Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Smoothing things out

I am taking a break today from working navigation problems.  Class was brutal over the weekend with 13 hour days spent in class and studying.  I was burned out on Sunday evening but had work to do.

Thus far this week, I have been working on navigation problems for most of the day, although I took time out to go to my home group on Monday evening and to take my wife to an evening event at the city aquarium.  We went out to dinner afterward which really was a break that we both needed.

Tomorrow, I've decided to spend the morning going fishing with C.  We are heading to the creek at sunrise and will have until lunch before the tide is high.  We'll fish the incoming tide for spot tail bass.  I can feel the need for that "cool change" to be on the water.

The Sea School class has been a disappointment in the sense that the instructor is dull, passionless about the material, and not energetic about helping with problems.  He reads the text to the class, almost word for word, except for his mispronunciations.  If I had not taken the piloting and seamanship courses over the last year, I would be totally lost.  Not everyone can impart knowledge, even though knowledgeable.

My solution has been to find videos on line that show how to work the problems and to review material from the previous courses I took.  I think that I will do well if I continue to review and work the assignments given.

This has pretty much been my life since last Friday. I did go by to see my father-in-law on Sunday evening to bring him some deli cupcakes, chips and pretzels for Father's Day.  Tomorrow evening, I have a CPR class, and will begin the full day of class again on Friday morning at 8 AM, continuing through Sunday until 6 PM.

I have no idea what you have been doing but am planning to spend some time tonight doing my best to read a bunch of blog posts.  I can see that if I don't take some breaks,  I'm going to burnout.  The fishing trip tomorrow is going to help me get away from the chart table both physically and mentally.

I know that I have a tendency to hyper-focus on topics that interest me.  I am goal oriented and driven.  It's time for me to strike that balance that smooths things out.

I'll end with a few photos from the aquarium.





20 comments:

  1. Hi Syd! I tried to respond to your last post but my internet connect was acting up. I, too, am trying to keep up with the "other" things in my life, yet I am also hyper-focused on my class. Your pictures are lovely. Good to catch up with you and find all is well.

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  2. I hate dull instructors as well. I had one that was treally dull when I was taking my real estate classes that som e ogf the class just walk out on him.

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  3. Oh Syd. You are such a jewel and a gent.
    Get some fun time in, boy! You are retired! But I'm impressed with the way you work. You have the philosophy that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. I admire that.

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  4. I'm glad you got a little time away from "the grind". I'm so sorry that the teacher is a bore. That can be the undoing of a less focused person than you.

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  5. My husband has taught himself two languages, and a lot about fly fishing by watching youtube videos. It's hard when you don't connect with a teacher, but you do have an excellent base knowledge.

    None of us have to post, or comment, every day. We put this pressure on ourselves, but it is OK to drop out of the blog-o-sphere for a few days and go fishing.

    Have a great time with your wife. These are the precious times of your life.

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  6. ugh sorry you have a rather dull instructor...that would def make it hard on me as well...good thoughts on avoiding that burn out as well...cool pics too..esp that eel...

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  7. Ooooo! I love the pictures. Having grown up in the water, I resonate strongly with marine life. My first piece of jewelry was a necklace made of seashells that my father gave me when I was three. I had found them while we were out one morning and he later put them on some fishing wire with a clasp. I felt like a mermaid.

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  8. Also, one day at a time, sober friend. This school madness is almost over.

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  9. There are so many people who should not be teachers, sigh. I'm glad you're taking some fun time and it was lovely reading your comments again -- you're one of the people I write for and whose feedback is much appreciated.

    Great pics and video, Syd.

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  10. I just had a horrible experience with a lousy teacher. He wasn't dull, just so self-absorbed that he wasn't teaching anything.

    I'm sorry your class has been a disappointment for you, but I'm sure you'll find the good in the experience as you seem to often do.

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  11. The aquarium pics are fantastic. I think a morning on the boat with your love and food sounds heavenly. Good luck with the class. I admire your perseverance. :)

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  12. Great pics and great song/video.

    Have good RELAXING, CAREFREE day :)

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  13. Sid: The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary gives Charting, Navigation & GPS Classes by US Coast Guard Certified Instructors..They offer many other things. Check the web for a local Flotilla.You can join too...They have 30,000 members in the United t.

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  14. I hope you and C had an enjoyable morning fishing and relaxing together . . . And that you're feeling balanced and smoothed.
    It's a pity about the teacher; they can make such a difference.
    Sounds like a lot of work Syd.

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  15. I really enjoyed the video and photos!

    Glad you are taking some breaks for yourself and to spend sometime with your wife.

    I'm learning I'm more productive when I take frequent breaks to take a breathier and refocus to find my balance.

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  16. ah bless.. sorry Ive been away for ages but have been wrapped up in a new job and sorting out the will.. I want to write blog posts again.. sounds like you are very busy as usual.. hope the fishing is good. and yes take it easy.. burnout is surprisingly easy to acheive and make sus all fractious and short tempered which isn good :) nice to see you posting syd ;)

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  17. Great photos you shared, Syd. Hope the fishing trip went well and was just the break you needed - the right break at the right time. I, too, need to put aside time to read blogs; I've neglected my blogging friends.

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  18. 13 hours?! Ugh. I'm sorry its a boring teacher. Nothing worse imo. Bless you for hanging in there though Syd. That seems very much like you. Not to give up, whine and complain. Just keep doing what you need to do until you have reached your goal. Bless you Syd.

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  19. Good to see your post. Navigating charts do they have the app on iphone?

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