I didn't plan very well again...
If you make spontaneous decisions to move to a new place, don't have any expectations.
Ah so I didn't get the job working for STA. It's a travel agency that mostly serves college students, including helping them set up work/study abroad programs. AHHHHHGH! I thought the interview last week went pretty well - we chatted for over an hour, and although I never prepare for interviews I thought it went pretty well. I think I got cocky earlier in life, sure that I could get a job so easily. It's not often that I interview for something and don't get it. In fact, now that I think about it, until Austin it's never happened! The manager said whether I would be hired or not, she would contact me today. I called first thing this morning and she said she wasn't ready yet. I got a letter later in the day saying I wasn't hired.
I must rant more about this: I have experience in all fields of tourism except being an actual travel agent. Between jobs in Seattle, Hawaii, the Grand Canyon and on the boats, I've been a tour guide, a group escort, a reservations coordinator, an event planner, a group sales account manager, I've done some accounts A/R, some marketing... so I really must believe that they hired 3 actual travel agents to fill the positions that they said did not require experience as an actual travel agent. Yet the formulaic letter sent said while my resume reflects "real potential for success in the working world" they found someone with "considerably more experience".
I'm obviously not a grammar hound but that last comment wasn't even worded properly.
OK! Enough ranting. There's another place that has offered me a job. It's in a basement warehouse doing inventory on computer parts. By myself. And I'm going to take it because I'm broke, and the cost of living in Austin is pretty low, so even at $9 an hour I'll save more than I spend each month.
Once I get a car I can drive out to the sail loft and start working there. What I don't want to believe is that I didn't get the travel job because I'm older than the other employees. I'd rather find out that they were going to hire friends anyway and were only doing interviews to fill some quotas. There's been a help wanted ad online for weeks for one of the few marinas north of here, but again, I don't have a car. The buses don't go out too far. The other possibility is that I'm not getting work because I have a bad attitude. I haven't been too ecstatic about being here. It's like a replay of my two months on Tortola when it comes to my bad attitude and the job search. Whether it's an interview or a phone call, that tone in my voice might be convincing people that I'm a bit pessimistic.
I don't have to stay at this other job forever. I'll make enough to study & test for my maritime licensing, and to take some rockclimbing classes, and maybe also buy a beater car to go out to Galveston and volunteer aboard Elissa. Other things I want to do: save to hike the Scottish Highlands, hike to Havasupai Falls, take Landon to visit Washington, and participate in the Antigua Classics race next year.
Ah so I didn't get the job working for STA. It's a travel agency that mostly serves college students, including helping them set up work/study abroad programs. AHHHHHGH! I thought the interview last week went pretty well - we chatted for over an hour, and although I never prepare for interviews I thought it went pretty well. I think I got cocky earlier in life, sure that I could get a job so easily. It's not often that I interview for something and don't get it. In fact, now that I think about it, until Austin it's never happened! The manager said whether I would be hired or not, she would contact me today. I called first thing this morning and she said she wasn't ready yet. I got a letter later in the day saying I wasn't hired.
I must rant more about this: I have experience in all fields of tourism except being an actual travel agent. Between jobs in Seattle, Hawaii, the Grand Canyon and on the boats, I've been a tour guide, a group escort, a reservations coordinator, an event planner, a group sales account manager, I've done some accounts A/R, some marketing... so I really must believe that they hired 3 actual travel agents to fill the positions that they said did not require experience as an actual travel agent. Yet the formulaic letter sent said while my resume reflects "real potential for success in the working world" they found someone with "considerably more experience".
I'm obviously not a grammar hound but that last comment wasn't even worded properly.
OK! Enough ranting. There's another place that has offered me a job. It's in a basement warehouse doing inventory on computer parts. By myself. And I'm going to take it because I'm broke, and the cost of living in Austin is pretty low, so even at $9 an hour I'll save more than I spend each month.
Once I get a car I can drive out to the sail loft and start working there. What I don't want to believe is that I didn't get the travel job because I'm older than the other employees. I'd rather find out that they were going to hire friends anyway and were only doing interviews to fill some quotas. There's been a help wanted ad online for weeks for one of the few marinas north of here, but again, I don't have a car. The buses don't go out too far. The other possibility is that I'm not getting work because I have a bad attitude. I haven't been too ecstatic about being here. It's like a replay of my two months on Tortola when it comes to my bad attitude and the job search. Whether it's an interview or a phone call, that tone in my voice might be convincing people that I'm a bit pessimistic.
I don't have to stay at this other job forever. I'll make enough to study & test for my maritime licensing, and to take some rockclimbing classes, and maybe also buy a beater car to go out to Galveston and volunteer aboard Elissa. Other things I want to do: save to hike the Scottish Highlands, hike to Havasupai Falls, take Landon to visit Washington, and participate in the Antigua Classics race next year.
Stuff I Did
Got free tickets to a minor league baseball game... the big storm that rolled in during the 8th inning was pretty cool. 
The other night we went to San Marcos. First stop was the Showdown bar, then an old abandoned frat house, then at 2am we climbed stuff at "Wonderworld".
Something Greater
I DEFINITELY need a psychologist. Therapist. Whatever. I have no motivation when I am not working long hard days on a boat. I sit around and my muscles turn to jelly. In the last 24 hours my boyfriend crafted a new computer out of 2 old ones so I would have one when he takes his laptop on his trip next month, he made me breakfast (ok so it was scrambled eggs with hot dogs on toast, but STILL...), he drove me to my job interview so I wouldn't have to find parking, he picked up around the house, he brought home dinner and bought me some treats, and most of the time I've been depressed and acting like a whiny ungrateful bitch.
There exists in me an attitude that I can do just about anything well, and while that might be true, I can't seem to find the motivation to START doing anything unless I feel like there's some purpose to my actions. Something that's greater than me, or my relationship, or even my family. I hate to admit that last one. But I might as well because my little sister would like me around more and I'm far away, and my mom, even though she was an irresponsible mother and didn't raise me, could use my help too.
I guess what I have to realize that by getting my ass in gear and making myself function and be better every day, that I can reach my ultimate goals sooner and thereafter do all the greater things I see in my future...
Besides all that...
I came upon two great websites today. One was forwarded to me from my girlfriend in LA:
postsecret.blogspot.com
and the other is a very well put together online travel magazine
pology.com
Check 'em out Y'ALL (oh jeez!)
There exists in me an attitude that I can do just about anything well, and while that might be true, I can't seem to find the motivation to START doing anything unless I feel like there's some purpose to my actions. Something that's greater than me, or my relationship, or even my family. I hate to admit that last one. But I might as well because my little sister would like me around more and I'm far away, and my mom, even though she was an irresponsible mother and didn't raise me, could use my help too.
I guess what I have to realize that by getting my ass in gear and making myself function and be better every day, that I can reach my ultimate goals sooner and thereafter do all the greater things I see in my future...
Besides all that...
I came upon two great websites today. One was forwarded to me from my girlfriend in LA:
postsecret.blogspot.com
and the other is a very well put together online travel magazine
pology.com
Check 'em out Y'ALL (oh jeez!)
Cabelas Taxidermy Mecca
Hmmm... so I'm spending lots of time looking for a job. Mason? Are you reading this? Yeah, I'm in the EXACT same situation as you were, except I'm lacking skills. Numchuck skills, taxidermy skills... skills that might get me by in a landlocked city. Sure I have skills that might put me behind a desk or stove, but, you know what I'm saying. Is there anything in Austin that I want to do anyway? Other than work at the farmers market, rebuild trails and maybe Habitat for Humanity? Until I get a car I can't work at the sail loft that is a 45 min drive away. I may very well be serving ice cream to the fine population of Austin until I can buy a car.
Anyway, my Aunt Beth and Uncle Gary, travel the country in their liveaboard tractor-trailer, passed through Austin and were able to hang out with Tenacious and I for a few days. Tenacious and Auntie were going on about the outdoor retail chain known as Cabelas, and how they were so huge and had EVERYTHING. Since Tenacious and I are beyond broke, and it's rockin' hot in Central Texas, AND I need to try on some climbing harnesses for when I DO have some dinero, we thought we'd check out this place that's supposed to rival even the downtown Seattle flagship REI store...
This was Cabela's grand opening in the town of Buda (pronounced BYOOdah of course) so outside of the giant costco sized store it was carnival-like, with a giant Dallas Cowboys trailer selling hats and tshirts, a chainsaw demo tent, a funnel cake trailer, some nascar looking cars, and other manly displays, with a few plastic kayaks piled in a distant corner behind the 20 uhaul sized barbecues on trailers for cooking stuff like whole cows and the like. 
When you first enter the actual store, you are first stunned at the vast warehouse of consumer goods, the crowds, and the dead animals. They even have dead Canadian geese flying in formation!!!
There's a 3000 square foot room, and a few other rooms that are fair attempts to look like a Texas version of the Natural History Museum in Victoria, BC. All representing the animals that are either native to Texas, or exotics that have been brought here for Big Game Hunting fun. The species that are still present in Texas can be killed with guns and gadgets bought in the retail areas. You can also buy motion detectors to make your hunting work a little easier. Lazy hunting isn't exclusive to Texas. My dad hunts one deer per year in Eastern Washington and said that lots of people just shoot from their trucks on the remote dirt roads. 
What I found interesting was that even with these large crowds, I didn't hear ANYONE complaining about their inability to get around the store (besides myself and my aunt, both a little overwhelmed). My other complaint was that they had NO CLIMBING HARNESSES! Holy canolies we thought they would have EVERYTHING. So I'll have to go to REI after all. These guys at Cabela's are getting enough business anyway. Believe it or not, they had an even better marine section than the WestMarine here, though neither carry any seine twine. My kingdom for some seine twine! "Sane Twine" we'll call it. 
Hey at least the Carhartt trailer was set up outside. I bummed some stickers for my new nalgene bottle, a catalog and some Carhartt sticky notes!
Coming soon: A look at the abundance of sickeningly beautiful women in Austin (like LA without plastic surgery) that make me feel like the worlds biggest tomboy. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, unless it's one of those days when I'm actually feeling feminine yet still only wearing zip off cargo pants, chacos and a tall ship tee.
Ivan & Dennis are not your friends.
Alan Kerstetter, on the right, has a little boat that he's sailing up the East Coast. He sustained minor damage during the recent hurricanes.
As the Seas Churn
So here I am in Austin, Texas. There's no denying it - my adjustment to land is not going to be easy. It's one thing to know that another boat job is just around the corner, or to have the ocean at my doorstep when living on the coast... but right now I forsee several months without sailing or seeing much saltwater, and those thoughts torment me.
Within the the last week I've had unexpected phone calls from 3 old shipmates. None of which I had spoken to or seen for over a year. A few emails here and there, but that's it. The first was from Shawn Strange aboard Tole Mour. She spoke of her adventures in New Zealand and her time aboard Soren Larsen. She sounds very happy to be back aboard Tole for the summer. Then last night, Tuvalu called and we talked at length about her new baby, Mathilde, and the practice of "Attachment Parenting". She also said that Micah is working hard to help Highlander Sea's new owner, Jim Acheson, restore the boat to proper sailing condition. Alan Kerstetter called to say his boat got a bit dinged up in the recent hurricanes - I have yet to speak with him in person on the phone though. He sounds healthy and happy though!
It's been great to hear from people at a time when I need that most. My boyfriend is very loving and understanding but we can't talk boats much so it's nice that old friends call and satisfy that need. And I'd rather be here with him right now - while I miss the crews and the boats already, there's a need to follow through on some important studying/licensing before I return to the sailing world in the capacity that I desire (AB or Mate). Being in Austin is good because there's some lakes people actually sail on, I'll be taking my tests 4 hours away in Houston, I can volunteer aboard Elissa in Galveston, and most importantly I can be with Landon. While it has kicked me in the ass many times before, I still believe that love is worth pursuing wholeheartedly, so I've made some temporary compromises with myself.
On a sadder note, the new owner of Hawaiian Chieftain (renamed Spirit of Larinda) died recently. Click on the link to see a nice page dedicated to him.
And then I read that Daniel Macke's boat "Sjovind" washed ashore a few days ago and now needs major repairs. Everything he owns is soaked in oily saltwater.
I'm going to remind myself to lighten up and be thankful for all the comforts in my life.
Within the the last week I've had unexpected phone calls from 3 old shipmates. None of which I had spoken to or seen for over a year. A few emails here and there, but that's it. The first was from Shawn Strange aboard Tole Mour. She spoke of her adventures in New Zealand and her time aboard Soren Larsen. She sounds very happy to be back aboard Tole for the summer. Then last night, Tuvalu called and we talked at length about her new baby, Mathilde, and the practice of "Attachment Parenting". She also said that Micah is working hard to help Highlander Sea's new owner, Jim Acheson, restore the boat to proper sailing condition. Alan Kerstetter called to say his boat got a bit dinged up in the recent hurricanes - I have yet to speak with him in person on the phone though. He sounds healthy and happy though!
It's been great to hear from people at a time when I need that most. My boyfriend is very loving and understanding but we can't talk boats much so it's nice that old friends call and satisfy that need. And I'd rather be here with him right now - while I miss the crews and the boats already, there's a need to follow through on some important studying/licensing before I return to the sailing world in the capacity that I desire (AB or Mate). Being in Austin is good because there's some lakes people actually sail on, I'll be taking my tests 4 hours away in Houston, I can volunteer aboard Elissa in Galveston, and most importantly I can be with Landon. While it has kicked me in the ass many times before, I still believe that love is worth pursuing wholeheartedly, so I've made some temporary compromises with myself.
On a sadder note, the new owner of Hawaiian Chieftain (renamed Spirit of Larinda) died recently. Click on the link to see a nice page dedicated to him.
And then I read that Daniel Macke's boat "Sjovind" washed ashore a few days ago and now needs major repairs. Everything he owns is soaked in oily saltwater.
I'm going to remind myself to lighten up and be thankful for all the comforts in my life.
Nice Glass
Jesika and I walked past Tacoma's Museum of Glass last night, on our way to Harmon's Brewpub (serving Lady Washington Pale Ale) and "The Swiss", serving up plenty of cheesy music, good beer and entertaining customers.
Upon our return to the docks we found young Killops prancing about with a gaggle of hippies. We set in for an intervention, but instead I lost Jesika due to her desire to waltz.
Upon our return to the docks we found young Killops prancing about with a gaggle of hippies. We set in for an intervention, but instead I lost Jesika due to her desire to waltz.
We Report to YOU
The Mexicans from Cuauhtemoc don't know us, they just want their picture taken with us.
Drew and Jes at the "Crew Lounge" on the dock, serving FREE BEER for tall ship crew!
Here's Steve Dilley (green hat) and Dave (cowboy hat) with other Adventuress/Zodiac crew. Steve and I crewed on Lady in 2003 and I met Dave long ago at a party at Adrian Lipp's place in Ballard. Cool to see old friends.
The ever-jovial Rafqui Mendez and Shawn "Get a load of these" Jonutz, with Valerie in the foreground
A little advertising for the local news found last night.
Drew and Jes at the "Crew Lounge" on the dock, serving FREE BEER for tall ship crew!
Here's Steve Dilley (green hat) and Dave (cowboy hat) with other Adventuress/Zodiac crew. Steve and I crewed on Lady in 2003 and I met Dave long ago at a party at Adrian Lipp's place in Ballard. Cool to see old friends.
The ever-jovial Rafqui Mendez and Shawn "Get a load of these" Jonutz, with Valerie in the foreground
A little advertising for the local news found last night.
Guess who just turned 32???
My birthday was the 28th of June. I spent it on an 8 hour sail with 56 passengers from Port Angeles to Port Townsend. They were a nice crowd, even though the wind was a bit disappointing. Upon arrival in P.T., we were met by Bob Esposito, Nate, Sara, and Daniel Macke, all ex-Lady crew. Several of us went up to Brion Toss's rigging loft, met the author of "Rigger's Apprentice" (he was excited about my Elissa shirt, as he'd rigged her when they first dragged her out of the Med.). We drank grog at his loft, and he met our bosun Shawn, who was so impressed that he took him out for dinner. The rest of us headed over to Water Street Brewery, where a girl named Autumn immediately bought Jesika, Leeann and I shots of Jager, then proceeded to get very excited about my birthday and left, only to come back with a chocolate cupcake with a lit birthday candle. I don't know her, but she was fun. We drank some beer and then moved onto the bar Sirens, where Kevin Mckee joined our crowd, and we had a few more beers. My birthday won't go away, though. For three days my birthday cake sat in the saloon. Nick was getting antsy, but nobody had the energy to cut it. We've been pretty busy. We finally cut it yesterday and it's almost gone, but the "Hey Kim! Happy Birthday!"'s just keep coming. Although I think the crew is now using it as an excuse to get strangers to buy us drinks at the bar...
Right now I'm sitting in the FREE internet cafe provided by the lovely Tacoma volunteers, who also do our LAUNDRY, take out our TRASH, and best of all... check in our passengers and make our manifests! It's awesome. I'm looking out over the decks of Cuautemoc and Pallada, listening to the Russian anthem being blasted over their speakers. I'm slowly handing my duties as Steward over to Nathalie, and I think she'll be great at it. So she's on the evening sail instead of me, and I'm due to meet Jesika for drinks later. But I'm freakin tired, so we'll see.
In just a few days I'm leaving this all behind and moving to Austin. I'll miss it, but it's good to leaving something when it's going great, rather than when it sucks. It'll inspire me to take care of what I need to do to get back to it in the future.
I missed my Soul Brother, Nate Killops! It was great to see Nate and Sara, returned from their 6 months overseas, and on my birthday!
JB posing with a goatee full of bone beads and an outfit that qualifies him as an 1980's Mediterreanean Playboy I think
PALLADA! The Russian cadets and Shiny (none of them are allowed to drink) peering over the rest of us with our pitchers.
