Mettle Maker :: The things you think you can't do...

Everyone has things they think they can't do - and then push comes to shove - suddenly these things that felt impossible are a thing of the past. 

I was very nervous about working on a tug boat. I was just certain there would be all these things I couldn't do. Mostly physical things - throwing around large hawsers, pulling big wires, climbing up the sides of barges.  

Here's the thing. My trip is almost over - and I did all those things.  

When I left on my trip my friend Baisey (you can look her up on Etsy!) made me a sign to hang on my wall that says:  'Say yes and Go!' .

I have to remind myself constantly, 'you're capable. you can do this. you've handled worse. you just need to try.'.  I have to remind myself constantly to say yes and Go! 

I have to remind myself constantly to go and do the things I can't.  

Currently. Southbound.

Sunset in Kotzebue Sound....at about 1am....

Currently...

Ice Free.  We've been out of the ice for a few days....I've just been avoiding telling you all....so that I could keep posting photos of the ice!  Sneaky?  Nah...

Headed South.  This is exciting because it means we're moving in the right direction to get home.

Excited to see my house.  I made a tactical error this time around - I visited family before looking for work.  I'm going to try to never do that again and instead visit friends and family after being at work.  I feel like I've been away from home forever.  

Worried I'll run out of podcasts.  I'm listening to a lot of podcasts I have 'squirreled away' (i.e. downloaded ahead of time and saved for sea) and I don't know if I have enough to see me through the trip!  For a podcast addict, this is a borderline emergency.  I've actually started 'rationing' them.

Trying to listen to an audio book.  Does anyone else immediately tune them out?  I'm really giving it my best effort...especially since I'm rationing podcasts.  About two minutes in though, I realize I haven't been paying attention.  Thoughts?

Reading a good book.  I'm not gonna drop the name yet.  Is that weak?  I want to give it some blog justice...I'll keep it close to my chest for a bit more.  In the meantime, go find yourselves a good book!  It's almost fall!

Trying my best to 'up' my blogging game.  I'm sure you noticed I fell off the band wagon for a bit.  I have many things to say about this.  I'm thinking about how to move the blog forward.  We'll talk more about this later I'm sure.  Bottom line...I missed you guys!  

What are you currently up to?

Mettle Maker :: Face It

I spend so much time in my head that I make the 'facing it' so much more difficult then it needs to be.  

I couldn't agree with Mr. Conrad more. Sometimes you just gotta Face It.  

Tugboat Dislikes

I got to thinking today that's it's only fair I share my dislikes. It seems like a good idea to keep things real and share the downsides to tugboat life (as far as a transition from a ship goes).  

Here goes.  

I share a bathroom. This isn't the biggest deal ever. But, guess who forgot to pack shower shoes?  This girl. The ick factor is high.  

Space is at a premium. My room is about the size of a cleaning gear locker on a ship...okay fine...that's an exaggeration but, my room is small and so is everyone else's.  

You're never alone. Because the boat is small (hence space being at a premium) it's very had to find some time to yourself.  

Exercise feels nigh impossible. On a ship you can really stretch your legs. Sheesh, a walk to the bow alone is a decent leg stretcher. Here, not so much.  

It's wet. We take A LOT of spray and water on the stern. This really drives the above dislike because not only is walking at a shortage - you'll get soaked - plus, it can be unsafe.  

We feel the weather. (Hence it being so wet.). This could be a post of its own and probably will be however; we Rock and Roll. It can make things really challenging.  

All in all, the likes and dislikes remain properly balanced and life remains good. 

Tugboat Likes

I'm on my first rotation on a tugboat and, I've been really, really enjoying my time onboard. 

Here's a couple things I've been really liking (as opposed to ships): 

It's relaxed. People seem to take a very common sense approach to things which means that for the most part it's a much more relaxed environment.

It's dynamic.  We're much more in tune with the environmental factors. What's the wind doing?  Lots of current today?  What are the assist boats doing? How much water are we in?  

It's a community. It's blown my mind how much the tugs take care of each other.  Shared groceries, shared water,  shared information. Two days ago a tug dropped off a box of herbal tea for me. It's very, very refreshing.   

It's social. The crew actually socializes. Cribbage anyone?  Wanna watch a show?  There's one dining room table - we have lively dinner conversations. It's so good for morale.  

It's an open galley. Off meal times you can go to the fridge - find some food - and sheesh even cook it up if you want!  Coming from ships this feels like a luxury.  

It's flexible. Specifically regarding food. We actually go shopping at the grocery store.  If you want a specific cereal put it on the list.  Again, coming from ships this feels like a luxury.  

It's fun.  Hands on often times equals fun and that's very much the case here.  

It's also really hard to not love using the hashtag #nautietugshavenicersterns on Instagram.  

BC RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER // A CALL TO ACTION

A Little History

This blog began in 2010, I was at sea, I needed an outlet, I was having a hard time keeping in touch with friends and family, I started to write.  Nautie Mermate became a strange nebulous friend of sorts.  This little slice of the internet has kept me connected and kept me sane.  More importantly, this little slice of the internet has brought people into my life that I just can’t imagine not having in my life.

One of my very first blog posts was a tribute to my Uncle Rocket.  It is one of the singularly most important things I’ve ever written.  It built the foundation for me to reconnect and become friends with his daughter, my cousin Rhiannon.

She’s become one of my favorite people.  Ever.  

Many of you are long time readers and you’ll know that each year I campaign on Rhiannon’s behalf as she participates in The Ride to Conquer Cancer.  One year I even got to meet her at the finish line! 

To say I’m proud of her doesn’t even scratch the surface.  She earned her Golden Helmet last year!  That means she’s ridden five years in a row!!  

More Recent History

This year I travelled to Nepal with an amazing group of ladies.  I call them ‘The Girls’ and they have been one of the best things to happen to me in a long time.  The Girls were all somehow connected through Rhiannon - when I heard she was going to Nepal I shamelessly invited myself.  These Girls.  They’re amazing.  They’re positive - uplifting - hilarious - fun - loyal - strong - smart - gorgeous women.  

Currently

This year in support of The Ride to Conquer Cancer - and I’m sure in support of their friendship to Rhiannon - quite a few of The Girls (and their dudes) are participating in this years Ride.  As in all previous years we're rooting for Team Finn.  

Everyone has their own reasons for Riding - while I’ve never participated I have my own reasons for being such a staunch supporter and fundraiser on their behalf! (You can read about more of my reasons - along with an old plea to donate to Rhiannon!  It’s outdated friends!)

This year I’m campaigning on behalf of Farley.  

Why I Love Farley

When we were in Nepal we did a four day hike through the Annapurna’s.  One of the days called for an insane early morning wake up and an insane trek up an insane amount of steps to watch an insane Himalayan sunrise.  I was struggling.  Like struggle-bus central.  I was hands down the most out of shape in the group.  The hike was a total stretch for me.  A set of stairs straight up in the dark was a stretch of a stretch.  Farley walked behind me with her hand on my back.  Literally on my back.  She coached me the whole way up, ‘ten more stairs’ ‘ten breaths’ ‘make it to that tree there’ ‘ten more steps then you can have another break’ ‘you got this’ ‘lets shoot for the next bend’.  If she hadn’t been there I wouldn’t have seen the sunrise.  I would have either quit half way up or been late.  She had my back.  

Call To Action

Please, head over to Farley’s page to read her personal story - it's an incredibly touching one.

Go one step further and donate because, let’s face it, we all know someone who’s been affected by cancer.  

DONATE TO FARLEY HERE

I'd be incredibly honored if you took the time to click through some of the links to read some of the back stories.  They matter.

I donated to Farley this year in honor of Russ.  Russ was a long time family friend - and supporter of Nautie Mermate.  He generously donated to Rhiannon's Ride every year.  Sadly, this year he lost his own personal battle with cancer.  I know he'd be incredibly proud to see Rhiannon finish her sixth ride!