Friday, March 13, 2009

Crane Calls

Click on photos to enlarge!
"For what human ill does not dawn seem to be an alleviation? " Thornton Wilder


I'd like mornings better if they started later.
Author Unknown




"Envy is the most stupid of vices, for there is no single advantage to be gained from it."
Honore de Balzac
"Jealousy injures us with the dagger of self-doubt."
Leslie Grimutter

Construction is hypnotic. Watching heavy beams lifted high, then higher, draws an inner "wow" from even the most jaded or mature among us. At times like this it also restores our faith that someone somewhere believes that tomorrow is still coming, and that improvements will be needed.




LIVING in the middle of a construction project is something else entirely! The area all around my boat (my home, office, REFUGE) has been ground zero for the laying of new floating docks for several weeks now. The hushed Waikiki morning erupts in beeps, chugs, huge "clanks" and assorted "rumbles" & "roars" at exactly the time I sit down to meditate - or to write.




Most amazing has been the destruction and removal of a heavy cement pier two boat slips off my starboard side (nautical talk! impressed?). This has required a rodeo of cool work boats, as well as a barge that carries a marooned a steam shovel from one duty-spot to another. It looks like the bathtub toy of a confused little boy.




Huge, sea-dripping blocks of cement are lifted by the "Caterpillar" atop the barge, then handed off to a giant crane that lives behind a temporary fence directly in front of my boat. My mast has developed a massive inferiority complex! The line holding our flags and pennants has even snapped in huffy protest.




And have I mentioned the jack hammering? Even now, workday done, I sense the jangling vibration in my finger tips. Why, I wonder, isn't this text you read all wavy? I feel like the cartoon character wearing a nimbus of wavy lines because Bugs Bunny has lowered a giant bell over my head and "clanged" it with a huge mallet.




I thought I saw a puddy cat. . . .




As I recover my wits, I'll post "before" & "after" photos of the late cement pier. And the barge!




But right now I need to luxuriate in the velvety silence, eavesdropping on the clicks, creaks, and moans of my exhausted, rocking, refuge.




Just another day in paradise. . . A L O H A! Cloudia




16 comments:

advertisno said...

Maybe that is the voice from the non enveloped viruses... ;)

advertisno said...

sorry I have to admit that the comment from Contemplation is from me

:) Fancy

the walking man said...

Is it possible that the in the 18th century Hawaiians saw the future, and that is why James Cook was killed?

Junosmom said...

Wishing you some peace today, Cloudia. Hopefully, they don't work on the weekend?

Dave King said...

Watching work in progress of any sort is always fascinating - and often inspiring.

Daryl said...

I am hoping the water you mentioned IN the boat is now gone and things are less wet .. albeit noisy

Charles Gramlich said...

I can agree with that first quote. Since I commutte an hour and 15 minutes each morning I sure do seem to get up early.

Anonymous said...

Nope, I do not envy you, CC. All that noise and vibrations would drive me batty.

Akelamalu said...

Oh shame your peace is shattered. Hopefully not for too long. x

DeniseinVA said...

Oh dear, enjoy your silence Cloudia and I hope it won't be too long before they've finished.

laughingwolf said...

allow your wits to recover on their own... while you enjoy the weekend :)

Anonymous said...

What a great description, and a real eye-opener...I somehow figured a boat - a boat in paradise - would be immune to jackhammers and such. Hope you get back to serenity soon!

Cloudia said...

Adver: Um....OK.

Walking Man: LOL! Oh, you were serious.....MMMMMM.

Junosmom: thanks dear. Looking forward to the weekend indeed!

Dave K: Right you are!

Daryl: That's what pumps are for. If you don't hear from me....Just KIDDING! We'll be fine, I'm sure. Thanks, Friend!

Charles: Wishing you a weekend nap!

Gigi: Thanks for your sympathy, neighbor.

Ake: You ARE a dear! I saw "To Sir With Love" today and imagined young you in every scene!

Thank you, Lovely Denise!

Laughing Wolf: You are my shaman.

Deborah: Stick around for MORE disillusionment to come!
Aloha, Friends!!

Feisty Crone said...

I love the quote about mornings! I hope peace is restored to your refuge soon!

claude said...

Hello Cloudia !
My husband is cabinet-maker. He makes some beautiful furniture , kitchens and bathrooms.
We show our products in the city of LE MANS till Sunday evening at an exhibition about what you can do in an apartment or a house.
ALOHA !

magiceye said...

gorgeous pics there...thank heavens i cant hear the sound though it filtered thru when i read what you wrote lol!