Cruise Day 6
Today was the stop at Ketchikan. I actually woke up early this morning and had a difficult time going back to sleep even though I wanted to. I'm not sure if I dozed off or not, but I felt very awake. I had no problem getting up. Skipped breakfast and went straight out into Ketchikan, Wandered the shops and up and down the dock before deciding I was hungry and going back to the ship for food. I finally bought a couple of Alaska shirts (considering this was the last stop in Alaska, it's about time). I took Stephi with me back to the ship but my parents wandered around more.
Ate a couple bowls of cereal and played Wesnoth. I started a campaign on the hardest level and I'm getting my ass kicked. So I started the only campaign I haven't touched yet and played on the challenging level (as opposed to super duper hard and normal) and have been enjoying that. One of our servers, Darwin, noticed I was playing a game and so we talked about video games off and on; he would snag a couple minutes whenever he walked by. He likes Warcraft and a couple games I'm not familiar with as well as Starcraft (squee).
My parents joined us later; I snagged a bit of the remaining internet time my dad purchased at a nearby restaurant...I was able to pick up the signal (I don't think he could). I wanted to upload pictures, but I didn't realize I'd have the time so I didn't have them prepped. My family ate lunch and then we headed downstairs to my parents' room to hang out. Everyone else took naps off and on, I played Wesnoth.
At 3:30, my mom wanted to go to the afternoon tea since someone recommended that she go to that and we had never made it. My dad went, which was surprising...he hasn't been to any other of the ship's events with us, and I believe he enjoyed it, which was good. I was hungry by then so I was really happy to chow down on the salmon on bread. Although it occurred to me when we were nearly done that I probably should have at least taken off my hat. Whoops.
Something that occurred to me today: I've heard three different renditions of My Heart Will Go On on this ship, none of which were Celine Dion singing. I wonder if they consider it fitting or what. :P Don't get me wrong though, I really like the song. I think it's pretty. Especially the piano version that's played on the sound system in Lido Restaurant.
At 4, my mom took me to play chocolate bingo (which was bingo, but we had to bring a candy bar to donate to play...the candy bars go to the crew staff). Cash prizes; came close to winning, but no win for us. I don't remember the last time I played bingo; that wasn't bad.
Went back to my parents' room. More Wesnoth for me. There was also a storm warning issued on the announcements. Eventually we went up to dinner, which I was happy with (they cook the beef a little on the rare side...while I enjoy my steak fully cooked, I also really like it medium rare). My dad offered to teach me the chess defense he kicked my ass with the other day (apparently his favorite chess defense during high school). After dinner, he up and left...and I didn't get why. My mom said, "he wants you to follow him to the chess set." Oh. Yeah, *whoosh*, right over my head.
So we gathered ourselves and ambled out to the chess set a few minutes later. Found my dad sitting next to the giant chess set as a couple of teenage boys played their game. I was thinking, 'either that game was extremely interesting or there are dark storm clouds around his head.' So I suggested that we just use the normal sized chess set in the cafe. "They have one here?" "Yeah, dad. If you explored the boat, you might have found it." So we did that.
He showed me the defense, explained the pros and cons and general strategy like he said he would. I wouldn't dare use it against him though, but perhaps the next time I play someone less experienced than him, I'll give it a try and see what I can make of it. While I enjoy chess, I've never cared enough about it to actually study or look up or figure out strategies outside of games. Anyway, in the brief window where my mom, Stephi, and I were ditched by my dad after dinner, my mom suggested that Stephi played him so that he could give her strategy tips. So after he was done with showing me the defense, I suggested that he and Stephi played a game. Stephi liked the idea until she found out she'd be playing against him. "He'll kill me!" she said. So he offered to coach her while she played my mom. Eventually, Stephi and my mom played while my dad picked up a book.
Meanwhile, I took a trip to the bathroom, with a long detour outside. The wind had picked up by then...I'm not sure if I heard correctly, but I thought the announcements said 50 mph winds. It was really, really fun to walk across the deck, even though I was a little wary about being thrown overboard.
An hour before 10pm, the chess game ended. To kill time, Stephi and I took a walk. It wasn't raining when I did my walk so we went outside (up the spiral stairs). It was definitely raining by then. Stephi took a few steps out the door, screamed, then ran back inside. It was really funny. We walked out to the aft, then I said that I bet she couldn't make the walk from aft to the spiral stairs (near the forward stairs) outside. So of course, we did, running half the time. I realized that that probably wasn't the smartest decision...it could have ended really badly. But man, that was a thrill. By the way, it was hailing when we did that.
We changed and then headed down to the comedy show that started at 10. Ventriloquist...not bad. I probably would have enjoyed him more if I didn't like Jeff Dunham so much. The routine has some lag in it where I lost interest. Took too long to set up. After the show, Stephi left while my mom and I stayed for the late night adult comedy show from the purple hair comedian from the other night (last name is Bar(r?), first name escapes me) which was pretty amusing. I figured that sort of thing would be awkward to sit through with your mom, but I spent most of the time not really thinking about it, and therefore not caring.
And now here I am at 1am in Lido Restaurant with Stephi typing this up. Last night's towel animal might have been a lobster. Today might have been...Actually, I'm not sure. Turtle shell? Something round? Dunno. No eyes. Tomorrow is the last stop, which is in Victoria. Stephi was excited because it's Canada and she's never been. I said, "if Keri were here, she'd say, 'pssh! I go to Canada every other weekend.'" We can really feel the boat rocking...both comedy entertainers remarked on waves while they were on stage. I'm surprised I'm not nauseous.
I think my family might have finally found this cruise somewhat enjoyable. I think for my mom, the shows and activities made a big difference. For everyone, the port stops made a difference and at least a change of pace and something new. Also, the slower ship speed for the majority of the middle portion of the voyage helped.
Ate a couple bowls of cereal and played Wesnoth. I started a campaign on the hardest level and I'm getting my ass kicked. So I started the only campaign I haven't touched yet and played on the challenging level (as opposed to super duper hard and normal) and have been enjoying that. One of our servers, Darwin, noticed I was playing a game and so we talked about video games off and on; he would snag a couple minutes whenever he walked by. He likes Warcraft and a couple games I'm not familiar with as well as Starcraft (squee).
My parents joined us later; I snagged a bit of the remaining internet time my dad purchased at a nearby restaurant...I was able to pick up the signal (I don't think he could). I wanted to upload pictures, but I didn't realize I'd have the time so I didn't have them prepped. My family ate lunch and then we headed downstairs to my parents' room to hang out. Everyone else took naps off and on, I played Wesnoth.
At 3:30, my mom wanted to go to the afternoon tea since someone recommended that she go to that and we had never made it. My dad went, which was surprising...he hasn't been to any other of the ship's events with us, and I believe he enjoyed it, which was good. I was hungry by then so I was really happy to chow down on the salmon on bread. Although it occurred to me when we were nearly done that I probably should have at least taken off my hat. Whoops.
Something that occurred to me today: I've heard three different renditions of My Heart Will Go On on this ship, none of which were Celine Dion singing. I wonder if they consider it fitting or what. :P Don't get me wrong though, I really like the song. I think it's pretty. Especially the piano version that's played on the sound system in Lido Restaurant.
At 4, my mom took me to play chocolate bingo (which was bingo, but we had to bring a candy bar to donate to play...the candy bars go to the crew staff). Cash prizes; came close to winning, but no win for us. I don't remember the last time I played bingo; that wasn't bad.
Went back to my parents' room. More Wesnoth for me. There was also a storm warning issued on the announcements. Eventually we went up to dinner, which I was happy with (they cook the beef a little on the rare side...while I enjoy my steak fully cooked, I also really like it medium rare). My dad offered to teach me the chess defense he kicked my ass with the other day (apparently his favorite chess defense during high school). After dinner, he up and left...and I didn't get why. My mom said, "he wants you to follow him to the chess set." Oh. Yeah, *whoosh*, right over my head.
So we gathered ourselves and ambled out to the chess set a few minutes later. Found my dad sitting next to the giant chess set as a couple of teenage boys played their game. I was thinking, 'either that game was extremely interesting or there are dark storm clouds around his head.' So I suggested that we just use the normal sized chess set in the cafe. "They have one here?" "Yeah, dad. If you explored the boat, you might have found it." So we did that.
He showed me the defense, explained the pros and cons and general strategy like he said he would. I wouldn't dare use it against him though, but perhaps the next time I play someone less experienced than him, I'll give it a try and see what I can make of it. While I enjoy chess, I've never cared enough about it to actually study or look up or figure out strategies outside of games. Anyway, in the brief window where my mom, Stephi, and I were ditched by my dad after dinner, my mom suggested that Stephi played him so that he could give her strategy tips. So after he was done with showing me the defense, I suggested that he and Stephi played a game. Stephi liked the idea until she found out she'd be playing against him. "He'll kill me!" she said. So he offered to coach her while she played my mom. Eventually, Stephi and my mom played while my dad picked up a book.
Meanwhile, I took a trip to the bathroom, with a long detour outside. The wind had picked up by then...I'm not sure if I heard correctly, but I thought the announcements said 50 mph winds. It was really, really fun to walk across the deck, even though I was a little wary about being thrown overboard.
An hour before 10pm, the chess game ended. To kill time, Stephi and I took a walk. It wasn't raining when I did my walk so we went outside (up the spiral stairs). It was definitely raining by then. Stephi took a few steps out the door, screamed, then ran back inside. It was really funny. We walked out to the aft, then I said that I bet she couldn't make the walk from aft to the spiral stairs (near the forward stairs) outside. So of course, we did, running half the time. I realized that that probably wasn't the smartest decision...it could have ended really badly. But man, that was a thrill. By the way, it was hailing when we did that.
We changed and then headed down to the comedy show that started at 10. Ventriloquist...not bad. I probably would have enjoyed him more if I didn't like Jeff Dunham so much. The routine has some lag in it where I lost interest. Took too long to set up. After the show, Stephi left while my mom and I stayed for the late night adult comedy show from the purple hair comedian from the other night (last name is Bar(r?), first name escapes me) which was pretty amusing. I figured that sort of thing would be awkward to sit through with your mom, but I spent most of the time not really thinking about it, and therefore not caring.
And now here I am at 1am in Lido Restaurant with Stephi typing this up. Last night's towel animal might have been a lobster. Today might have been...Actually, I'm not sure. Turtle shell? Something round? Dunno. No eyes. Tomorrow is the last stop, which is in Victoria. Stephi was excited because it's Canada and she's never been. I said, "if Keri were here, she'd say, 'pssh! I go to Canada every other weekend.'" We can really feel the boat rocking...both comedy entertainers remarked on waves while they were on stage. I'm surprised I'm not nauseous.
I think my family might have finally found this cruise somewhat enjoyable. I think for my mom, the shows and activities made a big difference. For everyone, the port stops made a difference and at least a change of pace and something new. Also, the slower ship speed for the majority of the middle portion of the voyage helped.