What with my being male and all, I sometimes find that I exhibit some of the cartoonish stereotypes frequently attributed to males by those who prefer their humor simplistic. For example: I often start "hey let's build something" type projects- and don't get around to finishing them!

Just considering the boat, the Active File contains (at least) the following projects in various stages of incompletion:

-The new and rebuilt 'fridge. (which has reached the satisfactory stage in which the ice-box is now well enough insulated to keep ice for three days or more, although on the other hand anything you put into the ice-box comes out tasting like epoxy)

-An Ingenious Sea-going Rack for the Stowage and Preservation of Wineglasses

-Redoing and Varnishing the Cabin Sole

-Rewiring the Mast (technically complete, although the wires aren't actually hooked up to anything)

-Constructing a Canvas Sun-Awning

-And Much More!

This list excludes, of course, all the myriad bits of splicing or sewing or rope-work that I've sort of been meaning to finish up if only it wasn't such a pain in the ass to do so, and also those more lofty projects which remain in the Planning Stage, where- in some cases- they've been germinating for years.

I mention all of this, not because it is the least bit interesting, but because I wish you to realize what a momentous thing it is that I can report that I have actually finished a project. Yes! The swimming-ladder is complete! And a beautiful article it is, too, all shining stainless and gleaming varnished oak! You can hook it up to the side of the boat through these clever connectors of my own design, and you can climb up and, if you like, climb back down again.

Or at least you could have, until Saturday. I was showing my swimming-ladder to Dave, and the blasted thing slipped right from my hands and with a soggy "Sploop!" sank from sight, lost in the lake for ever!!

I shall have to make a new one.

Ah well, I needed a new project anyway.