Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Day 20

Sorry for the spotty updates, but I've been having trouble getting a data connection with my sat phone. Anyway...

Just after I wrote on Day 19 about how it finally feels as if I've made a little progress, I got my daily mileage text from my dad saying that I made 29.7 miles yesterday.

29.7?!?!?! Terrible! I guess spending time playing with the watermaker has kept me from rowing some this week. But, still...29.7! Ugh...


With that said, it's good to hear that I'm through 20% of the distance, and history would suggest that I'm through more than 20% of my time at sea, as the second half (or three-quarters) of the trip is in the trade wind belt where, I should be making more like 40 miles a day. The way I figure it, a good (fast) pace would mean that I'd cross two degrees of longitude every three days when I have the trade winds helping me. That would get me to 30W in 8 days, and to 60W in another 45 days. This would put me at 73 days, plus another couple days for the last degree-and-a-half to Antigua, plus a few more days if I can't keep up the pace above....so that's right around 80 days. Can you tell I've thought about this a little bit? Yeah, I have lots of time on my hands...

In other news, great to hear about President Obama! I also made almost 10 liters of water yesterday with the repaired watermaker before...believe it or not...it stopped running, due to some other unknown problem. Unbelievable...

Paul

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Paul if you could include a detailed section on exactly what you think is wrong with your watermaker, which bits keep breaking, what noises it's making, where it's installed and how, funny smells, etc. etc. (Basically anything you can think of.) Then I will post on AOR forum for all the other rowers to have a look and see if they can help with fixes. So many people have had similar problems and I'm sure someone will have some good ideas. Our motor broke and then we broke the handle when we were using it manually so had to ration to 3L of ballast per day for last part of trip. We don't want you getting into the same situation!

Anonymous said...

I see all the students are following your progress and giving you math problems. I think that's great! I want to give you a little problem of my own. What does 3 gin and tonics plus 1 inappropriate v-neck t-shirt plus 1pair of blinding white shorts plus 1 set of Jesus sandals (or as Zack and Perlman refer to him, "some guy") equal? Answer: One surly Perlman!

Chris McNickle said...

Paul,

A quick review of the status of client deliveries for our recent research programs -- IMF in the Greenwich vernacular -- shows we too are at about the 20% mark. So we are tracking well with you. We should hit the 100% level about the time you arrive in English Harbor. Perfect timing.

You keep rowing and we will keep working. And be nice to the water maker.

Chris

Unknown said...

So you think 29.7 is poor huh? I will make sure to relay that message to all the other people I know attempting to row across the Atlantic in a 9-foot boat.

- M.Russell

Anonymous said...

Hi Buddy - Look, 29.7 mi is just about 29.7 more than any of the rest of us can claim! Don't get down on yourself. While rowing is what will get you back home , you do have a whole little 'world' that you need to to manage out there - communications, food, rest , mechanics - and the last time I looked, there was no Second Mate available to help out. You're doing a great job of keeping you head where it belongs - and your ass in the boat, as Wild Bill likes to counsel. Keep it up - any progress is good progress. xxoo -

Anonymous said...

You were mentioned in today's Member meeting. All of us at GA are thinking about you, talking about you (in supportive ways, not to worry), and rooting you on.

Keep up the great work! Get back to us safe, sound, and clean shaven.

Anonymous said...

Paul, President Obama spoke of your journey yesterday, "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time," ..."But know this, America: They will be met! Liv will row to the shores of Antigua and the assembled crowd will yell, WAY ENOUGH!" -- ETS

Zack Bloom said...

I actually respectfully disagree with Brent's mathematical equation. While the problem itself is accurate, I come to a different conclusion; that being 1 HAPPY Perlman!

3 gin and tonics is right around that point when Dave becomes very lively. Fortunately you never saw his dance move, "the harp", but I think Simon would agree that while we were all horrified and wished we could wash that from our memory, the smile on Perlman's face was unmistakable! This was at that 3 gin and tonic point. And face it, as we all know, a Perlman gin and tonic is about 10 shots of alcohol.

Now if it's 2 Gin and tonics or less, I agree with surliness. If it's four or more, belligerent (i.e. yelling at hotel security guards) would be a more accurate answer to this math problem. But three gin and Tonics + everything else in the equation= happy.

That said, 29.7 miles is nothing to beat yourself up over. Now if you were to said you only rowed 29.6 miles, then we would have a problem. Ha, keep up the amazing effort, you have a large fan base rooting you on at home. Thats 29.7 miles more than any of us rowed today.

Anonymous said...

One time I power walked 5 miles?!!!!! Do you have 80 more days rowing? Or 80 days in total? Please advise! I need to know how much longer I have to miss you!

thejeezyforsheezy said...

Hey Paul its Al...can't believe 20 days have already passed on ur expedition...keep up the stellar work! I've gotten a lot of guys here at the mercantile exchange hooked on your website, every one wishing you the best.

p.s. If I could have a red-headed stepchild, you'd def be first pick of the litter.

and jesus loves you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul - one of your many Colgate parent fans here. Want you to know that your blog is first up on my screen every day, along with prayers for your safety and success ... that safety first, it's a Mom thing!

We're trying to add to your fabulous fan base, passing the word of your journey along every chance we get.

Good rowing!

Anonymous said...

I can picture you saying "terrible" as if you were in the seaside living room!

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work Paul. Woody gave you a shout out at the members meeting this AM. Keep it up. - Koz

Unknown said...

Hey Paul,

Sounds like things are going well for you! Glad to hear it!!!

Regina

Anonymous said...

Paul,

I want to let you know that i just got back from the jail. Cutting hair for the inmates is getting to me though. I don't think i can take it much longer. I don't think i have it in me. My barber shop on park ave get some attention....as long as i keep a strict clientale.

Hope nothing's hanging...and you got the right pictures displayed

mike the barber!

Unknown said...

Don't get too caught up in the daily mileages... who knows, one day you might catch a wave and the wind and bang out 65 miles. Who knows. Or forget to put out the sea anchor one night and drift 20 miles in the right direction!

Anonymous said...

Hearing about Dave in the white shorts made me say "ugh" in a very Ridley way. Don't worry, when you move in with us I will make sure those get "lost" in the move.

I guess all your time on the high seas has warped your perception of reality. The last time I checked, the day any of us do 29.7 of anything will be remarkable. (Unless you count Dave's 29.7 shots of gin, in which case I'll remind you of halloween 2007 and I'm sure you'll agree that remarkable is not exactly the right word.) But don't be too sad, I'm sure he'll have a large (lethal) drink waiting for you on the dock.

Becca

Anonymous said...

Hey Paul!

Im Glad to hear u are doing well out there with the exception of your water maker ( Luckily u have a back up) And since i was 14 i dont think i have ever seen u with hair on your chin let alone a beard lol thats vantastic...I am so proud of you and i wish u all the best luck in this great adventure!...Im going to try to be there at the end of it with maye to see u in ....it has been too long since i have seen all the boyz in one place! xoxoxo

Reyan

Anonymous said...

Ridley,

Great to see the global exposure you're getting here, excited that perhaps someone will be able to help you with your water heater. Also very happy that you've started to turn west and aren't going to end up on Antarctica.

As the great lyricist Tupac Shakur said 'keep ya head up' - 30 miles is impressive. After all Zack's been telling people he could swim for one mile for over a year without accomplishing it!

Mike