Boat and Fishing Show redux

Went to my second boat show and probably last for a while (the show season is about over) to represent the Dock Key -- note the new name.  and this time is was a fishing show as well as a boat show and what a difference a name makes.  Point here -- names matter.

Oh there were still boats, like this row of pontoon boats, lined up ready sail into your dreams.

but there were forests of fishing rods, literally forests.  The vendor at this booth told me he would restock Saturday afternoon.  He was looking for a good show!

 Fishermen are a different crowd.  and bring out different vendors.  " who knew"

 Check out the woman under the appropriate sign.  I am not sure but I do not think she was reading one of the Bard's better known works.  Do not know if they were planning on restocking the lures and also do not know if Shakespeare is a lure brand or not.  Should have asked.

 and fisher people come in all sizes -- if I were more bold with the camera we would have some good photos of "people of boat and fishing shows".

 And here is brother-in-law representing himself at our booth and demonstrating the Dock Key.

 Also I have with brother Eric, Mark, and or Kelly or different combinations of brothers attended Wake basketball games this winter.  The guys in white and pink (Brian Piccolo Cancer Day) were Wake Foresters and were getting beaten by Georgia Tech - this time.   We get beaten most games.  Though  on a  bright note we have won games at home more often than not.  Unfortunately they make you play games at places than on your own court.   So we lose most of our games- and have been doing so now for a couple of years.  Yes we are developing character. ( and I have had all the character development I need if you must know and am ready to learn how to win with dignity)(or without- )

Been a while again

Had a grand time in Brazil, but did get quite sick -- had the flu I think and upon return to the US of A and spent most of January feeling under the weather despite the quite pleasantly warm January we were having  Chills, headaches and general malaise do not make for good company.  However come February, I did help out brother-in-law.  See Below

Now brother-in-law Ed is an inventor, a real live patent holding, in his shop, make something new, create a thing-a-majg , make the world a better place, now why didn't I think of that, type of inventor.

And  Ed needed a representative.  That is where I come in,

The place

THE CHARLOTTE BOAT SHOW
 There were huge layouts of boats, fancy ski boats, set out in fancy large spaces

There were boats jammed tightly into spaces and the boats are larger and more elegant than I recall

and the pontoon boats my goodness, but how they have gotten plush

and some of the larger cabin cruisers are just elegant-- and big

 around the perimeter of the showroom were the accessory booths, oh---  like dock hooks, life jackets, ropes, deck chairs, coolers, and such.

Ta- Da the representative --

Ed has just invented and started manufacturing THE DOCK HOOK  and I was his first salesman or representative.  I mean after Ed.  And before two pretty young women who came to work the booth on Saturday (when attendance at the show was expected to be high).  Indeed I sold a few.  Not to many and did follow Ed's advice and brought a book, - note my left elbow-

The DOCK HOOK is a metal hook that fits between the boards on a dock and if tied to a rope that is also tied to your rope will the keep your boat attached to the dock.   It is sort of like a twisted figure 8 at  that is elongated in the middle.  In the future this new product may have a different name.  Ed is "field testing" ideas.  I am also a field tester.  This Friday I am in Greensboro.  The young women will be there Saturday and Sunday.  Ed says they cause foot traffic to stop in the isle.  --- I may have to go back to see the boat show on a Saturday.

O Ouebra-Nozes

On the 23rd, we went to see "O Quebra-Nozes"  and that would be translated as "the cracker nut" or The Nutcracker.  The Rio de Janeiro professional ballet and orchestra combine to put on this annually and it is one BIG production.  Jen's Mom, Fa, who had just gotten to town, joined us to go to the ballet.

 They were happy to see one another.  and prior to going we had sandwiches at the same little restaurant in the town square that we enjoyed a couple of days ago when we visited the museum also on the square and across the street from the Theatro Municipal.

 It was built in 1909, renovated in 2009 and is all about trying to be and succeeding at being grand.

 Here we have Fa, Jen, Patt and another friend on the stair way to one of the levels of box seats.

 The balcony levels were somewhat showy.  Lots of artwork and stained glass windows.

the whole atmosphere was inspiring. 

 Heavy marble balconies and ornate chandeliers.  If it could be ornate.  It as very ornate.

This is the view off one of the exterior balconies from the front looking over the town plaza and the yellow building on the far corner right is where we ate our pre-game - ballet meal.

 Of course I went to the top level for a view, though I did not go to the top row, just the entrance door.

 and looking from the upper level inter lobby balcony in to the main lobby

 The main hall from the main floor where we were seated.  The ballet and music was fabulous.  We were just astounded at how good it was.  The chorus during the snow princess dance was awesome, and the various dances were - well we were impressed.

 It is a professional company that has been in existance a very long time and the costumes and productions was something to see.

This is the view from our seats -- Jens Aunt is the stage manager of the dances or productions manager or some such title that basically tells which dancer where she or he stands / enters and when amongst the various groups.  She also directs rehearsals.

after the show, Jen's aunt, on the left, Celeste, Dalal Achcar the Director of the Ballet and the director of Fa's former dance school Fa and Jen backstage -- Yes, we are backstage.   Immediately after the show we went backstage and were there while they were taking curtain calls.  Fa and Jen were quite the an attraction backstage

 and here is Fa talking with the jester;  she had danced with him in the past at some point.

 and I do believe I have seen holiday decorations like this before.

down town to the art museum

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Jen, Patt and I went into downtown historic square part of Rio a day or so ago with Raleigh to walk around the promenade and see the museum and enjoy the city - it was hot but we did enjoy the day

 This is the refurbished theater, which we will come back to in order to see the Nutcracker performed.

 I mentioned it was hot and Raleigh was a real trooper, putting up with the heat and enjoying the ride.

 The museum was full of marble statutes - like from Rome or Athens or somewhere like that

 And there were some huge massive paintings like this one of the famous Second  Battle of Guararapes near Recife Brazil between the Dutch and the Portuguese in 1649.  (I did like the "big art" that they had) (and they did go in for the large paintings.  The figures in the painting were larger than life scale)

 Afterward we stopped for a cool drink

 and a visit with the Grandparents 

 in a cute little place on the square.

 and then headed down the promenade to get a cab home.

Art lesson number one for grandson accomplished.

A day at the beach.

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Did not know if you were aware that here in Rio it is summer and I do believe it has officially started.  The temperature says 34 degrees so it must be and we have sand between our toes.  This is at LeBlon Beach, just south of Ipanema Beach - or perhaps west, I do not know.

It is beautiful.

 And the waves are quite fierce.  Stephen and I actually waited until they calmed down somewhat prior to going swimming and we did not go out beyond the breakers!  Waves like that one just about crushed us while we were playing in that water- but I liked it.

 There was also other scenery in the neighborhood I noticed on the way back to our seats.

As is obvious we were comfortable, shade, scenery - already mentioned, big rolling waves, ocean, occasional cruise ship going by and the idea of resort comes to mind.

 The beach is very broad, sand soft - and hot- after all it was at least 34 degrees in direct sunlight with clouds over the mountains behind us.

 Patt considers another cold drink

 Yes, she decides on another

 and my goodness but he did make a strong Caipirinha --lime sugar and cachaca- (a Brazilian vodka from sugar cane).  We had a very good day at the beach.

Just a photo of Grandson Raleigh (or two)

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Lest you forget, we have a grandson here in Brazil who just happens to be mighty cute.  He quickly recognizes and likes his grandparents very much.  This pleases me a lot.  

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 And of course he knows where the camera is 

 and gives that really cute smile often followed by a laugh

 we are working this week on learning to crawl, but are just now getting up on all fours.

 which leads to a tottering movement from which he has learned to launch himself forward.

 and the obligatory hammock photo of the day.  On this day Raleigh just tipped over and went to sleep.