Project Update : Simply Progressing

So, a lot of people have been asking me some of the same questions recently, so I figured I'd take a moment to answer some of the more common inquires as of late.

First off, I am sorry for not posting as frequently this month. I fully intended too ... but a kind of "snow ball" effect kept me postponing my posts day after day. You see, about 3 weeks ago I thought I had finally found a boat to launch the project on - so I was waiting to see how that deal went down before posting more. Well, 3 weeks later and the boat didn't happen (sad face). So, I've decided to get back to updating you all on the project, instead of holding back to "unveil" the big surprise.

One of the most frequently asked questions I'm getting right now is, "What happened to the Newport 27 you were working on?"

The answer to this is simple ... nothing! It is still there and still an option for the project. We're at the stage of the big stuff - engine, bottom paint, launch, electrics, rigging, ect. I've done as much as I can to the boat for the time being with the funds that I have. Right now I am in "saving mode" to hopefully finish the restoration. However, with all the recent and growing interest in the project, I've also realized that it will be months before I alone can fund and finish the Newport 27, which just might not be soon enough. Plus, there are still a lot of unknown costs that I have to figure out before forward with that boat. It is a wonderful boat ... once it is finished. I'm just keeping my options open as of now.

So why am I looking at other boats?

Again, the answer is simple. If I can find a boat that is already in the water and has all of the things I need to launch the project, then it makes more sense to start putting money towards that AND starting the project - rather then putting money into the Newport 27 and delaying the project for 6 or 7 months. Finically , it is just way more doable for me at this time to find a boat that is already operational and put my money towards purchasing that. But ... who knows if I'll find that boat!

So, I'm in search and save mode. I'll continue saving my money until I can tackle the big projects on the Newport 27. If, in the mean time, I find a suitable boat that I can afford or someone is willing to let me make payments on, then I'll purchase that one to start the project on. It is really just a matter of finding the right opportunity.

What have I been doing in the meantime?

Much of my time has been spent researching and working on the Web Series portion of the project. I've been looking in to what type of media devices would work well for the short episodes. I've also been watching a lot of Survivor Man, studying how he sets up shots and films his episodes single-handed. It has been quiet enlightening.

I've also been working on the theme music and background music for the project. I'm really digging the iPad version of Garage Band to make quick little 30 second background tracks. As soon as I have a few sound clips I'm proud of, I'll post them to get your feedback. The structure for the first few episodes has also been a priority. As soon as I have a boat, I'll be ready to start filming!

I've also looked at about 4 possible boats - but so far no luck in finding the perfect opportunity. Like I said, I thought I had found one a few weeks ago - but it didn't happen. So the search continues.

So, the project is chugging along and I'm doing as much prep work as I can until I secure a boat. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, I'll find the perfect match soon and begin filming / blogging the adventure daily :)

Until Next Time
~Adam

The Courtesy Wave : Lost Forever?

Allow me a moment to vent ...

When I think about the one thing that really irks me about our culture today ... it's the courtesy wave. Or, rather, the lack there of. I was brought up that, when someone does something nice for you, you show your gratitude towards them. Normally people do this through a courtesy wave. If someone let me merge - I'd wave. If someone stopped to let me cross the street - I'd wave. If I had to change lanes and a kind driver slowed down to let me in - I'd wave. This is just how I was brought up.

And NOTHING ticks me off more then when I acknowledge someone else's desired action, try to accommodate them (by letting them merge, ect.) and then ...

...they act like it was their God given right to occupy the space in front of me and it was my unspoken duty to let them have it! So they don't feel that it is necessary to give me the courtesy wave and acknowledge the fact that I just did something nice for them.

I seem to remember, while growing up a mere 20 years ago, that everyone waved! It is called a "courtesy wave" because it should be a common courtesy to acknowledge when someone does something nice for you. And yet, fewer and fewer people are taking the time to show the respect to one another that a simple wave conveys. This, at least to me, is a sign that there is something very wrong taking place in our culture. We're respecting each other less and less. We're becoming disconnected from the community around us (a community which we are all a part of). And we're beginning to feel "entitled" to other people's kindness.

Now, I understand that when I stop at a crosswalk in downtown Portland to let a pedestrian cross the street that they do have the right-of-way and I am required by law to stop for them. But ... does that justify them not acknowledging my action of stopping for them? When I cross the street in front of cars that deliberately stopped for me because they were being aware and noticed that a pedestrian was wanting to cross the street ... I wave to that driver and mouth a silent "Thank You" to them.

Thank you, driver, for not running me over while eating a Big Mac and talking on your cell phone! Thank you for being aware and watching out for me! Thank you for following the law and respecting my right-of-way!

Just because someone might be "required" to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't show them the common courtesy of acknowledging their conscious action to do the right thing.

That deserves, at the very least, a wave.

Until Next Time,
~Adam