I am trying to adjust to the south, and the prejudice here. This ship isn't fancy, and there was no man in a tux to show me to my table, but the cooks stood at the corners of the table waiting for any serving bowl to near half empty, so they could whisk it away and "fetch" back a full bowl. As I reached for a sugar pack to put in my tea, one gent quickly grabbed two packs and handed them to me, as if my arm would fall off if I straightened my elbow. The table sat 10 and every chair was filled. Each of us were asked as soon as our plates empty, "Would you like a piece of cake?" There are two classes on this vessel, those who decide what needs done and those who do it. The difference is black and white, literally! Some men are busy all day washing, mopping, and painting the ship, while others stay in the air conditioned areas doing little.

At lunch we discussed the project I am here for. The antenna left California this morning, and we hope to see it tomorrow by noon. We plan to float 12 hours down the river once loaded, and meet the marine dredge McFarland. This tug boat and the crane barge we will push is here just for me and the antenna. I can't imagine what it costs to keep this ship sitting here, running idle to generate power, and employ the staff. All that and a crane barge has been here waiting for me and a few others since Sunday morning, and will be here 48 hours before we move. Once moving, I expect to complete the install and travel in 40 hours. Seems to me a helicopter and two pilots for one day would have cost less, but then I would have billed only one day instead of the 4 days this will consume.

Dinner was pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, summer squash, and carrot cake. Again, quite delicious! Conversation brought bad news, or good news... depending how you look at it. We are at mile marker 230, and the McFarland is at mile 10. This ship's cruise speed is roughly 10 mph. Assuming the river flows 3 miles per hour south, it will take almost 17 hours to get there and 31.5 hours to come back. (figuring 210 miles at 13 mph south and 7 mph north). Again assuming we leave at noon tomorrow, we'll arrive at 5 am, work all day Thursday, leave at 6ish pm, and arrive back in Baton Rouge after midnight Friday. The best part of that is, it means I will be able to bill weekend rates to fix the FEMA bus as soon as I get back. Although, I fear Telesat will call about the 24/7 babysitting job in Slidell before the weeks end. So, if Ray is in the Bahamas, we need to have Andrew ready to jump in.

Earlier today I was thinking how I've become spoiled by being needed. I was wondering what I will do when the excitement settles. But then the Weather Channel aired a story of a helicopter rescue worker. Having been in the business 8 years, he had felt proud to have been so closely involved in 15 rescues. Since Katrina he has been to over 100 rescues, and joked "If we come back with only 15 a day we are doing something wrong". So now I wonder how he will recover from his God Complex, never mind my little power trip. I've been sheltered from the news, and now it is on all day. Hearing stories of folks who panicked and tried to get out too late, ending up stuck in their cars to ride out the storm, keeps me ducking outside for a smoke, as I try not to think about the cars in Waveland. Nancy Grace on The Weather Channel is visibly on the edge of tears tonight, while she tells Anson that she hasn't seen him smile since Katrina. A month is a long time to not smile... 

'nite,

Bill Gerker