Nomad Summer Wrap Up

This summer marked the beginning of my Going Nomad adventure.  My time on the road was brief but lengthy.  I mean, man, I covered some miles.  Between the middle of June and the beginning of August I put 9,000 miles on my little-car-car!

To sum it up I drove from California to Texas with my Mom (who flew in and met me when I got off my ship).  We booked it to Texas as fast as we could - packed up my apartment and loaded it into a u-haul pod - and then picked my Step-Dad up at the airport.  We immediately booked it for New Orleans.  A few nights in New Orleans and then we were off to Arkansas and Oklahoma to visit family.  From Oklahoma we bee lined for Vegas.  I mean, Vegas is always a good idea, right?!  Vegas wore us out and we straggled back in to California where we recouped in a lovely backyard with amazing friends.  My parents flew back to Hawaii and I made a solo trip up the West Coast stopping in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia before making my way back down to California and rejoining my ship.  I mean, whew! 

It almost feels like a cheat to call that one and a half months Going Nomad because it was just so short except, I put so many miles on my car that I decided it has to count.

Spending so much time in a car and hopping from house to house you're bound to learn a few things about yourself.  Here's what I learned....

I will wear the same thing everyday unless the weather prevents it.  I had no desire to switch things up.  I saw new people everyday so they were none the wiser! 

A pint of blueberries fits perfectly in the console between your seats.

More disgustingly, I don't really like to shower.  I get a little self conscious showering at other peoples house.  What is that about?!

I have no will power to eat healthy when someone puts something yummy in front of me.  If I had my cooler and was in the car I was golden.  Faced with a yummy spread - nope.  

Healthy food choices aside, you're allowed to buy yourself a McFlurry after hours on the road.  Judge away interwebz.

Podcasts make my heart sing.

I can drive really, really fast and be none the wiser.

My friends and family are the best ever.  Truly the best.  So helpful!  So supportive!  So loving!

It's not that easy sometimes.  Introverts need to build in some alone time.  

Stop for the good coffee.  Skip the Starbucks.

Buying packing cubes was smart.  Really smart.

Touch the ferret at the rest stop.  You'll be so happy you did later.

I can't wait to tell you about my upcoming adventures!  This fall will be one for the books!

Sayonara Japan

I'm gonna tell you this and you're almost not going to believe me.  I went in and out of Yokohama, Japan which is Tokyo's port - in fact I went in and out of Yokohama six times - and I never went ashore!

When I tell people I work on cargo ships they imagine long exotic port stays but, on a containership the reality is we are in and out within hours.  If I want to prep the bridge for the next leg of they voyage, get a bite to eat and grab some zzz's then there is no shore leave for me.

Here's the kicker.  I'm kind of an old biddie when it comes to being tired.  I hate it.

Four years ago I would have been pedal to the metal.  No sleep in 24 hours - No problem.  That is majorly not the case anymore.  If I get behind in sleep at the beginning of the voyage it takes me days to catch back up and feel like a functioning human.

I'll have to be content with sunlight outbound transits.  I'll guard my sleep and document sunsets thank you very much.

ACDC v2

This might also be considered a My Life Is So Weird Moment except truly it wasn't so much weird as it was funny.

ACDC Man:  (looking at the Radar sees a vessel named Winning Brother) What a stupid name for a ship...Winning Brother!

ME:  I think a lot of foreign ships names get lost in translation....

ACDC Man:  yeah....but Winning Brother?!

ME:  I dunno dude...

ACDC Man:  If I had a ship I'd name it Bad to the Bone.  Then when people called my vessel they'd have to say it three times!  

We all cracked up.

You can read ACDC v1 here.

M.L.I.S.W :: Punani & Cheese Graters

In the last port I'm taking a nap when the Korean Radar Technician wakes me up from my nap to say, 'you sign paypah!'  I grumble 'go get the captain' but put on my work clothes and shuffle up to the bridge to sign his paperwork. If there's one unofficial rule on a ship it's: learn when people take their naps...and then don't wake them up!  I was cranky. 

I sign his paperwork and run into the Chief Mate on the bridge who was also their to sign his paperwork - apparently I'm not the only one to receive a call.  

The Chief Mate was pretty bummed because he had just sat on his glasses. After a few minutes of trying to help him I basically say, 'you're required to have a spare...I'm going back to bed...' 

I've just snuggled back in my bed when there's a furious rapping at my door.  

I throw on some pants and whip open the door.  

CM: I opened the cupboard by my bed to look for my glasses...I gotta show you something... 

ME: *blank stare* 

CM: There's a stack of porn in the cupboard - it's been there since I got this job...about two years at least... 

ME: ..and... 

CM: That's not what I have to show you! 

(back story - the other CM who just got off the ship completed his first trip - he might not know about the porn legacy) 

ME:  ok....I follow him to his room and he opens the cupboard...

There, next to the stack of girlie mags is a perfectly placed cheese grater.  

CM:  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?! 

ME:  ummm...well....I'd say he doesn't approve.... 

Muddy Water

Arriving in Pusan, Korea our bow thruster churned up the mud. 

As I looked down at the muddy water my first thought was 'damn, that's gorgeous' and my second thought was 'I think that looks like what my mind feels like'. 

During my time at sea there's one thing I've learned about myself. I don't make the best decisions at sea. 

I'm removed from the real world. My reality is altered and my perspective is skewed. Here's the rub. How do I not make decisions?!  I'm out here more than half the year!

Tickets must be booked.  Budgets must be created. People must be notified. Decisions must me made. 

Except I'm at sea which means, all these ideas just churn and churn and churn until they look like this aquamarine and golden mess. It's a good thing it's beautiful. Because really, I've got nothing to complain about. It's a lot easier to look down and say, 'damn my mess is gorgeous!'  

Mettle Maker :: Insecurity

It's Sunday here and Saturday where most of you are.  Maybe you need a little encouragement to go chase your dreams.  Maybe you need a little encouragement to chance failure.

via

Go book that ticket.  Go write that publisher an email.  Go ign up for that class.  Go print those business cards.  Go join that gym.  

Just Go.