Ladies, Gentlemen, and other random web-type persons, let me welcome you aboard today’s ride. I’m your captain and I’ll be helping you navigate the shallow waters of the thought pool. What’s that? Oh, no, you silly person, we don’t go too deep here…no, there are other blogs and columns that do that. And besides, it’s dangerous out there. We’ll be staying close to the shores.

My hope is that our little adventure will help us all to learn to laugh at ourselves. And by “ourselves” I mostly mean “you” because I don’t want people laughing at me. For those of you snickering in the back, I’ll have you know that Bermuda shorts and a floral-patterned shirts are all the rage in remote villages south of Guatemala. And this tan line on my ankles is actually considered a symbol of royalty.

Now, if you please, make sure that all flotation devices are properly inflated, have your cameras ready, and we’ll get started. If we lose anyone along the way, don’t worry. That’s the reason we stay in the shallow end. (well, that and the fact that I couldn’t find an insurance company that would cover me.)