a perfect record

There’s a story that runs in the paper every so often. Some bespectacled archeologist discovers a corpse perfectly preserved beneath volcanic mud. This corpse becomes a time capsule, a perfect record of life in the something-something-BC, that sparks a conversation about where we’ve come from and how we came to be.

All because of a perfectly preserved record.

Three months ago, sitting on my sailboat, watching another glorious sunset get swallowed by the ocean. I made the decision to start my own record keeping. I was going to write about the people, places, and synchronicities of fate, I encountered while cruising the seas.

Writing is my real-time archeology. I plumb my soul for secrets, share them with you, and, if they resonate, you write back and tell me things you often wouldn’t speak about with other people.

But the project stalled. And not for lack of love or effort. Here’s why:

1. Publishing is a challenge to my perfectionism. I would be ashamed to tell you how many hours are lost writing and re-writing essays so that you might think I’m clever.
2. Having a readership encourages me to pigeonhole myself. Sailing is obviously the most interesting thing I do. When I write an essay about sailing I get thunderous applause. When I write one like this, small whimpers. But a perfect record must include the fact that, for half the year, I do not sail. Instead I hustle and work various entrepreneurial pursuits to make the money to go sailing
3. I face a real moral dilemma. The most interesting part about sailing is the people. But people have a right to privacy—which my stories totally destroy. I am sitting on four complete stories that would make people I know very uncomfortable. And, yes, I am dying to share them.

So here’s my solution. Shorter essays. Less filter. Broader range of topics. Sprinkle in the saucy stories when people’s memories have faded.

This new approach to the blog/newsletter will be a complete view of the adventurous life. I will try to answer questions like

• How are you funding a six month work hiatus?
• What skills are you learning to help you survive at sea?
• What entrepreneurial skills match well with remote work?
• What can I do to deal with the psychological burden of not having a fixed salary?
• How does it feel to have a way of life at odds with everyone around you?
• And, of course, what adventures have you had?

If you’re only here for sailing stories, you might be disappointed. If you’re only looking for entrepreneurial hustle porn, you will definitely be disappointed. But if you are interested in the day-to-day inner workings of a guy trying to live an adventurous life, you are in the right place.

So here’s to perfect records. And how keeping a perfect record means beating perfectionism. A little reflection goes a long way. And when it’s done publicly it opens the door to meaningful conversation.

Salud

P.S. I do have a couple more stories from my time sailing that are a little too sensitive to publish on the internet just yet. If you want early access to them just email me to ask. But, be warned, if you’re agreeing to read them you are agreeing to giving me substantial feedback on how I can make these stories better. Love ya betches.

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