Speed of Dell

When I first started at Dell I was an eager beaver and wanted to get cracking, but there were a few weeks of waiting for new projects to come on line. During this time my boss kept telling me to relax, and kept talking about 'The speed of Dell'. Looking at my calendar this morning I now know what he's talking about!

I'm on a boat

So we've been living on Gitano for three weeks now. We witnessed Canada Day on July 1st, our "independence day", at the marina. As the Queen still rules Canada not sure what we're independent of, but whatever, good enough reason to pick up a two-four of Kokane beer. Of the many over-laden boats with drunken revelers, the best was the one that, in unison, was singing this song:

Obama

It's really too bad that we moved away just before Obama got voted in. Things are really changing down there, first I read about everyone buying guns, and now this:

News Flash! News Flash!

Global climate change, or global warming for those who don't read scientific papers, is happening. Nope, it's not just the old people with dodgy memories recounting days of yore that were cooler, wetter, dryer, hotter that are noticing that something is happening. The folks that collaborated on the document at the following web site are from the departments of Energy, Commerce, Defense, State, Interior, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture — plus the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Science Foundation, and the Agency for International Development. I thought my pedigree was impressive, but that's quite a list! Like the weather in Texas? Move to Chicago!

http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts/download-the-report

Zambikes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8125274.stm

Laaaaazy days

So we tell folks we're moving onto a boat - in part because we're so excited about it, and also, in part, looking for words of wisdom. Well, of all the wisdom we got not a single person warned us of the power of relaxation of a boat. Maybe boat types just take that for granted? Who knows, but it's a wicked strong effect. We come down the dock going on about the various projects we want to accomplish, step onto Gitano and within minutes can be found in various states of repose. We usually start by snuggling on the coach, and then make our way past some food (Kim's involved after all), and then spend several more hours on the back deck, bobbing with the seagulls, occasionally draping our heads over the side to watch small creatures wizzing around in the water. Then the bang of the nine oclock gun comes rippling across the water, alerting us that it's time for some tea before heading to our bunk- scratch that - stateroom for the night. This of course carries on into the next day as our nights sleeping aboard have been dreamy, gently rocking affairs.

Sinking?

Kim is amazing in so many ways, and her eating is possibly one of the most amazing things about her. Her svelt figure belies a ravenous beast that could probably out eat a polar bear! As we brought crate upon crate of provisions down the wharf, it buckling under the strain, I thought Gitano, a 15 ton ship would be able to take it in stride. Well, listing is how I would discribe it.

We see here a photo of the Cougar Ace - shortly after taking on a few of Kim's groceries.

Seriously though, we somehow seem to have put too much stuff on the port side. With the galley on the starboard side it makes most sense to have all the pantry stuff across from it. Not sure how we'll counteract this, but waking up and noticing the list is unsettling. We have two 80 gallon fuel tanks, one on each side, so I'm thinking we'll use that to even it out.

Tomorrow is Canada Day - same idea as July 4th in Amerika. There will be parades and hot dogs and all that stuff.

Blowing out sails

Last night, after a hard day of packing and cleaning the old apartment, Kim and I pulled out of our little berth for an afternoon sail. The wind was blowing at about 10 knots, making it the best wind we've been out in. As I was hoisting the mizzen, something happened, and when I looked up it had torn into two halves along a seam. Well, certainly uneventful, but we now were going to have to sail with just two sails - the jib and the main. It was a great sail despite the rip.

Every time we come back to the dock it seems easier, although turning 15 tons and stopping on a dime still makes my knees wobble a bit!

Oh God! Now what will I do with my day?

Leaky Teaky

As you know, I'm a fan of stereotypes. Not in the 'lets put someone in a pidgeon hole' kinda way though, more in the take a bunch of data samples and come up with a conclusion. Of course there will be outlying data points, but the majority will fit. One of the stereotypes of our CT41 is that they leak, and have earned the name Leaky Teaky (not quite as evokative as Taiwan Turkey, used when speaking to its speediness). After a month of sunshine the weather in Vancouver has shifted back to normal and it's raining this morning. And Gitano seems to be doing exactly as expected, leaking. The rotten kitchen seems to be a result of the companionway leaking - tracing the water back I found that the previous owner (PO) tried to fix this by sealing the inside - I'm sure you're smacking you forehead right now! Fix a leak from the top, not the bottom. This is pretty indicative of many of the PO's repair jobs I'm afraid. Luckily, he seems to have paid professionals to do the things that really mattered (except the toilet), and Gitano is still floating. I've gone around the boat this morning documenting each leak, and once the rain blows over (which is probably next spring now) I'll go nuts with some caulking. There are also some design flaws, like window molding that angles inwards leaving the water no place to go but inside, ditto on the companionway slides, ditto on the portlights. Although not sure if there's anything to be done about the porlights, other than make sure the seals are good and keep them closed.

In other news, kinda participated in a sailing regatta last night. How does one "kinda" participate in a regatta? Well, I took a Laser out and sailed with and spectated the race, without entering. It all looks very inviting and fun and will certainly enter next Tuesday after reading all the rules. I was most nervous about the start, but it seems like you can just hang with the crowd. I'm sure this will all change when I become competitive.

Breaking news - the first boat shower. Kim is taking a shower! It's just draining into the bilge right now as the parts for the shower drain haven't come in yet.