Five to one against and falling. Four to one against and falling. Three to one. Two. One. Probability factor of one to one. We have normality, I repeat, we have normality. Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem.For those of you who were not aware, the last four and a half months our crew have been divided between those who were living on the ships, such as engineers, deckies, half of food service and other such people and those at Appelsbosh, such as teachers, families, bankers and others. Appelsbosh is a small abandoned college campus about three hours drive from the dock.
In preparation for our (hopefully) soon departure, the Appelboshians have returned!
There are people everywhere, all the time! We've gone, in the span of about less than two weeks from 80 to 120. Then in about two days the numbers jumped to 300!(And for those of you who are wondering, yes the dining room is slightly overwhelmed, it's okay, we'll get used to it! ...Someday...)
We've begun running the generators!!!! That means:
Lights;
Over the whole ship! All the time! Which means that wandering around late at night gives you the distinct feeling that you get when you've gone to get a glass of water at about midnight and have found someone has left the kitchen light on. Only you can't turn these off. Plus hallways now feel like day as apposed to small unlit caverns.
Dishwashers;
See previous blog entry.
Heaters;
To keep the food warm! As apposed to previous months when the hot food was kept upstairs till the last five minute to preserve internal temperature, (which resulted in a slightly panicked desperate attempt to put all food away and ready in five minutes while a long line of hard working guys stared at you with painfully hungry gazes.) We now can have to food down and ready! (Before the stares become unbearable.)
And, best of all
Air Conditioning;
I'm just going to say it again; AIR CONDITIONING!!!! My chocolate is now SOLID! I no long eat it with a spoon! Fans are obsolete! I have to use a REAL BLANKET if I don't wish to freeze! Ah, I never realized how wonderful the thick weight of a blanket feels when you climb into bed. (And being on top bunk, I literally mean 'climb'.)
Warm showers are now nice and welcomed. Pajamas are no longer despised because you no longer believe they are attempting to smother you in your sleep!
Things that will hopefully be up and running soon: Crew Galley, ice machines, the hospital and the library.
Things are coming back to normal. There is always someone awake, no matter what time it is. Children are running around, just this morning I had to dodge a remote control car. Dining room's full. Nurses are everywhere. Reception is now manned at all hours.
I've really enjoyed these last couple of months. I've enjoyed being a minority in a very small crew. I've enjoyed the atmosphere. I've enjoyed doing thing differently, because doing things the normal way isn't a option. I've enjoyed spending lazy weekend days in the IT office, the only air conditioned room I'm allowed access to.
Getting to know people I didn't before. I've enjoyed being surrounded by engineers and deckies, listening to conversations on things such as reactors, survival plans, alternate energy ideas, string theory and indestructible wedding rings.
But I'm really enjoying things returning to normal. The feeling of being part of something so big, bigger than just me. People everywhere, things going on. And before we know it, we'll be sailing!
Oh, and a cookie to who ever correctly guesses the quote at the beginning!
