Growing old gracefully AND FAST

Something funny happened on board today that made me feel as though I'm growing old at an alarming rate, albeit gracefully (only in my opinion). When I was young and working, with busy involved kids, and all that goes along with that life style, I knew the date, day and time at all times. So much depended on me being on time to this or that. To manage it all, I went from a paper appointment calendar to palm pilot to a blackberry to a smart phone. Since 50, moving through stages of aging and semi retirement, I've found myself not knowing 1 of the 3 (day, date or time) occasionally but that's OK right? It's like walking into a room and forgetting why you went in. No big deal. Well, not today! Today was the first day ever I didn't know all 3 at one time. While I have a good excuse(s), it took my breath way for a moment. It was disorienting to say the least. Here are my excuses in no particular order...I'm on vacation; we changed 3 time zones in 4 days; my computer, phone and princess app all showed different times; my wife left the wrong "daily patter" out on the desk and the catch all, I'm actually getting older. I think the saving grace of senility is that normally you don't know you're senile. I'm not there yet. That's how my day started. It got better and better.

I started with a light breakfast where I met Bill for the first time. He sat at my table. After we went thru the normal pleasantries, I found out he's an avid wood worker with a 1500 Sq ft woodshop. After wiping the drool from my mouth, we chatted for over an hour about wood, techniques, equipment and so on. Though we have very different styles, there was a mutual respect.

Then I did consulting work for 4hrs followed by my new and improved elliptical workout routine of 1.5 hrs, 8 miles at a 20 resistence and then the sauna between 11:30-1:30. On the way to lunch, I ran into my new buddy, Lanni, in the hot tub so I hopped in and we chatted for an hour. We spent a bit of time commiserating the mask mandate which starts tomorrow till we can all be tested on the 21st. Not sure what day that is but it's soon 😉.

A light lunch was followed by a short but profitable stint in the casino. It was oddly unsatisfying as I won too fast, which means I hit my upper threshold quickly and had to stop. "You got to know when to hold em.......". Once I double my money, I stop at the next losing hand.

I met up with my wife and we got ready for dinner before heading to the bar for a cocktail. Dinner was wonderful yet again with an appetizer of a salmon cake with a poached egg on top, prime rib/salmon combo and turtle cheesecake for dessert. Pics below

After dinner, I got a nice nap at the 7:30 show. I hear it was good. Again, not anything to do with the quality of the show, it's just I get up at 5am ship time and work out more than normal. It's a small price to pay. But before the show, I introduced Gary (another wood worker) to Bill. I'm so looking forward to sharing tips and techniques with them. After watching Dan the man in the explorers lounge, we headed back to the room for the night.

Tomorrow we all have to get off the boat in LA for customs regulations so I'll geocache for a few hours near the port.