(Part of my Gone Fishing story)
I was dating my future wife while I was on my 7 week voyage in the South Pacific. We used the ships onboard satellite fax to communicate, since voice communication would be prohibitively expensive (though I believe we talked at least once).
She was a flight attendant at the time and was planning on meeting me in Honolulu when I was done, so we needed a way to communicate. Coordinating and other stuff, as you’ll read. Assuming you want to read it. I guess I really should re-read these as I post them here…
If memory serves me correctly, I had to sit at the navigator’s computer (pictured below) and type out my fax, print it out, and then feed it through the fax machine. I don’t recall exactly how the satellite connection was made (via the fax machine or the computer), but I do remember it was a bit of a PITA to deal with this equipment. #shocking
The Auro’s navigation station with the satellite fax machine I used on the upper right
Note 1: My girlfriend had my good friend Robert help her with the faxing as he had a fax machine and some techincal knowhow to be able to push the right buttons to make sure I, and my girlfriend, received the faxes.
Note 2: The faxes were sent in all caps and very little spacing, as shown. I’m leaving it that way as I’m not retyping them again. Feel free to retype all the faxes and send me a copy if all caps bug you that much. Or just don’t read them. 😉 Pretty sure there was a good (or maybe just decent) reason all caps were used. Might be explained in the faxes themselves. I’m too lazy to read that much, so you are on your own to figure this out.
Note 3: I’m cracking up that we would address each other with “Dear”. So damn formal! And not at all how I remember us talking to each other. Funny.
DEAR MARSHALL-
THIS IS JUST A QUICK NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT SUPERMAN ROBERT IS HELPING ME GET THINGS GOING WITH THIS FAX STUFF. HE IS GOING TO HELP ME GET MY COMPUTER SET-UP SO THAT I CAN RECEIVE FAX FROM YOU AS WELL. WE WILL HAVE TO DESIGNATE A TIME AS TO WHEN YOU SHOULD FAX ME. BUT MORE ON THAT LATER.
THIS IS REALLY EXCITING BECAUSE NOT ONLY WILL IT BE CHEAPER BUT I WILL BE ABLE TO FAX YOU ANYTIME I WANT TO. PRETTY COOL. HUH?
I HOPE THAT YOU ARE HAVING AS MUCH FUN AS CAN BE HAD OUT THERE. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE SOME COMPETITION WITH OTHER BOATS. IS 100 TONS A GOOD AMOUNT FOR ONLY BEING OUT THERE FOR ONE WEEK? WHAT’S IT LIKE OUT THERE? DO YOU EVER GET TO SEE ANY ISLANDS? WHAT TIME OF THE DAY DO YOU WAKE UP? DO YOU WORK ALL NIGHT AND SLEEP ALL DAY? HOW HAS THE WEATHER BEEN? I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU LET THAT GUY SHAVE YOUR HEAD!! I THINK I MIGHT HAVE TO GO BACK AND GET MICHELENE TO DO SOME MORE CUTTIN’ CUZ’ I AM NOT REAL CRAZY ABOUT MY MUSHROOM CAP. IT JUST NEEDS SOME MORE LAYERS ON TOP. THAT’S ALL.
I AM HERE WAITING FOR THE CABLE GUY. EVER SINCE THEY ACCIDENTALLY CUT-OFF MY CABLE MY RECEPTION HAS BEEN CRAPPY.
WELL I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS A SHORT ONE BECAUSE ROBERT IS WAITING FOR ME TO CALL HIM BACK. I SURE DO MISS YOU AND DON’T HAVE SO MUCH FUN THAT YOU WOULD CHOOSE THIS AS A CAREER. OK? OK. I LOVE AND MISS YOU 1300 TONS AND MORE!!!!!!!! TALK TO YA SOON
LOVE,
JOLI J.
7/25/97
25JULY97
Dear Joli-
Hope this works out. Thanks for helping out Robert.
I am having a pretty good time out here. Not so good that I want to do this for the rest of my life though. 100 tons is not so bad for 3 days of fishing (we started on Monday, using the first two days in transit). Yesterday we got nothing, and today we are currently, as I type, chasing our first school of fish for the day (1:00 PM my time). Some spots are better than others. I guess we saw an island today, or rather the helicopter and the guy in the crow’s nest did, but on deck I couldn’t see anything since it was about 7 miles out – must be a pretty low island. The weather is nice, only have rained a little bit. It seems to be about 85 degrees day or night, with it seeming much warmer in the sun. The humidity level is high, so when I am outside I am constantly sweating – glad that the cabin is air-conditioned. The scenery is kinda monotonous, as you can imagine. I have been getting up between 5 and 6, so that the helicopter is ready to go as soon as it is light outside. I don’t work at night, because the helicopter, being a brand new Robinson, doesn’t need any work. I just try to keep it clean to keep the corrosion down. I spend most of the time trying to find busy work, reading, or watching the boys try to catch fish. Speaking of which, the net was just released. I hope that we catch a lot of fish this time. I really hope they don’t escape, like what has happened a few times. We try to set the net as many times a day as possible, but only when we see schools of fish. The most we have done is 3 times in a day, since it takes several hours to get the net back in once it is out. The net is probably a mile long, but I will have to get the measurements later.
Anyhow, I need to go see how the action is going, and be ready when they helicopter comes in.
Miss you much, and talk to you soon
Marshall
DEAR MARSHALL-
ROBERT AND I HAVE DECIDED THAT FOR NOW YOU CAN JUST SEND ANY FAX TO HIM AT **********. OK? WE MAY AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE TRY AND FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN GET FAX TO ME NOT UNLESS YOU HAVE AN IDEA AS TO WHAT IT IS EXACTLY THAT WE CAN DO. ANY IDEAS? WE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND TO NO AVAIL WERE WE SUCCESSFUL. PLEASE TRY AND FAX ME AT ROBERT’S AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE CORRECT NUMBER. OK? I WILL WRITE MORE LATER.
LOVE,
JOLI J
P.S. HURRY UP!!!!!! SMILE!!!!
7/27/97
DEAR MARSHALL-
HI!! HOW ARE YOU DOING OUT THERE? I HAVE LOTS TO TYPE ABOUT. LET’S SEE, WHERE DO I BEGIN? FIRST THINGS FIRST, I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR ALL TYPO’S AND NO PARAGRAPHS WHERE THERE SHOULD BE PARAGRAPH’S. THAT GOES FOR THE REST OF THE TIME THAT YOU ARE AWAY AND WE ARE COMMUNICATING LIKE THIS. AND SPELLING ERRORS.
I SAW PAT (YOUR BOSS AT ROBINSON) TODAY AT THE AIR SHOW. HE SAID HE GOT YOUR FAX AS WAS NOT SURE OF THE PROTOCOL AS TO WHEN YOU CAN GET FAXS AND STUFF. I ALSO MET BOB, KEN’S BOSS. AND HE USED TO DO THE BOAT THING. I GUESS HE RAN THE SHOW FROM OUT HERE FOR ABOUT 7 YRS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I GET THE IMPRESSION FROM HIM YOU WON’T BE CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO DO THIS AGAIN. WHEW!! YOU KNOW I AM RELIEVED. BECAUSE I REALLY DON’T LIKE THIS SEPARATION STUFF. YOU KNOW?
I WASHED MY CAR TODAY. PAIN IN THE ASS. YOU CAN TOTALLY TELL YOU WEREN’T THERE TO CHAMOIS FOR ME. ID DOESN’T LOOK TOO BAD BUT IT COULD BE BETTER. SO HURRY HOME. GET YOUR FISHING ROD OUT IF YOU HAVE TO!
WENT TO THE WEDDING SHOWER YESTERDAY. LONG DAY. WENT DOWN TO ROB AND ANGIE’S AT ABOUT 9:00AM AND GOT HOME AROUND 11PM. HAD AN OK TIME. MISSED THE HELL OUT OF YOU THOUGH. IT’S JUST WEIRD WHEN YOU ARE NOT THERE. LOVED ROB’S GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE. PRETTY SWANK, EH? SHE BOUGHT A 500SL LAST WEEK. SHE’S ONLY DRIVEN IT ONCE. SHE SAID SHE’S AFRAID OF IT. I CAN’T BELIEVE SE IS 87YRS OLD CAN YOU? EVERYONE WAS ASKING WHERE THE HELL WERE YA. I SAID I DUMPED U. THEN THEY FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT I WAS LYING. JK (JUST KIDDING). GOT TO RIDE IN THE EXPEDITION. PRETTY NICE BUT I WOULD NEVER BUY ONE.
SO IF YOU CALL YOUR CO-HORTS “THE BOYS”, WHAT DO THEY CALL YOU? SMILE. WHERE DO YOU GUYS (BOYS) PUT ALL THE FISH? HOW DOES IT STAY FRESH? WHAT IS THE TIME DIFFERENCE? IS IT 4 OR 6 HOURS? PREASE (GET IT? PREASE) RET ME KNOW. PAT SAID THAT YOU SAID YOU HAD CROSSED THE EQUATOR? YOU KNEW BECAUSE OF THE TOILET FLUSH THINGY? HAVE YOU GUYS CAUGHT ANY FISH SINCE THURSDAY? I SURE AS HELL HOPE SO. I SAY SHOOT THE OTHER BOATS AND TAKE THEIR LOOT IF YOU HAVE TO. ARE YOU BORED? WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY? I LOST SOME OF YOUR SENTENCES IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE FAX SO I MAY ASK A QUESTION TWICE… DON’T GET MAD. ARE YOU MAD? SMILE. DO YOU WORK ON THE HELI A LOT? I CAN’T WAIT TO TURN THE CALENDAR OVER TO AUGUST. YOU’VE ONLY BEEN GONE 2WKS TOMORROW AND IT SEEMS LIKE YEARS. DO YOU MISS ME? REALLY? I MISS YOU TOO!! AT LEAST 1300 TONS WORTH. SMILE. HOW’S THAT BALD HEAD OF YOURS? SUNBURNED YET?
WHAT DO I NEED IN ORDER TO GET MY COMPUTER SET-UP SO THAT I CAN RECEIVE FAXS FROM YOU? IS THERE ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME IDEAS OR DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS JUST EASIER FOR YOU TO FAX OVER TO ROBERT? AH, RET ME KNOW!
YOUR MAIL IS PILING UP. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I NEED TO OPEN FOR YOU OR ARE YOU OK? YOU GOT SOMETHING FROM AMTRACK. CAN I SEE? I WENT ON AHEAD AND TOLD COLUMBIA HOUSE NO FOR YOU. YOU GOT A SEARS BILL, CITIBANK BILL, SOMETHING FROM MBNA AND IT SAYS “IMPORTANT INFORMATION ENCLOSED”. “MEN’S HEALTH” SENT YOU THE BILL YOU REQUESTED ACCORDING TO THEIR ENVELOPE. AND A COUPLE OF THINGS FROM UNION BANK, ONE OF WHICH I KNOW IS JUNK BECAUSE I GOT IT TOO. THE REST ARE JUST MAGAZINES AND SHIT. LOOKS LIKE YOU WILL HAVE YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU WHEN YOU GET HOME.
I JUST DECIDED TO PUT YOUR CAR IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE I WAS TO TEMPTED TO DRIVE IT EVERY NOW AND THEN. PLUS I CAN’T HANDLE HAVING TO WASH TWO CARS. IT’S TOO MUCH FOR MY LITTLE BOD.
HERE IS A COPY OF MY SCHEDULE AS OF NOW:
WORK JULY 28. 2-DAY TRIP. C.I. 5:10AM RET. HOME 12:49PM ON 29TH.
WORK AUG 05, 2-DAY TRIP, C.I. 5:00 AM RET. HOME 12:09PM ON 06TH.
WORK AUG 07, AUG 12, AUG 14, AUG 18, AUG 26, AUG 29, ALL THE SAME TRIPS AS AUG 05.
OF COURSE, SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO TRADE OUT OF THE ONES ON AUG 26 AND 29 SO THAT I CAN BE READY TO JET OUT OF HERE TO MEET YOU. I WILL ALSO BE TRADING FOR VARIETY, AS YOU VERY WELL KNOW. IF YOU EVER TRY AND CALL, PLEASE TRY AND CALL WHEN I WILL BE IN BED IF THAT IS WHEN THE RATES WILL BE GOOD, BECAUSE I DON’T LIKE HAVING TO LISTEN TO YOUR SEXY VOICE ON THE MACHINE! OH BY THE WAY, I HAVE SAN DIEGO LAYOVERS ALL MONTH IN AUGUST. IN CASE YOU CARE. SMILE.
SO CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT I CUT MY HAIR? I THINK THAT SHORT IS THE WAY TO GO FOR ME. IT REALLY BRINGS OUT MY EYES. IT IS LIKE I HAD A FACE LIFT OR SOMETHING. IS THAT WHAT SHAVING YOUR HEAD DID FOR YOU?
OH MY GOODNESS, I FORGOT TO TELL YOU. I ACCIDENTALLY PAID MY CREDIT CARDS TWICE. SO CHOICE GOT 150.00 AND USAA GOT 176. I WAS PRETTY UPSET ABOUT THAT BUT IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE I WASN’T PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THE HELL IT WAS I WAS DOING. OH WELL.
WILL I NEED TO PAY YOUR RENT IN SEPTEMBER? HARD TO SAY, HUH? HOW MUCH IS IT AGAIN? 465.00?
WELL KIDDO, I AM GOING TO SIGN OFF NOW. IT IS 7:40PM AND I HAVE TO GET UP AT 3:30AM. TIME FOR BED.
I LOVE AND MISS YOU DEARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DREAM ABOUT ME AND THINK OF ME OFTEN. AND BOY DO I DAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU WHEN I SEE YOU AND GET YOU ALL ALONE…… YOU BETTER SMILE NOW!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU,
JOLI J
P.S. FAX ME SOON. HURRY UP!!! SMILE!!!!
7/29/97
‘ELLO. HOPE YOU ARE ENTERTAINING YOURSELF MORE THAN I AM MYSELF. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH ALREADY – I DON’T THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME CHANGING OCCUPATIONS ANYTIME SOON!!! TELL MY WONDERFUL ROOMMATES THAT THE COMPUTER DOESN’T NEED TO BE ON. I WOULD ACTUALLY PREFER IT TO BE OFF IF NO ONE IS USING IT. AS FOR THE MAIL, DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING BUT COLUMBIA HOUSE AND BMG. THE REST CAN JUST WAIT. YES, YOU PROBABLY WILL HAVE TO PAY MY SEPTEMBER RENT FOR ME ($460) IF YOU CAN THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I DON’T THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE FOR ME TO HELP YOU SET UP YOUR MACHINE TO RECEIVE FAXES. I ALSO DON’T THINK THAT IT WILL BE VERY PRACTICAL SINCE YOU WOULD HAVE TO SET YOUR COMPUTER UP TO ANSWER ALL CALLS SINCE I CAN’T REALLY SEND FAXES AT ANY ONE GIVEN SET TIME (IF WE HAPPEN TO BE FISHING, THEN I HAVE TO WAIT).
CURRENTLY WE ARE CRUISING EAST SOMEWHERE AROUND THE EQUATOR. I WAS INCORRECT WHEN I SAID THE TIME DIFFERENCE IN THE MESSAGE THAT I LEFT YOU THE OTHER DAY – CURRENTLY WE ARE 4 HOURS BEHIND. A FEW DAYS AGO WE WERE A WEE BIT TO WEST OF HERE AND WE WERE 5 HOURS BEHIND (I THINK THIS IS WHEN I CALLED YOU). I THINK I ALREADY TOLD YOU, BUT HERE GOES AGAIN. THE WEATHER HERE IS ABOUT A CONSTANT 85 DEGREES AND FAIRLY HUMID. IT SEEMS A LOT HOTTER WHEN THE DAMN SUN IS OUT. THE WEATHER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS HAS BEEN PRETTY BAD – CLOUDY MOST OF THE TIME AND RAINING OFF AND ON. THE WIND OUT HERE CAN GET PRETTY BAD TOO. THE BOAT CRUISES AT ONLY ABOUT 13 KNOTS, AND THEN YOU ADD INTO THE EQUATION A HEAD WIND AND IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETIMES IT IS BLOWING AROUND 30 KNOTS. KINDA FUN TO BE ON THE TOP OF THE BOAT WHEN IT IS BLOWING LIKE THIS. THE CHOPPER DOESN’T FLY IN THIS WEATHER, SO IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS. ALSO WE ARE DOING A DIFFERENT KIND OF FISHING RIGHT NOW, SO THE HELICOPTER ISN’T USED ANYHOW. WE ARE DOING WHAT THEY CALL LOG OR RAFT FISHING, WHICH MEANS WE FIND A LOG FLOATING IN THE OCEAN, OR A RAFT (A COUPLE OF WOODEN PALLETS A BUNCH OF NET THAT HANGS DOWN INTO THE WATER) THAT THEY DROPPED OFF LAST TRIP. THEY FIND THE RAFTS BECAUSE THEY ATTACH “BEEPERS” TO THEM, WHICH IS A RADIO THAT ACTIVATES WHEN IT RECEIVES A CODED MESSAGE FROM THE BOAT, THEM WE USE DIRECTION FINDING EQUIPMENT TO LOCATE IT. IT’S KINDA LIKE FINDING A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK, BUT IT WORKS QUITE WELL. ANYHOW, THE THEORY BEHIND THIS KINDA FISHING IS THAT THE FLOATING THINGIES ATTRACT LITTLE GROWTHS, WHICH ATTRACT LITTLE FISH, WHICH ATTRACT BIGGER FISH, WHICH ATTRACT TUNA. THE FISH SUPPOSEDLY SLEEP UNDER THE OBJECT, THEN WE LAY OUT OUR NET AROUND THEM BEFORE IT GETS LIGHT AND SCOOP THEM UP. WELL THIS IS HOW IT WORKS IN THEORY ANYHOW. WE STOPPED BY THREE RAFTS TODAY (THE FIRST ONE WE DRIFTED BY AT NIGHT AND MADE A SET AROUND IT THIS MORNING, BUT THERE WERE EITHER NO FISH OR THE FISH ESCAPED) AND FOUND NOTHING. THE CAPTAIN IS ABLE TO CHECK OUT THE RAFTS USING SONAR TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY SIGN OF FISH. WELL THERE WERE NO SIGNS SO WE PICKED UP THE BEEPERS AND THE RAFTS AND WENT ON OUR MERRY LITTLE WAY. WE ONLY PICKED UP ANOTHER 50 TONS SINCE I LAST TALKED WITH YOU, BUT I HAVE A FEELING THINGS WILL PICK UP SOON.
I AM TIRED OF LIVING MY LIFE ON A BOAT. IT WOULDN’T BE THAT BAD IF I WAS ONLY ON THE BOAT FOR 8 OR SO HOURS A DAY AND WAS ABLE TO GO TO LAND AFTER WORK. BUT NO, THIS IS LIKE BEING IN THE NAVY, BUT ON A SMALLER BOAT. THERE IS NOT MANY PLACES TO COMFORTABLY GO AND HANG OUT HERE, SO CONSEQUENTLY IT IS HARD TO GET AWAY FROM THE OTHER PEOPLE AND GET SOME ALONE TIME. I AM STARTING TO FEEL FUNNY – I THINK IT IS A COMBINATION OF BEING BORED, A LITTLE HOMESICK, AND TIRED OF THE CONSTANT MOTION. THE CONSTANT UP AND DOWN REALLY GETS OLD AFTER A WHILE. AT LEAST IF I WAS ON AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER, OR SOMETHING LARGER, THE MOTION WOULD BE A LOT MORE SUBDUED. THE FOOD HAD BEEN PRETTY GOOD SO FAR. WE HAD MAHI MAHI THAT WE CAUGHT THIS MORNING FOR LUNCH TODAY, AND HAVE HAD FRESH TUNA ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. THERE IS A TV IN THE GALLEY THAT WE CAN WATCH TAPED SHOWS, AND SEVERAL NIGHTS A WEEK WE HAVE A MOVIE TO WATCH. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SLEEPING IN MY BED – BEING ABLE TO STRETCH OUT AND FLOP AROUND AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY AB OUT HITTING A WALL OR FALLING DOWN (I AM ON THE TOP OF TWO BUNKS). I HAVEN’T BEEN SLEEPING TOO WELL – I THINK THE MOTION KEEPS ME AWAKE A LOT OF THE TIME – SO CONSEQUENTLY I HAVE STARTED TO TAKE LITTLE SIESTAS BEFORE DINNER. THIS IS THE TIME THAT I REALLY START TO FEEL FUNNY, SO I TRY TO SHAKE IT OFF WITH SLEEP.
WHAT DO I DO MOST OF THE TIME? WELL FOR RIGHT NOW I READ A LOT. SOME OF THE GUYS HAVE OFFERED ME THEIR BOOKS WHEN I RUN OUT OF MINE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HELPING OUT THE CAPTAIN WITH HIS BRAND NEW LAPTOP COMPUTER. THIS MAKES HIM HAPPY SO HE TOLD ME THAT I CAN USE THE SHIPS COMPUTER WHENEVER I WANT TO. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GO SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS WHEN WE ARE DRIFTING (BY THE RAFTS/LOGS WAITING FOR THE MORNING). AS SOON AS THE WEATHER GETS BETTER WE WILL START SWIMMING AND MAYBE WATERSKIING BEHIND ONE OF THE SPEED BOATS WE HAVE (OF COURSE I WILL JUST WATCH SINCE I DON’T WATER SKI AND THEY ONLY BROUGHT ONE SKI). ONE OF THE GUYS EVEN BROUGHT HIS SURFBOARD, THOUGH THERE IS THE WRONG KIND OF SURF OUT HERE. I THINK HE HAD IN MIND TO SURF BEHIND THE SPEED BOAT AS HE IS TOWED ALONG. I HAVEN’T HAD TO WORK ON THE HELICOPTER MUCH AT ALL, AS I SUSPECTED. ROBINSONS IN GENERAL DO NOT NEED MUCH WORK, THIS ONE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS ALMOST BRAND NEW. I JUST TRY TO KEEP IT CLEAN OF SALT SO THAT IT WON’T CORRODE BEFORE MY EYES.
I HAVE SEEN SOME REALLY COOL MARINE LIFE OUT HERE. TUNA (OBVIOUSLY), SHARKS (ONLY ABOUT 3 FEET LONG), FLYING FISH (YES, ACTUALLY FLYING), WHALES (THEY HAVE BEEN IN OUR NET, BUT HAVE NO PROBLEM BREAKING OUT – A LITTLE NET ISN’T GOING TO STOP A 30-40 FOOT LONG WHALE) AND DOLPHINS (NONE EVER IN OUR NETS – THEY DON’T HANG AROUND TUNA IN THE PART OF THE WORLD. THE OTHER DAY I WAS WORKING ON THE HELICOPTER AND I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT WE WERE SURROUNDED BY A SCHOOL OF ABOUT 20-30 DOLPHINS. THEY WERE CRUISING ALONG WITH US, DOING THE JUMP BY THE BOW THING. I EVEN SAW A BABY JUMPING NEXT TO ITS MOTHER). THE SUNSETS/SUNRISES OUT HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. THEY ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE AGAINST THE CLOUDS. VERY BEAUTIFUL INDEED.
MY CAMERA BROKE ON ABOUT DAY THREE. A GEAR IS STRIPPED OR SOMETHING, SO THE LENS DOESN’T COME OUT ANY MORE. GOOD THING I BROUGHT THE TWO DISPOSABLES. ALSO, JEAN THE PILOT, IS LETTING ME USE HIS CAMERA. HE HAS A VERY NICE ONE. YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE REAL KIND THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THE LENS AND EVERYTHING. TIME TO GET ME A NEW CAMERA – MAYBE ONE OF THOSE NEW KODAK ADVANTIX.
I AM TRYING TO CONQUER MY FEAR OF HEIGHTS BY CLIMBING UP IN THE CROWS NET TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND. THIS IS THE AREA WAY UP IN THE MAST WERE THERE IS A GUY STANDING LOOKING FOR FISH THROUGH A PAIR OF RATHER LARGE BINOCULARS. I ESTIMATE THE HEIGHT TO BE ABOUT 75 FEET. THE ONLY WAY TO GET UP THERE IS BY A LADDER THAT IS MADE UP OF WOODEN PLANKS SUSPENDED BY 3 CABLES. IT IS A LITTLE SHAKY NEAR THE BOTTOM, BUT GETS FIRMER AT THE TOP SINCE IT GETS NARROWER. I DON’T LOOK DOWN AS I CLIMB UP, AND WHEN I CLIMB DOWN I FOCUS RIGHT AT MY FEET – NO FURTHER. IT IS A GREAT VIEW UP THERE, BUT THE MOTION OF THE BOAT IS AMPLIFIED UP THAT HIGH. BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE ONLY GONE UP WHEN THE BOAT IS STOPPED. I HAVE FELT A LITTLE QUEASY UP THERE, DO TO THE MOTION AND THE HEIGHT. I HOPE TO GET COMFORTABLE DOING THIS. I WAS VERY NERVOUS THE FIRST TIME, BUT I SAID THE HELL WITH IT AND JUST STARTED CLIMBING. THE WORSE PART IS THE LITTLE METAL DOOR THAT YOU HAVE TO OPEN AND THEN CLIMB THROUGH AT THE TOP.
YES, WE CROSSED THE EQUATOR, THUS THE SHAVEN HEAD. I THINK I ALREADY TOLD YOU THIS, BUT HERE WE GO AGAIN. IT IS TRADITION FOR YOU TO SHAVE YOUR HEAD ON THE FIRST TRIP TO SEA, AND THEN AGAIN AT THE FIRST CROSSING OF THE EQUATOR. I KILLED BOTH BIRDS WITH ONE STONE. THIS WAS A TOTALLY VOLUNTARY THING- I HARDLY HAD ANY HAIR TO START WITH SO I DECIDED TO FIT IN WITH THE REST OF THE GUYS AND JUST DO IT. IT IS GROWING BACK QUITE WELL, I DO SAY SO.
THE FISH. WE PUT THE FISH INTO 22 HOLDING WELLS IN THE BELLY OF THE SHIP. HERE THEY ARE FROZEN SO THAT THEY MAINTAIN THEIR FRESHNESS. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THE BOAT WOULD SMELL LIKE IF THEY WEREN’T FROZEN? AS IT IS, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SMELL OF FISH WHATSOEVER. THIS IS NICE, VERY NICE.
WELL THAT IS GOING TO BE IT FOR NOW. THIS TYPING POSITION REALLY SUCKS, SO MY ARMS/ELBOWS GET SORE IN A HURRY. HAVE FUN IN SAN DIEGO. I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO GET BACK HOME, BUT FIRST TO HAWAII.
OH YEAH, I ALMOST FORGOT. STARKIST USUALLY PAYS BY CHECK, AND THIS WOULDN’T BE A PROBLEM EXCEPT THAT WE ARE PLANNING TO SPEND SOME TIME IN HAWAII AND THIS REQUIRES MONEY. I THINK THAT I CAN HAVE THEM DIRECT DEPOSIT MY MONEY, BUT I THINK THEY WOULD CHARGE A FEE FOR THE ONE TIME ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER A(NOT THAT IT IS VERY MUCH, I AM SURE). THIS WOULD REQUIRE MY ACCOUNT NUMBER AND MY ROUTING NUMBER (I THINK). I HAVE THE ACCOUNT NUMBER AND THE ROUTING NUMBER IS BURIED SOMEWHERE IN QUICKEN. NO ACTUALLY YOU CAN FIND MY ROUTING NUMBER ON A CHECK STUB FROM ROBINSON, I THINK. IT IS MY FILLING BOX UNDER 1997 INCOME OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. DO YOU KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY I CAN A CHECK IN HAWAII? CAN YOU CHECK WITH UNION BANK TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY AFFILIATES IN HAWAII? IF NOT THEN CAN YOU GE ME MY ROUTING NUMBER SO THAT I CAN SET UP THE FUND TRANSFER AHEAD OF TIME. THANKS A BUNCH.
MISH YOU MUCH, AND I WILL TALK AT YOU SOON.
MUSH
P.S. TO SAVE MONEY ON FAX TRANSMISSIONS, YOU DON’T HAVE TO SEND A COVER PAGE AS THIS IS A WASTE OF ABOUT A MINUTE. THERE SHOULD BE AN OPTION IN YOUR FAX PROGRAM TO SHUT OFF THE COVER PAGE. YOU PROBABLY WILL HAVE TO DO THIS EVERY TIME YOU “PRINT” TO FAX.
7/31/97 11:33 AM DEAR MARSHALL–I HAVE DECIDED TO NOT WASTE ANYMORE SPACE WITH-WHAT ELSE-SPACE. SO THINGS WILL BE CRAMMED. HOPEFULLY THIS FONT SIZE WON’T BE TOO SMALL FOR YOUR EYES. I AM GOING TO GO BY YOUR HOUSE TOMORROW TO GET YOUR ROUTING #’S FOR THE CHECK. I’LL ALSO CHECK OUT THE OTHER STUFF FOR YOU. I WILL TRY AND PAY YOUR RENT. I FEEL FOR YOUR SEA LEGS THAT ARE ABSENT. THAT’S HOW I FELT ON THAT CRUISE LAST YEAR. HO WELL. THIS WILL BE ONE LIFE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU WON’T FORGET. I MAY BE WORKING THIS WKND TO GET OUT OF THAT TRIP AT THE END OF THE MONTH. OH, I ALMOST FORGOT I BOUGHT A PRINTER. HP DESKJET 400. CIRCUIT CITY $149 LIST W/A $20 REBATE. OF COURSE, I HAD TO BUY A CABLE. I JUST LOVE ALL OF THESE EXTRAS THAT THEY MAKE TONS OF $$ OFF OF. YOUR DAD & BRO ARE WORKING IN PALM SPRINGS DOING SOMETHING OR THE OTHER WITH THIS MAN. HE & MINDY WILL BE OUT HERE THIS WKND. ALFRED SAID HE IS COMING UP THIS WAY BUT I TOLD HIM I MAY BE OUT OF TOWN. I DON’T KNOW WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO. OH, I SET THE PRINTER UP ALL ON MY OWN! IMPRESSED? HOPE SO. CASEY WANTS ME TO COME SEE HER DURING MY VACATION IN SEPT. I SAID I’D SEE. $$’S TIGHT YOU KNOW? MUSH DO YOU WANT ME TO FAX YOU OFTEN W/WHAT IS GOING ON OUT HERE? DOES THAT HELP YOU BE LESS HOME SICK? OR DO YOU WANT ME TO FAX LESS? LET ME KNOW. YOU KNOW HOW DETAILISTIC I AM. I HAVEN’T TALKED TO DAN BUT HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF BEEPN’ HIM TO SAY HI & SEE HOW HE IS DOING. I’M JUST A LIL’ NERVOUS ABOUT THE PHONE BILL. WE’LL SEE HOW BAD IT IS. I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED YOUR FAX. IT MADE ME LAUGH. REMEMBER WHENEVER YOU HELPING CAPT JOE W/THE COMP-HAVE PATIENCE. I KNOW HOW YOU CAN HAVE A SHORT FUSE ABOUT THAT SORT OF STUFF SOMETIMES. SMILE. WHEN YOU PAY ME FOR USAA AND MACY’S WE’LL HAVE TO DIRECT THE USAA TO MY CU & MACY’S RIGHT TO MACY’S. OK? DO YOU THINK OF ME WHEN YOU ARE OUT THERE MUSH? WELL I’M GOING TO SIGN OFF FOR NOW. I’LL FAX THIS TOMORROW W/YOUR ACCT INFO. I LOVE YOU & GOODNIGHT. 7/31/97 11:33 AM IT IS A NEW DAY-DUH. I WENT TO YOUR HOUSE AND GOT YOUR ACCT INFO. HERE IT IS ACCT# XXXXX AND THE ROUTING # IS XXX. UNION BANK DOES NOT HAVE AN AFFILIATE IN HONOLULU SO IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR BEST BET IS TO DO THE EFT THINK. I WENT THROUGH YOUR MAIL ON YOUR BED AND THERE IS AN INVITATION FROM LORI & GEORGE. I CALLED AND LEFT ROB & ANGIE A MSG TO SEE HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND TO THE INVITE SINCE WE ARE UNSURE AS TO WHERE WE WILL BE. WHO KNOWS? I MAY HAVE TO GO W/OUT YOU. EVERYBODY IS STAYING AT THE RITZ CARLTON. I’M GOING TO CALL AND SEE WHAT THE SPECIAL RATES ARE FOR US. ANGIE SAID THEY ARE PAYING FOR 2 RMS AT $250 PR NITE. EXPENSIVE. BUT A GOOD ALTERNATIVE IF YOU ARE DRINKING. YOU MIGHT NOT EVEN WANT TO GO SINCE IT IS ON A BOAT. SHOULD BE NICE THOUGH. I GOT A CPL OF TRIP TRDS. WILL TRY AND GET SOME MORE. LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO FOR YOU. I WORK THIS FRI & GET HOME EARLY SAT MORN SO I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW. I WILL LET YOU KNOW MY NEW SCHED WHEN IT IS SOLIDIFIED. ARE THE FISH BITING YET? I MISS YOU. EVERYONE SAYS HI. THE RTNG # IS XXX AND ACCT # IS XXX JUST IN CASE YOU CAN’T READ THE EARLIER ONE. ON YOUR FAX THE TRANSMISSION MESSES UP SOME LINES AND I CAN’T READ THEM. SO JUST IN CASE I SURE HOPE THIS TYPE IS NOT TOO SMALL. I GUESS YOU WILL LET ME KNOW SOON ENOUGH. WELL I AM GOING TO GO NOW. NO COVER PAGE THIS TIME. I LOVE & MISS YOU. TAKE CARE. 1ST OF AUG TOMORROW. YEAH! HOPEFULLY JUST A FEW MORE WEEKS. SMILE. I THINK OF YOU ALL THE TIME. WRITE SOON. HURRY UP! I LOVE YOU!
JOLI J
ACCT # XXX
ROUTING # XXX
8/4/97 4:27 PM DEAR MARSHALL-HOW ARE THINGS GOING OUT THERE? CATCHING ANY FISH? DID YOU GET MY LAST FAX THAT I SENT ON JUL31? COULD YOU READ IT OR WAS IT TOO SMALL? I WENT TO SAM’S TODAY FOR SOME THINGS AND WOUND UP BUYING YOU SOME TOWELS. YOU NEEDED THEM RIGHT? I BOUGHT 3 BATH, 2 HAND, 6 WASH. DARK BLUE, WHITE, AND GREEN. HOPE YOU LIKE THE COLORS. 6 WASH BECAUSE THEY CAME AS TWO TOGETHER. I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY SCHEDULE AGAIN BECAUSE IT HAS CHANGED. WORK AUG 5,6 & 7,8. OF 9,10,11. WORK AUG 12,13 & 14,15. OFF 16,17. WORK AUG 18,19 & 20,21 & 22,23. OFF INDEFINITELY UNTIL I GET THE SCHEDULE FOR SEPT. I HAVE VAC, REMEMBER? SO I AM OFF FROM AUG 24 ON. I WILL BE WAITING WITH BAITED BREATH (NO PUN INTENDED) TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT OUR ENCHANTED MEETING IN HONORURU. BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT ME TO BRING FOR YOU. I.E., CLOTHES, ETC. I HAD TO REMIND THE GUYS AGAIN TO TURN THE COMPUTER OFF. I TALKED TO KEN & HE WAS REALLY COOL ABOUT IT. HE SAID THEY DON’T FORGET INTENTIONALLY & THEY REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LETTING THEM USE IT. OH, I ALSO WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW (GOOD NEWS) THAT THEY OPENED A DAIRY QUEEN RIGHT NEXT TO HOME DEPOT AT TORRANCE CROSSROADS. PRETTY COOL, HUH? I TOLD KEN. HE WAS REALLY EXCITED. CASEY AGAIN REMINDED ME THAT SHE WANTS ME TO COME OUT AND PLAY IN NEW YORK WITH HER. WE’LL SEE. JOHN & LISA ARE GOING TO LAS VEGAS THE WKND OF THE 15TH FOR 3 DAYS. THEY GOT A DEAL ON SOUTHWEST WITH HOTEL AT STRATOSPHERE FOR SOMETHING LIKE $328 TTL FOR THE 2 OF THEM. NOT TOO BADE I DON’T GUESS. WILL MY PRINTER SHUT-OFF AUTOMATICALLY IF I DON’T TURN IT OFF LIKE YOURS? WELL, I STILL HAVEN’T GOTTEN THE PHONE BILL YET. JUST AS WELL. MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE OUT A LOAN TO PAY THAT. WHO KNOWS? NEVER SAW OR HEARD FROM ALFRED. DON’T GUESS THEY CAME INTO TOWN. HE NEVER CALLED JOHN EITHER. KINDA STRANGE. I TOLD BMG NO FOR YOU. I WENT ON AHEAD & MADE RESERVATIONS AT THE RITZ-CARLTON IN THE MARINA FOR THE WEDDING JUST IN CASE-1-WE ARE ABLE TO GO-2-WE DECIDE THAT WE CAN AFFORD TO STAY THERE. THE RATE IS $165.00. I THINK THE REGULAR RACK RATE IS $299. WE’LL SEE. I WROTE LORI A NOT WITH THE WEDDING INVITATION REPLY & EXPLAINED TO HER WHAT THE DEAL WAS. ANGIE WANTS ME TO GO EVEN IF YOU AREN’T BACK IN TOWN YET. STILL HAVEN’T GIVEN DAN A BEEP TO SEE WHAT HE IS UP TO. I GUESS THIS IS THE WK THE FACTORY IS SHUT DOWN? I WONDER WHAT HE’S UP TO. THIS F/A WHO GOT MARRIED ON KUAUI & IS VERY FAMILIAR W/THE ISLANDS SD THAT WE SHOULD HOP A FLT TO ANOTHER ISLAND BECAUSE HONORURU IS TOO CROWED. WHAT DO YOU THINK? DROVE YOUR CAR FOR A BIT YESTERDAY. IT HADN’T BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 2 WKS SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA, OK? WELL, NOT MUCH ELSE GOING ON HERE. I WILL FAX MORE LATER IF ANYTHING COMES UP. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. I LOVE & MISS YOU TONS. JOLI J. OH, UPS WORKERS ARE ON STRIKE SO IT MAY BE A WHILE BEFORE YOUR PANTS GET HERE FROM EDDIE BAUER. LOVE YOU. JOLI J.
HERE IS SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND ALL THAT IS RUNNING THROUGH MY MIND ARE CHRISTMAS CAROLS. FOR SOME REASON, EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, A CHRISTMAS CAROL WILL SHOOT THROUGH MY HEAD- ALL BECAUSE I ONCE JOKED THAT WE WON’T BE HOME UNTIL CHRISTMAS AT THIS RATE. NO LUCK WITH THE FISHIES LATELY, BUT HAVE NO FEAR, THINGS HAVE A WAY OF BEING LIKE THIS. APPARENTLY PERIODS OF INACTIVITY FOLLOWED BY MORE FISH THAN ONE BOAT CAN HANDLE IS THE NORM OUT HERE- WE JUST HAPPEN TO BE IN ONE OF THOSE INACTIVE PERIODS. THE WEATHER HASN’T IMPROVED SINCE I LAST WROTE YOU. I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THE SUN COMES OUT AGAIN, SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE WITH MY BEAUTIFUL TAN. MY PELON (BALD HEAD) IS DOING JUST FINE. I ONLY MANAGED TO GET SOME MINOR REDNESS IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT THEN THE SUN DISAPPEARED AND HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST LITTLE WHILE. THE HAIR ON MY ARMS IS TURNING BLOND (DOES THIS WHEN I GET A LOT OF SUN) AND I EVEN NOTICED MY LEG HAIRS ARE DOING THE SAME THING (NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THAT I CAN REMEMBER). NOTHING EXCITING HAS HAPPENED LATELY. JUST A LITTLE RAIN, MORE WIND, AND A LOT OF GRAY. THE HELICOPTER HASN’T REALLY BEEN FLYING AT ALL EITHER, SO NOTHING TO DO BUT SIT BACK AND SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS. “THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS QUITE FRIGHTFUL, BUT INSIDE IT’S QUITE DELIGHTFUL…”
OKAY, FROM NOW ON I WILL DO AWAY WITH THE FORMALITIES OF PARAGRAPHS, ETC. JUST AS YOU NOTED, THEY DO NOTHING BUT WASTE SPACE. SO I HOPE THAT ALL IS WELL ON THE HOME FRONT! I MISS THE BEACH, MY CAR, MY JOB (YEAH, RIGHT) AND YES, YOU!! ABOUT FREQUENCY OF FAXING. AS MUCH AS I ENJOY HEARING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AT HOME, I THINK THAT IN INTEREST OF OUR ECONOMICS (AKA HAVING SOME MONEY LEFT AFTER ALL THE PHONE BILL ARE TAKEN CARE OF) I THINK THAT FAXING LESS FREQUENTLY WOULD BE BETTER. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT LESS FREQUENTLY MEANS, BUT I DON’T THINK THAT EVERY DAY IS NECESSARY. THE SMALL PRINT IS WORKING OUT JUST FINE, THOUGH ON MY END THE MACHINE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE LAST TRANSMISSION. TOOK 3 TRIES TO PRINT IT PROPERLY, AND THEN IT SCRAMBLED TWO LINES ON THE FINAL COPY (FORTUNATELY THE LINES APPEARED OK ON ONE OF THE ABORTED ATTEMPTS). I THINK FLYING OUT TO SEE CASEY WOULD BE COOL IF YOU COULD AFFORD TO DO SO. WHY DON’T YOU JUST STAY AT HER PLACE? I CAN’T IMAGINE THAT HER ROOMMATES WOULD EVEN NOTICE THE PRESENCE OF A 13TH PERSON. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PURCHASE OF A NEW PRINTER, AND THE SETUP ALL ON YOUR OWN. SEE YOU DON’T NEED ME AFTER ALL. THEN ONLY WAY YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS IS BY DOING THEM YOURSELF (WHEN IT COMES TO COMPUTERS, THAT IS). IS THIS PRINTER A COLOR ONE? WHEN IS LORI (SP?) AND GEORGE’S WEDDING ANYHOW? I FORGET- GO FIGURE! I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, EVEN IF IT IS GOING TO BE ON A BOAT. THE NICE THING ABOUT THIS BOAT IS THAT I KNOW THAT I WILL ONLY BE ON IT FOR A FEW HOURS, AND THEN I WILL BE ON LAND INDEFINITELY. THIS TRIP HAS CERTAINLY PERKED UP MY INTEREST IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AND I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE COOL TO GO EXPLORE ISLANDS IN THIS AREA SOMETIME. GO SCUBA DIVING AROUND WWII WRECKAGE, ETC. YOU KNOW, IT IS FUNNY. WHEN I AM AT HOME I COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO DO, AND OUT HERE I HAVE NOTHING BUT TIME TO DO THINGS, BUT I HAVE NOTHING TO DO. LIFE IS FUNNY SOMETIMES. WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING A MOVIE A NIGHT, SO I HOPEFULLY WITH BE CAUGHT UP ON THE CURRENT RENTALS BY THE TIME I GET HOME. RIGHT NOW I HAVE A CRAVING FOR PENNE (SP?) PV PASTA FROM THE BREWERY, WITH A NICE BIG, COLD PITCHER OF RAT BEACH RED BEER. MMM, MMM, GOOD. ONE BAD PART ABOUT NOT CATCHING FISH IS THE LACK OF FRESH FISH TO BBQ AND EAR FOR DINNER. NOTHING LIKE A LITTER FRESH MAHI MAHI TO FINISH OFF THE DAY! WE ARE CURRENTLY STEAMING WEST AND PASSED INTO ANOTHER TIME ZONE IN THE LAST DAY OR SO, BUT CAPTAIN JOE DECIDED NOT TO SET THE CLOCKS BACK. SO WHEN I GET UP AROUND 5AM THERE IS ANOTHER HOUR, HOUR AND A HALF OF DARKNESS BEFORE SUNRISE. BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE THIS MORNING- HOPE THE PICTURE I TOOK WILL COME OUT. VERY BEAUTIFUL, THE SUN SHINING BRIGHT RED AGAINST THE CLOUDS. I ASKED THE NAVIGATOR IF WE HAVE A SEXTANT (CELESTIAL NAVIGATION DEVICE) ON BOARD AS I WOULD LIKE TO TRY NAVIGATING BY THE STARS. IT WOULD BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT IT WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE CLOUDS CLEAR (THAT IS IF WE HAVE ONE ON BOARD). THANK YOU FOR GETTING ME THE INFORMATION ON MY BANK ACCOUNT. I AM GOING TO FAX SAMOA WITH THE INFO IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO AND SEE COMES ABOUT. WILL I CAN THINK OF NOTHING EXCITING TO WRITE ABOUT, SO I GUESS UNTIL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE. THANK YOU FOR PARKING MY CAR IN YOUR GARAGE. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO LEAVE IT THERE ALL THE TIME- JUST WHILE YOU ARE GONE WOULD BE GREAT. I DON’T CARE IF THE CAR GETS DIRTY. I CAN WASH IT WHEN I GET HOME. SO WHAT I AM SAYING IS GO AHEAD AND PARK YOU CAR IN THE GARAGE. AFTER ALL YOU ARE THE ONE THAT IS PAYING ALMOST $800 A MONTH FOR THAT PRIVILEGE. SAY HI TO EVERYONE (IN A FAX, PAT- ROBINSON- MENTIONED THAT HE SAW YOU AT THE AIRFARE. HE SAID THAT I HAVE GOOD TASTE IN WOMEN, BUT HE QUESTIONED YOURS IN MEN). I AM FEELING BETTER THESE DAYS, BY THE WAY. I GUESS THIS IS A GOOD THING. ANYHOW, TALK WITH YOU LATER. MISS YOU!! BU’ BYE…
CONT’D. JUST GOT YOUR FAX. I WAS GOING TO SEND THE ABOVE THIS MORNING, BUT SURPRISE, SURPRISE, WE ACTUALLY GO TO CHASING SOME FISH SO I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. UNFORTUNATELY THEY GOT AWAY, BUT THIS IS A GOOD SIGN THAT THE FISH ARE OUT AND ABOUT. THERE ARE TWO OTHER BOATS RIGHT IN THIS AREA AND THEY ARE HAVING BETTER LUCK ALSO. THE WEATHER HAS FINALLY IMPROVED. NO LONGER IS IT RAINY, WINDY, CLOUDY. IT ACTUALLY IS THE PERFECT WEATHER: BROKEN CLOUD LAYER LETTING JUST ENOUGH SUNLIGHT THROUGH SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON MY BEAUTIFUL TAN. ACTUALLY HAD TO FIX SOMETHING ON THE HELICOPTER FOR A CHANGE. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH FLOATS SO IN CASE IT HAS TO LAND IN THE WATER IT THEORETICALLY CAN FLOAT. EACH FLOAT (ONE LEFT, ONE RIGHT) IS SEGMENTED INTO FOUR COMPARTMENTS, SO IF ONE SPRINGS A LEAK, THE OTHERS WILL SUPPORT THE HELI. ONE OF THE AIR VALVES THAT IS USED TO FILL THE FLOATS LOST ITS O-RING THAT SEALS THE VALVE, THUS CAUSING A LEAK. HAD TO LOCATE THE LEAK, THEN LOCATE THE O-RING TO FIX IT (THERE IS ONE OF ALMOST EVERYTHING ON THIS SHIP). GOT IT FIXED RIGHT AS CAPTAIN JOE ASKED TO HAVE THE HELI GO UP AGAIN. THAT WAS MY LITTLE EXCITEMENT FOR THE DAY. GOOD DEAL ON THE RES. FOR DEL RAY. I AGREE THAT MAYBE IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO GO TO ANOTHER ISLAND IN HAWAII- I WASN’T ALL THAT IMPRESSED WITH HONORURU. DOES UAL HAVE ANY OTHER HOTELS IN HAWAII?? WHICH ISLAND DID THAT F/A HAVE THE RENTAL HOUSES ON?? THANKS FOR TAKING THE GTI OUT FOR A WALK. IT NEEDS IT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, JUST LIKE I DO (UNFORTUNATELY I CAN’T DO RIGHT NOW). I HAVE AN INCREDIBLE CRAVING FOR A DQ SNICKERS BLIZZARD RIGHT NOW. I SAY WHEN I GET BACK WE GO ON A HOT DATE TO THE BREWERY AND THEN DESERT AT DQ. YUMMMMM, YUMMMMM!!! I THINK THAT THE ONLY THING THAT I WILL NEED IN HAWAII IS SOME SHORTS AND SHIRTS. I PLAN ON DUMPING MOST OF MY CLOTHES BEFORE I LEAVE SAMOA, SO THAT I CAN FIT EVERYTHING IN ONE LESS BOX (AT LEAST I WON’T HAVE THE SPARE PARTS TO DEAL WITH). SAY HI TO DAN FOR ME WHENEVER YOU GET AROUND TO PAGING HIM. THANKS FOR THE TOWELS, SEND ME THE BILL (OR ADD IT TO WHAT I OWE YOU). I DON’T KNOW IF YOUR PRINTER WILL SHUT ITSELF OFF. I IMAGINE IT WOULD- ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT (TWO ACTUALLY, YOU CAN READ THE MANUAL AND IT SHOULD SAY). ALRIGHTY THEN. MISS YOU, AND WILL TALK TO YOU SOON.
MARSHALL
8/10/97 12:03PM DEAR MUSH- GOT SOME STUFF TO TYPE ABOUT. FIRST THINGS FIRST: HAWAIIAN VACATION. HERE’S THE DEAL. I CALLED ALOHA AIRLINES AND YOU CAN BUY A TICKET ON THEM FOR $76 1-WAY. NOT BAD AT ALL. NO ADVCE PURCH REQ’D. WE ARE GOING TO MAUI MY FRIEND. I HAVE DECIDED. I HAVE RES’S AT THE MAUI ISLANDER FOR $58 PER NITE. I HAVE A CARE RES’D AT ALAMO FOR $16.99 PR DAY. I MADE THE RES’S FOR 1SEP TO 5SEP. I WILL CHANGE THEM WHEN WE FIND OUT MORE. I THOUGHT IT BEST TO GO TO SOME PLACE NICER THAN HONORURU OK? NOW, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS FAX THAT TRAVEL AGENCY AND SEE IF THEY CAN BUY YOU THAT TKT ON ALOHA OR IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT WHEN YOU GET TO HONORURU. WE ALSO NEED TO DECIDE IF I WILL MEET YOU IN HONO OR MAUI. IT LOOKS LIKE IT BE EZ-ER FOR ME TO GET TO MAUI THAN HONORURU. I AM GOING TO CALL A CPLE OF OTHER PLACES & CHCK OUT THEIR PRICES. I AM NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT LORI & GEORGE’S WEDDING AT THIS POINT. I WANT US TO HAVE A NICE VAC TOGETHER. IF IT WORKS OUT THAT WE MAKE THE WEDDING (IT’S SEPT 6) THAN GREAT. IF NOT, OH WELL. THEY WILL STILL GET A GIFT, RIGHT? THIS TRIP IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, MUSH AND I HOPE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU TOO. I TALKED TO DAN. HE SD HE MUST MISS YOU TOO BECAUSE HE COULDN’T BELIEVE YOU HAD ONLY BEEN GONE 3 WKS. HE SD HURRY HOME BECAUSE WE HAVE LOTS OF THINGS TO DO. I GUESS HE MEANS ME, YOU, HIM & CHARLOTTE. HE IS DONG WELL. HE WAS WORKING ON A COUPLE OF SIDE JOBS DURING THE WK OF SHUTDOWN. HE SD ROBINSON WASN’T PAYING HIM FOR THE WK BECAUSE OF THE KNEE THING, HE GOT PAID DURING THAT TIME OFF. DO YOU GUYS HAVE EXERCISE EQPMT ON THE BOAT? HOW MANY ARE THERE OF YOU? PLZ TELL ME Y’ALL HAVE CAUGHT SOME FORE FISH. I WOULD DIE IF YOU HAVEN’T. YOU’VE ONLY BEEN GONE 1 MTH ON MON & IT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! OH, BUT THE WAY, MIKEY GOT Y’ALL’S PHONE BILL. HE SAID IT’S HIGH. HE IS ALSO OUT OF $$. I’LL COVER YOU AS MUCH AS I CAN. WHAT DO I DO IF I RUN OUT? CALL YOUR PARENTS? I SUGGEST YOU TAKE THAT PHONE BILL TO ROBINSON & HAVE THEM REIMBURSE YOU FOR THOSE CALLS YOU MADE BEFORE YOU LEFT. THAT’S A BUSINESS EXPENSE, YOU KNOW? DO PRINTER’S PAPER JAM IF THE PAPER IS CHEAP? I WENT TO PRINT THE E-MAIL ROBERT SENT ME FROM YOUR FAX & IT KEPT PAPER JAMMN’. WONDER WHY? INSTRUCTION BOOK DOESN’T SAY SO. WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT MAUI> SOUND GOOD? I WAS THINKING, MAYBE THE CO. WILL PAY FOR YOUR ALOHA AIRLINES TKT TO MAUI FOR YOU. THEY CAN JUST INCORPORATE IT INTO THE OTHER TKT. THAT WOULD BE NICE, WOULDN’T IT? SO HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP OUT THERE? WHERE ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR COORDINATES? WHAT’S YOUR LATITUDE/LONGITUDE? I ORDERED THE UNITED CONNECTIONS. MY MOM SAID IT’S PRETTY COOL CUZ I CAN LOOK UP LOADS & STUFF LIKE THAT. JIMMY BUFFETT SOLD OUT PRONTO. ROB/ANGIE WANTED TO GO WITH US. ROB SD HE’D PAY $100 EA IF WE STILL WANTED TO GO & PAY THAT KINDA $$. HE SD WE’D GET PRETTY GOOD SEATS THAT WAY. BUY THEM FROM A TICKET BROKER. WELL WRITE MORE LATER. I FORGOT: I LOST $20 SOME HOW. CAN’T BELIEVE IT!! MAKES ME MAD & I AM READY TO START SHOPPING FOR ANOTHER CAR. SO ARE U GONNA HELP ME PICK ONE OUT? WHEN ARE WE GONNA TALK ON THE PHONE AGAIN? WILL, IT’S A NEW DAY (SUN). HOW R U DOING? I’M GOING TO FINISH THIS NOW BECAUSE I WANT TO GET IT OUT TO YOU. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT MAUI & THE OTHER ?’S I’VE POSED. I SAW YOUR PHONE BILL & SO FAR THERE ARE ONLY 3 OR 4 CALLS TO AMER SAMOA THAT ARE, I THINK, ROUGHLY $10. CAN YOU E-MAIL ME FROM CAPT JOE’S COMP? DOES HE HAVE A SERVER? JUST IN CASE, JOLI1@AOL.COM IS WHERE I AM AT. WHO PAYS FOR THE FAXS THAT YOU SEND? DO YOU? DO OTHER GUYS FAX TOO? CAUGHT ANYMORE FISHIES? HOPE SO. EVERYONE SAYS HI. I HUNG OUT W/CASEY & KEN. THEY MIGHT GO TO LORI & GEORGE’S WEDDING. CASY HAS ANOTHER WEDDING SHE WANTS TO GO TO IN BELLINGHAM. KEN DOESN’T WANT TO GO. SURPRISED? I DON’T MIND PUTTING YOU CAR IN THE GARAGE. IT IS ONLY TEMPORARY ANYWAY. IT’S JUST EX-ER THAT WAY. I WILL TAKE IT FOR A WALK TODAY TO CHECK YOUR MAIL. GOT THE NEW EDDIE BAUER HOME CAT. PLZ TALK ME OUT OF BUYING THIS BED FRAME, OK? YOU KNOW HOW I’VE ALWAYS WANTED ONE BUT I DON’T NEED TO SPEND THE $$. IT IS ON SALE FOR $625 W/15% OFF. S/H IS $90. YOUR PANTS WILL BE HERE VIA POST. UPS IS STILL ONE STRIKE. POOR PEOPLE. THEY MAY BE REPLACED BY SCABS. MAN, DO YOU HAVE A ____ LOAD OF MAIL. WHY DO YOU GET SO MUCH MAIL? WHAT KIND OF CAR SHOULD I GET? WELL, YOU’VE BEEN GONE 1 MONTH TOMORROW. BOO-HOO! REMIND ME WHEN I SEE YOU TO ASK YOU A ? ABOUT SOMETHING, OK? HOW’S THAT FOR MYSTERY? HOPEFULLY I’LL REMEMBER WHAT IT IS. HA-HA! WELL, BETTER GO NOW. THERE’S SOMETHING ELSE TO TELL YOU, BUT I CAN’T REMEMBER AT THIS POINT. I LOVE & MISS YOU!! HURRY UP! CATCH SOME FREAKING FISH, WOULD YA? HEY, I’M LOOKIN’ FWD TO THAT HOT DATE YOU MENTIONED- BREWERY & DQ. I LOVE YOU! JOLI J
8/10/97 8:36AM FIRST THINGS FIRST. YOU NEED TO REMEMBER TO PUT MY NAME AT THE TOP OF THE FAX. NOBODY KNOWS ME AS MUSH HERE (THEY DO NOW). THE WHOLE CREW READ THE FAX TRYING TO FIGURE WHO IT WAS FROM BEFORE THEY GOT TO ME (JUST KIDDING). ACTUALLY THE NAVIGATOR RECOGNIZED THE FONT. GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE FISHING HAS PICKED UP DRASTICALLY- FOR NOW. YESTERDAY ALONE WE CAUGHT 200 TON- 180 IN ONE SET. TRUST ME, 180 TON OF TUNA IS A HUGE AMOUNT. ENOUGH FOR ME FOR TWO OR THREE DOZEN LIVES. WE ARE ABOUT 50 TON SHY OF HALF LOAD. THEY SAY THE SECOND HALF GOES THE FASTEST. IF WE KEEP UP THIS PACE WE WILL BE DONE IN A WEEK (THAT WOULD ROYALLY SCREW UP VACA PLANS. MAYBE I COULD SPEND ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO IN SAMOA. YEA HAW, SOUNDS LIKE FUN TO ME!!! SMILE!). I AGREE THAT MAUI IS IMPORTANT (I ALSO THINK THAT IT IS THE BETTER CHOICE OVER HONO). I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT VERY MUCH!! SOUNDS LIKE GOOD RATES ON ALOHA, THE HOTEL, AND ESPECIALLY THE CAR (UNLIMITED MILEAGE?). ASKING TO COMPANY TO PAY FOR THE ALOHA TICKET WOULD BE PUSHING IT. IT IS ONLY $76 ONE WAY – 160 IS STILL CHEAP (THINK OF THE ROUND TRIP TICKET TO HAWAII). HOW MUCH CHEAPER FOR ADVANCE NOTICE? IS HAWAIIAN CHEAPER? IF I BY (VIA SAT PHONE OR YOU, IF POSSIBLE) ADVANCED, HOW MUCH TO CHANGE DATES AND HOW ADVANCED DOES IT NEED TO BE. I GUESS MEETING YOU IN MAUI WOULD BE FINE. WHATEVER IS THE MOST CONVENIENT FOR YOU. I AM GOING TO THROW A BUNCH OF MY STUFF AWAY IN SAMOA TO LIGHTEN MY LOAD. SHEETS, TOWELS, CLOTHES, MAGAZINES, ETC. I THINK YOU NEED TO COOL IT ON THE NEW CAR THING UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT HOW ECONOMICAL IT WILL BE TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE IN A YEAR. I MISS MY CAR (NOT AS MUCH AS YOU, THOUGH). TELL IT I SAID HI. I AM HOLDING UP MUCH BETTER THESE DAYS. STARTED EXERCISING A WEEK AGO. FREE WEIGHTS, PUNCHING BAGS (THE ONLY CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE I CAN GET). I AM STARTING TO NOTICE IMPROVEMENTS ALREADY. MAYBE I NEED TO JOIN A GYM WHEN I GET BACK. HOW ‘BOUT YOU? EXERCISING? MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PRINTER FEET SYSTEM SET RIGHT. I KNOW MINE HAS DIFFERENT SETTINGS FOR ENVELOPES (THICK PAPER) VS. NORMAL PAPER. ASK ROBERT FOR IDEAS. I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT MY PHONE BILL CAN BE THAT HIGH. EXCEPT FOR THE SAMOA CALLS, THERE SHOULDN’T BE MUCH. MIKE RAN OUT OF MY MONEY ALREADY? OK, I TRUST HIM, SO IF THE MONEY IS GONE, THE MONEY IS GONE. IF NEED BE, I WILL CALL MY PARENTS AND ASK THEM TO MAIL A RENT CHECK FOR ME FOR SEPT. NO I CAN’T EMAIL WITH JOE’S SYSTEM. THE BOAT HAS A SEPARATE SAT SYSTEM FOR THAT PURPOSE, BUT THE SOFTWARE ON HIS COMPUTER IS THE WRONG VERSION AND WON’T TALK TO THE HARDWARE. FAXES FOR NOW. THERE ARE 19 OF US ON THE BOAT. 4 AMERICANS AND THE REST FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE. PHILIPPINES, LATINS, CHINESE, FRENCH DUDE, ETC. GLAD TO HEAR DAN IS OK. HOPE HE LIKES HIS NEW INSPECTOR POSITION AT ROBINSON. RIGHT NOW OUR COORDINATES ARE 0deg34minutes S 170 deg 56 min W. GET OUT YOUR MAP AND LOOK. GREAT LITTLE PIECE OF OCEAN FRONT PROPERTY. YESTERDAY IT WAS SO HOT OUT HERE. WHEN WE WERE STOPPED GETTING 180 TON I WAS DOING A 100HR INSP ON THE HELI. NO WIND, HOTTER THAN HELL. SWEATING MY ASS OFF. THE OTHER DAY IT RAINED TO HARD/FAST & WIND. I WAS ON THE DECK GETTING THE HELI WHEN IT STARTED. THE BLADES WERE WHIPPING AROUND LIKE CRAZY AS THEY CAME TO A STOP. FUN!! DON’T BUY THE BED YET!! IT WILL ALWAYS GO ON SALE AGAIN. GOT TO SPLIT & FAX THIS ASAP TO MAKE THE CHEAP TIME. GOTTA SAVE MONEY TO PAY THE PHONE BILL. MISS YOU AND SEE YOU SOON. MUSH.
8/12/97 7:40AM HELLO. ACCORDING TO MY SCHEDULE HERE YOU SHOULD BE WORKING RIGHT NOW, SO BY THE TIME I GET THIS TO YOU, YOU SHOULD BE HOME. ANYHOW I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE TRIP TO MAUI AND THEN I REMEMBERED THAT I HAVE THE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE THAT GIVES HOTEL DISCOUNTS THROUGHOUT THE US. MAYBE YOU CAN LOOK IN IT TO SEE IF THERE ARE BETTER RATES THEN YOU HAVE MANAGED TO COME UP WITH. OKAY, THE LOCATION OF SAID BOOK- GOOD QUESTION. POSSIBLE LOCATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS: MY DESK, PRINTER TABLE, BOOKSHELF, BACK OF MY CAR (IN BOX), YOUR HOUSE…. CHANCES ARE YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS ANYHOW. CAUGHT ANOTHER 100 TONS ON SUNDAY, AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING IN ANOTHER ABOUT 50 RIGHT NOW FROM A SET THAT WE MADE ON A LOG (HOTEL TUNA) EARLY THIS MORNING. WEATHER IS STILL BEAUTIFUL- SUN A PLENTY. NOTHING ELSE TOO EXCITING HAS HAPPENED OUT HERE. SO HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? HOLDING UP WELL, I TRUST. LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR VACATION? SEEN ANY GOOD MOVIES LATELY? I HAVE SEEN A BUNCH OF MOVIES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN GOOD, SOME SHITTY. IT AMAZES ME THE CRAP THAT HOLLYWOOD PUTS OUT. I THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE BETTER OFF GIVING ME THE MONEY THAT THEY SPEND ON SHIT MOVIES RATHER THAN EMBARRASSING THEMSELVES BY MAKING THEM. JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION. I HAVEN’T BEEN SLEEPING ALL THAT WELL AT NIGHT, SO I HAVE BEEN TAKING NAPS, AS MUCH AS I TO DO THIS (DON’T WANT TO GET INTO A BAD HABIT OF SLEEPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY). MY ARMS/SHOULDERS FALL ASLEEP ON ME WHEN I SLEEP ON MY SIDE. I DON’T KNOW IF IT IS BECAUSE I HAVE STARTED SLEEPING IN SOME FUNKY WAY, OR IF THE MATTRESS JUST REALLY SUCKS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING A SOLID 8 HOURS OF REALLY GOOD SLEEP AND THE CHANCE TO SLEEP IN. THIS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK STUFF CAN GET OLD IN A HURRY. WELL, I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE EARTH SHATTERING TO SAY, SO I WILL SIGN OFF. MISS YOU MUCH, AND TALK TO YOU SOON. MUSH.
8/15/97 8:54 PM DEAR MARSHALL- GOT YOUR FAX ON WED WHEN I GOT HOME. GOT THE ENTER. BOOK FROM YOUR HOUSE. I’LL MAKE SOME CALLS THIS WKND. THE ROOM THAT IS $30 IS ON KAUAI IN SOME F/AS HOUSE. LET’S STICK W/MAUI THIS TIME, MAYBE NEXT TIME GO TO KAUAI, K? I HAVE OVER & ABOVE 85HRS FOR THE MTH OF AUG. WORKIN MY ASS OFF!! BUT I’LL HAVE AT LEAST 3WKS IN A ROW OFF. NOT TOO SHABBY, EH? MY SCHED AGAIN IS WORK AUG 18,19,20,21,22,23. HOME EARLY ON THE 19,21,23. IF YOU CALL ME PLZ CALL LATE ON THE 19,21,23. MUSH, IF U GUYS GET DONE B-4 THE BEGINNING OF SEPT LET’S STILL GO TO MAUI FOR A CPLE OF DAYS, OK? WE CAN STILL DO SOMETHING B-4 U HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK, RIGHT? HOW MANY TONS DO U HAVE NOW? R U GETTING EXCITED ABOUT BEING DONE? R U GETTING EXCITED ABOUT SEEING ME? I CAN’T WAIT TO C U! I’M GOIN TO ROB/ANGIE’S TOMORROW I THINK. THEY INVITED ME BUT I HAVEN’T HEARD FROM THEM YET. WHEN R WE GOING ON AN AMTRAK RIDE? LAURA/DAN R BUYING A CONDO UNDERNEATH THEM. 3B/2B. KINDA SURPRISING. MAYBE 1 DAY THEY WILL INVITE US UP. WHATEVER. I INSTALLED UNITED CONNECTIONS. IT TELLS ME LOADS N STUFF. REMEMBER THAT PIC THAT ROB SCANNED FOR US FOR MY MOM? HOW DO I MAKE THAT WALLPAPER? I THOUGHT I HAD IT RIGHT BUT I DON’T THINK IT WORKED. I KEEP CUTTING MY HEELS ON THIS STUPID OFFICE CHAIR. OUCH! YOU DID THAT B-4 REMEMBER? HAVE YOU BEEN SWIMMING? SO WHAT’S UP? U WANT TO JOIN A GYM? WITH ME? CAN WE WORK OUT TOGETHER MUSH? ROB SAID PLZ DON’T USE ANY “( )” BECUZ IT MAKES HIS MACHINE GO CRAZY. WHATEVER THAT MEANS. ALSO, HE WANTS TO KNOW IF YOUR FAX CAN USE A LARGER FONT? IT HAS TO BE LARGER SO THAT HE CAN DO THE SCAN THING. HE MUST BE RETYPING YOUR LETTER OVER AS AN E-MAIL. DON’T 4-GET TO ANSWER THAT ?, K? CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YA! OH YEA, ALOHA IS CHEAPER THAN HAWAIIAN. I WILL PROBABLY JUST MEET YOU IN HONO. I WILL COME OUT THE DAY PRIOR BECAUSE U WILL GET INTO HONO EARLY AM & I’LL MEET THE FLT & THEN WE’LL JUMP ONTO ALOHA 1ST THING, K? I’M GOING TO TAKE A BATH TONITE. I BOUT MR. BUBBLE. I’M POOPED. IT’S BEEN A LONG WEEK. I ONLY HAVE ONE MORE SHITTY SHUTTLE TRIP TO DO (AUG 18,19). R WE GOING TO TALK ON THE PHONE AGAIN? B-4 U LEAVE? PLZ TRY & GIVE ME A FEW DAYS NOTICE SO I CAN SHIT 2-GETHER B-4 I LEAVE. OH YEA, ALOHA DOESN’T ACCEPT ADVANCE RES’S. YOU JUST WALK RIGHT UP. YES, UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON THE CAR. WHAT R U’R COORDINATES NOW? SO FAR MIKEY HASN’T SD ANYTHING ABOUT NEEDING $$. DON’T WORRY, I’LL LET YOU KNOW IF I NEED MORE $$. SO FAR, SO GOOD. HEY, MAYBE WE SHOULD BUY THAT VW CAMPER & SPLIT THE PMTS. WHAT DO YA THINK? WOULDN’T THAT BE FUN? DUH MUSH, WHY DIDN’T U TELL ME TO CHG THE MARGINS & SHIT? I CAN GET MORE ON THE PAGE NOW, U KNOW? I’M GONNA GO IN & GET MY HAIRCUT AGAIN. THIS TIME BY SOMEONE NEW, THE OWNER. MY HAIRDRESSER JUST HAS A REALLY BAD ATTITUDE. SHE HATES LIFE, SO THE OWNER IS GOING TO CUT IT FOR ME. SHE YELLED AT ME IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. MORE ON THAT LATER. DID I TELL YOU KEN IS ON A NO CARB DIET? MAYBE IT WILL BE A GOOD 1 4 U 2 TRY IF IT WORKS 4 HIM. I HAD THAT GIRL “KIT” FROM ROAD RULES ON MY FLT 2-DAY FROM LOST WAGES TO LA. REMEMBER HER? I SAW HER COME ON & I SD DON’T I KNOW U? & SHE SMILED & I REMEMBERED WHERE I KNEW HER FROM. AT 1ST I THOUGHT SHE WS A F/A. SHE’S A CUTE LITTLE THING. REALLY FRIENDLY. TOO COOL., HUH? I AM RECORDING ALL OF THOSE SHOWS. I AM WAITING 4 U TO GET HOME SO WE CAN WATCH THEN 2GETHER. I’LL TRY & RECORD AS MANY OF THE X-FILES SHOWS AS I CAN. THE SERIES STARTS ON TUES, K? WHY DO THE TOP/BOTTOM MARGINS KEEP CHANGING? WHY WON’T THEY STAY THE SAME? MAKIN ME MAD! MUSH, WHY DO U HAVE 2 WAIT 2 SEND FAX’ IF YOU ARE CATCHING FISH? JUST WONDERIN’. WE PLAYED MONOPOLY LAST WEEKEND (ME, CASEY, KEN & MIKEY) & I KICKED SOME ASS’. I PRACTICALLY OWNED THE WHOLE DAMNED BOARD. I KEPT SAYING MAN I WISH MARSHALL COULD SEE THIS, NATT NATT NATT!! MILE! I NEED A SMILEY FACE ICON. HOW DO I GET ONE? GOT MY LONGER COUCH LEGS FROM SOFA U LOVE. NOW THE SLIPCOVER DOESN’T DRAG. I’M SO EXCITED! SMILE! MARSHALL, I WANT TO DRIVE UP THE COAST & GO 2 MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM, K? WANNA GO W/ME?PLZ? WELL, I GUESS I’LL SIGN OFF FOR NOW. I WILL FAX U AGAIN LATER THIS WKND IF NEED BE. OTHERWISE I’LL TRY & WAIT 4 UR NEXT FAX, OK? I LOVE YOU & MISS YOU. JOLI J
8/19/97 BUTLER I HOPE THIS FONT IS LARGE ENOUGH AND I WILL CUT OUT THE PARENTHESIS THINGIES FOR YOU. ARE YOU REALLY RETYPING ALL THE LETTERS. ISN’T THAT SWEET? THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP. JOLIJ. I DIDN’T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE MARGINS- SORRY- I AM TRYING THEM MYSELF ON THIS LETTER. YESTERDAY WE ENTERED AN AREA OF A LOT OF FISH, BUT THERE ARE ALREADY 8 BOATS HERE- ALL AMERICAN- WE CONVOYED WITH 6 OVER HERE FROM THE LAST SPOT, AND THE OTHER 2 SHOWED UP LAST NIGHT SOMETIME. RIGHT WHEN WE GOT HERE WE SET AND GOT 80 TON, THEN IT GOT DARK. WE JUST MADE A SET- JUST AFTER 6AM- BUT THE FISH GOT OUT. WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT 300 TON LEFT, WHICH IS ABOUT 2 GOOD FISHING DAYS, SO IF WE CAN CATCH SOME OF THE FISH HERE THEN WE WILL BE DONE REALLY SOON- OR THINGS COULD GO TO SHIT AND IT COULD TAKE ANOTHER WEEK. WHEN WE FILL UP WE MIGHT HAVE TO GAO AND GET OUR RAFTS THAT ARE SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE BEFORE WE GO BACK TO SAMOA. THAT COULD TAKE 3-4 DAYS. I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT IS UP WITH THAT- JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. WE ARE HAVING FUEL PROBLEMS WITH THE HELI- LIKE WE ARE RUNNING OUT AND WE CAN ONLY REFUEL WHEN THE SHIP IS LEVEL- ONLY WHEN THE SKIFF AND NET ARE OFF THE REAR- SO WE ARE USING THE HELI ONLY WHEN WE HAVE FUEL IN IT. NOT MAY HOURS LEFT B4 WE RUN OUT, BUT THE TRIP IS ALMOST OVER. YES, WE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST A WEEK IN MAUI, I HOPE. I REALLY DON’T HAVE ANY INTENTIONS OF GOING BACK TO ROBINSON BEFORE 8SEPT. THIS SHOULD GIVE US PLENTY OF TIME TO HAVE SOME R&R. I CAN ONLY SEND FAXES WHEN EITHER THE NAVIGATOR OR CAPTAIN CAN HELP ME WITH THE PHONE AND THEY ARE BOTH BUSY WHEN WE ARE FISHING- THUS I HAVE TO GRAB ONE OF THEM WHEN THEY AREN’T DOING MUCH. I WENT SWIMMING FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY LATE AFTERNOON WHEN WE MADE THE SET. THE WATER IS ABOUT 88 DEG. VERY EFFEN WARM, JUST LIKE ROBERT’S POOL- MAYBE WARMER. JEAN, THE PILOT AND I JUMPED IN. HE HAD A MASK SO I PUT IT ON AND LOOKED THROUGH THE NET AND SAW A SHIT LOAD OF TUNA RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE. I WAS FINE UNTIL THE ENGINEER SAID SOMETHING ABOUT SHARKS. I CAN’T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN. I WILL CALL YOU WHEN WE ARE DONE TO FIRM UP THINGS, KAY? FOR THE WALLPAPER PIC- I THINK IT NEEDS TO HAVE THE EXTENSION .BMP. TRY GOING INTO PAINT, LOADING THE PIC, AND RESAVING WITH .BMP. WE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 30 MILES DUE EAST OF JARVIS IS.- US TERRITORY- WHICH IS ABOUT 250 MI SW OF CHRISTMAS ISL WHICH IS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. 0DEG 38MIN SOUTH 159 DEG 39MIN W. DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH $$ TO COVER MY SEPT RENT, OR SHOULD I CALL MY PARENTAL UNITS? I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO MONTEREY AQUARIUM. IT WILL BE NICE TO SEE FISH WHEN I AM ON DRY LAND. CAUGHT 2 BIG SWORDFISH YESTERDAY, AND HAD SWORDFISH ON THE BBQ LAST NIGHT. EXCELLENT!!! BIG FISH, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE PICS. I GUESS ALL I REALLY HAVE TO DO TODAY IS WORK ON MY TAN AND WATCH THE CREW KILL FISH. MAYBE I WILL GO WRESTLE A SHARK OR MARLIN. MISS YOU AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU VERY SOON. TALK WITH YOU LATER. MUSH.
8/25/97 DID YOU GET MY FAX DATED 8/19? DAY 2 OF YOUR VACATION. MUST BE NICE!! BUT THEN AGAIN IT IS KINDA LIKE I AM ON VACATION RIGHT NOW. THE HELI IS OUT OF GAS- ONLY HAD 140 HOURS WORTH- AND WE AREN’T CATCHING FISH. THE LAST 6 DAYS WE HAVE SET SIX TIMES AND HAD SIX “SKUNKS”. THIS IS STARTING TO GET A LITTLE ANNOYING. IT LOOKS LIKE I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REQUEST MORE TIME OFF FROM ROBINSON SO THAT I CAN FINISH THIS TRIP AND GO TO HAWAII. I DON’T SEE WY IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM SINCE THEY HAVE MANAGED THIS LONG WITHOUT ME. WHAT CAN THEY SAY? NO, YOU HAVE TO BE BACK ON THE 8TH NO MATTER IF YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN. MCDONALD’S IS ALWAYS HIRING, OR MAYBE I CAN GET A JOB AT THE NEW DAIRY QUEEN. AFTER ALL I DO HAVE EXPERIENCE… ACTUALLY WE HAVE BEEN CATCHING A LITTLE. THE LAST TWO SETS WE GOT ONE BIG TUNA EACH AND ON ONE OF THEM WE GOT A MANTA RAY. PRETTY COOL, BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO FILL THE WELLS AT THIS RATE. I WAS THINKING THAT EARLY SEPTEMBER IS ROBERT’S BIRTHDAY IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. SOMETHING LIKE THE 7TH OR 8TH. I DON’T HAVE MY COMPUTER IN FRONT OF ME SO I CAN’T BE CERTAIN. LOOKS LIKE I AM GOING TO MISS IT THOUGH. WITH ANY LUCK AT ALL I WILL BE ON SOME BEACH IN MAUI WITH YOU DRINKING A FOO-FOO DRINK WITH LITTLE UMBRELLAS. WELL I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE INTERESTING THAT HAS HAPPENED, JUST READING, TANNING, AND WATCHING MOVIES. ARE YOU GOING ANYWHERE BESIDES MAUI ON YOUR VACATION? EVEN BEST CASE SCENARIO WE AREN’T GOING TO BE BACK IN SAMOA IN A WEEK AND A HALF. I HAVE GIVEN UP PREDICTING THINGS SINCE I REALLY DON’T KNOW AND I HAVE ZERO CONTROL OVER THINGS. HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL AND THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO AMUSE YOURSELF FOR A WHILE. HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOUR SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER YET? MISS YOU AND HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. TALK TO YOU SOON. MUSH.
8/27/97 10:42AM MARSHALL- I GOT YOUR FAX LAST NITE. THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED IN ORDER FOR US TO FIGURE OUT IF WE CAN GO TO MAUI OR NOT. AS OF RIGHT NOW, I AM OFF UNTIL SEPT 16 WHICH IS MY FIRST TRIP BACK AS OF RIGHT NOW. I HAVE RET ON THE 11SEP THAT I AM NOW TRYING TO GET OUT OF JUST IN CASE WE CAN GO TO MAUI. I WILL KNOW LATER THIS AFTERNOON IF I HAVE TO GO OR NOT. YOU NEED TO ASK JOE OR SOMEBODY WHAT KIND OF A TIME FRAME WE ARE DEALING WITH HERE. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE MAUI THE WEE OF 8 SEPT? I CAN TRY AND TRADE THAT FIRST TRIP ON THE 16TH IF NEED BE BUT I HAVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ASAP LIKE TODAY. YOU NEED TO GET AS MUCH INFO FROM SOME EXPERIENCED PERSON ON THAT BOAT AS SOON AS YOU CAN. I WILL BE CANCELING ALL RES’S FOR MAUI ON SATURDAY SO AS TO AVOID BEING CHARGED (I HAD TO GIVE THE HOTEL 130.00 DEPOSIT). THAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR THEM. IF IT TURNS OUT THAT WE CAN GO I WILL CALL AGAIN TO RE-BOOK. IT IS JUST VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME AS MUCH DETAILED INFO AS YOU CAN BECAUSE I REALLY HAVE NOTHING TO GO BY RIGHT NOW. I WILL COVER YOUR RENT IF I NEED TO (I DON’T THINK THAT I WILL). I WILL CALL YOUR PARENTS. TALKED TO ALFRED & ASKED HIM TO MENTION TO THEM THAT I MAY NEED SOME $$$. MY MONITOR DIED ON ME SO I HAD TO SEND IT TO NORTHERN CALI. I AM NOW USING JOHN’S. YEP, THIS WHOLE THING THAT’S GOING ON IS GETTING QUITE OLD. I DON’T QUITE UNDERSTAND WOMEN THAT CAN BE AWAY FROM THEIR MEN FOR THIS AMNT OF TIME. IT SUCKS! I AM OVER IT. I GUESS I WILL GO TO THE WEDDING W/OUT U. NOT UNLESS I AM ON MY WAY TO HAWAII TO MEET YOU. GOT THE PHONE BILL. IT AIN’T PRETTY AND THERE IS MORE TO COME. I MISS YOU & AM JUST ENJOYING MY TIME OFF. HAD DINNER W/DAN. HE IS FINE. LISA & I TOOK HIM TO DQ. HE LOOKED REALLY TIRED. I GET THE IMPRESSION HE DOESN’T SEE CHAR AS MUCH AS HE WOULD LIKE TO. NO, I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE FOR VACA. I WAS JUST PLANNING ON JOINING YOU FOR MY VACA. IT IS TOO LATE FOR ME TO JOIN CASEY. SHE IS ONLY OFF 2 MORE DAYS & W/THE TIME CHANGE IT WOULDN’T LEAVE ME ENUFF TIME TO GET OUT THERE & DO ANYTHING. OTHERWISE ALL IS WELL WITH ME. HOPE YOU ARE DOING FINE. I KNOW THAT YOU MUST BE EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH THE POSITION THAT YOU ARE IN. I FEEL FOR YOU. WHY DON’T YOU GUYS GO TO A BOAT THAT IS DONE FISHING AND SEE IF YOU CAN BUY SOME HELI FUEL FROM THEM? CUZ YOUR JOB IS PRETTY MUCH DONE ISN’T IT? I JUST REALLY WANTED THIS TO WORK OUT FOR US, YOU KNOW. SOMETHING NICE FOR THE TWO OF US FOR A CHANGE. I DON’T WANT TO TYPE TOO MUCH SO THAT THIS FAX WILL TRANSMIT QUICKLY. AT&T IS CHARGING ME EVERY TIME THE FAX DOESN’T GO THRU SO I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEM TO TAKE OFF THE CHARGES. PAIN IN THE ASS MUSH. HOW ARE YOU PAYING YOUR BILLS FOR SEPT? PLZ DON’T LET THEM BE LATE. I DON’T WANT YOUR CREDIT TO GET BAD JUST BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID FISHING TRIP. TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN, OK? PLZ ANSWER MY QUESTIONS POSED ABOVE ASAP, OK? OTHERWISE I GUESS I WILL JUST PICK YOU UP IN LA WHEN YOU GET DONE. WHAT IF ROBINSON DOESN’T GIVE YOU THE TIME OFF? HAVE YOU BEEN IN COMMUNI W/PAT? OK, LET ME SIGN OFF NOW. I LOVE AND MISS YOU MARSHALL. TAKE CARE. HOPE TO SEE YOU REAL SOON MY SWEET. JOLI J.
8/27/97 WHAT IS RET? I ASKED ABOUT THE TIME FRAME, BUT THE ONLY ANSWER THAT THERE IS, IS WE ARE DONE WHEN WE ARE DONE OR STARKIST CALLS US BACK IN DUE TO A LACK OF FISH AT THE CANNERY. THEY ALREADY CALLED BACK ONE OF OUR COMPANY BOATS BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM SORRY ABOUT THAT BEING THE ONLY INFO I HAVE, BUT THERE IS NOTHING DEFINITE OUT HERE. WE SEE PLENTY OF FISH, THE PROBLEM IS CATCHING THE STUPID THINGS. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY UNCOOPERATIVE- DON’T WANT TO DIE FOR SOME FUNNY REASON. WE HAVE BEE SETTING EVERY DAY, AND ARE CHASING A SCHOOL RIGHT NOW. STILL IN AN AREA WITH A LOT OF BOATS- WE ARE IN BETWEEN TWO SETS OF NETS AS I TYPE. TO GET THIS OVER WITH WE JUST NEED TO GET LUCKY A COUPLE OF TIMES. WE ARE DUE TO CATCH SOMETHING ASAP. WE ARE 4 DAYS OUT OF SAMOA RIGHT NOW, SO AT LEAST 4 DAYS TRANSIT ONCE WE CATCH. WE CAN’T GET FUEL FROM ANYONE BECAUSE ALL THE OTHER COMPANY BOATS HAVE HELICOPTERS THAT USE JET FUEL AND THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WE CAN GET STUFF FROM. I.E., THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL COOPERATE WITH US. THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT MY BILLS SINCE I HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY THEM WITH. I WILL JUST HAVE TO MAKE UP WHEN I GET HOME. I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO DO. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT FAXES NOT GOING THROUGH- I THINK IT TOOK 6 TRIES FOR YOUR LAST FAX TO COME THROUGH. ROBINSON WILL HAVE TO GIVE ME TIME OFF SINCE I CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY PRESENT POSITION. I JUST FAXED PAT ABOUT MY SITUATION. THE FISH LOOK REALLY COOL WHEN THEY ARE JUMPING. THEY ARE BOILING JUST OFF THE PORT SIDE, BETWEEN US AND THE NET THAT IS ABOUT 1/8 MILE AWAY. I MISS YOU AND AM LOOKING FORWARD VERY MUCH TO MAUI. I WANT TO DO IT AS BADLY AS YOU. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT TODAY THE FISH WILL START COOPERATING. I AM GETTING VERY TIRED OF SKUNKS. SORRY ABOUT YOUR MONITOR. TELL EVERYONE I SAID HI. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, I AM GETTING A KILLER TAN. MISS YOU MUCH AND TALK TO YOU VERY SOON. MUSH.
9/2/97 BUTLER- I BELIEVE JOLI IS GOING TO BE AT YOUR HOUSE WED AND SHE IS PLANNING ON GETTING THIS THERE. 🙂 Looks like the fat lady is starting to sing. We didn’t have any luck last night on the raft, but Captain Joe decided to skip the other rafts and head to Samoa. We are hoping to run across a school o’tuna to finish off the last 15-20 tons, if not, oh well! Looks like we probably will get in sometime Friday night. We are planning to catch the Friday night flight, but there is a change that we might miss it and will have to catch the Monday flight instead. I will call you Thur morning around 9am your time to let you know our lasted ETA to Samoa. I am going to have my return ticket to LAX open so we can decide when we are going back. I was thinking returning on sun 9/14 so that I can go to work on Monday and you can have a day before going to work. Think about it and let me know when I see you in Hono. What do I need? I have got footgear, socks, underwear, belt, sunglasses, sunscreen, one pair of nice shorts and shirt. I need more shirts and shorts, one of my Mentadent refills (under sink in bathroom or in bottom left drawer), bring your camera and film since mine is dead and I am out of film, and anything else that I am forgetting. Otherwise, I should be set. Does our USAA policies cover rental cars? I forget… Currently we are heading SW in overcast conditions. The sea is fairly calm and the engine is chugging away. I hope I get to spend the weekend in Maui and not Samoa. Are you going to meet me at the gate in Hono since the airport there is all messed up? Miss you and see you soon. Mush.
Finding Marshall 