My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on March 6, 2011

After a late night, early morning drive to pick up my son from the airport in Orlando for his Miami of Ohio spring break, we hit our ‘berths’ without planning an overly ambitious Sunday. One of the more interesting time-killing photos I ‘tweeted’ while waiting for Taylor’s plane to arrive was of some fuel price gouging (at least that’s what I’m assuming?) I was shocked to see regular unleaded selling for $5.299, as were others replying to my twitpic!

As for our day today, I gave Taylor the boat tour and was glad to have him so interested in learning more about something I’ve always been passionate about – I thinking he’s a little like me about sailing too? We also had a minor crisis while just at the dock … one of the pressure water lines came loose from the small hot water tank and began leaking/pumping my 80 gallons of fresh water into the bilge. For non-sailors, this is not a big deal but can create a mess not to mention surprise one a bit when seeing water sloshing around under the floorboards. While Taylor pumped, bailed and dabbed up the water, I snaked (a most appropriate term) into the cockpit lazerette to track down and repair the leaking water line. While there I also refastened the pressure pump as it had pulled loose from it’s rubber vibration bushings.

That accomplished, we decided it was time for a good lunch … off to Chili’s in Vero Beach. Mmm … got to love their chips and salsa. Both of us have the same memory of Chili’s … we would have lunch there almost every Sunday after church.

On our return, it was time to pick up a few items at the Publix grocery store for Taylor and find a good quality 10W-40 oil for the new Suzuki outboard motor. We didn’t get around to starting the outboard, but did top off the fuel, oil and read the manual regarding the proper break-in procedures. Maybe Monday if we don’t head for an anchorage or mooring?

Another blog I frequent, Roz Savage Ocean Rower, posted an image regarding the Somalia pirate problem that I though was interesting … I think it was from Wikipedia.

Category: Personal, Photos, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: encore, family, florida, gasoline, sailing

Posted By RichC on March 5, 2011

My son Taylor is spending his spring break with his dad … moi … and I’m anxiously waiting for his flight to make its connection in Washington DC before heading to the airport to pick him up. I know he is looking forward to coming down to Florida and getting out of rainy Ohio.

The wind has been strong on Florida’s east coast, even to the point of causing significant beach erosion. I’m hoping that the heavy wind and large waves will subside a little in order to give us a bit more comfortable sailing – I’m not anxious to be seasick, or worse. I also stopped out at the beaches over lunch today and the heavily surf didn’t look as if it would make the safest inlet entry. Even the mooring fields down in Stuart Florida seemed a bit uncomfortable according to a couple stuck there for longer than they have wanted. One bright note is that I did make a pretty good deal on a 2008 Suzuki 6HP outboard to used on the dinghy.

 
Mooring field off Shepard Park in Stuart, Florida | 2008 Suzuki DF6 outboard

One of the more frustrating issues at the marina is the Beacon WiFi service. I called last night in hope that there was something simple they could do to improve the nodes that I need to connect to from the boat. Unfortunately its no better tonight even though my connection to the access point is strong and my ping to the default gateway is fine.

Category: Personal, Sailing, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: encore, flightaware, sailing, taylor

Posted By RichC on March 4, 2011

I spent the day working on boat projects … and enjoying the sunny 70 degree temperature of Florida. The winds have been blowing and gusting and making the forecast less than attractive for sailing as my son is coming down over his spring college break (the reason I’m here). Still, there is plenty of work to be done on the boat.

Besides working on the electrical issue and my Navman depth/speed/log instruments, I’m rigging up a better and more seaworthy generator mount in the engine room. This required cutting some new flooring material and picking up some stainless steel hardware for the ‘hopeful’ installation on Friday. I also pulled out and cleaned up the aging Zodiac which at this point does look as if it will hold air for at least a few hours … although it isn’t in the best of shape and I didn’t check to see if it would float. (maybe a future boat show special purchase???)

Category: Personal, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: dinghy, encore, florida

Posted By RichC on March 3, 2011

I appreciated and enjoyed the excellent kabobs and great company as sailing friends Mark and Darlene Jones had me over for dinner last night. They sure seemed to be enjoying their time aboard their sailboat Zola traveling leisurely up and down the intercoastal waterway.

Thanks for inviting me to dinner; what great slip mates – boat next to our sailboat Encore.

Category: Archive, Personal, Sailing | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on March 2, 2011

The big tech announcement today came as Steve Jobs introduced a follow up iPad 2 to Apple’s previous tablet success. Apple has pretty much been the only game in town since the introduction of the iPad. This year’s model isn’t necessarily full of surprises, but does hold the price point while adding a camera, some additional speed and battery life as well as holding its $499 bottom end model price.

Snippet from WSJ article:

It comes with front and rear cameras—addressing an omission in the initial model—and a new Apple-designed chip that Mr. Jobs said performs standard calculations twice as fast as its predecessor and offers a nine-fold boost in graphics performance.

Viewed from the front, the iPad 2 looks largely the same as its predecessor, aside from the addition of a small camera. It comes with a white as well as black front, and with and without 3G wireless service provided by either AT&T Inc. or Verizon Wireless in the U.S. Unlike some rival tablets, the new iPad cannot connect to high-speed 4G cellular networks.

Apple will also sell a new cover that snaps to the side of the device with magnets and comes with cloth on the inside that can help clear smudges off the glass screen.

The company also showed a new version of its mobile operating system and other internally developed software, including a version of its music recording program Garage Band.

Analysts, in particular, praised the iPad 2’s design, which is thinner than the current iPhone and 15% lighter than the original iPad, shrinking from 1.5 pounds to 1.3 pounds. Those changes could make the iPad more portable and appealing as a reading device for books and periodicals.

What’s under the hood of the iPad 2 could also be important, illustrating Apple’s unusual role as both designer and user of chips. The new A5 chip in the iPad 2 adds a second calculating engine–an aid in doing multiple computing chores at once- plus a big increase in graphics circuitry that could inspire game developers.

LINK

Category: Cellphone, Computer, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: apple, Computer, ipad

Posted By RichC on March 1, 2011

The pain at the pump over high fuel prices will most likely slow the pace of our tepid economic recovery. For Americans fortunate enough to be fully employed, that means spending more dollars on fuel and less in other areas that might have hired a new workers. For businesses that mean a higher cost of doing business something that will either decrease margins, slow sales or both. For many Americans thinking the worst was behind us, it means putting off that new purchase a little longer … and in turn slowing the US economy, something that relies on a robust exchange of goods and services to improve our economy, grow taxes and reduce the unemployment rate.

Chart from the US Energy Administration’s February 21, 2011 numbers release.

Of course that’s the best scenario … the worse is that high fuel prices and instability in middle eastern countries that produce much of the oil we consume, could end up sending our economy back into a recession. The doomers were already predicting a “double dip” recession, but now even mainline analysts and commentators from financial news channels are showing concern (snippet below).

Gasoline prices are at their highest levels ever for this time of year, when prices are typically low. And with unrest in the Middle East and North Africa lifting the price of oil to the $100-a-barrel range, analysts say pump prices are likely headed higher.
Investment guru and CNBC “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer has said that, if gasoline hits $4 a gallon, it could push the U.S. economy back into a recession.

"I’ve never been a believer in the double-dip scenario," says Cramer, according to CNBC. "But with $4 gasoline, it could happen, especially if high fuel costs create a palpable sense of inflation."
He’s not the only analyst worried about the economic impact of higher gas prices. Mark Haines, co-anchor of CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” program, also said Monday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe program that he fears a double-dip recession if U.S. oil hits $150 a barrel.

“No one knows for sure,” he said. “But if you told me oil’s going to $150 by spring or summer, then I would say, ‘OK, I’m putting my money on a double dip.”’
…

LINK

Category: Diesel, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: diesel, economy, fuel, gasoline, oil, recession

Posted By RichC on February 28, 2011

As the crowds of protesters dissipate in Madison Wisconsin (previous post), some of the more intense union members or bussed in supporters are still sticking around to get their point across. The Capitol police in Madison have for the most part been clearing out the state house and the door have been closes to prevent others from entering.

I’m not sure whether its long days or group mentality, but some (allegedly a teacher) have decided to take out their frustration on Mike Tobin (FoxNews reporter) and has decided to do more than just push, shove and get between him and the camera on live shots … according to recent reports, jabs were thrown. According to Tobin, they were only leveled at his arm, but left him with something resembling a “charlie horse.” I sort of wonder if the teacher doing the jabbing wanted the reporter to punch back … since obviously poking a guy as solid as Tobin in the arm wasn’t going to do much damage? Still … it shouldn’t happen … especially from a teacher.

Category: News, Politics, Video-TV | No Comments »
Tags: foxnews, mike tobin, protest, union, wisconsin

Posted By RichC on February 28, 2011

On the heels of a tragic ending for the Americans traveling on s/v Quest, another sailboat has been taken by Somali pirates. According to news reports, the pirates have hijacked a family (parents and three children) as well as two others onboard.

Report translated from DR.dk News:

Danish sailing ship hijacked by pirates

A ship with a Danish family from Kalundborg and their two assistants are hijacked by pirates and is on its way to Somalia coast. Foreign Ministry informs Ritzau that the Navy Operational Command 24th February received an emergency call from the ship which is owned by the family and at that time located in the Indian Ocean.

– Navy Operational Command received a distress signal from the Danish ship and immediately began an investigation of what had happened to the ship and its crew, "says Charlotte Slente, head of MFA’s Citizen.

Very difficult situation
– Sadly, it was confirmed that the ship hijacked by pirates, and that now appears to be headed for Somalia, "she continued.
The Danish warship Esbern Snare is directed to the area where a Danish family with three children have been hijacked, learns B.dk.
She further states that all relatives have been informed and they are now in close contact with the Danish authorities. Besides parents and three children, two technicians on board. They’re like family Danish. Foreign Ministry does not want to say how old the kids are.
Sailed out in 2009

– This is a very difficult situation – even to relatives. Not least because there are children involved, and therefore we are asking the Danish media about being gentle on the relatives, "says Charlotte Slente. According to Ekstra Bladet family sailed from Denmark in August 2009 to return home in late summer after two years of sailing. The eldest son is 17 years while the youngest is a girl of 13 years and a boy of 15 years. Along the way, the family, which has significant operating experience, including visited South America, the Caribbean, Fiji and Thailand, before about two weeks ago summoned from the Maldives, bound for Africa.

FoxNews article below:

Pirates Reportedly Hijack Danish Boat With Three Children on Board

COPENHAGEN, Denmark –  Pirates reportedly have hijacked a Danish sailboat with four adults and three children on board.

The ship was hijacked Thursday while traveling through the Indian Ocean and is now on its way to Somalia, Denmark’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Charlotte Slente told DR News, a national TV News channel in Denmark.

A Danish couple, their three children and two technicians were on board the sailboat, DR News reported.

Navy Operational Command started investigating immediately after receiving a distress signal from the Danish boat, Slente said.

All relatives of those on board the boat have been informed of the events and are in close contact with the Danish authorities, Slente told the station.

"This is a very difficult situation – even to relatives. Not least because there are children involved, and therefore we are asking the Danish media about being gentle on the relatives, " she said.

For security reasons the Ministry would not supply any further details on the missing passengers, DR News reported.

Category: News, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: boat, hijack, pirates, sailing, somalia

Posted By RichC on February 28, 2011

Category: Video | No Comments »
Tags: france, french, talent

Posted By RichC on February 27, 2011

Duke Energy, our electricity utility, was kind enough to ship me a nice size box of compact florescent lamps at no charge to replace our existing bulbs. I can’t say that I was surprised to see that they are made in China, but I sure would rather they be manufactured in the United States – I’m probably not alone? (I’ve heard that there aren’t any CFLs being made in the U.S. … correct?)

Category: Business, Environment, Financial, Politics | 2 Comments »
Tags: cfl, china, electric, energy, utilities