Regarding the cartoons and animations, I am very pleased that many of you enjoyed them.
While I was designing and working with the 'canoes', it made me remember Darryl. He died three months ago today. For some reason, it seems like years to me. I wanted to include him in our Virtual Team Challenge, but I couldn't think of an appropriate way to do that. So, just as a way to remember him a little better, I drew a
picture:
And wondered through his 519 posts:
"First you need to know that I'm the size and strength of a small gorilla,"
" . . . Sounds to me like you've lead a sheltered life. You need to hang out with more Norwegians, Iowegians, and Minnesotans if you've never experienced uff da before! Uff da does not equal oy vey. Oy vey is used to express something negative; as I understand it kind of means dismay. Uff da is an expression used where there is some kind of sensory overload going on, and thus could be positive, or negative. So it is a much more versatile phrase. Positive example: If a beautiful blonde Norwegian woman walks into a gathering of Norwegian bachelor farmers, there is bound to be an uff da (Scandinavian wolf whistle) or two expressed by the men. Negative example: If the oldest son on the farm is given the task to re-dig the outhouse pit, there will be plenty of uff-da's muttered before the task is done!"
He gave experienced advice:
"I find vet wrap (horse leg wrap) to be the best thing for me to prevent blisters on my hands when rowing. Get it for about $2 a roll at your farm supply store. I use pink on the left hand and green on the right. Two alternating wraps around the palm with fingers slightly spread and then around the base of the thumb (not real tight wraps); then finish off with another wrap around the palm. These "gloves" lasts me about a month and then I make new ones."
In 2008, Darryl signed up for rowing lessons and amusingly reported on all his sessions:
"OK gang here is my big chance to find out what rowing is all about and maybe where I fit in. The Duluth Rowing Club is sponsoring 3 sessions of beginners course on the fundamentals of rowing. For $75 you get 4 evening sessions on a trainer (Concept II and what a thrill that will be!) and a catamaran rower on the water for 16 rooky rowers. . . ."
He entered the team pumpkin decorating event:
"Does
this home built 4 foot high light sculpture made from plywood and three strings of mini lights count toward the team assignment? It was (sort of) carved out with a saber saw..."
. . . and once in a while he did the stats:
"Luna-Tic Stats for January 25, 2009 brought to you by DuluthMoose, subbing for, but not up to Kona2’s usual high standards….You’ll have to inform me if you’ve rowed a HM or FM if your meters do not show 21,097 or 42,195. And you’ll have to prove it to me if you think that I’ve erred. Otherwise this report is as perfect as I’ll ever get."
Like I said, just as a way to remember Darryl a little better.
...
Wonderful to see all the new team members
and wow what amazing meters!
AJ's graphics are absolutely amazing!
I'm glad to be able to be getting back to rowing. After the muscle strains, I eased back slowly and was getting back into it in Oct/Nov, when I came down with a cold. Got over that, then started feeling odd when i laid down or got up - the room would spin...diagnosed with BPPB
. Finally over that by mid-January. I'm easing back @ 15 min per day, but tonite I did another 7.5, just because it's the last day of the challenge. Sure wish I could have done more, but I'm coming back and don't want any more injuries!
Ray with (28,625 m) to go!
6,366 m
I'm sure I'm not alone 
