Monday October 5, 2009 Day Two at Kure and Back to Midway

If you were to have seen weather conditions today, you would not believe that we were in the same place as yesterday. Some winds but a bit calmer as it warmed up as well. The heaters were turned lower to feel the air conditioner. Unfortunately, there is never a middle spot with the thermostat.

I started early to do some checks on items that came into question. Results are not in and currently listed as “In Progress.” I will likely do the same tomorrow morning, as we will be near or in preparation to dock at Midway again. Looking at my list, I have plenty of projects to keep me productive. I still want to ride the bike around the island again as well as make time to lay, swim, and snorkel at North Beach for recreation. I want time go by fast so the day for me to head back to cold Seattle will come quicker.

This was one of those days where people do not see what is beyond the “you are so lucky to be working on a research vessel” or “you are in Hawaii” remarks. Tonight, I would rather be home, say to hell with it all, and damn the science! However, I am realistic enough to know what puts food on the table, pay the bills, and allowance for the kids Oh I did not forget, money to save for retirement. The wife is sick and has a terrible cold. It is going to take more time for her to get used to winter. She comes from a land that knows no winter. Houses have no walls and people do not own jackets. Unfortunately, it was devastated by a tsunami last week.

She sounded awful on the phone tonight and we decided to talk tomorrow. I feel so helpless being nearly three thousand miles away. If I were home, I would go to the local drug or grocery store and buy Alka Seltzer and Vicks. Taking Tylenol is not going to cut it. It is a cultural gap to ask neighbors for help in any situation so it makes it harder for me to know that she will take up the neighbors offer to help. It is easier said than done to say, “This is America and this is how it is done” or “when in Rome do what the Romans do.” A phone call to the home front to see how things are will initiate the morning.

Tomorrow is another day and attempts to make to do list shorter. We are in transit back to Midway tonight doing CTD operations along the way. Fatigue will start to set in next week.

Good night from NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai in Central North Pacific.