“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