I'm hooked!

Over four years ago, I met my boyfriend Tim, who at the time was the Captain of privately owned sportfish yacht. As we started to get to know each other, I began to see a life I never knew existed. I never thought there was much to fishing. So there's a rod, a hook and something like bait used to lure it in. How involved could it be?

I had seen plenty of fishermen on the shores of the coastal communities I frequented. As a young girl, I definitely had a big romantic fascination with the fishing boats coming in and out of Menemsha harbor on Martha's Vineyard, where I spent a lot of time in the summer. As a fairly imaginative individual, I would daydream about fantastic stories of what it would be like to be at sea or be in a family of a commercial fisherman.
The reality that I am still trying to understand is that there is way more to fishing than the rod, the hook and the bait and tackle. It takes a great deal of skills and patience.  Seasoned saltwater fishermen need to consider many factors, including weather, species and other things that I don't have any clue about.  Tim now makes his living as a charter fisherman. Over the years of just being around Tim, I have come to realize that his skill and passion for the sport is something to be admired. Not everyone can do what they are passionate about and great at for a living.
In previous years, Tim would take me out fishing and I just couldn't wrap my hands around the idea of actually picking up a rod and joining in on the angling. It seemed so intimidating with a lot of pressure! This comes with the territory of being an experienced master Captain and fisherman; serious about something that is a hobby to most. I tagged along on tuna trips, bass trips, etc. I would focus on the sights like whales or the seascape. I would sit away from the rods and follow my own  agenda of enjoying the day, which consisted in taking in the scenic beauty of the ocean and fresh sea air.

Last year, we moved into the Cape Cod Canal region of Massachusetts. My hobbies include hiking, kayaking and most anything outside. The Canal trail became my standard go-to running and walking track. I began to notice the surfcaster culture of the area. I became mesmerized by it. Some of the canal fishermen call themselves “canal rats” and actually have bikes with fishing rod holders on them.  Fishermen stake out a spot in accordance with the tide or how the fish have been rumored to run and move with the bike or on foot if needed. Friends and family often congregate in beach chairs and picnic. The culture seemed like something I could definitely be a part of! I had continual conversations with Tim about surfcasting vs. boat fishing all last winter.  For Christmas, he had his friend make me a beautiful custom rod wrapped in royal purple and my name painted on it. Being someone who prefers fishing from a boat over surfcasting, whenever he hasn’t had a client, he has brought me out on his boat for fishing lessons this summer. I have been having the best time.  

In June, I caught my first striped bass on his boat. I needed a lot of coaching but the experience was so exciting! My enthusiasm is expressed by screaming and hollering like an 8 year old when I catch a fish. The vivid colors of my rod are a perfect match to my level of enthusiasm. I am literally hooked on fishing now. Since June, I have caught cod, black sea bass, bergall and plenty of striped bass on my pretty purple rod. I have found such enjoyment out of this new hobby. I am learning from and spending time with an expert, who also happens to be my love. Each time I go out there, I learn something new. I can’t wait to get out there this weekend!

I'll keep my day job but still enjoy the thrill of fighting a fish and the satisfaction of knowing that I am, contrary to my prior beliefs, not too old to learn and enjoy new things!

No place for racism here, there or anywhere

You don't have to be a minority to be offended by racist comments. I am a white girl from a small New England town.  My high school was a class of 70 something and consisted of maybe 2-3 people who were not white. I have parents who came of age during the civil rights movement.  They have a deep awareness, first hand of what people of color had to face in this country at that time. My mom (obviously also white) marched with Dr. Martin Luther King. 
I am educated. I went to school in Boston for communications and written and oral expression and interpersonal communication are paramount in my life. My formal degree didn't make me anti-racist though. Before all that, I was raised to have empathy. I was taught to try to put myself in others' shoes. 
Am I judgmental? Of course. Do I say hurtful things sometimes without knowing all of the facts? Absolutely. I try to weigh it out though. Put some thought into  the assumption I have made and question it. I don't tolerate blanket  racist comments. Even though I am as white and corny as the town I grew up in, my blood boils when I hear or see ignorant statements from stupid people who haven't even stepped out of their own big fish, small pond scenarios. Facebook is a public place. It is not a place for hateful jokes that can be misconstrued. 
I have to emphasize the message that even if the 800+ friends you have are all white,  you never know who you are going to hurt by what you say when generalizing about an entire group.

Get a job, get a degree, go learn something. Connect with some people who are different than your messed up and fragile self. Maybe you don't mean to appear ignorant. Maybe you are trying to be cool with some of your friends. Let me say that there is nothing cool about being ignorant. I suggest some new friends. Be aware of what you are saying because your words are hurting people, beginning with me via the news feed. Stop it.