Friday, January 23, 2009

Day 23

Short update today since I'm exhausted from a long day on the oars and lots of work around the boat. Big project today was to find the source of a small leak coming from somewhere near my head that was allowing a few drops of water into the cabin -- enough to keep my pillow (a fleece jacket) constantly damp, which has made for bad sleep the last few nights. Turns out that there is a gland for the toe steerng cable that had worked its way loose and hopefully will be water-tight now that I've given it a couple of extra turns.

Afternoon shift was a tough one today, maybe because I havent been sleeping well. We'll see if tomorrow's any different. Either way I've broken out my medical kit and extra extra strength ibuprofin so maybe that will at least take my mind off of the sore muscles for a while. Hope to cross 26W overnight.

Over the weekend I'll get into what my routine is like out here, typical day, etc...and maye even some water/boat/rower pictures with my fancy camera mounting bracket.

Hope all is good back home - when's the superbowl?

Paul

18 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

" pigeon's feathers are heavier then their bones"


random snapple cap.


Not this sunday but the next for the superbowl...4 days away from bllllaaaahhhhh the 5th.



you need some sleeping pills to ease the pain

MAYE

Anonymous said...

Hi! It's Paul's dad, now in the role of blog policeman.

One of my jobs here on the Support Team is to keep an eye on the Row for Hope blog, and that occasionally means taking down a comment that's a bit over the top. That's something I don't like to do, because wide-open, free-flowing comments are part of the fun of this blog, and it's a great forum for the wide variety of people who are following Paul's epic row.

Still, we can't ignore the fact that there are a lot of kids (even whole kindergarten classes) checking in on the blog each day. That's part of the fun, too.

The point is that we need to keep each other in mind as we enjoy this blog together.

We could set up a system that would have someone screen every comment before it's published, but that seems excessive. What I'd prefer to do is just ask everyone to remember that a lot of people (including minors) are listening in on this grand conversation. That should be enough to keep things in line.

As I patrol here, I'll try to go by a simple standard: if a comment makes me lose my appetite, it will be taken down, for the good of all. Sound OK?

Mark Ridley

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul,
I don't even know which teams are playing the super bowl so I am no help there. I also haven't paid much attention to Yankees lately. Maybe they have taken a break from their big "shopping spree." I sure hope it pays off with a world series title.
I also am interested in knowing if you do have a roll of duct tape. I think it could come in handy for a lot of things. If it was colored duct tape it could even add to the decor of the cabin :)
Also wondering if you have any peanut butter on board since there has been another huge recall of peanut butter, especially in the packages of crackers filled with peanut butter. I wonder if this will affect Reeses Peanut Butter Cups? I prefer Peppermint Patties and Skittles so I am safe.
Have a good weekend!

Mark - Robert would envy your "policing" duties :)

Anonymous said...

Skip the sleeping pills, you need to keep a clear head. You can do it, good luck and be safe. (For both of our mothers)

Unknown said...

Its not till next weekend. Steelers vs. Cardinals. Very thrilling I know. It's actually probably nice to be away from the incessant super bowl coverage. Two weeks of analysis is a little much even for the biggest sports fan.

I am going to buy a Row for Hope square at on the Super Bowl sqaures pool though. If I win $1000 you get it all!

Anonymous said...

Ayyy hows life going on the water. Drank a landshark in your honor the other night. Before you know it you'll be back home and the boys will be off to florida contemplating the flatness of the earth.

PS: Any sight of the Norweigan Majesty

Take care

Gdovin

Anonymous said...

Paul, some rowing news for you. The Blackburn is July18, and The No. American Open Water Rowing Championships are Aug 29 in Newport, RI. If you have any strokes left in you , it would be great to see you at either one. Row hard and row home.

Anonymous said...

Hey Paul,
Sounds like a trip with your friends to some kind of sports-lovers' spa where there's no risk of a watery pillow (Arizona?), just lots of great food, deep tissue massage, and plenty of "hangin'out time" will be in order! When those muscles really ache, remember what an absolutely epic, show-up-in-the-history-books adventure you're in the midst of that literally only a handful of people in the world have embraced! Cheering you on! Allyson A.

Anonymous said...

Paul... I have been following your row since before you started. My wife and I live in Binghamton. We are more sailors and paddlers (kayaks) than rowers. This is our first comment. We were wondering if the wind is more helping than hurting now, in terms of your progress. Early on you were using the sea anchor while resting. I am wondering if that is still true... simply to keep you oriented properly to the waves while you sleep? Or, are you able to kinda of let her drift, knowing that the wind action is moving you in the right direction. We are praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Buddy - First a message to blogger Dan - what a great idea - donating SuperBowl pool winnings to Row for Hope - spread that one around! Paulie - utilize some of the yoga exercises to ease the muscle aches & pains & to help you sleep. You have limited space to stretch - try reaching 'in' to get the pains 'out'. All is quiet in Bingo - just cold again. Aside from thinking about you , we don't have much an the agenda.Be safe, stay strong - xxoo-

Anonymous said...

Paul - Been keeping up with your Blogs and glad to see all is well. I think of you often and pray for your continued safe journey. Carry on my friend!!

Mrs. "G"

Anonymous said...

A Broome County lad, with a row boat for a pad, decided to challenge the sea. For a noble cause, he will not pause, until his destiny. For this heroic deed, we all wish you God speed, and to fill your heart with glee.

Breanna said...

Wow!!!!You are certainly an amazing athlete!!!!I am a Cross Country runner, so I love hearing about the achivements of athletes such as you who are determined to help society!!!!I go to Christ the King so I went to the meeting where you explained the process in which you are crossing the ocean to keep people aware of cancer!You should be immencely proud of yourself because you really are bringing awareness to the average person!A lot of people talk about what your doing!

Breanna,15

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul
It's Kyle from Aquidneck. Wanted you to know we all have been checking your progress. You should know we are thinking of you and cheering you on. Sorry to hear about the H20 maker, maybe we could air lift Henri in to check it out! I was wondering how often to you sing "row, row, row your boat? Hopefully that jingle won't haunt you for too long!
Take Care and Keep Rowing!

Anonymous said...

Hey Paul,

I just started following your progress and I think it is great. I am a previous rower of Charles H. and Melanie J.'s friend. She sent out the link to your website. Keep up the good work and I am enjoying all the posts. We here in NW Florida will be following your progress.

Brooke

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul
I hope you don't think we forgot about you! We have not! Bill & I have been keeping up with your adventure almost daily. You have been rowing for 23 days and we have been tring to become bloggers for 23 days! I hope you get this one. Looks like you are making way. Each mile rowed is one mile closer to all that good food you are dreaming about! Row Row Row your Boat!
From-
Your Friends at Aquidneck Custom

Anonymous said...

Dear Paul,

Hope you are doing ok and slept better and drier last night!

Just in case you can't sleep well tonight here are some questions to ponder from my favorite humorist, Stephen Wright:

“Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen.”

AND...

“You can't have everything. Where would you put it?”

AND...

“If toast always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet, what happens if you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?”

Keep up the good work, you are doing great!!

God bless,

Pat Moynihan