Relationships

Day 117 - 125 (Wed,  March 7 –  Thurs, March 15, 2012): Several days have passed since my last post. Good news is that I have been back in the WATER! We departed Georgetown on Sat. Chris was correct on his weather forecast. Perfect day. We said our goodbys and promised to write. Then, headed out early with “Living Well,” “Gratitude” and “Double Diamond.” What a nice sail. We decided part way through the day to go on to Dotham Cut. We made good time and the currents were perfect to go a bit further (slack tide when we would arrive). Sweet sail. We anchored at Black Point Settlement. First night we went ashore for a bit to eat at a small restaurant on the island. We met a grad student from Harvard working on his final project in Architecture/City Development. He was working on a community sustainment project. Second night we hunkered down for some weather and went to Gratitude for dinner. What a meal. I brought Maria Elena’s plantains and sweet potatoes for the appetizer. Loren made mahi mahi and rice and MaryAnn’s made cranberry pie. It was one of the best meals of the season. The wind picked up and mid way through the evening, Steve and I jumped into the Kraken and headed to our boats to close the hatches. It was blowing 30kts before the storm hit. Bumpy dinghy ride. Only casualty was Steve’s sunglasses. My bad.

The next day we headed out to Sampson (one of my favorite spots). And we did an all girl crew on Gaia. I was a bit nervous. This was not still pond but I knew I could handle it. Getting the anchor up was the only tricky part given our winlass issues. I managed to get the anchor up and we were underway. Judy launched the sails and we were off. It was about a 2hr trip up to Sampson. Gaia snorted and threw her tail up over her back and we were off. Actually, difficult to slow her down a bit. It was a nice sail. Patrick was on Double Diamond with Andy. His first sail on a catamaran. When we approached Sampson, I had difficulty bringing the genoa in. The line had wrapped around the roller firling. Uggghhh, I hate when that happens. I didn’t even notice it when we put the gene out. I had to go up front and pull the line up to unwrap it. Not an emergency but just irritating that our “all girl” trip was tarnished. Judy did a nice job keeping Gaia into the wind while I freed the line. All was well when we anchored in front of Sampson Cay resort. Super nice day. We managed to do a quick dive off the point with Andy and Judy. Saw a few nice coral heads and on the way back, Patrick pulled me (powered snorkeling). Just as I was ready to motion that I was going to get back in the boat, I saw 2 sharks taking a nap (nurse variety), a stingray and school of rainbow runners. Remarkable last 2 minutes. Never cut your dives short. That night I made the lamb shank we had bought in Georgetown and had a very nice dinner on Gaia with Andy and Judy. We watched Captain Ron again. Fun every time we watch that flick.

The next day was “back in the water” day. Yea!!!!!  We headed out to Pipe Creek with Judy and Andy. Nice dive, nothing out of the ordinary but totally beautiful. We had dinner at the Sampson Cay restaurant. Grouper, potatoes, veggies and cheese cake. Yummmm.

Thurs was dedicated to doing some needed work. I tackled laundry and Patrick improved the stripper on the winlass. Try 3 – will see if this version of repairs works better. He really did a nice job fabricating a much sturdier stripper (no laughing).

I love the relationships and friendships we make while out here. They come out of nowhere and are more times than not, unexpected. But they are all so special. I feel a sense of loss when folks move on but that is part of the journey. Keeping in touch will be important. Reflection on what draws us to certain people is my brain task for the day. Do we look for friends that compliment, are similar, stimulate us to be better in some way or ???  Not sure at this point but it is part of what I want to better understand. I need to surrounding myself with folks that do all of the above and definitely push me to be a better person.

Little Piggies...

Day 114 - 116 (Mon,  March 5 –  Tue, March 6 , 2012): Little Piggies tucked up close. The best way to summarize how the boats are tucked in, close to shore for this nasty weather. It is blowing 27 consistently with gusts of 35kts. The Rocna is doing well. Plus the experience we have from various “mess-ups” is serving us well (recalling Cape May, etc.). Patrick is mending. I forgot to mention, the other night (11pm to be exact) he had a dream and kicked the side of the aft cabin ceiling (it is fairly close to the top of the bed). He virtually tore his entire large toenail off. Only a small piece remained attached at the base of the nail. Ughhh… what a sight. He was in quite a bit of pain but my main worry was infection. Luckily or unluckily, I have had quite a bit of experience with nails/hooves and what is needed to keep infection down. In the morning, I got on the George Town Cruiser Net and asked if anyone had some betadine. I can’t believe in our haste to leave DE, I didn’t pack any. Well, I was able to get a bottle from Sue on “Nice and Easy.” Soaking and wrapping with plenty of betadine would be the routine. So far, so good. Doesn’t look like there is any infection. Now, just to nail on a heartbar and do this for another 11 months while the hoof grows (just kidding). But, Grande was a better patient.

Being cooped up for several days has given us the opportunity to do some cleaning and organizing. And, watch some movies friends have shared. We watched several of the initial episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. I miss not being around the medical community. I can’t believe I spent as many years in Corporate America and not in a “medical venue.” Note to self… think about this when looking for a job.

I am uncertain about what will come of a job search/consulting search. The one thing I do know… I had to take this time off. I was so unhappy, so compromised. I feel a relief now. Not just that I don’t have the pressures but that I am proud of my decision. My age old premise… “try to make it to the end with no regrets.”  I can truly say that I dodged one of the biggest regrets of my life. Probably waited too long and did it in the nick-of-time but I did it.

You know, makes me think that, wouldn’t it be cool to have a party with all of the folks you have encountered in your life of dodging regrets that have tried to contribute to your unhappiness… I would have a big field party with kegs of brew and a bonfire.  What a better way to let them (perpetrators of unhappiness) know you managed to dodge their bullets and come out where you needed to be… happy, content and whole. The people that seem to try hardest to mess up your parade (metaphorically speaking J) are almost or always “jealous.”  Jealous of a natural gift, luck or something you have been given. Talent is a tough one, and one I have danced around with for my entire adult life. Medical Illustration school/projects, just being me, or my design skill. Never have really figured out how to deal with this. Usually just eventually run away from the situation. I have not found a good tactic to deal with it and it invariably hurts. So, this trip…yes a bit of an escape but more time to resort out my priorities and clean the slate. This time, I will find a place where I feel fulfilled. I am not kidding myself…  I know there will be similar situations in the future but I can and will select the players. “Like minded” is important. I am tired of the struggle and I simply need folks around me for a while that dance to a similar tune.

So, the wind is howling, Patrick and Dobbie are resting and the piggies are tucked in.

Red Solo Cup

Day 100 - 113 (Tues,  Feb  21 –  Sun, March 4 , 2012): Georgetown still. Not quite sure how to explain the phenomenon that is Georgetown. On the surface, you could be critical and self-righteous about the antics that go on… murmuring things like “RV Park” etc. But when you go a little deeper it is very interesting. The “filter principle” still applies. Everyone that got here has a level of skill and understanding of the sea. They have a zest about what they do. And, they stay young. Granted the ages range from -8.5 months to 90+. That said, everyone is a bit of a pirate. We have made some pretty amazing friends. My sincerest admiration goes to everyone here. However they got here…whatever kind of boat they are on and whatever age. There is a lot I have to learn from everyone… about sailing, life and fulfillment. Seems like I am in the right place.

Our time in Georgetown has revealed everything from the Pet Parade, the Old Fart synchronized swimming team, Red Solo Cup, to the Fun Volleyball tournament, and several sailboat races. Yes, they were majestic and while in good fun, they also make you appreciate the sheer beauty of what folks are sharing here. We still have one race left that Patrick and Van will participate in this week. The non-powered dinghy race and we have a secret weapon! On the serious side, we attended all of the Chris Parker seminars and Patrick passed his General HAM License.

Dobbie is doing fine. He bonded with Hue. And once again, what an amazing musician. He is tremendous. Voice, harmonica and guitar. I seriously have learned to love music on this trip. I don’t think I ever really listed before. Somehow it is different now. Parts of these people are in what they do. It speaks about them and you can hear it. Maybe not in recordings but live... you can feel it, hear it and better understand the person. And yes, Dobbie is a sailor whore. If you smell like a sailboat and you are a guy, he is ready to jump ship with you and check out a port town.

For the  next leg of our journey, the gloves are off. I have danced around topics that were a bit controversial. Maybe because I needed time to sort things out or maybe because I simply needed the natural beauty to help me “get my mind right.” Whatever the case, I will share some deeper thoughts and a bit more personal discovery topics. Oh boy… Awakenings for me. I hate or better yet have spent a good part of my life trying to avoid control. That is being controlled. What a place the world would be if we could only be honest about our intentions. It would make it so much easier. Those that want to be led could jump in line. Those that prefer a different path could quickly narrow in on a new course.

We are starting to investigate where we want to end up as a home base. Parameters are no further North than Georgetown/Charleston SC and possibly Florida. We will investigate Marathon Key and a marina on the west coast of FL between Ft. Myers and St. Pete. How we chart our trip home to the US will depend on where we end up. For this week, we are getting ready for a pretty serious storm. Sounds like it is going be gale force winds.

Oh, and in the honesty department, corporate America needs to take a long hard look at how they do business. It is not fair, not the best way to make money and by far not the most humane way to treat people. How did we get so far off? Where did our priorities shift? In my lifetime, I can remember when business was about making a better life for the families that worked for them and used their services. Now, it is self-serving and stagnant. A loop of selfishness.  I think the blue here made me thing about what is real.

And in reviewing this with Patrick, I guess I need to “explain” some of the “goings on” a bit better.

•  Red Solo Cup: a lively rendition done by 2 women in bikinis to the lovely country lyric.
• My Man: again a feisty country song that had something to do with sniffing underwear.
• Synchronized Swimming: check out the photo, it speaks for itself.
• The boat parade and taking hostages… check out the beauties. And Volleyball was played in full attire.

Patrick says there is more… these people are curious, intelligent and much like dolphins, 90%+ plus of their days are spent at play. Too much debauchery and craziness to share here.

Oh, Gerry O’ can you please persuade Patrick to put the check valve back in our bilge pump line. Following waves… only you can help.