Here I am aboard the Oosterdam. (It’s “oh” like “toast.”) It is far too late for me - 11:30pm, and I think I’m still jet-lagged. I think I will just tell everything in chronological order. Oh, except first I will mention that I forgot a timepiece other than my Sidekick, dammit. I suspect they have them in the shops so I will get one when they open in the morning.

So the morning did not go well when it started with the car being 30 minutes late and then getting us lost - what kind of professional driver doesn’t know which streets will be one-way? We finally made it to Port 30 (where the Diamond Princess was also docked) and fortunately managed to get priority boarding. We couldn’t access our rooms yet so we got drinks, I had a Long Island Iced Tea. We met a few of the deaf people, one of whom I recognized; I think I saw him around at the NTC a few months back. I went to inquire at the front desk about emergency pagers for the terps, while my two co-terps went to meet the stage manager. Their mission was successful; mine resulted in a promise of a voicemail. Eventually I did succeed in getting just one pager, so we are going to take turns with it. Unfortunately I had to put my name down for the $75 security deposit!

Our bags arrived in our room shortly before 5pm; mine were actually there before J’s. (She’s my roommate and the other female interpreter, the male terp is M.) I forgot to write about the muster drill, it was fine except that the crew kept insisting we were on the wrong side. We waved most of them off, but one tried to challenge me so I assured him we were in the right place; if I’d been more snarky I’d have added a “dammit bitch” on there. On the way back from the drill I tried to figure out where I knew another deaf person from; turns out I recognize him from the leather events I’ve interpreted in DC.

The bon voyage party was okay, I guess. The three of us were together and when the two of them lit up cigarettes I said I was going to get a soda. I waited until I figured they were done smoking, but when I went back they were gone. So I hung out alone for a bit, and I picked up an inflatable pink flamingo drink holder and a really awesome inflatable pink poodle! I made plans with a couple of deaf people to meet them at dinner and I went to get dressed nicely. J showed up when I was almost ready, so I waited while she got ready and we went together; I found the deaf people and we ate with them. My appetizer was off the main menu, it was a tiny fruit salad. I finally got a vegetarian menu brought to me and I ordered tofu stroganoff which turned out to be delightful! I had a vanilla ice cream cup for dessert with cut-up mango on it. Afterward I wandered back toward the main auditorium for the show. On the way I checked my Sidekick for the time and found two e-mails from my mom! I didn’t realize I had a signal at all. (Oh, I did get to talk to A - fortunately I had a signal when she called to return my voicemail! I wanted to talk to her forever, I miss her terribly.) I had time, so I answered my mom’s emails before going to the main auditorium.

I wanted to be first to interpret but the huge auditorium freaked me out and I did a rotten job! (It doesn’t help that the host talks incredibly fast.) Fortunately afterward I chatted with the two deaf women, one of whom was my ASL teacher at Gallaudet, and I’d met the other one once there too! They’re very cute together. We found a bar and lounge and got drinks; this time I had an apple martini. Afterward we came back to the room and I waited around while J got ready to go party. And now I’m ready for bed.

Quick note on William Rehnquist - it’s too bad he wasn’t the one who retired a few months back, because now they have to figure out someone else. Okay, bed now!