Conflicting Passions

Today was interesting to say the least. Since it was our second to last day of classes for this phase, we had to clean the shop prior to writing our final. There was a slight uproar and confusion on how it should be done which, got me questioning if there is really the career I really want to be in. On and off over the last few days I have been wondering, what if I would have gone to a Wooden Boatbuilding school instead of Wyotech since I would not have to deal with so much damn drama. Seriously! This is College not Kindergarden. I find myself question this decision since prior to coming down here I was split between either travelling all this way to learn on how to restore cars or go to a wooden boatbuilding school closer to home. I ended up choosing this route because I want to do it from such a long time. However as I was pondering this decision which will shape my future no doubt I realized that in a way it has helped me for the better coming down here. Instead of taking Street Rod and Custom Fabrication as my first elective and Trim and Upholstery and my second, I am going to remove Street Rod and Custom Fabrication and only do Trim and Upholstery. Which is the complete opposite I was thinking of doing when I first got down here, because I thought the dust from Trim and Upholstery would upset my allergies to the point I would not be able to work whatsoever.
It all came together in a way, since by coming down here I can restore classic cars (especially) Hudson's and by going to a wooden boatbuilding school I can build, paint, and upholster the boat completely.

It is definitely a lot to consider and think about, but I have two weeks to do so over Christmas. Of course I'll get as much information as possible before I make any move that will undoubtedly affect my future career.

"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes."

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Scrying Glass

I wish I could find my way through the world without running into massive ruts or sadistic people, but that would be like asking everyone to change the way they should treat others... and that aint happening soon. Really, the road I have gone down has been rough to say the last. I have fought personal battles, spiritual and even with others all of which have shown me how the world see's me and who I am really am. Saying that I have never lost any of these conflicts to the point of falling back into the rut I, but I have came close. In some ways I really wish I could have changed the or even wish I could see how my future would have turned out if I would have done something different or if something would have worked out differently. But that is not possible, and maybe it is for a reason because the path I am heading down is best for me and all others that I have tried to travel down have re-directed me back to the road I am currently on. 

For me, planning ahead and goals are the only incentive I need to get stuff done otherwise if I would not have any, I know I would not do anything and end up in a pinch. But that trait is (for me at least) hard to find in someone else. Pretty well everyone who I have met and am friends with as far as I know only set short-term goals which can be accomplished quite easily unlike long-term which are going to take more commitment and patience to achieve. I really hope I can find someone, someday soon who see's the world in a very similar light as me. But that is like asking to find a needle in a hay stack due to the fact there is 8 billion people. Not that I am saying it is impossible, it is just really difficult. 

Going back to the road I am currently on, it was a bit of a curve of unexpected events that got me to where I am currently. I was original planning on becoming an Architect, but after graduating high school I found that kind of career quite stressful, however I still went to North Island College because I thought I could get right into the field right after graduating. Well, not really... I could yes, but I would be at the very very bottom and no places in Victoria were hiring, great. I also found out how long it would really take to become an Architect - which was completely different from what I was thinking. 

I still went to a community college for three years, taking very interesting and insightful courses and tried to get into university but maybe that did not pan out for that very reason I mentioned earlier.

I also twice I have tried looking for a sailboat. The first one I found in 2009 (Emma Jean a 32' Ketch Day sailer), the picture posted on the sale add showed her in her prime but when I actually seen the boat in person it was in need of a lot of TLC. Recently I did a search to find out what happened to her, to find out she was sold and is back on the water. I kinda wish I could have got her back then, but then again she needed a lot of work, so maybe it was better I did not. The other sailboat I was considering of buying was a 30' Catalina MK1. She had pretty well everything I was looking for, but her sale price was 4 times more than the Emma Jean. I asked me parents to help me purchase the boat but they insisted I should not. In the end I did not get her, like I said before it probably was for a reason. While I was back home before I moved to the states I had The Wooden Boat Magazine and I have also picked up books on boat building... so you know, probably in the future it is best I just buy some plans and build the boat of my dreams. 

With all the changes going on and me acquiring several classic cars to restore after I graduate I really feel this is where I should be. Add the fact I have become a huge enthusiast Hudson vehicles, my goal is to after I graduate save as many of them as I can and of course other classics from the scrap yard or from rusting away. But how many girls are there out there who would not mind getting a little dirty to pull a rusted classic out of the woods that could be restored and either kept or sold? Not very many. 

All I would love to do in the future, once everything has come together is to go traveling on my own yacht and get away from it all. Get away from the rat race of society and be out on the open ocean where all you here is the wind and the waves. But this dream shall not be a decade down the road or more, instead it should be closer to the present. So the trip on the sea would be shorter it would still be enough of a get away to appreciate everything, all the modern amenities we've got and all the beautiful classics we've got instead of complaining of what we do not.

The day will come when I am going to change the world and when it comes I promise to correct all the wrongs. Until then I am going to be working to get to that point. 

Double Trouble December

As of December I went down to SoCal to pay and ship my 47 Hudson back to Sacramento. I did not expect to have to go through those body scanners at the airport but I guess it is a normal thing down here in the US. Not saying they are bad thing, I actually found them faster than going through a standard metal dector and getting padded down. As for my air carrier I went on Southwest and bought my tickets online which saved me a considerable amount of money, which is always good. When I got into Burbank at 10am, it was a nice change from sacramento and it did have a more relaxed feel. However I am not use to seeing six lane roads and eight lane highways since where I am from back in Canada at most we will have a two lane, maybe four in some sections.

My goal is to have this my car running before I leave to go back home the day after the last day of class. It sounds a lot easier than it is... I do not know if it is 6 volt or 12 volt and plus I do need other parts. But I know I am going to be able to since some of my classmates would like to help me and work on this classic.

The last few weeks have been busy busy, so busy we have had exams every day of the week and we're only going to have a one day break on the 17th before having our class final on the 18th.

When I get back home I want to diss-assemble the front end of my 49' Hudson sedan and remove the engine. Once it is one the engine stand I want to make sure it rotates freely and change all the fuilds. I also have an interview with a local car club since when I am planning on doing as a career and the HET club I am part of would also like a copy of that interview which will be really cool.

I have already started composing my new years goals and it up to ten goals so far. It will probably grow a bit more December 31st. But there is nothing wrong that eh?

I also found yesterday a local yacht designer who has a few beautiful ketch plans which I am planning on order and building one of them in the near future. You would not believe how much the calmness of just hearing the wind and waves has one you.