Meet the Martin GBPC Steel-String Backpackers Travel Acoustic Guitar with gig bag and strap. This baby only weights a mere 2.5LBS! It has a wonderful sound to it, almost Mandolin like. The strings are steel and have been a bit rough on my finger tips. But this particular guitar is not mine, it is Kim's. When I picked it up for the first time and played I knew I had to have one. So I have ordered one and should be delivered to Mom and Dad's just in time for my arrival the first of the month. Up until 3 days ago I had no clue in the world that something like this Martin existed. Perfect timing as the thought of parting with my Yamaha for two months with no practice was very unappealing.

So what have I been up to over the passed two weeks or so? Well alot and then really nothing at all. I've been splitting my time between Salinas on the south coast and San Juan. I think the best way to explain what I'm doing is just to say that I'm adjusting to me new lifestyle. I've done just about nothing in terms of boat projects. No big deal as I have nothing breathing down my neck, but am actively putting the boat into "project status" come this July. This means that I'm laying the ground work to get some things done prior to next season's sailing in the windwards and leewards. I also have been doing alot of thinking and research about a rental properly I have in California and what its future is and how it applies to my future.

I can say with certainty that I am a flourishing individual. My days have been filled with 8 hours of fitful sleep, plenty of reading and studying to keep the brain healthy and engaged. I've been limiting my intake of news without abrogating my responsibility to be an informed citizen. I've managed to get back on track with running 3 or 4 times a week and of course playing guitar. And in my last blog entry I indicated some more heavy thinking may be in my immediate future. I really have concluded that to plan accordingly to get out of the "rat race" and to limit exposure to stressful commutes and self inflicted daily frustration is worth the frustration. Each individual has different circumstances for sure but I can say for sure that my current situation is tough to beat. Case in point, I spent hours over the passed two days sitting under the palm grove reading, relaxing and strumming. Could get boring.....not anytime soon though.

Capt Chris