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People, Boats, and Stories => Off Topic/Humor => Topic started by: Captain Smollett on July 20, 2006, 11:10:06 PM

Title: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on July 20, 2006, 11:10:06 PM
I've been quoting this all over the 'Net (including Tuesday's chat :)  ):

Quote
Satisfaction is wanting what you already have.

Man, what a great line.  Now I should be able to remember who to credit it to.  (sorry, I've just been saying "as seen on sailfar.net).
Title: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Faith on January 03, 2007, 08:17:16 PM
I saw Tim's signature on his Classic Plastic's forum (http://www.triton381.com/forum/index.php)

QuoteIt's not how many ideas you have...it's how many you make happen.


I like that.  ;D
Title: simplicity
Post by: Frank on August 17, 2008, 04:42:25 PM
 I was cleaning out old e-mails and came across this.I may well have stolen it here to send to a friend...if so..credit (and grog) to who ever posted it 1st.... but figure it is so good it's worthy of a possible re-post
                 
"You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy." - Eric Hoffer
  "Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of
life, and the labors of life reduce themselves." - Edwin Way Teale
  "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo DaVinci
  "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more
  violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in
  the opposite direction." - E.F. Schumacker

   "We don't need to increase our goods nearly as much as we need to scale
  down our wants. Not wanting something is as good as possessing it." -
  Donald Horban
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the
  necessary may speak." - Hans Hofmann, Introduction to the Bootstrap, 1993

"You know you have reached perfection of design not when you have nothing
  more to add, but when you have nothing more to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
"Out of intense complexities, intense simplicities emerge." - Winston Churchill


Title: Re: simplicity
Post by: s/v Faith on August 17, 2008, 05:41:59 PM
Good stuff Frank. 

  I had not heard this one before;

Quote"Out of intense complexities, intense simplicities emerge." - Winston Churchill
Title: Re: simplicity
Post by: Pappy Jack on August 18, 2008, 03:08:31 PM
 Frank,

Words to live by.  Here's a simple grog fer ya ;D ;D ;D.

Fair winds,

Pappy Jack

Title: Re: simplicity
Post by: Frank on August 18, 2008, 09:01:59 PM
Just a quick ramble. I know and have delt with a lot of people in business over the years. In conversations..."ALL" reflect back at their happiest times being starting out. There was 'the challenge', but the rest of their life was very uncomplicated.There was no extra money to buy 'stuff'. Their time off was spent doing simple things that their meager funds allowed.As their business's grew..so did their responsibilities and their pocessions.Pocessioons grew...spare time diminished...often to the point of affording the pocessions...but not the time to use them.Ultimately..the pocessions owned them. ALL wish for a return to a 'simpler life' with more 'time' and less worries. In the end...thats all we really have is time.
      I truely respect the Pardey's...not just for their sailing accomplishments, but more so for the concious choices they have made in their lives to NOT get too caught up in the material world...but to truely 'experience the world'.Their cruises have been open ended, unplanned and with lots of time to get to know other cultures along the way.Wealth and pocessions were'nt the concern.
       In the end...who is 'wealthier' ? 

Quote from: stardust/eric
if you get to do with your boat what I did with mine, that cant be replaced by all the money in the world
Title: Re: simplicity
Post by: Shipscarver on August 20, 2008, 12:27:28 PM
It may well be an exercise in the egocentric but when a huge power-polluter churns by with once a month users aboard, I often think of a line from,

Fuller:
Quote. . . nature hangs out a sign of simplicity in the face of a fool.






Edit to fix quote tag.
Title: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Faith on September 02, 2008, 03:22:43 PM
Just saw this one;

QuoteI prefer a sailboat to a motorboat, and it is my belief that boat sailing is a finer, more difficult, and sturdier art than running a motor.
--- Jack London
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Tim on September 02, 2008, 05:01:58 PM
Quote from: s/v Faith on September 02, 2008, 03:22:43 PM
Just saw this one;

QuoteI prefer a sailboat to a motorboat, and it is my belief that boat sailing is a finer, more difficult, and sturdier art than running a motor.
--- Jack London

And here's a shot of the "Snark"

(http://www.huntington.org/LibraryDiv/LibraryPix/JackLondonsnark3.jpg)
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: 4runner on November 07, 2008, 01:28:20 PM
No matter how tough of a situation you think you're in.....just imagine.....

"what would Ernest Shackleton do?"

He was the ultimate small boat voyager!
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Faith on November 07, 2008, 01:37:28 PM
Too true;

"Be careful who you talk to about your sailing plans. Those who have abandoned their dreams will try to destroy yours."

--Anon
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Pappy Jack on November 07, 2008, 06:41:29 PM
Faith,

I know what you mean. I told a few people about "The Scoot" and that I was planning to go on it. One said I should be on the look out for pirates(she was serious). I showed a chart to another. He noticed how deep the ocean is and asked,"aren't you afraid of deep water?". I said I was only conserened about the top 6' or so ::). And on it goes. If the nay sayers can talk you out of something you weren't probably motivated enough in the first place.

Fair winds,

Pappy Jack
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Bill NH on November 07, 2008, 08:44:38 PM
"The years thunder by.  The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience.  Before you know it the tomb is sealed.  Which shall it be, bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?"

Sterling Hayden (a great schoonerman long before he started acting)
Title: Another by Hayden
Post by: Tim on November 08, 2008, 12:05:34 AM
"Wind is to us what money is to life on shore."
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: nowell on December 09, 2008, 12:33:28 PM
Not really small boat related, but one that has stuck with me since college. Found it written on a coffee stained napkin

"Love may not make the world go 'round, but its keeps your mind off the nausea caused by its spinning!"
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Joe Pyrat on December 09, 2008, 01:31:53 PM
Found this written inside a book of matches back in the 60's...

You only have two problems in life.
Are you sick or are you well?

If you are well you don't have any problems.
If you are sick you only have two problems.
Are you going to live or are you going to die?

If you are going to live you don't have any problems.
If you are going to die you only have two problems.
Are you going to heaven or heck?

If you are going to heaven you don't have any problems.
If you are going to heck you won't have time to have any problems,
you'll be too busy shaking hands with all your old friends.
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Faith on March 11, 2009, 10:56:54 AM
Seen elsewhere;

 
QuoteWe shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: fullkeeldan on March 11, 2009, 02:52:07 PM
Quote from: s/v Faith on March 11, 2009, 10:56:54 AM
Seen elsewhere;

 
QuoteWe shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot

This one I totally dig
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on March 14, 2009, 12:49:55 PM
Not a signature line, but I saw this quote today on a fishing forum.  The quote came from an older fisherman that said it to the poster when he was about 10 years old.

Quote

"When you learn from someone else, that knowledge does not belong to you, it belongs to the next person that needs it."

Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Faith on September 29, 2009, 10:14:06 PM
Just saw this on the Classic Plastic forum;

Quote"The more you know, the less you need."
Yvon Chouinard

;D
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Tim on September 30, 2009, 12:25:40 AM
Quote from: s/v Faith on September 29, 2009, 10:14:06 PM
Just saw this on the Classic Plastic forum;

Quote"The more you know, the less you need."
Yvon Chouinard

;D

Definitely a "classic" quote from a very classy guy. A hero of mine from the old days.
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: newt on September 30, 2009, 12:09:01 PM
I think there is a link between climbing in the 70's and sailors now. I run into so many old climbers (including my old partners) that now use a sail.
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Frank on September 30, 2009, 01:16:35 PM
In a book I read recently, an author was a a party hosted at the estate of a business tycoon. As people commented on all the tycoon owned and deals he was making, the author calmly stated :
       "I have something he will never have........'enough' "
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Faith on September 30, 2009, 01:37:33 PM
Quote from: Frank on September 30, 2009, 01:16:35 PM
In a book I read recently, an author was a a party hosted at the estate of a business tycoon. As people commented on all the tycoon owned and deals he was making, the author calmly stated :
       "I have something he will never have........'enough' "

Wonderful.

   :)
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on October 23, 2011, 12:34:31 AM
Had a nice lunch with my nephew today.  He works commission only sales, and took a phone call from one of his coworkers.

I over heard this line:

"Activity breeds results."
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: rorik on October 23, 2011, 01:32:11 PM
....one of my favorites.....

"live passionately, even if it kills you, because something is going to kill you anyway "                   
                                                                         
                                                                                 --Webb Chiles 
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on November 23, 2011, 09:14:10 PM
Seen on a woodworking video:

"Whether you think you can

or

You think you can't

You are right"

Applies to sailing far, too. 
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on November 25, 2011, 10:45:42 AM
Lot's of good ones from The Colonel, but here's one I especially like:

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

--Theodore Roosevelt
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Emerald Tide on April 02, 2012, 05:56:09 PM
Quote from: newt on September 30, 2009, 12:09:01 PM
I think there is a link between climbing in the 70's and sailors now. I run into so many old climbers (including my old partners) that now use a sail.

There are definitely similarities.  It's about figuring out what you really need.
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: s/v Emerald Tide on April 04, 2012, 08:04:38 PM
Quote from: s/v Faith on November 07, 2008, 01:37:28 PM
Too true;

"Be careful who you talk to about your sailing plans. Those who have abandoned their dreams will try to destroy yours."

--Anon
Good thought, but hard to follow when you are new to sailing, and listening to the advice of those who have many years of experience.  It seems that it would not be good to throw all caution to the wind, and ignore them.  How do you find the balance point?  I guess the key point is, "be careful who you talk to."   
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on April 05, 2012, 12:03:22 PM
Quote from: s/v Emerald Tide on April 04, 2012, 08:04:38 PM

Good thought, but hard to follow when you are new to sailing, and listening to the advice of those who have many years of experience.  It seems that it would not be good to throw all caution to the wind, and ignore them.  How do you find the balance point?  I guess the key point is, "be careful who you talk to."
 

That is, indeed, the trick.

One of the biggest problems is that there are people that "talk" and everyone listens, without regard to whether that person actually knows anything or not.  We had such a fellow at our marina (the one across the river from you); actually, several such someones.

One example was a fellow that by his own admission, was "afraid" to sail his Island Packet because he did not want to damage her.  Yet other times, he would sit around and give "free advice" on going to sea to folks passing through.

Another guy was just a core "social" person...he was a fun guy and people liked to party with him.  He NEVER sailed (I heard him tell a lady once that putting the sails up was too much trouble), and his idea of cruising was what bars and parties to to visit.  Yes, his keel covered some miles to get to the parties, but his seamanship was virtually zero.

He could not do a single thing without about 8 people standing around helping.  Change slips in the marina?  It was a an all-day affair of planning and execution and post-incident briefing involving teams of "worshipers."

He once told me that it is his habit to call for Sea Tow whenever he feels "uncomfortable" on his boat....on those rough seas on the ICW between here and Florida.  That is, after all, why he carries tow insurance.

In three years of living at that marina, I never once saw him take out his boat for a pleasure sail.  He left for the islands and was gone a few months, and heard from others that they had seen him in Florida holed up with engine troubles (he had had his engine rebuilt before he left), so he DID travel.  But he was no sailor - at least in my opinion.

Yet this guy could sit around and "offer advice" for hours on end and EVERYONE would soak it up.  They'd quote him, they'd pass it along.  Most of what he said was poop, pure and simple.  He knew NOTHING of sailing a boat, even though he had "lived aboard" for decades.  Through the "fun personality," however, he was seen as the local expert.

In contrast, one 'cranky' old fellow I talked a lot with was very knowledgeable, and knew sailing.  He and I talked endless hours late into the night about sailing experiences, weather tricks (heavy and light), different rigs, different boats, etc.  

It's hard to filter all this out, especially if the person is likable.  I've gotten to where I believe I can sniff out real sea-experience from bs, and I've gotten EXTREMELY choosy in who I listen, or even talk, to about sailing and boating.

In general, if someone is telling you about some piece of gear you NEED or should rely on, they are probably full of garbage.  Reliance on gear often (not always, but often) can be equated with a lack of skill.  When someone starts telling you what you SHOULD HAVE on YOUR boat, beware.

To tell the truth, I've also gotten quite wary of people that the first thing they tell me about a monohull, displacement sailing vessel is that she's "fast."  I recently had an interesting conversation with a colleague about boats and hull design where "fast" seemed to be a central theme.

Here's the contrast:  If I equate hull speed on my A-30 to a car going 55 mph, his idea of "fast" equates only to 67 mph.  Yes, it's faster.  But that much?  Really?

My big point with him, among a few others, was that I don't prioritize "fast" the same way he does (and gave my reasons).  He seemed to be saying that I was making stupid decisions because I did not choose a "fast" boat.

Yep, that gives me pause in how much merit I'm going to put into the rest that he says.

So, maybe I've become the jerk with my adopted position of assuming the other guy knows Little To Nothing Until Proven Otherwise.  There's a lot of "armchair sailors" with NO seatime at all spouting off all kinds of stuff.

As they say, there's a difference in 10 years of experience verses 1 year practiced 10 times.

Sorry so long; your post just struck a nerve since I know I've faced the "who do you listen to" dilemma.

And making this on-topic for this thread...this is one of the reasons I love THIS site...it has been from the very beginning for me positive and encouraging.  It has been a place to talk about boats and boating and finding the path to the dream.

The signature lines quoted are part of that positive encouragement. 

Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: CharlieJ on April 05, 2012, 12:31:10 PM
 :D

And then there's people like me-

who started sailing in 1957 and am STILL learning, after all these years. Been doing rope work since I was 11 and not too many years ago had a complete novice show me a faster way to tie a knot I'd used for YEARS. Ya think I didn't listen and learn?

:D

Oh and one piece of gear you NEED to rely on is- drumroll please- a GOOD anchor and rode- your choice as to type ;D
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on April 05, 2012, 12:40:43 PM
Quote from: CharlieJ on April 05, 2012, 12:31:10 PM


Oh and one piece of gear you NEED to rely on is- drumroll please- a GOOD anchor and rode- your choice as to type ;D


Well, okay..,.,. ;D  Maybe modify my statement to when those recommendation become too specific...like "you NEED 23.4 feet of BBB chain and NOTHING else will do."  I've heard that kind of thing said.

Your point about always learning is EXCELLENT.  I like to tell new sailors that the basics of sailing are easy...you can learn it in a day.  But then you spend the rest of your life getting better.

I learn something EVERY time I go on the water.  Every single time, no matter what boat.  I'm TRYING to get my children to understand this...and they've taken to asking me "okay, so what did YOU learn today?"

It does get hard to filter "good info" from the bad....and whether the person giving it is a seasoned pro or newbie is immaterial.  Some "experienced" people give consistently bad advice, though.

For the Newbie, how to spot them?  Any easy way to tell?
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: CharlieJ on April 05, 2012, 01:19:58 PM
Quote from: Captain Smollett on April 05, 2012, 12:40:43 PM
 
For the Newbie, how to spot them?  Any easy way to tell?

Sorry no, other than the real blowhards, who are pretty simple to spot in any arena. Wish there were :D
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: gpdno on April 05, 2012, 06:37:00 PM
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."
W.A. Ward

My current email signature line
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on April 11, 2012, 09:40:09 AM
A sailing friend changes his email signature from time to time and he uses some really good ones.

Currently (and I nod toward the naysayer thread):

Quote

"Everybody is a genius.
But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,
it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."  AE


Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on April 03, 2013, 10:59:46 PM
Seen on an off-roader forum, and thought it applies to sailing far in small boats (and a bunch of other stuff as well)"

Quote

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Porter Wayfare on April 04, 2013, 08:18:20 AM
One of my favs, but can't remember who to give credit to---

There are two great rules in life: Never tell everything all at once.
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: SalientAngle on April 04, 2013, 09:03:49 AM
Quote from: Porter Wayfare on April 04, 2013, 08:18:20 AM
There are two great rules in life: Never tell everything all at once.
---Ken Venturi
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Porter Wayfare on April 04, 2013, 01:07:28 PM
Thanks for the attribution.  It is far too good to go uncredited.
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Captain Smollett on November 14, 2013, 11:02:47 AM
A Cherokee elder sitting with his grandchildren told them,
"In every life there is a terrible fight ? a fight between two wolves.
One is evil: he is fear, anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity,
resentment, and deceit. The other is good: joy, serenity, humility,
confidence, generosity, truth, gentleness, and compassion."
A child asked, "Grandfather, which wolf will win?"
The elder looked the child in the eye. "The one you feed."

(Seen on a Sci Fi show's discussion forum, and I absolutely love it!)
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: cap-couillon on November 16, 2013, 11:03:43 AM
One of my favorites ....

"I was born with nuthin, and I still have plenty left"
Title: Re: Signature lines
Post by: Sunset on November 24, 2013, 05:27:56 PM
( The man that knows everything has no room to learn anything! )