February 24

The roster is full. Jack & Patricia Tyler from "Whoosh" will man the last 2 corners of Anthem for tying her up to other boats, tugs or the lock walls. They are very involved with the SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association), plan to transit in the near future and are delightful people. The provided food may suck, but sheets are clean and there will be plenty of booze. Not sure they indulge in adult beverage, so perhaps a showing of (classic and required equipment on every cruising yacht) "Captain Ron" would provide sufficient mind enhancement.

Someone organized a potluck tonight. It was well attended, including some people who can actually cook. I took a dozen deformed deviled eggs (all the yolks had drifted to one end of their respective albumen) which were all snapped up before anyone could get word back to stragglers. I've made them twice, so they have therefore become my specialty. Yowser!! These events are a great way to meet people who are as weird as you (in this case, me... OK, not that weird).

Speaking of victuals, discovered that sandwich bread has molded and (after defrosting ice-caked freezer) meatage is meager, so plan to catch 0800 bus to grocery manana por la manana for comestibles. Would it be cheating to buy a few roasted chickens? I think not!

Boat is operational and clean(ish), so full necessity for tomorrow is a little shopping, replacing renovated dinghy chaps, cleaning prop (Canal authority requires swearing to eight knot capability (OK?)... minimum five (OK!)) and then entertaining Mike and Barb, who will remain over-nights through Sunday (I'm thinking 'bar'). To the delight of millions, this blog may suffer neglect over the next three days.

Jack