Nasty weather

Friday March 26


The light gradually woke me up about 6:30. Ed was still snoozing quietly, stirring now and then. I figured if I worked on the computer quietly, it wouldn’t bother him; I don’t need much light for that. The sun is about 15 degrees above the horizon to the rear of the ship and the sea is a gorgeous blue, deep, with just enough black to make it mysterious. I can hear the wind but the waves aren’t especially high.
Being on the ocean
I am often fascinated by the different colors one sees in the ocean based on the condition of the sky, the depth (we passed the deepest part of the ocean the day before Guam, the Mariana Trench), the current and wind impact. It can vary from the color of the sand on the beach, through shades of green, to the deepest blue you can imagine. Our weather today was menacing and then absolutely gorgeous. The weather has cooled off somewhat, befitting our northerly course and it is perfect to walk the jogging track above on deck 11 where there is a breeze but not a strong wind and the ideal temperature. We were told that the temps in Nagasaki have been in the 40s and 50s, however, so we need to be prepared; I plan to layer myself as I couldn’t bear to bring yet one more kind of clothing. And we are told that the cherry blossoms are in perfect form at the moment.
Except for sometimes near ports, there is no smog out here. The mists and fog are pure and the clouds are usually very puffy, pristine white, and happy. Even when laden and threatening rain, it is a different experience of the weather on an ocean. I’m sometimes surprised that the weather does not frighten me despite the isolation and risk that I often know intellectually and certainly emotionally. I don’t think Ed experiences that either but many passengers do. I’m not talking of sea sickness here though many folks, including many staff, do experience this in varying degrees. (and while I’m thinking of it, there are no free meds, e.g. aspirin or sea sickness pills, in the clinic—or doctor’s surgery as the Brits call it. But they are for sale in the boutique.)
Passports and computer class
I downloaded the cameras and put them to recharge though I didn’t reformat the disks until I double check that all is downloaded. We had to return our passports in preparation for Nagasaki. I was surprised they didn’t secure them when we came back to the ship yesterday but maybe it was just too much considering all the confusion. Then I went to the library to upload the blog and check email. I was surprised at how many emails I had because Ed and I both checked our emails in the evening around 10 pm. Then I ran off to the computer class.
This was a complimentary class where Tim basically quickly ran through and showed us what we could learn in the various classes he offers. Some of what he talked about I already knew how to do in other programs. But he showed how one could do some jazzy things that I had long been curious about and have been intimidated to learn how to do. And as it turns out, I have the software on my desktop at home.
Trivia
Susan who sometimes joins our group in the mornings, called the Trivia this morning and the topic was quotations from movies. I knew this wouldn’t be our strong suit and it wasn’t. We were probably average at 8 correct. But this afternoon, we were joined by a couple from Maryland and we won. At least one of our group was grateful that they came along when they did because later another couple who have played with us before came by to see if there was room for them. The wife is fine but the husband argues for every little thing. He’s bright enough and contributes useful information but the arguing is off putting and we’d rather lose than put up with that.
Lunch
There was a lot of discussion about cruising on the QEII. One Aussie fellow told of getting their dining assignment on a cruise where the waiter told him there were some conditions because the current folks at the table had some concerns about sitting with “colonials” (they were Brits obviously). They were placed there, and this was where the Captain also sat. The Captain came from modest beginnings and so the Aussie and the Captain had a good ole time. The wife of the offensive British couple, spent a lot of time explaining that “My husband has danced with the Queen on five occasions…My husband had the first dance with Princess Diana at ….” Well you get the picture. Some folks tell such stories and others say their cruises weren’t as class conscious as this though class certainly came into play among the dynamics.
Japanese Culture
This lecture was by a fellow who is a professor of cultural anthropology. I never caught where his school is. He didn’t do the usual stats but showed us photos and did some demonstrations with some of the passengers to illustrate points. We will be hearing more from him.
Computer challenges
Ed has completed the connection for the external hard drive so now my hard work begins in stripping the C drive of the superfluous files. Feel sorry for me please: this is torture. While I’m suffering through all this, Ed is enjoying his MSNBC…talking heads (aren’t you proud of my restraint?).
Well later he played with connecting the portable speakers with the computer and his iPhone (could use iPod too) to blast the music in the cabin. You know how he loves this kind of stuff. I don’t mind if the volume is below that of a civil defense alarm and I’m not trying to concentrate.
Sabbath services are being held in the library with the Rabbi on board.
Dinner
We mostly told racy jokes; but not ones that were too bad. There was some discussion of how to get good rates on cruises. But the most lively discussion was about the “knickers” worn by the female in the exhibitionist dancing team; she wore matching colors, dress and “knickers”, last night. It’s really not that difficult to determine since her skirts are all higher than Twiggy’s miniskirts in the 60s. And it is all aided by her high kicks and the times when her husband hikes her ankles to his shoulder and circles her around in this pose. All the men at the table attest to these facts. It’s become their job to verify that this is always the case, that is that she is indeed wearing “knickers” of some color though some men express outright a wish that she simply not bother with them. This couple does garner claps and remarks about their dancing but the most frequent observation in private conversation is the volunteered remarks about their exhibitionism. If they’d just cut out the short skirts, high kicks, splits, and such, and further, leave some room on the dance floor for folks who simply enjoy dancing with their spouse, I don’t think the reactions would be so extreme.
They are not young; probably around the age of Ed and I. She is in great shape (thankfully); her husband doesn’t look like he could survive a trip up three steps but indeed he is very smooth and a very good dancer who is remarkably light and agile on his feet despite his bulk. He reminds all of us of a very famous cartoon character but I think it would be unkind to include it in this narrative lest someone see it and mention it to him.
The other frequent observation that is discussed at table is the woman who is always trying to carry on private conversations with the entertainers from her ringside seat. When she is inevitably called to the center to “help” the magician or whomever, she always adds cutesy remarks and gestures. She does not get any clapping. She isn’t especially liked for other reasons as well, as she’s very aggressive about front seat on busses and other signs of their specialness.
Comedian/magician
Ed was sounding disappointed when he thought I wouldn’t go with him to see this guy. I told him I was planning on going but I might not stay. I mean how many rope tricks, balloon tricks, and such can you see over and over before your eyes glaze over. So I did go with him as promised, and when he finished Hudini’s famous needle and thread (first swallowed separately and then pulled out attached from the mouth) trick, I was out of there. I almost bolted prior to that when he played up a schtick about an animal he was going to pull out of a box and it was a play raccoon. He feebly attempted to make it look alive and then “accidentally” threw it into the audience. No one shrieked or even startled. He’s amusing but not funny. When Ed came in he speculated that the ship has it’s own set of rings and each magician who comes on simply borrows them. I’d suggest the colored handkerchiefs, ropes, and other hackneyed tricks we’ve all seen too many times.
Ed just came in and is reading the Patter. One of the folks we lament in these conversations I’m recounting above is a woman named Susan. He’s laughing because the port talk tomorrow is on “Pusan” (also sometimes referred to as Busan) and he initially thought it was on “Susan”. Now at least half the ship would show up for that.