Hengineer

I'll post here when I can...

2011-12-02T04:37:00.001-08:00

Hey nobody who reads me, i'm posting while on vacation at my girlfriends house on my Toshiba thrive using the Android blogger app, interesting. I just tried booting up my Clevo computer with Ubuntu on a USB flash drive, weird and interesting but doing anything is a much too involved process, no wonder Android is a virtual Java machine on too of a Linux kernel, I can't imagine having to do all that code commands on my phone on a daily basis.

I'm going to try a few other Linux distros to see if I like them better. The windows vista boot up hard drive failed when I upgraded it to windows 7, so I tried to restore back to vista and it kinda doesn't work anymore, thank goodness I can still boot up to windows XP. I'm trying to try a Linux distro that works for me on that other had mainly because I want to play minecraft and it keeps crashing the blue screen of death on my windows XP on the latest version of Minecraft and latest nvidia drivers and version of Java runtime.

In the meantime my stint on the USNS Pecos went fairly well, except for the whole thirty day thing. Long story short,I was yanked off of the USNS Kanawha to go to the Pecos, which happened to be in Singapore at the time, with the promise that it was only going to be a thirty day assignment or so (I know, I have the original email). It turned out to be four months later when they finally paid me off, not because they sent a relief, but because the engine room 2nd engineer was coming back from ships funded leave and he had cargo experience, so the chief engineer had no problem paying me off.

Now I've got plenty of ammo to refuse an assignment like that if its ever offered again. Ordinarily those assignments are technically an offer to refuse, but I've heard more times than not from people who have sailed with MSC for years, decades, etc... That to refuse it would leave a black mark on my career, especially since at the time it would be considered a promotion (I was a permanent 3rd engineer).

I have a YouTube video that has well over 14 thousand views now! I was a part of the development community that first rooted the Toshiba thrive and put clockwork mod recovery on the thrive! My video is a walkthrough tutorial on how to root it, its a little old, in that the tool used is newer but at least the steps used match the same process.

Long time coming back?

2011-06-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hey there, haven't posted here in forever, just been busy and well to be truthful, I've completely let this blog slide from my mind. I may decide to post pictures from everywhere I've been since I haven't posted (Who wants to see pictures from Rhodes, Greece?), and then again I may completely forget about this place.

I may decide to only post about techno-stuff, who knows?

Long time gone.....

2010-06-28T03:35:00.001-07:00

Its been forever since I've posted anything. Right now I'm feeling a little let down by team USA in the World Cup, working my ass off in another shipyard. I have the Motorola Droid and I'm posting from it.

Post #200 On Memorial Day

2008-05-27T04:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I received the following email from my father.

Henry:

This Memorial Day, I want you to know that I appreciate
the fact that you are serving in probably the most under-appreciated
service. It was just two years ago that I attended the funeral of my Uncle
Jim Burke, who served as a Merchant Marine Officer during the Second World
War. He, like you, traveled the globe in support of the military's mission
in that war, including supporting the invasion of Europe on D-Day. It
wasn't until many years after the war that the Merchant Marine members of WWII
received the proper recognition and veteran status they
earned.

When I was in the Navy, all of the non-combatant ships were
part of the Navy, as you know. In fact, your grandfather, CDR Mike
Trens' last command was as skipper of the USS Rehoboth (AGS 50), an
intelligence gathering ship. I've attached a copy of the ship's
seal. Service in the fleet auxiliary is by it's nature dangerous, because
our enemies know the fleet can't do its job without logistics
support.

Yes, you are a Civilian, but you are doing a job that in past wars was
done by members of the military.

Thank you. I love
you very much, and am very proud of you.

Dad

Fun times in Fujairah

2008-05-16T01:01:00.000-07:00

Well we pulled into Fujairah, U.A.E. to load on fuel and stores yesterday, and we just pulled out a little earlier today. Whenever we pull into Fujairah, we're usually restricted to the port. It's alright, though, because there are 3 duty-free shops and 2 seaman's club "bars". I enjoy Fujairah because its simple. Go ashore, grab a few things from the duty-free stores and then have a few beers and some good food. Enjoy some Filipina entertainers even.

Last night, though, is what demonstrated what being out to sea with your shipmates is all about. Most of the people who had free time ended up at the one bar at the very end with the "Filipina cover band", air conditioning and is above the duty free store at the end of the run. So pretty much we were all there from the Kanawha, enjoying ourselves, the Captain was getting relieved to go on vacation, and he was buying drinks left and right, a few people were leaving, a few people were coming, all swapping stories, getting drunk and enjoying themselves. Eventually the entertainers were pushed aside as a few of our shipmates got on stage as if it were a karaoke bar!

It was one crazy night, and we all made sure that we all made it back to the ship safely, no matter who you were, a shipmate was there to help you up the gangway and into your bed. So that next morning, when it came time to get underway, everyone made muster.

Delivering Cargo to USS Bulkley

2008-04-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Photo progression, from loading cargo to the flight deck, the Bulkley approaching, and their helicopter airlifting their cargo away.

Fueling up the HMCS Charlottetown

2008-04-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

Charlottetown coming up alongside us

Our twin prop trails (how's that for a carbon footprint?)

Big wigs on the Bridge Wing

Canadian dude doing laps on their flight deck

Hose is across, started pumping!

Another shot, from the fantail

Picture Post 4

2008-03-29T11:04:00.001-07:00

More California Maritime Training Cruise 2004 Pictures

Still in Mokpo, South Korea

Instructors managed to arrange a tour of the Hyundai Samho Shipyard in Mokpo, these are just a few of the pictures I have. One reason shipbuilding moved overseas (and stayed overseas), is that these yards have a turnaround time of just months, instead of a few years, not to mention less regulations, less overall costs. Unluckily, this yard did not manufacture any of the main engines or crankshafts, so it was just a cookie-cutter style of assembly. They had "models" inside their office, and the second model, notice, is one of the newer style of LNG Tankers (easier to manufacture than the older "sphere" style).

Later on the same tour, we stopped by the Maritime Museum that was in Mokpo. They were assembling a VERY recent excavation in the nearby ocean, apparently one of the biggest finds of recent history (I forget what it was though).

Picture Post 3

2008-03-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

More California Maritime Academy Training Cruise 2004 pics

We did a "cultural exchange" with Mokpo Maritime Academy in Mokpo, South Korea. Played a few sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball). We ended up tying them in Soccer, which was interesting because our score (1-1) was the exact same as the US-South Korea score in the World Cup just previously (1-1). I'm in the last picture (wearing sunglasses, in the very middle).

As we were arriving, we rode past the Mokpo Maritime Academy Training ships

I'm dancing with one of the girls on the ship (a Cal Poly San Louis Obispo "Summer Sea Term" Student who rode with us)....havin fun at a bar in Mokpo.

Picture Post 2

2008-03-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

More California Maritime Academy Training Cruise 2004 pictures

I happened to be the Midshipman Engineering Officer of the Day (training to be a "Duty Engineer", preparing for the daily fuel transfer, I was taking around a freshman cadet helping me, and a senior deck cadet who was seeing what exactly we did). I'm the guy in the middle.

Senior Deck cadets getting another of their requirement of "fixes" for their Senior Cruise.

The lovely harbor in Vladivostok, Russia.

Another sights that are just better at sea....Sunsets

Picture Post 1

2008-03-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here's some Pictures that I've found on my external hard drive.

California Maritime Academy Training Cruise 2004

Dutch Harbor

Somewhere in North Pacific, one of those views you can only see from the ocean....

A few brief shots from the small deserted island of Kiska, one of the Aleutians (Alaska's "beard").
On the island of Kiska was a small post during WWII that we let the Japanese "conquer" so that we could destroy their fleet elsewhere (if I remember correctly, please correct me if I'm wrong).

Hence the plaque placed in the last picture.

Long time no Post

2008-03-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, apologies for the lack of posting. Hello to the Lizards from LGF. So here we are way out on station...its amazing how much a ship needs to function. We've been a busy beaver so far in the Indian Ocean for the small boys out here, fighting them pirates (we don't do any of the fighting or patrolling, we get called over to give supplies and fuel to the ones that do, though).

I've recently run across some old pictures so in a few following posts, I'll have up some old pictures from my past, either Training Cruises with California Maritime (my alma mater), or SUNY Maritime (my first job as a 3rd A/E, as one of their licensed watch training officers).

Getting Ready for deployment

2008-02-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, extremely long time without an update, I know. Currently the USNS Kanawha is getting ready for its deployment to the Persian Gulf. We're set to leave within the next week, the crew is almost all gone this weekend (the last weekend before deployment).

Lots of last-minute contract work is getting done, too, all in preparation for the upcoming deployment, last minute crew changes and additional crew members. We even have 2 deck cadets (both from Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy), and one engine cadet, from Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

I hope I'll be a little bit more frequent with updates while we're underway. Obviously I cannot divulge schedules, locations (maybe port visits), due to the "Operational Security" nature of where we go and what we do, but I'll try to keep writing.

Fair winds and following seas,
-Henry

Back @ Norfolk Naval Base

2007-10-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

The USNS Kanawha is now back at Norfolk Naval Base.

We've been busy lately going through "ATT", or "Afloat Team Training". Any time there is a major change in crew (such as post-shipyard, or pre-deployment), we get these people from "the base" that apparently have to train us on how to properly respond to Fire, Emergencies, and Abandon Ship (because apparently none of us know anything). It's funny, we get these people who haven't sailed in years (sometimes over a decade), and they're telling us how to respond to fires on board our ship. One more instance of people trying to justify their paycheck I guess.

What's really amusing about it, is they have no power to beach the ship, and we're currently going through the basic annual "COI" with the Coast Guard (continuing tomorrow). We just did a Fire drill (fire in demac shop!), and an abandon ship drill. The ATT idiots wanted us to do a Collision drill, but so far we've been too busy as it is taking care of the COI. Sorry Federal Government Cheese workers, but Coasties come first. Once we get certified to sail, THEN you can continue your useless training.

More Shipyard pics!

2007-09-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

Shot of me at bottom of drydock with propellors (before removal and cleaning)

Inside Port Main Engine crankcase, I was down inside when pistons/connecting rods were lowered to put up the ConRod bearing caps, new bearing inserts, and bolts w/ nuts

A buddy took these shots of me

Before I go in (are you sure you know how to work my camera?)

Dry as ever, stern shot of ship in drydock

Sea growth inside removable section of pipe

Port Engine put back together, heads down, and plastic covering valves and what not (before valve covers and rocker arms were put in place)

Ah, on the day of leaving the drydock, they started before bulk of ship's force arrived (Captain and Chief were onboard, of course)

People waiting to climb onboard the drydock via ladder (right in picture)

Visit to historical stuff in Hampton Roads

2007-09-29T16:30:00.001-07:00

Last commissioned battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-64) is currently tied up in Norfolk, VA, and is being used by the "Nauticus", a Naval Museum in downtown Norfolk.

Here are a few shots of and around the currently commissioned, but inactive, battleship (and around the museum):

Tied up next to her, a tall ship (too lazy to go look @ it)

Memorial for the State of Virginia, of those loved and lost (idea of letters home scattered in the wind)

Battleship (of course), view from the parking garage across the street.

Bearing down on us!

Main Engine Work

2007-08-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

Pulling cylinder liners (replaceable liner that the rings seal against, and cooling water runs over). It is showing lots of rust or corrosion...(all the orangeish reddish color), apparently cooling water treatment wasn't doing its job.

Rocker arm assemblies from the cylinders we pulled

Cylinder head resting on deck, note the valve stems sticking up.

Inside port main engine reduction gear (single reduction, single helical).

After pulling cylinder head, jacking engine over to pull this piston (note all the carbon @ top of piston!)

Port Main Engine turbocharger (Left Bank)

Just after a head was pulled, a shot showing some indications of "blow by" past the piston rings.

Flying pistons! Piston has been pulled and is being moved by the overhead crane into our piston stand so we can remove the wrist pin, separating the piston and the connecting rod.

Ride em cow-engineer ;)

Right vs Left according to the Bible

2007-08-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." --Ecclesiastes 10:2 NIV

Saw this on a facebook group I'm a member of....I laughed my ass off.

For my little sister

2007-08-03T04:21:00.000-07:00

MM2 Scharf, stationed on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

I'm proud of you.

Marine Engineering Blog?

2007-07-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

After having merited a "link" from Fred Fry International's Maritime Monday for the second time, I've come to realize I am in a unique position, especially among the rest of the Bear Flag League (California bloggers of whom I am a member, due to my current permanent residence in Kern County), in that I can put forth maritime concerns (especially those featuring engineering as they can have implications ashore as well).

I'm not sure if I can scour the internet and bring forth many concerns that he does, but I can discuss happenings within Military Sealift Command, as many of you all out there are U.S. Taxpayers, and your money pays for a lot of the competence and INcompetence that goes on in any federal bureaucracy.

In this coming September, I'll have been sailing for Military Sealift Fleet Support Command for 2 years, and done at least a 4 month tour on 4 different vessels, all different classes of ship as well.

Ship 1:
USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34)

Ship 2:
USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10)

Ship 3:
USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7)

Ship 4:
USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196)

I just barely reported to the Kanawha, and we're tied up in Norfolk,VA, almost ready to head into the shipyard for our stanrd overhaul and work. As I've previously mentioned I hope I'll be able to post tons of pictures, maybe with me in a few shots.

Kanawha's powered by twin Colt-Pielsticks, twin shafts with Controllable Pitch Propellors.

USNS Kanawha

2007-07-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

Yippe ki yay (however you spell that).

Another long time no posting time....?

Onboard the USNS Kanawha as a 3rd A/E. This ship has an unmanned engine room so it's a little different. I don't stand watches but every third day I stand the "duty", and I still work normally during the normal working hours. We're set to go into the shipyard soon and we're tearing apart the main engines. Awesome, I hope to have lots of pictures.

If you ran across this webpage and wish to say hello, post a comment in the most recent post, please (or email me!)

Brief Synopsis

2007-04-26T01:32:00.000-07:00

Well Folks, my time on the Zeus is almost up. She's going into the shipyard soon, and my plan might be a little different from what I expect. I do wish to drive across country back home to California (with plenty of pictures along the way, hopefully fun, too), hopefully with my father. Even if I don't I may end up doing it on my own (I've flown across country enough times). I'll continue to update this as my plans change.

American Airlines Terrorist Dry Run?

2007-03-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

h/t: Little Green Footballs
American Airlines Flight 62: A Terrorist Probe?

This is not meant to scare, but it probably will. Consider yourself informed and warned that the threat is real. This crew reported that they were not prepared that something of this nature could be happening to them.

Flt 62, Paris to MIA [Miami], a few weeks ago. 2 maybe 4 mid-eastern types causing minor disturbance from the get-go. Nothing that the FAs [flight attendants] couldn’t deal with, but, in hindsight, they seemed to be pushing the envelope. Cross-cabin activity, hanging out in the forward galley, complaining about everything, etc. Mid-Atlantic, the FO [First Officer, or Co-Pilot] called to return to the cockpit after his crew-rest break. One of the perps [perpetrators] was in the forward galley, was instructed by a FA to go aft, but didn’t. As the cockpit door opened, another perp suddenly appeared from around the galley, dropped his shoulder into FO while the first one got in the way of the FO’s attempt to block the other...here I’m not certain...so....wait for the movie.

FO (one of our first FFDO’s [Federal Flight Deck Officers*]) was about to pull his flashlight to use as a weapon in a counter attack, but thought better of it not knowing how many more perps he might have to fight, called “lockdown” to the FB [secondary “B” First Officer], inside the cockpit, who slammed the door. As soon as the perps heard the word lockdown, they retreated to their seats.

I’m not doing justice to the story, but, if not an attempt on the cockpit, this was a serious probe.

Crew considered divert, but since the threat diminished and seemed to be contained, they pressed on towards MIA. Flight was met in MIA by FBI, FAMS [Federal Air Marshal Service] (none aboard, by the way), AA [American Airlines] Security suits, etc. During the de-brief, which lasted several hours, the FAMs told the pilots that they would have “dropped” both of the perps with the first shove near the cockpit door. Perps claimed to not understand English, were detained for 4 days and deported, back to Paris, when they are free to attend Sunday school, tell their buddies of their Adventure and plan their next move.

Enjoying the story so far? It’s good we can’t carry guns on Int’l [International] trips, eh?

Upsetting is that we all have to learn of this, by happenstance. Why didn’t you and your last crew know of this? We took a delay yesterday while this FB detailed the entire event to my crew. Believe me, there were no disbelievers that the terrorist threat is real in my crew by the time we boarded.

I’m more than upset that this is still a secret! The FB is a man I’ve flown with often, trust completely and attended FFDO (Federal Flight Deck Officer) training with a year ago January. I hope I’ve presented his story accurately, but am certain that the basic details are very close.

Hm, why weren't the passangers asked for help? I know you're absolved by law if you're asked for help in subduing another belligerent passenger, and I'm sure there were at least a FEW people on board who were pissed off enough to knock the ever loving crap out of those asses. There still is a threat. As long as Islamic countries live in the third world, and continue to allow their extremist factions to literally interpret the koran, so as to cry jihad on the western world, there will always be a terrorist threat.

Irony

2007-02-13T17:09:00.000-08:00

Trip down Memory Lane

2007-02-11T05:03:00.000-08:00

USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7)

2007-01-21T01:24:00.000-08:00

I have now reported to the USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7), currently in Guam. Here's some publicly available information on the ship (following my own precedent).

USNS Zeus is MSC's only Cable Repair Ship and is part of the 23 ships in Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Ships Program.
• Length:
513 feet
• Beam:
73 feet
• Draft:
26 feet
• Displacement:
14,934 long tons
• Speed:
15.0 knots
• Organization:
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
• Civilian:
54 crew
• Military:
27 military/sponsor personnel
• Owner/Operator:
Government-owned, Government-operated

Oops

2006-12-30T07:29:00.000-08:00

Well I haven't been online or done anything to this blog in forever. I know I probably should, 'cause I do have friends I still somewhat maintain from this. I initially started it in the wake of the 2004 election, because I sort of wished to get involved politically. However sinc ethen politics have turned me off to itself... kinda weird I know. However, this eventually became more of a personal diary of how I am doing (which for some is needful, especially since I work and sail onboard ships, so I'm often not within cellular phone reach so this and email is the only way to contact me.

I got off the USNS Saturn just after thanksgiving, but my family was all still at home in Bakersfield (tough for my little sister as she lives and works in San Diego on board the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)), so we were able to enjoy Thanksgiving together the day after. I also was able to enjoy my birthday, November 27 (I'm 25 now), and then of course, Christmas. I reported the day after Christmas to CSU-West (Customer Support Unit West), the place where all CIVMARs (Civilian Mariners, like myself) report when we're waiting for a ship, and we're still on duty. We actually earn our base salary while we're waiting around day after day. Last time I did this, I was waiting for 3 weeks before I was sent to the USNS Saturn. That's long, too, for someone like me (engineering officer). Most of the dime-a-dozen people like AB's (Able Bodied Seaman), OS's (Ordinary Seaman), SU's (Steward Utility), and some of the other Engineering ones, too: EU's (Engine Utility), Wipers, and so forth, usually end up in there sometimes for a month or two.

I'm currently staying at the Howard Johnson Express on Hotel Circle in Mission Valley. It's awesome here 'cause its really close in (the closest Government Contracted hotels to Point Loma Sub Base, actually), really close to Old Town San Diego (honestly, I could walk to Old Town, would take somewhere close to 15-25 minutes, but I could do it), and within an easy short drive to my little sister's apartment (near Qualcomm Stadium, for the SD Chargers). Here's hoping I get a decent ship and a safe travel to it, as well as a safe and fun wait here in San Diego.

Cheers
-Henry

Distractions

2006-11-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
8
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

I thought there'd be more than that. The funny part is I already know one other living one, my father....(that's right, I'm Henry the FOURTH), my grandfather and great grandfather are both dead.

Why Daddy is a Republican

2006-11-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Ran across an advertisement for a book titled Why Mommy is a Democrat. I was perusing the website for this heinous book, and I realized the level of indoctrination many Democrats want to do to children. I don't believe politics should be introduced in ANY child who is too young to understand the REAL concepts involved. Politics is not a simple matter of "Mommy protects us" or "Mommy makes us share our toys.

The sampe pages for the book shown just exemplify the horridness of anyone who would actually use this book to teach their children to become Democrats. Let me introduce them, The author is showing us that Democrats want to rule over us like Mommy does, that we (the masses) are nothing but children and need to be told EXACTLY what to do to make life better.

In one word: Socialism. Sharing one's wealth with someone less fortunate should be a personal decision. If one is destitute, then society does have an obligation to keep him from dying, but oftentimes such destitution is the cause of his own life choices. What this page is telling us is Democrats want to FORCE us to share our wealth. What if I worked hard for the money I make, and I would rather spend it on myself, because I've earned it?

Now this one just borders on the ridiculous. Let's just tell the kids that Democrats make you safe and everything will be all right. Everybody has a real vested interest in keeping their constituents safe. However, lax border security, defending criminals while victims suffer, gun control measures that make it harder for law-abiding citizens to own a gun(often for self-protection), appeasement attitudes towards this countries enemies (need I go on?), all show "Democrat" attitudes towards your safety. To equate politician's interest in keeping you safe with a mother's instinct is ludicrous.

Sure, as long as they go to state-run up schools through secondary education (high school). However, once you hit college age, that is up to you. Does any Democrat have any clue about community college? Community College is the stepping stone to anywhere (many of the requirements for entry into a Bachelor's program at a 4-year school are bypassed when transferring from Community College), and literally costs a few bucks a semester. To depict an Ivy League school in such an illustration is outright propaganda. The only people allowed to get into Ivy League are either the rich down to upper middle class (I'm not just talking incomes, those types tend to be very elitest), and that is regardless of whatever your political leanings are. Kerry and Bush both went to Yale(notice who the young male in the figure is drawn to look like) at about the same time, getting quite similar grades. Ask any of those top "pedigree" families and they would upturn their noses about letting "just anyone" in, except for the token charity case, often well publicized in the media.

Just using the example pages, reading the pages just turns you off, as it reads exactly like a religious book, indoctrinating children young into a certain political standpoint. I don't have a problem with most children's books that DO teach children about morals and values, as long as they mention all people should live up to that standard. If someone had written a book titled "Why Mommy is a Republican", I would be ridiculing the book for the exact same reasons...children too young for politics are TOO YOUNG FOR POLITICS (if you want to ask what age, just look @ how the book was written, if you think a child of a certain age would read at this level, then they are way too young for politics).

My how times have changed

2006-10-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

Remember the good old days when everyone in New York was a Yankees fan (and NO ONE admitted to being a Mets fan?). Times have changed as evidenced by the defeat of the Yankees at the hand of the Detroit Tigers. The St. Louis Cardinals just recently defeated the Mets in game 5 of the NL Championship series to come to a 3-2 lead agains the Mets. I wonder if in game 6 (and the the Mets win) in game 7 of the NL Championship series, if all of New York will become Mets fans (imagine the irony).

Update: The Mets won game 6 to tie it 3-3, and then game 7 was tied 1-1 up until the 9th inning..when the cardinals pulled ahead to win 3-1

World Series: Detroit Tigers vs St. Louis Cardinals.

Homeward Bound

2006-10-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

We just left Rota, Spain and are on our transit across the Atlantic Ocean to our home port of Norfolk, VA at the Navy Base there. Just a week and a half left or so until we're finally home in America.

Rota was nice, I wish we would have had more time. My junior and I went out and enjoyed a brew at this Irish pub (Paddy's) in the tourist section of Rota, we then wandered and had a bottle of wine with a sampler of local cheeses and sausages. We thought the place was a place to eat, but that's all it turned out to be. The wine was good (all I remember was it was a white), the cheese was dry, and I was already heavily buzzed so I don't remember much of it, and the sausages were good, too. We enjoyed one last drink @ Champions, the bar at Naval Station, Rota before heading back to the ship. Not much time to do anything when you only have a few hours because we were still standing sea watches. Oh well...

Pictures

2006-10-10T02:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pictures for you extremely loyal (but extremely rare it seems) fans/readers!

An odd sight anywhere in the States, a local government official for tourism set up in the Ibn Batuta Mall near Jebel Ali took a break for religious duties.
I hate it when I forget to write down a ship's name, I believe this was after supplying the USS Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike group most probably in Gulf of Oman or Indian Ocean, most likely either the USS Nashville (LPD 13), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41).
(Some help would be appreciated!) An Owl who showed up on board, somewhere between Jebel Ali, UAE and Djibouti, Africa. I took this picture just after an abandon ship drill.

In formation with and supplying cargo to the USS Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike group, the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) behind me (for those that don't know, those are two of our ship's liferafts right in front of me), if I remember correctly, this was in the Red Sea after they returned from the Mediterranean after helping with the evacuation of Lebanon.

Mediterranean

2006-10-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

We just left Augusta Bay, Sicily. I wish I had chosen to go to Syracuse rather than Catania, it was a little dirty, and early evening nothing was going on besides. Anyway...We have one more port left before heading home to Norfolk, and that is Rota, Spain. It's none too pleasant that we're only getting overnighters, especially when I have the 12-4 watch (overnighters we don't break sea watches to port watches...so we have to maintain the 4 on 8 off instead of port 8 on 16 off, giving us more time to go do stuff).

Oh well, the Navy Exchange in Rota is pretty good. The hours close the place too early so I hope that we pull in early enough to be able to use it (if not the comissary, than the SightnSound + Uniform center). Probably won't be enough time to actually go into town and enjoy the local scenery. After that it should only be another week and a half (at the most) before we get back to Norfolk!

Islam is not the religion of peace

2006-09-07T03:53:00.000-07:00

We keep hearing about how Islam is the "religion of peace". I've been across many blogs and commenters who've debated this point. I used to think that maybe it was originally, just many crazy arabs got it wrong to the extreme. Recently I ran across this website. This website was created by a fellow who withdrew from Islam. If you read his own piece about why he left it here and here (longer version), you can understand why he feels Islam is not a religion of peace, but a religion of brutality, oppression, racism, sexism, narcissism, voilence, and is a cult of evil. He has extensively read the Qu'ran in its original language (Arabic) as well as the hadiths that all Muslims are supposed to read, follow, and believe in.
I am not a muslim, so I cannot begin to understand any of the people's experiences on that website, I just choose to help spread his message. His site is full of testimonials of people who have left Islam either on their own, or he helped guide. I will include the full text of one of his testimonials below:

Rebecca

Hey I am so pleased to hear something other than the endless incantations by Western liberals that "Islam is peaceful/tolerant/scientific etc etc". I am a female university student, 20 years old, and am English. I am of western liberal agnostic background yet became involved in Islam, my experiences in which I relate below. It is a great comfort to me to know that there are people out there who feel like I do. Contrary to the ridiculous cyclical arguments that people who leave or reject Islam "do not understand it", we do, and for that reason we are dangerous.

I am now so weary of the rebuttal of any reasoned critique of Islam, even in the West, with the hysterical kneejerk reaction of "racist!", "out of context!" or "because the Quran says so!" as well as the ignorant complicity of western liberals who confuse such "Islamophobia" with intolerance and racism. Have most liberal PC apologetics, whether muslim or non-muslim, ever READ the Quran and hadith, and if so, was it in a language they understand? Did they honestly ask themselves the implications of what it says??

From the age of 16 I was typically, for a teenage girl, disillusioned with the world and had a great desire to find "truth" and if God existed and what God wanted. I had a few muslim acquaintances and a guy I knew was even a muslim scholar. I was much impressed with the things he told me about Islam and scientific discovery, and he gave me a Quran and several books on Islam. When he told me that Neil Armstrong had heard the azaan on the moon and converted to Islam (this is a hoax) I was close to being totally convinced. Perhaps I was gullible, but no more so than millions of others.

For the next 3-4years I read much on Islam -I learnt far more about Islamic practice, the Quran and Islamic history than most people I know from a muslim background, including those who consider themselves practicing. I also took the shahada in private. I feel now the reason I kept this a secret was not only because I did not want to upset my family, but also because I was aware of the consequences of apostacy (in Islam, death). Needless to say I am not keen to tell people that technically I am an apostate. Perhaps the most painful thing was that the Quran told me that if I was a muslim, I could not love my parents anymore. I felt my personality changed, I felt resentful and hardened towards those who had mattered most.

By the time i got to university I had fallen for the modern rhetoric that, actually, Islam really respected women and thought a muslim guy would. However, in my experiences of the last couple of years this has been far from the case. I have dated 2 religious muslim guys. They both encouraged me in learning and practising Islam. I knew sex was not allowed outside of marriage and nor did I want this kind of relationship. I thought they would agree with this. However, in both cases, once we were alone, both tried to force themselves on me. They, and their male friends all seemed to have ridiculously dualistic public/private views regarding sex and morality, and it is not hard to see why when one reads the Quran. Islamic doctrine is obsessed with sex and its social regulation, yet paradise for men is 72 panting virgins (and a few little boys thrown in). Of course there are such men in every religion, but in my own life at least, I have yet to meet a religious muslim male that does not hold to some degree sexist, homophobic, intolerant and Islamo-imperialist views and I now steer clear.

Looking back, I wonder why I was so brainwashed, why I did not openly question the fact that women blatantly receive less rights than men in Islam, and all the other obvious facts in the Quran that indicate that it was a man-made religion and a far-from-divine philosophy. I am still asking myself that, though I feel fear, shame and DENIAL are heavily involved in this. Eventually I opened my Quran and looked inside and asked myself if I could honestly believe that I could believe in the divinity of such hateful and violent words. I believe in God, but more as a existing as level of divinity through love and compassion of which all are capable of giving and worthy of receiving. However, I do not feel I need to respect a person's beliefs in order to respect the rights of that person to practice them (as long as this does not infringe the rights of others) and to treat them with compassion.

I will continue to look and contribute to this site now and offer a hand of support to anyone who needs it.

Lack of Anything

2006-09-07T03:42:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of anything written here in the last month or two. I've been extremely busy with work (plus internet access on the ships is dependent upon satellite coverage and whether the Navy system even works, or if someone is using the satellite phones. The same phone lines for that go through with the internet so if there is someone using the phone, then the internet is gonig to slow down, too. I miss a lot of my family, I can't wait to get home and see my little sister (stationed on the USS Ronald Reagan), my older sister (teaching high school math in San Dimas), my parents (Living in Bakersfield, CA), and last of all, my cat (I miss him the most).

Not Quite a Fatwa

2006-07-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

Why The Jawa Report Was Banned in India and Why it Matters

For some reason, India went through the trouble of banning 17 blogs and sites that it deemed to promote "the culture of hate". Although it seems ironic that it is now "hating" on "hate" sites. Visit the link please and he has a link where you can show your solidarity.

USNS Saturn T-AFS 10

2006-07-17T15:50:00.001-07:00

Well I should do this every time I get sent to a ship, here's publically available info on the Saturn:
USNS SATURN (T-AFS 10)
Combat Stores Ship

USNS Saturn is one of Military Sealift Command's five Combat Stores Ships and is part of the 39 ships in the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force.
• Length: 524 feet
• Beam: 72 feet
• Draft: 22 feet
• Displacement: 16,792 long tons
• Speed: 19 knots
• Organization: Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
• Civilian: 103
• Military: 26
Visit the ship's website
Click on image at left for larger picture.

A Story in Pictures

2006-07-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

USS Ronald Reagan has returned!

2006-07-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

I just got word from my mother that the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) has returned from deployment (finally) and my family was there to witness my dad and little sister get off the ship. My dad was there because of a Public Relations thing they have, called a "Tiger Cruise", where a single family member can come on board for the last leg of the journey (my dad flew out and met the ship in Honolulu). Here are a few pictures from their "triumphal" return:

UN Jealous of FIFA

2006-07-10T03:23:00.000-07:00

tsk, poor Kofi Annan. In Italy's win against France in what was a last-minute debacle of a game (Zidane's infamous head-butt red card), Mr. Annan was interviewed. Yahoo!s Official World Cup website.
In his interview, he mentioned that "The World Cup makes us in the UN green with envy." He continues..

The World Cup makes us in the UN green with envy. As the pinnacle of the only truly global game, played in every country by every race and religion, it is one of the few phenomena as universal as the United Nations. You could even say it's more universal. FIFA has 207 members; we have only 191. But there are far better reasons to be envious.

His reasoning is a little flawed, I'm unsure (I'm too lazy to check) if areas such as Puerto Rico, Guam and Hong Kong have their own UN observer at least or not, but they are all 3 FIFA members, for example. But he is right, it is completely universal, and the one sport that is played worldwide where each player literally represents his or her country. One could talk about the Olympics, tennis, or golf and such. However those players don't really represent their country, sure its international, but they only mention where they're from as an afterthought. Only in Football (in the international sense of the term) where each national team represents that country, and a nation can feel national pride or national shame at their team's win or loss. I remember when Paul Caliguri scored against Trinidad & Tobago to bring the US to the world cup for the first time since 1950, T&T felt a national loss and the sport didn't regain in that country for a few years, and finally were able to show up in the world cup this year in Germany.

Another interview was done by our "hero",(sarcasm intended)Bill Clinton. Most of his was political bsh*t, but he made some good comments about it being hosted in Africa.

Looking ahead now, I think you would have to say that the first-ever World Cup in Africa in 2010 provides a unique opportunity to focus the world's attention on the potential of Africa and the challenges faced by the African people. I’m certainly thrilled that my foundation (The Clinton Foundation) will be joining in this effort to translate the global appeal of soccer into tangible programs that will benefit the children of Africa.

Although do you notice how he quickly moves to "tootin' his own horn", and any time you mention international politics, you have to mention the poor children(Sally Struthers anyone?).

I can't believe it

2006-07-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

People are still wacking around about 9/11 conspiracies.

At Wizbang, some of the commentators weren't believeing the infamous popular mechanics article, so I decided to look for the website of the video that I saw during my engineering ethics class case study of the collapse.

Here it is: NOVA Online: Why the Towers fell.

Wackos....please shut up
Thank you

Once Again!

2006-06-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

First post from on board the USNS Saturn, not a bad boat. We're out here in the persian gulf (in the summer! oi!). The sea temperature is about 93 degrees...making it really tough to do anything outside during the day. Luckily the navy base in Bahrain recently built a new Exchange complex...so its a full blown Navy Exchange..instead of the little ship's store that was previously there (making necessities easier to come by).

Random rambling, I was able to catch the USA's last game against Ghana in the world cup and I was rather unimpressed with our "established" talent. Demarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Claudio Reyna, Kasey Keller, Eddie Pope...you guys needed to step up in order to go forward and you guys failed. Good job to new players..Oguchi Onyewu, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Bobby Convey, you guys were amazing.

The USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10) is a dry cargo ship, we can move fuel, but dry cargo is our bread and butter.

FIFA World Cup 2006

2006-06-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not posting....for a long while, but I've been in San Diego, California waiting for a ship. Still no news, waiting for a ship.

However....

I WILL be in town to at least view the hardest game of the first round...the USA match against the Czech Republic...currently the 5th ranked vs the 2nd ranked team on FIFA's international ranking system of Men's National Teams. I hope all of you will stop to watch the match...

By the way... Mexico defeated Iran earlier today 3-1 in what was an excellent match for Mexico, who played very well all the way through. Iran came out hard in the first 15 minutes getting quite a few excellent chances on goal, going 1-1 at halftime. A mistake by the Iranian goalkeeper allowed Mexico's attacker O. Bravo to put away the game winner, then to be followed by another goal minutes later.

USA vs Czech Republic in the "group of death", group E, tomorrow June 12, 2006 airing on ESPN2 at 11:55 AM ET, 8:55 PT.

BE THERE....AND BEWARE!

Child knows more than Adults!

2006-04-24T02:20:00.001-07:00

Legal questions rise as schools punish students for using MySpace

ORLANDO, Fla. — When high school teacher Lee Waters logged
onto a popular Web site and read the demeaning sexual comments a student had
posted alongside her picture, the Sarasota woman felt completely
degraded.
The school district suspended the North Port High School student,
but attorney Geoffrey Morris said Waters doesn't think the boy understands the
humiliation she feels.
The teacher filed a lawsuit against the student in March, but
she isn't looking for money. She just wants other students to understand how
harmful Internet pranks can be, Morris said.

That appears to be the basis of the entire story, let's read on!

The Sarasota County School District said it did what it could to help Waters, by
suspending the student and taking other disciplinary action, but it's not alone
as it struggles to deal with cyber-bullying. Similar lawsuits and complaints are
popping up in Florida and elsewhere nationwide as bullies move from punching
someone on the playground to writing nasty and sometime libelous postings about
classmates, teachers and school officials on the Internet, where everyone can
read them.
Public and private schools have launched cyber crackdowns on the
bullies, but that has left them vulnerable to accusations that they are
violating the students' First Amendment rights, particularly when the posting is
made on an off-campus computer as most are. The American Civil Liberties Union
has been quick to file and threaten lawsuits if it thinks a school or district
has crossed the line.

Well this is nothing new, online libeling and lampooning of people happens often, especially considering other cases where people feel emboldened by the semi-anonyminity of the internet. There is a slight problem though...Children are not full citizens according to the law (as I understand it), and therefore HAVE no first amendment rights (example: a minor under the age of 18-that has not been emancipated- cannot enter into a legally binding contract on their own). Of course we all know the propensity of the American Civil Liberties Union to throw their lawyers into the fray. My understanding is that the childrens' legal guardians are the ones that should be held responsible for that person's actions.

Justin Layshock, for example, admitted that he logged on to
MySpace from his grandmother's computer to post a phony profile of his
Pennsylvania high school's principal that was peppered with vulgarities and fat
jokes. To the question "what did you do on your last birthday?" Layshock wrote
for his principal: "too drunk to remember."
Administrators suspended Layshock
for 10 days and temporarily transferred the gifted student to an alternative
program reserved for students with discipline problems, saying he had disrupted
school activities.
The ACLU sued, saying Layshock's First Amendment rights
were violated. The case is pending.

Again, same comments. I wonder why that school's administration even cares about what was posted on a website, but if it does it should send a note to the child's parents, who probably have NO idea what he did (considering how many parents still think television is a good babysitter, so therefore computers must be an even better one). I am still trying to figure out how something posted on a website has anything to do with school activities, especially since "Nearly every school system has blocked students from accessing MySpace and similar sites like Xanga and Facebook while on campus."

I just hope everyone accepts the basic truth:

"Public schools do not have a legal authority to regulate what a
kid does at their home computer"

The funny part is...the only one who understands who is the ultimate responsibility for what is posted by the children is a 7th grader....

Seventh-grader Dhillon Ramdular just hoped someone would help him
when classmates at his Brevard County middle school posted a phony Web site,
using his name and photo, that had racial remarks and vulgar sexual pictures. He
turned to school officials, but said his tormentors' parents also needed to take
action.
"I think if a student is doing something bad in MySpace and it's
relating to school matters then a teacher should be able to step in and say
that," he said. "If it's just at home, then parents should really take care of
it."

(emphasis mine)

60 GB Cowon iAudio X5 is out!

2006-04-22T22:03:00.002-07:00

I've been waiting for a while for the best mp3 player on the market to come out with a 60 GB version and it has!.

Cowon America
iAudiophile

The X5 is arguably the best mp3 player out there!

(and apparently Cowon is working on a portable media player that will include such features as GPS)

Bakersfield on the map again

2006-04-22T22:03:00.001-07:00

Harvick Has the Finishing Kick

Kevin Harvick made it a sweep in the desert Saturday night by winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup race 24 hours after taking the Busch Series race as well.

Another Bakersfieldian doing good!

Better Watch what I say

2006-04-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday I found out the Captain of the ship I'm currently on
USNS Mount Baker found my blog through certain sources.

Err....

(Luckily I'm leaving on a day or two anyway)

United States Merchant Marine

2006-04-21T22:00:00.001-07:00

I wrote this in a comment over @ wizbang and decided to copy it over here.

I work as a civilian mariner, a Department of Defense employee for the Military Sealift Command, in what seems is the forgotten service, the Merchant Marine.

In times of war and peace, we go out to sea to supply the United States with goods from abroad (and those working for MSC, we supply the NAVY with goods), often with minimal or NO means of defending ourselves!

Think about airplane hijackings...anytime it happens you hear it on the news. How many pirate attacks do you hear about? Piracy still happens on the high seas (albeit really only in certain areas of the world, and is a little more high-tech now), as well as any terrorist with a bunch of C-4 on a boat can blast a hole in the side of a ship!

I urge you not only support your military servicemen and women, but support the United States Merchant Marine!

-Henry Scharf
3rd Assistant Engineer
USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34)

Update: Added to this week's Carnival of the Trackbacks.

Coming Home!

2006-04-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Well Folks, that's just about it for the USNS Mount Baker. We're finally in the shipyard and everyone is getting paid off on Monday (those that aren't staying through the shipyard period!). I'll be flying to LAX Monday evening, and driving home to Bakersfield, CA just after midnight.
I now have 30 days vacation, and after that, I have to report back to get sent on another ship.
-Henry

Hello fromTimes Square!

2006-03-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

We've been tied up @ the Naval Weapons Station "Earle" in New Jersey for the past two weeks now and I finally was able to get off the ship for any length of time. I have the whole weekend off! I'm currently in New York in The Times Square Information Center. Holy Heck, the number of brightly colored screens is amazing, I don't even need my flash to take pictures here. I wish I could upload my pictures of the protestors about "911 being an inside job" I took @ the world trade center memorial site. They were just hilarious.

3 A/E Henry Scharf
USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34)

On our way home

2006-03-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

Hello folks, My apologies for not posting for the longest time since I've been out here. I am still on the USNS Mount Baker, and we've finished our deployment. We came through the Suez Canal in late February and now we're in the Atlantic speeding our way home at about 20 knots. The ship's homeport is in New Jersey and I will do my best to come back to all my favorite blogs then. A word of interesting note, I have no idea what other people are writing about the Port deal that for some reason people seem to think that they SHOULD have an opinion on. I don't care one way or another. Having been to Dubai, UAE I can say that people's fears about security are uncalled for. For one, there seems to be a disproportionate amount of Indians in UAE than Arabs. UAE is sort of like America in that there are a lot of immigrants trying to find a decent day's wage. In fact, almost every single one of my cab drivers was from India.

Now, on to Port Security. I've only been to the port of Jebel Ali (which is about an hour and a half drive from Dubai), which is where the USNS Mount Baker tied up every time she went in, and I can say that the security isn't any different there than at other ports. The ports in question (if I'm not mistaken) are currently owned by a British Company, and we know THEIR history and tolerance of radical muslims.

All other comments aside, I can say that UAE is a close ally of the US currently and we can't do much to jeapordize that. We need all the help we can get if we are going to win over hearts and minds of the arab people (which is really the only way we can win the "great war on terror"). Either way, shipping is still controlled and watched over by the US Coast Guard (who issued me my license to sail as 3rd Engineer), and it is their job to handle security. I say let THEM handle security problems and let the U.S. public (who don't really know anything about shipping and the entire industry that goes along with it) get their noses out of this current deal. I told you before, I don't have any strong opinions one way or another on the deal. I'm just saying that neither should you.

        Henry Scharf, Civilian
        3rd Assistant Engineer
        Engineering Department
        USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34)

Dubai, UAE

2005-12-24T03:04:00.000-08:00

Well folks, we finally pulled in to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for Christmas. I'm posting this from the Dubai Seaman's club where there are a lot of US Navy sailors relaxing right now. Once again, I'm not in the navy, I just happen to work for them. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and have a happy holidays! I'll be standing the midnight to 0800 watch on my ship tonight (morning?) so I'll probably take a nap later.

By the way, you want to cheer everyone up? Just shout out a hello to any sailor/soldier you know (They don't even have to be navy sailors, they could just be away from home and unable to come home). This is my first Christmas away from home, and its tough. I miss my parents, my older sister, my younger sister (she's in the navy, but she's probably home for xmas, she's on the USS Ronald Reagan and they don't leave till january), but most of all I miss my cat.

Anyways, enough of sob stories. We get 3 days here for christmas, when I stand watch tonight @ midnight, I'll be making holiday pay, 'cause it's christmas! That and maybe I'll get to blow soot all over santa's sled (if he shows up in the area).

Merry xmas and Happy Holidays!
-Henry W. Scharf IV
3rd A/E
USNS Mount Baker

Gettin to be that time of year

2005-12-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Well folks, there are christmas decorations in the engineering log office here aboard the USNS Mount Baker. I'm quite a bit more settled in than I was a month ago. I've more or less gotten the hang of the plant, so when things go haywire, I'll be a bit more ready to take control and prevent disaster in the middle of the ocean. By this point, we won't have any real port stay until Christmas, and there is no garuntee as to how long that stay will be. Of course, we'll still be on duty then, so those of us on watch will still be standing watch, and those that do day work will still work during the day (hey man, holiday pay, and life aboard ship NEVER ceases). We're still not within sight of any land, and we just had alligator for dinner tonight. It tastes too much like seafood for my taste. I think I'll stick with the beef that I also had (new york cut steak, lovely stuff). Whenever they put pork on the menu, I go ahead and grab it. Being out here in the gulf, it's pretty tough to get pork anywhere (them strict muslim rules, just as strict as jewish laws). I hope all of you will have a pleasant holiday season and peaceful shopping time. I'll be posting a bit more frequently (I hope!). It's about 7:35 PM here in the Gulf, and I have to head down to watch in the engine room right now, so ciao!

Henry Scharf
3 A/E (watch)
USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34)

My birthday and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2005-11-27T00:06:00.000-08:00

Well folks, today, November 27th is my birthday. I am now a whopping 24 years old. I would like to thank my mother YEARS ago for not aborting me and allowing me to live (bad joke), and for her putting up with 24 years of my shit (literally and figuratively!). I'm still on the USNS Mount Baker as a watch 3rd Assisstant Engineer, and will be here for Christmas, too.

I would also like to pass out a Happy Thanksgiving to all who read this, and to all who are too busy/lazy/don't care enough to read this as well!

Please leave me a message in the comments section, or email me at
Henry DOT W DOT Scharf DOT CIV @ msc DOT Navy DOT mil

Alive and kickin'

2005-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

Well folks, I figure it's time to send another update. We're somewhere in the area, I don't exacty know where either IN Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, or that little sea between, whatever that is (I don't quite have a map). What I do know is that we won't go into port for quite some time, so I can expect to be surrounded by water for a good while.

I just got a switcharound on my watch team. My junior engineer and one of my engine utilities had a screaming fight over a 60 cent soda, so long story short, I have a new junior engineer (they got switched). I much prefer this one due to his work ethic, willingness to learn, and respect for my authoritah! Yesterday we just switched out motor pump units underneath one of the evaporators (mm overtime). The opportunities to earn overtime on this ship are boundless. Being on watch, I am pretty much garunteed at least 16 hours of overtime each weekend (all watches on Saturdays and Sundays are considered overtime, even while at sea), and every other day, I stand meal relief for the 1600-2000 watch (an hour of overtime), so that's at least 33 hours of overtime every single pay period garunteed. I'm completely in charge of running the evaporators, and making our water so I better not screw up, hah.

It's still a little weird being someone who is literally in charge of the entire engine room for the 4 hours that is my watch. I'm not only in charge of the engine room, I'm the watch supervisor, so I'm in charge of the other people who are on watch, doing the little things like checking levels, taking readings, watching the fires, etc...

Meanwhile, I should probably get going. I just got off of the 0800-1200 watch and am pretty freakin' starving.

Henry Scharf
3 A/E (watch)
USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34)

On the Baker

2005-11-02T00:41:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone from onboard the USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34). Yes, I'm on board an ammunition supply ship working for MSC as a 3rd Assistant Engineer on watch. We're moving around somewhere in the Persian Gulf, ready to supply other ships, but I don't really care about that, I just care about the engine plant downstairs. Luckily, we get some television (The AFN or Armed forces network), so we can watch SOME television, but only programs "approved" by the military. I suppose it's better than nothing (there is an overwhelming amount of news programs and sports programs being shown). Oddly enough, there is limited internet access (I say limited, I mean speed, we DO share satellite bandwidth with the other communications devices), and we also have our shipboard email by which I am sending this post.

Before you ask, I am NOT in the Navy, I am a civilian working FOR the navy, hence my current email address is
HENRY-dot-W-dot-SCHARF-dot-CIV-at-MSC-dot-NAVY-dot-MIL. (I wrote it in this format to avoid spammers, the lowercase are the periods and @ symbols). If you wish to contact me, go ahead, I relish daily contact with the outside world. Plus, since the internet access is so slow, there is very little chance I will be checking my blog for comments or my other email (gmail, yahoo) for messages, but my ship's email I'll be checking at least twice daily.

I'm sorry for being away, but I'll try to update by emailing to my blog every now and then.
Thanks for your patience my fellow friends.
-Henry Scharf, Civilian
3rd Assistant Engineer (watch)
USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34)

Finally got news

2005-10-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Ok you guys, I finally am going. I'll be leaving tomorrow, Saturday, October 15. I'll be going to sail as a 3rd A/E on the USNS Mount Baker. Just to let you know the area I'll be in, I just got a smallpox vaccine (I've NEVER had one). Wish me luck.

Fair winds and following seas....
-Henry

Another Update

2005-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Norfolk, Virginia in the pool waiting to be assigned to a ship. Considering the amount of people in here, it might be a while.
(I'll try to let you guys know when I do).

Hello Again!

2005-09-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

Hey I'm currently in New Jersey for the training school that MSC is putting me through. I'll be here 2 weeks before I finally get assigned to a ship. The school actually has a wireless signal so I can only access it while @ the school (the hotel doesn't have a signal), just letting you know I'm still alive.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Not Here

2005-09-17T23:22:00.000-07:00

As of Sunday Evening, September 18, 2005, I will not be able to come online for a while. I am flying to Norfolk, Virginia to be employed with MSC and once I'm finished with the new employee orientation, I will be sent to a ship just about immediately. I'll be on that ship for at least 4 months straight, so everyone wish me luck.

I'm sorry for leaving you all like this, no hard feelings?

Bear Flag League

2005-09-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

I am now a member of the Bear Flag League:

I would like to thank them for allowing me to join, I hope I will not disappoint ;)

I was right

2005-09-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

Recently I've been getting a lot of search result hits for "FEMA Debit Card misuse".

Now I know why.

I guess I was right all along.

It wasn't big screen televisions, it was Louis Vutton handbags.

I'm in Purgatory

2005-09-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very High
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Moderate
Level 2 (Lustful)	High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Moderate
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

Take the Dante's Divine Comedy Inferno Test

State of Louisiana EOP 2005

2005-09-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Excerpts and commentary from The State of Louisiana Emergency Operations Plan:

The American Red Cross (ARC) has a primary response function to mitigate suffering by providing emergency mass care, food, clothing, shelter, first aid, supplementary nursing care and aid to individual families. The ARC may also furnish medical care, health items, essential household furnishings, occupational supplies, equipment, and emergency rental for housing, transportation and temporary repairs.

So apparently, their State Department of Homeland Security violated its own EOP.

The Governor is responsible for the coordinated delivery of all emergency services, public, quasi‑volunteer, and private, during a natural, technological and/or national security emergency/disaster situation. The Governor has delegated the LOHSEP Director the authority to implement this plan, and to direct State‑level emergency operations through the regularly constituted governmental structure

governer blanco was in charge of the whole thing and is responsible for how emergency efforts are panned out in her state.

In the event of an emergency/disaster, the needed elements of State government will be in the State EOC located at 7667 Independence Boulevard in Baton Rouge. Should the primary EOC become inoperative, isolated, and/or unusable, the LOHSEP Director shall issue relocation instructions to deployment teams for the preparation of the alternate State EOC at Camp Beauregard or at another location to be determined at the time

No comment needed, just pointing out where all emergency services were...waiting.

Local governments are responsible under all applicable laws, executive orders, proclamations, rules, regulations, and ordinances for emergency management within their respective jurisdiction. Local emergency management organizations shall function from designated EOC's and are subject to the direction and control of the executive heads of government, in coordination with the Governor and the LOHSEP Director.

another way of saying that New Orleans was also responsible for its own fate.

Rudolph Guliani vs Ray Nagin

2005-09-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

Mayor Ray Nagin missed a golden opportunity to garnish national public support (even though obviously he wasn't the only city affected).

He missed cues from (I'm quoting MSNBC-or was it CNN- here)"The nation's mayor" in how he dealt with the tragedy that occured 4 years ago yesterday.

What did Rudolph Guliani do? He didn't foist blame anywhere about the disaster response. What did he do? He never complained about what his city needed. What did he do? He moved in and got stuff done. He went EVERYWHERE in New York, especially at Ground Zero, kept up appearances and assured all who were watching that The Mayor was present and keeping order.

What did Ray Nagin do? He kept pointing fingers at people. What did he do? He kept screaming about "come help us we need this". What did he do?
He left to go to Baton Rouge. He used his position as mayor to get 100 VIP's out of the city ahead of his own constituents in the Superdome. I don't recall seeing ANY television footage of him at the Superdome nor convention center.

End of the World as we know it

2005-09-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

And yet, I feel fine:

That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and
snakes, an aeroplane and Lenny Bruce is not afraid.
Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn - world
serves its own needs, dummy serve your own needs. Feed
it off an aux speak, grunt, no, strength, the Ladder
start to clatter with fear fight down height. Wire
in a fire, representing seven games, and a government
for hire at a combat site. Left of west and coming in
a hurry with the furys breathing down your neck. Team
by team reporters baffled, trumped, tethered cropped.
Look at that low playing. Fine, then. Uh oh,
overflow, population, common food, but it'll do to Save
yourself, serve yourself. World serves its own needs,
listen to your heart bleed dummy with the rapture and
the revered and the right, right. You vitriolic,
patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty
psyched.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

Six o'clock - TV hour. Don't get caught in foreign
towers. Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself
churn. Lock it in, uniforming, book burning, blood
letting. Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate.
Light a candle, light a motive. Step down, step down.
Watch your heel crush, crushed, uh-oh, this means no
fear cavalier. Renegade steer clear! A tournament,
tournament, a tournament of lies. Offer me solutions,
offer me alternatives and I decline.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

The other night I dreamt of knives, continental
drift divide. Mountains sit in a line, Leonard
Bernstein. Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester
Bangs. Birthday party, cheesecake, jelly bean, boom! You
symbiotic, patriotic, slam bug net, right? Right.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel
fine...fine...
(Credits to R.E.M.)

I am the eagle

2005-09-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

What military aircraft are you?

F-15 Eagle

You are an F-15. Your record in combat is spotless; you've never been defeated. You possess good looks, but are not flashy about it. You prefer to let your reputation do the talking. You are fast, agile, and loud, but reaching the end of your stardom.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Correction

2005-09-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

In recent times, the victims of Hurricane Katrina have often been called refugees, a controversial term. Many have suggested that it is because of race. I disagree. I think they are called refugees mainly because of a misunderstanding. Dictionary.com has the definition of refugee:

Refugee:

From Houghton Miffilin:

()

One who flees in search of refuge, as in times of war, political oppression, or religious persecution.

From Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law:

Main Entry: ref·u·gee
Pronunciation: "re-fyu-'jEFunction: noun
: an individual seeking refuge or asylum; especially : an individual who has left his or her native country and is unwilling or unable to return to it because of persecution or fear of persecution (as because of race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion)

The main point is that a refugee is a displaced person who has crossed international borders.
The proper term for these poor unfortunate souls would be displaced persons, or evacuees.

I apologize for any misunderstandings that I may have caused and/or hurt feelings (although unwarranted) that may have ensued because of any misuse I have had of the term when posting here, or commenting elsewhere.

Second String US Squad holds Guatemala

2005-09-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

U.S. Extends Shutout Streak

Marcus Hahnemann kept the sixth consecutive
clean sheet for the U.S. in World Cup qualifying.
© InternationalSportsImages.com

After clinching a spot in the 2006 World Cup by defeating Mexico, Bruce Arena (the US Men's National Team Manager) chose to field the second-stringers in what appeared to be a well-fought match with some excitement, but with little to show for it. Both sides ended up with some exciting chances on goal, each side having one of their shots hit the post (Guatemala had a shot bounce off the side goalpost, USA had a shot hit the crossbar), with more than a few chances as well. Guatemala and the USA both pick up a point each, with team USA holding its lead in the standings only on a technicality. Mexico and USA both have 19 points in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) final round standings for World Cup 2006 qualifiers, but with USA holding a better record on goals for and against.

Also, Mexico qualifies to the World Cup with a 5-0 win over Panama.

Katrina tops Bush

2005-09-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

Report: 400,000 jobs lost to Katrina

Hurricane Katrina did what Dubya could never do, "The economic impact from Hurricane Katrina will wipe out 400,000 jobs, cost consumers 40 percent more for gasoline this month and slash previous estimates for growth this year" according to the post-gazette.

All satire aside, in the same story :
"FEMA, which has been spending $2 billion a day, will give $2,000 debit cards to stranded evacuees without insurance or any means of survival, such as those in the Houston Astrodome and other shelters. Bolton estimated as many as one million people may get the cards."
I wonder if they are going to buy big screen televisions with these friggin cards. It should have "FOOD AND NECESSITIES" stamped all over it to make sure they aren't misused. And people wonder why oftentimes we don't give money straight to bums on the street? Damn booze-hounds.

And interestingly, in the same story, the CBO report actually stated there would be more jobs lost than it seems, but there would be jobs created due to the reconstruction efforts:

It said the job loss would have been higher -- as many as 729,900 people no longer are working because of storm damage -- save for the eventual new construction, which will boost the need for construction workers and a range of goods and services, from plywood and concrete to engineering and finance, that will accompany the effort.

US Soccer Fans

2005-09-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

need I say more?

Chief Justice Rehnquist passes on

2005-09-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

Breaking news, Chief Justice William Rehnquist (1924-2005) died tonight of thyroid cancer.
Godspeed, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and with President Bush and the rest of Congress for the next appointee to the Supreme Court.

USA BEATS MEXICO

2005-09-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

The United States' Gregg Berhalter (3) and Mexico's Francisco
Fonseca (17) collide during the first half. (AP)

Joining an elite group of countries around the world, USA defeats Mexico in Columbus, Ohio 2-0 to clinch a spot in FIFA World cup 2006 in Germany. According to ESPN:

It was the first time since 1934 that the Americans were the first team into the World Cup for North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Early on in the game, USA showed its prowess by coming out strong, showing a few early chances while stuffing Mexico's chances completely. Both teams came out playing a little jerky, not showing much action in the first half. Every time a team would attempt to get some flow and a good pass upfield for a chance on goal, a leg would pop out and knock it aside. Both teams showing strong defence in the face of their arch-rival. When the second-half started, both teams started stepping up, each getting a few early chances (even Kasey Keller had to make a save or two). Then, in the 55th minute, off of a free kick chance, Oguchi Onyewu headed the ball so it directly hits the post, bouncing up right at Steve Ralston, who easily knocked it in. Then, just 2 minutes after that, off of a corner kick, Claudio Reyna received the ball and easily knocked it forward to Demarcus Beasley, who slid it just past the Mexican Goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez' outstretched fingers right into the corner of the net, clinching the 2-0 victory.

The Aftermath

2005-08-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

I'm copying this entire post from Paul over at Wizbang. I hope he understands becau it is an excellent read and everyone needs to heed his message.

A Note to My Fellow Bloggers and the MSM

To: My Fellow Bloggers and most of the MSM

From: Paul at Wizbang on behalf of himself and serving as self-appointed spokesman for Hurricane Katrina victims everywhere.

With all due respect guys and gals... Chill out.

I've never seen one event inspire so many silly posts. Many of you need to put down the mouse and walk away. ;-)

I've seen the same blogger complain both that the coverage of Katrina was "Hurricane Porn" beforehand and in a separate post whine that the media did not do enough to convince people that they should have evacuated.... You can't have it both ways.

I fully understand if bloggers were disallowed from complaining about the media and politicians, that modem and broadband sales would suffer double digit sales slumps.... But take a break.

If you think you are more qualified to run the city then the people running it, then by all means when the next election cycle comes around, come on down and throw your hat in the ring. If you think you could have stopped the hurricane if only everyone had listened to you... well I can't help ya.

There'll be plenty of time to show off your 20/20 hindsight next week. For now, accept this for what it is... a natural disaster of biblical proportions.

If you want to do something, quit yer whining and do what blogs and bloggers do best... Use information to change the world.

99% of us have no idea how our neighborhoods did. Somebody try to find and compile (reliable) damage reports from specific neighborhoods. Sure it takes some local knowledge, but google maps will fill in the blanks. [Update: The levee broke and the whole damn town flooded so I guess we can check this one off the list.]

We don't know how FEMA works. Somebody read the news reports on what FEMA is doing and what it is not... Somebody read their site and distill it for those of us who don't have time for red tape.

Flood insurance? I know the feds handle it. Who do I need to talk to? What do they pay?

Every natural disaster I send the Red Cross my standard $100 donation. I have no idea how to get money from them. It is a grant or a loan?

If I don't actually cancel my phones and my bill is auto-debit do they still bill me?

If I shut off my phone will I lose my number?

Heck- Somebody make an "Evacuee survival guide" with laser precision information on how to get help without clicking 50 links or waiting on hold 2 hours. If you can save 25,000 people 5 hours of looking up the same information, think of the power in that!

Think of the simple things- Thousands of people lost their glasses. Somebody set up a website where they can coordinate donations of (known) prescription glasses from people who no longer need them. Get a freight company to donate the freight. I bet FedEx will give you an account number that will route all the glasses to some agency in New Orleans.

If you do something to help the victims, ping this post... If there is a lot of people helping out, Kevin will set up a post with the links. (I just volunteered him ;)

Think about it for a second from my chair... (I'm not whining but) I'm almost 40 years old.... Here is the sum total of all my worldly possessions: 4 pairs of shorts, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of shoes, 4 pairs of underwear, 1 pair of blue jeans, a box of family pictures, 2 flashlights, a piece of trench art my grandfather brought back from WWI and my father's hammer. (Hey, it means a lot to me!) That's it. Everything else is gone. And BTW, I'm unemployed.

I tell you that not to whine but to let you see the tree thru the forest. Multiply my situation by about a million. Stop and think about that... A million people homeless and unemployed.

If you're a blogger then (by near definition) you're a self proclaimed talented person. Prove it. They'll be plenty of time for punditry and pontification next month... In the mean time there is work to be done. Figure out how to help the victims.

Please (for the sake of all of us who actually understand the situation) please stop whining about the evacuation. It was a stunning success. Please stop saying that the levee at 17th street and Canal St. broke... There's no such place. (and no, FOXNews, even if there was such a place, I assure you, it would be on the south side of the lake and not the north side of the lake where you showed it on your map)

So here it is in a nutshell... Let's get some work done and play Monday morning quarterback sometime in early 2006. There's about million or so of us who would prefer it that way.

Everyone please do what they can and hopefully America can get through this disaster.

Differences between Camps

2005-08-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

Another great blogger that has posted a great piece from personal experience about the two camps down in Crawford, Texas is the Texican Tattler. This Post is an excellent discussion about the differences between the two camps. go check it out!

Camp Cindy and Camp Reality

2005-08-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of The National Review Online?
Well one of the subsidiary blogs is called "The Buzz". And at The Buzz, there is a daily play by play at the two camps in Crawford, Texas. I love it because it tells the real story instead of just the one-sided view that we see on television. Has anyone else noticed that we only see the one sided view that there is only one camp at all in Crawford, Camp Cindy. However, according to The Buzz:

Despite liberal accusations to the contrary, the number of Americans coming out to support President Bush is growing with each passing day if not hour.

Go check it out, it is updated daily (ever since the guy showed up in Crawford), and the oldest post is at the bottom of the page, newest at the top.

Update on Yahoo

2005-08-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well Yahoo is a bitch.

so far the issue of my previous yahoo i.d. is unresolved and I cannot get my account back. If anyone out there who knows me and gets some messed up email from my old account (scharf_iv at yahoo dot com), then know IT ISN'T ME.

My email is now hscharf-at-gmail-dot-com, and my new yahoo i.d. for anyone who wants to know is trance_portation.

All this has pissed me off and if anyone is out there who has had similar problems with yahoo:

PREACH BRUTHA!

Yahoo Account disabled

2005-08-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

For some unexplained reason, my main yahoo! account: scharf_iv had its information changed today. I couldn't login to Yahoo! Messenger or my Yahoo! email. Currently I checked and my user profile and photos page are unedited, so the possibility it was hacked is only slightly remote. There is a strong possibility, though, because I tried by using the "information" I provided when I created the account (birthdate, zip code, and country), and it doesn't like me.

I had plenty of personal emails on that, and someone rampaging around with my messenger name and/or email account could seriously damage my reputation and relationships.

For those unaware, my new email account is hscharf-at- gmail-dot-com

Operation Iraqi Children

2005-08-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Think before Pain

2005-08-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

Saw on Google! News:
Report Finds Fetuses Feel Pain Later Than Thought
Why did they do this research do you ask?

Taking on one of the most highly charged questions in the abortion debate, a team of doctors has concluded that fetuses probably cannot feel pain in the first six months of gestation and therefore do not need anesthesia during abortions.

... Are they serious? They cannot have it both ways! Is the fetus a living thing or isn't it? Did life begin at conception? If it did, then abortion is murder. If life began later, then why do we need to give an unliving thing anesthesia?

"Oh lets give the poor thing some pain medication so it doesn't feel itself being killed." Sounds like swabbing an inmate's arm with alcohol before administering a lethal injection.

Sometimes I just don't get it...

Road to Germany 2006

2005-08-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

The United States men's national soccer team is currently ranked at an all time high of 6th in the world, and is currently in the third and final round of CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football). Currently, the US men's national team is 2nd in CONCACAF with 15 to Mexico's 16, with their next match against Mexico on September 3rd in Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, their last match was against Trinidad & Tobago, with a win of 1-0.

If you wish to show your support in the match against Mexico, I'm sure the match was sold out in a matter of minutes, but otherwise, please visit Sam's Army. It was started after the World Cup was hosted here in the states in the 1994 world cup when the founders realized that there was no support or following for our national teams! Now, if you watch the match on television, there will be a sea of sam's army behind one of the goals (that is their chosen spot if I'm not mistaken) all clad in red!

Sex

2005-08-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I've become the discussion piece over in one of the comment sections in RightWingSparkle's Girls just want to have fun piece. The post originally was about an ultra-uber feminist who made the deciding choice to wait and keep from having rampant sex (something the rest of her uber-feminist sisters seem to abhor...apparently they love being used by males). Well in the comments, I came out with my own positions, then all of a sudden a troll by the handle of blEh comes out with this gem :
PS. Henry, you're probably a closet-homosexual if you really believe that crap!
What?

Greenhouse Gases to Natural Gas

2005-08-16T22:52:00.000-07:00

I was reading up about Edison International (an Southern California Edison subsidiary)'s deal with Stirling Engine Systems to produce a 500-850 MW plant in southern California using solar energy completely to power stirling engines (instead of using...say...photovoltaic cells) (hat tip from Paul over at Wizbang!), when I discovered something else over at Pure Energy Systems.

Apparently a company called IAUS ( International Automated Systems), the group that pioneered self-checkout lanes (that we all love so dearly), has come up with a way to produce natural gas from carbon dioxide economically. If you read all the way down past the solar turbines (which sound really neat), you get to this part:

Solar to Methanol -- Natural Gas

Another process that the company is capable of involves a method of producing methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This technology is already developed and in existence elsewhere, but their apparatus will make it more economical, to the point where methanol could be made available at approximately the same cost as gasoline.

The UV energy from the sun will split CO2 (carbon dioxide) into CO (carbon monoxide) and O2 (oxygen). Then the CO along with hydrogen (H) bubbles through a catalytic unit containing copper and zinc powder suspended in a kind of oil. The CO and H combine into CH2OH (Methanol). The H is released through electrolysis from water.

The catalytic process requires about 600 psi, and 500ºF. The heat from the solar collectors initiates the process, and once it takes off, it generates excess heat, which can then be used to turn the turbine, to create more electricity by which they can run the electrolysis.

The IAUS concept is to produce methanol fuel using carbon dioxide -- a primary greenhouse gas -- from the environment -- at a cost comparable to gasoline. The CO2 could come either from ambient air, or from a smoke stack, to help clean it up the atmosphere.

Being a very small molecule, methanol, or natural gas, burns much more cleanly and efficiently, resulting in less emissions when it is used as a fuel.

This method solves the Hydrogen transport problem as well. The solar panels generate electricity to split off hydrogen from water, and rather than having to then ship the hydrogen, which is problematic, IAUS runs the hydrogen through this process to convert it to methanol, which can easily be contained and shipped.

Now this does sound promising, but I will believe it when I see it (and the levels of carbon dioxide in the air holding steady at least...we don't want the levels to go down, because then what will our plants and trees get to breathe?).

My apologies

2005-08-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

I've been fairly busy the past week or so getting ready for my employment with Military Sealift Command, and my blog has come secondary to this. Thank you for your understanding.

-Henry Scharf

Gmail invites

2005-08-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

I know have 50 Gmail invites, if anyone wishes to have them, just ask and I'll give them to friends!
(On another note, Gmail4troops has plenty of invites and doesn't need anymore soon, but you can always keep checking, and there is also Gmail for the troops )

-Henry

Yes, those rumors are true!

2005-07-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

I am back! Here's a quick sample of some of the pictures that I took, and some of the places I've been recently.

Trip to Belgium/France/Turkey/Spain/Portugal/New York

Long story short, Turkey was really cool, I don't have any of my Ephesus pictures up yet, but it was awesome. Ancient Ephesus made the whole trip worthwhile. In Antwerp, a few other of the watch officers and I did a day trip to Paris, and that's where you see the Paris pictures. They had these ugly "Paris 2012" signs everywhere, apparently Paris was the favorite. Too bad London got it ;-).

Antwerp was really fun though, there were a lot of irish pubs right within walking distance (the only places open after 11:00 PM anyway), and Belgian waffle stands everywhere. They love their waffles! Mallorca was a great party and beach island (as you saw my previous post), and Lisbon, Portugal was just funny...they had these guys walking around with sunglasses going..."you want sunglasses? you want sunglasses?" then after you brush them off...they turn back and in a slightly quieter voice go "you want hashish? good hashish!". They had a wad of hashish in their other hand...it was actually quite hilarious.

Anyways...the trip was awesome, awesome views of New York on the way back in...

BCM (Planet Dance)

2005-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Right now I´m @ an internet cafe in Palma de Mallorca.

The island of Mallorca, Spain is pretty amazing. The beaches are picturesque, the European ladies are all hot (half of them tan and romp around on the beach topless), and the club scene is a million times better than that of the states. BCM (Planet Dance) is an amazing club, I saw DJ Sammy perform live. I´m not a huge fan of his, but he is world-renowned for his tracks and music.

our next port is Lisbon, Portugal...whoop whoop!
(of all the keyboards I´ve had to deal with, the ones in Turkey were the weirdest. even worse than the Chinese or Japanese ones. The ones I remember in Korea were just about the same)

Gone

2005-05-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well i'm gone for 60 days. Wish me luck!

Hello New York

2005-05-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well I finally landed a job. It's only a temporary one, but it definitely sounds interesting. I'll be sailing aboard the T.S. EMPIRE STATE, the training ship of the State University of New York (SUNY), as a licensed watch officer. Yep, a training cruise...on the OTHER side of the grades!!!

Only this time, I'll be sailing in the Atlantic instead of the Pacific Ocean!
Ports they will be visiting:
Fort Schuyler, NY (home port)
Antwerp, Belgium
Istanbul, Turkey
Cesme, Turkey
Palma, Mallorca
Lisbon, Portugal
Fort Schuyler, NY (home port)

trippy eh?

Angels & Demons

2005-05-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Well I just finished both of Brown's famous controversial books:
The Da Vinci Code
Angels & Demons
This guy is a novelist, not an historian. I especially ran across it in certain elements on Angels & Demons. This guy, maybe doing a little research, didn't do enough. On page 5, I discovered discrepancies! I have a slight bit of knowledge that, when used, easily refutes what he used about hypersonic (above Mach 5) jets. The X-33 was a research vehicle that was supposed to be a RLV, or Reusible-Launch-Vehicle. Not like the shuttles of today, but more like an airliner, a space-liner, if you will. There were numerous problems with the X-33 R&D, and the project was cancelled in 2001. There even is a conspiracy theory surrounding the whole project. As of now, fastest air-breathing manned vehicle is the SR-71 Blackbird, traveling at speeds of up to Mach 3.3. The fastest air-breathing unmanned vehicle was the X-43a, reaching speeds of Mach 9.8, so speeds of Mach 15 (as mentioned in the book) by any manned vehicle are a definite problem.

I'm still reading the "Secrets of" series for both books, and its interesting, they pretty much call Brown's bluff and obliterate his "this is entirely factual" references.

you should check them out yourself.

Pictures are in!

2005-05-07T00:12:00.000-07:00

go here to see pictures of my graduation from The California Maritime Academy.

I guess I should rewrite my title sometime soon, eh?

job apps

2005-05-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

well currently I'm waitin on msc, I just filled out an application for open third's positions for NOAA in Seattle, so who knows where i'll sail out of. The worst part is the timing of everything. I have to wait 2 weeks up to a month before anyone can actually decide ANYTHING.

oh well. back to filling out thank you notes for all my checks and gifts!

I dun gradiated

2005-05-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

A few things I am now:

-Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
-3rd assistant engineer available to sail on any steam, motor, or gas turbine vessels of any horsepower
-Engineer-in-Training #121595
-Certified Plant Engineer-in-Training

I walked on Saturday...I will post pictures as soon as I get them from my dad.

Update1:
Thanks to Jihad Jimmy from the SHoP, welcoming me into the ranks of Engineer-in-Trainings. Thanks to all of you who have wished me congratuations (especially you, amy, I miss you!)

Update 2:
Don't worry, the pictures WILL come, and yes I'll be wearing "choker whites" the common name of the dress whites.

Getting there

2005-04-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Now that the project is completed, the report is done, and the presentation went well...just winding down. All I have left is to finish up a take-home final for Automatic Feedback Controls, and finish up a last homework assignment for Energy Systems Design.

Then I'll be college grad.

sounds weird doesn't it?

Testing

2005-04-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Pictures from when we test-fired our water balloon launcher, and were recording firing pressures and distances. For those who can't figure it out, we are protecting the balloon from bursting by using a cradle that slides down our barrel, and then is prevented from going down-range with a parachute. In the shots below, the yellow object is the waterballoon, and the big blue thing behind it is our parachute deploying, stopping our cradle.

One of the launches, ours is the black one to the left, a competing launcher is sitting next to ours (ours is more compact)

Another test shot (no, I'm not in any of these pictures yet)

There I am! I'm on the right. So far we've been able to shoot a water balloon up to 180 yards. We know we can go farter because the other group (with their barrel painted gray) was able to shoot up to 255 yards (about 1/7th of a mile!)

Stupid people piss me off

2005-04-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

*looks at the current world's population* You must have a lot of frustration then.

What pisses you off?

Created by ptocheia

IT FREAKING WORKS

2005-04-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

For those who don't know my senior design team has designed and is building a waterballoon launcher. We finally constructed it to a point that we pressure-tested our receiver for leaks, and we dry-fired our cannon today (about 8 shots). We put it on its frame and rolled it outside, aimed it down the waterfront road, and fired a few empty barrel shots. Man it's awesome making something that SOUNDS SO COOL (and works). Then just to be ornery, we stuck a lil plastic ball (about the size of a tennis ball- our barrel is 6 inches in diameter...so the air might have just rushed past it...), and it launched the ball almost 200 feet!

We're going to take pictures tomorrow and start test-launching actual waterballoons.

Update 1:
Well, today we painted everything black then we test-fired a waterballoon with our protective/sealing cradle and it worked! We first tested it at 40 psi and our gate valve 1.5 turns open, the line that prevents our cradle from going downrange held but the waterballoon only went about 30-40 feet. We then tested 60 psi with the gate valve 3 turns open, and the waterballoon went about 100-130 feet...but the line that held our cradle snapped :(
Back to the drawing board for that!

Update 2:
Well we got the cable to hold, but then the cradle was destroyed by the jerk at the end of the line. We ended up using a parachute idea. We made a parachute out of tarp and attached it to the back of our slider/cradle, and just sending it freely down the barrel. Today we tested a number of different firing pressures, keeping our gate valve fully open, and recorded distances, then we held our pressure constant at 40 psi, then throttled down on our gate valve to get the accuracy shots of 25, 50, and 75 yards.

GMAIL

2005-04-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

Just recently got a Gmail account. 2 gigabytes now.

For those who are about to ask, no I don't have any invites yet.

For those paying attention, Yahoo is about to offer 1GB email storage space to their free service members now.

Coming soon! 1GB of storage, free to all users
There's more in store with Yahoo! Mail. By early May, all free Yahoo! Mail users will receive an email storage increase to a whopping 1GB. That's enough space to keep thousands and thousands of emails -- so you'll never have to delete those important messages again!

And to those who wish to update their address books, hscharf@csum.edu will soon be no longer my email address. I'll have two accounts I'll check regularly now:

henry4@scharfcpa.net
hscharf@gmail.com

Still busy

2005-04-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

Still busy building our senior design project and finishing up school.

I'll post pictures when we're done (maybe even post a video of our senior design project working...it's a water balloon launcher for those who don't know).

weirdness

2005-04-07T08:00:00.000-07:00