March 14 – At Sea, Day 2. I should tell you what my daily routine is for at sea days and then I won't mention it again unless something different happens. I get up around 7:30am and head to breakfast. After that it's Tai Chi at 8:30am and then goof off until 11am chat time with the CSI group. After that lunch, maybe a lecture in the afternoon or perhaps tea (if they are having Royal Dutch Tea), read, see a movie or participate in some silly game. Then to dinner and the evening's performance in the showroom. If a day at sea follows sometimes we go to the show and a movie. Maybe we'll stop in one of the lounges or bars to listen to the music offered. The Crow's Nest has a piano bar and the Ocean Bar has Counterpoint, a band that plays '60s-'80s music of all genres. That's where you go to dance. They represent most styles of pop music from the era but not much jazz unless they do something by a crossover jazz artist like Stanley Turrentine. That's the normal day outline. Together with yesterdays info you have a pretty good picture of my day at sea.
The only unusual thing that happened today occurred in the Explorer's Lounge. I was walking through there this evening while the string trio was performing when they began playing Green Fields, a song by xxxx from xxxx. I always loved this song and its sad story of a lost love. Sounds and smells evoke strong memories in me as much or more than sights. I hadn't heard that song in years and when I heard it I was transported back to the mid-'70s. I know that's not when it was a big hit but it replayed over and over in my head for months. It's funny how sound can transport you to another time and place. The song appears to end on a hopeful note because the lyrics say 'You won't be happy until you return…' indicating that he believes that she is coming back but the rest of the song indicates that he is clueless as to where or why she left in the first place. While the words are optimistic they clearly demonstrate that he is in denial regarding the finality of her leaving making the song just that much sadder and more heartbreaking at the last. Gosh I'm glad that the author of this journal sticks strictly to travel information.
Tonight's entertainer was Rita McKenzie (sp?). Tonight's entertainer was Rita McKenzie (sp?). She was on Broadway and is now touring the USA with her one-woman show about Ethel Merman. The stage show is 2 hours so she had to edit it down to 45 minutes or so for the ship's format. She narrates Merman's life, recalling her meetings with the George & Ira Girshwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and others who wrote musicals especially for her. All in all over 150 show tunes in 12 plays, a giant career when Broadway was at its zenith. Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, Hello Dolly and other properties that are still being performed today. Rita has a great voice and had the sound down very well indeed. It was a fun evening and a great contrast to last night's Motown review.
Tomorrow is our first day in port so we'll be up early.
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