Mine Goes to Eleven!

When a friendship spans a lifetime you end up sharing a lot of those awkward but funny ‘coming of age’ moments. In retrospect, one of the most memorable was when we discovered ‘girls.’ As most of you know, Don was always popular with the ladies and this is where it all started.

I think I had already discovered girls during the school year, but out at Mattituck most of the girls we knew were either older or younger so our summers were still focused on sailing, steal the bacon, boating, fishing, clamming, crabbing and any other mischief we could cook up. I remember in August, 1966 some parents organized a kids’ dance at the MYC. I remember the time because Don had just turned 10 and I was “almost 12.”

Well, this little 13 year old hottie we had never seen before shows up at the dance and Don and I were off to the races. As rival suitors we monopolized that girl’s dance card all night. Though she may have hoped for some attention from the older boys, she sure played it up for ours. I remember she asked how old I was and I said “almost 12” (Don was still a 10 year old kid) and she whispered that 12 was not so young. I wonder what she was telling him! So Dootze and I traded off slow dance after slow dance and at one point he told me, “Ten! I’m up to ten!” And I replied, “Yeah, well, mine goes to ELEVEN!” (Okay, maybe that was Spinal Tap.)

Anyway, we were both being played and I remember I scammed on that girl for several years after, but by that time she was pursued by the older guys with money and cars. But for the next 40 years I don’t think any woman ever came between us again. Not even at 4 am in the Broken-Down Valise!

Easter Morning Massacre

Growing up in the Seeth family with 3 rowdy brothers was a very rough & tumble experience. My job as the oldest brother was to beat on my little brothers on a daily basis. This is the divine right and solemn duty of older brothers everywhere. And it was so easy to divide and conquer. Pummel Randy in the morning, tease and bully Don in the afternoon. It all came to a screeching halt on Easter morning, about the same time frame when this photo was shot. Doug and Jane were sound asleep in their bedroom. I was in the process of beating on Randy (no doubt to steal some of his candy), we were rolling around on the kitchen floor. All of a sudden Don came flying out of nowhere and jumped on my back. Much to my chagrin, Don and Randy had formed an "alliance" just like on Survivor. Next thing I knew Don and Randy were all over me, they pinned me to the ground gave me the licking I deserved. Doug and Jane slept thru the whole episode. That Easter morning forever changed the Seeth brothers balance of power. For the rest of Don's life mentioning Easter morning always brought a big happy smile (and Randy too).

Williston Park Water Tower

When Don was in his early teens, late one night he was carousing with some friends in Williston Park. There might have been some beer involved in this caper, no doubt warm. Someone in the group decided to bet Don $20 that he couldn't climb to the top of the water tower. All the way to the tippy top (above where the water is stored). The tower doesn't look too tall in this photo, but it's about 300 ft high. And the only way to get to the top is via a skinny vertical ladder that is completely exposed (one wrong move and you fall all the way to the ground). To make matters worse, it was the middle of the night and pitch black. Needless to say, Don made the climb to the top and collected the $20 (much to the amazement of his buddies).

Doug found out about this adventure several years later and almost lost his lunch !!!

Priceless!

Was watching this movie the other night, Changing Lanes. Not a great flick but this brief exchange grabbed my attention. Hollywood is stealing your lines, Dootze!

Wave O the Day

We had a great weekend of surf this just past. Oftentimes, when you're not ridin', you're reflectin'. I think of Don often between sets, miss him a ton, and soon a set wave comes along with his name on it. He called them "Loomers" at Flies..."Loomers, glistening on the horizon" he used to say. I'm pretty sure he knows that as long as I'm out there, there will be some for him.

Yanks Dedicate Victory to George

No doubt they were referring to our George, not the rich old dude in Tampa !!!

THEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN!!!

Hey D-Rod, We talked about this back in June - how this was the year - and they finally did it! Andy, Hit-deki and Mo' were awesome and Moose and Frootz were thinking about you last night as we celebrated over the phone lines. #27 will always be for you brother.