7-28-09 - 2nd Day at Sea

2nd day at sea, and all is still well………..now with sea legs semi-firm beneath us, we continue this vacation very much more relaxed, with the real challenge being what to do with one's time while on board - for there are choices upon choices.

Kids have a semi-routine, now; wake up, get dressed, take meds, go to breakfast, go to Carnival Club - the kids-only program that keeps them occupied while parents do whatever it is that parents will do. Yesterday, kids had a scavenger hunt, tried to count all the seats in the large ballroom, painted their own T-shirts, played rock (song) trivia, and who knows what else. We dropped them off at 10am, didn't see them again until 3:45pm.

Today, and every day, will possibly be pretty much the same. When we did see them, they were happy, both to see us, and as they shared their experiences of the day. Both are in the same group, as we convinced the leaders to let Justin into the 9-10-11 group so he could be with most of the other kids in our group. Alex has the ability (but not Justin) to sign himself out at will - meaning he can leave the group at any time to do whatever he wants; we've cautioned him this privilege will be revoked if we think he's abusing it, for yesterday afternoon he literally wandered around the ship for a couple of hours. We thought that was good for him, letting him learn what's where on his own. After this, he still - like most adults - relies on the ship's maps posted by all elevators, to figure out where he is and how to get to where he wants. They still haven't adjusted to all the available food and drink and deserts, available 24x7, and that they can literally eat ice cream as much as they want any time they want. Whew!

I thoroughly relaxed yesterday, almost to a fault. Went to (what I hope to be an every) morning meeting with friends of Bill W. to start my day with the right mental frame of mind. After breakfast, I sat and typed out the blog, uploaded it, and then at 10am went to a golf "briefing" re: the three different ports of call and their courses. Thrown in was an awesome "lesson" of sorts from the on-board pro, a brit with a great sense of humor, who has been on the Nationwide tour for last three years, and seems to really know his stuff. Learned quite a bit about grip and about swing, yet never got a chance to see if I would hold a club differently, swing differently, or get different results. THAT costs money; group lessons for ½ hour are $45, solo lessons for an hour (with video swing analysis & DVD to go home with) costs $125. Pass…..

Afterward, decided to park myself and read. Next thing I knew, it was lunchtime! Huge thanks to Ron & Kay for "A Million Pieces", I am lost in a book again, which is amazingly therapeutic. Not to mention educational and entertaining, for I can relate to much of this buck, despite never having personally realized the extremes of self-abuse and recovery that are the story of "James". But sitting and reading in the sun on a ship is a very cool thing indeed. Read this book throughout the day off and on, and even just before sleep. Want to finish it during the trip.

After lunch, hung out with the adults for a while at the adults-only pool, but never got in the water. Was a bit uncomfortable at times, as the drinking all around me was extensive and continuous. So after about an hour, left, checked on the boys, and went off alone to read and people-watch. Oh yeah, and gamble….

I probably had 4 separate ½ hour-or-less sessions in the casino yesterday. Other than the last segment, I won every time somewhere between $40 and $80, so was up until after dinner last night, when I gave most of it back. Still, I'm even or maybe slightly ahead after the first day, which is a blessing. And, this morning, have some strength gained in this morning's meeting not to trade one weakness for another. So am going to try NOT to gamble at all today - which I would consider a major achievement. I played mostly 7-deck blackjack, with a bit of 3-card poker and Carribean Stud thrown in. Paid $20 to get into a blackjack tournament, but didn't get out of the first round. On Friday, I'm in a Texas Hold'Em tournament with three other men from our group. I just would like to get out of the first round.

Boys have discovered the miniature golf course, playing now (9am, after breakfast). And the waterslide, so are in heaven for early morning. I type this from the deck around the upper pool, watching them now and then, but mostly in reflection. And complete gratitude for being so blessed in my life to experience this - in the middle of unemployment and family strife.

In that regard, it has so far been very calm and easy for Cori and I to do this; we are respectful of each other, share the load for child care and seemingly have figured out without detailed planning how to just give the other room to be themselves, and then step up for parental duties. For example, after dinner last night, she said she wanted to go see the comedy show (adults only); I was very cool with that, since it started at 10pm, so at 9:45, I picked up the kids from the supervised activities after dinner, and went back to the stateroom, got us all into bed, and we were asleep by 10:30 or so. None of us even heard Cori come in at whatever time….

Last night was first of two formal nights. Very cool to "dress up"; me in a tux, Cori looking fine in purple, and boys in shirts & ties. It was during dinner when I realized I haven't seen our camera, and mentioned it to Cori. For whatever reason, it just doesn't seem to be a priority, maybe because all the other parents have cameras, and pix are being taken all the time. So someone captured last night's elegant moments, just not us. We'll get those pix eventually; but it makes me want to take control of the camera from here on, take pix of my own, and include them in future blogs.

One very nice thing occurred yesterday, after my first stint in the casino, I was up about $50-60, and when I left, strolled by the ship's picture station (where they have on display the pix photo crews have taken). Found an entire section of pictures of the kids in our group, so spent my winnings on those pix - 7 of them, one for each kid (except Alex, for some reason), and presented them to the parents at dinner last night. They were grateful to say the least, happy that it was the ship that paid for them.

Today is another full day at sea, as we lolly-gag our way down to Puerto Vallarta, where we'll be in dock when we awake tomorrow morning. Just another day at sea, taking it one moment at a time, trying not to manage, manipulate, control or anything else associated with responsibility - except for being alert as to my self, surroundings, thoughts and actions. Just want to achieve another relaxing day, stay out of the casino, read, and give thanks continuously for all my blessings.

I just read all that I've written, and realize this is not a blog with hugely significant content, and instead a journal of sorts for me, mostly. Hope readers don't mind that too much; being perfectly selfish, I really don't care one way or the other, since some will read every word, and others scan quickly and move on with their lives. Which is pretty much what reading blogs is all about, eh?

Last thought for all; here on the deck by the pool is a HUGE video screen - probably 15' x 20' in size, mounted far above the water, and where movies and live TV are shown. At the moment, CNN is live, giving us the daily news. Its been droning along in the background while I've been typing this, as I've heard bits & pieces about a supreme court justice upcoming vote, Michael Jackson death causes, plane crash causes, and more. I think tomorrow's blogging will be done elsewhere, for I have a growing disgust for staying connected to the real world during this vacation. Yet, I know when I upload this, it means I'll be able to read my emails, which I will, and maybe even respond to some. Keeping me connected to the real world. Oh well, such is life at sea and Mark's mindset today………..I'm counting my blessings in all ways……..

Tomorrow: reflections on golf in Puerto Vallarta……