I'll never take my own bed for granted again, pinky promise.

With prospect of finally staying overnight in a n actual bed, I'm started to think I may be pampering myself. The place we're looking at staying is a privately owned little hotel with a nice little get up. A relaxing-looking pool with a bar in the water, free WiFi interwebz that I might finally get to video chat with my wife and daughter after 2 1/2 months. It will be a nice chance to take it easy and lie down in bed and watch some TV, maybe see some sights and get some more souvenirs.

My souvenirs, may I add, are staring to pile up and I've had to find a new hding spot for them during our space inspections.

During this time I'll actually sit down and post some pictures to this blog, laong with my Facebook profile. Something that is long overdue for anyone who keeps up with this blog. I'll post some pics of the place I'll be staying also, though I can't disclose quite where it is yet.

Interesting note; someone in Shanghai, China is checking out this blog. Friend? Foe? Ni Hao!

A peek into my small world

Some of the folks that read this blog have been asking me what it's like to live as a Tin Can Sailor. Well, I figured it was about time to post some pictures I was able to snag from my wife when she visited my berthing area.






When I lay on my back in the rack I'm able to bend my arm at the elbow and touch the top of the rack. There is a gap of about 6 inches from the bottom of my mattress to the very end of the enclosure that is my rack, my feet hang off this gap onto the cold metal. I've made a habit of putting my old fleece sleeping bag in that area to keep out the cold air.

I've actually attached velcro to the top of the rack so I can put my iPad up there to watch movies or TV shows. Works pretty well, imagine sitting really close to a big screen TV.

You can't see them in these pictures, but I've put pictures of my loved one on the side of the wall inside, where I sleep.

Things I just remembered that I do underway:

1. When no one is looking I dance to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance", ala On The Rocks a capela group.

2. Listen to more country music than is good for me...for anyone.

3. Even though I am a straight male I tell many, many men that I would sleep with them for money...or to trade deck watches.

4. Speak in a different language. Ex; Hey Scotty, I'm running down to the head in berthing and will stopping at the scuttlebutt to fill my camelback. Need anything from the geedunk machine? Also, we need to take a look at the DPD because it looks like we have a phase alignment issue, could see something do do with the CFA reverse power problem. TWT...

5. Every movie on SITE TV is a true story that I would rather live in for an hour and a half.

6. A whiteboard is a primary means of communication through the watches.

7. The blue lights in combat are the best cure for insomnia, I don't care how much caffine one has. the deathly pale blue lights in CIC will consume your soul and life.

That being said...

8. A coffee machine in your workspace is on par to being in jail but being able to make your own toilet wine.

9. I'm pretty sure the Justin Timberlake bobble head standing beside said coffee maker in workspace follows me with it's eyes and plans to kill me if I nod off while working on paperwork by the computer. Send help.

10. Days no longer matter, only hours...That you coordinate different events within.