Hester's Head

We've been at sea for a couple weeks straight and the days have come to a complete halt. Our next port visit is at the end of the month and isn't getting any closer. I'm not sure how many times yesterday I calculated the number of days till our next visit, but the number kept coming up 10. I'm not sure why, but the days are going slow. We do have Christmas decorations up, but it really doesn't feel like Christmas at all. Even though we are at sea we received some mail today. It came via several loads slung beneath a helicopter from the USNS Spica. And I got a package! My mom sent me two of the huge tins of Timmies coffee and four of the travel mugs. I'm not sure why she sent me four mugs, but now I have something to give my secret Santa. Thanks mom! Our molly told me that we are running low on coffee, so I will share the Timmies with the rest of the mess. I think the two tins should last about a day. I heard that Tim Horton's supplies the east coast ships with coffee - how can the Pacific Fleet get in on that action?
We did do an exercise with the Navy Seals from one of the American ships, we got to be the bad guy. I ended up on one of their Rhibs and went for a ride. Talking about driving it like you stole it. I had to hang on tight and ended up completely drenched with boots full of water. The salt was running off me in the shower.

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We had one Navy Seal chief onboard who had some good stories to share. He wasn't the model of fitness that the younger Seals are, he tried to convince me that I could take him. I called bullshit though - I sensed a trap. Call me the winner if you want, I don't feel I need to prove anything. I also don't need to spend time in hospital.
Here's another sign that we aren't in Kansas anymore:

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The oil rigs are so numerous out here that they are a navigational hazard. We were nowhere near here in 2002, it is kind of cool to see. There are also lots of little sea snakes - one or two feet long. I saw over 30 one morning before I lost count. The weather is also surprisingly cold. After being here in the summer of 2002, this temperature is a very pleasant surprise. It feels like we are off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The seas make for a rough ride for our boarding party. The dhows that we approach bob and weave something fierce when they go dead in the water. Reminds me of my days on the steamers when we would do Engineering delaying drills. Hang on tight. I often have to put my foot against my locker to stay in my rack. It's not fun and disturbs your sleep, it does get tiring.
Time to go.
Damn, STILL 6 days till Christmas.