The Lake Norman tournament is over. If I have learned one thing over the last 11 years, it's that you can't dwell on the past. When you put up bad results in a tournament, the only thing to do is learn from your mistakes and move on. It's over and it's now time to work on the next event. If you become obsessed with a poor event, this obsession will prevent you from moving forward. More importantly, it can rob your self-confidence.
I am a firm believer in self-confidence, not self-destruction. I have had bad tournaments and good tournaments. The one element that holds true for both is that when they are over the only thing that matters is the next event.
Table Rock Lake is the site of the next Central Open. I am now getting ready for the Rock. Little did I know that while I was away from home last week my "to do" list grew like Jack and the Beanstalk. Seems like every time one of my children get an idea, they convince Rachel it would be great if we could all participate — which means me!
So, I finished refurbishing a desk for my son Josh, when I find out that I am now apparently the proud owner of a vegetable garden. Where is said garden, I asked my wife and daughter. In unison they replied, we want it right "there."
Tomorrow, I will till the garden, take out all the roots and prepare a compost patch. This should be plenty to get them started. I figure that while I'm preparing for Table Rock, they can plant seeds. I really get a kick out of my kids. They're always doing something or planning the next project.
After I chop down some of my beanstalk, I'm going to see Todd at Hydromotive Engineering to run some prop tests with my new Legend. Todd came up with a new four-blade design, and, hopefully, we can run the prototype as well.
I actually love driving boats. Todd is a speed junkie and has been racing boats with his father since birth, so when Todd and I start prop testing, it becomes like a science project. It will go something like this. Todd will say "Good hole shot. Nice mid-range. I think we can do better top end."
Next prop — "Excellent hole shot. Crazy mid-range. Good top end. Let's run it some more."
I say OK. Todd says, "You drive it and tell me what you think."
As I'm driving, Todd yells to ask what I can get out of a turn. I throttle through the turn and the boat holds tight. Very impressive. Todd says, "Let me run her."
The next thing you know, daylight is waning, and we're now doing a make believe slalom course. The problem is we're both performance junkies. He likes sick speed, and I like crazy handling. Between the two of us, we find the best of both worlds and have fun doing it.
Oh well, the prop test will have to wait. I have a garden to dig.
Until next time, good fishing.