“If a job’s worth doing, it’s too hard”.
– Scott Adams
I took this photo in the Galapagos in 2007. This Ecuadorian man told me with pride he had been a digger since he was 9 years old. His right hand is covering the stump where his left forearm used to be. “I’m still an excellent digger” he told me with a proud arch.
“Don’t pray for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs”.
– Unknown
It’s people like this that inspire me. Hard workers, real men, men of dirt and salt. Carla just finished reading Vito Dumas’s book, the first man to single-hand Cape Horn and circumnavigate the 
lower latitudes. He was from Argentina, and a personal hero of mine.
I don’t know if I ever posted these pictures of my hands. They got a bit raw after 10 days of nasty wet-weather when I was crossing the Pacific. No, I wasn’t swimming. A few days after this they dried, cracked, and bled. Every once in a while I would notice how painful they were. The scabs couldn’t heal until I gave them a break dropping anchor in the Marquesas’.
“The way out is the way through”.
– L. Ron Hubbard
Anything that’s “worth it” isn’t easy, and freedom, peace, and love are bestowed upon those who take them.
My friend Voytek, who bought Namaste, is just about to set upon the sea. Namaste is going for another adventure and I’m going to find blog space for their adventures on projectbluesphere.com. I’m so, so, so happy when I hear of a friend that finally cuts the dock lines!
Speaking of which, my German friends have just bought a house in the Canary Islands and have decided to 
sell their 54’ steel boat (Vonny T). If anyone is interested in a big (54’) steel go-anywhere boat let me know and I can hook you up with them. They are asking about 80k. Please only contact me if you’re really interested.
Carla and I got really good news a few days ago. Our internet has been down for the better part of a week but we got word that Carla’s dad is coming to visit for Christmas, he arrives on the 24th 
.
We also have a few charters coming. We have a couple coming on the 7th. They were a referral from a 
previous charter I had a few years back, and we have another couple coming late February/March. Life is good!
Check out this before & after polishing picture. Prism polish rules! I’ve been using it for years and it’s a great product to have onboard. I’m such a scrounger. I found these lamps (really nice Christmas present) at the book exchange. Often sailors place things they no longer want or need at the book exchange. I’ve been looking for a nice pair of brass reading lights and will convert these to a warm LED fixtures. They just needed a little elbow grease. Anyone have any tips on how to keep brass shiny?
The New Year is upon us again and its time to start thinking of life changes & improvements.
All I can say with the New Year upon me is “I’m such a lucky man!”
Peace, love, more love, and coconuts.
– Alex
You can clear-coat brass, or wax it, or both.
I was just reading about spraying a clear coat on the brass. I’m going to strip the old lacar off with a paint stripper first, thanks :)
BTW we moved to an amazing anchorage and I just posted a spot location so you can check the current position page for a sat view of where we are.
There is a beautiful white sand beach just a few hundred feet away.
Wow Alex, yet another post that further illuminates the path to freedom. I have been following you since near the beginning. We discussed ways to compress your piston rings, then you shared a deal on mast steps, each of your posts has, in some way, helped my path toward freedom. Today’s post is no different. When I began following you, I had a wife who became an addict and involved our son in her illicit world. I broke free of that and changed careers from legal to nursing so I can more easily follow your example, having the flexibility to travel and a tool to help others on the way. The dock lines aren’t completely severed, but the way is much shorter these days. We don’t always know our impact, yours has been substantial for me. Thank you and happy holidays.
Mike
Hi guys this is Carla.
Speaking of pain, Alex just got stung by a lionfish on his thumb. The spine went through welding glove leather like a hot needle through butter!
But Alex says, with a painful smile, that we’ll have fish tacos for dinner : ) and that the difference between an ordeal and an adventure is attitude.
Thanks Mike, Alex will respond to you later!
Happy holidays everybody!!
To my surprise, I’ve just stumbled on the opportunity to sell my house and as such, am seriously considering buying a sailboat to live on. Until now, due to the irresponsibility of family members along with some serious zoning conflicts have made it next to impossible to sell my home. However I’ve just been offered a solution to the issue.
Now since 95% of everything I own is tied up in the value of my home, this is a big deal. Especially since even if I saved up money from my job to buy a boat, until my home was properly settled & accounted for, there was no way I could just get up and leave. Frankly, the scales were tipping the wrong way.
So, staring down the barrel of another miserable and stressful holiday season, I’m faced with the very real possibility that I could spend the next one on my very own boat, bobbing up and down somewhere between Freeport and Key Biscayne.
It’s hard to explain the mix of trepidation and excitement that I’m feeling, but it’s not really a bad feeling. I find myself smiling at odd little moments, staring off into the distance and wondering if 35 is too young or too old to be considering chucking everything and starting fresh.
Pretty cool Yodamouse; always liked your posts. Keep us updated!!
Yodamouse,
Gr8 news. I wouldn’t say 35 is too young, I left at 38 and wish I could have done it in my early 20’s. If you need any help/advice on boats just ask.
Mike,
Thanks for the kind words and hope your ae to sever thedock lines when the time is right.
2013 may be the year of fresh starts.
Damn that lionfish sting hurt like hell !!!!!!
Peace
Pretty cool Yodamouse; always liked your posts. Keep us updated!!
Alex,
Thank you for your offer for advice. For the longest time I’ve been thinking about a Southern Cross 28 or an Albin Vega. I hear the Southern Cross is a very solid, similar to the Westsail, but less known so it can be had for about $15,000 to $20,000. The Vega is similarly priced and has the added value of a very shallow draft. Either would leave me with a savings of about $25,000, allowing me some room to grow into the boat equipment wise, as well as cruising cash.
Hope your lion fish sting is getting better. Hope you heal up quick and get to ake it easy – it’s the holidays and a good time to relax, reboot and renew.
Ive got a Albin vega 27, living aboard now…. if youve got questions, ask…
Arch
S/V Orca
Ive got a Albin vega 27, living aboard now…. if youve got questions, ask…
Arch
S/V Orca
Oh yea….2013 is looking like a new beginning…..PLANB4..or PLANB 2.0….whad ya think?
Looking for deliveries again…..are you two going to Sapzurro ?