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8th Floor Scientist
Posted by on August 26, 2010
Glomar Challenger The scientific drilling program I work for started out in San Diego back in the 1968 as the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP). The drill ship was the Glomar Challenger.  In 1985 the program was renamed the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) and was moved to Texas A and M University (TAMU) at College Station, with a new drill ship named the "JOIDES Resolution" or the "JR" for short.. In… (read more)
Vacuum Toilets Suck
Posted by on August 17, 2010
This probably isn't the best way to start my new blog from sea, I guess particularly since this expedition is might near over, but I have to say that these vacuum toilets really suck. Actually a lot of times they don't suck when you need them to and that's pretty crappy. Other times they suck all night long while you're trying to sleep and occasionally they do a reverse suck and spit water out the… (read more)
The Phoenix
Posted by on August 5, 2010
Like the mythical fire bird, the Phoenix, I rise, reborn from the ashes to become greater than before.  I write this at sea aboard the research ship, JOIDES Resolution. I hope to get to more life at sea type posting, but I thought I would catch you up to speed on my life since I last posted from sea. I'm already half way through this expedition and this is my first post, so I apologize. I'll try… (read more)
A Little Back-Story
Posted by on July 13, 2010
Note:Before I start writing about my latest expedition on the high seas, I thought some of you might want to read a little background. So, I have re-posted my blog from a little over a year ago. I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 1) 3 March 2009, 0900 hrsI get on the plane to Honolulu in about 2 hours. A lot of people have ooohed and awwwed over this trip and and sarcastically told how… (read more)
A Little Back-Story
Posted by on July 13, 2010
Note:Before I start writing about my latest expedition on the high seas, I thought some of you might want to read a little background. So, I have re-posted my blog from a little over a year ago. I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 1) 3 March 2009, 0900 hrsI get on the plane to Honolulu in about 2 hours. A lot of people have ooohed and awwwed over this trip and and sarcastically told how… (read more)
Madilynn Hope Ferrell
Posted by on June 22, 2010
photo, originally uploaded by shipwrecklounge.I just wanted to introduce to you the newest member of the Ferrell Clan. This is Jacob's first born, Madilynn. She had a rough couple of days and had to stay in the Neo-Natal ICU but looks like shes about to get to go home. Her parents are very proud and excited. Her grandparents are as well.Madi was born on the 16th of June just in time for Jake to celebrate… (read more)
Madilynn Hope Ferrell
Posted by on June 22, 2010
photo, originally uploaded by shipwrecklounge.I just wanted to introduce to you the newest member of the Ferrell Clan. This is Jacob's first born, Madilynn. She had a rough couple of days and had to stay in the Neo-Natal ICU but looks like shes about to get to go home. Her parents are very proud and excited. Her grandparents are as well. Madi was born on the 16th of June just in time for Jake to celebrate… (read more)
Self-Eval - Arrogant Bastard
Posted by on May 13, 2010
It's that time of year at my day-job for Annual Performance Evaluations (APEs) which includes Self-Apprasials. These things are kind of like a resume for a job you already have, and are hoping to keep, possibly even get a raise in pay along the way. So, obviously, you highlight the good parts and ignore your bad in the hopes that your supervisor is either convinced by this narrative of the past year's… (read more)
Self-Eval - Arrogant Bastard
Posted by on May 13, 2010
It's that time of year at my day-job for Annual Performance Evaluations (APEs) which includes Self-Apprasials. These things are kind of like a resume for a job you already have, and are hoping to keep, possibly even get a raise in pay along the way. So, obviously, you highlight the good parts and ignore your bad in the hopes that your supervisor is either convinced by this narrative of the past year's… (read more)
Life at Sea, Part 1
Posted by on April 1, 2009
digg_url = "http://southwardtack.blogspot.com/2009/04/life-at-sea-part-1.html";digg_title = "Life at Sea, Part 1";digg_bgcolor = "#EEEECC";digg_skin = "normal";digg_url = undefined;digg_title = undefined;digg_bgcolor = undefined;digg_skin = undefined;I served my country in the US Air Force. I was in Okinawa at Kadena Air Base, during Desert Storm, but never went to Iraq. I never had to be away from… (read more)
Life at Sea, Part 1
Posted by on April 1, 2009
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I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 3)
Posted by on March 18, 2009
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I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 3)
Posted by on March 18, 2009
Leaving Paradise?6 March 2009, 0530 hrsI slept on Mitch's spare bed at the hotel rather than try to get an expensive cab back to the ship after the party and after our visit to the Irish Rose. The company probably would have reimbursed me for the cab since I was attending an IODP function, but this was easier anyway. There is no time for the $4 breakfast this morning, so I ask Mitch if we can hit… (read more)
I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 2)
Posted by on March 15, 2009
or "I feel like Hell in Paradise"5 March 2009, 18:20 hrsMitch drops by the operations office located on the bridge deck of the JOIDES Resolution to ask if I'm about ready to have a beer. Being the sociable guy I am, we are off to the crossover party in Mitch's rental car.In the olden days, usually on the evening of the day when the two crews change out (also know as crossover) the powers that be would… (read more)
I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 2)
Posted by on March 15, 2009
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I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 1)
Posted by on March 12, 2009
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I Don't Love the Ocean, I love the Coast (Part 1)
Posted by on March 12, 2009
3 March 2009, 0900 hrsI get on the plane to Honolulu in about 2 hours. A lot of people have ooohed and awwwed over this trip and and sarcastically told how tough a job a had traveling to places like Austrailia, Hawaii, Japan, and so on; but they don't get it. I have one free day in Hawaii, then it's working 12 hour shifts the next 5 days, until we leave port. At that point, it's nothing but open ocean… (read more)
Lt Dan Moran
Posted by on October 30, 2007
Champion Forest Baptist Church - Sunday Service 10-21-07Lt Dan Moran was wounded in Iraq by an IED. HE was part of the veterans appreciation half time during the the A&M vs Kansas football game.Defense Secretary Robert Gates pinned a medal on this Marine. I know I had to tear up a little and I know a few other people around me did too. This is his testimony and his story:God Bless America and those… (read more)
Lt Dan Moran
Posted by on October 30, 2007
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'Swearing' at Work Eases Stress, Boosts Team Spirit, Study Says - FoxNews.com
Posted by on October 17, 2007
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'Swearing' at Work Eases Stress, Boosts Team Spirit, Study Says - FoxNews.com
Posted by on October 17, 2007
'Swearing' at Work Eases Stress, Boosts Team Spirit, Study Says Researchers at University of East Anglia in Norwich, U.K. conducting a leadership study found the use of "taboo language" made the workplace more tolerable, according to Australia's Daily Telegraph.That's what the hell I'm talkin' about! Maybe the Aggie Football department could use a little more swearing. I know I'm swearing at them… (read more)
Australian Doctors Use Vodka Drip to Save Poisoned Tourist's Life - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News
Posted by on October 14, 2007
FOXNews.com - Australian Doctors Use Vodka Drip to Save Poisoned Tourist's LifePascal Gelperowicz, who led the man's treatment with Todd Fraser, said the man was unconscious when he arrived and was treated immediately with pharmaceutical-grade alcohol, which works as an antidote to the poison. The hospital's alcohol supplies were soon exhausted, however, so they purchased a case of vodka to help finish… (read more)
Australian Doctors Use Vodka Drip to Save Poisoned Tourist's Life - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News
Posted by on October 14, 2007
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A&M's Franchione fends off negative vibes | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Posted by on September 27, 2007
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A&M's Franchione fends off negative vibes | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Posted by on September 27, 2007
A&M's Franchione fends off negative vibes | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:Stephen McGee quote from Chronicle:"'It's so tough, because everybody wants to be so negative, but that's the way that life is,' said quarterback Stephen McGee. 'If you chose to come to a school like A&M, you know you are going to have to deal with that. You can let it eat you up, or you can go out there and be a man and realize… (read more)
MySA.com: Richard Oliver
Posted by on September 24, 2007
Excerpt from:MySA.com: Richard Oliver Barring an unlikely rebound in the final three quarters of the football season, with Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas looming, Byrne will be faced with another crucial hire and rebuilding task. This one, simply, will define his legacy at the school. Franchione, even Byrne must realize by now, is not a catalyst as forecast when he was imported to take the… (read more)
MySA.com: Richard Oliver
Posted by on September 24, 2007
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FOXNews.com - Tennessee Landscaping Company Employing Bikini-Clad Women - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
Posted by on September 2, 2007
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FOXNews.com - Tennessee Landscaping Company Employing Bikini-Clad Women - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
Posted by on September 2, 2007
Man I really need my lawn mowed too.Link to full story on FOXNews.comTennessee Landscaping Company Employing Bikini-Clad Women Sunday, July 22, 2007 MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One lawn care company is showing a little skin to boost business. The women of Tiger Time Lawn Care offer to mow customers' lawns dressed in bikinis — a service that attracts more attention to the ladies than the lawns. 'Oh yeah,… (read more)