I'm not fit for the Crows Nest...

The crows nest is the spot on old ships that was high up on the mast, where a young deck hand would stand for hours and hours scanning the horizon;  looking for land, reefs, other ships and whatever else might be a hazard to the boat.

I have learned that I am not fit for that position.

I had what I call "botched" Lasik eye surgery about 8 years ago and, well, it didn't work so well.  Apparently I "looked away from the light" which is why my vision is not 20/20.  It's a long story that ended with me wandering, nay - staggering - blindfolded, arms outstretched and waving, into a waiting room in a total drugged up daze like some creature from the living dead after which I passed out in a narcoleptic style sleep and fell onto the waiting room chairs in front of some nice folks waiting their turn.  My mom actually had to carry me out.  Not sure how many people opted out of Lasik that day, but I neglected when they said they'd "zap me again" to correct the problem.  No thanks!

All these years my eyesight hasn't been a problem.  I knew it wasn't perfect, but I am by no means blind.  Sure, I couldn't read road signs from afar and took turns going 30 mph, but doesn't everyone?

Apparently not.

Fast forward to present day.   Our safety relies on the heath of our eyes.  Looking for buoys on the horizon, checking for unusual wave breaks, flotsam, currents, harbors, lights, other boats...etc.  Lots of little tiny things to spot all over the place.

When my brother came to visit us while we were in Wisconsin (right after we left for this trip) he brought with him a nice new pair of eyeglasses.  "What do you think?" he asked me. "Super cool!  I love them!  Let me try them!" I exlaimed.

And in that instant, the world - I kid you not - became clear.  I could read the specials of the day! The neon bar sign! I could even make out the numbers on the dartboard! And, is it true? Can I read that sign across the street?! Holy crap!  I had no idea, but I am in dire need of glasses!

More than once this trip my eyesight has been cause for concern. Take this exchange for example:

Me:  "Hey Scott, can you come up here a second and confirm my next red buoy?"
Scott:  "Sure"
Me:  "It's right there, at 3 o'clock...right?"
Scott: "Um, no Brittany...that is a crane...on shore"
Me: "Oooops....ummmm...do you see it?  The buoy?"
Scott:  (instantly) "Yes, it's right there, right off the bow."
(Scott throws me a look of dreaded concern...almost as if he's asking are you kidding me?)
Me:  "Okay, thanks!  Carry on!"
Scott does not leave the cockpit.

So, one of the things on our list of "things to do" in NYC (besides laundry and shower, which take precedence at this moment) is to head to a Pearl Vision, and get me some eyeglasses!

Scott will feel much better about me being "on watch" when he knows I can actually distinguish a buoy from a crane on shore!

Love,
Brittany (& Scott)