Not An Hour Ago, I Was Covered In Tar

Masts are up. Except the mizzen. But we'll do that tomorrow, along with the yards.
The rig is dangerously loose, but as long as no one goes nuts during the rigging fit, we should make it through okay. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians. I am definitely an Indian, though, so I don't have to duke it out Dune style with little kris knives to defend my territory. Dave's had his pay halved due to not actually being whathe claimed, it seems. Yet more new people (Jeff, Hamilton) have joined the circus. Dennis' waxed moustache and overbearing beard continue to be the centre ring attraction. Not that we can get any instructions out of him.

Many on the verge of breakdown. Specifically, Stitch and Roddy. If one (or, Lord help us, both) loses it, we could be in trouble. If Pat 1 is injured in such a way as to be unable to continue on the boat, we're definitely going to crash and burn. Pat 2 is less essential, since she refuses to climb the rigging. This leaves her doing sod all.

Sent my CV to the lady at the Taipei Representative Office today. This in response to signing the contracton the house in Tulse Hill with Adam, his brother Nathan (and soon Paul and Henry) on Saturday. I require money to paythe rent.
I need to stop spending so much of my pay. I do not have time to spellcheck this post. Apologies for any errors you find -- try not to take them personally.

I think I need a cup of tea.

Let's see now. I've got a reply from Chaosium, who are interested in my book proposal and want me to send an outline. However, this will have to wait till we get back from Southampton.

As for the boat... we were supposed to leave at 4:30 am yesterday, but we were unablke to get the mini-gate for the keel out in time before the tide rose. At around eight we started again, having cut through the supporting pipes, and chiseled away the remaining cement and concrete. Then we just tipped the thing over with a couple of jacks and hauled it out of the way.

A pretty big crowd turend up to watch as the tugs pulled us out of the dock. We made a few sedate turns on the Thames, as there was some trouble attaching the line to the forward tug. And then we had to sit around for a while for the water level to drop, so we could get under London Bridge.

Then away we went, with a good four feet of clearance for the bowsprit. People took photos of us taking photos of them (or was it the other way round?) as we passed under Tower Bridge. The wind picked up a little, yet we enjoyed a stately transit of an hour or so down to the Docklands, passing moored Thames barges, the Cutty Sark and the Thames Barrier. Because we set off too late to get into the King George V dock, we're now moored up at a pier a little way downriver from the Woolwich ferry crossing, and right next to the Royal Artillery Museum. We're off the edge of the A-Z map area.

We've got the weekend free, so I'm off to do some shopping. I kind of want to see a film. Henane (or however you spell it) said she wanted to see Goodbye Lenin - I probably should have suggested we go together, but I didn't think of it at the time.

...

SteveCon 3 was yesterday. Great fun.
It's still far too hot. Work on the ship is going well.

Life on the Ocean Wave

I shall be living aboard the Golden Hinde from tomorrow. This will doubtless restrict my Internet access, so anyone who wants to get in touch should use my Hotmail address (tmcgrenery AT hotmail).

My first day was today, and involved lots of sanding of deadeyes, which are the wooden thingies that hold the ropes. I think they're called deadeyes because their three holes make them resemble skulls. I have no evidence for this. It's just conjecture based on me thinking they look a bit like skulls.

The rigger from the Cutty Sark is coming tomorrow to help us out. Should be fun. Going to be ropes everywhere.

NACHTMUSIK

For those of you who are interested, I've put the first part of the comedy documentary I worked on -- NACHTMUSIK -- up on the web (though I'm thinking of uploading it to TriggerStreet.com - I'll let you know).

I'm afraid due to file size constraints, it is only the first (less funny) bit available right now, but I should get the rest uploaded some time soonish.

The movie is available here. Sorry about the pop-ups, it's Angelfire again.

In Your Face, Space Coyote!

I am gainfully employed. Not for the job I went to an interview this morning for, though. As I was on my way home, someone phoned me up about a job I'd almost forgotten. I said I was in London. He invited me down for a chat. I went and met them. I start on Monday.

I'm working as a deckhand on the Golden Hinde.

Yay!!