Mike Jastrzebski's Blog, page 61
June 17, 2012
Nippers
By Mike Jastrzebski
We arrived in the Bahamas Saturday the 9th. From there we went to Mangrove Cay, then Great Sale Cay, then Spanish Cay and then Green Turtle Cay. Yesterday we arrived at Guana Cay and today we met up with our friends Dane and Terri aboard North Star. Dane and Terri both worked with Mary at the MN Dept. of Health and Terri is the model for the character Terri Dane (Ever wonder where a character’s name comes from?) in Mind Demons.
We started today with a couple of rum drinks at Grabbers, then the pig roast at Nippers, and back to Grabbers for a couple more nips of the demon rum, all in the name of research for the next Wes Darling Book. Tomorrow we head for Marsh Harbour. From there we’re not sure where we’ll go, only that we plan on ending up at the Stranded Naked party on the 29th.
Here are a few pictures of the trip.
So that you don’t think that all we did was enjoy ourselves, it was more work than play on this part of the trip. My alternator went out; that’s still not working. I plan to see if I can get it rebuilt in Marsh Harbour. My golf cart batteries failed to hold a charge; I bought two at Green Turtle Cay. Imagine pulling the batteries, hauling them to a dock in our dinghy, hauling the new batteries back to the boat, shleping them onto the deck and installing them. Along with this my electric windlass crapped out and I had to hand crank the chain and anchor onto the boat before we left Green Turtle. Such is the lazy, relaxed life of a cruising sailor.
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June 14, 2012
Shitty First Drafts
Pineapples Bar and Grill, Green Turtle Cay
by Christine Kling
We left Fort Lauderdale on Friday one week ago and we had a plan, sort of like an outline. But just like writing a novel, our story veered a bit off course.
The Gulf Stream crossing was bouncy with no wind and left over chop from some gale far away from us. We rocked and rolled and it was pretty damn miserable, especially as Mike’s engine quit about 4 hours out and my son looked me straight in the eye and said, “You know, I’d be happy to just turn around and head back to Fort Lauderdale.”
That was the last thing I wanted to do. So Mike got his engine running again, and we pressed on. Some 20 some hours after leaving Fort Lauderdale, we anchored off Mangrove Cay and spent the night.
The next day the winds piped up to 15-20 knots right on the nose, and we tried motoring into that chop, but at times we were doing 1.5 – 3 knots and we kept revising our plan. We wouldn’t make it to Foxtown, so we headed for Great Sale Cay and because I began to fear running out of fuel, we fell off and began to sail.
I saw the look on my son’s face. He wasn’t sure we would ever get to civilization. It was about then that the autopilot failed.
We weren’t working as a team and I was yelling at him. I was using nautical language he had forgotten and we were both frustrated. I feared this trip was going to be a huge mistake.
The next morning we left Great Sale Cay at 4:30 a.m. to try to take advantage of the calmer night winds, and a couple of hours after sunrise, my engine sputtered and we had run out of fuel. I had miscalculated – I’d counted on being able to do my 5 knots per hour of fuel. We still had more than 30 miles to go straight upwind to reach Spanish Cay, and there was nothing we could do but sail up the relatively narrow channel between the smaller islands and Little Abaco. I radioed Rough Draft and told them to go on ahead, that we might not get in until after dark.
A funny thing happened on that trip, tacking into 20 knot winds with a double reefed main through white-cap strewn chop. Tim and I began to find a rhythm. I was on the helm, and Tim was the trimmer. Our tacks got better and we began to discuss strategy. In the end, we sailed the anchor down off Spanish Cay like a couple of pros.
The next day, after clearing in and taking on fuel, we motored out and within half an hour, the engine sputtered again. I had not reserved any diesel to change a filter, so I told my son we were back to tacking. This time he took the helm and by the end of the trip, when we sailed the anchor down off Green Turtle, he had become a helluva helmsman, and I had cranked winches all day.
I never would have guessed that our story would have taken this turn. But sometimes, the characters do take over and you just have to run (or beat) with it. Even when everything seems to be going wrong, just press on and be confident that you can work out the problems eventually.
Sometimes, we know things we don’t know we know. Yeah, I know that sounds crazy, but here’s the kicker to this story.
Conch Burger
Yesterday afternoon, my son saw an ad for a job he wanted. It was for a food blogger or critic. They wanted a writing sample. So today, he was sitting in the cockpit at his computer struggling to find the words to write about Pineapple’s Bar and Grill here in Green Turtle Cay. I’m a writing teacher and I told him what Ive often told my students. You need to just get something down. You can fix it later. In the words of a fabulous writer, Ann Lamott, you need to give yourself permission to write a shitty first draft. You can work out the problems later.
Just at sunset tonight, he showed me the finished piece and it was great, full of voice and sass and character. I edited and fixed a few things, but he had written a great 1200 word restaurant review. He had taken gorgeous photos of the food and the place and he sent off his resume, writing sample and photos. After dinner, to celebrate, he went ashore to Sundowners for a few drinks.
When he got back an hour or so ago, I was still sitting here trying to think of what to write in this blog. He said, “Mom, why don’t you write about me writing that piece today. I’ve always found writing to be painful, but your advice to allow myself to write a shitty first draft made a huge difference for me. Whether I get the job or not, I gave it my all and that feels good. It’s just like this trip that started out so awful, but we’re making the best of it. I completed the application for that job, and you trusted me to take off in the dinghy in the dark, and you fixed the engine today. Once I sort of realized that things were going to go wrong but we could deal with them, then things got much better.”
No more water wings
Just like it does when you finish that book – or finally get the anchor down. Then he said something that really surprised me.
“You know, mom, you just might be turning me into a sailing writer.”
Fair winds!
Christine
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Getting through…
C.E. Grundler
As I work through my third book I’m running into an obstacle I’d managed to avoid in the first two stories. In each of those cases, I’d been writing within my own range of knowledge. Boats. Trucks. My own home waters and turf. True, I had to teach myself data encryption and a few other new tricks, but in the end everything I needed to work with was either already rattling around in my head, or an afternoon of research away. I had a few conversations with helpful individuals who had a bit more expertise in certain areas, but simply to verify my facts.
This time around that isn’t the case. Instead, I’ve built up a stack of index cards with specific questions, each awaiting answers. Search warrants and where you home falls under the 4th Amendment when the home in question is a boat, a mobile home or even a converted school bus? Arrest procedures. Bail, when you don’t have a fixed address, which makes the individual in question a flight risk. Trials and mis-trials when evidence comes into question. Inadmissible evidence and exclusionary rules. Google can get you only so far, and it can make you crazy as it leads off into random tangents and contradicting information. I need to talk with someone in the know.
The challenge, I’m discovering, is that I don’t have any direct connections to anyone in law enforcement, and the people with the answers don’t know me, and they’re either too busy or too hesitant to discuss this sort of subject matter. So my question to all of you who have cleared this bridge: how did you get your answers?
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June 13, 2012
Eye Candy
Readers of Write On The Water know that Mike and his wife, Mary, set out for the Bahamas earlier this week aboard Rough Draft, buddy boating across the Gulf Stream with Christine Kling and her son who are aboard the boat Talespinner. We expect they are now somewhere around Green Turtle Cay, but they seem to have gone silent, most likely due to the availability of cell and WiFi service.
Stay tuned. In the meantime, some of us who are here state-side are offering some waterfront and boating images for those who look to Write On The Water for an escapist diversion.
Schooner Sarah Abbot
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June 10, 2012
Goodbye Ft. Lauderdale.
By Mike Jastrzebski
If you are reading this post then we got away from the dock on Friday as planned and we should be in the Abacos. If we don’t make it out you shouldn’t see this post.
The revised plan was to leave Friday around 2 PM, sail to Memory Rock, then head on to Green Turtle Cay for check in. From there on we’ll have to see where the wind takes us. We’re buddy boating with Christine Kling and since she’s been there before we’ll likely follow most of her suggestions.
For the record, Christine thinks that at the end of the month we should up anchor wherever we are and follow the race week schedule. Mind you, this is not because she wants to watch a bunch of sailboats racing around the islands. Noooo–it’s because race week means party time in the Abacos. Christine appears to be particularly fond of the Stranded Naked party, and seems a little distressed that because of our late start we may not be able to make it down island to one of her favorite bars.
Here’s my question to our readers. Do you think this is the real reason Christine likes to sail? Don’t be shy now, give us your honest opinion.
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June 7, 2012
Neither strong nor invincible
by Christine Kling
I’ve just been listening to this video of a young and beautiful Helen Reddy singing her anthem, “I am woman,” and right now I feel anything but strong or invincible. I’m scared and I’m so, so afraid that I am making the wrong decision.
You see that beautiful baby boy in the photo up there? Of the many hats I wear, I am a sailor and a writer, and I am also a single mom.
That boy is now 27 years old, and he is in a world of hurt from his inability to find a job in this economy, to his recent break-up, to his natural inclination to depression. If I were a typical mom, I’d do what thousands of parents are doing these days, and I would let him move back home into his old bedroom in the old homestead and I’d probably get him some counseling.
But I don’t have a nice little three bedroom place in the burbs, so I’m stuffing him into the quarter berth in the morning and taking him to the Bahamas. I’m hoping that sun and stars and wind and water will work the same magic for him that they work for me to heal my own wounds. He was ten years old the last time he sailed with his dad and me, and he never had to stand a night watch. Tomorrow night, he will have to step up, and hopefully, sitting alone in the cockpit in the middle of the Gulf Stream will give him some perspective about his place in the universe.
Maybe it will all backfire. Maybe we will argue and things will only get worse. But this is the only thing I know to do at this point.
I received an email from a fan recently who made a comment something to the effect that if Seychelle was anything like me, I must be something. Tonight, I wish I had her strength and the certainty she has of her convictions. Seychelle is really good at salvaging lives. I’m terrified that I won’t measure up.
Fair winds!
Christine
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From Tyvek to silk…
Last Saturday and Sunday I was off in my usual corner of the boatyard, hidden in the shed and decked out in my usual attire: a Tyvek suit over Carhartt carpenter’s pants, a tank top and work boots, with latex gloves masking-taped at the wrists. My goal was to get all the overhead ribs secured in place and make it to Monday with minimal scrapes, bruises or epoxy on my skin or hair – and trust me, that’s no easy task. But I did it, and Monday night I was actually presentable enough to put on a cocktail gown and attend a party hosted by Amazon publishing, and then a dinner on Tuesday night. And though I was dressed for the occasion, this was my first venture into the world of socializing and networking with the book community, and I’ll admit, it was a strange new experience for me as I came to meet my editors and fellow authors first-hand.
During my time on this blog, I’ve read numerous posts from my fellow authors discussing the various writer’s conventions they’ve attended and the groups they’re involved in. I’d never been to a single one. Aside from Write on the Water, I’m not a member of any writer’s groups or associations, and I’ve never been to any gatherings where authors and publishing professionals converge. I started writing simply because I enjoyed writing. I’m a textbook introvert; in fact, if you look it up in the dictionary, I suspect you’d find my picture there. Writing worked well with my solitary, introspective ways, and was something I could do that required little to no social interaction. The first book was purely for fun, the truth is I never really took it serious in the beginning. It was something to pass the time, and if it sold, if it paid for a few boat parts, it was a win. But much has happened over the last year, and I’m also coming to realize if I want to move forward and build a career on my writing, I can’t keep going it single-handed. I need to take myself and my writing more seriously. There are benefits to meeting my fellow authors face to face, to networking and getting involved. And yet again I see another parallel between writers and sailors – while both engage in work that can be solitary and very lonely at times, ultimately we’re all part of a bigger community of shared experiences and knowledge, and we can all benefit from each other’s support.
And next weekend, this will be me yet again!
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June 5, 2012
Boatyard Workouts
Life at Write-on-the-Water tends to be a bit sedentary given that the task of writing involves sitting or your butt for extended periods of time. And less face it, the boating part of Write-On-The Water provides only slightly less cardio stimulation. Given this, I have been working on the development of a physical fitness boat yard work-out routine. I am still putting the finishing touches on this plan and state certification is a ways off, but I thought I might share some of the Boatyard Workout basics with Write-On-The-Water readers.
The Boatyard Workout program is modeled off of three devices commonly found at health clubs: 1) Treadmills; 2) Stair-climbers; 3) Ab-machines. With some thought and ingenuity I have been able to simulate each of these devices in the boatyard.
Treadmills
This activity provides general cardio exercise. In order to maximize the benefit you will need to remember one important lesson: drink lots of fluids, including intake before you leave home for the boatyard.
Here’s how it works: When you arrive at the boatyard, park in the far corner and remember to keep your water bottles in your vehicle at all times. Then, simply begin working. In a matter of minutes the fluid you consumed at home will trigger the need to run “to the office.” When you are done, it’s back to the car or truck for more fluids, then back to the boat. Before you know it, you’re back to the office. Drink enough and by the end of the day you’ve clocked several miles, even more if you are middle-aged or older.
Stair-climbers
The benefit here is work on the thigh and calf muscles. This exercise, when conducted at high frequency, also aids the heart.
Here’s what we do. Gather your entire box of tools and drive to the boatyard. Next, place fifty-percent of these tools at the base of your step-ladder and put the other fifty-percent aboard the boat. Now, take a brief rest (or run to the office). Following the rest, begin working on your boat, spending equal time tending to the outside of the hull and the inside of the boat. Without fail, over the next four hours you will have spent more than three hours climbing up and down that ladder as you look for the tool you don’t have in hand.
Ab-machines
So far, we’ve focused on pure cardio activities. But if we’re going to get buff we’re going to have to work on the abs. This may require coordination with the boatyard, although I have never needed to make a special request for this accommodation. The goal here is to have your boat moved inside and placed so that one of the shed’s ceiling beams crosses your hull amid-ships. In setting this up, it’s important to stand on the deck of your boat and assess the location of the beam. Perfect placement is head height.
Now, with the boat properly placed, begin working. Each time you go forward or aft on the boat you will need to lean down to avoid hitting the beam. With each pass you’ll be crunching those abs – work it, work it, work it. The beauty of this exercise is that if you try to cheat you get an automatic penalty. (In some cases, such as that seen in the photo at the top of this blog, the workout can be increased by having to duck under multiple beams.) By the time you’ve cleaned or painted your decks, brushed you bow rail, and varnished the tow rail you’ll be looking like David Hasselhoff in his prime.
The real key to the Boatyard Workout exercise program comes into play when you combine all three activities. You’re up the ladder, crunching down under the beam, back under the beam to go down the ladder so you can run for the office, back to the car, back to the boat, up the ladder, down the ladder, up the ladder, under the beam, and on and on. In addition, you’re doing so much running around you won’t get much work done so you’ll need to make more trips to the boatyard before you’re ready for the spring launch. More work days means more workouts. By the time the boat is in the water, you’re ready to receive your Presidential Fitness Award.
So there it is, fellow citizens of the boatyard – the very first incarnation of the Boatyard Workout program.
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June 4, 2012
Without Communism, who do we love to hate? Here’s an idea . . .
As a mystery write some really strange things catch my attention and I ask myself, “What if . . .” usually to the dismay of my wife who is still wondering why I don’t ‘work.’
This weekend there was to be a lot of TV coverage of something called the golden jubilee in England. Seems to me that Rupert Murdock and his line of limy scum from ‘across the pond’ have silently taken over all the media in this country. How else can you explain this attention the ‘royal family’ in our press?
Why the hell should the American public care who marries who over there? You want to bow to the queen, the doors open for you to leave! Are Americans so short sighted that they forgot we fought a revolution so we wouldn’t have to curtsy and whatever else those sodden English do to the world’s ultimate welfare recipients?
Anyway, save the ranting for some other time, but I got to thinking how I’d like to blow up the palace and crown jewels. The whole idea is fodder for mystery writers. We no longer have the communist menace to fight (no, we owe the communist government of China too much money to start a war and we badly want to be friends with the Vietnamese) so why not focus on something beside the Arab world? Why not England? The Irish have for more than 800 years!
Think of it, mystery and thriller writers. There’s no end in sight. Take Canada, not really take it, I mean consider it. They still pay tribute to the ‘royal family.’ What if . . . those words we all love . . . some Canadian decided to organize an anti-royal family campaign? Suppose someone from the ‘royal family’ came to Canada for a visit. What if . . .
And don’t forget the poor Aussies! Half, if not more of the population were/are prisoners who fought in the 1800s for a united Ireland and those the Brits didn’t murder were sent to Australia. Revenge, a good reason for getting even.
How many African nations did the English leave in ruin before cutting their losses? How about India? Hell, there are more reasons to fight the English than there ever were to hate the commies!
The story lines are unlimited if you have an imagination! If you don’t believe me, read some of the fantastic mystery writers from Ireland these days. Whole herd of ‘em and their damn good. Some are making names for themselves here in the states. Of course, the Irish have always been good at exporting their citizenry, so why not good mysteries?
Remember when you write that award winning books by murder and mayhem to free whatever nation you choose from the British yoke, I’m the one that gave you the idea. At least mention me in acknowledgement page!
From a Fenian Bastard to you, Barr an maidin & scríobh go maith. Aontaithe na hÉireann. rk.’
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June 3, 2012
It’s finally coming together
As Christine mentioned in her Friday blog we now have a working engine. Besides removing and replacing the bad gas, the fuel pump was bad. When we first started looking at the engine several months ago the fuel pump was a prime suspect. It wasn’t working but when our mechanic cleaned the carburator he also took off the fuel pump and cleaned it out. After that it was working which would explain why we had a couple of days when the engine worked fine before it pooped out again.
We plan to leave the dock on Wednesday and take Rough Draft out for a test run and sail. If all goes well then we are hoping to leave with Christine on Thursday. The long range forcast calls for thunderstorms on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so we can only hope the forcasters are off base. If not, then Sunday and Monday look better so we’ll play it by ear.
Wish us luck and I’ll keep you posted on our progress, as I’m sure Christine will on her Friday posts.
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