My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 16, 2007

Thankfully for some of us procrastinators, the April 15th tax day has been extended two extra days this year … whew! In the right sidebar I’ve posted an audio interview from the San Jose Mercury News with personal finance reporter Mark Schwanhausser talking with Bert DuMars, the director of Electronic Tax Administration for the Internal Revenue Service. They address several tips from the confusing date to file taxes –April 17th — to the Long Distance tax refund check box deduction for most of us. Its simple deduction that most are eligible for if LD excise tax was paid in the last 3 years … about 98 percent of American households.

As you might imagine, Mr. DuMars stresses electronic filing of taxes which makes sense and really streamlines work for the IRS and accuracy for the filer. E-filed returns have lower error rates (1% or less) and since the Internal Revenue Service has work closely with all the software companies many of the common glitches are prevented. Paper returns have significantly higher error rates (about 20% of the returns), partially because of filer mistakes and partially because their paper returns at the ‘tingle table,’ some because the paper returns have to be entered into electronic form by IRS employees and often even in the final editing.

The best advice for self filers is to consider using computer software and electronically file of your return. (also remember … if you just can’t get your paperwork in that you can file an extension without penalty so as long you are owed a refund, otherwise you better send in part of what is due — worth calling them.)

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Posted By RichC on April 15, 2007

Closing out the week with a family photo and post after a safe flight home; it was a great week of ‘just’ family. I’ve been heavy on the personal memories this week, but I did want to archive a family photo the good time we had. For three us it was just the sunshine, relaxation, beach and ocean … but for my son it was ‘surf’ (he prefers the waves and surfboard — we had few) or ‘skimboarding.’ He had fun giving lessons to young and old (60+ grandpa types) on skidding along where the waves meet the sand (see video clip below). I did notice a couple teenage girls inching there way down to talk with him … oh to be young again.
🙂

One of the more interesting moments was watching a school of small fish get pushed to shore by a 3-4 foot ‘jack’ and the scraps being snatch by a small shark a few feet from shore. Amazingly fast and obvious why they could easily take a quick bite out of a swimmer and dash off.

Palm Treo 700p smartphone Skimboarding clip

Category: Personal, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: beach, delray, florida, skimboard, surfing

Posted By RichC on April 14, 2007

An Atlantic storm has put Donna Lange‘s landfall on April 21st; April 28th is now her official homecoming in Bristol Rhode Island. The northern hemisphere has brought a final gale and severe weather her way and her 28 foot sailboat Insanity Island is receiving one final battering. Although she has proven herself a capable sailor she could use a few prayers for her safety in this final storm. Check DonnaLange.com for daily updates on her landfall or view plots (and log entries) here — mouse over the plot point.

1200UTC 0800local EST 0100NZ
April 13,2007 Happy Friday!! hugs!!
“A gale still to marvel in….”
position: 3057N 6923W
winds: WNW 15-20kn
sp: 4kn COG:352 seas:3′
point of sail:closehauled (close reach over night)
sails; one reef main, genny with a reef
miles sailed: 100nm
miles to go: 645nm to Bristol
forecast: The next 2 days will be NW winds 15kn
and then lightening up and going more SW. By the
15th S winds 15kn. Early morn on the 16th a gale
will come through with up to 50kn gusts but by
nightfall winds should ease to 35kn. The real
issue is my position to the gulf stream which is
a very powerful warm water river in the sea which
creates a challenge to cross in normal conditions.
Depending on how the storm moves, I can have SW-NW
winds following the gale. If I can get close enought
to the gulf stream so that I can cross it near
after the storm, the winds should be SW -W and
make a good crossing even if a bit wild as the
winds are going to be 35kn. But if it takes too
long for me to get there, the winds may have turned
NW-N which will make an ugly crossing. I have
a really good peace about the whole storm and we
will no doubt keep pace and get to the stream with
good winds to cross. It is interesting that when
I was writing the song ‘Just a LIttle Bit Farther”
and the lines came ‘A gale to marvel in , power
and unity, …” I had an intuition that I would
do one more gale and sure enough. The storm is
moving quickly but there is a front following that
is lingering off Cape May which is what will also
effect my stream crossing especially if I get there
more than a day after the storm moves through.
So I am sailing hard trying to make as much progress
north and west as I can to position my self just
NW of the storm centers expected path. NOw keep
in mind, I have not seen the Grib files for today
and these storms develope and change constantly.
It is an obsessive mind torrent for me when a
gale is approaching as I constantly rework the
‘plan’ according to new information. Between the
last 2 days, the high wind center decreased and
moved east. Unfortunatly I usually get my gribs
after doing this log. But it wil reflect in tomorrows
update. I have to say that the adrenalin boost
is doing me good. I do well in a ‘fight’ and have
been existing in that space for a long time. Though
I plan on living a more balanced life, a little
excitement gets me going. I am getting as much
rest as possible while diligently maning the course
and sails. Skies are beautifully blue. It is the
winds today and tomorrow that will determine if
I can get north and postioned well. The NW winds
will be in my face and then the light winds will
slow me. So I am praying for the winds to go more
west and hang in there till saturday when they
are to become favorably 15kn from the S. Finally,
Herb Hilgenberg of the Radio net and I have contact
and good transmissions so we discussed all the
options as a way to handle this storm. He is concerned
about the winds for the gulf stream the most as
I am. But it will be great to be able to check
in with him in the midst. In any storm, the seas
are the real challenge. The wind can blow 100
and it may tear up my old dodger, but won’t sink
me. It is the sea conditions that create the greatest
challenge. Tom OUtman is also back on board with
information and he will be able to give me more
information on the seastates. I always have options
and if the conditions get too crazy on the stream,
I just turn tail and run. Obvious, my boat is
built to handle heavy sea states… my big kayak.
Yes, I could go to Bermuda. It would be 3 days
due east. Then I would have to wait for favorable
winds as I can not make the 6*westing to RI without
the right winds. Herb said that it would be at
least next wed before I could leave. And then
it is 600 tough miles still to RI. At this point,
friends, I am just not up to another week long
delay. It isn’t about the welcome party… it is
about finishing this trip. The chances of another
storm following this one are good..I can do this
storm. I will be fine. The sea promised me that
she would ‘get me to the church on time” and I
feel very good about that. Keepin on Keepin on.
I’ll know by Monday my sched to the stream and
through and if I will be delayed. I have managed
to retain 2 days of fudge time…we may use it..But
if I continue with good progress each day, I will
be in the BAy Friday evening. Just keep that positive
energy flowin…gang… No worries.

I did have to troubleshoot an electrical problem.
The wind generator was not charging the batteries.
Turns out, it was putting out too much voltage,
as the regulator wasn’t working. Plenty of amps.
I wiggled and fiddled and lo and behold…13V.
Thanks Jeff for all your help troubleshooting.
Need new regulator..
conditions: 75* on board. BAr 1010; All good.
I am feeling better. mega dosing vitamins and
colloidal silver. Looking forward with all my
heart to the hugs and welcome of good friends.
You have all been so patient. Please continue
to keep Stu in your prayers as he deals with the
injury to his eye. Mom thanks so much for all
you do. Biggest hugs and all my love to you xoxoxo
d

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Posted By RichC on April 13, 2007

Earthrace is ripping and roaring … they are in Hawaii and off again. Here’s a segment from Captain Pete Bethune:

There’s my star. I’ve seen him the last three nights on my shift from 2-4am. He’s brighter than all the rest around him. Maybe he’s that star which is only a few light years from earth. He keeps going in and out of view behind the massive carbon mullions that support the windscreen. It’s an unusual windscreen on Earthrace I think to myself. More like a racecar than a boat. It is small, wrapping around you, only offering small sections to see through. But also like a small cocoon keeping us safe from the destructive seas just a few feet away.

The windscreen is actually designed to go up to 7m underwater with a factor of safety of 3. “So at 21m underwater it all implodes on you”, Craig Loomes had said to me with a glint in his eye at one of our meetings. In sea trials around New Zealand we experienced 5m of wave on top of the windscreen, as we went through some enormous 12m waves. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life, and something I never want to repeat. So bugger 7m underwater I think to myself. Or 21m for that matter.

It’s now 2:30am and everyone else is asleep. Time for the few jobs I have at night. I scurry down to the engine bay and check the bank of Racor filters. All close to zero. Sweet. Next I check the fuel levels in our main and day tanks. We’re slightly down on fuel, which surprises me. Not sure why, but I’ll figure it out in the morning I tell myself, as I pop back into the drivers seat. I look out to starboard and my star is there, waiting for me.

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Posted By RichC on April 12, 2007

The Volkswagen special performance edition R32 is available for orders and should show up in American toward the end of summer 2007. (mentioned before) The current email indicates a new website for those who may have previously shown an interest. Although it is most likely overpriced, the limited edition specialty vehicle would be a pretty nice vehicle for those enjoying small pocket rocket Vee-Dubs. If you want one … you might try to get an order in soon as I’m guessing that all 5000 will be spoken for???

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Posted By RichC on April 11, 2007

My posts have gone 100% personal as about all I’m thinking about is heading to the beach, lazing around waiting to fix dinner and visiting with my mother and father-in-law. We’re having a wonderful time of relaxation and rejuvenation.

I did receive a note that Donna Lange is becalmed and running under Iron Genny in the Atlantic … although still on target for her April 21st homecoming in Rhode Island. (down to single digit days at sea)

Earthrace, the biodiesel powered around the world project is ‘vibrating’ slightly toward Hawaii … getting close now. They are having good weather and making good time.

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Posted By RichC on April 10, 2007

Earthrace Press Release from April 9th:

Earthrace has now left San Diego and is continuing on her round-the-world speed record attempt. The unique wavepiercing vessel was involved in a collision off the coast of Guatemala with an unlit fishing skiff, resulting in considerable damage that has been mostly repaired in San Diego. She is now 800 nautical miles off the coast of California en-route to Hawaii, the next refueling stop on her global circumnavigation.

According to Earthrace Captain Pete Bethune, the repairs were much more extensive than initially anticipated. The gearbox and engine mounts were replaced first, however there remained a series of vibrations from various sources. The engine was realigned, the propeller shaft straightened, and the Hytorq propeller rebalanced. Bethune says “the hardest part was getting the driveshaft in and out of Earthrace while she remained in the water. It was an extremely challenging exercise that thankfully went well”. The 3-inch diameter shaft is 15ft long and weighs close to 400 pounds, so handling it requires a team of people.

Earthrace Engineer Scott Fratcher says, “there is now a single vibration left that we believe to be the Propflex coupling, which joins the gearbox to the propeller shaft”. This was found to be off-centre by 10/1000 of an inch. The plan is to swap this for a new coupling as soon as Earthrace reaches Maalaia, in Hawaii.

Meanwhile Earthrace continues her voyage across the Pacific with the vibration ever present, but the crew believes it will be fine at least until Hawaii. Earthrace is expected to reach Maalaia late on Thursday night this week, local time.

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Posted By RichC on April 9, 2007

Just another tough day at the office. The weather is beautiful, the ocean warm and the day is over.
🙁
PS. Wish you were here.

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Posted By RichC on April 8, 2007

Happy Easter to those checking in. We are enjoying the weekend at the beach. (post from phone)

Category: Personal, Photos | 4 Comments »
Tags: delray beach, easter, florida, taylor

Posted By RichC on April 7, 2007

This content is restricted.

Category: Audio, Music, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: donna lange, inspired insanity, mp3, Music, sailboat