Happy thoughts always win.

But you know what doesn’t win? Rejection.

Everyone hates getting rejected. I mean, who would like it anyway?

I just got rejected. For submitting a photo to onexposure.com. I got a detailed rejection letter listing out reasons why my photo was rejected. You know what? They’re probably right, it was a bit blurry or too bright or lacking depth, etc. And there are a million/billion/trillion better photos out there better than the one I submitted. It still doesn’t kill the fact that rejection sucks, and getting told specifically in a detailed and matter-of-fact way why you got rejected hurts. Plus, I always hate those fake endings they slap onto the letters which basically say ‘It’s not really your photos fault, it’s still a good photo, but we just don’t like it.’ It’s usually not as blunt as I put it but it all comes down to the same meaning.

Rejection is a bitch, that bites and claws…

HOWEVER, I find whenever I get rejected in some way, be it a competition or project or a date or trying to smuggle booze into the house, thinking of something better and happier always kills that crappy feeling. In this case, rejection’s kryptonite was the Bartender on the ferry from Santorini to Crete I took.

Let me tell you the story. See, I was on the deck and it was late. We were taking a 4 hour ferry from Santorini to Crete at night, and we’d arrive in the wee hours of the morning. So I was out on deck having a smoke, and after I killed it I got up to walk away. Someone called out in Greek and I thought it couldn’t really be me. Then he called out again and I turned and looked. He said something else in Greek. I responded with ‘I’m sorry, I don’t speak Greek’. He goes ‘Oh, ok.’ Then asks me where I’m going and where I’m coming from, and where I’m actually from, and the whole bombard of questions and intros. He says how beautiful Crete is and that it’ll be fun and stuff. Let me mention that my eyes were bloodshot red from crying since the night before (that’s a whole ‘nother story, for a ‘nother time, but I’ll let you in on the fact that it had to do with a guy). SO then I turn to walk away after the little chit chat and then he suddenly asks ‘Wanna go for a walk?’ and I reply ‘Excuse me, what?’ and he goes ‘Just a walk. *wink*’ And I’m like ‘I’m just heading towards the cabins, okay?’ and he’s like ‘Sure.’ So we’re walking and then I see my Mom up ahead and she asks where I was  so I drop back and say I was on the deck having a puff then she reminds me to get back to the cabins and pack my luggage. So we reach the staircase to the cabins and I’m like ‘Okay, bye.’ and then I see him nodding and winking towards the Wash Closet.

Duh. He wanted a quick fuck.

So I’m like ‘Uh, thanks, but I’m going to the cabins. Bye.’ and that was it. I just walked off to the cabins, packed my stuff then met my parents outside on deck again. Had another puff, then decided to get a Red Bull. So I go to the bar, buy my drink then go back out. Then my Mom decides she wants a coffee. So I go with her back to the bar and she gets her coffee and then it hit me:

THE GUY IS THE BARTENDER. I only realised why he looked sort of familiar then.

My Mom turned and walked away with her coffee and I turned after her but I saw him sitting there smiling and winking and nodding or something like a combination of those 3. TBH He didn’t look too bad, but fucking christ - the thought of any venereal diseases he might have just pushed me to turn and walk away.

So you’d think that would be the last encounter? But no, we see him for a third time. When we’re about to disembark off the ferry, we’re standing at the exit staircase and it’s right next to the glass doors that lead to the outer deck. It’s a crowded sea of faces and luggage as we stand, I turn to look out at the ebony sea one last time and guess who’s standing just outside the glass doors having a puff? It’s Horny Bartender Dude. So he sees me looking, then does the whole winking-nodding-smiling combo again and I’m thinking ‘Sweetie, there’s about 5 minutes till I get off. Even if I gave you the chance, you wouldn’t be able to finish that fast.’ But of course, I’m just thinking it. So I just look away and try to block him out. Then I see him approaching the glass doors to come in but there’s this fat guy blocking the way. And I’m like ‘Ohnojesuschrist. Please don’t move, fat guy, please don’t move fat guy.’ under my breath. Fat guy didn’t budge. Hell fucking yeah. Within a couple of minutes, we reached Crete and got off the ferry. So long, Horny Bartender Dude.

Happy thoughts ALWAYS fuckin’ win.