Tears and Cheers

I was going to write about those amazing Chilean miners who were rescued the other day after more than 2 months of being trapped together in a mine. And then I thought to myself, unless I can come up with a new word that has never been used before that is better than the words AMAZING and INCREDIBLE and UNBELIEVABLE, then I shouldn't even bother.
Everything that can be said has been said.
But, I am soooo tempted to touch on the subject of the miner with the wife/mistress situation, but I'll take the high road.

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Booby Cox, who managed baseball's Atlanta Braves for about a bazillion years, managed his last game the other night when his team got knocked out of the playoffs. It seems Bobby's retiring.
While watching his tear filled press conference I flashed back to the time I was working on a ship as a teenager, and I saw this old first engineer crying as he headed off the ship for the last time, into retirement.
He left an industry 35 years ago that is totally different from the industry I know today. His sailing days were filled with visiting different ports, meeting different people and probably drinking way too much every now and again.
Todays Merchant Marine is nothing but TWIC cards and random drug/alcohol tests, regulations, JSA's, reports, audits and inspections.
Most docks, since 9/11 are in lock down and you can't enter or leave without making prior arrangements by phone. Thank you Home Land Security.

If you want to leave the boat for a visit to town, make sure you bring your TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card) and your Merchant Mariners I.D., or you may not get back in.
Don't forget your hard hat and steel toe boots. It's very fashionable for dock yards these days to insist on you wearing this safety equipment. Thank you various insurance companies.
No, this ain't your Dad's Merchant Marine.
The day I am lucky enough to retire from this over regulated industry,
there will be no tears.
Not even one.

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As I write this I keep glancing at the TV. Major league baseball is in full swing.
Yes, I'm multi-tasking.
A-Rod, the New York Yankees 3rd baseman and youngest player ever to reach 600 home runs, just stepped into the batters box. He's one of those guys, love him or , you'll stop what your doing to watch his at bat.
I'm watching..........................................................................................................................
He just grounded out.
The Yankees are getting spanked by Texas in the 6th inning.
Ahh, lifes simple pleasures.