Regular Life

(Readers of “Apartment Life” may click here for Part Eight)

More great weather today.

We went aboard theUSS Lexington, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that served from 1943 to 1991, the last 22 years of that as a training vessel. It was Ben’s first time to go aboard a boat longer than about 48 feet, and mine, too. We started with an IMAX movie, in an onboard theater, called Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag.

A caricature on the ship’s barber shop wall.

Up and down ladders we went to discover the crew’s quarters, the mess hall, the various clinics, and the machine shop. Ben was with us and getting very hungry and bored, so we skipped the engine room. He did a great job walking everywhere and went up the ladders all by himself, down while holding one hand.

The flight deck, very small by today’s standards, featured aircraft from several eras. I enjoyed seeing them, but I’m not one of those guys who can point to a passing plane and say, “That’s an F-15 Tomcat Wildfire,” or whatever. Some four-year-olds can do this, and it blows me away every time.

After that, we tried to use onboard computer “Max,” to find an electronics store, and it put the nearest Circuit City at Fort Meyers, FL, more than 1,000 miles east of here. Hmmm… curious, because we passed one on the way back to the house.

Speaking of the house, there’s another peculiarity I haven’t yet mentioned. The lady who took us through the orientation said the air conditioner is set to 78 during the day and 74 at night, and there’s a lock on the thermostat that we can’t open. On days of 95% humidity, especially when the nights aren’t hot enough to trip the thermostat, “muggy” is the operative word.

Also, one of the toilets has a printed label that reads, “Please flip up handle.” In a high-rent place like this, you’d think they could pay for a little basic plumbing. Printed labels also accompany various kitchen cabinets, making statements like, “Use caution: not replaceable. Handwash every item in cabinet if used.” The only plates that are dishwasher-safe don’t fit in the dishwasher.

Paper plates and bowls quickly surpassed the real stuff, and Solo cups are our friends.

All these are minor but common gripes, and despite the little annoyances we’re having a great time.

Upon our return from the ship, Ben played outside, cleaning his seashells from Monday’s beach trip while Shannon’s cousin caught some rays. Despite the midday sun and a firm breeze, a few more mosquitoes found his tender young flesh; he’s damned like his father to be their first target.

Lots of Caladryl and a hot bath later, Ben’s lying on his Cars inflatable mattress calling out, “Daddy,” while I sit in the living room with everyone watching game three of the World Series. It’s fairly easy to remain sociable while doing pretty much anything during a baseball game, including keeping up my trip journal.

Ben’s fast asleep, and Shannon and I just watched Finding Neverland on my laptop, using headphones (one of her uncles is asleep in the living room). I recommend it. Now we’re up to our room, where our own little boy slumbers. I hope he never truly grows up.

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