Nautie Tidbits :: I’ve recovered sufficiently.

May 13 2013 by Nautiemermate

Napa was AWESOME.

I mean really, really, really awesome. I enjoyed my time there so thoroughly that I didn’t want to write about it because it seemed so final. THE weekend was over. The problem was that I couldn’t really write about anything else until Napa was wrapped up! This week is going to be Napa week!

Nautie Books! I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN.

I finished The Fault In Our Stars. Le Sigh. Oh this book got me. This book deserves to be talked about – and will be soon. Are any of you Oprah watchers? Ever heard of the ugly cry? I’m sure you see where I’m going with this… Can I unofficially announce our next book selection without the usual fanfare? I’ll just slide it in here to this ‘lets take care of outstanding business’ post and then, we can all start reading. May isn’t getting any younger. Join me in reading The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin. This book was recommended by Historiauntie and looks good. I have my copy and have just jumped into it.

Bloggers In Sin City!

Not this weekend but next weekend I’m going to Vegas for Bloggers in Sin City. Holy Crap the excitement level is almost outofcontrol. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about what to wear and driving around shopping for things to wear. Napa was all about the wine but I have a feeling Vegas will be all about the clothes….

I’ve Moved.

I’m in a new apartment. It’s tiny. Teensy Tiny. This is good but it has me scrambling. I’ve been semi packing…and moving….and re-organizing. Again – it’s good but, no one really loves semi-packing, right? The new apartment is cozy and sunny with a well thought out kitchen. It’s way more me than the last apartment. Me Likey.

Paleo….sorta…

Have you ever heard of the Paleo diet? Well, I’ve cut quite a few hot ticket items out of my diet. Mostly because I think it’s fun to change things up sometimes and also because, I’m hoping to kick some bad habits. Stress does some amazing things to your body. So does lack of exercise. You get it.

That’s It.

Nautie Friends, I just needed some time to recover from my trip to Napa. I know you understand. I’m off to meet the movers. The bed is getting moved in today. You don’t realize how shitty it is living away from your family until you have to hire movers. Free labor sure is nice (*wink*). Do you want food posts? I’ve been texting everyone I know photos of what I’ve been eating. Want in on that action? Be in touch.

Nautie Tidbits :: Mr. Honey Made It Through The Canal

Mar 23 2013 by Nautiemermate

Nautie Friends, I made it through the canal. Woot Woot! I’ve written many times about the canal (the most comprehensive write up can be found here but you can find some decent photos here)….the highlight of this transit, minus the fact that it means we’re closer to home, was for sure the fact that the mooring boat men called me Mr. Honey allll daaaay loong. Mr. Honey has made it through the canal.

The weather upon departing the canal worsened quite quickly. Yesterday, we were hove to. As in….almost going backwards. I’ve seen some pretty shitty weather in the Med – people always act like the Med is a boating paradise – I don’t think you could pay me to yacht around the Med in the winter – unless we were anchored off Nice or some other fun place. I didn’t take too many photos of yesterdays weather….lazy blogger syndrome….how about some photos from last years Med storm?

I got nauseous yesterday. I know, I know, real sailors don’t talk about being sea sick…..thank goodness that I have already written the Nautie Guide to Conquering Seasickness….or Mal de Mer! Whew! Thank goodness there was a time when I wasn’t a lazy blogger!

Books! Ahhh! Nautie Book Club! I haven’t forgotten you! I will select a book soon! Pinkie Promise!

Nautie Tidbits :: Houston, we have a problem…

Jan 15 2013 by Nautiemermate

We don’t really have a problem. I just really wanted to say that.

This port stay has now been extended by three days with the possibility of a fourth thrown in. Between the rain, the slow loading rate of crates and the sheer volume of cargo we’ve progressively pushed our sailing date back.

In the meantime, this sweet little blog has been suffering from neglect.

To get us all caught up, here are some tidbits worth mentioning:

Our Nautie Books! December 2012 read The Scorpio Races didn’t get much fanfare but, I LOVED what my Dad had to say about it.
I ran home yesterday afternoon to drop off my car and tie up loose ends at the apartment. I learned a very, very, valuable lesson. Just because you live in the same city as the port don’t assume you’ll be back home (i.e. don’t leave a dozen eggs in the fridge – I hope my shipmates love hard boiled eggs)!
Houston has been cold and damp. Standing outside for hours a day in cold and damp is icky. Who knew that Houston could be so cold and damp?! I didn’t…
I’ll be using this site to help with this months Nautie Books! discussions. Check it out!
Everyone on the ship is sick. Like gross sick. Pneumonia and Bronchitis. Which also makes me wonder if Doctors know what they’re talking about anymore….how about ‘common cold’. These dudes are babies. (I am eating lots of gummy vit’s and oranges.)
This totally cool print is floating around the interwebz and I love it.
My ship is FULL of cargo – and it’s exciting. I love seeing American goods moving via ship.
Along with a dozen hard boiled eggs, I brought my blooming orchid to the ship with me. Every single dude who has walked into the cargo office has commented on how lovely it is.

Well, I think those are all my tidbits.

A picture of The Hilo Bay Building. Because you know you can’t write a post with no photo!!

Enjoy your day!

Nautie Tidbits :: Land Lubbing Maine Style

May 18 2012 by Nautiemermate

Maine has been amazingly refreshing. It feels FANTABULOUS to be between my own sheets again!

I’ve been out of touch for awhile so I figured I’d do a few collages to bring y’all back up to speed…..and then I can start digging into the archives to show you some of my Hawaii / West Coast adventures.

Also, disclaimer: I got a new app which allows me to write on photos…..so I may have gone a little overboard.

Here’s what’s been going on:

-there was a bad squirrel who kept stealing all the bird food. It’s strange what growing up in Hawaii does to you…..Mainland plants and animals FASCINATE me……even though I’ve now been exposed to them for YEARS. I had to keep running out onto the lanai to take photos.

-major projects were accomplished. An old rocker and wicker chair were painted red to spice up the lanai and an old table and chairs were painted purple to spice up the yard. Fun pre-summer projects!!! Yay colors!!!

-the housemates and I made a communal dinner. Kick butt burritos…..and orange flavored cocktails. Awesomeness.

-belated spring cleaning went down BIG TIME. The ladies and I pulled out all our furniture and swept and vacuumed dust bunnies. I got some nice fresh light weight linens for my bed. I opened my window and got a nice dose of lilac infused breeze. So fresh! So clean!

-please note that next to the vacuum in my CLEAN photo there are some canning jars…..tis the season!!!

I hope you’re enjoying fabulous weather wherever you are….Maine is amazing today!

Nautie Tidbits :: Quinoa and Boats

Apr 02 2012 by Nautiemermate

I’d love to say I’m sorry for the lack of posts….but….

I’ve just been having too much fun!

Since I’ve been ‘away’ for awhile I figured the best way to get caught up would be to share some photos from my phone….because honestly my iPhone has been my go to girl lately – Big Bertha has been spending too much time at home.

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1. I spent a day on the couch (what? I’m on vacation!) and I decided that I’d go to my neighborhood variety store for a pizza (now you’re jealous). As I was getting out of the car there was a little girl parking this sweet ride right in front of the shop. I was instantly jealous and decided that I had to take a picture.

2. Sampling my homemade toothpaste. I was thinking of saving this tidbit for a post of its own but alas, time is getting away from me. Let me just say – it was better than I thought it would be!

3. Boat shoe wearing in March? Yes, please! When I stepped off the plane in Maine (that rhymed….and made be giggle because even in my head as I was typing I was saying, ‘the rain in spain’….heehee) it was over 70 degrees out! I was wearing shorts and slippers! Sadly, it was incredibly short lived. I did however; get to ride on a boat in my sassy little Sperry Topsiders with friends who are also sassy Sperry wearers.

4. Aforementioned boat. Don’t be jealous.

5. I got my hair cut and colored. I sat down and said, ‘you can do anything you want as long as it all goes up in a pony tail’. (Anyone who has tried to secure an anchor in the middle of the night with hair that is just slightly too short for a pony knows that they will never, ever have hair too short for a pony again!) The sylist says, ‘I think we need to give you a more mature length’. To which I responded, ‘You mean, you don’t think I should have hair that makes me look like a sixth grader who loves horses?’…….and then she cut off six inches. (I’m still deciding if this should count as my ‘something sassy’ on my 30×30 list (#8). I decided I’d wait till I’m home in Hilo to run it past my Mom first.)

6. I made a Quinoa salad. With beets, oranges, almond slices and mint topped with honey goat cheese. I personally thought it was quite yummy. Please note that next to the dish of quinoa is an orange goodness. Hells yah. Funny story about the Quinoa (welll…I guess I’ll let you be the judge on the funny factor). I was having trouble with the ratio of Quinoa to water – I was following the instructions of a recipe that I had found online but was modifying. My housemate walked in and I decided to ask her opinion. She was all – just do the same thing you do when you’re cooking rice….and then I was all – who the hell knows how to cook rice in a pot?! Don’t you have a rice cooker?! Seriously folks. Who doesn’t own a rice cooker?! My Mom doesn’t because she thinks cooking in aluminum is terrible…..valid enough reason. I however; bought trader joes rice in little bags that I can microwave because the thought of cooking rice in a pot makes me cringe. If you’ve never used a rice cooker I seriously recommend it. (I was going to write a whole post about this…aren’t you glad I didn’t?!)

7. The yummiest breakfast burrito ever. I thought it was so yummy that I actually emailed a photo of it to TravelBuddy.

8. This is my friends dog named Diego. As far as dogs go I like this one a lot. This is his little toy named Elmer. My friend will say, ‘Diego, go get Elmer!’. I can’t tell you how funny I thought this was.

9. Confession: I’m addicted to Gossip Girl. I know, right?! What’s wrong with me?! This show is completely bizarre. Realizing young women around the world are watching this is frightening. The thought that some of these young women are too young to discern the show is complete fiction and grossly unrealistic is even more frightening. That being said, it’s Netflix crack – don’t ever, ever watch even one episode.

*I realize that this Nautie Tidbit post might be a little long but, dang! it feels great to be sorta caught up!

Sidenote: Thanks to all of you who ‘liked’ me on Facebook! I’m still figuring out how to more fully integrate it with my blog but, in the meantime check in every now and then for random Tidbits!

Nautie Tidbits :: Procrastination, Chocolate and Hot Dogs

Mar 10 2012 by Nautiemermate

You know what always amazes me? The amount of panic I feel when I realize that I’m about to receive travel instructions to depart the vessel. You’d think after doing almost 90 days aboard I’d be counting down the days and would be expecting it…..and I am…..but then suddenly the Captain gives me an itinerary and it becomes real…..and then I think, ‘Damnit Megan! Why are you such a freakin’ procrastinator?!’….and then, I run around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to tie up ten million loose ends….so that my relief doesn’t think I’m a douche bag. It happens every single time.

You know what else happens a lot? I get my travel plans for home and then they fall through. Sometimes (as in this time) it feels like a relief when there is some sort of delay. It means that I can regroup and catch my breath and tie up those loose ends!

You know what the best kind of delay is? The kind at anchor. That’s the kind I’m experiencing now. Rushing from port, to port, to port allows zero time for loose end tying.

In a nutshell? I got lucky.

Here are a few Nautie Tidbits….

Apparently International Woman’s Day is a really big deal in the Ukraine. The Women take four days off! Four Days! When the Pilot came aboard he asked the Captain, ‘How many Womens do you have aboard?’. The Captain replied, ‘Two many!’. (Get it? There are two of us…) Anyways, the Pilot ended up giving me a bar of really nice dark chocolate as a Woman’s Day present! Kinda cool!
When the Russian boarding party arrived to clear us for Customs they requested ‘American Hot Dogs’. It blew my mind. Apparently they love American Weiners…..who knew?!
I was able to upload corrections to the electronic chart system with no error messages! I can’t even begin to describe what a success this was and how amazing it feels! WIN! I had been sending emails to everyone I could thing of….the supplier, the hydrographic offices, the manufacturers. You know who finally solved my problem? An old instructor. Teachers are the best.
I didn’t get ashore in the Ukraine – total bummer. The good news is that Travel Buddy did go ashore….and he came back bearing gifts! We officially have real beans on the bridge again! The kind you can grind and use with the french press. Yum-o!

Those, Nautie Friends are the highlights of my last 3 or 4 days. I have more to share though! There are photos on my computer! (I know, I know, you’re tired of hearing about it….) Pictures soon!

Nautie Tidbits + I See At Sea = Time Management > Sunrises and Islands

Feb 26 2012 by Nautiemermate

Dockings, Cargo Operations, Undockings and Fun Ashore have really put my time management skills to the test. Yikes! The days have really gotten away from me!

Here are a few Nautie Tidbits….

Today I tidied my desk – it still isn’t anywhere close to being organized but it was a step in the right direction.
Last night I saw a meteor that fully illuminated the sky.
I’m due off the vessel in 3 weeks.
Today I’m correcting charts and publications on overtime.
I have no idea where my next port will be – chart preparation might become a mad scramble.
My head (bathroom) developed the most foul odor last night. What the hell?!
I’ve eaten almost all my cheese from Spain…this makes me sadder than I can tell you. I’ve also eaten almost all my chocolate from Russia….again, so sad!

Some of these photos are almost 6 days old! What have I been seeing at sea? In a nutshell – sunrises and Greek Islands. No one is complaining.

Nautie Tidbits :: Hot Cocoa and To Do Lists

Feb 20 2012 by Nautiemermate

Happy Sunday Nautie Friends!

Things here are groovy. We’re back at sea for a few days which always makes me happy. Being at sea is when I can take a breath, take some naps and get back on top of things.

I haven’t been blogging much and have to catch up so, here are a few tidbits:

I went ashore in Rota, Spain! Woot! Woot! The bummer is that I took photos with my iPhone only (Damn, I’ve been lazy lately! Big Bertha is feeling neglected!) and I’m having a hard time getting the photos onto my laptop. Grrrr….hopefully, I’ll be able to share them soon.
During our last port stay we got a HUGE stores order (food!). Yay! Hello oranges, hello hot cocoa! Coffee on the bridge is back to being awesome! (Plus, when I was in Russia Travel Buddy and I picked up some whole beans…..mmmm fresh ground!)
I did laundry yesterday. I hate laundry. I don’t think I like doing it at home but I really hate doing it onboard. Someday, I’m going to write an incredibly long post ranting about laundry. Next step is cleaning my room. Wish me luck.
I made a long ass to do list. Yesterday I crossed off 4 items. If I cross off 4 items a day I still don’t complete all my desired tasks before arriving in the next port. Shoots.
Did you know that I play cribbage every day at coffee time? Well I do. Yesterday I almost got double skunked! But, I didn’t because all of a sudden I had mad luck and was able to save face. Losing is one thing….getting skunked is another….getting double skunked?! Don’t even go there….
(In reference to the above tidbit: You may be wondering how I can lament about incomplete tasks and then make time for cards at coffee time. Coffee time is a sacred thing. Apparently, working through coffee time (or more importantly asking someone to work through coffee time) is the equivalent of asking them to cut off their right opposable thumb…..in other words….don’t do it….ever.)
I have under a month left aboard! Where does the time go?! I’ve been a terrible correspondent of late. If any of you are waiting for personal emails it might be awhile. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. (I think some of you just got a little excited inside because you realized you’d be able to call me instead of waiting for emails….and then you got disappointed all over again because you thought, ‘wait a minute, that broad will never answer her phone anyways!’. Too true.)
I listed my house for sale. Are you wondering how I could have saved such big news for the last tidbit?! Me too. I honestly forgot! I’m actually very excited about it. I’ll probably (repeat probably) write a long emotional piece about my house….but I’ll most likely save it for when I’m off the ship.
I think that’s it for tidbits.

Now, go enjoy your Sunday afternoon. Please? So that I can live vicariously through you? Because, if I were you I’d:

*Buy a cute Patagonia beach dress at Hilo Bay Paddler * Have a delicious coffee at a cute coffee shop * Take a walk along the water * Go out for sushi * Arrange fresh cut flowers throughout the house * Eat half a papaya with some lime squeezed on it * Enjoy a glass of Pinot Grigio with one ice cube * Go for a scenic drive and turn around whenever * Write a note to a friend (on cute stationary) and get it in the mailbox * Drink some carrot juice *

Nautie Tidbits :: Time Flies!

Feb 05 2012 by Nautiemermate

Sometimes it seems like I’m barely keeping track of the days. I’ll suddenly realize the date isn’t what I expected it to be. February 6th. Sheesh.
We’re in port and I didn’t make it ashore. Sad face. It’s been foggy and yucky and apparently the launch boat doesn’t operate in such conditions. I got all ready to go ashore with my travel buddy and then the boat just didn’t show up…go figure…
I’ve been extraordinarily cranky. I almost feel sorry for my shipmates….I probably would feel sorry for them if I wasn’t already so cranky.
I ate all the chesse that I bought in La Spezia, Italy. I had to hurry and finish it – I mean, I was in La Spezia almost a month ago! That being said, not having my own personal stash of cheese is going to take some adjustment.
We’re still working kinks out of the new and improved Nautie Mermate site. Someday I’ll sit down and tell you all about the design process and what I was thinking when I helped create the ‘new look’.
I haven’t forgotten that there are still Nautie Friends Ask requests still out on the street.
The ship is out of hot cocoa and it’s oddly distressing. There are no oranges either. What am I going to do without a mocha or orange goodness?! I mean, really!
I need to do laundry something fierce. I hate doing laundry on the ship.
I’ve been watching a lot of movies at the end of my day to wind down. Yesterday (after the boat was a no show) I started watching Thor and then I stopped it about 20 minutes in. I think it might be the worst marvel comic turned movie ever. Then I put in Water For Elephants which wasn’t as good as the book but was the perfect pick for a foggy slightly blah day.
I haven’t used my camera in days. Hopefully I’ll get back on the band wagon shortly!
That’s it…I’m out of tidbits.

Nautie Tidbits :: No Longer Adrift!

Jan 20 2012 by Nautiemermate

I didn’t write much about it but for the last week our vessel has been adrift awaiting cargo orders.
The good news? We’re on our way to a load port in RUSSIA! I am going to go through the Black Sea! I’m very, very excited about this….
Which is why you haven’t seen too much in the way of posting – I’ve been pulling charts, laying courses and researching Vessel Traffic call in points. It’s always a mad dash to get a voyage plan ready when you have no idea where you are going until the phone call comes. Such is the life.
Other than being quite busy on the bridge I’ve been quite busy at the gym. I’ve done a fair amount of working out in the last few days.
I’m so sore! Sore! I limp up the stairs to the bridge and try to avoid lifting my arms over my head.
No pain no gain!
Those are all my tidbits…..lots of charts, lots of gym, not a lot of sleepy time…..