Romancing The Road...

Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO VIEW THE ENTIRE SET.

IMG_0078.JPG, originally uploaded by Senor Adventure.

I was just at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans and have to say that it's better than decent. And considering that Hurricane Katrina plowed through there in '05 it's come back phenomenally. This link will take you to the entire photo set.

Enjoy.

High and dry on the ICW.

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DSCN1409, originally uploaded by Senor Adventure.

High and dry and left to die. Plus you gotta to love the early morning fog.

Travel by container ship.

I was asked the following question by a fellow writer and traveler.  I appreciate it because as I'm reading it I thought now here is a guy who thinks outside the box.  And I enjoyed writing my response because the question got me to thinking again about an unrealized travel idea that's been kicking around in my head.  I'm publishing it because doing so may give feet to the idea.  Feet a allusion employed solely as an artistic device.

Here goes,

Hey Vicktor,

caught your site in a random search, and plan to travel to Japan via container ship before the end of the year, if all goes as planned.

I'm also a writer (screenplays-mostly), and have done about two million commercial trucking miles across America and into Canada, running everything from Household Moves (Alied Van Lines and others) containers from central washington to all the ports from Portland to Seattle, to Everette, to heavy equipment, boats, cars, and all manner of construction gear.

Always wanted to travel via container ship, have owned a couple of small pleasure boats when living in the San Juan Isalnds up in Puget Sound, and a couple of my good friends have held 100 or 200 ton licenses and who worked commercially have encouraged me to not wait.

Thought I'd ask a real sailor which line he would choose for a ride to Asia, (If you would have a preference), and of course, any other advice you might want to include.

Thanks Much.  See you out there in the "Jungle".

Peace,
GM
Screenwriter

---------------------------

GM,

Apologies for not replying sooner, but I've been at sea.  A sailor's life you know.  To answer your question, I'm unable to recommend any particular shipping line to you because I've always sailed for work, and on the US flag commercial carriers I work for I've yet to come across any passengers paying for a berth.  Like everything else these days just Google it.  I know that's not any kind of insight that you haven't learned for yourself.  So...

Let me tell you about a travel idea that once occurred while transiting the Panama Canal.  I haven't yet realized it, but its on my to-do list, right along with screwing Japanese twins named fook-u and fook-me ;)  But this plan requires a big pair of brass ones, a flexible travel schedule, and some A-game bullshitting skills. I'd go to the the Port of Balboa which is on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. From there I would talk my way aboard a ship and hitchhike my way across the Pacific.  Here's the game plan.  To begin with you can easily meet ships crews by hanging out at the Ports exit with the taxi drivers who service the sailors or you could hang out at the brothels that cater to sailors -sailors on shore leave always go to brothels - and try to meet crew members there.  You'll want to socialize with everyone, but know that only Officers are decision makers.  Explain to them that you are a writer/photographer/whatever and that you are doing research for XYZ project and can you ride with them. Of course if you ever do this you'll have to fill me in on your plans beforehand, just in case. 

Some additional advice for the journey.  Take a camera, you will never take more stellar pictures of Sunrises and Sunsets than you will when out to sea.  In bars only drink out of bottles - insist it be opened in front of you - or you may get drugged as happened to me in Singapore.  I know, drugged in Singapore sounds incredibly cliched, but it really did happen to me.  Fortunately I woke up 10 hours later in my rack onboard my ship with all of my organs intact.    

Here are Japan specific insights I gleaned when living in Tokyo for 6 months.  It's expensive so be prepared.  The trains are the bomb and easy to master.  Japanese insert the most atrocious combinations of food inside of bread pies, they're known as bread surprises.  The only dangerous people in Japan are fellow travelers.  Get a place as near to Roppongi Square as is possible (Google Tokyo apartment rentals). Roppongi Square is nightlife central for foreigners in Japan, and for Japanese who want to party with foreigners. That last point is key because you will quickly learn that not all Japanese like Gaijin (foreigners), but you will find that the ones who do all flock to Roppongi just to meet you. Important Fashion Alert: Don't go dressed like what I call Wal-Mart Americans or neo-hippies.  Dress to impress! Japanese absolutely do notice and if you take care of your appearance you'll find yourself being shown those little courtesies that the grunge set doesn't.  Sadly, despite your best efforts be prepared to be occasionally slighted by Japanese that just don't like you. For example, late at night taxis will routinely refuse you because they don't speak English and your just not worth the trouble.  There are, however, two silver linings to all of this: You will be humbled, in a good way.  Also and fortuitously, if you are a man who is into casual flings with hot foreign women in exotic destinations, then you need to visit 7Heaven strip club which is conveniently located in, you guessed it, Roppongi.  The hottest women in this world are dancing their and since they are downright wore out by the shenanigans of drunk Jap salarymen your big gentlemanly-American self is golden. Just remember the girls aren't looking for pimps.  What they want is a man to take them out, treat them right, romance them a little, and have casual non-committal recreational sex with.  On the other hand if you come across one who is selling extra services that come with a happy ending I recommend you just politely but firmly walk away because it's a buyers market (that's you) and you don't need to do that to your manhood. Alert!!Warning!! Tokyo is awash with bitter self-pitying money blinded foreign workers who are more misguided than even the strippers.  You'll recognize them by their most oft repeated catch phrase, "I hate it here, but I make a lot of money."  Stay away from them, they're losers.  On that note, should you come across a little English language rag called Tokyo Classified take what you read therein with the proverbial grain of salt.  It's subjective pulp written by the aforementioned losers.

Be safe,
Vicktor

P.s.  So you are a writer.  Seems like you choose your work for its travel and writing material potential. Writings my past time as well, do you have any published work, and if so do you mind if I have a read?
P.s.s.  I liked your question and I think that others will profit from my response as well so I am going to blog it.  I'll change your name of course.

Pro-immigrant rally in Miami a bust!

IMG_0417.JPG, originally uploaded by Senor Adventure.

Today while sitting in my doctors waiting room I picked up today’s edition (May 1, 2008) of the Miami Herald. On page 2B I came across an article about the day’s MARCH/CELEBRATION “demanding immigration legalization and an end to raids targeting the undocumented.” Cool. A pro-immigration rally. Unfortunately for immigrants in this country seeking the American dream that’s not what today turned out to be. Most unfortunate is that for those Americans undecided about immigrants and immigration, today’s rally would have them think that immigrants and their friends support convicted murderers, spies, socialism and some other causes that they may not even be aware of – guilt by association.

I am going to keep this simple and write bullet style. This is the key to my code:
r1 p1 = row 1 picture 1
r1 p1,2 = row 1 picture 1 and 2
And so on.

r1 p2: Kudos to this reporter for showing up, he was the only one, and interviewing those that came for a pro-immigration rally. However, he did avoid the fringe elements at the rally.

r1 p3: These two knew why they came and stayed on message. Sadly they were in the minority.

r1 p5: The Miami May Day Coalition had this table stationed outside of the Haitian Community Center, Jacques Dessalines Center, the official staging point of the rally. By allowing this group to do business in front of the center - handing out socialist literature, books, communist red flags and red t-shirts – the center gave them their blessing. Let me state for the record, I personally do not care what the political beliefs of the Center or the Haitian community are. My beef is that with the help of the - too complacent to do their research - staff at the Miami Herald, people like myself and others were duped into attending this rally.

A look at The Miami May Day Coalition’s mission statement and it’s clear that pro-immigration is only a side show for this organization. Although I too am a critic of the war in Iraq that is not what this rally was billed as in the Newspaper. It is also clear throughout the photos that between the communist red t-shirts, red flags, and bullhorns that theirs was the message of the day.


*** IF YOU READ ONLY ONE THING READ THIS***

r3 p2,6: In picture TWO of row THREE you see five white faces superimposed on the Cuban flag. In picture SIX you see the same five white faces and the image of a black man in chains with the words JUVENTUD BOLIVIARIANA in the lower right hand corner.

I’ll begin with picture TWO of row THREE. Those FIVE Cuban nationals were part of the Castro spy ring - Red Avispa (Wasp Net) - that was caught, tried, and convicted in US courts of espionage against the USA. The implied message here is that Cuban-American’s support Cuban spies, but they do not.

In picture SIX of row THREE those same five Cuban national’s appear super-imposed in a brotherly ring around a man named Mumia Abu-Jamal who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1981 murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner. Again to the uninformed the unspoken message is that Cuban-Americans support cop killers, but they do not. In the bottom right hand corner of the poster are the words, JUVENTUD BOLIVARIANA, the far left Latin American socialist group that does support foreign spies and cop killers.

Thankfully the local media ignored those extreme left elements and the national media doesn’t recognize them, otherwise less informed people would think that immigrants and their friends support all of those far left socialists fringe groups, foreign spies, and cop killers, but we do not.

r5 p3: An upside down American flag. How unoriginal. Again, I don’t know of any immigrants that fly the flag upside down. That man btw is with the Miami chapter of the Socialist Party.

So you may be thinking, so what? The Miami chapter of the US Socialists Party held a rally. So what? The so what is that those people do not represent the immigrant community, and yet they were clever enough to co-opt the day’s advertised message with their off issue politics.

A lazy day on the ICW.

IMG_0048.JPG, originally uploaded by Senor Adventure.

*CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO VIEW THE ENTIRE SET*

Yesterday I'm sitting in my Captain's chair on the bridge of my tug. I won't say the name of the boat or exactly where I am because of the current state of paranoia regarding ship security. I can, however, tell you that I am on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Southern Louisiana.

So there I am with nothing to do and I decided to pull out my Canon Powershot S2 IS and photograph the passing tugs. After a day of shooting I ran the days roll through my IPhoto program on my mac in order to do a bit of editing. My conclusion upon seeing the final product is that I have come to the point where my photography far exceeds the ability of my camera to capture what my eye sees. Soon, very soon, I am upgrading to a Canon 40D with only L series lenses. I am excited.

My FAST RESCUE BOAT class.

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IMG_1051.JPG, originally uploaded by Senor Adventure.

These are photo I took of my Fast Rescue Boat class at the Paul Hall School in Piney Point, MD. One of the down sides of being the class photographer is that you don't get to include many photos of yourself. But I am there so look hard. And for those of you that call this class Fast Rescue Class (FRC), don't! Unless you are one of our red headed step brother's to our North in Canada. Ay?

BEES ON A BARGE.

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IMG_0103.JPG, originally uploaded by Senor Adventure.

I took these photos in 2007 while steaming across Biscayne Bay National Park on the Coastal Boca Grande pushing a barge ahead en route to Turkey Point.

Believe it or not, but there we were minding our own business when out of nowhere a swarm of bees lands on the barge. What to do? I took out my lap top, googled killer bees, and came across the website of a guy who does pest removal. The solution, knock them down with a fire hose.

The guys in the pictures with the good attitudes are my ship mates.

BTW there are no killer bees in SOFLA. And the object they are attracted to in this photo is a red light fixture

Fishing with my cousin Cesar.

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IMG_1341.JPG, originally uploaded by Senor Adventure.

These photos are from Jan 2008 when I went fishing with my cousin (cueball) on Biscayne Bay National Park in South Florida. We only go fishing Monday-Friday. On the weekends when the crowds come out the fish stay in

Pro-immigrant rally May day 2006.

MAY 1006, originally uploaded by Man of Adventure.

This photo was just included in an online Miami neighborhood guide for the area known as Little Havana. Follow this URL to see more.

Welding class at the Merchant Marine school.

IMG_0020.JPG, originally uploaded by Man of Adventure.

These are photos of a welding course I took last October at the Paul Hall School in Piney Point, MD. People often ask if I get to do very much welding on ships. The short answer is, no. The long answer is that I took this course as a life enhancer. Welding is now another life skill that I've added to my exising skills set. Years ago I made a promise to myself that each year I would learn at least one new skill, professional license, certificate, etc. This year I'm going to add instruments training to my airplane flying. I'll keep you posted.

Vick

What's a Merchant Marine?

What is the Merchant Marine, what does a Merchant Marine do, and how did you get into that line of work? This is a question that I am routinely asked. It’s with a varying degree of success that I’ve been able to answer it. With that in mind I thought it appropriate to take the time to answer the question as concisely as possible. Throughout this post I will insert links to the pages that I have referenced here. If something I say is not clear I suggest you click through for clarification.

I sometimes answer that question with a question. “What do you think a Merchant Marine is?” People’s answers range form I don’t know to I thought you guys were disbanded after WWII? Often people will confuse us with the few the proud the Marines. Mad props to those bad asses, but that’s not who we are. We do carry guns and sometimes we get shot at (pirates), but we never go looking for a fight.

The Merchant Marine in most seafaring countries is a fleet of ships used for commerce that sometimes complements the navy. These fleets may be divided into several categories: Freighters, or cargo ships, which today are mainly container ships. Coasters, smaller ships that are normally not ocean going. Tankers for the transport of fluids, such as oil, gas and chemicals. During times of war we are the guys that are tasked with transporting troops and equipment to the theater of war. The Navy does not do it because the Navy’s ships are war ships, not transport ships. For better or worse, without us foreign wars would not be possible.

A Merchant Marine is a crewmember aboard those merchant vessels. Ship’s crews are divided into three departments. Deck, engine, and steward. Deck guys take care of most of the activities done on deck such as maintenance, loading, and discharging cargo. Deckies also man the bridge and ensure the safe navigation of the ship. Engineers man the engine room and keep the ship’s engines steaming. Steward’s keep the ship’s interior clean as well as prepare the crews meals.

I’ll go further into what the deckies do because that’s my department. Chipping, painting, gangway watch, tying up, casting off, and bridge watch take up the bulk of our day. There are sometimes other tasks that come up, but these are the bulk of them. While underway each member of the deck department is required to do two 4 hour watches per day. Contrary to Hollywood the captain never stands watch and on ocean going vessels never steers the ship. Steering is the helmsman’s job. Bridge watch consists of keeping the ship on course and watching for traffic visually and with radars. Bridge watch is done standing up. Honestly though, most watches are really 4 hour long coffee breaks occasionally broken up by ship’s business. We drink coffee, listen to music, and talk X-rated sailor talk. Hey, what else did you think lonely men on long voyages would talk about?

My getting into the Merchant Marine was a fluke. Living in South Florida surrounded by million dollar yachts I originally intended to become a yachty. With that in mind I signed up for a three-month academy geared towards preparing student’s for a career in the yachting business. The week before graduation the school was visited by recruiter’s from several crew placement agencies as well as a recruiter from the commercial outfit Tidewater. They operate small boats working in the coastwise trade. At that point the only professional boating expertise I had was what I had learned in that academy class. Recognizing that that was not enough I decided to go the commercial route and build some solid skills before I joined the hyper competitive world of yachting. My intention was to then take those skills and throw my hat into the world of yachting, but I never did. Rather than become a yachty I became a deep-sea sailor. I love being a deep-sea sailor, for several reasons. First, it gives me the sense of doing an important job. A real job. I also like working with the men that are attracted to commercial shipping. I like knowing that I am competing in the most professional environment in shipping and excelling. I also like the travel and time off. As a Merchant Marine I am only obligated to work 5 months a year, however, I can and usually do work more. The rest of the year is mine. It’s a nomadic life that I am enjoying to the fullest.

I’ll go more into the lifestyle in future posts.

Here are some useful links:

So you want to be a sailor?

US Merchant Marine in WW II.

American Merchant Marine At War.

Protecting US Shipping. The Jones Act of 1920.

Tunisia - Paris - Houston - FT Lauderdale.

IMG_0930.JPG, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE THE ENTIRE SET.

This is my photo set of my flight back from TUNISIA .  The flight originated in DJERBA , Tunisia.  From there I flew to the capital of Tunisia; TUNIS .  From Tunis I flew to PARIS INTERNATIONAL .  In Paris I made a connection to Houston's HOBBY AIRPORT .  In Houston I overnighted and flew SOUTHWEST to FT LAUDERDALE the next day.  In FT Lauderdale I Took the TRI-RAIL to MIA where I was picked up by family.

Airport security in Tunisia is still the way things used to be in the USA in the eighties.  It's there, but the loopholes are huge.  When I walked thru the metal detector it went off.  The security lady asked me if I had anything in my pocket's.  "No".  "Ok, have a good flight".  My guess is that Arabs don't bomb Arabs so why bother with all the extra security measures.  Lucky them.  From Tunis I flew to the international airport in Paris.  Tunisia used to be a French colony.

In Paris everything changed.  Security was tight.  Despite that the French came across as cordial and helpful.  I've heard horror stories about them that I'm sure are all true.  I just didn't have any.  I've flown enough to know what to expect so none of the security measures surprise or upset me.  That, however, was not the case with many of my fellow passenger's.  After watching some of the shinanigans I know why they call us ugly American's. TSA is a pain, but there's no excuse for throwing a tantrum.

Favorite "LIGHT" shots.

IMG_0034.JPG, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE THE ENTIRE SET...

I am beginning to sort my photos into favorites.  I took these pics with my CANON POWERSHOT S2 1S .  It's a digital point and shoot that takes incredible shots.  Some of the pics are a bit grainy for two reasons.  The flash is inadequate at times.  I aslo shot at too low a resolution.  Oops.

The Last Friday of the month in Little Havana is rocking .

IMG_0026.JPG, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

 

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO VIEW THE ENTIRE SET.

The Last Friday of the monty, ALSO KNOWN AS VIERNES CULTURALES, in LITTLE HAVANA is rocking.  Little Havana has gone SOUTH BEACH , but for the older Latin set.  The city rails off the street side parking of CALLE 8 (8th Street).  Artists and other vendor's set up shop and the people come to party.  Last Friday the 29th was my first time there for that.  I had a great time.  Bands were everywhere.  In restaurants.   On the street.  Brass bands and drum sets.  Highly recommended.   

SUN HALO

IMG_2206, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

Here's an interesting LINK explaining sun halo's and other atmospheric optics.

THE BEST: 10 HARRISON FORD LINES

I came across this list in WIRED magazine and thought it would make a good addition to my blog.  Enjoy.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."  -HAN SOLO, STAR WARS

"You want to talk to God?  Let's go see him together."  -INDIANA JONES, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

"The report would be 'Routine retirement of replicant,' which didn't make me feel any better about shooting a woman in the back."  -RICK DECKARD, BLADE RUNNER

"Laugh it up fuzzball."  -Han Solo, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage."  -Indiana Jones, Raiders of The Lost Ark

"The earth moved.  The angles wept.  The Polaroids are ... uh ... are in my other coat."  -JACK TRAINER, WORKING GIRL

"When you find the colonel, infiltrate his team by whatever means available and terminate the colonel's command."  -COL. LUCAS, APOCALYPSE NOW

"Hey you're supposed to be the fastest thing in the valley, man.  But that can't be you car.  It must be your mama's car!  I'm sort of embarrassed to be this close to you!"  -BOB FALFA, AMERICAN GRAFFITI

"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid."  -Han Solo, star Wars

"Strictly speaking, there's no such thing as invention, you know.  It's only magnifying what already exists."  -ALLIE FOX, MOSQUITO COAST

Pro - Immigrant Rally on May Day 2006.

MAY 1057, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

Click on the photo to go to my May Day rally photo stream. I shot the photo's at Miami's Jose Marti Park in Little Havana on May 1, 2006.  Enjoy.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., En Espanol.

IMG_2202, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

I came across this mural of MLK and friend's in MAZATLAN.  MLK's QUOTE is this: "He who accepts evil without protesting it is really cooperating with it."

I decided to blog this mural today because in the last few days there has been an ANTI-IMMIGRANT backlash including a comment from our IDIOT PRESIDENT, COKEHEAD George W. concerning the NATIONAL ANTHEM being SUNG in SPANISH.

When I first sall this mural in Mazatlan, Mejico I thought, that's great.  MLK's message has been translated for all Spanish speaker's to read.  I can only hope that his message of love is translated into every language of this world.  Wouldn't that make for a better world. 

In the past few days there has been an uproar over the National Anthem being sung in Spanish.  The ARTISTS that sang the translated version did it as a tribute to this great country of ours for accepting us with open arms.  In my view this uproar isn't about the National Anthem.  That's just a rallying point that the RACIST FORCES in our country are using in order to hide their real discontent.  That we are here at all.  That we are now the single largest ETHNIC minority in the US (14% in 2005).

All of this much ado about nothing reminds me of a conversation I had with some guys at a mechanic's shop a few years ago.  The guys at this shop were all white Americans and being white skinned myself they all just assumed that I was American (white) like them.  That happens to me a lot and because of that I have been privy to the inner thoughts of white men that my dark skinned Latin brother's are not.  At that time the Census bureau had just released it's finding's.  One of them was that Latinos had now jumped ahead of blacks as the Nation's largest minority group.  In South Florida Hispanics have been the biggest population block for many year's, but that we are now National was just too much for one of those guys.  He made a comment about that in order to get a negative reaction from the group.  I stepped right in and said, "Isn't that great, me and my cousins are taking over."  He looked at me shocked and asked, "Are you Latin".  "I'm Cuban".  That was the end of that line of conversation.   

Another misconception that White's have about Cubans in particular is that we are all waiting for CASTRO to die and then we are all going to leave this country, our home.  On the one hand many people in this country would love that.  On the other they use that misconception as a cheap jab at our patriotism and as a sign of our lack of gratitude for what this great country has done for us.  Let me be the one to tell you all, DON'T GET YOUR HOPE'S UP!  We are not leaving.  This is our home.  We love it just as much as you do. 

I'll close by adding this: were here, were staying here, and we are going to bend this American culture in a whatever way we want to.   

Hitch hiking in Baja.

IMG_1883, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

I met these three lost souls while hitch hiking in BAJA between MULEGE and NOL'S RANCHO COYOTE on BAHIA CONCEPCION. They were as sweet as can be, but lost. They were on their way home to LORETO from a 3 month stay in the program. The drug re-hab program.

I spoke the most to the guy wearing the shades. The other guy is his brother and the gal is the brother's wife. All three are recovering crystal meth addicts. Shades told me that he had begun smoking meth at 14 years of age. Before that he had been a pot smoker. Pot had been his GATEWAY DRUG to crystal. He says that he can't be around pot smokers or he'll start smoking crystal. So much for pot not being a gateway drug. 

Shades had finally been forced to enter the program by his mother who had him arrested. The judge told him it was prison or re-hab. He chose re-hab. What is interesting is that Shade's was poor and he told me so. Yet he had always managed to find money for drugs. He didn't exactly say it, but he did confide in me in a round about way that crime had been his profession. It's a shame that all that initiative and effort had been wasted on crime.

Sometime during our talk Shade's mentioned that he liked my sun glasses, the ones he's wearing. I took them off and gave them to him along with the neck strap. That made him incredibly happy, and it made me happy to. Now each time I think of our exchange I feel good about the fact that it turned out to be a mutual sharing. He gave me a good story to tell, and I gave him a pair of cheap sunglasses. Oh yeah. I'm a fan of cheap sunglasses. The expensive ones I buy are always getting lost.

Some tips on hitch hiking. Look as unscary as possible. Stand near places where people are pulling on and off the road. Approach people and ask for a ride. I caught a ride in this truck by walking up to it after the owner had filled it with gas. I asked if he was headed South then asked for a lift. As easy as that.

Chivas vs Cruz Azul

IMG_2396, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

CHIVAS vs CRUZ AZUL.  The Chivas are from Guadalajara and the Cruz Azul from Mexico City, aka La DF.  This game was the season opener at GUADALAJARA of the Mexican national soccer league.  It was held in Guadalajara. 

The guy in the photo is a Chivas fan and is giving the F/U to some Cruz Azul fan's.  The crowd was emotional and having a good time.  During the entire game I didn't witness a single instance of violence.

The most entertaining part of the night for me was when the opposing player's from the Cruz Azul were being introduced.  After the name of each player was announced the entire stadium would erupt with the shout of, PUTO!  That's Spanish slang for faggot.  PC has not reached Mejico and from what I understand it has not reached most of the rest of Latin America.  Three cheers for Latin America. 

The final score of the game was Chivas 1, Cruz Azul 0.

SAILING IN BAJA.

8911791-R1-042-19A, originally uploaded by Victor L Antunez.

Click on the photo to see the entire set of pics from my sailing trip in Baja.

ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE.

Vic 622, originally uploaded by victor antunez.

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CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE MY ENTIRE SET FROM THAT DAY.

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That's schoolmaster Jose at Rancho Barranco.  He's also teacher, guidance counselor, janitor, or whatever else needs doing in a one room schoolhouse.  He's part of an outfit called CONAFE that provides schooling for the disadvantaged children of Mexico.  The arrangement of the teacher with CONAFE is this.  One year of service and they provide him with a 3 year scholarship, 2 year's for 4, and 3 for 6.  For young people that can live with the hardship of being isolated from friends and family it's a pretty sweet deal.

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The children in this area that attend school usually drop-out after completing grade school to go to work on the family ranch.  I asked Jose about this and he said that that level of education gives the children enough education to run the family business without getting fleeced by outsider's.

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If that sort of work interest's you click on this LINK to view an interesting volunteer internship website.

GANG SIGNS?

Vic 693, originally uploaded by victor antunez.

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Just when I thought I had become a street wise cosmopolitan man of the world someone has to link to my site and prove otherwise.  I just learned that hanging shoes in trees is a way that gang's mark their turf.  It seems that when I was merrily hiking in the back woods of Baja I was actually in gang territory.  Pretty scary stuff.   

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Amazingly or not their is actually a web site devoted to tracking that sort of thing.  Click this LINK to learn more.

Polar Explorers

These are some quotes that I've journaled over the years.  I found them inspirational at the time that I read them in the book: THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD, and I still do.  Enjoy.

"What lots and lots I could tell you of this journey.  How much better has it been than lounging in to great comfort at home.

"After all we are setting a good example to our countrymen, if not by getting into a tight place, by facing it like men when we were there."                                                                                      CAPTAIN RF SCOTT, 1912.

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"Some will tell you that you are mad, and nearly all will say, "What is the use?"  For we are a nation of shopkeeper's, and no shopkeeper will look at research which does not promise financial return with in a year.  And you will sledge nearly alone, but those with whom you sledge will not be shopkeeper's: that is worth a good deal.

"Those who guide the world now may think they are doing quite well: so perhaps did the dodo.

"If you march your Winter's journey you will have your reward, so long as all you want is a Penguin's egg.

"If you are a brave man you will do nothing: if you are fearful you may do much, for none but cowards have need to prove their bravery.

"not incapable of judging my elders, but too young to have found out whether my judgment was worth anything.

"Both sexually and socially the polar 'explorer' must make up his mind to be starved.

"Exploration is the physical expression of the intellectual passion.

"and I tell you, if you have the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physical expression, go out and explore."                                                                                                                 APSLEY CHERRY-GARRARD

SANTA CRUZ

Vic 026, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE THE ENTIRE SET.

From left to right. Chacho's brother, Shosha, Chamaco (Chacho's son), Chente, Chacho, Chacho's grand nephew, Chacho's nephew, and Chacho's father.

CLICK on the following links to see my entire set of photos of my GUIDE'S while hiking the Sierra De La Guadalupe in Baja.

My article: MEXICO - MASSIVE FLAMES BEGAN AS A CIGARETTE FIRE, has been published.

Click on this LINK to see an article of mine that has been published in FIRE FIGHTING NEWS.

The title of the article is:  Mexico - Massive Flames Began As A Cigarette Fire

I shot the fire while on my way back to the NOLS RANCHO COYOTE from MULEGE.  From the car I noticed thick black smoke rising high up into the air from THE ORCHARD R.V. PARK.  My friends TAP and ANITA stopped the truck and I ran to the scene with my digital camera to get closer to the action.

You can see the entire set of photos by following this LINK to: FIRE IN MULEGE.

The photos below are of living legend TAP TAPLEY and his wife Anita at the scene of the fire.  Click on this LINK to see pics of Tap's recent visit to his old friend Chico in Baja

Tap and me at Chico's.  The matching rope belt's are a coincidence of the fact that we are both sailor's.

INTERESTINGNESS

Vic 686, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE THE ENTIRE SET.

This shot is proof that it doesn't take great photographic skills to take awesome photographs. Altough the skills will come with practice and a desire to improve. In my experience it takes a good digital camera, take lots of pics, and immerse yourself in INTERESTINGNESS. Interesting people/places make for interesting photography.

Shoes hanging in a tree.

Vic 693, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE THE ENTIRE SET.

It seems that hanging old shoes from trees is a favorite pastime the world over. The guy looking up at them is Gilberto. AKA Chamaco, which is a bastardization of Muchacho.

The Lazy Boy lifestyle.

My friend Bryan and I are talking about buying a condo together next year, and motorcycles, and a boat.  We've both agreed that the common denominator in choosing for each of the 3 categories is women.  A couple of days ago I was at a marina looking at boats.  I found the perfect boat.  It looked like a floating sofa.  I was thinking about how to pitch it to Bryan.  That's when I thought of this slogan. 

THE LAZY BOY LIFESTYLE:  Beer, BBQ, and Broads.

Feet on one end, pussy on the other.

These are some more things that me and my sailor friends have said over the years.

"You got the kind of legs I like.  Feet on one end, pussy on the other."

"Woman, rum, and song; a sailor's cocktail."  VA

"Wind, salt, and stars; a sailor's cocktail."  VA

"Drinking, fighting, and whoring; a sailor's cocktail."  VA

"She was all giggles, and I was all laughs, but I had a ship to catch.  I bought one last round for me and the whore, but I had a ship to catch.  Then blank!"   This was a sobering wake up call for me in Singapore.  I was hanging out with a ship mate and a couple of Filipino whores.  Drinking cocktails, laughing, and the next thing I remember is waking up 10 hours later on board my ship.  I slept right through my watch.  Some one had slipped me a micky.  I think.  What is the lesson I learned?  Don't hang out with Filipino whores?  No!  The lesson I learned is don't drink from open container's in shady foreign ports.

"I'm mulatto on the light side."    I once sailed with a black Chief Steward named Howard.  We got along great and when I told him I was Cuban he told me that I must have some black blood in me.  That's when I told him that I was mulatto on the light side.  Those of you who know how fair complected I am are laughing right now.

"Boys go away to sea.  Men run away to it."  VA

Q:  What do you call a sailor without a girlfriend.  A:  Homeless.

"Gentleman of fortune."  RLS

Rowboat - an incompetent sailor

"Taking is borrowing without the formality of asking."

Turnkey Captain - this one is used to describe yachty Captain's that can turn a boat on and nothing more.

"That's good enough for government work."

Fire in Mulege

IMG_1774, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

Click on the photo to see my photostream of a fire I photographed in Mulege, Baja California from start to finish. I arrived on scene just as the fire was getting out of control and stayed until the fire department arrived to put it out. In Mulege the fire fighter's take a little longer to arrive than in the States because they don't actually hang out at the fire station. If there is a fire you have to go into town and search for them.

GREAT GRANDAD...

This image is of a great grandfather and great grandson.  It's common in this Sierra to see multiple generation's of family member's living together.  It's good for the older generation because they are taken care of, but the greatest benefit goes I feel to the younger generation's.  They benefit from having older role model's with a strong interest in growing healthy new adults.

A GOAT GIVING BIRTH.

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I shot this series of photos in Mexico.  It's of a goat giving birth.  Initially what you see is the placenta dripping out of her.  Then hooves.  Then the baby falls out from the mother who is in a standing position.  The other goats in the pen are all females who ignore her and offer no assistance.

The newborn was on it's wobbly feet within a few minutes.

THE SCRIPTS OF YOUR PAST...

These are some thoughts I've had over the years on success, failure, and mediocrity.

"The scripts of your past do not write the story of your future.

Loser: a person who has the want, but not the ambition.

Failure: a person with the ambition, but not the skills.

The first step to being rich is looking rich.

Without the drinking class there would be no working class.

You can't carve your way to success without getting cut.

Wasted talent is a crime punishable by mediocrity.

I'm overqualified with no qualifications.

Ethics are for people with money."

TOO OLD FOR NIGHTCLUBS...

"Too old for nightclubs, too young for bingo."

"Too old to disco, to young to bingo."

I wrote those on 13 Oct 2003.  I was analyzing my life and feeling a little sorry for myself.  That period is over.  My life is far from perfect, but it gets better everyday.  When I turned 31 I started a self - improvement program.  The goal is that every year I get at least one new license, endorsement, or skill that makes me a more valuable person.  That goal is serving me well.  It's a goal that is easy to focus on.  It's a goal that withing the last few years has turned my resume from a one pager into a brick.

I once sall an old man.

"I once saw an old man sitting alone at the park.  He was thin from age.  Sunken cheeks, dry lips, with clouded eyes.  He had a head of thinning hair.  Grey at the roots that became white at their ends and were dry as blades of straw.  I once looked at life long bachelor's like him and thought, how sad, all alone in his old age.  I once thought, never me.  I averted my eye's from him as if that would erase the realization from my mind that I was looking at myself."

VA

YES I CAN.

I penned the following on 9 Feb 2003.  I was working on a boat and me and a shipmate were talking about the future and what we wanted to be doing with it.  I told him that I wanted to be a HELICOPTER PILOT.  He reflexively laughed adding, "Vic, you'll never be a helicopter pilot."  I then told him the following:

"When someone tells me I can't, it's because they know that I can, and they're afraid that I will."

He stopped laughing.   

FOOD CONTAINER'S

Vic 017, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

These are most everyone's Nalgene, Camelback, and food container's on the next to last day of the SSB - 4 Hiking section.

A gaggle of Japanese flight attendants.

Vic 071, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

I don't exactly know why, but this group of Japanese flight attendant's totally caught my attention at LAX. Even then I knew that I would be including them on my blog.

Lost luggage.

Vic 076, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

If you have ever wondered how luggage gets lost, wonder no more. I watched this bag fall from a baggage cart with the driver completely oblivious to it. I then timed how long it took for someone to take notice. 10 minutes exactly. Unbelievable, but that is how long it took for it to get picked up. By then the owner of the bag could have been airborne.

LITTLE BROWN FUCKING MACHINE

These are some thing's that my shipmate's have said over the years.  Parental guidance is suggested.

LBFM - Little Brown Fucking Machine, in reference to SE Asian women.

Any port in the storm - meaning that after a long voyage any woman will do.

Jody - the fictional or real guy messing around with your woman while you're at sea.  I've seen sailor's brought to tears by their shipmate's with this one.  A chief cook once asked me if I was married.  No, I said, I'm Jody.  He said, "Vic, I bet you are."

You sound like a shit salesman with a mouth full of samples.

Moped - she's fun to ride as long as your friends don't see you.

Night flier - she's so ugly that as you walk in the bedroom with her you start turning out the lights.

Painter's wanted: sailor's need not apply.

A.I.S. - Asshole in sight

N.A.S. - No Ass Syndrome

AB - Ask the boson, always bitchin

H.B.O. - Haitian Body Odor

Standing by to stand by.

S.M.I.B's - Southern Maryland Inbreds.  You hear this one a bunch at the Merchant Marine school in Pine Point Maryland.

P.O.D.S. - Post Orgasmic Distress Syndrome

F.U.P. - Fat Upper Pussy

Work like your alone. Too often men get to giving other men of the same rank work orders while on deck.  This is the advice I give those men in order to avoid conflict's.  (VA)

AB's don't give orders they take orders. (VA)

Reasons why I can't work on the POA:

1. I can't tender because I get sea sick.
2. I can't do pools because I am sensitive to chemicals.
3. I can't go aloft or over the side because I am scared of heights.
4. I can't work on deck because I have a sore back.

• But you can't fire me because I have a fit for duty. (VA)

"Do whatever you want but don't work."

PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT

003_3, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

I took this photo while doing a PANAMA CANAL transit in 2005. This is a view of the central lock named MIRA FLORES. The ship to the left is being lowered which explains why it is lower than my ship the HMI BRENTON REEF. Our run was from the DOW Chemical plant in Texas to several ports on the West Coast. The crossing takes 12 hours and costs over $120,000 each way.

Check out this cool ship tracking site for the HMI BRENTON REEF.

Mexican Military Checkpoint in Baja

8911791-R1-030-13A, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

This is me and my NOLS big brother NATE STEELE at a ROAD SIDE CHECK POINT in Baja. The feds are checking for drugs and weapons. They don't always make us get out of the vehicle, but today they did. One of the grunts told me they had to because a big Jefe was there and they had to make a good show for him. Either way they are always cordial. After I took this shot some of the other members of the group took out their own camera's to take pics, but it was too late. These guys are touchy about picture taking, and made them put away the camera's. Lucky me. Be first or be gone.

I shot on the day that my SAILING INSTRUCTOR COURSE.

SS NORWAY

012_12, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

I shot this photo of the SS NORWAY in the SHIP YARD at BREMERHAVEN, Germany. The boats around her are harbor tugs that are their to help her safely out to the North Sea.

The official story as I heard it is that she's being sent to SINGAPORE where she will be put to work as a dockside hotel and gaming boat.  RUMOR has that she's been sold for scrap. 

NCL had to put her out of the cruise ship business because of asbestos problems. Cleaning her up would have been too costly.

hate

"In retrospect knowing you has been good for me.  It reminds me that their are all kinds of weaknesses in life.  Yours is HATE."      

I penned that one after severing ties with a guy I had been friends with.  He was not only a dick.  He was mean.  His native tongue was hate.  He reminded me of an ex-girlfriend.  He and she had been raised in homes where hate was the norm.  Sad.  Eventually no matter how badly you want to befriend a person you sometimes have to come to the conclusion that knowing them is hurting you.  That they need to work out their issues on their own.

THE MOST HATED MAN

"There is no one a woman hates more than her fiance's best friend.  He knows all the secrets she is going to spend a lifetime trying to learn."                                                                      BRIGADOON

This quote struck a chord with me because at the time that I watched the film Brigadoon I was visiting with an old friend.  I stayed at his home in SAN JOSE.  He had a girlfriend that he had been dating for 2 years.  She was a sweet girl and was friendly towards me.  At the same time I sometimes got the vibe from her that she viewed me as an INFILTRATOR that was messing with her master plan.  Namely to marry my boy.  I'm not against marriage, but I am against getting married for the wrong reasons.  Some of those reasons are: 

• We've been dating long enough so let's just get married
• He/She isn't the one but is good enough
• I'd rather marry the wrong person than be lonely
• She's pregnant
• Everyone else is doing it.

People frequently comment to me that I am, "so old" to not be married.  That it's not normal for a straight man of my age to not be married.  Those are the same people that would find it normal enough for me to be divorced with 2 kids.

Butterfield 8

These are some quotes I picked up from a film titled BUTTERFIELD 8.  It starred ELIZABETH TAYLOR.  I found it a good watch and the dialog was excellent.  That will explain why I wrote some of it down.  Enjoy.

"One day I woke up with energy to burn and burn it I did.  Liquor, travel, women."                  (Sounds like someone I know).

"Law and liquor don't go together."

"hop, hop, hop.  Like a flea she's bit every dog in town."                                                                  (Sounds like someone I know).

Tomorrow the Sun will come up just like it did today."

SAILOR'S TALKING

These are some thing's that my shipmate's have said over the years.  Parental guidance is suggested.

Any port in the storm - meaning that after a long voyage any woman will do.

Jody - the fictional or real guy messing around with your woman while you're at sea.  I've seen sailor's brought to tears by their shipmate's with this one.  A chief cook once asked me if I had a girl back home.  I jokingly responded by telling him that I was Jody.  He said, "Vic, I bet you are."

You sound like a shit salesman with a mouth full of samples.

LBFM - Little Brown Fucking Machine, in reference to SE Asian women.

Moped - she's fun to ride as long as your friends don't see you.

Night flier - she's so ugly that as you walk in the bedroom with her you start turning out the lights.

Painter's wanted: sailor's need not apply.

A.I.S. - Asshole in sight

N.A.S. - No Ass Syndrome

AB - Ask the boson, always bitchin

H.B.O. - Haitian Body Odor

Standing by to stand by.

S.M.I.B's - Southern Maryland Inbreds.  You hear this one a bunch at the Merchant Marine school in Pine Point Maryland.

P.O.D.S. - Post Orgasmic Distress Syndrome

F.U.P. - Fat Upper Pussy

Work like your alone. Too often men get to giving other men of the same rank work orders while on deck.  This is the advice I give those men in order to avoid conflict's.  (VA)

AB's don't give orders they take orders. (VA)

Reasons why I can't work on the POA:

1. I can't tender because I get sea sick.
2. I can't do pools because I am sensitive to chemicals.
3. I can't go aloft or over the side because I am scared of heights.
4. I can't work on deck because I have a sore back.

• But you can't fire me because I have a fit for duty. (VA)

"Do whatever you want but don't work."

Steve McQueen

Vic 015, originally uploaded by vic_antunez.

This is an enormous CARDON CACTUS I came across on the way to Santa Cruz on the last hiking day of a NOLS SEMESTER IN BAJA I worked. A local rancher told me it's name is STEVE MCQUEEN in honor of the same. According to the rancher Steve passed this way back in the 70's and he named it after himself.

ON WORK

These are a short list of journal entries I've made over the years on work. 

"Even a herd of cows can trample a lion.

My boots have more SEA TIME than you.

The key to success is not always in knowing what you want to do with your life.  It is in doing something, anything, until you do figure out what you want to do with your life.

Do whatever you want, but what I say.

Spectator's!  We who are about to work salute you.

They get paid for what they do.  We get paid for what we know.

When thing's go wrong on my watch it's an incident.  When things go wrong on someone Else's watch it's a disaster.

Small mind, big mouth, little words.

Living in the Spring time of my professional life.

I am willing to burn every midnight candle of every night to get what I want.

When we are young we envision ourselves one day slaying dragons, building empires, and living happily ever after.  In adulthood most of us come to the realization that because of the choices we made that that will not happen.  So we downgrade our dreams.  If we are smart we accept that realization and can still manage to live happily ever after."