aspiring-sea-hag

[aspiring-sea-hag]

[aspiring-sea-hag]

story timeeeee

Disclaimer before I start: No one in this story was hurt or in any serious danger, the friend I talk about in this story consented to this being posted on my religious tumblr blog.

So a couple weeks ago I went to San Diego and I knew the week after I got back I would be taking my practical exam for my SCUBA rescue course. Now as I’ve mentioned a couple times I have a physical disability that affects my ability to handle any form of exertion. I had been doing well in the training practice sessions but going into this trip I was worried sick about passing the final test. On the last day of the trip I was going snorkeling with my buddy. I had an eye on conditions all day and things were looking safe but not ideal (poor visibility and such) so we went out. Now this whole weekend I’d been praying to Ægir to give me some sort of sign that I was strong enough to pass my test and hadn’t really received anything. This was about to change. We get out into the water just barely past the break zone (100-120 ft out) and I can feel that it’s a little rougher than expected. I can also tell the wind is REALLY picking up, so much so that the break line is visibly receding into deeper and deeper water. Visibility is less than 2ft. Now this whole time I’m checking in on my buddy and making sure she’s alright and she was, I take another pause to assess conditions and decide if it’s safe/worth it to continue. I realize with the poor visibility that we probably won’t be able to see any animals so I ask my buddy how she feels about calling it and turning back. She says “I think we should turn around but I’m not sure if I can swim back. I’m too tired. I think I’ll be fine if we float for a bit but I’m really exhausted right now.” Now, we had gone over this exact scenario in rescue training. I knew exactly what to do. I got her permission first, helped her get into the proper position, and then used the techniques I learned in class to tow her into shore. Once we were in knee deep water she was able to stand up comfortably and remove her fins with my help. I felt really bummed that I didn’t get to see any animals on my last day in San Diego, and especially disappointed that conditions had turned sour so fast. I made sure my buddy was alright and unharmed (physically and emotionally) and then I kinda stared off into the horizon while she had some water. I kinda let myself slip into a meditative state and kept wondering if this was just bad luck or if there was more of a reason this happened, because let’s face it, not everything is a lesson. But this sure was. Ægir couldn’t prove to me that I was strong enough to complete this test, but they could give me a nudge in the direction I needed to PROVE IT TO MYSELF. And that’s exactly what they did. My friend does a lot of witchcraft and the like so I shared this interpretation with her and it actually made her really happy. She asked if she could help me with my offering and we spend the next little while collecting beach trash and admiring mole crabs and snail eggs.

Moral of the story: Monitor conditions constantly, don’t snorkel alone, and go out in areas with lifeguards (we did) Sometimes a life lesson holds more value than a fun experience. And you ARE stronger than you think you are.

And I did pass my final test the following week, but just barely haha. I’m picking up my certificate soon.

[aspiring-sea-hag]

kinda wanna make my own post but hoooooo boy do I have a story for y’all

I’ll never forget this past January when I came home one night after working double shifts for weeks without a break.

I sat down, sighed and said, aloud: “I need a break, Loke.”

2 weeks later I broke my ankle.

“Well, you said you needed a break. I don’t see the problem.”

“No, you wouldn’t, would you?”

[aspiring-sea-hag]

Stormy sea.

Imaginary abstract landscape.

Traditional art. Acrylics. 10 x 12 inches.

[aspiring-sea-hag]

“i don’t ever see you at the club” ok well i never see you at the beach asking the waves about your destiny

[aspiring-sea-hag]

SEA TOUCHED HUMANITY RESTORED

[aspiring-sea-hag]

i fucking love the sea.

[aspiring-sea-hag]

Feeling so blessed to spend this weekend in San Diego snorkeling and tidepooling with kind and tolerant people. Pics to come soon, got to see some rare animals.

[aspiring-sea-hag]

what i've been up to the past 20 minutes

[aspiring-sea-hag]

[aspiring-sea-hag]

was playing "fetch" with the ocean today by tossing stones into it and watching them wash back up with the tide a few meters away, and it got me thinking about grief and the things we carry with us even after we lose them

[aspiring-sea-hag]

The Norwegian word for shark is “hai” and this is yet another shark that exemplifies the vibe of that word.

Shark fact:

Sharks are cute

[aspiring-sea-hag]

Happy Earth Day, everyone! I'd like to extend a special greeting to Jörd, the earth herself, as well as Thor, her son who blesses the fields with his rain; Sif, she of wheaten hair, and Freyr, who plants his seed and makes the harvests bountiful. To Freyja, goddess of all things fruitful, and Frigge, who spins the clouds above. To Aegir and Rán and Njördr, guardians of the sea and the blessings it bestows upon the shore. To Sól and Máni, who provide the earth with light. May you continue to watch over us, even as darkness descends.

[aspiring-sea-hag]

may we be humble in our path of life,

and mournful for those who have left it,

on this day and every other,

04-15-1912

[aspiring-sea-hag]

Sup heathens, April 15th is coming up fast and I would love to do a Titanic name reading this year, but I’m a bit worried that I can’t commit to it (reading every name takes 4.5 hours) so I was thinking about organizing a collaborative name reading! Each of us would read aloud some of the victims’ names, organized in a way that every name is read by someone in the community! Please send me a reply or DM if you’re interested in participating! (This is geared towards Ràn devotees but everyone is welcome)

[aspiring-sea-hag]

the jellies tho

The jellies tho

[aspiring-sea-hag]

Expressing my lifelong love of sharks by painting a sweet little nurse shark