Take a Deep Breath

Verrazano Narrows Bridge,NYC

Portland Head Light,Maine

"The Hump"Hudson River,New York

It's all becoming so clear to me now,I need to get away and clear my mind.Yes the road trip of awesome I had planned for this Summer has been planned then canned.I changed companies and with doing so,changed my dates off work to a very unclear picture.Now it's starting to take shape and maybe,just maybe,the road trip will still take place.If it happens great,if not,I'm still getting out of town because I need a break.In the meantime,I'll just be happy to have scored the same job, at a bigger company, making more money,winning.It's been a hectic few weeks and I can't wait to get outside and let my mind relax and maybe try some fishing in an area I'm unfamiliar with.We have been working all over the NYC harbor hauling the American favorite gasoline.We did make a trip up to Albany,which I have been to before,and it's always great to take in the fresh mountain air.It's almost like a line drawn on a map,the city melts away and the next thing you know you are staring at gorgeous green mountains full of life.Lighthouses that date back hundreds of years and sailing on one of the most historic waterways in the United Sates.We also took a trip to Maine,only my second trip there.The New England area held up to all that was expected,fog.I have been working the water for over seven years,almost four offshore and I have seen my share of fog.I have never seen fog this thick that lasted literally for days.Sitting in the upper wheelhouse felt like being in a strange dream,thick with clouds,not knowing which way was up.At that point you are completely at the mercy of your instruments.lord help the lobster boat that doesn't have a radar.When the sun did come out,the day we left Maine,I did manage to take a few pictures of Porland Head Lighthouse.I'm told it's one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.I can imagine when the nor easters blow in it makes for some awesome pictures with the waves crashing over the island.The fog quickly moved back in when we approached Buzzards Bay tower,later New England.So one week left then I get a break,I can do this!

In Demand

It's quite a new feeling for me at work,the feeling of being needed.Not that I have changed in any way,just the surroundings.I'm trying to settle in at the new company,yes I got the job,and it has been a stressful but fulfilling week.Making calls to my last employer to finding my way to a company bunkhouse in NYC had me on edge.Staying in said bunkhouse with a few strangers from all parts of the country made it a little easier.I sat back and realized I'm not the only one that feels it.For sure we won't all make it to permanent employment but some of us might.When I arrived at my new boat I was greeted with a hey @%$! let's go!Yes,Yankees,lots of them and in full effect.I find them funny because of the open behavior of I don't care they love to display.So that's where my life is right now.I missed my fishing trip to the mountains but the mountains will always be there or so I hope.I'm taking plenty of pictures of the big stinky apple and when I find a moment I will but together a more in depth writing of my first week in the big leagues.

I Got Your Change!

So the time has come,Summer time,bass fishing,sun bathing,changing employers.WHAT?No seriously it's happening.After almost 4 years with my current employer I have started the ball rolling and frankly it doesn't seem to want to stop.I need to say a few things about my current employer and some of the employees.I HATE YOU!I kid,I kid,seriously I will miss you and thanks for the opportunity and training and seamanship blah blah blah.Now on to the real deal.I'm so nervous,I have never done this and well I'm man enough to say I'm scared as goose poo.I'm 32 and only once have I taken a chance and it worked out well.That chance was my current employer calling me and sending me on a tug to Guatemala,El Salvador and Panama.It worked out well and I'm way better off now than I was 4 years ago.That being said,there are much better and bigger chances to be taken.I eventually grew a set last week and asked for a raise,I haven't had one in over three years.I was told to kick rocks essentially.This made the Dude mad and well i used some contacts I have gained over the last few years and BAM here we are.I fly out in the morning to NYC to see if this is the next stage and I hope it is.As long as I keep telling myself "in a few days this will get easier" I should be ok,right?Sorry everybody for the work related posts over the last few weeks but that's what this blog is,my life.Fortunately for you my life consists of work and outside activities so that's all I will right about.Reasons for switching companies,much more money,room for advancement,constant work and MONEY.I have been out fishing and had some good luck so I will post pics and a post in the next week or so.Wish me luck and get outside people!

It's been a real struggle to keep my head on straight the last few weeks.My last blog post didn't go over well with some fellow mariners but I still stand by what I said.I want to add though that it's the way I feel about the subject which doesn't mean it's entirely correct.That being said I need a break!Hauling coal up and down the Chesapeake Bay is one thing,try doing it a man short and it makes it that much mo betta!Then the boat gets kicked off contract on the hottest part of the year so far and we go to the shipyard for some intense manual labor.Let's follow that up by me taking a stand and asking for a raise for the first time in three years and getting completely shot down.So it's time to move on,the resume has been emailed and although I don't have concrete offers I have been talking to several different companies.Credentials will be faxed in next week when I get home and I really do hope something comes through.I have been with my company for almost four years and I really don't want to leave.All signs are pushing me out the door though.Everything from more money,better benefits,less actual time worked which equals more time at home and paid education.That's the key right there,who wants to send the dude to school to get my captains licence.So that's where we are and I'm trying not to stress over the inevitable changes that may occur in the next few weeks.I hope to get outdoors and do some fishing in between the hunt for a new company.Take care everybody and get outside because I can't!

Favoritism,Unions and The Smell of B.S.

This is the part of the blog where I get angry at work,put my foot in my mouth and spend a few months explaining to co-workers that I wasn't in fact bitching about them.Watermen,Seaman,Merchant Marines,whatever you call them they have been around for a very long time.The major companies have been around for a very long time and so have the Unions.I'm not necessarily for or against Unions.I am however against favoritism which the Unions don't even try to hide.The current company I work for is a typical old school Southern non union company,a dieing trend in this industry.Given the current economic situation in the world I decided last year to spruce up my resume and see what was out there.Yeah I know,great timing numb nuts.Leave it to me to pick the worst time to try and switch companies.So I decided to look into unionized companies.I made some calls,I mailed some resumes,I even banged on a few doors.What it all boiled down to is that I wasn't born into the industry,I had no relatives in the union and they had hundreds of capable men waiting in the union halls for very few jobs.So why would they still try to convince me to pay dues?Why would they tell me they could help me if I helped them.I actually went to a union hall which on a good day is a sketchy place.Over fifty men showed up at 7am for what turned out to be 3 jobs.Guess who got the jobs,some guys who weren't even there.Explain that to me!This leads me back to let's call it a completely fictitious story.

So I know this guy who has worked on the water his entire life.He decided to tamper with a random urine test and got caught.The company then decided to hire him a lawyer free of charge.He ended up getting a light suspension,one year,and is working on the water making the same pay as an advisor.Somebody want to explain to me how this is fair?Well it's not but it is a non union company that can hire or fire anyone for any reason at anytime with no explanation.AMERICA!That's the deal I guess,it smells like B.S. to me but it pays the bills.I wouldn't say it's the worst thing I have seen happen.A non union company can have favorites just like a union does.That's how it works in today's world and I have come to terms with it.It's all in who you know and what have you done for me lately.Will it ever change?I think it will,I'm almost positive it will only get worse.So what am I going to do.I'm going to do what my dad always told me to do,"keep your nose clean son".

A Perfect Day

yes it's a Chevy,I know

2011 Yankees

100 mph fastball by the one and only Mariano Rivera

The old saying,when it's good it's great,has been stuck in my head over the last few weeks.My highly anticipated,by me,trip to Maryland to watch the Yankees play went as the saying goes.More on this part of the last few weeks in a moment.Let's flip the script for a second,when it's bad it only gets worse.I have been on the look out for a used small 4 wheel drive truck for the last few months.I have done my research and I have test driven,drove,whatever,way to many trucks.I found a few that I liked but wasn't willing to pay what they were asking,so I kept looking.I took a drive 80 miles north and found a vehicle that I settled for,first mistake.It's a nice truck,with a powerful motor,4 wheel drive bla bla bla.The key was it was in my price range and everything SEEMED to be in good working order so I bought it.The next day I took it up the road to have it checked out,yes after I purchased it.My father is reading this and now wants to slap me.I never do stupid crap with my money,EVER.So the short of it,1600 dollars worth of repairs,300 reimbursed from dealer so I'm out 1300 and change.The vehicle that was in my price range quickly went out of my price range.So I got the truck back the day I came back to work and literally have not driven it but for 7 miles.All I know is that damn truck better be solid as a rock and do what I need it to do.It's my first Chevrolet so you can see how this isn't a great start but I'm willing to give it a try still.So what about when it's good it's great.

The short trip to Maryland has been in the works for over a month so there wasn't much that would keep me from it,including the rapture.The truck of doom wasn't repaired in time for the trip so a last minute call had me packing up the Ford Ranger that I love and will never betray again.I arrived in Maryland in time to help move some concrete around at one of Swamp Thing friends house.It's one of those help me with this and I will take you hunting later this year.I usually jump on these opportunities as we both did this one.After a few hours of sledgehammer swinging and wheelbarrows full of concrete we retreated for the night.The next day had us up early dropping Swampy little one off and us on the road to the Eastern Shore,I think.I get a bit confused but I know we stopped by Havre de Grace and then to Elk Neck Sate Forrest,I think.A little noon time fishing,with great results and then on to the great event,the Yankees game.At this point I should let you all know,I have been to a few major league games and hundreds of minor league games.Never have I had the seats we had at this Yankees vs. Orioles game.The only way to describe it is awesome.Great view,courteous employees,decent baseball fans,just decent though,it was Baltimore not New York.After 15 innings of baseball,yes 15,the Yankees won,no matter how ugly it was.A long day for sure,followed by another early wake up call so i could get on the road and get home.Upon returning home I retrieved the Chevrolet and went back to work.Like a charm everything worked out.Now I sit here pondering how to invest my money in a 401k.Yeah somewhere along the line I started thinking about the future,I'm still dealing with it.

Nottoway River Finally

I finally made it out to fish The Nottoway River/Swamp a few days ago and it was a blast.Let's start this off with,I bought a new used truck,with 4 wheel drive.The next day I set out with my old truck,2 wheel drive,and ended up at the wrong boat ramp because I stink with directions.It's not so bad,I ended up at a ramp on the correct body of water.The "ramp" was more like a ravine cut into the hillside and I really could have used my new truck and it's 4 wheel drive.Oh well I out the old ranger to the test and it did fine actually,a bit scary though.I met some great older folks out fishing for panfish and catfish.The fishing was good,I caught about a dozen panfish and one bass.Having never been to that River I consider it a good day.I even found a completely legal duck blind tucked into the swamp,quite odd in an area that is overrun by deer hunters.I almost lost the lower unit off my outboard on a random log three inches below the surface in the middle of the River.I'm hoping to get out one more time before I go back to work but I'm cutting it close.I will just let the pictures do the talking.Enjoy the weather while you can and GET OUTSIDE!