Another night down and away on the Ship. It’s been a real nice time so far. I’m getting to know people here a little better, and even settled into a little routine of a work out (not every day!), reading, doing some work here and there, and watching some star trek deep space nine. My roomies are pretty tolerant of this scifi, so I appreciate that.
It’s a fact that I get all happy when I run. Well, I’ve been able to get on that horse here since I arrived, and have been feeling great the whole time.
It’s real different being on board a 500′ steel ship as opposed to 120′ wooden sail boat… it just weighs soooo much more which really makes it move different. Compared to a sail boat, it’s about as steady as land! Not to say I’m sure it gets a rollin’ from time to time. But even then, nothing like the little ships I’m so used to. There is a strange sensation running on the tread mill on the 4 deck. It should be about 20 feet under the water line, and when the ship pitches or rolls a little, my weight changes so it’s something like 180 give or take 10 pounds depending on if I’m falling or being pushed up by the movement of the ship. It’s totally weird – but still something I can get used to.
I wish I would’ve brought a few more pictures of Alison – I think when I get to port, I’m going to find some place that can print digipictures, peruse my gallery there on the internet, and print a few. I miss and love Alison, and I simultaneously love being out here at sea as well.
There are connecting decks below the weather deck, so I could go all day w/out stepping foot outside. On sailboats, not going outside would consist of small triangle of going from my rack, to the galley, to the table to read; but on the Ship, I can go to class, a gym, a mess deck, two or three different hang out areas with tvs and movies, up to the bridge to see where we are, or to do laundry – never having stepped outside. Boating on a whole new (commercial) scale.
Some of the new friends I’ve made are very young. There are plenty of them on here. I learned today that these two gentlemen I have in mind have never had a girlfriend. What a shame! There was this nice girl sitting by herself right behind their backs, so I ingratiated our group onto her bench. They totally ignored her – so weird. I will have to give them a little more of a man to man pep talk next time I throw them into the fire like that. “Ask her questions, listen to what she says, be interested and witty.” You’d think this would be obvious enough…
Oh, I also learned there is a Texas engineer named Conteh on board with me. I find this great, because Conteh is one of the most common Sierrea Leonian names. He moved out of Sierra Leone about nine years ago. He and I are going to exchange stories here in the next few days. I’m curious about how he got out of Sierra Leone, and what he things of some of the changes his country has been going through recently. I look forward to more conversations with Conteh. (we often go by last names around here)
Off to bed – it’s splicing tomorrow. I imagine I’ll be teaching that class…