Sunday Jack: Parlay

I'm going to have to ask for Parlay on this post.  My son has been in the hospital and my oldest daughter is making her way out of a bad situation to join us here.  All is well, but brain is fried!  I just haven't had time to write the last couple of days.  So, look for a psycho post tomorrow and a GREAT Tuesday Travel!  Later Mates and thanks for your support!

Parlalu, Parli, Parlo, Parsnip, Parsley....Parlay!!  That's the one!

Saturday Simple Inspiration: Doubts

"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."

William Shakespeare

And that, is the absolute truth. Don't doubt, just give good ideas a go. You never know where conquering your fears and acting with faith will lead you.

Friday Life's Personal Journal: Dolphins In The Bay

I have to admit that some of my personal posts over the last couple of weeks have been somewhat sad and melancholy for me to write.  I hope they may have helped someone as they were very therapeutic for me.  So this entry will just be about something I love and feel so much joy in.  

One of my favorite things about where I live in Kona, is that it is close to the ocean.  Every time I drive somewhere, I get to follow the road right along the coast and look out to sea.  The first thing I look for is dolphins in the bay.  They are there almost all the time in the morning.  They come in to rest and casually swim back and forth, jumping, playing and interacting.  I love it when I can watch them before the tour boats get out there.  When they arrive, it becomes a spectacle of white flesh floating on styrofoam noodles.  Not what I'm interested in absorbing.

But before that, it is sheer bliss.  My favorite experience was when a friend and I went to do a long ocean swim at the pier.  The dolphins were only about 100 yards off it.  Plans for the swim changed and we dove off the pier to join them.  There weren't many people in the water so it was serene.  When I visit the dolphins, I mainly just float.  No chasing them, because I will never catch them.  No wild thrashing, because it scares them.  I just float.  Invariably, they come to me.  Not to touch by any means, that's wrong to do, but just swim.  Baby's and mothers, pods of one to many...the water is shallow and they swim  up close.  I watched a baby shoot up from the bottom and jump about five feet away.  I thought he was going to land on me.  I love to look into their eyes and wonder if we could ever communicate.  It is what you think it is.  It's magical.

I have always loved dolphins.  Every silly test that matches me with an animal says my kindred spirit is the dolphin.  Then again, maybe those tests aren't so far off.  To me, they symbolize intelligence, love, freedom and joy.  They ride bow waves off the boats for what seems to be, fun.  During the tsunami here, two females held a young baby in the dolphin pools at the Hilton as they rode out the waves.  They hunt with a designed plan.  They exhibit depression and have been known to attempt suicide in hopelessness.  Sounds so like humans.  I get very upset when I think about the ways they are mistreated.  I admire them tremendouly and learn from watching them.

The dolphins provide an almost daily respite from stress and sadness for me.  No matter what my day goes like and how positive life is, in this situation there is always some sadness.  They inspire me, move me, and help my spirit soar into peace.  I need them as much as anything nowadays...they symbolize hope.  I hope that all of you have something like that.  That is, something beautiful in nature that you are drawn to, to feed your soul and brighten your day.  The gifts and beauty our earth has to offer are humbling and healing.  Enjoy it and respect it, because that's what it was created for.  In my life, it is always, dolphins in the bay.

"The happiness of the dolphin is to exist. For man it is to know that and to wonder at it."

Jacques Yves Cousteau

Thursday Treasure: Absolutely Everybody

I was reading an article online about the starvation that is taking place in Somalia and the continued suffering that human beings, especially children, are asked to endure.  It breaks my heart that I can't just run over there and at the least, hug them.  Have you ever wondered if someone wouldn't do that?  Would You?  Have you ever looked at someone and said I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole?  Maybe the homeless, sick, or orphaned?  Think about it for a bit:  Do you need a paradigm shift?

One strange lesson I have learned through divorce is how much you miss human touch if it isn't there.  I live in Hawaii and thank heavens "Hello" here is a huge hug and usually a kiss on the cheek.  I have my kids and friends, but it is most definitely different to have a source of affection taken away.  It has made me think how many people go their whole lives without warmth, touch, and affection.  That to me is sad.  I know with my babies, they got mauled with love.  Other children are not so lucky, no different and need it just as much.  I believe that the lack of it while they are young has repercussions through generations.

http://youtu.be/2mDeOkiYoxA
Absolutely Everybody

So my Thursday Treasure today is a song that is one of my favorites.  My daughters danced to it a long time ago and I fell in love with it.  I still listen to it often.  In fact, I love to sing it out loud much to the embarrassment of my kids.  It jolts me back to thinking outside of my selfish little box.  I'm reminded that there are just a few other people on the planet and they are just like me.  That most of all, human beings crave love and I can give it.  It is called Absolutely Everybody by Vanessa Amorosi.  She sang it in Sydney, Australia as the theme song for the 2000 Summer Olympics.  Hit the link to youtube and listen to it.  I promise your day will be a little brighter and your outlook on humanity a little more compassionate.  And for "Heavens" sake, get out there and hug someone.

"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go."
Mother Teresa 

Wednesday Pirate's Tidbits: Which Islands Are Real?

Ever wonder which of the many islands in the Pirate's movies are real and where they were filmed?  I was actually quite curious about this so I decided I would check into it.  Surprise, surprise...many are quite real.  Here's a list of what I found on a few favorite piratey locations.

 

Isla de Meurta

The first place I looked at was Port Royal.  A good share of the first two movies were set in this location.  Port Royal did exist under British rule (shocking I know).  It was located at the mouth of Kingston Harbour in southeastern Jamaica.  It existed from 1518-1907 when a hurricane, fires and an earthquake wiped it out.  That would have been a really bad year.  The Port Royal scenes for the movies were shot mostly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where a town set was built around actual fort ruins.

Isla Cruces

The second place I looked at was Tortuga.  It does exist off the northern coast of Haiti and I wrote a travel piece on it several weeks back.  It is the pirate port to end all pirate ports and is mentioned or visited in all four movies.  It was said a man would never feel lonely if he spent time there.  I was kind of wondering what the women thought about that.  It was filmed on studio sets.

Singapore is the last of the real islands in the Pirates movies.  The word conjours up images of a bustling Asian setting.  Interestingly, in the time period the movies are set in, Singapore was actually just a Malay fishing village called Temasek, not the grand Chinese city portrayed.  It was also filmed on studio sets.  

My favorite fictional island is the Isla de Muerta or island of death.  It is where the pirates hid their treasure and where the cursed Aztec gold is. The island cannot to be found except by those who already know where it's hidden.  (Sounds like laundry socks to me)  The scene near the end in Pirates 1 where Jack and Barbossa are fighting, is my second all time favorite in the Pirate's movies.  It was...also filmed on studio sets. 

I'm reading through these and thinking, "Did they actually go to the Caribbean to film?  I mean, really, get out there."  Of course they did.  Here's a list of some of the fictional islands and where they were shot.

Pelagosto:  The island in Pirates 2 with the cannibals.  It was filmed in Dominica.

Isla Cruces:  The island in Pirates 2 where the chest containing Davey Jones' heart was buried.  It was shot in Dominica and Great Exuma, Bahamas.

Dead Kraken Isle/Black Sand Beach:  The island in Pirates 3 where Jack and Barbossa stop for water and find yes, the dead Kraken.  Filmed in Capucine Point, Dominica (Can't fake that black sand.)

Black Sam's Spit/Rumrunner's Isle:  Island Jack was marooned twice on in Pirates 1 by Barbossa and where Jack maroons Angelica in Pirates 4.  It was shot in the Bahamas not far from Disney's private island.

Davey Jones Locker:  In pirates 3 where Jack thinks he has gone mad and is eventually rescued from.  Filmed at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
And Finally:  Pirates 4 was shot mostly on location in Kauai and Oahu, Hawaii.  It was done filming about a month before I got here.  I was bummed.  Other lush scenes in some of the pirates movies were shot around Molakai.

So, hope you enjoyed a list of a few of the islands, real and fictional, and where they were filmed.  I haven't been to Dominica and I've decided, I need to go.  Always wanted to, just didn't get there before I moved.  My last comment is I have no idea how they wore some of those heavy costumes in that humidity and heat.  I complain if I have to put pants or a long sleeved shirt on.  Later Mates! 

Tuesday Travel: Get Out There!

Today's travel is a little bit different since I'm going to talk about a way to travel and enjoy destinations.  I am going to spit it into at least three parts.  I love to travel.  People have asked how I have gotten around so much and I have to say cruising is mostly the way I have been to so many places.  My former husband was a volunteer dentist for Holland America Cruise Line.  We would do work on the crew while on days at sea, and the cruise line comped us tickets.  It was a win/win situation and I enjoyed the time spent on board as the crew was mostly Asian and so gracious and appreciative.

But what it also did was give me a cheap way to get around and see what is out there.  I heartily recommend cruising if you aren't sure where you want to go and want to explore different places from a moving base.  So here's a few tips and pointers I've picked up in my journeys.  First, where to go. To start for most people, that is the Caribbean or Alaska.  I'm going to tackle the Caribbean and take on Alaska in another post.  Caribbean cruises are generally divided into three main routes:  Eastern, Western, and Southern.  Variations are added as islands add new cruise stops.  My favorite is the Western which picks up places like Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, and Jamaica.  It's my first choice because I prefer the diving in that part of the Caribbean and I love Mayan ruins.  If you want a more European flavor with forts and history, the eastern routes pick up places like St. Thomas, St. Martin, Turks and Caicos, Tortola, and the Bahamas.  The Southern route brings diversity with places like Grenada, St. Kitts, Barbados, Antigua, Bonaire, and Aruba.  Undecided?  Throw a dart at the map and most likely a ship goes there.  I think I'm going to try that, it might be an exciting way to decide where to travel.  Fear you will run out of ports?  Not likely, I have been to 28 in the Caribbean and haven't hit them all.  If you get one shot at a dream vacation and that's it, I suggest looking at the classic Eastern or Western because they are a good place to get your feet wet with pretty diverse ports used to heavy cruise traffic.

Most cruises to the Caribbean leave from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, New Orleans, and Galveston.  The easiest I have found is Ft. Lauderdale with Miami a close second.  Both ports are near the airports and there are plenty of hotels around with shuttles to the cruise terminals.  Fort Lauderdale isn't as congested as Miami and I feel a bit more comfortable walking around looking for a place to eat or  pick up something last minute.  Port Canaveral requires a flight into Orlando and an hour drive or so.  It's a good thing if you would like to add Disney World, Sea World or any of the other parks in that area.  Galveston is about an hour drive from Houston and that port services mostly Mexico.  I haven't been out of New Orleans but would love to try it.  The Southern cruises generally leave from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  A bit longer flight but a fun port to explore.

A couple of tips for the cruise terminal ports.  BUY TRIP INSURANCE:  It's cheap and can cover many of the travel mishaps that can happen.  If you can, fly in a day early and leave the day after you disembark.  Why early?  You want to make sure that flight delays in or baggage problems can be taken care of over night and it is so much less stressful.  You can be one of the first to board and enjoy settling in and exploring the ship plus, you can check out the port.  Why later?  I can promise you that disembarking can be one big headache.  You can't get to the airport for the many early departures that are often the best flights.  It is stressful recovering your baggage and hustling to find a cab, check in etc.  Those are long days indeed.  It is nice if you are in no rush, to have a leisurely breakfast on board, disembark with out chaos, head to a hotel and relax for the afternoon.  Then get up, catch the early flights and have a much more pleasant travel day.  You can also do port excursions like the Everglades after the cruise.

Next week, I'll review the cruise lines I'm familiar with, cabins, ship size and all sorts of tips for the high seas.  So Bon Voyage and I'll catch you later.

Monday Madness: Ode To My Stupid Computer

Ode To My Stupid Computer
(Because I'm getting really tired of dealing with it)

I stand watching in the light by the pier.  The surface of the ocean at night ripples as an extinct dinosaur sinks to the bottomless depths. (Ok maybe 20 feet)

All around are basking in the afterglow of effervescent bubbles released in a stream, leaving a silvery trail to follow through tear filled eyes.  Down, down, down...finally, Silicon Valley's pride is fried by salt water.  Technology's fate determined by it's watery grave.

Evolution!  It was all so fresh and new when we started out together....

The vision for the future....for freedom from encyclopedias and books...their heavy weight burdened students like a cement block on a mob victim.  You promised freedom from hours and hours spent pouring over references only to discover the right book was missing.  A "C -" on the paper only served to stir the agony of research into a porridge of pain.  All of that was gone with your blessed arrival.

You brought hope with large, bright characters and letters for relief from small text in print that humiliates middle aged eyes...those eyes hiding in shame behind the steely frames holding lenses meant for blurriness (or to magnify bugs with by your 5 year old...quite the spectacle).  You promised relief as pocket sized references need to be briefcase size...Iphones need to be Ipad sized...McDonalds needn't have supersized. (Sorry, it just rhymed)...

You were so cute when I first brought you home bundled in bubble wrap.  My pride and joy.  I cared for you in your cradle, nurtured you by extension cord and and fed you with wifi.  You were given all of the newest updates and latest fashionable outerwear.  It was everything a computer could ever want.  Sadly though, it wasn't enough.  I will never know if it was the jealousy you felt when I spent time with the TV remote, or if it was the day you caught that cold.  Viral infections can't be treated with antibiotics was all the Doctor said.  You were never the same.

Oh we pretended for awhile, played our little games...thought you could fool me into forgiving you because you cooperated every once in a while.  Then you would haughtily dump my musings and writings as I was sobbing "Why".  Counseling didn't work because you lied...lied and said all this was all my fault. That I didn't have a clue how to use you  (partial truth there?) or treat you right.  You said violence and technology never mix.  I responded that I had only ever talked about chucking you into the water, I'd never actually do it.  We could have made up but you had already thrown away the keys to your parts...(umm heart).

I'm sorry PC, it just isn't going to work.  I thought we would grow old together but found out that four years was long enough for you.  It rips me up inside to know that you are no longer the Apple of my eye.  So one final flashdrive for old times sake, and then it's good bye.  Please, just take your worthless parts and get out of my life.  Need help?!? let me assist you and launch you to fly.  (I have got to end this because I am so out of sarcastic metaphors and dark underlying comparisons!)

The ocean here is a lot clearer than this

 
I'm so sorry....I'll errect a monument to you made lovingly from your users manual I didn't read....
May you rest in pieces on the soft ocean bed.

(Yup, I'm going to use my frequent guest points and check into the behavioral health unit tomorrow...so no worries)

Sunday Jack: What Freedom Is...Is Letting Go

Ever have one of those moments where your brain thinks you are going to do one thing, yet your spirit is saying no do this instead?  That's what I'm having as I am trying to write this post.  It was to be something different, but it can't be savvy?  Instead, it is an extension of the topic of freedom that I have written two other posts on:  one about freedom/patriotism and the other about the freedom to pursue your passion.  This one is about freeing yourself.

Capt. Jack is actually really good at this.  If you have watched the movies you know that he always has a dream or goal he is pursuing whether is be the Black Pearl, The Fountain of Youth, the key to unlock the Deadman's Chest..it's always something.  Sometimes he does not succeed in finding what he wants in the way he wants it, so, he alters plans, moves on, and let's it go.  Here's the freedom quote again followed by mine:

"That's what a ship is you know.  It's not a keel, and a hull, and a deck and sails...that's what a ship needs.  But what a ship is, what the black Pearl really is...is Freedom."

"That's what letting go is you know.  It's not grief, and anger, and guilt and acceptance...that's what letting go needs.  But what letting go is, what moving on really is...is Freedom."

I have a vision in my head of what I see when I say that.  I am clinging so tight to something, someone, a dream or anything really.  Life is becoming darker, more gloomy, and hopeless.  It is affecting my ability to function.  At some point, I look back and see light.  It feels peaceful, warm and safe.  It's time to let go and return to that place, at least for a little while.  It can be sooo hard to do that, but to save yourself and perhaps those closest to you, you have to do it.  There is no other choice but pain and ruin. 

"If someone you love hurts you, cry a river, build a bridge and get over it."  Author Unknown

Hmmm...that sound's a bit harsh.  True, but harsh.  Here's another:

" Letting go doesn't mean giving up... it means moving on. It is one of the hardest things a person can do. Starting at birth, we grasp on to anything we can get our hands on, and hold on as if we will cease to exist when we let go. We feel that letting go is giving up, quitting, and that, as we all know, is cowardly. But as we grow older we are forced to change our way of thinking. We are forced to realize that letting go means accepting things that cannot be. It means maturing and moving on, no matter how hard you have to fight yourself to do so."  Author Unknown
 

I like that one.  It's interesting that with age, what we have the strength and desire to hang on to changes and the focus becomes much more narrow to what really matters.  That's why when letting go, it's so hard because it may be something that really matters.  After we have done all that we can do and exhausted all efforts possible at the time, I believe that the freedom of moving on is earned.  It's selfish to cling to what you can't attain at the expense of loosing focus on what you already have.

Conversely, what you let go of, is also set free.  That can be a very healing act of selflessness.  When it's all said and done in this life, it boils down to our actions. What choices did we make at critical times in our lives.  Did we fight the good fight?  Did we accept loss or change with dignity?  Or did we choose to not let go at the right time, move forward, and free ourselves to achieve greater good.  One is progressive, the other regressive.

I like what Capt. Jack does when things don't go quite the way he planned.  He picks up his compass, gets in the lifeboat, hoists the tattered colors, smiles, and heads off in pursuit of another worthy goal.  It's ultimately freedom of spirit through letting go that allows him to do that.  And that's what he chooses to follow.

Saturday Simple Inspiration: The Interview With God

The Interview With God

My Dad sent me this in an email and I wanted to share it.

It is so moving and profound.

I hope you will visit the link and click on the presentation.

 Take my word and enjoy it like I have.

Friday My Personal Journal: Swimming in Jello

Blue jello is my favorite

Strange title, I know.  I have to say that one of my biggest surprises in writing, is that the most popular posts are the ones I do in my personal journal.  I'm not quite sure how to take that but thanks.  Hopefully my experiences may help some of you with yours.  One thing I have been a bit concerned about is that I may seem overly optimistic and falsely caffeinated.  Like maybe I have to go somewhere after I write and unscrew my smile.  Not so. What I write is what I need to hear as well and I often answer my own questions in things I say.  Ultimately, I'm the one that tells myself to pull my head out of the sand and move forward.  Some days, as everyone knows, that is easier said than done.

I hate those days.  That is, the ones where you wake up in the morning and feel as though your limbs are made of lead.  Once you do drag yourself out of bed, every movement feels like you're swimming in jello.  Everything that I have to do in a day like that seems twice as hard and takes twice as long.  And that's if I don't sit down and "set up".  It's depression and unacknowledged, it is devastating.  There are many definitions of depression.  Most are long and drawn out and well, depressing.  I like this one. 

"Depression is the inability to construct a future."  Rollo May

Understand that when I speak of depression in this sense, I am not talking about clinical depression.  That goes on for days, weeks and years and can wreck your life.  If you question what you have, professional help should be sought and I personally know the difference that proper treatment can make.  Wow, the things I fess up to in this blog.  But, I figure experience is the true method of teaching.  We are all living proof of something aren't we?  Back to the definition.  It is so accurate.  Just think about it.  When you are down, you can't see past the day, maybe even the hour or minute.  Life seems too painful to bare and it hurts worse than any physical pain you can imagine.  That, unfortuneatly, I have also experienced alot recently.  Many times, the question we all might ask is, "What is going to go wrong next."  Well...something will...that's just part of living.  It doesn't however need to go on forever as a series of unfortuneate events.  Focusing on that is true selfishness and self prophesy.  So what to do...

We can wallow in our sadness and become as filthy as a pig in the mud.  That truly stinks.  Or, we can find a thought, an action, a person, or activity that brings us out of the muck and gives us something positive to think about in the near future.  Eating a vat of jello watching a soap is not what I mean.  Try something...What's the first positive thing that comes to your mind when you ask yourself, what makes me happy.  My answer is my kids.  Well then I need to get up and go do something with them, for them, remember happy times, fix their favorite meal, anything that gets me up and refocused on a near future joy.  Even if I have to force myself.  Whew, I made it through that moment.  Now, I'll do it again. And on and on it goes until you will yourself back into life.

Grief and sadness happen, they have to be dealt with.  But inviting them to dinner, a movie and a month long cruise with your family is your choice.  There is always something good and as always, it is the good that gets us through the bad.  Can't think of anything positive?  No excuse, go do something nice for someone.  Get the focus off yourself. 

Know also that you are loved by a Being more powerful than any bad you can ever encounter on this earth.  That knowledge feeds you, strengthens you, and carrys you through all trials if you let it.  But, you need to proactively engage yourself in planning a positive future.  Even if it's just for the next minute of time, trust me, it all adds up. 

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."  Alan Kay

Thursday Treasure: Man's Search For Meaning

A couple of years ago I read a book called Man's Search For Meaning by Victor Frankyl.  It was written in 1946 and chronicles his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp.  I was whining a bit the other day and questioning whether my life would have a positive meaning.  I remembered the book and pulled it out to read it.  My attitude changed immediately and it is my Thursday Treasure.

Victor Frankyl was a noted neurologist and a psychiatrist who spent 3 years from 1942-1945 in several different concentration camps.  His experiences are detailed in the first half of the book and are heart wrenching.  Despite his suffering, he was able to observe and document the effects of severe stress on humans.  He then postulates his theory of behavior in meaning and logotherepy in the second part of the book.  There are many jewels to be found but I'll just hit on a couple that struck me.

First is that there are only two races of humans:  decent and indecent.  He discusses decent prison guards and indecent prisoners.  How true that is when we make false assumptions based on our perception of one's station in life.

The second is found in this passage.  It is as profound as anything I have ever read.

"... We stumbled on in the darkness, over big stones and through large puddles, along the one road leading from the camp. The accompanying guards kept shouting at us and driving us with the butts of their rifles. Anyone with very sore feet supported himself on his neighbor's arm. Hardly a word was spoken; the icy wind did not encourage talk. Hiding his mouth behind his upturned collar, the man marching next to me whispered suddenly: "If our wives could see us now! I do hope they are better off in their camps and don't know what is happening to us."
That brought thoughts of my own wife to mind. And as we stumbled on for miles, slipping on icy spots, supporting each other time and again, dragging one another up and onward, nothing was said, but we both knew: each of us was thinking of his wife. Occasionally I looked at the sky, where the stars were fading and the pink light of the morning was beginning to spread behind a dark bank of clouds. But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look was then more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.
The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way  – an honorable way  – in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfillment. For the first time in my life I was able to understand the meaning of the words, "The angels are lost in perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory."

If you have not read this book do so now.  It is a must read and I promise it will change your outlook on life.  At any point in your life, whether in sorrow or joy, it applies.

"The meaning of life is found in every moment of living, life never ceases to have meaning, even in suffering and death." Victor Frankyl

Wednesday Pirate's Tidbits: How To Speak Pirate

 

Ever had the desire to just let yourself go and talk like a pirate?  They have their own language you know, with all sorts of phrases and words.  I decided I would look up a few common ones and share them with you.  These are just the basics, but I hope you have fun with it.  My advice is not to use them for your next talk in church or board meeting presentation,.  It might not go over so well and you will be forced to deal with a short rope and a quick stop!

Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! - exhortation of discontent or disgust
Ahoy! - Hello!
Ahoy, Matey - Hello, my friend!
Ahoy, me Hearties! - the same as saying "Hello, my friends!"
All hand hoay! - comparable to all hands on deck
Avast ye - stop and check this out or pay attention Aye - yes
Batten down the hatches - put everything away on the ship and tie everything down because a storm is brewing
Bilge-sucking - insult
Blimey! - exhortation of surprise
Blow me down! - expression of shock of disbelief akin to "Holy Crap!"
Blow the man down - command to kill someone
Booty - treasure
Buccaneer - a pirate
Cat O'Nine Tails - a whip with nine strands
Crow's nest - small platform atop the mast where the lookout stands
Cutlass - short heavy curved bladed sword used by pirates
Davy Jones' Locker - fabled, mythical place at the bottom of the ocean where the evil spirit of Davy Jones brings sailor and pirates to die
Dead men tell no tales - phrase indicating to leave no survivors
Doubloons - other coins or found in pirate hoards and stashes
Feed the fish - will soon die
Hang 'im from the yardarm - punishment of those captured in battle
Head - the pirate ship's toilet
Heave Ho - give it some muscle and push it
Hempen Halter - a noose for hanging
Hornswaggle - to defraud or cheat out of money or belongings
Jacob's Ladder - the rope ladder one uses to climb aboard a sloop
Jolly Roger - pirate's flag including white skull and crossbones over a black field
Lad, lass, lassie - a younger person
Landlubber - big, slow clumsy person who doesn't know how to sail
Letters of Marque - letters issue from governments during wartime to privateers endorsing the piracy of another vessel
Man-O-War - pirate's ship outfitted for battle
Me - my
Mizzen - third mast from the bow of the ship on ships that have three or more masts
Old Salt - an experienced sailor
Pieces of eight - coins or found in pirate stashes
Pillage - rob, sack or plunder
Poop deck - the part of the ship farthest to the back, which is usually above the captain's quarters. This is not the bathroom.
Privateer - government-sponsored pirates
Rum - pirate's traditional alcoholic beverage
Run a shot across the bow - warning shot to another vessel's captain
Savvy? - do you understand and do you agree?
Scallywag - mild insult akin to rapscallion or rogue
Scurvy dog - the pirate is talking directly to you with mild insult
Scuttle - to sink a ship
Seadog - old pirate or sailor
Shark bait - will soon join Davy Jones' Locker
Shipshape - cleaned up and under control
Shiver me timbers! - comparable to "Holy Crap!"
Thar she blows! - Whale sighting
Three sheets to the wind - someone who is very drunk. One sheet is mildly drunk and four sheets is passed out.
Walk the plank - punishment in which person walks off a board jutting over the side of the ship while at sea. The consequence is drowning and a visit to Davy Jones' Locker.
Weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen! - pull up the anchor and the sail and let's get going
Ye - you
Yo Ho Ho - cheerful exhortation to demand attention

So now that you are well versed and trained, go surprise your family and coworkers with a little pirate speak.  It should land you a highly prestigious job promotion or a quick trip to the nut house.  Later Mates!

Tuesday Travel: Hawaii..The Big Island

I was listening to Southern Cross by Crosby, Stills and Nash and decided for this travel piece, I am going to move from the Caribbean to the Pacific.  In fact, to the Big Island of Hawaii.  It's where I live and most definitely one of my favorite places.

First off, for everyone that slept through US history, Hawaii is the 50th state in the United States of America.  I mention that because I had two Americans ask me the other day if we had our own government and military force.  Wow.

Hawaii is an island archipelago situated smack in the middle of the pacific.  It is actually one of the most remote island chains in the world.  It is considered part of Polynesia (many nations) which include islands such as Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand and several others.  There are 8 main islands.  The Big Island is named Hawaii, but to avoid confusion, I'll refer to it as the Big Island.  Thanks to volcanic activity, it is still growing.  It moves up in elevation quickly as well as wide changes in climate and weather.  If you don't like the weather where you are, drive 10 minutes and it can be completely different.

The Big Island was settled around 1500 years ago by people who journeyed by canoe up from the Marquesas Islands and possibly Tahiti.  It is an extremely rich culture with pride in heritage as fierce as I have ever seen.  Captain Cook, an English Explorer, came to the islands in 1778 and again in 1779 as the first Europeans to visit the isles.  He was killed in Kealakekua Bay just south of Kailua Kona on the west coast where I live.  A monument stands in his memory.  This opened an influx of immigrants with the end result being annexation into the United States in 1959.  Sometime I will write a piece on my opinion of western influence in Hawaii and it's history as it is controversial.  I happen to agree with the people of Hawaii that they were mistreated.  President Clinton signed an apology to that end.

So where to start.  That's kind of tough when 11 of the 13 climate zones on the earth exist here.  The island is only missing the Arctic and Saharan.  Because of this, the diversity of activities is staggering.  You can get from the beach to the snow in a couple of hours.  I'll give a whirlwind tour and just hit some of my favorites circling the island.  There are four colors of sandy beaches found here:  white, gray, green and black.  My favorite is a black sand beach found on the north shore in Waipio valley.  It is a major 4WD road going down into it and would be a great place to Thelma and Louise off the top.  (I don't recommend that).  In the valley, it feels like you have entered the Garden of Eden.  High walls of lush tropical vegetation and waterfalls surround a valley populated by wild horses and a few hippies.  The sand is powder black and any swimsuit you wear will become embedded with it.  One thing of note on Hawaiian beaches, none of them are private so places like The Four Seasons have to provide public access to some beautiful, uncrowded beaches.

Activities in the water are boundless.  There is great diving and snorkeling accessible from shore, (my favorite site is at Captain Cook monument).  On shore entries, remember that lava rock is not forgiving and there are sea urchins around so watch your step.  My most favorite thing is to frequently see wild dolphins off the shore.  I have swam with them several times and it is magical.  There are boat tours that will take you out to swim with them.  Just don't harass them, float quietly and they will come to you.  The winter brings humpback whale watching and it is a thrill to watch those big boys breach.  Add sportfishing, parasailing, atlantis submarine and canoe paddling and you are set.

Moving around the south of the island is South Point, the southern most point in the USA.  Great place to cliff jump and another serious 4WD into the green sand beach there..so worth it.  It also looks like you may have entered the mid-west, with fields of grass.  Next, head around the island to Volcano National Park.  Kilauea is very active and it is the flow from there through lava tubes that causes the beautiful show as it enters the ocean.  Guided hikes, a boat along the shore and helicopters are the best way to view the volcanos and lava.  As you drive up the east coast or Hilo side, it is very wet and very beautiful.  There are waterfalls like Rainbow Falls to hike to and Japanese flower gardens to explore.

To complete the island circle, climb up in elevation to Waimea which feels like you went from Oregon to Ireland.  Parker Ranch, the second largest cattle ranch in the US, is located there.  The road up to the top Mauna Kea, and the space observatories leaves from there.  Mauna Kea is the most massive volcano in the world and taller than Everest from ocean floor to top.  That's where the snow zone is.  Head back down the west side of the island to the Kohala Coast and I've been told by my friend born in Africa that the landscape resembles Africa.  The poshest resorts are located there and many great golf courses as well.

To complete your time here, it is an injustice to yourself if you don't take some time and learn about Hawaiian culture.  It is enchanting and I have a great deal of respect for it.  I seriously have only scratched the surface of this island in paradise and I am still exploring and finding new things to do and see.  I will say that Hawaii is a bit more expensive than many places in the Caribbean, but it is very secure if you don't wander on private property and easily accessible.  I haven't been off the island in a year, except Honolulu, and am not bored yet.  So come visit me in one of my favorite places to travel where I just happen to live.  Later mates! 

Monday Madness: You Discovered What?!?

Ahh Noah....Good times on that voyage!

When I started writing this blog, I didn't realize the amount of research it would take.  I have to find references, review movie clips, look up definitions, study history, locate pictures, edit, and apply it all into something that makes sense.  I love it!  I am learning so much about things I thought I knew a lot about. 

One of my favorite posts to write is Tuesday Travels.  The spirit of adventure blows me all over the Caribbean along with dreams to get on a sail boat and just go.  Now that's my kind of travel!

There's something in the research I'm kind of questioning though.  I do my best to credit the founders and explorers who were brave enough to enter the unknown and get the names and dates right.  Their stories are quite fascinating.  What did they hope to find and where did they think they were going to find it.  Quite a daunting thought actually and one deserving of praise.  Give them credit for getting out there while the funders were sitting around ruling something. 

Here's my problem though.  It seems they set out in anticipation and excitement of the voyage, cruised around, basically became lost, starved, got scurvy, probably didn't have baths (I have a thing with not bathing) and were desperate to set foot on land....any land.  A lovely coastline appears and Hallelujah.....after a year or so they hit paydirt and kiss it.  They don't have a stinking clue where they are! 

Cautiously, they stand up and survey the situation....hmmm....no one's around.  "Quick Napoleon, grab the flag and stick it in the ground!!!  I, the first person here, discovered and claim this land for...some country in Europe!!!  History will remember this forever!!"  One small problem Einstein, you didn't notice the people standing behind the bush.  They were already living there.  We call them natives of whatever land you found and they may have been there for centuries.  Hate to say it but, you weren't the first humans there. 

So guess what....You Didn't Discover It.  The ship just hit a big rock while you were lost.  Don't cover up the lack of navigational skills by saying "Uh, I meant to do that."  Say something like, "Ferdinand, I missed India by a long shot but hey, I ran into a cool and groovy huge continent." Own it and fess up to the lost and found. 

Whew!  I'm glad I got that out.  I am voting for the second definition of discover which is "to become aware of" something.  So maybe we should say, "Columbus became aware of America."  Nah, probably not because it sounds better when you say "Columbus discovered America" and history teachers can be more dramatic.   

The other funny vision I have, is of a bunch of guys poised on St. Thomas, looking to the horizon, and seeing 4 or 5 other islands.  They are tripping over themselves in a stampede to go pinballing around and claim those too.  Meanwhile, the natives are standing there laughing.

For good and bad, exploration has brought awareness of and settlement to, a vast number of nations.  So in that spirit, here's to my favorite TV programming, the "Became Aware Of" channel and all of the great lessons we can learn from it.  And finally, my maddening tongue twister:  I discovered I didn't discover the discovery of the Discovery channel, but did discover the discovery that I can't discover the way to work the remote to discover the Discovery channel.  Savy?

Sunday Jack: What it is...is Freedom

The Black Pearl

A couple of Sunday's ago, I wrote a post on Freedom for the 4th of July.  I split the topic into two parts and was going to write about the other last Sunday.  But my computer and I had a fight and I couldn't write it.  We have since been to counseling and are now, at least, on speaking terms.  So I'll write on it this week.

As a quick review of the scene, Jack and Elizabeth are stranded on an island and enjoying a little rum by a bonfire.  The conversation turns to the Black Pearl and Jack's efforts to reacquire it.  He is passionate about his quest and delivers my favorite line in all of the pirate movies...my inspiration for writing the blog actually:
Captain Jack answers a statement by Elizabeth about being the most fearsome pirate in the Spanish Main,

"Not just the Spanish Main Love,..the entire ocean,..the entire world,..where ever we want to go.  That's what a ship is you know.  It's not a keel, and a hull, and a deck and sails...that's what a ship needs.  But what a ship is, what the Black Pearl really is..is Freedom."

That line literally makes my spirit sing and my imagination fly.  It's not because I want what he wants (although I'm totally up for a cruise on the Black Pearl), it's because I feel what he feels.  There is magic only we can do for ourselves that sets us free like that.  And mine is not the same as yours.  You have one don't you?  Something that let's you feel passion, drive and joy?  Maybe it let's you dream or escape for a moment?  I'm not talking about the world around you like family, friends and loved ones, they most certainly can bring bliss.  I'm talking about what you do just for you. 

What is it that you really enjoy, that you know you can do at anytime and feel freedom in your soul.  I'll tell you mine and see if that sparks any thoughts.  I love to scuba dive.  I love everything about it.  I like to watch marine life, examine reefs, look for the big guys, and enjoy watching the wide eyed wonder of new divers, especially if it's my kids.  What I look forward to the most is the experience.  The feeling of being surrounded by water, weightless and unencumbered...the quiet, except for breathing and maybe dolphins or whales, that is what I truly love.  It's not fins, and a mask, and a tank and regulator...that's what diving needs.  But what diving really is, is freedom.  It's the one thing I truly do for myself.

Is there something in your life like that?  I have friends who have chosen golf, reading, sewing, scrapbooking, cooking, exercise and on and on.  It doesn't need to be expensive or extravagant at all.  The sky is the limit and there is no right or wrong answer.  It's whatever sets you free. 

If you can't think of anything, my advice is to find it.  Life becomes so much more bearable when you know there is a safe net you can fall into for yourself.  It's not selfish unless you let it become an obsession to the point of pushing out the important duties in life.  But after all the "musts" are done, take time for yourself.  I can promise you will be a much better person for it.

Even a thought of what you love can keep you going...Pursue the freedom and do it...just remember that like Jack... the chase can be half the fun.  Later Mates!

Saturday Simple Inspiration: Amateur or Professional

Amateurs Compete

Professionals Create

Which One Are You?...

In All Areas Of Your Life



Fridays Personal Journal: Can You Be Too Nice

I'm conflicted on this subject, but it's one I want to write about.  Can you be too nice? 

I'm normally a fairly nice person.  But don't get me wrong, I can be as ornery and feisty as any other red blooded female.  I'm just focusing on Nice. 

I need and have asked for help frequently lately.  I know every one's intentions are good in advice given and I value the opinions of family and close friends.  For them, it is a combination of sadness, frustration and wanting to help.  It's a desire to see me and my family move forward and find future happiness.  I love them for it.  I believe their motive and rationale is to remove the pain before it causes more pain, not vindictiveness.  That makes sense.

Back to the question, "Can you be too nice?".  The answer ultimately is refined within us. 

Pleasant in manner, good natured, kind...that is the definition of nice according to the book.  So by that standard, no, we as humans can't be too nice, that's just good behavior.  Flip that thought of being nice into being taken advantage of.  That definition is to be exploited or taken for granted.  So where does that line blur between the two thoughts...being nice/allowing someone to take advantage.

I think the answer lies in what we individually decide is acceptable behavior in a situation. The determination of action must come from core values and tendencies plus the level of experience and caution used in judgement.  Age may also ad temperance and tolerance or perhaps a person is too worn out or frightened to put up much of a fight.  I'm also sure as time progresses, that the adage of putting your hand on a hot plate over and over eventually teaches you that you might get burned.  That most definately applies here and alters future action.

For me it means this.  When I meet my maker, I would rather be accused of being too nice than not.  I extend compassion in some situations because I would like to be treated that way and I don't know any other way to behave.  Not having kindness is something I'm not willing to learn.  I have felt pain, we all have, and if that pain gives me empathy or sympathy for someone else despite the wrongs they appear to be doing, so be it.  I'll extend my hand because I want to. 

But, by turning the other cheek, in some situations I'm getting my rump kicked.  (yes, intentional word play)  Where the cut off point should be is if in extending kindness, it is affecting the way I can positively live my life, take care of and protect my kids, and undermines my self esteem.  It's then I need to walk away.  Not be mean and still practice civility, but walk away.  It might take baby steps and who knows, from a distance I may look back and think what on earth was I doing.  Or, heal enough to go back in to help again. 

So, to be nice, or not to be so nice....that is the question.  My answer is, "Live life with no regrets."  It's easier said than done.  My guess is, that's exactly the advice everyone has been giving me.  

Thursday Treasure: Heros On The Big Screen

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I love to enjoy a quiet evening spent watching a favorite movie.  You know the nights...pop a bowl of popcorn, curl up in a warm blanket, turn the lights down, and pull out a pick me up flick.  Good times.

We all have our favorites.  Sometimes it's Indiana Jones, or maybe Harry Potter.... possibly a romance.  On occasion, I may watch Pirates, surprising and unbelievable I know.  But when I really want a boost, or an instant smile and inspiration,  I pull out a movie with Meryl Streep in it.  She is called the greatest living actress and my Thursday Treasure.



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Hollywood inspires us for good or bad with stories, characters, actors and actresses.   The exceptional ones leave a lasting impression on the audience and make their mark on history.  Meryl Streep is one of those rare individuals who has taken their craft to the highest level possible.  Sorry if you are a guy reading this, but ya, it's a chick post.

Meryl Streep was born June 22, 1949 in Summit, New Jersey.  (If I look half as good as her at 62, I'll be thrilled.)  Her early entertainment aspirations were in Opera.  She changed her mind and went to acting school at Yale.  Good choice.  Her first role was in 1977 in Julia.  Since that, she has been nominated for 16 Academy awards and won it twice.  Her acting range is extraordinary.  From emotional dramas like Sophie's Choice and Kramer vs Kramer, to love stories like Bridges of Madison County, comedies like Julia Julia, and the "I don't like her character" like Devil Wears Prada:  it doesn't even feel like you are watching the same actress.  I may be wrong, but I think that's what acting is all about. 



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My favorite movies she has done are The River Wild and Mamma Mia.  I can totally relate to both characters.  Gayle the feisty river guide mom and Donna the flower power eclectic hippy mom fit perfectly into my strange world.  In fact, Mamma Mia has saved me occasionally over the last 5 months of constant stress and depressing circumstances.  I can't watch it or listen to the soundtrack without smiling and feeling good.  Thanks to a musical obsessed 5 year old, it happens a lot.  Most definitely a treasure from an unexpected source.

More important than the actress, I admire Meryl Streep the person.  She has been married since 1978 and has 4 children.  Her reputation is as a hardworking perfectionist.  She is humble, confident, charitable and approachable.  And she doesn't compromise her values for roles or the perfect look.  She is what she is, and proud of it.  The lesson I take from her and apply to my life is summed up in a simple quote,

"No matter what happens, my work will stand."  

That's right.  So thanks Meryl for brightening a few dark months for me and if I ever get reincarnated, I'm coming back as her.  Later Mates!   



Wednesday Pirate's Tidbits: What is a Pirate?

Ever wonder what a Pirate is?  Where and when did they come from?  Do they really smell as bad as they look in the movies?  Have any of them ever seen a dentist?  It's a fascinating history and obviously one that has been romanticized through the years.   The word pirate comes from the Latin word Pirata.  The general definition is one who robs, pillages and plunders from a ship, large bodies of water and along the shore.  They are generally not employed by a country or group. 

Recorded Pirate history goes all the way back to 1300 BC and details the deeds of the Sea People.  They terrorized the Mediterranean and Aegean seas.  It is assumed that though not documented, piracy went back as long as sea commerce existed.  It has taken place all over the world and still continues in this age.  Because this blog focuses on the Caribbean, I'll give a bit more detail on the history there.

In 1523, Jean Fleury seized two Spanish treasure ships carrying Aztecc treasures from Mexico to Spain and piracy was off and running. The great or classic era of piracy in the Caribbean extends from around 1560 up until the mid 1720s.  Many from Spain came to the Caribbean after the end of the War of the Spanish Succession.  They stayed in the Caribbean and became pirates shortly after that. Others, arrived in the mid-to-late 17th century and made attempts at earning a living by farming and hunting.  It didn't work out well so piracy it was.  Most of these pirates were English, Dutch, and French.  They all kind of slipped in while the European nations were brawling over the islands in the Caribbean. 

Some of the best-known pirate bases were New Providence,  Bahamas from 1715 to 1725,  Tortuga, established in the 1640s and Port Royal, Jamaica  after 1655.   Those names may sound a bit familiar for Pirate's movie lovers.  Among the most famous Caribbean pirates are Edward Teach or Blackbeard, Calico Jack Rackham, Henry Morgan, and Bartholomew Roberts. (Think The Code...as set forth by Morgan and Bartholomew.)  Most were hunted down by the Royal Navy and killed or captured.  By the 1830s, Caribbean piracy was for the most part, history.

Now for the semi OK, redeeming qualities of classic pirates (they are after all, thieves).  In raids, they rarely killed anyone.  Merchant ships learned that if they surrendered, the pirates would board, take the supplies they needed and leave.  There were, of course, exceptions.  Pirates generally operated by democracy with leadership elected from among the crew.  The rules of the Pirate's Code or Codex were applied and followed.  They also had families to support and pirate communities existed all over the Caribbean. 

The treasure that they sought the most was the common, everyday items used such as food, clothing, tools, and maybe even the ships.  Of course if riches were around, duh, they took those too.  Buried treasure?  Not really because they needed the items they took.  You can see, Disney did their homework and many of the movie scenes are historically correct.  Makes me believe Jack Sparrow could have existed in some form.  Piracy was freedom for many.

In the popular modern imagination, pirates of the classical period were rebellious, clever teams who operated outside the restricting bureaucracy of modern life. Pirates were also depicted as always raising their Jolly Roger flag when preparing to hijack a vessel. The Jolly Roger is the traditional name for the skull and crossbone flags of European and American pirates and a symbol for piracy recognized by many.

Whew!  Hopefully that little history lesson was enlightening and entertaining. Maybe it even inspired a little (safe!) rebelliousness and adventure in your soul.  Later Mates!  P.S. In all my research, I never could find an answer to the bathing/dentist thing so, plug your noses, we're going in.