Why, you ask?

One of the people who really were insistent that I get this blog going was Paul of Light&Dark. Some of the nautical themes I’d mentioned in some comments on Acidman’s blog intrigued him.

In that I accepted his bribe of a great discount on TypePad software and hosting, as well as his direct support (he’s a TypePad beta-tester), I feel compelled to speak about my world a bit, now. Oh, and thanks again Paul for the help, and the shove, here. It’s still much appreciated.

Perhaps the most often asked question I hear is "why do you live on a boat?” Although my answer may vary a bit depending on the context of the question, generally the answers revolve around what you’ll be reading.

I grew up around ‘em out in San Diego, CA. I’m very used to the water, the life around the docks. Sea air fills my lungs, the cries of the gulls sing in my ears. I hear the water lap gently on the hull while tied securely to the dock. I am gently rocked to sleep most every night, and when the water is mirror-smooth, the quiet is most complete.

Having been married and divorced, twice, I’ve also done the home-ownership thing. Twice. Both times, the acquisition of “the house” was the holy grail to the missus. Once obtained, “the house” became the do-all, end-all, be-all; the very reason for existence.

I’d developed at a very early age, the philosophy that a any home is a home base. A place from which to go forth, to explore life. Instead, a house comes to own it’s erstwhile “owners”. Hah. The ball and chain so often depicted on cartoons of prisoners has nothing on a suburban home’s hold on it’s occupants. Honeydo lists are so often the subjects of mirthful comics. And they’re almost always about “what the house needs”.

All the while, there’s a WORLD out there, and it doesn’t care about your mortgage, your gutters, your siding or your yard.

Once, the saleslady who represented our office supplier related to me the tale of her Dad. He’d worked all his life and had hoped “one day” to buy an RV and see the country. Yes, he was a good man, a great provider. Raised two kids, did the home-thing and did it all quite well. But, he always spoke of his dream.

When he finally retired at 62, sadly, he died a month later from a massive coronary. His daughter told me that they’d all begged over the years for vacations, trips, and exploration; adventure. Being “Mr. Responsible”, he had checked off all of the “dutiful” boxes for his family. But listening to his daughter, I know that she’d have traded half of the stability for just a TASTE of that ride with her Dad.... in the RV that never was.

Growing up around adults, at about the time I was 17, I made a very clear observation, and a tentative conclusion. (yeah, I thought in these terms, even then.) The reason that most men go “middle age crazy” is that they had dreams. Then, life snuffs those dreams. Ladies, that’s not your fault, it’s just the way the system works. We’re programmed to pursue “The American Dream”.

But in that pursuit, other dreams are lost. The desire to see what’s over the horizon. Chances to venture forth and explore. The average man marries too early, too young and too inexperienced. I did, too.

(Here’s Uncle Jim’s marriage tip for you sweet young women. Find a guy who has lived some, first. And I don’t mean clubbing and sowing wild oats. Well, okay, some of that, too.)

I think the dream doesn’t necessarily mean buying a $100,000 house, just to have another $200,000+ tacked on in interest. I can build a house from the ground up, with my hands and my tools. Should I ever move back ashore, I’ll most likely move to a house of my own making. With no damned mortgage either.

Don’t take me wrong. A boat demands great responsibility, too. I paid this one off in 18 months, and it’d cost over $90,000 to replace, today. And I’m NOT rich. Fact is, I’m as close to broke as I’ve ever been. But I know how to work my ass off and produce. I’ve proven that, repeatedly. New goals are presenting themselves in my life, even as I write this. I’ll rise to meet those challenges, and I shall prevail.

What’s been right for me, is not, will not and can not be right for most. I’m happy that it is so. I don’t want everyone moving onto their boats. Hell, marinas would then be but overcrowded suburbs.

Myself, I’ve motorcycled more than a quarter-million miles, seeing thirty-nine states and parts of Mexico. I’ve worked in high-rise construction, having rappelled off of almost every tall building in San Antonio, TX as a part of my work. I’ve spent almost six years behind the badge, both in the USAF and a small San Antonio suburb.

With but a High School education, I achieved a high, executive position, working directly for the President of a Fortune 1000 company for eight years. I've been published, and paid to speak at conventions. I’ve since made a fine living by my wits alone, in straight-commission sales. I can do "responsibility"

Aboard ship, I’ve sailed along stretches of the Texas Gulf coast. I’ve about worn out Galveston Bay. I’ve sat out three tropical storms and Hurricane Claudette, (and a few near-misses), all on board, here.

I would have loved for either of the women I had married to have carried forward with me through this life. But to them, the “security” of the house was everything. To me, it was a coffin that hadn’t been covered yet. They chose to marry those houses. I chose to marry the horizon.

I can breathe here on the boat. I can untie from the dock and GO.

How many of YOUR dreams will die with you, unlived?

Comments

[Ms Anna]

As my father was dieing of prostate cancer, my brother had a long talk with him. He told my brother that he was satisfied with his life. He had done most of the things he'd ever wanted to, and the few he hadn't gotten to, didn't matter, now. He was at peace with emminent death.

At that time, I wasn't able to ask my brother what he had said. We were hugging each other and crying. I'd like to know which wishes he said he had accomplished, but deep inside I know.

He raised and supported his family at a much higher standard-of-living than he had when growing up in a two-room house on a rural Missouri Ozark 40-acre farm, where he said they grew "rocks."

He was the youngest of four children and the first in his family to graduate from High School. I, his oldest child, was the first to go to college, and even got my Master's degree. He was very proud of that accomplishment, I think that was on his dream/wish list.

He sired a son, accidently, after three daughters. And he enjoyed the father-son things that men do. Restoring a '57 Chevy, cheering his son on the football field. Going to every Little League baseball game through High School football game that he could to watch his son, then grandsons play, and even a grandson's UGA Baseball team games. The grandson was a pitcher on the team. He would drive 8+ hours one-way to get to those grandson's football and baseball games.

He gave my mother a rifle one Christmas, then went to Montana to hunt elk the next fall. She bought a brand new top-of-the-line Singer sewing machine for herself while he was gone. And he was happy she had finally bought something for herself, even if it was a sewing machine!

Do I want to know what he didn't accomplish on his dream/wish list? I wish I could answer that question.

Thank you, Jim, for the memories. And, congratulations on living your dream/wish list while young, facing the daily challenges we all face in life.

[Indigo]

That was inspiring. Good on you for living the dream most people only wish for. Not just guys either!

[sugarmama]

Anything you own will amount to some degree of responsibility and maintenance. I think it's fascinating that you live on a boat. I love the Gulf of Mexico and it's refreshing to read blogs that report from the Gulf. :)

[Sam]

I have a deal of admiration for anyone who follows their own sunset.

[Commander Will]

This post has greatly inspired me and made so depressed at the same time.

Not that I want to live on a boat, mind you, (I worked as a deck hand for two years in California).

I just think about other things I've let slip by because I was too busy.

Great post.

[doc Russia]

Excellent post!
Reminds me of a line in Ulysses (sp?) about
"ploughing brave furrows across the sea"

[Mark]

Too damn many.

[Orion]

Spot on - and I'm right there with you, brother.

I've argued that line many, many times. I'm fortunate in that my lady, who loves her house, supports my wanderlust and my urges to do crazy things. :-)

Orion

[Guy]

Jim

First off, congrats on getting your own "place" here. Looks nice. Been reading enough of you at Gut Rumbles to know this'll be an interesting read, to say the least...

Secondly, I can totally understand your point. My father's cousin, lived next door, worked his ass off at GE for 30 something years. Took "early" retirement at 62.

Died of a massive heart attack months later.

Not me. There's a reason I bought my Harley at 32 instead of waiting until the kids were grown...

[zenjohn]

Excellent post. I'm glad I came here, even if I did have to visit the blog of an asshat (This Means You, Kim DuTwat) to do it. Did you grow up in San Antonio?

[Jim]

Thanks to one and all for your kind words, here.

I've been blown-away not only from the huge flood of hits resulting from Kim's mention, but by the very kind things said to me here.

I am truly grateful.

Except for you, zenjohn. As much as I appreciate your readership, Mr. DuToit rates very highly in my book. I've enjoyed some correspondence and a phone call or two before I ever even thought of starting my own blog. He's been a true gentleman in every sense of the word. That is a trait you failed to display on your very first post on my blog.

If that's truly your opinion of him, you can tell him directly at " [email protected] ".

But not here on my dime.

Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[lauraw]

I sent this link to my husband...I think I can hear him crying 'that was supposed to be MY LIFE!' from four towns away...

[Marti]

Like I said, that sounds sooo nice. I've gone to the boat shows in Dallas the last 3 years and it feels like heaven to be in one. And that's NOT in the water. I admire you for following your dream and desire.

[Google]

They are too good workers to be jobless. Being a Beggar is generally not a good option for a paperless.
Search Google http://www.google.com/