Last Writes?, the Target's notes

Castles moat at 39th. 7/22/2015

   It was a perfect beach day. Bright, warm sun; a gentle breeze. People everywhere just enjoying themselves. Best day of the year on the sand and that somehow seems fitting. Waves clean. A bit small-scale... knee high in a shallow low tide. But, it doesn't matter the conditions today. An anything goes type of day and DWatt is in the hunt. No matter how good or bad the last ride he wants...no, he needs one more ride. Today crowds, conditions, or time of sunset doesn't matter. Just one more tasty wave to savor. "Just one more ride, 'cause it may be the last ride." For a while anyway.

Clawin' for every ounce, 7/22/2015

    A little over fifteen years ago a bunch of guys who worked together decided to test the waters of a raging Atlantic the day after a Hurricane passed off the coast. Grabbing their BZ Bodyboards they headed out. May not have been the best idea, but they had such a good time several of them decided to go again several weeks later. Wattman was one of those guys. After several more weeks I, along with several others were brought into the fold and Team OCBZ was formed.

2001- "Glory Days, yeah they pass you by. Glory Days, in the wink of a 
young girl's eye."    -Bruce Springsteen.

  Week in and week out eleven or more guys appeared on the beach and afterwards we all headed to Smitty Mcgee's for dollar Yuenglings and wings.  To be truthful the next 8 years were really just an excuse to drink for most of the group but a good time was always had by everyone.  As time passed  the group got smaller; layoffs, job changes, relocation's all played a factor but a core group stayed intact until the day in September, 2008 when the plant closed and all of us were put into the wind. Truthfully, by this point there were three of us left standing. The Skeleton Crew was actually born. Cheeks, DWatt, and Hard Target.

2004

For the next couple of years the three faithful showed up every week. Rain or shine. Rippin' the waves. Feeding the post-surf machine with Wings and Beer. Then Cheeks' path took a change of course.  It happens. We keep in touch. But, now the Skeleton Crew was down to two.  

2014

   It's a wonder how two such different people, Wattman and myself, Hard Target, could form any type of crew. Watt is outgoing and spontaneous, sometimes boisterous. I'm quiet and reserved; a thinking man's thinking man. Never one to be part of a group. But what we have here is more than just two guys that like the beach, and a cold beer. Just a good 'ole fashion friendship.  None of that faux Bro crap. None of that, "if you help me, some day I might help you." Just two guys who are always straight up with each other and never had to ask for help because it was always offered before the question came out. Two guys who celebrated the good times; enjoyed the fun times. And when the bad times happen, the hard times hit, which we have had our share, we were still there. Real Friendship is a funny thing, you know it when you see it but its hard to replicate.
   We have had several versions of our blog over the years. A website, MySpace, and the Blog. Only a few people have known about our site. Those who would appreciate our journeys. Over the years many more have somehow found us on the web. We thank all who have followed. During the early years DWatt did all the heavy lifting; writing and publishing the website all by himself. During the last five I have taken over most of the of the writing. I also handled the "target shooting" (picture) duties. Thus, the majority of what has been posted has started with me. Each week, a theme and a review based on our Journey for that night. Watt's job as editor has been to punch up my writing, making any corrections but never changing the theme I had chosen. Watt has also taken pride in picking the beach location and the night's Bar/Restaurant. I can honestly say that I have been to places I would have never even thought about entering.  We have partaken in birthday parties, free shots from our barkeeps, talked to complete strangers about every topic under the sun, seen bathrooms that belong in third world countries, listened to great music, and watched countless games on TV...some even memorable. And no matter how good or  bad the  place was we always had a good time. We hope our readers have enjoyed our Journeys and adventures each week. We never took ourselves too seriously. It was always about the Stoke.
   However, another change is afoot. This time it is Wattman that will be following a new path. Moving to Chicago. A new job, and a marriage in the future. So for now, our weekly soirees are coming to an end. Yeah, we'll do visits (like maybe next week), reunions, and occasional updates to the blog. And the Watt's plan is to move back within seven years; reboot the Journal. I have no problem with that. Time will tell. For the rest of the evening there was only one thing to do. Return to the womb. Smitty's, the place where it all started. One more for old times sake. We ordered our Miller Lites and BBQ Wings. Reminisced over the past 15 years. Hours passed and like the end to a movie, people faded as the bar emptied out. Time for us to leave. Headed out into the night. Not "goodbye", but "until next time." 

The Womb, 2015

   I'm closing with these two thoughts: First- we hope that sometime in their lives, others can find their own Crew. No matter how big or small having this type of ride is amazing. Second- I will always be grateful to be part of our Crew. It was an incredible journey that I will never forget.

THE RATING: A

WE WERE AT ONE TIME ELEVEN STRONG. BUT, ONE BY ONE THEY HAVE FALLEN OFF UNTIL ALL THAT IS LEFT ARE TWO...  THE LAST ONES STANDING.... THE SKELETON CREW!