I was not writing this blog for a long time now for a simple reason that I embarked on a new ship (Brazil-bound) and workload was so unbelievable hard (17 hours daily,every day) that me & my colleagues hardly had time to rest, not to mention go outside for some fresh air or even do some ordinary things like wash our laundry - really,this was probably the hardest I was working so far and I have been doing cruise ships for ten years. Because ship was preparing for season in another continent, we were constantly getting mountains of new deliveries (30+ pallets every week) and these things needed to be pulled in our stores (with sweat dropping from me on the boxes), opened, checked,inventoried and put in some order while after 30 minutes break we were expected to open the shops showered, shaved, clean and smiling until closing time. This is how I lived for a month and half. Surprisingly enough, work was actually not a problem for me because I am doing this for a long time but what bothered me was absolute lack of time to rest + constant drills and training added to our already exhausting schedule. Like we have so much free time that something has to be done not to leave us bored. Security is all fine but when ship crew has FOUR drills weekly (and a "smile training" about customer service) it really means keeping people in constant vicious circle of obligations from the early morning to ungodly hours of 2 a.m. on daily basis. At certain point I really started to feel like I am in prison and this is some kind of punishment.
Anyhow, it's all changed now because lucky me I got transfered to another ship - goodbye Brazil and so long - my daily routine is a little less chaotic now (drills and training still here but not 17 hours daily) and I feel much better. I mean, we still work,push & pull but workload is much easier here and I actually have time to rest and go outside.
Amazingly enough - I actually managed to read a few books along the way. I need to read,its my life-style and pleasure, even if it's just a half a page before sleep. Some of my colleagues relax by having a drink, others go to gym (on this ship,not on a previous) - me,I have my books & music. Movies are collected and sorted but I don't have time to watch them. So this is what I read, page by page & little by little since I came on the ship(s) mid-September...
"The Second Book of General Ignorance" is entertaining sequel to already famous and successful book full of funny little everyday trivia and questions about the facts we all think we know but in fact we might just got it wrong. It's very easy read and reader can easily enjoy chapter by chapter as they are not connected - I laughed out loud several times and loved it very much, reading this little book before sleep, it was just what I expected though not as original as the the first part.
"Victorians" by Jeremy Paxman is interesting look at certain era when paintings were reflecting & shaping public opinions. In the days before TV, paintings were re-printed and sold by thousands, some gaining such notoriety, fame and success that people lined in front of museums and galleries to see them. It is very interesting book, discussing how public taste slowly changed and whatever effect Charles Dickens had achieved with his books, some painters helped with their art, pointing at lesser fortunate members of society. Some of these paintings were perhaps milking too much of sentiment but there were quite a few that actually honestly reflected reality. Very interesting read.
"A time to dance, a time to die" is about unusual and rarely known epidemics that hit central Europe in medieval times: people would suddenly start wildly dancing (apparently not from joy or happiness but like being obsessed, with feet bleeding and sweat pouring off them) and danced for days, many died along the way from exhaustion. Author discusses possible roots of this strange phenomenon and why people behaved like that - epidemic was eventually completely forgotten later but in old city archives we can still find documents about this. its interesting mainly as a look at long gone days when religion completely ruled people's every day lives so perhaps this was taken as a God's punishment.
"Mary Magdalene" by Lynn Picknett is interesting but not particularly original work about famous (notorious) Biblical reformed prostitute and her possible historical role - I read some of Picknett's previous work and she is clever author with a strong sense of humor (whenever one thinks book becomes very serious, she peppers the text with some witty sayings) so although there was nothing ground-breaking here (it seems we read the same authors) I enjoyed the book mainly because of her writing style and Picknett appears to be genuinely nice person. Considering the theme, she could have been preachy but in fact Picknett is gently self-sarcastic and not afraid to laugh at her own expense. I would probably enjoy anything by her at this point.
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