Today was hectic. I woke up late (11am, but only because we regained an hour overnight by leaving the Alaska time zone) and ran upstairs to the Lido deck to catch my favorite muesli before it was taken away. Afterward I came back to the room, where J was still sleeping, and took a brief nap. I noticed the disembarkation talk was at 1:00, so I set a wakeup call for 12:40. When the call came, J was gone, and I went to the talk.

To make a long and whiny story short, I worked for the next three hours. The interpreter coordinator was there for most of it and became keenly aware that J was slacking off. Later in the day, I was involved in conversations that included the words “no professional boundaries.” I was told that my interpreting was fine but not great, and I received an apology for a lack of specific feedback.

Anyway, I ended up going to Victoria with a bunch of deaf passengers and M, my co-terp. I actually had a rather nice time walking around and shopping; I bought a few things, mostly for myself. I was supposed to meet up with someone, but I had no money for a pay phone and I couldn’t find one anyway that wasn’t occupied by ship crew members calling home. We had extra time before going back to the ship but we were done so we just caught the bus back. There was a little social gathering of the deaf passengers around 1am but I realized I was not one of the cool people so I walked away sadly without saying goodbye.

It was a positive experience overall, but I’m glad the cruise is over. I’m tired.

Sometimes I am amazed at how much sign language I know. I think this is mostly influenced by outsiders - people who see that we are communicating, but don’t understand. I am amazed that I get through meetings and such - amazed that my clients understand me. It’s all very odd.

This morning I woke up at 6am and had breakfast on the Lido deck. I had planned to eat in the dining room but it wasn’t ready when I was. I went inside anyway and gave my dinner order to a supervisor, then left for my trip. We were docked in Haines, but our excursion left from Skagway, so we had to take a “fast ferry” across the water. It wasn’t too fast, though - it took us an hour even though the trip isn’t supposed to be more than 15 miles. (By the way, the reason we needed to dock in Haines was that the Skagway port was filled with the Serenade of the Seas, the Coral Princess, the Norwegian Star, and the Norwegian Spirit.) I saw all of my deaf clients on the ferry, but four of them got separated from me. Once we boarded the railcar, I went from car to car looking for them to no avail. So I only interpreted for six clients instead of ten. I feel bad that they missed out on the narration, but I’m an interpreter, not a babysitter! And anyway, they could have come looking for me!

The train ride was actually really cool. I took bunch of pictures, and some of them might even come out okay! We had really great weather; our bus driver (between the ferry and the train) said it was the nicest day Skagway had seen in three weeks! We passed a number of notable sights, for which I interpreted the narration - although most of the time it was goofy stories like gold-seeking gophers and gold lotion that would make gold stick to you if you rubbed it on your naked body and then rolled on the ground! And of course, the people who made the most money from the Alaskan gold rush were not the prospectors - but rather merchants who helped keep them supplied during their adventure.

The trip back down from the summit was only marginally less interesting than the way up. I managed to snap a picture of the Class VI rapids along the Skagway River, and as we pulled into the depot I finally saw some wildlife - a little squirrel. Apparently there are animals in the area, but for the most part the five trains running simultaneously scare them away from the tracks.

Back in Skagway proper (total tourist village) I only had half an hour to look around before I had to catch the bus back to the ferry. I managed to grab gifts for A and my mom. Now I’m actually on the ferry, and I am so tired.

Oh, by the way, there’s a fair bit of misogyny on this cruise. Apparently a deaf person complained that RSVP had hired straight interpreters, so I had to suffer the indignity of being asked by the terp coordinator “you guys are lesbians, right?” I have also gotten some weird looks from many other passengers, and I heard someone express outright disgust at Amy Armstrong’s song about pussy - which she does totally tongue in cheek anyway. So all the misogyny gets me down a bit, or at least annoyed.

Today was another sea day even though our “destination” was listed as Hubbard Glacier. After breakfast I went to a presentation by a native Yaakwdaat tribesman (you can find his home an a map by looking for the Anglicized word Yakutat), which was short but interesting. I sat where deaf people would notice me if they came in, but nobody showed so I just enjoyed the talk. My next stop was the bow of the ship, where many passengers were already gawking at the glacier. I took a few photos, but taking many would have been pointless because it looked pretty similar all the way across. I heard some of the naturalist’s comments; the ice we were looking at was 150 years old (!) and 300 feet were above the water with another 250 feet below the waterline. Someone took my picture for me, and then one of the deaf clients took my picture, too. When I went back inside, the crew member who had been offering pea soup was gone, so I went to the Lido deck and had some hot chocolate.

I took a little nap, and then at 1:30 I went to the main auditorium to watch the rehearsal of Rockin’ Road, the medley performed by the Oosterdam’s singers and dancers. I can’t remember what I did after that! Oh yes, I did interpret bingo again. Apparently the prize on Thursday may be between $6,000 and $10,000!! Perhaps I should buy a card for that.

I had dinner on my own on the Lido deck and I rehearsed my set of songs for the show. I changed into a nice top and trousers and put on some eye makeup and lipstick. I was nervous before the show began, but as soon as the music started I really got into it! I interpreted Old Time Rock & Roll/Burning Love, Drift Away, Southern Nights (as a pre-recorded segue), Tennessee Waltz, Georgia On My Mind, Sweet Home Alabama, You Needed Me, Wild Wild West (segue), King of the Road, and Born to Be Wild. The only one I didn’t know and couldn’t memorize in time was Sweet Home Alabama, but J knew it and she gave me feeds throughout the verses. When I was done and I sat down I felt really good! I’m not a good musical interpreter but I think I did an awesome job - I moved to the beat, I signed well, etc. I went to bed early (well, after midnight technically) because I had to get up at 6am to interpret an excursion!

(PS: I made it into the Whiskey Cove Kayaking trip in Ketchikan!)

I’m having lunch now in Juneau and I figured this would be a good time to write about my feelings rather than just what’s been happening. I feel quite comfortable around pretty much all of the deaf clients, but I don’t really around my co-terps. It’s mostly just J, really. She is an extremely assertive person, probably bordering on aggressive. She dominates all conversations and I get the feeling that she always has to be right. She also has very strong opinions about the role of an interpreter, and she won’t accept that any way but her way is allowable. I am tempted to let the interpreter coordinator know that not all terps are as angry and aggressive as J. I am just trying my best to get through this week. I know I don’t have to be friends with her, and I certainly won’t be. She admits that she bonds better with guys so maybe that is why she is so buddy-buddy with M, the other terp. Of course it helps (them) that they are also both smokers, and I make up excuses to leave when they light up. (If they were both drinkers, I could stick around and just order a soda or something, but something like smoke I can’t stick around for.) I think M has been pretty nice to me though; he complimented me last night on both my earrings and my dress. J is just so aggressive I can’t stand it.

I miss A a lot. I know she misses me too, but she has lovies around her and I am all out on my own. I feel lonely a lot of the time. If I had the opportunity to interpret on a cruise again, I’m not sure I would. It’s just not enjoyable without her. If she could come with me I would do it, but the chances of that seem slim. When I didn’t order a drink at the party last night, one of the deaf guys asked me why. I said it was because I was saving for when I could go on vacation with my partner, and that seemed to be an acceptable answer. Yeah, I think if the opportunity should come up to do this again, I might not take it, and I won’t seek the opportunity out either.

Today was the boring day at sea. There isn’t much to see along the Inland Passage - much of the day was water to the horizon, with a few hilly islands off to starboard. We saw other ships following the same route; I assume one was the Diamond Princess. I don’t remember much of what we did in the morning…I got breakfast in the Lido. Oh, and I bought a $10 sport watch - unfortunately the alarm is very quiet so it may not be much help! The battery of the first one died as I was setting the time, so I brought it back and they let me exchange it. I also got an Oosterdam shotglass, and later in the day I got a couple of boxes of kahlua-filled chocolates. I suppose it would be friendly to share a box with the other terps, but I’m saving them for family.

Oh! Before I forget again! First, this ship’s stabilizers suck. It’s a much more tippy ride than the Galaxy, where we barely felt any movement. Second, the elevators keep making me laugh. When the doors open, a voice announces the deck number and name. Every time we stop at Deck 6, the Upper Verandah deck, it sounds like it says “a burger on the deck!” It makes me laugh.

At 2:00 we went to a party hosted by someone from Cruise Critic. I felt a bit silly being so young but everybody was really nice. The cabin - 4185 - was really astonishing! The host gave me the fake fur stole he’d brought for me to wear with my dress, and someone else had brought “Lickalottapuss” t-shirts from Spencer Gifts for J and I. At 3:00 I interpreted the first session of bingo, which was a lot of fun! The prizes were huge - one guy got $800!

Afterward I got ready for dinner, which meant putting on my dress. I actually felt like I looked pretty good. The other two terps were late to the captain’s champagne reception, heh. So I started, which was fine with me. We went to dinner but the other two terps decided they didn’t want to eat (and would rather go smoke) so I sat with a nice older deaf couple. The fruit cup was boring, the raspberry soup was really good, the main dish (asparagus something) was good, and the cheesecake - supposedly low-fat - was fine but not superb.

Gosh, I can’t remember what happened next - I am pretty tired. I did go to the black and white party (btw, the ship is overwhelmingly Caucasian) and I even danced. I got my picture taken (by one of the professional photographers) with a group of deaf people, so I might get that. If my formal picture came out okay, I’ll buy that too. Tomorrow is Juneau and I am kayaking, yay!

Oh yeah, I also broke my room key! At first I was accusing my roommate of locking the door, but it turned out that having the key card next to my magnetic RSVP nametag broke it. I apologized to my roommate and she was understanding; I got a new card at the front desk. I have warned a few other RSVP staff to be careful with their cards and nametags!

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!

We are underway. I am still posting from my Sidekick because I still have a great signal. I have met all of the deaf passengers and I recognize several of them from DC.

Obviously there won’t be any quicklinks for a while; I think they might have autoposted yesterday but I haven’t gotten them onto LiveJournal yet. I’m not sure how I will handle the fact that I do have net access (bought 100 minutes for $40). Maybe I will write in my paper journal at night and then type it up quickly during the day. That way I won’t have to wait till the end to post.

Not sure how I’m feeling socially and emotionally. I think I’m okay but still nervous about a lot of stuff.

The interpreter coordinator for the cruise sent out a mass e-mail to all of the deaf people who will be on the trip, giving the names and e-mail addresses for the three terps. Most of the deaf passengers were listed as their first initial and last name, and I saw one such combination that I recognized as a teacher from Gallaudet. She was my ASL IV teacher, and I knew she was a lesbian but that didn’t necessarily mean anything in this case. So I e-mailed and politely asked if this “J. Doe” was the Jane Doe who taught at Gallaudet, and if not would he or she please forgive the intrusion. It was the same Jane Doe! She is now teaching ASL at a high school in Florida, and she still has the same hearing dog she had just gotten when she was my teacher. The dog won’t be coming along on the cruise, though. But it’s going to be interesting interpreting for one of my former teachers! That happened to me once before while interpreting locally; I recognized a client but couldn’t place her and it turned out she’d led an ASL discussion group offered by the county that I’d participated in some years before. Hopefully I have improved since I was in her class.