The doldrums are times and areas usually near the equator where winds subside to calm or nearly calm. This traps wind driven ships until the wind picks up, which can be days, weeks or longer. During this time, the sea is usually monotonously calm.
The Pacific Gyre is an area enclosed by normal ocean currents that experiences little to no macroscopic water movement. As a result, water is "trapped" in this area and there is little biomass movement, resulting in little life. Also as a result, our modern flotsam collects in these areas creating huge regions with high concentration of waste.
Colloquially, the doldrums has come to mean periods of boredom. But, I think we are more in a time of gyre. There is very little going on outside of the mundane work-eat-sleep-repeat routine. Vacation is still a way off (people with kids take vacation now, which is a good reason not to). The growth of spring is over, giving way to the summer heat and humidity. A time where not much happens, but the refuse of daily life continues to accumulate.
This isn't so bad though. Lots of little things can get done this time of year. The lawn doesn't need very much mowing. There is an event horizon somewhere out there where vacation will begin, or whatever the next adventure is. And, excitement is not always good. Excitement might mean something unthinkable has happened.
There is also a quiet contentment in pecan waffles early on a weekend morning. Or reading a book watching the sun set through west-facing windows. The doldrums should not be sailed into without expecting a little slow down.
Despite the garbage, the gyre isn't all bad. Who knows what treasure might be lurking in all that trash anyway?
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