Log 11/17/08

I checked in on some old friends yesterday. Something I never thought I would ever do. I felt that these people betrayed me, used me, and took advantage of my trust. I never want to see them again, and yet, for no reason, I decided to look into what they were doing. I knew, immediately that it was a mistake. For five years I was hoping that I would rise above them and find that they had utterly failed. They haven't - in fact they look like they're doing very well which made me reflect on where I'm at in my life. Seeing what they were up to made me even more determined to do something with my life, and yet, I haven't. I remembered that living well is the best revenge and there are many things about it and myself that I would change. to live better. What got me the most was that I have this uncontrollable need to measure myself against others. I realize that it's not what you are, but what you do with your life, and I need to start doing things with mine.

Offshore Planning Tools

Here is a website that has information about "any destination in the world" in terms of planning a voyage there:

Noon Site

Seven Seas Cruising Association

FrankosMaps - Maps of favorite destinations - made to last

These folks will help you update your NOAA paper charts for free -

Ocean Graphics

CIMAS – Info on currents like the Florida Current, the Gulf Stream, the Yucatan Current including real-time maps showing Surface Temp and Wind.

http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/loop-current_2.html

Knot Tying

Here's an animated site for knot tying:

Animated Knots

Here's another good site:

http://www.42brghtn.mistral.co.uk/knots/42ktmenu.html

Weather Information

In addition to learning all about weather systems, tides, currents, weather pressure, wind patterns, historical data on all of the above for the areas in which I will sail, here are some resources about weather.

Up-to-date passage-making weather resource:
Passage Weather

Caribbean/Atlantic Storm Tracker - historical data too.

Stormpulse