User:Nautically Obsessed

Who Am I?
I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 15, 1958. I have lived in the Toronto area all of my life. Politics do not define me and I prefer not to discuss my political leanings here. Suffice it to say I am to the right of most liberals and to the left of most conservatives. I am a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, at least until they miss the playoffs (as they usually do). At that time I adopt another team so I have someone to cheer for (sad isn't it). This year it's the Philadelphia Flyers. Hopefully next year it will be the Leafs.

Above all else I am an avid sailor and boat builder. I have been obsessed with anything that floats since the day my mother first put me in a bath tub (you figure it out). I have sailed for over 30 years and I have lived on boats most of my adult life. Considering where I live (Southern Ontario) I must fall into at least one of the following categories (as all my neighbours do): obsessed, dysfunctional, broke, in-hiding, retired or recently divorced (see "broke").

I have spent the last 12 years of my life re-building a 1972 C&C 35 MK I that I found in the fishing village of Gloucester Massachusetts. I have rebuilt her from stem to stern and she is slowly returning to her former glory. Sadly, I no longer live aboard. I have become a dirt dweller, but it is only temporary. My plan is to renovate, rent and return to my floating lifestyle as soon as possible. As I continue to tear this place apart I see the truth more and more in the old nautical adage "a house is nothing more than a poorly built boat run aground". I plan to contribute to the existing article on C&C Yachts as well as others on the subject of boat restoration. I will leave the subject of house renovation to those more suited and more interested than I.

Disclosure
Professionally I am a partner in a firm that specializes in the field of Bridge Management. This is my living, not my passion, although the lines get blurred on occasion. Most of the articles I plan to post and edit on Wikipedia will be connected in one way or another to bridges and their effective management. I feel this is what I have to contribute to Wikipedia that is of greatest importance. My motivation is education, not promotion, however, any increased public awareness of this important subject will only serve to bring more attention to my company and for that reason I must make this disclosure now and declare my conflict of interest. It is, however, unavoidable. You don't go to an electrician for advice on plumbing.