Kentfield, California
 |
| Marin County Sunset |
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Friday, June 20, 2014
Thursday, September 1, 2011
General David Petraeus an Extradinary Man
Glen Ellen, California
Yesterday David Petraeus retired from the U.S. Army after 37 years of service. We, as a nation, should salute him.
Yesterday David Petraeus retired from the U.S. Army after 37 years of service. We, as a nation, should salute him.
Monday, June 13, 2011
My New Base of Operations
Glen Ellen, California
I've been busy outfitting my little house to make it homey. A critical component of my new living arrangement is my office.
The office is up and running. Looks pretty nice. Oh? What's that? That's right, that is a new 21 inch iMac sitting on my new Ikea desk with my Apple TV connected to my flatscreen. Hopefully I can be productive with all my gizmos so near at hand.
CC
I've been busy outfitting my little house to make it homey. A critical component of my new living arrangement is my office.
The office is up and running. Looks pretty nice. Oh? What's that? That's right, that is a new 21 inch iMac sitting on my new Ikea desk with my Apple TV connected to my flatscreen. Hopefully I can be productive with all my gizmos so near at hand.
CC
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Reason I've Moved Into A House
San Rafael, California
This semester past I took a required course call Humanities Seminar that required a great deal of reading. It is best described as a class based upon the Great Books model of learning. The student reads a spattering of books that are judged to be great works that have shaped the foundations of western society. A reading is assigned for the week, then the class meets in a circular fashion, and the professor facilitates a discussion based upon students interpretation of the reading. I loved it! Here is a list of some of the authors I had to read. Thoreau, Marx, Martin Luther, The Bible, Freud, Whitman, Woolf, Darwin, and Plato.
My charge for my last paper of the class was to pick a reading that "moved me" and write about ways that it made me think a little differently or some new insights. Also, to discuss the value of the humanities, and suggest further research I may pursue in the future.
I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own" so much, and choose to write about her piece. I thought for sure that I would choose to furiously attack Marx, as his writings did more than move me. In fact, one of the Marx writings called "Wage Labor and Capital" was the best economics 101 explanation I have ever read. He understood free markets. But his works "On the Jewish Question" was so revolting to me, I had trouble getting through it. If you want to know how World War 2 culminated in the Holocaust, just go back to 1843 and read what Marx wrote. Crazy. Anyway, below is the paper I wrote for the class.
Generally, I learned how important a sense of "place" is for a person to think creatively and thrive. "A Room of One's Own" is a metaphor for a great many things. Living aboard Christa since I started school has become difficult because of lack of space. I'm a spreader outer, and was unable to build an adequate room of my own. Thus, I've decided to give shore side living a long-term go. Interpret what you will! Enjoy!
Humanities Sem Reflective Essay Final
CC
This semester past I took a required course call Humanities Seminar that required a great deal of reading. It is best described as a class based upon the Great Books model of learning. The student reads a spattering of books that are judged to be great works that have shaped the foundations of western society. A reading is assigned for the week, then the class meets in a circular fashion, and the professor facilitates a discussion based upon students interpretation of the reading. I loved it! Here is a list of some of the authors I had to read. Thoreau, Marx, Martin Luther, The Bible, Freud, Whitman, Woolf, Darwin, and Plato.
 |
| From Google Images |
My charge for my last paper of the class was to pick a reading that "moved me" and write about ways that it made me think a little differently or some new insights. Also, to discuss the value of the humanities, and suggest further research I may pursue in the future.
 |
| From Google Images |
I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own" so much, and choose to write about her piece. I thought for sure that I would choose to furiously attack Marx, as his writings did more than move me. In fact, one of the Marx writings called "Wage Labor and Capital" was the best economics 101 explanation I have ever read. He understood free markets. But his works "On the Jewish Question" was so revolting to me, I had trouble getting through it. If you want to know how World War 2 culminated in the Holocaust, just go back to 1843 and read what Marx wrote. Crazy. Anyway, below is the paper I wrote for the class.
Generally, I learned how important a sense of "place" is for a person to think creatively and thrive. "A Room of One's Own" is a metaphor for a great many things. Living aboard Christa since I started school has become difficult because of lack of space. I'm a spreader outer, and was unable to build an adequate room of my own. Thus, I've decided to give shore side living a long-term go. Interpret what you will! Enjoy!
Humanities Sem Reflective Essay Final
CC
Friday, June 3, 2011
Well It's Official, Christa is No Longer My Primary Home
Glen Ellen, CA
Weather=Not Good
I've moved into my house in Glen Ellen, north of San Francisco in the wine country. Here is the deal. Like many, I had a pretty tough spring. With the exception of school, which continues to be a real blessing, I had some challenges in the real estate world creating a few stressful weeks. Simultaneously, I had an attorney default on a note that I hold for a piece of land I sold in 2005, and the renters in my house turned into a true nightmare. Needless to say, I was owed a truck load of money, and now have to spend to repossess the property. The lot is worth a fraction of what I was owed. The details of the renters is not something I should publish, but labeling them scumbags is accurate.
I've grown weary of living aboard Christa. This is not a reflection of Christa or boats in general, but is an acknowledgement that I'm in my forties, I've been living aboard Christa for nearly 13 years, and I simply want to live more normally. I'm also running low on space aboard ship. Living the way I do these days surely would have precluded any sailing, as stowing for sea would be nearly impossible now.
Some back story. I bought this little ugly 1000 square foot cottage in Glen Ellen in 2003 with the intention of knocking it down someday, and building nice little gem on the lot. Now the house is a bit of an ugly duckling, but it has a charm that is difficult to explain. It is a unique little place built sometime during the 1930's. It sits a few hundred feet behind a bigger refurbished home that used to be a Greyhound Bus Station in the 30's & 40's. My house was the caretakers home.
I was stationed in California for a number of years, completing 3 tours back to back in California. I assumed I'd be able to finish out my Coast Guard career in California. I was wrong. The Coast Guard gave me orders to the east coast in July of 2005, and had a deep impact on many things, including my house situation. This is one of the rigors of military life. I turned the place over to a management company who didn't screen the tenants very well, culminating in the nightmare I just endured.
So, here we are now in 2011. The housing market is totally in the tank, and not a prudent time to sell. I've not the stomach to be a landlord again, at least not for a long time, and coupled with the fact I don't want to live aboard anymore. It makes sense for me to move into my house. Seems like a no brainer ehhh???
A couple of downsides. I give up my high use status on Christa, and remove the option of moving back aboard. I simply can't afford to float a house mortgage and the high use fee. Glen Ellen is 33 miles north of Dominican U of C, an expensive commute given today's gas prices. More importantly is, I've established a community of folks in San Rafael, and now that gets jiggered up a bit.
The great news is that since I started staying in the house I've started to grow fond of the place again. It needs a ton of TLC. Sonoma county is really beautiful. Country living. It's nice. I now can begin to do some work aboard Christa as I have room to maneuver, and I will still be spending two night per week aboard Christa on the days I have class at Dominican. These are my rationalizations!
In my next post I'm going to write about California's Gestapo like tactics that give me serious pause about settling permanently here in the Golden State.
Capt Chris
Weather=Not Good
I've moved into my house in Glen Ellen, north of San Francisco in the wine country. Here is the deal. Like many, I had a pretty tough spring. With the exception of school, which continues to be a real blessing, I had some challenges in the real estate world creating a few stressful weeks. Simultaneously, I had an attorney default on a note that I hold for a piece of land I sold in 2005, and the renters in my house turned into a true nightmare. Needless to say, I was owed a truck load of money, and now have to spend to repossess the property. The lot is worth a fraction of what I was owed. The details of the renters is not something I should publish, but labeling them scumbags is accurate.
 |
| Wood Stove Test Sat |
Some back story. I bought this little ugly 1000 square foot cottage in Glen Ellen in 2003 with the intention of knocking it down someday, and building nice little gem on the lot. Now the house is a bit of an ugly duckling, but it has a charm that is difficult to explain. It is a unique little place built sometime during the 1930's. It sits a few hundred feet behind a bigger refurbished home that used to be a Greyhound Bus Station in the 30's & 40's. My house was the caretakers home.
I was stationed in California for a number of years, completing 3 tours back to back in California. I assumed I'd be able to finish out my Coast Guard career in California. I was wrong. The Coast Guard gave me orders to the east coast in July of 2005, and had a deep impact on many things, including my house situation. This is one of the rigors of military life. I turned the place over to a management company who didn't screen the tenants very well, culminating in the nightmare I just endured.
So, here we are now in 2011. The housing market is totally in the tank, and not a prudent time to sell. I've not the stomach to be a landlord again, at least not for a long time, and coupled with the fact I don't want to live aboard anymore. It makes sense for me to move into my house. Seems like a no brainer ehhh???
A couple of downsides. I give up my high use status on Christa, and remove the option of moving back aboard. I simply can't afford to float a house mortgage and the high use fee. Glen Ellen is 33 miles north of Dominican U of C, an expensive commute given today's gas prices. More importantly is, I've established a community of folks in San Rafael, and now that gets jiggered up a bit.
The great news is that since I started staying in the house I've started to grow fond of the place again. It needs a ton of TLC. Sonoma county is really beautiful. Country living. It's nice. I now can begin to do some work aboard Christa as I have room to maneuver, and I will still be spending two night per week aboard Christa on the days I have class at Dominican. These are my rationalizations!
In my next post I'm going to write about California's Gestapo like tactics that give me serious pause about settling permanently here in the Golden State.
Blast From the Past
 |
| Pennsylvania Circa 1990. Layover Transferring from Seattle to Point Judith Rhode Island |
Capt Chris
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
34th America's Cup Race in San Francisco
San Rafael, California
I was laying in the V-bunks aboard Christa the other night when it occurred to me the monumental nature of the 34th running of the America's Cup being held in San Francisco. Back in the day, I received orders to be stationed in San Francisco against my will. I had no desire to be stationed in the city by the bay. I mistakenly thought it was cold and rainy all the time, and that everyone had to be gay. I was way way askew in my assessment. The first time I walked through Sausalito, California I was floored. Some readers may know I lived aboard in Sausalito for seven years. The nautical heritage of San Francisco is significant, and is one of the huge draws for me to settle back down in the Bay Area. The America's Cup being hosted here in 2013 is just another feather in the cities seafaring cap.
The craziness of these sailing machine's is hard to grasp. Computer technology has pushed the sport into the stratosphere. I will be rooting hard for the American's and can't wait to observe the trials on the bay, the hoopla that the race will bring and of course the race itself will be great. Could be time to get a telephoto lens!
I hope to bring some personal reporting and photographs to the blog as the teams start to buy up pier space along the city waterfront. When things heat up, I'll be on scene. Could be time to join the CG Auxiliary and get more involved.
I was laying in the V-bunks aboard Christa the other night when it occurred to me the monumental nature of the 34th running of the America's Cup being held in San Francisco. Back in the day, I received orders to be stationed in San Francisco against my will. I had no desire to be stationed in the city by the bay. I mistakenly thought it was cold and rainy all the time, and that everyone had to be gay. I was way way askew in my assessment. The first time I walked through Sausalito, California I was floored. Some readers may know I lived aboard in Sausalito for seven years. The nautical heritage of San Francisco is significant, and is one of the huge draws for me to settle back down in the Bay Area. The America's Cup being hosted here in 2013 is just another feather in the cities seafaring cap.
The craziness of these sailing machine's is hard to grasp. Computer technology has pushed the sport into the stratosphere. I will be rooting hard for the American's and can't wait to observe the trials on the bay, the hoopla that the race will bring and of course the race itself will be great. Could be time to get a telephoto lens!
I hope to bring some personal reporting and photographs to the blog as the teams start to buy up pier space along the city waterfront. When things heat up, I'll be on scene. Could be time to join the CG Auxiliary and get more involved.
Blast From the Past
 |
| Jolly Harbor, Antigua 2008 |
Actually, not that much in the past. I just love the picture.
CC
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Back Home in San Francisco
Mill Valley, California
Mission? Regrouping after a month on the move
I flew out of White Planes, New York yesterday afternoon, but just barely. With the blizzard roaring up the eastern seaboard, and the snow event occurring in Chicago, all served to create chaos in the nations flight system. I'm fortunate to have made it out of New York before the airports closed. I surely would have been stranded on the east coast for another few days. Here are some pictures of what I missed. Photo credit to my sister, and editing credit goes to the kid using my new snazzy Aperture 3 program. Saga to follow on that software update.
I'm thrilled to be back home in California. I landed at San Francisco International and took the Marin Airporter back to San Rafael. I spend the majority of my time behind the wheel while traveling. Last night I gained an even greater appreciation of my lot in life as I stared out the windows of the bus. The city skyline is a gem, and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge never ceases to amaze me. I was beeming even after 12 hours of airports and travel. Christa was as I left her, and the Green Hornet fired right up.
Today I made my noon yoga class at Red Dragon Yoga, and noticed a clear reduction in ability after slacking for a month. But this was offset by smiles and greetings from familiar folks who were happy at my return.
Back in the saddle with the comfort of my standard routine.
Mission? Regrouping after a month on the move
I flew out of White Planes, New York yesterday afternoon, but just barely. With the blizzard roaring up the eastern seaboard, and the snow event occurring in Chicago, all served to create chaos in the nations flight system. I'm fortunate to have made it out of New York before the airports closed. I surely would have been stranded on the east coast for another few days. Here are some pictures of what I missed. Photo credit to my sister, and editing credit goes to the kid using my new snazzy Aperture 3 program. Saga to follow on that software update.
 |
| Sisters backporch |
I'm thrilled to be back home in California. I landed at San Francisco International and took the Marin Airporter back to San Rafael. I spend the majority of my time behind the wheel while traveling. Last night I gained an even greater appreciation of my lot in life as I stared out the windows of the bus. The city skyline is a gem, and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge never ceases to amaze me. I was beeming even after 12 hours of airports and travel. Christa was as I left her, and the Green Hornet fired right up.
Today I made my noon yoga class at Red Dragon Yoga, and noticed a clear reduction in ability after slacking for a month. But this was offset by smiles and greetings from familiar folks who were happy at my return.
Back in the saddle with the comfort of my standard routine.
Blast From the Past
 | |
| Glacier National Park |
This shot was taken in June of 2004. I took about 30 days of leave, and lit out for Montana from San Francisco. I once had a spur to buy a track of land in Montana, and almost did. I found 40 acres in Thompson's Falls, just over the ridge from the Bitter Roots. I really wanted the land, the price was right, and I had the scratch. I just got so freaked out about how big and far away Montana was from everything I knew. The trip was not a wash, but another grand adventure. Camping in a June blizzard, backpacking through Glacier National Park, watching a 300 pound man eat a 1/4 burger while smoking a cigarette, and continuously pouring money into and pulling the handle on a slot machine. I was in a hotel in Big Fork, Montana when I learned of Ronald Reagan's crossing the bar. The above picture was taken while backpacking with my trusty Fuji Finepix 3200.
CC
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Photo Traffic Enforcement is Enraging
Williamstown Ma
Mission? Visiting Friends, biding my time until school
Not long ago, in San Rafael, California, my current home, I was sifting through Patch.com when I came upon a lengthy article regarding a specific traffic light that I drive through on a regular basis. What I learned enraged me regarding the photo enforcement movement throughout the United States. It should seriously bother you too.
This topic is relevant for me as I really want to make California my permanent home. However, issues like the intersection of Irwin and 3rd street in San Rafael is indicative of a state that has mismanaged its finances so badly, supports all kinds of crazy social programs, and leans so heavily on its productive citizens, that local governments move to gather revenue anyway possible. Ultimately, this type of thing fails. The only other place I would consider relocating to is Texas. In terms of taxation, and the over all thirst of the government, Texas is a clear choice. But I really love living in Marin County California. This is why I decided to speak up about the photo enforcement thing, as it simply points to a tone that has been set in California.
The above intersection traffic fine levied by the Australian company, Redflex, under the authority of the San Rafael City Council is a staggering $503! This includes rolling through yellow to red, and not making a complete stop on a right or left turn. This is insanity. Check these numbers.
In one year citizens were ticketed approx 4,000 times @ $500, which amounts to about two million in revenue to a city with a population of about 55,000 (2007 census). This breaks down to approx 7 percent of the population receiving a ticket from this one intersection. Spread out amongst the total city population, this amounts to $36 per year per citizen. What really made me fly is the article not only was giving the scoop on the Irwin light, but detailed the cities plans to install cameras at three other intersections. Enough! Here is the breakout of how the revenue from one ticket is sliced and diced, and then sent to a specific budget category. This information comes from the article in patch.com.
In a funny twisted turn of events, progressive minded folks realized that Redflex is Australian, but is based out of Scottsdale Arizona, and thus California citizens are sending some revenue to Arizona. A state they are supposed to have boycotted. San Rafael is overflowing with illegal immigrants, and is a sanctuary city. Everyone is all up in arms over Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law, and the city is unable to cut off city contracts with Arizona unless it wants to dump the camera enforcement program. It seems that 2 million per year trumps.
I object to the use of photo enforcement on plan ole unfairness grounds. Call it ideological, I don't care. Coming near that intersection creates paranoia. The margin for any kind of error is slim. People now stop when the light is still green, and people will not make a legal right hand turn just to be super cautious. It creates road rage. At $500 beans why risk it? I now simply avoid the whole intersection. I emailed the city and let them know I won't visit any more local businesses in the downtown area. To get downtown, I have to go through the Irwin intersection, find parking at $1.25 an hour with a $38 dollar fine for exceeding your time limit. If the meter is expired more than 20 minutes the fine nearly doubles. Why bother? I also take into consideration that I still have Florida plates, as I am a Florida resident attending college in California. The state will get all kinds of herdy turdy over the fact I have not re-registered the car in California. After all they want their $300 bucks, the ease of delivering fines, and the leverage gained over me.
Furthermore, it is not clear that photo enforcement saves lives or assists in traffic flow. Motorist behavior is already heavily regulated with speed limits, stop signs and traffic lights. We have arrows pointing everywhere, red zones, white zones, bus lanes, fire lanes, taxi zones and POV lanes. It is just ridiculous, and needs to change. People squawk about distracted drivers due to smartphones and the like, but never mention the overwhelming task direction the government provides in the form of signs, and all in the name of safety. Now the safety motivator and revenue motivator have merged to really anger the population.
Here is a quick sample: Sykesville, Maryland was put to a referendum, in which 321 out of 529 voters (60.4%) voted against the cameras. The turnout for this vote was greater than the number of voters in the previous local Sykesville election for mayor where 523 residents voted" (wikipedia). Arizona operated 76 cameras and has decided to not renew its contract with Redflex. Arizona need not worry though, because apparently San Rafael, California plans to keep cash flowing to Arizona.
What can you do? You need to voice your opinion to the elected officials. Local business needs to also engage, and realize that this type of overbearing governing results in people not visiting business districts. At least today, people still have the ability to move. California, New York and Connecticut are losing big time to states like New Hampshire, Texas and Florida. When a local government has the cojones to fine someone $503 dollars for a traffic infraction something is seriously wrong. The best resource I found to gather information and fight is highwayrobbery.net.
Mission? Visiting Friends, biding my time until school
Not long ago, in San Rafael, California, my current home, I was sifting through Patch.com when I came upon a lengthy article regarding a specific traffic light that I drive through on a regular basis. What I learned enraged me regarding the photo enforcement movement throughout the United States. It should seriously bother you too.
This topic is relevant for me as I really want to make California my permanent home. However, issues like the intersection of Irwin and 3rd street in San Rafael is indicative of a state that has mismanaged its finances so badly, supports all kinds of crazy social programs, and leans so heavily on its productive citizens, that local governments move to gather revenue anyway possible. Ultimately, this type of thing fails. The only other place I would consider relocating to is Texas. In terms of taxation, and the over all thirst of the government, Texas is a clear choice. But I really love living in Marin County California. This is why I decided to speak up about the photo enforcement thing, as it simply points to a tone that has been set in California.
 |
| The Intersection of Evil |
The above intersection traffic fine levied by the Australian company, Redflex, under the authority of the San Rafael City Council is a staggering $503! This includes rolling through yellow to red, and not making a complete stop on a right or left turn. This is insanity. Check these numbers.
In one year citizens were ticketed approx 4,000 times @ $500, which amounts to about two million in revenue to a city with a population of about 55,000 (2007 census). This breaks down to approx 7 percent of the population receiving a ticket from this one intersection. Spread out amongst the total city population, this amounts to $36 per year per citizen. What really made me fly is the article not only was giving the scoop on the Irwin light, but detailed the cities plans to install cameras at three other intersections. Enough! Here is the breakout of how the revenue from one ticket is sliced and diced, and then sent to a specific budget category. This information comes from the article in patch.com.
- $139.06 – Violation fine to City of San Rafael (30% of fee)
- $ 8.92 – County General Fund
- $ 17.15 – Criminal Justice Facilities Construction Fund
- $ 13.72 – Courthouse Construction Fund
- $ 19.60 – EMS
- $ 7.20 – 2% Automation Charge for Criminal Records
- $ 9.80 – DNA Identification Penalty Assessment
- $ 13.72 – Maddy EMS
- $ 3.43 – Automated Fingerprint ID System Fund
- $ 9.80 – DNA Additional Penalty Assessment
- $ 48.02 – State Penalty; Criminal Offenses
- $ 20.58 – County Share of State Penalty
- $ 20.00 – 20% State Surcharge; Base Fines
- $ 29.40 – State Court Construction Penalty; Criminal Offenses
- $ 30.00 – Court Security Fee on Criminal Offenses
- $ 35.00 – ICNA-Conviction Assessment-Infractions
- $ 19.60 – ICNA – Court Const PA
In a funny twisted turn of events, progressive minded folks realized that Redflex is Australian, but is based out of Scottsdale Arizona, and thus California citizens are sending some revenue to Arizona. A state they are supposed to have boycotted. San Rafael is overflowing with illegal immigrants, and is a sanctuary city. Everyone is all up in arms over Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law, and the city is unable to cut off city contracts with Arizona unless it wants to dump the camera enforcement program. It seems that 2 million per year trumps.
I object to the use of photo enforcement on plan ole unfairness grounds. Call it ideological, I don't care. Coming near that intersection creates paranoia. The margin for any kind of error is slim. People now stop when the light is still green, and people will not make a legal right hand turn just to be super cautious. It creates road rage. At $500 beans why risk it? I now simply avoid the whole intersection. I emailed the city and let them know I won't visit any more local businesses in the downtown area. To get downtown, I have to go through the Irwin intersection, find parking at $1.25 an hour with a $38 dollar fine for exceeding your time limit. If the meter is expired more than 20 minutes the fine nearly doubles. Why bother? I also take into consideration that I still have Florida plates, as I am a Florida resident attending college in California. The state will get all kinds of herdy turdy over the fact I have not re-registered the car in California. After all they want their $300 bucks, the ease of delivering fines, and the leverage gained over me.
Furthermore, it is not clear that photo enforcement saves lives or assists in traffic flow. Motorist behavior is already heavily regulated with speed limits, stop signs and traffic lights. We have arrows pointing everywhere, red zones, white zones, bus lanes, fire lanes, taxi zones and POV lanes. It is just ridiculous, and needs to change. People squawk about distracted drivers due to smartphones and the like, but never mention the overwhelming task direction the government provides in the form of signs, and all in the name of safety. Now the safety motivator and revenue motivator have merged to really anger the population.
Here is a quick sample: Sykesville, Maryland was put to a referendum, in which 321 out of 529 voters (60.4%) voted against the cameras. The turnout for this vote was greater than the number of voters in the previous local Sykesville election for mayor where 523 residents voted" (wikipedia). Arizona operated 76 cameras and has decided to not renew its contract with Redflex. Arizona need not worry though, because apparently San Rafael, California plans to keep cash flowing to Arizona.
What can you do? You need to voice your opinion to the elected officials. Local business needs to also engage, and realize that this type of overbearing governing results in people not visiting business districts. At least today, people still have the ability to move. California, New York and Connecticut are losing big time to states like New Hampshire, Texas and Florida. When a local government has the cojones to fine someone $503 dollars for a traffic infraction something is seriously wrong. The best resource I found to gather information and fight is highwayrobbery.net.
Blast From The Past
 |
| Seaman Allaire. Heavy Weather aboard Polar Sea, circa 1988 |
CC
PS: Please don't forget to subscribe to the blog feed, and leave your comments!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2011
Williamstown Mass
Mission? Visiting Friends
For us lucky living, a new year is upon us. I'd have to say 2010 was a pretty kick ass year. Much has changed for me over the past year. Recall a year ago today, I had just arrived in Naples, Florida after my crossing from Grenada. You can get caught up on that situation by clicking here. Life continues to evolve as it is supposed to.
New Years Day is when many folks start thumping away at this years resolutions. That is how it should be. At the beginning of the year is when major rubber is applied to life's helm, steadying up on a new direction and then minor course corrections throughout the year to keep moving forward. But sometimes a new direction takes awhile to steady up on. The point is, it's a good time to reevaluate and make a commitment.
Last year is when I altered my life's direction substantially. I trucked Christa to California in June, and entered Dominican University of California in August. Now, I have minor course corrections to apply as I continue to study and transition into a new occupation at some point. All is well with me, and I've no regrets with my altering of the sailing life. I love living in the San Francisco Bay area and see myself settling out west for a good long time. I can't think of another area I'd rather live other than Austin Texas. So that is the skinny from Massachusetts on the 1st day of 2011.
Mission? Visiting Friends
 |
| Snowshoeing in Williamstown Mass 31 Dec 10. Shot with Canon G11 |
For us lucky living, a new year is upon us. I'd have to say 2010 was a pretty kick ass year. Much has changed for me over the past year. Recall a year ago today, I had just arrived in Naples, Florida after my crossing from Grenada. You can get caught up on that situation by clicking here. Life continues to evolve as it is supposed to.
New Years Day is when many folks start thumping away at this years resolutions. That is how it should be. At the beginning of the year is when major rubber is applied to life's helm, steadying up on a new direction and then minor course corrections throughout the year to keep moving forward. But sometimes a new direction takes awhile to steady up on. The point is, it's a good time to reevaluate and make a commitment.
 |
| Breck on New Years Eve 2010. Shot with my Canon G11 |
Last year is when I altered my life's direction substantially. I trucked Christa to California in June, and entered Dominican University of California in August. Now, I have minor course corrections to apply as I continue to study and transition into a new occupation at some point. All is well with me, and I've no regrets with my altering of the sailing life. I love living in the San Francisco Bay area and see myself settling out west for a good long time. I can't think of another area I'd rather live other than Austin Texas. So that is the skinny from Massachusetts on the 1st day of 2011.
Blast From the Past
 |
| Me, Jill and Lynn in Honolulu 1995 |
The world lost Lynn to cancer in 2006. We miss her.
CC
Friday, December 10, 2010
More on Digital Photography
San Rafael, California
My interest in photography actually goes way back to when I was very young. My pop bought me a Vivitar 35MM camera as a wee lad. I remember my photography class in 7th grade at General Wayne Middle School, named after "Mad Anthony Wayne" the famous Revolutionary General. We took pictures and developed them old school style with the photo paper and all the chemicals in the dark room. It was really cool. The self portrait I did still hangs in my parents house in Florida.
I am disappointed with myself that I didn't take photography in terms of my sailing voyage more seriously. I took many pictures no doubt, but I didn't upgrade my camera until half way through the trip. I just could have done a better job that's all.
Trying to navigate the college school system and figuring out which classes satisfies my degree plan is not easy by any stretch. Dominican offers so much flexibility in terms of degree composition it actually creates a risk of taking the wrong course work. Outside of the fact one class costs about $2500 bucks, it is possible to merrily be studying away, only to learn a month or two before graduation, that your short 18 credits because you took the wrong courses. Even worse, it is so confusing, that much of the faculty can't navigate the system easily, and end up providing bad advice to the student. I'm very lucky to have the Chair of the Humanities Department, Prof Stelmach as an advisor. He's been around the horn.
My whole point with this diatribe is that I learned that Introduction to Digital Photography satisfies my creative arts requirement. Jazzed. Way Jazzed. Below is the course description.
I've struggled a bit about what to do with this blog. I've considered shutting it down as the original intent was sailing oriented. But I've decided to just keep on rolling as I keep on rolling. It is a wonderful archive. With my digital photography class coming on next semester, all hands can expect a ton of pictures to be posted. So maybe the blog will become more like a PhotoBlog.
Rookie photographers may learn something as I learn and post stuff. Stay tuned! Below are some recent images added to my iPhoto collection.
Capt Chris....ashore smooth
My interest in photography actually goes way back to when I was very young. My pop bought me a Vivitar 35MM camera as a wee lad. I remember my photography class in 7th grade at General Wayne Middle School, named after "Mad Anthony Wayne" the famous Revolutionary General. We took pictures and developed them old school style with the photo paper and all the chemicals in the dark room. It was really cool. The self portrait I did still hangs in my parents house in Florida.
I am disappointed with myself that I didn't take photography in terms of my sailing voyage more seriously. I took many pictures no doubt, but I didn't upgrade my camera until half way through the trip. I just could have done a better job that's all.
Trying to navigate the college school system and figuring out which classes satisfies my degree plan is not easy by any stretch. Dominican offers so much flexibility in terms of degree composition it actually creates a risk of taking the wrong course work. Outside of the fact one class costs about $2500 bucks, it is possible to merrily be studying away, only to learn a month or two before graduation, that your short 18 credits because you took the wrong courses. Even worse, it is so confusing, that much of the faculty can't navigate the system easily, and end up providing bad advice to the student. I'm very lucky to have the Chair of the Humanities Department, Prof Stelmach as an advisor. He's been around the horn.
My whole point with this diatribe is that I learned that Introduction to Digital Photography satisfies my creative arts requirement. Jazzed. Way Jazzed. Below is the course description.
 |
| Shot with my iPhon4 @night |
I've struggled a bit about what to do with this blog. I've considered shutting it down as the original intent was sailing oriented. But I've decided to just keep on rolling as I keep on rolling. It is a wonderful archive. With my digital photography class coming on next semester, all hands can expect a ton of pictures to be posted. So maybe the blog will become more like a PhotoBlog.
Rookie photographers may learn something as I learn and post stuff. Stay tuned! Below are some recent images added to my iPhoto collection.
 |
| Canon G11 in Panorama Mode. Shot December 2010 |
 |
| iPhone4 using Hipsmatic App |
 |
| Canon G11 @ GG Bridge Overlook |
 |
| iPhone4 using Hipsmatic App. That's Charlie |
 |
| Circa 1999. California Highway 466 where James Dean died in 1955 |
 | ||
| November 2010 |
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Today's Photo's
Marin County, California
I couldn't resist pulling over after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge today, and taking some pictures. It was so beautiful.
I couldn't resist pulling over after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge today, and taking some pictures. It was so beautiful.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Way Into Libraries
Mill Valley Library, Mill Valley California
I love visiting libraries and always make it a point when traveling to check out the local scene. You can derive alot about a community based on their library system. Here I am at the Boston Library. Love the "Free to All" etched in stone.
And again, here I am at the New York City Library in Midtown Manhattan.
My favorite library thus far in life has to be the Nantucket Public Library, pictured below.
In my current location in California, I have two gems to choose from. The first is the Alemany Library on the campus of Dominican University. I blogged recently of the beautiful and peaceful nature of the campus. The library is the same. Wireless, an art gallery, plenty of seating and great views outside giant windows. Below is my base of operations I've been setting up on some days. The chairs are comfy and functional. Blam!
On most days, I head about 8 miles south to Mill Valley to take a yoga class. This works well as the library is just a stones throw away. Now Mill Valley Library is in hard running with the top spot of my favorite library. The place is stellar in terms of its services and beauty. It sits in a small red wood forest, with full on picnic tables, small theatrical stage and babbling brook to boot. It also has a wooden deck where you can sit outside in the sun and soak. Lots of folks falling asleep on the deck......and cell phone chatterers too. Here are some pictures I took just the other day.
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
I love visiting libraries and always make it a point when traveling to check out the local scene. You can derive alot about a community based on their library system. Here I am at the Boston Library. Love the "Free to All" etched in stone.
 | ||
| Boston Library |
My favorite library thus far in life has to be the Nantucket Public Library, pictured below.
 | ||
| Nantucket Library |
On most days, I head about 8 miles south to Mill Valley to take a yoga class. This works well as the library is just a stones throw away. Now Mill Valley Library is in hard running with the top spot of my favorite library. The place is stellar in terms of its services and beauty. It sits in a small red wood forest, with full on picnic tables, small theatrical stage and babbling brook to boot. It also has a wooden deck where you can sit outside in the sun and soak. Lots of folks falling asleep on the deck......and cell phone chatterers too. Here are some pictures I took just the other day.
 |
| Mill Valley Library |
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
Friday, July 9, 2010
Levi Leipheimer GranFondo Cycling Event
Dominican University of California Library
This past February I wrote a blog entry announcing my intention to ride in a big ole cycling event held in Santa Rosa California. You can read that blog entry by clicking here. Over the past week or two I've been taking the road bike to Mill Valley and riding trails leading across the Golden Gate Bridge. Not easy cycling with the constant breeze and remarkably chilly temps on the bridge. But yesterday I was a bit humbled as I road a small portion of the course for the GranFondo. Below is the map of the 65 mile route I will be riding come October 9th 2010.
View GranFondo Medio Cycle Route in a larger map
The beauty is an incredible treat. I am new to cycling and what I found difficult, aside from the killer hills to climb is the simple pounding on the body. The tires are inflated to 130psi and the frame is stiff. Some portions of the road are smooth and others not so smooth. It now is a process of getting my body used to being on a bike for extended periods and then increasing my endurance to go the distance.
I'm pretty excited about my first event in October. I've never cycled in a crowd and certainly not 65 miles. The guy who organizes the whole shebang is Levi Leipeimer, who hails from Santa Rosa and is a big deal in the cycling world. He is Lance Armstrong's right hand man at this years Tour de France and is a very accomplished rider.
I didn't bring my camera on yesterday's ride as I haven't figured out how to carry the dern thang when riding. So I pulled the following pictures off the Internet of the cycling route. Stand by to be jealous because yesterday's ride looked just like these pictures!
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
This past February I wrote a blog entry announcing my intention to ride in a big ole cycling event held in Santa Rosa California. You can read that blog entry by clicking here. Over the past week or two I've been taking the road bike to Mill Valley and riding trails leading across the Golden Gate Bridge. Not easy cycling with the constant breeze and remarkably chilly temps on the bridge. But yesterday I was a bit humbled as I road a small portion of the course for the GranFondo. Below is the map of the 65 mile route I will be riding come October 9th 2010.
View GranFondo Medio Cycle Route in a larger map
The beauty is an incredible treat. I am new to cycling and what I found difficult, aside from the killer hills to climb is the simple pounding on the body. The tires are inflated to 130psi and the frame is stiff. Some portions of the road are smooth and others not so smooth. It now is a process of getting my body used to being on a bike for extended periods and then increasing my endurance to go the distance.
I'm pretty excited about my first event in October. I've never cycled in a crowd and certainly not 65 miles. The guy who organizes the whole shebang is Levi Leipeimer, who hails from Santa Rosa and is a big deal in the cycling world. He is Lance Armstrong's right hand man at this years Tour de France and is a very accomplished rider.
I didn't bring my camera on yesterday's ride as I haven't figured out how to carry the dern thang when riding. So I pulled the following pictures off the Internet of the cycling route. Stand by to be jealous because yesterday's ride looked just like these pictures!
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
Monday, July 5, 2010
Recent Trip to Sonoma
San Rafael Yacht Harbor, Marin County California
I recently slipped north to my little diamond in the rough located in Glen Ellen to re-sign my renters for a few more months. It really is a beautiful part of our country. Here are some pictures of the surrounding countryside.
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
I recently slipped north to my little diamond in the rough located in Glen Ellen to re-sign my renters for a few more months. It really is a beautiful part of our country. Here are some pictures of the surrounding countryside.
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Christa Resides Marina Side
San Rafael, Marin County California
I was launched and had the mast re-stepped simultaneously late last week. I've had a great experience using San Rafael Yacht Harbor for all my boating needs. I saved some dough by switching last minute to SRYH in lieu of KKMI shipyard.
I'll wait a bit to give more details on my surroundings and other boat related issues. Suffice to say now, that it is wonderful to be in a slip, in a marina with 3 Starbucks, 1 Peets Coffee, 1 Whole Foods, 1 Trader Joe's and a Border's all less than a mile away. Convenience is well convenient.
Speaking of convenient. I've managed to situate my living arrangements within a mile of Dominican University campus. And what a campus it is. Pictured above is the admissions office. The best way to describe the campus is to say it's like walking around an arboretum. The campus resides among huge Red Woods, with small wooden bridges spanning stream beds and wooden benches sprinkled through out. Large groomed grass lawns circled by restored buildings from the late 1890's, to ultra modern multi-million dollar science and engineering centers.
A student can't help but glide down what amounts to the Yellow Brook Road. The Humanities Chair, Dr Harlen remarked to me during our skull session that the campus is a major selling point. And it is. I felt pretty smart just striding and gliding around.
Since splashing Christa, I've been up to the university several times to meet with my academic adviser to map out my future. Here is some detail on what I have gotten myself into. I have entered a program called Pathways. Pathways is an adult education driven program designed for working adults with more than six years of post high school employment and at least 50 transferable credits. But here is the bonus. Given Dominicans small size (roughly 2500 students total) it allows the school mucho flexibility and one on one instruction and advice. The Pathways program has several paths to choose from. One path involves what they call a cohort. 25 adult students form a cohort and follow a course of instruction that is set in stone, both academically and schedule wise. The cohort stays together for two full years and graduate with an Applied Humanities Degree. Emphasis on applied. With heavy guidance from several Professor's, the cohort applies in the real world things they are taught while in class. The cohort decides on the direction or emphasis in consultation with the PHD people. For example, one of the classes is a Sustainable Communities class. So somewhere along the line the cohort will devise a project involving sustainability and apply it in the community, document it and then give a presentation on the results. While all this stuff sounds pretty cool I have decided to go in a more traditional direction.
I am in the Pathways Flex program, which still is an adult type program, but allows me to take classes during the day with the younger traditional crowd, hence the word flex. I will earn a Humanities and Cultural Studies degree with an emphasis of my choosing in consultation with the academic adviser. What is going on is, the university pokes and prods the student (me) to try and flush out what the career goal is post degree. Armed with this information, a set of instruction is crafted to give the student the most cutting edge information and the degree to go with it; so the student is uber marketable and prepared. But, the university has built in flexibility, so as the student is exposed to multiple fields of study (and in turn future occupations) a course correction is possible. For example, I think I'd like to be a teacher. In the near term I will be exposed to some classroom scenario and if I decide it's not my gig and I would like to explore the world of start-ups in Silicon Valley, a business degree plan is easily implemented. Clearly the earlier things are identified the more expeditious the education and the less money spent.
Having said all that, my initial thought is an emphasis on philosophy and pre-Law or maybe history. It simply is to early for me to make decisions. But I have registered for my first term starting August 23, 2010. My three classes are Foundations of Adult Learning, Advanced Writing and Critical Inquiry and an Art Class for a total of 9 credit hours. But during the term I will also be writing an essay that could be credited as 3 credit hours if it is up to snuff. So maybe I'm taking a full course load deemed 12 credits. Depends on how you look at it. The essay can be deferred and is part of the flex in case a new student is overwhelmed after not being in college for perhaps many years.
This is the culmination of one goal and the beginning of a new one. I have such a deep satisfaction after registering today for my coming program. It was no small step to decide while in the Eastern Caribbean to change direction, apply to school, get accepted, work the financial piece and then journey to San Rafael. It took over a year to accomplish just that aspect. I must continue to plow ahead and make the best decisions with the information at hand.
I'll report soon on the many other things I have been doing or thinking about.
Capt Chris
PS: Fully 3/4 of the student population is female. I may need a course of instruction on how to negotiate that fact.
I was launched and had the mast re-stepped simultaneously late last week. I've had a great experience using San Rafael Yacht Harbor for all my boating needs. I saved some dough by switching last minute to SRYH in lieu of KKMI shipyard.
 |
| San Rafael Yacht Harbor |
 |
| Admissions Office Dominican University of California |
A student can't help but glide down what amounts to the Yellow Brook Road. The Humanities Chair, Dr Harlen remarked to me during our skull session that the campus is a major selling point. And it is. I felt pretty smart just striding and gliding around.
 |
| Science Center |
I am in the Pathways Flex program, which still is an adult type program, but allows me to take classes during the day with the younger traditional crowd, hence the word flex. I will earn a Humanities and Cultural Studies degree with an emphasis of my choosing in consultation with the academic adviser. What is going on is, the university pokes and prods the student (me) to try and flush out what the career goal is post degree. Armed with this information, a set of instruction is crafted to give the student the most cutting edge information and the degree to go with it; so the student is uber marketable and prepared. But, the university has built in flexibility, so as the student is exposed to multiple fields of study (and in turn future occupations) a course correction is possible. For example, I think I'd like to be a teacher. In the near term I will be exposed to some classroom scenario and if I decide it's not my gig and I would like to explore the world of start-ups in Silicon Valley, a business degree plan is easily implemented. Clearly the earlier things are identified the more expeditious the education and the less money spent.
Having said all that, my initial thought is an emphasis on philosophy and pre-Law or maybe history. It simply is to early for me to make decisions. But I have registered for my first term starting August 23, 2010. My three classes are Foundations of Adult Learning, Advanced Writing and Critical Inquiry and an Art Class for a total of 9 credit hours. But during the term I will also be writing an essay that could be credited as 3 credit hours if it is up to snuff. So maybe I'm taking a full course load deemed 12 credits. Depends on how you look at it. The essay can be deferred and is part of the flex in case a new student is overwhelmed after not being in college for perhaps many years.
This is the culmination of one goal and the beginning of a new one. I have such a deep satisfaction after registering today for my coming program. It was no small step to decide while in the Eastern Caribbean to change direction, apply to school, get accepted, work the financial piece and then journey to San Rafael. It took over a year to accomplish just that aspect. I must continue to plow ahead and make the best decisions with the information at hand.
I'll report soon on the many other things I have been doing or thinking about.
Capt Chris
PS: Fully 3/4 of the student population is female. I may need a course of instruction on how to negotiate that fact.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
