A Good Sunday

Well, it's been a while since I did the last stress test, radiology and xrays involved, and somehow there as been no follow up appointment.  C'mon, guys.  It's not like I'm imagining the pain in my chest or the discomfort when I start doing physical things.  What's it gonna take.....?  I guess it's going to take another phone call and start making a nuisance of myself.

Today I spent cleaning out Avalon, getting rid of all the trash and BS that has accumulated over the Winter.  The cockpit is looking better.  Got rid of the long cushions that were there.  All they did was store moisture and rot the wood on the lazarette covers.  Gave one of them to Rich as he has no cushions in his boat.  We trade things back and forth, help each other out and in general are becoming friends.  The other cushion I am using as part of my berth matress.  Works well.

I need to come up with some disposable income so I can get to work on this old girl.  Fix the exhaust leak in the outboard so it will run with the cover on, rebuild and upholster the aft lazarette covers, get the reef removed from the hull, buy a new mainsail, etc., etc., etc., ad nausium.

Before too long, the dockmaster of the marina is going to chain Avalon to the pier if I don't come up with more rent bucks.  I understand more patience is being shown to late pays because of the economy.  Usually the marina is packed by this time of year with a wiating list.  Not this year.  It seems that the economic rape that occured over the last decade has gathered a lot of us up in the same lineup.  It was them, Officer!  They did it!  I just wish I could get hold of "they" for just a few minutes.  It would go a little towards getting some kind of satisfaction.  I for one would at least like a kiss, damnit.

Later on this month, Eckerd College is having their anual marine salvage sale.  If I have to I'll borrow money and go there to see what I can find.  A mainsail would be nice.  5 to 10 bucks is about all things cost there, if one is to believe what one hears.  Looking forward to it.  I'm hoping to at least pick up a sail for the dinghy.  Get something that is close to the size I need, do a little modification and start experimenting.

I need to be able to raise and lower the sail without having to unship the mast.  When the wind is around 10 to 15 knots that kind of activity can put one right into the water.  It would be nice to have some reef points as well.  I'd feel a lot better about taking the dink out with those kinds of mods.  One thing I can say about sailing the dink....I have no fear about taking Avalon out now.  If I can sail that dink with it's zero response time handling, I know I can sail Avalon with her much slower reactions.  Kind of like the difference between riding a roper and a trail horse.

Later this evening I plan on visiting a few places where friends are playing music and one where today is the first day of business for a bar some friends set up on St. Pete Beach.  Maybe some work?  Ya never know.  Showing my goofy smiling face in places will either get me a sympathy gig, a free beer or an invitation never to be seen there again.  One never knows.  Each day is an adventure.

No one gets out of here alive, so live it like ya mean it.