Intellectual Property Rights

Over the past several years I have belonged to several websites and discussion groups dedicated to Island Packet sailboats and their owners.  As the owner of text and photos that I have posted on one site in particular (called WEBSITE X for ease of reference), I had the right - until yesterday - to edit and/or delete my material at any time without consulting the website administrator.  That ability was/is built into WEBSITE X. 

Last summer I created my own “Gráinne” website and have been posting project information on that website.  As the projects on the “Gráinne” website have more current - and often more detailed - information, I have chosen to delete some photos and albums from my account on WEBSITE X.

Yesterday the administrator of WEBSITE X chose to make a libelous post about me on a discussion group. The accusation was that I had access to logins and passwords on the IPHOMEPORT website and had used that access to compromise individual user accounts and overall information security.  He then stated that I had deleted ALL of MY albums and that I could not be trusted.  The administrator then chose to restore MY albums that I had deleted, overwrote changes that I had made to others, and then closed my account.

I was accused by the WEBSITE X administrator of going rogue!  Lesley had to look up “rogue” in the dictionary just to see if I’m beyond redemption...  She says people should never use a word if they don’t know what it means.  If nothing else, we now have a new word in our vocabulary!  


I asked that my login rights on WEBSITE X be restored but have not yet gotten a response. 

Today with the US Customs and Border Protection

In 2005 on our way back to the US from the Bahamas we signed up for the "Local Boater Option" which greatly simplified reentry to the US.  Since that time CBP has added another segment called the Small Vessel Reporting System.  The SVRS allows you to file a reentry float plan online and as long as everyone on the boat is registered in the system and you comply with other Customs restrictions reentry to the US is really easy.

This April while completing the SVRS login and registration procedures for our future planned return with the boat to the US I found out that some of Lesley's registration info was in correct.  I called the Fort Myers CBP Office and the agent fixed her profile.

Then, in June, we had to get new passports as our old ones were due to expire next year and all of our Visa pages were full anyway!

I called the Fort Myers CBP Office and we made an appointment to go in so they could verify the new ID information.  We visited the office today at 1:00PM (after getting stuck in some OBAMA visit traffic) and the two agents that helped us were superb.  They updated all of our info, transitioned our old LBO profiles to the new SVRS and were a real pleasure to deal with.

So, armed with new passports and ready for the eventual return of our boat to the US, we had a nice day in paradise!

Air Assault

I was working in the marina several days ago and came under air assault - at first I thought there were some sort of new and improved door guns on this UH-1.  Turns out it was Lee County Mosquito Control spraying for mosquito's.

Music to swat mosquitos by!

Attack on Alan's IP-420!

Rainy Day Activites

We spent part of the day in Fort Myers yesterday doing some shopping for items that we can't find here - like Korean Red Chili Pepper, Daikon, and Kimchi base.  These are all critical ingredients for today's project - Kimchi.

I've already chopped and salted the Napa Cabbage and it is standing now for a few hours before I drain and start adding the remaining ingredients.

After letting the cabbage sit for 4 hours I rinsed it and then squeezed out excess water.  Next I added shredded Daikon, spring onions, carrot, red pepper, ginger and Kimchi base.

With rubber gloves on I then mixed well and will now let the mixture ferment for several days.

Next post will be on the finished product along side Bulgogi (Korean style marinated barbequed beef) and some steamed rice  I can't wait!

Oriental Dinner night

We had some of our favorites last night for dinner starting with homemade Gyoza (pork dumplings) that Lesley made for appetizers, yum. 

Then we made Thai pork that was also superb.

Marinated pork tenderloin in slices, green beans, red and green pepper, green onions, fresh Thai basil, lots of crushed garlic and fresh ground pepper.  Stir fried then served along side steamed rice.

I got so carried away once the Gyoza were finished that I forgot to take pictures of the finished product!

New Water Tank - IP-31

I just received the new plastic water tank for the Island Packet 31 that I am working on.  The tank is made by Duraweld in Lake Worth, Florida.  The tank is pricey but is very well constructed and includes an internal baffle.

The new tank is slightly smaller than the old.  I cut it down on the bottom edge so that I could get it out of the forward berth and then up the companionway.  The cut was along the bottom edge reducing the overall height of the tank to 19.5" - the opening that I had to get thru is 20"!

Locations of the fill and vent fittings remained nearly the same but the water outlet fitting was moved vertically.

Old tank had two large inspection ports cut into the top.  The new tank has a screw in inspection port.
No more worries of chlorinated water in this new tank.

Next I have to glass in the new tank bed then frame up the side support structure using plywood and pour in expandable foam.  The tank has to be supported on the bottom and sides to maintain structural integrity.

Last nights dinner

We grilled seasoned New York Strip steaks last night and then served them covered with Anaheim Chilis and melted sharp cheddar cheese.

For an appetizer we had grilled stuffed jalapeños.

Preparations:

Jalapeños on the barbie:

A little something to spice
up the chilis!

 Voila!

 Dinner is served, Steak Ranchero, Basmati Rice, steamed broccoli

Happy 4th

Tomorrow is a special day for most Americans as it is as well for some of our friends across the Atlantic.  For them it is Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Happy 4th of July whatever the day means to you.