Major Personal Victory

I'm proud to report that my speacial lady friend's car now has a variable speed AC fan. Until tonight, it had been malfunctioning, and only operating on low.

After pouring over Volvo forums, and hemming and hawing with parts guys, I took a deep breath, and took the plunge. I bought a part, sight unseen, had it UPSed and got under way with no hope of a software rescue.

Success. The Volvo is not a mystery, it's a car, a complicated car, but a car. Say the Volvo is like one of those movies where everyone is afraid of some bad-ass warrior villian (car), and they are all starting to think he's superhuman. Then along comes the dynamic brave savior of the village (me!), and wounds the bad-ass warrior and says, "see I made him bleed, he's only human." Then the village (Wife and maybe six month old daughter, though I'm not sure she's seen any of those movies)regains hope that perhaps the monster can be bested, by the hero(me, again).

Well, we are at that point. I've drawn blood. I've replaced the plugs, cleaverly hidden behind armor--ok it was just a plastic cover plate. I've fixed the fan motor resistor, a bona-fide electronic component. I've not slayed the dragon yet, but we are becomeing friends, or at least equal nemesees.

I'm going to take a stab at the sun-roof tracks next!

Shifting Gears

I can barely type because my hands are so cramped. The economic downturn has fostered some new developments at work. I could go into to it, but in short, and insensitively, lots of people have been layed off, there are less projects, and less people to do them. So I spend less time on the phone, and more time with a hammer. I cannot complain, I prefer actually doing things, to spending time on the phone trying to convince other people to do them for money. However, as resident jack-of-all-trades, I can get into a pretty precarious position.

Today for example. I demoed a bathroom, and framed an outside shower. Satisfying, quantifiable work. Enjoyed it. I also, placed a couple warranty orders, and checked on a defective door. Then I picked up some material and headed home. At home, I was greeted by a smiling UPS box filled with auto parts for my special lady friend's car, a volvo, in case you haven't heard.

I'm not one to walk away from a challenge, and to tell you the truth, I'm terrified of this software basted vehicle. Every repair requires a software update. New wiper blades . . . software update! Anyway, I got right into it. I love working on cars, and I love building stuff, but today, I was faced with a serious problem. I'd been stripping a bathroom most of the day. Pounding on a crowbar, extensive use of a reciprocating saw, I think there might have even been a sledge hammer in there. All of the sudden I had to wedge myself into the passenger's floor boards and remove six tiny hard-to-reach screws (torx drive, of course). The last one was a real bitch, and the crux of it was, I just couldn't get my thumb and forefinger to do what I wanted.

There was this massive cramp in the pad of my hand. Not the debilitating, I can't move it cramp, but he debilitating I look like a loser that's never held a tool before cramp.

I'm not sure why I've said all of this. Do I wonder if it's ok to shift gears like this. I obviously vote yes. Am I looking for pity? I don't think so. I guess I'm just looking for tips. There is a phrase jack-of-all-trades and master-of-none. I don't believe in that. I work in the trades. They are difficult, honorable, and interesting. But, they are not impossible, or all that mysterious. To be a jack-of-all-trades, and master of them all is possible, it just requires being comfortable with shifting gears. . . . and maybe a hand massage.

Should We All Buy Ford Explorers?

Is it possible that we, as concerned consumers, must act when we see a corporate citizen do something right.

Ford's built a seven pasenger, reasonably capable, safe sounding sport utility. Best of all, it's upgrade engine is smaller than standard, and gets better fuel economy. They are comparing the fuel economy to a Toyota Camry. I don't know, I fear debt, but I am impressed.

Why Build a Sail Boat Anyway?

This is an important question, and one with an obvious answer: Don't build one, buy a cheap used boat. I do however have a rousing internal argument on this subject that seems never ending. So, I'll hit the high points, and accept criticism as it comes.

The first reason to build, or excessively remodel a boat rather than buy a usable one is understanding. To truly understand a machine, you must be familiar with its systems and structure. As boats become larger, and more complex, this becomes more necessary, and more difficult. The rig of a sail boat is, by definition, exposed. You can see it; where each line begins, travels and terminates. The shape of the sail; changing through points of sail and wind conditions. However, this is only half of the equation. Hull design is critical to performance. Once you take into account the fact that minor alterations in either the hull or the rig can dramatically increase of decrease performance, the possibilities of performance achieved through different combinations increase exponentially.

My head is spinning, and we've not even breached the subject of auxiliary propulsion. I'm actually going to ignore it accept to say; purist or not, a boat is about getting somewhere. I must have at least one additional mode of propulsion, rowing is acceptable.

The second reason to build a boat is the boat's purpose. With some exceptions production sail boats a made for cruising (charter cruising), or some variation of that, racing or some variation, or day sailing or some variation. Boats of yore were built to fulfil a specific need. In our splendid modern time you can by a replica of a boat of yore. You can expect it to be lighter, stronger and safer than it's historical counterpart. But, you cannot expect your needs to coincide with a Gloucester Dory fisherman, or a Chesapeake Bay Oyster man. To build a boat is to create something to meet a need. The shame of boat ownership is that most of us don't need to or want to or have the cash to live a chartered lifestyle for months at a time. Living aboard is a lifestyle to aspire to, but those boats, like people's dogs, begin to morph into the design of their owners. This failure of purpose in boats leads directly to the common sentiment that boats are a waste of money and time.

So, I want to build a boat that does the following. It needs to be safe and stable. I have a wife and a child and I cannot compromise on this. (Oh, right, I shouldn't have to compromise, I'm going custom). I would like to avoid reefing and reasonable discomfort up to 18 knots and three foot chop. It needs to have a self bailing cockpit, and any enclosure must be watertight. Bilge pumps are unacceptable(ok maybe solar). The only drawback to my current craft is that she cannot set in a slip, rain will sink her. The boat must be trailerable. It needs to have the option to be single handed. There must be a shelter from the sun for the wee babe, and perhaps afford enough privacy for any co-ed restroom requirements, in a bucket of course. She must look and be built to last, as I'd like the security of knowing that I could recover at least half of my investment. The cockpit should comfortable seat six. Draft cannot exceed twelve inches. Center boards or dagger boards are fine.

Oh yeah, and I'd like to knock out the whole shootin' match for under ten grand.

Has anyone seen this boat, or must I accept my fate? Build, probably over-run my budget, spend more time than I want grinding glass to try, unsuccessfully, to stay in budget, and have to work so much to pay the damn thing off that I don't spend any time sailing her.

Daniel Schorr Has Passed

I imagine when noting the passing of a ninety three year old man, it's hard to register shock, or really sadness, for his sake anyway. As far as shock goes, it's relatively shocking because I heard him just last Saturday on Weekend Edition,and I was looking forward to hearing him tomorrow, as Quinn and I lounged on the couch. I won't hear him tomorrow, and that is shocking, and disappointing, if not sad.

He reported the news well; admirable but not particularly note worthy. The thing that fascinated me about his commentary was not his wit, though it was sharp, or his opinions, with which I sometimes disagreed. He was simply thoughtful, and very astute. He was interesting, insightful, and responsible. He was wise, and humorous. Also, he was very old.

I will never be a famous news analyst. No one is looking forward to hearing what I have to say this weekend. I have however admired Dan Schorr for quite a while. His composure, mind, and delivery were an inspiration. Who knows how long I will live? So rather than muse that at ninety three I'd like to be as well put together as Dan Schorr. Whether or not there is ever a microphone present, I'll just continue working towards that goal now.

Let's pump the brakes Mel . . .

... Or maybe you should just park the car and walk home.

Alright Alright, I know it's not ok to make light of domestic violence. Mel Gibson's behavior is inexcusable; repulsive. I'm gonna poke a little fun anyway.

It's hard sometimes. Sharing in the raising of an infant, trying to make ends meet, just waking up each day can be a little exhausting.

Then I, all men really, get a huge break. William Wallace himself makes us look good. Thanks Mel! You've proven all of our wives' and girlfriends' suspicions. Men are like parking spaces. All the good ones are taken and the only ones left are BATSHIT INSANE. We saw you in the Patriot Mel. We know what you are capable of.

So ladies, know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run like hell if you're with Mel!

I know I know, a trite cheap shot. But damn, this guy is a total lunatic.