What a great day for a sailing! Sun is warm; the seas are calm; and there’s not a cloud in the sky. It is perfect for the maiden voyage of “Alicia’s Artistic Edge.”

It is almost time for the guest to arrive. I am glad Ian and Alicia decided to celebrate the book release on the open water. No worries about neighbors or the police if thing get a little crazy (which they tend to do!). Man, I remember the mock trial party. There was a lot of ‘splainin’ to do that night!

Back to reality … I see the first guests are walking down the dock now. Guess I should finish checking off the supplies for the party …

Sun Screen -- Check
Chips – Check
Pretzels -- Check
Beer – Check
Cuervo – Check

…

"Hi, MJ! Glad to see you!" I say as I approach the boat. Actually, taking a second look, I realize it's not a boat....it's a yacht. Damn, they really went all out for this book release party!

I walk down the remaining length of the dock, where MJ is checking off supplies. It looks like we have enough food, drink, and sun lotion for a small army.

It occurrs to me that I'll need someone to apply the sun lotion later, as I haven't had ample time to tan, and my cute little heart-patterned bikini doesn't cover everything!

"I saw a few others coming up behind me. I'll help you make sure we have everything, they should be here in a few."

damn, foiled again! i saw her standing alone in that sting bikini, and as i walk towards Phoenix with my suntan lotion in hand and a boner in my pants, up walks

a completely deranged looking petite red head with a backpack and a streetmap, frantically asking

"Excuse me..! Excu... ehmm! Is this (pant pant) the boat... Freddy and Eddy thing... book...!"

The lovely girl in bikini and the guy with the sun lotion in his hand look down at me half amused, half perplexed.

"Well, yeees...!"

"Oh, thanks goood!"

I flop on the gangway and breath deeply

"Sorry,I am the Snowflake... gotlost on the way... luckily I found you in time!"

no, we're the lucky ones! looks like a nice day for cruise. great sun, sea, friends and plenty to eat and drink.

HOLY SHIT!!.....who's that boarding?

God, I must really look out of my element, boarding a BOAT (excuse me, YACHT) in an airline pilot uniform, dragging a roll-a-board suitcase with me. My tie is already loose and my uniform hat is strapped to my bag, and a couple of buttons are already undone on my shirt. I have my swim trunks packed on top, though I don't think I'll be needing them for long! Looking at the assembled guests on the deck, I think, "hey, wasn't that red head on my flight from Rome?"

10 gallons suntan lotion -- check
500 lb ice -- Check
100 limes -- Check
Food -- Enough to feed an army - check

Asprin (for the hangovers) -- Check

Boats filling up nicely -- Guests look like an ... um ... "unique?" bunch --

time to check the charts and weather again. Cannot be too careful. How about a little music for the guest ... Something to get them in the mood. Ah ... Perfect ...

[CLICK]

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, ..."

"Alright, I guess we have everything."
"Let's get on board, from what I hear we'll be leaving soon. I guess we're still waiting for quite a few more though!"

I grab the red-head's hand and help her up the gangway. "Snowflake, let's get some sun while we wait for the others! Oh, hey, do you think that guy in the uniform is our captain?"

A uniformed man is walking down the dock with rolling luggage. He looks like he's traveled for a while. He looks like he could use a nice cold drink.

Oh, uhm,didn't I see him somewhere? Well he certainly looks like he could like a cold something, me too.

"Yup. Sure, I am going and preparing something,I will find the way. Get him onboard, and please for all love tell him to shed his uniform... no, wait, tell him to wait for me for that, after all!!" I wink and smile. I get inside looking for the "cambusa" (ship kitchen... how do they call it in english?) of this yacht, and stumbleon MJ busily checking on stores.

"Hi MJ! Care for a drink? I brought some bottles of massage oil, here. That article about massage parties gave me some ideas...."

In the kitchen I fish out gin and lemons and cointreau and patch up a passable white lady. A bit serious for the middle of the afternoon perhaps. But what the heck,I am not going to drive am I?

As I walk back with my tray of cocktails (careful:toon with tray of cocktails walking around narrow passages) I hope Phoenix has not stripped the mysterious captain out of the uniform all by herself. There is something called sisterhood, after all.

But she hasn't the good girl!

ANd actually, back on deck, surprize surprize I find that the captain, Phoenix and Ajay are standing with a new person that turn out be ...

I hold out my hand in a curved position and ask,"what does it take to complete this picture?" I feel something cold and find a freshly frozen marguerita comfortably in place, and someone grabbing my rollaboard from my other hand.
A beautiful, sexy woman says something about Phoenix and unbuttons my uniform shirt the rest of the way and pulls out the rest of the shirttail that isn't already out from my rush from the airport. She starts to unfasten my belt when the redhead from my flight is suddenly standing next to her with a loud "UH-HUMM! I think it's my turn now!!!!" Phoenix turns, squeals, drops my belt, and hugs the redhead tightly, while I sip my marguerita and enjoy the sight of two beautiful women hugging and kissing in front of me. I admire the untanned area around Phoenix's tiny bikini and think that I will definitly have to apply some suntan lotion there. And I have just the tool to do it ;-)

Frantically, I yelled once again to my as-usual late running wife, "Eddy - come ON - we're going to miss the boat!"

I couldn't help but giggle and I heard her do the same from around the corner in our bedroom.

The book had taken us months to complete and Jar had been nice enough to arrange an open water cruise on his floating "meat market," as it was kindly dubbed by another forum member. Though we verified we wouldn't be pressured into anything TOO funky or uncomfortable, we were certainly intending to blow off a little steam regardless. Besides, Silk had e-mailed she'd be in attendance and we all knew what happened the LAST time we were in each other's company.

Dang my wife, what the hell was she DOING back there?

I walked up the dock with more than a little apprehension, it's been a while since I've participated in one of these F&E celebrations. Most of my running mates, Chance, Gogirl, Katie, have moved on to who knows where, though sure to be nothing as fun as here, and have left me with what seems to be a hearty, friendly lot, but still the comfort level has yet to be established.

Except for Freddy and Eddy, we go back to a trip to Vegas, a visit to the beach, a 4th of July party that the truth has never been fully explored, and a trial which continues to be in recess, sure to be resumed soon.

I look forward to Eddy's arrival. I just love her recent photos and want to ask her if she will help me through my own session. Maybe even pose with me. And of course Freddy, who I love to poke on the message boards from time to time. Yes, I agree with him more times than not, but it's still so much fun to punch his buttons

I didn't bring a swimsuit, hopefully that will not be an issue. Looking at this boat, ship, yacht,whatever, maybe a innertube would be more appropriate!

i guess it was the tiny crocheted string of her bikini showing above her skimpy sarong that made the blood race through me in a pulsating rush. i don't think i've seen a more attractive woman, and i was waiting for the opportunity to to speak to her when i heard her say she was getting a bit hungry....(i wanted to offer her something special to snack on, but thought better of it)

in a flash, i was off to the galley to find a tray of appetizers when i ran into

I finish giving Snowflake a hug, and look out from the deck onto the dock, now with a line of people coming to the party boat. I guess for once, I was actually early to something!

Damn, when are Freddy and Eddy going to get here? And are they bringing "supplies" of their own?

YO! SILK -- DID YOU BRING THE INDUSTRIAL SIZED TWISTER GAME AND THE DIRTY SCRABBLE SET?