Today is Neptune Day. Normally this is celebrated the day we become shellbacks (cross the equator), but since the crew is a big part of the celebration, we needed to wait for the celebration to fit into their schedule.

I got to be a fish holder. I had an awful costume to wear that made me look like a giant toothpaste tube. The crew goes around in marching band style to wake everyone up at 7:15am. They beat drums, blow whistles, and knock on doors. Those of us in the procession joined them in the faculty/staff lounge. The Executive Dean was King Neptune, a professor was Queen Minerva, and others in the faculty and staff were involved. We marched around the ship to the aft deck by the pool.

At the pool, students had a fish concoction poured over their head by the crew. They jumped into the pool to rinse off. When they got out, there we were as fish holders ready for them to pucker up and give the dead fish a smooch. Their next stop was to bow before the king and kiss his ring.

After all those who wanted to participate did, they were off to the royal barber. These were also staff members. That's when all the hair comes off. Lots of people had their head shaved. I think a lot of people weren't planning to do it, but got caught up in the moment. I briefly worried I would also get caught up, but I made Noah promise to keep me from shaving my head. That would be a disaster.

I did get the concoction over my head, jumped in the pool, and kissed the fish and ring. Happy Valentine's Day, Noah, you get to kiss me after I kissed a fish. I also lost my sunglasses in the pool when I jumped in in my weird costume. Pictures will be coming sometime.

The funny thing is that we are actually in some rougher seas. The day we make a salute to Neptune, he decides to get testy with us. It was rainy today and the waves are much higher than they have been. Items are falling off shelves and chairs are sliding all around. I'm hoping I don't get seasick from all of this but it is fun.