The perfect week number 7? Hardly.

Week 7

Day 1

First day of the new and improved 6 day cruise for only one week! Apparently we reach Bermuda on wednesday anyway which means less one sea day. I actually think that's a good idea since second sea days are totally boring on the ship for the rhythm section. We don't work much second sea day and there's nothing to do on the ship aside from the gym and the tv. Both of which are not very interesting.

I will say this though, this post hurricane weather is terrific. 

But then I realised something. Summer is ending and I can feel it. The cool air up on the pool deck this afternoon and the chill air tonight as I wander on the open deck - I can definitely tell it's autumn.

I think season changes are sudden. You wake up one day and suddenly it feels a lot colder. There's like this one magical threshold that you cross as the temperature dips before your body registers it. I think as the temperature goes down gradually your body adjusts to it and you don't notice the small changes until it's probably like 5 degrees lesser and then suddenly you feel it. And suddenly you know it's the next season. It's a magical thing. But today definitely felt like one of those seasonal shifts. Bermuda is going to be extra nice this week if this weather holds up.

Day 2

Because of the shortened cruise, we're having to do the same amount of work in less amount of time. This means no more relaxing two days of one set a day. Had to do the afternoon set and then a production show on the same day. Man I hate this stupid 6 day cruise already.

Day 3

BERMUDA!!!

May the world frown on me for this. Something happened today that I witnessed and I could ot stop myself laughing. While walking into Dockyard today I witnessed one of those automated wheelchair/scooter things tip over ever so slowly and crash into the pavement. And it was raining as well. I was too far to run to aid so all I did was chuckle to myself. Poor old man. I really wanted to bust a seam laughing but I was afraid of getting brutally beaten up by Americans.

On another note I always find it funny when the captain says 'we expect beautiful weather for you in Bermuda' and then I stroll into the Island and it's raining. I think the captain either has no real weather forecast or he says the same thing regardless. Crew always joke when that announcement is made. Everyone sniggers and says 'he's lying.' Funny stuff.

Decided to spend slightly more money today with a meal in Bermuda. Bermuda is really expensive by the way. Had the local delight of fish chowder. But this is no ordinary chowder. It is served with black rum and sherry peppers. Yeap, alcoholic soup. Absolutely amazing. The local black rum is ridiculously strong. I may have met my match. Not drinking that for sure.

Day 4

So it's second week of Doug Cameron show. After this show I feel like I have finally conquered the cruise gig. I feel like I can now play anything they throw at me. I feel invincible.

The show went without a hitch, as did the rehearsal. And Doug has a reputation for rather long rehearsals, so getting ours done in an hour and fifteen was very uplifting.

Day 5

So we get news that a second hurricane is coming next week and we may not even go to Bermuda because that's where it'll hit. That's rather annoying. So I guess things may not be returning to normal after all. This might be my very last day in Bermuda for now. 

Had to play emergency jazz sets today. Half of me is bummed that I'm being handed extra work for no extra pay but the good thing is that I get to play with the lounge group's pianist and he is a kickass player. 

Day 6

Final day. 6 day cruise feels weird.

So apparently some old lady died last wednesday on the cruise. I really don't know what to make of that. I'm guessing its a nice way to go? On a luxury cruise no less. Or she may be furious that she didn't get her full moneys worth. I wonder what they do with her. Do they fly her home? Bury her in Bermuda? Keep her in the freezer till we get back to Jersey? Weird.

On a buffet related note, it sometimes is annoying that most of the servers at the buffet assume that I, like the guests, eat a motley of foods at the buffet everyday and give me small portions because they assume I'd want something else. This is especially annoying when they have fried rice for lunch. I've attempted several different methods to get a full plate of nothing but fried rice to no avail. It always takes 3 'more rice please's before I'm satisfied. I've also tried 'a full plate of rice' and 'just rice' and 'load it up with rice'. None of those work. Another reason why sometimes I just eat in the staff mess. Self service see.

Thoughts from the week?

There are two joys that I get on this ship. 

First is when a guest approaches me specifically to tell me that my drumming was great or that I was the best they had ever seen. Not just going up to say that we, 'the band', were great, but me specifically. I've gotten that several times now but it never fails to bring a smile to my face and heart.

The second joy that I get is when I get to watch old couples dance when we play. I don't know what it is but the look of joy on their faces as they dance to their favourite swing tunes makes me even happier. I guess it's a dream of mine that one day I'll be just as happy as they are, dancing to my favourite music with someone. 

Extra thought. There are days at sea where I can look out the window and all I see is the vast expanse of the ocean and sometimes, just sometimes, I feel like I can almost see the curvature of the earth. Or maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me. Whichever it is, it's pretty damn awesome.