April 29, 2022
I made myself cry this morning. On all the official cruise documents I am “Melvin Sisler.” I put my full name on the initial forms – Melvin David Sisler, Jr. – but first and last are all that is used. I used to say, “but I go by David and it’s my Mom’s fault because she didn’t want her husband to be Big Mel and her first born son to be Little Mel.” I don’t do that any more because I am after all Junior (we named the dog “Indiana”) and Skinny Pappy was Senior.
Well, back to this morning. On my way out of the Windjammer, heading back to 11209 to rehearse for Potatoes, I stopped at the coffee counter to get a Caramel Macchiato (I bought a coffee card that gives me a limited number of speciality coffee drinks for less than the retail price). I put in my order, the cashier writes instructions on the outside of the cup, and hands it to the Barista who makes the speciality Joe. The cup is setting where I can see it, and I read CM and B (for breve – made with half and half, not milk) and Melvin. And I thought, “I am proud. Very proud to be your son.” And sniffed back the water works.
Last night there was a special paper in our Cruise Compass, the daily guide to what’s happening around the ship, telling us we had to fill out the European Union Passenger Locator Form before we disembark in Civitavecchia. Well, I am about 90% certain that I did that before we left 233, so I went to the website and tried to sign in. Nope. It told me I wasn’t found (I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see – thank you John Newton). I did the only thing possible. I grumbled and growled. Then I started over.
Here’s the deal. If you are staying in country, you have to tell them where you will be and give an emergency contact number. I did all of that (after setting a new password) and then tried to do the same for Mom. Frazzling computer wouldn’t let me. Oh, I was trying mine earlier on my cellphone and that was frustrating, typing one finger – I gave up and went to the computer. Nothing I did would let me enter her information. Of course you know that raised the anxiety level in 11209. Then I got a brain storm (I had an ice cream cone earlier that day for dessert and got a brain freeze – this was different). Clear the cache. Dump the history. Throw out the cookies. And voila! It took Bonnie B. Sisler. And now the European Union can find us, should they wish to do so. It took me over an hour to do what should have been a 10 minute job. I fell into bed at 12:05, that’s 00:05 for you military types, and slept until 08:30, with two brief interruptions. Good grief!
Today I did my Potato talk and started with the story of the Russian fisherman (his eye was this big) and the story of the teenaged potato who announced to her parents that she was going to marry David Brinkley (she’s a royal potato and he’s just a commentator). Those two stories got huge applause and I said, “If I can keep you as my audience, I may audition for ship’s comedian.” Nah. I only have 9 jokes. The talk was well-received, and I appreciate it.
For your gourmands, tonight I had Salmon & Shrimp Fritters, Bay Scallop Gratin, Beef Bourguignonne, and Red & White Cheesecake. Fancy.
Before we left for supper Bonnie arranged the towel animals Kadek had made for us on the bed, watched over by her Turtle. Humor!
Okay. Enough from my fingers.
Love Dad/Pappy/David
Heeeere’s Bonnie!
* * * * *
He didn’t tell you what I said when he couldn’t get me entered. I said I guess I will have to go home. Oh well, it was frustrating and I had to remember my password for yahoo (which I haven’t used in a week). I had to set at the key board and imagine I was at home typing it in!! I did remember. At first he was going to use my g mail account and fortunately I remember its password too. Then, you have to be able to display the little QR code on a digital device so if some one wants to see it. Opps! I have no digital device on this cruise. So I forwarded my email to his g mail and we are good to go.
It was a late starting day since we slept to 8:30. Breakfast was a piece of toast, a hard boiled egg, bacon and hot chocolate and tomato juice. (Don’t you just love hearing about my food, haha). I didn’t finish my walking until after 10:30. I got over 2.6 miles today. I did still manage to finish one hexagon. While I was working on my crocheting there was a little boy ( about 10 or 11) sitting in the chair beside me. He rivaled Maggie in size. His legs and arms were smaller around than hers. He was reading a book called Space trip. A real book. He was still reading when I left to go to 270 for lunch (roast beef sandwich and potato soup). When we finished we walked up to deck 14 and had an ice cream cone for dessert. The young man was still sitting in his seat and he had finished his book while we were there. Cute lad.
Well, I sat a while longer and then went to Dad’s talk. Nice receptive crowd and they laugh at his jokes. Rose came by before his talk and informed us that Royal Carribean will not pay for my covid test, no surprise there. After his talk we went to the room. He napped and then worked on his next talk. I worked on another crochet hexagon and started to read a book on the kindle. I am listening to a Clive Cussler book while I crochet and now I am reading a different Clive Cussler book.
Soon we were dressed and off to supper. I too had the shrimp and salmon croquettes , a Caesar salad, and pork loin with mashed potatoes and cheesecake for dessert. All was good. Beside our table is a table of 6. It seems to be one family. Asian and an older man who seems to be in charge. Well, tonight he got a hold of the Maitre’ d and started complaining about the food. The meat was not good enough quality, the vegetables weren’t cooked, the taste of the food was not good. He had the same beef stew Dad had and the man said it was not good. And the Maitre’ d carried his plates back to the kitchen to tell the cook. Well, a little while later your Dad told the same guy that the dish was delicious. This guy at the other table was trying to throw his weight around in front of the table and act like a big shot.
Well, tonight’s show was a film about the production of their new headliner show that we are going to see tomorrow night. It looks good.
Well, we are back in our room We went to 14 and I got a drink and he got some water. Now he is going to practice and I am going to play on my kindle. Tomorrow maybe I will get to see some whales as we get to Gibraltar. I am going to sit up on 15 where I will have a better view. We are also riding the sea plex at 4.
Love you all. Mom, Granny and Bonnie
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