The Diamond Princess

You know how some things can jog your memory?

Like the smell of someone's cologne, or hearing a familiar tune on the radio?

Well, mine came in the form of a 116,000-tonne marine vessel by-the-name of:

The Diamond Princess.

As is often the case, I was out for a stroll on a sunny, summer afternoon in downtown Vancouver when I noticed, peeking above the roof-tops, the unmistakable array of antennae, radar equipment, and smoke stakes that I've come to recognize oh-so-well.

From October 2005 to January 2006, I had the privilege of working on-board the Diamond Princess as a Videographer.

During that time, I visited ports in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It was an experience that I will never forget! Some of the highlights included:

Visiting the Great Wall of China.

Seeing Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour.

Feeling the chill of Tiananmen Square.

Figuring-out how to use the ticket machine in Osaka, Japan.

Standing in the very same spot where my father stood to get his picture taken while visiting Osaka Castle before I was born.

Riding on the back of a motorbike in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Taking-off to Thailand for a week during dry-dock in Singapore.

And scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef on my 30th birthday.

Fuelled by an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, I found myself gravitating towards the cruise ship terminals at Canada Place. My pace quickening with every step as if I was late for a reunion with a long-lost friend.

After crossing Howe and Cordova, her image finally came into view. A massive display of blue and white opulence; a jewel like no other!

As I climbed the stairs towards the top of Canada Place, I passed a few crew members going in the opposite direction, their tattle-tale laminexs (crew i.d. cards) giving them away. As I watched them go past me, I couldn't help but to smile as I too, understood the pain and pleasures that awaited them in the city. For as a crew member, your time on land is the only thing that keeps you sane (apart from the cheap drinks in the crew bar of course!).

After stopping to take a picture of the aft (back) of the ship,

I soon joined the other spectators as we watched the grandeur of this floating hotel spread-out before us.

A smile crept across my face as my eyes slowly scanned her glistening white exterior. I knew where the casino, restaurants, gym and discos were located. I knew which deck allowed you to walk from one end of the ship to the other. But more importantly, I knew where the crew slept and ate and where they went to seek camaraderie and fun with one another during those long days at sea.

Like seeing an old "flame" across a crowded room, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in this intimate knowledge that I held, and the memories that went along with them.

As the horn sounded and the Diamond Princess slowly left her berth, I took out my camera for one last photo-op.

With my trip down "memory-lane" complete, I said a silent farewell to the MV Diamond Princess, and left. Having already been to where she's heading, there was no need for one last look.

And besides, just like The Terminator:

She'll be back!

Friday Afternoon in the City (brought to you by the letter S)

Sugar

Steps

Stop-lights

Soccer

Sabine

Samurai

Shady

Spaces

Salads

Slices

Squish

Students

Studs

Sluts

Silicon

Sexy

Smoke

Silly

Shades

Solo

Speed

Stilettos

Sandals

Security

Shakes

Shade

Station

Stores

Streets

Satchels

Shit

Shopping

Smooch

Sad

Squalid

Squares

Stripes

Stoic

Smart

Slovenly

Snow white

Socks

Slims

Sharing

Stories

Seduction

Style

Shorts

Sun

Some more!

The Running Man

Today, I went to the gym.

While I was running on the treadmill, the girl beside me started talking on her cell phone.

I was not happy.

I told her to stop talking on her cell phone.

She did.

And then I was happy again.

But then she said, "It was only a short call."

And then she apologized.

And then I felt like a shit.

And now, I was not happy.

Again.

...

And then she finished her workout and left.

And then I was happy again.

Or, so I thought.

(Sigh)


Photo credits:  http://www.happyhotelier.com/, http://www.penguin.com.au/, http://www.businessweek.com/, http://www.msnowe.files.wordpress.com/, Robert Lee YMCA.

The Seven Year Itch

So there I was, in the library, perusing the DVD section, when I came across The Seven Year Itch.

(For a backgrounder on the movie, click HERE)

Now normally, I wouldn't watch a movie starring Marilyn Monroe, but for some reason, I decided to give it a whirl.

And boy, was I pleasantly surprised!

Not only was this my first time seeing a Marilyn Monroe flick, but unbeknownst to me, this was the movie that contained that famous scene where Marilyn's skirt flies-up as she stands over a subway grate.

Now I understand why she was nicknamed, "The Blonde Bombshell"! 

Instead of the movie being antiquated and boring, it was actually an eye-opening look into societal stereotypes and etiquette of the 1950s.

Now for those of you who have yet to see this movie, don't worry! There's no need for a spoiler alert here. But what follows are specific references to the movie to support my commentary about which stereotypes were reinforced by the Hollywood "machine" during this movie:

Aboriginals, Asians, and men (gay and str8) - During the opening scene, we're treated to a reenactment of the beginnings of summer when Manhattan was inhabited by American Indians. While the notion that "men will be men" is full of opportunities for humour, seeing a bunch of white guys decked-out in body paint, playing a caricature of a North American Indian, is not.

In fact, it reminded me of the Blackface minstrel shows of the 19th century.

Crude. 

And in very poor taste.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if these caricatures of the bumbling, dimwitted husband was the genesis of all those "wife to the rescue" plot-lines that we keep seeing regurgitated over and over again in modern day t.v land.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

But apart from actor Tom Ewell (who played the role of Richard Sherman)  making references to the "Chinese laundry" and the two "interior decorators" who live on the top floor, the rest of the movie was a pleasure to watch.  

Especially, the reenactment of THE famous beach scene from the classic movie From Here to Eternity. I thought it was hilarious! 

While it's safe to say that Marilyn Monroe's portrayal of the beautiful new neighbour tickled a few "funny bones" in the audience, I don't think it did her any justice. I'm sure behind that caricature of a "dumb blonde", there was probably an actor that had the potential to bring truth to a number of different roles.

But alas, the Hollywood execs had other plans for "The Blonde Bombshell".

Overall, man's challenges with fidelity will always be chock-o-full of opportunities for pain and pleasure. And when you marry the two you get either The Seven Year Itch or, Fatal Attraction.

Cooked bunny anyone?