Here’s something I whole-heartedly support and try to exercise everyday. I’m not very good at it yet, but practice makes perfect I reckon…

The following is copied directly from: www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

Suddenly, we ran out of money and, to avoid collapse, we quickly pumped liquidity back into the system. But behind our financial crisis a much more ominous crisis looms: we are running out of nature… fish, forests, fresh water, minerals, soil. What are we going to do when supplies of these vital resources run low?

There’s only one way to avoid the collapse of this human experiment of ours on Planet Earth: we have to consume less.

It will take a massive mindshift. You can start the ball rolling by buying nothing on November 28th. Then celebrate Christmas differently this year, and make a New Year’s resolution to change your lifestyle in 2009.

Thinking this was a non-issue, and that cruising sensibilities dictate paint would be the obvious choice, I find myself reconsidering the bulwarks. The Sterling 2 part LP paint I ordered and applied to my bowsprit was difficult to use, to put it mildly. The various mixtures, the weather, the application technique, all had to be in alignment, like some cosmic miracle. I painted and re-painted that bowsprit with almost as many coats of paint as I would have with varnish…and it’s still not right. I have nightmares about paint touch-ups with the 2 part LP.  Don’t Forget To Vote!

At this point traditional varnish is not an option. However, a 2 part system such as Honey Teak, which I used on my Nor’sea 27, Chamois is looking highly appealing, and will be what I use on the other wood on deck (hatch covers, coamings etc). If a two part varnish holds up as well as a two part paint, then why not varnish? Another option is Petit’s Easypoxy, which seemed to hold up really well aboard the schooner Lewis R. French after a summer of heavy charter work. Duane, a local wooden boat builder swares by floor enamel from the hardware store. He figures, if it’s designed to stand up to heavy foot traffic, it’ll probably do the job for his topsides. Sounds sensible. I’m open to any and all suggestions on varnish and paint alternatives.

So imagine if varnish and paint were equally matched in terms of ease of application, ease of maintenance, longevity, abrasion resistance, UV filters, price etc… what would be the best looking choice for the bulwarks? Here are two BCC’s at anchor, one  painted, the other varnished bulwarks.

CAST YOUR VOTE BELOW!

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The two year plan is to cross the Atlantic in Juin, head to England for the rest of the summer and explore, then make way south for the warmer cote de sud du France, where exactly, only the winds will tell… but I know I’d like to spend some serious time in France, learning to live, speak and eat French. With that in mind, I’m back in full swing avec mes leçons francais.

I’ve discovered a new language learning product… le podcast. I was never really in the know, or the care for that matter, about the podcast. The name kind of put me off I suppose. But they have been quite excellent for hearing real french people speaking francais. My favorite series so far has been Coffee Break French, taught by some wacky Scots. I’ve also found an interesting blog with witty insights into a life abroad, par un Expat living in France, which I fancy myself becoming one day. And one more new reference about living in France, mais bien sur… the Expat Forum!

And a fresh new find today thanks to Rosie, Capucine! An amazingly animated and creative little girl from France… the PERFECT way to learn french! Watch her Video on Vimeo

One thing je sais is that time moves swiftly. My loose plan, to be well into France by 2010 isn’t all that far off. I’m getting ready MAINTENANT, and if I’m ready to go sooner, super. This fantastic shot of Nice is by Arcadiv, go check out more of his amazing work on flickr.

It seems there is no better motivator for Americans than the dollar. I was truly excited when retail gas prices hit the $4.50/gallon mark this summer. Incentives for fuel alternatives were a mainstream concern. Too bad the prices have fallen again. The US is heavily under taxed on fuel by comparison to European nations, but it looks like America has just swept that issue under the rug again.

While I still have an engine aboard my boat, I’m looking forward to filling my tank with some biodiesel made at a small local outfit. And plans for my retreat to France, where fuel costs almost what it should, are fully underway.
Outdated price data here, but…