Heading Home, Sweet, Home

07/28/2009

Secure the pots, clean off the deck and set a course to Dutch Harbor because opilio season is over.

I wish I could have told you I was excited when the season was over, but that just wouldn't do the emotions I was feeling justice.  I have never felt that kind of emotion before, but I love it.  If it were a drink, it would be:
1 shot jubilation
2 shots exhaustion
1 shot satisfaction
Served chilled over pride garnished with hunger

I worked on deck of the Cornelia Marie for an outstanding 64 days straight.  We didn't have a day off, eight hours of sleep or a peaceful moment in those 64 days, and hence I feel 20 years older, weathered and hungry, and I'm using words like hence. I started this show excited for the experience then I got seasick and vomited about 15 times a day.  It was hell on earth and the vomiting lasted all the way up until there were four days left in the season, when I made a miraculous turnaround and haven't thrown up again yet!  I must say the IV, five kinds of pills, acupuncture or just time worked; I mean, at least one of the 7 things worked.

All in all I am just happy to have finished safe and alive.  I have survived 100-mph winds, 30- to 40-foot waves that engulf the wheel house, slamming against the weakening glass, breaking cranes sending 500-pound pots crashing just feet from you, and waves that sweep across the deck picking you up and cascading you into the storm-shelter wall.  I have fallen down stairs and been lifted up by a wave that pounded me up against the ceiling and then back down to the floor. I've knocked myself out against a pole and tried to keep standing but collapsed to my knees instead.  I've tripped, fallen and stumbled in this perpetually moving world for 64 days, and I couldn't have been more honored or excited to have been a part of it.

I think of this experience as "Hell Week."  Just as the Navy Seals have their "Hell Week," I believe working on Deadliest Catch is the producer's "Hell Week."  It takes the best the industry has and makes them better through insane conditions, intense physical and mental stress, while teaching to become impervious to time or fatigue.  It was an experience that left me bruised, battered, exhausted and 15 pounds lighter, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  If you ask any Navy Seal what makes them a Seal they will without hesitation say, "the training." It transforms an ordinary soldier into our country's best.  I think the same thing of Deadliest Catch, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and experience the Deadliest team has given me.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for reading my blog.  I will leave you with two things, a list and a poem.

List: Tidbits and facts you probably didn't know from the boat
- I haven't worn a pair of jeans in 54 days.
- I have worn sweatpants every day for 62 days.
- I haven't slept eight-plus hours in 64 days.
- I haven't slept on solid ground in 51 days.
- I have injured four parts of my body.
- I haven't had any fried food in 51 days.
- I have personally shot about 198 hours of footage.
- As a boat, we have shot far more than 1,000 hours of video.
- I have produced about 47 stories and have them all in my head
- I have vomited in six different locations on this boat.
- I have only showered four times in 54 days (not by choice).

A Poem:

Dutch Harbor

I've never been so far west that I was east.  The gray-blue ocean begging for my breakfast, but I'll fight you with all I have. 

I pitch and roll
Freezing water grips me
Ice hug

Bering Sea I don't want to embrace you, I don't want you, I don't

Snow-dust donkey ... it's gone

Comments

[jeff]

man I wish I would have found this blog earlier in the season. I've enjoyed reading all your posts. Intense.

[Carina]

Ha, just caught you on my DVR'd Deadliest Catch this morning as I was getting ready for work...you're just setting up (behind the scenes stuff) and nothing has gone on yet. Will watch the rest when I get home...ahhh the pleasures of DVR. Look forward to all your wonderful footage!!! And by the way 4 showers in 54 days? P U!

[Kevin]

hey josh. i admire all that you do out there for 60 days. you capture and deal with some pretty incredible elements. the posts are fantastic, you should consider putting a book together...i'm sure it would do pretty well. best of luck.
cheers.

[vicki]

Thanks Josh for a great blog and I really enjoyed the show about the producers. You are one tough cookie, it must have been an amazing experience.

[bob]

how long is carb season!
and why did they throw away the dead
crab and not sell it!

[Ruby]

Hey Josh, thanks for taking the time to write this blog. It's been great reading about what goes on behind the scenes and you're absolutely hilarious! Glad you made it back safely. :)

[Joan J]

Hi Josh. I've enjoyed your blog and enjoyed seeing you on the other side of the camera in the most recent show. But the obvious question - will you be returning to DEADLIEST CATCH next season?

[Ria van Dijk]

Your blog is the only one I had bookmarked. Please return blogging about anything but the best would be back on DC with snow crab I think will start in August.
You are the best <3

[Gwenne Grant]

We wre impressed with your fortitude!
My tweleve year old did not realize a human body could "barf" that much. One question. Do they fish the same area for both King and Opilio crab ?
My husband and I wondered.

[Christi Rhodes]

This is great! I wish i could have found this blog sooner!!! I love this show and cant wait for Tuesdays!!! it so great to know how to get behind the scenes info now...Thanks for all you do and giving this 30 year old mom something to get excited about...Woo Hoo....got to love Alaskan Crab fisherman!!! :)

[Dianna]

You ROCK.

Did I mention that YOU ROCK?

When ever I find myself day dreaming about the sea, which I have all my life, in the last few years I have continually thought about the DC, and you producers and cameramen with it! I am always looking for that unintentional shot that catches a cameraman. Yea, we look for you guys too! You are just as at risk as anyone else. From late September to February, you guys are in my prayers as well.

Stay safe, and great job!

[AARON]

A new season should have new song,,,the one in mind is Closer to Home by Grand Funk Railroad,,,can't think of any other song with more appropriate lyrics

[mommy]

SHlT ON MY C0CK!

[mommy]

muthafucka!

[justin skidmore]

i would love to work at there with u guys.I know your sayin yeah right but i want a chance to better myself an help my family out.I would really like be apart of what u guys do.

[Madelon]

You are the coolest person in the industry, and you don't even have to try.
teach me, oh great master.

[Phil Harris]

I SHlT ON SlG HANSEN!

[Phil Harris]

HE SUCl

[Phil Harris]

I HAD SE>< WITH JOSH HARRIS!

[Phil Harris]

I HAD SE>< WITH JOSH HARRIS!

[Phil Harris]

I HAD SE>< WITH JOSH HARRIS!

[Phil Harris]

I HAD SE>< WITH JOSH HARRIS!

[deepika thomas]

its good to watch you guys. too bad i cant eat crab....im allergic ill rather work on the boat as the boat wife....lol i can cook and clean very good

[deepika thomas]

oh my god i love you guys i wake up everyday and the ifrst thing i say is the deadliest catch on yet. i have on demand so i can watch it any time i want to. phill welcome back. dont ever scare me like that again. honestly, all you guys need to stop smoking try drinking instead. lol

[Jeremy Block]

How does a person go about applying for a job like this? I am interested in working hard and there just aren't very many jobs that seem to be much of a challenge and a career fishing looks like it would be quite the challenge. Anyway, if someone can get ahold of me to let me know where to look that would be great. jcube_04@hotmail.com