Crossing the EquatorNov 22, 2009
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King Neptune and his Queen
Capt. Eversen and his Staff
Some anxious Pollywogs
| To all ye Officers and Members of the crew of All Ships plying the Waters of my Kingdom; ye Mermaids, Mermen, and Sea Urchins; ye Whales and Porpoises; ye Fish both Great and Small; and to ye Crustaceans and lowly Barnacles, Greetings. A Landlubber and Vassal of Terrestrial Rulers, having had the temerity to embark on this Explorer Cruise and to cross our Royal Equator without prior Official Consent, has been caused to appear before Us and the Learned Members of our Nautical Court, held in special session this Be it further known that said Landlubber, having been found to be seaworthy, and having through rigorous trials, given proof of sincere repentance and of abiding devotion to Our Imperial Self, has found favor in Our eyes and is hereby publicly proclaimed to be one of Our Loyal Subjects and an Honorary Member of Our Royal and very Ancient Order of Shellbacks. Which exalted status confers upon its Holder freedom forevermore to cross Our Equator; to Roam Our Oceans and Seas to their most distant bounds without further molestation or ritualistic test of loyalty; and to partake in full measure of those gifts of Health, Recreation, and High Adventure vouchsafed all Loyal Subjects who venture forth upon Our briny Kingdom. That was the wording taken from Rosemary’s Shellback credentials. We each received a certificate just like that. Fortunately for us, we had crossed the equator last November and we figure that King Neptune’s computer records must have lost track of us. So, now we are cleared again for a second time. Great fun, and an unbelievable mess was created at the main Lido pool with all the slime and whipped cream that was smeared on the newest group of Pollywogs. But more importantly, we took the opportunity to kiss the fish again this year…a great tradition of the sea. -RBM |
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