Quarantine in almost all countries on the world still rages on to
starve out the corona virus pandemic. While countries are struggling to combat
this , most people in the world are stranded on their homes and their workplace
due to almost worldwide lockdown , and on my case since I'm a seafarer - I'm
stranded on my workplace as well. In addition there has been some reports on
the social media that Filipino seafarers are being discriminated back in our
own home country , some dormitories, hotels , condominiums and even motel and
apartments refuse board and lodging to Filipino seafarers because they fear
that seafarers are carriers of the COVID 19 Virus. One video I saw in Facebook
was one resident of a condominium was publicly harassing Seafarers on a passenger ship and yelling that "they
are a pest and should not be allowed to enter the building"
Although in a technical sense , this workplace may be the safest
round environment against a pandemic - it is out of irony , one of the most
stressful and unsafe when it comes to mental health. In any case , My situation
being stranded here is really a burden for me than an advantage and there is
nothing much I can do about it . I'm really eager to be off on this ship as
soon as lockdown is lifted in the Philippines. Although I myself will be in a
dilemma since folks back home don’t want us to return .
Situation here in this ship is a big letdown , when my expectations
doesn’t materialize. Why ?? Imagine having no Payout salary onboard for 6
months now (and still ongoing), and no shore leave (essentially trapped and
locked down) , and even the "Private Orders" for items are cancelled.
The more I think about this disappointments on this principal , the more I remember the good times with my
previous principal which has better treatment . (the more my urges desires to
return to my previous employer, for better treatment) I'm not saying that TCC
is a good principal , In fact TCC is another kind of fuck up company however at
least in there I have a better chance of something rather than here.
What happened here on this working contract is that I just basically
swapped my bad employer to something even far worse.
In other news …
I might be phasing out (or retire) the use of my "Military
Water Canteen" type of equipment and be shifting to a more light weight
type which can carry more water. The reason why I had to shift from the model I
had been using for the past five years was because of weight luggage
constraints at the airport. (Seafarers are only limited to two sets of check in
luggage ,each with a 20 kilogram limitation). From what I really the
"Military Type" water canteen weighs at least near a kilogram.
I'm also considering the possibility that I could at least salvage
some parts of my working belt and not wholly throw it away after this ship
assignment. I checked thoroughly and perhaps the main belt can be possibly
salvaged aside from the Leg Rig, as I checked it has only a little dirt and
almost little degration - making it at least suitable to used for another ship
contract perhaps, . I'm thinking that maybe I could bring it back home just to
save money on the cost of almost buying a new one each year (or each ship
contract). Maybe I'd just put those in the washing machine before I store them
back to my luggage.
Another thing that I'd be making changes (or probably still greatly
"under consideration") is transfer of the Microsoft OneNote , and
other office apps to the android platform. In other words , I'm planning or
thinking that I might be phasing out a windows based tablet computer . although
Up to now I'm still heavily considering
the possibilities of using an android tablet as the main computer for those
kinds of functions .
Android Tablet / Phone ----> specialized apps (for banking ,
social media , GPS Maps , and can also
handle phone calls and send / received text SMS message plus email .
Practically almost an all in one Gadget for office / work type plus internet.
PROBLEM ?? Limited storage capacity, scope of usability beyond
"specialization" app, easily
gets obsolete
Windows Tablet / Computer ----> General purpose computer, can be
used offline, can access internet and social media, Better battery capacity and
computing output
PROBLEM ?? Limited storage capacity , Bulky equipment, weight issues
on luggage , Problem with data synchronization
In any case I'm still greatly thinking on what possibilities , I can
use for my line of work and currently undergoing some trial and error process
and a series of experiments which is suited best . It really depends on the
practicality of use,
In other matters relating to what's going on in the work place ….
There has been a ruckus lately last Sunday . Apparently O.S. Dalida
has outdone himself in bothering people again on this ship. This time he makes
a lot of noise on his cabin to the point that its bothering people in the B
deck area. One crew member (O.S. "Alvin" ) got fed up on his
annoyance that he took matters in his own hands and went thru O.S. Dalida's
cabin and smacked his face , In return O.S. Dalida fought back and things got
messy , to the point that both of them got the attention of the whole crew
residing in B - Deck area along with the rest of officers residing in C and D
Deck as well. From what i heard both of them have been summoned after the
incident to the captains office and from there I assumed the captain filed some
sort of crew report.
I don’t know the exact details on what happened and only heard what
happened in the morning, however I suspected something was already going on the
afternoon when I went outside my cabin to wash some clothes to the laundry
room, and when I was about to get back - I saw O.S. Dalida's luggage bag inside
one of the spare rooms in upper deck area (which is exactly the right next to
my room). At first I figured that this ship might be expecting some visitors
probably an inspector or a superintendent perhaps and they wanted O.S. Dalida
to be out of his cabin so the guest can use it. My suspicions was wrong when I
heard to other crew members in the morning that the reason O.S. Dalida moved
out of his cabin was because of the common.
In any case , I wont take sides on whatever grudges they have
against each other, and wont let myself be plagued with these trivial things
because I roughly got only two months left before my contract finishes and get
the hell out of here, Besides I knew better that both of them have problems
when it comes to their manner's. Alvin being aggressive and too dominating to
other people (co-workers) , and Dalida on the other hand being a dick and an
asshole in general when it comes to on and off work. Frankly Dalida got what he deserve for being
an annoyance and a scumbag , especially on his exploits disturbing and annoying
people during off work. Same goes also
to Alvin , getting on what he deserves for taking matters in his own hands and
being dumb in not seeing the consequences in his actions.
As far as possible I'd try to stay out of trouble and the ruckus
they made was a good diversion , Now all eyes of the crew are in both of these
people and I'd stay hidden and unnoticed.