! Just fucking WOW! Horsepower, testosterone, adrenaline, and alcohol: what a great combination! (And it kept me from seeing much of the horror that was the Raiders losing...again.)
If y'all ever get the chance to see powerboat races, AND be on the water for it, I would say without question you must do it. It was one of those days that reminded me what a great freakin' place Key West can be.
I love my life. :D :wave: :cheers:
It's powerboat race week here in old Key West, and while I was working during the other races this week, I had Sunday off. I HAD planned to watch the races from the Navy pier, as I have in the past. Then my buddy Photo Dude told me he had passes for a catamaran. I'd finally get to see the races from the water.
And it got better. Not only did we have free passes to said catamaran. Not only did said catamaran have free beer, free breakfast and lunch, and again, free beer. But said catamaran was part of the race course...it was the marker for Turn 3. And, of course, there was that free beer.
You may be asking, "Jester, how much cooler can it be to be watching powerboat races from on the water, on the course itself, than from on land?" Answer: Oh. My. God. Pure horsepower. Pure speed. Raw and unadulterated. And they were flying by us and coming very damn close. Let's just say if one of the boats had gotten out of control the wrong way, the catamaran would have been a really BAD place to be. Yes, we were THAT close. The captain early in the day, as part of his announcements, said "If you see me jumping off the boat, you should probably follow me. But don't take too long to do it." That last because these boats were going anywhere from 100 to 160+ miles an hour. And on the water? You got no brakes, kids. And when the first races started, the phrase that went through my head was something I heard an announcer say years ago at the Indianapolis 500: "Other sporting events begin. The Indianapolis 500 EXPLODES!!!" Powerboat races don't start. THEY EXPLODE!
So naturally I was revved. I amused many people, my friends included, by wearing my brand spanking new jester's hat. (Yes, I bought another one Saturday night. Don't ask me why. I have no idea. But it's a really really nice one!) And I was definitely taking advantage of that whole "free beer" thing. My mom often says I drink too much. I always tell her I don't drink nearly as much as she thinks I do. Sunday would have definitely been a "Mom's right" day, though. WooEEEEEE, were we having some fun!
Afterwards, we went out for a few more beers (I bought Photo Dude several rounds...he got me on that catamaran for FREE!), we had some dinner, I called my friend who lives in the same building as me for a ride, I went home, and passed out for a while. And am now reasonably sober, though STILL rather charged up from those boat races. All I have to say is, once again.....WOW! Just fucking WOW! Horsepower, testosterone, adrenaline, and alcohol: what a great combination! (And it kept me from seeing much of the horror that was the Raiders losing...again.)
If y'all ever get the chance to see powerboat races, AND be on the water for it, I would say without question you must do it. It was one of those days that reminded me what a great freakin' place Key West can be.
I love my life. :D :wave: :cheers: