The Owners' Manual | Issue 24 | Spring 2022

Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be good?

I am not sure where to start on this one, and it may be unusual to use something this personal, but I went through a divorce and felt like an utter failure. Then, almost like a bolt of lightning from the sky, I wound up meeting someone who I have now been married to for almost 33 years. My life is definitely much better than it would have been otherwise. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Sticking it out at the Merchant Marine Academy for the required four years was definitely the greatest challenge in my life. Our official motto is “Acta Non Verba” (Deeds Not Words), but our internal saying is: “It’s a lousy place to be at, but a great place to be from.”. What do you miss most about being a kid? The free time I once had. On the flip side, I really can not remember the last time I sat down and said “I’m bored.” Do you have a TV binge/Movie/Book/ Music worth recommending? This is too easy for me. The movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” is my favorite movie of all time (despite being both a Star Trek and Star Wars fan). As anyone might be able to figure out from everything else here, George and Mary Bailey remind me very much of my own parents. I think this is a long list, but I like to fix things. My wife complains that she can’t buy new appliances because I keep figuring out how to repair them on my own. What is something you learned in the last week? Or since joining BL? I knew I was coming to BL for good reasons, but the company is filled with people who are results-oriented and willing to help / pitch- in for anything that has to be done. As I have said – it’s not just talk around here. What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?

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