day 42 – at sea

one more hour back in time last night… while i do like the illusion that i will get more sleep, i just keep waking up earlier, creating, in fact, a longer day the next day, so now i am re-assessing whether i really like this hour back thing after all… either way it seems to mess with you, so you just keep going!  today i had a couple of monkeys fly out of my ass because i was told ‘yes’ to ideas i had for some activities, where i am usually prepared to hear a ‘no’.  that was so refreshing!  i think it is a matter of my being more of a known quantity at this point instead of the new kid, so i am glad about that.  i realized i will have two years on my birthday with this company and it has gone very quickly… hopefully it will continue to go well as bob and i would like a semi-long term relationship with this outfit for the next several years as we put some of our musical ideas out and hopefully get a gig or grand voyage as a duo one of these days… i’d like to get my son through school and then myself while doing this gig…

spinning the topic wheel, i am finding myself in the weird position of being everyone’s auntie out here… maybe it’s because i’m older than many of the crew in my department, or because i could, at this point in my life, by daytime talkshow standards anyway, qualify as a ‘relationship expert…’  i am finding, though, people are frequently coming to sort out their stuff with me… while i am complimented that they have this sort of faith in my insight or life experience on these matters, i have learned the hard way that even giving friendly advice or heads up warning to your pals can backfire on you and turn you into a villain even if you have the best of intentions… it happened recently and has distanced me from a good friend... it brings to mind the old standard line of ann landers or dear abby, i forget which, but it was “mind your own business!” as i recall… i won’t elaborate, lest the parties involved are reading my blog, but i am now trying to find graceful ways to turn down people who are asking my advice on their personal business… my latest tactic is to tell them to listen to their little voice, because it always tells you the truth even when you don’t like it… i am also beginning to tell them not to take advice from anyone, including me, that it is an ‘inside job,’ (meaning: no easy answers, and you gotta sort this shit out for yourself).  this is such a small world out here, and it is unique in that your work mates are also your 24-hour neighbors, and everybody hears everything eventually… we all live in a tin can together, so there aren’t a lot of secrets, not much privacy, and life and work do overlap, so you have to mindful of your conduct and what you say and do… i have to say, i am so grateful for the fact that bob and i met and had a solid thing well before our ship lives began… it seems a bit of a soap opera among the younger set at times… i am always feeling lucky that we have such a good thing and that we are not embroiled in all the personal drama and gossip that can occur!  (soooooo grateful for you, bobby!  every day!) i frequently refer to myself, happily, as 'the boring old married lady' to the younger ones... and i can't think of anything i would rather be!

tonight went well in the piano bar, although it wrapped up a little early… my theme was ‘planes, trains and automobiles,’ which featured songs with these items prominently featured (like “folsom prison blues,” “mustang sally,” “sentimental journey,” etc.  note to bob: hey, babe, when you pack to come out here, can you bring my large balsa train whistle?  thanks!).  it stayed busy through 10:30-ish and then people bailed as they have a mandatory australian immigration face to passport check beginning at 6:30 am when we arrive in hobart, tasmania… crew begins at 9:30, and none of us will get out ‘til the ship is cleared by the authorities… this should, i hope, inspire folks to be on time and follow directions so we can all get out of here for the day!

looking forward to seeing another aloha camp counselor pal, erin, tomorrow (we are everywhere!) who lives in hobart… she has visited seattle before and now i get to see her in her town.  i was here once before, but we didn’t connect then, so i am looking forward to it!  we are meeting at noon for lunch and shopping, etc... ciao for now!  xo