day of rest

Sunday, a day off, but not for the duty engineer. Which today was me. No
bother, it was a light day. Making rounds, doing daily routines. The ship
doesn't stop sailing for a day off. Came up from down below at noon, and
discovered that the Old Man had arranged a party for lunch. They were waiting
for me to arrive.

Festivities started with a robust game of bingo. Bingo? I declined, of course,
being a founding member of C.A.S.T. (and Shug, if you ever find this blog,
you'll know what I'm talking about). Everytime there was a winner, they played
music and the winner had to dance. I quickly made myself scarse.

There was a roasted hogs head served, which no one touched. Sliced right down
the middle, a nostril on each half, and dug out like a canoe. The tempura
shrimp was more popular. Being on duty, I was unable to partake of the brewed
and fermented beverages.

Made my plate and shuffled off to the officers mess to dine in peace, the C/M
and 3rd engineer also were there. C/M is from Croatia, the new 3rd is from
Russia. They both had many things to say about everything. Both are long
talkers, and quite confident that their position and understanding of things is
correct, the C/M more than the 3rd, but that may be a reflection of years of
practice, the C/M having had 25-30 more.

I mostly sat quiet, remembering the sage advice of Sun Tzu:

All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity;
when active, inactivity. ... Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
[ed.-- pretend? who's kidding who?]

Or as the wise M.S. said:

Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove
all doubt.

One more inspection of the engine spaces tonight at 2100, then off to bed. And
we will be picking up a pilot at about 2330, requiring that the engineroom be
manned, so I won't have the whole night with that "duty" light in my room,
staring at me, mocking me, making my sleep restless, threatening to annunciate
and scare the living bejesus out of me.

Not your traditional Easter, but sailing isn't traditional anymore.