The Block

I have writer's block. Very severe case. I keep waiting for inspiration to write something for my lovely readers that they would be interested in, but nothing comes to mind. So what did I do? I decided to look at the writing prompts to push me in the right direction (or any direction that involves me writing, for that matter; I just need words on this page). So what did I manage to find? Don't get too excited, it's not incredibly exhilarating. But celebrate because it is a topic I can write about:

The Nonfiction Book
I have chosen to read Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline: Where the Crew Lives, Eats, Wars, and Parties. One Crazy Year Working on Cruise Ships. I know, I know. You all must be wondering, "What about that whole slew of books you bought at Barnes and Noble?" Well, unfortunately and as I predicted, I haven't had enough time to start any of them. It's kind of a bummer, but I'll get over it.
Besides, this book is pretty interesting (as I think you could probably guess from the title). The author, Brian Bruns, tells his story of working on a cruise ship for a year. He is the only American worker on board, giving him the chance to meet many foreigners. They all believe he is stupid and crazy for taking the job. Why come and work on this ship when he could be making so much more money in other American jobs? His answer is simple: he follows a woman (his girlfriend works on the ships). They find that crazy, too.
It has been entertaining to read this book. Bruns is frequently asked questions by his shipmates. "Is it normal for everyone in America to have a house and a car?" "You're divorced? How can you be so casual about it?" So much shocks them about America (one woman tells how she once asked a hotel assistant how long it would take to get to a restaurant. He said ten minutes, and she walked and ended up taking an hour! Bruns had to explain to her that traveling by car was the normal mode of transportation in the US).
I am a little more than a third of the way through right now. He has just finished his training and has moved onto an actual ship, Conquest, where he gets to work with his girlfriend. There hours are so crazy, though, they rarely get to see each other (setting Bruns up to question whether or not the relationship will last). They have done what the title has said so far: eating, sleeping, a little warring, and partying. The parties are interesting (one involved singing karaoke until five in the morning with several drunken Filipinos). As I said, the book is funny and is a good pace. I just hope I can think of a topic that I can connect it to (well) for our next paper.