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March 21, 2006
Tiller Update
The tiller repairs reached a bit of a snag when I started clamping the opposite sides. One gap would open as the other side closed. The pressure from the clamps was strong enough to break the Gorilla Glue. So I upped the ante by filling the gaps with a super slow curing epoxy from the Rot Doctor. This specific epoxy has a very low viscosity and flows into the cracks like really hot honey.
Posted by Michael at 6:30 PM | Comments (0)
March 6, 2006
Spontaneity
[n] the quality of being spontaneous and coming from natural feelings without constraint
Many people have asked about our plans to tie the knot. Our plans started to form today. Both of us being great fans of spontaneity, here are the plans as they stand:
March 7, 2006
~3:30 PM
Summit County Courthouse
Breckenridge, Colorado.
Susanna M. Virden will legally become Susanna M. Sharp by marrying Michael J. Sharp. This very low-key event will take place at the Summit County Court House and will take as long as it takes to stand in line, pay the twelve dollars to the county and sign their names. Anyone who would like to join them is welcome.
"This will be a very low-key nonvent*" said Michael. "Very low key," Susanna agreed.
All friends and family are welcome, but understandably, we do not expect anyone to bust their butt to be in Breckenridge. After the signing of the papers and the paying of the money, there will most likely be well wishing and drinks someplace nearby, then Mr. & Ms. Sharp will zoom off to some secret spot for the night, returning to their home in Frisco the next day.
Future Plans
As for the Ceremonious part of getting married, Michael and Susanna plan to exchange vows on the bow of their 36foot cutter, Bluewater, some time in late April. Details will follow shortly. And this will be a to-do.
*A nonvent is lower in priority than a non-event, which of course is below a thing-as in "lets do something soon," which is below a to-do, which is below an event.
Posted by Michael at 6:26 PM | Comments (0)
Progress
My nose is full of sawdust, real saw dust, but the tiller now awaits the arrival of the resin for the last few gaps I cannot close with clamps and glue, then it will be time to varnish. The garage is full of large plastic bins all waiting to be filled labeled and put into the loft or shed. I was packing a bin yesterday and making a list of the contents, so that later I will know what is in each bin, and I felt like I was packing for an expedition. Not that I consider this trip and expedition, mostly because the trip has no defined end or goal.
Packing is both exciting and depressing. I can’t believe how much stuff I have accumulated. There is a very strong desire in me to get rid of a large portion of it. But my practical side says keep it, some day you will return and you will need a desk and a bookshelf and shirts. On the other hand, it feels so good to get rid of all the stuff.
It has been in the high 40's, low 50's here. The parking lot is almost dry. The really funny part is that the weathermen and women keep predicting snow and we have come to take that to mean that it will just be sunny again. The next for cast calls for it to start snowing tonight and not stop until Saturday. 4 here, 6 there the 10 on a especially dreamy Thursday. But I am not going to hold my breath. Nisa started blowing her winter coat 3 weeks ago and is almost finished. She is back to her flat and sleek summer coat. As the last bit of the ice melts in the parking lot she sits in a north-facing corner in the shade on what snow remains and watches the world go by.
I have been spending a lot of time in the shed and the loft, at times when I look at them I wonder if all the stuff will fit then I think…we leave WHEN!!!!!
Posted by Michael at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
March 2, 2006
Iky, Iky, Wing Pop!
Today is March 2nd and our plans to get moving are in full swing. It seems that some part of each conversation is about the impeding departure. We are collecting boxes and making lists. This past Monday we spent several hours at Sam’s Club talking about provisioning options and ideas. We will not buy any groceries here, but it makes planning easier to have an idea of options.
The tiller repair has escalated to the next level. When I turned the tiller over this morning I discovered that the seams I had repaired on the port side, popped open when I clamped the seams on the starboard side. What a pain in the ass. So after a few emails and some basic research, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to fix the tiller is to fill the gaps with slow curing epoxy resin. The folks at Rot Doctor have been especially helpful.
The list of things to do includes:
- Building the First Aid Kit
- Packing up the stuff to stay in storage
- Packing up the gear to take to the boat
- Getting rid of most of our furniture
- Finish the last few details in the house (fire place trim & a bit of caulking)
- Renting the house
- Packing the car
- Moving aboard!
Like any project, the departure date will come and what is done will be done. What is not done will just have to wait!
Posted by Michael at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
Additions
I have started adding the regular sections to the site. Info about the boat, the crew and the route. Just very general information. We also added a wish list of things we are looking for. Also I will soon be setting up the automatic notification for new posts. If you want to be on the automatic list, sent me a note!
Posted by Michael at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)