I am really very fortunate to be able to embark on what I am about to do.
Some people simply won't understand, others will think I am crazy or even irresponsible. Back on 12 January I alluded to some changes that were probably going to happen - those changes have eventuated. Before I go into detail - do not assume I am having a mid-life crisis or going thru the change - this is just me.
Working in admin/management just hasn't been doing for me what I want to get out of work - but I love going to work - so I am making a change - going back to uni full time, and studying nursing. The course I am doing is thru University of Qld (UQ), and will take 2 years, or 18 months if I do a summer semester over the 2010-11 Christmas/New Yewar period. the course is designed for graduate entry - so my initial degree (maths/computing) and more recent psychology studies got me in fine.
After the March 2009 Qld I was made surplus - since then I have tried a couple of different jobs - but I have been unable to fit in, or lift the assumption that I am an auditor, and other positions have not come up that I could adequately meet the requirements. This has been a struggle for me. I am a pretty good audit manager - but I am not qualified - and it doesn't excite me to be doing the job for another 30 years.
I will be taking Leave Without Pay from 1 March 2010 while I at at uni. Hopefully I can do well academically, and be back into the workforce as a graduate nurse in mid 2011 - that is my aim. Yes, that's a big salary drop as well - but I want to enjoy the next 30 years, and I want to make those years count.
Since I will be doing a Summer session, it means that I am very unlikely to be sailing this coming Nationals in Adelaide. At present, the summer semester break ends 3 Jan 2011, and I would need to be back into it on 4 Jan - if that changes in my favour - I will rethink going to SA, but it's a long shot at present.
You will agree that this is a BIG change - and carries some risk - what if I fail, wat if I am not suited. If those risks eventuate, I will do one thing - fall FORWARD - make the most of the experience and pick up the strings again. I do not plan for those risks to eventuate - but some things are not in my control.
To start out strong, I have to give this 100% effort - that means time, energy, focus - it is my #1 priority. Sailing will have to be #2 for a while. Apologies to friends and family - you have just been moved down a notch, but you are no less valued - otherwise I would not have ever started this blog, or written this post.
Susan
Monday, February 1, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Phil Briggs Australia Day Regatta
We had 16 boats entered for the day - and still there were Sabres in the shed at CYC!
Three races - the start is always important in short course. I did ok on Race 1 and 2 at the start, but in Race 3 I held back and didn't demand my rights over the barging boats - dilemma!
Race 1 was very very light - we all struggled to make headway against the tide. I concentrated I feeling puffs of wind on my face and the lightest pressure on the mainsail - via the ainsheet off the boom. Finally some NE breeze came to carry us home.
Race 2 I was very close with Pete Skinner - half way I thought I needed to shake him - so I tacked onto port to cross in front of the boats running down to the mark - Pete covered me - excellent - then I threw a tack back to starboard, as soon as I was across I called him and was headed for him mid-ships!!! To avoid a collision I tacked back to port and called for him to do a penalty - which he did. The look on his face - poor fellow - didn't expect me to do that - and it cost him second as it let Rob J get thru. I felt it was a glorious move on my part - yet unnoticed by the others I fear.
Race 3 Pete was fired up .... peppered Pete!! He went at the start - barging in ... lucky I wasn't agro!! or there would have been damage. I held the Corsair out at the start by forcing him up - yep - he was barging as well - so I got him out of the way at least.
I had the mast straight for the races, and the traveller back to the traditional style. Will have to see how she feels in wind - but certainly not a problem in the ligh stuff. Overall, lack pressure reaching compared to say Pete and Rob. Mainsail??? Dunno???
News on FRiday about the rest of the year - keep reading ....
Three races - the start is always important in short course. I did ok on Race 1 and 2 at the start, but in Race 3 I held back and didn't demand my rights over the barging boats - dilemma!
Race 1 was very very light - we all struggled to make headway against the tide. I concentrated I feeling puffs of wind on my face and the lightest pressure on the mainsail - via the ainsheet off the boom. Finally some NE breeze came to carry us home.
Race 2 I was very close with Pete Skinner - half way I thought I needed to shake him - so I tacked onto port to cross in front of the boats running down to the mark - Pete covered me - excellent - then I threw a tack back to starboard, as soon as I was across I called him and was headed for him mid-ships!!! To avoid a collision I tacked back to port and called for him to do a penalty - which he did. The look on his face - poor fellow - didn't expect me to do that - and it cost him second as it let Rob J get thru. I felt it was a glorious move on my part - yet unnoticed by the others I fear.
Race 3 Pete was fired up .... peppered Pete!! He went at the start - barging in ... lucky I wasn't agro!! or there would have been damage. I held the Corsair out at the start by forcing him up - yep - he was barging as well - so I got him out of the way at least.
I had the mast straight for the races, and the traveller back to the traditional style. Will have to see how she feels in wind - but certainly not a problem in the ligh stuff. Overall, lack pressure reaching compared to say Pete and Rob. Mainsail??? Dunno???
News on FRiday about the rest of the year - keep reading ....
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
50 weeks to go
... yep about 50 weeks till the next Nationals, that's not long.
Slow Hand is off the market - she has some punch left in her yet.
Besides I cannot get the selling price I would need to cover the gap to a new boat.
Seriously, it's the nut on the tiller. I am not going to replace it - I am going to revitalise it with a new strategy.
The new strategy involves - fitness and sailing smart.
On the personal front, I'm going to start taking some more risks - starting with a heap of LWOP so I can do some full-time study. If I get both accepted it will be a commitment for 18months to 2 years, and less income at the end. It's about finding what I will enjoy, and making sure the next 30 years are worthy ones, filled with challenge and new experiences. I don't want to walk anybody elses journey - nor base my decisions on should - this is about choose.
Went to Boot Camp yesterday - I was pumped. Too much energy to expend - even though I got fatigued on the pull-ups.
First gym session this morning for 2010. Go girl. I am my own fan club! OMG
Slow Hand is off the market - she has some punch left in her yet.
Besides I cannot get the selling price I would need to cover the gap to a new boat.
Seriously, it's the nut on the tiller. I am not going to replace it - I am going to revitalise it with a new strategy.
The new strategy involves - fitness and sailing smart.
On the personal front, I'm going to start taking some more risks - starting with a heap of LWOP so I can do some full-time study. If I get both accepted it will be a commitment for 18months to 2 years, and less income at the end. It's about finding what I will enjoy, and making sure the next 30 years are worthy ones, filled with challenge and new experiences. I don't want to walk anybody elses journey - nor base my decisions on should - this is about choose.
Went to Boot Camp yesterday - I was pumped. Too much energy to expend - even though I got fatigued on the pull-ups.
First gym session this morning for 2010. Go girl. I am my own fan club! OMG
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Home
Hi, I have emailed the Qld sabre fleet to let them know I am home - text is below. It was a long journey.
John Nobbs once said "the further you go, the more fun you have"- I think there is some truth in that statement.
Couple of extra thoughts:
- I did an extra 60 or 70km due to a detour reslting from the accident on Newell Hway
- truck drivers are professional drivers
- I saw two vehicles pulled over by police just after the vehicles had each broken the road rules in my vicinity (2 x speeding, 1 x crossing double yellows to overtake)
- the open road limit in NSW along the Newell Hway is now 100kph
- my CD player was running for about 65% of the journey
- handheld CB radio so I could listen to truck driver comms was a godsend
I am loking forward to my own bed tonight.
Sue
Here is the text of my email to the Qld Sabre fleet ...
Hi everyone,
Just a note to let you know I am home! Arrived this afternoon – it’s a long way from Hobart to Brisbane.
I knew it was going to be good at the Nationals meeting up with people I had met last year or the year before, but on reflection, an unexpected highlight of this trip was joining in with a few of the other Sabre sailors on the Spirit of Tasmania on Monday evening – we were all heading home, but the sense of having just shared an event, its up and downs, was very special.
I ended up travelling 5048km in the car for the return trip, at an average speed of 71km/hr and 10.8litre/100km; with I think 65 hours engine time. These stats exclude the engine ‘down time’on the ferry to and from Tassie!!
The only “mechanical’’ problem I had on the journey was loss of the pin from a shackle holding the trailer registration label holder – the new rego sticker was in the car glove box, so I bought a new holder at West Wyalong and used some plastic ties to secure it to the trailer. Yep – that was the ONLY car/trailer problem for the whole trip!! Thank you to the guys at Bryan Burt Ford, Tingalpa.
Thank you to Bronwyn for looking after Sally and the house while I was away.
The 2009/10 Nationals results are on the Sabre website ( http://www.sabre.org.au/tasmania/200910SabreNationalsinHobart.html ) , and my own story is on my blog http://sueby1.blogspot.com/
The Tassie guys did a great job organising and running the event. They also taught me to scull oysters, and some of the interstate blokes, during dinner at the Waterfront Hotel at Bellerive revealed the formula for choosing a second wife – the Nationals is not just a sailing event!!! I have a new email buddy – Jane from Tassie – she sails Kit 2.
I made some HUGE mistakes during the racing – hopefully I have done some learning as well. I only wore my drysuit once – it turned out the race sessions were a bit long for me to be wearing the drysuit – the hikers and warm top clothing had to suffice – the wife of a Victorian sailor suggested I wear a continence pad under my drysuit – but I did not take her up on the suggestion!! Chris Keil could not believe me when I told him the suggested solution and he just grinned each day when he asked what I would be wearing!!
The next Sabre Nationals will be at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, most likely 28 Dec 09 to 4 Jan 2011 – watch the Sabre website for confirmation of the dates.
Preparation for the 2010-11 nationals starts 14 Jan 10 for those who want to make participate and make the most of the event.
So now to the serious stuff ... the second half of the 2009-10 season ..... here is the calendar I sent in December, I hope to see you at these events and at club sailing,
Susan
John Nobbs once said "the further you go, the more fun you have"- I think there is some truth in that statement.
Couple of extra thoughts:
- I did an extra 60 or 70km due to a detour reslting from the accident on Newell Hway
- truck drivers are professional drivers
- I saw two vehicles pulled over by police just after the vehicles had each broken the road rules in my vicinity (2 x speeding, 1 x crossing double yellows to overtake)
- the open road limit in NSW along the Newell Hway is now 100kph
- my CD player was running for about 65% of the journey
- handheld CB radio so I could listen to truck driver comms was a godsend
I am loking forward to my own bed tonight.
Sue
Here is the text of my email to the Qld Sabre fleet ...
Hi everyone,
Just a note to let you know I am home! Arrived this afternoon – it’s a long way from Hobart to Brisbane.
I knew it was going to be good at the Nationals meeting up with people I had met last year or the year before, but on reflection, an unexpected highlight of this trip was joining in with a few of the other Sabre sailors on the Spirit of Tasmania on Monday evening – we were all heading home, but the sense of having just shared an event, its up and downs, was very special.
I ended up travelling 5048km in the car for the return trip, at an average speed of 71km/hr and 10.8litre/100km; with I think 65 hours engine time. These stats exclude the engine ‘down time’on the ferry to and from Tassie!!
The only “mechanical’’ problem I had on the journey was loss of the pin from a shackle holding the trailer registration label holder – the new rego sticker was in the car glove box, so I bought a new holder at West Wyalong and used some plastic ties to secure it to the trailer. Yep – that was the ONLY car/trailer problem for the whole trip!! Thank you to the guys at Bryan Burt Ford, Tingalpa.
Thank you to Bronwyn for looking after Sally and the house while I was away.
The 2009/10 Nationals results are on the Sabre website ( http://www.sabre.org.au/tasmania/200910SabreNationalsinHobart.html ) , and my own story is on my blog http://sueby1.blogspot.com/
The Tassie guys did a great job organising and running the event. They also taught me to scull oysters, and some of the interstate blokes, during dinner at the Waterfront Hotel at Bellerive revealed the formula for choosing a second wife – the Nationals is not just a sailing event!!! I have a new email buddy – Jane from Tassie – she sails Kit 2.
I made some HUGE mistakes during the racing – hopefully I have done some learning as well. I only wore my drysuit once – it turned out the race sessions were a bit long for me to be wearing the drysuit – the hikers and warm top clothing had to suffice – the wife of a Victorian sailor suggested I wear a continence pad under my drysuit – but I did not take her up on the suggestion!! Chris Keil could not believe me when I told him the suggested solution and he just grinned each day when he asked what I would be wearing!!
The next Sabre Nationals will be at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, most likely 28 Dec 09 to 4 Jan 2011 – watch the Sabre website for confirmation of the dates.
Preparation for the 2010-11 nationals starts 14 Jan 10 for those who want to make participate and make the most of the event.
So now to the serious stuff ... the second half of the 2009-10 season ..... here is the calendar I sent in December, I hope to see you at these events and at club sailing,
Susan
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Last night on the road - Moree
Yep, last night before I get to Brisbane - too far to do in one shift.
Have been running away from storms all day - drove through the fringe of two - but fortunately they didn't last too long. Thunderstorms in areas south were predicted to produce flash flooding - so I had to keep myself moving northward away from Coonabarabran.
Tried out the Chicken Chow Mein at restaurant beside the motel ... had the same dish last night at West Wyalong (ex servicemens club), and earlier in the trip at the Pearl Restaurant, Bega Hotel. I think the West Wyalong dish had the best presentation, but the Moree dish had the best variety of vegetables. The trumps dish was the Pearl Restaurant (Bega) - they had variety of vegetables, the best noodles and balance of sauce to noodles.
Back to today, here are some pictures - running away from storms - north of Narrabri, on the way to Moree ....
Have been running away from storms all day - drove through the fringe of two - but fortunately they didn't last too long. Thunderstorms in areas south were predicted to produce flash flooding - so I had to keep myself moving northward away from Coonabarabran.
Tried out the Chicken Chow Mein at restaurant beside the motel ... had the same dish last night at West Wyalong (ex servicemens club), and earlier in the trip at the Pearl Restaurant, Bega Hotel. I think the West Wyalong dish had the best presentation, but the Moree dish had the best variety of vegetables. The trumps dish was the Pearl Restaurant (Bega) - they had variety of vegetables, the best noodles and balance of sauce to noodles.
Back to today, here are some pictures - running away from storms - north of Narrabri, on the way to Moree ....
Water on the road??? ...........
...... noooooooooooo, it's a mirage!!!!!!!!
I am indulging in a glass of JC Chardonnay from the bar fridge - but alas - no wine glasses - so I am drinking it from a small beer glass ... something to remember Moree.
It's a bloody long way ....
I think I have about 1250km to go - too much for one day at the end of this trip - I will have to split itup - damn. Cannot seem to find info about any road closures due to flooding - so in the absence of anything on news etc I will keep heading up the Newell.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Back-track to leaving Devonport
Doing the Nationals in Tassie obviously involved taking the car and boat on the Spirit of Tasmania. For me this was a totally new experience - I have already recounted the night time return trip. Here are some photos from departure at Devonport ...
Slow Hand goes shopping ...
Slow Hand goes shopping ...
More shopping ... leading the Falcon astray ....
Chris Dance boat, car and family waiting to board ... we chatted while we waited ...
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