No, I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth. Though I'm sure it seems like it.

Summer has flown by. Or sailed by. I prefer sailed. Because I did a lot of sailing over the summer.

I am now a Silly Freshman and Cal State San Marcos. Doing homework and all that nonsense.

But! Summer Sailing was quite enjoyable. I believe I sailed at least once a week throughout the summer, even twice at some points. And I just did an overnight trip to Dana Point for their Tall Ships Festival a couple weeks back. It was quite enjoyable, with all the other ships and sailors, and seeing the differences in the way we do things. I did keep a journal, and I may post my entries if I ever remember or find the time...
I shall also be crewing on a couple of the upcoming battle sails between Californian and Lynx, so if you happen to be in the San Diego are do sign up for a battle sail, as they're really quite enjoyable.

Gosh, so much has happened I can't think of anything to say. Ah, well. Questions are welcome. And such.

-coughs- So. Erm. Yes. I haven't updated in about forever. Been terribly busy lately. And I shall make a list of my current goings on, because that seems simple.

1. Maritime Museum every week. That's always fun. Though I signed up for Square Rigger 101 and am required to take every class, even the ones I could teach. But Surprise yards are almost done! Almost as in, we've filled in all the checks and all that's left is painting. Fore lower yard, main lower yard, boom, gaff, mizzen lower yard, mizzen top yard, mizzen t'gallant yard. ...Yeah, painting all of those means almost done.

2. That School Thing takes up far too much time than is completely necessary. So many projects at the end of the year! But we do get to make a boat in physics, which is terribly exciting. I've been waiting all year for this!

3. Being a theatre geek is time consuming. Though in a good way. We've been teching for everything that happens at the school theatre. And once that's over, we have rehearsal withdrawls and hang out at the theatre even when nothing's happening. And organising the theatre! I have been so OCD! But seriously, this year's seniors are leaving the theatre so nice for the incoming people. We completely cleaned the breezeway, which once was impossible to walk through without tripping over something and now has a wonderfully clear pathway with all the flats organised against the back wall. That was probably the biggest accomplishment of the year, and the drama teacher was so happy when we showed her! Next year's class and better not mess it up! I'm really enjoying tech, though, and I'm even considering technical theatre as a profession. Despite my lack of knowledge in lighting or sound. Everyone needs a main curtain motor, right? =D

4. I almost forgot, I went to that silly high school prom thing. I'm not the dance-type-person and was guilted into going. ...Yeah, I'm just glad it's over.

5. And perhaps most exciting is the NCIS season finale tomorrow! I am going to a friend's house to have an NCIS party and watch the finale together. ^^

New layout! Featuring my very own vector of HMS Surprise. Complete with pig flag and runaway pennant.

Speaking of Surprise, she is going into dry-dock soon. Meaning that afterwards she will be nice and clean. And that currently she is naked due to de-rigging in preparation for dry-dock.
Also in Maritime Museum news, the Dolphin is coming! Probably a nice change from our sinking Soviet sub. She's supposed to be here by the end of the month, but now is the end of the month so I don't know when she's actually supposed to be here. I think I might have heard some scuttlebutt about it being postponed until March, but I can't be sure.

And that's all I've got.

 Wait! I lied. I got the NCIS Soundtrack. Which is made of awesome. But I don't know if any of you are NCIS fans, so you probably don't care that much.


EDIT: I just realised I hadn't posted about the last Surprise sail. Unfortunately, I can't remember that much about it now. I do remember it was fun, though! Staying overnight on the Surprise is always fun, despite the smell. We did lose the pennant (thus the above runaway pennant comment). It had snapped from the pig stick and got caught on one of the braces. Someone went up to get and right when he reached for it the wind dislodged it and it fell into the bay. xD Captain yelled, 'Pennant overboard! Hands to launch the boat!' but we couldn't find it. Hopefully we'll get a new one.

So. I haven't posted in just about forever. Loads of stuff has happened as well. The annual Stars'l (though the Star didn't sail so I don't really know what to call it) has come and gone. I got to sail on HMS Surprise! I was foremast crew, specifically on the starboard pin rail and the t'gallant brace. It was really great fun and finally being on Sail Crew is absolutely brilliant!

After that, but before my birthday (which was the 30th of December, by the way. I am officially an adult!) I got to climb for the first time! On Surprise you can climb to the course yards being just jibboom qualified, so I took advantage of that when a few other crew members were going skylarking. I ran up to the first mate and begged to climb, saying that I did own a harness and I am jibboom qualified and it was only nine days before I turned eighteen and he let me! I got to climb to the foreyard with Aimee and though it wasn't nearly as high as Eagle's t'gallant, it was deifinitely a different perspective than the deck. I really wanted to go over the futtock shrouds, but alas, only those top qualified can do so. I really need to keep working at my pull-up, I'm about 3/4 of the way there.

During the regular maintenance Sundays, though, I've been painting the Surprise as a part of Marge's crew. Marge is Made of Awesome, by the way. I get to go over the side and paint the channels, which means I get to wear my harness! And do something a bit more exciting than staying on deck.

Another sailing adventure was had the day before my birthday. Surprise went out for the Holiday Bowl Parade and I was again a part of her crew! There wasn't a lot of wind and we only set tops'ls along with the fore-and-afts, but it was still nice being able to get out in the bay.


I'm beginning to think this journal is going to move more toward accounts of my nautical adventures (So if you want to stop watching me, I won't be insulted or anything). I'm avoiding Who fandom for a while because I don't want to be spoiled on who's playing the next doctor. I am watching the specials, though. Just not participating in fandom for fear of spoilers. I've sort of moved on to NCIS, though I'm a bit nervous about diving into fandom. I'm at the lurking stage right now. Who just isn't really interesting to me any more (which really depresses me 'cos I thought I'd love it forever), but maybe I'll get back into it. Maybe once the year of specials is over I'll get back in fandom, but right now NCIS is my favourite show.


Hmm, I think that's about it. This weekend is another Surprise sail and I'll be sleeping over Saturday night. Should be good fun! =D

So I just spent the whole day in front of the TV watching NCIS. There was a marathon. And I'm becoming quite obsessed. Don't worry, not near enough to endanger Who. But I love all of the characters! Usually I watch a show and one character just sticks out to me, but with NCIS I love all of them! They're all so loveable in their own unique ways. =D

I'm just a bit lazy, for information on my nautical adventures from the weekend see this post and this post with pictures. =D


And in other news, a couple of friends and I have decided to write a fantasy/comedy/semi-historical/adventure novel. Working title being The Extraordinary and Very True Tale of the Voyage of the Yammer Schooner. Being inspired by the word(s) yammer schooner during my friend's read of The Voyage of the Beagle. We thought, 'Hey, what if a yammer schooner were a type of schooner, like a tops'l schooner?' and this the idea was born. We're working on what makes a yammer schooner a yammer schooner and not just a schooner. So if you can think of any unique ideas, do let me know! We have worked out that a yammer schooner would be a ship o' the yam trade (yams being very popular in this alternate world). But we don't know what to do with the sails to make it unique.

So, hms_surrender, your LiveJournal reveals...


 

You are... 2% unique (blame, for example, your interest in nineteenth century costume) and 6% herdlike (partly because you, like everyone else, enjoy the beatles). When it comes to friends you are normal. In terms of the way you relate to people, you are wary of trusting strangers. Your writing style (based on a recent public entry) is intellectual.

Your overall weirdness is: 37

(The average level of weirdness is: 29.
You are weirder than 76% of other LJers.)

Find out what your weirdness level is!

My writing style is intellectual? xD I don't think so.



I'm a bit tired now, but I'll post of my sailing adventures from this weekend tomorrow (maybe) with pictures! =D

EDIT: I'm good now. Don't need any more. And I am feeling decidedly more cheerful with the prospects of sailing all weekend! =D Thanks to all who helped. And if you absolutely really want to take the survey, go ahead and I can easily edit the data.



So. My bloody [expletive deleted]ing group decided that I have to do the whole analysis of our project just because I 'said I would' before I knew I would be gone all weekend. I tried reasoning with them, but they're excuse was, 'You said you'd do it!' Apparently the don't understand that laptop + ocean = Not a Good Thing.
And two of them couldn't get the information. I need twenty of these filled out. If any of you (pleasepleaseplease) could answer these questions I'd really appreciate it. It's about gay marriage, which I know is a controversial issue and this project is for my US government class, but no matter where you're from I'd really really appreciate it if you filled one out. It's anonymous, so go ahead and comment anonymously. Just delete the answers that don't apply to you.

( I will love you forever (despite not knowing who you are) if you helped me out. )


On a lighter tone, I am excited about sailing this weekend, and sleeping over on the Surprise Saturday! I'm just a bit emo 'cos my group decided that sailing all weekend is Absolutely No Work At All and I'm going to be on a bloody cruise. I'd like to see them hauling a halyard and blistering their hands...

Well, for my standards, anyway.

I've sort of come to the realisation that I am, indeed, a senior and should probably start applying to colleges. Which is a bit Not Fun, for I bloody well don't know when I lead a group or team through a challenging situation.
I've decided to apply to practically every college in San Diego, for to stay close to the Maritime Museum. And I'm even applying to the Coast Guard Academy. Which is rather shocking. I'm still not entirely sure if I actually want to go there (though my parents are all for it, seeing as the government pays for my tuition), but I figured I might as well apply. The bad part is the physical fitness exam that I have to go through just to apply (and again once I get there for 'Swab Summer'). I've never actually done any sports and am rather lazy. But, I'm willing to try. I just need to find the time now to actually get in shape.

In other news, Crew is being fun, for we are sail training on Surprise. We'll get to go out for a practice sail next week, so that should be jolly spiffing. =D Today Swanny brought his new dachshund puppy, Fritz, to get him used to large crowds of people. It's endlessly amusing to see manly sailor men fawning over a puppy. xD

And in that Doctor Who news.
I'm really not bothered. At all. Waaay too many people are too angry/sad/emo about it to be a part of this fandom. Seriously.

Today is Trafalgar Day!

I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad, but I think I'll lean towards happy 'cos of the victory, but still be a bit sad for Nelson.

So, I decided to check out the new American Life on Mars, just to see how awful it is. I suppose going into it thinking like that makes me rather biased. But it's, like, an exact copy. Only American. And not as awesome. It's rather bothering me. And I haven't even gotten in ten minutes.

Well. Today was a nice full day of hauling lines.

I think I'm going to go sleep now.

Yay, Free Time appears to be being friendly with me again.

So, sail training has started up in preparation for the November sail. That means getting to Crew at 7.30 instead of 8.30. I'm on HMS Surprise for both days. I'm on the foremast crew, which is actually over-manned. I stood around trying to jump in but being cut off by other people jumping in. I got to haul a line once, though. And make up all the lines when we were done. Which I do rather like. Hopefully next week I'll be able to jump in faster than other people. I'm going to go down to the museum again Wednesday for the Ship Modeller's Guild, so I think I'll go a little earlier and study the pins.
After crew was fun, too, for I got to go sailing on a friend's boat. And afterwards I got to be hauled up the mast in a bosun's chair to get a new line through a block. xD It was rather fun. Height was nothing compared to the t'gallant on Eagle, though.

I'm really anxious to start climbing. I need to do a pull-up. Preferably by the time I turn eighteen (30th December!). If anyone can share any tips on doing pull-ups, that'd be great. xD That's with palms facing forward, mind. Being jibboom qualified will get me to the mainyard on Surprise, though. So hopefully they'll let me do that once I'm eighteen.
-headdesk- I've never wanted to be older more than I do now. And not even for the normal reasons. Sometimes I wish the Museum wasn't so strict when it comes to climbing qualifications.

I didn't have enough time to watch all of Sarah's Classic serials (nor could I even find all of the serials). But here are my type-while-watching comments on the serials I was able to fit into my busy week. Plus! Episodes one and two of SJA S2!

( The Time Warrior )

( Invasion of the Dinosaurs! )

( Death to the Daleks! )

Unfortunately, I could not find Monster of Peladon. Maybe one day I'll find it and update this.


( Planet of the Spiders! )

( Robot! )

( Ark in Space! )

( Sontaran Experiment! )

And this is when my marathon sort of dies. I didn't have time to watch Genesis, which I do have on DVD. I'll probably get to it one day, though.


( Revenge of the Cybermen! )
And I didn't have time/couldn't find any season 13 or 14. Which I really do enjoy very much. I blame the Beeb for not sharing.
I might get to it one day, though, and update this post with my commentaries.

But I have decided that the Sarah Era is my favourite Era of Doctor Who (with some buffer zone of Jo and Leela eras surrounding it).
And I've come to the conclusion that I watch Doctor Who for, as they say, the lulz.


And now, the moment we've all been waiting for bloody ever.

( The Last Sontaran 1+2 (SPOILERS, obv.) )

And, er, that's it!

In celebration of the second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, I have decided to watch Sarah's Classic serials from Time Warrior to Hand of Fear and doing type-while-you-watch commentaries. I'll post them all in one batch when I'm done and if I find some extra time I might go on to Five Doctors and K-9 and Company. Though I doubt I'll have enough time for S1 of SJA. I've finished Time Warrior and am now about to move on to Invasion of the Dinosaurs, and so on. When the new series starts up I'll probably do the same commentaries. =D Can't wait!


And in other news, I had Crew today. And polished brass. And, er, that was about it.

But first, I'll tell a bit about today. Crew was rather fun, though there really wasn't much work to do today. After Crew, though, I got to sail on a friend's boat, and that was really fun. And, er, that's about it.

( The journal. )
Photos can be found here, for I am too lazy to post them all individually. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures from the t'gallant, but I think Salina did so I'll ask her for them and post them when I get them.



In other news, I positively can't wait for SJA to start up. This series looks to be absolutely brilliant. ( Possible spoiler! Be warned! )

And I might start using international code for chatspeak. Such as lima oscar lima (lol), or whiskey tango foxtrot (wtf). For it is just generally amusing.

And I have been back for quite a while. I just haven't had time to post anything. I did keep a journal, but I still need to type it up. And I just uploaded the photos (the cable had been misplaced for quite some time, I eventually found it in my Junk Drawer). I'll post loads more about it later, I just thought it was about time I announced my return.

And, on a school-related note, the year started out a tad stressful, mostly due to missing two days, a Difficult Maths Class (that wasn't really difficult, but exactly the same as the class I took last year with Loads More Work) and a lost textbook for said class (resulting in inability to do homework and more stress), but all is well (for now), for I have dropped Difficult Maths Class for a Fun and Easy Class that, as a bonus, counts for a maths credit! Hurrah! So I currently love every single one of my classes! =D I just hope that book turns up before the end of the year when I have to pay for it.

Tomorrow's the day I go sailing on USCGC Eagle! I'll be gone for four days and will miss two days of school, so I'll probably not have time to post about my adventures until the weekend. But I am going to keep a journal and take pictures when I can!

So I've decided to change my favourite Doctor again. Three has recently squeaked ahead of Four. But my favourite always changes as I watch more of a certain Doctor.

How can you not love him?

And I recently had a dream that involved Three hosting a cooking show in my kitchen.

And I have no Three icons, which must be remedied whenever I get a paid account.

Meme!
Comment on this post. I will choose seven interests from your profile and you will explain what they mean and why you are interested in them. Post this along with your answers in your own journal so others can play along.

And feel free to choose even more of my interests. This is fun. And I need distraction from my homework.


Finally, I'm nearly done with my summer assignment. Nearly = only have sixteen paragraphs to go in four days.