what’s in a wave?

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Having lived in Florida for 5 years and been on many a boat I’ve come to learn that there is such a thing as ‘boat etiquette’. Now, I don’t believe that there is a book or treaty somewhere on the subject. It’s an unwritten understanding amongst boaters really. But one crucial part of being polite while on a boat that I’d like to discuss is ‘the wave’.

Now when I say ‘the wave’ I’m not discussing a sports celebration or a movement of water. No no, I’m referring to the hand gesture people use to greet one another. Waving to other boaters is an essential part of boating and as I discovered while on a boat a few weeks ago, there are many variations of waving that can me used. Some being more effective than others:

The general wave– This is a pretty nonspecific wave that is usually accompanied with a smile. It’s the most common of the boating waves since it requires little effort or excursion. One can use this wave while continuing to fish, relax, or enjoy a beverage.  

The stiff arm–  This particular wave takes a serious amount of commitment. Without it, the wave can not be executed to it’s full potential. It consists of a swift outward throwing of ones hand in the direction of the other boat.
Disclaimer: you may look like a dictator when employing this wave.

The pageant wave– A popular wave with the ladies and always a crowd pleaser.  Everyone loves an overly exaggerated wave. For those of you living under a rock, the pageant wave is only done right when your elbow leads the rest of the arm through the air, as if you’re spreading butter.You can shed a tear and ask for world peace if you really want to.  


The SOS/I’m-SO-happy-to-be-on-this-boat– This wave requires a good amount of energy and not 1 but 2 hands. Basically it’s a frantic waving of hands and arms, so much so that your hands become blurry to on-lookers. The risk in using this wave is that people may think that your boat is sinking or you’ve been kidnapped. Use with caution.

The point– This isn’t so much a wave as it is a recognition that you see the other boaters. You simply point firmly at the other boat and, if you so choose, can follow the boat with said point until you’ve turned around. Props, such as an oar, can be used for this as well. And, as learned from experience, this wave can also be confused as a plea for help so don’t be alarmed if the boaters stop to try and assist you.

I’m sure there are plenty of other waves that can be used while enjoying a boat ride, but I’ve found these to be the most popular.  At the end of the day, it’s not which wave you use, it’s that you’ve waved at all. Most the time you’ll receive a wave in return, but if you don’t, you can’t become discouraged. Just find solace in the fact that you’re friendly AND you’re on a boat!

So the next time you’re on a boat, be sure to remember your etiquette. And don’t be afraid to switch things up now and then. Variety is the spice of life you know.

under my skin

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it amazes me sometimes…

…how some people have this effortless ability to get under my skin in a way that almost drives me to insanity.

Sure I’m affected by the people around me, in good ways and in bad.

But there are only a select handful that can do something that really gets to me. As if there actions have taken over my every thought.

Now usually, I only have to deal with one such a person at a time. But this weekend. This past weekend was different. I was ganged up on. And I didn’t appreciate it.

The details of who these people are and what they did aren’t important really. It’s the fact that they robbed me of sleep and happiness that really irks me. And it’s as if I had no control over any of it. When I wasn’t distracted by work and my mind had a moment of rest, it went straight to these people and the issues they brought up for me.

Where is the OFF switch?

Luckily life, in all it’s ironies, worked everything out in a day. One day, not even 24 hours, and my mind was at rest about both parties. Strange how things work out just as you’re reaching your breaking point.

Life-1, Sarah-0

too true

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They won't see, you're more than the shy girl.

They won’t see, you’re more than the shy girl. (clipped to polyvore.com)
I think this describes me all too well. Sure there are guys that like me and some even more than like. But not head-over-heals in love.

And I don’t know if it’s the guys or me or a combination of both. I just know that more often than not they start out liking me and then change their minds somewhere along the way. Almost as if they had been sleeping for the first 3 months and didn’t realize that they didn’t actually like me.

It’s like a switch. And somehow I can always tell the very moment it happens. Maybe that’s better for me though. I can see it coming.

Regardless, I think I’m ready for this to not be the case anymore.

Chivalry…

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…damn it.

…IS NOT DEAD! I repeat, CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD!
I have found it and I must report that it doesn’t come in the form of Prince Eric (shocking, I know).

This weekend I found myself surrounded by gentlemen, none of which were princes or fought dragons or rode trusty steeds. But they were polite and kind and thoughtful. And the best part…they didn’t act that way because they felt obligated to. They did it because they wanted to. Because someone raised them to be that way. It was so refreshing. My faith in men was restored this weekend. And I choose to use the word men and not males or guys because I’ve found over these last couple years that there is a big difference between men and the rest of the male populace. The difference being, men have their shit together (pardon my french). They know what they want and are doing what needs to be done to make it happen.

I guess I just wanted to let the ladies searching for Prince Eric know that he doesn’t exist. Sorry. BUT there are great( and real) guys that are out there and they might be right under your nose.
And to the gents from this weekend, thank you. The ladies that have or will snag you are all very lucky and I’m so glad to have you in my life.

a mother’s love

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I didn’t have time to watch the Casey Anthony trial and I only heard bits and pieces about it so I will not use this post to give my opinion on the subject. I will however, bring up the feelings that it had stirred up in me. Feelings of questioning and astonishment.

melts my heart

Whether she did it or not, this Casey Anthony thing makes me think about all the mothers (and fathers for that matter) who physically harm their own children. It baffles me that anyone could bring something so pure and innocent into the world, only to turn around and take them out again. Mothers especially, having carried that child for 9 months. I look at the kids I nanny, kids I’m not even related to, and I couldn’t imagine doing something so cruel to them. Every hug, sloppy kiss, picked flower, and hand held makes my heart warm. Of course there are those moments of frustration when a mess is made or a fight occurs, but anything more than a smack on the butt or a time out seems ridiculous. How could any mother not care about the child they brought into the world? 

If you aren’t ready for the responsibility of having a child, then don’t have one. Seems pretty simple, yes? What’s the point in having kids if you aren’t going to be willing to nurture and raise said child? Kids aren’t accessories that you can just throw out when your sick of having them. And it sickens me to see people treat them that way. I’m so thankful to have parents who love me, even if they don’t always know how to show it (i.e. my dad, but that’s a WHOLE other post). Sure they spanked me when I deserved it but a line was never crossed and I would never ever accuse my parents of beating me. I didn’t have a lot growing up but I certainly had love. And it saddens me greatly to think that there are kids out there who grow up without it.

And that’s how I feel about that.

Now you’re just somebody that I used to know

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How often can you find a song that fits a situation perfectly? not too often. But this song sure does. And if you can’t relate to it, atleast the art is awesome!
**But you didn’t have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing
And I don’t even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough**

July comes in with a BANG

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When last Friday rolled around I couldn’t help but have this sense of awesomeness about the weekend. Something inside me said “ya know what Sarah, you’re probably not going to sleep a lot, but it will be totally worth it”. And I’m glad to say I WAS RIGHT! Regardless of the fact that I worked all weekend, it was still a pretty wonderful couple of days. And well needed to say the least.
Now, I’m not going to list every detail of my loooong weekend but I will say this, it was so great to get to know new people, sit on the swing with my poppop, lounge around on a boat, and have 2 whole days off from work. All things that I haven’t had time for lately with my 3 jobs using up all my time. 

it’s a long story and luckily it wasn’t MY shoe!

-My summer job is as a head hostess at on old wooden hotel. It’s my 3rd season there and there are a few of us who keep returning and have known each other for these past years. There are also a lot of new people every summer which makes the month of May similar to the first day of school. Everyone’s trying to remember names and figure out who they will get along with or butt heads with. It’s exciting! Some people are local, some are from different continents all together! Last year I got to meet the bellmen that work at the hotel and I’m so grateful I did. They are honestly some of the best men I know, but more about them later. This year I’ve been hanging around in the kitchen more. Some of the guys back there have worked there just as long as I have and I’m almost ashamed that I hadn’t gotten to know them yet. SO, as I said, I’ve been going out of my way to fix this. And again, I find myself being totally in awe of the group of people I’ve met. Most of them are my age and have accomplished and done amazing things! And to make it even sweeter, they are just down right NICE PEOPLE. One could pass as my brother, which we often try to do at the bars, one is 23 and is already receiving awards that chefs work towards their entire lives, and another one graduated from a local high school and happens to know all my buddies{ironical? I think so!} AND lived in France for 7 months . Needless to say, the summer season isn’t even half over and I’m so grateful for getting know them already. I can only look forward to the fun times that are in store. In this part of NY especially it seems very difficult to meet interesting and genuinely good people to spend time with. I honestly couldn’t be more pleased and just…happy.

-Two years ago we lost my grandmother after she went through chemo for a brain tumor. It was a huge loss to our family and left my poppop alone in the house that they shared. My aunt and dad would be sure to check on him often and be around to make sure he was alright. Last July 4th weekend, my aunt passed away suddenly. There was no real explanation for her death but it was all too soon to losing my grandmother and it was a huge blow to our family. I had moved home weeks before it happened so I was glad to be here to check in on my poppop still and just be with him. Needless to say, life and jobs tend to get in the way, so I don’t get to spend as much time with him as I’d like. So on Tuesday I went to visit him. It was so peaceful to just sit on the swing with him and enjoy the beautiful weather. He isn’t a big conversation maker so there were a few long pauses but I really didn’t seem to mind as much as I tend to. It was just nice to have it be he and I, drinking tea, feet in the grass. It was nice to have the time to make for him and I’m so glad I did.

the guys

-As I said earlier, the bellmen I work with at the hotel are a top-notch group of fellows. Maybe it’s a bellman thing, I don’t know, but these guys are some of the funnest and nicest I know and I love spending time with them (even if it gets in into trouble at work sometimes). So when I was invited by them to spend a day on the lake I obviously jumped at the opportunity. It was almost therapeutic to be on the water with such great vibes from such great people. How did I get so fortunate?? Good people, good beers, AND a boat? I can’t imagine a better day off. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Chautauqua Lake

I can honestly say that this was the best 4th of July weekend I’ve had in a long time, if not ever, and the rest of July’s weekends have some serious work to do if they want to compare. I didn’t have a voice for any of it and could have used a lot more sleep than I got, but it was so worth the time I got to spend with the new and old people in my life.

I’m truly, truly grateful.

For America. 
For Friends.
For Freedom.