Comments for Adrift at Sea

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04/04/11--13:29: Comment on Seamanship and the Small Craft Sailor by rossger (chan 1004594)

We live in Brazil, where the average boat size is increasing and seaman skills are decreasing. About 90 % of the cruising sailing boats are rotting in the marinas and sail during 10 days per year, at most. In addition, the Brazilian Navy, responsible for the Amateur Capitain licenses, doesn't require the astronavigation questions any more. Therefore, if a long cruise sailor relies only on his GPS, he might be in trouble, when he runs out of electricity, unless he learns the stuff by himself. Fortunately I have been sailing for some decades, first with a wooden 14-footer, I made when I was 16 years old, and later with a 20-footer, I build when I was 25. As you say they were obviously much cheaper than a big boat. Both boats are in top condition an are sailed routinely. I never thought about having a heavy ocean vessel, because I would need to sail alone. Smooth sailing for all of you. Greetings from the sunny Brazil


04/06/11--12:33: Comment on A Simple Fender Board by les999 (chan 1004594)

This looks very useful. Do you have an actual photo anywhere of the completed board?


04/12/11--19:51: Comment on Boat Inspection Trip Tips by rob-sail (chan 1004594)

What do you mean "When you make your offer, ask for maintenance records". Do you get the records before the offer? What if you make the offer and find something you don't like. What are you looking for in the records? How would you know if the records are complete?


05/06/11--12:57: Comment on The SPOT Messenger by Adrift at Sea » Small Boat Safety Gear (chan 1004594)

[...] A SPOT Messenger is also a good idea.  These small satellite beacons I’ve written about previously here. [...]


06/28/11--16:30: Comment on Solar Power on Boats by Electrical System | JdFinley.com (chan 1004594)

[...] those researching the subject, here are a few links that I found very helpful: Dan’s Solar Power on Boats Sailing Subscribe to RSS [...]


07/19/11--08:33: Comment on Solar Power on Boats by New 10W Solar Panel. Question Regarding Wiring (with pictures) - SailNet Community (chan 1004594)

[...] rather small battery, you won't need a regulator at all for a 10W panel... For further info check this out Best wishes! PEdro __________________ Pedro Portugal To view links or images in [...]


08/12/11--01:57: Comment on A Prayer for Ellie by Adrift at Sea » Walking Away (chan 1004594)

[...] at Sea —Dan’s blog on dankim.com « A Prayer for Ellie Walking [...]


08/16/11--05:10: Comment on About this blog… by Adrift at Sea » Returning focus (chan 1004594)

[...] or kept as private entries, no longer for public viewing. Though this blog did not start out a sailing blog, it has become one, and I’d like to return it to that [...]


08/17/11--14:05: Comment on Who is Ellie? by Dan (chan 1004594)

I have to wonder why she is sleeping with a 26-year-old who has probably been supplying her some of the drugs she has been using and likely much of the alcohol she has been drinking, who appears to be sleeping with at least five or six other women on the side according to his own words. She kicked her last boyfriend to the curb for cheating on her, but she accepts this as normal. Does she not see how this violates every moral and belief she has? Apparently, her addiction and need for access to the drugs/alcohol he supplies her over rides any intelligence or common sense she once had.


08/21/11--07:23: Comment on Who is Ellie? by Dan (chan 1004594)

To my beloved Ellie- I pray you find the strength and courage to get the help you need, and that when things seem darkest that you remember the love and care I have for you, and that someday you return to being the amazing woman that said she loves me and find your way back to my side. If you should never find the strength and courage to fight your demons, I pray God grants you a quick and merciful end. Love always, yours always, Daniel


08/24/11--11:03: Comment on Three French Guys… by antoine (chan 1004594)

Hello Dan I hope you re going welll! So we did it : Atlantic was a real pleasure during a month (from 14th of July to the 15th of August), thanks to a good wheather, downwind 24 days out of 29. Few reparations : Adrien is skillful for that and we repaired boom rivets, pulleys (spinnaker and mainsail sheet) engine's belt... We had great time and a nice stop in the Azores. Arrived in Britanny, we were received happily by friends and family.. We want to tahnk you a lot for all the help you provided us before our departure at Moby Dick Marina. It s a bit with you we did our transatlantic, as the preparation is such an important part of it. Let's keep in touch, take care, and be ensure that you will be always welcome in Paris. Adrien, Vianney, & Antoine


09/10/11--20:25: Comment on Journalism, Photoshop, Ethics and Discrimination by Photoshop « amandasohaney (chan 1004594)

[...] it’s ethically right to use Photoshop to do anything more than resizing a picture. I found a blog post about how Reuters enhanced a picture to make smoke look worse than it really is. Eco World [...]


09/19/11--17:00: Comment on USCG Documentation versus State Registration by Denis J. Loubiere (chan 1004594)

Very good information, thanks a lot. May I ask for your expertise to answer my questions? Is it true that if a private yacht registered in the State of Delaware through a Delaware Inc.,owned by a foreign party as shown on the Boat Registration Certificate cannot officially sails in foreign countries and/or may not be recognized as legally registered as an American vessel by some foreign states? Thank you to highlight me on what is right or wrong with such boat registration.


09/28/11--18:05: Comment on USCG Documentation versus State Registration by Daniel (chan 1004594)

Denis- I am in no way an expert on this matter, but will try to answer your questions. It is my understanding that a boat that is STATE-REGISTERED may not be recognized in foreign waters, since the states have no national sovereignty, and state issued boat registrations are generally not recognized internationally. The further you get from the United States, the less likely the boat's state registration will be recognized. However, you can probably sail the boat in foreign waters, but you will have some complications if it is only state registered. Also, a state-registered boat is not going to have the same international rights as a US-flagged federally USCG documented boat. One reason for this is that foreign governments have NO WAY OF CHECKING STATE REGISTRATIONS, while I believe there are mechanisms for them to check USCG Documentation. Another issue is that some countries may charge you multiple customs entry/exit fees with a state-registered boat.


10/27/11--14:01: Comment on My Tiny Dancer by Dan (chan 1004594)

My guess is that she's going to get high or drunk tonight. Given that she's posting tweets about songs like "I'm so high" and talking about drinking... it wouldn't be a surprise. I do have to wonder what she was doing last night that she didn't get up until almost NOON. She knows where to find me and how to reach me if she wants me to help. I really hope and pray that she doesn't kill or injure herself or anyone else, and that she doesn't permanently destroy her future before she hits rock bottom.


11/11/11--06:32: Comment on When I said…. by Dan (chan 1004594)

I think that part of the problem is that until Ellie is basically mostly healthy and whole, she won't be capable of understanding, accepting or giving love or having a real relationship with anything but her addiction and its demands. Until she learns to love herself, she won't understand or be able to accept the fact that I love her. IMHO, right now, her insecurities don't allow her to believe or accept that I love her warts and all and always have.


11/17/11--23:00: Comment on When I said…. by Dan (chan 1004594)

RT @GirlPosts: Sometimes, all a girl wants is for you to fight for her. Make her believe that you may want this relationship more than she does.

That's what I've been doing...and I probably do want this relationship more than her...but there are times when I am beginning to believe Ellie just isn't worth it. She's an alcoholic and a drug addict and all she is capable of loving is her addictions at the moment. Until she is mostly healthy, she isn't going to be capable of love--either giving it or receiving it. And she won't get healthy until she admits she has a problem and then asks for or seeks out the help she needs. I can't help her until she starts to help herself, and I just don't see her doing that anytime soon. There are times when I am not even sure that the amazing woman I love even exists any longer--she may have become a victim of her addictions...


11/24/11--03:49: Comment on I know…. by Adrift at Sea » Thanksgiving 2011 (chan 1004594)

[...] at Sea —Dan’s blog on dankim.com « I know…. Thanksgiving [...]


11/24/11--03:50: Comment on When I said…. by Adrift at Sea » Thanksgiving 2011 (chan 1004594)

[...] horrific things she has done or whether she recognizes the truth of it or not. Earlier this year, when I said I love her and when she told me she loved me in two different languages, I made a commitment to her [...]


12/13/11--03:21: Comment on One Reason I Stay by Dan (chan 1004594)

How appropriate, I found some definitions of Ellie on urbandictionary.com:

Ellie is the one I love and will never leave, the love with us can only grow stronger

The most amazing person you will ever meet. A bit sarcastic but mosly lovable! If you don't know her too bad! The people who have met her are extremely lucky! And you should never push her away. A little bitchy at times but who's not!

Ellie is THE most amazing person in the ENTIRE universe. She will be your best friend, and you can tell her anything. She knows what you're going through and she's always there for you and somehow everything important happens when your with her. She can be a bit bitchy at times, but you love her anyways.

A super bubbly, nice girl. She is smart, pretty, and loves old-school music. She is someone people like being around. An Ellie is an amazing friend

A fun-loving kind, pretty girl, who tries her best to do good but sometimes fails, a true friend, who, if you get to know her, you WILL fall for her

being kind and gentle to all, loving every living thing

The most amazing best friend anyone could ever ask for. She is always there for you even if you almost never get to see her. Shes tall and beautiful but sometimes doesn't see it for herself. She is AMAZING!

Ellies tend to be very creative, and they are often very funny in a sarcastic kinda way. An Ellie is usually very relaxed and chill, partly because she is a habitual stoner. She is very generous though, so she will probably share her weed with you! She is also an amazing artist. She can hold grudges forever, so you should never offend an Ellie. If you do, she will probably give you the cold shoulder, and if you continue to disturb her peace she will become a total bitch. If you are nice to her, she will be an amazing loyal friend.

Please note, while I did not write any of these, I definitely agree with some of them. Ellie, the woman I love, is most definitely an amazing person.


12/13/11--12:13: Comment on Querencia by Adrift at Sea » Love and Commitment (chan 1004594)

[...] as I have said previously, is my querencia and mo chuisle mo chroi. Respectively, they translate as “home of my [...]


12/17/11--22:36: Comment on Christmas Wishes and Hopes by Dan (chan 1004594)

One reason I hope she gets angry about what is happening to her is that that as a motivator, anger is one of the best, and between anger and fear, anger generally wins. She has a feisty personality and a bit of a temper, and if she does get angry, I am hoping that will be enough to breakthrough her self-doubts and fears and give her the motivation to get help.


01/12/12--09:31: Comment on Come Home Ellie by Dan (chan 1004594)

I believe in a light that shines and will never die

Ellie- I believe in a love that shines and will never die. Here are some tweets I wrote to you that you may never see...so I am adding them here... there are so many more things I want to say to you, but I'd rather say them in person. Good morning beloved. I hope you have a great day. I love/miss you. XO When it comes to me & you, there is no end in love. Goodbyes are hard. It may be hard for the person leaving,but it's always harder for the one left behind. So don't leave—choose to become yourself again...choose to be with me. To be brave is to love unconditionally without expecting anything in return. I love you and hope you get well soon. To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead. Embrace love—choose me. Love someone not because they give you what you need..Instead love them, because they give you feelings you never thought you needed. I never expected to love you the way I do, but somehow it seems so right, so perfect. You can't control when you lose your heart. The only thing you can do is trust; trust that the person who has your heart realizes its value. I trust you. Be a girl with a mind, a woman with an 'tude, a lady with class. Stop being a drug-addicted alcoholic; you're so much better than that. A real man will climb mountains & swim oceans just to see his queen smile...as I would for you. I love you. Don't wait until its too late. You might never get another chance. There's a difference between giving up and knowing when I've had enough. Choose me, choose now...be the amazing woman I love once again...stop being so much less than you should be.


01/12/12--12:46: Comment on Come Home Ellie by Dan (chan 1004594)

Ellie— I'm guessing you went to see you dentist today, since you posted about a hot dentist. I wanted to share some information about dental problems, oral cancer and alcohol/drug use.

Dental Problems

Did you know drinking alcohol can be hard on the teeth? Alcohol can cause dental erosion. Dental erosion is defined as irreversible loss of dental hard tissue by a chemical process other than bacteria. The minerals that make up the tooth structure dissolve when they come into contact with acids in the mouth from internal sources (e.g., things like gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting) or external sources (e.g., acidic beverages, citrus fruits). This form of tooth surface loss is part of a larger picture of tooth wear. Alcohol causes dental erosion problems two ways. Heavy drinking can lead to frequent vomiting and the vomit is extremely acidic. But also many alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer are acidic, and the beverages (pops, juices) used in mixed drinks are also generally very acidic. High levels of consumption may also indicate chronic alcohol use problem, which increases the risk of frequent vomiting and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Sometimes enlargement of the parotid salivary glands (glands that secrete saliva in the mouth) may be a sign of a chronic alcohol use problem.

Oral Cancer

In education module on oral health in older adults prepared for Columbia University, dentist- instructor Janet Yellowitz notes although oral cancer is only one-fifth as common as colon, lung or breast cancers, it is more than twice as common as cervical cancer. Oral cancer occurs more frequently in the older men than older women, and both alcohol and tobacco consumption have been identified as high risk behaviors. Citing Blot (1998) she goes on to point out the effects of alcohol and tobacco when combined explode the risk, and account for 75% of all oral cancers in the United States. For oral cancer, incidence rates steadily increase from middle adulthood until the seventh decade of life for both men and women.

Now, I would guess that the use of Marijuana is probably very similar to the use of tobacco when it comes to increasing the risks of oral cancer. Also, one friend pointed out that you look almost anorexic in your most recent photo. Have you lost more weight? What do you weigh now? I'd bet you're below 110 pounds, and that's too thin for someone of your height. Your drug use and drinking are going to catch up to you. I doubt that the heavy drinking and drug use is letting you get the proper sleep or nutrition you need. You're damaging your body. Some of the damage is permanent, some of it is reversible if you quit doing the drugs and drinking. Here are some more warnings about what alcohol can do to your body—the one you're trying to keep healthy by exercising and sticking to a pescetarian diet.

Promotes Overeating

However, individuals tend to over eat when they sit down to a high-fat meal and wash it down with alcoholic drinks, according to research results from two studies published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. "The energy content of alcohol represents extra calories," said Dr. Angelo Tremblay, Ph.D., Professor of Nutrition and Physiology, Laval University, Quebec, Canada, "thus increasing total daily intake. This effect seems to add to the over feeding associated with a high-fat diet, increasing the chances of weight gain." The use of alcohol by participants in the study encouraged the consumption of protein, but not carbohydrates, suggesting that alcohol may modify preference for some types of nutrients. Daily food intake was significantly greater for the heavier drinkers.

Easily Abused

Unfortunately, alcoholic beverages are "foods" with great potential for abuse. They trigger cravings and compulsive eating and drinking as other foods do, but the health and social consequences are more drastic. The compulsive use and abuse of alcoholic beverages can be devastating to individuals and society. There are many adverse health effects associated with heavy drinking, or binge drinking. The damage is done by the toxic effects of alcohol, by nutrient deficiencies and by other adverse effects of the wrong food such as food allergy. Heavy drinkers tend to "starve" - they eat little or have limited, inferior food choices. They have used up their nutrient stores and are often drawing on their own tissues for fuel. Electrolyte depletion and vitamin deficiency are just two of the negative health effects.

Malnutrition

When large amounts of alcohol are consumed, the body senses that its caloric needs have been met. This produces a decreased demand for other foods. Alcohol contains about 9,000 calories (9 Kcal) per gram. However, these calories do not provide any of the carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins or minerals needed to maintain body functions. Alcohol's toxic effect on the gastrointestinal tract also promotes poor nutrition. Alcohol irritates the gut wall, leading to inflammation and ulceration. This can result in a poor absorption of nutrients and a maldigestive gastrointestinal tract. Alcohol contributes to malnutrition by replacing foods needed for essential nutrients and by interfering with absorption, storage or metabolism of the essential nutrients. There are many other health dangers associated with chronic or long-term drinking.

Other Health Issues

High blood triglycerides, along with other risk factors, may increase the chance of developing heart disease. For those who drink alcohol, the liver produces more triglycerides that circulate in the blood. Alcohol can damage the brain in many ways. The most serious effect is Korsakoff's syndrome, characterized in part by an inability to remember recent events or to learn new information. For those who have diabetes, alcohol increases the risk for low blood sugar/hypoglycemic reactions. Studies also have noted an association between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of breast cancer. The mechanism of this effect is not yet known, but the association may be due to carcinogenic actions of alcohol or its metabolites, to alcohol-induced changes in levels of hormones such as estrogens, or to some other process.

Again, some more health warnings about heavy alcohol consumption in women:

Alcohol increases a woman's risk of developing serious illnesses and an increased risk of heart disease, liver disease, ulcers, reproductive problems, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, memory loss, and other illnesses caused by substance and alcohol abuse.

I'd point out that pancreatitis is often a pre-cursor to pancreatic cancer, like that which killed my late wife Gee. From a dental health website:

Heavy drinking can cause:

• Irritation of the gum, tongue and oral tissues.



• Poor healing after dental surgery.



• Poor dental health habits.



• An increase in tooth decay.



• Poor compliance in home care to obtain good oral health.



• Increased risk toward periodontal (gum) disease

Smoking and drinking are risk factors for higher incidence of tooth decay, periodontal disease and oral cancer. Drinking is another issue. Heavy drinkers are at greater risk of developing cancer in the mouth, throat and esophagus – as well as risking tooth decay from the increased exposure to sugars and acids within the drink. People with alcohol abuse problems have been shown to have a higher incidence of periodontal disease, tooth decay and potentially precancerous oral lesions.

Alcohol Abuse Can Lead to Poor Oral Health

Alcohol abuse appears to lead to periodontal disease, tooth decay and mouth sores that are potentially precancerous. Persons who abuse alcohol are at HIGH risk of having seriously deteriorated teeth, gums and compromised oral health in general. 80% of this group of people have moderate to severe gum disease and decayed teeth with more than one third having potentially precancerous lesions, a rate much higher than the general population in the US. Dentistry Today Pg 32, June 2003 The results suggest that persistent alcohol abuse increases periodontitis severe gum disease, development by heightening the loss of attachment through recession of gingival margins. J Periodontol 2003;74(4):485-493

So, if you care about your looks and don't want to look years older than you are from the premature aging effects of alcohol and marijuana, you really should stop abusing alcohol and marijuana. While I love you for so much more than your physical appearance, I hate to see you destroying your beautiful face and body this way. At this point... I have tried to show you what you are doing to yourself. I have tried to tell you what you are risking by continuing. You are in the process of destroying the bright future you had—and most of the chances of achieving many of the dreams you said you had—and putting your health at risk. I have to ask you for what are you doing this? What do you really hope to accomplish with your drinking and drug use? Yes, it is "fun" and part of being a young adult is having fun, but is it worth risking your entire future, risking your life, and risking your health and damaging your brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and putting yourself at risk for so many other health problems?

Right now, I am the only person trying to tell you the truth about what you are doing to yourself—what huge risks you are taking—what it could cost you. Please listen. Please know that I am only doing this because I care about you—because I love you.




01/16/12--18:05: Comment on A Card for Ellie… by Dan (chan 1004594)

One of my friends said that being a parent means only wanting the best for your child, no matter who provides it. If that is true, I can't say much for Ellie's parents, who stopped wanting the best for Ellie years ago. They've abdicated their parental responsibilities since Ellie was 13 or 14. This is truly sad, because no matter how old Ellie is, she will always be their child. That is something most parents I know understand. Most friends of mine who are parents can't understand how someone could just stop caring for their child because they are legally an adult—but that seems to clearly be what has happened to Ellie and her parents. Yes, she is a young adult and needs some space to make her own decisions. But when anyone is so clearly in trouble, as she has been for seven months, would it not make more sense to give them some guidance, no matter their age.


01/26/12--02:41: Comment on Her Silence by Dan (chan 1004594)

Henry David Thoreau once said:

“Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.”

What you are living right now is a lie Ellie. Your addictions have killed off your dreams and hopes. If you don't act soon, they will destroy who you truly are, your health and the bright future you had last summer. Please don't let that happen.


01/27/12--03:20: Comment on Her Silence by Dan (chan 1004594)

An individual can try to identify outside their culture, but customs persist. They are ingrained as permanently as a fingerprint.

Ellie has been trying to fit into a culture and part of society that she does not belong to. I believe that is part of the problem she is having with her self-esteem and causing much of her insecurities. In the past seven months she has gone from being the intelligent, proud, strong Irish Catholic woman that she truly is and tried to fit into a culture where women are called hoes, bitches and skeezas, and listens to gangsta rap and misogynistic hip-hop that really isn't aligned with who she really is. She is trying to be a gangsta bitch as my friend Kate put it, but she is not one fundamentally, and trying to be one is not working. I think the change was caused by her trying to fit in with the people that are her new "friends", and who are part of the black and latino drug culture that they exist in. It isn't really the background that she was raised in, nor is it really something compatible with her religious beliefs and upbringing from what I can tell.


02/02/12--01:22: Comment on Her Silence by Dan (chan 1004594)

Well, it is official, the Fall Semester 2011 Dean's List is out as of earlier today, and Ellie's name isn't on it... of course, given how she probably did, she probably missed it by .5 or more, since Dean's List requires a 3.5 GPA for the semester, and I doubt she even made a 3.0 last semester.


02/06/12--02:01: Comment on Miniature Peanut Butter Cups by Adrift at Sea » What If… (chan 1004594)

[...] had taken the best care of Gee that was possible—otherwise how was it possible that she went from 88 lbs. to 103 lbs. while undergoing chemotherapy leading up to the wedding. Her father, a pediatrician, had trusted me to make the right medical [...]


02/17/12--03:43: Comment on A Rose Named Ellie by Dan (chan 1004594)

Ellie—