Sailing is an intensely fun sport when it's blowing dogs-off-chains. But when you add in the element of cold, it's not as enjoyable. We went out sailing in the morning and I was adequately prepared to battle the morning frost. Wearing everything in my arsenal meant I moved almost like a dugong, or at least I felt like it, but it kept me nice and toasty. Sailing out of the Sydney harbour heads did not come close to scratching my armour of heat. However, it was the sail back that had face-numbing, uncontrollable shivering effect. I had felt colder before, but it still wasn't any consolation. From the introduction on the home page, you can find that I don't do cold weather. It is an understatement. Cold weather is my kryptonite. You know how Superman kind of falls onto his knees and crawls weakly when a kryptonite is beside him? Picture me, but in a wetsuit and with my underwear inside. I HATE COLD WEATHER! There are times when I wonder how sailors from Europe pick up sailing. What the fuck. Pardon me. But what the fuck. Sailing is so fun. But there's a price to pay for every dream...
Wow. Most of my favourite peeps have the name Eric. Maybe I should have my first born named Eric.
Sailing in Sydney has been pleasant thus far. It might be a tad cold for my tropical ass but wind-wise, it has been perfect. Three days of sailing in a row and three different conditions. Perfect for settling down in the new boat. We had 25 knots when we first launch but it gradually siphoned off to a light 12-15 knots. I have no complains regarding the boat and everything on it has been working almost like a dream. A few more weeks of tweaking the bits and I dare say it will be Grade 1 event worthy! Sailing aside, school has been a constant pain in the rear for many reasons. Not knowing what the hell lecturers are talking about is ranked top. It's tough man... I simply can't wait for this semester to finish. I have an assignment due tomorrow, 2 quizzes on Thursday and another essay due on Friday. It's no biggie really. It's just that I have to squeeze in sailing, running and gym in my schedule book. Then again, what do I know, right? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Fuck. Fuck. FUCK!!! I hit the backspace key and it went back to the home page so now all I have laboured for is gone... All gone!!! Well. I can't be bothered to re-write so you fans have to blame your luck or my intelligence (i'd prefer if you curse your luck instead). At least the title is still up. Yep. That was the original title. You just have to guess what I was gonna write from it, I suppose. But it does fit this entry on hindsight. Oh well. It is on this fateful day that Majulah tasted the salt of Sydney's harbour and how sweet it was. We managed to finish the CB on time and get everything ready for a short arvo sail. I must say that Mackay has not disappointed in anyway and now that we've finally got our maiden voyage out of the way, I dare say Majulah will be sailed hard and fast. A little tweaking here and there and she shall be skipping along like a dream!
Brr... is what it is. Cold like I've never felt in a long long time. But that is in the wee hours of the morning only (7am). But the chill soon dissipates with the glorious midday sun.
Anyway, Roy and I have been rigging our new toy up (or at least trying to) for the past week. I dare say we are 70% from having a perfect boat. Murphy's law, however, lurks around the corner and as my gut tells me, somehow, I know something will creep up and our maiden voyage will need to be postponed again. But the dateline would have to be by Saturday and no later. My fair fiancee will be the lady that christens our beloved Majulah! Ah, yes, her name... T'was no easy decision by no means. We needed a name fair to our goals and yet at the very same time, represent our patriotism to Singapore aka the Little Red Dot aka Sunny Island aka Temasek aka Singapura aka Fine City. Now, I think we should also pay tribute to the other contenders for the prize of being inscribed to the stern of our ship. ...Char Kway Teow! ...The Little Red Dot! ...Kopi O! These, sadly, were what we could come up with. C K T would have been a continuance of Meepok and Taupok in the category of Singapore food. Kopi O was just a sub-category of Singapore delights... The Little Red Dot was okay but lacked a bit of bite. Don't ask how Majulah came about but I reckon is a damn good name for her! Fingers crossed, ass crack sealed, hopefully tomorrow shall be a fruitful day and we can fit in the *CB and rudder blade and get the trap wires up. *CB - (Hint: It's not what you Singaporeans think it is.) ... Centreboard. |