straws and bricks

We all went down and got a tour of the local Coast Guard Station.  It was fascinating. They sure go places that we wouldn't dare.

What a job!

Did I mention that we're actually cruising these days? *Woo!* Tuesday at sunset we swept out of Pillar Point. We made it to Eureka in a day and a half of the mildest conditions you could possibly imagine.

As always, check Flickr for the latest.

Also, the boys are back and Queen V seems to be sated for the moment.

We've decided to cruise up probably only as far as Coos Bay before turning south for home and Tom the canvas magician. We're hoping to be done sooner rather than later so our mad dash to Yelapa can be as stately as possible.

Now it's time to hit the hay. They boys sacked out before dinner tonight and would not budge for love, money, or time on their new DSes. You'd better believe they'll be up and at 'em before I'm ready for them at this rate...

Just wanted to kind of bring this up to date:

* I'm getting married in December. We're doing it in Yelapa, near Puerto Vallarta. You should come.

* Today's my birthday, and no I don't feel any different. Phillip established that cooking aboard, if anything, improves the taste of homemade eggs Benedict and fresh baked bread. Yum.

* It's been almost two months since the boys left. We're looking forward to having them back at the end of the month.

* The title of the boat has been officially cleared, thanks in large part to David Weil, our brilliant maritime attorney. I hope I never even hear the name of the broker again.

* Speaking of lawyers, it looks like the QDRO from my divorce may finally execute by the end of the month. Also, I've almost finished settling my estate. I am so looking forward to a time when I don't have to consult with attorneys a couple of times a week.

* I filleted my first fish.

* Work on Samadhi continues. We hope to leave Pillar Point by the end of next week.

If you have any recommendations for converting hanging lockers into efficient clothes storage that doesn't involve carpentry, please let me know!

She was brilliant. Photos on Flickr. Video here:

After the drama (well not really), Granny's been improving. Not leaps and bounds, but more than anyone expected. She was even well long enough for Dad to take his trip to Scotland with nary a peep of bad news. Really, I couldn't be more pleased for her. She really is a grand old lady.

I went to Texas on Tuesday to say goodbye to Granny. Phil came with me. Shere took care of all of us.

I'm really glad that I went. I said a lot of things I'd said before, and some things that I hadn't. I told her I loved her and that whatever she did, I supported her. I'll sure miss her when she's gone.

We're letting the pros take care of Samadhi's rigging. Sure, I've got a great book about it, but with no expertise and no tools--no way!

On May Day, Dad, Phil, and I sailed under a beautiful sunny sky up through the Golden Gate and over to Point Richmond. You couldn't have asked for a more pleasant way to spend a Tuesday morning.

For added coolness factor, just after passing under the bridge, Dad got a call on his cell. Cortney had spotted us from her perch on the 31st floor of 650 California. Then Mom picked us up from BART with the boys in tow. The whole family got to participate!

Out! Free!

I will never again go to the apartment on Poplar Ave, never again call it home. We took all day Sunday and most of today, but when the owner came by to inspect things, all she could find to complain about was some marks on the walls. w00t!

Now, of course, comes the task of sorting through everything that was hastily packaged so that I could be out by the end of the month, but thankfully there''s not too much of a hurry for that. Maybe now we can actually spend some time with the motorcycles...

Tomorrow is a busy day for us. We set sail as early as we can muster for Pt. Richmond and Easom Rigging. Dad's going to be coming with us. The winds may even be right for a spinnaker run under the Golden Gate.

*bounce*

It's amazing to think that in a few short months we'll be living aboard. What a thrilling adventure awaits...

I need to be out of my apartment by Tuesday.

Fuck.

We're actually, thanks to the help of three very able movers, doing pretty well, but the sheer scope of it is rather daunting. Please wish me luck in the final countdown to cleanliness. Of course, with Phillip's help, anything is possible.

3, 2, 1, Go!

Nicholas is now 9. His birthday was Wednesday, but for obvious reasons, we waited for the weekend to throw the party. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for it either.

 Yesterday saw our second party aboard the fine sailing vessel Samadhi V. Both were thoroughly enjoyed by all. This one was particularly special because a) it was Nicholas's 9th birthday party and b) we actually took the boat out of her slip while the party was going on.

Nicholas even got to go in a dinghy ride to the sunken ship to find the treasure!

I think we're all feeling very much at home aboard now, and nothing could be better than that. Tuesday or Wednesday we'll be taking her up to Pt. Richmond to have her rigging replaced by one of the superstar riggers of the West Coast.

It's amazing to think that in about two months we'll be calling Samadhi "home". Let the adventure begin!