BTW, I pulled an oar for 7 years in a Monomoy whaleboat in an annual Maritime Day race from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park in San Francisco Bay. We worked out 4 mornings a week before work along the waterfront of SR for two months before the race — built up some pretty solid callouses on my hands and hinie ;-D

Suggestion (as if you need suggestions): take a spare oar … or several. I broke a few oars too many leaning too hard … of course we were in an all out sprint for only a mile at a time (200 strokes in 10 minutes).

Don’t break an oar.

Good luck. Will be tracking you ;-D

Would be great if you would join us in London for the start of our walk to Copenhagen. Big Ben, Oct 24, time TBC. See you there!

As to finding a new focus for your life, an important step I had to go through was to let go of my fear of failure. Initially I was afraid to look like a fool, and that held me back from trying things. I went down several blind alleys before I struck on ocean rowing as the activity that most closely aligned with my new values.

Now I realize that anything is a success if I learn something from it – regardless of whether it “succeeds” in the conventional sense.

So go for it – keep asking the questions, try everything, don’t be afraid to fail, and keep your eyes open for that blinding flash of inspiration, the calling that won’t let you go!

I also have a question for you, after you decided to change your life’s direction, how did you find your new direction that you are now so passionate about? Did rowing oceans evolve from wanting to create environmental change, or was it the other way around. I.e. did you decide to start rowing oceans and then decide to use your exposure to create positive change?

I’ve recently come to a similar realisation – that my values and my current path are way out of alignment. Its been a difficult process, and although I’m committed to change and have already made some tough decisions to start the process, I’m having trouble finding a new focus for my life.

I’d really appreciate any advise you (or your enlightened readers) could give – please don’t recommend ocean rowing – I get sea sick!

Good luck with the crossing and I look forward to following your success!

Cheers,
Andrew

Strategically, however, I would suggest not demonizing Reagan/Thatcher in the future.

Blaming a bogeyman on the right for all the ills in the world grants voters on the left a reprieve from examining their own effect on our planet. And boy do they use it!

For example, California is packed with Democrats who drive SUV’s and luxury cars, all the while blaming Republicans for the poor mileage they get.

Why blame themselves for CO2 emissions, when offered a convenient whipping boy?

To your credit, I think you have made this misstep only once or twice that I noticed. I’m mostly addressing this rhetorical advice to your readers on the left.

Roz, when will this site be up? Also, will you be tweeting (twittering?) while at sea?

Will there be a podcast on this trip? I did so enjoy the podcasts of your first leg.