5/23/13

SHould be another good post night.  I have time for it, which the astute Adventure Nickel reader recalls, means that I am on an overnight with a patient.  Good times. 

Trying not to be grumpy.  I am in another stretch where it seems like everything is turning against me.  Same thing happened last time I worked with this LMO too.  Weird.  I tend to get this almost paranoid thing going on where I am hyper-aware of every little slight.  So I try to do something of a reality check and realize I can't because I am on a cruise ship and there is very little reality around with which to compare.  Things like losing my third call day the day the new medical crew came on and then losing it again this coming weekend because new crew are coming on.  Things like getting asked to teach a three hour class on less than 24 hours notice.  Things like somone accidentally putting my phone number under the other nurses name so I get phone calls all night on my day off.  Add to all of this some other stylistic differences and it add up to me losing my cool about completely inconsequential things. 

"What IDIOT would shred all of the ingredients on a salad bar?  And all the salad dressings are CREAM BASED?  What Moron wouldn't put some oil based italian or balsamic vinaigrette?" 

People tend to doubt your stability when you get so upset about these trivialities.  But seriously, who puts up 7 cream based salad dressings and then a lone bottle of vinegar?  Sorry, I just can't let some things go.  So how was I feeling Max?

So, we were in Sitka today.

I was first call last time we were here and didn't get off.  The weather held again today and it was beautiful.  There is a very picturesque mountain just outside the town called, I believe, Mt. Edgecombe.  I'm not sure about the name of the one next to it, but they do sort of look like a before and after photo set.

I would be lying if I said there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  There was one.  This was it.

We got off the tender and started walking through parks and down streets toward a park at the end of town.  Michael has been interested in the martial arts lately and I have been teaching him some stances.  He's getting there.

Of course, there was some goofing off too.

Then we found the Sitka Sound Science Center.  I think it was developed for the rigorous study of tongue twisters.  Or sea life.

They had a small aquarium, a touch tank and a salmon hatchery.  The kids of course, loved the touch tank.

Because you can touch.

Then we got to the Sitka historical park.  Awful place.

It teaches about the early history of Sitka and how the Russians fought the natives here and ended up taking over the place.  There is also a beautiful park with a trail through the forest.  Get the kids off the ship and they just run and run and act all crazy.  Wait, they do it on the ship too. 

The park trail displays 11 totem poles that are no longer associated with any tribe.  I am guessing that means the tribes were all killed off.  Isn't history fun?  Really beautiful park though. 

5/21/2013

Glacier gazing day! 

This one was a little different than last time for two major reasons.  First, I was first call and confined to the dungeon.  Boo...hiss.  I only managed to get up above decks for a few minutes, but I did bring the camera, which leads me to the 2nd main difference.   It was a beautiful day.  Just gorgeous.  So, there are a few decent pictures.  I have around 1300 pictures on my memory card.  Sheesh. 

After dinner Max went to the kid's club, but Michael didn't want to go this time.  Instead, he chose to hang out with us and read a book  while we sat up by the Lido pook looking out at the scenery.  We saw lots of whales, but nothing fantastic like breaches.  Just some spouts. 

Michael has become a book nerd.  At least he comes by it honestly.  Since we started this cruise on 4/6, he has read the last 4 Harry Potter books, plus The Golden Compass and Julie of the Wolves and has started another book today.  We found a little bookstore in Juneau that has a ton of awesome books and a guy behind the counter that is big a book addict as I have seen.  We get in there and leave with a book every time.  So, he and Michael are becoming friends and he is suggesting books for Michael to read.  Pretty cute really.  So, on to some pictures.  Let's start with Juneau, yesterday.


Prior to arriving we noticed a ship following in the distance.  It is the Zuiderdam.  I think they are trying to get me back...patience Zuiderdam, patience. 

A fun picture of the mural on the city hall.

Part of teh treck up toward the mountain and trails.  Quite a few stairs for a little guy. 

Along another staircase is where I found my 'gold ike substance'  Believe it or not, this is it.  There are shiny flakes scattered amongst what appears to be quartz crystals. 

On to Glacier Bay.  See, not a cloud in the sky.  You can see a glacier in this one and the beautiful mountains in the background that were totally obsured by clouds last time.

Another shot of the Marjorie Glacier.  If you look close you can see a helicopter swooping in to land on it for a tour. 

Michael and Max.

I like this one.  What a spectacular day for glacier gazing.

Michael into his book. 

I love the blue ice of the glacier. 

Tomrrow, Sitka and third call.  Should be fun, if not so clear and beautiful.

5/19/2013

Kind of a crazy day.  I was up late a few times last night as I was first call.  When you are awakened at 0200 by the phone, it can be hard to get back to sleep after.  So, we slept in this morning. When the kids did wake up, they just started playing with a new Lego set that Michael bought with some leftover birthday money.   "222 pieces and I put it together in probably less than an hour."  Since they were having a good time and somewhat distracted, we decided to skip breakfast. 

Eventually we got up and got ready, then got lunch.  After lunch we took the kids to the kids club and Sarah walked around with me while I checked CPR masks, AEDs and wheelchairs.  While I am doing this, the phone rings and it is Scott from the kids club.  Max hit his head and is asking for Mommy and Daddy.  So we got there and pulled him out, then took him for an ice cream.  Eventually the story comes out the there is this girl who kicked him yesterday and then again today.  So, we are trying to deal with that crap.  Part of me wants to tell him to just punch her right in her face, but I didn't.  Yet.

So, then I go back to wheelchair checks and right as I finish, I get a call from Sarah.  There is a tornado that appears to be right over Michelles, and our, house.  So I head back down to the room and yep, it sure looks that way.   I try to call her and get no answer, and no answering machine.  Yeah, I know, she still has an answering machine, but it let me know the power was out when I called and it didn't pick up.  Eventually we get hold of her and she tells us it appears that the tornado just missed her and went on to smash the town where I graduated high school.  She reported that the truck made it through OK and she thought the house was fine, but would go check a little more and I should call her right back.  So I hang up the phone and start to tell Sarah all about what Michelle said and my phone rings again.  I am needed in the medical center. 

I get there and am informed that tomorrow I am supposed to give a class about first aid and hypothermia tomorrow and again the next day from 9-12 using this 52 page power point presentation this other guy made.

What? 

So, yep.  I on for tomorrow.  When I express a little touch of dubious WTF, everyone else looks at me like I am being totally unreasonable.  Why does this seem weird to me.  Everyone is always asked to teach a three hour class on less than 24 hours notice.  Sometimes I hate this job. And I usually love to teach stuff. 

Then back to the room to call Michelle back who tells me that a hailstone around the size of a tennis ball broke through the skylight in our bedroom and was melting on our bed.  If that is the only damage, we are lucky.  Of course, there are supposed to be more storms tomorrow.  YEAH! 

How was your day? 

So, the first two pictures are some catch up pictures from Ketchikan.  I like them.  It is a pretty little town.

Now, Michael and Max assembling the Lego AT-RT. 

Playing with the finished product.

Michael always looks a little crazy because he doesn't want to look right into the camera. 

Max, however, knows right where to look.

And in a minor miracle of modern technology, here is the hole in my skylight at home.