it's true

ghosty boast, originally uploaded by pinprick.

sometime last week the fisherman's boss asked if i wanted to come along with them back up to alaska. working on the boat as a deckhand of sorts; mainly cooking and tidying up and doing wheel watch, nothing too serious. they're short a person on the crew, and didn't know anyone else to fill that spot. i assumed they were joking, and told him that he'd have to talk to the fisherman about it because going up with them is a lot like moving into his house and maybe he's not ready for that. i told them it sounded like a lot of fun, but then i brushed it off. i got to the boat last night and boss said, "where's all your stuff? you can't go to alaska with just a purse!" i thought he was joking, but he totally wasn't. i asked the fisherman point-blank if he was okay with it, and he said he was and so i said yes. yes, i will go with you to alaska.

i'll only be gone a few weeks, i'll be getting paid more money than i've made in a LONG time, i'll get to see alaska and see what it's like to live on a real fishing boat. to be perfectly honest, i am thrilled. i'm beyond excited. when i left the house last night i knew it was the fisherman's last night in town, and i was sad and wondering if i should even go see him. i felt totally unsure of myself and nervous and knew that i didn't want to be the crazy girl crying in the car on the way home tomorrow. on the drive up i had some time to think (the drive from my island to his is about an hour), and i decided to just have the best night possible, to not think too much about what was coming, to just enjoy the time i had left. the second he got off the boat i knew i was in the right place. for a girl who's spent so much time being an asshole spinster, i feel oddly corny about this guy.

the fisherman was as surprised as i was about his boss's offer, but we talked about it a lot last night and we're both really excited. boss already told us that he's going to keep our trips together minimal; i won't ever be allowed to make a big run with them because we're dating, and he doesn't normally allow that on the ship (unless it's him!). if i like this trip and do well, i might get to go back this summer for another short run. the fisherman says after this i can get the anchor tattoo i've been wanting, and i told him that just because i'm going with him to alaska doesn't mean i expect a proposal when we get there. however, i do still want the salty dog sweatshirt he promised me. getting to spend a few weeks on the ocean, seeing something totally new and amazing, and being with him all sounds like fun.

i am not leaving with them today, though. instead i'm flying into ketchikan wednesday night to meet them. i needed a few days to get my shit together, spend some time with my sister and niece, and try to calm my pop down. mom is seriously happy for me, and dad kind of wants to kill me. "i'm getting a little sick and tired of your fucking adventures, it's time you grew up." i can see where he's coming from, but i'm still going. he might be tired of my "adventures" but i'm not.