Log - August-10-2003 by Gerhard Behrens and Robert McCarthy Previous | Next Expedition Expedition | People Morale night Robert McCarthy Last night was “morale night” on the Healy. Each Saturday night, a different unit helps prepare dinner. Last night, it was the scientific party’s turn. Head of morale planning was Dr. Helen Johnson. As a group, we decided to make pizza for dinner and crème pies for dessert. Gerhard Behrens and I worked on a banner that we placed over the serving line, and everybody on the scientific team that wasn’t busy taking measurements helped prepare the food. It was a lot of fun in the kitchen getting everything ready for dinner at 17:00 hours. It felt good to offer a gesture of our appreciation for what the cooks do day in, and day out. They have done an excellent job all cruise, and I thank them for all of their care in the preparation of every meal. Movies are a big thing on the ship, and the crew shows four movies per night piped through the ship’s cable system. So anywhere there is a TV, you can tune in and watch. There is a nice big-screen TV right behind the science conference room with seating for at least 10, which is a popular spot to relax after a long day. Every Saturday after dinner, there is bingo in the galley; a nice place for the crew to relax and have fun together. The science team is welcome to play and have a good time. Last night, there were board-games up in the science conference lounge. I know everybody had a good time. Morale is a big concern on the ship. I have seen no altercations anywhere on board, and I sense a family and team camaraderie. Everybody is away from family, and they are all feeling far removed from loved ones. So they bond together to form a second family here on the ship, where everybody is looking out for everyone else. I’ve had an excellent experience on the ship, and have nothing but the best to say about everyone I’ve met. Speaking of missing family members, today is my 12 year wedding anniversary to my wife, Julie, who I deeply miss, along with our two children Wes and Syd. I’ll be home soon. Love, Bob. Our other lives Gerhard Behrens It is Sunday again; a relaxed schedule for the crew, but one as full as possible for the science team. What would all these people be doing if it were Sunday back home? Kelly Falkner, the chief scientist, would be at home. She travels a lot and has lots of responsibilities to the science community and her university. So, she would be home sewing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, or biking around town. Humfry Melling, the co-chief scientist, enjoys mountain sports like hiking, biking, and skiing, and does woodworking. When I asked about time away from oceanography, every single person first said, “Doing something with my family.” Everyone talked about wives, children, grandchildren, brother and sisters. So, with that in mind, keep reading about what makes these oceanographers interesting. Paul Akeeagok, our Inuit representative from Grise Fiord, would be riding his motorcycle in the open country outside his town, camping, or just hanging out with friends. Kumiko Azetsu-Scott plays tennis, takes her dog for long walks, and cooks special meals. Gerhard Behrens, the elementary teacher, loves running and fruit and vegetable gardening. In the summers, he camps with his family throughout the western U.S. Lauren Brown, a physics student, said she loves, guess what, astrophysics and astronomy. She swims, and is looking forward to studying in Germany next winter. Roger Davis follows baseball and coaches little league. Another specialty is music composition, writing for ensembles. Joe DiGiovanni is the trip’s computer specialist. He looks forward to skiing in the winter, enjoys music, and tries to grow in the Christian faith. David Forcucci is an underwater photographer, a sea kayaker, and a rower in an outrigger canoe. He will be a new daddy in less than two months! Pete Gamble stays young by working on old tractors, old cars, old motorcycles and old boats. Wouldn’t you like to go on some kind of a Sunday drive with him? John Harris cares for an acre of wine grapes, has a huge family garden, and gives advice to fellow farmers. Chip Heil likes throwing things... he plays softball and horseshoes. He is also a scuba diver. Dale Hubbard surfs the beaches of Oregon; enjoys the mountains on bike, skis, board, and foot; and uses his chemistry background to craft beer. Ed Hudson is a meteorologist on board. He has two sailboats he tries to get on the water and he enjoys woodworking. David Huntley uses his craftsman skills to restore old homes and make fine furniture. Joe Jennings would use a free Sunday to work on landscaping projects around his home. Helen Johnson is another outdoor sports enthusiast: biking, hiking, skiing, etc… After a year in Victoria, BC, she is considering defecting from her home in England! Pete Kalk cannot get away from the water. He loves canoe trips, the longer the better. Hiking and yard work are other pastimes. Elinor Keith reads erudite magazines, plays in the Princeton Band (trumpet), and enjoys soccer. Ron Lindsay races Laser sailboats. He is also involved in hockey as a coach, an association leader, and a player. Robie Macdonald is an avid mountaineer and plays hockey. Scott McAuliffe plays guitar and keyboard. Like many on the cruise, he enjoys outdoor sports such as hiking, biking, and skiing. Bob McCarthy is the high school physics teacher. He is a devoted cyclist and works on improving his golf game. Chi Meredith is a professional artist, working with oils and prints. She uses free time to keep her golf game in fine tune. Chris Moser likes to remodel his home and to get outside for any kind of outdoor sport. Andreas Muenchow competes at table tennis; maintains a flower, fruit, and vegetable garden; and skis. Lee Narraway, the cruise’s photographer, is a rowing coach in her hometown area and is in the endless process of building her own home. Mary O’Brien is a hiker and gets back to the water with swimming and windsurfing. Jay Ressler surfs, plays electric and acoustic guitar, and when he’s not studying, pursues the college lifestyle. Helga Schaffrin is a founding member of a group that pays the school fees for elementary and secondary students who are orphans or very poor, in Zambia, Namibia, Guatemala, and Nepal. She also loves Israeli folk dancing. Yves Sivret spends spare time in the gym and listening to music. Jay Simpkins is a competitive pistol shooter and lends his expert skills to the city of Portland where he helps restore steam locomotives. Melissa Zweng plays the piano and travels to interesting cities and sites on the East Coast. There you have it. They are not just oceanography nerds. If you haven’t done it already, check out the People section of the Expedition link. That will give you a description of what these interesting folks are doing on this cruise.