Ahoy and a good day to ye!
Tis yer Cap’n writin to ye from the edge o’ the mighty Pacific Ocean. O’er the years o’ bein’ a marine biologist – and a pirate – I’ve found that most all ye landlubbers get a sparkle in yer eye when I talks to ye o’ the sea and all its secrets. Well, mateys, we be waitin’ to teach ye all we can when ye be ready to learn ‘bout the bounty of knowledge to be had.
ARR – ever since I was a young laddie, I’ve had a nose fer the briny deep and a heart to unlock the secrets o’ life found in the watery depths (and shallows fer that matter!). The young mates I grew up with sought their fortunes as honest, hard-working landlubbers. My pathway, however, led me to a seafaring occupation and even an occasional strayin’ into the pirate way o’ life! Like an anchor stuck fast in a reef, the urge to learn o’ life in the seven seas entranced me with its siren call. Intoxicatin’ as a bottle o’ fine rum was the lure o’ Neptune’s realm. Aye, rebels we marine biologist be – even when residin’ in a landlocked port called Wenatchee most o’ the year.
O’er the past 19 summers, I bin’ shanghaied to teach groups of lily-livered, rubber-legged scallywags (also called students) at the Rosario Beach Marine Lab. One day each summer when the winds blow the fog in, the Jolly Roger appears at Rosario, bold & brash as a winsome wench! All swabs – the whole salty crew at the lab – observe the Pirate’s Code for the day. We belay our landlubber habits and break out pirate speak and regalia. Fer the whole day, me and me buckos dress, talk and act like the true rebels we are. Some of us even get paid in gold doubloons to do it as well – ARR – tis almost more rewardin’ than boardin’ the King’s ships and pillaging seaports!
Pirates and marine biologists – we got a lot in common. Most landlubbin swabbies be fearful and mistrustin’ o’ life at sea (and o’ pirates in general). They thinks that we both drink bilge water and are a-feared o’ sinkin’ down to Davey Jones’ locker. ARR – let ‘em walk the plank who thinks such swill!
Me hearties and I be always keepin’ our one good eye open for hard-workin’ swabs who ain’t afraid o’ the sea, o’ kissin’ a cutlass or the cannon’s roar. Adventure is to be found and the sea is a bewitchin’ mistress to fall in love with on the voyage of life! Come git a chest-ful o’ joy as our ship’s bow cleaves furrows through the sea’s froth and foam. Tis a noble cause, pursuin’ an education – and more gratifyin’ than diggin’ up ol’ Blackbeard’s buried treasure! The crew’ll even show ye the treasure map to help ye succeed in yer voyage.
Come join our crew o’ salty dogs this year an’ let the winds o’ the sea fill yer sails! Set your course, unfurl the mains and shiver me timbers as together we seek our fill o’ plunder to be had in the endless quest for knowledge o’ the realm!
Now, bring me that horizon!
Fair winds, me lads & lasses!
Cap’n Rob
