Plan B?
Hello Family and Friends!
We hope this note finds you enjoying wonderful summer weather. We’re bundled up with our teeth chattering. New Zealand is fabulous in the summer months but we endure six months of damp, windy, cold, gray days in the winter. It wouldn’t be bad if the homes had insulation, but even locals will tell you, “they don’t go in for that here when building homes.” So, in a strong breeze the curtains at the window puff. Heating in our two places amounts to either the space heater as in my place or a gas heater in Jim’s place, no centralized heating.
Jim found out this past weekend he didn’t get into vet school. While we were disappointed, it did not come as a complete and total surprise. Physics class was the culprit as expected. Jim handled it better than me, actually. I’m rather peeved that a course like physics determines who can become a vet and who can’t. At least he took a shot at it and he did what he could to increase his chances with having a tutor and taking online physics courses before classes began in February.
So, what’s next? You read that wrong. Read it again. I’m not about to tell you what’s next. I’m asking you, “What should we do next?” Well, if you think of something send it our way; smart-aleck suggestions are always welcome. We’re not sure what to do ourselves. We’ve had some brainstorms and looked into a couple things, both of which would include a move back to the states albeit not necessarily Silicon Valley. The good news is that we have options: we might go back to the States. We might stay in NZ. We might come across some idea we have yet to discover. It’s just hard to say. Having New Zealand residency, we can stay here as long as we like. We won’t be deported. So, it’s good to have breathing room, especially after the last 4 months of Jim’s intense school schedule and my travelling road show every Friday and Monday morning from my town to his and back.
While we consider options and research ideas, we are looking to consolidate our separate housing situation. Jim’s aggressively viewing places, calling places and trying to find us a home, even if it is temporary until we settle on Plan B, C, D or E. So, right now, we have no idea what we’ll be doing six months from now but at least we’ll be doing it together and under one roof, on which continent is unsure, but together is guaranteed
July 6th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Colorado
July 6th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Hi!
Well, we are sweating our berries off here in beautiful Austin, TX. Steve is getting ready to buy a truck so maybe he and Jim could start a carpentry business.
We have plenty of room here, and Ryan could use a nanny while I start my career in real estate.
So there you go. Jim can be a carpenter (just like Jesus) and Auntie Tiffany can be Ryan’s nanny.
WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YA’ALL!!
:) Julie, Steve and Ryan
July 6th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I’m selfish…so I’d say “why not back here in Silicon Valley”. We miss you guys a lot and it always fun ( and interesting…never dull ) to have you around.
Rich Namm
July 6th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I’ve got a basement that can be used in a pinch, even has a bed. It’s insulated, although it is summer for us in case you’ve forgotten and the basement is the coolest place in the house then.
Perhaps you, Tiffany, could go to Hostage Negotiator school or something, I mean with your amazing way with people I can’t imagine a better career goal. Ultimate control over thinning of the gene pool.
Or possibly it might be time for Pilot’s lessons and you guys could fly a tin can around the world? No giant waves and only Amelia Earhart to guide you!
A slightly more practical option is networking/planning/et al service for those people that are still insane enough to “enjoy” sailing around the world. You know the technologies available, the people, potential problems at least the lion’s share of them and certainly are able to trick people into somehow liking you. Why not take that knowledge and combine it into a service that can be used by those sailors - think a service for when somebody’s boat breaks they can contact you and can help them track down random parts to remote parts of the world, espeically while they’re still in the middle of the ocean but when the arrive whatever they need is already on its way (or there if it isn’t inhabited strictly by cannibals). An ammalgamation of all services located at one spot - not sure if it’d be useful or even if something like that exists but you did say whackadoodle ideas. Basement still first choice though.
July 6th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Hi Guys- thanks for the update-did you ever sell your boat? I guess that Jim could always recruit for a large multi-national. I know he might not like that or think you can not go home again- but he has the skill- does he have the passion. With all the systems and tools today- one can live anywhere and work for a Microsoft or Oracle or something like that.
I guess the best advice is to identify your passion again and plan for that- both of you have made life an adventure and done what you wanted. Do not lose that perspective please- it is refreshing.
Me and mine are leaving Silicon Valley for the East Coast and Cape Cod around labor day - bought a house .5 miles from the bay beaches and plan to relax-reload-replay-reinvent and just live there…The law of attraction works, so stay positive and it will find you.. Brian
July 6th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Sorry to hear about this, but when one door closes another one opens..or so I have heard. We saw Dave, Barbara and the kids Sunday at the Independence Day party next door.
Take care. Sandi (your other mother)
July 6th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
You should move back to the States and begin your career as a Husband and Wife Clown flying trapeze act!!! With the traveling circus. You will have to start as a Carney and work your way up, but think of all the adventures you could have!!!
Seriously, Oregon is as about as beautiful a place as any, with many career opportunities! You could move down the street from us and come over every weekend for BBQ’s. You could even help us raise our kids!! That would be great! How soon can you get here?? Oregon is beautiful and very reasonable as well. Not that you are poor people or anything, or can’t appreciate beauty…. Close to Silicon Valley (although I don’t blame you for not wanting to move to that place of fake boobs, yours are fine!!) and just far enough away.
Just get your asses over here!!
Vince
July 6th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I think that you two should open a great beach bar in the Caribbean so that we can all come down and hang out. Just don’t do anything boring like the rest of us. Or turn your blog into a book and travel the world doing book signings and “escape seminars”. You are still my inspiration as I plan my escape following this one last startup. Besides the US (and world) economy sucks and so go have fun until it finally recovers. Jim, sorry to hear about Vet School. But if you end up back here I would love to buy a few rounds of beers and hear more details on the sailing adventures.
Bill
July 6th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Hi there! Don’t they have “mulligans” in vet school? Just shout it out and do it over!
If you can believe it, it has been rainy and gray for the last few days here in San Diego - what’s up with that?!!! We think you guys should open an animal daycare / boarding / care center anywhere sunny and warm - between the two of you, no animal would ever want to go back home!! Big hugs to you both and who really understands physics anyway?!!! Glen and Sally
July 6th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Good to hear you’re still alive here in NZ. Who needs insulation?? Hard’n up! (says a kiwi in a well insulated house with a log fire) Must be a North Island thing - Islander influenced.
Jim could come work with me fixing whiteware. I can pay in beer!!! and I’ve found the best beer ever - and its brewed locally here in Richmond (by a brewery that still exists) + its 6.5%. Nectar!!
Sorry to hear about the vet thing Jim, but there are animals down here too so you could check them out inbetween fixing whiteware and drinking beer.
$12.50 a rigger! What a deal!!
All the best whatever happens and I can send ya a Metallica shirt if you’re getting cold.
Dean
July 6th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Tiffany - Call Elaine Gallagher at Sonar6: +64 (9) 984 8037 or +64 (21) 864 863. Give her my name (don’t reveal our history together - just kidding!
) Tell her your background and that you are interested in doing some system implementation consulting. Who knows! Maybe out of Auckland …….. or a reason to head up to Australia. They are HQ in Auckland and I am on her implementation team.
July 6th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Hey from Honolulu! We are getting ready to figure out what’s next as well. Will be home in Napa in August, look us up if you’re in the neighborhood. Napa’s not a bad place to hang out.
Alan
July 6th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
The Grass is always greener over the septic tank ~Irma Baumbeck (sp?). More true in this era than in the past. While I have not seen Jim in many years, opportunity is abound and the occassion will present itself. Dallas has been 100+ heat index, mortgage business (my business) has been restrictive at best and it is a jobless recovery projected for 6-18 months. Industry needs vary, but we are generally experiencing the same morass. Forgive the pun, but a safe harbor (or harbour) is not such a bad thing. Pursue the dream, as at no time has it cost so little, to have a chance at so much.
If you make it back to Texas, would love to see you.
July 6th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Stay put! For crying out loud! See the advice you’re getting
… at least long enough for some of us to visit.
OK, out of the box, right? Adopt…raise a family. No better fulfillment.
You can start with a senior college student to ease into it… then work your way younger or jump into the deep end right away and take on a wee kiwi!
Best!!
Bill
July 7th, 2010 at 6:23 am
I say… open up a Taco Bell in NZ.
Or sell slurpies on the side of the road…
July 7th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
I second the vote for hostage negotiator. I really think this would speak to your strengths. If you don’t go for that, what about the bed/breakfast-in-Truckee idea???
July 8th, 2010 at 2:02 am
Who needs Vet School anyway when you have a boat and can sail to the Island of Dr. Moreau and practice your veterinary skills unlicensed. Bwahahhaha!
July 8th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Hey guys - Jim, sorry to hear about the Vet school denial, but cheers to you for giving it a real go!
Regarding Plan B - you once told us that your mantra was “Live Life LARGE”. So what’s with “settling” as you’ve mentioned - getting a job and settling into land-based living, albiet while living abroad? For the past several years we’ve followed your adventure, living vicariously through you and your experiences. I for one have been inspired by your good fortune and adventuresome spirit to take life into your own hands and do something that so few of us have been willing and able to do ourselves. And now you have a “free Pass” to live in New Zealand! Why would you even consider coming back to the US to get jobs, especially now? You’ve already done that! Is the adventure over?
As far as I see it, you have the perfect opportunity NOT to work for somebody else, especially in two separate cities. Ownership! You should own your own business - own a tiki bar somewhere together; start a non-profit animal shelter together; run BP Drifter as a High-end time-share cruiser; or parlay BP Drifter into a consultancy for cruisers, or sell BP Drifter and buy a B&B somewhere great!
July 8th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Sorry about Jim not getting into Vet school. Maybe he can start a vet clinic and hire a Vet and some interns. Why spend all the time in school when he can act on his passion right away. Since I couldn’t become a MD I hope to open a clinic one day and hire some docs and my own interns!!
Turning the blog into a book is another easy idea!
You can always be a coach and whet out my ever growing list of business ideas and as I never have time to act on them. Slowly but surely one day!
July 9th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Greetings T&J,
Sorry to hear about the vet school.
But…..that will give you a chance to try some other options. I’d suggest that you look at the things that you have enjoyed over the past years with the boat and your adventures and see if there is any way to combine one or more fun things with a business that will bring in a few $$$ (Those could be NZ or US $$). Tiffany, I know you’re not going to believe I’m giving you a compliment but you have a natural flair for writing as you have shown with all of your adventure postings. I don’t know if you could turn that into a business, perhaps involving travel to some of the islands you visited. I haven’t heard that you sold the boat so maybe you could use it for some charters or adventure cruises.
You and Jim like biking so maybe there is something there you could do. (I’d even contribute a great bike to start your business !!!) Does NZ have developed biking tours? Sail and bike tours ??
Enough of the rambling. I’d like to send some of the heat we are having here in New York and Boston, along with the zillion % humidity, your way. I now remember why I moved from the East to CA.
LuRhe and Jerry
July 10th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hi Jim and Tiffiny:
While deciding, you should write up the sailing experiences as fiction, adding things you heard and dreamed up.
Find some work and make an income, while deciding and writing. If you can find work that’s interesting and can be incorporated into your writings, that’s even better.
Buy the business you have come to understand while working and deciding and writing.
Build and sell the business. Buy a boat and sail.
Repeat.
Keep us posted. Your blog entries are the most interesting reading!
July 11th, 2010 at 11:56 am
If you come back to Puerto Vallarta you could help me establish a national Mexican Sailing Center for aults as well as kids. No lie!!!!
July 13th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Hi Guys,
I am sorry to read about that stupid vet school being stupid and not recognizing Jim’s potential. Stupid fucks! But, I do believe that things happen for a reason.
Tiffany, as you know, I don’t have time to read blogs. With two screaming babies at home, I hardly have time to read prescription medicine directions before I give them the medicine, yet I MAKE the time to read this blog. Why? Because you write so compellingly - Both humurous and poignant. I’m not sure what I’m suggesting, but I think you should be using your natural talent of written storytelling. Jim - your love in adventure and socialization. Why not combine the two? Start a tour bout company (start with your 1 boat) and provide tours around NZ, serve drinks, a light snack, etc. You guys are both incredibly talented people - don;t waste your talents on everyday run-of-the-mill gigs. Will write more soon.
July 13th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Hi,
Sorry to hear that Jim didn’t make it into Vet school…so plan B???? Renee says NOT sailing/cruising…too many things to fix! So NZ is COLD…we thought that in the summer. You are much braver than us.
I liked Dorothy Marie’s ides of a Pet Daycare Center, somewhere warm.
We are off to Indonesia at the end of next week and looking forward to it. Kids: Rss is still an unemployed Civil Engineer, Monica is busy in Grad school and had her fourth date with a new guy and Jamie is probably pregnant with #2…at least 4 home tests say so. Brody is great, growing, talking, running etc.
Miss you…keep in touch!
Hugs,
Renee & John
July 14th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Jim and Tiffany,
Don and I chartered a sailboat in the Carribbean with the Captain and his wife who were great! We went with another couple and had a ball. It wasn’t cheap for a week on a 50′ sailboat going to all the islands, but we really had fun and loved the couple. You two would be incredible doing that!
I don’t know what people are like with their dogs, but in the U.S. the doggie day care and night stays is HUGE. People are too busy to be home with their animals all the time and too guilty to leave them.
You did always say you were going to open a bar in the Caribbean after you finished sailing. Still interested?
I agree with everyone else - FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!! You two are too ingenious and will find something that you LOVE!
Love you and miss you,
Aunt Boo
July 19th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Hello Tiffany,
glad to see that you keep on writing the blog and very sorry to hear about the Vet school. It’s a warm summer evening in Germany and with some red wine the vacation feeling and the creativity hit me. Here the result:
traditional chinese medicine for animals (total hipe in Germany) and certainly educated outside of the normal Vet school and w/o physics or
learn how to brew beer in bavaria and open an own brewery anywhere on the planet (certainly selfish as all the others hoping to see you again)
Please do not travel the world to take care of anyone’s kids - it’s the most exhausing experience I’ve been making (by taking care of my two sons).
I’m curious to see which route you’ll be going.
Take care,
Gitte
July 21st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Everything will be great!! Always thinking about you guys.When I need to wonder what is out there, I just go to your page and read.