~Essential Mix~

Where do I begin? Where did I leave off? You know with so much chaos around all of the time it can be a daunting task to keep cool, focused and especially on things that matter the most, which I believe to be obvious and sometimes painfully different from each type of person or soul as it were.  I believe in morals based on manners which to me is based on and founded on respect and courtesy and just common decency toward life here on this planet and anywhere else in this great wide open Universe it may be. All aboard the Mothership. And if you didn't know by now...anything I ever write is usually better done with music because that's how I wrote it.

So I guess most of you know that I spent a lot of time in Hospitality and that's I got to cruise ships and that's actually how I know a lot of you. Just work around the world, basically. Although I haven't been around the world yet, I will be and I can stop and see some of you along the way. Well, anyway, cruise ships are how I got into what I'm doing now which is basically anything marine, or maritime that I can get my feet wet in.

I really don't know where I'm going with any of this, it's been so long since I wrote here or really even in this capacity. Let's see if we can get deeper. Follow me through the wormhole....and maybe we can break on through to the other side.

Alright, so let's try this again. I had quite a bit done up and then my browser crashed and so now Firefox it is. Which sounds spacey fighter-ish and I like that so let's just seg-way right into some craziness because in thee end that's probably what it will all come out to sound like..unless you know me at all or care to and then it might be a little different to you. Which actually just means that you too, are a little crazy which is good. Psychotic is well..iffy. Might wanna get that checked on by a professional. But wait...who are thee REAL professionals here?

No matter, it's definitely not me right? I have no idea what I'm doing here. I'm referring to this blog, so hey hey on the comments and under the breath mumbles because your vibes? I'm picking up on those.

And on that, let me go ahead and say that I appreciate everyone's support....wait, wait, wait...boooooring.  I'll save all of that for another place and another time.

Let's get to some real space business here. So I started working on the deck side of things, the true mariner side of things. And I do love it because it mainly affords my way to get paid to travel which to me is fucking awesome. There's absolutely nothing about what I'm choosing to do that i don't love, except getting laid off but that took me home and that brings benefit. Look, I'm not in control here.

The Almighty is and with that being said let's just go and just type and yada yada...the Universe, and Destiny just as fast as i can think of these things....but what about fate and luck and all of that?

Well, personally I believe that all of those things are a pat of something that may or may not be controlled by what we know as God.

I really don't know what to get into here. Having to start over really threw me off this morning...and you know what else threw me off? Having to start over yesterday, and the day before and the day before. But it also keeps me on my toes and it's a huge blessing because a long time ago my eyes were opened and I was then able to ask the Universe and God for some of the right things and I was awakened to some crazy sounding shit to most of you but let me tell you something...it's real. It's very without a doubt, tattooed on my body real. In other words...would I DIE for it? Well of course, I mean I obviously will one day (think long, think wrong). What's the real testament? To LIVE for what you believe in. Go out and don't be afraid. 

Your pain is a white ball of healing light, right? Embrace the beast within and truly live for those deep seeded core values and don't let organized religion or politics get in your way. You take care of yourself and your people and you go out and you recruit as many people as you can so that heart expands to the point of bursting and that's it guys. Love is all you need.

This roller-coaster has only YET begun to get rollin' so hang on tight buttercup and make sure you're on the right side because evil is here and and you don't wanna get caught up because then you'll be up against me and let me tell you...I have some demons that I have been fighting and killing off for a loooong time and some of those fuckers would scare you half to death or all the way to an institution. And it's a difficult, spiritual battle I fight and alot of it in my dreams and nightmares. Your worst nightmares but when you start being able to run in your dreams...you run with the wolves and you fly with the dragons and demons dies...WINNING. 

Keep fighting the good fight, read the story of Jesus and his teachings, don't mock good electronic music, learn how to cook, travel, start a business, write a blog (or try to, EX: myself), hug the kids and smile at them when they look at you, call your mom, wash a strangers car (wait, no...you can get paid for that one)....you get the point!

Travel every chance you get, and if you can't travel at all...you better be into some music and meditation because then you have a ticket to the outer limits ;) 

I love you all XO
Mahalo

~Not Your Tweeter~

So much has changed since my last post, yet not much has changed. I think it's probably better or at least more accurate to simply say that a lot has taken place. More than I can even cover here, or in one sitting at least. I really don't even remember where I left off but I've been back to Alaska a few times. I'm in Victoria, Tx now in another line of work, and well see how that goes. I really just wanted to see what it was like to post on a blog again. Or post a blog. I dunno. I don't even tweet.

~Easy Money/Just Getting Started~

http://www.mynetspendcard.com?uref=150191393

~Space~

The months after I got back into the states were kinda out of it. Pretty wierd at times and now it's like it was all a dream...alot happened, yet not much happened...kinda hard to explain. Good stuff, bad stuff, memorable stuff and some things I wish I could just forget in a way. Although I use those experiences to further my personal growth and experience, some shit is just...ugh. You know? Anyway, I eventually started back at the restaurant/bar that I was working at before I left. Someone I used to work with at Landry's Seafood in Kemah, Texas took over ownership and found thast I was living right around the corner and looking for something to keep me busy so he recruited me, so he summoned me so to speak...meanwhile and even before that the initial plan was to work on getting back to New Zealand on a more permenant Visa. I was going back to live. That was the plan. I was planning on being back within 3 months and let me tell you it was way more difficult of a process than I could have imagined, considering the options that my friend and I were considering. Time consuming, stress inducing and expensive. It would take an attorney. An immigration lawyer. I'll go back one day, but as of right now I'm not sure on what terms, basis or for how long. I finally just had to accept that with everything going on around me and the circumstances, etc...that what we had planned just wasn't meant to be. That's all. There's something else in store for me and I accept that and I embrace it. I do miss New Zealand and the people I met while I was there. Such a wonderful, beautiful place...I'll definately go back.

So anyway..I start back to work. Wait - let's back up. Before I started back to work I met someone. Let's leave it right there until next time. I may even go back further and into more detail about all the wierd shit I mentioned @ the beginning of this post.

Kia Kaha!

~Come Home~

I know I left off in my last update having gotten off of the ship (Pride Of America) in Honolulu and sooo much has happened since then...I don't even know where too start without boring anyone who reads this!  So, I'll try to keep it short or at least start to get caught up...So there I was, in Waikiki, not knowing if I was gonna stay or leave to go back to Houston right away and then my friend who I've known since I was about 15 or 16 and is a New Zealand citizen asks me...well why don't you just go ahead and come here...? Well for those who don't know, I've had a thing for this beautiful little country for a very, very long time and even before I got on the ship in Hawaii I almost moved to Hawaii while working on another ship just to be halfway TO New Zealand...anyway - I went. And I stayed...for 4 and a half months I stayed in New Zealand with my friend, her family and friends....it was going to originally only be a month, then it was one thing after another another and right away we knew that I should stay so  we began the process of searching out a proper visa...I really don't even want to write about it just because of the exaustion it caused...anyway...after alot of time, money, hope aand faith in Immigration Nez Zealand , I was denied the visa for which I had applied and by the time it was all said and done my flight had been pushed back 3 times over 4 months and we were just tired...it was time to go home for awhile, regroup and figure out what in the hell to do next...so I went home on July 28th, 2011. I got to New Zealand on March 16th, 2011 :) It was fun, surreal and a long time coming...and I'll go back...one day...when it's right...(and when I am in the right state of mind - I'll write aaaalll about my experience there this first time)

So, now I'm back in the states and I've just gotten off the plane and my friend Dan Weaver picks me up from Bush Intercontinental...

~Requiem For A Dream~

Try this out for a soundtrack

I know it's been awhile since my last entry. In fact, it's been months. Around 7 to be exact. I left off with me leaving for Hawai'i to work for Norwegian Cruise Line if I remember correctly and witrhout having to go back and read for myself. So...where do I begin...? Well, I got to Hawaii after having to ditch alot of my things at the airport because I couldn't check my bags. Everything had to go into carry-on and so all of aerosols (Axe, shaving cream, body wash, etc.) that were over the legal volume limit had to be ditched. Also small things here and there like my steel tipped darts, multi-tool..whatever. Over a hundred bucks worth of stuff, anyway. In the end, it was the desicions that I had made previously that became the reason for me not being able to check my luggage. Anyway, so I get to Hawai'i after eating and drinking on on overdrafted debit card and figure out that there is no travel arranged from airport to ship. Not a big deal, but because it wasn't disclosed, I assumed that there would be. Negative. The recruiter doesn't tell you anything that helps you before you go. I should have asked more questions. The recruiter doesn't tell you that they will reimburse you for all travel expenses before-hand either. I should have known to keep my reciepts anyway, I guess. Lame. And I haven't even began yet. So anyway, I get to the ship and after standing all day and night, then a week of training, blah blah blah...I'm at work in the islands. Well, on a ship that cruises the islands. I want to stop right here and just say....that I met alot of really fucking cool people throughout the whole process. I made friends with some people in my STCW class that i'm sure I will be friends with for life.  The whole week was alot of fun. The whole process of getting there and then to be there and do it....all just amazing. So...don't get me wrong, I have no complaints. I don't want to get on that foot. I wouldn't trade any of it.

Working in such close proximity to the islands of Hawai'i was fuckin' awesome i'm not gonna lie. I woke up with sand in my bed so many times...and it was usually on a Friday or Monday morning :) Those who have been on the ship know exactly what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, though...I have worked on other vessels and to be honest...I don't which was the funnest because I had an amzing time in Seattle and an even better time leaving Seattle and getting back to Houston a week later. And REL...? Sooooo much fun...! I made several life-long friends with REL. But....the experiences I have on these ships seems to be more about what happens away from the ship, before the ship and after the ship and the people I meet along the way...the money with NCL wasn't that great and it was harder for me to save because I got myself off of the ship every chance I had and had alot (meaning too much in most cases and in the end) of fun. That was part of it for me, though. Work and have some fun in Hawai'i...because I always knew...somewhere in the back of my mind...what might lie ahead for me.  But honestly...I really had no idea what was in store...

So after a short tenure with NCL...I was unemployed and off the ship in beautiful Honolulu, Hawai'i on the Big Island of Oahu. Oh, bummer. Didn't stay in Honolulu long. Hung out and said some "see ya later"s @ the Bambu Bar across from Pier 2 and then hopped on the metro (I would like to add that Hawai'i has a great metro system) and proceeded directly to Waikiki. Fantastic. I got off the bus walked for awhile and landed at the Waikiki Beachside Hostel on Lemon Road and RIGHT OFF OF THE BEACH...boom. Happy Phillip. Honestly..I don't remember my first night but I can tell you that the next two weeks were off...of...the...chain...I've never had shroomz so full of good vibez in my life...
Stopping for now but I'll continue where I left off, of course ;)

~Sky Falls Down~

The time is finally here.  I recently recieved my departure date and should be recieving my flight information today.  I'll be flying out of Houston, Texas to Honolulu, Hawai'i on the 11th of this month (T-9 days!) to report for Coast Gaurd/STCW training. Shortly after, I'll begin my first contract onboard the Pride of America for Norwegian Cruise Line America (NCLA) lasting 5 months.  I've been waiting for this a long time, worked hard to get here and am more than ready for what I know will ultimately be a life changing experience.  I'm ready.