Since this week bore the release of Modest Mouse’s newest album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, I thought it might be clever to think of various ways to celebrate the sea. I mean, they have Talk Like a Pirate Day, why not take it a step further?

Fashion
According to my H&M catalog, “sailing gear crossed with chic 60s couture” is going to be one of the trends this summer. Accessorize with bold stripes or polka dots in contrasting colors, specifically navy and white! Wear solid white or bright red (striped maybe!) attire. I’m sure there are many ways to pull this off without looking like you walked off of a yacht.

Music
Get Modest Mouse’s newest album, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. Even the CD design is nautically themed, which makes perfect sense since most of the songs mention the sea and sailing in one way or another. The album itself sounds very rugged, with mixed feelings of betrayal alongside MM’s usual cynical play on words (And like the orphaned sea, we were never invisible but that I guess we could not see.) Since for some reason the deluxe edition does not come with the music videos (!!), head on over to YouTube and check out the music video for Dashboard.
Modest Mouse isn’t the only band to have their album revolve around the sea. Check out the Coral’s self-titled album for rock-solid, sorrow-filled tunes that will you make you remember the days at sea. For something a little bit slower-paced, try out Keren Ann’s album Not Going Anywhere. You, too, will feel like a wife waiting at the window for her sailor to come home.

Movies
Step 1.) Watch Jaws again.
Step 2.) Have a drink or two with your buddies (preferably apricot brandy).
Step 3.) Sing along during the infamous drinking scene.

Oooor you could watch Pirates 1 and 2 for the billionth time. (Fun fact: pirates weren’t allowed to drink on the ship. Why do you think they got tore-up when they reached shore?)
Other good movie choices: Mutiny On the Bounty, Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan (why are these all Disney?)

Books
You could attempt to sink your teeth into Moby Dick, but there are other books that revolve around the sea without necessarily taking place on a boat. The Cay by Theodore Taylor is an old-school favorite. (Plus there’s a cat in it!)
For something with a higher reading level, try reading Kate Chopin’s The Awakening to examine an American women’s role in the 1800s. Chopin skillfully uses the ocean as both a backdrop and an important element in progressing the storyline.

Food
Seafood is obvious–there are so many island nations around the world that built their cuisine around the ocean. Fish is a great source of omega fats and proteins, along with vitamin E. Good for your skin, good for cholesterol. For those who want to try something other than sushi, try making your own miso soup from scratch, snack on some dried squid, or add dried seaweed to your food.
I also recommend trying out sea salt as an alternative to regular table salt. It tastes amazing when added vegetables and meat. Amazing.

There are so many ways that the sea has been revered throughout the ages. Poems, song, books, movies–you name it, the ocean has been the focal point of one art form or another. Even in this modern day and age, we often find ourselves drawn back to the mysterious and inspirational ocean. Draw, write, sing, whatever: find your own way to celebrate it!

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