From one quaint village...
I grew up in a picturesque tourist town called Mystic. The town has a storied past dating back to early colonisation by the English in the 17th century, and in 1637 was the site of the first major conflict with the native peoples in what would become the United States.
Today the town profits off of the preservation of a bygone era when it was a center of American shipbuilding. The term "Mystic-made" was synonymous with a quality ship. The town boasts a world-leading maritime museum and a nationally renowned aquarium. |
... to another.
In 2013, I moved to the sea-side village of St Andrews, the home of the royal and ancient game of golf. The original roots of the town belong to mythological past, whereby a band of chrisitan monks carrying the bones of St Andrews shipwrecked at "the end of the world".
St Andrews has since been a leading center of religion, politics, and education. The University was founded in 1413 by a papal bull from the Avignon anti-pope, and remains one of the most prestigious institutions in Britain. Although I wasn't able to do any golfing, I did receive a first-class Masters of Physics with Astrophysics from the University in 2018. |
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.
- John Masefield (Sea Fever)
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.
- John Masefield (Sea Fever)
The sea and the sky
I grew up around tall ships, and have been on boats throughout my life. My first "job" in astronomy was at a planetarium constructed as a testament to the importance of celestial navigation to voyages of exploration and commerce during the 19th century.
Unsurprisingly, one of my favourite hobbies is sailing. I sailed varsity for my high school for four years, earning an MVP award and captaining the team in my senior year. During the summers I sailed in regional regattas. Later at St Andrews, I sailed on the Scottish University national circuit. In homage to the old ways, I have spent the last few years (when possible) restoring two Lightning sailboats originally built in the 1960's. And, on occasion, you'll hear me listening to sea shanties to put the rhythm in the woodwork. |