remuemenage

Thanks so much for your description of the crab boat - you're really painting a picture. But, question:

'neoprene braces on our forearms to keep our tendons together'

- what, your tendons were in danger of... coming apart???

And you were working 16 hours a day? Jesus. Sounds a bit like my job!

But don't worry about telling me your life story - that's what I'm here for.
Where did you go in Alaska, when you went back to be a coast guard? How come you left? I see you're now in Maine, is that like the civilised alternative to Alaska?

I've never been (to Alaska; I have actually been to Maine: there's a photo of me somewhere at the Eastern most point of the USA) - it's a fantasy, but a treasured one.

These stories get better! - 'the toughest bar in the world'

Have you read Drop City by T.C. Boyle? It's about this hippy community from California in the late sixties who get moved on by the police (or should I say, the Man) and decide to move to Alaska. It's great, and full of stories a bit like yours. Plus, despite being kind of a satire on hippy ideals and that whole era, it also has a real sympathy for its characters and a healthy sense of what was good and valuable about that time/those people. Beautifully written as well ~ thoroughly recommended, what!