I was looking into the water. It looked so calm and I wanted to jump off the boat and into the water. It was nice at first. Good conversation, met a few new people. Was a little disappointed that they didn’t have the vegetarian option that was advertised in the party’s notice but not so much because there was nothing else to eat (good salad and rice and veggies) but because I was craving that tortellini. Damn.
The dinner was over and the music kicked in. Awfully loud music. I looked around me and realized I was surrounded by couples. In two you do not need to worry about not talking to people, you always have your mate. Double the conversation support if you do meet someone.
I didn’t hate alone. I’ve learned how to take alone and make it into something good, something important to have. I enjoyed the views of Vancouver. I couldn’t think of being there with someone. I just wanted to not be there anymore.
It was the music that ticked things off. Music not really music but noise that I can’t get away from. Not bad at first but then you realize you cannot communicate with people because it is too loud. You try to talk over but it just makes your throat hurt.
For the last hour and a half I found a spot on the boat with the minimum volume / maximum warmth at a balance. I watched yaletown float by and wondered what was going on in all those sky boxes reaching tall. I saw the abandoned celebration of lights barge waiting to shine next summer. I chuckled when we passed under a bridge (Clark St?) and 3 kids were standing in the light, dancing to the YMCA playing. I wondered if they were laughing at us and I wanted to tell them I was not having fun.
Finally it was time for home. I busted ass off that ship vowing to never go on a dinner cruise again. Except for if it is not work related and involves copious amounts of alcohol :)