This is part psychology, part philosophy, and part sailing blog...and in retrospect, part rant. Proceed at your own risk...although (in retrospect, again) I think I wind it up quite nicely...but it's like reading a 500 page book that can be explained by reading the jacket. So, I guess proceed at your own risk is appropriate...
If you looked at the home movies of someone's life what would you see? If you were shortsighted you would get the impression that their life was perfect. Birthday parties, perfect spring days in the backyard, family reunions where everyone is smiling.
No one videotapes their arguments. Getting fired from work. Burning themselves on the stove. Losing a child to Lukemia. Getting sick themselves. No one wants to save, savor, or spread their unhappiness and misery...well, at least those in their right minds.
So it is with us. We do not blog about the muck and mire. We blog about the interesting, unusual, or fun things that occur here and there. There is an unforseen consequence...it seems people read this and incorrectly believe we live in some sort of Paradise/Nirvana where everything is perfect all the time. It is far from so. I prefer to focus on the positive when I blog...I think it makes it more fun to read, but if it makes you feel any better, here we go:
Yes, B works from onboard. "It must be nice to make your own schedule and be able to watch dolphin play while you work." Someone actually said this to me. Ok. First, if I get behind on deadlines, I get reamed by my boss(es) (which between us two just happened because I screwed off too much. I got put in my place. Humbled me a bit. Feel better now?) Second, you think you hate sitting at your desk working? Take away your creature comforts and see how you like it. If it is 95 outside it is 95 inside (with a few fans circulating the heat)...so on and so forth. Throw in a few distractions. Take your desk to the middle of Sea World and try to concentrate... you're in funland but can't participate. You can't have any pudding until you eat your meat - Pink Floyd.
Conserve your power to the maximum. Remember, if it is cloudy or calm wind today then your batteries will not charge efficiently and you may not watch tv tonight or worse if you have not been vigilant or you have been wasteful.
Carry your own water. Do you realize how much water you use in a month? How about in any given day. Cooking. Drinking. Showering. Cleaning? Now
filter your water fron whatever source is available into 5 gal. jugs and transport them back to your boat, lift them aboard, fill your tanks with said water.
Every bit of dirt, dust, and bit o' nature that is out there is in here. We live with our hatches, ports, and companionway open. If it is floating or flying in the air it can come to reside with us.
We do not have air conditioning. It is 8:22 am in a Saturday and 84 degrees outside.
We restrict ourselves to eating out twice a month ($50 maximum), 99% of our clothes come from Goodwill, Salvation Army, Consignment, etc., books are only purchased at used shops and usually only after trading in already read books so that we have credit. I hate disclosing figures but I guarantee 95% of you would be horrified at our monthly budget and how little we live on...but we do not go without. We're fat & sassy, happy & healthy, whatever cliche' you want to toss about.
I assume you're mighty bored of reading this crap. I know I am tired of writing it. It is not the pudding and that is the best part of the meal. If you promise to quit thinking our lives are perfect because we write about the good stuff then I promise to not write a brooding tirade like this again. I think we'll all be happier that way.
I did not spell check or proofread. | 