The Amazing Cruise: Day 3

Day 3: Well, it's been quite the past 24 hours or so. First off, we hit a patch of rough seas last night. Starting shortly after dinner, I noticed the ship was swaying port to starboard. It got stronger, and stronger... and after a few minutes, people started stumbling around. We went up to the top deck to a bar/dance floor/chocolate feast, and it got really bad. Several of our friends got sick. Mrs. BA and I were pretty good, though. I thought it was fun, at least until it was time to go to bed. We are on the 7th deck, at the very fore of the ship, and got the brunt of the action. It took me an hour to fall asleep, with the ship bucking and jumping -- mind you, the ship displaces 91,000 tons, so when it moves, it moves. There were several loud BANGS during the night, too. I have no clue what they were even now. And we're back in choppy waters again. It's fun, but it definitely makes it hard to shave. The next morning I gave my talk (about solar flares, aurorae, and such). I think that went pretty well. I made lots of dumb jokes, and everyone had a good time. Regular readers may remember that I got a copy of my first book autographed by several astronauts. I mentioned I had big plans for it... well, today I presented that book to Randi so that he may auction it off and raise money for his educational foundation, JREF. Randi does a lot of good in the world, and I am very happy to be able to contribute in any way I can. Right after my talk, appropriately enough, a striking rainbow appeared off the starboard bow: