[jthomas1600]

It seems I don't update this much anymore. It seems my life has gotten fairly mundane. I'm at work, so we sit in the harbor for a few days, we go to sea for a few days, we sit in the harbor for a few days, we go...... See my point? Not really much to update.

Well, I have been learning to play the guitar this hitch. I've owned guitars off and on over the last 20+ years, but I've never really developed any proficiency. I usually just turn the distortion up and rehash different versions of the same half dozen riffs I know. This time down in Brazil though I have purchased an acoustic guitar and am actually learning chords and now starting to learn which ones fit into which keys.

Still working on my Portuguese. Words are hard, especially when they're not in your own languages. One of my deckhands speaks passable broken English and wants to learn more, so I am teaching him English and in the process he is helping me with Portuguese.

Our sewage drain pipes failed at my house. I am not home so my wife has had to deal with it. My son ithomas1600 has been helping dig up the old pipes. Thanks son. The workers will have to remove the part of the deck and cut into the foundation to complete the job. Total estimated cost? $3,000. I'm in the process of accumulating some new music gear. That process has just ground to a halt. $3,000!?!?!?!?!!???? that's crazy.

Anyway that's probably all the update for a day or two. Well, for now anyway.

[bravesfan007]

It's amazing how much repairs cost. It's even worse when you're not capable of fixing them yourself. I doubt your life is that mundane. I mean, mine is probably worse.

[jthomas1600]

OK, since it seems like everyone else posts a quiz, I guess I will. And yes, if all my friends jumped off a cliff so would I.

27 Fun But Very Random Questions Survey
27 Random Survey Questions Just For You.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
Dang, I'm getting old

2. How much cash do you have on you?
About 70 reals (Brazil) and about $30 U S

3. What's a word that rhymes with "DOOR?"
Floor

4. Favorite planet?
Pluto
5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
Can't check my U S phone from here

6. What is your favorite ring on your phone?
They all ring the same

7. What shirt are you wearing?
Green T

8. Do you "label" yourself?
Sure

9. Name the brand of your shoes you're currently wearing?
New Ballance

10. Bright or Dark Room?
Bright

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
No comment

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Working at an offshore drill ship

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
There's no jobs in the U S

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
Since I'm in South America, I guess the Florida keys

16. What's a word that you say a lot?
Noa intende...Portuguese for "I don't understand"

17.Who told you he/she loved you last?
The wife

18. Last furry thing you touched?
My face

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
Does tylonal count?

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
None

21. Favorite age you have been so far?
32

22. Your worst enemy?
Myself?

23. What is your current desktop picture?
My H D Sportster

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
I'll call you if I need you.

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
Fly

26. Do you like someone?
I like everyone

27. The last song you listened to?
Don't know

Take this survey

[jthomas1600]

OK, back from the deep. We were out 4 days and spent the first two getting our buts kicked. Feel like I went 3 rounds with Randy Couture. Spent last night at anchorage though and got some pretty good sleep. If they let us sit for one more night I'll be good to go again. We had to get a replacement for our galley hand because he couldn't handle this boat...was seasick the whole time. Been there, done that, it's no fun.

[dogfood]

seasick would be ok......your stew would just be a different colour most of the time

[jthomas1600]

The number of offshore drilling rigs i the U.S. Gulf of Mexico increased by two in the last month or so...while two is not a significant number it's at least a good trend. The price of oil has been mid $60s-$70ish for a few months now....that's right about where it should be. Now, if this dang "cap and trade" legislation would just be done and over with, maybe there will be a job in U.S. waters for me so I can go home. Brazil is a nice place to visit, but....

[bravesfan007]

I am royally opposed to the cap and trade legislation as it stands. And it's not just for the obvious reasons either.

[jthomas1600]

I made about 20 job inquiries over the weekend and I had a lead this morning. The starting pay was about 40% less than I'm making now. I had a pretty good chat with the guy and told him I would think things over, but I think we both knew I couldn't take the job. I'm not sure if I should be a little bummed the pay was so low or a little encouraged to stumble upon someone who's hiring right away. I guess I'm a little of both. We're leaving tonight, so I won't be able to check email or take phone calls until probably on Wed. I will be anxious while we are out wondering if there are any more job leads. I'm prepared to take a pay cut so I can be home more, I just don't think I can take one that deep.

[bravesfan007]

Yeah, a 40% pay cut is just ridiculous. I don't think I could survive if I had to take a pay cut like that without at least adding another part time job. I'm sure something will come up along the way, in God's timing. It may take some time, but you'll get something.

Even though you won't read this until you're back in contact, stay safe.