Life could be different, society could change if we each stopped to consider the person next to us, the person we pass, the person who we judge as we walk by. Every one has a story, every one is dealing with something—something good, boring, horrific or delightful. Be kind. – Author Unknown
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 (DAYS 1,211 – 1,254)
Departing from Kodiak, Alaska was not a bittersweet departure, but one that I couldn't wait to make due to the false pretenses I was promised in agreeing to go and work for a fellow traveler that I THOUGHT was a friend, but later realized that unfortunately was a person of low moral character through his extremely racists comments and overtly horrific verbal abuse that was strewn out on a daily basis only directed towards myself. This was primarily due to the fact that our crew consisted of four people total; the captain, his friend he grew up with–ironically from Colorado also until their family moved when he was younger–and a friend he grew up with in Alaska. The other guys were fine and tried to be friendly and relatively encouraging at times. The reason I am writing this blog entry months later was because I was waiting to receive a minimal pay from an individual that has a lot to learn about life and both how to treat others with respect, especially if they are going to be in a leadership role like a captain, and how they are going to be held accountable for their past actions.
Departing from Kodiak, Alaska was not a bittersweet departure, but one that I couldn't wait to make due to the false pretenses I was promised in agreeing to go and work for a fellow traveler that I THOUGHT was a friend, but later realized that unfortunately was a person of low moral character through his extremely racists comments and overtly horrific verbal abuse that was strewn out on a daily basis only directed towards myself. This was primarily due to the fact that our crew consisted of four people total; the captain, his friend he grew up with–ironically from Colorado also until their family moved when he was younger–and a friend he grew up with in Alaska. The other guys were fine and tried to be friendly and relatively encouraging at times. The reason I am writing this blog entry months later was because I was waiting to receive a minimal pay from an individual that has a lot to learn about life and both how to treat others with respect, especially if they are going to be in a leadership role like a captain, and how they are going to be held accountable for their past actions.
I'm not, by any means opposed to hard work, nor did I make the decision to go to Alaska without realizing that this would be unbelievably difficult it would push me to my limits physically and mentally, however, I was NOT prepared to be verbally abused through racist comments hourly. While I don't entirely regret this experience, because it taught me a lot, the only regrets I have is trusting this person by going up a month early to provide him with FREE boat work with empty promises and by NOT leaving earlier than I did.
I feel that working in broadcast television for 12-years, I've had to deal with some colorful language due to the stress and pressure of millions of audience members watching these live events, and therefore I am no stranger to the shear ferocity of the pressure that is placed on the directors. This doesn't bother me. What bothers me, is when you have a grown man that throws temper-tantrums like I have never seen before, literally stomping up and down screaming if a mistake was made, most often due to his ability to direct the crew properly. Yes, we may have missed a school of fish. Yes, there were plenty of mistakes I made. I am man enough to admit to that. But, I am also a greenhorn. I am also someone that was NOT given the proper training prior to departing for the season, because our captain thought it was more appropriate to use our time outside of working every day to go driving around to show us other areas of the island or hang out with friends. I understand socializing before a brutal season is necessary, but what I didn't understand, and I think most people would agree, is why wouldn't you get your crew and boat prepared FIRST and then take this time to enjoy ourselves before the season began. For example, I asked NUMEROUS times in the month prior to leaving why we couldn't take even our lunch break to let me go to get my gear for the season. There was ALWAYS an excuse for this–"We will do it tomorrow. Don't worry I've done thing a long time, it only takes a short amount of time to get your gear."and etc.–I'm sorry but when you are wearing this gear ALL season potentially AND all of it serves a very specific purpose why wouldn't this be a priority?! You wouldn't wait until 5-minutes before football players take the field to size them up with correct shoulder pads, helmets, cleats, etc. And to show I'm not just complaining here but I feel making valid points. The captain failed to make sure we had enough oil on the boat and NEVER checked the coolant levels nor made sure we had enough coolant on the boat and about 3-weeks into fishing EVERYDAY, the boat's engine finally overheated and yet another grown-ass man's temper tantrum came out!
You can read here, WHY NOT TO GO TO ALASKA FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING.
The day I left the boat was June 30, 2015. I purposely waited to tell the captain in the latter part of the afternoon, knowing we would be tendering at some point that night or the next day. He surprisingly was fine with this, and appeared to be almost happy about it, which I didn't care and was happy that there was no argument. In typical fashion, even though I despised much of the interaction that was needless to say unavoidable on a daily basis, I made sure to leave with my head held high by doing my best as a hard worker. I could have easily left some of my responsibilities, such as the dirty dishes and other things. But, I made it a point to clean up the cabin while the other guys crashed out for the night, knowing we would most likely be tendering at midnight. I washed the dishes, as was part of my duties on the boat. I cleaned up and organized things. I did NOTHING in spite but after everything was done. The excitement of removing myself from aboard this boat brought a continuous smile to my face. I sat up reading and couldn't wait for the call over the radio that the cannery tender was ready for us to jog over to deliver. I know that in photos you see me 'smiling' but this was a fake smile. I put on a facade in order to often attempt myself to try to just dig this situation out as long as I could, but deep down I could feel growing disgust for how one person could be so very hateful in the treatment towards others. He often would use the excuse, "sorry guys, [not to me–whom all the verbal abuse comments were directed towards–but to a pathetic general apology] I just get so excited that I often lose my temper." Please be a man and admit you are a whiny, immature, racist individual that lacks the understanding of what it genuinely means to be a respectful leader and human being.
After climbing aboard the tendering boat around 2am and arrived in Kodiak just after 5:30am–I believe–I couldn't wait to get a shower and search out flights to head to Colorado. I departed that same afternoon from Kodiak, Alaska traeling through multiple cities before arriving in Denver, Colorado on the evening of July 1st.
After climbing aboard the tendering boat around 2am and arrived in Kodiak just after 5:30am–I believe–I couldn't wait to get a shower and search out flights to head to Colorado. I departed that same afternoon from Kodiak, Alaska traeling through multiple cities before arriving in Denver, Colorado on the evening of July 1st.
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