Black Face Tuesday

 You see, to the untrained eye that headline would make most people feel uncomfortable. 

But it pales in comparison to having your noise invaded by a swab and how do I link these things together?

Well, as part of my routine maintenance schedule. Today is black bamboo mask Tuesday. I had cleansed said face and shrouded it in hot towels for the recommended amount of time. I then applied the black goop with a plastic brush and paused to admire my work.

Unfortunately, I then had to attend to a phone call. It was reception telling me that I had to go and get the last PCR test of my stay. I said this was fine, I was just doing some treatments and I would be down in a second. So I leapt into the shower and started peeling, gouging and scratching said blackface off. I had barely finished having a shave and my door started knocking…..

It was the Nurses. Luckily I had my large black gown which I use for such occasions. My temperature was fine. I’ve been running quite cool here. Certainly cooler than I do in Europe. 

I went down the lift and I had the final test of my stay here. I can certainly smell Rotorua so I believe I am COVID free.

/0 Comments/by

Dragon Unchained

This post is from the past. The clever thing about blogger and the internet, in general, is that you can write things and then set them to automatically appear as you desire.  

After my somewhat rude awakening, I finished watching Django Unchained. I had started watching it the night before in conjunction with my somewhat crude attempt at having a good nights sleep. I am sure you have seen Django Unchained if you have not and are squeamish wear your COVID mask over your eyes and hold your ears with your hands.

It is terrifyingly violent but extremely satisfying. A slave becomes a freeman rescues his Wife and kills a lot of bad people with some good explosions thrown in for good measure.

I helped a friend with a business project drafting up a very rough spreadsheet with some ideas. I hope it helps him. If it does not I can work on it today. The beauty of having a some what absent schedule.

As the Sun had appeared I thought I should take a walk in our yard. As I went to enter the lift I saw someone leave who looked ill not wearing a mask and somewhat dishevelled. I surmise it was just jet lag but I did take the liberty to lubricate all of the lift buttons with copious amounts of hand sanitiser which is dotted around the premises.

Our yard is on the basement level. It is really the car park but as all the “guests” arrive by bus it serves as a walking track. People walk in a clockwise direction at a slow pace and there is plenty of friendly Army personnel to talk to from a distance. 

I did notice a few salty types. Despite my actual electromechanical tendencies I do know what sailors look like and with a bit of eavesdropping, I learned they are part of the English Americans cup challenge. Grant Dalton if you are reading. They are big units. I hope you guys have got a good program for your boys. 

After my lunch, I think I spent about 5 hours working on a new mix which I shall record as soon as I get back to my decks. I could do it here but the karma and yin/yang and all that jumbo here is a mess.

So I actually feel like I had quite a productive day. It appears if you put Dragons in cages they can be quite industrious. But DONT TELL ANYONE.

Today is actually a Mayan Frequency Shift day.

My last thoughts before I sleep. I have that Friday night feeling that you learn as you discover the world. I feel like I am missing out on something. I wonder to myself in 40 years will I still have that feeling from my sumptuous Dragons Den or will I be a Dragon chained.

/0 Comments/by

Beam Me Up

Under the advice of some podcaster who was babbling to me during my jetlag induced insomnia, I started using an app called Sleep Cycle. Sleep Cycle uses your microphone to gauge how well you are sleeping. After one night use, I have discovered a couple of bugs.

It does not mix well with sleep aids. I had to use a sleep aid last night as I had a nap during the day to pass the time you know how it goes. I also received some coffee from countdown as I felt a bit guilty drinking the hotel out of coffee sachets all the time as much as I enjoy talking to the reception. This meant I drank a bit more coffee than is usual and I did not get to sleep until after 12am.

So at approximately 6:15am I started to hear a weird sound. It was a bit like a star trek transporter sound so from the depths of torpor I began thinking I was finally being taken home to my alien home. About bloody time. 

But alas it was Sleep Cycle politely reminding me that I am alive and I should be doing something. So here I am. I am well. I am seven days into Isolation 7 more to go. After 5 days of using Sleep Cycle, it will tell me if I need to start sleeping in a coffin or uninstall it. Now that is a smart app. Get on your bike.

/0 Comments/by

The Referral Post

Hello all.

We are living in a weird world. I am thankful that I have a job and things are reasonably stable but there are no guarantees.
Preface I am not a financial advisor but if you are interested in cryptocurrencies or saving money on foreign exchange I have a couple of referral links which will help me to help you. The crypto market appears very healthy at the moment with a positive future.
I use transferwise for any payments or subscriptions that are not in my home currency. This saves me money as the exchange rates banks use are not fair. Depending on where you live you can get a debit card as well. 
Crypto I have been using Dollar Cost Averaging every month for the past few years. I have a positive investment. 
I use EasyCrypto to purchase coins. Link
My favourite exchange for trading coins is KuCoin. They have a nice App and the security is top-notch. Link,
Sharsies. A very easy way to invest in the stock market. Sign up and you will get $15 free to invest.
If you want me to write more on my blog click those links and sign up. I have a few ideas one is titled boiling frogs which sounds a lot crazier than it is 🙂
/0 Comments/by

Covid testing update

/0 Comments/by

My thoughts on Isolation

/0 Comments/by

Gratitude

Hello,

On Saturday the 11th of April I made the somewhat puzzling decision to return to work during a pandemic. I was told by my Captain I did not have to return to work.

Why did I run this Gauntlet?

In these strange times, I craved normalcy.

Being cooped up at home reminded me of being on board for a crossing, and after serving a mandatory week of hotel isolation and subsequent test I was in the best vessel for a crossing. A boat.

We are now in a stationary crossing for the foreseeable future. Work needs to be done and my 25 bubble buddies are the best company.

Like a crossing crew activities are a unifying morale boosting antitode for any malaise.

Since I have returned we have.

Done a group fitness class
Had a farewell cocktails and bbq for a departing crew member
Watched films
Made pottery
Played online games (counter strike still sucks)
Weathered a squall
Extensive Karaoke system tests
We even have a small crew gym which I will never complain about again.

Have I mentioned our 3 chefs?

Next week I am going to host a mystic evening. We will have a primal costume party. I am sure more things will be planned.

I always tell people our primary function is hospitality. Adversity makes people revert to core functions and we are doing great work.

Let alone just being able to work or being lucky enough to still have a job.

For all of this I am very grateful.

Thank you universe. My predictions of an incredible 2020 are in tatters but I am very thankful for my current trajectory.

What I wanted was home and home is where ones heart is.

/0 Comments/by

Thank you.

For the past six months I have been wading through a swampish malaise of discontent. Despite my blog or Instagram feed. I am an intensely private person. I tend to sit apart at social gatherings and am fond of letting people come to me.

However, my quagmire has left me to confide in people I trust. When broaching a tender subject it is hard to guage how a person will react. I am happy to say 99% of you have been very thoughtful and kind. I appreciate the checking in and empathy.

To you I thank.

You know I would do the same.

/0 Comments/by

RIP Rikki

2019 still wags it’s tail.

Some sobering news today. One of my Chief Engineers passed away in Antarctica earlier this week.

Rikki was the first Chief who had been younger than me although you would not know it. He had a penchant for wearing some extravagant shirts. His knowledge of birds was second to none.

As an Engineer, Rikki was a fantastic Chief. A calm temperament, great knowledge and he actually got me doing watches underway and changing fuel filters. No small feat. He was also very good with morale. We had regular bonding sessions around a youtube campfire where libations may have been consumed.

We had a great day last year doing a 4×4 excursion in La Paz. I learned a great deal I am not sure he learned much from me.

On our last crossing together we spent many an hour in the Jacuzzi after work bemoaning the lack of alcohol listening to my music with Rikki punctuating with names of birds, migratory habits and diets. He really did know a lot about birds.

When we got to Antibes he started passing himself off as a yacht broker. He really did have some terrible shirts.

Rikki left us July of last year. He joined an expedition boat and was in Antarctica.

We still maintained a healthy amount of banter. On January the 2nd Thomas and I made this video for him.

Link Warning contains profanity, smoke and a rough accent.

Life is fleeting, I’ve always felt I will go out on my own terms but this is very sad. Rikki was just 33 years old. Choosing a life at sea does have an inherent risk. I think the saddest thing is if something goes wrong you may be very far away from your life at home.

I won’t get into details on Rikki’s passing. It doesn’t seem real and we are all hurting in our own way. I am very sad for his young family and for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

What I am happy about is that Rikki was loving Antarctica and the unique fauna.

Goodbye Rikki we shall be drinking out of box 222 for you later.

I am convinced the pain the world is in at the moment is the last death throws of 2019 and a 12-year astrological cycle. The new Chinese new year and 12-year procession will begin on the 25th of January. My birthday. Hang in there.

/0 Comments/by

Bohemia(ns)

I went to Prague for the weekend. It was amazing, I will share some videos and pictures at some point. I am currently reintegrating myself with reality.

Current mood. I feel like I went to heaven for three days and I had to leave prematurely. All I can think about is how do I get back to heaven?

/0 Comments/by