Have you ever watched those TV award shows, where someone wins a big ole award, like a Grammy, and they aren’t there to collect their prize? And it turns into an awkward moment where the commentator just says “we are accepting the award on behalf of…” Yeah. I think we just lived through that.
Weeks ago, Bo and I were nominated for the very auspicious Liebster Award by our sailing buddies on Nightingale Tune. We felt so special, so proud and so very excited. And then we promptly forgot to pick up our award; and they were left holding it while the audience squirmed in awkwardness. Oops.
Most likely, you have never heard of the Liebster Award – unless you are a blogger or like to stalk bloggers. It is a blogging award passed around the blog community like a hot potato. It is similar to a chain letter in that you are tagged and then you pass it along and tag someone else, asking each other a custom set of questions designed to build community. The sailing community is special and unlike anything I have witnessed.
It is perfectly acceptable to become instant online besties with people you have never met, but happen to own a boat similar to yours, are in a similar age bracket, and are setting off on a similar boat journey. Enter Brian and Lauren.
We first “met” via FB messenger back in October. They purchased Nightingale Tune (a sister ship to Selah!) and had set off down the east coast from New York City. We were getting ready to leave Florida and hoped to see them somewhere along the coast. As luck would have it, we managed to be in the same anchorage in West Palm Beach before we each departed for the Bahamas in December. Boat friendships are sown quickly, even more so when age, boats and dreams are similar, so we hit it off over a bottle of champagne and Lauren’s amazing dinner.
A few months have gone by and we have spent many a hour playing games, hunting lobsters and enjoying sundowners. Lauren has turned Bo into a baker and inspired me to take cooking classes this summer. Brian is the ever-ready fishing buddy and loves the train game as much as I do!
They nominated us for the Liebster a few weeks ago and I am FINALLY sharing the love. Here are the questions they asked:
- You guys are newlyweds. Has cruising had an effect on your new marriage, compared to other landlubbing couples that you know?
In most everything in life we are all or nothing. Marriage is no different. We are either always together, never more than 20 feet apart for months on end, or we are in different states or countries. I don’t feel like our rhythm would work for everyone, but it works for us. Most people spend their days apart from their spouse and get evenings/weekends together to try and cram in as many awesome moments as they can; that is just the nature of the 9-5 lifestyle. Our lifestyle affords us a LOT of time together followed by long periods of time separated. Odd, but it works for us and we get many glorious moments together.
2. What is Jr. Captains? What made you decide to start it?
Junior Captains is an online program for elementary-aged kids to follow along our landfalls and be inspired to explore the world with us. Bo was inspired to sail by reading about others who had explored the world by sailboat. He relishes the opportunity to be an inspiration for other kids to dream big and always keep learning.
3. You both work while cruising. Tell us about your jobs and how you make it work.
Cruising and working don’t naturally go hand-in-hand, as communication and logistics can be a bit tough. I found it fun and challenging to fill our “cruising kitty” by selling Rodan + Fields. It is something I can do remotely with limited internet access and still be successful; I have an awesome team in the States that helps make it a reality.
Bo does seasonal work in video production and flies back and forth for events and gigs. His next project will be the Sailing Venue at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. He truly enjoys “work” and looks forward to working with his crew.
4. What part of the cruising day-to-day has been most challenging for you?
Hands down: SHOWERING! I have a rather clean personality and not being able to take good, stand up, cleansing showers has been my hardest adjustment. That and just you know, every day survival. Closely followed by a workout deficit. See question #5.
Bo loves everything and his biggest challenge is (and I quote) “Keeping you happy.” We will just leave that alone…
5. You guys are really good about keeping a strict fitness routine. Describe how you keep yourselves in shape. What’s your #1 workout tip for fellow cruisers?
We learned early on that regular workouts were a huge key in keeping my body and mind sound. I think I have an addiction to endorphins and they are necessary to both of our survival. Most days I don’t want to work out any more than a normal person, but I know how good it is for me and that drives me to put the shoes on and go for it.
Boat life makes working out complicated in terms of the when, where, hows…but where there is a will, there is a way. Armed with a heavy kettlebell, a TRX, a jump rope and some light dumbbells we can stay in decent shape. Before boat life I played tennis, crossfit and ran 4 miles – sometimes all in the same day, so I am feeling the effects of slowing down from that much activity, but we try and do something every day.
#1 Workout tip: Put on your dang shoes and just go do it. We aren’t exactly busy out here, so 30 minutes in tennis shoes won’t hurt you! 😉
And just like that we, the nominating committee, chose Deb and Peter from S/V Delancey as the next recipients of the Liebster Award!!!!
- You have lived aboard for over 15 years, now that you left the dock, what has most surprised you about the cruising life?
- You have hosted us for multiple happy hours and dinners and are amazing hosts. What is a staple in your galley that contributes to your hosting success?
- Pete, it has been mentioned that you would make an excellent net controller – who is your radio-voice inspiration and how can we make this a reality?
- What’s the biggest thing you miss about living in NYC?
- It’s rumored that while you are both licensed captains, Deb does most of the driving aboard Delancy. Is this so?
- How far are you going? What are you most looking forward to in the coming months?