Settling In

So I'm settling in to a life in Wilmington NC ... I don't want to get too settled in, but I think I'll like it here for a long time even though some want me to move out to Alabama and even others back out to the midwest. A lot is happening here under the surface and in four or five or fifteen years this place will be very different. Its growing, and out of all the places I've been the last few years: I might be able to make a tiny dent of a difference here.

I'm still working at DD and I actually enjoy it. I don't know why, I just do. The drama stays away from me for the most part. Then, I don't really talk to people there either. There's a few people I've hung out with after work, and I'm pretty sure they think I'm a little bit out there. But then who doesn't?

I really enjoy most of the people at DD ... there's a few that I don't like, but the afternoon crew is a trip. They talk about funny stuff. I don't repeat it, so they keep talking. Either that, or they think I'm not paying attention. Maybe both.

My programming job has kind of stagnated due to my phone being destroyed by my self-destructive technology directed temper. But a new one is on the way. I can't wait to actually get some coding done. That'll be nice. I've managed to do up some limited code, but without a way to actually see how the device reacts to certain things, I can't really do much.

The boat will start getting the bottom all prettified along with some fiberglass repair here shortly with it hopefully getting in the water before March. At least before the end of March. There are no words for how much I can't wait to get it in the water and do some sailing. I feel so utterly helpless stuck on land.

Until next time,

Robert Landers
S/V Blue Macs

That Damned Water Bottle (Part 1)

This is the story of Quinton Donnally and the striped water bottle that went back in time...

I swear to you, I just saw a velociraptor eat Evan ... If I could only get back to where I was a few hours ago ... if only.

My name is Quinton, most people call me Quinn. My day started out fairly normal.  I woke up, late for work as usual. I clambered out of bed and somewhere between hopped and crawled across the room to cut off the alarm clock.  I was up late last night, getting together the last bit of numbers for today's meeting (which was ironically going on right that very second as I was staring at the clock thinking 'oh shit'). So, I got dressed faster than canned air wearing yesterday's clothes.

I left my apartment, 622 Ringold, and started jogging to work. I fumbled for my cell, and realized it was dead. So great, I'm late and I can't even tell them I'm coming. At this point I guess I thought I was screwed anyway. So, I jogged into my favorite coffee shop.

Evan waved at me (the guy who usually makes my coffee) as I came in breathing heavily.

"Hey boss, back already?" He asked, and he must be confused because I just woke up.

"Yeah, yeah I am. I'm so fucking screwed." I pretend to look at the menu, "I'll get the usual."

"Can't today boss, stupid thing broke half an hour ago."

I think my jaw hit the ground.

"Seriously, you can look at me with disbelief all day long, but no coffee until the repair man gets here."

"I'll just get some of those peaches and a root beer," I grumble discontently.

He smiles, "Out of root beer."

"Ok, water then," NOT my day. And it was about to get way way worse.

He sets the bottle of water on the counter with the peaches and I pay him. I twist the cap on the water bottle and it doesn't even budge. Out of nowhere Evan shouts, "Holy shit batman, where the fuck did you come from!?"

I look up, surprised since I'd never heard Evan cuss, though I suspect there's probably a lot about Evan I don't know.

"Dude, how did you get in here? I haven't even unlocked the door yet!" His face says he's serious. But he's pulling my chain, got to be.

"I just teleported in here Evan, you know I'm a super hero right?"

"Right." He comes around the counter grabs my wrist and starts to drag me towards the door. In my infinite wisdom I try to hit him with the water bottle that is still in my hands. I must have done something right because suddenly the room is full of people and its pouring rain outside and he's passed out on the ground still holding my wrist.

The Past Couple of Months (At a Glance)

This place is really cool, has a lot of character ... looking forward to the summer, the heat, the ocean, the sailing, the storms, being lonely and being social. I've really enjoyed all the alone time I've had these past few months with the occasional good friends. I almost hate that I have to give it up to ensure that I can pay my bills next month, get the boat fixed and finish up this software.

That's where I'm at right now: wondering how I'm going to pay the bills. But, I will pay those bills, that's what's important right?

I've made it to Wilmington, North Carolina. It's nice here, warm. Not like Florida and not like Kentucky. I was out in shorts and a t-shirt downtown earlier tonight. I don't miss Maryland, I can tell you that much. Case in point: I can wear flipflops, every single day. I guess I do that anyway though, but that's besides the point.

Job hunting has been a pain in the ass from day one. I did find a little start up and I've contributed greatly to their projects and their business. And as of right now, I'm listed as an employee for tax benefits with the option to 'buy in' and actually own a portion of the company after a year. I already get a portion of the profits its just that right now, there aren't any profits to get a portion of. My personal goal is to get us making 1.5 million in revenue in the next two years. Yeah, I do get a say in that too.

I could have sworn I had this one pretty sweet software job not even two city blocks from me a few weeks ago. I didn't get it for some reason even though they really seemed to like me. Probably due to experience, though the more I thought about it ... nah, I'm not going to say that here.

I ended up getting a job at Dunkin Donuts making just above minimum wage. That in itself is pretty awesome, not the dream job ... but unlimited coffee makes it pretty damn close.

Blue Macs is out of the water, up on the hard as they say. Working on getting the money to sand down the bottom to the barrier coat and repaint the hull nice and smooth. Plus there's some work I want to do on the centerboard and I still need to repack this damn stuffing box. While I'm at it, I might as well see about replacing the head. That thing is shot to hell, but it still works. There's a lot to do on board, and not a lot of cash to go around. Still waiting on a hefty check from Uncle Sam, but I'm not counting on it arriving any time in the near future.

School starts in the summer, and I'm really looking forward to it. My GI-Bill certificate thingy got 'delayed' because I got selected for a random audit which added on about a month. I literally got it a week after classes started and I didn't want to start classes without it, not while I'm still fighting the out of state/in state bullshit.

Nonetheless, I'm going in the summer ... and I can't wait.

Until next time,

Robert Landers
S/V Blue Macs