Following Edge

I am a moody person. I don't think I'm as outwardly moody and irritable as some people I know, but I suppose there must be some of that. It's just that every two or three weeks, I become internally "dark" for a few days (or a week at the worst).

At these times, it feels like I have an overwhelming number of things that I need to do that I don't have the time and energy to take on. Certainly, that's true since I have a tremendous number of projects I make to take on at work, at home, and personally. However, while that's always true, it's only in these "moody" periods that I feel especially overwhelmed and depressed about it. Of course, feeling like that doesn't make me feel like actually doing anything... so, it's very pointless and self-defeating.

This weekend I've been feeling sick. On top of the sickness, I can feel the moody depression coming on today. I should be relaxing and looking forward to taking on any of the interesting projects I can get to this coming week... appreciating what's in front of me and not worrying about the rest. However, I can think those things on an intellectual level, but I don't feel that way on an emotional level. I suspect there's some body-chemistry component to it.

I'll keep working on it from the intellectual angle. Maybe I can just let myself be moody and not think about it so much. I wonder what that would feel like.

In response to Tvindy's quite reasonable demand for a photo after my previous boating report, here's the more complete report of today's boat excursion in pictures instead of diagrams.

The boat is truely better looking in pictures than in person. But, nonetheless, the fellow who launched his (40 years newer) boat just after us today thought our boat was a real gem. Especially after it started from the helm in under a minute with just a few adjustments of the controls and the push of a button.

We had been anxiously awaiting today's boating all week with two days of dry, clear, 80 degree weather and with a forecast of 70 degrees with only 10% chance of rain. Then, it was worrying to have cool and rainy weather most of the day in Eugene today. But, we set off with high hopes only a half hour after our planned launch and enjoyed three hours of no rain and the pleasant high temperature of the day.

Our voyage was purely frivolous as we crossed the lake from one park to another, enjoyed a picnic dinner expertly chosen by Anne Marie, watched Lauren enjoy the park's playground, then returned across the lake again to our starting point, arriving just as the rain was resuming and the sun was setting.

Excellent!

I have been taking half a day off on Tuesdays to spend some dedicated recreation time with Lauren. Between Lauren's time with her grandma, her mother, at school, and at swimming or ballet classes, I have to carve out this little bit of time. Given the time I have to dedicate to my own work and working with Keith and the new guy (Nick), it's all I can squeeze out. My hope is that next month summer vacation will simplify scheduling for Lauren and myself.

For the past few weeks, we've been concentrating on taking bicycle rides in Eugene on Tuesday, since getting Lauren "up to speed" with bicycle riding and with bicycle safety are a big goal of mine for this summer. Already, she's doing great... negotiating small hills and street crossing and bike paths and bike lanes with real skill.

However, this week I allowed us a break from biking since Lauren's friend from school wanted to have a "playdate". We visited her house and played with her friend's big sister and their nanny. It's amazing to me to think of turning over the rearing of your child to a nanny several hours a day. The nanny is excellent and has the same attention and sensitivity to the children that I try to have to Lauren. But, it does make me sad that the parents don't get to enjoy this time with their daughters the way that Anne Marie, my mother, and I get to spend time with Lauren.

Anyhow, the few hours of "playdate" were great... kiddie pool, swingset, snack, princess dress-up, Polly Pocket doll houses, etc, etc. I got to take a break (at Lauren's request) in the the middle of the playdate to catch up on my email and fix a few technical issues for work. That'll give me a little less work time and work activity to catch up on in the evening. Nice, since I'm rather tired. It's been a nice mix of home and family this Tuesday... now for the all-work remainder of the week.

(Click to enlarge)

I took our boat out for a spin today. It was satisfyingly successful. We bought the boat about 2 and a half years ago and have only taken it out once previously (and then only briefly).

The long delay for its first trip around the lake truly was not due to laziness. I spent most of the first season getting the boat repaired... rebuilding the gas tank, reinstalling the starter solenoid, and replacing a broken transmission control cable. We got one 30 minute test voyage that first season, then the lake here (well, maybe technically in Veneta) was empty all season last year while they repaired the dam. So, this month really was the first chance.

The good news is that I had plenty of time (20 months) to research ways to correct and improve problems found during our test voyage. It was very rewarding to get out on the water, push a button to start the engine, and have all the controls work perfectly: left, right, forward, reverse, fast, slow. Brilliant!

I really tested my luck and aimed to cross the entire lake. At about 5.5mph, it took about an hour. Once I reached the dock at the opposite shore, I realized the weather and the boat were so perfect that I called Anne Marie to join me on the way back. We took a more leisurely path back, sightseeing around the shore of the lake, but still got back in about an hour, thanks to reaching 6.5mph (due to wind or current, I suppose).

Perhaps describing our boat will explain some of my joy at getting it to do such simple things. It's a 1958 boat, under 14 feet long, with a 1956 Johnson outboard motor. It's just amazing that the Internet has people talking about these motors 50 years after they were made. All praise the Internet! Since all boats need a name, originally, there was discussion of calling her the "Fearless Sea Monkey", but it seems like Anne Marie has now settled on "Baffle Me"! I'm just not certain if that reflects more confidencein the boat, or less.
What's next for our luxury boating lifestyle? Maybe getting some fishing poles. Certainly getting Lauren out for our next trip.