The Shamelessness Project

Preparing for the New Year

A few weeks before the New Year countdown begins, I have just one thing on my mind.  It’s one of the first steps I must take to gear up to enter the New Year on a sure footing.  

During this time of year, I suddenly become capable of bending my sense of propriety and pausing my inherent timidity. And I realise how shameless and persistent I can be when it comes to this. But, all for a good reason.  

The shamelessness project starts with a jaunt into the offices of my shippie friends. Most of them already know what I’m there for. So without much ado, while sipping a cup of tea, I’m able to achieve my target.  And within a couple of hours of friendly chats, I’m armed with more than what I need – A whole bunch of three month calendars with the logos of all the prominent shipping company brands like Maersk, APL, MSC, Evergreen, Wan Hai, Hapag Lloyd and Yang Ming emblazoned proudly beside the display picture.  

Having caught my fancy the instant I first saw such a calendar, I was anchored onto the concept of the three month calendar. 

In my previous concept of an interesting calendar, the picture changed every month, whereas the three month calendar had just one prominent picture for the whole year.  

The general attraction of such a calendar is the advantage of having the previous as well as coming month in full view along with the present month. 

That said, the real reason for my obsession is the aura created by the picture of a large ship sailing the deep seas against the dramatic backdrop of the vast expanse of the looming horizon with a multitude of containers neatly stacked. 

And gazing at this spectacular vista I conjure up a vision of being swept away on an epic dream voyage. 

The rhythm of my heart beats synchronously with the sound pulse generated by the vessel while she pitches and rolls against the high seas. My emotions propel forward at 24 knots, and while our hearts share the rhythm, I’m all set to navigate my day’s journey. 

A few years later, due to twists and turns in my career path, I got employed in the shipping and freight forwarding industry. Soon, I started feeling comfortable calling a ship a vessel, and addressing “it” as a female. The shipping lingo that sounded peculiar with statements like – “she is berthing tomorrow” or “she is sailing today” became part of my expressions too.   

Every December month would see my office stacked with boxes of calendars ready to be distributed to our customers. This turn of events humbled me with the realisation that the hand that received a few became the hand that could give to many.

And a few years thereon, after pivoting away from that industry, I am again left with the option to activate the shamelessness project.

But apparently the speed of my heart sailing through awe and wondrous excitement is reduced by several knots. In shipping lingo, we call it slow steaming. 

I should have known.  If only I had a three page calendar in which instead of months, I could view the past, present and the future.

It is no use to wait for your ship to come in unless you have sent one out.

Belgian Proverb