Serendipity

I constructed this illustration on July 24th 2006.  Three years ago today I was thinking about sailboats - well, as far as their metaphorical and emotional properties were concerned...not actual boats.  Today my significant other is just closing on an actual sailboat that we plan to move onto in the next 6 to 8 months.  There may be ocean voyages in the future, if we can build up enough nerve.  But certainly it will be an adventure...even if it simply sits at the dock.  

Consider the serendipities:

1) My mother's life goal was to sail around the world on a sailboat.  They had money saved up and everything but at the last moment had my brother instead and spent the money on a house.  Why the opportunity falls into my lap, I really couldn't say...

2) As a child living in London, I thought that having a life on a houseboat would be the absolute coolest thing on earth.  Our family even looked at houseboats to purchase, but that never materialized because we couldn't find one that would clear my dad's height.

3) I have a recurring nightmare that shows up a few nights a year (mostly when I'm feeling stressed) involving watching a huuuuggge wave building power and towering over me in eerie silence.  I'm standing helplessly behind a flimsy sliding glass door, waiting for whatever is inevitably next.  I never get to find out if the glass door holds the water out or if it shatters through into my small room.  

So, it looks like I will be presented with plenty of opportunities to get over my apprihension of the deep blue.

Comments

[paula]

Exciting! As one who has just recently gotten into sailing (we purchased a Contessa 26 this past fall), I'm curious to hear how it goes with you all moving onto a sailboat (what kind of boat is it, btw?). I have pondered how I would live on one and set up work (I, too, am an illustrator), particularly if I'm on the move from place to place. Here in Montreal, boats are hauled out after our short season is over, so one would have to head south. Somewhere. Anyway, I am very curious as to how will manage all that, and hope you will blog about the experience!