Saturday, July 25, 2009

Day 62 - When I Grow Up...

Gregory asked me: Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

Well, if I'm not still in the ITCZ, which at the moment looks all too
likely, I'd like to imagine that my life would look something like this.
Adventure will still be my watchword, and I'll still be seeking out ways
that I can be useful to the causes that I care about – the raising of
consciousness, and working towards a sustainable future. But I suspect
that my ocean rowing days will be far behind me, and I'll have found a
different calling that is still in tune with my values. Or, in fact,
three callings.

First, if the resources become available, I'd like to create a
foundation to promote my causes. We've already started to sketch out
plans for this, but at the moment it has no source of funding. The
foundation would support people who feel they have a unique contribution
to make, and an award would involve mentoring and guidance as well as
financial support. It wouldn't matter what their project was, provided
that it played to their personal strengths, and that they were willing
to share with everybody the experience of pursuing their passion –
through a blog, book, documentary or other form. The emphasis would be
on the journey towards their goal – I know from first hand experience
how inspired people get when they see someone on a quest to make
themselves better people, and the world a better place – and I'd like to
help the foundation's beneficiaries reach as wide an audience as
possible to spread those ripples of inspiration.

Second, I suspect that in 15 years much will still need to be done
globally to create a sustainable future. I hope that much will have been
achieved, and that sustainability will have stopped being a cause and
started to be an intrinsic part of every aspect of human activity. In a
perfect world, every consumer choice, every architectural plan, every
journey, would be based on principles of sustainability. But in the real
world, I think there will still be work to do. And I'd like to be a part
of that work, in whatever way I can be of most service.

Third, I'd like to still be having my own adventures, although in my
mid-fifties they might be rather less strenuous than rowing across
oceans. I'd like to be traveling the world giving lectures,
presentations and book signings, and using those opportunities to
explore places I haven't yet seen. I'll be referring back to my list of
10 Adventures Before I Die (see blog for Day 23) – and in 15 years time
I'm sure I'll have a lot more ideas besides. There are so many different
ways to experience this world, and I'm greedy to try as many as
possible. I'd like to live in different countries and different
cultures, and soak up the sheer joyous variety of them all.

We live in uncertain times, and I have no idea what the world will look
like in 2024. But I feel well equipped for whatever the future may
bring. After many years of being rather confused about life, not really
knowing what my values and priorities were, I now have a much better
idea of who I am and what makes me happy.

So I'm confident that whatever I'm doing, I'll have found a way to make
sure that it's fulfilling – and fun!

[photo: absolutely nothing photo-worthy today. Not even a sunset due to
the grey weather. So here is a picture of the head of the whale shark as
I first saw him – from above the water. He's got a big black mark on the
back of his head – I'm not sure if this is a scar or just the way he's
made. Ideas?]


Other Stuff:

I never quite got the hang of today. I made some useful progress south,
now having achieved the most southerly point of the voyage so far (but
already being pushed north again), but it was slow progress against a
succession of squalls and showers and occasionally headwinds. This
morning was fine, but for most of this afternoon my bit of the Pacific
was dank, grey and dismal, with a steady patter of rain. Tonight is
pitch dark yet again. I can only just tell where the horizon is – the
sky is just one shade of black lighter than the ocean. I'm not out of
the ITCZ yet.

If my adventure has inspired you to have an ocean-going adventure of
your own, check out the Oceans Watch website at oceanswatch.org. I met
the OW folks when I was in New Zealand on a speaking tour last year, and
they are a great contact point for boat-based research projects in the
Pacific. Bon voyage!

A special hello today to Roz's Regulars, whom I don't always acknowledge
but I always look forward to your comments – notably Joan, Doug,
Antonio, Gregory and Sindy.

Joan – thanks for letting me know about the study that found that
cursing/swearing is good for your health. I must be very healthy indeed
these days then, as the ITCZ is giving me ample opportunities for a
"workout"!

Laurey Masterson – thanks for the lowdown on the literati of Asheville.
I really don't think we can fit it into the book tour this time around,
but I've got friends in NC so maybe we can arrange something for next
year. This brings me to the other part of your comment – yes, I am
already affiliated with 350.org, having met Bill McKibben at a
conference earlier this year, and the reason we have to cut the book
tour short is that I have to dash over to London in order to leave from
Big Ben to march to Copenhagen – leaving on the 350.org international
day of action, October 24. There will be more details coming soon on the
pulltogether09.org website on how people can come and join us.

Aquaphoenix – thank you for the lovely message. Wise words, and I
couldn't agree more!

Anna – great questions. Received them too late to answer today, but will
tackle them tomorrow. And I wish we WERE sat in a Leeds wine bar over a
glass or three! Sebastian in SF and stormcloud – have also saved your
question for a future blog.

Quick answers to quick questions:

Q: What time zone are you in?
A: I am in just about the remotest time zone there is. One hour behind
Hawaii, 4 hours behind Pacific Standard Time, 12 hours behind British
Summer Time, or 11 hours behind UTC. But hopefully in the next few weeks
I'll be crossing the International Date Line – and then I'll be in
tomorrow, and ahead of you all!

Q: What kind of medicine did you pack on the voyage?
A: Every kind! Honestly, my first aid kit is huge, as it has to cover
every eventuality. I've got antibiotics, bandages, burns dressings,
suturing kits, sprays, creams, ointments, pills, potions – everything
bar a stretcher! All put together by my good friend Dr Aenor.

Q: Is whatever you have for sun protection good enough and what do you
use?
A: Yes, it's excellent. Green People organic sun lotion. Seems effective
way beyond its SPF – and as I use so much of it I'm happy that what I'm
absorbing into my body is organic. I've used 4 x 200ml tubes so far
(200ml = 6.8 fl oz).

Weather report:

Position at 2200 HST: 04 18.835N, 175 11.719W
Wind: 0-20+ knots. Windy in the squalls, dead calm at other times. Wind
direction variable from S to E.
Seas: 4-6ft
Weather: morning sunny and fine, afternoon overcast with occasional
squalls and a few hours of prolonged rain.

Weather forecast courtesy of weatherguy.com:

Using last night's Feedblitz blog email (22 Jul), reported position was:
04 32N 175 19W as of 22Jul 1930HST. Your are still in the ECC which is
good because you might want to be at this latitude for as long as you
can.

As of Thursday, 23 July 2009. Wind predictions still uncertain while
in the area of the Equatorial region. According measured data, there is
SE winds 15-17kts over your area. To the SE (between 01N to 04N and
168W-170W) of your position, there was a patch of measured winds of
40-50kts in rainshowers.

It would appear you are almost through the southern boundary of the
ITCZ. According to satellite imagery, there is minimal convection south
of 05N. There is one exception.the patch of high winds to the SE. This
is associated with downdraft winds in convective cloud activity.

Movement eastward should be viewed as positive because south of the
Equator the prevailing E to SE winds will carry you westward with no
problem. If you are too far to the west already, potential landing spots
in the southern hemisphere might be missed. So just hang on for the ride
and take the Eerly current as long as it lasts.

Sky conditions: Partly to mostly cloudy. Isolated rainshowers, squalls,
and possible thunderstorms.

Forecast (low confidence due to extreme variability in Roz's position
and the fluctuations in wind direction/speed in the Doldrums)
Date/Time HST Wind kts Seas (ft) est
23/1800-25/1800 SE 12-17 3-7
25/1800-28/1800 ESE 10-15 4-6


Next Update: Monday, 27 July

23 comments:

  1. I am stunned by the difficulty you are having crossing the ITCZ. I guess its really tough to break through at such a slow pace compared to others I have spoken with that were on US Navy ships. Your diffult journey breaking the the ITCZ zone reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite runners.

    "An athlete who tells you the training is always easy and always fun simply hasn't been there. Goals can be elusive which makes the difficult journey all the more rewarding." -Alberto Salazar


    Cheers Roz,
    ~Gregory

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  2. Piranha Pete10:58 am GMT

    Foundation idea for improving the environment sounds like a great idea--- as long as it does not mean wrecking national economies. Al Gore's plans, for example, will drastically reduce the standard of living across the globe.

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  3. Daily, I have watched your progress, as I did on you're last voyage, and hope you are caught in the same predicament as your escape from San Francisco. Once you break free from the ICTZ, how hard is it going to be to hit landfall on a tiny speck in the giant panorama ahead? Are there contingency plans?
    I am wondering if this voyage makes you feel like you are more in touch with your "Rozlings" due to Twitter? I really look forward to your posts. The Roztracker is an amazing addition.
    Although, I began my journey towards a plastic-free life during your last journey, I still have not made it. I just keep striving.
    Godspeed.

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  4. Anonymous11:57 am GMT

    On yesterday's blog page I commented that when you want to make sure of getting a Larabar bookmark with your order for Roz's book from Amazon, forward a copy of your order confirmation to bookmark@rozsavage.com and the details will be recorded. Also, we are lookiing into the possibility of receiving a bookmark if you order from a local bookseller. More details if/when they become available. Rita Savage

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  5. Parana Pete-Probably not a good idea to mention Gore in any light other than golden here. Or for that matter if you are not a Rozaholic your post's will be ignored.

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  6. Anonymous1:47 pm GMT

    Dear Rita (and Roz)
    THANKS for adding the larabar gift to the independent purchasers. Count me in. I'm ordering one from Malaprops! Can't WAIT to read it.

    And Roz - gosh, you're a wonder. (People said that to me as I rode my bicycle what now seems like a measley 3100 miles across the United States this year. ) You really ARE!

    So glad you are such a great writer and such a fabulous adventurer. Thank you for your daily inspiration.

    Laurey Masterton in Asheville

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  7. Doug Stewart2:06 pm GMT

    Hi Roz, I sincerely hope that “texino’s” comment regarding rejection of non-Rozaholic posts is totally and forever fiction. As you so well know and exhibit, we are now living in a rapidly-changing world in which our survival depends upon the broadest possible band of inclusion, acceptance, and cooperation.
    And if it was intended as a joke, as misleading as it was, I strongly suggest getting a new writer.
    Gettin’ Outta the ITCZ Cheers! Doug S.

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  8. Laurey, you have peaked my curiosity -- would you please give us a URL link or write a brief summary of your bike trip? Not to detract from what Roz is doing, but your adventure is much more achievable to the "average" person. I for one would love to read about your experience ... did you blog or keep a diary? Where and when did you start and end? Highlights, etc.

    Rita, thanks for posting the bookmark address! With the holidays coming, I decided to order a few more books. You should have the additional order confirmations by now ;-D

    WHAT WILL YOU DO if orders exceed Larabar wrappers?
    That would be a good problem. Eat more Larabars, Roz!

    Roz, I reported your overcast observation to MoonWatch. Next month will be better for moon watching as you will have clear blue skies and beautiful broken clouds once again!

    Loved your dripping wet squall report.

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  9. Hi Roz-

    I've been reading every day for a while, but don't comment much. Anyway, wanted to let you know you've inspired me to stop buying bottled water, and use my own bottle instead. I think your foundation is a fabulous idea! It seems really rare that the goal of an organization is to promote diverse but inspiring people instead of it's own very limited agenda. Brilliant!

    Wanted to thank you on a more personal note too.... yesterday's "Faith Miles" blog really hit home with me. I'm having some health problems that mostly consist of waiting for test results, which inspire more tests, which cause more waiting, which drives me a little batty. You gave me some great perspective. Thank you!

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  10. Don't be frustrated. It took the Red Sox 86 years between one world Series and another and the Cubs.. well they haven't given up either. Anyway, I am sure you will get through the convergence zone of utter frustration and tedium soon. I just hope it happens before the salt water corrodes away some vital piece of gear or you somehow lose something overboard(not likely, but still, it would be my greatest fear if I were you).

    I also loved your squall story.

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  11. A nice Southern 'Hey' back to you, Roz. There are days when I wish I knew some good jokes that I could pass along in the comments. (Better than the one Heather Gorringe posted! Ugh. Oh, that was just cruel of her.)

    I posted your question about the whale shark's black mark on the Georgia Aquarium's Facebook page. Hopefully their social media monitor can pass it along to one of their whale shark specialists, and maybe you'll get some new readers from the link.

    On a side note, I happen to believe that the average U.S. citizen's idea of the norm standard of living has been bloated beyond reason with luxuries and convenience seen as something that everyone must have, as if they are necessities. They're not.

    The natural resources that the U.S. has access to just can't sustain the level of consumerism and comfort that we've all grown accustomed to, and adjusting our attitudes and behaviors is going to be a painful reality check for a lot of people, and the economy, and it will probably be a long difficult struggle.

    The truth is, nobody needs a giant McMansion for one family and two SUVs for the parents and a new car for each kid when they turn 16 and 64-inch televisions and every video game that comes out. Even the level of air conditioning and heat that we've come to demand is telling. We've let ourselves (okay I'm making huge generalizations here) grow into a bunch of weaklings who can't bear any degree of discomfort or inconvenience, unless we're at the gym, and that gym had better be air conditioned well enough so that we don't actually FEEL hot when we've decided to sweat on purpose.

    Before there was air conditioning, and there was such a time, people didn't build hermetically sealed homes in big open spaces where all the trees had been cut down. The trees provided shade to keep the house cool, and the house had porches and screened windows and you could feel a breeze in your own bedroom. One of these days soon we're going to have to come back around to a way of life that's not sucking energy 24 hours a day. Whether we like it or not.

    Changes often bring hardship, but we're supposed to care more about the welfare of the generations who come after us than our own comforts. Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now.

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  12. You're so right about more work to be done on the "sustainable future" front. Things that stay in the forefront of my mind since I've been following your progress and your blog are: 1) overfishing and impending endangerment/extinction of multitudes of fish species, and 2) the MOUNTAINS of plastic being produced and thrown away every day!

    The state of Maine, USA has a great bottle recycling program for glass--why can't we go back to glass or aluminum cans for those individual servings we think we can't live without? And why can't EVERY municipal entity institute a recycling program like that? It makes/saves money, and could serve as an incentive to buy glass or aluminum cans over plastic, both of which are 100% recyclable.

    Better yet, why not go one step further and follow the example of "Sustainable Dave"? He has provided many solutions for individual accountability in daily recycling and reuse in his blog: http://365daysoftrash.blogspot.com

    I think you have a marvelous career in front of you when you complete your journey, continuing to draw attention to these important issues. Your ideas for speaking tours and a non-profit foundation are excellent, though I'll miss getting the pictures of whale sharks, sea turtles, and bird-brained boobies. :-)

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  13. I am amazed and envious at your picture of the whale shark - I've always wanted to see one of these magnificent critters.

    I've been away for a week or so and have missed reading your blog! How fortunate you are to be out in the world, experiencing such an adventure and how fortunate are we who get to be 'armchair' adventurers, sharing your ideas, your experiences, and wishing we were with you. Thank you for giving me small things, like the feeling of excitement when I saw the image on your page 'OH SHE SAW A WHALE SHARK OH!' - almost as if I'd seen it myself. Thank you :)

    Your foundation idea is wonderful - go for it!

    Sorry to hear of your troubles in the ITCZ, keep your chin up. What a wild and crazy place to be.

    Here are some words from one of my very favorite pieces of music - it's short, simple, and beautiful, if you get a chance to hear it I hope you like it. And thank you for the whale shark!

    From Mozart's Cosi fan tutte:

    "Soave sia il vento...Gentle be the breeze,
    Tranquilla sia l'onda,..and calm the wave,
    Ed ogni elemento...and may all elements
    Benigno risponda...be favorable
    Ai nostri/vostri desir....to our need."

    Safe travels,
    -Amy in Alaska

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  14. Roz,

    Since "Faith Miles" post you are making fantastic southing, relatively speaking! Zoomed way in on the Tracker. See you've doubled in gain the progress you lost a couple of days ago. You go girl!

    Impressed with not only what you are doing physically, but how you are able to stay focused on your message, your cause in the midst of doldrums, squalls and/or blazing sun. You rock, Roz! Keep the faith!

    Last year during first leg of your Pacific row, I started growing and eating lots of sprouts, as I'd done a few decades ago. It's a great way to keep from cranking up the stove and AC simultaneously. Garden veggies and fruit minimize trips to market. Feeling good about getting back to my roots.

    Early spring, spent weeks and months, digging, tilling and moving dirt to establish veggie garden. Each day, I'd remind myself of the hours you spent at the oar. Kept me on task. Amazed to see what the nurtured soil has sprung forth! Wish I could send you an air-drop of grapefruit and summer squash -- what I have the most of!

    Nearing the leeward side of your 15 years hence mark, feeling strong, inspired,

    Janis
    Garden Designer
    Woodland Hills, CA

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  15. Hi, this seems a meaningless question, but it's not. Aren't you affraid of these socalled 'freakwaves', or does your boat just floats along with them? I just stumbled upon your voyage because it is mentioned on the frontpage of Blogspot.com. But I haven't seen anything about it in the Dutch news. Maybe you want to inform the Dutch National Newsagency ANP. Just send them a message: nieuwsdienst at anp dot nl. Good luck! About thirteen years ago, two Dutch sailors sailed around the world, in those days we got messages from them through the old electronic mail, via BBS ;) Things have changed.... Good luck to you, get home safe!
    Oh, about the beer, maybe someone could calculate a dropspot somewhere ashore from which a sixpac can float it's way to you at a certain 'rendez-vous'-point? ;)

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  16. Arnoldus, you or I must have ESP [Extrasensory perception]. I just woke from a short power nap with an idea and came here to suggest it to the Rozlings -- to my surprise, you posted a similar idea. Maybe it's ESP or more likely it's two months of information on Roz's blog that has reached a nexus. The international appeal of what Roz is doing. After all, she is literally in the middle of nowhere, no laws, no nation claims the space he occupies, we all have common unfettered access to her ... I am rambling for a reason ...

    Roz is in the ITCZ with the ECC tugging and pushing her as she pushes through to the IDL, the farthest point from GMT ... still clinging to HST ... and we Rozlings telling our stories, sharing our wishes, asking our questions, engaged in the adventure, responding with our inspirations and enthusiasms. What do we call this phenomenon in the nexus of all these and more? Is it the IRCN [Inspi-Rozional Collaborative Nexus]?

    So, Arnoldus ... what occurred to me as I woke from my mid-afternoon nap was: Wouldn't it be cool if each of us wrote a short letter to the editor of our local newspaper about what Roz means to us. There are probably hundreds or thousands of us around the globe, checking in on Roz as she rows, sharing our excitement about her with a few friends, retweeting, posting her daily blog on facebook ...

    What if we were to write our inspirations to the editor and reach many more who would enjoy knowing ... Sure, Nicole could send out a press release, but think of what Rozlings can do one by one if we do it in unison?

    Maybe I am just groggy from my snooze ... silly crazy idea! Hmmm ... So, Arnoldus, if you write to NieuwsDienst and I write the Hayward Daily Review, and Joan and Janis and ... the names go on ... what do you say?

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  18. That organic sunblock sounds awesome. Is it available for purchase online? (You wouldn't happen to have a link now would you?)

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  20. Roz, lest you loose sight of the positive (which I heartily doubt), you have gone 36 miles in the past 71 hours on a heading of 165 deg (about as close to due south as one could get). Slow but steady as she goes. Hope you feel as good as RozTracking breadcrumbs look ... or better perhaps?

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  21. Hi Roz,

    Went back to read your Day 23 post about your 10 Adventures. Quite a list...I hope you'll do them all. Just a small caution though...standing on a pole might make you dizzy-the earth wobbles, you know.

    Before I saw your progress today I was going to ask if it was feasible to row at night (assuming the weather to be calmer then) and sleep in the day. Thinking further, I suppose you'd bake inside that cabin...not good.

    Reading about your present adventure is a great joy and inspiration to those following...Godspeed and I'll remember you in my prayers.

    Rozta' Bill

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  22. I left out one minor detail ... letters to the editor celebrating Roz's crossing the equator!

    A global gala celebration of Roz going "down under" ...
    two or three weeks from now ... get your letters ready ;-D

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  23. Hi, Roz! you are an inspiration to many of us, and a little backwards progress, although frustrating, shouldn't keep you down! My husband Wayne and I were listening to you on our way to an ocean cleanup that I organized for Magic Island today. Your conversation with Leo, was, as always, amusing and informative. It made me wonder how on earth you and Leo first started communicating -- can you share the details?

    Regarding our ocean cleanup at the same marina from which you set out, we pulled up two carts worth of garbage, to include a huge plastic covering for a mast and a boat fender. All in all, over 100 pounds of garbage, much of which was plastic and fiberglass. Not bad for a grand total of six people. We'll look to do it again on Ocean Awareness day, coming up soon. With any luck, PADI will sponsor us (or at least give us garbage bags the next time) based upon the possible media coverage from this event.

    Stay strong and happy!

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