So its official, I have a job. (Hint: I'm not a sailor, but I play one on the Pier) Have to say its pretty swell working in one of my favorite places in the city, and a National Park to boot. Its also really nice being out of doors all day (though we'll see when the rains kick in) and I absolutely love that I get to spend my days on a tall ship built in 1886.

Got to cook a crew dinner on board one night before starting this year's program.

Never made a pie in a wood-burning stove before. Turned out great.

My view from work.

Every year tall ships from all over come into the city for the Festival of Sail.

Also been out training on the Alma, a scow schooner built in 1891. Kind of a challenge learning to sail and educate a class of 10-year olds at the same time.

Went out for a short sail around the estuary with our boat-neighbor, Dennis. He's got a really lovely little catboat that he takes all over the place. Found out that he's also pals with the folks at the Pier.

Still not sure I'm fond of manning the smaller sailing boats, but I sure do love being out on the water.

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So, what exactly do I do?Aside from sailing (and faking it) I get to dress in sailor pants and neckerchief and get called Mr.Tubbs by a classful of 5th graders who get signed on as crew aboard the good ship Balclutha for a period of 20 hours. Sound odd? It truly is, but its also a really amazing program and everyone I work with is super cool, which is always nice when there's 4 of you trying to wrangle 35 zombies into cleaning a dinner-encrusted deck.