I had forgotten what it was like to read a good book. A really good book.
On the boat trip, I read a lot. I devoured books. There were book exchanges at most marinas, some better than others. And cruisers tend to have the same taste in reading material. We don't like to think too much. We like to be entertained. Nothing too complicated or intellectual. We like a good story, some fun action, and a happy ending. Crime novels are always available, as wells as a good supply of action-adventures. Clive Cussler is a big favorite of cruisers. Many of his books take place in prime cruising grounds, so the boat people eat it up. The stories are fun and action-packed. But there was never too much to process or understand. It was just a story for entertainment. When the book was over, I moved on to another and never gave it another thought.
Since we came back, I picked up the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin. We watched the HBO series based on the first book, A Game of Thrones. Wow, so good! After watching the series, I knew I had to read the books. And my friend Larry had been telling me for years that I should read them. So I finally started. Even though I knew pretty much what would happen in the first book (the tv show very closely followed the novel), I was still engrossed. When I read the second book, I couldn't put it down. Every time I finished a book, I was sad it was over, but I couldn't wait to get too the next one! What's going to happen? Where in the world is this series going? Just when I think I might have a handle on where a storyline is headed, Martin kills off, kidnaps, or changes alliances of a key character. Every chapter is written from the perspective of a different character. Even the villains get chapters sometimes. And this is when things get really interesting. I may hate a character, can't wait until he dies, but then he gets a chapter. Suddenly, there's a little more sympathy toward him. After a few chapters, I actually start to like him. What the hell? This character did despicable things early on in the book, and now I want things to work out for him? This is great writing! I'm now in the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons. This is most recently published. After I finish this one, there won't be another one to read for years, probably. This will break my heart. These books are amazing! I haven't been so caught up in a series since Stephen King's The Dark Tower. And as much as I love that series, I think this one is better.
But that's not all. Several people recommended The Hunger Games to me. It's a young adult series, which can be very hit or miss. The Harry Potter books are excellent, while the Twilight series is less well-received (I personally haven't read any Twilight, so I can't attest to their quality). I borrowed The Hunger Games from Corrine. It's a very fast read, just a couple of days. Wow, so good! The second and third books aren't available in paperback, and I've been to cheap to buy them for myself. But Thaddeus gave me the second book Catching Fire for Christmas. I read it last week. Wow, also really good! Maybe better than the first! And now I'm waiting for the third one to come from Amazon. I can't wait until it gets here! And I know the third one is the last, so the series will be over. This makes me sad. I am so excited about reading it, but I'm not looking forward to the post-series melancholy that's bound to happen.
These two series have me reading obsessively again. Just before bed, I have to read a chapter (or two or three, and suddenly it's way past my bedtime, but I still can't put the book down). It had been a really long time since any novel had me so enthralled. But I'm almost at the end of both of them.
What am I supposed to read next?
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Friday, October 7, 2011
Unemployment Woes
I've been on the job hunt for a couple of months now. It's been a long and frustrating process. Over the last five years, I've always had a job while I was searching for a new one. There's security in this, as well as a pay level that prospective employers try to beat. Now I have no income, a year-long gap in employment, and a terrible economy with few jobs and huge competition. This is hard.
After two months of searching, I've only had one employer call me for an interview. Just one. And I had 4 interviews with them. This made me feel pretty positive. This week, I went for my final, in-person interview. Yay! It went well, but I was expecting an offer that day. Boo, no offer. But the next morning, they called me with an offer. Yay? Well, maybe not. The pay was less that I'd hoped. Actually less than the lowest amount I told them I'd take in my first interview a month ago. After researching the cost of living in Nashville, I realized the amount I told them was lower than I needed to live comfortably. So the pay was not a happy number. Unless the shift differential (I was supposed to work the night shift) was added in. Then the pay was pretty good. But she said count on base pay when considering accepting the job. Base pay = broke captain. Bollocks.
But the pay wasn't the only issue. There were all these little issues that I thought "Oh, I can work around that" or "I can deal with that". Until there were too many of them. Holidays are just regular work days. No time off in the first 90 days of employment. I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with most of my family last year, and I was really looking forward to this year's holidays. Not-very-affordable health insurance (a huge part of a job these days is the health insurance). The final straw, though, is the shift change coming up. They're moving to 12-hour shifts. And I don't mind a 12-hour shift. It equals more days off. But the shift itself is 5-5. Those are awesome work hours if you're on 1st shift. Absolutely terrible work hours if you're on night shift. So it would be either no social life because of crazy work hours on the night shift. Or no money to have a social life working on the day shift.
I just couldn't do it. Working a shift where I would never see Trevor? Not cool. Our relationship is way more important than any job. And maybe if the pay were excellent, I could put up with the less desirable job details. But it all adds up. So I'll be declining an offer of employment. This is the first time I've ever done this. And in this economy, with so few jobs and so many applicants, it seems like a stupid move. Especially when I haven't heard jack from any other jobs. This might be my one shot for the next 6 months. So hard to turn it down.
But I have faith. Something will come along. Something that will make me happier and pay better. I'm lucky, and I'll land on my feet.
Turning down a job is hard. There's so much uncertainty. But I should feel wishy-washy and wonder if I'm doing the right thing, right? I don't. I know this is the right thing to do. A tough decision, yes, but the right one for me.
After two months of searching, I've only had one employer call me for an interview. Just one. And I had 4 interviews with them. This made me feel pretty positive. This week, I went for my final, in-person interview. Yay! It went well, but I was expecting an offer that day. Boo, no offer. But the next morning, they called me with an offer. Yay? Well, maybe not. The pay was less that I'd hoped. Actually less than the lowest amount I told them I'd take in my first interview a month ago. After researching the cost of living in Nashville, I realized the amount I told them was lower than I needed to live comfortably. So the pay was not a happy number. Unless the shift differential (I was supposed to work the night shift) was added in. Then the pay was pretty good. But she said count on base pay when considering accepting the job. Base pay = broke captain. Bollocks.
But the pay wasn't the only issue. There were all these little issues that I thought "Oh, I can work around that" or "I can deal with that". Until there were too many of them. Holidays are just regular work days. No time off in the first 90 days of employment. I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with most of my family last year, and I was really looking forward to this year's holidays. Not-very-affordable health insurance (a huge part of a job these days is the health insurance). The final straw, though, is the shift change coming up. They're moving to 12-hour shifts. And I don't mind a 12-hour shift. It equals more days off. But the shift itself is 5-5. Those are awesome work hours if you're on 1st shift. Absolutely terrible work hours if you're on night shift. So it would be either no social life because of crazy work hours on the night shift. Or no money to have a social life working on the day shift.
I just couldn't do it. Working a shift where I would never see Trevor? Not cool. Our relationship is way more important than any job. And maybe if the pay were excellent, I could put up with the less desirable job details. But it all adds up. So I'll be declining an offer of employment. This is the first time I've ever done this. And in this economy, with so few jobs and so many applicants, it seems like a stupid move. Especially when I haven't heard jack from any other jobs. This might be my one shot for the next 6 months. So hard to turn it down.
But I have faith. Something will come along. Something that will make me happier and pay better. I'm lucky, and I'll land on my feet.
Turning down a job is hard. There's so much uncertainty. But I should feel wishy-washy and wonder if I'm doing the right thing, right? I don't. I know this is the right thing to do. A tough decision, yes, but the right one for me.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Ode to O Dock, a Coin-Flip of Fate
Every once in a while, we make truly life-changing decisions. And sometimes we don't even realize it when it happens. There are big decisions that we know are important: what college to attend, which job to take, where to live, marriage, kids. These are obvious "big ones". But sometimes we make a seemingly small choice that changes everything.
The one I'm thinking about today was almost a coin-flip decision. Where to keep my boat. I had already made the leap of choosing and buying a boat. Then I had to figure out where to keep it. I spent many afternoons driving along Lake Resort Drive, trying to find marinas that I knew had to be around there somewhere. I searched online. I made phone calls. But mostly, I drove.
I eventually narrowed it down to three possibilities: Gold Point Yacht Harbor, Sale Creek Marina, or Big Ridge Yacht Club. I had driven up to Sale Creek to see a boat back when I was still shopping around. It was 45 minutes and 45 miles from where I worked at the time. Too far. It was considerably cheaper than the nearer marinas, but I knew I wouldn't use the boat very much if it were that far away. Also, the dock was rickety, and I didn't want my friends falling into the water when they came to hang out on the boat. Sale Creek was out. It came down to a coin toss between Gold Point and Big Ridge. Gold Point was a little closer, but I hadn't made it in to actually check out the dock because it was gated. Big Ridge seemed pretty nice, though, and there were liveaboards there. It eventually came down to cost. Big Ridge was cheaper on a monthly basis, but I had to call EPB to get electricity turned on. And Gold Point offered a month free rent if a whole year was paid in advance. So I chose Gold Point, because it came out slightly cheaper in the long run.
Without ever seeing the marina from any closer than the road, I signed a 1-year lease and charged over $2000 to my Discover card. With my gate code written on the back of a business card, I drove across the dam to check out my new home. I called my parents because I was so excited. And it was awesome! After seeing Sale Creek, I was really worried the docks would be crumbling to bits. But they weren't! They were almost new and very sturdy. I found the one empty slip on the dock and assumed it was mine; I was to be on O Dock. I was totally psyched! This would be the new home for my new (to me) boat. I didn't meet any of my neighbors that day. But they were the ones who would change how I turned out. My dock neighbors made all the difference.
The first one I met was JD. He was friendly and folksy and impossible to dislike. He's still one of the nicest human beings I've ever met, and I've met some amazing people in my travels. He helped teach me to sail. We went out on his boat a few times "for about 15 minutes", as he would say. With JD, "15 minutes" could easily turn into 3 hours. One day I talked him into going out in 25-30 mph winds on his boat. He didn't want to, but my enthusiasm convinced him. I remember dunking his gunnels in the water and him looking at me with an expression of surprise a little bit of concern. But I was so excited, he just smiled with pride. "Alright!" I was sailing his boat like a pro, and he had taught me to do it. Another day I came over the bridge after getting off work, and the flags were flapping in the wind. I had to go sailing! So I headed to the marina, hoping to recruit JD to go out on my boat with me. He was on his houseboat with Phil and Linda, and they saw me coming as soon as I hit the parking lot. None of them wanted to go out, so they decided to convince me to go out alone. I came bounding down the dock, all ready to head out. They all resisted my "come on, it'll be awesome!" and told me to go it alone. "You can single hand it. You'll have to do it eventually anyway." It didn't take much convincing, and I drove out on my own for the first time. It was fantastic! After a little trouble getting the sails up, I sailed that boat all over the lake and back. After docking the boat magnificently, I was beaming with pride and excitement. They were all glad I made it back alive. From that day on, I loved taking the boat out alone. I could sing and go wherever I wanted, for as long as I wanted. The freedom was amazing. JD also taught me how to feed the catfish by hand. When he left the dock, I inherited "the aquarium" with giant almost-friendly catfish that loved when I brought them bread.
Besides JD, I became very close to Phil and Linda, my "dock parents". They were always very supportive of my dreams of sailing away. They were always there to listen to me gripe about work, and I was always there to listen to them gripe about politics. They even helped me pick out my first handgun.
By the time they left on their own boat, Linda was the best friend I had. I missed her terribly when they took off on their adventures. But we still stay in touch, and they still encourage me to sail away and have adventures.
After JD got married and left the dock, and Phil and Linda sailed away, Luke became a great friend on O Dock. He loved that I was going to live my dreams while I was still young, and we had many great conversations about the future over dinner at Top of the Dock.
I had so many great neighbors there. Jeff was always there to lend a hand or give some advice about my ongoing boat repairs and improvements. He talked a good game about leaving when I did, but he's still there tinkering on his own boat. Keith was also great to talk to and still has dreams of sailing away when he gets the chance. Walter and Dot are a funny pair. Dot is hilarious and warm and downright lovable. Walter is the most meticulous person I've ever met. After talking to him, I always knew the "right way" to do something, but usually realized it wouldn't work for me, due to time, budget, or impatience. I learned that there's the right way, the wrong way, and lots of ways that work well enough. A common phrase heard on my boat is "it's not pretty, but it works". Walter would have a cow, and Dot would just laugh. There was also Walt who left around the time of Phil and Linda. I caught up with and passed him in Demopolis, AL. I never expected him to make it any farther than that, but lo and behold, he showed up here at Boot Key Harbor a few days ago. Good to see a familiar face. Duke and Glen were always friendly and encouraging, and even ended up hosting my going-away party at the dock when the weather was too cold to have it outside. And their grandkids loved feeding the fish in "the aquarium". And there's Joe, of course, who will one day head down here on his boat. The most capable sailor at Gold Point, he'll love it when he gets to the big water. Can't forget Christy, who lived right across the dock from me. She was always so sweet and, again, very encouraging. There were others, all of them adding a little bit to my life there, and every one of them cheering me on in my crazy sail-away dreams.
I gained so much in my time at O Dock. Sailing experience, for sure. But I also made lasting friendships. I had so much support from my neighbors there. When others in my life (mainly coworkers) thought I was nuts for living on a boat, everyone at the dock was encouraging. Everyone said to live the dream. So here I am, living the dream. Once the weather clears, we'll head over to the Bahamas for some serious adventures. I don't know if I would have gotten this far if not for my friends at O Dock. Would I have had such strong support elsewhere? Maybe. Would I have had such strong friendships? Possibly. But that was a magic place that changed my life forever. I can't imagine if the coin had fallen the other way.
The one I'm thinking about today was almost a coin-flip decision. Where to keep my boat. I had already made the leap of choosing and buying a boat. Then I had to figure out where to keep it. I spent many afternoons driving along Lake Resort Drive, trying to find marinas that I knew had to be around there somewhere. I searched online. I made phone calls. But mostly, I drove.
I eventually narrowed it down to three possibilities: Gold Point Yacht Harbor, Sale Creek Marina, or Big Ridge Yacht Club. I had driven up to Sale Creek to see a boat back when I was still shopping around. It was 45 minutes and 45 miles from where I worked at the time. Too far. It was considerably cheaper than the nearer marinas, but I knew I wouldn't use the boat very much if it were that far away. Also, the dock was rickety, and I didn't want my friends falling into the water when they came to hang out on the boat. Sale Creek was out. It came down to a coin toss between Gold Point and Big Ridge. Gold Point was a little closer, but I hadn't made it in to actually check out the dock because it was gated. Big Ridge seemed pretty nice, though, and there were liveaboards there. It eventually came down to cost. Big Ridge was cheaper on a monthly basis, but I had to call EPB to get electricity turned on. And Gold Point offered a month free rent if a whole year was paid in advance. So I chose Gold Point, because it came out slightly cheaper in the long run.
Without ever seeing the marina from any closer than the road, I signed a 1-year lease and charged over $2000 to my Discover card. With my gate code written on the back of a business card, I drove across the dam to check out my new home. I called my parents because I was so excited. And it was awesome! After seeing Sale Creek, I was really worried the docks would be crumbling to bits. But they weren't! They were almost new and very sturdy. I found the one empty slip on the dock and assumed it was mine; I was to be on O Dock. I was totally psyched! This would be the new home for my new (to me) boat. I didn't meet any of my neighbors that day. But they were the ones who would change how I turned out. My dock neighbors made all the difference.
The first one I met was JD. He was friendly and folksy and impossible to dislike. He's still one of the nicest human beings I've ever met, and I've met some amazing people in my travels. He helped teach me to sail. We went out on his boat a few times "for about 15 minutes", as he would say. With JD, "15 minutes" could easily turn into 3 hours. One day I talked him into going out in 25-30 mph winds on his boat. He didn't want to, but my enthusiasm convinced him. I remember dunking his gunnels in the water and him looking at me with an expression of surprise a little bit of concern. But I was so excited, he just smiled with pride. "Alright!" I was sailing his boat like a pro, and he had taught me to do it. Another day I came over the bridge after getting off work, and the flags were flapping in the wind. I had to go sailing! So I headed to the marina, hoping to recruit JD to go out on my boat with me. He was on his houseboat with Phil and Linda, and they saw me coming as soon as I hit the parking lot. None of them wanted to go out, so they decided to convince me to go out alone. I came bounding down the dock, all ready to head out. They all resisted my "come on, it'll be awesome!" and told me to go it alone. "You can single hand it. You'll have to do it eventually anyway." It didn't take much convincing, and I drove out on my own for the first time. It was fantastic! After a little trouble getting the sails up, I sailed that boat all over the lake and back. After docking the boat magnificently, I was beaming with pride and excitement. They were all glad I made it back alive. From that day on, I loved taking the boat out alone. I could sing and go wherever I wanted, for as long as I wanted. The freedom was amazing. JD also taught me how to feed the catfish by hand. When he left the dock, I inherited "the aquarium" with giant almost-friendly catfish that loved when I brought them bread.
 |
| JD on an afternoon sail aboard my boat. |
 |
| My first hand-fed catfish. |
 |
| Phil trying to teach me to shoot. |
 |
| Linda and Phil sailing aboard BloMee |
I had so many great neighbors there. Jeff was always there to lend a hand or give some advice about my ongoing boat repairs and improvements. He talked a good game about leaving when I did, but he's still there tinkering on his own boat. Keith was also great to talk to and still has dreams of sailing away when he gets the chance. Walter and Dot are a funny pair. Dot is hilarious and warm and downright lovable. Walter is the most meticulous person I've ever met. After talking to him, I always knew the "right way" to do something, but usually realized it wouldn't work for me, due to time, budget, or impatience. I learned that there's the right way, the wrong way, and lots of ways that work well enough. A common phrase heard on my boat is "it's not pretty, but it works". Walter would have a cow, and Dot would just laugh. There was also Walt who left around the time of Phil and Linda. I caught up with and passed him in Demopolis, AL. I never expected him to make it any farther than that, but lo and behold, he showed up here at Boot Key Harbor a few days ago. Good to see a familiar face. Duke and Glen were always friendly and encouraging, and even ended up hosting my going-away party at the dock when the weather was too cold to have it outside. And their grandkids loved feeding the fish in "the aquarium". And there's Joe, of course, who will one day head down here on his boat. The most capable sailor at Gold Point, he'll love it when he gets to the big water. Can't forget Christy, who lived right across the dock from me. She was always so sweet and, again, very encouraging. There were others, all of them adding a little bit to my life there, and every one of them cheering me on in my crazy sail-away dreams.
I gained so much in my time at O Dock. Sailing experience, for sure. But I also made lasting friendships. I had so much support from my neighbors there. When others in my life (mainly coworkers) thought I was nuts for living on a boat, everyone at the dock was encouraging. Everyone said to live the dream. So here I am, living the dream. Once the weather clears, we'll head over to the Bahamas for some serious adventures. I don't know if I would have gotten this far if not for my friends at O Dock. Would I have had such strong support elsewhere? Maybe. Would I have had such strong friendships? Possibly. But that was a magic place that changed my life forever. I can't imagine if the coin had fallen the other way.
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