When it's over. Or....

[Doug Burton]

Ross, I had to laugh

At 18 he joined the Marine corps. ...reserve.He went to Parris Island, then to combat training, then to Missouri for job training. Gone for 6 months. He came home and made about 6 of the weekends he was supposed to and told them he wasn't coming back. I flipped out thinking he would go to jail or something. From what I understand, he told his master sargent he wasn't wasteing all weekend gasing up the majors car anymore and if they had something for him to do to call. After a threat about Afganistan (to which he said OK) they discharged him "other than honerable". Talk about balls, I'm still in awe on that one. After the initial shock, I think he was right. He didn't agree with government waste, even the salary of a private. I think he'll be OK. For any ex marines please don't misunderstand. After seeing Parris Island, drill sargents are the toughest guys on the planet. No doubt in my mind. You have all earned my deepest respect.

 

[Mike]

THe road less traveled

is different for everyone. Sometimes it leads right back to the Hobbit hole. That's because its about the road not the destination. When I was doing my "other" thing, wandering around Centeral America in the 80's and early 90's I met a guy in the central park in San Jose Coasta Rica. He lived aboard a sailboat. Never saw it and wasn't into sailing so didn't talk much about hte boat. But he would stay out till he needed some cash then go into a port )or a bit further like San Jose) and hit the tourist spots. He'd chat some fellow gringo up about how beautiful the coast was then tell them he could show them if they liked. He'd charge a couple hundered bucks for a couple of days (I lived on 1500 for a year there once) take them out, drop them off and go sailing for a while. YES it was probably illegal, no permit but I doubt he ever gave it a second thought. Nor should he. He was having an adventure and there are no rules when adventuring. I lived 10 years in a school bus I converted myself. Now I practice law on my own, have two mortgages and am contented most days that I get the chance to sail my boat for a few hours even if I never loose sight of my morring (lake sailing). Maybe someday I'll go down the river to the gulf and beyond, maybe not. It doesn't matter 'cause different is as diferent does.Mike

 

[Doug Burton]

And he did it

on a Kawasaki triple! Not quite like the tourers of today. That trip had to make you some priceless memories, God bless ya. In that era I had a 650 Yamaha, a buddy and I went to FL and to the Canadian border but never more than a week. I never laughed so much in my life. I miss living in the here and now.  My biggest clients boss is coming in tomorrow to discuss my rate. I should know if I set sail this October or next by tomorrow night.

 

[Pilot]

Balls Required?

I have read this forum with delight. I was sorry to see that balls were required. After 30 plus years, my employer made me turn them in! I shall forever be stuck in the harbour! Sigh! :>))

 

[Doug Burton]

I feel like a sellout

Well,... I thought I'd be joining the crew but apparently I'm better at my job than I thought. I hit em' with a 16% increase after a 15% increase last October and 15% the year before. I didn't really think they'd go for it and I didn't really care since I'm burned out on it anyway. But if they want to pay me that kind of dough, +53% in 3 years, I gotta stay. I'll be thinking about how much nicer boat I'll be able to get VS. the wait. I'm going to keep pluggin' for 1 more. Then the Mac 65 and keep the house too. I hope I don't die this year, It'd really tick me off.Bob, check out http://tmkconcept.com/strikingviking/home.htm

 

[Bob]

Doug, Do Not Feel That Way!

Hey money talks, right?! So you got a nice raise, things look great, comfort level nice, but no boat yet! Okay, its time to plan and set your goals. You know Doug, you may be in a better position to get that boat now rather then wait til later. Like a lot of us have said, their is no reason not to live aboard if that is what you want. Its a great lifestyle. Their must be places in the Maryland area, but winter aboard would be dreadful. Winter at your home and the rest of the time liveaboard. The grant experiment! The woman will flock, folks at work will be impressed by your independence and cool lifestyle, your kid will marvel, the ex will think your nuts, BUT most of all you can walk down that dock, take a look at your new aquisition, feel your heart pound and know that all you have to do is untie a few lines, motor up a ways, set sail and feel like you are the luckiest man on the planet. I cannot wait til I am on my boat. Its like a sanctuary for me.Here's a great quote:" For the truth is that I already know as much about my fate as I need to know. The day will come when I die. So the only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with that allotted time. I can remain on shore, paralyzed with fear or I can raise my sails and dip and soar in the breeeze".Sort of says it all. You'll find the answer Doug.Bob

 

[abe]

Have your cake and eat it too.....

may not be exactly what you want but...get the boat and sail to a destination for 2 weeks. Leave the boat there and come back a few months later to sail there for a week. Keep doing that every 3 months and sooner or later you will get to your destination or enjoy Mexico for years.abe

 

[Bill Roosa]

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithall shall we be colthed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.Matthew 6 31-34This and other illuminating stuff can be found in the book Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE).

 

[Ross]

Bill, That works pretty good as advise but

somebody better start cooking pretty soon if you expect to get supper. AND if nobody does the laundry you won't have to be concerned about having too much company next week.