o much has happened since my last recorded day I don't know where to begin! I better start quickly though, since I'm using an "Internet Cafe" computer where the hookup is $3 for 20 minutes.
I am living on my boat now. That fact has become quite obvious. Last night was my first comfortable night of uninterrupted sleep. Oh yeah, happy 1999!
I guess I should begin where I left off... My New Year was uneventful. The day after I spent working on the boat. Here's a list of my recent improvements: Cleaned. Moved the bumpers around so they don't bang on the hull and wake me up! Made a pulley and lines contraption to keep the dingy between the stern and mooring ball (away from the hull and more noise). After much searching I located the hose for the bulk propane tank. It's all set up and ready to go. The tank is mounted on the stern and the hose runs (in two sections) to the stove in the galley. I'm in the midst of building a folding shelf into which it will be mounted. I bought a solar-powered AM/FM radio. I re-shaped the breadboard so it will fit in the sink as a sink cover. I bought "tupperware" containers for my clothes. Clear ones that stack.
Here's the news in abbreviated form (since that's all I have time for). My oars disappeared one night. The next day I was told someone had found them drifting in the bay (hmmm). I got them back. I got the flu. Miserable. It lasted Saturday night through Sunday night. It wasn't any worse being on a boat than it would have been anywhere else, thankfully. I'm over it now, although still working on getting back to 100%.
Other than that, all is going quite as expected. I'm taking showers at the Boy Scout camp. Hope I can update again soon!
t's the last day of 1998. A lot has happened since I last updated my log. I live on my boat now. I've written an entry for yesterday which I will enter later.
I slept last night on the boat, but not well. There's so many changes going on right now, my mind wouldn't let me sleep. It was wonderful getting up this morning and having no list to complete. There was nothing that had to be done if I didn't want to do it. It's like having my own life again.
Even though I didn't have to do anything, there was plenty to get done, so I got to work. I packed all the stuff I didn't need into the stern of the boat. I have a decent amount of space now, in fact, more than I expected (and the stern is only half full).
This afternoon we began front inventory at the Scout Shop. The day was spiced up by no less than 4 helicopters circling the area searching for a running criminal. Mounted police and dogs went past, and it was definitely more exciting than usual. I understand they caught him later.
I didn't want to spend New Year in a crowd, so I took Dave up on an invitation to his home. It's quiet here, and I like it. Hope I can update more soon.
got up to go to work at 7:30 this morning. Arrived at the Scout Shop and took all the Christmas decorations down before realizing I wasn't on the schedule until 2:30pm and we weren't doing inventory! Oops. Well, it worked out all right, since I got off at 2:30 and have tomorrow off to spend with my family. I sure would have slept a little longer had I known though!
Tonight I bought carpet glue and Dad, JJ, and I made patterns and cut out the carpet. Tomorrow morning I'll glue in the pieces we cut (for the v-berth). I'm really looking forward to see how it looks with the carpet in place.
We also helped JJ move a lot of his stuff here to Karl's place. It won't be long now until I'm a liveaboard!
y family and I went sailing today. We had light breezes and calm seas and no one got sick! This morning we went to church and then went sailing. We got back in time for church this evening. It was an excellent and restful day. I got some of my books and all my food redistributed in the boat, eliminating 3 or 4 boxes. The rest I can stow in the stern tomorrow. Then all that's left is clothes and a few odds and ends.
Tomorrow we inventory at the Scout Shop. Front stock now. Better get to sleep.
lot has been happening here over the Holiday! We had an excellent Christmas, and all presents were wonderful. Gurion sent me a really great magnetic chess board and a chess book. I was especially happy with a cook book for backpacking that I got. It should be great for the boat. Dad liked his mini-maglite, Allison her chord book and harmonica, and Mom her watering can. The best present of all was being together though!
We managed to get my boat very clean and reorganized, and there is a lot of room! Today I filled up that room with stuff. All the books I have are packed up. Also my food and cooking utensils are aboard now. I think I'll be moving aboard as soon as my family heads back to Arizona.
I guess it isn't much to write, but we have really accomplished a lot!
finally got the last coat of paint on the v-berth, and it looks great!! It did run a little bit in spots, but overall it's quite an improvement. The boat is feeling more "homey" all the time.
My family arrived today for Christmas. It's so nice to have them here! They brought an entire Christmas dinner with them. This will be my first Christmas out of Oregon and away from the extended family.
oday was quite a busy one. I went roaring off to work at 8:30, since I had slept through 54 minutes of my 60 minute alarm. This was because I had stayed up late to make "monkey fist" keychains for everyone at the Scout Shop. The effort was worth it.
We inventoried all day at the Scout Shop and finally finished the back room.
JJ is living here with us now. I hope everything works out well.
I have a hand-held GPS (Global Positioning System) on loan for a while, and I sure am impressed! I know that I could really make use of one of these! It can find a position very accurately anywhere in the world.
My parents arrive tomorrow.
inally got some paint on the boat! A lot has been accomplished in the last couple days! Yesterday I was given a generous gift of "boat food" by the people at the Scout Shop. What a blessing! This is inventory week at the Scout Shop, so all of my time is being spent there. This morning, however, I was given some time to work on my boat and finally got the first coat of paint on the v-berth. It looks so much better!
I opened my first checking account and registered for classes today as well! I registered for classes over the phone, and when I was done a computerized voice stated my balance owed. I had to listen to it three times to make sure it said "One dollar!" Somehow that's my total! I paid it. "My cup runneth over."
ell the last two days have certainly been busy! I got started fairly early Saturday working on the boat. I filled in a few left-over holes with bondo, and then got to sanding. I sanded all day. I was finished with the V-berth about 8:00 pm! All that's left to do there is paint! I'm sure glad that's done!
It rained almost all day while I was on the boat. The wind and waves kicked up. I was happy to find that the inside of the boat stayed fairly dry, and with the hatches closed, myself sanding, and one lantern on it was also comfortably warm. I cooked two meals on the propane stove and was impressed with it's performance. All this is very good since I hope to move out within a couple weeks.
Today I went to church for an excellent service this morning and then headed for the Chargers vs Raiders game! As it turns out I got to go for free with Dave, the manager of the Scout Shop. We had excellent seats right on the field for the first professional football game I've ever been to. Although it was a good game, the Charger Girls definitely had a better day than the Chargers themselves! The final score was Chargers 10, Raiders 17.
This evening was a choral performance at the church. I got a bit drowsy as soon as the lights went down, and missed a few little parts. There was also a short message afterward by one of the elders. I never fail to be impressed with how excellent and Biblically sound the OP churches are.
Afterward I gave my friend Kristie a ride home. Since she had done the same for me when my car was out of commission, I only felt it was right. We managed to somehow get sidetracked to the beach, which was amazingly cold and windy (exactly like the Oregon beach) and then went to see some really well-decorated houses. Somehow it seems that for me the shortest route to anywhere never involves straight lines.
uite a day today! The solar panel came today, and (I'm not suprised) UPS managed to break it. I think I'll wait until after the Christmas rush to worry about it.
Speaking of the Christmas rush, only a week until! Karl and I went to see "The Prince of Egypt" animation about Moses tonight. I was quite impressed. I also found out that JJ will start moving in probably within a week, so as soon as possible, I can move out. Tomorrow I hope to get a large step closer to being able to move onto the boat.
had quite a misadventure today! I finally got the oil pressure switch (after much wasted time) and installed it. I put some silicone around it so it wouldn't leak and left it to dry until I had to go to work. About 12:10 when I started my car for work I heard this odd sound like water splashing. I jumped out and looked under the hood (which was open still) and oil was squirting EVERYWHERE!
As it turns out, I had put the sensor in an unused bolt hole (what it is for I have no idea). In the 10 seconds the car was running it pumped the entire 3 quarts of oil out that small hole! A few cups more sweat, 3 more quarts of oil, and 20 pounds of oil absorbent later I was off to work.
That's an adventure I don't want to have again! I got my paychecks today. They should cover my needs.
till haven't gotten the sensor for my car. Spent the morning removing the old one with hammer, etc. It was stripped. I finally had to hammer a too-small socket onto it to get it off. It has to be replaced though, since when I started my car, there wasn't a drip, but a stream of oil leaking onto the floor pan!
The President has ordered a "military action" against Iraq. Odd that it would be the day before almost certain impeachment! I'm disgusted. I shudder when I think of the innocent people probably being injured and the needless risks being taken. Less important, but still interesting, is the sum of money which must go into an operation like this... and the people were complaining about the cost of these impeachment hearings!?! I just hope that it is over quickly.
Had trouble accessing the chatroom today. Also of computer note is the fact that I now have access to AOL Instant Messenger. I haven't made much use of it, but if you have it too, my "buddy name" is JxGalt.
ot too much excitement the last couple days. One positive note was finally getting my registration stickers for my car. For those of you who don't know, my registration ran out the Monday after Thanksgiving. Since the car wouldn't pass smog, I gave it to my parents and let them register it in Oregon. The fact that they're in Arizona makes that a time consuming project! After almost 3 weeks of being carless, I'm very thankful to have it back! I have to put a new oil pressure switch in tomorrow, and then I'm back on the road.
Another good thing is some gifts for the boat. Among other things I got a nice warm sleeping bag and a VHF radio (which needs some work, but will be good when it's working). Also a fire extinguisher, safety strobe, and dye markers. I should be one safe boater!
Today was extremely windy, mostly in gusts. I hope the boat weathered it all right. I saw a tree toppled only about one-quarter mile from the Scout Shop. It was just my luck that the gusts (which I assumed to be between 20 and 25 m.p.h.) were blowing directly from where I wanted to go. I really had to pedal to get to work on time!
I got my class catalog for Miramar on Monday. Looks like I'll be in classes Monday through Thursday from 7am to 1pm. That's enough to keep me busy! I register for classes the 21st.
Ought to note that I downloaded Netscape Communicator 4.5 last night, so the comp is behaving differently. That's all the news which is worthy of recording
nother busy day today. Even though it was Sunday, I got plenty of exercise. The ceaseless and, by now, urgent project of the boat went well, and I got the entire V-berth sanded and partially bondoed. Took the trolley and my bike to church tonight, and it was quite a trip. Luckily I found a ride home.
While I was away, Karl and his friends decorated the house and tree. We are most certainly festive. Makes all the trouble of getting the tree worth it!
I found out tonight that JJ (Karl's new attendant/roommate) is ready to move in very soon. I'm going to accellerate my work on the boat and get things moved out so he can start moving in. Things are moving so quickly I can't believe it.
oday is the first day I write in my log. I updated my web page today. About time. The rest of the day was a mixture of frustration and sweat. I did some errands with Karl today, and it was frustrating, since we got started so late and I had so many other things to do.
I did get some things accomplished though. I'm glad to find out that Grandma and Grandpa Radford will be buying me a solar panel! That'll help out a lot. Today I sanded and scraped paint again. I've almost got that part of the job finished. It's a very nasty job. Did most of it in the dark with my lanterns. They burn quite brightly when turned up. I'm pleased with their performance.
