Human

[Rick Klages]

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Lazarus Long in Time Enough For Love - (Heinlein)

I have been thinking about the above Heinlein quote and been feeling good about myself as I have covered a good portion of its requirements. So I'll add this:

"Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose the former and have seen no reason to change."  - Frank Lloyd Wright

This made me think of how I might be perceived here. AS A NEW GUY. Some of you may have started to think of me as a "know it all". I'm not.  I just love researching trivia on the internet. It's such a morass of fact, opinion and outright misrepresentation I can't help myself.  The more I learn the more I know there are more things to learn. Knowledge is power and the internet gives idiots like me vast resources.  So I'll ask your forgiveness if I've come across as a donkey spelled with an A.

I still like the first quote.  Sailors in general and cruising sailors particullarly, in the full flower of maturity are up to all of the required tasks. As self sufficient as any mountain man. 

ick

[mgoller]

Hey Rick,

You're doing fine, just like the rest of us.  Thanks so much for joining us here and keeping me editing my mistakes. 
Its got to be hard for an experienced sailor to bantor with us, new and old.

Last summer I saw a husband and wife hoisting a jib on a too large yacht which I think was their first.  The wife was yelling at the husband and the husband back at her.  As they hoisted it became clear they were hoisting it upside down, I laughed and laughed.  I thought that was the funniest thing ever.  They figured it out eventually.

This last spring when rigging for the season - I did the same thing.  I laughed at myself and realized I shouldn't have judged them so hard.  It was pretty funny though....

[Gil Weiss]

"If you want to fish you need to cut bait"

"Seek and ye shall receive"

"If you live in a glass house do not cast stones"

From Gil after "happy hour on a business trip"

PS/ Life is tough, I ate lunch in the officers club on the Chesapeake at the Patuxtent River Naval Air Station today.

Boatless in Waldorf, Maryland for today, a humble Gil

[B.Hart]

   HI RICK,  This site needs people like you to help put some life in it.  I can fully relate to the quote, and like to see and try  new things everyday. My Dad taught me to sail,(and bought my first snark with a Budweiser sail) So when I am sailing I feel a peacefullness that dad is riding along and all is well. Also this site seems to have the nicest people. HAPPY SAILING  BILL

[Gil Weiss]

Amen, Bill . . . I had the pleasure of spending several hours with Rick the day we transacted my boat sale. Between that time and several email contacts I feel like I have known Rick for a long time.

He is a truly knowledgeable and great guy. A guy I would be pleased to sail and spend time with. A few more like him would totally counteract the thread "I don't like what is going on around here".


Gil

Today I was boatless in Washington, DC. Back home tomorrow.

[Paul]

Cool quote, Rick.  I like the additions, as well.

Just one question I've been itching to ask, Rick.  Your signature is "ick".  Why?  Sounds like there might be a story behind it.

[Rick Klages]

The short of it is this.  My name is Richard.  The official nickname of Richard is  D!<k.  I have been known all my life as Ricky, then Rick and now Big Rick (my Mom still called me Ricky until my son was born).  I have an old friend who insists on calling me D--- because I don't like it and my fathers name is D--- (Dad is a product of growing up in the forties and fifties when that name must not have been quite so bad).  It's a thing I've done since the dial-up BBS days. I still exchange email with this friend and see him every few years. He still calles me D---, this started in Highschool! Dropping the first letter started as a joke and just became part of  my own eccentricity. I like it because I know of no one else who signs ick.  So when I do or say something worthy of being called D--- at least it's a special occasion.  Silly yes! OK! Well at least I'm not a D---! Not always and everyday anyway. I introduce myself as Rick.

ick

P.S. Thanks for asking. (ick is also a great signature for someone who goes as Boatgoat)

[Paul]

LOL.

A friend of mine in high school shared your first name.  No kidding, his last name was Head.  He just rolled with it.  I asked him one day how he handled it.  He said he had a choice:  laugh along with everyone else (and forget about it), or get in several fights every day.  He chose the former.  What were his parents thinking?!!!  Well, he developed into a cool headed person.  Maybe that helped.

Anyway, glad you're here and active on the forum. 

Paul