I need to stop naming these 'WELCOME'.

WEEK 2

Day 1 (technically day 1 is day 8. We arrive at the New Jersey port and set off the same day.)

Well here we go again! Another Bermuda run. Now that I know what happens, I'm going to see if I can get some other stuff done in my free time. If in fact I have any this week. Hopefully no more training.

Went off ship for the first time today. Just spent some time in the mall near the port doing some internet-y stuff. Talked on skype with mumsies. Fantastic this free internet is. Sadly, to charge my computer I had to go get a coffee at the restaurant. Maybe I won't have to charge it up again next time. And maybe next time I'll head into the city for some fun. 

It's only day one of the second week and I feel more relaxed already. My playing is vastly improving too now that I know what the heck happens every step of the way. Guess it really made a difference being new. So much more comfortable now. Band master is also way more pleased with my playing. YAY FOR ME.

My plan to do laundry yesterday was ruined by the fact that I had to get up at 6:45 today to do some immigration crap. If I have nothing on tomorrow morning I'll do some late night laundry as planned.

Day 2

Managed to finally wake up when I decided to. Not when the schedule dictated. Done with training! Rehearsal at 4 is the first thing on today's clock. Which is FANTASTIC. Slept in a little after the horror of last night's laundry. 2 machines for the entire crew area. I shall start looking into alternatives soon. Even if my socks go missing, I shall buy more in New Jersey.

Rehearsal today the darn monitors cut out. Playing an entire show with click alone is insane. At least now I know what would happen if my monitors cut out again. I can't fathom what would happen if the click cut out though. This is why you love and respect your sound guy.

Day 3 

PAYDAY already? Whee. Yes I get paid every fortnight. I just played a week and a half of music and I've made some lovely delicious money. I don't know if everyone has the same feeling when they get their first paycheck, but for me, getting paid a sum of money for basically doing my hobby is pretty damn sweet.

I actually think tuesdays are the most boring days of the week. I only play in the morning for an hour or so and there's no rehearsals. Then I have the whole day off, but we're at sea. So all I have is to explore the vessel. Which is fine.. but it does get a little dull. Thankfully there's movies to watch. Crew welfare has some movies that I can get and I did bring my drive as well. Yay for entertainment.

Day 4 - Finally got my butt off the ship and on the island. Bermuda is pretty. You know those clear blue waters you see in advertisements and brochures? Yes they exist on this island. Blue sky. Blue sea. Gorgeous place. 

Weather was ridiculously hot though. So we stopped for a beer and I began walking. The problem is that Bermuda is a 'C' shaped island. And the happening part, and the capital, Hamilton, is all the way on the other tip of the 'C' as opposed to the dockyard. So walking isn't really going to get me anywhere. There's some small things to do around the dockyard - there's a mini beach there. But I wanna go for the big one. Which means I'll have to take a ferry over to the other side of the 'C'. C, sea. Get it? Nevermind.

Other observation is that Bermuda people have this culture of tooting your horn everytime you pass by someone you recognize on the road. But because the island is tiny, most people know most people and everytime two cars pass each other you'll hear the beep. So if anyone asks what Bermuda SOUNDS like, I'd say it sounds like beep.

Will get more exploring done next week when I head into Hamilton. Will be doing this Bermuda run for a while, so plenty of time to explore.

Day 5

Well another guest entertainer on board. This time it's a pianist and from what I've heard he can be kinda particular about the music he wants.

Turned out alright though. Most of the stuff is on tracks anyway so it means just sticking to the chart and keeping with the click. He does do rather long drawn out dramatic endings though.

Oh yeah, one more thing - he's not that good. I can easily play the stuff he does. So that's my job today - playing drums for a second rate pianist. At least I'm getting paid. Haha.

Also, port manning today. Means I couldn't leave the ship after 8pm. And since I had rehearsal during the day and then the show till 10, that meant no Bermuda time. Oh well.

Day 6

Decided not to go into bermuda today. I'll go into hamilton next week. Hey, i have 5 more weeks or so in Bermuda. That's like a 5 day vacation in Bermuda if I go once a week. Hee hee.

Discovery today - I was wrong about the food. It isn't 4 buffets a day. It's 5. FIVE buffets. Yes there's tea buffet as well. If I don't put on weight it's going to be a miracle.

Day 7 

Farewell show. Means I have to play more music with second rate pianist again. Oh well. Slept funny last night. Now I have a shoulder ache. Blecch.

Salonpas didn't do anything for this atrocious shoulder ache. Hopefully I sleep proper tonight. Heading into New York Tomorrow. That's when you'll get this update. See you guys.

Got to go explore New York today. Not much exploring done because I had a shopping assignment - had to get new snare heads for the drums on ship. I did get to see Madison Square Garden and the empire state building. More exploring to be done next week.

Thoughts from the week. When you live in a room that has no windows nor any exposure to light, you tend to lose track of time. Actually that applies for the most part of the ship. We're indoors so much and under so much artificial light. Unless I make an effort to get out on deck and enjoy the outside air and sun, it's basically living in a room with lights and air conditioning. It's actually mind boggling how little of the world outside that I see daily. Perhaps I should schedule regular walks on the open deck. Keep myself sane and fresh.