Suddenly, my life feels like a country song...

[Art Read]

The "ex" is talking about finding a "new" home for our mutt, (who sometimes bites and apparantly doesn't care for her new boyfriend), the job has pretty much dried up for the season and the bills are still piling up, and the folks at the Center for Wooden Boats have just told me that while sailing MELINDA in the regatta last weekend that she got T-boned by a port tack "classic plastic" entree and lost a third of her rubrail at the bow and her port chainplate and shroud... sigh...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid19/pae2f36b8a5fb6702ec5bcbdd71efa40f/fdc70af7.jpg

[Figment]

Easy enough to work "T-boned" into a country song, but I dunno about "port tack plastic classic".

You're just an old lump of coal, but you're gonna be a diamond someday.
Fight the power.

[Concordia...41]

So does that mean you get to keep the pup?

Chin up and all that...

- Margo

[Art Read]

"So does that mean you get to keep the pup?"

Well, we kind of have "joint custody" now... Which means I keep him when she's out of town and I'm not. But I really don't have a great place for dogs. And I'm away too much anyway... So a "new home" probably means I'll never see him again...

[Henning 4148]

All the best. A problem also is a chance for improvement. Go and find the yin in the yan.

[Art Read]

"but I dunno about "port tack plastic classic"."

hmmm... pick-up truck and frieght train?

[Hwyl]

Sounds like it might be a time for a change in Latitude.

[Art Read]

"Sounds like it might be a time for a change in Latitude."

Who'll fix the boat? (But I like your thinking...)

[Hwyl]

Screw the boat. www.yachtcrew.ca (http://www.yachtcrewregister.ca)

[Don Z.]

"Sounds like it might be a time for a change in Latitude."

Who'll fix the boat? (But I like your thinking...)

The guy who was on the port tack?

[TimH]

The good thing about Country Music is that there is a song for every occasion. Here are a couple of good choices for you:

Toby Keith - How do you like me now

I was always the crazy one
who broke into the stadium
And I wrote your number
on the fifty yard line
You were always the perfect one
and a valedictorian
So under your number I wrote
call for a good time
I only wanted to get your attention
but you over looked me somehow
Besides you had too many boyfriends to mention
and I played my guitar too loud

Chorus:
How do you like me now
How do you like me now
Now that I'm on my way
Do you still think I'm crazy standing here today
I couldn't make you love me
But I always dreamed about living in your radio
How do you like me now?!

When I took off to Tennessee
I heard that you made fun of me
You never imagined I'd make it this far
Then you married into the money girl
Ain't it a cruel and funny world
He took your dreams and he tore them apart
He never comes home and your always alone
And your kids hear you cry down the hall
Alarm clock starts ringin' who could that be singin'
It's me baby with your wake up call

--------------------or--------------------------------
Dierks Bentley - Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do


These old boots still got a lot of ground
They ain't covered yet
There's at least another million miles
Under these old bus treads
So if you think I'm gonnna settle down
I've got news for you
I still got a lot of leavin' left to do

And as long as there's a song
Left in this old guitar
This life I'm bound to lead
Ain't for the faint of heart
So you won't fall for me
If you know what's good for you
'Cause I still got a lot of leavin' left to do

I guess the Lord made me hard to handle
So lovin' me might be a long shot gamble
So before you go and turn me on
Be sure that you can turn me loose
'Cause I still got a lot of leavin' left to do

Girl, you look like you might be an angel
So I won't lie
I could love you like the devil
If you wanted me to tonight
And we could talk about forever for a day or two
But I still got a lot of leavin' left to do

I guess the Lord made me hard to handle
So lovin' me might be a long shot gamble
So before you go and turn me on
Be sure that you can turn me loose
'Cause I still got a lot of leavin' left to do

Yeah, I still got a leavin' left to do

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Gareth's correct all you have as an minor anchor is joint custody of a dog. I'd pack my bags tonight before another leaf falls off and old man winter whispers cold nothings in your ear. Get out of dodge enjoy life find a pretty girl and dance with her in the south pacific.

Me I have full custody of a 120# Lab that NEEDS me and joint custody of a 1964 Catboat that needs some attending to this winter. OHH and OOOOOOH Did I tell you I have a child oh yea a beautiful 9 1/2 year old that I have to be around to make breakfast and do her homework every-night and love and take care of. And a soon to be ex wife who lives in the SAME TOWN.

Oh and yea I also have a way to expensive apartment and a Job I have to work to make a living to pay for it all. So if I was you and had no major strings I would be looking over www.yachtcrew.ca.

Sorry Im feeling a little down for reasons I wont go into on open forum but if you email me or PM me Ill sing you my country western song :(

[John B]

Sorry to hear it Art, can't comment about the dog but there certainly are a couple of other parties with responsibilies as regards the boat.
Good luck anyway and as the other guys say, its always summer somewhere in the world.

[Yeadon]

The recipe for any sort of Lake Union regatta usually includes a T-bone.


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1093/1478284857_defd677b91_o.jpg

[Art Read]

"all you have as an minor anchor is joint custody of a dog."

That, and a suddenly broken knockabout daysailor, an apartment full of old family relics and a pretty woman much too young for me who's either going to drive me insane while she breaks my heart or keep a silly grin on my face...

[Tom Robb]

That sounds like real life to me, Art.

[paladin]

Send me the dawg, I'll take good care of it.....:D

[elf]

OOoooohh! You didn't mention the chain the last time!

Not sure the broken heart is a good bargain from the sounds of it!

[Hwyl]

Send me the dawg, I'll take good care of it.....:D
Send me the woman, I'll take good care of it.

[ron ll]

About this time of year in 1969, I was experiencing similar feelings (except I owned a house and still had a job :D ). I sold my house, quit my job, put my Alfa in storage, kissed my girlfriend goodbye and signed on a three masted square rigger for an indefinite voyage south.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, the voyage only lasted three months. I came back to Seattle in the middle of winter with no job, no girlfriend, no house, (but I still had my Alfa). But I've NEVER regretted it once. It was a great adventure and I found that all the other things were replacable; the adventure wasn't.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

"all you have as an minor anchor is joint custody of a dog."

That, and a suddenly broken knockabout daysailor, an apartment full of old family relics and a pretty woman much too young for me who's either going to drive me insane while she breaks my heart or keep a silly grin on my face...

Hey Art Im sorry if I came across as crass. Sometimes I don't know my own Bronx NY self when Im being leather hearted. I was just a little jeliouse that you have certain freedoms and options that I will never have. I would not trade my anchors for anything but if I was you I would think about shaking it up more than your comfort level will allow. Remember its YOUR life to do with it as you want.

Anyway I wish you the best we are in similar situations more than you know.

[J. Dillon]

Art,
Maye a change in thinking is the thing to do ?
A divorce after all the hurt is gone(even while experiencing it) can be a liberating experience. You're free, no obligatons to any one. Maybe what Garaeth said, go cruising on other peoples boats, or get your own cruising boat, keep a journal and write about your experiences.:)

JD

[Art Read]

"I found that all the other things were replacable; the adventure wasn't."

For what it's worth... Perhaps I'm unfortunate that I made a point of "adventuring" young. Went square rigging when I was twenty... 155 days aboard the brigantine ROMANCE.

http://sailtraining.org/images/ships/romance.JPG

(I needed 151 more to fullfill my seatime requirements for my 100 ton Coast Guard "ticket")

Got to relieve my retiring skipper aboard the 65' Hand/Hodgen Bros. schooner HINDU at 21. (and I got to show off sailing her in my own home town...)


http://www.tallships21.com/events/images/hinduboat3.jpg

Drove the LADY MARYLAND at 25.

http://www.livingclassrooms.org/Facilities/LM.jpg

"Retired" to occasional offshore deliveries and instruction at 35... Built my own little boat at about 40. I turn 45 on the 5th of this month. I guess I'm just not that interested in doing it all again. Sad, ain't it?

[Art Read]

"Hey Art Im sorry if I came across as crass."

Don't worry, you didn't.

"I'd pack my bags tonight before another leaf falls off and old man winter whispers cold nothings in your ear."

Nice turn of phrase!

[elf]

Got to relieve my retiring skipper aboard the 65' Hand/Hodgen Bros. schooner HINDU at 21. (and I got to show off sailing her in my own home town...)

http://www.tallships21.com/events/images/hinduboat3.jpg

You must be delighted to see her back on the water and alive again. She's a beauty, for sure, and P'town is happy to have her back.

[Art Read]

I am. Sailed with Kevin last August. He's done a wonderfull thing.

[Don Z.]

I don't think it's sad that you don't want to repeat something you've already done... there are, after all, other adventures.

But it's times like that, when I'm trying to decide what to do that I first take Stockdale's advice and read the Enchiridion. After that's clarified things for me, well, I always find something to do...

[elf]

I am. Sailed with Kevin last August. He's done a wonderfull thing.

Jeez. You didn't tell us! We could have had an EBS with you. Now wouldn't that have been neat!

Next time.

[TimH]

Maybe its time to move to Wyoming and buy some cattle and a horse.

[From Mystic]

You said "Can we get rid of the Dog"

My heart broke when you asked it

Didn't think it could be worst

Til that Ol Port Tack Plastic Classic


Think George Jones. Sorry had to try.

[sv Lorelei]

Now I got a T-bone on the grill

And a T-boned in the yard

Life's like a botched bowline knot

Only the untyin' part is hard.


From Mystic....you're my new best friend!

[SaltyD from BC]

You've torn away my heart strings

And torn a hole in a boat with a soul

Didn't know how it'd end but of all things

I didn't think I'd be 2nd dog's bowl

[Art Read]

"Jeez. You didn't tell us! We could have had an EBS with you."

Dad's 80th birthday. Pretty full itinerary. But I and about 15 various relatives had a wonderfull sail one morning. And I went back a few times on my own just 'cause I could....

[adampet]

Well if you wander out this way again, give us a holler. We'll make time.

Adam

[Willin']

Can't be a true country song 'cause there ain't no mention of trains, rain, pickup trucks, bein' drunk, prison, guns, mom... the whole Steve Goodman shpiel.

Maybe if the dog gets run over by a train you can ...naw, never mind.

Lotsa good advice here, hope you can figure a way to get your smile back.

[gary porter]

Yep , you got a country song all right. Now all you got to do is play it backwards and you get everything back.. You get your Woman back, your dog back etc. etc.
:) Just keep movin and keep smilin!!
Gary

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

Send me the dawg, I'll take good care of it.....:D

True story... Years ago here at work... fellow asks another guy to take care of the family dog while they are on vacation.
TWO weeks later he comes back... Where's my dog?
Guys says I took care of it!

Yep.... he shot it.:eek:

Did get them a new puppy though.:)


Should have known, the guy that "took care of it" was known for not liking dogs.:(



PS, that's not a dog, that's a sparring partner for my cat!

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

[quote=Art Read;1666510 and a pretty woman much too young for me who's either going to drive me insane while she breaks my heart or keep a silly grin on my face...[/quote]


THIS can be a good thing! For as long as it lasts!:eek::cool:

Take her to a boat show. See if she checks out the "clearance" in the aft cabin.:D

[paladin]

Naw...see if she slides into a pilot berth and wonders if there's room enough for two........:D

[Paul Pless]

:D very funny mr z :D

[Art Read]

"Send me the woman, I'll take good care of it."

The "woman" got a good laugh out of this thread... Got to remember she can log on here too...

[Art Read]

After a bad weekend at the kennel, when I couldn't watch him, she told me she was thinking of having the dog destroyed. I told her not to do anything 'till she talked to me again when she dropped him off with me for THIS weekend. I'D TAKE HIM! She didn't show, didn't call, and didn't tell me 'till today that she'd put him down instead.... I'm heartbroken.

[elf]

Oh, that's completely out of line. I'd be livid if I were you. I'm so sorry to hear that. What a jerk.

Sorry to be so harsh, but loved animals are precious. I hope she wouldn't do the same sort of junk if it were a child, but it sure feels terrible.

My deepest condolences. That's the pits.

[paladin]

sounds like a woman that needs to be put down! Dammit Art, I would have taken the dawg, there was no reason to put it down except for pure hatred.DAMN that pi$$E$ me off.................:mad:

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Was the dog sick at all ???? I can see no reason to put a dog down just for convenience. If that is indeed the case report her to the authorities and have her arrested for animal cruelty. Have the vet that performed the procedure arrested. Then sue the both of them.

You got me in a vendetta kind of mood. You tell the angels in heaven you never seen evil so singularly personified as you did in the face of the man who killed you.

[Hughman]

Heartless. :mad::(

[J. Dillon]

Art,

I really feel for you and what has happened in your life. That was a terrible thing for your ex to do with no communication with you at all.

It sounds to me that she needs more help then you do with such a vindictive attitude she is displaying.

I do sincerely hope you can put your life back together soon and forget the bad part of the past.

You're young yet and many good years are ahead for you. Just hang in there and they will soon show up on the horizon

JD

[Art Read]

I was angry when I posted last night. He was a wonderful dog, but he DID have dominance issues. I lived with him for about three years before we split up, and have ony spent the odd weekend or week with him since. And even still I knew he was a "problem" when he was crossed. She knew him better than me. And he was her dog. Always was. I know this was the hardest thing she ever had to do. I just wish we had communicated better before she made her decision. I'd like to think I could've found another solution. I feel sorry for all of us... She's not a villian.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p77513047598ce1a72473998ba80d17a7/fc94b541.jpg

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

So wait a minute she put the little dog down cause he had an attitude ???????? He wasn't sick at all ????

All little dogs have attitudes, you learn to deal with it. You don't KILL them. I'm totally in favor if a dog is suffering its a humane thing to end their misery but if the dog is healthy and fine and is just annoying or high strung you dont KILL the dog.

There is a special place in hell for this woman. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[Kermit]

Jeez, Art. This is worse than a country song. I passed through what you're experiencing. My ex put down the dog--okay, he was old, but I'd have taken him--and then expected me to pay "my half" of the vet's bill. Keep your eyes on the horizon. You still have lots of life ahead of you, and, believe me, it gets better. Cheers, lad.

[Henning 4148]

Could it be that the two of you are caught up in some sort of a hurting game? If so - try get out of it.

[Hwyl]

Henning, you're posts are so well considered. Art clearly still has feelings for this woman. I think the dog is mere bagatelle.

[Henning 4148]

It should have read: Try to get out of it - with her or without her.

Hurting games are nasty. Tid for tad for tid for tad for a long time. Don't know the view of the woman, but she'll have her side of the story. Can be anything, can be she is enjoying it, can be she doesn't care, no longer her problem, finito, new interests, can be she is deeply hurt as well.

[Art Read]

No games... Just pain. We both loved him, but the fact is, he was unpredictable. And he has bitten people. Not often, but enough to be an issue. Training, love and attention didn't work. We both feared what might happen if a small child ever set him off. I don't know the details of the last "incident", but she was told he was no longer welcome there... She was obviously at her wit's end. I just wish, really, really wish, she'd given me the opportunity to find an alternative solution....

(Ever since the first unprovoked biting incident, we worried that a more serious attack, or any attack on a stranger might be the end of him regardless of OUR wishes. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't "vicious", he just would "lose it" occasionally when he wasn't getting his way or felt threatened somehow. And he was a FAST little bugger! He always pulled back immediatly and seemed appalled at, and remourseful for what he had done... But that didn't excuse his behavior...)

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

Trust me, this could be a whole lot worse.
Could be squabbling over KIDS and what's best for them. <sigh>

[Henning 4148]

Just a thought - could it be, that you didn't pay enough attention towards your lady when you were building the boat? That she had reason to feel neglected?

[Lulworth]

Art,

I can't resist mentioning that I was in Seattle last week on buisness and I took a quick walk down to the wooden boat center on lake Union. I can report that I saw "Melinda" -- still a beautiful boat but one (as you well know) that is crying out for a dollop of attention. I've lurked in these parts long enough to recall the discussion of your building Melinda and I was delighted to have an opportunity to see her in real life for the first time . She is a beautiful boat that you should be proud of. but ... oh ... the humanity! The bilge was full of rain water, the varnish was in a dismal state, and the cruelly-splintered shear made me want to look away in horror! I can't imagine how one works on a wooden boat outdoors in seattle this time of year but, com'mon, let's forget this other stuff and get on with the important things!

With great respect for the builder of a fine yacht,

David