What is going on? I'm in the SDSU computer lab--not as relaxed because it's near peak time. Lots of people want computers. I'm here to finish applying for the SDSU Temp Jobs. Well the guy next to me is playing with his cell phone and watching sports. I'm on a mac. Keyboard set to DVORAK.
I did the full kata + yoga + ballet this am. Will be doing that more, less swimming, weights. Tomorrow AM: 7 laws yoga (Chopra et al.). The lower back, neck has been an issue. All the yoga, dance really helps. And posture throughout day, while walking.
Creative outlet has been resume work. Will finish that today. Yesterday eve, walked by my friend's house--never sure exactly why or for what, no plans. We got to thinking of games we could play. She suggested co-drawing. One draws a line (with non-dominant hand), the other continues. After several drawings (she decided when a drawing was done), she introduced color. She teaches ceramics at a private school. . .
Ah--grandma has been doing well fattening me up. . . but I think I can meet the challenge now of not eating many of the cookies and desserts she makes available. I used to do very well. But got out of practice over the summer.
I talked to her about it and she kept the cookie can empty for a while. But now she's back at it. A compulsive feeder. Partly responsible for her dead husband's prominent belly. Cooks from the box or the can.
Going back over the past to do resume work and contact old employers is engaging.
Meanwhile I'm preparing to apply for the TWIC and MMD so I may be able to go to the Unlicensed Mariner Program and SIU's Paul Hall School. The app arrived Saturday.
I do need to think that through more carefully. So I'll be working on the essay part of the application as soon as I get my temp app in. My initial attempt at it is below.
BUT HOLD ON! What is going on here. I've been quiet partly because. . . partly because the HR people may google me. . . partly because I've been working on the resume. Partly because I've been enjoying being quiet. I was feeling manic the other evening--but I know that will pass. Is there any reason to write about that--to tweet it?
There was a collection of articles in the library about Greg Mortenson's work in Pakistan building rural schools. Some acclaimed greatness, significant public service, to contemplate.
What about writing here. . .
The mania came perhaps from believing I had an engaging future of things to do, to work for. That I was in the flow. Talking with my dad about the sea school possibility was good.
Tangerines, Jujube, Guava, Tangerines ate those on the way here. Grandma was laid-out dead-like on the couch. My early rising, good for me, and a bit of a new thing, perhaps disruptive, but need not be. Getting the fallen guavas the owner came out to tell me I could pick from the tree (had enough from the ground) and offered some persimmons. I told her about SD Food Not Lawns.
Proust v. Mortenson. What has education given me? He's a tool of the flow--but challenged to go slow, to care for his self, body. His wife, a psych: he's an introvert, needs time unplugged. Joined the army in '75 as a medic, when it was unpopular. One of those cross-cultural people, as noted by the author of "Left my heart in Accra"(? - worldchanging poster).
I guess that's it? The unreadable brain-dump is over?
Walking back, mind running, quickly eating tangerines. . . stop to remember "peace is every step," slow down, pay attention to breathing, focus on the footfall.
--
"Why I want to work in the Maritime Industry" (initial draft initiation)
Blog post:
Today I got the application for the Unlicensed Apprentice Program at the Paul Hall Center of the Seafarers International Union (seafarers.org).
One of the requirements is this essay. There are many other requirements having to do with physicals and background checks. Before I begin working on getting my MMD, TWIC, physicals (-$400+), it would be good to see if I can write this essay and to think things through more.
I may be as much as 20 years older than some of the people in this program. There are other options for college grads, but here, once in, your finances are covered.
Why this rather than 50 million other things I could do? I really don't know (a moment of terror, a glimpse of the void). Here are a few ideas.
I seem to appreciate the structure. I should be able to, eventually, work my way through the requirements and bureaucracy. Without the requirements and hoops to jump through, how would I structure my life? Mike M. has got a boat and a dream and the will to sail across the pacific hunting and gathering along the way. Others have dreams for what they can make happen or grow on some land. I don't!
Let's take a second to consider the possibility of going with Mike M or Redpillsailor. The only comparable thing I've done is helping Rod on his house at Earthaven. I learned a lot but did not stay. Redpill sounds nice and reasonable. Mike more creative and skilled. . . Why would I trust bureacracy over these very personal opportunities? There is the issue of money equaling freedom. As a licensed mariner I can sail for money part of the time and take the more personal opportunities the rest of the time.
The structure of the bureacracy is like the structure of genres of writing. The sonnet is highly structured. Generally the novel is too. Most people's lives are as well. I'm somewhat outside the lines--not as far as Mike M, perhaps, but I've been making relatively free-form life-poetry for 20+ years now?
If you can jump through the hoops, maritime careers [. . .]
Essay.
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