11.9 Knots

Quite the weekend past, spurred on by the last minute decision to hit Rogue's Roost from Halifax on a fine Northwesterly breeze.  Arrival at the goal about 5 and a half hours later, following a beautiful sunset on the horizon line, and navigation and anchorage in the cove in the dark proving to be within your capabilities after all.  Thankfully no other boats in the lower arm.  An early morning sunrise, and then drifting back to sleep to find a slight drift toward Snow's plaque.  But all well, at least until the aft rope tied itself up around the motor, requiring a quick raising of the sail and trip all the way to Prospect to find the right buoy to tie onto and solve the problem.  How crucial experience proves in relation to the surrounding areas, even more than one year on.

Issue sorted, thanks to a random rope splice at the very last opportunity, then out and back again, into the rolling waves of the broad North Atlantic and heavy, heavy winds.  Should most definitely have been wearing a lifejacket, but the tense ride kept you in one place as the hours ticked by and the Sambro channel was successfully navigated.  Only one accidental jibe throughout and the relaxation when you turned for home around Chebucto Head was palpable, despite the Halifax traffic heading out the shipping lanes.  In all, a 28 hour return trip that offered far more in experience on the open water than most of the other trips thus far this year.  When it is cold this year, and you long for the sea, remember the sun on your face and the pounding of the waves and the salt water that splashed all over your face and pants and jacket as you longed for the restful comfort of home.  A grand "big sail" to suck the most out of everything before the coming of winter.

What else?  Salsa lessons continuing ahead of the trip to TO, and a potential Moncton/camping trip this weekend.  The likely unsuccessful application under draft, and still no answer from our friends at the utility regarding the long-sought after draft findings and compilation of data.  Off for a sail now, the possibility of George's tonight looms in the background, but perhaps best saved for another time.  More pleasurable in the mind, no doubt, but still worth pondering. 

And at the back of your mind, the idea of a move out of town, closer to Rogue's perhaps (ha!), and what impact that might have on work here, conversations of partnership and the like and etc.  But first things first, I guess.  See how things unfold over the next few months on a variety of fronts, and where your head is at in March/April.  Think about it while cruising, how about that.  I see another year of decent work ahead at least.  But 2016?  That could be a whole other story.    

Will Discretion be its Better Part?

On the line with Tatia, having booked the flight to San Juan earlier and then spent time agonizing over the decision on our location within the ship.  You best set the alarm for the arrival into St. Lucia, given the hassle in locking down 7435.  But it is going to be a winner, I can really feel it.  Why not splurge for the balcony, when it may be the first and last of the cruises ever to be done?  Almost a no brainer.  We shall see what it is like down in the Starboard aft, but happy to incur the extra costs to know where we will be, and (hopefully) not having to worry about the noise...

It is such fun, to pull out the credit card, look at your reflection in the darkened window, crack a smile, and hit "book".  I have a strong feeling that this might be a uniquely excellent one.  As you try once again to impress a lady, of course.  San Juan, St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten.  6 new places to consider for future coarse travel.  Having heard of the Arsenal capitulation in Dortmund tonight, makes sense to set off for something new rather than the old familiar. 

Otherwise, work continues apace.  DM is having his ups and downs, and there have been a few calls that merit consideration of the Partnership track, even as the independence and flexibility of the current role remains appealing.  I wonder how it will play out.  Although I guess that's why we take the time, at 12:43AM, to make these notes for posterity.  Been having a nostalgic time of it, with the Into the Woods and CM's picture among the lions.  There is the Scottish independence vote this week as well, and dental freezing of the teeth for a cavity filling, and trips through film festivals in Parklane, and the upcoming reunion tickets, and the Red Shoe in Cape Breton at the end of a sweet Cape Breton tour.  There seems to be something else that I am missing, but no matter.  SBTS, Xan getting older, the Bills game to come, and onward. 

Time indeed to pack it in for the night, another day of avoiding work to be done for the most part, including the I R P and the deferral application that now needs to be put on the front burner with the upcoming decision release.  C'mon and make it easy for me, pub.  I need to find extra hours that are being wasted in the readings and learnings of how it is to cruise.  Time to print the DFW article and laugh and remember him.  And then go out in 82 days and prove him wrong.  I am going to leave the phone at home for that one and be completely off the grid.

Which will be nice.  Just watch me do it.  And make sure that nothing stands in the way of it.  Promises to keep.  And oceans blue to sail while I sleep.