New Boat, New Home, New Friends, Old Job

Since it's been over a year from the last post, I figure it's time. Not sure an annual blog would be that popular, so I'll try to do better...

After taking the Triumph from Boston to Fort Lauderdale a year and a half ago, my favorite company to work for made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I packed up the stuff necessary to live comfortably (who knew I had / needed that many purses???) and headed back to Boston.

A gracious friend gave me a place to crash until I sorted out my temporary permanent place, unfortunately he lives on the North Shore and I work on the South Shore. BRUTAL commute, but it's just for a short time and there's a lot of choices. Extended Stay, Short Term Lease, maybe even a roommate situation off Roommates.com or Craigslist. How hard can it be to find a place to stay???

Pretty frickin' hard...

Not only is it expensive, but I'm just too ornery to deal with the rules. When I brought up my husband coming to visit, one potential roommate nearly had a stroke. A friend offered "My girlfriend had the same problem - we just sneaked up to her room when no one was around. Oh, and you probably can't have food in your room. Sneak it in too..."

Seriously???  I wasn't good at that in college and I haven't gotten any better...

Back to the commute - I can make this work! Nope.  School bus turned sideways in the tunnel, garbage truck caught fire in another tunnel, one too many three hour commutes and I'm back to checking out alternatives.

Hmmm...  I live on a boat in Fort Lauderale, I lived on several different boats in Boston Harbor, maybe I should get another boat.


Off to Mendon and Certified Sales. There were a few other boats, but that's a story for another post. The pictures posted of Hypnautic on their website looked like a marine version of the house from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which was great because no one else bought it or even wanted it.  I bought it, brought it to Quincy and now I have a summer home. After buying the boat, paying for the Marina and taking care of minimal utilities, I'll pay less than I would have for half the time in an extended stay apartment setup.

The boat, a Sea Ray Sundancer 300, will be renamed Lady's Choice and improvements continue, but for now I'm four blocks from work and happy as a clam in, well, water.

Continuing to Live the Dream

Home Remedies and Natural Cures - Healthy or Hogwash?

Before I begin, I have to make a confession.

I hate doctors, hospitals, surgery, prescriptions and even lab tests.  My own personal opinion is that the health care industry is primarily driven by the health insurance industry, to the detriment of individuals' quality of life.

Don't get me wrong, I don't believe health care practitioners are bad people and that they don't care about their patients.  Sadly, I feel that they are being boxed into tighter and tighter constraints due to unrealistic requirements and fear of lawsuits and liabilities.

Additionally, living on a boat makes me want to avoid being tied to a specific health care network.  When cruising the islands, you don't want to have to look for a Mayo or Cleveland Clinic for every little thing.

When you combine this with my dislike of seeking professional care, I tend to do a lot of research and try natural remedies before heading to Urgent Care.  And what do you know?  There's quite a few natural cures that actually work!  Even better and faster than prescription drugs, the latter of which may have severe side effects.  Below, I've listed my favorites that I've sworn by for decades.

Since I have to put a disclaimer, here it is.

1. I am not a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, practitioner's assistant or any other health professional.
2. USE COMMON SENSE when trying these remedies.  If you're allergic to one of these items, don't use it.
3. DO NOT think that if two tablespoons is good, a cup is 8 times better.
4. Try a remedy.  If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. 
5. Don't put off going to the doctor if you experience severe discomfort, especially anything that lasts for longer than a few days.

Anyway, here they are...

  

1. Malady: Digestive discomfort, even as severe as colitis.  Remedy:  Aloe Vera juice.  Not the gross pulpy stuff you'd get by blending up the plant, but the filtered, tasteless juice you can buy at Whole Foods or other grocer.  There's even a brand with a happy road runner on the label.  Two ounces in the morning, two at lunch, mixed with juice, if you'd like.  Should see relief in a few days.  
2. Malady: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).  Remedy: Cranberry capsules.  I used to contract a lot of UTI's; so many that I've had to be dilated (VERY painful) to reduce scar tissue.  After reading that cranberries kept the bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls and not having much luck with cranberry juice (too diluted), I bought cranberry capsules.  These are just capsules of crushed up cranberries.  At the first symptom of a UTI, I take a handful of capsules, probably about twelve.  This is repeated every couple of hours along with a glassfuls of water.  Since I've been attacking the attacks with this, I haven't had a UTI last more than about three hours.  Keep in mind that since the dose is extreme, make sure there are no other additives to the capsules such as calcium or other minerals.
3. Malady: Acid Reflux.  Remedy: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).  I know, I know, it's counter intuitive.  But think about it this way.  The primary duty of our stomach is to digest food.  How does it do this?  By producing acid.  What do the acid reflux drugs do?  They neutralize acid.  When the acid level goes down, what does the stomach do?  Produce acid.  The idea behind the apple cider vinegar is to rebalance the stomach acid.  I personally know of a person who suffered so badly from acid reflux that they couldn't sleep at night due to the coughing.  The prescription drugs weren't working and sleep was impossible.  After taking two ounces of ACV in the morning and two at midday for about a week, the coughing went away completely and the person was able to stop taking the prescription drugs.  Why apple cider vinegar specifically?  I dunno...  Please see the disclaimer.  I'm an engineer, not a doctor, Captain...  If you don't want to take the vinegar straight, mix it with apple cider - it just tastes a little more tart.
4. Malady: Gall bladder pain.  Remedy: Apple Cider Vinegar.  Redundant?  Possibly.  But this stuff is great.  Same treatment as for Acid Reflux until the pain subsides.  I've had severe gall bladder pain that subsided in a couple of hours after taking the ACV.  DO NOT drink mass quantities - you will get sick... 
5. Malady: Burns.  Remedy: Olive Oil.  I learned this trick from a guy who worked in a pizza parlor.  Pour the oil (must be olive oil, not vegetable, canola, butter or any other kind.  Why?  I dunno...) over the affected area and keep applying until the heat goes away.  I've seen it remove the pain and keep a burn from blistering even if the burn came from a glowing ember (from a barbecue grill) or grabbing a hot pan.  This works even better than Aloe.  Sorry, but it does.   
6. Malady: Pollen Allergies.  Remedy: Local Raw Honey.  A tablespoon in the morning will relieve symptoms in a few days.  If you can't get true local honey, try to get some from the area that's similar to what is causing your woes.  A few years ago, the pollen count in Boston was so high that my black car was coated with a fine layer of yellow every morning.  I wanted to pull my eyes out of their sockets and wash them, they itched so badly.  I went to a farmers' market and found a vendor selling golden rod honey from upstate New York.  Sorry, all you Red Sox fans, but I was desperate.  The honey was almost gritty, it had so much pollen in it.  Tasted great.  After three days, the itching had completely subsided.  And, how horrible is it to start your day with a tablespoon of honey???
7. Malady: Vaginal Yeast Infection.  Remedy: Plain Yogurt with Active Bacteria Cultures.  Gross topic, I agree, but anyone who's ever contracted one of these knows how awful it can be.  And the various treatments have never worked well for me.  Just take a big scoop and slather it on the affected area.  Stuff it right up there.  Relief is almost immediate, especially if it's cool from the refrigerator, and it knocks the infection in the head right away.  This is where common sense comes in.  Apply it before you take your shower, wipe away excess, whatever, but don't go wandering around with it dripping.  More confession time - one time I was in agony and the store didn't have plain.  Strawberry worked just as well, but I'd advise getting the cheap brands without whole fruit...

These are my top favorites.  There are probably more and, as I think of them, I'll add them in.  Good luck and good health!

Reviewing More Products, Books, Restaurants, And So On

Since almost everyone trying to accomplish anything are living and dying by reviews, I've decided to be more pro-active and reviewing at least a few items a day.  Good, bad and indifferent, you guys get my opinion!!!  Here's one:

Originally submitted at Sharper Image

Good Response to Motion but too Dim

By TheLadyEv from Fort Lauderdale, FL on 2/12/2015

 

3out of 5

Pros: Attractive Design, Easy Controls, Lightweight, Compact

Best Uses: Home, Office

Describe Yourself: Enthusiast

Was this a gift?: No

The unit was compact, ergonomically pleasing and reacted as described to motion. Unfortunately, it was not bright enough for our purpose. Sent it back and received a refund right away.

(legalese)

Mash Stories - Shortlisted for January's Competition, "Gray" by E. Sabbag

Obviously, I'm a masochist.  After my last rant about contests and agent queries and traditional publishing, I've entered another writing contest.  This one appears to be pretty cool and I've been shortlisted for my story "Gray."  As part of the voting process, I'm supposed to garner votes, i.e. Kudos.

Please check out my entry and, if it seems to have what it takes to be a winner, please click on <Kudo>.  The winner isn't only selected by votes, but it doesn't hurt!

"Gray" by E. Sabbag 

As an interesting aside, the main critique was that the story ended on a trivial note. Since most of you know that this is slightly autobiographical (slightly? Hah!), I can attest that this was a really weird phenomenon. That is, while I was fighting for my life in the Atlantic Ocean, my thoughts were not grandiose and socially innovative, but trivial and focused on minutiae. The only thing I could come up with for an analysis is that when your brain is faced with the incomprehensible, it focuses on the trivial.

The Writer's Life: Agent Queries, Writing Contests and Other Depressing Topics

My writing life parallels all other aspects of my life.  I have skills, experiential knowledge and a level of confidence.  As a result, I believe I have something to say that people want to hear with a unique voice that only I possess.

Hmmm...

Self-publishing is, therefore, a god send.  It allows me to be me and say what I want to say.  It's satisfying, has the potential to be lucrative and, above all, is fun.  I have three books on Amazon, two in the creative pipeline and three others blocked out awaiting the creative hand.  There's even a workshop on self-publishing that I provide, Come Write Aboard(c)

Why do I still send out queries to agents and enter writing contests?  Even more, why do I feel devastated, crushed and depressed when I get rejected?  Again?

Backing up a little, with every "Thank you for your submission.  At this time we've decided to pass on publishing your manuscript,"  there's also a "Your writing is crisp, well-crafted with characters that are entertaining and believable.  But..."

It's the "But..." and the "...decided to pass..." that I focus on and obsess about.

Why?

Even with the personal satisfaction I experience upon viewing my creations, and the great feedback I receive from my readers ( and no, not everyone who gives me a great review is related or a friend), there's a part of me that still craves the validation that comes from a person in the industry who wants to represent me.  That agent and/or editor who believes in my abilities enough to want to invest time and money in me.

Me.

And so I keep submitting and hoping and dreaming and crying and repeating.

However.

Within this loop I've noticed an interesting facet.

At times I open my wallet, clear my calendar and attend conferences to meet with representatives face to face.  Over the years, the price has gone up.  Not that long ago, I paid $40 for a half hour with an agent.  Most recently, I paid $35 for 10 minutes.  Some meetings go well, some not so well.  The ones that go well are exciting and motivating and inspire me to polish up my manuscript and whip it off.  Memories of the 'connection' and the feelings of hope buoy me to continue working on current projects while daring to believe that this may be the one.

Until I receive the cookie cutter, terse reply that they've decided to pass.

And I'm devastated and crushed and crying.  And ready to try again.

After letting the wound heal a little, I re-read the rejection.  Just after the criticism, I notice an offer.  Sometimes a few offers.

"Check out our latest book on improving your characters..."

"For $xxx/ hour, our experts can show you how to bring your writing to a world class level..."

"Attend our writing boot camp for 10% off.  We guarantee you'll increase your potential to get noticed by an agent..."

Are the chummy conversations merely a well-honed sales pitch to get me to buy their products?  Similarly, are the tough love criticisms a way to break me down, make me more susceptible to the expertise they're offering?

Don't misunderstand.  I'm not saying their products are necessarily junk.  I've attended workshops, bought books and otherwise taken advantage of services that I've felt could improve my skills.  But is it being taken too far?  Has the industry all but given up on marketing books and is now focused on selling the tools and services required to make the books?  Here's an example:

Critique from a writing contest:
The writing and voice are extremely well crafted. The set up is great and introduces your reader to the storyline effortlessly. The setting is captured vividly and the character comes alive off the page. The real essence of your story is done remarkably. 

Recommendation from the same writing contest:
Track 2. We recommend you get a copyedit
Track 2 is for those SWP authors whose manuscript requires something heavier than a proofread. Issues that might qualify a manuscript for a copyedit include overuse of certain turns of phrase, redundant word choices, or small inconsistencies in character, plot, or structure. We will offer a brief assessment of your work in order to point you to the places in your manuscript that have deemed it in need of a copyedit. We do not require that you get your copyedit done by Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, though we recommend it.  We offer copyediting at a flat hourly rate of $60/hour. We employ a strong stable of copyeditors who are proficient in Chicago Manual of Style (the style guide of choice for book publishing).

How does "extremely well crafted" and "done remarkably" translate into "recommend... a copyedit... at $60/hour"

Since I'm neither desperate nor stupid, I'll spend the $60/hour on hiring an artist for my cover art.

Thanks for the offer, though.

The Liveaboard Life - Maintenance and Other Ugly Truths

When I tell people I'm a liveaboard--I live full time on a CT-56 sailboat with no ties to land except for the occasional storage unit and my car--there are several common responses.

1. How to you stay warm?  (Boston in the winter - A: I turn up the thermostat)
2. What do you do about Internet? (A: Thank you MiFi [Mobile Wifi] - as a computer professional, I can take them everywhere)
3. What do you do about clothes and storage?  I'd never have room for all my shoes (A: I got nothin.'  My shoe collection went from over 80 pairs to a cap at 12.  It's been creeping up, but I'm attending meetings for the addicton...)
4. "A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into..."
5. And, "To experience life on a boat, go into your shower in a raincoat, turn on the water and throw money around..."

Have to admit, the last two comments irritate me.  #5 is just stupid.  Sorry, but it is.  How can you compare wearing a raincoat in a shower to the lovely and serene experience that is sailing?  Maybe I've lost touch with land, but the last time I stayed with friends they didn't have sunsets, dolphins, clipper ships or the mournful cry of seagulls in their bathrooms, let alone their showers.  Guess I have the wrong friends.

As for #4, I can truly appreciate this one, particularly for those who are maintaining a large boat and a home on land.  When you finally have a weekend off and plan a cruise, the last thing you want to do is spend the time varnishing and fixing a water, bilge, or engine pump.  Even cleaning out the filters becomes a pain.

Here's how it's possible.  When you're a liveaboard, your boat is your home.  Compare the maintenance items to what you do around the house.  Mowing the lawn becomes varnishing the toe rails.  Clearing the gutters becomes clearing filters.  Water heater fails?  You buy a new one and replace the old one.  Replace water heater with water pump and there you are.  The more you do yourself, the better off you are.  Similar to replacing a roof.  Difficult, true.  Material intensive, yes.  But if you have the skills and time, you can save a lot of money and gain a tremendous amount of satisfaction by doing it yourself.

Consider refinishing hardwood floors.  On our trip from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, a console came loose and screws on the bottom gouged the teak and holly floors in a most egregious fashion.  I was absolutely horrified at what happened.  But, one night while we were watching television and pretending not to notice the ugly floor, my husband decided to sand out the damage.  And, much like refinishing the hardwood floors in a house, it's a mess and horrible and ugly.  

But when you look at the result, WOW.  What a beautiful result!  As for me, I just hid out in the bedroom (aft cabin) until it was done and et voila!  Brand new boat.  

Now if the Swiffer(r) will just do its job.  

Living Boldly - a Life Without Paralysis

Recently, I visited a cool site maintained by a fellow liveaboard - Cygnus III

One of his postings talked about fear at anchor.  At least I think it did.  I can't find it again.  But it's a great blog and worth perusing.

Anyway, there was a discussion about what kind of sailor are you at anchor.  I decided I was the type who constantly checks to see if the anchor has slipped and is concerned about leaving the boat...

This is a bad thing according to the idea of Living Boldly.

However.


"Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you."  Joseph Heller  Or "Just because you're afraid the anchor's going to slip, doesn't mean it won't..."



I'm not a typical sailor or liveaboard, if there is such a thing.  I never dreamed of sailing the seas and living onboard a sailing vessel while gathering coconuts with my lover and eating fish we'd caught and making love under the stars on a deserted island.

No.

I abhorred boats and all things water-related because of crippling motion sickness.

However.

The love of my life lived/lives on a sailboat and I didn't want to live without him.

My approach is not to claim to be unafraid.  I still throw up the first few days of a cruise, I constantly worry about pulling in and out of docks and I live in fear of the anchor slipping and throwing us up on a rocky shore or into a megayacht.

But I don't let it stop me.  I push through the fear and live the life of dreams anyway.  Anyone can.  It's okay to be afraid, but it's not okay to let it paralyze you.  Take Dramamine, check the anchor line, make sure your insurance is up to date, and sail the seas of whatever dreams you have.

And don't forget to make love under the stars...