Megan the Nautie Mermate
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A LADY SAILOR
This week I'm taking Marine Propulsion Plants. It's equal parts fun learning and frustrated crankiness. The frustrated crankiness is probably a symptom of disgruntled deckie syndrome. We've been talking a lot about gas turbines. The photo below is a GE T-58 that is in our engineering lab.
More to follow....
Watching those animal videos reminded me of this photo - for some reason this photo is one of my favorites to look at when I'm homesick. It has some of my favorite things in it....I love looking at my granite countertops, I love my Martha Stewart melamine mixing bowls, I love having flowering orchid plants in the kitchen, and I love how my cuisinart does what it's told (I definitely abuse the poor thing). I don't necessarily love Mr. Lizard but after growing up in Hilo I'm willing to tolerate a fair amount of critters in my home. Even though Mr. Lizard looks very tropical he is actually an invasive species and he attacks our nice gecko's. One time at a restaurant there was a Mr. Lizard look alike on the lanai railing - I stuck my finger out to him (why do I do these things?!) - he latched on and wouldn't let go!!! I was flailing my hand wildly until the little sucker went flying off onto the hibiscus plant below...
A friend sent me a link to 'funny british animal voiceovers' - I rolled my eyes when I got the link but I clicked on it anyway. It was hilarious!!!! There was a scene with two birds going at it that reminded me sooo much of the two ladies squabbling on the bus! Of course I went to youtube and found a video to share - this clip starts out with the birds that cracked me up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7798h1siNO8
I quickly became addicted and watched almost all the videos....that's when I found this dolphin clip that just about made me wet my pants. I swear to goodness there is nothing funnier than a fart!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S6PPKUDGfc&playnext=1&list=PLC20F969360336D88
I never leave home without what I call 'my little book of happiness'. I have a small sized moleskine that I've filled with my favorite quotes, photos of friends and family, and pictures of some of my favorite things (like the star compass mosaic). A few years ago a shipmate shared a quote with me that I continually fall back on, "Attitude: the difference between adventure and ordeal" (I had to remind myself of this on the bus yesterday when I would have killed for my 4Runner). This week I found two quotes that I love. It is amazing how much reading them out loud picks me up and freshens my attitude. What was even more fun was picking out some photos that I thought fit the quotes.
"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Just living is not enough.....One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson
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The only thing that I'm really disliking about being in Florida is that I don't have a car. I'm not super gung-ho about riding the bus but, my Dad said that I should get over it and get on the bus. Today I took the bus to the mall. I think my problem with riding the bus stems from the fact that I'm an inappropriate giggler. If I get a little nervous or uncomfortable...or if a situation becomes slightly awkward....the chances of me giggling are pretty high. The potential also exists for me to start giggling and then not be able to stop. I try to overcome this issue by listening to my ipod and keeping my eyes closed. However, I'm also a nosy person and I like to know whats going on around me....so inevitably I'll take my earbuds out so that I can eavesdrop. As it turns out - the bus is the place to be for gathering My Life Is So Weird moments.......the last time I took the bus a transvestite prostitute got on wearing a tutu and fuzzy pink bedroom slippers....today's encounter wasn't quite so scandalous. MORNING BUS RIDE
The woman sitting next to me called out the woman sitting across from me (who had her bags on the seat next to her while people in the vicinity were standing).
Lady 1: Can't you see she wants to sit down?!
Lady 2: Are you talking to me?
Lady 1: Move your bags - she wants to sit there!
Lady 2: She hasn't asked to sit here....
Lady 1: Why should she have to?! It's the freakin' bus! Move your bags!
Lady 2: If she wants to sit down she should say excuse me.
Lady 1: She's standing up with no where to sit!
Lady 2: How do you know she wants to sit down?
Lady 1: Because I'm ATTENTIVE.
Lady 2: But she didn't say excuse me....
(at this point Lady 2 shuffles her bags around and the standing woman meekly sits down without saying a word)
AFTERNOON BUS RIDE
Lady 2 from the morning bus ride shuffles in and sits down across from me. Are you freakin' kidding me?! She will now be referred to as Morning lady since two new ladies have joined us.....it's like deja vu!
Lady 1: Can I sit here?
Lady 2: Where do you want me to put my bag?
Lady 1: How about you put it under the seat...
Lady 2: I don't know about that.
Lady 1: Yes well I know about that - If you don't then no one else can sit here.
Young Man: Ma'am if you put the handle down I'll help you slide it under the seat.
Lady 2: I kind of like it where it is.
Lady 1 reaches over and slams the handle down.
Lady 2: Hey! Don't touch my stuff!!!!
Lady 1: Look!
Lady 2: Well now I don't feel like moving it. I'm not moving it.
Lady 1: I'm telling the bus driver. He'll make you move it.
(In the meantime Morning Lady sitting across from me starts ranting)
Morning Lady: This is why the bus is so late! It was supposed to be here at 1530! I was here at 1520 and now it's after 1600! I'm calling his supervisor.
(At this point the bus driver stops the bus and comes to the back to make the Lady 2 move her bag.....Lady 1 squeezes in and plops down)
Lady 2: There were seats in the back.
Lady 1: I don't want to sit in the back I want to sit here.
Lady 2: Just don't touch my stuff ever again.
(In the meantime....)
Morning Lady: I'm definitely calling his supervisor!
Rotten Toothed Man: Are you going to tell the supervisor to give him the belt?
Morning Lady: No. I'm going to tell him that he needs to be on time! I have to go home and get ready for tomorrow!
Rotten Toothed Man: I think you should tell him to get his belt out.
Morning Lady: No. I'm going to tell him that he needs a watch. That's why I wear a watch - So I always know what time it is!
(The bus is now so full that people are back to back. The Morning Lady is now predicting when everyone will get off the bus. I take out a note pad and start scribbling notes to document the mlisw moment - and I put in my earbuds to fend off a case of the giggles. A police officer has boarded the bus and is acting as crowd control. There is a woman at the front of the bus yelling at the driver for not stopping when she hits the button. I notice that Morning Lady is getting off the bus so I take out an earbud to catch any final moments....)
Lady 2: You definitely could have sat in the back.
Lady 1: Stop! Just stop already!
Lady 2: Well it's true....
Lady 1: I'm already sitting down and I said STOP!
Morning Lady: The bus looks like it's going opposite because it's on a swivel.....
I woke up pretty early today - considering it's a Saturday. I threw on a sundress grabbed my travel mug and went foraging for some coffee. I stepped out the door and instantly realized everything was just ALL wrong - I COULD SEE MY BREATH! I realize all my Mainland friends (especially those in New England) are rolling their eyes but seriously you guys - what's wrong with thinking:Florida = Sundresses
I live near the pool - it was steaming! I tried to take some photos of the steam.....instead I got a pale pink reflection of palm trees......oh how deceptive! I tweaked it in Instagram so its not quite so pink anymore.
Good thing I never leave home without my Uggs!