Open Ocean and Persimmons

I woke up this morning and headed to the bridge – it felt good.  Nothing beats a pastel morning sky.

Nautie Friends, this good vessel has been in port for 18 of the last 21 days.  To say there was an audible sigh of relief as we cast our lines off yesterday would be an understatement.

Granted, gearing up for 20+ days of open ocean brings a whole new set of challenges.  Especially, when said sea time comes when the entire crew has over 90 days aboard.  The number one way to not go crazy during a long sea passage is to mentally gear up….and then stay busy.

I’m mentally gearing up.  I’m building to do lists.  I’m not letting myself make any plans at home (normally, by this time in the rotation I have my whole vacation planned).  I’m listening to music I enjoy.  I’m organizing photos.  I’m reading a good book.  I’m trying to motivate myself to resume my evening walks.  I’m dodging fishing gear in the Sea of Japan.

I'm eating persimmons on the bridge wing.

Writing Prompts.

I got a note from my Mother that said: that's all.... just your blog... that poor old dead birdie is getting a bit old .....

Seriously.  That was the whole email.

I responded with:

I KNOW.

I'm just so futless.....

She shot me back a list of writing prompts.  I'm addressing them below:

Write about what you are reading...

I’m reading copious amounts of trashy romance novels.  My brain is practically mush.  It’s glorious.

Write about how you feel about the US going into Syria

I hope the US doesn’t go into Syria – my guess is that they won’t – because someone has finally asked the all important question…can we afford to go into Syria?  May I also interject that our peace loving President is edging ever closer to making an identical decision to the one he so highly criticized Bush for making – making decisions without hard evidence…

Write about what you want to be when you grow up

I’d like to be an adventurer when I grow up.  I’d like to laze around on beaches in Bali, interview monks in Tibet, ride along with commercial fisherman up in Alaska and go on a photo Safari in Kenya.

Write about what a great mom you have

My Mom really is great.  She has a 30 year old daughter that she still has to collect mail for.  She also flies to Texas to go to Ikea with me and stays silent and rolls her eyes when I say I need to get a coffee.

Write about where your ideal place to live is

My ideal place to live would be somewhere on the water.  I’d like to live somewhere  I don’t have to worry about finding work in – then I can just land somewhere beautiful and sigh and say, ‘this is home’.  That’s not asking too much is it?  I’d like to work remotely or travel for work or marry some rich bastard so we can hire a Nanny.

Write about going nomad

I want to go Nomad.  I’ve wanted to go Nomad for as long as I can remember.  I’ve never fully worked up the courage to get it out of my system and do it.  So instead, I move around all the time…which isn’t really the same thing.  A cute airstream trailer.  A tricked out truck.  A backpack and some cute accessories.  My camera.  A notebook and pen.  Wifi.  Mobility.  These things call my name more than I could ever possibly vocalize.

Thanks for the kick in the butt Mom!

Pacifico

My first ship was a tanker on a West Coast run.  I spent the next two years on that ship traipsing around the Pacific. Yesterday, I transited the Panama Canal and found myself back in my old stomping grounds.

It's overcast and the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler.  I just saw a whale breach and make a gigantic splash.  I'm having a cup of coffee and recouperating from a long canal transit day....and I'm feeling strangely nostalgic.

It feels like I've come home.  Like I'm back where I'm supposed to be.

It's strange when you realize you were missing something...and didn't realize you were missing it until you had it back and it felt so good.  That's this.

Back in the Pacific.  I like the sound of that.

Shaka Awesome

The past two days have been lovely. After a hectic, grimy, scorchingly hot port stay there is nothing better than waking up and finding yourself at sea.

Yesterday morning I had a few minutes of solitude on the bridge wing.  These are the seagoing moments that keep me going.  They are what sustain me when I feel like throwing in the towel in port.  I had my sunglasses on - I had a coffee cup - I was feeling good - and then two dolphins showed up.  Sometimes, when I see dolphins I just think 'thank you friends!'.  I know that seems a little tutti frutti - but seriously - nothing makes me feel like everything is going to be okay like seeing dolphins.

I haven't got Big Bertha out yet - so we're a little short on photos around here.

Everything here is shaka awesome.  Hope you are all feeling shaka awesome too!!!!

via

Generate A Poop Deck.

US Flag vessels don't typically have a 'poop deck' but, this vessel was built overseas so indeedy, we have a poop deck. This is glorious because then one of my shipmates can put a sticker above it's sign....

I love this.

First of all, it's funny.

Second of all, it loosely translates to, 'give a shit'.

Honestly, I give a shit.  About almost everything.

I enjoy sailing with people who give a shit because, I give a shit and there is nothing more annoying than a shipmate who doesn't give a shit.

As I wrap up my rotation (the Pilot should be boarding shortly and I'll be docked this afternoon) I feel grateful for several things - being surrounded by people who give a shit is probably the top of my list.

Here's to giving a shit!

Things In Mason Jars :: Fruit Smoothies At Sea

I have a really nice Cadet - who went ashore when we were in Charleston and bought me a crap ton of fresh fruit.  After 29 days at sea I was jonesing....bad.

(I just realized that I didn't tell you guys that I hit my first US Port and am heading to my next...the one where I get off the ship at!  Yippee!)

Anyways, I was hungry for some fruit in a really big way and my Cadet totally pulled through.

I've been snacking on berries and mangoes.  I have greek yogurt (again, thanks cadet!) and am making Mango Lassi's but most importantly, I've been blending myself smoothies in the mornings.  Delish.

I know what you're thinking....this chick is getting off her ship in a few days and all she can talk about is her garden and her fruit?!

This trip has been good.  I'm not sure I've ever said that before.  Despite the fact that I haven't stepped foot on land in 97 days (unless I've been taking drafts), I don't feel like I'm going crazy.  I don't feel like I need to completely reevaluate my lifes existence - which, let me tell you is quite common for me by the end of my rotation!  Don't get me wrong, I am ready to be on land.....I'm just not wishing I could quit shipping and have quadruplets as soon as possible.

Life is good, folks.  Life is good.