Zensekai (zen's world under sail)

Relocated

2007-01-18T15:31:00.000-08:00

One if by land , Two if by sea...

ZenSekai - I
Our day to day stuff, land adventures, mindwanderings, rambles

ZenSeaki - II
The sea adventures

One if by land, Two if by Sea.

2007-01-07T22:09:00.000-08:00

Friends, readers, countrymen (and women) lend me your ears (eyes in this case) .

With the new Solar Year, the upcoming New Lunar year of the Boar, and the prestigious admission to the world renown Tillerman's top ten list. I have decided as some good TV shows have in the past to end this blog on a high note. Yes, sad but true. Zensekai is sailing on...

The good news is....

I have gone to a new and better port. ( please hold the applause until the end, thank you)
Yes. I had been thinking of it for a while. Blogger was a good testing ground, kind of like my first boat. I have now grown. Not so much readers and such but in needs. You could say 3 ft itist, but for a blog. I have been seduced and have succumbed to the charms of Wordpress.

Why , why you may ask. Well, I'll tell you.
I like the features, the flexible add and subtract layouts. I like the control & ease I have over picture placement. One on the main things is a can download my blog to a text file for later use in a book or whatever show I chose to do so. I cannot do that here at blogger. :-(
Saddly I did not find out until after I had switch to new blogger I could have imported this blog over to Wordpress, but only with the OLD version not this New improved version. C'est La Vie, mes ami.

So what is up with the new blog you may wonder...
wonder no longer.

I like the "One if by land two if by Sea" phrase so much it is the theme on the new blog(s)

Zen's Sekai I -
Deals with the land adventures of Lady Z & myself. Trips, the band, friends, Zen, philosophy, Kung Fu, Photography, Japan, family, etc, whatever.

Zensekai II -
Is as was here about s/v Zen and our water adventures, training, & preparation, Sailing, thoughts, Philosophy and water related musings.

Get it: I if by land , II if by Sea... Kawaii ne! (cute!)

All the sailing links have been transfered. So if you were here you are there.
The other links are still being completed on Zensekai-I. Some are there others I am still switching. It takes taime I have to do it manually

If you have been kind enough to give me a link on your site please change it.
Thanks !

I will keep this blog up as long as Blogger will let it stay as a road marker and historic site for those that follow.

Please come to visit. Douzo Yoroshiku!
Ja Mata ne! ( later dude)

Fair winds...
Zen and Crew

Tillerman's Top Ten Sailing blog awards

2007-01-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

The Great GodFather, The grandmaster of sailing blogs, the world known Tillerman posted his list of the Top 10 Sailing blogs for 2006 the other day and
OMG! Zensekai was on the list, with 3rd mention.

Whahoooooo
I made the list, woooooo hooooo!!! Break out the bubbly!

Ahem * cough cough * Ahem, er yes,

thank you thank you very much...

ahem...

I'd like to thank, Tillerman, EVK4, Roya-san who first gave me the support to keep blogging in my early days and links to my blog.
Also my other loyal readers around the globe, especally those that leave comments or sent me emails! Thanks to the Great Spirit for the blessings of good health, job, family and opening my eyes to other paths in life. Thanks to my teachers and to Nikon for making cool cameras I can afford. Wayfarer Yachts for making a great boat at reasonable cost so that some 20 plus yrs later I could afford to buy one and even dream of sailing offshore half way around the world. Thanks to Blogger for giving free blog space. Thanks to all those who sailed before me long distance and wrote about so I could share the dream and plan my own. Yoh sensei in Japan who's book showned me it could be done in a small boat, and that my ideas about Zen and sailing are not so weird. Thanks to my big sis Becky J, for letting stay on her boat and suggesting buying a sailboat. Thanks to Jane Mansfield for selling her boat so I could get my first sailboat ride on it and giving the Tillerman an excuse to post her picture (maybe why I was really listed )

Thanks to all the vistors to s/v Zen last year, That gave me stuff to write about, the folks over at Sailfar.net for all the guidance on misc topics, and Captn K for really getting going on this blogging stuff. Thanks to all the makers of all those parts that held up through the years so I did not have to replace them before I went sailing last year. Last but not least my almost perfect wife who does not give me grief about spending time and money on the boat!

Wait a minute...
OMG I just thought what a terrible thing this is! Now I have all this pressure to keep quality posting, try to make the list again... next year !!! arrggggggg. How could you do this to me!!!!!

Just kidding, that would be very un-Zen like. To focus on the prize of hitting center and not the merging of the spirit with the act. Or put another way the trip is about the journey not the destination. Do what you do without thinking of the rewards.

Anyway a nice bit of fun to start the New Year adventures.

C- ya on the water...

Oh btw what did I win? I never got my custom made duct tape cup holder. Is this is another rip off...

:-)

Of mice and Men...

2007-01-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

AKEMASHITE OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU!

New Years Day 07, so a new saga begins...

Lady Zen had to work today, so I was left to my own means for the day. After breakfast, meditation, computer I figured on getting some sailing in, rain or shine, hot or cold. The weather report in the morning was 39 degree with a high of 56. Brrr I'm thinking. Layers layers layers. So I start dressing, silk long johns, turtle neck, Sweats and my heavy zen pullerover with hood. I'm ready. The sky is beautiful, sunny , with small clouds here and there. However I'm thinkning cold. I head outside and started to sweat in all I had on. Change of plans, I take off the turtle neck thinkning it will still be cool at the marina and out on the water. Wrong!!
It was still warm down at the marina. Wonderful weather, almost spring like. I'm going to REALLY miss Cal weather when I get to Japan. Anyway... I'm doing a couple things down at the marina and have to come out of the Long Johns top at least. It is so warm in the sun, I'm baking!

ok so, the weather is great for sailing except for one thing. No wind! Zip, nada!
At least not enough to move a flag much less my boat. C'est la Vie!

Mirror like water
reflecting images clear
I sit still no wind

Ok, like water I mold to the container and flow on to something else. Check out my sail inventory. One is a good working sail, good to keep as a backup. The genoa, is good, but since I plan on staying roller, I'll sell it, along with some of the unused things out of storge I cleaned up over the holiday vacation. It will balance some of the holiday spending done. Like on my new to me Mac laptop. sweet!
Next things replace a broken lock hasp on deck and pull some bulbs to replace with LED's. Then on to adding cable covers on the shourds(sp). That was a pain, not really easy to do, simple yes, easy no. I need to pickup a couple more. Surprisenly cheaper at W. M. than on-line, what a shock!

So a few misc things get put away, I relax on the water a bit just taking in the New Year and being thankful.

New Years night at home:
Lady Zen is fixing something, traditionally Japanese for dinner. Something light and somewhat simple as we are not suppose to have a large celibration, since it has been less than one year since the passing of my Father-in-law. We have a simple New year arrangement, the traditonal bamboo flower arrangement, purchased in Japan last year. We also have the family ceramonial New Years sake set, which she brought back last year. It belonged to her father. Interestingly I got to use it the first time I visited and met her parents in Japan. It was just after New Years so it was still in keeping for them to do the ceramony with me. Little did we know it would be the last time with her father. You never know what the tide will bring...

I have decided to start another blog , for those interested. This one will be on Wordpress. I wanted to try them out, to see what is the difference. I see one thing there is a limit to 50 megs, unless you pay oh that is for pictures I guess. So I'm give that some thought later if it is worth it. I like that I can export my blogs and save them. So if I ever wanted to write a book, I 'd have simple access to all my post. This new blog will be different from this one, as it will not be connected to sailing, but to our other stuff. Maybe later I will move everything there...maybe and have two blogs there...maybe Anyway it is called "One if by land , Two if by Sea". I really started it on Yahoo 360, but I did not like it to much, only one picture can be posted , I found it too limiting. The link is on the side bar if you wish to visit and read some other stuff we do beside sailing. eg: Kung fu, the band, Zen center visits, stuff. The link will be changed later to go direct to the Wordpress location.
For now it link to 360 yahoo.

Lots of stuff planned for this year. Not resolutions, I do not do that. Just plan and do if the force is with me.

Haul s/v zen for bottom paint
Fix head to operate

Go see Tako Drummers from Japan- Feb
We are HOPEING sis and brother in law come to visit from Japan
Mother will come later in the year

Do ASA Bareboat course ( April)
Finish BCC teacher level
Get USCG 6 pack license. ( that is a big deal and fairly costly)

Sail down to Alameda for an overnighter
Sail to Angel island. maybe an overnighter
Sail out pass Golden Gate

Fly to Hawaii
Fly to Japan in Oct -

Well I've got 12 months to cover it all, so lets rock...

Inner sailing

2006-12-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

Just before Christmas we went to Japantown. We needed to do a little shopping.

I needed a string for my Shamisen, a restocking of our incense supply, Saki, etc.

I also picked up a book on sailing in Japanese, so the Lady Zen can learn comfortably and understand. I ordered this from Japan via the Japanese book store here. It is called “Inner Sailing”, the name sounded intriguing, maybe I am just reading more into it, since it is written by a Zen Master. It is the ASA official book used in Japan. From the illustrations inside it looks pretty straight forward sailing basics.

Whilst there in J-town we went to one of those floating boat sushi bar places.

Lady Z thought it would be like Japan cheap. It was not!

Although not great, it was not bad. Next time we'll go to our regular noodle shop, which is ichiban!!!

Joy to the World...

2006-12-24T09:32:00.000-08:00

Whatever floats your boat
brings you peace of spirit
we wish you Joy this season
New Year filled with it.

Zen & Lady Zen

As the year sinks slowly in the west...

2006-12-15T14:08:00.000-08:00

Just in... a fitting cliff hanger for the Year end...
I just came back from a job interview with the City of Oakland Boating/Lake Merritt Boating Center. I applied for a Basic Keel Boat instructor position for the summer/fall season of 07... It seemed to go well. I will not hear anything until after the holidays...burn a candle, light incense, say a prayer, whatever floats your boat :-)

s/v Zen can use the money :-)

Thanks to all my new comrades, those I've met live and virtually for the memories, reads, comments, emails, etc

Happy Holidays...peace out

Islander 29- Part II

2006-12-14T11:18:00.000-08:00

There is a right way and wrong way to do & ask things. Put another way a courteous and a dis-courteous way.
As a instructor of Chinese Martial Arts, I am use to a certain level of respect, and manners. I do not tend to make a big deal out it when it is not up to a standard, I'm pretty low key. My parents taught me good manners, my Japanese Karate Sensei taught me more, my Chinese Sifus taught me more. So now when I speak to people I am generally polite, and respectful it gets me great respect when in Japan & other Asian places as well as here in the States.
Now I know that the level of respect and politeness here in the states is different. Lady Zen is often shocked how causal people, strangers speak to each other. I am generally ok, with it, I was raised here and do not expect much. However...
Maybe it is my age that combined with my training makes me sensitive at times.

What does this have to do with an I-29...?

Well, the search engines, google, yahoo, ask, etc find this blog and someone looking for info on an I-29 ( islander 29) will come across this, as may have been the case in the past, and will be again.
This is for them.

I am more than happy to pass along any info or contacts I have on the I-29. I was helped , I will help others. HOWEVER. show some class, some manners, some style, some courtesy.

Start your inquiry with, a salutation eg:
hello, greetings, dear sir, hi, yo, sup, bonjourno, something polite.
I am so and so...

End your inquiry with : thank you

Do not just start off with what you want, eg: I need such in such.
signed; so and so.
WTF!

Not good! rude! Impolite, uncool, I will ignore you. I am not a parts dealer or paid consultant.

show some class...

peace.

Now back to our regular scheduled programming ...

Inspiration

2006-12-14T08:58:00.000-08:00

The Tillerman asked for us co-bloggers to blogversate (coined word from EK4, is that a real word) on who was the person that inspired us to sail. Hmmmm, well since the T-man is one of the 3 who encourged/inspired me to continue this blog, when I was having doubts about doing this, I,ll share what I can.

I did not have sailors in my family. I grew up near the water but not on it. I really thought more about powerboats than sailing, since I liked to go fast and loved fast cars. Typical guy.

When I came to the West Coast and got into the Hippy/love child scene, some friends & I all went out on another friend's sailboat. It at one time belonged to the actress Jane Mansfield. It was called the San Souci. NICE sail boat! I do not recall the size, but it was at least 40-50 ft. We sailed to Catalina one weekend, and other time to Santa Barbara Island. Being a flower child there was a lot of sub stories involved with that, but that is another story...
We'll stick with sailing. Other than the almost being run down by a Oil tanker it was a great trip. I did not find out later how close we came to dying by that tanker, but again that is another story, I digress.

That was my first sailing expreience and last one for many years. However it stuck with me. It was that cool!

Years later I had a friend who owned a old classic motor yacht, I spent many days and night on there. It was a great retreat...

Still later, I would be traveling around the bay watching the sailboats thinking it would be great to be out there criusing, exploring lil coves and what not, taking pictures. The girl friend at the time agreed.

I later took a job at a printing/graphics firm. The owner was a sailor. He had me do some things with his boat photos and I heard some of the stories about the sails he went on. I thought how cool...more on him later.

A while later I came across I think was a lazer sitting for sale in someone's driveway. I thought it was a good price, reasonable for a boat. It was the right size for little adventures and learning. I took pictures and showed them to my boss. He thought it looked ok and told me a few things to lookout for. Going back later the boat was sold...which was a good thing.

Shortly after this time I started looking for a boat as a livaboard. I was thinking a houseboat, something to live on and still go places in. I looked at a few, but did not click with any, and about this time fuel cost started going up. Next I looked at cabin cruisers, nice, closer, but, still not there, then figured it would cost at couple hundred bucks to fill up one of those monsters. Hmmm time to rethink this...

My friend and adopted sister said, you should get a sailboat. She told me about some times she spent on one. Hmmmm, thought I, that maybe the ticket. Environmental good, much gas. The right one could be a liveaboard. If things got to weird here in the states I could sail away to Costa Rica. It was fun on the San Souci, yeah I like it!

So started the hunt for a sailboat. By luck after checking out boats several in my price range, which was low, came across a Person Ariel. I did not know much about saiboats, well nothing really. I did know what I wanted as far as living space, and some things to avoid. I spoke with my friend/sister's husband who had built boats and he gave me some insight. The price and the features where right on this Ariel, as was the reputation of these boats. So I moved fast and purchased it. WOW.

Now I had a boat but did not know how to sail. So I read and understood the basics. After some cleanup and reading, I got in touch with my former boss from the print/graphic shop. I asked him for a short lesson and to checkout the boat. Sure he said! He came out one day, went over the boat, and aproved. He thought I did well. We hooked up everything and went out for a sail. It was great! I was nervous at first, but he talked me through the basics and with a bit of coaching I was handling things well.
We went back to the marina and I was jazzed. I could do this!

Fom there it was solo practice, more reading, watching tapes, more practice, running aground, more pratice, a safety class, more practice... and the rest as they say is history.

So who was my inspiration, hmmm. I do not know if it was just one person, but to pick one I would say my sister, Wild Rose for putting the bug in my ear and Captn Ron who took me out on the San Souci.

Year sunset...

2006-12-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

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 .

Tai Chi, Sailing and Laser racing

2006-11-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

Yup this is one of those post. I read the Tillerman's, a well respected sailing blogger's post about racing and taking snapshots views instead of video . What he started doing, by seeing "snapshots" is what I will expand on but, I will to speak on it from different perspective and another level. Anyway he got me to thinking, sometimes that is dangerous an old girl friend use to say, one reason why she is an old gf, remarks like that, but I digress...

Once a upon a time not so long ago the T-man asked for suggestions on what he should so to help his training. I said Tai Chi. He no doubt thought I was being humorous. I was not. Explanation to follow later...

We say Kung Fu helps with everything you do , it is not just about fighting. That is the smallest part of the training.

One of my old teachers who was not a Tai Chi Master but a Arnis /Kali Master, that knew Taichi at least the principals & fundamentals, many of which were used in Kali ( A Philippine martial art). He was hired to work with the Dallas Cowboys at one of their camps. Why you may ask, because he could help them move and deal with energy.

Now that is only one part of expanded use of Tai Chi, which I have spoken of before. As in dealing with wind energy and the transfer of that to the boat and sailing.

Now, we have another saying the Kung Fu makes you more "aware". As in, aware of yourself and your environment as well as others around you. Feeling the "vib" as I call it, or as they said in Star Wars the "force" Tai Chi is a form of Kung Fu. In Tai Chi we start with that awareness training internally, within ourselves and learn to expand that to others. To know your opponent first you must know yourself.

We start with the single form, learning about our body, how to balance it. Then we move to partner practice, where we learn more about ourselves and balance, our weak points our strong points. Next step is expanding that "awareness" to your partner their balance their weak points when they move, & when they are still. Using that expanded awareness you learn to contract or expand that awareness, extending the force field you can say. Expanded, walking through a strange area, looking , feeling for something strange, danger or in the case of sailing feeling the wind, looking/feeling for shifts, feeling the boat, the water. Is it balanced, am I balanced in it, if I was sitting in another position would it be better balanced with itself, with the water, with the wind. Same as if using a weapon or a double weapon, the weapon is no longer something that you are holding it/they is/are part of you. You and it/them must be in balance, the old be one with the weapon saying. In this case, being one with the boat, wind and water.
With a partner feeling their weight shift, the balance change, tension. Learning to read their body. In awhile you can do that without touching them, seeing how the body is set, weighted to move.

So, in racing and sailing we need to be aware of the wind changes, patterns. Taking in the environment, feeling and seeing not just what is in front of us, but small changes in the water, the body of the competition. Looking feeling, sensing, seeing small things while looking at big things...
Not only the wind, but the feel of your boat & yourself everyday we are a little different. The training, forms, breathing, drills helps us stay as centered, balanced as much as possible...aware. Add to that the mind/mental state of being in meditation, calm, but actively aware.
The more aware you are and better able to use that on multi levels the better you sail.

Post Thanksgiving Sail

2006-11-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

Post Thanksgiving Non-sale sail

It was a good day, Mild temps, in the 60's light wind.

I headed to the Marina.

My first encounter with the owner of the Choy Lee ketch . Great looking boat, 30 ft, teak decks, desiel motor, full keel. Nice I would love to have this boat!

We chat a bit and I head down to s/v Zen and get her ready to sail. I was set for cool weather, I had my silk Long John's on, and my heavy Zen sweat shirt. However the weather so far was perfect, cool but not cold. Wind about8-10 knots.

I cast off easily and raise the sails...

Casting off is so much easier these days, once I figured it out.
I think it helps having a taller boat, I could never quite get the hang of it with Kuan Yin.

Not much going on a very easy sail, only one tanker to dodge. There are only a couple of other sailboats out today. It is generally quite in this area except during the summer months when we get a few racing yachts passing through. Beig that this is the first day of wind on the weekend I thouhgt there would be more boats out. For the most part the water is mine...

Easy sail around for an hour or so then head back to the marina...

It is starting to get cool, as the sun is behind some clouds and going down. The few others that are out are also heading back in now.

Now I'm glad I wore the long johns.

So back to the marina and an easy dock.

I'm putting sailing away and shockingly another sail boat come in to my dock. For the most part I am the only one of the four sailboat there that goes out.
I go to chat with him a bit turns out he is new.

He is only been around for a few weeks and has been disappointed about about the lack of winds over the last few weeks.
Sound like he ia a regular sailor. So now there are two if us.

It was a good day. Thankful to get my sail-on.

Trees stilll show their colors
Sky is blue and fluffy white
My sails are full, life is good

The Water Course Way

2006-11-12T20:53:00.000-08:00

The water course way is another name for the way of Tao, it was coined by the late philosopher Alan Watts. Life has many paths and crossings, like streams and rivers making it's way to the sea or to put in street terms, Life is a Trip...

When I was younger one of my favorite series of books was by someone called Tuesday Lopsang Rampa. They were purported to be Rampa's autobiographical tale of his study and mastery of Tibetan Buddhism. He underwent many hardships and lessons in his life. I never took it for real however the thought behind it...I always was intrigued by the stories and the Philosophy that came with it. He was in the course of his waterway (Life path at least in these stories) to have much contact with the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dali Lama ...

Back when I was beginning to put all this trip together about going to Japan, toying with the birth of this journey. I thought...hmmmm I can study some ceramics there, teach some Kung Fu, do some sailing around the islands, perhaps study some Zen teachings...

Later when doing some research on sailing to Japan I came across stories on a couple of Japanese sailors who had made the trip from Japan to S.F. and beyond. I read some of their stories and was impressed...

A one point I wanted to find a Japanese book for my wife so she could read about sailing basics and I could pickup some Japanese terms. I did not have much luck , well really none...

Later on this watercourse I came across a Gentleman in Japan who knew one of these famous Japanese sailors. It also turns out he is there near where we are planning to move. I also find out later he is a Zen master and lecturer. Talk about things that make you go hmmmmmmmm...

After a while of doing this blog I write a piece about Zen, Sailing, Taichi and the Tao or something near that. It inspired me to write this Zen master and introduce myself. I figured why not, he is a sailor, I would like to meet him on my next trip to Japan and speak of Sailing and Zen. He was receptive and responded, even said he would look at my article and respond if he thought it was called for. He never did so I guess he thought I was on the right track or full of it :-) ...

Time passes...

I progress with my sailing studies and seek another teacher to move to another level. I come across a lady, who started the program where I had my basics, but she moved on to start and run her own school. I contacted her about training and testing. After a few discussions, she surprises me with the statement she not only knew the Zen Sailor but taught him as well. He was responsible for having the ASA Standards manual done in Japanese...

Times passes...
I complete my ASA teaching basic level. I figure hmmmm I should really teach the Lady Zen, I can having her challenge the ASA Basic Keel Boat to get certified as well. She will know what she is doing and can help when I get some students who speak Japanese, Like her Brother-in-Law and any other friends. Mostly she will be able to know what to do and be helpful when sailing and not feel so helpless, if something happens. I remember there is something in Japanese print by the Sailing Zen master ...

I contact him again, hoping he will remember me and I'm not being bother ( eg: pain in the butt). I ask about a lead to a book, he remembers me and informs me he has 2 available via Amazon.com. I mention about speaking with his teacher and the Universes way of having paths cross...

He replies likewise and adds the meanings show up later.
He also mentions he had just spent 3 days with the Dali Lama & found him also a great Taoist...

Life is a trip.

Zen & the ASA the Teaching certificate

2006-11-05T23:05:00.000-08:00

As I start this entry I'm sitting in Tradewinds sailing school. Just across from San Fransico, Ca.It is Sunday, I have just finished the final module of my ASA teaching certificate class for Basic Keel Boat.
I am waiting for the instructor to return with the last of the candidates instructors doing their afloat teaching modules. I'm glad I got mine done early.

So lets use the Wayback machine and start from the beginning on Friday Nov 3rd. This has been a Long weekend! It started on Friday @1600 hrs it is now Sunday @ 1500hrs.

Fri . 11/03/06

I took the day off. Things were slow at work, again. I figured to using the day to get some extra study in for the test coming over the weekend. There were 3 at home test to complete. This was nice I can use my books to make sure I am correct and as a study aid for the big test at the class.

It started as a cloudy windless day, there had been a lot of that happening lately.
I had to go to the marina to let in the Phone Guy so I can have a land line down at s/v Zen. This way I can use it an an office for my Shaolin Enterprises.
It turned out to be a complicated affair, but I use the time while waiting to study.

Around 3:00pm I head out for class over in Point Richmond, CA at the TradeWinds school

I arrive shortly after 1600 hrs due to some traffic. It turns out others were MORE late than myself. Some of which were almost 2 hrs late! They, I found out had quite a ways to travel, some a 3-4 hour dr.

The evening progresses, we cover what is going to happen over the next few days, fill out papers and mark the tests we completed at home. We marked each others test. It took awhile as some answers were challenged.

I was happy to just recently done these test as a student so I was already comfortable with the correct answers to ones that were somewhat worded weird. That combined with research at home, the test was fairly easy. I got a 98 on one and 95 on the other. That one more advanced and I was never clear on a few answers even with research. No biggie! I got 95, I needed 90 to pass

The evening ended about 9:00pm with our assignment for the next day. We were to prepare a lecture on a drawn/choosen topic. Mine was on Man Overboard recovery or MOB drill as called. This was to be a 10 min lecture using whatever means we chose to help get the point over.

Sat:

The day starts at 0830. I use this military term because that is what the instructor does. He is holds a USCG Master License. He turns out to be an excellant Instructor Evaluator ( IE). Helpful, relaxed,knowledgeable, a good example of teaching professional.

It is a very Foggy day over this way, foggy and low wind again. I arrive on time, but others are there before me. I get selected to do my on the water solo sailing with the morning group whilst the other half of the group does the instructor paper test and prepares for the lecture.
My group heads out.

After checking out the boat we set off. Seas are calm, as in almost mirror calm. In spite of the calmness I am surprised that another guy testing for instructor cert. gets sick and is hanging over the rail for a bit. Perhaps it was his breakfast ... bummer for him.

We pick turns to do the test. I go second, I want to get it over with. The first guy, does his almost perfect through everything.
He had been teaching for the Tradewinds school and was familair already with the boat and the teaching style. We are suppose to do everything solo but talk like we are telling students what we are doing. Meanwhile the IE is making notes...
I was nervous and glad to go second.
The drill generally takes about 15- 20 min to do everything, with no wind the first guy took almost 1 hr. That did include getting back close to our starting mooring after the current pulled us way down stream. Part of the long time lag also because we had very low wind.
My turn...gulp! Breathe...show time...

This is my first time sailing off a mooring. I did it, but had just a bit of trouble. I got dinged 5 points :-(
listed as not enough control. I had a small accidental gybe in the shifty winds. If I ever had to do that again I would start with only the jib.
The rest went fairly smooth. I was nervous about having to speak the whole time, and got a few terms mixed up, another ding. Otherwise things went smoothly considering I had light to no wind, and the little that was there kept shifting.

Now time to pickup the mooring. Again my first time, fast current and mostly no winds and shifting at that. I was able to pull it off. So I'm done, other than getting a low point for poor sail trim, something I need to watch on beam reach. Still other than that I got 95 % out of 100%, whewwww, I can breathe. It took me 45 min. Awwww yeah over! wahoooo!!

After taking way too much time and zero wind after me, we head in as it was getting late.
We have lunch and the next group goes out to try their luck with the winds. Meanwhile we get on with the HARD written test!! Gulp!
This test takes a couple of hours, hard questions, many of which I had not planned on or studied . Day signals on boats, towing questions, USCG Navigational rules, Yikes!! We do have some lead way, we only need 75% to pass.

Next phase the lecture...
I setup things.

The gent before me uses a powerpoint presentation. Smooth talker, the has all the answers type. It was polished. I followed, I did a few drawings on the board, and used some props, with a few joking remarks, it went well. No one knew I am uncomfortable in front like that.
Pick a friendly face, like the cutie in front and talk mostly to her.
Whewww that was over...

After 2 other's lectures it was time to mark the MAJOR quiz, no a test over 100 questions is not a quiz!!!! The other 4 lectures would go tomorrow for 8 total.

The big one...I was nervous. It was set in my mind I would need to come back and redo this part of the test. No one else seemed confident about it, even the other student with the USCG master Lic.
We as a class go through each other's test and check and discuss the answers. Some of the answers were direct, some were open to interpretation, others had more than one answer, there was much discussion. After another hour of that we finshed grading the test. I needed 75% to pass... I got 83.3 , wahooo!! What a relief
I'm thinking the worst is over, but no there is more...

Sunday:
I'm thinking today will be easy, no pressure, just do a quick bit of a teaching routine on the water and I'm home free. Turns out to be more than that! There is another classroom lecture as well.
Ok, so I get picked to go out with the first group, ok, not so bad. Get it done then relax for the most part.

I head out with the 1st group. What I was told would be a few minutes, like about 30 sec around robin turned out to be about 10 min talk rounds, on different aspects of sailing like we had a boat full of students, except there is someone watching and making notes on your performance, again yuk!

One of mine was leaving the dock for the first time. Not bad, were the comments. After another round it was me again this time, on heading up and bearing away. Comments this time were "unsure in the beginning, but got into after a bit". Heck yeah! I was nervous, then I figured I could shift the burden to the students by putting things into more of a question form. Then using the right answers & words to clearify. It was a good plan.
After another person did their two modules, and we start to head back as again there is NO wind! At least nothing to really work in. But everyone had their 2 rounds.
So we fire up the motor, go for about 5 minutes, then the outboard DIES!!
There we are with no wind and no motor!. The fuel line had fell off and we ran out of gas. Not a big deal you may think, but after replacing the hose connection, the motor still would not start. Everyone gives it a try to get the motor going. Nothing! How many sailing instructors does it take to start a motor?...We have the sails back up now but are mostly just a drifting!! A boat full of instructors, with no wind and no motor! Great!! There are a bunch of kids in Lazer like sailboat buzzy around us...There we are a bunch of grown adult instructors, for the most part stuck...priceless.

We drift for about 15 min waiting for hopefully the motor to unflood after replacing the hose. If that was the problem. Luckly after the wait the motor did start and we were off to port. We were almost 1 hour later than we had planned on being back.

So we have lunch and prepare for the afternoon lecture for my group. The second group heads out for their final on the water check.

The second lecture is easy goes smooth, I finish in 5 min. Nice! No pressure since this one is done without the IE there, the other instructor candidates grade your lecture.
and we are done!!!! Whaoooooo relief, now I can relax.

We have to wait for the rest to return before we get to the final wrap up stuff.
I take a stroll around the area.
I had no idea there were such nice, home$$$ in this part of town. More so right on the water. Some were even able to have their boats right outside the back door. Must be nice!! Of course it does not insure happiness, but it is comfrortable. :-)

There is a boat there like an old schooner, or something, made of CONCRETE at the dock. The guy took 20 years to build. His wife left him in the process. Everyday he is out cleaning it, I saw him chasing birds off of it.
That says a lot eh...

After a 30 min walk I head back the office, I start writing this and get very sleepy, so nap time while everyone else is chatting away. We are all waiting for the second crew.

Finally they return and we settle in for the final chat from the (IE).
After filling out and learning about more paperwork. We are done. The group wants to head over to a Hotel bar/cafe for the final debriefing. I was not that pleased, as I am not the bar dinking type, but went along. It was a nice place over in town. I had a glass of wine, the others had beer and shots. While the IE held separate talks with each of us and signed our official books, Yeah!!!!!! Finally I was done!!
I headed home, Lady Zen and I head out to our favorite Japanese restaurant for a celebration dinner. Stuffed and happy we returned home to relax.

So how was the class... more complex than I had thought, it was a challege, as I was told it would be. I'm glad I put in the extra study time and took it seriously. It was a good exprience and makes one feel the certificate has some real value.

A special thanks to Bill of Bliss in Kobe, Japan for turning me on to this learning/training path and his helpful study aids.

So what is next...
A bit of a rest then, onward. I should start teaching the Lady Zen to sail. Then she can challege the ASA BKB student level test and get certified to sail. Also it will help to have her knowing what do do on the water and help teach/translate in Japanese when needed.

Though I guess the next real things is to find an outlet to teach so I can stay as an active instructor. I di not know about that part until after I signed up. Well I have a shot at getting on with the city of Oakland Program. Some P/T work with them would be good.

I'm pretty sure Coastal Navigation is the next study, then Bareboat student level.
The USCG Power Squad offers Celestual Navigation & passage making classes for free to members. Since I took one of their safety classes I am able to become a member. I'm also thinking about the limited USCG six-pack. It will not be of any good in Japan, but the knowledge learned will be, since I will need to do testing there to get a Japanese License to sail.

Ideas and Members

2006-10-30T12:31:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, I had considered joining my local Yacht club. I figured it would be good to meet some new people, share some stuff, etc. After doing some reading about some adventures other clubs have, and hearing a few things, it seemed like mostly it was a reason to get together and drink. Ok, if that is what you like, fine. Responsible drinking is ok.

Now my local club I found out had very few sailing members mostly powerboaters. Hmmm, now we are into a different realm. The idea of powerboating somewhere & drinking does not do anything for me. Nor does the thought of that kind of crowd, not that they are bad, just I'm different. My local club does not have docking facilities, nor a space that I could use for teaching my classes, nor sailors, so that idea went out the window or port as it were.
Being mostly a quiet type and not a big group animal , I figured it was best. Not much gain for the amount of time and money needed to be a member, at least for me.

I came across this on-line group, they had a charter, bylaws, blah blah. So I hooked up with them. No output maybe a few connections when overseas as the Commodore was currently in Japan. The Commodore is quiet for a long time, turns out is is making ready to go to Spain and is looking for someone to run things. I can do that I figured and was appointed the position as Vice-Commodore.

So I'm thinking maybe with a little effort this could work into something. There are many many on-line groups that have sailing stuff, tips, jokes, etc, etc, sail parties. So I'm thinking more on the lines of just an international network of folks will to lend a hand/advise to another when visiting, or at least direct them in a needed direction. If they are in the same area and just want to hook up so much the better.
eg: sailing to Spain, need some local info, help, parts, direction, check in with the Commodore. In Indonesia check in with blah blah. In Japan, In California, etc, etc. Maybe even get a few real time clubs to give some type of affiliation, courtesy visitor pass, etc, something.

So I am looking for ideas and members to make this go . It cost nothing and may help someone , including yourself down the channel.
Give me some feedback.

Partly cloudy

2006-10-30T10:50:00.000-08:00

Seems like I was not not quite in balance this weekend. I had 3 days off but, I seemed to have lost track. The time switching and getting a little sick last night , as well as some frustration, may have added to todays feeling of lost time.

Lets see, Friday...ah , yes, I went down to s/v Zen. I got a call on Thursday saying they were turning on my business phone line there, but the Phone co. only takes it to the Harbor house connection, then they, the marina handles it. Hmmm turns out they do not. They gave me the number of someone who does. I thought this would have been fairly simple since there is already a connection box there... but no. Oh well next step...

So I did a few misc things on the boat. Installed a heavy flag line and replaced the string. I took a lil bit of a movie of raise the burgees. If I can figure out how to do it, I'll post it.

Friday night off to my Sifu's for Kung fu practice. Learned some more of the Chu Tai Chi Sword. This is the Tai Chi Mantis, Tai Chi sword form One of my goals is to finish that and a couple of other items before heading off to Japan. I have a lot to reveiw , record and practice before then. My "Uncle" wants me to put more time into the Chen Style as well.
Will this all come into use in Japan, who knows. But it will give me stuff to practice and stay in shape. Hopefully I can pickup at least a couple of students to pass this on to and have a Japan branch to The Chuk Kai Tai Chi Mantis Federation, besides me.

Sat. morning a quick review and filming so I wil not forget stuff from Fri. Then off to Ceramic class. I have no class on Sat, but I can go into the shop and work. Turns out my sushi plates are ready from the kiln. I am pleased with a couple. Two got kind of warped but still ok. Colors are not like I had planned, but still over all they are nice. Lady Zen liked them. I finished up triming a new sake bottle while there. I think this one will be the best. I wll not have much time this week to play with ASA studies to do... more on that later

Next off to "uncle's" shop to work. I put in a couple of hours on the computer mostly working camera stuff for him. Whihc reminds me I need to update the photography website.
So then I pickup sushi for dinner so Lady Zen does not have to deal with making dinner. We can have a relaxing evening watching Fuji TV, our Sat night Japanese programs.

So now it is Sunday already, gosh. I sleep in a little. Then breakfast and some computer stuff. I give some thought to getting in some sail time. I have ASA teachers test coming next weekend. I should get out and go through some drills. I kind of put that on the back burner as it is still somewhat early and low tide is around noon. It is now 10:30. So no point of going until after lunch.

I give some thought to the test and go over the paperwork sent to me. YUK! There is a lot of stuff to study. So I have at it, reading , reading , reading checking questions, researching my books. Blah, it is good I have some good books to research. Some of the things that are going to be coverd are not even on the level I am testing for. ????? What up with that ??? Grrr.
Hmm now it is getting late, and I just figure out there is a time change today not next week. Hmmm. after some more thought I figured I am less concerned with my on the water test than I am with the written stuff. So I put aside sailing for today and get back to the book work. Addtionally researching some of the water manuvers I will need to do. eg: sailing off a mouring, docking to a morning. I have not done these, but using some logic and comparing that with some book samples, it does not seem that complex. Similar in a way to the man overboard drills. I am fairly sure I can handl it. Not need to rush through them anyway I can tak emy time. This will not be a race.
The big thing in my mind is the questions, so more research turns up alll the answers I need. So I'll spend the next few days packing it all in my brain, and hopefully I'll be able ot re-access it when needed.

This testing over 3 days, written, on the water, lecture, given topics to mock teach both in the class and on the water...I'm preparing.. but still nervous about the un-known.
Kind of like looking at the Golden Gate bridge in a fog bank. You know that the bridge is there, what it looks like, how it functions, what is suppose to be there, but you can only see the tip of it from a distance. What in really on it is only a guess...

Windless

2006-10-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

Sunny Autumn day
Glassy water reflects windless sky
How sad... no sailing

Sailing, Sake & Sushi

2006-10-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

It was a clear day; looking out on the lanai I could see there was some wind. Not much but some. More than yesterday, so things were looking up. The forecast said 8 mph winds.
We were waiting for the Tokyo/Monterey (we’ll call them AE & Sakura) delegation to arrive.
We got the arrival call just shortly after 11:00, perfect.
After getting them in, and the greetings thing done, I checked with the Benicia Marina for docking space, which turned out to be a no-go. Bummer! Oh well Chisai koto ( no biggie)
Plan B was to go to Glen Cove. However with light winds, and Glen Cove itself although cute was not as interesting as Benicia for out of towner’s first visit. time for plan C

We head off to the Japanese market, pickup a light lunch, sushi roll, Inari, some plums, pack some wine. They grab some things to take home since Monterey does not have a Nippon Market. So the Sakura from Tokyo is happy to get some home food.
Then off we head to the marina.

Down at s/v Zen we unpack and setup for lunch.
Some wine and sushi and floating puts everyone in relaxed mode.
The weather was perfect at the marina, cooler than inland but very comfortable.

Afterwards we prep for a sail. Since there is not much wind and already getting on with the tide timing the plan is to just sail around. Before that though I wanted to get my line setup for burgees flags. I volunteered the Lady Zen since she is the smallest. She was not too pleased about it, but went along with the plan after I explained it to her a couple of times.

It went smoothly; afterward she said it was not too high after all. Now I have my string up so I can host the SailJapan Burgee. I thought it was in keeping with the Kobe /Tokyo connection aboard today. Later I will pull through a heavier line for the burgees, which will include, SailJapan, SailFar.net, This Old Boat, & International Yacht Club.

Side note I am now the Vice-Commodore of the International Yacht Club. Sounds impressive it not? Over 75 members…. It is an on-line group, but maybe I’ll check into to getting some real time affiliations.

Off we head out of the marina, a small mishap on launch as the docking line catches and hangs us up. We free the line but come out of the slip at a very bad angle, but we make it and off we go.

Winds are very light, so mostly we are just above a drift rate. Very relaxing and pleasant going. We have some tunes going and chit chat.

Sakura feels the need to nap, as the sun, and wine fully kick in. It is nice cruise we make slow time but soon we are over at the Benicia entrance, I swing around and head away an over to Seal Buoy.

Today as most nice days there were couple of sleeping big guys napping.

After a few more turns around the area we head in under power as the wind by this time was almost nothing again with a glass-like surface.

A smooth docking back at
the slip and we are done.

A bit of a photo op and we are off.
We take a quick sighting drive through Walnut Creek downtown for our guest and we head home.

Lady Zen prepares dinner, sushi, spring rolls, salad, and garlic rice.
MMmmmmm.
I break out some Sake brought back from Kobe, smooooooooth, fresh taste MMmmmmm

We settle in for the evening with a game of Mahjong. The Nippon ladies hold the victories on

the round. Lady Zen wins 1 hand with Sakura taking 3 hands. No fair, AE & I are wearing the
clothes, drinking the drink and they are winning, wazz up with that!!!

Part II the next day.
Lady Zen has to work, so I am up early fixing breakfast for the team. Sausage links (veggie for me) fried apples, Fried potatoes with onions and peppers, corn bread and Spanish omelets, with Mimosas to wash it down.

I take the crew, less Lady Zen to Berkeley to the

Berkeley flea market, one of my favorite stops there.
We hang out, AE gets a massage, afterward we chat with the soap lady who gives us the run down on her soaps, gels and bath salts.

We purchase a few and she gets a small interview for the podcast. After a few other booth stops we are off to Tokyo Fish Market which, turns out to be closed. Bummer!!!

Next stop, Jack London Square. We stop at a few farmers market booths, check out some art, head over to World import and Bed, Bath & Beyond. On the way back it is a Ben and Jerry Break from there a stroll back to the car, taking in the autumn
leaves.

We head up into the Berkeley hills on the way back to Home Base. I show them one of the best view spots of the area.
From the vista we see, Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Marin, and Alameda. The fog was in and heavy, but it made the view in way more interesting.

So finally stop on the way in is Jo’s Sushi Bar in Pleasant Hill. The best Sushi place Lady Zen & I have found in our area.
There we have a light dinner of OSHII sushi, some misc chit and chat and joshing with the waitresses. Sakura is pleased with the taste, and AE is impressed with the Chief’s skill level. Next time it is at the bar with a bottle of Sake.

So ends a much needed playtime weekend for all. Now is the time to study down for my up coming test in two weeks!!!! Recess is over.

Becalmed friday

2006-10-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

So you may wonder what does this picture have to do with being becalmed... answer nothing!

It is here for two reasons
1. I did not have a picture for the day.
2. A few months back I said something about doing a new ceramic class . I have yet to do anything nautical other than a few waves on some sake cups. However it is a filler and it something from the ceramic venture. One of the few things I am really pleased with. The cups are cool but the pictures do not look good. There are a few more pix on Flicka

Onward...

Clarity:

I had a visit to the blog from one of my favorite blog writers, Butiku-san. His blog, laughing-knees is not about sailing and water, but the other element earth/mountains and his life in Japan. He has wonderful photographs. We use the same camera, nice. He sent me an email saying he liked boating but it was like a different planet from the mountians. He was also a bit purplexed about all the Zen's. :-)
Since he doesnot have a direct email on his site I'll answer that here for him and anyone else that drops by , Ok here goes

I am Zen or aka Captn Zen, Vice Commodor Zen, some combo of that. Mostly just Zen.

Lady Zen is my almost perfect wife, who is my balance and partner.

s/v Zen aka Sailing Vessel Zen is our Boat, an Islander 29

:-)

Becalmed friday:

Today looked perfect outside, temps in the high 70's, sunny, great autumn day. I took off from work 1/2 day. Things are scary slow when they want you to be 95% billable :-(
anyway. I figured i'd take off the afternoon, without pay, and go sailing. I have my teachers certification class testing coming up in a couple of weeks, and I have not been out on the water for as many so, I figured today is the day. I can get some practice in. Man overboard, heaving -to, points of sail, etc. The Universe however had other plans, as in NO WIND! grrrrrr
it was beautiful outon the water almost glass, but not enough wind to move me. Sometimes just enough to tease but not enough to move. So I drifted for a while then motored back to the marina. Oh well...
Making the best of things I gave s/v Zen a wash down. Lady Zen will be happy she has been wanting to do that for a while and with company coming on Sat, it worked out well.
The weather cast says a bit more wind tomorrow we'll see...
We had planned on sailing to Benicia for lunch, however a call over there says they will be very full with a guest yacht club visit, bummer. I was told try before coming chances are slim though. Oh well. No wind (maybe) no dock space (maybe), let's see what the tide brings...

Autumn Mushotoku day

2006-10-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Autumn...

Who says we do not have seasons in California. When the weather is nice, in the 70's and it is sunny, it is nice, but some days, like today, cool & cloudy are not my favorite. Hard to feel like doing anything, more so when dealing with a bit of depression. Yuk, I need some play time...
It has been awhile since I posted as I said it would be. I had thought about it last week, being my 6 month blog anniversary, but I figured only I cared. I have learned a lot about blogs in that time and met some interesting people. Some who drop by read and leave comments, thank you and then there are the others... some of who I support their blog but...oh well, sometimes in life you're on a one way street. It is better to Mushotoku blog.

It was my hope today to get out for a bit of sail. Yesterday Sat. was wonderful weather. I was hoping to take Lady Zen and our Tokyo friends out but... things happen and plans change. We are hopeing for play time next week. Perhaps with a couple of couples. It will be the largest group I've had on s/v Zen.

Anyway, today I had figured on going out single- handed, however the weather although not bad was not good. Well at least to me. Weather report said a high of 66. For a Summer child of the topics this was not good. Yeah I know 66 was nothing, but cooler on the water. I was not into chill'n
However if the sun had been out I would have given it a go anyway.

I started out today on my lanai (balcony) garden watering the plants, cleaning up rodent poop. Yuk!, I had an invader, but he is history...
I was shocked to see those guys can climb up the side of buildings.

So after checking the weather and feeling outside I was not feeling sailing.

I had been to the marina on Sat. It was great weather, but things were off...

The Zen sense was flashing...things were not right in the area, the energy is weird. Someone had taken my water hose, used it and left it un-wrapped laying off the dock, as if trying to fill the marina harbor... weird. When I went on s/v Zen the door was fine but the cover looked like it had been messed with...but all was well.

So I look around...Other things were off in the marina,
there was a boat sunk across from me...

The boat next to me with livaboards was now empty...abandoned

Another boat across from that, same owners, under lock/chain & key...

another boat on my dock had oil pads all around it
and looked like the inside had been gutted, WTF...

several boats had locks and chains on them... I went hmmmmmmm.
Looking at the locks on the boats, I thought... hmmm they look similar perhaps these are people who did not pay their bill... I spoke with the dock hand, my bud, he told me yeah. The locks are on folks who have not paid their slip charges. Some are over $1,000... WOW!
There were lots of dead beats. I felt better knowing the real deal at least about that...

So today, I'm back down on s/v Zen I figured on doing some basic checks, running the motor and changing the oil for next Sat's adventure.
I had purchased a 12volt oil change pump, which I had yet to try out, so today was the day. It worked great!! It made the process very simple. Nice! A worth while investment.

Also, added gas stablizer to the fuel, since no way with winter coming I will use up the whole tank of gas. Checked out my new to me camera tripod,

took a shot of s/v Zen flying the Good ole Boat burgee, maybe I'll get in the mag, at least that is what they said...when I send it in. We'll see.

maybe a better picture though...

So enough of the marina day... I prepare to head home. As what happens 85% of the time I have to wait for the train to pass before I can leave the park. Today it is two Looooong frieght trains

So I head back in to the marina grounds to kill some time...

Grab a few shots, then head off to the store after the train passes and the road again is open.

I stop at the market, get some wine, a DVD rental, Xmen, (yeah very cool) and pop next door at Papa Murphy for a bake at home pizza. A Veggie gourmet delight. I doctor it up at home, fresh Basil from the garden, lots of garlic, veggie sasauge, bake... it is ready 3 min before Lady Zen comes home...good timing, we pig out!

So what else happening, you may wonder or not.

As I said slow time for sailing , of sorts. Next week we hope to have a Autumn Lzenzenzuyunandan (hahah for me to know)Benicia Adventure.
I do have my ASA BKB teacher's exam coming up Nov 3rd. I have a couple of weeks to study up for that.
I spoke with the lady who was suppose to give me the test but she did not have enough people to take it, so it was cancelled. I am going to another location for that test. I chatted with the lady some, she has all the other ASA classes going on at her school, Afterguard Sailing Academy that I want to take to prepare for the Japan passage. Also they are a good price. I'm planning on the next Navigation class with her, in Feb. As it turns out another small world omen, Japan thing happened. She turns out to be the ASA teacher who taught/certified the Sailing Zen master, Aoki, Yoh Sensei I have contacted in Japan. I will be taking the rest of my courses with her. What a karma moment to find that out! So I have another Sensei. Some things are just meant to be...God/The Universe/Tao/Great Spirit put us where we need to be.

The Monterey Japan connection

2006-09-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

Ok my loyal readers, all 6 or 8 of you :-)
We are just back from a mini
vacation. Well sort of just back. I just came from Band rehersal...
But anyway, we are resently back from a mini vacation to Monterey/Carmel.

OK, so I figure less writing this time you can get the idea from the pictures

We got to Monterey on Friday for the whale watching. The trip was cancelled due to high winds. bummer...We reserved a spot for Sat.
and got a discount, cool!

After grabbing something to eat we walked along the trail over to the Monterey Aquarium. The weather was great.
Walking was way better than driving, we got to see some cool stuff.

The jelly fish exibits were outstanding. This poor picture
does not do it even the smallest of justice!

Sat. it was back to the wharf for the whale watching tour.

We got a ride on the biggest of the tour boats. I do nto know if that was good or bad. Perhaps the smaller boat would have been better. Less noise to the whales, easier to move about on the water...

It was good to get out in open water. I was wonder about the motion of the ocean since it has been awhile since I've been out on real ocean waves. Lady Zen did well, I did ok, I would have been better with a real breakfast I think. Maybe not, the diesel fumes, I did not care for, that made me a bit uneasy with the large waves. I did suck on some ginger, but did not get sick ,like a couple of people did, poor things.

We did get to see quite a few whales. Even one with a baby, well more like a teen. They seemed to be closer overall to the smaller boats. Lucky I had my good lens with me. I was hopeing they would come closer to the boat. As a Photograher I would have loved to get that one killer shot. There were about 6 we saw total on the trip...

Back at the wharf...

We hung out for a while waiting for another couple. We had not met before they were just in from Japan a few weeks. The guy was an acquaintance of mine from the Black Tokyo forums. Never seen him or his wife so did not know what to expect. Lady Zen says , how will we know them. I said they will look like us...

Our first Blasian friends. Hanging out with them for the rest of the day and into the evening turned out to be the high point of our trip. We got great and helpful info on living in Japan.
Also it was fun being tourist together. We all enjoyed being able to relate to each other.

The ladies hit it off well.
They started talking just like they were old friends.

The ladies in the classic Japanese tourist pose >>

After drinks and snacks at the wharf we went to Carmel beach for awhile an felt the ocean scene ...

Later just walking around the town, galleries, stores, early dinner...

Later we went sake tasting, sushi, chatting, and a late stroll

good times.

A future sail coming...stay tuned.

we'll be back...

So whats next? Well the ASA teaching certification class was postponed , Grrrrr bummer. Not sure when that will be. Lady Zen is off to Japan soon to help Mum, move. I would love to go but ...$$$

I have a Wedding photo shoot up coming. I am closing my Kung Fu Studio space so will need to move stuff SOON. I maybe getting a couple small sails in and just doing some misc boat stuff to prep for our next sail and the approch of winter rains. However nothing really planned for a while until Oct. So it maybe quiet around here for a while...

But you never know what the tide will bring...

ASA Coastal cruising Part II

2006-09-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

Sat. started early. My nearly perfect wife, the Lady Zen, got up early, unexpected by me and made me breakfast and lunch. It was a pleasant surprise as I was ready to do my make protein drink and grab a sandwich at Safeway sailing Sat run. So, nice breakfast of blueberry pancakes and a couple of sandwiches later. One Tuna and one vegetarian BLT by the way. I was off to The Second Part of Coastal cruising.

I was expecting it to be cold, thinking we were going to Angel Island. The weather report was calling for a high of about 60 degree. Therefore I planned it on being even cooler on the water. Time for the silk Long Johns, yup silk Long John, they are the bomb! Those plus a fleece jacket and my serious windbreaker from off Zen. and a extra sweatshirt, I was ready. Better too hot than cold is my motto.

Easier to take off what you do not need than to put on what you do not have

...book of Zen sailing edition.

So down at the dock, it is cloudy and fair cool, not cold but cool enough that I was glad to have on the John's. Which is most likely why it was not cold just cool.
So the guys are down getting the boat ready, sadly it was not the boat I was expecting and we were told we were using. That one, the 30fter had engine problems. Bummer!!! I was hoping to get on something larger than mine. C'est La Vie!

So we spend the next hour or so getting things ship shape and hearing the plan for the day.
We reef the Main sail at the dock. Even though the wind in the Estuary was not that strong, once we hit the Bay it would pickup seriously! So finally we and the Tanzer 7.5 are ready. This is a so so boat, at least all the control go to the cockpit. So we are off for an very uneventful day.

We head out of the Estuary, the winds are light, our progress was SLOW. Add to the low winds we were reefed. So after much tacking it is now Lunch time or after so we stop at Jack London Square the now normal spot for lunch.

It is the weekend of the Boat show. It was not the big Sail boat show of the spring , this was a smaller mixed boat show. One could not get in without paying. Which I still think is weird. They have a show for one to buy stuff , but you have to pay to go buy...

Well needless to say, I did not go, I looked at a few cool and VERY expensive boat from over the fence after I ate lunch.

We docked again in the free public dock there at Jack London. That is a great thing they have. If I am ever
over that way sailing I will make use of it. The Estuary is kind of a nice place to sail, if you can deal with lots of boat traffic and a lot of tacking.

After a bit we head out again, now the plan has changed, we are not going to Angel island too far , just out into the Bay a bit and sail around. Still we are making SLOW progress with the winds. Did I say I was bored, yes , way bored today. But at least I was warm, perfect. We did not do much in the way of learning something new, just practicing sail trim. By the time we made it to the mouth of the estuary it was time to turn around and go back . Did I mention I was bored.

We encounter a lot of traffic on the way by to our home dock. Seems all the others who went out for the day were returning the same time as us. We got to see several nice trimerans fly past us with their Spinnakers up. They are quick boats. Once the wind catches the Spin. they jump like stepping on the gas in a car.

Ok so we do a few man over board drills. The teacher
tries to do a surprise one on me, while I'm on a run. But I saw it coming...Please you have to do better than that! So no biggie. It did take me a couple of passes to pick up the "man". The reefed main, really effected the handling and dodging several boats in the way made for a bit of a challenge. So that was the most interesting part of the day so far for me.

After class the Lady Zen had taken the Train into Oakland and I picked up her at Jack London Square. Form there we headed over to Alameda to the Cal boat affair at the Encinal Yacht Club
Professor J of Spindrift ( in picture ) invited us over to meet and see his band. He also had a boat in the event. He was in charge of the event turns out. He had both of his boats there the CAL and the Islander "Dog days ". So finally after a while of reading his blog and missing him here and there, we got to meet.

Spindrift is the blue boat in the Picture, Dog Days is off the Port Bow

Great Guy BTW. We got a tour of the Islander, Lady Zen loved it.
It is a very comfortable boat. We would not mind having one like that. Of course, having the money to buy one like that would be nice!!!

We hung out awhile at the dock, chating with a few friendly folks. We got a couple of boat tours from a few nice folks, and saw some impressive boats.

So now we are getting hungry, so we head inside for dinner at The Club. (heheh hey Captn Bob I said it too)

We get a nice view of the dock for the bar room at first to get a feel for the place.

Then move into the dinner room

The menu was nicer than expected. There were two menus in fact. One from the bar grill another from the restaurant. Prices were reasonable we were surprised.
I had two fish tacos with a salad, which was excellent! Lady Zen had chicken lettuce wraps. She said they were also excellent, we both had Salmon Creek Merlot, again yup, excellent!

After eating our fill, we relaxed and listened to the band. Professor J the band leader on keyboard and the rest were excellent. They played, Standards and Classic Jazz. It was nice,

They looked like they were really enjoying themselves, even though the audience was somewhat small. Those that were there enjoyed it. It is better to play for a small group that enjoys it rather than a large group that could care less. It makes a difference in the energy.

So that was our Sat. It was nice ending to a long mostly boring day. Lady Zen was pleased to be out doing something new. She said she'd never been to a Yacht Club hanging out, so it was an event for her as well as riding the Amtrak train here in the states.

Home to bed...

Sunday the finals...

So now it is Sunday the last day of the class. Most of the morning was spent, well at least two hours of it spent on the paper test. Grrrr. That was the hard part. Really the only part I had concerns on. Some of the wording is weird as well as the drawings. Somethings are kind of relative and obscure. Somethings are only lightly touched on in the book.
So we sat on the benches answering the questions and fought off the ants. I was kind and just blew them away instead of smashing them.

After the test, we spent time getting yet another boat ready for the sailing of the day. This one was an Erickson. The nicest one we sailed so far. Roller Jib, handled well, comfortable, all lines to the cockpit. Sweet. So after the paper test, and the knot tying test, we had lunch and reviewed the paperwork.

From there after spending 1/2 hour trying to get the motor running, only to find out they had something set wrong we took off.

The day started out with zero wind, however by the time we got going the winds had picked up to moderate. Today had no plans to go far. Just to test us on points of sail we all got a couple of turns. It was a nice little sail, things had cleared up weather wise, which started out as very overcast.

So whilst we were doing our points of sail the instructor was making the paper test. After I had finished my turn at the helm, I get called down below. I knew he was working on the test, and I thought, oh no, I failed, he is calling me aside to tell me. However as I was going below he says to all. I just want to go over your test with you, everyone passed. Ahhh relief.

So we go over my answers, he said you do not have many wrong. We went over those few, one of which after I explained thing to him my feeling on the choices and answer he changed to correct. So my finally score was 96 out of 100 point. Sweet!

So we rotate around at the helm whilst everyone got their scores. Then we just sailed around for a while. After a while of not doing anything but sitting I got bored again. Thing got somewhat more interesting when we got involved in a race with another sailboat. Another Ericson in fact. They did not know we were racing but we did :-)

After they went into dock we headed back to home base. I sat on the foredeck and took a cat nap while the others sailed down the channel, wing n wing mostly.

After a bit I get called to take it into dock. I stretch and rise to the occasion. Give a few command, get the sails lowered and motor in. I check out the feel of the boat, and the current.
We drift a little, I check out our entry, and say. Ok, put it in gear give me a just little power...

I made the approach, and say ok, cut it...

we drift in...

The bow gets right to the dock, I push the helm over a bit, the man on the bow steps lightly on the dock and the boat stops...

The instructor turns looks at me and says...

Show off!!

The grads Zen, Michael, Wilson, Anthony & the instructor Mike

People are like dock lines

2006-09-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

I did not go sailing this weekend. I had a foggy sort of plan to do so, but, I did not make it. I did misc stuff, which I may or may not post later, part of it had to do with the band

which is on the other blog for those remotly interested.

Some ceramic work.

So what does this have to do with the title... nothing just some filler because I had some pictures.

So anyway, I went to the marina on Monday, nice to have a long weekend... even more time to not get a lot done. But, you know sometimes that is a good thing...
but I digress...

I went to the marina. I had went down on Sunday. I did some hull de-yuking and took a couple of shots I was not happy with of my new SailJapan Burgee.
Direct from Japan which I was the second winner for going to the next level up on the Sail-Japan board. Yup Thats right the first and possibly only one in the US of A. Right here in Martinez, CA. Number 3 is in Australia. No. 1 is in Japan, but I believe it is lost to the world. This is one of the new photos. You have to see it up close to really see how cool it is. Oh, I lost my carp! grrr. Not unexpected. the string was too light for the steady winds there. No biggie I'll get another and restring it.

meanwhile back to the story...

So I head to the marina, I figure I'll do a few chores, check in with the office, take some pictures around the dock with my 300 mm lens, which I do not use that often.

I organized the cockpit locker, had lunch, checked in to the office to pay my slip fee. Ended up listening to this motor Yacht owner bitch about the overnight cost at Jack London square which was $75.00 for his 40 some ft Motoryacht. Steep for someone being on Social Security. Yup I felt him on that, Since I'm planning mine down the road but still planning. One of those things to think about, the world is not getting cheaper...

But again I digress... if you have not noticed I like saying that, it sounds very literary...

again...yup I digress. :-)

So afterward I grab the camera and start walking about and taking misc shots. I stop by Kuan Yin, my old boat. I redo her clanging halyard, readjust her fenders, and re-secure one of the dock lines that had broken. The current owner, a friend of mine does not get down too often. So whilst redoing the dock line, I notice the boat in the next slip has his lines chained like mine. Hmm So I take a picture just for the heck of it, then some others as well, I figure I'll make a pictures study of dock lines and just fiddle with some camera setting. Whilst in the mist of this I get a Zen moment...

People are like dock lines... They come is all sizes, colors, and layouts...

Some are kind of weird but
nice, they have their own way of living...

Some just work but just do not care...

Some try to style but fall apart...

Some can not figure out what to do in the end...

some just lay round under foot...

Some are all mixed up...

Some are neat yet colorful...

Some like to mix with others not their type...

Some are too
uptight...

Some are just regular...

Some are a mess...

Some can not figureout which way to go...

Some are very together...perhaps too anal

Some mix it up with anyone...both of which are slobs

Some just barely hang on...

Some just hang loose...

Some are not quite right, and the friends they hang with are crap!

ASA Coastal Cruising Part I- day 2

2006-08-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday starts like Sat. very overcast, and cooler. We start off as before. Today lesson maps & charts reading, Anchoring, Reefing, Heave-to.

We go over stuff at the dock and everyone sets the reef and releases. We go below and do a little chart work, setting course, judging distance, chart marks icons, etc. Afterward we head out down the channel. Some wind but we need to make time so we motor over to Treasure Island to do anchoring. I was suffering after a while I forgot to bring a wind breaker. I did have two sweatshirt, but it was still cold with the fog blocking the sun. However by the time we got to Treasure Island it had warmed up. Next time I will be more prepared for the weather.

Treasure Island for those who do not know is where
the Coast Guard Station is, it is also where the Bay Bridge
is anchored midway.
It was built from landfill for some year's Worlds Fair. It was also in the not too far past, a fairly large military installation at one point.

We went into a quiet cove, I got to pick the spot and helm the boat for the drop anchor drill. This is where we had a short lunch.
It is a nice spot quiet protected from too much wind and waves. Calm and deep. with a muddy bottom.

Afterward out into the Bay. By now winds had picked up to about 20 knots with waves about 3 ft. white caps. A typical day on the Bay. We practiced heaving-to and just sailing under real winds. The boat has a real funky tiller and rudder feel , like a dead spot in it, so it was somewhat tricky, but not to bad. After a bit of that we headed back to home port.

We can see up close where the new
Bay Bridge is being constructed.
Interesting from this view point

Once we got back to the Estuary Channel entrance we motored, in order to beat a large tanker coming in, so we would to not have to wait while to was manuvered into it's unloading position. There were lots of Tugs in and out of the Channel getting ready for this tanker and other through out the day. The Port of Oakland is a major shipping location so we had to dodge and look out for that all during our exit and entrance to the Estuary.

Some of the House boats in the Channel are amazing. Some have hugh yachts docked next to them. Must be nice to have that kind of money.

Next on the drill list was picking up moorings under power. Piece of cake really, after man over board drills under sail, then back to the dock.

In two week the final two classes. We will be on a 30 Ft sailboat . This time sailing over to a placed called Angel Island which is were once upon a time immigrants to this country were processes. Like Ellis Island but on the West Coast. Now a National park and popular yachting stop for the locals.

ASA Coastal Cruising Part I- day 1

2006-08-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

Day 1

Well, finally it is was here. The Coastal Cruising class. I had been looking forward to it for a while now and have been doing some study. So this Sat. past was part one.
We had five guys in class this time. A real mix of folks which was nice. A young brother from Canada, an Asian, a guy from Texas and another gentleman, I'm not sure where he is from but kind of a European accent. I will ask next time. A good bunch of guys.
The teacher was different also this time. Turns out it was someone I met in the last class who was doing an audit or something . Anyway always good to see a familar face. He knew my background, so that was helpful to us both. I told him I was also going for the teaching certificate hopefully later in Sept. So he gave me tips on things to be ready for. Of those things quite a bit had to do with single handing, which I do most of the time and he did rarely.

Sat. morning started out foggy and overcast, typical for this time of year here in the Bay Area. It cleared up later and got warm. We went out on a 27 ft Coronado ( thanks Cap't B) . The same one I had gone on before. It is a so so boat. Comfortable below deck , but rigged really funky, as were the winds for that day.

Most of the day we just sailed and reviewed stuff from the BKB class. So it was nice just to get familar with the boat and remember stuff. The water was fairly crowded. Lots of folks out.
Many sailboats, kayaks, racing dingies, plus the dreaded powerboats. The part that made my day was this. We were out among a large amount of sailing dingies, and kayaks etc. This fool in a powerboat comes flying through, dodging folks and making big wakes. About less than a minute after passing us and rocking the whole area, a police boat pulls his Dumb Arse over and tickets him for acting fool a no wake zone. LOL I was so glad to see that!
Afterward the police get on the loud speaker and say this is a no wake zone, SLOW DOWN! to the other Powerboaters there. hehehahahaha.

Whilst out doing manuvers, I saw a fellow sailing musician blogger Spindrift on one of his boats, Dog Days heading off for an adventure no doubt. He was too far away and underpower so I did not yell. It was a mental treat to see someone I kind of know.

Back to the lesson... so we sailed around tacking, tacking tacking, not much wind and very on and off. Finally we made it to the area called Jack London Sq, I docked and we had lunch.

After the break we headed back down the channel, doing wing and wing and jibbing (gibbing whatever) docking and taking off. After that we did man over board drills. Having practiced those on my own, I nailed my turn on the first shot, where the teacher took two, heheh. Sweet!

Sailing and the art of Living

2006-08-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

Somethings just get me to thinking….

After my sweet wife, The Lady Zen’s impressive and surprisingly insightful comment about sailing and marriage. (she said "I did not say that" when she saw it, but in a way she did that is how I tanslated it so it si close enough ) Then before that son of Zen had asked about dealing with his stepdad and I told him about the Bamboo in the Storm. Taking the theme of the storm he asked how his case would relate to sailing. He asked a big wave is coming at you in the boat, what can you do? I said you cannot take the wave head on. You need to angle your self away from the main power of the wave or you will get most likely over turned or swamped at the least have a very rough ride. Or you can run with the wave, taking the set back and ride it out until you can better position yourself in order to ride over it or let it pass under you. He thought about it and went hmmm.

On another forum about couples someone asked what some advice is for couples, from people who are in are in a relationship or have been... many said Communications. After looking at the word itself Relation-ship(s), my answer taken from Lady Zen’s and was Relationships are sailboats. They need to have their course corrected and sails trimmed often.

So later I’m thinking I’ve correlated the Sailing Art to Zen,Tai Chi, Feng Shui, Kung Fu and now relationships. It is in itself a good metaphor on how to deal with life and its many ebbs and flows of tides, it’s storms and calms, its turbulent events and peaceful sunny days.

Sailing is life; a way of living, like Zen, & Kung Fu. We sail through this life on a sailboat of our own making on the sea of life. We take on crews passengers, they get off or fall off. We go from port to port. The better we blend with The waves, The elements, The flow, The Universe, The Tao the smoother our ride.

Marriage and Sailing

2006-08-23T08:29:00.001-07:00

Marriage is like sailing...
You always need to
adjust your course
and trim your sails

...Lady Zen

Tanjoube Osaka time

2006-08-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Sat. was Lady Zen's birthday if we were in Japan, which would be Sunday, which is today here, but Monday there, since they are a day ahead of us.

I planned a small birthday surprise sushi, saki, pie party. She had no idea and was at first not real pleased when all of a sudden guests, of which we almost never have, showed up! heheh.
Whaaaattt , I'm not ready, look how I'm dressed, my hair... tomorrow is my birthday...It is tomorrow in Nippon...surprise ! After a few moments she was ready by her standards...

We had a excellent selection of sushi, and other little things I prepared.

There was some yellowtail sashimi which I had picked up from the Japanese Market, which was flown in from Japan. It is the Lady Zen's favorite. So after having some of that and a few glasses of Sake she was VERY pleased.

Some VERY nice sake I found. Which was recommend by my Japanese langauge Sensei who runs a Japanese market, and does Kendo. We all enjoyed it. Smooth nice flavor. The flower from Manila only had a couple of glasses, she did not want to have a repeat of the Margaretta incident, when we sailed from Benica...

After dinner some Oshii Key Lime pie. Light very tasty not too sweet. Perfect!!

Then a game of pool. I had Lady Zen , the Osaka Hussler on my team. The other side was the Manila Momma and The Rock Doctor. It was fun, lots of missed shots and wrong balls. Good times.

Finally Vallejo

2006-08-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, well last year in Oct. Lady Zen, son of Zen and I set off for Vallejo, Ca. A small town about 12 NM from our home port. At the time we were heading against the current so I motored. About 1 hour into the trip the motor quit. So I raised the sail turned around and went home.

This year after replacing the bad parts of the eletrical system the motor was running good. After several trips with it I had some peace.

So this year:
Son of Zen and I set off on a two day adventure. Whilst the Lady Zen had to work. So it was a father/ son trip.

I planned on giving him some sailing lessons along the way.

We set off on a ebbing tide under blue skys. It was forecast was to be good weather. We had a fair wind blowing and were headed on a close haul.

Upon checking my GPS, I was somewhat concerned about how much time we were making. Even though I thought we were doing good the GPS said our ETA was 8:30. I did not think that was right, as my trip to Marin co took 5 hours and it was now only 10:30am. Marin Co is much farther than Vallejo, more than twice the distance. My only explainaion was I had just picked the location of the waypoint by a map and guessing. So I figured it was off.

We sailed an hour, and still feeling somewhat uneasy I motored sailed the next hour or so down to the turn off for Vallejo/Mair(sp) Island. Wind was still steady , so we sailed into the entrance and the wind died. We did have pleanty of time now, as I could see in the distance the bridge that marked the Marina entrance.

Only thing I was concerned about here was that I was in the path of the ferries that come through. So after a bit I fired up the engine and more motored sailing, The wind picked up some afterward but came in gusts. 30 min or so later we turned into the marina. The trip took about 2.5 -3 hrs not really pushing. So we could have made it in about 4 or so if the wind conditions were with us.

After docking with no problems,
I headed up to the office to check in. Son of Zen was left on watch. The office staff was nice. It was only 20.00 for the night and with my newly renewed USBoating membership I got a discount of 5.00 , nice! 4 trips to some place like that and my membership is paid for. They need to expand their market area.

The marina here in Vallejo has two resturants, one is a place that has napkins in the wine glasses and silverware the other is a blue jeans kind of place.

We went for the Jeans Venue, the Sardine Can. Both had water views. The Can place had less espensive stuff I could eat. They had breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also turns out they had Jazz on Sundays throughout Oct. Something to keep in mind.

So after getting a little more organized and a short stroll around we had lunch. Whist heading back I grab a few shots of the sad boat.

It had been sitting in it's slip for some 8 months. I found out later, the owner who had taken great care of the boat before he got sick, passed away. The Boat developed a major leak and could not be saved even running two pumps. I was told perhaps on the the planks came loose, it was a wooden hull.

Afterward we sent off on the bikes to do a little exploring.

We rode the walkway to the end , turned around and came back to the other. I thinking that seems like there should be more looking at the path, figured out to follow the smaller walkway.

This took us down the far side of the marina and under the hwyway. Which lead to open space and a dirt trail, along the marsh and waterway.

Nice. We rode along that for another mile or so, before coming to the end. Mental note to self come back at sunset.

We head back to the boat. and break out a game of Japanese GO. A first time for both of us. slowly figureing things it was somewhat fun.

We will need to get more lessons before it really makes sense but, it was entertaining.

Now it is getting late, sun is going down. I leave the boy to play with his
Sony something and I grab my camera and walk back on the trail. I planned on getting a few marsh sunset shots.

I leave as the sun is setting. Faster than I planned but still enough time.

Now back to s/v, some reading then turning in. It was a good day.

The next day, Friday was overcast in the morning and a little cool. I figured it waould clear up later. I knew how long the return trip was so had no worries about whne to leave. I did knew that it would be low tide when we got back, but I figured I would have enough draft to make it ot a could stop in Benicia and have dinner while the tide did it's turn around. I figured on playing by ear. My only real concern was the "Zen Trouble Warning Sense" was going off. It did not feel like it was about the marina but more about the trip home. I was uneasy...

With this in mind I figured on not taking any unnessary chances. I had thought about not getting gas, but went ahead and did it anyway. Slowly coming up to the fueling station, making sure I turned the fan on after fill, which was only two 2.7 gal. That was nice. I had been out several times and the motor sail here only used a bit. I did add about 1 gal before leaving Martinez.

We slowly motor out of the marina, I grab a shot of this baby sitting at the dock, Named the The Wood witch
and raise the sails right away.
I reefed the jib, which turned out to be a good choice.
The wind had picked up quite abit, and we had strong gusts.
So heading out under sails only we made good time on a close reach all the way out of the channel. A ferry passed us, I keep a good watch on him the whole time of his aporach and passing.

Once out of the channel we bore off to a broad reach and were off to Martinez again. We had a fairly strong wind, which was good and we were going against the tide. Even so we made good time. I could have run with the wind, but not having my boom brake installed yet, I did not want to chance it. Although at one point a did do the wing and wing thing, for a short time, before the wind caught the main and shot it across the cockpit. I was expecting it so it was not a big deal, since I was ready... remember the "Zensense"...

Misfourtune and a Le$$en
After traveling a bit more we are fairly close to home. I can go to Benica or keep on heading home as we are making good time and still a couple of hours before low tide, which was at 2.5 ft for the day, so that gave me some 7 ft of space to float.
We are on a starboard beam reach heading toward the shore line. I see a powerboat coming.
Now, I know not ALL powerboater are "bendejos" ( if you speak Spanish you know what that means , if you do not, take a guess) I was onced helped unground by a powerboater and asked if I needed help by another, so I know there are some a nice folks. But there is something about those big powerboaters once they are under way they think the water belongs to them.

So I am under sail I watch this guy, there is NOONE on my port or anywhere around us. If it was me I and saw a sail boat heading across my bow I would barehead off and pass him to his stren and come around on the port side, easy move. NO this butthead, times it so he come cross my bow by several yrds and leaves this big monster wake!!. We make like a toy boat and go up and down! whilst I send him major bad vibs ! The second side of the wake hits, just as a major gust does. we are flying around, I hear a noise up front and caught something fall. Funny how many thought you can have in a second. I firs tthougth something had broke on the rooler jib, no, it was the anchor breaking free of it's mount and falling into the water. I think , Oh CRAP!!
So I am epecting to come to a fast stop any moment as I did not know how deep the water was there, and we were near to the shore. I think, ok, quick, drop the sails, I turn into the wind, just as anothe r strong gust hits. I am fighting to control things and expect ting the anchor pull. Then another quick thoght, ok, Maybe I do not have enough chain to reach the bottom but it could still catch on somthing underwater. I need to stop ASAP. Finally get control and stop, stopp the sails, and look forward. No chain , nothing, everything was gone. It was not fastend to anyting so when the anchor dropped it took everthing with it to the bottom. GRRrrrrr
Shucks!
The lesson here was, keep the anchor attached but some type of safety line.

Now at this point there is a steady strong wind and the current is strong against us. I'm pissed at the Rude Ass Boater and his wake and the lost of my anchor. So rather than deal with maybe going around in the marina, fighting the tide under sail and with Benica closer but the place I wanted to go was close until dinner time. I figure i'll just head in to home port, since we have time. I open the jib full and fire up the motor. We peacefully head into home base, with plenty of time and water to space.

All in all a good trip, even with the anchor loss. It could have been worse. I think, well once again the "ZenSense" was right. But the Force was with us, we made it safely back which is the most important thing. The Vallejo passage was made.

You never know

2006-08-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

It started like any other day, except I got to sleep-in. I took care of some internet stuff and headed out to breakfast. I had planned on going to a Mexican buffet for a champange brunch on my post-Tanjobe day. I walked over to the resturant and NO Champange brunch, it was finito. :-(
Ok so I thought, hmm Korean spicy tofu with veggies... I got to the corner and changed my mind and thought naw, let's do Indian Buffet. It has been awhile. So now it is almost lunch time anyway. It was a good choice, even now four hours later I'm still full. I'm glad I walked.

After the trek back to the condo I hear some piano sounds upon entering the grounds. I track it to the club house. There are a couple of folks in there Jamming. Hmmmm , I thought, I'll go check this out.

After A bit of chatting with them I am invited to sit-in and Jam. Thanks but no, I've stuff to do...
I head up the my place and change my mind. I do not have all my gear with me here but enough to make some music. I head back down and spend the next 1.5 hrs jamming with the folks. Ahh felt good. Like taking a sailing on a breezy day on a calm sea. They are looking for a Bass & Harmonica player for the group they are starting, interestingly enough I do both. I get somewhat bored playing just Blues, but it is a chance to play again. So I say, cool see ya next week. Seems like the musican guy I met in Benica kind of blew me off. Too bad I was hopeing to get to Jam with him some. He is into a different kind of music. So if this lil band will work in with my sailing time sweet! I have had the jones to play. Maybe I'll start a new blog on the Poolside Blues Band. Cool name I just made it up.

Playing music is like sailing it gets in your blood and you get that spiritual high by connecting with the force. Instead of channeling the feeling of the elements wind and water through your body, you are channeling a different energy. Instead of moving a boat with that force you are changing it into sounds. I read a book by a musican/doctor who sailed to Hawaii and took his Harpsicord with him to play onboard. When I make my passage I'll take my flutes and Shamisen. Hmmm, just got a great idea of going to someplace one day and dropping anchor and just playing out on the water. Maybe up in the Delta.
Didn't I do a good job of bring this post into the relm of sailing heheheh

You never know what the day will bring.

Art, Flags Fish and Sails

2006-08-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Tanjobe to Obon
opposites yet the same
We ride the tides of life.

*******************

Kore wa watashino tanjobe imashita.
Omedeto Gozaimashita Fuusan!

*************

First an Art show in the park

Some local talent was there showing and painting

Some were nice, Some were still being created.

Then some flag play...

Fish -N- lines

Finally the sail...

How sweet it is...

Tanjobe Omedeto Fuusan おたんじょべおめでと

2006-08-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

Ahhh

If I was in Japan today.
I could hear, Otanjobe omedeto !
Cakee tabete ka?

yeah, I'm bored again at work...I rather be sailing it is a perfect day for it.

Perhaps tomorrow...

Finally

2006-08-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Wawhoo
My certificate finally came.
Sweet!

Acually I was surprised to get the certificate. I thought I was just getting a seal/sticker for my log book.

Anywho, finally after getting lost somewhere in the process, and a couple of emails to the folks handling things my ASA keelboat Certification finally showed up yesterday. Yeah I'm pleased.

The next level is Coastal Cruising of which I'm already signed up . Class starts end of this month. After that there is a teachers training class for Basic Keelboats. I am hopeing to take that end of Sept. here in Oakland. However...I may need to take it in Nov. down in Southern Ca if we have the s/v Zen crew from Japan visiting which we are hopeing to happen.

Water no water

2006-08-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

So ends training week seminar this year. Thankfully it was not too hot.
The 4 schools out of the 7 that came for the banquet stayed in town for the seminar.
Campbell Ca, Walnut Creek Ca, Concord, Ca (mine), Boston Mass.,

Friday night after training session dinner, time to relax.
Lady Zen & son of Zen came to visit.
Home baked bread, chicken, fried rice, tofu &
salad was prepared.

Then cake for dessert.

It says Chuk Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis

Sat. @ Sasulito Marine Swap meet.
Not as big as I hoped, but still nice. I picked up a couple of items.
I got a good price on some cockpit
matting & a boom brake.
I missed getting a fully enclosed cockpit enclosure by
a few hours. Sucks!

A home built world traveler.
Circumnavigated for 4 years with a couple with two kids.
A big Cat. It looked very stable
This belongs to the Lady Writer and her family I spoke of earlier.
I happend across her while there. She was very welcoming.

A little bit of everything on the water outside Sasulito

A great day to be out just sailing around.

S.F. Bay sailing day, a view from Sasulito. The "city in the background.

A race is on...

View of the Bay Bridge, & The tower

More Racing ...
The dome is the Presideo.
Home of the World Fare
some year which I forget, maybe
1940 or 20. Hmm I'll look it up along with the spelling
for you anal types :-)

So there was water for the weekend
but we did not get on it.

Nite run

2006-07-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Not much happening sailing wise right now. My Kung fu training seminar starts this week. Over the weekend there was a tournament
and memorial Banquet for the late grandmaster of the Shaolin Tai Chi Praying Mantis system.

We attended and had a great Chinese banquet again. We got to eat our fill at the veggie table.

We were lucky Sat. it did not get that hot, it was comfortable for the events. This was our 15th yr. celebration of the USA Federation. On Sunday I attended the board meeting.
Finally aftward I had a bit of free time. So I took my classmate and one of his students who were up from San Bernadino, in Southern Ca for a bit of a sail. Although there was fair wind on the way out. I was trying to make some time so we only sailed for a short while then motored over to Benicia.

Lady Zen who had to work that day, was to tired to go. So we three had a short trip over. Walked to the resturant but had to wait forever for the food. So by the time we were finished it was getting dark. This was my first having s/v Zen out on the water at night, found out one bulb is out, not too bad. The evening was pleasant. Not much wind which was a bummer. But it is nice being on the water at night sometimes. Locating the marina entrance to get back into home port was a bit of a task, but all ended well.

Our next adventure is a trip, by land to Marin Co. for a boating flea market and art show this coming Sat. Then an overnighter to Vallejo later in the month. I have signed up for part 2 of the ASA sailing course which will be happening end of the month and into Sept., I'm looking forward to that.

Hot fun in the summer tyme

2006-07-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

Wu weeee 113 degrees here today. I kept hearing Sly and the Family Stone in my head. Loved that group! Hot fun in the Sumer tyme. Did not feel really inspired to do much today but stay inside out of the heat. However, a/c makes you too soft and I needed to get out. I may not get any sailing in over the next week or two. Kung Fu seminar starts this weekend coming.

So I went out to get my sail on. It was better at the marina only 99 maybe and less on the water. Mounted the carp. There was a fair wind, but I did not feel like dealing with a lot so it was a jib only day. I was able to move along fairly well with just that. Did a few turns and stuff to practice under jib.

The carp did well. I do not know how long the string will hold up, maybe I will change it. It is nice having the roller fast simple. Bada bing bada bom, off you go don't need no boom.

A few back and forths, then a few practice runs to see about stopping under sail.

Started to sail over to the
moth ball fleet, but did not want to take that much time as I was getting hungry.

When you see this up close you will say , whoaaa dude. I'm about 3 - 4 miles away

So headed back to the marina, felt ok after a few trial passes, enough to try docking under sail. I practiced with just the main, but it would not go out far enough so that I could stop with the slip angle to the wind, so as I had more control with the jib it felt better, as in safer.
So I gave it a shot. I overshot my turning mark a bit when dropping the fenders at the last moment, I lost my focus but it still went ok. I'll try it again another time, but it went well enough that I know I can do it.

にぽんまち　　Nippon Machi

2006-07-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

Nippon Machi = Japan Town ( Lil Osaka, Sister city to S.F.)

About today's blog from the bay, the only thing it has to do today with sailing is that we didn't, but there is some things about stuff for the boat. It was my original plan to sail out to the Moth Ball Fleet (more on that later) . However later I figured to make a trip into the city. Which is what we locals call San Francisco. First of all let me state I HATE going into the city. Traffic sucks, & parking sucks. Which for many is a way of life but to me, it sucks. ok, moving on. The temps here as of late have been three digits. Yesterday 107 in my area but cooler in the city, were they were complaining about it being high 70's, almost 80 wow! For them it is a big deal, for me perfect, another reason I would not live in the city generally too cold. Winter I freeze even in the summer sometimes night are cold.

but I digress

So, we head out to the city I figure, a stop by this place called "True Sake". I like some sake, the best I found was from Kobe, smooth, soft taste lightly fruity. For those who do not know not all sake it served hot. You can checkout www.truesake.com and get details of you like. Anyway...after true Sake we will go to Japan Town, lunch etc, etc. So not to get too far ahead, I'll backup and fill in details.

We head out about 11:00 already getting warm maybe about 80 degrees here inland. We take the Pickup because the a/c is not blowing anything but hot air in the car. I give it the once over, water, oil , gas and we are off.

First a brief report on the Creative Zen mp3 player. since that is part of the story.
Ipod is big, but I hear some not cool things about it, besides the price. Some of spoke about using it on their boat instead of having CD or DVD's because you can play hours without having a bunch of disk sliding around whenever you tack. So, I'm thinking yeah good idea, so I check into ebay. They are more than I want to spend at this time. However I come across something call, a Creative Zen player. Now of course something with a name like that catches my attention. So I do some research turns out people have good things to say about this little unit. Very good things to say. So the one on ebay is a demo model some company is selling it. It is not the largest at 560 megs, ( also not called a Zen, but a Muvo ???, although listed as Zen, different model ) but that will hold some 200 songs and play for some 13 plus hours or something. Nice. The other thing is I can record from a built in mike. So when Lady Z gives me some Japanese words I need to remember I can record it. Also I can record some conga and bongo/drums sounds beat from over at the Berkeley flea market to use later to play flute and shamisen with at home. Download to the computer and jam on baby.
So I pickup this unit for about 10 bucks hard to beat that with a stick! I figure, I can test run it and if it works out I can by the couple of gig size later (really named zen). I have this fm transmitter which powers off a cig lighter, it sends signals to the radio. So I can take this unit on to s/v zen an play tunes through the stereo , it worked nice!!, I can put it in the car which does not have a CD player, it works!, I can put it in the truck it worked, which brings us back to today's trip.

I downloaded some tunes for today journey it worked great. Since we were headed to Japan town I figured some Taiko drums would be nice. It was!

So we get into Oakland near the Bay bridge, traffic all but stops! Holy Smog breath Batman! I think, this is it! From there on it was wall to wall cars, should I say rail to rail, for the next 45 min to hour. Luckily we had a/c and music.

From the entrance to the bridge we had a good view of the the Bay around Berkeley and the Golden Gate bridge. There must have been several dozen sailboat out, maybe even evk4 was one of them. That was as close as we got to sailing that day. You can not see it from this little picture , but they were there...lots of sails ...off in the distance...really, there is. It is fairly shallow right here.

We finally make it over to True Sake, luck was with us we found free parking only a couple of blocks away. It is cooler there so walking was no biggie. Most likely only one reader, Roya-san of s/v Shibumi has an interest in this, but here it is anyway.
So nice place, lots of Sake on display. Lady Z and I look around then chat with one of the workers. She is also Japanese so she gives us the run down in Japanese, explaining taste and rice milling and stuff. I only got some of it, but knew what she was talking about from reading the newsletter.

Good selection of stuff, all available to ship via DSL to most places in the states.

So we got a couple of bottles, One I had picked out on-line and one for Lady Z who has a different taste in Sake than me. I also said the secret word of the month and got the monthly special for half price.

Sweet. This month it was a gold flake Sake. Yup real gold flakes in the Sake.
When I shake it it floats through the bottle, like those snow bubbles things that show a winter scene. We had some , the Sake not the bubbles, the last couple of times in Japan at my Sis-n-laws place.

Happens that Lady Z like this kind, we'll save it for sometime, maybe special, at least to us. It is the gold flake one in the middle.
On the left is mine light fruit taste. One the right is a white creaming sake. I got it at the Japanese market. Which has a lot of the same things., as far as common Sake, but since most Americans would not go to a Japanese market or know what to buy, True Sake has a niche in the market. Also the Japanese markets will not ship. So ends the Sake report.

Next over to Japan town. We stop at my favorite noodle place for lunch. Yummm, I have my usual, Kitsune Udon ( sweet fried Tofu with some veggies and wheat noodles in a fish broth) and Tuna Sashimi over rice. I try some Shucho to drink. A Japanese liqueur, I hear a lot about it being popular these days in Japan. Ugh! Lady Z says it is like Japanese Vodka . Wow strong, more bitter than I like my drinks. I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to booze. This stuff is ugh, yuk! Lady Z says in Japan it is mixed with fruit juice and made as a cocktail. I can see that would help. But for me, that was my last time trying. I'll stick with my smooth , slightly sweet, slightly fruity, smooth Sake.

Lady Zen has some cold Noodle dinner with Tempura. Served in a boat. This is the closest we get to a Boat today.
(editors note: This statement and the boat keep this blog within the sailing/boating context along with the bit about the several dozen sailboats on the bay today and us not being one of them, otherwise you would not have known about any of this, well if you cared anyway, but again I digress)

Next stop, we head to a Japanese music store. We make a short detour to the Hardware store. I find a Carp Wind Sock. The kind they use for Boys Day in Japan ( Carps are very strong swimmers, this is saying boys need to be strong swimmers in life). Thinking it will a good wind direction indicator I pick it up for s/v Zen. Even if I do not like it, it is only $1.00. (what can you buy these days for a dollar)

Then to the music store. I get some parts for my Shamisen. A bachi ( pick) and a bridge. We check out a few other things in the store since it is more of a gift shop than a music store. Shirt, misc knic knacks from Japan. The owner also has a few used Japanese paperback books. Lady Zen is not into looking at them too much so we move on.

Before heading to the market we stop and have some ice cream. I go for a green tea milkshake Yum. Oshii ( delicious ) The Lady chooses a soft cream vanilla cone.

Next stop the Japanese market, we pickup supplies for the next few weeks. Pickled garlic with tuna flakes, pickled plums, a bottle of plum wine, a couple of small bottles of sample Sake, some misc fish and veggie snacks for dinner and lunch.
Then head back through major traffic to the East Bay.
Did I say the traffic sucked...

ぎむ　Gimu (duty)

2006-07-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

Clear sky Friday off
Stacks of numbers & papers
I'd rather be sailing...

A day in life

2006-07-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

Firey Summer Sun
Waters unconcerned lapping waves
Reflect dancings stars

The world breathes
My sails bloom round and full
Silently I pass

Yang to Yin
I gently ride the center
Good day in life

The Spiritual Sailor

2006-07-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading The Tao of Sailing, written by a sailor naturally and being a student of the Tao and a fan of Tao Te Ching I find it interesting how the author ties it with the art of sailing, perfect sense to me. Of course in the Taoist/Zen thought/mind everything is tied together. I just recently finished reading a book called Journey of a Hope Merchant an excellent book for those of you interested a sailors adventure of life, death and love struggles. If it was movie ( and it maybe at some point) it would be a good date movie. I had the chance to ask the author a personal question about his spiritual ideals before and after his voyages. I was pleasantly surprised at his willing openness to share his thoughts. Then there is the sailing Zen master in Japan who teaches his advanced students elements of Zen he came to understand whilst doing his ocean voyages. Another simple yet gratifying brief contact moment of even getting a reply from him. I have touched here before in my verbal ramblings about my feelings on Zen/Tai Chi/Feng Shui /the Tao and Sailing
I understand that being a sailor does not make one naturally spiritual any more than it makes one an environmentalist. I was only slightly shocked to recently read an on-line newsgroup posting about yacht clubs and Black members. One person in NY stated it was their clubs unofficial policy not to rent slip space to Blacks for obvious reasons. I did not understand what the obvious reasons were, nor did I get an answer from the poster. I do know that obviously this was not a spiritual minded club. The sea, the earth, the wind does not discriminate. The wrath of nature will take everyone whose time is up, or does something very stupid, with no care to race, color or creed.
Now, understand when I refer to spiritualness I am not talking about religion. Religion and Spiritualness are different. The KKK is full of religious people, wars are fought over religion, Baby Bush is religious. Religion does a fair amount of separating humans, Spiritualness brings us together. I believe God/the Universe/The Great Spirit/ The Creator/Jah/The Force whatever limiting name mankind places on Him/Her/It is more concerned, if one can say that, with humankinds true heartfelt Spiritualness than, the bible thumpers who preach fire and brim stone versions of "their true brand” of religion. I think the true message of Jesus / Mohammad / Buddha the like is about true Spiritualness.
Back to sailing, is there something in the act of sailing that touches some people to the degree that they get a spiritual enlightenment? Perhaps it is some type of trigger for those who are already of that mindset. I know there are many many more sailors out there than I have or will ever encounter, and many of those are far less than spiritual. However those that I have encountered all for the most part share the same basic spiritual awareness that we are but a small part of the greater whole and should respect each other as such. To disrespect a part of nature is to disrespect ourselves. So are sailors on a whole more spiritual? I guess that would depend on who and what it is compared to, however I think on a whole the very act, the need to sail, the desire to connect to the wind and water, to achieve that Feng Shui Harmony, Yin Yang balance, without the noise & pollution of man-made propulsion is, even if not seen/recognized as such, a calling of the Spirit, ...even perhaps, the desire to be one with God.

Boating Back to Benicia

2006-07-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

The Zen crew went out Sat. with guests

They were our first couple passagers.

We went boating back to Benica. Which is a small town just across the river, which is really called a strait.
It was a great day for a sail. Winds about 15 knots, temps in the low 90's. We started about 11:00am. had a small pre-launch toast, of Barefoot(brand name) Champagne Mimosas. ;) just one small glass each with a little snack. Then set off. I have gotten pretty good with making the trip over. Before it would take me about 5 tacks, now I do it in three. Easy close reaches. Took about 1 hr or so.

Pulled into the guest dock.
Waited a bit after check-in for the boat in front to leave then pulled into our spot and headed off to town on foot. Seem like a good time for a photo op.

A short pleasant walk of 15 min to downtown and we had lunch at an outside cafe/hotel. Lady Zen and I had a Salmon Ceaser salad. Yum, We were expecting just a few chucks of grilled Salmon but got a big grilled fillet on a bed of lettuce. :D We were pleasantly shocked. :o
After a bit of chit chat , we headed back. Took a detour through a small shop area. Where I met and chatted a bit with a fellow musician playing in the courtyard. 8)
He spoke a little Japanese being a Nisei ( 2 generation ). He played mostly the same instruments as me and studied Tai Chi. He had his cute dog with him. We may even hook up at some point maybe do some Jamming since he lives fairly in the area. He is setting up his website soon if you like flute/keyboard NewAge type music. I think it is www.whisperinglight.com

Then we headed back to s/v Zen. and headed back home.

Nice steady breeze, no tacking just an easy broad reach and we were back.
After docking and packing up everything, nice cold cooling Margarettas were in line to end the hot day. ;D

Life can be good

Visual aid for those who do not know the area.
The Red X is home port, The yellow X is Benicia, The green X is Oakland, The Purple X is San Fransico

Practice makes perfect

2006-07-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

It was my Friday off today , (wahooo) . The weather was warm in the high 80's, winds 15-20 mph. perfect for a sail. So I did just that. It was great! Steady wind, moderate waves. Did a few miles just for fun. Almost got run over by a tug boat !! Other than that it was perfect. :-)

I practiced my man overboard drills a few times. Since I have part two of my ASA classes coming up next month. The drills went fairly well. I was able to grab the "man" on the first try two of 4 times on the 2nd try twice. Not bad. "he" would have been pulled along a couple of times, but...at least I got "him"
Also practiced, well tried sailing with no tiller, steering by sails only. Did fairly well, but could not come about, I need to figure out that one. Also did a bit of jib reefing. Just to see how the roller jib part way out behaved.

I was thinking today how nice it is to be able to sail in a few mintues of prep. not having to load and unload an outboard into a lazzeret like my old boat . What a hassle that was !!

Tomorrow, we have a couple going out with us for a lunch sail. We are heading back to Benicia. It should be fun, our first couple passengers, we do not have a lot of couple friends... well one really, my sister -n- brother inlaw. I was dissapointed they could not come over this year. So this will be different, kind of exciting. Since Lady Zen and I are both Leo's with like to do the host thing. Let's see how this goes...

2006-07-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Zen's July 5th report
on the 4th

Things were quiet at the marina when we arrived. A Sunny day, not too hot, gentle breeze blowing. It would have been a good day to sail. However, that was not the plan. It was house, er... boat keeping time. Whilst Lady Zen vacuumed and got below deck in order. I installed my newest creation, the cockpit bug screen. Last week or so, I installed a snap-in place door cover. This screen used the same snap placements to hold it in place with the door removed. NICE!!. Worked great. Later that evening a bunch of "lil flying biting critters" lives were saved from being turned into blood splats by being blocked entry into the private areas of s/v Zen. I was saved the karma of having to dispatch them to the dead zone! So it all worked out.

Then it was set up the Barbie and ready some shade for chow time, finish prepping the food and fire up the grill

For those you can not tell what is.

King Salmon ( large red piece), fresh herbs from Zen's garden ( lemon grass, basil, garlic onion chives, plus red peppers, and garlic, red onions & Japanese eggplant. which have all been marinated in a garlic/pepper/lemon sauce.

All done!, Salmon with fix'ns, corn on the cob, baked yams, spring veggies salad, wine. Yum yum, Yeah, yeah, I know the chop sticks are not American, so what it's my boat!

Things were a bit overcooked. I'm not use to the grill as yet. Next time, less time. This is not the best photo, turns out I had the camera set on movie, which looked cool having the flag waving, but since I could not do that here I extracted this frame.

Ah, all stuffed now, a fun picture with the "zen sign"

Then a short walk around the park to see all the folks and festive stuff. Next some tunes on an internet jazz station ( we got a wireless connection for the day), some reading, margaritas, ( yeah, yeah, it's my boat remember& I hate beer) and a nap, before show time.

Finally dark now around 9 something. Not as many people around on the docks this year. Perhaps because last year was such a disappointment of a show. Many figured it was not worth it I guess! Still a fair amount of drunks around though. Glad I'm not on the road when they drive home. We will wait until the park is clear and they are long gone.
This year was better as far as the fireworks. No big lulls in the action. From s/v Zen we can see three cities shows. Ours right in front of the boat and two others towns just across the water.
This was our best 4th., s/v Zen was clean & comfortable, good food, no noisy folks on ether side or across from us, bugs were kept at bay not bugging us, we counted our blessings, it was a good day.
I hope everyone else enjoyed themselves. Sorry about your trailer Tillerman. Hmmm I wonder if that was some type of Cosmic American Revolutionary Brit payback :-)

2006-07-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Zen & The Environment
part II

There is nothing better than moderation for teaching people or serving Heaven. Those who use moderation are already on the path to the Tao. ...Lao Tzu

Now there are many parts to environmental awarness. There is the cleaning of your porta-potti on the dock, there is the leaking oil from your motor, there is throwing stuff overboard.
I have been shocked to hear sailors doing all of the above. I have been known also to throw small food bits overboard. My feelings are the fish, ducks, something will eat it. If not, it will return to the nature. However plastic bottles, foam cups and such WILL NOT. Beer cans floating in the marshes are also not a good thing. Do not get me started on the plastic beer can/soda can wraps, that stay around forever and get fish and birds caught in them. These are things we ALL should be aware of, we who call ourselves sailors, who use the wind and talk about powerboaters, need to be more aware, do our part and set examples. The sea, the water ways are our home, they are us in the liquid state. To disrespect, it is to disrespect ourselves , our home.
However this is about waste, not the dumped kind, but the limited resource kind.

So as I was saying. I was at the marina on Sunday. Doing some work on S/V Zen. I was finishing some sanding work on the bow. It took me about 4 hours to finish up. It was a fairly pleasant day, other folks were out doing their boat stuff as well, including a guy a few slips down from me washing his boat.

It is my habit and training to be aware of what is going on around me and make some type of mental note. So I get on to the task at hand, sanding. I practice doing the Zen thing making big thing small and using mindfulness on the task at hand, not thinking about getting it over, but getting each small section done correctly. Time moves on. I take a break after about 1 hour. I notice the guy is still washing his boat...more like rinsing

I go back to work, small sections...I am about half way done, it is a good 1.5 - 2 hrs later
Guy is still washing...hmmm ok, he is also practicing mindfullness I tell myself and he also is focusing on the small things not the big job. I go back to work, another 1/2 passes, I still see him rinsing, my focus is slipping now. I notice he is rinsing the same spots again and again. To be clear he is not washing he is rinsing, there is no soap or scrubbing involved there is just water being sprayed. So now I am watching more... as gallons of fresh water are being sprayed on the same areas for another 1/2 hour. Now perhaps I'm overly sensitive having gone through a drought here in CA and also thinking about water that is needed on a long ocean passage is LIFE. However this seems WASTEFUL. Three hours of running water just to rinse down a boat. I notice he is looking at little spots and not taking a brush to clean them just turning the hose on them and standing there. Hmmm should I go say something, something smart and make an enemy, or let heaven issue it's own balance. I notice others go by he speaks to no one... not a friendly type , I note.
I figure time to take a break stretch my legs, etc. I have now finished sanding and applying the TeaQua and need to let it dry before putting on the second coat. So I head down his way to see how dirty this boat is that needs 4 hours of water to clean it. Nothing special, no caked on mud, no oil spots with stuck on seal poop, no globs of sea weeds growing out of the hull, at least on top, no garden flower boxes that needed to be watered, just your basic boat hull, it was your basic post dirty ( I looked at it last week on my walk ), that should have been cleaned and done in 1- 1.5 hour tops. This guy was just your basic water waster, those who use the water hose for every part of cleaning ( like using the water hose to sweep the driveway not a push broom). He did have a brush & bucket through I do have to say, it was tucked neatly out of the way, not to interfer with the water pressure doing it's job. Todays washing lesson from a big boat sailor, after your basic soap down, one needs to spend the next 3 hours getting every drop of that nasty soapy stuff off your hull.

Doh, silly me, it is the 4th of July on Tuesday, he like so many others who do not move or visit their boat for months at a time will most likely be down on the 4th for the show. Him and his hunting buddies from the gun club, ( I saw the shirt) One can not have it look like it has not been moved in 6 months ( which it has not been) , what was I thinking. ok my bad.

2006-07-02T22:16:00.000-07:00

Zen and the Environment

1st off let me be clear. When I make my various statements about Zen and whatever. I am 99% of the time talking about Zen the Philosophy, Zen the Mind set, Zen the state of being, Zen coming from a Taoist eye not Zen the religion. I am not Buddhist and know only crumbs of that world. I am not a pure Taoist ether, but I do more understand it's basic philosophy. So with Zen I am speaking of the we are the world/Universe view point, we are part of all that is. We are, should be one with the Universe mind. We are we not a sperate being that operates outside the laws of the Universe. Unlike GW Bush who ... well never mind that is another subject.
Part of my enjoyment about sailing is the senseo f oneness with the Universe, that group spiritualness that happens when you are in the "zone" Feeling the wind, water and yourself as one unit. To me that is only a part of that "mind" and it carries over into other areas, like being aware of and respecting the environment and wastefullness, respect for our limited resources and others who follow. I was reminded today by example that just because, sailing enhances my sense of environmental awareness, it is not the same with other sailors.

I'll finish this rant later, it is getting late. I just wanted to ge this down while it was fresh in my head.

to be con't

2006-06-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

Art, Water & Sailboats
part I

A quiet day at work, nothing creative to do so,I'm bored. So whilst looking around at blogs and the like. I came across an artist's blog with some of her paintings up. So that got me to thinking about some ceramic projects to plan on since I have a new ceramic class upcoming in Aug. I have done ceramics for several years now, most hand building and Raku. I love Raku. One day when I'm back living in Japan , I'll take some more classes there on pottery as well. My Sis-n-Bro in-law ( who are very good)take classes now from time to time with some famous ceramic Sensei. Although he may not be around by the time we get there to live. I still want to pursure that more, in the home of Raku.

So back to where I was going, I need to give some thought to some new ideas to work with for my class. This time is a wheel throwing clay class. I have not had a lot of luck doing wheel work so this time I can focus on it. I generally like to combine ideas themes. eg: Art of sailing expressed in some ceramic, or water expressed in a ceramic form. Generally I like water, the flow, the movement.

I have done one boat piece which was far from my favorite ( above). I did it as a class project with a new technique, which I hated! Messy, hard to work with, yuk. "Sailboat on the water". It is a hollow piece, made by wrapping clay soak burlap around a form core, then fired. Once cold it is then treated as a regular ceramic and raku glazed and re-fired.

I have a few items here in my office but did not bring my camera. Maybe I'll post them later, maybe not...
for now I gathered a couple of photos to which I had access.

This one is one of my more favorites.
Inspired by the "Hokusai The Wave" painting on of the 7 views of Mt Fuji. It is all rounded and curved shapes.

This unit is called "Water". Same thought as
"Hokusai The Wave" but more 3D
I prefer making functional pieces rather than just something for looks. The sailboat can only be looked at, were as this piece and the "wave" can be useful. It shows better live .
Hmmm while looking at ths I got a better name. "Rouge Wave" can you see it?

Anyway to the few who follow this blog, I should have something artsy this fall in the way of ceramics. Should be at least midly interesting to see what I tap into from the universe ;-)

2006-06-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Marin Co. Sunday

Today was not a sailing day, but really a boat day. I went to Loc lomond marina first thing in the morning. This was were I sailed to memorial weekend.

I drove today because the yacht club there was putting on a flea market sale. I thought I could get lucky and pick up a few boat parts I needed cheap. There were not really a lot of sellers there. Only a few. They did have some boat stuff but nothing I really needed.

A couple of things I would have gotten if the price was right, which it was not. I did get a little box fan for s/v Zen and a pair of jeans.

A Mission to Modern Sailing Academy

So next I'm off to Sausalito on a mission. Bill-san from Osaka Japan, who runs BLISS, a sailing school there, contacted me. He is the one who got me on the idea to get certified with ASA and teaching. So he told me another American who will be working with BLISS is here to get teacher certified at the Mordern Sailing Academy school. If I was interested he would be around for 5 days. Also if I was to go over please leave a message.
So I leave the flea market and head over to MSA about 20 min away. I get there and expect to miss the boat. However the office guy says, oh they are still here, right there.

I go down to the dock and ask for Dave and it is is Dave I'm asking, wow! what karma!. We get to chat for a very short time as he is heading out with the class. I take a few shots of the area after they leave.

Too many to put up, other than this. There was however this monster in the next yard.!! It would take my whole year salary to fill this with fuel no doubt
It looks like a buiding but it is really a boat!
Bottom center of the shot is a car and those are warehouses to the left

Next stop the Artist Marina

Further down in town is another marina where the Artist Community on the water. I find out later it is one of the last low income housing spots in Marin co. much less that it is on the water.

I hear most living there are in some type of boat related work, or painting, photography, woodwork, etc.

This is also the place where there is to be a Flea Market and Art show in Aug. So I was interested in seeing what was there. This is also the place that is managed by the woman writer who her, and her husband built their Cat. and sailed around the world for two years with thier family. Yup that one.

I stroll around looking and taking pictures since everything is open. Some interesting looking boats and places. I speak to a few folks, one dock guy and I chit chat for a short bit. Then I head to the office. I want to see what time the show starts and if there is someone who can make a dodger for s/v Zen. I am greeted by two ladies. One of which is the writer. She introduces herself , I say " oh the writer" she looks surprised, but I keep on going about the dodger. After we get that out of the way we talk about her, how did you know? she asks. I explain, the other woman says yeah we saw his web site. I think, hmmm so they did get the email. Anyway, I did not push it. I figured she was busy with her life, and just moved on with the chat. She turns out to be a nice lady. We talk just for a little while as she was heading out shortly. The other woman reminded her, so we cut the talk short. If you want to read some of her adventures, I will now recommend them :-) look under Sailnet.com and SailJazz .com for the writer named Doreen. If that is not the name it is close and maybe the only female writer there at least with a similar name.

Now after that I head home back across the bridge
but it is not over yet...

The Ebay Sewing Sailor:

I buy a fair amount of stuff off Ebay for s/v Zen and in general for our home use. The last cover Lady Zen made for s/v/ Zen she had a hard time with it. The machine was not built to handle the heavy material double triple folded like she does to sew. So I figured to find us a better machine on Ebay since money is an object. I found several. I Asked a few questions. One guy took a couple of days to reply, he said he had been out sailing, sorry for the slow reply. He then told me the machine was good for what i had in mind, but if I wanted to make sails I would need something else, another brand. If said he did not want to have a fellow sailor bummed out about the purchase. He also told some woman that she did not need to buy his machine just have her's adjusted. So I placed my bid, after a while I get an email saying pretty much the same things as told me before. He said he saw I was a sailor and did not want another sailor to be unhappy with the purchase, the machine was good but not for making sailing. Repair and canvas, etc was fine. Something to do with the size of the stiches for sailmaking. All this to say he was concerned not only the quality of his sale but for another sailor. He stated in his ad he was "into" sewing machines, from his actions, I felt comfortable buying this machine. I also got it at a GOOD price. I am putting this up, because 1. Another sailor looking out for another, but someone concerned about customer service, which I conplained about the lack of before. 2. So to give some due respect where due. If you need a sewing machine on ebay check out "sewteck".

So ends boat day, well all but all the time i spent putting this up. :-)
No adventures planned for this week or weekend, maybe some misc work on Sunday coming and a short sail.
BBQ on the 4th. Maybe I will invite some friends over to see the fireworks from the boat...

2006-06-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

Doyoubi Benicia ne Ikimashita
(Sat. to Benicia)

Sat morning, we get down to the marina there is some serious wind blowing. White caps on the waves, leaves on the palm trees blowing like long hair on hot chick on a motorcycle. Wind howling through the masts

But I was heading out anyway. I figured it would be good practice. The hardest part was getting away from the dock. Current and wind was not helpful to launch, but I did it, not as planned but going with the flow of the energy then making a u-turn, and headed out of the marina.
We got fairly wet leaving the marina, heading into the wind, with big waves.

A bit of ways out I raise the mainsail and we head off on a close haul. After we got a little way out the ride got a bit more comfortable. We were sailing just under the mail sail. Still with a fair about of heel , but Lady Zen said she was fine, she has gotten more use to it and did not bother her anymore. As we approached the far shore and a tanker, I tried to come about, but could not do it. Not enough drive, I basicly went into a heave-to and could not move further. I figured to Gyib.
No good still too much current and wind not but not enough drive. I fired up the motor made my turn to a starboard close haul and killed the motor. We stayed on a close haul the rest of the way.

We past a couple of tankers, well,we passed one which was anchored, another past us.

We approached Benica dropped the sail and motored into the marina

We docked and checked in with the harbor master

After docking and checking in we walk into town. It is fairly quiet, and on the late side so we rushed over to the Thai resturant for lunch only to find it closed on Sat!!!!! WHATTTTTT! Agrrrrrr. Oh well, there are lots of other places around.
So we ended up going to The first Street Cafe, where we had breakfast on our first overnight trip to Benicia 2 yrs ago.

We had some Ahai tuna and something with articoke hearts mixed with something yummy. That was not enough of it, but pleasing.
After a bit this cute guy showed up...a Beagle and Pug mix.

Next we go up the street and have some icecream before heading back to the marina

From here we head back to the marina

After a bit of waiting about 25 min, while a big Big GAS Hog POWER Boat filled up.
Also talking with another speed boat driver who wanted to know about sailboats, upkeep , cost, sailing. He said he spent about 500.00 for a weekend on the water!!! He was ready to look into something else. I told him I filled up a couple of weeks ago. It cost me about 8.00 after motoring down to San Rafael. I sailed back, 5 hours, then went out a couple of times since then and filled up today on 1 gal of gas. He was impressed! Meanwhile the big yacht was still filling up! Finally he finshed and we were able to lauch away from the dock. They were so close whilst filling it was easier to wait than to go around them.

We turn and head out of Benicia Marina after this nice ketch goes by.
The wind is still fairly up on the way back. Since we are heading down wind. I go for just using the jib. we have a nice smooth ride back on a run, almost direct to home port, only a small course adjustment, dropped, (refurled) the jib once inside the breakwall.
So ends a pleasant sail day and mini vacation.

2006-06-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

Friday's Child

AH, Friday.
Finally got my Friday off, it is suppose to be every other week. Missed it due to a work project or the last two

Now it was all for nothing, the thing got extended twice

It was 100 degrees yesterday , but not so bad at marina. So I got a few things done. Locking system installed on companion way. More sanding on the bright work. Removeing more paint and ugh from the teak and installed a cover for the freshly refinshed doors.

Looking good if I do say so myself. Lady Z put in a lot of work sewing the weather cloths & door cover.

Next things for her are:
snap on bug screens. I already have the design.
Winch covers,
cockpit cushion covers. We are planing Brown or Tan to break up the Pacific Blue.

For me more Sanding and TeaQuaing

Today is Sat. Also suppose to be HOT, It is still early and cool now. We will be heading out a little later for a short sail, about 1 hr over to a little town called Benica. The couple from work could not make it, as I thought. They were dissapointed so we'll try agin on one of the July trips. So Lady Z and I will make this alone. It will be our first time back to Benica by boat in a couple of years, since dating, when we took Kuan Yin. Come to think of it, we have been out lots of time but will be our first landfall alone on s/v Zen.

to be con't...

2006-06-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

CHICHI NO HI
(father's Day)

My father passed away some years ago. Miyatani otosan, Lady Zen's father passed away just this year, while we were visiting in Japan. Today we remembered them both as we are both fatherless now.

The symbol in the frame is the Family crest, for lady Zen's family. I use it now on some things, like s/v Zen logo and certain other things. Since we do not have children, and he ( her dad) does not have any male children and only one brother with no kids. I will be last to use this seal. So I do it in his honor. When we go to Japan I will use there as well to extend his memory in some small way, his name will not die out just yet.

I made this tray last year. I used it this morning to burn incense for both our fathers. A little memorial.

Miyatani Otosan was very traditional I was told about Japanese cerimonies. This was his favorite kimono. He would wear it a couple of times a year for certain things. I was told it is an antique. Worth a couple of thousand yin. Outside it is not that impressive looking. Nice workmanship, big pocket sleeves. Other wise plain. Inside it is quite impressive. Silk painting, carp, water, mountain. wow. This was going to be burned in the funeral. Instead it was given to me.

Having cleaned my garden yesterday.

It was nice to sit out there this morning.
before the day got to far along and have a quite moment.

I remembered sitting in Japan playing my flute in Otosan's Japanese room overlooking the garden. My dad, always liked our little yard we had also. He use to grow roses.
I decided to play a song on my
Shaminsen for both of them, my dad like the guitar, this is the Japanese version,
wearing Miyatani Otosan no Kimono. For the first time

Then off to the marina...

I spent a couple of hours re-doing the locking system on the doors. Not only to make it neater/cleaner but more burglar resistant. Nothing can stop them, this will make it more difficult so maybe they will go somewhere else. It also gives me more peace of mind for overnight sleeping in the less secure places of the world.

Then on to more sanding and TeaQueing, final finished the inside cockpit area. a few touch ups but for the most part done there.. with that part....

Then I figured to head out for a short sail... The wind was really unpleasant.
Just before I was ready to begin to head out and just after I finished the bright work. The wind picked up...seriously. Flags were standing vertical parallel to the ground no slack at all. The trees were bending. I thought hmmmmm, maybe I do not want to deal with this. I'll let the woood dry more and think about it. Then 20 min or so, it stopped, it was so calm I was thinking, hmmm there is little point in going out in this, there is no wind now at all bummer. Then a light breeze, I went for it.

After getting out there, the wind followed the same pattern, very nice, then way too much, then not enough. I accepted what was given, and went with the flow, practiced reefing under way, heading up, bearing off, expecting no more than the moment and staying with the "Tao".

It was short but pleasant.
After a bit I headed back as it
was already late when I started
I wanted to be back before dark. The stereo speakers worked great!

Having heard today that our quiet little park marina is joining the commercial mecca of the 21st century.
With next year to bring, cement docks, water front offices, bed & bath, a restaurant, and the like, also almost doubling in size. I figured I would grab some shots of history now in the present...

So ends Chichi No Hi '06

Coming up next weekend, Lunch in Benica, the Waterpath.

2006-06-17T23:33:00.000-07:00

The Doors
(not the band)

Pre-Dad day...
Friday night Lady Zen and I were up working on stuff for S/V Zen. I sanded the doors and Teaque them out on the lanai. Lots of work but worth it afterwards

Lady Zen was busy sewing a weather cloth
I'm sure she will not like this picture...
I told her she always looks cute

Sat morning after I took her breakfast for working so much, on Friday in spite of hurting back.
I took the weather cloth and installed the gromets in the parking lot of our condo, after cleaning up the lanai mess I had made the night before. It was hot hot hot! the Sun was cooking me...85 degree plus on Sat. I moved to the shade wheeeeeww. Relief...
Meanwhile back upstairs Lady Zen was finishing up the seat cushions

Now off to the marina, ahhh much cooler there. The next slip guys in their power boat were having problems. Fuel pump was not working so they were there complaining louding about what to do and how to fix it. I started sanding. Finally they left. ahhh , I had the place to myself. Turned on some tunes and hung the weather cloth and did some Teaqueing.

Bummer bummer bummer they are back shortly, the power boat gang. These guys are not bad. It is just there are 4 of them, young guys and all that goes with that...
Turns out they had to come back, someone had stolen fuel out of their tank and they were almost out. Poor things, kawaiso , So they had to make a gas run. It was a drag that someone had ripped them off, first I had heard of it in our Marina, but... these same guys caught a fish last week and tried to kill it by beat it in the head. I did not feel sorry they had to post pone their fishing trip today. Maybe some Fish Fairy was paying them back.

After a bit they took off again, I was once again alone with my tunes on a nice sunny afternoon. I reinstalled the doors, put on a new lock system inside, added another coat of Teaque to the hand rails and door jam. It was a good day

Nice doors eh! yeah Baby, yeah

2006-06-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Local News

Not much doing right now. I think I may even have the weekend off. There is suppose to be a memorial bike ride the office is putting on. I had planned on going, but that was before I lost 2 weekends. I could also go to my second, no third part-time job but. I am not up to it. I really just want to do some stuff on s/v Zen, and kick back. Not really feeling inspired. Maybe I can get a little sail time in over the weekend. Get a cosmic charge to my spirit battery.

I want to finish doing the bright work at least in the cockpit, especially the doors I want to sand down and put on a coat of Teaque. That stuff is great. They should help sponser my trip to Nippon. I'll ask them about that one day. Anyway the doors, will look great once refinished.

I went down the other night and installed an A/B switch on the speakers, all systems go on that! That was a good idea and works great. I just need to secure all the new wires now.

No real trips on the calendar soon. Next week Lady Zen and I will take a short sail (1 hr) over to Benica and have Thai lunch. I invited a couple from work, but do not think they will go, my "zen" sense is not feeling it. It would be nice to have another couple to hang with a bit though.

Up coming events:

Benica sail for lunch.

Golden Gate Yacht Club is having a open house with a talk from the couple I spoke of earlier who built their own "cat" and sailed around the world with their kids. You know the writer who did not answer my email...yeah that one. We may go to hear their sailing story if Lady Zen is off work in time.

Loc Lomond Yacht club flea market end of the month. I am hoping they have some cool boat stuff I can pickup "cheap"

Nothing really planned for July as far as sailing. I'll just do alot of practicing stuff from the ASA handbook. Otherwise just Mushotoku sailing.

AUG.

busy month

Sasulito Harbor is having a boating flea market and art show/sale. We have plans for that I think it is the 5th of Aug. Right after my week long Kung Fu Federation training seminar.

Then a trip to Vallejo with son of Zen. That will be his big sailing adventure and over night stay on the boat.

Mid Aug. may put us or Lady Zen back in Nippon for Obon or to help Okasan move to Osaka from Fukuoka. That is still up in the air.

End of the month I will take the second part of the ASA class. Going for certificate 2. basic Coastal Cruising.

Sept,

Lady Zen and I will head off to Morro Bay to do some whale watching. No, not on our boat we are doing it the commercal way.

Then plans for taking the ASA teacher certification on Keelboat 1 end of Sept.

Oct,

Maybe I'll feel adventurous and celebrate my new sailing status with a sail up to Napa. Take some Autumn shots of the vinyards. Overnight in Vallejo or there, then come back. That will require some cooperation from the tides, also dealing with a draw bridge. Hmmm still lots of time to think on that.

back to now...

I may go down and work on s/v zen's door locks tonight.

I found another local company to do the pillow'cushion case for s/v Zen, Instant Imprints. They were nice when I walked in and on the phone. Did not bad vib me, like I was bugging them when I walked in. I was going to just get some vinyl stuff, but the cost for embroadry was reasonable and will look much more classy, so I went for it. However the operator is going on vacation so I have to wait several weeks into July before it is ready, bummer! Oh well, I already waited a month for nothing. It will be worth it if it turns out nice.

2006-06-11T22:49:00.000-07:00

Small can be good

I thought I was not going to get to do any boat stuff this weekend. I am in the middle of a big proposal project at the office. Over the last week I have not a had a full day off since Memorial day and 12 hr days since. Even last weekend when I took the ASA class I worked in the evenings. Sat night at the office til 12:00 a.m. yuk!, Sunday till 10:30pm,. Sucks but, better than no pay check, neh! Anyway I thought this weekend was shot as well. It turns out after I went to work on Sat morning (rode my bike and had a flat tire at the door). I hear,we have an extention for another week. Good news one way, but that means...most likely another lost weekend, as they get more time to make even more changes.
The good part I did get to go to the boat today. Nice weather!! fairwinds, sunny. It would have been good to sail, but I did some work at the dock. I installed some small cockpit speakers. On the last adventure I could barely hear the stereo unless I really blasted it. I found some small marine full range speakers on eBay. My cousin and her son came by, who is new to the area. They did some sanding the hard stuff that needed to be done my hand because the Dremal does not fit there. Saved me a lot of time. I can finish those sections on my next day off. Nice!

Sometimes small things are good!

And now for something completely different..

If anyone in Northern Cal reads this and you want to have some graphics done. DO NOT USE CALIFORNIA SIGNS in Concord. They had a boat cushion cover of mine for over a month and did nothing! They did the name for the boat sides while I waited, yet this just sat for 4 weeks, even after I had been in there checking on it after 2 wks, because I got no call! " oh , I did not do it, I'll call you", 1 week nothing, two weeks still nothing!! They care nothing about their word or customer service! Acted like it was my fault for bothering them with it. I am so pissed at them !! grrrrrrr. Not until I fussed and picked up my undone item did they even offer an applogy!!
Lady Zen says, pretty typical for here. Customer service for the most part in this country is horrible!
What do you think?

2006-06-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Islander 29

On the request from an Anonymous commenter ;-) who asked about the Islander, since he was looking at one. I will post the following. As I found it hard to locate any info on them as well.
What I did was contact several owners from the Islander board (www.islandersailboats.com) and asked them their thoughts on the boat. All had positive things to say, and a few negative as well. The perfect boat, like a perfect mate is hard to find :-)

Here are some of their commmets:

"Thanks for the inquiry,,,,, I can't say enough about the Islander 29'. They're great boats!

My Islander, "Cimba", has been around the world once [west-about, previous owner], including a Cape Horn passage [albeit it was on a calm day], and down to Hawaii several times [again, previous owner].

They're sturdy as hell, have an easy motion, and are remarkably fast for a "cruising" boat. I regularly shut down Ericson 30's in light winds and choppy seas.

Let me know if you get serious about buying one and I'll point out the things you should look for. You should be able to get a good one for somewhere around $5,000 to $10,000 or so, depending on how its equipped."

another:

"The one big objection to the Islander is the lack of room on deck for a hard dinghy. I have a 6' 8" Fatty Knees on the foredeck but it covers the forward hatch. So I have to drag sails through the cabin. If I put the dinghy on the cabin top, then I can't get in & out very easily.

Two other objections [you'll never find the "perfect" boat] are the narrow decks on each side which are obstructed by the chainplates & stays, and the overly large cockpit well, both of which are dangerous in a seaway. But other than that, they're a hell of a good boat.

Couple of things to pay attention to: the chainplates under the decks [side]. Water gets in there and corrosion is possible. Drop the rudder and check for corrosion on the shaft and pintles. And look for wood rot on the interior bulkheads up under the decks [decks leak and rainwater can soak the ply bulkheads leading to rot. Other than that, just look for the usual stuff.

There's a guy who lives up north near you but keeps his Islander down in Oxnard. It has a Monitor wind vane, etc, and I believe he's taken it to Hawaii."

another:

"I've done no long passage or offshore sailing to date. But have been very happy with my boat in the various situations I've found myself in on the Chesapeake Bay, protected though it is. Shea's a heavy boat and seems to push well through small waves. The hull itself is sturdy (in those years the use as much as 1/4 inch of glass, so she doesn't " oil-can" when she runs aground I seem to have done this a bit, with no cosequence as most of the bay is mud. She's not very tender, and sails well in bigger wind. I've sailed in 25-30 knots, double reefed and she feels quite comfortable. The cabin is roomy, a little spartan, the head is cramped (I'm 6'3"). There seems adequate storage for weekend cruising. The former owner took her up and down the east coast many time, and my buddy who has lots of sailing experience says she could make a run to beumuda if the conditions were right. Her only drawbacks for offshore work is that the windows are far too big and so is the cockpit. I never expected to do anything quite so ambitious when I got the boat, but I've weathered a few squalls just fine. She seems fleet too, going 6.5 knots in moderate wind. I''ve been very happy so far. "

more:

"I have never been disappointed that I bought my Islander. It was my first ocean going sail boat. Previously I had Coronado 15 that my son and I sailed for a couple of years. It was fun, and I learned a lot about sailing. The smaller the boat, the trickier they are to sail, so it was a learning experience. The 29 is a great boat. For years I sailed from Morro Bay to the Channel Islands, spending a couple of weeks, several times a year doing this. At some point I wondered about a Hawaii trip, and gradually prepared the boat for it. There wasn't much to do to it except add more gear. I had installed LORAN after some hairy thick fog experiences, a couple of extra sails and things like that. Like Trent, I thought the cockpit was large, and after listening to the arm chair sailors around me about being pooped and filling the cockpit, I made two 1 1/2" " drains in the cockpit. Despite a period of heavy following seas , the cockpit was filled just once, and that was from a rogue wave that took my self made dodger off, and smashed in the portside wooden spray shield. I have lots of advice should you ever want to test yourself for the trip. Have no fear about the I-29. It's a tank, despite its low freeboard and limited interior. "

more:

"I29 is a fine older boat. It is sturdy as can be and sails and points well and is sea kindly. I don't go outside the gate that much any more but it would be fine for offshore once you get out of the potato patch. Long distance passages should be in warm water and in a boat with a shower in my opinion. The I 29 has a nice head but no shower and although you could shower from a porta-shower I prefer to swim then just hose off. That's why I like sailing in St. Lucia if there's a passage to do. "

That should be helpful to you or anyone else wanting some info on them.
The only real bummer for me with it has been the v-berth. Not really comfortable, low head room, bunk too high to sit on upright. Good for a closet and storage or for a kids room, but for an adult rather too cramped. However the rest of the boat has great room.

I may edit this and add more later but right now I'm loaded with a big work project so will be busy for the next week.

Fair winds, and ask away if you have any perticular questions.

2006-06-04T23:14:00.000-07:00

Captn Z and the ASA

This is where it began. Oakland Park n Rec boat club house. Located at Lake Merit in Oakland Ca. I just happen to come across this on the web whilst looking for a place on the ASA site. How lucky. I saved over ＄100.00 by taking the class here and alot closer to home.

This is the classroom. A lot of room for only 3 people. The class was small. Good for learning also boat size is limited of course. My self and two girls, who worked with girlscouts. Plus the teacher, Sara, who really knew herstuff.

This is where the hands on stuff started.

This is the fleet

This was suppose to be the training Boat a Catalina 22 . However once we got all loaded up and launch, the motor died and would not re-start. Turns out it had two gas switchs, because it could take an external or internal fuel source.

Lunch break at Jack London Sq. We ended up on a Columbia 27. Nice boat, lots of head room., heavy boat. Not good for single handed. One had to go forward to raise the sails. Before this docking we covered, rigging sails & points of sail, sail trim & tell tails, knots, etc since we ended up rigging two boats so we were behind, but not that much. Everyone in the class had some sailing background already so we went pretty fast through stuff

After this we went through. Man over board drills. The whole time dodging the pleasure boats out for the day. Winds were very light.

The next day, Sunday. I was the only one ready to take the written test. So this is where I had it. The others reviewed yesterday stuff and went through rigging again. Also docking and launching. Since I have my own boat Sara figured I could catch up. So I took the paper test.

Next are the docking and launch drills using the outboard. Piece-o-cake, having done it on my own many times. But good for those who did not.

Lunch break again at Jack London Sq. It is farmers market day there, so the crew takes a break and does some shopping and has lunch. This time we are back on the first boat the Catalina. Nice boat handle well, very responsive. Does well in light winds, however today we have more than enough winds. So we are using a very small jib. In this picture there are no boats close to ours. However I docked there and there were two others at the time. It was like parallel parking between cars on the street. Only I did not have to back up, just slipped in between the boats. One of which was $$$$$$ . It was a nice education on how to pull that off.

Afterward, we went back out for more man over board drills, plus making circles and holding on each point of sail. The man over board drills were a a challege, boats coming from all directions, high winds. It was good practice. I learned about using the sails to steer and not depending on the tiller to do all the work. Whilst all this was going on, were questions and answers on who has the right of way as the varied boats came around us.

End of the day and class. I was the onlyone who finsihed the girls wanted to do thier paper test another day. As for me, I wanted it all done when I walked away. So I passed it all and got my ASA approval. SWEET! Next up, Coastal crusing, I'm still thinking on it, the last class of the season is in Aug. I'm still con$idering it, but I will most likely go for it! Then teacher training in the spring...

...to be con't

2006-06-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Physical “Zen-do” of Sailing

Disclaimer: the following is the rambling of an old flowerchild hippie who sometimes gets too Philosophical, but spells bad.

I have heard it said in a couple of different places, from different people about getting in shape for sailing or a sailing passage. I have also heard mention of staying in shape whilst on a cruise. Recently Tillerman’s Proper Course blog had a subject on "On the Value of Physical Conditioning". So he gets the credit or blame :-) for inspiring this ramble.

A lot of my references for things come from my Kung Fu training, due to the fact that Kung Fu unlike what many people think is not just about fighting. In fact it is one of the smaller aspects of the “art”. It is a way of life, a path of living in Harmony with yourself and environment. A path of Zen in some ways. Understanding that we are a small part of the whole, we are not the whole, contrary to western thought, just a small piece of it. Those who’ve sailed the ocean understand our smallness in life.

The formal study of Kung Fu, known as Shaolin, was born like “Zen” in a Monastery in Northern China, both named “Shao Lin” ( small forest ). An Indian Monk from the warrior class, named Da Mo came to teach Buddhism to the Lohans there. He found the monks in such poor physical shape they could not hold up under the mental/physical demands of meditation. He came up with a series of exercises which were the basics of the 18 Lohan Kung Fu style, which later developed into the Shaolin System of Martial Art.

Yeah, yeah, that is interesting Zen Shrfu, but what does that have to do with Sailing,… have patience grasshopper….

One does not think of meditation as generally being strenuous. However, the act of sitting for long periods is taxing, one can fall asleep, and one can not achieve non-thought, because ones thoughts are occupied with getting comfortable. Your mind will not settle to the task at hand, of having no-mind :-). You are not in harmony with yourself or surroundings. You are focused on yourself, therefore you cannot be in a state of Zen, which is detachment from self and ego and understanding you as part of the whole and being centered. This is all my interpretation of course, & my sails maybe just full of…wind.

Do you follow how this fits with sailing? You cannot focus fully on achieving a state of “Zen sailing”, harmony with the wind and water because your mind is unsettled, your body is not at peace. Therefore your mind is not at peace, so you struggle to reach that spiritual state of let's say “Zen”. This is counter to the way to achieve it, because you can not reach it by fighting to get there. I’m not saying you can not move through the water via wind power, eg: sail, but it is not SAILING. Same as you can do the movements of Tai Chi, but unless your mind, body and spirit are in harmony, working together you are not doing TAI CHI (TAIJI) you are just doing Tai Chi movements.
You have been setting lines, trimming sheets, hosting the main, lowering the main, the jib, reefing, going out on deck and back. It is taking its toll on your out of shape Physical temple, arm hurt, back hurts. Another tack, then another, trim that line; you’re getting out of breath.
Ahh finally you are on a good course you collapse onto your cushion and reach for that beer, but you need to take a few breathes before that swallow.

Being in relative good physical shape is a tool to achieving the spiritual state of Sailing Harmony, which I’ll call Zen sailing.

Breath of the world
Fills my body and sails
Slicing through the water
I hear God.

Now as I have come to understand our existence here we have three levels or states to life. The physical, the mental, and the spiritual and this is true too of sailing, is it not? Like a metaphor for life. I have spoken of the spiritual, that elated feeling, the wind on your face flying on a reach, with only the sound water and wind in your ears, the feeling of losing yourself and all ego into the great wholeness of the Universe, you the boat and the breath of the Universe are in harmony. The perfect sail.

The physical: lifting, pulling, tugging, and climbing.

Now the mental.
There you are, tired from that last series of tacks, trying to catch your breath, because it is windier than you had thought it would be that day. You tilt your head back to take a swig of that Coors and catch sight of a big butt tanker bearing down on you fast; you did not notice because you were dealing with so much other stuff your mind, not focused, forgot to be aware of your surroundings, Oh Snap Batman!! Just as it registers, the winds shifts hard, and because you were tired you took a moment before setting the boom preventer and as the boom swings hard across the cockpit catching you off guard, you suddenly need to take a swim with some help getting off the boat…that last thing you remember is the sound of the tankers horn echoing in your ears as you feel the cold chill of the ocean embrace you and the lights go out. In the words of a single handed sailor I know on line, who circumnavigated. “It does happen, not just in the movies”.

A kind man I know on-line, who I call Bill Sensei told me in order to get in shape for his sail on an I-29 ( sister to s/v Zen) to Hawaii solo, he swam everyday. He understood the importance of being full on your JOB when sailing, even though you think of it as relaxing.

2006-05-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Weekend: part III, the return

This is the route I went from Martienz to San Rafael. The GPS says it is about 25 miles.

The x's are, the start, the stuck, the end. That shadow in the middle is me taking this pix. San Francisco is at the lower left at the inlet across from Oakland lower middle

So Monday morning at the Marina is great, a bit chilly but very nice in the sun. I found the v-berth on S/V zen is not that comfortable. The Ariel, Kuan Yin was more comfortable for sleeping in the V-berth.

So I take a morning stroll around the marina, take some pictures. I find there is another I29 there. So now with mine there are three. Two are residents. The Marina is pretty active, once the lil breakfast/lunch place opens. I opt not to go there to eat and instead go to the market get some items and have breakfast on s/v zen.

The tide this morning is -1.5 so , I am going no where soon as it is only 9:00 am now. I can see the mud flats clearly marking the channel.

I hangout and read until 11:30. Then as on signal many folks start to come alive and get ready to head out. It is a great day to be out. The wind has picked up, the sun is shining. I get ready to shove off and head over to the fuel dock. I'm wondering how much gas I used running for 4 hrs yesterday. WoW! big surprise, less than 2.5 gal or the whole trip NICE!

So I fire up turn around and head out into the channel. I'm feeling more confident now, so I give her a little bit more power, yet stay in my lane. Ofcourse there are some Powerboater coming in, and they are speeding like the have a bus to catch. Yup, thats right, BIG wakes. good grief they are rude!

So I'm out of the channel now and raise the sails, there is a good wind and I head off on a broad reach. For the most part the wind holds, I make good time and have a smooth sail. Back across the frontier, the winds almost dies, so I coast for a while. Then out of the blue it picks up and at one point I am doing 10 knots, sweet!, always at the end of the trip, although I did get up to 8 once whilst in the "zone"

So I did a perfect dock and I am back home. That middle cleat I installed really is helpful for docking. I saw some guy, at the marina coming in after me. Really struggle getting docked. He could have really used a middle cleat, he was fighting the current to hold one end while the other drifted out. Finally someone one on that side of the docks helped him.

I check my travel time and I'm shocked, it took almost 5 hours under sail, just a little more than it took me to get there not including the grounding.

It was a good adventure. Met some nice folks, learned some stuff, had a nice adventure, returned safe, doesn't get any better than that. I feel at one with the Universe.

2006-05-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

Memorial Weekend Part II

Ok where was I ...

Oh yeah,

The sky was clear, comfortably cool, a stiff breeze blew from the SW.
There I was less than 20 mintues into the "zone" my sails where full but I was not moving...

Hmmm I guess you want to know what is the "zone", Patience, let's back up again to fill this in...

Now Sun morning 5:00 am, I am up and sleepy, but getting ready for s/v zen's big adventure. Everything was prepared on Sat. morning so all I had to do was take off the covers and go. Which is what I did. Wanting to make some time and also check the engine I motor for the first leg of the trip. Down to what I call the frontier, Cartinez bridge,

beyond that is "the zone", "San Pablo Bay" Which is just pass Glen Cove were our last trip went as far as. Past the bridge I had yet to venture on s/v zen. On the last boat. The first time into this area, there was no wind going and way too much coming back, as in Near gale winds!!! My first mate got sick from the 2 stoke engine fumes. It was horrible! Several large tug boat with their HUGE wakes were a drag on a little boat grrrrrrrrrr!! The next time into the "zone". I was fighting the current and big head winds trying to get to Alameda before dark. With a late start already, I did not make it. I figured screw you guys I'm going home ( heheh I like south park), so turned around and went back.

So here I am again into the zone with s/v zen. It is looking good so far I raise the sails and catch a good wind, I'm off on a close haul making good time. The chart says no boats with under 2o ft draft into the channel dregged area, so I give it a wide space, too wide! Next thing I am stopped, sails full I'm not moving!! DOH!
Aground!!

I try a couple to do things to get free nothing works. I drop anchor and prepare to wait. I thinking, ok, boat named Zen, with Captn Zen, I'll just center myself, and chill, enjoy the moment, No use beating myself up about it, it could be worst.
Only a couple of hours or so the tide will come back. I prepare to wait.

I read for a while about 1 hour later, I feel the boat is shifting, I check the tiller it is free I check my position, yup I have moved. I thought the wind changed becasue the sail shifted, but no I had shifted. I bring up the anchor and fire up the motor. So I did get to practice anchoring, which was something I needed to do. I guess the Universe thought so as well. I also find, one of two batteries will not crank enough to spin the engine. I switch to both it fires up and fiddle with getting the anchor free and slowly pull out, Alright I'm on the way again!!

Now I think screw the chart I'm staying in the lanes or at least close to it. I see other boats right in the center, so I do too. Now though I'm paranoid and every wave motion that feels like I am slowing I get that feeling in my gut. Soon I talk myself through it.

Not much wind though now, the morning breeze has gone. Grrr bummer. I fire up the iron sail and make a uneventful trip to the channel marker for San Rafael. I dodge a big tanker, and see a cool sail boat in the distance

I also get a good sight of
San Francisco and Oakland along with with the Oakland Bay bridge off in the distance at the Richmond bridge.

I was concerned the motor would die, but it ran sweet all the way. Changing the coil and stuff worked. I check VERY carfully the instructions and follow the GPS to the mark and turn off. The GPS was working great. I also keep my eyes on careful watch as well. I stay dead on course staying close to the markers. Other than a couple of the rich folks in the Gas hogs speeding by with big wakes, (what is up with them, no manners, no consideration, good grief this is a narrow channel)

the trip to the marina goes smooth I find my slip and dock smoothly. Yeah, Allah be praised!

Alright, thank God! Made it! I call a couple of people I know. They are suprised I made it so fast. The whole trip took 5 .5 hours including going aground.

One call is to the couple with the same boat as s/v Zen. Don comes over with his wife and we go to an early dinner. Our first time meeting, nice folks. We go to an early dinner in town next to a canal. Nice visit.

Next my longest Cal friend, adopted sister, and distance cousin and her husband. He lived in Hong Kong whilst building boats they come down to see s/v Zen the first visit. She use to have a 40 some foot Wooden Motor Yacht, but says she will never do that again. They bring goodies, three all natural custard eclairs. Another nice chat and hang out and they are off back to the brothers party and BBQ/wine & cheese, Marine style bash. I settle in for the evening and write a draft of this on the old toshiba laptop. Now for some reading and then to bed for the trip home.

Which I will finish telling tomorrow, as I have stuff to do.

to be con't...

Zen N Zen ( anyone notice how my colors match s/v Zen?)

2006-05-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

Memorial weekend part I

The sky was clear, comfortably cool, a stiff breeze blew from the SW.
There I was less than 20 mintues into the "Zone" my sails where full but I was not moving..

However let's not get ahead things. Let's roll back to Sat. Lady Zen, my cousin and I head over to Alameda to the Encinda Yacht club. There is a Vintage Yacht race and Art show. The day is a bit cool but once at the Marina and walking around it is perfect. There are no boats from the race around turns out they are racing in the Bay then come to the club afterward. So we stroll the Marina, chat with people with dogs and check out the boat, I take pictures. My cousin says I have never seen so many boats. I remark and expensive boats!.

We stop in at broker, she says we can go down and look. Cool!

We check out some really sweet sailboats 60,000, 80,000, 139,000 Nice .. to dream about! My cousin is slowly talking herself into buy aboat. I can see it happening in the next couple of years once she get more setted into California life. She gets more hooked everytime we go out and around them.
After a bit I notice some older boats coming in.

So we head back to the yacht club. The boats are coming in now in mass, we watch as the dingies do the tug boat thing and line them up line like sqeezing cars into a parking lot, or eggs in a crate. I am only able to get a couple of photos as my battery as run down from taking so many other shots while out strolling. I do a little Zen magic an am able able to get a couple of shots out of the now defunk battery. Anyway there are some really nice older boat many with wood hulls. We go down to the dock and get a close up view. I was half expecting to get a tap on my shoulder from James of sailer blog "spindrift", this is his Yachtclub and he said he would be there. However no go. So we head on back home. As we are leaving, oh no, my keys are gone. We turn around and head back and split up to look for them. Lucky I go to where I first changed my camera lens and there they were on the beach. Someone had saw them and place them there. Thanks stranger, good Karma to you. Now we realax and head home for dinner. My little cousin is invited us for dinner. Our first dinner invite. Lady Zen is delighted!

2006-05-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

Way too Early

After spending Sat. afternoon down at the Yacht club in Alameda checking out the classic yachts from the race and show. Which there were a couple of very nice ones by the way. However I will go into that later. It is now 5:00 am on Sunday I will be heading out short for my big sail. The plan is to catch the ebb tide out. So now to get ready, I'm out-a-here.

ciao baby

2006-05-24T22:12:00.000-07:00

HUMP DAY

I have been on this for a couple of weeks now I think. Interesting more so than My Space, less kids, no ads and stuff is nice. Over 200 hits here on this site, but only 4 or so comments, I guess that is normal or I should be a better writer or not take it personal or all of the three. I tend to do that being an artist, we take things personal. No matter I'm learning the ropes here. Kind of like a open diary/journal to the world. I had a girl friend who use to tell me to keep a journel. The blog space on sailfar.net will be going public end of the month, maybe I'll just do that. Right now I am doing both, plus one on my website, to help with the testing there on Sailfar. Hmm we'll see, maybe I'll just do once a week or so here and more there where folks talk to me, I feel more connected, than just typing to the void...

I have been in contact with a couple of interesting people from here. All who I have contacted from surfing and found not the other way around...
Chatted a bit with half of an interracial couple who sail out of Fla. Found out there is another Blasian couple out of NY who sail. Read a very touching story shared by a sailor who lost his wife to cancer. I found out Morgan Freeman is a sailor, has owned a couple of boats. He seemed like a good actor, now I have a whole new respect for him. Not just because he is sailor but while I was doing some research on him hearing he is a sailor, I found he does good things for people and causes. He is a good man. My respects to you sir.

Holiday weekend coming up. I had thought I was going to take a 5 day holiday but since we got a BIG Deal Proposal Project at work, my plans have been cancelled for the most part. My manager wa sin a panic about having graphic support. I can still take off Sun. and Mon. maybe Sat. We'll see. I told her no way can I miss my class next weekend, even if I have to work at night on the weekend.

If I get to take off on this Sat. I will prep. s/v for Sun a.m. sail, then head over to Alameda for some kind of boat race & art show at one of the yacht clubs. Suppose to be vintage wooden boats racing I hear. Should be interesting, I'll take some pix with the serious digital Nikon. I can give the 300 lens a work out.

I have a big solo sail planned for Sunday, 6-8 hours. My first in a year, since purchasing the boat and bring it home, from Berkeley. I am nevous somewhat. Not so much about the sailing part, but if the motor is going to die on me at the wrong time. Like when going through the tricky harbor entrance. Which is the other part of being nervous making this entrance without getting stuck. I am maybe being overly paranoid, but, better that than being to cocky. Ne! The motor did run great the last couple of times I took it out. One of which though I used mostly sail that trip. ( I should not write at night when too tired I need to edit a lot the next day like I'm doing now)

I am planning on leaving Sunday about 6:00 am, that way I can ride the tide out and not worry about the low tide in my marina. This will also hopefully put me at the San Rafael harbor entrance near high tide. Good grief it is expensive there. $1.00 a ft. this will be my first and LAST time there by boat. That is off the hook expensive! Why?? It is though MARIN, Co. where the rich and famous live. jheez, and not even wireless internet though, ...please what is up with that! My low scale marina even has that!
I will test out the voyage planner on the GPS. Also get to put the new Nikon Coolpix travel camera through some paces and listen to my Japanese tape whilst on passage. The weather is suppose to be good. I will meet up with a few folks while there. A couple of old friends who I have not seen in a couple of years and a guy who has the same boat, Islander 29 as me. I was almost going to buy it but got this instead, it had more features. Happy Holidays folks and
Let's be Careful out there...

2006-05-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Puffy clouds filled with shades of gray
shed heavens tears...

The river like a sponge
welcomes it's own...

Riding the gentle waves
Zen does not care...

She understands the ducks

... Zen
:-)

2006-05-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Feng Shui, Tai Chi, Sailing & Zen

It came to me whilst returning from Tai Chi practice today that the four are very similar. According to the Tao Te Ching and the teachings of Lao Tzu they are most likely the same or at least brothers/sisters of the same mother. I had the revelation before about Feng Shui and sailing but today came the Tai Chi awareness and it all clicked. Like when I became a vegetarian while walking through a supermarket in the meat section seeing all the dead animals, but that is another story I digress. I saw the Zen tie-in earlier also while thinking about this sailing instructor in Japan that is a "Zen" master he teaches his advance students sailing with some aspects of Zen philosophy. I thought, yeah, I can see that!

It all makes sense. I named my boat "Zen" which is "Chan" in Chinese by the way. Chan Buddhism ( Zen in Japanese ) was developed in the Shaolin Temple which is where my Kung Fu roots are. I am something like a 10th or 11th generation Sifu/Shrfu/Sensei in direct linage I forget which, it is just for reference. Anyway in Chinese the last boat was named Kuan Yin. Kuan Yin is the Chinese Deity who achieved enlightenment. However instead of going to the next "level" plane of being let's say, she chose to stay behind and help lead/direct people to receive enlightenment. She is often shown as riding a Sea Dragon. Since my first boat was more of my learning venture, I felt "Zen" was a good name for this one, having achieved some further "enlightenment" about sailing. It will also take me to "Nirvana" in this case meaning "Blue Water" kind of deep thoughts ne?!

Anyway, Feng Shui is the Chinese study of balancing energy in your environment ( which I am certified by the way to do if you need a reading ). Feng Shui means wind and water. So obviously right, wind /water = sailing. Sailing is finding that balance between wind energy and water and the effect it has on your boat equals = sailing. The better balance there is, the faster and more efficient you sail. You, the boat, the wind and the water are in harmony, you have good "Feng Shui"

Now this also translates to Tai Chi. Tai Chi is the balancing of yin and yang, wind/water, positive/negative. I'm not speaking just of Tai Chi Chuan, which is translated out loosly to Grand Balanced/Harmonious Fist. I'm speaking of just Tai Chi the essence. The Yin /Yang symbol you see with the black and white. Hmm I just thought of some racial signification , but I'll go into that later perhaps. So referring back to balancing of the elements we can see how Tai Chi, Feng Shui and Sailing are related. Sailing balancing the effect of wind power/energy on your sail causing a Yin reaction on your boat eg: moving. That in turn translates into a yang energy on the water which in turn turns Yin as the boat passes through the water. Tai Chi, the better you're in balance with yourself and your opponent the better fighter or healthier ( from a non-violent spiritual perspective ) you are.

In Tai Chi Chuan it is us who are the Yang energy moving through air, which turns into Yin when doing the solo form. On the other side when doing push hands with a partner or combat, we change from Yin to Yang energy depending on what we need to accomplish or avoid, as in pain. In sailing we need to be aware of the changes in the wind in order to remain in harmony with the elements and move forward. With Tai Chi Chuan the Yang energy coming at us may be very violent eg: punches and kicks. We need to adjust our energy to be more Yin to absorb/redirect this violence back into our attacker or ground this energy so as we are not hurt. In the Sailing world sailing this would be gales, high winds, storms, etc. That energy needs to be absorbed/redirected into the sails, grounded into the water so that we are not hurt or stopped and continue to move forward or at the least in the case of heaving-to be at peace/centered in the storm.

All take understanding of changes in energy flow, "feeling" the environment. Letting go of forcing an achievement, letting it happen through you. Balancing the energy of the environment, being one with the flow ( or the force and they said in Star Wars) , maintaining your center in the moment to archive Harmony/ Peace/ a state of Zen / a great sail

2006-05-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

S/V ZEN

A shot of s/v Zen up close fairly anyway...
Here she is. 1967 Islander 29 .
Full Keel, heavy boat. Her sisters have been around the world including Cape Horn. I have big plans for her. Including seeing Japan with Kobe as her home port.

This is my retirement project. I still have a way to go, not only on the projects but before retirement as well. So in the mean time. I fix, have fun and learn.

A nite shot, hanging out one evening after doing chores

These shots now posted look a bit funky, I guess I made the resolution too small got some weirdness happening, oh well.
It could be this PC screen. I'll check the MAC ( Mac's Rock )at home. But I most likely will not change them, no one will care :-)

These shots were taken with my now dead compact digital 2.1 camera. It was good for a while, took decent pictures. I have a D70 Nikon which I love , but do not like taking it on the boat. So I just picked up a used Nikon CoolPix 3.5. Seems pretty cool. I like the size, handy to carry aboard so I can grap some snaps. I'll try it out this weekend whilst down at the marina. Prepping for my cruise next week and first overnight stay.

2006-05-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

ZEN in Nippon

Now I see some folks really do stop in here, I feel inspired to keep this up.

This year was my 3 time to Japan. I have yet to sail whilst there. However I am getting close we have been on two different yachts.
The first time we met a couple, well half of a couple the wife had a hangover so did not met with us :-)
They are from the Netherlands and sailed there on their 40 some fter. They spent some time in New Zeland and Hong Kong. Nice boat, too big for me, perfect for them. They had been in Nippon for some 15 yrs. We visited them in Fukuoka. They spoke of leaving but had no real plans to go.

The next time we went visited Bill in Kobe. I really liked Kobe, we plan on moving there in the future. I spoke with Bill, like the couple on the internet on Sail Japan. B is from Cal also. He lives there with his wife. He teaches sailing to Westerns, because he speaks no Japanese. Strange for someone living in Japan with a born in Japan wife. Nice guy gave me a lot of helpful information. He just purchased his boat and was fixing it up while we there.

This is Bill-san and my way cute sister and sweet wife.

This is my brother in Law. his first time on a sail boat he looks happy ne!

The girls playing with the dock cat

Someone doing bottom cleaning

A boat coming in

A Japanese Yamaha 24 sailing yacht. You need a license if you sail a Japanese reguestered boat other than a dingy in Japan. Unlike here where any "baka" (clown) with money can buy a boat and go cause heck. There you have to prove you know what you are doing. Bill also teachs and trains folks, English speakers how to pass the tests

2006-05-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

A whale of a story...

True story - http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/whalethanks.asp

The Whale

Since this is about the ocean I think it fits here

If you read the front page story of the SF Chronicle,
you would have read about a female humpback whale
who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps
and lines.

She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused
her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of
line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line
tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the FarraloneIslands
(outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.

Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was
so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her ...
a very dangerous proposition.

One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles.
She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them,
pushed gently around-she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was
following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

-------
Interesting I should get this article today. Shows life matters to others even though the world is full of those who do not care...

I was riding my bike to work today. Zipping along a bike trail. The "zen sense" ( like spider sense but for me ;-) ) I looked down there was a lizard sunny him/herself on the trail, right in front of my tire path! I quickly ( those kung fu reflexes ) cut around it. It would have bummed me out to crush that little fella! Yeah I'm a little weird. I fussed at some kids the other day harrssing some baby Canadian Goose in the park with a tree branch, grrrrrrr. However reading this article about the whale, give me faith there are other weirdos out there who think any life has a value...

2006-05-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

A sail day

I went out today, first time single handed in awhile, first time ever under the new name. Launching always makes me uncomfortable, today it was PERFECT! I was off to a good start.

Tried out the GPS as planned. I did get a late start as I had to go into the office, then I had to go back because I forgot to spell check something that was going out, my bad. That what happens when you rush! anyway...

Why is it the wind is always good when you first start and when you are coming back near to the marina. In between it is iffy.

Why do tug boat drivers, who are supposed to be Professionals, not even back down 1 bloody knot as they go by with their big AS$ wakes, grrrrrr

THe over all sail was good. I learned a couple of things today. one by accident. I can brace the tiller extension on the side of the cockpit seat and do not need to use the tiller tamer to hold course for a few moments.

I did my first wing on wing today. Crap made me so paranoid about an unplanned ghib(sp), which ended up happening. Good thing I was somewhat prepared. Happened whilst I was taking pictures of some seal.

Top speed upwind (beating) 4.5k Top speed on a run 5.5k sweet! Four hour sail. I'm pleased I did not use the motor ( I was close though ) after I set the sails, until I drop the sails at the marina entrance.

Dock was also perfect, however I really need to get a midship cleat, that would be way helpful.

The webbing around the cockpit, sucks, that has got to go. The winch handles get caught in it. Need to have some weather cloth instead.

Oh, My marina, now has wireless Internet. However I could not connect without an account :-(
30.00 per mo or 8.00 a day. poo I was hoping to slip in there free! get it "slip" in ... hahaha, ok fine :-(

Ok let see if ths works:

Glen Cove marina

A local Dude... sorry guy just passing through

wow, a zen moment... how lucky

two bridges, that look like one

home again

ah, days' end

2006-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Eurika!!

I last said something about people of color and sailing. I spoke briefly of woman who sailed with her husband. Well she is from Cal. Sausalito, a writer and photographer. I think I came across her. She is Habor Manager in Sausalito. She went to the south seas on a Catamaran with her husband and 2 kids. Good writer did a lot of articles for Sailnet.

I'm off to the marina today, it is most and off day from work. After spending the last couple of nights figuring out my new Hand held GPS legend I am going out on s/v Zen to play and practice some sail trim.

I got my ASA workbook the other day. I have my keelboat class coming up in June! I'm Jazzed!

2006-05-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

No people of color...

I notice that there are no people of color on 99% of these sailing sites/mags/etc. I say 99% because the very few I see are usally 1 crew member, or some local native on some island and they have him/her in the shot. Whats up with that? I remember seeing some write up on the old Sailnet site some of the articules were written by a woman of color who traveled around the South Pacific with her Cacausian (sp) hubby and kids. Cute family. Do not know what happened to them. I think he or they were from France. Before I started sailing there was a big time brain surgen here in the states I saw on some documentary who was Black and was a sailor. They had some shots of him on his boat. Then there is the mixed guy from South Africa, who did a around the world race, built his own boat and wrote a book, which was given some award. Oh Circumnavigator Neal Petersen that is is name. If any one cares his website is http://www.no-barriers.com/

I chatted with him a bit on http://sailfar.net once. Seems like a nice guy.

Anyway I'm not really into the "race" thing, but I thought I'd just drop that in here, in case some who is interested happens by one day. It is though a reality in this world and more so here in the states! Saddly we all can not be just people. WTF?

Everyone that I have met who is into sailing has been nice, open and helpful to me. I have even picked up an unexpected mentor. Someone I met on line, we have the same boat and a made in Japan wife. I have gotten alot of helpful info from him out of the kindness of his heart. Maybe if I was dealing more with the money bag folks I would notice more "racial" distance, but for the most part sailors I met are good folks. Maybe the boats and the water put us all on the same spiritual level.

2006-05-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

How do you make a title ?

Hmmm well anyway. I have spent most of the evening entering way points into my Legend GPS.
I bid on a CD for water ways but... grrrrr someone beat me out even at the last moment. I guess it is payback for those times I did it to someone else. oh well, C'est la vie de ebay.

2006-05-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

Whooo hoo I got my first visiter today on the site.! oops two visitors, one did not leave anything, it's cool. I did the same to some while looking around.

I got my Gramin GPS legend today from ebay. Nice!! I foundout the ride to work on a bike I thought wa s3.5 miles is really 7.5!! wow. I maped a couple of way points for my trip to San Rafael on the 25th of this month. I will be out on the water this friday just sailing around Benica this friday since I am off. I'll get to run some test on it. I can test my speed, matybe I'll head over to Glen Cove.

My "sailing Sensei" (mentor) sent me a long email today telling about anchors and what he uses. Good info. His main one is a Bruce. Now I know what to look for to augment mine. I have not done any anchoring yet. I need to give that some test runs as well. That is after I full check out my anchoring system and mark the line. Doyou call that a line? hmm I do not think so...

2006-05-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, I think I'm getting the hang of this now.

Another blog test run...

Two weeks ago, we had our first spring sail. I called it our cherry blossom spring aniversary sail.
Lady Zen and I were married on Easter Sunday april 11th. Since we could not get out that day , the 11th. and that easter Sunday things were not quite ready to sail , we did have our official boat naming ceremony that day.

Our sail day turned out to be april 29th. we went over to Glen Cove Marina. Nice little sail but not much wind so motrorsailed most of the way. We did get a nice wind on the trip back and really got to fly for about 15 min. not much but better than nothing :-)

this is Zen in Glen Cove

2006-05-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

I'm new here! I just found this place by chance. Seems interesting enough. I have a page on MySpace, but did not blog anything as I have my own website with my sailing blog on it. Maybe I'll give this a shot as well. Seems like less kids on here than my space.

I would not mind meeting a few local folks from the area that sail, maybe a couple our age. Just normal folks or some old hippies would be cool.

We are just back from Japan a few weeks ago. I am so please the weather finally got good enough to sail. We went out this weekend past for a couple of hours. I thought it would be no wind, but I was able to get a 25 degree heel just running the jib. My first time doing that interesting learning something new.

I have been sailing for about 5 years now. My first boat was an Pearson Ariel. Nice old boat very forgiving of a newbie of which I was very glad after coming back from S.F. in near gale conditions, with no idea about reefing. It was touch and go but we made it!

My current boat is a 1967 Islander 29. I really like having the extra weight and room. More like a floating condo. Sometimes we just hang out on her at the marina. I plan on one day taking her to Japan via Hawaii/Marshall islands/Guam with maybe another stop in between.

Interesting enough i have picked up a mentor. An older gent has befriended me. He has the same boat which he has sailed to Hawaii and a Japanese wife and knows about the places I want to go having spent time there during WWII. amazing!

It will be interesting to see if anyone shows up here...

Hmmm already I am having problems posting this grrrrrr