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| Image via The Graphics Fairy |
This is rather a short post today because why would you want to spend your time here when you could be over visiting all the other cool blogs participating in the Murder at the Marina Blog Tour & Fiesta?
Last weekend, I was sitting in the patio area at our marina doing some laundry when I happened to overhear a conversation between some boaters. Yes, yes, I know - you call that eavesdropping in your neck of the woods. But if they didn't want me to overhear, they wouldn't have been talking right next to me, would they have? So I'm just going to stick with my description of it as some casual, run of the mill, overhearing.
Anyway, I won't repeat the conversation to you, because:
(1) that would be rude - it was a private conversation after all (and no, for the last time I wasn't eavesdropping); and
(2) it was kind of boring, like most conversations about boating are.
Basically, all conversations between boaters who meet for the first time boil down to the same basic construct.
"I just walked in on a guy naked in the shower."
Okay, that's not a normal part of a boater conversation, but that's how this particular conversation started. Key takeaway - make sure you lock the door when you're taking a shower at the marina. Unless you're some sort of weird sicko who likes it when people accidentally walk in on them. In that case, maybe you should find another marina. Just saying.
"So, what kind of boat are you on?"
This question is key. Boaters immediately categorize other boaters into categories. Sailboats vs. powerboats. Catamarans vs. monohulls. Boat bums vs. well-heeled weekend warriors.
Based upon your answer to this question, the conversation might end awkwardly or get competitive. "You poor things. How in the world do you manage with just one hull?" "We just installed a tennis court on the aft deck and it looks like all yours has going for it is mold."
"You should see the bruises I have!"
An integral part of any boating conversation is trying to one-up each other on either how much you've spent fixing stuff that breaks on your boat or who has had to contort themselves the most to fit into a small space to repair something. In boating, being miserable working in hot, cramped quarters, spending a lot of money on equipment and supplies, and getting plenty of bruises and cuts in the process is a badge of honor.
Well, that's enough about that. But the good news is I'll have to do laundry again this weekend. Who knows what juicy tidbits I'll overhear.
That really wasn't short after all, was it? What interesting conversations have you overheard lately?
Murder at the Marina - a lighthearted and humorous cozy mystery - now available in ebook and paperback format.
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Amazon (UK)
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Apple iBooks
Google Play
The Book Depository
Books-A-Million
I don't even work on a boat and yet I bet I could beat most people for total bruises.
ReplyDeleteSome people do bruise more easily than others. I'm one of those :-(
DeleteI feel like your key takeaway from the conversation is fair. Locking doors is generally a good idea when any kind of nudity is involved.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably be the boater with mold envying the tennis court boater. I think maybe you should make a quiz "What kind of boater are you?" It would be crazy insightful. :)
I'm kind of paranoid about locking the door. It would be a fun quiz to do, especially considering my boat has mold on it right now. :-)
DeleteThat first one sound horrific!
ReplyDeleteIt's always embarrassing when that kind of thing happens.
DeleteSad to say, your life is not for me. ~grin~ I guess enough scratches and bruises just around the house and in the garden! It was my pleasure to review your book. Best wishes on sales and writing the next installment!
ReplyDeleteIt can be a hard life at times. Lots of rewards, but also lots of challenges.
DeleteBoats and bruises happen. It's worth it though.
ReplyDeleteOur bathrooms at the marina are clearly marked men and women. You can lock the shower stalls and I do when I shower.
I've not heard any strange or interesting conversations. I guess you have to go somewhere to do that.
I'm supposed to get your book in the mail today. Looking forward to it.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
Boats and bruises do go together, like peanut butter and jelly :-)
DeleteWe have co-ed showers at our marina. They're single stall rooms with a changing bench, sink and shower.
I sure hope you enjoy it and thanks so much for ordering a copy, especially given how expensive the paperbacks are.
Oh, my. Yes, please lock the doors when you take a shower.
ReplyDeleteCompetition is alive and well in the boating world as much as anywhere else, i see.
Yes, us humans can find a way to compete against each other no matter what the subject is :-)
DeleteThe boating life seems pretty darn interesting to me, though I'm sure it gets routine, like everything else.
ReplyDeleteThe badge of honour part reminds me of kickboxing, where every bruise, cut, and stitch was a mark of courage that we bragged about.
That's very true - it does get routine and sometimes it takes an outsider to mention something and then you remember how odd the lifestyle can be.
DeleteInteresting comparison to kickboxing - I can see how injuries would be a badge of courage.
I can't say that I've overheard any riveting conversations lately, and certainly none that began with a naked guy in the shower.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea to lock those shower doors at the marina, but it ain't gonna happen here at our house. Our cats gets very insulted if the bathroom door is locked. If it's closed, they shove it open like a cop doing a drug bust. Then, they're likely to stroll through the bathroom, maybe stop for a head-rubbing, and stroll back out again, tail held high. (They just want to know they CAN come in if they want to.) If the door is locked, God forbid, they bang a Gene Krupa solo on the door. (Why yes... yes, they DO have us well-trained.)
That's so funny about cats. They hate closed doors!
DeleteTwo women walked past me (at my former place of employment) and what I heard made me wish I knew the entire story..maybe.
ReplyDelete"Her fingerprints are going to be on that gun!"
Oh, I want to know the rest too!
DeleteI used to live on this commune for a very short time. They had coed communal showers (no partitions). I was likely to be overhear saying, "Yes! I walked into the shower and there was NO naked man!"
ReplyDeleteI am a bad ease dropper
Yeah, I'm not sure I could deal with showers like that. I like the ones here with a solid door you can lock.
DeleteThose conversations sound very familiar. Except the naked guy in the shower one, since we always showered in the ocean off Irie’s back steps, and, luckily, there weren’t any naked people there. :-)
ReplyDelete“Where are you from?” is another repetitive question when sailing and meeting different cruisers in different ports.
You're right - "Where are you from" is a common question. I never quite know how to answer that one.
Delete