as good as it gets

despite being billeted for mess cooking duties while afloat, there were countless other opportunities to perform and actually feel like a guardian. being a part of the special sea detail (mooring evolutions) and lowering small boats to the water, from one of the two contraptions on both the port and starboard side; both were welcome changes of pace from having been keeping it real on the mess deck for far too long. some days seemed endless and tested the mettle of even the more experienced deckies.

on our way back to Wilmington, Diligence had to make a pit stop just south of home in Sunny Point. there we picked up North Carolina's seventh district congressman, his family, as well as some family members of the crew... including Adriana. it was called a dependent's cruise and those who chose to join us sailed up the Cape Fear River for about two hours and were aboard when we reached the moorings in downtown Wilmington... home. Adriana got to see some of the stuff that we had been doing for the previous three weeks, including some of the not-so-glamorous things... mess cooking. it was an unreal feeling as she crossed that brow onto the port main deck. truly as good as it gets.

we had escorts sailing around us that consisted of Coast Guard Auxiliary and a 47 ft motor life boat from a nearby small boat station. we passed the shipyard near our house and seeing it from the river side was like nothing else; giant ships that had just sailed from all over the world were offloading right there before our eyes and do so every day right near our home. as we transited under the bridge into our home port, the river walk was littered with spectators anxiously awaiting Diligence's return. among them were newscasters and VIPs from around the area, fancy huh? Wilmington was dubbed the nation's first Coast Guard city some time ago and that label certainly fit the welcome that we received upon our return, it was breathtaking and made me feel proud to be one of her crew.

there was then an awards ceremony and a picnic on the flight deck, everyone ate and was merry... that's just speculation though, Adriana and I jetted rather quickly in search of a change of clothes and a good meal.

back on land

the sea is a wild and unpredictable place, as well as an infinitely eerie one when it is all you see for days on end. the beauty of it all trumps most fears out there but nothing could cloak the restlessness that is being away from Adriana. I am elated to be home nonetheless and plan on soaking up every second with her while in port.

when the crew first arrived in baltimore, we were pleasantly surprised to have been gifted tickets to an Orioles game at Camden Yards. I would have rather taken the even longer bus ride to Citizen's Bank to watch my beloved Phils... but beggars can't be choosers. there were certain"team building" goings on that preceded and followed our watching of the game and fun was had by all.

the time period between the baseball game and when we finally set sail was an arduous and blurry cycle of work and sleep that left us all a bit edgy and eager for home. the night before our trek back to Wilmington, MWR (morale) threw a fun little shindig at the Drydock, which is the bar on base at the Coast Guard Yard... tomfoolery ensued.

it was then on to the sea. while it is a beautifully mysterious place, indeed... it is good to be back on land.

a second guest and a celebrity sighting...

a.pash reporting from wilmington. z.pash just completed his 2nd week underway in baltimore. he has been working hard at the shipyard, preparing for his first time at sea. bring on the sea sickness.

like zack, I too have had some adjusting to do - life in wilmington without him. but thankfully, for the past week my mom has been visiting me, keeping me company, and doing a bit of stalking with me. she has made the adjustment process a little easier.

as many of you know, if not all, i have this guilty pleasure. it is called "one tree hill" (or OTH as it will be known from here on out). OTH is filmed right here in wilmington and my mama and i had two sightings, one of which was a short mile from our house. i cannot lie, i was very giddy, and sadly, really enjoyed the experience. we were definitely the oldest ones there. most fan were between the ages of 13-16, so our being there was a bit embarrassing, but hey, you only live once right?

here are a few pics of our adventure. the actor we were able to get our picture with is austin nichols or "julian". i have to say, he was super nice, so thankful for his loyal fans :)

i am so pathetic... enjoy... over

our first visitors... and just in time too, we were beginning to get tired of eachother.

mama and papa pash come to visit, and they came bearing felines. we visited the Cape Fear Museum the morning of their final day with us, today. very cool to learn the history of our new home... absolutely wild, we recommend you research... or better yet, come and visit us and your trip to the museum is on us, deal?

more domestic accomplishments

bedroom with newly installed exposed wardrobes (we sleep in a giant walk-in closet). den and the kitchen all purdy-ed up.

metamorphosis, per the wonderfully swedish folks at IKEA

adriana should have been wearing a helmet on the way home from IKEA, if we had to stop quickly or accidentally zipped over a speed bump... crashing down upon the passenger came much of what we purchased. and of course, we began building immediately after the four-hour drive back to Wilmington. approximately 3:30 am.

metamorphosis

a lot of sweat, a little blood, and far too much time... since we've last posted, that is. there is so much to tell and since most of you lose interest in our incoherent ramblings after the first line or two, we'll let the pictures do the storytelling for us. on the other hand, for those faithful few who anxiously await the preciously golden commentary that accompanies our journey through the viewfinder... the physical metamorphosis may be complete, but trust you me, that giant undertaking only creates more time and opportunity for twinfin and the zoo to take you down the literary rabbit hole. take the red pill .