Sundays on the ship are usually easygoing. Most of it is spent writing reports and catching up on administrative tasks. Reports and paperwork is a never-ending process with Uncle Sam. I usually write weekly reports but this one is a ten-day issue and plenty to write. It is not that the ship is in bad shape but the equipment is getting old and cranky. Many of the off the shelf items do not work as manufacturer’s claims insist. It is frustrating that politicians decide we no longer need mil-specs because of costs. Well, those same politicians do not have to rely on such equipment either. I say give me back mil standards and we could save money and trouble in the end. Unfortunately, long term is not associated with this culture.
Today was a nice warm day as temperatures were in the lower 80’s but still windy. Ops went on until mid afternoon and tonight we steamed away from Necker Island. Our next stop is Gardner Island, which we should arrive there around three PM Midway Time on Monday. In fact tonight, we set our clocks back one hour as we cross into Samoan Standard Time Zone. That will put us one hour behind Honolulu and four hours behind Seattle. That means an extra hour of sleep but it also means that when I call my wife at six my time it is ten where she is at. School is starting for her and I am curious to know how her day went. She told me that the weather has changed and it is cold now in Seattle. I brought a hoodie with me because I know when I head back in November it is not going to be similar to the weather I am experiencing now.
Not much excitement today as it seems the days we only remember are the ones when we leave homeport and when we get back. For people like me, it is the day I left Seattle and the day I go back. Sometimes it feels like it will never arrive, though you anticipate the day when it comes. After you get back, the first month is enjoyable and then the second month seems like one long countdown and weeks seem like a long time until the countdown consists of days and back to the same cycle again.
I felt a little down tonight. I talked to my wife and she was back in her sad mood. She spent the weekend at her cousin’s house and coming back to an empty condominium is a big letdown for her. I have a chance to sail on the Ka’imimoana in January for a possible trip to Western Samoa. She asked me about that and told me she would prefer to go in March. Well I really have no choice in the matter and you need cash first to buy the tickets. I was hoping she did not promise her family that she was returning in March but with her reaction tonight, I think she did. Oh well, we still have a few months to talk things over and with government work there are always cancellations or rescheduling. Lev will learn in time not to be too relying on government schedules.
Because of that, I went back to the gym. Christ, I hate having depressing situations force me to work out. In the past, it always made me feel better. Fortunately, I had the tiny gym to myself so it was 30 minutes on the elliptical machine and then “weightlifting” on the Bowflex with some Nautilus free weights. It made me feel better but my body reminds me that I am not 23 or even 33 to that matter. Due to high blood pressure medication, it is difficult to challenge the cardio rates for my age. Therefore, if I can prove I still have a pulse, sweat somewhat and feel better than before I entered the gym, I am happy. Now if this wonderful feeling could stay with me in my times of moping motivation, it would be perfect!
Another day bestows us tomorrow and it is too early to start a countdown for return to Honolulu. The stop in Midway is the mid point of this trip. Most of the scientists on this trip have sailed with us before and several went to American Samoa last year.
A cup of green tea, Mozart in the background makes it meditative for a good night’s writing. I would listen to something else besides classical music. Unfortunately, it seems like any song I like in the pop, rock, or country genre were the same songs or type of music my wife’s previous boyfriend liked. Therefore, I listen to classical and Japanese enka (when CD is available) because I know they did not listen to that!
I bid you goodnight from the Hi’ialakai in transit to Gardner Island from Necker.
Roz the Insane Sailor
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