tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687581172447454797.post9134803406233321818..comments2023-08-06T09:34:13.825+01:00Comments on Row for Hope - 2,950 Miles Across the Atlantic for Cancer Research: Day 51Paul Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695067016316699019noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687581172447454797.post-3054509239106308372009-02-21T20:16:00.000+00:002009-02-21T20:16:00.000+00:00Hey Paul -Congrats on that halfway point! Sorry t...Hey Paul -<BR/><BR/>Congrats on that halfway point! Sorry the champagne was a disappointment, but there'll be plenty waiting in Antigua, I'm sure.<BR/><BR/>As you might remember, we're neighbors, and I did see that pesky "for sale" sign in front of your house today! But have I got a deal for you.... if you like the area, turns out I am actually moving to Virginia Beach in mid-March so there will be an empty half duplex on Mathews St. very soon.... 3 beds (one very small - just an office), 1 1/2 baths, huge kitchen, full finished basement, sun room. It would be a short distance move! If you want landlord contact info just let me know - I'll give it to Joy or something....<BR/><BR/>Sadly, I will miss the welcome home parties there will undoubtedly be upon your return to CT, as I will be gone by then, but the move made sense for us. We will be moving close to a cousin of mine and her family, and I already have a few interviews lined up when I get there.<BR/><BR/>Also, in a very bittersweet twist of fate, it turns out that another cousin of mine (actually the mother of the cousin in Va. Beach), collapsed at work on Monday - the diagnosis was Stage IV skin cancer that has gone into the lymph and bone. So she is also being moved to Va. Beach where we can all be together and help care for her. So once again I will be helping a family member through this process that we both know too well. I obviously couldn't help but think of you once again, and thank you for all you are doing to help eradicate this terrible disease.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the great rowing! <BR/><BR/>Susan T.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687581172447454797.post-67295971161092069442009-02-21T18:37:00.000+00:002009-02-21T18:37:00.000+00:00Hi Buddy - Now, day 51 - the bigger the numbers th...Hi Buddy - Now, day 51 - the bigger the numbers the more amazing. And we love hearing how much thought actually goes into accomplishing the row. It's not just your brute strength that's getting you through. This is definitely a challenge where brains need to kick in over the brawn. Everyone reading and writing is pumped - all are telling your story and hitting people hard for donations - it would be nice to see a steady stream of dollars coming in during these last days! xxoo -Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687581172447454797.post-1260106418896894982009-02-21T18:03:00.000+00:002009-02-21T18:03:00.000+00:00Hey Paul, its Skeeter...I long ago resolved to wri...Hey Paul, its Skeeter...I long ago resolved to write you a nice lengthy post sometime late in your trip after others' posting enthusiasm seemed to dwindle, although fortunately for you it doesn't seem to have dwindled very much. So I finally sat down and put together an extended discussion with some questions to give you something to think about while you row, hopefully sitting down to read it will not aggravate your butt-sores. <BR/> <BR/>First of all, the task you've set for yourself is overwhelmingly difficult, and I don't envy your position right now. I also don't pretend to equate my own experiences with yours on the open ocean, but it does make me think about my time as a college athlete, so I wondered if your thoughts about it were at all analogous. How do you feel about potentially completing something so monumental, and do you think this is the end of the road for adventures like this or do you see yourself doing something similar in the future? Obviously this is special because you've been inspired by your mother's memory, but do you anticipate returning to your normal life after this and feeling a bit bored and antsy for the rush of what you're trying to accomplish again, or do you at least think you'll miss the thrill of it a little bit?<BR/> <BR/>Assuming that you decide not to become a professional ocean rower or other worldwide adventurer, what kind of lessons do you think you'll take away from the experience? One thing that my athletic career forced me to do was balance immediate rewards and long-term goals, and I think that's something that I struggle with in my life even today. I think that as kids we are taught that we should somehow both "seize the day" and treat every moment as though it were our last while at the same time remaining goal oriented and accepting that nothing worthwhile comes without consistent dedication and effort. Obviously you’ve forgone a lot of immediate happiness in the name of a much greater ambition, and I wonder if at the end of the day you think that sort of project is worth the sacrifice. Have you found that the daily strain towards a distant reward is itself enjoyable? Do you have any regrets about setting such a long-term goal that kept you (I'm sure) from enjoying so many of the great things about daily life? Would you recommend such extended personal projects like this to others? Do you think that most people are capable of greater things, but simple choose to accept immediate rewards instead of applying themselves to distant goals?<BR/> <BR/>Your trip has also made me realize how shallow our understanding of the people around us everyday usually is - you lived next door to me for an entire year at Colgate and I had no idea what your family history was, or that you were capable of the sort of thing you’re achieving right now. Like everyone else, I tend to see myself as the center of the universe and not acknowledge that the world goes on outside of me and people I don’t know or hadn’t thought about are out there achieving incredible things entirely without my own contribution. Suffice it to say that I think I underestimated you, or at least didn’t step outside of myself enough to realize that there is more depth to you than I originally thought. I commend you on your efforts thus far and am sure you will see the project through. I hope that you have found your solo row fulfilling and that you and your family find it a fitting tribute and honor for your mother. What you’ve done is completely unfathomable to me, and I look forward to talking about your journey when you get back stateside.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687581172447454797.post-70305991831334705362009-02-21T15:15:00.000+00:002009-02-21T15:15:00.000+00:00paul,you are closer to home then not...so there is...paul,<BR/><BR/>you are closer to home then not...so there is only one thing left to do...come home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687581172447454797.post-72478438371606850082009-02-21T12:01:00.000+00:002009-02-21T12:01:00.000+00:00Hi Paul,been folowing you since the beginning. We...Hi Paul,been folowing you since the beginning. We had hoped you would be in Antigua before we left for home. I will follow you also when we get back to upstate NY. Keep up the good work and be safe. Gods speed,<BR/><BR/>Fred Jones<BR/>West winfield ny(near Colgate)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687581172447454797.post-87446978106451619902009-02-21T00:35:00.000+00:002009-02-21T00:35:00.000+00:00Hi Paul, It sounds like that at the rate you are g...Hi Paul, It sounds like that at the rate you are going you will have Liv all figured out when you reach Antigua :) <BR/>I was praying for stronger winds to help you move faster but it sounds like I could have toned it down a little. Maybe all of the hot air from Robert talking up in heaven is being sent down to move you along and let me tell you - he talked. He once talked the entire ride from New York to North Carolina so that is a lot of hot air up in heaven that could be used to move Liv along. <BR/>I will keep it short tonight. Take care. Love, MarleneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com