My head in the bilge

 

So I spent the morning on my roof, doing the things like cleaning my gutters, that I should have done last Fall.

It’s been that kind of a week…Theoretically, I’m on vacation. Yet I am still driving my Assistant crazy. I have been trying for the last week or so to fill a customer’s request. His parameters are so restrictive; I might as well be at the office. But I‘m not.

Yesterday was spent upside down with my head in the bilge of Segue. When you own a 27 year old boat; electrical gremlins are to be expected. Segue’s bilge pump has been haunting me for decades.

Today I expected a typical North Westerly. It would start out hard, then blow itself out by noon. Sounds like a great day to get some work done, then have a nice afternoon sail and get some sun.

Only that isn’t what happened. The wind reports kept teasing me. The breeze would moderate; then pick up again.

I had to go Windsurfing. By the time I decided where to sail from it was 2:00 PM. By the time I reached the beach, it was 3:30. So I rigged the biggest sail I have [a 6.9] and my biggest board [a 125 ltr Sumo] and hit the water. It was one of those gusty days that you where over, or under-powered no mater what you rigged.

So thanks to Jim, the BlueHarborCat we have proof that I wasn’t slogging the whole time. [Thanks Jim].

100 degrees in the shade.

I guess it is the first day of summer. 7:15 PM on my way home from work.

It’s 1984 all over again.

It’s 1984 all over again.

No I am not talking about fashion; though that is true. Teal, fuchsia and neon green do not belong on the human body. And I’m not talking about music; but I guess if they’re making “Rock of Ages” into a movie, that is true too.

I’m talking about The George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 kind of 1984.

Most of America still doesn’t realize how much of their Freedom and rights they gave away in the wake of 9/11’s Patriot Act. And because I can now be held indefinitely, and not formally charged with anything, simply because of some anonymous suspicion…we’re not going to talk about that today.

‘So what are we gonna’ listen to you rant about today?’... “Well, I’m glad you asked.”

I’m concerned about my governments’ and all other well intentioned peoples’ obsession with trying to protect me from myself. What is with you people? Can’t you just live and let live?

Apparently not.  I’m not saying I’m the most careful person on the planet, or that I’ve never been injured. In fact last summer I managed to fall and hurt myself so silly I was actually in a coma for two and one half days. And I did that in my own house. It was simple really…all I had to do was fall. It is a wonder that I have survived these last 50 years of life. The thing is; I would like to enjoy the rest of my years.

So please, don’t tell me I’m not allowed to drink sugared soda. I can’t stand diet soda. It tastes awful, and is filled with poison as a sugar substitute. Remember Saccharine? And I’m pretty sure Aspartame was never meant for human ingestion. Plus didn’t we go down this whole road before with the Butter > Margarine >Palm oil, back to Butter thing. Or Lard/Butter > Trans Fat, back to Butter again. Yea and Olestra; that was a good idea… I’m guessing we could all loose weight if we drank motor oil. What ever happened to everything in moderation, or exercise? Do you want to help me? Then pay for my gym membership, Acupuncture, and deep tissue Massage.

Next; please stop issuing me tickets for not wearing my helmet: or not wearing my PFD, [now there are some occasions that I do wear these by choice: my choice!]

And what is with the tickets for Surfing when the waves are big? “Yes officer, I understand it is a Hurricane swell, that’s why I am here.” Have you ever seen Teahupoo, Jaws, or Pipeline? This is not that big.

Windsurfing on windy days is just as bad. Could be a Hurricane, a Nor’Easter, or a blizzard.  “No Officer it is not that windy; I’m not even on my smallest sail.” Maybe I just need to move to the Gorge, Hatteras, or Maui? Every time I enter the water after December 15^th and before May 31^st, I risk a ticket or arrest. Enough already.

Let’s just agree that I am an adult: Physically anyway; so as long as I am not hurting anyone else leave me alone!

I just read you want to track the prescription anti-inflammatory and Painkillers I take, just because someone else abused them? I can assure you I will not be on Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab any time ever. Isn’t it already bad enough you keep track of how much pseudoephedrine I take? If I ever start a Meth Lab, I’ll let you know. Isn’t this like telling me I can’t drive because someone else broke the speed limit.

I just don’t get it. Hydro Fracking is OK? Dumping raw sewage in the ocean because no one wants to upgrade our sewage treatment plants? So we don't have the money? Wait, Didn’t NY just rebuild 3 major sports stadiums in the last 5 years? So what’s the excuse?

Better yet; what’s your excuse? Get involved. Make your voice heard! Is there windsurfing at Gitmo?