2006 Boat Show

*all photos are of the same boat which has been dubbed the "Christine Marie" in some circles

January- means for the Lubovich family that inevitable time of year to recoup a long standing, and uniquely odd family tradition.

The magic of the Christmas season fades into our mundane daily routines as quickly as our convictions to uphold outstanding New Year's resolutions. But, this magic is regained for a few, short glorious hours at the great Seattle Boat Show.

When it comes to the holiday season- we really aren't dedication to any traditions-- we used to have the annual trip to Grandma's Christmas tree farm which recently happened to be massacred by my parents' purchase of an artificial Christmas tree. Pull the tree out of the box, bend the plastic branches down, and wa-la! Mom calls it "convenient", Dad calls it "an investment", you don't want to know what I call it.

The Boat Show is sadly, the closest thing we have to an annual tradition. I remember accompanying my dad on many occasions. We used to wind our way through a maze of shiny, fiberglass-smelling boats of all shapes and sizes. Our minds-- full from scheming up wild adventures during their expansive journey to the outer limits of our imaginations.

I really can't capture the awe and excitement that the Seattle Boat Show conjured within us every year. I would like to think that attending the Boat Show makes me a little less pathetic than the red-neck, flannel shirt wearing, RV Show attendees- but I am close to accepting the harsh truth that it does not.

• Seattle Boat Show ticket: $10
• Batteries for digital camera: $ 3.50
• Roundtrip ferry fare: $6.10
• Walking away from the event with a free floating key chain, the smell of fiberglass overwhelming my senses, and a hundred different speed boat pamphletes: priceless!