The biggest defect of humankind is our shortsightedness.

~M. Albom – Tuesdays in Morrie

March 24, 2007
Two days ago we set sail for Egypt, leaving the exotic Port Sultan Quaboos far behind.  Now, 250 nautical miles into our journey, some of us are realizing how many more miles we have to go.  From now until we reach the pyramids of wonder we will have traveled over 2200 nautical miles over a total of 22 days.  The crew feels like a buzzing hive, full of gossip and energy, just a moment in the mess can give the feeling of the crew’s anticipation for Egypt, and the collective stress due to upcoming midterms.

Today we set sails, letting our motor have a much deserved rest.  Our food stores are overflowing with nutritional goodness.  Just today, day-watch was quick and painless.  Some grease here, some baggy-wrinkles there, block 1 and 2 passed as though it never happened.  The skies are blue, with stratus clouds slashing high in the sky.  Our nights are filled with the wonder of phosphorescence, our water filled with the chirps and fins of dolphins.  Our skin is tanned from the hours spent toiling in the hot sun.  A sail beginning like this must be a gift from the gods, or perhaps an omen from the many pharaohs smiling on us from above.

Soon we will reach Egypt… the question is how soon will it seem?

March 25, 2007

Among the Haida Indians, the verb for making poetry is the same as to breathe.

~Tom Robbins

A quote, far from to smote, about a po’t, who does dote, a smoke.  Speaking of amazing quotes, I just finished The Unwanted by Kien Ngu… (long Vietnamese name).  It’s an autobiography about a ameresian (American + Vietnamese) who grows up in Vietnam while the communists take control of the country.  It is a story that sheds a much needed light on the millions of “unwanted” half-breeds who grew up during that horrible period of time.  I recommend that anyone who wants an amazing page-turner about a jaw-dropping tale of survival against all odds, should read this book.

Ok, onto more interesting news about my recent happenings.  Recently (yesterday), I started my Seamanship project, which is to design and spec out a ship of my own.  I decided to go with a two-masted Ketch Rig with two gaffs, a topsail, a gunter, a outer-jib and a forestaysail.  Keeping it simple but beautiful is my priority.  Last night I finished up the design, so all that’s left is the spec sheet.  I should be able to load it online provided I find some speedy way to access the internet in Egypt.  Also, if a quick connection turns up, look forward to some neat-o pics I have taken since my last upload (Singapore?).

So, with that said and done, I shall turn to the topic of life aboard the Concordia.  Today has gone well so far, and is looking good tonight as I have night-watch off.  For those in the dark, we (the students) get night-watch off when we have Galley the next day.  It’s a rewarding experience usually stuffed full with an extra two hours of sleep.  Aw, once again with journaling time finished.  Till tomorrow…

March 27, 2007

Emotions are nothing but artificial feelings created by a feeble human intellect trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose.

Agent Smith

Mmm, the taste of inevitability… the matrix is a great example of a possible reality, conceivable, as Mr. Smith says, by the feeble human psyche.  The most interesting element of thought in continuing relation is that we think therefore we are.  So the one thing that you know without doubt is that whether or not you are in a matrix, you still are.

Where I was going with that train of thought is beyond me.  But it was a fun exploration into some of my own ideas about everything, and nothing at all.

Today was quick, painless.  Yesterday as well.  In two days time I have taken 2 tests and 1 quiz, all contributing largely to my final grade… and I am happy to say that I didn’t get below an 80% on any of them.  (maybe anthro, havn’t gotten it back yet).  Chem->89% Phys->85% Anthro->I am getting it back right now!  *drumbroll*  Anthro->81%

YEA BABY!

Anyhoo, time to return to class.  More next time, et au revoir.

March 29, 2007

“Eat when its time to eat.  And move along when its time to move along.”

Santiago (The Alchemist)

I have recently started a book under the name, The Alchemist and damn it makes you think.  It was generously donated by my principle, Mr. Cleland for my reading (and thinking) pleasure.  At first I thought the story was very interesting, but only a story.  However as you progress through the book you begin to realize that every word is a metaphor on life.  Every sentence has something more to say than the literal.  While most books have their physical length by their side; this book is short, but long.  And so, with my blessing I add it to the long list of books and movies that every reader of this blog should, nay, will read.

In less papery news, life on the ship has become more monotonous than usual.  Each day during our long voyage to the sandy lands of Egypt we wake and begin the toil of our usual schedules.  The only breaks to the monotony are short spurts of spontaneity.  Last night we decided to have a grease night, where everyone greases up while our eyes enjoy scenes of Grease the movie.  To top it off I was able to present my short video which I created with a couple friends.  It’s a comedy based on Strong-Bad Techno where our movements mirror the sounds.  I will make one more thin promise that I shall try my best to upload it for y’all.  Perhaps I will make a DVD of the first quarter of this semester and send it to y’all.  Who can tell the future when we reside in the present?

Once again, good bye.

March 30, 2007

If you ever want to achieve happiness, don’t dwell on the past.  Instead, start living.  What is the point of obsessing over something that has already happened, and that you can not change?  Live! And be merry!

Kien’s Grandpa in The Unwanted

One more day, 24 more hours, too many more seconds, and here we are, letting our most recent experiences flow to paper.  Last night, we, the students, met to discuss some of the more prevalent problems in our nano-society.  Our meeting was led by the high student council and went smoothly until the topic of Jan and his many rules and regulations came up.  For those in the dark, Jan is our cook, and he is quite fond of disciplining mistakes.  He is also known to contradict all of his actions with his words.  For instance, he might swear and then turn around and give someone a job-jar for swearing.  This, he says, is fair.  Back on the topic of the meeting, the student council brought up Jan’s latest concoction, a list of rules and punishments regarding galley, cleanliness, and watch-bins.  Essentially he has decided to create a merit and demerit system which will allow him to reward and deduct points to different watches as a result of the actions of their individual members.  Thus, doing a good action will deduct merit points while making a mistake will reward merit points.  Yes, it is exactly like that.

Not going to lie, last semester worked perfectly well with a lot less rules.  I hate regulation.

March 31, 2007

Through sweat, comes satisfaction.

M. Taylor

One day to April Fools day and man everyone is excited.  Pranks are being planned here and there; people are getting more and more nervous…  I am getting ready for my own little surprise.    Perhaps the above quote is perfect for this day of preparing.

In other news I have started a short story about a man named Samuel Hinnings.  It’s a thriller and I am excited.  The idea came upon me during night watch and man… it freaked me out.  So I thought I would share it with the world!  More-over, its temporary title is, “Insanity”.

Mid-terms start in three days, and everyone is going into crunch time.  I have also finally given in and have started studying.  Odd, I know.  So, anyways, for the next three days I doubt I will have much time to enter more entries into this thing, so until next time…  Zai Jian!  (good bye)

April 1, 2007

No entry today.

APRIL FOOLS!  Wow that was lame, but entertaining.  Well today was very tricky as everyone tried to cram the maximum amount of pranks into just twelve hours…  That is, we weren’t allowed to prank after noon.  Studying or something bunk like that.  Some well thought out pranks involved water-ballooning and water-bucketing fitness this morning, taping a face-cloth on the striker of the bell, filling shower heads with chili-power and laundry-detergent, stacking boxes in awkward places, and last but not least: creating unique and very entertaining jokes to insult certain members of our community.  Before I continue on that last subject, I must confess that due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to go through with my master-prank.  I was a little choked about that.

Anyways, so there is this contest which I happen to be in, in which all the entrants are required to not shave their face until after the contest.  Yes, it’s a facial hair contest and I am hoping to take one of the prizes home.  Or if I don’t ill have fun showing off my chinny-chin-chin.  Wooo.  Anyways, so there is this feud between our cook, Jan, and a student by the name of Danny.  Essentially they constantly insult each other about loosing the contest, however Jan took the lead today with a genius joke…

What’s the difference between Danny’s face and a Kiwi?  A Kiwi has facial hair!

Time for class!  Latah foos…

April 7

It’s better to ask some of the questions than to know all of the answers.

James Thurbert

Exams are done, life goes on.  The amount of free time I have had in the last two days has given me no excuse to not write out a business plan that I have been concocting in the last few weeks.  And woah!  Its simple and succinct.  Occams Razor in action baby, YEA!  However I cannot release the details until I am able to do a tid-bit of research into the field.  So be excited!

In other news, I am hoping for a fast connection in Egypt in order to upload my new splash for Bloonlabs.com and my new place-holder for C5 productions.  Even more excitement!  Yay!  Oh and on top of all this I have a couple videos and a bunch of pics to put online for yall’s viewing pleasure!  Be glad I am productive in my free-time.

Onto more local news, Mr. C told me to “lose the fort”.  As much as that sounds random, for the last four days I have designed and build a “fort” around my bunk, essentially sealing the rest of the cabin off from my personal studying area.  On a side note, I believe it worked because I feel really confident about all my exams and I have already gotten back one of my grades: 85%-86% on the Physics test.  I believe that helps my mark.  Go me!  …Oh so back to the point, upon discovering my concealed creation, Cleland decided that with exams over it was time for it to go.  It wasn’t very pretty anyways.  Oh well.

I hope we have a “deck out your bunk” contest soon.  I have some neat-o ideas.  And yes, the fort would be reconstructed for it.  As well as my personal speaker system (I rigged up my massive headphones so they project the music around me.) and my collage of pictures to remind me of home.  Oh and my sweet hammock (for stuff, not me sadly).  So yea, when that contest shows itself, I am so bringing in the pain.

Noobs, gtg.  Class.

April 8

So back to school.  Well, back from mid-terms and a short break I suppose.

In English we began our studies of poetry and how it invigorates the soul.  We began by discussing a couple of different poems and listening to a couple songs.  I had never heard a song by Sam Rogers before, and wow he is very much like Great Big Sea.  Pretty sick music, for the folk-lovers among us.

I have done a tid more research into my business possibility, done up some more plans and ideas, and talked about it with Mr. C and Mr. H.  Both have given me a joyous response and both say that it will be a great way to generate a little cash-flow during university.  I am stoked, the only thing is that I hope I can get access to some internet this summer in order to set up some of the deals I will have to make.  Only the future can tell what it holds.

If it leads to compassion you know it is knowledge.  Otherwise, it is only information.

Gerald Grow

I got to sow aloft today.  It was pretty sick.

Physics = sweet.  Lotsah new stuff being learned.  We have moved into the realm of Magnetism and its pretty interesting stuff.  Mr. H has a way of making class really laid back while still teaching more content than any of my other classes.  He is an amazing teacher and its nice to have someone like him to geek-talk with.

I find my self uninspired to write lately.  It’s sad because I started this sail with some serious writing urge.  Now I find words don’t come as easy.  It’s probably the long sail, man, I can’t wait until Egypt. I think I shall go and work on my story for a little bit…  See if anything comes.

April 9

I come before you to stand behind you to talk to you about something I know nothing about.  Next Thursday which is good Friday, there will be a mothers meeting for fathers only.  Admission is free so pay at the door take a seat and sit on the floor.

~Kinnon’s Father

Life, the universe and the pursuit of…  Rough weather?  At 0100 hours the water was as still as a cat, ready to pounce.  By 0105 hours, sea-sickness was threatening some of the crew.  Luckily, I was not one of those people.  Living on a ship allows one to see how unpredictable mother-nature can be.  A sailor learns to never trust in what seems to be, rather he realizes that he can only rely on himself.

Feast or Famine will be held in 0100 hours in the mess.  Everyone is nervous; will they be given a feast?  Or perhaps they will be forced to crunch down on a pitiful bowl of rice while watching the lucky few indulge themselves in a banquet of epic proportions.  Steak, pizza, cake, ice-cream, chocolate, fruit, and more tempted many of us into paying a buck a ticket for a chance at mowing down on a glorious spread.  Of course, the idea is to give us the experience which millions experience everyday.  Many have nothing while a few have something.

For those who are curious, I didn’t do it to experience disparity, I did it because I like food.  It may sound bad, but I believe in indulging in what you earn.  If you make x amount of money, you can do what you wish with it.  And that’s that.

April 12

We have reached the end of our journey and many of us are confused.  What happened to the monotonous days of yore?  What do we do with this plethora of free time which we have gained?  For me I felt a feeling I never experienced before.  Today as I was planning my free time, I realized that I had a hard time breaking out of my routine.  I instantly thought about watching a movie, or playing chess to pass away the time between days.  Then after a couple confused moments, I realized that my feet would touch the fabled lands of Africa, in a place known as Egypt.  The world was awaiting me and all I could think about was passing time.  What does abstinence of the world bring you?  This?  Someday I will realize what good the last sail brought me, but right now…  I can only think of the way it made me think.

‘Neways, in the realm of the present, I find myself lying in my bunk, my computer propped up against my legs, my fingers furiously tapping at the keys.  On my wall the familiar collection of various electric odds and ends meet my gaze.  There’s my virtual library (external hard drive), my headphones rigged up as speakers, my mouse and various chargers.  The glint of my sunglasses catches my eye as I shift my gaze to the bottom of the bunk above.  The many faces of my past jump out, reminding me of a million memories all at once.  The light flicks off, Brendan is going to bed.  The glow of my computer screen around me reminds me of the many sleepless nights I gamed away back at home.  Now, here in my new home, I realize how much I have changed.  Journaling, writing, reading, watching, talking, being.  I feel more alive now than I ever have, or possibly, ever will.  Hopefully, you will someday (if you havn’t already) experience this, for once you feel it you understand that we don’t need a purpose to be on this earth.  Simply live for the moment, live for life, live because you can.

I was hoping to write a lot more journal entries this sail, however I believe I made up for the lack of writing with the amount of time I spent on each entry.  I feel that some of the things I said in these entries embody the best writing I have ever written.  That doesn’t mean its good, it just means its my personal best.  And for that, I am happy.

I hope you, whoever you are, enjoyed my thoughts during the last twenty-one days of my life.  I know I did.

Peace, Yo.