THANKSGIVING DAY- 2009

Today is Thanksgiving Day, 2009.
Although it is actually the following day here in Fiji, I decided to take out a few moments for reflection.
I have a great deal to be thankful for. I had a good career and am having a great retirement. I am fulfilling a dream I've had since I was 18. I'm in the process of sailing around the World and taking my own sweet time doing it. I am meeting many wonderful people and learning new cultures. I am trying to become a citizen of the World, not just the United States.
Sure, I have more than my fair share of regrets and sad memories during my lifetime. I could have very easily fallen into the depths of despair and drifted about on a Sea of Alcohol instead of the Oceans of the World.
A friend once advised me: "Into each life a little rain must fall." I've had my share of downpours. Everyone, it seems, has also had their share of turmoil and tragedy. How we cope with these storms become the true measure of our moral and spiritual compass.
Be thankful for what you have. Enjoy your loved ones-------while you still can. Tell them that you love them--------while you still can. It costs nothing and pays tremendous dividends.

SPLASH!

Hurrah! Torrid is back in the water where she belongs!

I got an early start (0430) and finished preparations for the relaunch. I was back in the water and in a slip at 1000 hrs.

It at least 10 degrees cooler on the boat. I can actually be below decks without drowning in my own sweat.

I hope to go out for a day sail soon.

ANCHORS AWEIGH

Today I purchased 65 meters (219.05 feet) of anchor chain. I can now safely cruise to the nearby islands during the cyclone season.
Torrid gets relaunched on Monday, November 23, 2009. She and I are REALLY looking forward to getting back on the water.
Very little remains to be done for the relaunch. The biggest hurdle has been the heat! It is easily over 100 degrees in the Marina from 0930-1630. As a consequence, I've been spending a lot of time lounging by the swimming pool at the adjacent First Landing Resort. I must say that I am very impressed by their hospitality, especially since I am not a hotel guest. They are very yachtie friendly. I try to enhance my welcome by eating here frequently. Today is Friday and pizza is 1/2 price------oh boy!

A HAPPY DECISION, I HOPE!

I have decided to put TORRID back in the water where she belongs!
Since my travel plans to SE Asia have been put on hold and I'm back to living aboard TORRID, it makes little sense to not use her for some more sailing in Fiji.
For the most part, the Cyclone season is a non-event. In the meantime, the sailing can be quite pleasant. In the event a Cyclone does threaten, I will be near Vuda Marina where I can return to moor in a reasonably safe location.
Three days ago while riding the bus into Lautoka, I saw my favorite Fijian island, Waya, beckoning me in the distance.
I'll now have to prepare TORRID for the launching.
My only real impediment is that I have to purshase new anchor chair before I can do any serious cruising.
I think TORRID senses my decision and she seems delighted!

WAIMANALO BLUES

Every Sunday afternoon the Vuda Marina has live musical entertainment. I decided to enjoy the music and cool off as the breeze there is quite comfortable as opposed to the heat of the storage area where Torrid is stored.
While enjoying the music I began reading a travel book to get more information about Thailand. I was quite rapt in the book and vaguely noticed that a familiar song was being played. It is entitled "Waimanalo Blues" and was made popular around 1978 by a group in Hawaii called Country Comfort.
What has prompted me to report this event is because the song was popular only in Hawaii. I had met one of the band members. Both he and his girlfriend were drug addicts and their child had been taken from them by Child Protective Services. I had been court-appointed to be a GUARDIAN AD LITEM which is "Lawyerese" for the Attorney for the child.
My job was to report to the Family Court, make my recommendation as to where the child should be placed and be prepared to fully support my report.
As the mother had already died of an overdose and the father was still an active and unrepentant addict, he was obviously unfit.
The Grandparents were fiercely competing for custody. I found the maternal Grandparents to be wealthy but cold, superior, racist and snobbish. I felt they wanted custody because they were expected by society to take that stance. I was sure the child would've been shipped off to boarding school.
The paternal Grandmother, although very poor financially, was very loving and sincere. I recommended she get custody. The Court agreed.
The father later overdosed but not before his group made "Waimanalo Blues" a very popular song which is still played frequently in Hawaii,.
It almost made me homesick for Hawaii----------almost.

SABRINA

I received sad news last night. Sabrina, the resident cat at Vuda Point died while I was in Sydney.

I looked forward to sharing my fish and chips with her.

She was a sweet, cuddly cat.

She will be missed.

TO BE(ARD) OR NOT TO BE(ARD)

To beard or not to beard, that is the question.

Prior to my trip to Sydney I decided to shave off my beard which I had developed for 6 months.

Here is a recent photo, taken 11/03/09 at Vuda Point, Fiji.

Which do you prefer? With or without the beard?

AUSTRALIA RECAP

My visit to Sydney was disappointing.

Sydney seems to be a quietly unhappy city. Although interesting in its multi-racial, multi-ethnic makeup, nevertheless I observed that the various races and cultures tolerate as opposed to accept and embrace one another. The Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Pacific Islander and all other groups seem to bond strongly to their own members to the exclusion of all others.

The "native" Australians, that is to say the descendants of the first English settlers, maintain their unique language, behavior and attitudes which seem to tolerate, if not ignore, the presence of new settlers to Australia from the far corners of the Commonwealth of Nations (formerly known as the British Empire).

Australia is still at a loss as to how they shall deal with the "Aboriginals". The "Aboriginals" are still at a loss as to how to deal with the powers which took over their country.

As an American, I cannot help but notice the similarities of these difficulties, and atrocious treatment history, as we "Americans" have had with our "Native Americans".

In sum, I found Sydney to be expensive, indifferent and, sadly, intolerant .

Whilst strolling near my over-priced hotel/motel in Sydney I came across an automobile parts dealership. The significance of my observation is in the picture I took of their outdoor sign. I dare say the sign would not last very long in America!