I'VE GOT THE FRIGATE BIRD BLUES
I am a frigate bird. I live in Anegada where I rule the sea and air.
Do you see that faint outline of an island on the Horizon? That's Virgin Gorda.
Bunches of tourists visit come from there to visit my domain.
This is the pose I use to show them how majestic I am. Take a look at my wing span.
I was made to soar on the updrafts of paradise.
All those tourists are jealous of how beautiful I am.
I feel sorry for them because they are earthbound; they never get to see what I see and do what I can do.
This is my scary pose.
My talons and hooked beak are ready for action.
My feathers are quivering in the trade wind as I prepare to make a power dive.
When fish look up in the heavens and see me looking down, they start yelling dive, dive dive!
They aren't talking to me.
They are talking to each other, because they are my lunch, and if they don't do their own power dive into the depths of the lagoon, they will have a new home in my stomach. Yummy.
Sometimes I'm not interested in being majestic or scary. Instead, I go for the cool look. I'm just cruising above the ripples with a smile on my face.
You probably can't see my smile, but it's there.
I'm so glad that I'm a frigate bird and that I can be cool.
This is my contortionist athletic pose.
You'll notice that I'm doing two things at the same time.
I'm flying straight ahead with perfect form in my wings ( a perfect 10) and at the same time picking up fish out of the water.
When I compete in the World Frigate Bird Olympics, this is the pose that will win me a gold medal.
Rats. I dropped the stupid fish.
I hope no one saw me drop it. That could destroy the cool and athletic image that I have been striving so hard to cultivate.
You human dudes aren't the only ones who have to impress the chicks.
We all have this inexplicable desire to leave a legacy, and this is how I want to be remembered. Master and Commander of Anegada - Ruler of the Air and Sea. That's not too much to ask.
OK - LET'S GET REAL. FRIGATE BIRDS DON'T THINK LIKE HUMANS, AND SO ALL THESE CAPTIONS ARE ONLY NONSENSE.
Frigate birds are lucky because they don't have to waste their time thinking silly thoughts about how cool they are, and they don't have to make majestic poses or project an image that will be loved by all.
There are plenty of chicks to go around, so they don't have to worry about the chicks either.
They don't worry about keeping score, and they have no legacy to create and no titles to defend.
They simply have a wing to mouth existence, and if humans don't destroy them, they will live long and prosper.
As for me, I think frigate birds are cool, and I want to be more like them. I will soar on the updrafts of God's love. Like them, I've got no worries about being cool or projecting an image that will be loved by all. I am what I am, and if it's good enough for God, it's good enough for me. And as for legacy, that's a burden that I will leave to politicians and the rich and famous.
Right now, I have a date with my friends the frigate birds. They're going soaring, and I'm going sailing.
Life is good.
Awesome music video that captures the essence of what it's like to sail offshore in a catamaran around the world when conditions are less than perfect. David Abbott from Too Many Drummers sings the vocals, and he also edited the footage from our Red Sea adventures. This is the theme song from the Red Sea Chronicles.
Sailing up the Red Sea is not for the faint of heart. From the Bab al Mandeb to the Suez Canal, adventures and adversity are in abundance. If you take things too seriously, you just might get the Red Sea Blues.
If you like drum beats, and you like adventure, then have a listen to the Red Sea Chronicles Trailer.
Flying fish assault Exit Only in the middle of the night as we sail through the Arabian Gulf from the Maldives to Oman. And so begins our Red Sea adventures.
Sailing through Pirate Alley between Yemen and Somalia involves calculated risk. It may not be Russian Roulette, but it is a bit of a worry. Follow Team Maxing Out as they navigate through Pirate Alley.
Stopping in Yemen was just what the doctor ordered. We refueled, repaired our alternator, and we made friends with our gracious Yemeni hosts. We also went to Baskins Robbins as a reward for surviving Pirate Alley.
After you survive Pirate Alley, you must sail through the Gate of Sorrows (Bab Al Mandab) at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Gate of Sorrows lived up to its name with fifty knots of wind and a sandstorm that pummeled Exit Only for two days. Life is good.
Captain Dave and his family spent eleven years sailing around the world on their Privilege 39 catamaran, Exit Only. During the trip, the crew shot 200 hours of video with professional cameras to show people what it's like to sail on a small boat around the world.
The Red Sea Chronicles is a one hour and twenty-two minute feature film showing their adventures as Exit Only sails through Pirate Alley in the Gulf of Aden and up the Red Sea. The professional footage documents their experiences in Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, and the Suez Canal. It chronicles the rigors of traveling in a remote section of the world rarely visited by cruisers. Exit Only dodges Yemeni pirates, fights a gale and sand storms in the Bab al Mandeb at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The crew explores deserted islands on the western shores of the Red Sea, and learns to check the cruising guides for land mines before venturing ashore.
The Red Sea Chronicles also has outstanding Special Features including an Instructional Video on Storm Management that tells sailors how to deal with storms at sea.
And don't forget the two Music Videos: "The Red Sea Blues", and "Captain - Save Our Souls".
The Red Sea Chronicles is a first class adventure that stokes the sailing dreams of both experienced and wannabe sailors alike.
Join Team Maxingout as they sail through Pirate Alley and up the Red Sea
See what it's like to cruise on a catamaran before you spend a bazillion dollars purchasing one
After watching the Red Sea Chronicles you will be able to see yourself sailing on the ocean of your dreams
Although I like the feel of a paper book in my hand, I love trees even more. When people purchase an eBook, they actually save trees and save money as well. Ebooks are less expensive and have no negative impact on the environment. All of Dr. Dave's books are available at Save A Tree Bookstore. Visit the bookstore today and start putting good things into your mind. It's easy to fill your mind with positive things using eBooks. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can pull out your smart phone or tablet and start reading. You can even use electronic highlighters and make annotations in your eBooks just like paper books.
