Our boat lost it's skipper yesterday. Victimized by budget cuts and a self-abortive upper managment, a decent human being (and you know that I do not use the term lightly) was forced out of the job he loved because the money to support him disappeared into the black hole of the stock market. I went to lower our flag to half mast, but Tak wisely stopped me. No clear course for our immediate future has been set, but I fear that wherever we are destined to sail, we will do so without the man who made our boat what she is.

My "hat's off" to you, sir, a fair sea as well, and may the wind be always at your back.