Deck the halls with... stuff.

Week 19

Day 1

What an absolutely fantastic way to start the week. It's San Juan as you all know and I decided to make it a routine to get up at 7:45 today and try and get off the boat early. I chose to go to bed early instead of hang out with people and I got up early when I could've laid in bed longer only to find that I was slapped with Port Manning and couldn't get off the boat period.

Port manning. In San Juan. The one place where I can sit at starbucks and have proper internet connection and they decided to keep me on the damn ship.

Worse of all is I wasn't even informed about this. If I knew I was port manning I would've stayed up late. Maybe had a few drinks. Maybe even practiced till 4am because if I wasn't getting off the boat, I only had to start work at 5pm and THAT MEANS I COULD'VE SLEPT IN.

I felt no guilt whatsoever giving my supervisor a call in the early morning and straightening this matter out. I'll stay on the boat if I have port manning, but you sir have the responsibility to tell me. Have that free wake up call on me. You're welcome.

I'm already in a bad mood. This week is going to suck.

Day 2

There is a certain feeling of joy that cannot be explained and cannot be compared to anything else in the world - it's when you're in a situation that commonly leaves you unsatisfied and slightly pissed off when you retrieve your clothes from the laundry machine and they are not actually done in any way but then you get that one magical day where no one interrupted you and you had the whole machine to yourself to allow your clothes as much time as they need to dry completely and come out smelling fresh and crisp.

Today is one of those days. It's nice to be able to do my laundry and have a perfectly clean and dry set of clothes at the end of 2 hours. It doesn't happen often on this ship. But when it does, the joy is incomparable. 

But then again there's something to be said about ship life if joy comes from being able to do your laundry.

Day 3

Today we got to play some music inside the expensive bar called Michael's Club. It's the place where they sell the top notch whiskey and scotch and what not.

It felt right away like my kind of gig. Playing jazz in a small setting, with a minimalistic kit - bass, snare,hats and my precious ride. It's some of the most fun I've had in a long while. I hope we get to do this again.

Also I shuffled through the menu and realised that they serve grappa on this ship but at 30 dollars a glass. Ouch. Not sure I'm willing to spend that much money. But then again, the taste of grappa is something to behold. I've only ever had a smidgen of it once in LA and the deliciousness of it has left me wanting. Maybe on a special occasion. 

Day 4

I still am yet to visit the island of Dominica. Today seems to be the day where it's close to impossible to get off the ship. With an early rehearsal, an afternoon set and then two shows at night. 

The thing is that I'm in no urgency to visit said island. It's probably the same. Full of lush vegetation, lots of tourist shopping, and long lovely beaches. I could get that anywhere. Haha.

Day 5

Today the island we're visiting is Grenada. 

Today we play a show with another vocal impressionist. His show is a breeze. I love it when shows demand little of me but aren't totally boring to play. And he's going to be here next two cruises as well so I guess easy work for me.

Day 6

It's a sea day today and thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends. I'm thinking fondly of you today, especially my wonderful family in the Hollywood Church. You guys have impacted my life in ways you cannot imagine and I am forever changed. You guys keep striving for Jesus and loving the community with the love of Christ! 

I'm also thinking of dear friends and family back home. 

What exactly am I thankful for? Seriously? Every darn thing that God has given me. All the people He's put in my path and all the opportunities He's given me to be the best that I can be.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!

Day 7

The Christmas decorations are in. Expect the ship to look pretty in the coming few days!

We played the farewell show tonight. And the guest entertainer was completely drunk. I didn't believe it when the keyboard player told us that but then he came up to me and talked to me and man, you could get drunk just breathing his breath. It was horrible. 

I've never played a show where a headliner was that drunk before. A beer or two maybe but man this dude was reeking of alcohol. And he ended up messing up lines and lyrics and stuff it was hilarious. I was half expecting him to fall over on stage or something.

Interesting.

Day 8

So I normally update from St Thomas but I decided to get off early again in San Juan. 

This time I got up a little earlier than usual. The air conditioning went bust at like 3am or something so I got startled by my body physically melting at 4:30am. This will not be a good day.

See you next week.

Thoughts from the week?

It's 6 more cruises before I'm home and I'm already counting down the weeks in terms of different numbers. I've got to do the blasted boat drill another six more times, play 12 more guest entertainer shows, play 18 more of each production show and so on and so on. It's a very positive way of looking at things. 

But then I remember I've got another 6 months right after that. Oh well. It'll be interesting. I'll be like a veteran on the Summit. People almost never do double contracts on the same ship. But heck, people don't work as hard as me and earn as much as I do so ptah to them. Bwahahaha.