A "Master" of My Own Destiny

Yesterday, I completed a two-year journey and finally walked across the stage at SUNY Maritime College and received my Master of Science degree (with Honours) in Maritime and Naval Studies. 

There is a lot of emotion, as one might expect. My father, who was such a huge supporter of my journey, passed away in February. In spite of his Alzheimer's, up until maybe four months before his passing, he would always excitedly listen and talk about my progress in my degree. 

My wife Sandy gave up so much in terms of time, emotional space, and physical space as I re-decorated our living room with piles of books and papers and extolled to her about Spanish explorers or the business end of American 19th century whaling, or, finally, the role of mermaids in the culture of the Taino people. 

And now it's done. 

So now what? 

I asked that of my academic adviser and my Department Chair as Sandy and I had lunch with them before graduation. 

My chosen field has been that of the Quasi-War with France. That was a complete accident. I had originally intended to study the maritime aspects of the American Civil War. But it seems that Other Paths were laid before me. And mine seems to be the early Federal Republic and its Navy. 

I've decided, for the time being, to don the mantle of "Independent Researcher and Maritime Historian", until I can truly answer that question. But I can see there is a path forward with the Quasi-War. Both on the tabletop in wargaming (I mean, I DO love me some naval gaming) and as a proper Maritime Historian. 

"On se canisse!", as one might say in Quebec, before beginning a journey.