I wasn't really a very spiritual guy before I got a boat.
It had been a few years since there was any formal religion in my life at all. Maybe a few decades.
But now, I'm a regular attendee at O Dock's Morning Light Cathedral. Worship is conducted for several hours every day.
My favorite, though, is the sunrise service.
The O Dock chapel is used for a variety of activities throughout the rest of the day - in fact, you'd hardly recognize it as a chapel then at all. But, at first light, it's definitely a place for meditation. Quiet hour is strictly observed. I don't know where the rules are posted, but everyone on the docks at sunrise respects them. The few words uttered then are spoken in hushed tones.
One of the best things about a boat that you can spend the night on is being able to attend the sunrise service the next morning. And this seems to hold at any marina or mooring or anchorage I've ever been to.
There is no clergy at Morning Light. No liturgy or hymnals. All most folks seem to need is a chalice of holy coffee. I've looked for the stained glass windows. I know they're there from the rose and yellow and amber and gold that's glowing everywhere. Maybe I'll find them some day.
The service at dawn is the perfect time to pause, collect one's thoughts, and give thanks.
And to reflect.
.
Stunning.
ReplyDeleteWow - great photos
ReplyDeleteI accept O Dock as my personal saviour and, umm, whatever, blah blah, yadda yadda yadda, beautiful day!
ReplyDelete_/\_
ReplyDeleteExcellent...
I really like the blank line you leave at the beginning of every post. It's never the best thing about each post but it is very very good. Almost religious in the intensity of its foreboding.
ReplyDeleteBlogfather I noticed that as well, it gives a certain artistic flare, which is lacking in many cookie cutter blogs these days. It must be from all that enlightening morning meditation, in the Temple of O-Dock... that or the Rum
ReplyDeleteBlogfather I noticed that as well, it gives a certain artistic flare, which is lacking in many cookie cutter blogs these days. It must be from all that enlightening morning meditation, in the Temple of O-Dock... that or the Rum
ReplyDeletedrat, I hate it when double posting happens
ReplyDeleteThis line intentionally left blank.
ReplyDeleteI really hate it that I haven't worked out yet how to put a real blank line at the start of every comment. I think it would give them a certain artistic flair.
ReplyDeleteAs you can see, it's relatively simple to add blank lines at the beginning of a comment, if you're anal retentive enough.
But I've adopted the compositional concept of negative space and applied it to blog posting. The empty space adds weight to what would otherwise be pretty lightweight posts. And it makes the posts longer, leaving readers with the impression that they're getting more blog-reading value.
Also, I like the idea that I'm continuing the tradition of the 'unblogger' - as you once referred to me. What I don't write is taking on more significance than what I do.
And oh, thanks to those who have had nice things to say about the photos. And a heartfelt yadda yadda to Greg and Kris.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. Now I see how to do it. Don't you think that the empty space adds weight to what would otherwise be a pretty lightweight comment? Anyway, nice try at that last comment attempting to get this thread back to the subject of what an awesome photographer and/or god you are. But you really need to permit folk like Zen and me hijack the topic in the comments. After all, we learned that art of comment hijacks from the god of comment hijacking. Oh geeze, now we're back on O Docker worship again. I give up.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post... It motivates me to ready the ship for our next voyage.
I, too, think the images are outstanding.
I really see the post as just a starting point - a germinal seed that reaches maturity only in the comments page. Or, in the case of my comments, one that reaches immaturity in the comments pages.
ReplyDeleteI rely on my readers to bring any semblance of maturity here. I just supply the germs.
ReplyDeleteThe images really are superb. They motivate me to get up tomorrow morning.
Thanks for stopping by, royalLD.
ReplyDeleteTillerman, if you get up at dawn tomorrow, please don't call to tell me how motivated you feel. It will be 3 AM here.
o docker,
ReplyDeletethose are some amazing photos.
so really, what is the point of all the blank lines? is it a "my blog+comments is longer than yours" contest? or an attempt to achieve "less is more", maybe? I just don't get it.
photos are great, though.
my2fish
my2fish, to be honest, the extra line thing is something I started doing without much thought (the way I do most things).
ReplyDeleteI had no idea the tidal wave of concern it would raise (on this blog, three people is a tidal wave). Maybe this reveals something very deep about my psyche. Maybe it's evidence of some insecurity or significant character flaw. Maybe I need a new keyboard.
At any rate, I think it's much too significant to be relegated to the comments page. Stay tuned...
amen
ReplyDeleteOMG
ReplyDeleteThis works, by George I've got it!
Thank you O-Dude! Now I too can have artistic flair. Shazam!
Now I need to practice on anal retentiveness.
wait, it did not work :-(
ReplyDeleteIt may be 3 am in San Fran Bay when T-man gets inspired by the dawn back in his cold-water bay, but Carol Anne insists that it's five o'clock somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThere is only one Berkeley O'Dock, and O Docker is its prophet.
Pat, you have misplaced the muezzins' rhythm. Here's how it really goes:
ReplyDeleteThere is no dock but O Dock, and O Docker is its prophet.
(Confirmation word: nonab. That's my blood type, neither A nor B. In other words, O.)
I don't want any trouble here. I was dutifully bowing to the east for almost all of these photos.
ReplyDeleteAmen to this post. Beautiful pics - better than any old stone edifice. We are not grateful for being happy, but happy because we are grateful.
ReplyDeleteAs for the nothing discussion, I agree that less is more, but nothing is nothing.
word verification definition - kerserac: a rack where sailors stow their "kerses".
Beautiful photos
ReplyDelete