1969.

The night before last I had a very strange evening.  A friend of a friend would be playing with their band in a downtown Portland pub. I walk in and look around and it was seriously like a time warp.  You honestly couldn't tell that it is 2011.  Maybe 1969 isn't the right year....but it looked like my Dad would fit right in with bell bottoms a leather vest over an artsy fartsy shirt and his 'reduce the arms race' pin.  Seriously.  So strange.

What was even stranger was that when the bands started playing it was death metal.  No lie, death metal.  I took some videos of it all intending to post them here but then, my conscience reared its ugly head and I decided not to post it since I can't give proper credit.

The good news is I went all paparazzi with my iPhone so you can see what I'm talking about!

I was correct, wasn't I?  That was strange....

A walk, a drive and the library.

I've been working on figuring out how to spend my days without spending money.  It's not as easy as it sounds!  Shopping is fun! I currently spend a lot of time taking walks and going to the library.  Sometimes I go for a walk to the library and then I come home and read - but at this point lazying on the couch is okay because I've been for a walk!

I have also started driving to new walking locations.  My favorites have been Crescent Beach State Park and Portland Head Light.  They are both near Cape Elizabeth - which means it's a fairly nice drive to get there.  I've always been a fan of 'let's go for a drive'.  Sometimes at home in Hawaii I'll drive out to Onomea just to do the scenic loop and then I'll go home - driving to Cape Elizabeth is similar.

Maine is amazingly beautiful.  I've always thought so however; now that I haven't been wearing khaki for four years and, have regained the soul the regiment of midshipmen sucked dry, it's extra beautiful.

It seems like every time I leave the house without my camera I end up going on a walk where I see the most amazing thing.  It's almost comical really.  I was in Boothbay several days ago and I took a walk down to Ocean Point with friend.  The sky was golden - literally golden (because it was four o'clock and the sun was setting but, that is a rant unto itself).  The trees were lit up and there were american flags flying, islands with lighthouses in the background, and waves crashing on rocks.  I seriously had to shake my head that I didn't have a camera.

Here are a couple photos from when I did remember to take my camera!  (For the record....that barefoot in the sand totally tripped me out....it's soooo cold at the beach!)

Link Love :: It's about time!

I have been neglecting to share my internet finds!  Enjoy Nautie Friends!

For some reason I've always loved Paul Newman - although I don't think I've ever seen him in a movie.  When I saw these photos of Paul with his wife Joanne Woodward it made me love him even more.

Mona Simpson, Steve Jobs' sister gave him a eulogy that was incredibly moving.

I loved this:  What Would Best Case Scenario Me Do?

As you know, I love hydrangeas.  I think someday I'll try giving hydrangeas a bath.

This is how I feel on vacation - sometimes I'm amazed that I know how to work!

I've always dreamed of opening a tea shop....but a traveling tea parlour might be waaaay cooler.

I've been listening to The Beach Boys album that has just been released called SMiLE.  It's a little strange....think The Beach Boys + The Beatles.....they might have been on drugs.....I would categorize it as awesome.

I ordered myself some new business cards - I now have a casual card and a professional card.  I could shop at moo all day long....it's all part of my office supply fetish.

Lastly, I LOVED this Nerd Win.

Castine, ME :: A trip down memory lane

I came back to Castine, ME for the first time since I graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA).  I have to admit that I was a little nervous.  I have very fond memories of my time spent at the Academy but (yes but) I have some not so fond memories as well. The whole drive up from Portland I kept seeing things I recognized....the Harley store, the curling league building, the open field with big rocks, and the rock shop (yep, I really think they sell rocks).

When I hit Route 175 I was back in the groove.  I was going 60 mph (which is probably too fast for a rural Maine road)....and I literally groaned out loud when an old lady in a mini van pulled out in front of me.  When Route 175 split into 166 and 166a I waited to see which way she went and then I jammed on the gas on the opposite Route to beat her into Castine.  We used to call this our 12 mile driveway.  The road basically dead ends in Castine (aka Maine Maritime Academy).  The town is very small - and very beautiful....but there isn't much to see and you can't miss MMA.  Driving too fast and beating the slow pokes at the split made me feel like maybe some things don't change.

Walking around campus I realized that in fact things do change.  No one knew who I was!  It was incredibly strange to walk around campus completely anonymously.  Improvements had been made on campus and some offices had been rearranged.  While I realize change is necessary I wasn't sure if I liked the changes.  It made the school seem softer.  While attending MMA I would have hoped and dreamed of attending a softer  program - after sailing commercially for 6 years I think the toughening up that occurred during my education made my life infinitely easier when I transitioned to sea.  Now as an officer I wish that the cadets and fresh out of school Mates were just a little bit tougher.

I have some meetings today with professors - just to shoot the shit - and I'm really looking forward to it.

I'll certainly keep you all posted with some added perspectives!

30x30 :: Make a Pot Roast - CHECK!

My lovely friend Lauren invited me over to make a Pot Roast!  Which means I officially have ONE thing crossed off the 30x30 list!  Wasn't that sweet of her?!  She had it all set up - kind of like you would get ready to color with a 3 year old - the coloring book was there, the crayons were in their pail nearby, and the felt tip pens were kept far out of reach.  I mean that in the best way possible!  She broke it down so that it felt really easy - which made the end results all the more gratifying!  I left her house thinking, 'I need a crock pot'!  While I realize that a crock pot roast isn't traditional I highly recommend giving it a shot!  I'm not going to give you the step by step breakdown of how we ended up with such a delicious meal....mostly because I think most of you Nautie Readers already know how to cook a Roast! Here are some photos for your enjoyment!  (Just looking at these photos again makes me want to start scouring rummage sales and thrift shops for a crock pot to call my own!)

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Ask Away!

I'm home today doing nothing.  (I know...I did nothing yesterday too...) I know I have already said this but, I'll say it again...I've been going non stop!  In the process I've managed to get a really nasty cold - I'll refrain from telling you what color my boogers are.

I'm enjoying an orange goodness (of course!) and I managed to make a fairly tasty omelette....and I'm getting caught up on all my favorite blogs!

I really like it when bloggers ask questions at the end of their post.  I never, ever answer but, it usually gets me thinking.

I know I have asked you all this before - but, I'm going to ask again.

What would you most like to know about what it is like to go to sea for a living?  

Are there any questions that you are dying to ask but maybe feel a little shy?