Man everything is in order & life is good in water-world!
I’ve got THOR (my new computer) sorted out, money for a small generator & equipment on the way, 
and now we’re just waiting for the funds to clear so we can go to the San Blas. I’ll also have money for provisions & fuel. When Splendid’s tanks & pantry are full I feel as I could never ask for more, life is perfect! Splendid’s decks are done and she is just about ready to Rock & roll! My focus is turning solely towards filming The Minimalist Sailor and completing my refit to cross the Pacific next year.
My big projects seem small and can wait till we are ready to do 
some distance cruising. Carla’s writing a blog about home (boat) economics and it’s got me thinking about money. What I really want for Splendid is to finish my big refrigerator project, get the H20 maker running (need new membrane & 12v clutch), buy a drifter & mizzen stay-sail (maybe 3k), and have some stainless hardware made for the forestay (maybe $500). I have a few dozen cheap & quick projects but they are in the back of my mind now. I know people say “the boat is never ‘done’” but there is a fine line 
between restoration & refitting, and being in maintenance (cruising) mode. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel : )
Carla and I made a really nice cheese the other day from powdered milk. It is my opinion that the more we can make, the freer we become. The cheese was similar to a ricotta before I pressed it with some diving weights in a cheese-cloth. After it was pressed it was more of a queso blanco/mozzarella, YUMMY!! From start to finish the cheese took about 15 minutes to make. How cool is that? I will be making some “how to” videos to share this knowledge 
with you guys. In the mean time if you’re interested in the recipe ask Carla on her blog page, I’m sure she will share.
On another note Splendid’s full-enclosure is just about finished. The cockpit will be a dry-haven this rainy season. Our friend Heather has done a really beautiful job making this happen.
Carla also had friends (Sandra & Michael) visit from Zurich. We did some spear fishing, rum drinking, and cooking. Michael had a nice underwater camera and took some cool pictures of the reef. I’m going to start using the GoPro more for underwater video & pictures to share. However 
the underwater pictures I’ve taken haven’t been as good because there is no flash on the GoPro. I’m in the market for an underwater video light for it, as well as a LED video light for topside filming on the DSLR. Speaking of lights, Carla’s friends forgot two very nice Petzl head lamps. Carla and I were talking just the night before how we need to get a few good head lamps. I often buy the cheepies only to find they don’t work well. Funny how things have been finding their way to us.
My neck is in pretty bad shape (pinched nerve) today and I’ve 
had a movie day. I heard a great line in Kevin Costner’s film, The Postman.
“Wouldn’t it be great if wars were fought by the assholes that started them?”
It’s rainy & gray today, a good day to watch films, nice and dry in the cockpit.
Life is uber-good.
Sail far & live slowly.
– alex
PS
I have a buddy hat needs to sell his Cheoy Lee 33 Offshore Ketch. 37.5′ overall, 33′ on deck with lots of cruising gear ASAP and will take 15k, maybe a pinch less. Motor & rig strong, and you could take off with little 
money and investment of time.
Someone really needs to jump on this one!!!
The boat (Chinquapin) is in Houston, take the plunge 
If your interested (really interested) email me at alexdorsey at gmail dot com and ill send you the contact info, time to go cruising!!!! If I had the money I’d buy her to resell.