Tuesday at Sea

You may have noticed a trend in the past couple of days - I write the morning after and post-date the entry for the day previous. When I first began this blog, I tried keeping daily notes and jottings, then journaling before I went to bed. Sadly, that pattern failed miserably, caving in to my need for shut-eye.

Yesterday was diverse and full, as are many days on board. I am flummoxed by those who are bored while at sea, at least with this cruise line.

I treated myself to Eggs Benedict for breakfast, one of my most sinful indulgences! Then I was entertained by Jonathon Bailey, a Broadway promoter, producer and historian who spoke on how musical theater is not just an entertaining experience but also a social mirror of the times. Which assertion he substantiated by citing examples from more than 100 years of Broadway musicals from Showboat to this year’s Tony winner, whose title escapes me, but tells the story of an Egyptian marching band stranded in the desert and helped by the citizens of an obscure Israeli village. I enjoyed the show clips and singing along with Paul Robeson and Lin Manuel. The final “proof” he offered of the reflective nature of the musical was a clip from Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic The Pirates of Penzance, “Modern Major General” followed by an hysterical clip of an O’Bama impersonator singing the same tune re-written to reflect the presidency of a “Modern US President.” 

I passed through British Immigration. When the agent asked how long I was going to be in UK, my response was only long enough to visit Solent Sky and see the planes. She remarked that I should look for her later in the day as her husband’s grandfather had been a factory worker on the Spitfires and he would enjoy sharing stories. I couldn’t find them, but will continue my hunt today. 

A trip to the Purser’s Office garnered me a spot in Matt Diffie’s cartooning workshop. A brand new experience.

Speaking of experiences, Jon McCarthy spoke on his 1,943 days as a hostage of Islamic Fundamentalists during his first ever foreign correspondent assignment. His courage and will to live remain remarkable. I was stymied that he spoke so openly and frankly about the horrors of those years. I thought it odd that I had never heard of him before this lecture. The theater was SRO. I squirmed when learning of the conditions in which he was held and the brutality he survived. How they hate us!

Matt Diffie’s workshop was entertains and instructive. I have a quick mind for puns and one-line jokes, but no capacity at all for drawing. Nonetheless, the hour went by quickly and we stayed later than allowed. 

I missed Dr. Cunningham’s lecture and arrived at knitting with 15 minutes left. I met the ladies, chatted and got reacquainted with Tommie, the host, who is recovering from a pulled tooth. 

I  admired the vests worn by two guys and ended up chatting with them for tea and meeting them for an after dinner drink: Jimmy and Einar. What a couple of cuties.They get their weskits from Santoria Vinicio of Sienna, who daughter Francesca is (they hope) taking over the business. 

I went to Golden Lion to give Alexhandra my business. Just  as I ordered my drink, Latrice came up and asked how my day had gone. We talked, made plans to lunch together. I mentioned I was going to specialty dining for Coriander and now she’s going to join me. I had encountered Eldon, the Kings Court maitre d (whose   pompadour is still amazing) earlier and he’d asked if I were going. I was shocked when Alexhandra bought me my drink!! What a treat!!!

Dinner was really good cubed meat dish called Pytt I Panna which I was told originated from the recipes of the German chef. It was delicious. I discovered Hannah and her mother Jean were on the crossing because Hannah won the trip in a drawing at her work. Amazing. 

 I didn’t go to a show after chatting with Jimmy and Einar whom I encountered while leaving dinner. I went to my cabin and tried to read the book club book, but I’m going to have to return it, I just cannot get into it, too moralistically depressing. I was sound asleep, as was most of the ship, when Ship’s Emergency call came over the speakers at 3:41 this morning calling emergency crews to a fire in the incinerator room. My initial thought was that the young woman making the announcement had pressed the wrong button as generally that kind of thing is not put on ship-wide all-call. I decided I was correct when within a few minutes, the calm measured voice of Captain Wells announced all was under control. I made a cu of tea and went back to sleep, though the ship was rolling more than usual as we entered a stretch of inclement weather.