u/barefootviking

Recently, somebody complained that there was no interesting stories so here’s my 2nd installment: working in a fleet of 5 live-aboard boats w a lot of pranks going on. We had the Hash House Harriers that week & ran out of beer. One of the boats pranked us pretty bad so, one night we swam over on Scuba with no lights, quietly boarded the other boat. We were making our escape when a late night pax raised the alarm: “WE’RE BEING BOARDED BY PIRATES!!” (Pax are always asking about pirates ;-)

We got away with 2 kegs and the rubber chicken mascot as the crew came on deck. The full keg sank & was easy but the 1/2 full keg was a nightmare! It would Not sink! There was a mixture of hurt feelings and pride. Good times ;-)

The thick mats of rotting sargassum seaweed is eating copper art at my friends house in the FLA Keys. This led me to ask our Robotic Overlords if bronze thru-hulls could be compromised and the answer was ugly and scary. I’m just a lowly bus driver (yacht captain)

Any true engineers or science nerds have wisdom or solutions
?

Am I too salty? I find myself annoyed by the term “freediving”. If I borrow some split fins and strap a small aquarium to my face then dive to 98’….did I go “freediving”or “snorkeling”? If I’m snorkeling a reef and decide to drop deep…did I “skin dive”? Does it even matter? Am I the only one feeling like it’s become too tribal or exclusionary? (Like snowboarders vs skiers.). Yeah. I’m a salty Gen-X’r

Imagine Tunisia reopening the ancient Carthage port, w the help of Dubai or Vegas architects. Make it historic, beautiful and an economic engine. Ancient library is also a cyber cafe. Working light house. Water slide w sharks. Replica ships alongside the modern yachts. Sailing regatta from Carthage to Cartagena. Sell “authentic” Scipio Africanus sea salt.

Imagine Egypt redirects the Nile to flow along the old route near the pyramids and restore the farmland as well. Return water to Petra and other sites at the same time

I’m starting to have some gray smoke and my check DEF light just came on. Is it enough for me to refill the tank or do I have to call a tow truck? My wife is convinced that the sky will fall and we have to call a tow truck right now. I wanna fill it and drive it. 2015 w 80,000 km

I’m starting to have some gray smoke and my check DEF light just came on. Is it enough for me to refill the tank or do I have to call a tow truck? My wife is convinced that the sky will fall and we have to call a tow truck right now. I wanna fill it and drive it. 2015 w 80,000 km

What a unique experience to find these guys on the flats and sight fish for them. I got 4 of the biggest grunts I’ve ever seen and spooked a bunch of hogfish, but finally landed the last one just before we called it a day. 19”…It pulled line (16” is the minimum size). These flats also hold some of the biggest parrot fish that I have seen in the Atlantic. What a great day.

1/8 chartreuse Hook-up jig, Shimano 3000, 8lb braid, on the rising tide. Surprisingly easy to spook them.

I have carbon Moana’s (my fav), Mares Avanti Quattro (awesome but heavy) and old Gara 3000 fins (great foot pockets)

Just for ease of travel, beater fins for tidal pools and snorkeling w the kids… am I crazy to cut my Cressi’s shorter to fit in my suitcase? Maybe 8” shorter.

Has anyone tried this?

Hi. GenX white guy here (FL & NY). I’m writing a book and discussing character development w my neighbor/friend (she’s 48, black from NY & GA, We get along great, we take turns watching kids, shared dinners etc) I want to avoid certain stereotypes and I tried to convey it by saying “I want to avoid the trap of having a ‘magical negro’ character. I’m not writing a part for Morgan Freeman”

Did I go too far? Is that an acceptable and relatable term or did I cross a line?

FWIW, she didn’t blink. Conversation continued normally. But, I’m now second guessing myself.

Can anyone tell me if my dad’s lot in Marina Hemingway was left empty or has a structure on it? “Lot G-99 Avenida 3ra Marina Hemingway”

Google Earth gives me some hope but not definitive.

Dad left in 1958w Pedro Pan. I know we’ll never get the family house back (Marinanao) but I’m cautiously hopeful for change and the chance to go back.