Nautie Adventures :: Bubbly and Cheese...Oakland Style

May 02, 2013 by Nautie Mermate in nautiemermate adventures

I've been planning this trip to California for months. Landing in Oakland almost felt surreal.

It was hot. I was hungry. I wondered if it was a mistake to put all my thirtieth birthday happiness eggs in one basket.

Then I went over to my friend Ari's house and it felt like magic.

As I spread goat cheese over an apple slice and slathered it with fig and orange jelly I knew that I was exactly where I needed to be.

Ari put out a total spread. Bubbly and cheese. I know, right?! There was also a cupcake and a birthday song.

Ari, I love you.

Eat Cake Bitches.

The Plan?

May 01, 2013 by Nautie Mermate in Uncategorized

Are you noticing that there aren't a plethora of posts? What happened to the plan?!

I partied and slept alllll weekendddd loooong.

One of my best buddies had a party on her boat. So clearly I had to spend all day Saturday getting ready.

I mean...there were sombreros...

On Sunday I didn't get out of bed until 1530. I mean, I woke up earlier but I decided I didn't have to leave my snugly cocoon so I watched the tele and caught up on some shows.

On Monday, I walked to work in the rain. Awesome right? I rolled up my pants and hopped over puddles and that's called being from Hilo!

On Tuesday I went over to a friends houseand tried on some of my 'Napa Outfits'. Because clearly, you can't wear an outfit in Napa that didn't get a stamp of approval from a Girlfriend!

She had the sweetest roses running along her fence. The cutest.

Which leads us to Wednesday. My last day in the office. Bittersweet.

I'll keep you posted friends!

Nautie Friends Ask :: Ummm...what's wrong with you?!

April 29, 2013 by Nautie Mermate in Being Nautie

Dear Nautie, I am confused as to why, when you have just finished a demanding rotation at sea, that you come home and immediately step into an office job. Seems that you would be ready to kick back and relax for a bit once ashore. Is the office job with the same shipping company? Is it leading towards a land based job? Sorry to be nosy, it’s just that I get whip lash following you going from shipping out to sitting pretty. I can’t even imagine how it must be to LIVE such a sharp shift- which you seem to manage quite gracefully. Thanks for any insight. One of your faithful readers. :>)

Bridget, everything you've said in the above paragraph is true. I am ready to kick back, it is with the same shipping company, I hope it leads to a shore based job, I also have whip lash and lastly, the beauty of a blog means I can make it look as graceful as I want (*wink*).

I didn't exactly plan on going directly from the vessel to the office but, they were short handed and asked me to come in. I fit it into my schedule - even though I knew it was going to be a bit rough - because I actually really love working in the office.

Here's the thing. I feel as a Lady Sailor that I only have X amount of years. Please note: I said I feel. The rational part of my brain knows that what will be will be and that most likely everything is working out just fine.

I've been working hard - particularly in the last year to get myself 'set up'.

When I transition shoreside I want it to go smoothly. I don't want to take a huge pay cut. I don't want to be sitting at a desk job I hate. I don't want to be living in a city that I don't love.

I'm making sacrifices now so I don't have to make them later.

I realize this could blow up in my face. I mean, what if I'm making too many sacrifices now.

The other thing I'm doing with all this 'off-ship work' is figuring out what I like. Do I like vessel management? Do I like chartering? Do I like Port Captaining? Right now, honestly, I don't know. All I know is I want to put myself in a situation where there is flexibility in my schedule. Where there is room for growth. Where I can keep my house in Hawaii and not eat PB&Js all month. I'm exploring my options - actively.

All that aside - Bridget I know that you know that I know that it's important to BE STILL.

I will be. Soon.

In the meantime, I'll wrap up my work in the office on Wednesday and fly to Napa on Thursday!

I'm superduper excited about Napa. Going to Napa for a getaway is kind of like being still....right?!

Bridget, I know what you're up to. You're subtly telling me to stop and smell the roses. I am smelling them. I swear!

Strangely, sometimes it takes Mettle to stop working. I'm going to consider this a Mettle Maker of sorts.

I'll find the Mettle to BE STILL. Soon...ish.

Via

also, I wrote this on my phone...and didn't proofread....apologies.

The Plan.

April 25, 2013 by Nautie Mermate in Uncategorized

I'm going to blog my heart out this weekend and set myself up for the week. That's The Plan. I have so much goodness to share!

Having a job is hard yo!

I will admit that I have a bit of culture shock every time I hop into the office an work an 8 to 5. I mean, how do normal (i.e. non-sailors) people live?! I never have enough time!

Good things this week:

I finished The Fault In Our Stars. Loved It. READ THIS ONE.

I read said book in the tub with wine. Heeey-ooo!

I took a shoe photo in the elevator with some besties. Love these Sperry wearing girls.

I got the best birthday present Evah! This is going to get its own post - I can't spoil it here and yes, it's that epic.

There were more things because life is good friends, life is good.

In the meantime, I'll try to stick with the plan!

30x30 :: The Ballet

April 22, 2013 by Nautie Mermate in Uncategorized

On Friday I saw The Birmingham Ballet perform Coppelia. It was MAGNIFICENT.

It was graceful, enchanting, stunning and funny.

Due to my shipping schedule (and a semi hectic life) I missed The Nutcracker. I was thinking that I'd have to just let that one go but then....kismet!

My friend wrote to tell me that she had a spare ticket for Coppelia and, 'wasn't the ballet on my list?!'

The shipping company I work for is a huge supporter of the arts and actually sponsored this performance.

This meant several things: a) I attended the cocktail hour before the ballet b) I attended the after party with the dancers in attendance

It was an absolute blast!

I attended as the date of an older gentlemen who I've worked with for years. He has worked with this company for over 40 years! He is native to Australia and went to sea for the first time as a cabin boy! Can you believe that? I just love chatting with him and letting him carelessly drop pearls o' maritime wisdom.

The Ballet? 100% success.