I think I will take an unorthodox approach and start with today, then work my way back. First, the “wall post” I wanted to send to Pete Morelli on facebook - except that it was too long. Pete had offered to register for me, and this was my response:Yo Pete my man!! Well, I didn’t register, hoping YOU would register for both of us! Pretty sneaky huh?!! Kidding… I had a classic “John” morning - woke up late, had an awesome breakfast, brought my 3rd cup of coffee up to my room, and then proceeded to FREAK RIGHT THE F–K OUT because I thought I had lost my passport. Last I knew, it was in my coat pocket, and my coat traveled everywhere with me… I flipped it and flopped it all over the place. So after I turned my room upside down, I was convinced my passport had landed on the floor of the airport in Milan, or at the car rental place, or at a restaurant, or even at the bottom of the river Po. Anyway, sullen and depressed - thinking I’d be here for another month (causing me to get fired) getting a new one, and convinced some terrorist had my passport and the next bombing would be claimed by “John Tracey” who would be screaming “Allah Lives!”  Anyway, I went down to the lobby and poured out my sob story to the attendant, whereupon she produced my passport, which I never got back because I’m so un-European that I forgot to give them my key when I went out. At that point, I figured I should get one of those free lock boxes for my laptop and, yes, my passport.Had a good row this morning, but DAMN - that headwind coming from the last bridge to the finish line - crazy. I hope it’s not like that tomorrow. Oh wait - so back to registration… I can easily be back there this afternoon, but I may also take a nap. So if you don’t see me, I will give you your euros, along with many thanks, back at the hotel. Hey - do you have any amino acid recovery powder?  No biggie if not. BTW - I bought some protein if you want some.So that’s how I left it with Pete. Thank God I found my passport! This is my second year at this race, and I have been full of self-doubt about it all fall. Money is a huge issue, but also just fear… of the unknown. I elected to “hire a car” this year and drive from Milan to Torino, and that actually went very well. Got to the city without any problems and managed to get close to my hotel. Finally had to ask for directions, but I was psyched to get here. The past few days have been full of the usual - chaos, mayhem, fun, socializing, espresso everywhere, amazing scenery, confusion, and exhaustion. But above all, major rowing camaraderie amongst a vast group of rowers of all stripes - from Mahe Drysdale on down to dudes like me. I’m very glad I did this last year - you have to have a ton of patience (not my strong suit). They forgot to give me a boat, even though they confirmed with me by email that I wanted one. My name was NOT on the list! But the Filippi reps - I cannot say enough about them - went out of their way to help me, and I ended up with a brand-spanking-new 70k single. Yesterday after some frustrating rows on Thursday - during which I felt like the boat weighed five tons and could not figure out why (had I become THAT weak since the Head of the Charles?) - I asked Gregg Stone if he could take a look at my oars and help me lighten the load (I’m so unconfident in this stuff). Greg Benning was there and asked if I wanted his extra “secret skeg,” with a cutout that helps you turn more easily. G. Stone measured my oars and said “OH MY GOD!!” Apparently I had a TON of outboard, and less-than-usual inboard. For any non-rowers reading this, that means a short handle and a long shaft from the oarlock to the water. I.e., VERY HEAVY LOAD. “How long have you been rowing like this?” Gregg asked. He noted that it was even heavier than a typical quad rig. ” A couple of years,” I responded. Nowwww it all began to make sense - why I could not hold rating in long pieces; why I always got tired in the second half of pieces… I felt really stupid and really psyched at the same time. So, we get the oars fixed and the new skeg in (again, Filippi rep put the skeg in - so nice of him), and I take it out for a row and MAN WHAT A DIFFERENCE. Easier to row, better balance, and easier to turn. I might have a shot now at doing ok! I will end with two notes: First, Pete just showed up - his room is right across the hall, unbeknownst to either of us - and we’re heading down to the race course to register.  Second, I’m starting 31st out of 524 this year!! Much better than starting 450th like I did last year…More to come - follow along on www.silverskiff.org. Check out all the New Englanders (Dave Gabel - you are a Bostonian to me) in the top 30!

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