The Blog of The Johnson

My Family

2009-11-25T22:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight...the night before Thanksgiving...I get to my parents apartment at 11:45. I sit down...eat some bangin food, and then my Dad asks me, "Hey Ben, you wanna go bowling?" To which I respond, "Naw."

He then turns the t.v. on to reveal my "family's" new Christmas present...a Wii.

Excitement filled the room as we picked our "Wiis" and proceeded to bowl.

But now...for the best part of the whole night. Me and my sister were talking junk to each other (of course). My mom walks up in front of the t.v. for her turn to bowl...walking past me on the way to her "spot"...and to shut me up...

She farts in my face...

And you wonder where I get it from...

Wisdom from a 7 year old.

2009-11-24T20:11:00.000-08:00

At Windy Gap this past weekend, I got to hang out with a 7 year old I used to babysit...Noah Hancock...Yes, THE Noah Hancock.

Well, we were leaving the club room, and this dude from Goldsboro, Scott Stafford, yelled at Noah, "Noah, you're the man!"

Jokingly, I looked at Noah and said, "Noah, say 'Hush up Scott!'"

With a surprised look on his face, he said, "No."

"Why?" I said.

He replied, "Because, then I WOULDNT be the man."

Dang it.....I'm so immature.

Asher and Lucy

2009-11-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

I live with a 5 year old and a 3 year old.

I actually room with the 5 year old.

His name is Asher.

Hers is Lucy.

They are two of the best things that have happened to me in the past 4 years that I've been in Asheville.

Tonight...After a few beautiful running/jumping hugs...some kisses good night...along with the unexpected, but equally as glorious, child flatulation...I got to thinking...

Here are two kids, that I could essentially tell them everything. (whether they listen or not)

I would tell them about things that have hurt me in the past. Or ways I have hurt others. I could tell them about all the good times I want to remember, or all the bad times I wish I could forget. I could tell them my deepest darkest secrets...

...and I bet you all the money in the world, that in the next few minutes following my story, I would here these words in broken, southern, 5 and 3 year old vocabulary...

"Ben, I wuv you...I wuv you so much."

They don't even realize, that's helped me through some tough stuff. And they don't care. And I love it.

1st YL Club

2009-09-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

So, we had our first YL Club of the year Tuesday night.

WAS

CHAOS!

75+ kids + toilet paper + anything they can throw + a broken projector + God's fabulous sense of humor = an insane night.

But, when we finally got the projector working, these loverly videos were played and used to bless people with pure, raw talent. enjoy.

After club, the room looked like a frat party. Add the fresh hole in the drywall, and you get an extremely exhausted, but nontheless, BALLER YL team.

That's how we do.

Happiness in the Small Things

2009-08-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

You've all heard that saying right???

How about when you get stung twice in the face by a yellow jacket and your bottom lip looks like you should be taking shrapnel with Forrest Gump?? ("But my friends call me Bubba, just like one of them old redneck boys, can you believe that??")

I can definitely find joy in the fact that Turd Ferg haunts me in my new apartment.....

Weird?

I think so...

mmmm...photobooth

2009-07-26T11:56:00.000-07:00

The last day on the boat...Photobooth shoot...awesome way to waste time.

This is me, sitting on the couch, at Margaritas house, a week and some change after I have returned to the U.S. I have been in Asheville for a few days now, and I'm not gonna lie, I really love being home.

My first day back, Me and Sloan took 3 of our YL dudes to Midnight Hole, this sweet swimming hole where you can jump off rocks and stuff, immediately followed by kickball with the rest of Asheville YL, immediately followed by Cici's pizza fest, immediately followed by an 18 person poker game with all my high school fellas. What a great homecoming.

I found an apartment that I think I'm going to rent. It's pretty sweet, 1 bedroom, basement apartment. It's a pretty cool place, and great location for me doing YL at TC Roberson because it's only .5 miles away from the house. And the rent is cheap...I'm thinking yes.

I've been helping Sloan with the kitchen renovations. It is looking so good. You can definitely tell that it's supposed to be a kitchen.

Besides that all is well.

I am so thankful to be back in this place. The sailing trip was so good for me, but it was time to come home.

Oh, and my favorite part of coming home was Asher leaping off the top step of the stairs and into my arms to give me a bear hug that would make a lumberjack tear up...take that to the bank.

Chuckling...aka...Man Giggling

2009-07-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

7-17, Friday

Well, I'm at the airport in Lajes, on Terceira. A recap of the last week:

Wednesday, July 8

We left Flores at 10am and had great wind all day. It was definitely a bit more relaxed, especially since it was only goin to be a 24 hour sail. It was pretty low key, but we did see some sweet dolphins jumping a few feet out of the water...I think a few of them were mooning us...because that's how dolphins roll.

Thursday, July 9

We arrived in Horta at 7:30am, so a solid 21 hour trip. Horta is cool, definitely not as beautiful as Flores, but there are people! And cars! And tons of sailors! And hot showers! Sweet mercy of Jesus, a hot shower. And free internet...which ruined me...I was on it for 4 hours the first day...geez. We (the crew from Flores that went to Horta, which was everyone!) went to Peter's Cafe Sport, this legendary sailor bar that has been around for decades. It has whale bones on the walls, and flags from pretty much every country in the world...but the food sucked...but that's cool, it was still a cool hang out, for real...but the food sucked...but whatever...who cares. We pretty much hung out there all night...btw, the food sucked...and then we all parted and went back to our ocean vessels for a kip.

(PS. If anybody is still keeping up with sailor creds,

you don't have to any more...I've racked up way too many since Bermuda to count or keep track of...and my brain just can't handle it right now...because I'm kind of awesome...let's be honest)

(Seriously...be honest...deep down you know its true)

(And if you don't think so, just agree...it's my blog...I'll say what I want)

(But seriously, if you're completely honest, you're going to agree...so no worries matey)

Cool view of Mount Pico from the boat.

Friday, July 10 – Monday, July 13

All these days run together a bit, but to sum them up:

I moved onto another boat, Yamma, because the capitan, Steve from London, is going to give me a ride to Terceira, where I fly back home in 7 days. His boat is a Halberg Rassy, 36 feet...aka...real nice. I feel like I'm in a hotel room. Steve is a legend, classic brit...with a dry sense of humor, plus, a mouth like a sailor, equals, a classic fella.

Yamma

So, the first 10 minutes on the boat, I go to the bathroom, and break the freaking toilet. I thought they were all the same...But, in theory, I forgot to open the seacock...idiot. So, now Steve's cussing up a storm, I'm a bit nervous and worried that he won't give me a ride anymore, but semi chuckling (or “man giggling”) which makes him even more annoyed...crap...Long story short, we got the toilet working, and Steve loved me again.

Oh, in Horta, it's bad luck to leave port without painting the name of your boat on the sea wall. (Steve didn't care, so we didn't do it) (I'm convinced that is why the toilet broke...it knew...it was a future knowing toilet.) Anyways, so that makes for thousands and thousands of paintings that have been there for ages, and more keep coming....real cool. So, I walked around for an afternoon, checking out all the paintings...so cool.

The Paintings

Sunday, all the folks from Flores decided to go to the supermarket. We left the supermarket with two rabbits, wine, and this banging chocolate/cookie dough roll/cake awesome times dessert. (Seriously, thats what it was called) So that night, we went out to the Swedish couples' catamaran (which are freaking sweet) to have a “Rabbit Stew Party”. It was amazing...Legit amazing. Rabbit is awesome. We ate and drank to our hearts content, and then we all went back to our boats...fat and happy sailors.

Me and Carolyn at the Rabbit Feast.

Monday was my last in Horta, so I decided to walk around by myself. I was craving some oranges, so I bought some...Sailing has increased my appetite ten fold...I'm in trouble for real. Then, I went to the old whaling station and watched this movie about whaling...People...these guys are crazy raw. Whaling is the craziest fishing/hunting activity you could ever do. Those whales are freaking huge.

The Whaling Museum is on the opposite bank...the beach in Horta.

After all that, I went back to the boat to surf the web and sleep!

Horta

2009-07-12T06:01:00.000-07:00

There is way too much to write, so I'll just gonna make it fast...

We stayed is Flores for 6 days total, then we sailed to Horta, which is a pretty major port for sailors. It took us 20 hours to do 130 miles...which is pretty fast in the boat I have been on. It was actually a really good trip. So we got to Horta, and EVERYONE that was in Flores is here. So the gang is back together. We have just been hanging out here, we went to the famous sailors bar, Peter's, and had some dinner the first night we were here. Besides that, we all just walk around and eat.

We are actually going swimming today! The first good sunny day we've had in awhile! And the other thing, you can see Mount Pico from the marina, it's really really pretty.

Ummmm....Oh, I'm on a new boat, they are taking me to Terceira, where the adventure ends. I fly home on Friday. It will be nice to eat and sleep again...like a normal person.

AND!!! The crew from Flores all bought 2 rabbits yesterday, and the greeks and arnie are going to cook rabbit stew for us all tonight...I love it. Pictures to come...

Adios!

Bom Dia! (Good day)

2009-07-08T04:39:00.001-07:00

Ahhhh, Flores is so good. Been here for 3 days now. It's absolutely beautiful. And the people are so nice.

As you know, we got in Friday night. After anchoring we decided to go grab a bite to eat at the local pub. By far the worst hamburger I'd ever tasted...but I didn't care at all. We didn't have any Euros, and the bank was closed, so the owners let us eat anyways. Awesome.

Saturday, we got up early and went into town (Lajes). Carolyn and I decided to give ourselves a bit of a leg workout, since we hadn't really used them in weeks, so we decided to grab some lunch and take off for an afternoon hike. The lunch was amazing: Bitoque, it's rice, 2 steaks, french fries, a fried egg, and a salad. So much food, very cheap, very good. I was stuffed to say the least. Then we walked for 4 hours...and walking here is no joke. The roads are basically cliffs...12% grade...what the heck. Which basically means that after 2 weeks of not using my legs...they are now effed. But, on our way bck to town from the hike, we saw a man in his garden (everyone has gardens), he saw us and brought us two massive handfuls of strawberries that he'd just picked....they were so good.

That'll be some fresh smelling laundry eh?

Nice walk

After the walk, we went back into town, to the Restaurante Marinha, owned by Ricardo and Sonja (whole let us eat free the night before), and they were having a July 4th celebration! What!?! Makes no sense. Anyways, they had karaoke, good food, and all of the other sailors were there, so we met a bunch of them. We all hung out, and danced...by the way, Portuguese dancing is like fighting...for real...and then when you are done dancing with the Portuguese girls, they just turn around and walk off...no thank you (Obrigado) no wave, not even a handshake, heck not even eye contact. It was wierd...but really really fun.

So, Sunday we woke up around 11:30 and rented a taxi to tour the island. We drove all around the island for 3 hrs. (small island) and saw the Caldeiras (crater lakes), we went to Fajazhina and Faja Grande, two villages on Flores. It really is a beautiful island.

One of the Caldeiras

Fajazhina

Malo Alto, the tallest peak on the island.

After that, we went and hung out with the Frenchies, Flo and Beru, and the Mad Brits, Chris and Kathy. Flo and Beru are sailors, and they decided to buy a house here a year ago because they loved the island so much. Flo has a massive garden

and she shares alot of her vegetables (which are amazing after not having any for two weeks). Their house is charming though, and they are so nice.

The Mad Brits are the Mad Brits because they are crazy. Kathy says they have a "Case of the F*** It's!" Ha ha, cracks me up. They bought a house after being here for 4 days! I think I would too if I had the money. They even invited me to come back and help them fix their property up...we'll see. Carloyn and I have taken quite a liking to them though.

After that, we went out to eat with the rest of our motley sailing crew:

Arnie, or somethin like that - Ze German

Dimitri and George - The Greeks

Adrian and Mary - Crazy Swiss

Peter - resident Old Fart

Phil - The strange guy from Liverpool.

From left to right: Ricardo, Carolyn, Arnie, Adrian.

When you eat here with a big group, they bring the whole table food. It's a pain to split the bill after, but they bring plates and plates of food and jugs of wine and you just eat and eat until you're full. I love it.

Anyways, More later.

July 1

2009-07-08T04:30:00.000-07:00

July 1st

150 miles to go, and the wind is on our nose...Burn it. It looks like we'll be getting into Flores on Friday which = a MASSIVE dinner and a proper shower...

Oh yea, it's cold man, I had to bust out the sleeping bag pants and fleece...what the heck.

July 3rd

LAND HO! Holy crap...land looks awesome. I mean, the last leg of sailing was good, pretty chill. You just get into a rhythm, but oh my goodness what an awesome feeling to see land.

My seeing land picture.

I think it will be a good night...

Halfway

2009-07-07T09:10:00.001-07:00

We are halfway!

800 miles to go! It's all down hill from here man. Time has now lost all value, except calculating when we will get to Flores.

Sleeping, Eating, Reading...That's the schedule.

It's refreshing, and at the same time, really annoying. You really have to let go of everything...I have really had to realize that I am not in control, and cant do a thing to make us get there any sooner. Just gotta loosen up out here in the big blue.

Besides that, we have had good wind. We got to put the spinnaker up.

Pretty eh?

And I caught a big fish, but I couldn't t

ake a picture...why? Uh because I was catching the fish. duh.

And we saw some dolphins,

I got to steer,

Saw another sunset,

and sat somemore!

More tomorrow.

My first Gale...then Boredom

2009-07-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

6/21

Well, it got rough...really rough...45 knot winds and 20 ft. waves rough. And, during all of that, our self steering broke...which pretty much means fix it or self steer for a week and a half. We decided to try and fix it. It was nuts, heaving up and down 20 ft. swells, hanging over the stern with a wrench in each hand (and occasionally teeth) trying to fix one of the most important pieces of equipment on the boat. But, we fixed it...but we had to heave to in the process so we made NO PROGRESS...disheartening for sure.

So, that was yesterday, today the wind is mid-20's and seas are <10>

But I seriously wanted Turd to come pick me up on his helicopter yesterday.

6/22

This is boring...

6/23

This is still boring...all I do is think. I wasn't built to think. I was built to do stuff. I don't even want to write. So much freaking ocean to go. It seems like it will never end. I wish my head would explode...or I had some power where I could actually sleep all day, for days on end.

The Ocean.

2009-07-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

6/18

Leaving Bermuda...beyond that gap is about 1800 miles of ocean.

We left a bit late Yesterday, around 1pm, but we are making ok time. The wind is out of the north east, right where we want to go...so we are doing a long northern tack, followed by a long eastern tack...Fun stuff.

On the starboard tack. + 10 Sailor Creds for putting up with this for days.

So apparently, everyone get seasick, and everyone told me that I was going to get seasick...Obviously, they don't know me very well...Because, obviously, it was vice versa...Ben Johnson didn't get Seasick, but Seasick got some Ben Johnson. Bring it Poseidon.

First Sunset.

Anyways, my first experience on watch last night was great. It's really beautiful. It's a totally different world when it's dark: Bio luminescent plankton (crazy), Holy Crap Stars (tons of them, and satellites, and shooting stars), and just nothing for miles. The moon is insanely bright. Sunsets and sunrises are rediculous. During the day, there's tons of flying fish, Portuguese Man O Wars, Shearwater Gulls, and lots and lots of Water.

First watch

On a more disgusting note, the two boys threw up...I took shrapnel. I wasn't paying attention...the youngest threw up into the wind...and I took some to the face. Yep, I know...but of course, I just took it like a man, licked up what was close to my mouth, and wiped the rest off with my sleeve (which, incidentally, I slept on later). Ah...a Sailor's Life. It's supposed to get rough in a day or so...Buckle Up.

The Flying Fish that almost hit me in the head. They fly...for real.

Alrighty Then, Off To Portugal.

2009-06-16T13:42:00.001-07:00

Sorry to leave you with such a short last post. But I just posted three...geez, relax.

I leave tomorrow for Flores. The trip should be around 2 weeks. And then free internet! Whoo!

Anywho, I hope everyone is doing great. The past two days have been pretty much the same. Oatmeal/coffee/chores/beach/sunset in the cockpit/sleep. You know, the tough kinda life.

But seriously, I'm gonna stink when I get into Portugal. But I hear they have good cheese!

I have to go catch a bus, I'm late already! I will talk to you all again in two weeks!

The Johnson

It's My Effin Birfday Dawg

2009-06-16T13:37:00.001-07:00

Day 5, June 14^th, and My 23^rd Birthday.

I didn't remember until 11 am that it was my birthday! 23 years old and still kickin. Man. When I was in the graveyard of that old church yesterday, I saw so many headstones that we for dudes 20/21 and whatever...Bummer. I'm probably way cooler than they were anyways.

So, this morning we fixed the outboard harness, for lifting the motors, we fixed the dodgers (rain cover) for the midship hatch...Dude, I sound like a sailor...wierd. So, our other outboard was giving us some trouble, so this dudes Patrick, from Maine, came over to help us. This guy is awesome. He left Maine when he was 24 sailed all around for 5 years! Crazy. He even lived in Senegal, Africa for a year rebuilding houses. And he did all of it in this sick boat, it's totally wooden, modeled after the old whalers from Nantucket. Anyways, cool guy.

Fixing the outboard. (Patrick, left, Shirish, right)

Another Patrick, from the boat next door (from Portsmouth, UK)came over this morning. I've been watching him the past few days, trying to catch fish. Well today, he finally caught one! As he looked over at me and gave me a victory fist pump, I returned it with a thumbs up and an ear to ear grin. Well, afterwards, he dinghied over to Juno and gave me a bag full of bait! Let the fishing begin!

Besides that, it has been a rough day. I flooded the dinghy engine and cast off before I had started it, so I had to row back to Juno against a 15 knot wind...and Shirish was in the dinghy with me. -2 Sailor Creds (just because I had to row). I dumped out the ratchet set, -1 Sailor Cred, and just really felt clumsy all day, I hope it wears off. I ate a big dinner, so maybe that will help.

New total would be : 7 Sailor Creds...but it's my birthday. Haha. Still got 10 Creds baby.

I've been a little homesick today. It's actually 6:30 pm right now, and I'm going to call home in 30 minutes. So hopefully they'll pick up. I think that will help. Ive just been missing everyone I love today. And above others...Asher and Lucy. I've been thinking of them saying “Ben Johnson!”, or “What's up Ben?”, or “Ben I love you.” Gah, anyways. (Sloan, or Les, give them both a big old hug from me.

Well, I'm done. Time for a birthday “Dark and Stormy”, a book, and bed. Adios.

Baby wipes do not substitute showers.

2009-06-16T13:31:00.001-07:00

Day 4, June 13^th

A happy Sailor Man.

This morning started like every other morning so far, weather report...coffee...oatmeal.

Chore time: The outboard on the dinghy broke yesterday, and it was my job to fix it. A little intimidated, I began taking apart the carburetor, I cleaned it and stuck it back in, then fixed the broken pull cord, re-assembled and placed back on the dinghy. First pull people...Gimme some of that!

So since then, I have come up with a sort of “Sailor's Cred” gauge. I was at 0 when I started, but after all the chores and lingo, and no major screw ups, I was at 5 Sailor Creds. Now, after the outboard repair, I'm giving myself 5 more points.

That means 10 Sailor Creds!!! Whoa!

Anyways, Sailor Creds will continue to be added up daily. Stay posted.

I am starting to realize the different personalities on this boat. Shirish is not confrontational, he's a thinker, very calm, and very mature...totally my opposite, haha. (That's why I have to do things, such as mooning passing cruise ships, when he's not around) When we try and do repairs together, he likes to step back and look at things for awhile, then act...where I am like “Let's just get the freaking thing off/taken apart/unscrewed/etc.!”

So, after the outboard repair, we went into St George to pick up our new crew member, Caroline!

Caroline is an absolutely wonderful British woman. Because of her “Britishness”, she was quickly in my good graces...not that it really matters. After lunch on Juno, me and Caroline went into St George together, because neither of us had been around town much. We had some great conversation, saw all the gardens and parks, checked out this old school church, basically touristy stuff, and then had a drink at the White Horse. She has sailed quite a bit, like 3 years in the Mediterrenean.

Next, I went back to Juno, Caroline went home (she's meeting us Tuesday). I played some Risk with the boys...and got absolutely destroyed. Crap.

Now I'm just sitting in the cockpit, reading, writing, and I started making a video (Turd threatened me with bodily harm if I didn't). It's difficult getting back into using a camera, but good. It's a great sunset tonight, check it out.

PS. The reason there aren't as many pictures is because internet access here is $6 for a ½ hour, and it takes forever to load a picture!

Bermuda Day 3

2009-06-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Bermuda Day 3, June 12^th

“...Waves inside the reef, 1 foot, waves outside the reef, 2-4 feet...” I hear the familiar accent, a mix of Scottish, British, and Carribean that make up the Bermudian accent, and open my eyes. These words have become my new alarm clock. And trust me, it's a lot better than “BLALJSLH, BLAHSGHI, BLAHIUAGDKSN!!!”

I slept so good last night, until the massive rain storm at 12:30am...Let's just say that I now know what “Batten down the hatches!” means.

This morning consisted of coffee, oatmeal, and preparing for mornings chores/repairs. I find myself volunteering for dishes a lot, only because it's the only thing I know for sure how to do. It kinda sucks, but I think it's appreciated, and I like that.

After, Shirish and I set about the boat making repairs such as: Fixing the wind vane mount, rerouting some plumbing, replacing the bimini, cleaning the bilge, and pumping up the dinghy. Even little repairs like this help me get to know the boat that much better. And it feels really great to finally get my hands dirty!

After chores/repairs, we loaded up the dinghy and headed to Tobacco Bay. It's this sweet bay, almost all the way enclosed by rocks. I snorkeled a bit, saw some sweet a fish (Parrot Fish, Grouper, some others), I got to water solo rock climb a bit, immediately followed by some cliff jumping/back flipping.

Tobacco Bay (and the family)

Afterwards, we all went into St George's and I decided to play my “alone time card” (kind of like the race card, but for alone time). I parted ways with the family, found some cheap internet ($6 for ½ hour), and surfed the web for a bit.

It was nice having some alone time, much needed. Went back to the boat afterwards and got to shower in the rain!!! I felt like a kid again, and my hair got a much needed cleaning.

After a great meal and a “Dark and Stormy”, I prepared for bed, donned my Ipod, applied some Gold Bond, and am now relaxing in a very windy cockpit...

I really like it here.

Bermuda Day 2

2009-06-12T12:56:00.001-07:00

Bermuda Day 2 – June 11^th.

Before I start, You need to know that there is a parrot sitting right beside me, squawking like crazy. Freaking Bermuda.

Check this out:

Bermuda Shorts....Yeaaaaaaa

Well, I found the sun...it's in Bermuda. Luckily for me, I followed my mom's advice and wore lots of sun screen, or “sun cream” as it is known here. But no lie, that water I talked about seeing on the flight in...I swam in that crap today. So beautiful. The beaches here are incredible...Coral, Fish, Sun, awesome times. I'll get a picture of Tobacco Bay on here next time.

So we went on a tour of the island. I bought a Ferry/Bus pass for $12 and off we were. We started in Hamilton, the metropolis of Bermuda. (Basically only two towns in Bermuda, Hamilton and St. George, St. George is way chiller and way cheaper) We walked around a bit, saw the cool Naval Museum that had goats in it....random...and got to watch people blow glass. It sounds weak, but it was awesome! After Hamilton, we went to a Marine Supply store, and then went to the beach. Then came home. We drove all over the island, saw what we wanted to, it was great.

And now, after all day on buses, ferries, and feet, I am sitting in the cockpit of the boat, enjoying the cloudiness and the sea breeze. It's so peaceful. This feels like a vacation, which I am assured will turn into hard work as we get nearer to the trip.

Happy man in the cockpit

My view from the cockpit.

But it's dinner time (turkey/cheese quesadillas with a dark and stormy, the official drink of Bermuda).

I love this place.

AND... Here's Tobacco Bay:

And the Unfinished Church of St. George:

(taken straight from the daily journal of me)

Bermuda! Day 1

2009-06-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

Ahh, Bermuda.

The flight in was unreal. The water here is so blue, it blew my mind!

So, I arrived in Bermuda, got through customs alright, hopped on a bus, and went into St. George to meet the Captain of Juno, Shirish Date, at the White Horse, this legendary Bar/restaurant that's been here for ages. After a $6 beverage, which I immediately regretted...but it was cold...I found Shirish, and we hopped in the dinghy to go to Juno, my home for the next month or so.

That's the dinghy...

And that's the deck of Juno from the bow. (Mom, the yellow lines running down the deck are the lines I will be harnessed into when we are underway.)

Do I sound like a sailor or what?

So, the boat:

It's unbelievable for a few reason. 1) How awesome it looks 2) How much stuff is on it 3) How small the space I now live in is. See...

My bunk

My stuff

I know now, more than ever, that this trip will stretch (or compact) me as much as I could've expected. Learning the processes of the boat take time, patience (especially since the 11 and 9 year olds know EVERYTHING about this boat...stupid kids), and a try or two to make sure you get it down. I mean, everything is so different. Food, lingo, the fact that it takes me 5 minutes to flush (flushing has been dubbed “pumping poop”), manners (literally, when it comes to bodily functions, there is NO shame). It's great.

The family:

Shirish – Capitan, writer, sailor, big word user, legend.

MB – Capitana, wife of captain, soo nice. She made me feel right at home.

Orion – This kid is going to cure cancer or something. He's a genius at 11.

Rigel – Just fun. Rambles about who knows what all the time, just to entertain himself. A bit moody, but cool kid.

I think I will like these people.

Anyways, when we got back to the boat, Shirish showed me some of the more common functions (flushing, making fresh water, starting the engine etc.), and we got ready to get some pizza in St. George.

St. George from Juno.

People...I ate a BLT...maybe a $3 sandwich in the U.S. In Bermuda it's $10!!! Yea, I agree, F that.

But seriously Bermuda is very expensive.

So, after eating, we came back to the boat to chill, I unpacked, and we got ready for bed.

Sleeping was hard. I was sweaty, it was muggy, I was burning up, I had to pee (but didn't because it seriously takes effort to flush), but finally I fell asleep...then woke up...then fell asleep...and so on about 6 times. I woke up at 6am...overjoyed. I never thought I'd be that excited to wake up at 6am. The best thing about sleeping the first night was my sheets...

Awesome.

But anyways, with some coffee and oatmeal, I was good to go for the tour of the island!

Side Notes:

1) Gold Bond is a life-saver. Seriously.

2) There is a “Tall Boat” race. By “Tall Boat” I mean like, awesome old pirate ship boats. Like this:

All over the place...So cool. This is actually a US Coast Guard training vessel called the Eagle.

Anyways, until next time.

(This post taken straight from my hand written journal...so enjoy it)

Here we go!

2009-06-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Well,

I'm all packed up, I have my passport, my itinerary, and I'm getting ready to go to bed. I wake up at about 3 am, to get on a plane in Greensboro at 6:30, to fly to Cincinatti, to fly to NYC, to fly to Bermuda, where I will meet Shirish (el capitan) and go to the boat, Juno. Juno is a 44 foot Alden, quite a nice boat, and home for the next month, at least. Oh look, a picture!

This isn't Juno, but it looks similar. I'll have pictures of it tomorrow though!

Well, I'm tired, and I've unpacked and packed my bag about 5 times now, just to make sure I had everything, I think I'm good. I've got my books, Ipod, camera, and jump-rope for entertainment on the boat. (Oh yes, you CAN jump rope on a sailboat)

Side note: When I return, I am going to make my living writing children's stories, the first being "Oh Yes, You CAN Jump Rope on a Sail Boat!" The protagonists will be Asher and Noah, and the antagonist will be......the new Yellow Wiggle, cuz he's a dookie boots.

Alright, off I go! Next post: from Bermuda! (If internet cafe's aren't too expensive)

Virginia

2009-06-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

It's my second day in Virginia. It's been a pretty weird couple of days. I packed up pretty much everything I own (I think I left a couple things...sorry Sloans), shoved it all in my truck, And drove up here...not for vacation...but to move out. It's kind of heavy knowing that I just moved away from Asheville. Bittersweet would be a suitable term.

So, until I leave for the trip early Wednesday morning, I actually have a pretty full schedule. Today, I have a dentist appointment (sick), some work up on my dad's property, and packing for the trip. Tomorrow, I have a doctor's appointment, more packing, and my birthday/Father's day dinner! Then it's an early night/early morning to get to Greensboro for my flight.

The trip...

Like I said, I'm finishing up my packing. I was pleasantly surprised 1)With all of the awesome gifts I was given from Diamond Brand Outdoors and Frugal Backpacker, in Fletcher, NC (If you are in Asheville, make sure you go here, not REI) and 2) When I got to my parents place in Virginia, I had a new camera (Pentax Optio W60, waterproof), new sunglasses (Costa Del Mar TP2, tortoise frames, blue mirror lens), and a sweet Undertoad T-shirt (check out Undertoad @ http://www.undertoadcompany.com/).

Besides that, there's not a whole lot to talk about. Me and the Pops are about to leave to go look at chainsaws before my Dentist appointment (sick). But, I will leave you with a sweet video that I think you will enjoy....Actually, make that two videos. Check em.

This one is of a new film, 180 South. It's a trip, taken by Jeff Johnson, and inspired by the Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia) and Doug Tompkins' trip to climb Mt. Fitz Roy, in Argentina, back in 1968. www.180south.com.

This one is of Liz Clark, a San Diego native who took a 5000 mile sailing trip with her family when she was 11, and has dreamed of sailing around the world ever since. She left Santa Barbara, on her mighty steed (Cal 40 sailboat) Swell, in 2006, and has travelled, so far, south as far as Panama, the Galapagos Islands, and has been in French Polynesia for a couple years now. She has had some great adventures, and you can read about them here, http://www.swellvoyage.com/.

Hope you enjoyed those. I may post again before I leave, but if not, you will hear from me next when I arrive in Bermuda!!! Holler.

Oh, and, Turd Furg finally watched Braveheart for the first time ever...my friend is all grown up...a true man.

Last Full Day in ASHEVILLE!

2009-06-05T05:19:00.000-07:00

Well,

Today is the beginning of my last day in Asheville. In 24 hours, I will be in my packed out SUV headed to Virginia. I've figured out how to pack all of my stuff into a small duffel bag and a backpack...which is pretty impressive to me. I think I'm gonna smell real bad. But hopefully, so will everyone else...1) So I don't feel bad, 2) So our stenches will mix and mingle...and start to smell like home. Too much??? Hopefully salt air has some kind of anti-bacterial/anti-stench properties.

In other news, I finally got my freaking Arc'Teryx jacket that I've been waiting for. It got here a week ago, but everyone thought it'd be funny if they waited until my last day to give it to me...funny right? I hate these people.

Just kidding.

But seriously...Here's the jacket.

Friends...Family...Acquaintances....that thing is sexy.

So I am unbelievably excited right now. I put on War Paint....Seriously, check it out...

Awesome...I'm so bored right now.

But seriously, Asheville...you have been good to me. I hope I enjoy this last day in your warm, loving bosom.

I'm ending on that note...(single man tear.....crap, pulled a Sloan again)

This is Awesome

2009-06-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

Check out the link.

Ben's Trip

So, this is a link to the boat's complete course. My dad will update it everyday, so you should just be able keep clicking on the link and checking out where the boat is.

The List

2009-06-02T05:02:00.000-07:00

Before i get to "The List", I have to tell you about my dream last night.

First off, I am congested and feel like crap, which sucks (But I did use a "Neti-Pot" last night....they work, I was surprised). But I think it was due to the mixture of congestion and Nyquil that I had an unbelievable dream...I had chest hair. I know what you may be thinking...How does a man as manly as "The Johnson" not have chest hair??? Well...It's a question I've asked God many a time, and He thought it best to bless my dreams, instead of my reality, with a chest full of luscious, thick, brown hair. And that's all my dream was about, or at least all I can remember.

Let that bless you. If you're wondering about the hand on my belly...It's God's. He's rubbing my belly. And yes...God does, in fact, wear a watch.

Alrighty then.

The List...of things I am going to pack. If you can think of anything else, by all means, fire away.

Clothing:

3 pair of shorts
1 pair of long pants
1 long sleeve shirt
2 bathing suits
1 set of good clothes (casual)
Underwear and socks (optional)
1 pair sneakers or deck shoes
1 fleece shirt
1 set of foul weather gear (pants and jacket)
1 Pair of work gloves (aka my hands)
Hat

Toiletries:

2 towels
Liquid soap/shampoo
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Deodorant
Sunscreen

Gear:

Sunglasses (polarized w/ strap)
Headlamp
Insect repellent
Sailor’s Knife
Ziploc Bags
Moisture control crystals

Electronics:

Camera (Waterproof)
Computer (Mac)

Documents:

Passport
Customs Letter for Bermuda

And the best thing is, I can fit all of this in a relatively small duffel and my backpack!

The only other things I know I'm taking are books, so if any of you have any good ideas, please indulge. (If you know of any 1000 page books that are awesome and not boring, they take up less space and more time) I know I'm somehow going to fit The Chronicles of Narnia audio books on my Ipod, but that's all I've got so far.

I starting packing everything up from the house yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I had way more stuff! So I pretty much cleaned out the whole man cave of all of my stuff, packed a Tupperware container, and put some clothes in a bag. I called it a night when I realised that, for the past 10 or 15 mins., all I had been doing was picking things up and putting them in a different spot...

So, a good start to the week, besides congestion, and I am more excited than ever!

AND...I watched The Man From Snowy River last night....Holy crap people, great movie. Men, go watch it. It's about this orphan, Jim Craig, and how he has to prove himself to these other mtn. men, so he can claim his inheritance. It's awesome. Great quote:

"I think a man could sooner hold back the tides than tame the mountains."

It's good, It's good.

The Beginning of the End

2009-05-31T20:14:00.000-07:00

Well, it is officially June 1st. in 10 days, I'll be trippin on down to Bermuda to jump on that boat and get outta here.

Rock out to that...I wasn't born when this video was made. What a shame, because these guys would've been my heroes. One guy is wearing a suit jacket, and glasses to see into the future, the other guy has a mullet and a jail stripe shirt (you can he likes to party), and the other dude looks like he's about to go chop down an entire forest....80's....do you hear me??? I miss you.

It's good, It's good.

So, this is my last week of good, honest, 9 to 5 work. And I have ALOT of packing to do. I have to basically pack up everything I own at the Sloan's house and somehow fit it all in or on Steven (My Isuzu Rodie-whoa!). And you know my Dad will be overjoyed when we have to unpack it all and shove it in his storage shed...

On another note, since I haven't been to the doctor or dentist in a very long time, I scheduled appointments with both the beginning of next week. Why not?

In other news...

Earlier last week, I had put an ad on Craigslist rideshare, to see if I could find somebody to help me out with gas. So this dude emailed saying he needed a ride to Raleigh from Asheville. I said I'd pick him up and immediately went to my car to find the most strategical location for my 7-inch blade.

*Side note - when strategically placing a knife in your car, just in case the man, woman, or animal in your passenger seat turns out to be a psycho, there are many things you must take into consideration, such as: 1) You don't want the passenger to be able to see the knife, therefore giving you the element of surprise, 2) You want it in a place where, if you go to grab it, it isn't very obvious, 3) You want to put it where the stabbing or slicing motion will be as quick as possible...there are a few others, but I think you get the point.

So the location I chose was in between the drivers seat and the armrest...hidden from sight, but easily accessible.

Anyways, so I picked John up at his house, he was a little squirrely, and smaller than me, so I knew right off the bat I could take him, which immediately relaxed me a bit. We left his house and started chatting, and he turned out to be a super duper dude. He was an accomplished carpenter, and then decided to do something he'd always wanted to do, become a website developer. So he went back to school (NC State) and is about to graduate and start his own website business. Pretty cool eh?

So Craigslist rideshare = potentially sketchy, but totally worth it. I got $25 out of the deal.... Don't forget the knife.

Hope that was fun. I'll let you know how the packing goes...

AND...Kyle stepped on my freaking sunglasses over the weekend and broke them. My beautiful Costa Del Mar sunnys. I just bought a new pair though, for 40% off plus a little thing I like to call a gift certificate. A big thanks to the Sears!

Another Day...Another Destiny

2009-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well, 1 more week until I am unemployed. That's a bit nuts, and scary really. I always get stressed about money, more than I should...and I just decided to quit my job...Just gotta stop thinking about that.

This morning, I looked online for an hour trying to find 1)Ray Ban Wayfarers and 2) a sailing cap with a string (It attaches to your shirt so if your hat gets blown off, you don't lose it). I didn't find any that I actually wanted to buy, since for some reason Ray Ban Wayfarers are still $200, and they stopped making sailing caps in the early 90's....speaking of the early 90's...

I watched the movie "Wind" last night.

Talk about an awesome movie. Made in 1992 but based in 1987. It's about this dude who is a sailor and races yachts. Well, he basically loses this huge race, one that America has won the past 100 or so years, to Australia. The US and Australia are like Duke and UNC at Chapel Hill, but for sailing. They hate each other. So it's all about how he and this dudes make this sweet new boat design and win the cup back. Did I mention it has Jennifer Grey in it?

Yea...She fine. Here's something funny about Ben Johnson...He loves poofy 80's/90's hair, and when girls wear jeans (acid wash) up to their belly buttons, and grandma sweaters. Seriously...I will take Jennifer Grey in Ferris Buellers Day Off, Dirty Dancing, and Wind...or Elizabeth Shue in Cocktail and Back to the Future, over any girl EVER. I love it.

Gotta stop.

So, the date is slowly approaching for me to take off. I get more and more excited everyday. I'm finding every video on Youtube that has to do with sailing, looking up websites, all that mess. I really am becoming obsessed. I hope it lives up to my expectations.

AND>>>>>Margarita is a follower on my blog!!! There is no greater honor.

AND>>>>I'm going to Goldsboro (aka Eden) tonight. Nick and Angela's engagement party tomorrow. Pretty pumped about that.

AND>>Rock out to some "Southern Cross" from Crosby Stills & Nash. 1) Great Song 2) Gets me fired up to sail man.

Crap...AND>>> I forgot about this. There's a transmitter on the boat that sends an email with our location twice a day. My dad will be getting the email, so if you want to keep track of the voyage, send me your email address and I'll put you on the list!

Ben...Out

Ben Johnson...The Sailor?!?!

2009-05-28T06:51:00.001-07:00

If you don't want to read the glorious story below because it's too long...Read This! It has pictures!

So, I leave June 10th from my parents home in Lynchburg to fly to Bermuda...which looks like this...

Amazing...I will be in Bermuda for 5 days, learning about the boat, an Alden 44' (pictures of boat will come from Bermuda) and going on day sails, etc.

So, the 15th of June, 1 day after my 23rd birthday, I will hop aboard this sea going vessel and begin the voyage across the ocean...which apparently looks like this...

Awesome sunset, I hope I see a few.

"Hey, whats that in the distance??? Oh..it's just more freaking ocean..." ( I think I'll say that, with heaps of sarcasm piled on, one time)

And then, after 2-6 weeks, depending on the wind (1850 miles, 50 to 100 miles a day), I will arrive at Horta, Faial, which is in the Azores off the coast of Portugal. They look like this.

This is the Horta, where we will land in Faial. You can see the harbor if you look really close.

This is the view of Mount Pico, on the neighboring Island of Pico, from Horta.

If you can look really close, you can see all of the paintings on the walls of the harbor. An old harbor legend is that if you paint the name of your boat on the walls, you will have good luck sailing...Just another reason to sail...legends.

Well, that's all I'm going to write right this second. I'll catch ya'll up later!

War Child...The Sailor?!?

2009-05-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome back,

Take a seat, stay awhile. Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a boy. Not just any boy, this boy was a man. Not just any man, but kinda just like any man.

This man, whom we shall call War Child, worked at a 9-5, where every day, he sat at a desk in an office without windows and typed things into his computer. What things you ask? That's classified. Everyday, he would wake up, shower, eat, go to the office, enter into a coma for 8 hours, drive home.

Now home was a different story. He lived with a family, and not just any family...no no no...it was a magical family, like you would find in Narnia. Home was a life of warm fires, glorious food, wonderful friends, and the Wiggles!

Now, War Child was not unhappy by any means, he had a job, which in the wise words of Matthew McConaughey from Dazed and Confused, "Put money in his pocket." Wow...that's insightful. He had friends, and he had a great home life. He was blessed, truly.

But one day, he woke up in dire need of adventure. He called friends, and nothing was to come. There was nobody that could break away, at least right now, to go adventuring...sorry War Child.

Well, the next day, He woke in a somber mood, to say the least. He was sad that there was no adventuring to be had. Alas, he went to work. He took his lunch break. But then...what is this???

An Email!!!!!

Not just any email...no, the kind of email that is found in such tales as "You've Got Mail." aka "life changing"

It was a man, not just any man, a sailor man, like Popeye with smaller arms. He wanted me...ahem...I mean War Child to crew aboard his 44 foot Galleon (sailboat) and sail across the Atlantic Ocean!

War Child was overwhelmed, and super ultra excited, at the possibility of doing something so adventurous! He went about preparing the way for this to become a reality.

Well first, he told those closest to him to see what they thought. He told his father, the magical man he lived with, and a few close friends. Contrary to what War Child thought this reaction would look like (Are you an IDIOT!?!? You can't quit your JOB?!?! Helloooo...economic depression), He was overjoyed with the support and shared excitement that those closest showed him.

Next, he had to make sure he wanted to do this, that he WOULD do this. He made up his mind...He would do it.

Then, he bought the plane ticket, which could have been the scariest moment of the whole process. It was on the computer screen...he had looked at the same ticket 3 or 4 times...and this was the third day of doing so. All he had to do was press "confirm this ticket". It was as if he had 2 more feet to a house in the middle of the desert, and he was dying of thirst...he just had to stop thinking and do it. SO HE DID!! He clicked. He bought. HE WAS GOING!

For the first time in this whole process...he actually felt scared...What was he DOING!?!?!

Anyways, War Child took the next step, and politely gave work his two weeks notice...oh crap...nervous...He was doing it for sure now. Deep breath, clear head, and plunge on into the unknown.

That was two days ago, and War Child is trying to enjoy his last week in Narnia before taking off across the ocean. He will miss you. He will be updating his blog. Join him in his adventure.

(PS War Child...that's me)

Bye Bye Sloans

2009-05-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Well,

I had to say goodbye...half-asleep...to the Sloan's this morning at 6 am. It will be the last time I see them for awhile, since when they come back, I will be gone.

It has been a very abrupt change, from living with a family of four, to all of a sudden living by myself, and then moving out in a week. It's safe to say, I will miss this place.

When I look around it's scuffed walls (only to about 4 feet high), complete with intercom system from the early to late seventies, I can't help but reminisce...

...Of times when Sloan and I took out that annoying wall, requiring only minor electrician skill and a crowbar, and installed a step...

...Or when Hannah had a baby on the new wood floor...

...Or when a tree demolished the drive way, and those crazy dudes helped us cut it up...and then stole the chainsaw blade...

...Or when we played guitar hero for about 90 hours total in one month...

...Or when, at 7 am some days, Asher would wake up, come over and stand next to my bed, and yell into my ear "WAKE UP BEN!!!", just like the effin Wiggles...

(Speaking of Wiggles, the new yellow dude freaks me out)

...Max has goobies...

...Really funny arguments about...oh I don't know...Squats...

...Watching t.v. shows I would never watch in my own time, such as:
-Biggest Loser
-Amazing Race
-Biggest Loser

...Learning what it's really like to be married with children...

...Sloan falling down the stairs...

There's so much more...I can't possibly go on.

Anyways, Thanks to the Sloans for two wonderful years...Holy #@!* (crap)...it's been two years.

Love you guys...*single tear*...pulled a Sloan.

I read a book

2009-05-25T07:55:00.001-07:00

So, last night, I went over to Betsy's, sat in a hammock for 2.5 hours, and read an entire book...250 pages.

It was awesome.

There's something so good about shutting off all the "noisemakers" and just sitting and reading. I don't know why I don't do it more often.

Anyways, the book I was reading is called "Three Signs to a Miserable Job." It's basically a story of how this dude, Brian Bailey, formulated this method of becoming a better manager in order to improve job performance, improve company performance, but most importantly of all, how to get employees to like their job. And the most interesting part of it all is that it doesn't matter whether you're working at a fast food restaurant washing dishes or if you're a professional athlete, it doesn't matter whether you make $6 an hour or $50 million a year, and it doesn't matter if you're young, old, pretty, ugly, big, small...blah blah blah....the truths in this book are awesome.

The three signs are:

Anonymity: Employees feel anonymous when their manager has little interest in them as people with unique lives, aspirations, and interests.

Irrelevance: This condition occurs when workers cannot see how their job makes a difference. "Every employee needs to know that the work they do impacts someones life -- a customer, a coworker, even a supervisor -- in one way or another."

Immeasurement: This term describes the inability of employees to assess for themselves their contributions or success. As a result they often rely on the opinions of others -- usually the manager -- to measure their success.

(http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-three_signs_of_a_miserable_job-277)

So simple, but overlooked all the time. It's funny to me that these are things I desire, not only at work...but in every area of my life. I want to be known, I want to know that I'm making a difference in somebodies life, and I want to know that I'm doing a good job.

Anyways, I think it's a great thing, and very true. Pick up the book, especially if you are interested in, or are presently, managing people.

Aside from that...I just bought a plane ticket to Bermuda, where I will then jump on a sailboat, and sail across the Atlantic Ocean...and no, I have never sailed before. I leave June 10th. How's that for a footnote?

I am calling today, the first day of summer.

2009-05-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of summer...

I woke up at 10 am and walked into the living room to find Ferg watching Dazed and Confused...I can't think of a better way to start the summer that girls in full denim outfits and Matthew McCohfnsufnwksahey in pink jeans...I love the 70's.

And I love the 2000's, especially 2009, more specifically the first day of summer, 2009, aka May 24th, 2009, visa vie...today.

It is now 11:15, I am still in my jammies, and surfing the movie channels...

First day of summer...check

this post sponsored by the spirit animal: cowcheetah in space.

*Spirit animal idea stolen from JDwight...just wanted to see how it felt...and it feels gooooooooooooooooooooood.

Remodelin and Arguin

2009-05-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

Until I get a camera, you guys won't really understand, to the fullest extent, anything that I'm talking about. Like how we (Sloan, Turd, Mas, and me) just dominated that kitchen remodel in a totally impromptu thrashing of wood, drywall, and linoleum (which sucks...stop putting linoleum in your kitchens, idiots). Or how, to break the cabinets down into small enough pieces to fit into the dumpster, Turd, Mas (kinda) and I threw them(the cabinets) against a tree...after which they splintered into a million pieces...which we immediately regretted because then we had to pick them up.

But I will tell you about some very ridiculous arguments that have erupted between these four men (and by four, I mean three)...past, present...and I'm not a future teller.

Argument #1) What sport/athletes is/are the most athletically challenging?

Ben - Gymnastics

Sloan - Decathlon

Turd - Football...

Gymnastics wins...I don't care what you have to say...those dudes are jacked, have hand/eye coordination, and are all around beasts. I don't care if they are 5 feet tall. Iron Cross...can you do that???...I rest my case.

Argument #2) Is the statement "Lebron is better because Kobe is a douche bag" valid??

Ben - No

Sloan - No answer

Turd - Yes

Not valid...because comparatively, Kobe and Lebron are both douche bags....I say that respectively.

Argument #3) Not really an argument...Sloan was just being a baby about playing Guitar Hero and wouldn't say please. (You're the man Sloan, thanks for letting me live with you for the past two years...it's awesome and so are you ;)

And that, my friends, is the only "emoticon" I will ever post.

I love my mom.

Numero Uno

2009-05-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I am at work right now, so i can't blog right this second.

See ya.

The Johnson

Let this fire you up.