its about time!

I know what your thinking, "its about time he did a blog!" well your right. Its been a few moons since the last update and sadly there is not a whole lot new to report. Once underway things fall into a routine. Same thing day in and day out. Currently we are patroling around looking for pirates. now I am sure you all can figure out where we are approximately. We have had a few close calls but nothing big or meaningful. To be honest this place is bustling with warships. Its almost like there are more warships then merchant. of course there are a ton of merchant ships and no matter how many warships there are its not that hard for a pirate to climb aboard and take over a ship. so we keep patroling hoping to find them before they strike again.

So far the middle east has not been as hot as I thought but what it has been is very humid and hazy. I am surprised at the hot wet air whenever I step outside (which is not very often) and the visibilty is only 5-6 miles. a thick brown haze covers the horizon at all time.

Now on to some good news (sounds like a news broadcast) the crossing the line ceremony is quickly coming and for those that do not know, the crossing the line ceremony is a big deal and a right of passage for sailors. The line that we are crossing is the equator and until you have crossed it you are a WOG and once you have crossed it you are a shellback. Of course in fine navy fashion in order to be considered a shellback you have to go through a sort of "ceremony" if you will that involves some rather non-ceremony type activities. Since its a bit of a tradition and not supposed to be talked about you can probably look it up online. Every ship does it differently but there is a general theme that it holds true too. All I can say is that I wont be wearing my glasses and anything I am wearing I will probably never wear again when its over.

To all reading this I hope this finds you in good spirits and health. take care

mark