Spin Cycle from The Statue of Liberty

This was a tough trip because of crazy wind and I almost didn't go!

But I'm so glad I did..... I was able to handle it, and I feel very accomplished about that.

Because of the distance plus the weather, this was considered a difficult advanced trip.

A few people did end up dropping out last minute.

The wind really was insane and on the return, we went through ferry traffic that put us in what we called the washing machine spin cycle!

It was fun.

We went to Cavens Point Beach for lunch.

There were bees.

It's about 7 miles each way.

We left about 10:45 and were back around 3:30pm.

Surgery & Sunset

Daya needs elbow surgery.

Her elbow has been a problem since she was 12 years old.

It's from all the acro she used to do at her old dance studio.

Back then, we had xrays, an MRI, physical therapy, all the things.  

There was some damage shown on the MRI but nothing they could do, especially since she was still growing.

Now she has calcified chunks of cartilage floating around there, and she's getting another MRI.

The doctor looked at the xray and said "Wow!"

But it's pretty definite that she does need surgery.

Friday nite sunset paddling is the best way to end the work week.

Statue of Liberty, Early Sunday

This morning before the public program we scheduled an early trip across the river to the Colgate Clock.

There were only 4 of us.

Except when we got there, and it was time to get back, no one wanted to return.

So we went to the statue of liberty instead.

We're doing a larger trip there next Saturday, but it was fun to have a small impromptu visit.

We got almost all the way over before we had to turn back because of the time.  

10 more minutes and we would have been there.

It was a perfect morning, perfect weather, and perfect water.

My cards that I'm going to hand out and leave places arrived!
I got stickers too.

The QR code goes to my Fine Art America collections page.

Castle Village Rooftop Painting

Wow, what a challenge today!

Jan from my Uptown Plein Air group invited us to her co-op to paint today... garden and roof access.

I did have a hard-stop time limit... and I finished exactly 5 minutes early!

Painting time 2 hours 15 minutes.

I find the time constraint beneficial and stressful at the same time...

Stressful because, well, it's stressful.... and beneficial because it forces you to be efficient.

The challenge is to go fast without being sloppy, and say as much about your thought process as you can.  It also forces you to decide what is necessary and what is optional in the thought process.

I did it... I fit the GW Bridge on an 8x10 panel in 2 hours and 15 mins.

I could not have done this 5 years ago.

The Palisades

My prints marketing campaign cards and stickers arrived today..... time to get them all over Manhattan!

And some in Brooklyn too....

I am Waterproof

This past week had been a whole bunch of normal, which is nice.

Work has been busy.

Daya and I went to the movies again on Tuesday, and if you had told me that 6 months ago, heck 4 months ago- I would never have believed you. I love that she decided to like me again and it seems to be holding pretty steady.

In general I'm completely fine with the transition of her moving out, even though it's not really permanent.
I don't mind being here with just the cats.  Last weekend she came home for just over an hour, but it wasn't to visit and I basically just left her alone and that was fine. When everyone gets kicked out of the dorms for winter break and Daya comes home for three weeks I'll have to re-adjust, but that will also be ok.

*******

Anyhow, tonight I went on the water to test out how waterproof my new top and bottom outer- shells are.

I even sat in a pool of water in my kayak for an hour and a half.... and I have to report success! 

Aside from being a bit sweaty from paddling, my clothes were completely dry. It's amazing.

Sunday morning we have another early trip at 7:30am, and I'm ready for our paddle to the Statue of Liberty on the 12th.

******

I had the embayment mostly to myself, and later two more people showed up but I stayed off by myself.
It was a great opportunity to get some exercise and listen to a couple art marketing podcasts. I'll be sad when the season ends at the end of the month. It's hard not being able to go on the water.

And the view....