Filed under: Oceans, life, photography | Tags: National Geographic, photography
The Boston Globe’s The Big Picture blog never disappoints. The above is one of the entries from the 2009 National Geographic International Photo Contest. It’s too late to enter (and let’s face it, our vacation snaps wouldn’t have made it in anyway), but you can still vote for your favorites in the Viewer’s Choice competition. After you do, grab your camera and take some inspiration with you and make some images.
Filed under: Moby-Monday, maritime | Tags: Greta Gertler, Meg Guroff, Moby-Dick, The Universal Thump
Cadging a phrase from Moby-Dick’s first chapter, Brooklyn-based Aussie pop-rocker Greta Gertler is calling her current, whaley album project The Universal Thump.
And, in a nod to the speculative nature of a 19th-century whaling expedition, Gertler is looking to investors to fund the recording. Though backers—at set levels ranging from $15 to $10,000—won’t enjoy a cut of the album’s future earnings, they will receive benefits according to their contributions, provided Gertler raises a total of $15,000 by December 9. (Otherwise, no backers pay anything.)
“Pygmy Sperm Whale” donors will pay $15 and receive a digital copy of the eventual album, while “Disoriented Baby Whale” donors pay $125 for a signed CD; a signed, limited edition songbook; a “thank you” in the album’s credits; and a specially designed T-shirt. “Narwhale” ($10,000) donors receive multiple gifts, including a separate album written by Gertler about up to 10 members of the donor’s family, and a set of steak knives.
For New York area music (or whale) lovers who want to be extra supportive, there’s a fundraising concert on December 7 at The Living Room, 145 Ludlow Street in Manhattan. Gertler and her band will be playing music from the album … and if you like it, you’ll still have two days to pony up and collect your steak knives.
Margaret Guroff is editor and publisher of Power Moby-Dick.
The only thing better than mixing metaphors is combining them. This daring due add new meaning to the phrases “Go fly a kite” and “Take a long jump off a short pier.” I guess it really should be “Take a high jump over a short pier.”
Filed under: life, maritime, storytelling | Tags: Log of the Dead Pirates Society, Michael Crichton, Pirate Latitides, Randall Peffer, Southern Seahawk
![[crichtonpirates]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-EX895_cricht_CV_20091119172252.jpg)
Michael Crichton might have passed away a little over a year ago but the prolific producer of best sellers keep on publishing like the Energizer Bunny.
His latest work, Pirate Latitudes, is an adventure revolving around piracy in Jamaica in the 17th century. It’s scheduled for release November 24, 2009 but you can read an excerpt on the Wall Street Journal’s website. I’m not a Crichton fan but this one looks interesting and there’s a rumor that Steven Spielberg is working on a movie.
Of course, if you’re looking for a maritime adventure written by a real sailor who’s also an accomplished author, don’t forget my good friend Randy Peffer’s great civil war maritime thriller, Southern Seahawk or one of my favorite all time books, Log of the Dead Pirates Society.
I spy some great sea stories on your horizon.
Filed under: maritime
Earlier this week I was down in Virginia Beach to participate in the first annual USCG PodCamp which in fact was the first US military PodCamp. Being first is good and this event was run alongside the much larger USCG Innovation Expo which seemed entirely appropriate on so many levels.
Not familiar with the term PodCamp. Well, it’s a social media unconference. Still confused, don’t worry you’re not alone. An unconference is basically a self organized conference/event where people come to share their knowledge and experience on a particular topic/theme. PodCamps focus on social media.
Participants get to decide on what topics will be explored and discussed in sessions throughout the day. It might sound a bit chaotic and it can be, but for the most part it an extremely effective way to cover a wide range of topics in a relatively short time frame and to tailor learning to the needs of the group. It works best when attendees actively participate through leading a session, asking questions and engaging in dialogue/discussions.
The USCG PodCamp was a great success and I’ve written a post on it over at seaz.me. (Five Highlights of USCG PodCamp). If you are in the Coast Guard, maritime industry or just interest in learning more or sharing your social media experience and knowledge you might want to mark your calendar for the 2nd annual USCG PodCamp next November in Tampa, FL.
We recorded episode 27 of the Weekly Leader podcast at USCG PodCamp.
Here’s a copy of my Podcasting Fundamentals presentation via Slide Share.
Congratulations to Ben Strong, Katie Hood, Peter Stinson and Ryan Erickson for doing all the prep work and all of the participants in making USCG PodCamp such a great success!
Filed under: Moby-Monday, maritime | Tags: Meg Guroff, Moby-Dick, New Bedford Whaling Museum
The New Bedford Whaling Museum just began filling slots for its 14th annual Moby-Dick Marathon, a 25-hour, nonstop reading of Herman Melville’s little book to be held January 9-10, 2010. The event starts at noon that Saturday and it’s free to read, listen, or partake of coffee, cider, and “traditional whaleship fare” (ew?), but if you want a non-wee-hours reading slot, you’d better call 508-997-0046 posthaste and make your wishes known.
Margaret Guroff is the editor and publisher of Power Moby-Dick.
Funny that the original name of this movie was The Boat That Rocked when it opened in the UK in April 2009 to terrible reviews and financial failure. The name was changed to Pirate Radio for the American opening tomorrow. Hmmm, seems like a questionable strategy but I guess once you’re committed, your committed.
Here’s the trailer.
The movie is a fictional account but these types of radio stations did exist off the coast of England through the 1970’s. According to the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame, on March 20, 1970, the MV Mi Amigo, one of the last pirate radio ships, sank after her crew abandoned her. Let’s hope Pirate Radio doesn’t suffer the same fate.
Filed under: life, maritime heritage, storytelling | Tags: Lester Hillegas, sea story, Veteran's Day, World War I, WWI, YouTube
Looking for something appropriate to post today, Veteran’s Day 2009, I stumbled upon this extraordinary oral history/slide show which World War I veteran Lester Hillegas tells in his own words. From YouTube:
World War I veteran Lester Hillegas (my grandfather) recalls his experiences joining the US Navy and serving aboard USS Florida. Recorded around 1980 with pictures from his time in the Navy. In this section he talks about enlistment, traveling to boot camp in Portsmouth, NH, and the crossing to the Scotland. Parts 2 and 3 he talks about service in the North Sea, the surrender of the German fleet, and life in the Navy. He passed away in 1989.
Here are videos worth watching and listening to.
Thanks to YouTube user ly776 for posting these incredible recordings and slide shows of his/her grandfather’s service for our country. Sea stories like these help us understand and appreciate the dedication and sacrifices made by soldiers and sailors . But more importantly, they humanize what is otherwise a pretty abstract concept for most Americans who have not served.
On this special day, don’t forget to thank someone who’s served your country!
