Hi All !!
It's been over a month since the last post - so I figured it's time to fill you all in on the current state of affairs!!
I made it back out to the great floodlands with no issues...and the weather here is already warm - so things are looking up! I stayed in Pascagoula (actually Gulfport, MS - with Jon, Dory, LJ, and little Devi!) and we went for a really great dinner at the International Palace casino. I then saddled up and drove north!! (north-east, actually!) heading for Jen and John's for Mom's Day and my pending birthday. My Mom and I had actually departed Seattle on the same flight for Atlanta - and we didn't even plan it that way! Spent a really great weekend with Sis, Mom, John, and the incredible Master Luke! No doubt about it - he and I are "PALS!" (Jen wrote a really great blog about being the "little sister" and some of my antics for my birthday. It's a great read and a really great laugh - if you're so inclined! http://letshaveacocktail.blogspot.com/
I returned to Pascagoula on MON 11MAY and found our tues departure had been delayed for mechanical reasons. I also had the opportunity to meet the new Commanding Officer of the ship (the guy who I will be working for) and found him to be quite a breath of fresh NOAA Corps Air - so to speak! Great guy - little bit younger than I am - we share the same kinds of idealistic and systematic approaches to this job...and he is SMART!! I think I am going to be just fine down here in the "Bayou!" I have been enjoying this second go-around on this ship far more than the first due primarily to the departure of the old CO and the arrival of the new CO...really makes a difference - believe it or not!!
We headed out WED 12MAY morn and once we departed the Pascagoula river and it's entrance, the water started cleaning right up! First night on watch - full moon blazing - really stunning!
So, the title of the blog is "The stars at night..." and anyone who knows any kind of americana music knows the next line is "...are big and bright... deep in the heart of Texas." Well, let me tell you something...seeing stars from deep in the heart of Texas might be all well and good...BUT it DOES NOT hold a candle to the stars you'll see from deep in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico!!
The first three days were nearly cloudless and we were blanketed by stars each of those nights. I have sailed ships all over the world and did not see this kind of star covering and density until I looked up last WED night - simply AMAZING!! Don't get me wrong - stars viewed from any venue are pretty cool - but this night sky...I thought space was out of "space" for all the stars nestled up in the heavens!!
I had a great time at home seeing everyone and actually making Emma's 11th birthday celebration...she's is growing up fast!! I did, however, fall short on my Coast Guard license exams...missed by two questions...TWO FREEKIN QUESTIONS...TWO DAYS IN A ROW!!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!! It's OK - I can take it again when I get back - this is a 90% pass exam and it is far more difficult than I expected. I WILL get it next time...FOR SURE!!
So, I was talking with a friend of mine last night who I have known pretty much my whole life now - and some truths were revealed. Both of us threw some cards on the table and the outcome was truly enlightening! She is an AMAZING woman - always has been...but in a really understated kind of way. She said a couple of things that were very profound and very applicable to all of us - and I'd like to share: We don't exist to live in a vaccum - we each have the tools to engage each other in some manner or fashion. To do so is to get involved with someone else's life - or to choose not to engage is also something within your power.
Everyone has a little different picture of success ingrained on their brain - we all know what that looks like: money; position; stuff; friends; family, ect... but the one thing that I have really come to realize it that each of those things require some form of attention...an INVESTMENT! Regardless of the medium - you have to invest something into each of these things in order to gain something from it...right?
It's no secret that I lived my early life a little loose and more than a little intoxicated... but 27JUL will mark 11 years of sobriety...I am not bragging by any means...God sobered me up so I could actually do some work for him. The work in progress is definitely me - and I still have a long way to go, and I do realize that. But God also implants figures and persons in each of our lives for our optimum growth - spiritually, personally, and professionally...and I am walking, talking PROOF of that. The old addage: a reason, a season, or a lifetime...applies readily here!! (google it...great stuff!)
The point of this being: I overlooked a lot of things earlier in my life. Either by immaturity, naievity, indifference, or just not living in the moment. I sailed in the Gulf of Mexico in 1986 and was OBLIVIOUS to the amount and beauty of the stars that were over my head EVERY DAY when I was here on the good ship VIGOROUS early in my Coast Guard career. It was there all along - but I wasn't able to see it. How much of that applies to the rest of my life?? Your life??!! I think it's all in God's good timing to reveal things to each of us...to open our eyes...to see the "Stars at night!!! I sure hope I'm seeing a lot more of thse "Stars" these days!
I have made a sincere and concerted effort to find people in my past that I feel I wronged in some kind of way and tried to make it right...all part of the process, right? With some I have been very successful - others...well, not so much. All of us have the power within us to do something - it may seem minor to us at the time - and we may never see the results of our input - but the impact and long-term effect of that seemingly small act might be something that changes the world!!
My friend is SO RIGHT - we do NOT exist on this planet to live in a vaccum!! You can do it if you so choose...but it seems like it would be far more work than it's worth!!
I have come to realize many things - and honestly far more than I ever thought I was capable of. So as I close the door on 41 and head into my 42nd year of existence on planet earth, I'm going to "borrow" a couple of lines from a song of an artist who I greatly admire...maybe this will help sum it up:
When I step into the light
My arms open widely...
When I step into the light
My eyes searching wildly...
Would you not like to be
Sitting on top of the world with your legs hanging free??
Would you not like to be OK??
I can't believe that we would lie in our graves
Wondering if we had spent our living days well.
I can't believe that we would lie in our graves
Wondering what we might have been.....
I don't want to wonder about any of it!! I still want to embrace the world with that childlike amazement that does live in all of us!! I want to go out knowing as much as I can squeeze into my head...knowing that I love my friends and they love me...knowing that I did make the investment into other peoples lives and goals and dreams...I do want to know!!
Praise God for saving me...mostly from myself. And Praise God for friends like Julie (and I have many others who fit this bill as well!!) who are bold enough to throw it out there - you are truly an inspiration!! Julie: Thank you for listening to it all and being my friend through the thick and thin!! You are wise beyond your years!!
Thanks to all who sent me grand birthday wishes - I appreciate you remembering me!!
Much Love to All!! Thanks for indulging me! Start planning your trips down to Mississippi....Can't wait to see you!!
Donn
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Did You Ever Wonder...
So...
Did you ever wonder...
It seems like such an innocuous question, but is it really?
Did you ever wonder what makes a good person "good?" or a bad person "bad?" And sometimes - this could even be the same person viewed from several different sets of eyes...or even the same person in dissimilar situations or circumstances.
So...
maybe the criteria in which we view others is really the suspect element. Do we judge them (or assess them, for those of you who are not the "judgemental' types...) by a standard in which we, ourselves, do not, or can not reach? Or is our "assessment" fair as compared to our constituants and peers? Good questions, I think.
So...
Why would I ask? Because as of lately it seems like I have been placed in a position or situation(s) where I have been forced to address several individuals from the above perspective...and I have certainly found that it isn't an easy task. It would be very simple to completely "write them off" but I also had to address the criteria in which I would, or would not, take that stance.
I can honestly say that these are tough customers - as viewed by me, as well as many others...tough customers, indeed. I have made an honest attempt at trying to find something positive in each of these individuals - and I am seriously 1 for 4...and that sucks!! I really want to believe there is at least ONE thing in each of these people that make them an addition to the human race - no can do, Joe! I got nothin'!!
So...
with that in mind I started looking in the mirror, began re-assessing my "value" properties to see if perhaps I was being too harsh or overly judgemental. Not a bad idea once in a while...see where I am and then move forward, right? Well, what do you think the outcome of that little soul-search revealed?? Right! I am not in the minority here...as much as I want to be.
So...
did you ever wonder why some people choose to be hard to get along with or even combative? Well, that's where I currently find myself. My Mom uses a phrase "ten per-cent grace." I love my Mom, but I don't particularly like this phrase - why, you ask? Because sometimes 10% doesn't even get you to first coffeebreak with these guys!! That 10% is BURNED UP by about 0840AM and you still have the WHOLE REST of the day to go!! We all know, or have known, this person...or people, and have had the joy of having to deal with them on some level. Fun, huh??
So...
what now? I certainly don't want to see the worst in people...but this has been a tough month. Maybe living and interfacing on a 7/24 basis over the last 6-weeks has skewed my perspective, but I don't think so. Realizing that shipboard life magnifies some personal qualities of individuals...I try to take that into account as well.
What to do, you ask? I don't know either...but I'm workin on it!!
Did you ever wonder...
It seems like such an innocuous question, but is it really?
Did you ever wonder what makes a good person "good?" or a bad person "bad?" And sometimes - this could even be the same person viewed from several different sets of eyes...or even the same person in dissimilar situations or circumstances.
So...
maybe the criteria in which we view others is really the suspect element. Do we judge them (or assess them, for those of you who are not the "judgemental' types...) by a standard in which we, ourselves, do not, or can not reach? Or is our "assessment" fair as compared to our constituants and peers? Good questions, I think.
So...
Why would I ask? Because as of lately it seems like I have been placed in a position or situation(s) where I have been forced to address several individuals from the above perspective...and I have certainly found that it isn't an easy task. It would be very simple to completely "write them off" but I also had to address the criteria in which I would, or would not, take that stance.
I can honestly say that these are tough customers - as viewed by me, as well as many others...tough customers, indeed. I have made an honest attempt at trying to find something positive in each of these individuals - and I am seriously 1 for 4...and that sucks!! I really want to believe there is at least ONE thing in each of these people that make them an addition to the human race - no can do, Joe! I got nothin'!!
So...
with that in mind I started looking in the mirror, began re-assessing my "value" properties to see if perhaps I was being too harsh or overly judgemental. Not a bad idea once in a while...see where I am and then move forward, right? Well, what do you think the outcome of that little soul-search revealed?? Right! I am not in the minority here...as much as I want to be.
So...
did you ever wonder why some people choose to be hard to get along with or even combative? Well, that's where I currently find myself. My Mom uses a phrase "ten per-cent grace." I love my Mom, but I don't particularly like this phrase - why, you ask? Because sometimes 10% doesn't even get you to first coffeebreak with these guys!! That 10% is BURNED UP by about 0840AM and you still have the WHOLE REST of the day to go!! We all know, or have known, this person...or people, and have had the joy of having to deal with them on some level. Fun, huh??
So...
what now? I certainly don't want to see the worst in people...but this has been a tough month. Maybe living and interfacing on a 7/24 basis over the last 6-weeks has skewed my perspective, but I don't think so. Realizing that shipboard life magnifies some personal qualities of individuals...I try to take that into account as well.
What to do, you ask? I don't know either...but I'm workin on it!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday?
So...
Today is "Good Friday." I claim to be a fairly well-informed Christian-type guy...but why is it called "Good Friday?" If you think about it in relative terms...shouldn't it be called "tense friday?" or "apprehensive friday?" Believe me, I am NOT trying to be disrespectful or blasphemous in any way, shape, of form...but come on! It should at least be called "The next few hours are really going to suck!" friday.
Truth be told...this sunday, more commonly referred to as "Easter" should actually be called "Good Sunday" or more to the point "Good Son-Day." Wouldn't that make much better sense? Call me crazy...I don't know!!
This Easter sunday is a tie for the best holiday of the year...the other, you ask? Christmas, of course!! I am focusing on the idea that I am a true believer in the Risen Son of God...Jesus Christ, and this is a very special sunday in which Christians all around the world celebrate his release and freedom from the grave, his ascension into Heaven, and His throne on the right hand of the Father (No, this term "Father" used here is NOT in reference to the pope - who, as far as I can tell, in NO HOLIER than you and I - especially by any Biblical standard) I mean to say God Himself. Jesus was chosen for his mission - a mission of the highest importance.
No mystery that I work for NOAA and we are chock-a-block full of scientists and "big thinkers." What I have witnessed since I came to work here is that most of these "big thinkers" work really hard at talking themselves OUT of the existence of God, instead of embracing the very things that they study and research everyday that HE created!! I don't know - but I think it's a lot more difficult to work up a hypothesis denying or discounting God than it does to read a chapter (Romans, for example) of a book that has been around for more than a couple days to gain some really valuable insight...no this book is not "dianetics," silly...it's the BIBLE and it really isn't that confusing of a read. I double-dog dare you to do it!!! What would it hurt?
If ever there was a time...or even a day to look this book over - this would be the weekend. God is on our side...he sent His Son to prove it to us. He is offering all of us a free gift - but we have to be bold enough, and at the same time humble enough, to seek Him and ask for it!! I'm not trying to get all "preachy" on anyone at all - my job isn't to "save" you...it's to tell you where I am coming from in order to shed a little light, or a glimpse of what God can do with a sinful, far-from-perfect person...please don't be offended...just keep reading!!
It is really hard for me to relate in any human way to the internal angst that Jesus may have been feeling today a couple thousand years ago, He was still human, after all!! Thing is: he gave a crap about all of us...AND...he put His money where His mouth was...threw it all away. HUGE personal sacrifice...minimal personal gain!! We talk about soldiers and sailors being brave and selfless during this tumultuous time in US history - and I am 220% patriotic and try to show it every day - but their individual stories PALE in comparison to the personal sacrifice Jesus threw our direction!
As I bob around in the Gulf of mexico and have time to think about all kinds of things, I tried to really fathom this today - Good Friday. Maybe something for you to think about as well. The water is deep azure, the sky is clear, and it is 83d F as I write this on Good Friday...and I must say it is a good friday. BUT next friday is a GREAT friday as I will finally be headed home first thing saturday morning to the people I know and love!!
Happy Easter - Everyone. Give a little thought between your egg hunt and your smoked ham to what it really is and what it really means over the weekend...staggering at the bare minimum!!
Much Love -
Donn
Today is "Good Friday." I claim to be a fairly well-informed Christian-type guy...but why is it called "Good Friday?" If you think about it in relative terms...shouldn't it be called "tense friday?" or "apprehensive friday?" Believe me, I am NOT trying to be disrespectful or blasphemous in any way, shape, of form...but come on! It should at least be called "The next few hours are really going to suck!" friday.
Truth be told...this sunday, more commonly referred to as "Easter" should actually be called "Good Sunday" or more to the point "Good Son-Day." Wouldn't that make much better sense? Call me crazy...I don't know!!
This Easter sunday is a tie for the best holiday of the year...the other, you ask? Christmas, of course!! I am focusing on the idea that I am a true believer in the Risen Son of God...Jesus Christ, and this is a very special sunday in which Christians all around the world celebrate his release and freedom from the grave, his ascension into Heaven, and His throne on the right hand of the Father (No, this term "Father" used here is NOT in reference to the pope - who, as far as I can tell, in NO HOLIER than you and I - especially by any Biblical standard) I mean to say God Himself. Jesus was chosen for his mission - a mission of the highest importance.
No mystery that I work for NOAA and we are chock-a-block full of scientists and "big thinkers." What I have witnessed since I came to work here is that most of these "big thinkers" work really hard at talking themselves OUT of the existence of God, instead of embracing the very things that they study and research everyday that HE created!! I don't know - but I think it's a lot more difficult to work up a hypothesis denying or discounting God than it does to read a chapter (Romans, for example) of a book that has been around for more than a couple days to gain some really valuable insight...no this book is not "dianetics," silly...it's the BIBLE and it really isn't that confusing of a read. I double-dog dare you to do it!!! What would it hurt?
If ever there was a time...or even a day to look this book over - this would be the weekend. God is on our side...he sent His Son to prove it to us. He is offering all of us a free gift - but we have to be bold enough, and at the same time humble enough, to seek Him and ask for it!! I'm not trying to get all "preachy" on anyone at all - my job isn't to "save" you...it's to tell you where I am coming from in order to shed a little light, or a glimpse of what God can do with a sinful, far-from-perfect person...please don't be offended...just keep reading!!
It is really hard for me to relate in any human way to the internal angst that Jesus may have been feeling today a couple thousand years ago, He was still human, after all!! Thing is: he gave a crap about all of us...AND...he put His money where His mouth was...threw it all away. HUGE personal sacrifice...minimal personal gain!! We talk about soldiers and sailors being brave and selfless during this tumultuous time in US history - and I am 220% patriotic and try to show it every day - but their individual stories PALE in comparison to the personal sacrifice Jesus threw our direction!
As I bob around in the Gulf of mexico and have time to think about all kinds of things, I tried to really fathom this today - Good Friday. Maybe something for you to think about as well. The water is deep azure, the sky is clear, and it is 83d F as I write this on Good Friday...and I must say it is a good friday. BUT next friday is a GREAT friday as I will finally be headed home first thing saturday morning to the people I know and love!!
Happy Easter - Everyone. Give a little thought between your egg hunt and your smoked ham to what it really is and what it really means over the weekend...staggering at the bare minimum!!
Much Love -
Donn
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Where do I start??!!
So...
This seems like an interesting place to start. Suffice it to say that I have gathered quite a few friends, penpals, emailers, and compatriots along this seaway of life and i would like to have a place to wax poetic for all to enjoy...or help you hurl up that bad cheeseburger you just had for lunch!!
Firstly - I'd like to say "Thank You" to my sister Jennifer, who planted the seeds of a "blog" in my mind - as her blog is very well written and entertaining (http://letshaveacocktail.blogspot.com/) so... I stole her idea to do this as well. Please stop and read Jen's page...I PROMISE you will not be disappointed as she has a unique way of blending opinion with humor in only the way she can...now, on to my new stuff!!
As you all know (or most of you who have known me longer than five minutes!!) realize that I can't seem to stay anywhere longer than about 8 minutes flat. Inexplicable - even to me...call it Adult Onset A.D.D. or whatever. BUT the cool part about my job is I don't have to worry about that too much as I am kept nearly on the constant "go" driven by my job alone. Well, what most of you don't know is right now I am on yet another NOAA ship and we are currently about three (yup, count 'em THREE!!) miles off the coast of Cozumel (it's actually an island!) Mexico. I am here filling in a senior deck officer postition aboard the ship I am supposed to be assigned to come JULY of this year. I have been derelect on the email traffic on this last trip because - honestly - there isn't any real information to give anyone about this ship and it's mission. Kind of a letdown isn't it?? Tell ME about it!! !!
On the first leg we at least got to see some really cool sea turtles out frolicking about in the beautiful deep blue water of the eastern Gulf of mexico. This leg...nothing...and I do mean exactly that NOTHING!! We have seen ZIP...NADA...ZILTCH!! I figured we might find a lost whale or an inquisitive dolphin or two...but NO....NOOOOOTHING!! We are out plankton-wrangling in the NE Caribbean Sea at this moment...hey anybody know what to do with a plankton AFTER you wrangle it?? Me either!! Not so easy to cook and clean either...kinda small with not much meat to be had...lots of work and still walk away hungry!!
The good news: I have ben permanently promoted to Chief Mate here in our fine organization...a position I will serve to my fullest (hopefully more in Hawaii than G-O-M but that has yet to be seen!) I am excited for the new challenges of the new boat...but I am REALLY missing home (not so much rainy, snowy Seattle) but home like Mom's house, Jeff and Eileens house, the girls, Bobby baby and Di...you get the picture!! Oh let's not leave out the "Atlanta Connection" with John, Jen, and young Jedi Master Luke!! That kid is adorable!! I am really missing my Cape Codder friends and familys as well...as isolated as I felt at times on the Cape...I sure made some FANTASTIC friends while I was there. And the Collum Cile'ers got to play Hard Rock, Boston for St Pattie's Day (yes, I am jealous!! LOVE the pics, Carol!) And I have been melancholically reminiscent of my time on ALBATROSS with Steve, Jonathan, Peter, Chris, and Chad...all stallions and top-shelf choices by anyones standard. So, continuing on that thought...
Recently I was involved in a "discussion" about people...what makes people tick as individuals, part of a group, part of a family - what have you. And the comment was made that every person is a sum of their experiences - good or bad. I have given that about a ton of thought and, to a certain point, I think that statement is true, but then again, I don't think I agree. I think everyone is a sum of the RELATIONSHIPS they have (or in some cases DO NOT have) with other people...in other words I think you are more clearly defined by the friends you have and what those friends might have to say about you - good or bad - if you were on the other side of the world (or in the gulf of mex - hahaha), or standing in the same room with them. That being said - I don't ever want any of my friends to ever have a SINGLE doubt as to where they stand with me...ever!! If you have recieved this link to this blog then go take a look in the mirror because YOU are who I'm talking about!! I don't ever want to take any of you for granted or inconsequential as I remember some really great times with each and every one of you!! Thank you for your friendship(s)! Thank you each for investing time in my life. I am truly greatful and blessed to know all of you!!
Welcome to my new blog page...please leave commentary and ENJOY!!
Blessings to Everyone - much Love!!
Donn
This seems like an interesting place to start. Suffice it to say that I have gathered quite a few friends, penpals, emailers, and compatriots along this seaway of life and i would like to have a place to wax poetic for all to enjoy...or help you hurl up that bad cheeseburger you just had for lunch!!
Firstly - I'd like to say "Thank You" to my sister Jennifer, who planted the seeds of a "blog" in my mind - as her blog is very well written and entertaining (http://letshaveacocktail.blogspot.com/) so... I stole her idea to do this as well. Please stop and read Jen's page...I PROMISE you will not be disappointed as she has a unique way of blending opinion with humor in only the way she can...now, on to my new stuff!!
As you all know (or most of you who have known me longer than five minutes!!) realize that I can't seem to stay anywhere longer than about 8 minutes flat. Inexplicable - even to me...call it Adult Onset A.D.D. or whatever. BUT the cool part about my job is I don't have to worry about that too much as I am kept nearly on the constant "go" driven by my job alone. Well, what most of you don't know is right now I am on yet another NOAA ship and we are currently about three (yup, count 'em THREE!!) miles off the coast of Cozumel (it's actually an island!) Mexico. I am here filling in a senior deck officer postition aboard the ship I am supposed to be assigned to come JULY of this year. I have been derelect on the email traffic on this last trip because - honestly - there isn't any real information to give anyone about this ship and it's mission. Kind of a letdown isn't it?? Tell ME about it!! !!
On the first leg we at least got to see some really cool sea turtles out frolicking about in the beautiful deep blue water of the eastern Gulf of mexico. This leg...nothing...and I do mean exactly that NOTHING!! We have seen ZIP...NADA...ZILTCH!! I figured we might find a lost whale or an inquisitive dolphin or two...but NO....NOOOOOTHING!! We are out plankton-wrangling in the NE Caribbean Sea at this moment...hey anybody know what to do with a plankton AFTER you wrangle it?? Me either!! Not so easy to cook and clean either...kinda small with not much meat to be had...lots of work and still walk away hungry!!
The good news: I have ben permanently promoted to Chief Mate here in our fine organization...a position I will serve to my fullest (hopefully more in Hawaii than G-O-M but that has yet to be seen!) I am excited for the new challenges of the new boat...but I am REALLY missing home (not so much rainy, snowy Seattle) but home like Mom's house, Jeff and Eileens house, the girls, Bobby baby and Di...you get the picture!! Oh let's not leave out the "Atlanta Connection" with John, Jen, and young Jedi Master Luke!! That kid is adorable!! I am really missing my Cape Codder friends and familys as well...as isolated as I felt at times on the Cape...I sure made some FANTASTIC friends while I was there. And the Collum Cile'ers got to play Hard Rock, Boston for St Pattie's Day (yes, I am jealous!! LOVE the pics, Carol!) And I have been melancholically reminiscent of my time on ALBATROSS with Steve, Jonathan, Peter, Chris, and Chad...all stallions and top-shelf choices by anyones standard. So, continuing on that thought...
Recently I was involved in a "discussion" about people...what makes people tick as individuals, part of a group, part of a family - what have you. And the comment was made that every person is a sum of their experiences - good or bad. I have given that about a ton of thought and, to a certain point, I think that statement is true, but then again, I don't think I agree. I think everyone is a sum of the RELATIONSHIPS they have (or in some cases DO NOT have) with other people...in other words I think you are more clearly defined by the friends you have and what those friends might have to say about you - good or bad - if you were on the other side of the world (or in the gulf of mex - hahaha), or standing in the same room with them. That being said - I don't ever want any of my friends to ever have a SINGLE doubt as to where they stand with me...ever!! If you have recieved this link to this blog then go take a look in the mirror because YOU are who I'm talking about!! I don't ever want to take any of you for granted or inconsequential as I remember some really great times with each and every one of you!! Thank you for your friendship(s)! Thank you each for investing time in my life. I am truly greatful and blessed to know all of you!!
Welcome to my new blog page...please leave commentary and ENJOY!!
Blessings to Everyone - much Love!!
Donn
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