|
|
|
Day 80
|
|
Jan
20
Written by:
Sam .
1/20/2010 10:22 AM
seriously.. it’s not as if i was expecting, as we began to roll through the two thousands, the civilized infastructure of the jetson’s but at least something comparable to the practicality of the fifth element or maybe just high society experimentation reminiscent of michael j fox goofing on his hoverboard in back to the future. technology has disappointed me, the aforementioned just the too sweet icing on a high fructose containing artificially colored birthday cake. i am not a complete luddite, really, we couldn’t even be having this “chat” if not for some of the cool and incredibly useful tools progressing technology has provided. in our (sailing) lives alone the resources available for safe passage-making alone have all but founded/inspired a resurgence of maritime adventurers, setting out on far less unpredictable voyages for the sake of the journey alone. having said this and paid my homage to the gifts of our present tech culture, i must reassert my disappointment. but for all the iphones (wow are they cool!) and laser eye surgery (totally amazing also) people are still living without potable water and children die of malnutrition, all over the world- oftentimes right under our noses. fossil fuels continue to dominate and personal responsibility seems to have fallen out of trend like picture tube televisions. everyone just moves so fast, with so seemingly little time to consider the harm being done by their imposter single passenger hummers. money is worshipped like an idol as we work through our family’s dinner time, commuting with one hand while eating a non sustainably manufactured barely nutritional “healthy” fast food chicken sandwich. we often ride our bikes alone (guinna, alex and i) down the side of the road, smiling for the fresh air (i’m ignoring the exhaust) and exertion, peering into the small boxes of people, looking for a shared moment of joy but more often receiving the dead stare of the numb overly taxed suburban traveler. someone once said to me “well not everyone can live like you do” and i suppose that’s true for it is an existence not for the meek at heart, one’s levels of comfort must be very fluid and you must have a fair amount of the black sheep gene. for me though, this life is splendid. in my land life i had taken to feeling guilty for every step i took supporting a culture i did not believe in and too increasingly often the squared walls of a traditional domicile felt more like confinement then safe haven. so in this new year , for all the misteps i have taken (and wow i am but an egg after all ), the few regrets i have and the occasional longing for more easily accessed old friends, every morning i wake up feeling free. i bake my bread and ride my bike, teach my daughter and attempt everyday to learn a new skill towards further sustainability… and i breath… and i smile and the world goes on turning faster and i can benefit from the positive bits and say no to the systems that used to force my hand and leave me so disappointed . so i guess, in the end;), i say you can keep your flying cars (though you won’t see this girl saying no to an offered ride) i’ll sail… this moment is life… sam
Tags:
15 comment(s) so far...
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
wow well put! Now I just have to get the wife to read this and we'll be getting there as well... it's going to be a journey getting there but she's going into nursing which I REALLY think will be handy out there and oh yeah I have to build the boat and learn how to sail) and the whole family can use swimming lessons and need access to the mississippi or the missouri (fortunatley we have about an equal drive to either border) BUT other than that we're going to be right there
By Jon Baker on
1/20/2010 11:01 AM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
I dunno... a flying car? That sounds WAY cool. I gotta get me one-a those, in red please. Besides it might just run on anti-matter or something.
Meantime its back to reality a crapped out diesel engine that has us stuck in Jacksonville boatyard hell even longer.
Best Wishes,
Terry
By Tspringer on
1/20/2010 7:38 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
Your world of technological fantasies may not exist (for now), but there is no question you have already found your Xanadu for your poetic chalice runneth over in this recent post. Your magical (real) world is a constant reminder that many of us live with a pollution of the mind --- programmed to want what we don't need. I commend you for your bravery and perseverance in seeking a better and genuine life for you, your child, and that crazy Alex guy who continues to inspire.
Godspeed and "coconuts" :)
By Lazaro Ruda on
1/20/2010 11:11 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
Sam... my father told me in the early 80's (i was 9 ) "Any new technology should be used as a tool and not a crutch. Tools break, wear out, and sometimes just not made for the job at hand. If used as a crutch and it breaks you fall flat" That was said about my cool new calculator watch.
A friend of mine just got stranded last week because of a flat tire and spent the night in his car out in the country. When he told the story I asked was something wrong with the spare. He replied "i don't know my cell phone was dead"
I thank my father more an more every day. Also the more self reliant you can be, makes having technology even better.
John O
By jroglesby on
1/21/2010 7:22 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
TOO OLD FOR ME BUT ONE ACHIEVES JOY IN DIFFERENT WAYS--YOU SEEM TO HAVE FOUND YOUR WAY-WE ALL WISH WE COULD SHARE MORE WITH YOU BUT WE WILL TAKE WHAT WE CAN GET-MCH LOVE TO YOU AND GUIN
By bubby on
1/21/2010 8:05 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
would you please repeat that
By dad on
1/24/2010 7:29 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
Good Morning Sam:
Your adventure is just starting... As all of ours is. We use and re-use as much as we can. We enjoy the technology that we have, and treasure the moments where a cup of tea, a sunrise and dolphins greeting us as they use the anchor chain as a back scratcher. The sound of the sea and the wind... There's nothing simpler and nothing better.
But as the day progresses, kicking on the iPod with some great tunes and changing a guitar string which I'm thankful is now made of steel and not cat parts is part of the techno world which I'm thankful for. So I accept trade offs.
I'm still in hopes that I tread lighter on the world than most. I love the fact that I use the diesel to get in and out, but put up the sails as soon as possible and cut it off, but continue moving across this planet with the wind. I'm thankful that I can flush my head and use a few ounces of precious water. Taking a shower with a gallon of water seems to be enough. Cooking meals in one pan. Recycling everything and giving a lot of trash a different name as it becomes useful and re-used again and again. Cutting up everything that as a loop or a ring on it to keep it off sea life, animals and birds. Making a choice of eating mor GARLIC instead of getting flu shots.
You're right... We live with it, we choose what we want to use and protect our family, time, friends and this great Planet the best we can.
Please continue writing. Let us all know what tips and tricks you learn while you emerge from your sleep. We need to hear it all. We enjoy your thoughts and we wish you well.
I'll see you down the sea...
Capt. Paul
s/v...
P.S. Enjoy the Garni! Mix some in the breadmaker... YUM!
By CaptPaul on
1/25/2010 5:21 AM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
We have boats whos hulls do not rot or rust and require minimal maintenance (relatively speaking, of course). Over 4 millennia humans have been on the sea, and this has come about in only the past 60 years. Within that 60 years, hull designs have changed more than in the past 4,000. Sailboats (SAILboats!) are going over 50 knots, literally all but flying above the water.
Marine Solar Panels have only been around since the 80s, and GPS in about the same time frame.
The first civilian space-port is due to open this year, after Virgin Galactic put a civilian in space a short while ago, then turned around and did it again only a few days later with the same ship. The larger version of that ship is undergoing flight testing and should be fully operational within a year.
Certain aspects of technology are moving along in leaps and bounds.
Feeding and caring for people has little to do with technology, and everything to do with politics and economics.
By Seafarer on
2/1/2010 1:35 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
call me bort
By the daddy on
2/13/2010 9:27 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
call me
By the daddy on
2/13/2010 9:29 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
Sam,
You right very well, even if your shift key doesn't work. Please post more logs, your perspective is wonderful to read!
Cheers,
Chris
By Chris Irwin s/v Ariana on
3/1/2010 2:47 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
sam. would love to read your take on this adventure you and quin are on. what are the good and bad about your trip. my girlfriend would love to see read about your trip from your eyes and the female take of things.
By Dennis Figgeroa on
3/4/2010 4:09 PM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
yes, yes, yes, more writing, indeed.. i must learn to treat my log as a journal though i fear you may think alex quite normal after reading some of the trains that run through this cabasa;)
we are leaving nassau in the morning and i am terribly excited..
guinna asks for garlic garni by name now:)
will post more when wifi rears it's lovely head...
By Alex Dorsey on
3/5/2010 9:18 AM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
yes, yes, yes, more writing, indeed.. i must learn to treat my log as a journal though i fear you may think alex quite normal after reading some of the trains that run through this cabasa;)
we are leaving nassau in the morning and i am terribly excited..
guinna asks for garlic garni by name now:)
will post more when wifi rears it's lovely head...
Sam
By Alex Dorsey on
3/5/2010 9:18 AM
|
Re: samantha bortnicker in twenty ten or where the haiti are all the cool flying cars?
Hey Sam
I'm all for the low tech life....Maybe one of these days your Mom will take me up on my offer of knitting lessons, & If you're ever here in NJ, the offer extends to you as well! It is a lesson in patience, of enjoying the journey as well as benefitting from the result, one small step at a time. Guin would benefit as well from knitting lessons, it employs subtle mathematics and spatial relationships under the guise of fun.
Just think of all the (useful) sweaters, socks & mittens you could make on your worldwide journey!
Can't believe Guin just turned 5, I remember how extatic Big Mike was when she was born.
Enjoy these precious days with Guin, too soon she'll be a 25 yr old like my daughter.
Remember, there's No time like the present, no present like Time.
Travel safely, and stay away from those damned pirates.
By Linda G on
3/16/2010 4:59 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|