Charlie's Tokyo West Blog

Update -- 22-01-09

Been busy with work for Mitsubishi and Sojitz, two big clients. Sorry about not letting you know what's going on.

Pulse is back on regular but I'm still on meds. Set to take a 24-hour electrocardiograph Feb.2-3. Anyway, I don't get that fluttery feeling I had with AT. Glad about that. 

Itching about boats, but nothing has come together yet. 

Working on three books at the same time. The one that's farthest behind is the memoir on Resolution. Doing a western and a crime novel at the same time. Neither goes as fast, but they go, and that's what's important. 

Resolution is such a black hole in my psyche that it's hard to write about it. I'm not qualified to do a blow-by-blow "here's how I built the boat" book that people can use as a shop manual. Yet while in New Zealand, I did little beside read books, work over the internet, and build Resolution. There's not much exciting about my life in New Zealand. Still, I vowed to write  a memoir, and I will. Whether anyone will want to publish it or not is another question. 

I think I'm finding out how novelists can be so pessimistic. 

I do lots of corporate literature. It pays the bills, even in these days of economic chaos. I'm not sure I'd be good at writing novels full time, day in and day out, but I can do them a little at a time. 

I'd rather be sailing.

Late-breaking news? 14-01-09

Not really. No big news to report. Meds seem to have my heart back on rhythm, but I see the doc on this coming Monday. I'll let you know what happens.

Designer daughter and I are working on a new website. When it's complete, this blog will be hooked to it. The site will concentrate more on my writing than my sailing, but I won't ignore the sailing either. Still working on the post-Resolution blues. We'll see what happens when it happens.

January is zooming along. Cold days alternating with not-so-cold ones. Won't be long until the first wind of spring blows and we'll be thinking ocean again.

I'm about 2/3 finished with another Western and started a new gumshoe crime novel. Did a little work on the Resolution memoir but I'm kind of waiting for some info from NZ. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. 

Spent the day proofing work done for Toyota. Got to settle down and do Mitsubishi and MOL. Thank God the work is still coming in. Companies here in Japan are trimming costs like misers, but watch, they'll come out stronger than ever.

The new year -- 06-01-09

2009 has had a few days to get used to itself. 

I don't understand how Hamas can look at history and think Israel will do nothing or should do nothing if rockets and mortars are fired at Israeli cities. In the past, Israel has always retaliated. In the future, Israel will always retaliate. Some day technology may enable the identification of fighters even if they do not wear uniforms as is required by warring parties under universal rules of engagement. Then, perhaps, it will be possible to avoid civilian casualties. 

Not that I am involved or have any interest in the Middle East. When I planned my circumnavigation, I specifically avoided the two canals -- Suez and Panama. I personally feel it is safer for yachtsmen (and women) to take the continental capes than to go through the canals. 

The heart? Still beats. Blood thinning meds work OK. Now on another med that is supposed to put my heart back on regular rhythm. Next checkup on the 19th. If meds don't work, I'll get shocked. Literally.

About halfway finished with the newest western by Chuck Tyrell. Just started on a gumshoe novel. Working bit by bit on the Resolution memoir. So I'm keeping busy. 

No decisions on the next boat yet. In a waiting pattern. 

Must start work with graphic designer daughter on a new website.

Later.

Happy New Year! 02-01-09

As usual, a day late . . .

Blood tests went as expected. Now on two blood thinners a day instead of the five I began with. 

Next step on Monday.

I have no idea what kind of year 2009 will be. I have things I wish to accomplish, and obstacles standing in the way. We'll just have to take each day as it comes.

I wish you all a very good year in 2009. If there were just some way we could get people to live together without trying to tear each other's throats out. I really enjoyed my time in New Zealand. You Kiwis should be so very thankful you have managed to create the kind of country you live in and do your best to keep it like it is.

I'll get some sailing in this year. Promise. And I'll let you know about what happens.

God bless, one and all.