TV Themes & Memories Past

All Aboard the Channel Surf

Many people have memories come to them in various ways. A sound, a song, or a colour. Scent is a big memory maker; a cologne, a cleaning product, apple pie etc. I must admit that when I smell a certain type of furniture polish I am whisked back in time to the end of year clean up in grade school when we would clean our violins to prepare them for summer storage. However, as I travel around the Alaskan wilderness once again aboard this luxury liner, it is not the smell of sea air or the sound of crashing waves that jogs my memory bank, it is the sound of a television theme song that makes me think of friends I have met along the way.

It is two strong beats on some sort of metallic instrument that not only signifies another episode of Law & Order is about to begin on TNT, but I am quickly taken back to my first contract in Alaska when my friend Scott & I would spend far too much time glued to the screen awaiting the outcome of another fictional trial. That intro makes me hungry for a tuna pita, because that is what we would eat while watching back to back to back episodes of the Dick Wolf series, cheering on Jerry Orbach as he caught yet another punk thief on the streets of New York.

The music box like cascade of notes and Patrick Dempsey’s smile takes me back to the bottom bunk of 2821, my cabin that I shared with Amy. We sat holding a Corona and a bag of Doritos amazed at the complex and hilarious lives of interns trying to make it through another day. I have never bonded with another girl like I did with Amy, not to mention Meredith and Izzie. Short of a stethoscope, we were one with that group.

Most importantly, while it doesn’t happen often, an operatic chorus will echo through the crew mess as ESPN is turned on. I can’t make out any of the words the choir melodically shouts except the final two… “The Champions”. I am then sitting beside my darling husband, cheering on the Red Devils on any one of the various ships we have sailed on together. I, cheering on Giggs, the only player I really know, and he, holding some sort of beer in one hand and hope in his eyes that his team will once again soar to victory. While I admit I don’t know a lot about the sport, knowing that a few times a month I can share in celebrating a win or console a loss (however infrequently that happens!) with my husband makes that particular theme special to me.

So for those of us who smell the autumn leaves and remember our first days of school, or see an ocean so blue it reminds us of our loved ones eyes, I cherish the moments that satellite television bring me a few reminders of some people in my life that without them, it wouldn’t be the same.

A Ferrett's Mistake

I have done a few stupid things in my life, and the first one that comes to mind is standing in line at Islands of Adventure for the Incredible Hulk roller coaster. I hate roller coasters, and there I stood for over half an hour near tears anticipating my imminent death on this metal contraption. As I advanced to the platform where they post many signs describing the ways the ride can kill you, I decided to weigh my options. What if I stepped through the exit or "bail out" door and had a few fries and a hot dog while I waited for my friends to enjoy the ride instead? What would happen if I didn't take the ride of death? Would I be less of a person for bailing out? Would I always wonder what if? Would I play it safe and enjoy the rides less likely to make my heart stop or take a risk and climb into the green harness of fear? I paid my $97 US dollars for my fast pass so I should make it count right?

I loved that 47 seconds that I was on that ride, but I would not do it again. My life hasn't changed since going on it, but at least I can say I did it.

I went to theatre school. Scary, bumpy, expensive and risky...but it's no Hulk coaster. The difference is, I would do it all over again, and then some. The highs and lows, the drops and climbs, the tears and laughter, the debt and despair, because it shaped me. It made me who I am today, and I am proud of that. I glanced at the bail out door several times at Sheridan, but never walked through it. That is what makes me as strong as the Hulk every day, and right about now, I need that strength, because this has been the hardest 3 weeks I've ever had to face.

A Ferrett Begins

Welcome!

I have no idea where this will go, or what adventures we will enjoy together, but I needed a forum of communication for my thoughts and feelings as I embark on my next adventure. I will be setting sail on a cruise ship for seven months and figured I would chronicle my bumps and successes along the way. It may fizzle out or it may bloom into a journal beyond my wildest expectations. Either way, let's not set our hopes too high yet.

So for now, I leave you until something excruciatingly exciting happens. In that case, you may not hear from me for a while.

Cheers!