Busy weekend on campus - Friday was the deadline for Global Studies and Maritime Affairs Senior Thesis, which is our equivalent of the mates exam, and so Thursday night we were all up late trying to get it done. Mine, a whopping 57 pages, was turned it at approximately 0635 hours Friday morning. To celebrate, there were a number of parties, but pretty much everyone showed up at Heather and Alicia's post thesis/birthday party which merged with the last rugby social of the year at Brett's place. It was an amazing party, probably one of the last big "college parties" i'll really get to, so I'm glad I decided to go.

And now....it is Saturday. Which means that it is changeover. I don't know if I've blogged about changeover before, but it's a longstanding tradition around here. The idea is this: At the end of the year, right before mates exams, the graduating seniors (1st class cadets or midshipmen) are relieved of their duties to the corps, and to celebrate this, they have a big formal dance. It's kind of like prom around here. It's a big deal, and we get kicked out of almost every place we have it since you know how sailors party. I say almost because we actually managed to reserve the same place this year. SHOCK. At any rate, the actual changeover represents the changing over of the corps of cadets leadership to new people, and everyone collectively rising in rank. The ceremony was at the beginning of march, but since the corps is lame, we are having the dance now instead of then.

I have been sleeping in curlers, y'all. This is serious business - I didn't even do that for prom!

In equally exciting but less positive news, the secret service raided a certain pair of cadets today for counterfeiting and for cocaine sales. Way to give us a good name guys. While I hate to see any body's life ruined, I'm not unhappy that this happened - people like that can't be trusted and frankly, I don't want them in the industry. That behaviour gets people killed. We already have the most dangerous industry in America; more people die a year in the maritime industry than even in mining. I read a statistic once about the cost of life for every ton of cargo brought into this country, and it was chilling. Safety is fucking paramount because lives are at risk and there is only so much you can control when you are at the mercy of the sea. People who you can't trust, who make decisions like that, quite literally get people killed. It isn't a joke, it's not funny, it's the lives of the people you are with and that isn't something that should be taken lightly.

Tuna In The Brine

It's been a wet month. It's been rainy, and many tears have been shed - i'm glad it will be over in an hour or so. Kim told me the other day that January is always the worst month in the year, and I think she's got a point - my mom always told me that getting started is the hardest part.

I've fought with friends this month, very real, awful sort of fights that adults have, not that we have when we're teenagers. Fights about serious subjects and commitments and they haven't all gone well. Some of those fights are over and we've moved past it. Others... I won't say that friendships are over or lost, but we arent speaking. That sort of thing hurts, especially when, in retrospect, I think we both realize that a lot of us not talking is simply out of anger and frustration because we do care, not because we don't. It hurts that we aren't speaking, but I don't think either of us are willing to make the first move just yet. The hurt is still too fresh - I'm sorry, but I'm hurt and wounded too.

We lost another shipmate. A friend, someone who I saw almost every day- Devin Mellinger, who was my Division Commander. He was found in his car on the side of the road last Tuesday, dead from a heart attack. He was my age, and he would have graduated with me in April. I stepped into line during formation on Wednesday, and I saw Nick in front - then Julian made the announcement. I had heard earlier in the day, during my 7:50 class that morning, but it wasn't real until he wasn't standing there, 6 feet from me in line. It's been a lot harder on me than I thought it would be, harder on all of us. We've lost two of our own this past year, and I can't think of the last class that's had any deaths, let alone two - i'm not really sure what to think or feel right now. Devin was a damn fine friend, shipmate, marine, and human being.

The wind is whistling, the building is infested with ants, its raining cats and dogs, I lost my keys.

Bring on month 2, 2008.

Deadliest Catch

Just finished up watching a marathon of this show - which is, for many reasons, extremely popular here at the academy. A lot of guys here grew up on crab boats in the berring sea, or fishing in the area. Crab-stories are pretty common but they never cease to enthrall. Sea stories - the ones at sea and the ones on liberty - are in full supply and you'll definitely hear the good ones more than once. There are plenty of stories about drunken liberties, daring escapes, insane saves, and big hauls. There are lessons learned, traditions upheld, and superstitions proven with years and years of experience and knowledge.

But there are plenty of stories that are spoken without laughs, in somber tones on the mess deck. Because not everyone makes it home, and many are claimed by the sea - it's more common than people think.

There were 3 deaths and 2 people pulled out of the water this season (one by the coast guard, one by one of the ships); which definitely hits close to home for mariners. We train extensively for man overboard situations - you wouldnt believe how often - so that when it happens, you can respond fast enough to make sure that you DO save lives - not lose one.

Going to sea is inherently extremely dangerous. There are around 2000 deaths at sea every year - thats ~166 a month. The industry is VERY small, and every time you hear about losing a man at sea, it tugs at your heart - because it could have been you, one of your guys, and sometimes there is literally nothing you can do.

Watching the guys on the Time Bandit pull a fellow fisherman up - i have to tell you that my heart caught in my throat and I was damned teary eyed when they saved him.

Here's to my shipmates - those out at sea and those heading out soon - stay safe, stay smart, stay aware of yourself and your equipment.

Fair skies and fair seas, friends.