| August 12, 2005 Alaskan in Exile by Neil Zawicki The best bars are marina bars. When I lived on my boat in Dana Point Calif., I would go down to Turks and drink with the other boat people, staring out the window at the row of working fishing boats, all rust and rough paint and nets. These were real boat people, not the snobby set that blasts air horns from the decks of zinc-white motor yachts. We found the same tone last weekend in Newport, here in Oregon, and before long were on a half-lit cruise of the harbor aboard a 40-foot sailboat named “Other Woman.” It was Beth’s first time sailing, and now it appears she’ll be doing a lot more. Clay Berry owns “Other Woman.” He’s a retired Political Science professor, or so he says. Either way, he clearly has money. It was fitting that we met Clay in a marina bar, and even better that we met over a political debate. About three Gin and Tonics in, I overheard Clay tell the bar tender that Hillary Clinton could be president if she was only able to invade North Korea before 2008. “She’d only screw it up, just like her husband did,” replied the bar tender, who was busy lighting his and two other patrons smokes while pouring a stout. “That wouldn’t matter,” Clay said, “she’d have the public opinion on her side after such a move.” Next, Beth spoke up. “What if she just shelled Mexico?” she asked. Clay wheeled around on his stool. “No way, too arbitrary.” Next, a big boy in a pair of Grundens over-alls sat down. “Just as long as no goddamned democrat weasel gets in there, everything’s fine, what are you drinkin?” I assumed he was talking to me. “Gin and Tonic.” He sent one over. “So, what’s better then?” I asked him. “A weasel or a weasel with money?” The big boy scowled. “Drink yer drink,” he muttered. Then, Clay spoke up. “Are you suggesting the republicans have the money?” he inquired. “Because history shows they don’t. It’s only that they use it better.” “No way, clearly the GOP has a bigger war chest than the Democrats,” said Beth. “Yes, but that’s not because they have more money,” Clay replied. Now he was turning into a Hawaiian-shirted Yoda. “It’s how they use it. They sway the public and in turn, the public helps them grow. The money, like all money, is an illusion. Do you two sail?” “I’ve never been on a sailboat in my life,” I said, and Beth started to laugh. We bought a couple for the big boy, and continued to spar with Clay, which was more a steady stream of convention-shattering observations from Clay than a debate. Next, we found ourselves out on Dock 5, climbing onto “Other Woman.” As we pulled away from the slip, I took the wheel, and Clay called my bluff. “You are too a sailor, you bastard!” he shouted, laughing and cracking a Tecate. We spent the next three hours reaching across the fresh breeze, swapping stories, getting drunk, and singing songs. Beth found some Cat Stevens in the CD collection, and for that, we let her drive. She took to it like an old salt. It’s always dangerous to flirt with the boat set, and this was no exception. It seems Clay needs “Other Woman” moved to Hawaii in September, and has decided I’d be a good guy to do that for him. He’s willing to pay – our rent for the two months we’d be gone at least. I told him we’d think about it, but I think our thinking is done. When I told Angie (my daughter Gwen’s mother) about the development, she decided she wanted to go as well. And now her friend Eric is in. It is, after all, a 40-foot boat. There’s plenty of room for four adults and a baby. Here we go again… Neil Zawicki, exiled Alaskan, is Editor at Large for Insurgent49, a former reporter for the Alaska Star, and winner of the Alaska Press Club's 'Best Columnist' award. He is now living out the rest of his days in an undisclosed location in Oregon. He can be contacted at - neil@insurgent49.com |
-
Columnists -
- column archive -
August 5, 2005 July 29, 2005 July 22, 2005 July 15, 2005 July 8, 2005 July 1, 2005 June 24, 2005 June 17, 2005 June 10, 2005 June 3, 2005 May 27, 2005 May 20, 2005 May 13, 2005 May 6, 2005 April 29, 2005 April 21, 2005 April 14, 2005 April 7, 2005 April 1, 2005 - also by this
writer -
|
||||||
| Copyright 2005
Insurgent Media. All Rights
Reserved. in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership. |
|||||||
