Adaptation

Molly's posts about food are making me think about food. Deep, you say? Well, that's who I am.

For the last few days, the food on the boat hasn't been 100% bad--more like only 80 or 85%. I don't know at this point whether this phenomenon has occurred in reality or I am simply becoming accustomed to this manner of edibles.

It helps that whenever the stuff looks particularly unpalatable, there's PB&J. One can always eat PB&J. And an apple or something.

In other news, it rained today. Actually, it has rained for several days now, but this time the ship and the rain were located in the same place. Most of the time we sail around rainshowers, and they look so appealing on the horizon. Today, though, one happened upon us as the AV-8s (aka Harrier "jump-jets") were launching and the boat was virtually still. I came up to the flight deck at the tail end of the shower, and laughed to see all the workers in their soaked uniforms. They all said the rain felt wonderful... I'm not sure if you know this, but it gets hot near the equator.

The latest rumor is nine port calls--a regular, old-style WestPac. And (fingers crossed) no Iraq. Although it would be fun to make the trip to Al Asad just to say hello to all the people who are there right now: Top Jourdan, Sandy, Sandy, and Bryna. 'Cause this float would be way cooler if they were here.

I'm going to get a gallon jug and some teabags and some sugar and start making sun tea. That's what you need in 90* weather and 85% humidity. That and a porch and a rocking chair, really, but one out of three ain't bad. And I guess the weather decks could substitute for a porch in a pinch.

OH! Motomail is up on the boat! Here's the link. You just go to the site and set up an account, and when you send a message, it gets printed at the post office here on the ship and I get a printed letter in my hand. It's kinda cool... Like a handwritten letter but without the wait. Motomail used to be just for Marines, but now it's available for members of the other services, provided they're on a base with Marine units. All you need to know is the member's name and his unit. Shannon has sent me little notes via Motomail for both of my deployments, and they always brightened my day.

That's all I've got... for now! Love you guys!