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Old 18-01-2009, 08:41   #1
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Enough of This Dreaming Stuff

When I joined this forum, I had dreams of sailing for months on end in some nice warm climate. Dreams were refined and eventually started to look like plans. We moved from "Wouldn't it be nice one day to..." to "What sort of a solar array would we need for a daily load of 110 Ah?..."

But still plans are largely just mental exercises with a few spreadsheet entries and web inquiries. Not quite the same as fabricating the new propane locker, replacing the rigging, and getting the paper charts for backup.

And then last week I was fired.

Now it begins for real. Along with the dreaming and the planning, now we start the doing. So as Foster winds up 5th Grade, I'll be replacing the rudder and dropping in 4 new T-105s. As Tracey finishes up her last few months of work, I'll be fabricating a bimini and adding in solar panels.

And next year, 6th grade will include geography, mathematics, physics, Spanish lessons, navigation, biology, and watchkeeping all from the cockpit and salon of Blackdragon.

Mexico, here we come. Anybody have a Sailrite LSZ-1 they would like to sell?
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Old 18-01-2009, 08:51   #2
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Dog, sorry to hear ya got canned, happens to tha best of em though.

Blessing in disguise maybe, eh?

Get out there and get to Mexico. I heard it's warm there... And they got good tacos.

Cheers

Bill
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Old 18-01-2009, 09:03   #3
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Dog, sorry to hear ya got canned, happens to tha best of em though.
Don't worry, Bill. It wasn't one of those they caught me naked in the storeroom with a monkey kind of things. It was more along the lines of the company was sold and a facility shut down and we all got treated fairly sorts of things. Works out much better than if I actually had to quit. It truly is a blessing. I feel like I've won the lottery.
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Old 18-01-2009, 09:23   #4
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It wasn't one of those they caught me naked in the storeroom with a monkey kind of things.
Hahaha, I'm glad to hear... Those are the worst kinds of incidents.

Cheers

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Old 18-01-2009, 09:28   #5
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Was the monkey naked too?

Best of luck to you and the family. It will work out. What an adventure you will have.
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Old 18-01-2009, 09:30   #6
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We don,t say fired anymore. we say downsized. Same sh#@ different pile. I am happy for you as now you can go with no regrets.
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Old 18-01-2009, 09:31   #7
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waterdog--wish you and yours the best. I know your children will benefit from seeing Mexico.
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Old 18-01-2009, 09:32   #8
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Whats a Sailrite LSZ-1?
What boat do you have?
Sounds like Foster's going to have a good 6th grade.
Congradulations!!
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Old 18-01-2009, 09:36   #9
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Waterdog,

Well planning ain't doing is a good way to put it. I would quit planning. It's one of those jobs you need to do some of everyday. I'm sure there is some excitement about getting to the doing though. I would start taking notes on how you do things on the boat. You can start off knowing the what to do quite well from planning but then you get into the doing and the steps required don't always flow like anticipated. The doing of one job all too often forces attention in directions otherwise not considered - you find stuff.

The Zen of boat fixing comes with expense, sore body parts, and learning to stand on your head while unscrewing a bolt you can't see but can reach. Improving patience seems to be the lessons I've expanded on the most as a result of boat fixing. You need a lot of it and I'm not sure you ever have too much.

So don't be in a hurry because you are already there. All the best to your adventure.
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Old 18-01-2009, 10:18   #10
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Whats a Sailrite LSZ-1?
What boat do you have?
Sailrite LSZ-1 is a sewing machine. I've got to make bimini, sun curtains, A-sail, cockpit cushions, weather cloths, etc.

Boat is an '88 Catalina '34. I only feel like I won the lottery, didn't actually win it, so we are going with what we've got. It's a nice boat.
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Old 18-01-2009, 11:53   #11
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I remember when I lost my job due to outsourcing to China two years ago. The timing could not have been better and I too felt like I just won the lotto
We were not able to cut the docklines at that time though because my husband still needed to retire. He is planning to retire in July of 2009 and we will be heading south in the fall.
Best of luck Waterdog and maybe we will see you in Mexico in 2009!
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Old 18-01-2009, 12:56   #12
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Best of luck! Enjoy. You know you don't need a Sailrite machine to make all that stuff - you can do it on a machine you have (or one you borrow) - might be a little more difficult but can be done. If you are not yet familiar with Don Casey's "This Old Boat" might be good to get yourself a copy - it came with us on our last cruise and is the first book we'll put aboard for the upcoming one. (I swear, I have no "in" with Don Casey!)

Best thing about the boat you have is just that - you already have it, know it, and even if it isn;t perfect, you know the "needs" without having to figure them out.

Whoop whoop! Our kids will do 3rd and 5th grade on the boat next year . . . sorry we are on the other side of the Canal. Best of luck!
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Old 18-01-2009, 14:40   #13
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Congratulations on loosing your job in such great terms at Walmart, you surely won the lotto I felt the same when I got fired when flying a corporate jet for a US Fortune 500 corporation with an aircraft based in south america...airplane was sold and that let me start my dream into actions immediately

Best of luck
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Old 18-01-2009, 17:51   #14
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Boat is an '88 Catalina '34. I only feel like I won the lottery, didn't actually win it, so we are going with what we've got. It's a nice boat.
Nice Boat, indeed. I've got a '91. Axe might be swinging my way as well. Maybe we'll be comparing notes.

All the best!
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