I don’t have it. Not today, anyway. Not yet.

But ahead lie three days of long weekend bliss. Spending time at home, or going out with friends. Knitting, embroidering, watching bad television… it’s going to be a lovely weekend. And if that doesn’t cure this “flu,” I don’t know what will!

I really like working at a hospital. Half the people are there, ready to accept help. The other half are there ready to give it. Such a mutually beneficial environment.

But what I like best at the hospital is the main central stairwell. It’s made of concrete, just like you’d expect for an old institutional building. But on each landing, right were I put my foot to turn the corner for the next flight, there’s a shallow groove in the floor. Not only is it exactly where I place my foot as I pivot around the landing, but it’s where hundreds of other people’s feet have rested, too. Decades of doctors and housekeepers, patients and families have come to this place to get or to give assistance.

It’s a cement stairwell, but decades of footfalls have made their mark. And mine have been there, too.

What a wonderful, restful day.

I’m with so-and-so, he replied, but she passed on last Thursday. I’m here to collect her soul. He went on to explain that in their beliefs, the soul remained for a period of time in the place where the body passes away. He was here to retrieve the lady’s soul from her place of final rest.

There’s a lot I do not know about the way life works. But I do know that I respect a man who has such respect for the soul.

I’m covering for vacations for the next few weeks which means I’m working full 8 hour days. It also means I’m remembering why I respect people with real jobs. Phew!

And speaking of freaky, Ishmael and Queequog are approached by a strange man who has ill omens about the Pequod and Captain Ahab. Nothing specific, but he hints of how Ahab nearly died on the Cape Horn of Africa, and the tale of how he lost his leg to a giant, white whale. Ishmael and Queequog dismiss this odd man chalking him up to having breathed a bit to much of the salty sea air.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Pequod continue – it takes a lot of packing for a 3 year voyage. Luckily, Captain Bildad’s sister makes sure the creature comforts of pickles, quills and flannel are packed in.

Finally, just as they’re about to board in the early morning, that strange prophet approaches them again. (PS – his name is Elijah. Coincidence? I think not.) He warns them of some strange, ghostly men that looked like they boarded the ship, but then disappeared. Odd, but the men shrug it off.

And they’re off to sea! It’s December and it’s wicked cold, but Ishmael is right where he wants to be.

After a slight diversion wherein Melville reminds us how important whaling is (lamp oil! exploration! art and literature!) we are introduced to the crew. I won’t spend too much time here, but let me tell you of one sailor, the chief mate Starbuck. That way, you’ll be able to smile knowingly too, every time you see the familiar green mermaid logo..

Starbuck is a Quaker, like many of the sailors. He’s long and lean, uncommonly conscientious and deeply reverent with a healthy respect for the whales he hunts. He’s good at what he does. (And maybe, just maybe, he has a fine taste for delicious and overpriced coffee!)

Two thoughts crossed my mind simultaneously: 1) Suddenly a cleared-out closet just doesn’t seem that important anymore. 2) I am exceedingly grateful that a messy closet was the biggest obstacle I was dealing with that afternoon.

First mates, Captains Peleg and Bildad are in charge of the ship and, to be frank, they’re one brick short of a load. But they get the job done, they’re tough and capable. (And wiley! They talked Ishmael down to a very low wage for his service on the ship. Ishmael isn’t too concerned about being had, he’s here for the experience.) Queequeg the harpooner has no problem getting hired on the ship, despite his oddities. A fine harpooner is hard to come by and Queequeg will earn a fair mite more than Ishmael for his skills.

And the captain of the ship, Captain Ahab? He’s nowhere to be seen. He’s got a strange history and tales are told of him and his wooden leg. But the first mates maintain he’s a good man and a good captain. And off go Ishmael and Queequog to prepare for their voyage.