Year sunset...

The rainy season it seems is here. Wet, sometimes cold...brrrr.
For reals not my favorite time of the year. Mornings are dark when getting up, dark when leaving work. yuk!

Now comes the time for inside ship projects, well after the holidays that is.



With the year closing down on the western calendar, my thoughts turn to next year.
Year of the Boar.
The projects, the trips, the adventures.
However some reflections on 07' first.

What a busy year...
Japan; made some good connections, this blog; an interesting trip, sailing classes, teaching certificate, the journeys, new friends & acquaintances; some from both sides of the world. The Tao is pretty amazing, boat upgrades, ceramic projects, new band, the sailing goals, closing the studio, Kung Fu class reunion in Las Vegas, wheww.

So what are the plans/goals for next year, lets see:

Boating:

Bareboat charter course (April)
I had planned on taking this in Oakland, with the Afterguard school, however I came across a good deal at the Tradewinds school. That is where I took my teaching test. I could not pass the price up. I can save some money, almost 200.00 bucks. Awww yea!

ASA Navigation course.

USCG 6 pack ( Sept) I figure Sept will give me enough to to get everything lined up I need and study in.

Basic Coastal Crusing teaching certificate (May) This will take a little planning to make it come together. I need to get a full grasp on Coastal Navigation, perhaps the bareboat class will help enough for me to do this before I take the CN class.

Trips:

Half Moon Bay sail (July) The first bluewater passage... this is still a maybe. The harbor does not look that easy to get into. I will need to research this more.

Overnight in S.F. Bay Angel Island/Teasure island and Alameda ( July & Aug )

Benica

Napa (overnighter). I'm thinking this for a Autumn adventure. Looks like the vineards will be nice to photograph that time of year.

Boat repairs:

Install boom preventer
Repair or replace sea cock in head & get the head in operation.
Haul out-clean and paint bottom
Reseal chain plates.
Install solar panel
Manual Bildge pump
LED lights

Personal stuff:

Continuing Wheel ceramic - Next class Jan

Improve Japanese skills.

Trip to Hawaii, it has been a long time since I've visited the islands. Lady Zen has a dream to just hang out, our late honeymoon on Oahu & Kauai. Maybe we will meet up with my in-laws there, that would be fun.
Trip to Japan (both by air) I am really looking forward to this year's visit. There are several people I want to meet face to face. I'm thinking/planning for Oct. Hopefully get to see some Autumn colors and still be warm enough for a sail with someone.
Improve keyboard skills. Well since speaking with my new buds in Kobe. The plan is to start a band once I get there. Since there is already a Bass player, I will bring my piano skills up to playing that instead of bass. So we'll have Bass, Piano, Sax. Just need a drumer and guitar player. Guitar players are a dime a dozen not a biggie.

I think that is enough, however ... I tend to do more than planned if the Force is with me.
It should be an interesting year if all goes well.

So a short trip on the wayback machine... wrrrrr zipzip zok

I had planned on doing some water/boat ceramic pieces this year, However I was lead elsewhere. I did do one water motif piece.

which is ok, but I was not feeling it to do any more
than that .














So I produced some other works. Which I am mostly pleased with.

I feel much more comfortable using the wheel now. I prefer the manual kick wheel over the electric.

Next year I have some other ideas .

Somethings with dock rope patterns.



Thanks to everyone who came by the site and left me comments or an eMail. Those who write understand the emotional return from that small act.
It was a pleasure meeting and/or chating with you, all those that I connected with. Fairwinds to you in 07' may we all prosper and survive another year of the Baby Bush regime. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays..

















Improve Japanese skills. Trip to Hawaii, it has been a long time since I've visited the islands. Lady Zen has a dream to just hang out, our late honeymoon on Oahu & Kauai. Maybe we will meet up with my in-laws there, that would be fun. Trip to Japan (both by air) I am really looking forward to this year's visit. There are several people I want to meet face to face. I'm thinking/planning for Oct. Hopefully get to see some Autumn colors and still be warm enough for a sail with someone. Improve keyboard skills. Well since speaking with my new buds in Kobe. The plan is to start a band once I get there. Since there is already a Bass player, I will bring my piano skills up to playing that instead of bass. So we'll have Bass, Piano, Sax. Just need a drumer and guitar player. Guitar players are a dime a dozen not a biggie. I think that is enough, however ... I tend to do more than planned if the Force is with me. It should be an interesting year if all goes well. So a short trip on the wayback machine... wrrrrr zipzip zok I had planned on doing some water/boat ceramic pieces this year, However I was lead elsewhere. I did do one water motif piece. which is ok, but I was not feeling it to do any more than that .