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Written by: 5/31/2012 2:13 PM
How have I let nine weeks pass since the last update? Usually, some word or phrase will catch in my mind and the desire to tinker with it leads me to the keyboard. There have been a few notions come to mind, but nothing seemingly deserving of key strokes. It could also simply be that killing time kills my motivation to do much of anything. Yeah, it is safe to say the latter is the most likely culprit for my lack of communication the past couple months.
The fact is that deciding to hold off on the Northern Indian Ocean left me with time to kill. Unfortunately, lacking resources, I couldn’t really travel as much as I wanted to in inland SE Asia. So, it was time to wait. Wait until the weather turned favorable to begin my sailing journey again. I am not good at waiting. Waiting makes me feel like am not accomplishing anything which in turn ensures that I don’t accomplish anything.
Finally, the proverbial tide has turned. This morning I sit at the island counter in my brothers home in Dallas. Jargo sits half a world away still in Langkawi, Malaysia. What prompted the 36 hour trip back stateside? With more pride than any any uncle should admit, my first nephew Jack will soon arrive.
It has been more than a year and a half since I’ve seen my family and friends and it has been a challenging year at that. Every relationship needs attention to keep the strength of the bond between people. It was time for me to come home for a few weeks. Three to be exact. It isn’t long, but long enough to see my folks, brother, sister-in-law, friends, and last but not least, welcome little Jack into the world. Sometimes you just need to come home.
Being back States has allowed me to pick up more than a few things I needed not only for Jargo, but also to keep myself sharp. My mind works like a muscle and I can feel it atrophy when it lingers in a prolonged state of disuse. That atrophy combined with thoughts of what I’ll make of my life when this odyssey is over have me collecting materials to help me flex the gray matter.
First on the list is the Fictions Writers Workshop by Novakovich. With degrees in business and geology I’ve never been taught or studied the mechanics of writing. Fiction or otherwise. Highly recommended I hope to gain some understanding of the fundamentals behind writing in long form. This blog is my practice forum and help to set some routine. I hope the exercises in the Workshop will help me shift from the blog to a book.
The second move was to collect the materials I need to study for the USCG 100 ton Masters License exam. This is what separates a pleasure boater like me from a professional captain. Well, it is the piece of paper that makes it legit anyways. A few hours on the water sure don’t hurt anything. Once back to the USA in a year or so I’ll be ready to sit the test and open up yet another avenue for working and carving a life on the water.
Third, I got a guitar. Well, to be more accurate, I’ve got my brothers old guitar. I grew up listening to him practice for hours on end when we were kids. For one reason or another he put them down years ago and they have lived in the basement of my parents house ever since. I picked up one of the older acoustic guitars, scrubbed the oxidation off the frets and fret board, strung on new strings, and tuned it with an automatic tuner. I love the sound and will be working through the Learn & Master Guitar series. It has be best reviews I’ve ever seen for a do it yourself learning program and so far I love it.
The idea is to keep getting better instead of succumbing to the laziness that could be the life of a sea gypsy. My time in the USA comes to an end on June 12th. With my return to Malaysia comes the immediate provisioning, fueling, and departure for the southern latitudes. I’ve got 6000 plus miles to get to Cape Town, South Africa and six months to get there. Needless to say, the time for waiting has passed. Let’s go.
5 comment(s) so far...
Re: New Ocean & The Next Generation I like the direction. Sail on sailor!
Re: New Ocean & The Next Generation
I like the direction. Sail on sailor!
Re: New Ocean & The Next Generation God, I wish you had crew. Yes, you have been so lucky so far. But, a crew member would make your life so much easier and give your mother much less worry and bad dreams!
God, I wish you had crew. Yes, you have been so lucky so far. But, a crew member would make your life so much easier and give your mother much less worry and bad dreams!
Re: New Ocean & The Next Generation It might make my mother feel better, but at this stage crew doesn't make things easier. Training a new sailor and constantly keeping an eye on them, teaching them, worrying about them is more work that journeying on alone. At least for the open water passages like the Indian Ocean.
It might make my mother feel better, but at this stage crew doesn't make things easier. Training a new sailor and constantly keeping an eye on them, teaching them, worrying about them is more work that journeying on alone. At least for the open water passages like the Indian Ocean.
Re: New Ocean & The Next Generation Wonderful Log and love the Photos!
Wonderful Log and love the Photos!
Re: New Ocean & The Next Generation Lee,Glad to see your getting back on the rails with your voyage. I think its a good idea for you to go for the USCG license. I received mine (50 ton) in January. The worst part of getting the license is the administrative requirements that go with the application, many of which are not clearly spelled out. I reccomend that you purchase a study guide to prepare for the exam. I used "Get your Captains License" by Charlie Wing. It doesn't cover everything you might find on the exam, but it's pretty good. I found the best use of the guide is the exam questions it contains, which I took and re-took for 6 months prior to sitting for the actual exam. The rules of the road exam is the toughest, as you need 90% to pass. The rest was not too bad. If your sea time is on a vessel smaller than 50 tons then you will probably only qualify for a 50 ton license. No worries about the near coastal though. Too bad they dont offer a 100 ton Oceans credential.I also own an Allied Mistress Mark III, which is currently in the back yard undergoing an extensive refit. Hopng to splash her next spring.Best wishes for a safe continued voyageJM
Lee,Glad to see your getting back on the rails with your voyage. I think its a good idea for you to go for the USCG license. I received mine (50 ton) in January. The worst part of getting the license is the administrative requirements that go with the application, many of which are not clearly spelled out. I reccomend that you purchase a study guide to prepare for the exam. I used "Get your Captains License" by Charlie Wing. It doesn't cover everything you might find on the exam, but it's pretty good. I found the best use of the guide is the exam questions it contains, which I took and re-took for 6 months prior to sitting for the actual exam. The rules of the road exam is the toughest, as you need 90% to pass. The rest was not too bad. If your sea time is on a vessel smaller than 50 tons then you will probably only qualify for a 50 ton license. No worries about the near coastal though. Too bad they dont offer a 100 ton Oceans credential.I also own an Allied Mistress Mark III, which is currently in the back yard undergoing an extensive refit. Hopng to splash her next spring.Best wishes for a safe continued voyageJM