Better, thank you

[chris_gerrib]

As expected, the car didn't start this morning. The ignition key went in fine, the steering wheel wasn't locked, but you couldn't turn the key. So I called Saturn's roadside assistance. They sent a tow truck (free). The driver showed up, and knew a trick - he rocked the vehicle back and forth, and then the key would turn. Apparently, Saturns have a problem with lock pins (basic guide to locks here) jamming or breaking. At any rate, he got it started, so I drove it to the dealership under its own power. They got it fixed fairly quickly, and I was back to work by 10:30 AM.

Today is Rotary day, and I was the guest speaker. I laid out my goals for the club this year. Now, we have a formal installation dinner at the end of June, but I didn't want to be a buzz-kill (literally - we DO serve cocktails!) at that, so this was my formal "inaugural address." At the end, one of the members said, "good thing you didn't do this at your Presidential induction!" Speaking of inductions, we inducted two new members today, which is always nice. Lastly, I won the 50/50 drawing today, and picked up $47! Life is looking up!

I have my writing group meeting tonight, where I am also the guest speaker, talking about how real merchant ships are not like ships seen in Star Trek.

Comments

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I have Volvo roadside assistance, and it has saved my bacon a few times. (For some reason, Volvos left undriven for a long time drain ouat their batteries....grr. Also, I'm the Blow-out Queen.)

You know, I should think that anyone would realize that cargo ships wouldn't look like the Enterprize, but on the other hand, I'm willing to bet a lot of people never question the efficiency of the design for cargo. I'd expect a cargo ship might be designed a little on the lines of the big cargo ships that come into port on the ocean. Hmmm, I'd expect there'd be differentiation between cargos that can travel without atmosphere and those that required it for some reason (medicines, foods, etc), but to expect cargo haulers to be sleek....

Good luck on your presentation!

Cargo ships

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

My talk is focusing more on manning, watchstanding, etc., vs. exterior design. For example - in Star Trek, when the Captain is on the bridge, he "has the ship" and if he leaves, he "gives the ship" to somebody else. Er, WRONG! The Captain is not automatically on watch when on the bridge - there's a watchstander. That way, the Old Man can leave when he feels like it.

Re: Cargo ships

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I have always suspected that there was more than one captain aboard. We used to joke about 'Captain Fred'--Captain Kirk's counterpart, whose shifts were so boring that nothing on his shift ever got filmed. At least the later series (TNG) specifically, showed the occasional 'night' shift.

Yes, expecting the captain to be 'on watch' is sort of stupid, and violates thousands of years of seafaring precedent.

Re: Cargo ships

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

Well, no, not multiple captains. You'd have "mates" (1st mate, 2nd mate, etc) who would stand watches. In Star Trek, Sulu, Checkov and Uhuru would each have a watch section.

Re: Cargo ships

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Yes, but it made for amusing discussions...

Re: Cargo ships

[bdunbar.livejournal.com]

In Star Trek, Sulu, Checkov and Uhuru would each have a watch section.

If Uhura had her own watch section she would have gotten more screen time and had better scenes.

Clearly The Man was putting her down.

Re: Cargo ships

[bdunbar.livejournal.com]

Cargo ships have fewer - and better paid - crew, yes?

Re: Cargo ships

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

Much fewer - 20 or 30 tops. Pay - don't know.