Hey ESB,

You can suffer through the storm, or you can dance in the rain.

To me, life is like cruising. It's much more fun without a schedule, and to go where the wind takes you.

After my business went tits up, I made a move for a job in Stamford. That didn't work out, still unsure why, but it really doesn't matter. My fiance' and I could move back to upstate NY or stick it out here. We chose the later. Needing an income, I took an incredibly low paying job as part time help at Macys selling, of all things, housewares. I decided that I was not "above" that job and worked at it the way I work at everything, doing what I'm asked to do and doing it the best I could. After a few weeks, I was asked to work full time, and after Christmas I was asked to work full time in their men's suits department as a sales specialist. I was the only Christmas help asked to stay. Although I really (really!) enjoyed working at Macys because of their professionalism and work ethics, I stumbled onto a job in the boat biz, working for Dutchman (famous for their sail flaking systems and boom brakes). This job is great and I love what I do.

This is a job that I love, but the cost of living here is outrageously high and Pam and I were having a real hard time making ends meet. That led to buying a 46' trawler that we hope to move onto very shortly (with our pit bull, guinea pig, and two cats), it's something that we can afford, even here. I have about six years to go to retirement, and if I can get this trawler in running shape, which I think I can, we'd like to do the Great Loop, or maybe down to the Caribbean. We'll go whichever way the wind blows, so to speak.

I think I know who you are, and if I'm right, you've had some sharp turns in your life as well. The last thing you or I need to do is to take message boards too seriously. Too many assholes. It's always best to stay positive, take your work seriously, but never take yourself or the other guy seriously. You might wind up looking like Walter. LOL!

Best Regards,
Dave