Author: Nichole S.

I’ll Have What He’s Having

Posted on by Nichole S.

So this happened at Story Land yesterday.  It takes a special kind of person to be this happy all day long….

City Mouse, Country Mouse

Posted on by Nichole S.

Other than four years of college in Virginia, I’ve lived on Cape Ann for my entire life….however, I’m also fairly well-traveled.  I’ve traveled in Africa, I’ve been to Central America, I’ve been all over Mexico, to the Caribbean, the West Indies, and throughout the United States and into Canada.  And, for what it’s worth, I’m pretty city savvy.  I spent a lot of time playing in the city in my teens, 20s, and 30s….and photographed inside Fenway Park for several years in a row…heading in and out of Boston each night during home stands. 

So, while I call this post “City Mouse, Country Mouse”…I’m not necessarily either.  However, I sure as all hell played the role of Country Mouse the other night in Boston…and I am NOT happy about it.

I am truly, truly an idiot. 

This is how it went down.

I was meeting a friend in the city…just outside of Faneuil Hall.  I know the area well, but was heading to a particular parking garage that I had never been to.  I took a left onto Broad Street and saw the 75 State Street Garage in the Financial District ahead…a bit ahead, on my right.  The traffic was total clusterf___.  Horns were honking.  Almost in front of the entrance to the lot, a white taxi was stopped, coming from the opposite direction, blocking a good part of my lane so that I couldn’t go forward.  A nice man, on a cell phone, with a pile of money in his hand, appeared in front of my car and helped me navigate my kind of large SUV around the taxi and towards the garage entrance.  He asked if I was parking, asked how long, and asked me for $10.  As I didn’t have a ten….I handed him a $20…with a smile.  He flipped through his pile of cash….as if looking for change….and then said, “just pull on down there (pointing to the garage) for a second and I’ll catch you.”   “No problem,” I said.

I’m not sure why I wasn’t on my A Game during that exact moment in time….but, it only took about 6 seconds for me to realize that effer was off with my $$$ and that I’d clearly not be seeing him or my “change” anytime soon.  I literally sat on the entrance ramp to the garage for probably a minute contemplating how I could have been such an idiot.  Large parking lots never ask for money outside upon arrival. I know that. Everyone knows that. I also replayed my short conversation with the “kind and helpful” gentleman….and couldn’t help but think what a tremendous actor he was.  While I was mad as all heck….I also couldn’t help but give him kudos for standing right there…in the middle of a super crowded busy city street…stealing money in broad daylight.  And doing so with such manners and such a calm demeanor.

Shame on him….shame on me.

You may be happy to know that dinner at Strega in the North End was excellent, drinks at the Sail Loft were just like old times,  and the company of an amazing friend more than made up for the $20 that I was scammed.  My ego, however, is still bruised.

Consider yourselves warned my friends.

1,774

Posted on by Nichole S.

1,744

One thousand…seven hundred..forty four.

That is how many days it has been since I have enjoyed a dry toilet seat in my home.

1,744

One thousand…seven hundred…forty four.

That is how many days ago Thatcher ditched the diaper….and how many days have gone by since I have had to either wipe the toilet seat…or suffer the consequences.

802 days into it, the little guy followed suit and the battle was officially lost.

Two young boys + hubby 7,491

vs.   Mom’s Ass 0

No contest. Game Over.

Yup.   Don’t hate the players…just hate the game. 🙂

Stevie Corbett Proving That His Product The Chum Cutter Is Tournament Tested! -A Fish Rodeo

Posted on by Nichole S.

This is how you do it! Congratulations again,Stevie Corbett and the crew of the Osprey!

You see that smile?  that’s the smile of a guy that knows he created a brilliant piece of equipment that helped catch him a nice bluefin.

Tournament tested, The CHUM CUTTER!!!!

Here’s Steves brilliant Chum Cutting device-

Our buddy Stevie Corbett designed something so simple, so efficient so time saving for ANYONE that does ANY amount of fishing.  Unless of course you’d rather spend your time chopping up bait for hours instead of getting your lines in the water.

image

Can’t catch fish when your  lines are dry.

Check it out at http://chumcutter.com/

Filmed at Beacon Marine-

   Just $169.00   * 100% FREE SHIPPING *  for a limited time

bestcutterwknife DSC_0663

  • Cuts a 5 gallon bucket of bait in 3 minutes
  • Comes with 10″ Dexter Serrated Knife
  • Made out of Marine Grade Starboard Plastic
  • Stainless Steel Fasteners
  • Portable, fits on any size boat
  • Made to last for years
  • US./EU.patent pend.

Nichole Schrafft Photos-

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2014 Bluefin Blowout Day Two

Posted on by Nichole S.

In similar fashion to the tournament’s opening day, Day #2 of this year’s Bluefin Blowout also ended with two large Bluefin Tuna being landed.  The Osprey and the Tonno (Italian for tuna) both brought fish to the dock.

This year’s event was fantastic and it is safe to say, with such enthusiasm from organizers, participants, vendors, and spectators, it is only going to get better. I’m already looking forward to next year.  This tournament provides a new take on the already rich summer schedule that Cape Ann offers and I hope it continues for years to come!

In all, 53 boats were entered and four scored some pretty phenomenal bluefin tuna!

The Miss Fern’s fish weighed in at 805 pounds

Tuna.com tipped the charts with a 913 pounder

The Osprey’s fish showed 497 on the scale

and a 588 pound fish was brought in by The Tonno

 

Check out the event’s website for updated information.

Bluefin Blowout

Next fish in For Weigh in?

Posted on by Nichole S.

The Tonno with a 588 pound Bluefin on Day #2 of the Bluefin Blowout here at Cape Ann Marina!

Live Blogging 2014 Bluefin Blowout

Posted on by Nichole S.

Also a good place to be if you’re shopping for a new vehicle…and have some money to burn. Lyon-Waugh Auto Group doesn’t kid around. Some nice, nice rides.

Bluefin Blowout, Baby!

Posted on by Nichole S.

As always, this is a legitimate tuna tournament, with action not to be missed.

In fact, it is “New England’s Premier Giant Bluefin Tuna Tournament” and it does not disappoint.

Great work done by the organizers, the sponsors, the boat crews, and everyone else involved.

A great chance to peak inside what this side of the fishing industry can be like!

The crowd was excited, the competition was on…yet friendly, the Orion was up to their usual antics all “Funky Red Barn” style, and the fish were…well, BIG.

A heartfelt moment of silence for past “Weigh Master”, Mark Godfried (whom I worked for and loved), was a really nice touch.

To kick-off this year’s tournament, Day #1 ended with The Miss Fern bringing in a fish that weighed 805 pounds.  It was immediately followed by Tuna.com’s 913 pounder.  Yikes!

Congratulations to all!    Check out tournament info here

 

Tournament Entries
The Orion and the Funky Red Barn
No fish…but still the funnest boat around
Capt. Dave and the boys
The Huntress
Handshake between boats
First Fish arrives at the dock
Fish on! The Miss Fern
Getting on the scale
Up!
And Up!
and down.
805 pounds

 

 

 

 

The “C” Word Plain Old Sucks

Posted on by Nichole S.

Cancer.

Sadly, I’m not sure how many of us have not been somehow touched by at least one form of this nasty disease, and surely no one needs me to try to wax poetically about how wretched it is.

So, I’ll try to keep this short.

Someone who once meant the world to me lost his battle with cancer back in May.  His fight was sadly, and yet thankfully, all too brief and he was gone, I believe, before many were able to completely wrap their heads around the fact that they may lose him.  I felt his loss in weird ways…and kind of lonely ways.  It had been many years since we were close and, having gone in slightly different directions, I didn’t really have anyone to share my memories of him with after he was gone.  Much of my sadness was actually for the MANY friends and loved ones who were still fiercely close to him and who had to feel the sudden loss of him from their immediate lives….as opposed to a life that they shared a number of years earlier, like mine. I couldn’t help but lay awake at night and hurt for his family, his girlfriend, his teammates, and his incredibly close circle of friends. The thought of his dog not understanding where he was stung me significantly.   But, I missed him too…even though it felt selfish.

But this post isn’t intended to be about me….or even solely about him….it is about everyone who has had cancer detonate their world.  You know what, this post is actually for anyone who hasn’t been rocked by the “c” word also.

This weekend, August 2nd (what would have been his 45th birthday) and August 3rd mark this year’s Pan-Mass Challenge.  The PMC has been raising money for the fight against cancer since 1980 and, in those three plus decades, riders have raised over $400 million.  As they say, “Closer By the Mile” towards a cure.  I have had the honor of photographing the PMC for the Boston Red Sox.  The Red Sox organization has had its own team of riders, Team 9, out riding for a cure for many years. They are also unwavering supporters of Dana-Farber and The Jimmy Fund.  Being witness to such camaraderie during the course of the 2 day ride has been beyond moving.

I have donated, in very modest ways, since 2004.  Not every year, but most years.  Each year, in the hopes of being able to donate more the following year. This year I have sponsored 3 amazing, dedicated, and humble riders.  Three riders who are riding to celebrate loved ones and to be proactive in the fight against this heinous disease.  Three riders who I am incredibly motivated by and proud of.  If you do not know anyone riding this year, you can still donate.

So, if you’ve been thinking that you’d like to be charitable…or more charitable as the case probably is for many of you…there is still time.

The Pan Mass Challenge