Wolverine Slept at My House

Skitchin' is a common method of transport around here - grab onto a cart and let them power your bike.  Roads are bumpy so pictures can by difficult...especially lining up a panorama shot! Great shot given the conditions Sara.

I'm not sure where to go with this blog post - it was a pretty busy week and weekend; plenty of blog worthy bits and at different times thought about going so many different ways with it.  So I think I'll just start on the adventures of life on Ambergris Caye side of things and see where it takes me.

Bottom row (L to R) - Mark, Matt, Linda
Me. Upper row (L to R) - Maria, ??, ??

First I would like the humbly apologize to the lady in the back row of that picture on the left there - see she's picky something out of her teeth...or maybe getting ready to eat a booger...not sure (she's not eating a booger!!  That was a joke people!!).  Either way - I had to roll with this picture as it's the only one I took.  David and Linda were kind enough to invite us on their catamaran (the Cas Cat) for a Sunset Sail.  It was a nice little trip.  I really enjoy being on the water and the great thing about their boat is being much closer to the water, you can hear and feel it (though once the sun goes away you really don't want to feel it).  Fantastic Rum Punch as well!!  It was a great time with great friends.  Very happy to have them as friends, neighbors and business colleagues.

View from Amber @ Caribbean Villas

Super Sunday!!  And apparently there was some sort of game being played?  My view started at Caribbean Villas - where we began what became a 12 hour rum odyssey. Watching the ocean, sipping some drinks, listening to DJ Hoy...good times.  It was fairly interesting when I looked around the table and realized that of the dozen or so there - only 4 of us were Americans.  Just an interesting realization that my current "social group" is really short of Americans. Only a few months ago it was 100% US folk and now here I am and my group was 33% US folk - and two of them don't usually hang with us.  Diversity is a great thing - and really makes life a lot more fun (potential blog topic...maybe another time).

Superbowl @ Sandbar

On to that Superplate or Dumperbowl or whatever 'sportsing' event took place.  We caught the first 1/2 at Sandbar which is a nice little spot just north of us; amazing pig roast...OMG they can roast a piggy. At this point me and the Boola are about 6 hours into our RumBowl; by the time I worked out the math on what seemed like a light bill I realized I kinda forgot to tell the bartender I ate a plate of pork...so I didn't get charged for it...so I totally owe you guys some money. I hear the pizza is really good too; some day soon I hope to find out!  And pay for my delicious pork meal *insert Homer Simpson drooling noise now*.

SuperBowl @ Lola's

 TO LOLA'S!
On to watch the half time show and the second half of the contest of sport.  Half time was exciting - Sara and I were REALLY hoping for a complete wardrobe malfunction...didn't happen, but I did get to see my boobs later that night (okay mid the next morning).  Lola's was crazy busy, but all hands were on deck and drinks were coming out quick.  Met a cool judge man from Mississippi and his daughter and her friend...but that is a story for my man Mark to tell.  I was however fortunate enough to run into a woman I've been "crushing on" (I think is what the kids say these days).  It was brief, she was on her way out with her friends - headed up to their local bar.  I did get a touch, a smell, and smile - about all I need these days.  Anymore tends to lead to train wrecks - though I may have to spend a bit more time at her local bar now!  

Me and Mark

SIDE NOTE - "Local Bar" has a very different meaning down here.  In the States my favorite local watering hole was about 1.5 miles away and I past several drinking establishments on the way.  In San Pedro - my local bar is 100 yards away - and 'cute lady I may have no chance with but you'll all know as it will be blog worthy either way's' local bar is about 3/4 a mile away.  3/4 mile is not local down here...it's a journey - one I am most willing to make!

Here's my full, complete, and very in depth analysis on the OkayFork, or water that contest of sport was - Two groups men sported in a competitive fashion. One of the groups sported better than the other group; which lead to them achieving a greater number of tally marks, thus they were named as the victor of the contest.  

I've been drinking for 8 hours, my own brother just went to bed.  I should too...screw that - I'm hanging out with Wolverine, and the Reef View Massive! TO PEDRO'S!!!

From here on out it's really Marc's story to tell - a story of hot chicks, lust, and ultimate loss (none for me, which I'm cool with, too much trouble).  It was an adventure, but not my adventure.  I just chatted with Matt, Linda, Keith, and Amy for a few hours...ended up at Central Park with a great steak burrito and calm night all in all...the way I like it.  headed home..

Or are we - no... TO JAGUAR'S!!!
Okay we didn't make it to Jags...long story I don't feel like recounting - also not my story to tell again!  Fun night, fun day, awesome to hang out with new friends - good luck on the world journey Mark, and I'm happy as heck to let a great guy use my apartment.  That's right people - Wolverine slept in my house.

View from Greg's back yard

Me and Greg

Back to work - for a day - then hung out with Greg and the Ecologic cast for his BDay at night.  I have a great team of people.  So much fun to hang out with them, and Greg makes an amazing chicken dip!

I really should go work now.  My buddy Brian in coming in about a month for "a month" (it's really 3 weeks...)...may effect my productivity.


For the record it's been 4 hours since my last proof read and I did no work...

Meeting with Myself (aka - That hooker may stab me yet)

I'll try and throw some random pics in this post to keep your interest...but in reality it's mostly words and thoughts and hooker that wanted to fight me - I'm sure you're thinking "a hooker fight would make for a good photo/video op"...and I'm sure you're right; however that wasn't top of mind at the moment.  For the protection of the innocent and out of lack of desire to call out the guilty I have changed many of the names (but not all) in this passage.  Over the past couple weeks I've really been looking at life, and the interrelationship of long term and short term "happiness".  What does it take to achieve them? Can you have both? Or will one destroy the other?

This isn't a 'hold my beer and watch' or 'so shit there I was' story...though I was holding a drink, and if I must be honest tasting Carla's Sweet Nipples.  Sorry Jake From Statefarm..but they are sweet.  Okay before you think I'm being a horrible ass; this is a drink that Jake invented moments earlier named after his girlfriends sweet nipples (I don't know that they are sweet, but I due trust Jake wouldn't lie about his girl's nipples).  I really like typing the word nipples.

Deliciousness interlude - went to Casa Picasso with Boola (aka - Eric) - Lobster Sliders and Filet...

Lobster Slider from Casa Picasso

Filet from Casa Picasso

Let me just say that the filet was amazing...mmmm.  The Lobster Sliders - out of this world.  In the words of Eric "holy shit....for the first time in months I forgot about In-N-Out." The bun is crisp, yet butter exists in massive amounts in there somewhere. This dish truly defeats at least two laws of physics...

Here's where the heavy starts.  Didn't realize it at the time - but 6 hours later, at 4am, with a lot of rum in my blood, and loads of water in my tummy, it landed.  Really it's still landing; or at least the rippling effects and implications of the life lesson.  The truth behind the night.  The introspective odyssey was beginning, and it all started with a guy named "Raven".

So I'm drinking a Carla's Sweet Nipples when Raven walks down the bar, passing plenty of vacant stools, opting to take his place beside me.  A true 'salty dog' sailor if I've ever met one.  Shoulder length gray hair, a beard far more full and masculine than I can grow...also grayed by the years. He had about 40 years on me; most spent sailing around the Mediterranean - a few pretty crazy adventures I enjoyed hearing about - with his most recent years being spent in the mountains of Mexico.  He had spent his life jumping from adventure to adventure; and had no doubt achieved short term happiness in bunches.  You could see it on his face as he talked.

Fun times interlude - Another fun experience with the Boola.

Sunset Sailing

Happy Birthday Sunset Sailing

 It was very nice cruising around and watching the sunset on Eric's birthday.  Good Times for sure.  If you haven't experienced a Sunset cruise with us...WTF?  Realy?!  Call me...maybe.  Is that still a thing?  Still don't understand it - getting old.

After a drink and some chat he disappeared down the street...only to return a few minutes later with two 'hourly friends'.  He took his seat at the other end of the bar; gave me a nod and wave, and bought his rented sense of happiness a couple drinks (dust starts settling in the mind).  Their to go cups full of booze came; and Raven paid for the drinks.  That's when the got interesting in two ways...

You'll hear about my hooker fight in the next interlude (interesting way #1); for now let's stay with the main feature - as I gave Raven that 'see you later' wave, and that's when I saw it in his eyes.  His face smiled; but the eyes were empty.  He was headed out with short term happiness, and the eyes showed his knowledge that it wasn't leading to long term happiness.

None of this really landed till hours later, but sure enough it was there...finally, and after weeks of 1/2 thoughts it was complete (though the ripples still flow through my consciousness).  My answer is that to be short sighted and seek happiness in the short term is not necessarily a bad thing - but you do have to be prepared to accept that an inevitable consequence can very well be the loss of long term happiness.

"So Shit There I Was" interlude - Raven had paid for his drinks.

Photo completely unrelated
to the story...just needed a picture.

He was leaving with his new friend "Lazy Lizard"; and being the nice gent he is put a pretty little tip out for my pal Bartender Mo - the hardest working bar tender in all of Belize.  He earns those tips...but apparently Lazy Lizard didn't think so - she reached over and stole my friends tip.  Before my brain even knew what my mouth was going to say, "You fucking bitch" went flying from my lips and smacked her right in the face from across the bar.  She of course hit DEFON 4, black out, I'm gonna kill a guy mode.  Screaming at me and about to flying through the air and rip my face off...but luckily for me her desire to make some money over ruled her desire to kill me.  Her friend carried her off into the night; still with my friends money in her pocket.  I'd like to think I could take an 80 pound hooker in a fight...but she looks like a crafty one.

I'm not about to pretend I have all the answers.  Though I now very much understand that happiness and "good" are intertwined on both a short and long term basis.  Making decisions to satisfy short term happiness must lead to a long term good as well.  I won't talk about the specifics of why I've been pondering this - but it very much comes down to decision making.  If you choose a short term happiness you better make sure it may not negate a potential long term happiness.  Not always easy to see, or understand...but you owe it to yourself to try.  Short and long term happiness are not mutually exclusive by any means; but we have a choice in short term happinesses.  I will do my best to choose the ones that lead down the path to long term happiness.  At times that may mean sacrificing a short term happiness so it doesn't interfere - I just pray to be wise enough to recognize those times.

I doubt I'm making much sense at this point - big finish time...

I suppose Raven was just a guy visiting Belize.  Though I feel like I sat beside myself.  I came in and showed me what would be if I stopped looking at the long term.  I don't want to be an old salty dog sailor with hourly friends.  I'm gonna choose to make decisions for a long term happiness.

Kinda hoping I live long enough to find said long term happiness...but that hooker may stab me yet!

Food Porn...Top 5 Life Dining Experience

www.facebook.com/CasaPicassoBelize
casapicassobelize.com/

My mother raised me to believe that if I had nothing good to say, then I should just say nothing. I recently dined at Casa Picasso here on Ambergris Caye...and this could be a very long blog!  If you figure I've generally eaten 3 meals a day for 35 years...then I've eaten roughly 38,325 meals.  This one is easily in my top .00013% (or top 5 for easier reference).  My friends Matt, Sara, and Karen were kind enough to invite me and even pay my tab - it was a most excellent surprise that Barb, Joe, Tacogirl (Laurie), and Paul were also able to join.

The menu, for me, was like what a nudie mag is to most men - I couldn't take my eyes off it.  My mouth watered from beginning to end.  I decided on the Chef's Tasting menu (a Thursday special); since it was also Chef Ben's Birthday and he was cooking a sampling of his personal favorites from home...how could this possible be anything but excellent?! Didn't hurt that I was two Watermelon coolers (aka - the "Matt Hoys") in by the time the first course arrived.  I'm not usually a Vodka man, but you couldn't taste it at all - trust me, it was there...but you couldn't taste it behind the watermelon/ginger yumminess.

1st Course - Spicy Tuna Rolls

Course numero uno...not sure where it went?!  It was on the plate, then I blacked out...and it was gone.  I'm not huge on sushi, but I fancy the occasional roll; usually lean toward a Cali or Spider though.  This Tuna Roll...it rivals even the best tuna that I've pulled out of the ocean and eaten right away.  The best part of this roll was a lack of rice. It had rice, but it wasn't 80% rice like so many other joints.  With the smaller amount of rice you could actually taste the tuna and veg...and savor the magical interaction of the soy and wasabi without having to fight through all that damn rice!  Best. Sushi. Ever.

2nd Course - Buffalo Fingers 

Up next - Buffalo Chicken Fingers..."move over buffalo wings" exactly!!!  I traded Matt a finger for some of his pancetta with bruschette (I'm sure I spelled neither of those correctly) - which was also amazing...as was the taste of the cauliflower dish Sara let me try (it may have been my favorite of the night actually).  Anyway, back to my buffalo fingers.  Ah....ah...maze...ing.  I'm going to run out of ways to say that by the end of this entry.  Perfect amount of batter to chicken, spice of the sauce was a real nice follow up to the wasabi from the previous course.  I loved that the celery was cut very thin.  The blue cheese was there in a ramican...where it remained till the dish washer cleaned it cause NOTHING can make those fingers taste better; especially not molded cheese.

3rd Course - Bacon Jam, Mac & Cheese 

Next up...Bacon Jam, Mac, & Cheese.  I mean really - do I need to say anything else about this?  With 3 of us at the table getting the Tasting Menu everyone was able to sample this dish, that could have only been delivered straight from heaven on the wings of angels. In an effort to truly experience this dish the body literally shut down other senses; your eyes closed your hearing faded; you could no longer feel your fork on your fingers.  The world melted away...leaving your olfactory and taste buds completely alone with this dish, floating through an alternate plane of reality that I could have stayed in for an eternity.  But it ended...for now.

4th Course - Red Snapper Puttanesca

The next course was a snapper fish with some yummy stuff on top...I'm just not a big fish guy, or a big olive guy.  I was impressed with the flavor of the topping (even though I don't like Olives) so I'm sure if you like the fishes then you'd've loved this dish.  It was great - I'm just a meatitarian.

5th Course - Deep Dish Apple Pie 

Next up, and the course that brought this epic eating fiesta to its conclusion - Deep Dish Apply Pie...and yep, that's melted cheddar on top.  Apparently this is a 'northern states' and Canada thing, to put cheese on pie. Are they crazy? No, they are genius.  The most unfortunate thing at this point is that I'm out of wonderful things to say - its kinda like a rockus night of sex.  I'm thoroughly enjoying this course; but I'm mentally drained. It ravaged my taste buds in a most excellent way - but all I can do is enjoy...I've got nothing left to give...but that doesn't mean I enjoy it any less.

Chef Ben...I love you.  In a totally platonic, OMG where have you been all my life you food cooking super genius, type of way.  I've also just learned that apparently Casa Picasso will send and cover a cab to and from your place - wow.  So what are the excuses not to eat here - death...that is the only one. I was amazed at the reasonableness (pretty cheap for the quality but don't tell them!) of the food prices.  So much so that I'm pretty sure my brother and I are headed back tomorrow!

And now I have a huge remote for my aging eye balls.  Thanks gang!

Just so you know - I am wearing pants in this picture...just they're short pants.  I live in Belize! I don't even have long pants anymore.

2015 - Bring it On!

Photo by Karen Brodie 
www.karenbrodie.com
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What a year!  Was it a good year, or a bad year?  Or was it just a year?  Hmmm - there is certainly no simple answer to that; because it was all of those.  I mean heck, a year is 365 days so you're bound have a few wave crests and valleys right (no more roller coaster references...I'm sure most folks here haven't ever seen a roller coaster - I mean we barely have cars!).  To the few of you that will not realize I'm a whimsical SOB and just got thoroughly offended by my comment...sorry, not sorry (stolen phrase from Matt Hoy that has been thoroughly absorbed into my lexicon)!

Photo by Karen Brodie
www.karenbrodie.com
www.facebook.com/kbrodiephotography

Having a birthday only a few days away from the New Year is a great thing.  Not only do I get to start a new calendar year, but also my personal year begins anew.  Usually I do not reminisce or build resolutions or any of that bunk; while I remain without a resolution, this is a year to take stock, to look back a bit and think, to realize I should've eaten more Country Fried Steaks before moving to Belize, and finally to email Google and ask them why Chrome still doesn't think "should've" is a valid contraction...cause it is.

Photo by Karen Brodie 
www.karenbrodie.com
www.facebook.com/kbrodiephotography

So why the long drawn out intro?  Most accurately because I do hope most of you are no longer reading.  I feel like my honestly hurts people, and on a very selfish level I feel the honestly below may hurt the way people think of me - but this blog is about my life, and it ain't all pretty. As the vast majority of you no doubt know, Tristan and I separated almost a year and half.  We completed the paper work in 2014.  What I don't feel people know is the truth behind the path.  Not that there is any big secret or event - just as life goes people jump on sides and make assumptions.  But I feel I have to say this (well write it, cause I don't talk words well). The majority of people rode the middle and never openly took a side, but there is still frustrations that exist.  It is what if is people.  When I review my mental 2014 and 2013 I see a lot of things I sucked at - still talking about the marriage.  I wasn't easy, I wasn't warm, I wasn't open, I wasn't a lot of things that I needed to be.

Many of you blame Tristan for leaving; but do you blame me for not chasing?  Do you blame me being the one that mentally checked out before Tristan physically (as in left) checked out?  And if not...why not?  My best friend Mark got married while Tristan and I were beginning with these issues over two years back. During my best man speech I offered these words (or close to) - "a marriage is very much like that fabled field where you reap what you sew.  If you put crap in, you'll get crap out; however if you invest love, patience, compassion, and understanding then you will get all those back."  I did invest crap, and I knew it when I basically told Mark to do better than I did.   Not that the wife was perfect either...but still I feel I needed people to understand I have my fair share (probably more) of the culpability here.

Photo by Karen Brodie 
www.karenbrodie.com
www.facebook.com/kbrodiephotography

Either way - the past is history, full of lessons to be learned, but with no events to regret. That's right, I'm very much one of those "regret nothing" people.   I don't think "what if" thoughts are helpful, and are in fact very harmful.  None of that matters!  You are where you are, and you have a choice - you can either grow or don't.  I will always choose to grow. Through the process of the separation/divorce and therapy involved therein - I did learn a great deal about me, what makes me tick, and where I find value, happiness, joy and those things to invest in.  Shortly thereafter I got an offer that would allow me to hit on those things - to get away from what was pulling me down and put myself on a path towards 'back to good' and have a good shot at 'great' at some point the future.  So yada yada BELIZE! I kinda think a lot of people here, have a story that has that chapter "Yada Yada BELIZE!"

Photo by Karen Brodie 
www.karenbrodie.com
www.facebook.com/kbrodiephotography

Down here it seems no asks about the past, at least not the detailed version - and that fits me just fine cause I'm keener to deal in the present and look to the future.  I'm still learning the ins and outs of a charter company and a dive shop - but enjoying it for sure.  Haven't had a day off in over 3 months, and you know what...I really don't mind.  Though I could use a chiropractic adjustment.  The best part of San Pedro is it very much fits the life style I wanted.  I can live within a few blocks radius, I have the ocean, great friends, family, and just lacking cold and snow.  I've met some really great people in 2014 too.  Not that any of them can replace any of the great people I miss from the states. But it's not about replacing is it?  It's about community.

Photo by Karen Brodie 
www.karenbrodie.com
www.facebook.com/kbrodiephotography

A life in a different country really helps you develop a sense of community, and a deeper appreciation for it.  When you can understand the struggle of people, and witness the joys found despite them - it helps you gain perspective.  I kinda feel like if we could take every youth from America and pack in 12 months of living in another country into their brain then the States would be a much better place!

I'm happily looking forward to 2015 and 36 (yeah, I'm that old). I look forward to expanding Ecologic, to developing relationships with new friends, a chance to visit old friends and feel those hugs once again, and whatever else may exist on the horizon!  I have no doubt that lessons learned will lead to brighter tomorrows.

I took about 100 photos at our roof top New Year's party, during our 45 minute firework display, and not a one was even 1/2 as good as the one's here - thank you Karen!  I look forward to chronicling more adventures; and I'll try and put more personal stuff in.  I got away from it a bit cause I think the process may have been painful for some - and that's not my goal.  Many of you have reached out to me about moving abroad, some for logistical support/knowledge, some for basic encouragements - I'm more than happy to answer you all and help you.  It's a great thing.

Oh yeah - when are some of you fools gonna come visit?!

Interesting Factoids:

• Two of you will send me info on typos and grammar issues
• More web crawlers with read this blog than actual people
• All of you think 'cause' isn't appropriate as a shortened version of 'because' and I disagree with each and every one of you
• One Travel Writer (that shall remain unnamed) will comment on another bloggers Facebook page about something I did to piss her off...but OMG a Travel Writer reads my blog!!!  *Girly scream*
• 1 out of 10 people that say they'll visit actually will
• I have far more chat windows open than can be healthy for proper conversing - and LARRY just joined in!!
• I have a really long white hair and I have no idea where it came from...

So...that was Christmas?

Electric trees at The Phoenix

I've struggled mightily with where to go with this post - it was Christmas and all; but do I just talk about my experience, do I lament a Colorado Christmas, do I get all emotional? Well I'm going to try and do a combo here...cause it was all of those, so I suppose I owe it to you to attempt a recreate of that. However I will do so in clearly defined sections (FYI - I failed); whereas the reality was much more of a mish-mash kinda thing going on (yeah, that is how this posted ended up...for the most part).

Ah...yeah

The night of the 24th, that's Christmas eve of course, is usually a time of family, a time of calm.  As a kid I'd've been at church, singing carols.  In my adult life I'd spent many Christmas Eves doing just the same.  The saddest part of the 2014 model for Christmas was the snow...or more accurately stark lack there of.  This one did have rum, and Jager, and more rum.  Though the picture on the right would make one think I drank more than my share; this was not the case.  I'm just okay looking like an idiot.  I won some Crazy 8s, hung out with DJ A.Hoy (aka Johnny BoomBox) and sat in a bar that had a bunch of dudes and only two chicks (other than the bar tender)...it just so happened those two chicks were at my table! SCORE!  Before anyone gets too excited, it was DJ A.Hoy's wife (aka - The Untaggable One, aka Sara), and Karen (Sara's mom) - good company for sure.  They pretty much dominated me at Crazy 8s, but I did win the last game before it was time to put a wig on and allow Linda (another girl arrived!) to live out her life long dream of braiding an ornament in my beard.

Eric (Superman), me and Raquel (Ms. Belize)

After that thrilling shin dig Johnny BoomBox and I dropped the ladies off and and hit the town in real guy night style - one drink, some street tacos, and in bed \before the big hand on my watch had gone around another turn.

I did however get a picture with Ms. Belize!!  I kinda want to go to Lola's now...but I'd rather finish this post and go to bed - we're REALLY busy right now (my brother just informed "I am" accompanying him to Sanbar...okay...twist my arm).

Eric wearing "the wig"

I never knew I had a Mexican brother till now

Christmas morning was much more like Christmas afternoon - had to work a 1/2 day in the am...first time I've worked a Christmas in I don't know how many years!  I can't tag my brother cause that annoys him; but I can apparently post pictures of him wearing the "Ambergris Caye Drunken Wig of Power" (as I have so coined the wig) and post the picture.  It was also nice that this year I really wanted nothing; no material needs down here - so much about life here that everyone should experience.  I did score some sweet gifts, including but not limited to a Wallet Ninja, excellent multi tool, bad ass shirts (including a new Master Baiter shirt...love them), and the DVD & book set about the making, and post experiences of all the folks involved with Northern Exposure - my favorite TV show of all time.

Our Tree

Family opening gifts

It didn't feel like Christmas.  There was no time off, there was very little family, there was no snow, there were minimal carols...it just didn't feel like Christmas.  It doesn't help that these last few weeks have been beyond emotionally confusing on so many levels - yet another slew of unfinished blog posts that will likely NEVER see the light of say...protection of the innocent and all (I point at that but in reality I'm still not very good at baring my heart to all...or any really).  It's been a lot of years since I didn't have a nice home cooked breakfast; it was either chorizo burritos or sausage cheese muffins for the last dozen years.  This year it was the 'Belizean Breakfast' at Red Ginger (which I will say is an excellent place to eat; just like all the other unique places on this island...hope this pleases a certain travel writer I upset in a previous post).

Parker, lady I don't know, Victoria and Aimee at the Pig Roast

Victoria the Muffin Nosed Reindeer

Christmas dinner was killer. Sandbar had a Pig and Turkey Roast that was to die for - how much you ask?  $0 - family pot luck style.  I can't wait for the 2nd Annual, and I'm very happy to be able to partake in the 1st Annual.

I ate a lot of meat that night...

The highlight of the night may or may not have been when Parker and I may or may not have split a muffin with each other...by putting 1/2 in each mouth and ripping it apart...allegedly.

David, Linda, Easton, Sue, Eric at the Pig Roast

The 26th was another 1/2 day of work - 1/2 day of fun.  This time the fun was taking the whole Ecologic Team out on a nice little sail with snacks, music, and beverages.  I have no pictures cause Pops took about a million and they are on his camera...and likely will be for rest of eternity. Lots of hanging out and relaxing, lots of wind in my hair, lots of easy ways to impress kids - like the feeding the birds with the hand trick; kids love that and I haven't lost a finger yet.  Charlie and I also had a nice moment with Janel...we "Night at the Roxbury'd" her a good one.  When Charlie and I get going you can't get away to save your life!

My friend Barbara posted about how Christmas just wasn't the same this year (her and her hubby's first on the island as well).  I can certainly echo that (and I do paraphrase this from her) - though we live in a physical paradise, many people really don't realize that it isn't an emotional paradise.  No longer paraphrasing, back to my thoughts.  The contrast can be staggering between the sunny beauty that surrounds us here daily, and the dark sadness that can invade the lives of those in this wonderland.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not is some state of deep depression.  I do feel some sadness about many things; however have both decided to not talk about them and I tend to look at the bright side anyway...I like to earn the moniker "Optimist Prime" as given by Tristan.  So anyway, I will look to an entire ocean of possibilities, the friends I've made (both here and abroad), the friends and family back home (I didn't realize I referred to some unknown place in the States as "home" till the 3rd proof read - my subconscious obviously does not find this paradise to be home), and the mountain of challenges that I like to call opportunities.

The New Year will bring some great things...but that's another blog.  Merry Christmas friends, family, people I have yet to meet, and people I'll never meet.    

Buddy loves a Christmas Tree

Bailey loves the lights

We Lit it Up!!

"We Won the Mayor's Award" - by tacogirl.com

Who doesn't love a good parade?!  Let me tell you - Belizeans love a parade.  The first month I was here I think they paraded every weekend. Never before have I seen such anxious and happy paraders. In the interest of full disclosure; I myself am not much of a parade fan.  Christmas lights, boats, water, and friends...I can handle that and heck - I'll even parade on it.

Of course it helps to leave a winner too!  An afternoon of stringing lights, a few hours putting around on a boat drinking Captain Beav's Famous Panty Ripphas with friends, and cruising down the coast line while the masses on the beach cheer and cheer, and we wave and wave.  I suppose there is something fun about a parade.  My inner parading Belizean is getting out a bit more I suppose.

SPBRC Boat by Karen Brodie Photography

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 I successfully dodged most of the heavy lifting in the decorating game - "working" has its benefits!  Actually I really was working, but work isn't work when you love what you do right. Anyway, after creating a nice batch of Captain Beav's Panty Ripphas it was time to decorate.  So I headed over to the Ambergris Diver's dock (thanks for the boat chaps...mine will be in action next year) and strung lights for an hour or so - the crew had things well in hand prior to my arrival.

DJ Matt & the Smoking Lounge was on the upper deck - by tacogirl.com

After that is was cruising fun with friends, cheering, waving, and other such general parade type festivities.  I got to practice my ninja skills when Sara dropped a flash light off the upper deck; using my matrix/ninja ability I successfully snagged it if a no look behind the back grab as it was about to plunge into its final resting place.  OR. It fell on the foot rail to the bow, then slide down and literally landed in my hand.  One of those is true - my new friend Robyn was there chatting with me and witnessed the whole thing.  She can verify that the first version may be a true fact...maybe.  

Gotta also say - DJ Matt spun a nice little mix that had my man John Denver singing Country Roads in a whole new way.  Way to spin it Matt (or what ever terminology you use to give some positive credit to the DJ).  

Screw it - getting really tired of formatting this blog around pictures you'll just have to read now and look at pictures later - if that's too challenging...well I don't blame you.  I'm the one that has deemed it too challenging to format any longer!

After Party was of course at Lola's (photo Trevor Manager/Owner is down below).  Was a good time - love spending Holiday hours with friends.  Thank you Laurie (better known as tacogirl.com), and Karen Brodie (Karen Brodie Photography) for the pics - I hope I credited you both appropriately. Thank you David as well for paying people to pose with me and posting it on Facebook in an attempt to extort $20 out of me...didn't work buddy!

Next year I'm thinking both Cats will be entered.  Now accepting ideas for decorations.  Santa riding a shark won the grand prize this year.  We can beat that people!!

My Belizean life lesson for the day - It may not be a Colorado Christmas...but that doesn't mean it can't be an awesome Christmas. 

David paid these ladies a lot of money to pose...so I figured I should at least post the picture!  Thank you David for being the life of the party - and the only pirate I'd let board by dinghy...that sounds bad.

tacogirl.com by Karen Brodie Photography

Karen Brodie by tacogirl.com

Afterparty at Lola's by tacogirl.com

Santas and Elves by tacogirl.com

Trevor by Karen Brodie Photography

Parker's Choice for Photobomb of the night - by tacogirl.com

Dragon - by Karen Brodie Photography

Lucky Devil - by Karen Brodie Photography

Shark - by Karen Brodie Photography