By Timothy Langley
May 15, 2024
The notice for this month’s Keelhaul went-out late, probably due to the fact that only a week earlier everyone returned from a long Golden Week holiday? With apologies. Also, this Keelhaul fell on the second Wednesday whereas traditionally every first Wednesday is reserved for this seminal TSPS event. Don’t forget: always a Keelhaul, always first Wednesday, every month. Except when it is not.
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If you have never been, this is the entrance to Pizzakaya… right across the street from the new onsen on Roppongi-dori, Thermae-Yu.
In any event, this was another vibrant success! Eight people showed-up at the centrally-located Pizzakaya in Nishi-Azabu. To all’s delight, ole’ timer and former Commander Eugen Mall showed-up! Always the dapper-dresser, Commander Eugen regaled the swaying throng of TSPSers with tales from the past. I hadn’t heard until then that the Keelhaul originated at Pizzakaya many years ago, first facilitated by Bridge Governor Jeff Canady and under Eugen’s leadership. Wow, thank you Jeff and Eugen!
![](https://tspsjapan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2690-768x1024.jpeg)
Anyway, Keelhaul is one of the legacies we get to enjoy as Members. It is the only regularly-scheduled event of the club. You can always expect some salty dogs to show-up. It was great to see Commander Eugen (who incidentally was the individual who got me introduced to TSPS ~12 years ago!).
![](https://tspsjapan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2691-768x1024.jpeg)
You just never know who will show-up: Gerard Brady chowing down after a successful (apparently) streetfight just to get into the Keelhaul!
![](https://tspsjapan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2692-768x1024.jpeg)
Well-traveled Gennady Gordeev livening-up the atmosphere! Born and raised on Sakalin island, Gena also attended Georgia Tech in my home-state of Atlanta! What a small whirled!
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Hamming it up for the camera, Bridge Secretary Timothy (me) and new Member Gaspard Dessy imbibing on the other essential element of any Keelhaul.
![](https://tspsjapan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2701-768x1024.jpeg)
Wishing it was a real gun, Maksim Ziurin jealously guards his bottle of Tabasco… another essential…
![](https://tspsjapan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2704-768x1024.jpeg)
Former Commander Eugen explaining the whatever to Gena….
![](https://tspsjapan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2705-768x1024.jpeg)
Eugen Mall with a draft draft…
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Ole’ blue eyes… easy to see why he was elected Commander. Pizzakaya co-Owner Michael in the background overseeing the mosh-pit.
![](https://tspsjapan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2707-768x1024.jpeg)
Dapper Eugen pulling-out a reef of ancient documents on celestial sailing and navigating from a lifeboat. Where in the hell does he GET these things?! He says he has a whole cardboard box of them!
In closing: TSPS Members who provide sailing-related or TSPS-related stories for Skuttlebutt-publication will drink for free at the next Keelhaul. Posters of relevant, engaging Comments receive slaps on backs and “atta-boy!” recognition at the Keelhaul. Please consider submitting a description of your experience for others to enjoy or add a pithy Comment. Submit stories to any Bridge Member for uploading.
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Nice as always! Thank you
Great to see some of the old-timers, almost didn’t recognize Jerry as he had much more hair then when I last saw him.