[TheForge] thoughts on the new year

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

i have been busy this year so i have not been as active on many e-mail
lists as in the past.

this year brings some more court hearings to wind up the two legal
nightmares once and for all.

the current thoughts are to spend at least part of the year docked in
cardiff,wales to allow for a good lengthy visit to the united kingdom.

( sidenote: you may ask why cardiff, wales? think doctor who, torchwood,
primeval, etc. for the crews enjoyment we have the complete dvd
collection of the classic doctor who and the new doctor who, torchwood,
primeval, and several other bbc programs. )

after cardiff, wales on to barcalona, spain, and italy. to spend part of
the year touring the ancient sights and historic areas.

those of the current plans for the year, lord willing.

i have not had much time for any blacksmithing myself. i have spent time
learning about the requirements to captain a ship and everything that
that entails. i have had the opportunity to spend time with some of the
best designers and builders of r.o.v. s. the new breed of rovers will be
able to go deeper for longer than ever before. the pressures that must
be taken into account are mind baggling. the compressive forces are just
awesome to consider.

i have refreshed myself on the electro galvanic interactions of metals
in sea water.

monel is a wonderful alloy. been replacing every bolt and nut with the
monel equivalent replacement whereever possible on the on ship that i
have clear title to.

my health is doing well. minor issues but they are being dealt with.
still living on morphine and that is not likely to change. the doctors
and i have tried to get rid of the morphine but the nature of the
injuries and amount of nerve damage is not going to make that possible
at this point in time. i am walking mush better the end of this year
than when the year began. i just saw an occupational rehabilation doctor
that i had seen in 2001 just this past tuesday, 29 dec 2009. i needed
his expert opinion for the one court hearing and his medical opinion for
the extended time at sea away from medical facilities. he, seriously
offered to come along for several months pro bona just for the
experience of being on the ocean in a ship that is not a cruise ship but
a semi-working vessel. he is a good doctor, on of the few i have met
throughout the years.

i wish you all a happy new year. have a safe and happy new year. i hope
and pray that you will experience the awesomeness of this planet earth
that we call home.

-- 
terry l. ridder ><>