Okay Kideeeees!
Its story time... with your favorite uncle,
Uncle Stuck Shakey!
Yes... Football season is upon us again kids!!
Did you know that your Uncle Stuck, played football on the 1978 North Providence High School football team?
I was a "wide receiver," and a "split end," and to this day, I couldn't tell you what my job was. I ran four patterns, (the post, the flag, out left, and out right), I'd turn around to catch the ball, at practices, but the ball was never there. I had a nearly clean uniform every week I played during my first and last, 3 game season.
Two memorable things happened to me while playing football.
First, during my first week of football practice, Bruce, probably 80 pounds heavier than I was, hit me so hard, that I actually shit myself! Pretty embarrassed... I walked off the field with my padded football pants full of dookie. Needless to say, I wasn't going to let one minor embarrassment, end my football career.
Second, a short three weeks later, Coach Pena let me play in a game against I think it was Woonsocket, or maybe it was Situate, or Burriville... I don't remember. I only remember it was some other equally shitty, high school team, fighting for honor of last place against North Providence. Coach Pena probably figured the team had nothing to win, so he'd put that 120 pound Campanelli kid in the game.
The center snapped the ball, the quarterback fell back, I shot off to run my perfunctory, yet always fruitless, 25 yard out flag pattern.
I turned around... and the football hit me... right in the gut! Instinctively, I caught the ball, and stood there, unable to breathe. I can't say what was going through my head, I was probably stunned, breathless, and definitely guppy breathing, I mean... I couldn't frickin' breath!
Looking back at that situation now, almost 40 years later, I realize that there were a couple of actions I might have taken, that could have changed the outcome of that day. I could have taken a knee, which would have ended the play. I could have just covered the ball, and laid down, which would have ended the play after the other team, touched me. I could have sucked it up, take the pain, and run with the ball, and get some yardage for the team. I could have dropped, or fumbled, the ball and lay down to deal with my inability to breath. Not having any wisdom, experience, or training, to rely upon, I just stood there, holding the ball. Which turned out, to be a bad thing to do, yet it was a good thing to do, in order to gain some "life" experience.
Some kid, bigger than Bruce, hit me with all the ferocity he could muster. I'm sure he wasn't trying to kill me, but after flying to through the air in that 1970's, "6 Million Dollar Man," slow motion fashion, along with that "du nu nu nu nu nu..." sound, I sure felt like I was dying when I hit the ground. My ears were ringing, my eyes were blurry, my stomach was killing me, my back, shoulders, and legs were cramping up, and added to the fact that I still couldn't breath, my balls were on fire.
Yet, I held onto the ball, for a gain of something like 10 yards, pretty good for a wide receiver, eh?
When I couldn't get up after the play was over, and after the three 200 pound kids, who "pig piled" on top of me, to make sure I didn't go anywhere, got off of me, a referee called "Time Out!" I'm not sure what happened next, but I ended up in the hospital, with a bunch of bruises, a concussion, and a hernia. My second hit, like many things in my life, was pivotal in changing the course of my life. There was to be no "third hit," or third strike.
I quit the football team. Looking back, retrospectively, I can say that in my life, I've taken loads of first strikes, a few second strikes, but very little third strikes. It seems that I am capable of learning from my mistakes, and occasionally, I have to make similar mistakes, only to reinforce previous lessons.
So, now I choose to go easy on people I think might be "screw ups." Chances are, they're probably like me, and yet, maybe they're a little "thicker," and just might need to get a concept physically "drilled" into them... a few times.
PEACE!!!
Campy Out!
Showing posts with label RogerCampy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RogerCampy. Show all posts
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Friday, September 18, 2015
Grand Canyon Sky Bridge Trip
Speaking of heights,
Campy Out!
I found this on YouTube, and it reminded me of the trip my mother and I did last May!
SkyWalk Grand Canyon (Not my video. Thankyou KernalPanic!)
Notice a few things as you watch the video:
- The platform extends 80 feet past the rim
- It's a 4000 foot drop to the canyon floor
- The Colorado river is 4 miles away, one mile down
- The notch in the canyon wall off to the right a sacred eagle formation, it is 3 miles away, and 1 mile long
- The other side of the canyon is 10 miles away
- The canyon helicopter tours, fly lower than the SkyWalk
- This tour, and opportunity, is run in entirely by the Hualapai Tribe
- The food was excellent, and the view at the dining facility was breathtaking!
In short, put this on your bucket list and don't blow it off!
Campy Out!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Solo Sail Around Kitsap, Update 7
Good evening!
11 days till underway!
Reflection time:
It seems like many people have been voicing concern about me sailing solo, let alone around Kitsap Peninsula. I'd like to take a moment to set the record strait and aleviate any fears that my friends and relatives may have about my being "fit" for solo sailing.
I'm 49 years old. I have had Parkinson's Disease for well over 10 years now. 18 months ago, I had brain surgery to install a Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS). The surgery was a breeze, but recovery was slow. The brain surgery was done for several reasons I'm sure, but to be quite honest I only remember two of them.
The first reason was that the DBS surgery in an early onset of Parkinson's patient, like me, might just be neuroprotective which "might" actually delay the "progression" of Parkinson's. (I hate that word progression. It is so misleading.)
The second reason that I remember was that I could get off some of the meds that I was taking, which also worked to prolong the "period of effectiveness" that most of the Parkinson's medications seem to have. This actually did happen. I'm on half the meds I used to be on.
So what's it all about any way????
When you, faithful reader, wake up in the morning and go through your morning routine, do you ever stop once to think that you might not be able to brush your teeth tomorrow? or tie your shoes? or zip your fly? Eat cereal from a spoon? Read the paper? How about just take a leak... standing up?
It's like this... I've been on and in the water my entire life. I grew up in Rhode Island and have Blue Ocean Water hard coded in my DNA. I have been sailing since the age of 13. Joined the Navy and retired after 3 ships and a few years at sea. I've cultivated a deep respect for the water, mother nature, good luck and more importantly... bad luck.
I am concerned about my safety, my balance, and the general day to day status of my Parkinson's disease symptoms. If I sat and wondered if I'll be able to sail next Summer, or if I'll have a "bad day" or "freeze" while sailing, or if I can physically handle The Chief (my service dog) while sailing, I would have "spent" a lot of time wondering, and would never get that time back. I could "wonder" myself into a depressive state, and that would do me absolutely no good! So I started scheming and made myself a deal...
The deal was that when my brother came up for a visit, I'd go sailing with him. It was his idea actually. And it worked out like a champ! Me and Ron had a really good time! I had initially planned on taking him down the Hood Canal and leaving the boat there, however the weather didn't cooperate. We ended up sailing for 3 days and had a blast! When he left, I got bummed, because I realized that I could have done the trip, but chickened out!
Sue and I sailed together two years ago and had a blast. She's by far my choice to sail with any time any where. Ron and I sailed this year and had a blast. I sailed a larger boat with some friends earlier this year and had a blast. Reflecting on these thoughts was invigorating! I had sailed my boat many times alone so what was stopping me from doing something that I'm very comfortable with?
And that was when I decided to talk to Sue about me doing the trip solo! She said, "Sure! You need to do this!"
I'm fairly competent at sailing, adamant about safety, push my luck on occasion, and have a deep respect for the power of wind and water. I like meeting new people and seeing the world from a different perspective. I am learning how to listen to my body and I think I'm actually getting better at listening to my body. Its all about fixing your boat to your standards, thinking through the scenarios, making sure that all the pieces of the puzzle have been carefully stuck together, and then get underway and deal with the outcome of your preparation.
So, when I get out of bed tomorrow morning... I will take a leak standing up, brush my teeth, have a bowl of cereal, read the paper, put my pants on, zip my fly, and tie my shoes.
If I can manage all that, I'll damn well go sailing!
The Friday, End of the Week, Break Down:
1. Tested two bank battery charger, SAT!
2. Tested both batteries. SAT!
3. Tested DC system analog volt meter. SAT!
4. Installed jack line (safety line).
5. Varnished anchor cleat wood blocks.
6. Installed dinghy seat box.
7. Painted holey bulk head.
8. Rewired and tested compass light. SAT!
9. Installed Jacobs ladder.
10. Stowed boat.
Left Ta Dooos:
1. Exchange 6 inch cleat for 8 inch anchor cleat, and install.
2. Test anchor system.
3. Test dragging dinghy.
4. Test motoring dinghy.
5. Test transferring from boat to dinghy and back.
6. Fabricate chart table
7. Varnish wood work
8. Evaluate fabrication of new awning.
9. Fabricate new sail gaskets (4)
10. Supplies
11. Clothes
12. Cruising Cash (How much per marina)
13. Log Book
14. Float Plan
15. Trailer Plan
Now to wonder where tomorrow will take me.
Grass = Maybe!
Plants = Maybe!
Boat = Maybe!
Sail = Maybe!
Movie = Maybe!
Long walk = Maybe!
Paint Shed = Maybe!
Maybe I'll get to them all, if I can tie my shoes.
Good night for now!
Campy Out!
11 days till underway!
Reflection time:
It seems like many people have been voicing concern about me sailing solo, let alone around Kitsap Peninsula. I'd like to take a moment to set the record strait and aleviate any fears that my friends and relatives may have about my being "fit" for solo sailing.
I'm 49 years old. I have had Parkinson's Disease for well over 10 years now. 18 months ago, I had brain surgery to install a Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS). The surgery was a breeze, but recovery was slow. The brain surgery was done for several reasons I'm sure, but to be quite honest I only remember two of them.
The first reason was that the DBS surgery in an early onset of Parkinson's patient, like me, might just be neuroprotective which "might" actually delay the "progression" of Parkinson's. (I hate that word progression. It is so misleading.)
The second reason that I remember was that I could get off some of the meds that I was taking, which also worked to prolong the "period of effectiveness" that most of the Parkinson's medications seem to have. This actually did happen. I'm on half the meds I used to be on.
So what's it all about any way????
When you, faithful reader, wake up in the morning and go through your morning routine, do you ever stop once to think that you might not be able to brush your teeth tomorrow? or tie your shoes? or zip your fly? Eat cereal from a spoon? Read the paper? How about just take a leak... standing up?
It's like this... I've been on and in the water my entire life. I grew up in Rhode Island and have Blue Ocean Water hard coded in my DNA. I have been sailing since the age of 13. Joined the Navy and retired after 3 ships and a few years at sea. I've cultivated a deep respect for the water, mother nature, good luck and more importantly... bad luck.
I am concerned about my safety, my balance, and the general day to day status of my Parkinson's disease symptoms. If I sat and wondered if I'll be able to sail next Summer, or if I'll have a "bad day" or "freeze" while sailing, or if I can physically handle The Chief (my service dog) while sailing, I would have "spent" a lot of time wondering, and would never get that time back. I could "wonder" myself into a depressive state, and that would do me absolutely no good! So I started scheming and made myself a deal...
The deal was that when my brother came up for a visit, I'd go sailing with him. It was his idea actually. And it worked out like a champ! Me and Ron had a really good time! I had initially planned on taking him down the Hood Canal and leaving the boat there, however the weather didn't cooperate. We ended up sailing for 3 days and had a blast! When he left, I got bummed, because I realized that I could have done the trip, but chickened out!
Sue and I sailed together two years ago and had a blast. She's by far my choice to sail with any time any where. Ron and I sailed this year and had a blast. I sailed a larger boat with some friends earlier this year and had a blast. Reflecting on these thoughts was invigorating! I had sailed my boat many times alone so what was stopping me from doing something that I'm very comfortable with?
And that was when I decided to talk to Sue about me doing the trip solo! She said, "Sure! You need to do this!"
I'm fairly competent at sailing, adamant about safety, push my luck on occasion, and have a deep respect for the power of wind and water. I like meeting new people and seeing the world from a different perspective. I am learning how to listen to my body and I think I'm actually getting better at listening to my body. Its all about fixing your boat to your standards, thinking through the scenarios, making sure that all the pieces of the puzzle have been carefully stuck together, and then get underway and deal with the outcome of your preparation.
So, when I get out of bed tomorrow morning... I will take a leak standing up, brush my teeth, have a bowl of cereal, read the paper, put my pants on, zip my fly, and tie my shoes.
If I can manage all that, I'll damn well go sailing!
The Friday, End of the Week, Break Down:
1. Tested two bank battery charger, SAT!
2. Tested both batteries. SAT!
3. Tested DC system analog volt meter. SAT!
4. Installed jack line (safety line).
5. Varnished anchor cleat wood blocks.
6. Installed dinghy seat box.
7. Painted holey bulk head.
8. Rewired and tested compass light. SAT!
9. Installed Jacobs ladder.
10. Stowed boat.
Left Ta Dooos:
1. Exchange 6 inch cleat for 8 inch anchor cleat, and install.
2. Test anchor system.
3. Test dragging dinghy.
4. Test motoring dinghy.
5. Test transferring from boat to dinghy and back.
6. Fabricate chart table
7. Varnish wood work
8. Evaluate fabrication of new awning.
9. Fabricate new sail gaskets (4)
10. Supplies
11. Clothes
12. Cruising Cash (How much per marina)
13. Log Book
14. Float Plan
15. Trailer Plan
Now to wonder where tomorrow will take me.
Grass = Maybe!
Plants = Maybe!
Boat = Maybe!
Sail = Maybe!
Movie = Maybe!
Long walk = Maybe!
Paint Shed = Maybe!
Maybe I'll get to them all, if I can tie my shoes.
Good night for now!
Campy Out!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Solo Sail Around Kitsap, Update 6
Good evening!
Two weeks left to go!
Got a bunch of hard stuff done today and yesterday. I've also been "Greening" the original list in update 3.
The weather here has been Pacific Northwest perfect for like 3 weeks now. And I've been capitalizing on my time on the boat, which has had the unfortunate and opposite effect on our yard. I think I'm going to have to water the flowers tomorrow and cut the grass.
So here's the break down so far.
Monday and Tuesday I worked on:
1. Installed two bank battery charger, hard wired to a dedicated 15amp outlet.
2. Installed second marine deep cycle battery, and hard wired both batteries to the battery charger.
3. Charged batteries over night, and received a satisfactory green light indication on battery charger.
4. Installed DC system analog volt meter. Installed in power distribution panel, adjacent to old "good/bad" battery indicator. Hard wired new volt meter to existing volt meter. Tested satisfactory.
5. Installed jack line (safety line).
6. Finished fabrication of dinghy seat. Will paint tomorrow and install in dinghy Thursday.
7. Went for a much needed two hour sail today with Don and Jake.
Left ta dooos:
1. Install anchor cleat.
2. Install dinghy seat.
3. Test anchor system.
4. Test dragging dinghy.
5. Test motoring dinghy.
6. Test transferring from boat to dinghy and back.
7. Paint bulk head
8. Fabricate chart table
9. Stow boat
10. Varnish wood work
11. Evaluate fabrication of new awning.
12. New sail gaskets (4)
Now to wonder where tomorrow will take me. Grass? Plants? Boat? Man, maybe I'll get to them all!
Good night for now!
Campy Out!
Two weeks left to go!
Got a bunch of hard stuff done today and yesterday. I've also been "Greening" the original list in update 3.
The weather here has been Pacific Northwest perfect for like 3 weeks now. And I've been capitalizing on my time on the boat, which has had the unfortunate and opposite effect on our yard. I think I'm going to have to water the flowers tomorrow and cut the grass.
So here's the break down so far.
Monday and Tuesday I worked on:
1. Installed two bank battery charger, hard wired to a dedicated 15amp outlet.
2. Installed second marine deep cycle battery, and hard wired both batteries to the battery charger.
3. Charged batteries over night, and received a satisfactory green light indication on battery charger.
4. Installed DC system analog volt meter. Installed in power distribution panel, adjacent to old "good/bad" battery indicator. Hard wired new volt meter to existing volt meter. Tested satisfactory.
5. Installed jack line (safety line).
6. Finished fabrication of dinghy seat. Will paint tomorrow and install in dinghy Thursday.
7. Went for a much needed two hour sail today with Don and Jake.
Left ta dooos:
1. Install anchor cleat.
2. Install dinghy seat.
3. Test anchor system.
4. Test dragging dinghy.
5. Test motoring dinghy.
6. Test transferring from boat to dinghy and back.
7. Paint bulk head
8. Fabricate chart table
9. Stow boat
10. Varnish wood work
11. Evaluate fabrication of new awning.
12. New sail gaskets (4)
Now to wonder where tomorrow will take me. Grass? Plants? Boat? Man, maybe I'll get to them all!
Good night for now!
Campy Out!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Solo Sail Around Kitsap, Update 5.
Spend this last weekend working on the tedious projects that I really hate to do like sanding teak blocks, filling in nail holes on the dinghy seat, fabricating a jack line. Spent time buying flashlights, some non perishable food, deep cycle battery, battery charger, and other things that have been on my list of stuff to get.
This weekend I worked on:
Finishing the inflatable boat seat box. Figured out how to fasten it to the wood floor of the dinghy, what to paint it with, and how to attach the hinge.
Buying more stuff to finish outfitting the boat.
Painted registration number on boat. Place annual sticker on boat.
Today I hope to complete:
Install outlet
Install battery charger
Charge Batteries
Paint aft bulkhead
No varnishing today... rain predicted... bummer
Bolt on Zodiac Bench after installing piano hinge and latch to top, and painting box.
Bolt on Anchor Cleat after varnishing it.
Install Jack Line
Stow safety lighting
Install cock pit item holders.
Plan meals (shopping list) for trip.
I think that should keep me busy for the day today. Got to go to the gym first to work some of these muscle and joint kinks out. Will update you all later on today as to my progress.
Campy Out!
This weekend I worked on:
Finishing the inflatable boat seat box. Figured out how to fasten it to the wood floor of the dinghy, what to paint it with, and how to attach the hinge.
Buying more stuff to finish outfitting the boat.
Painted registration number on boat. Place annual sticker on boat.
Today I hope to complete:
Install outlet
Install battery charger
Charge Batteries
Paint aft bulkhead
No varnishing today... rain predicted... bummer
Bolt on Zodiac Bench after installing piano hinge and latch to top, and painting box.
Bolt on Anchor Cleat after varnishing it.
Install Jack Line
Stow safety lighting
Install cock pit item holders.
Plan meals (shopping list) for trip.
I think that should keep me busy for the day today. Got to go to the gym first to work some of these muscle and joint kinks out. Will update you all later on today as to my progress.
Campy Out!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Solo Sail Around Kitsap, Update 4
OK Sports Fans... Another update on the Solo Sail Around Kitsap project (S.S.A.K.)
18 Days left till underway!
Anyone with a better acronym or name for this project please feel free to chime in!
Yesterday I worked on:
1. Making the dinghy rowing seat. Looks pretty good so far. Nice and strong and just the right height. Filled in the screw holes and stowed the boat.
2. Wired in the compass, but shorted out the circuit and blew a fuse. After moving fuses around, I still had no light on the compass but every thing else on the circuit worked. Maybe the light is too weak and has to be seen at night.
3. Figured out a Jack line for the boat. I love Harbor Freight!
4. Oh... need more fuses. New item on the list!
5. Filling in screw holes in the aft bulkhead.
Today, I worked on:
1. The forward anchor cleat, which requires a teak sandwich above and below deck in order to strengthen the cleat. Made the sandwich... got to round the edges, bolt together, varnish, and install on the boat. (Don't want to rip the cleat out of the deck on a dark and windy night at anchor... No sir!)
2. Purchased permanent battery charger and 2nd marine battery. Installation may have to wait until Monday, need to install another house outlet on the boat.
3. Finishing the Dinghy seat/box - bought molding, paint, need cushion for top. I've also got to find latches to secure the lid and to secure the box to the wood floor of the dinghy.
4. Purchased chart 18840 for chart table! Need craft epoxy to finish the Chart Table.
5. Installed spare tire holder and tire on trailer, freed up brake line connectors.
6. Fabricated "Jack Line" from 3000 pound webbing, and 500 pound shackles from Harbor Freight... cost: $18.00. ($70.00 at West Marine!)
Tomorrow's a planned light day.
Field day shop in AM...
Les Miserable at the 5th Ave in the Afternoon.
Chill out at home with the little lady.
Campy Out!
18 Days left till underway!
Anyone with a better acronym or name for this project please feel free to chime in!
Yesterday I worked on:
1. Making the dinghy rowing seat. Looks pretty good so far. Nice and strong and just the right height. Filled in the screw holes and stowed the boat.
2. Wired in the compass, but shorted out the circuit and blew a fuse. After moving fuses around, I still had no light on the compass but every thing else on the circuit worked. Maybe the light is too weak and has to be seen at night.
3. Figured out a Jack line for the boat. I love Harbor Freight!
4. Oh... need more fuses. New item on the list!
5. Filling in screw holes in the aft bulkhead.
Today, I worked on:
1. The forward anchor cleat, which requires a teak sandwich above and below deck in order to strengthen the cleat. Made the sandwich... got to round the edges, bolt together, varnish, and install on the boat. (Don't want to rip the cleat out of the deck on a dark and windy night at anchor... No sir!)
2. Purchased permanent battery charger and 2nd marine battery. Installation may have to wait until Monday, need to install another house outlet on the boat.
3. Finishing the Dinghy seat/box - bought molding, paint, need cushion for top. I've also got to find latches to secure the lid and to secure the box to the wood floor of the dinghy.
4. Purchased chart 18840 for chart table! Need craft epoxy to finish the Chart Table.
5. Installed spare tire holder and tire on trailer, freed up brake line connectors.
6. Fabricated "Jack Line" from 3000 pound webbing, and 500 pound shackles from Harbor Freight... cost: $18.00. ($70.00 at West Marine!)
Tomorrow's a planned light day.
Field day shop in AM...
Les Miserable at the 5th Ave in the Afternoon.
Chill out at home with the little lady.
Campy Out!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
It just might be time for a vacation....
Hawaii sunset from our hotel lanai....
Not a grass shack, but almost just as cool.
Good day all!
Not a grass shack, but almost just as cool.
Good day all!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
April is Parkinson's Awareness Month
Here's a great video I found on YouTube. It is Michael J. Fox interviewing different people who have Parkinson's. It's only 8 minutes long, but it is very well done as is most of Michael's work.
Thanks for being there for me and my family!
Roger "Wicked Beat" Campanelli
rogercampy@gmail.com
Port Orchard, Washington
Thanks for being there for me and my family!
Roger "Wicked Beat" Campanelli
rogercampy@gmail.com
Port Orchard, Washington
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)