(Finishing yesterday's post
Dinner was essentially a cheeseburger and fries for me. I came back to my room and got showered up and got in my suit and went to work. I played a lot of oldies early on, but it was rather dead. At about 11, I had a full bar for about a half hour, with people dancing and such. It was a good time. Then it died at around 12:15 and that was it. Kelly was going to sneak me some lobster.. but they didn’t have any today. We were supposed to hang out but they never came back after I was done.
Some drunk woman started hitting on me. She was 35 and married. Her husband was sick on the ship, so he was sleeping. She was absolutely drunk. She kept telling me how cute I was, and how my name tag didn’t mean anything to her.... Which I guess she was referring to doing something. I wouldn’t break the rules for a drunk woman. Nor a married woman... So, I told the bar tender to stop serving her drinks. She was beyond drunk, and I snuck out of there.
I went to the crew mess and sat with Pat and Randy and it turned out that woman was hitting on Pat earlier in the night. Someone should let her husband know...
After dinner, I came to my room and passed out.
I woke up at 12, and went to lunch which ended up being frosted flakes for me. On my way out, I saw Noochie. I didn’t see her last night at the crew mess, and I asked where she was. She said she was there, and she saw my suit and blue shirt... She told me she’s trying to get promoted to MSA, so she’s been taking a class. I told her we had to finish our movie soon, and then I went to the CTC office and browsed Wikipedia. I looked up Foo Fighters, Jewel, Glen Ballard, Alannis Morisette and others just to check out where they got started and stuff. Glenn saw me and came in and talked for a bit.
Then I got online, and Felicia was on, so I tried to talk to her through the glichy internet. I’ll get to see her in 25 days! She’s going on tour with the singers from the 7th to the 14th.. So, she won’t be back until the second day of classes... or third day..
Looking forward to getting home! 17 more days!
I hadn’t done my 4th month review of the job.. and since we’re coming on the 5th month, I’ll just do my summary thus far. Well, it is still a great job, to do what I like to do, and have little responsibilities outside of what I do. I do understand what the last casino soloist, Doug meant. He told me he was too a point where he really didn’t care about the people he was playing for anymore. He just wanted to do his job and go home. Over the last month, I almost look forward to not having people, because I can relax a little bit. But when I do have a lot of people, I also swing into that state of mind and thoroughly enjoy having people. I might just be checked out because it’s so close to Christmas. I could do this job again for sure with no problems, but I do want to try to get everything going on land. Get a band and just start playing out. Another reason I feel I’m kinda checked out is, that I can’t call home every time I’m in any port. I have to wait until San Diego. In Alaska, I could call more days than not, and Hawaii, I could call every day. That seclusion can take its toll and make ya feel a little alienated. So I think, if I’m to get on another ship, I’ll shoot for an itenerary where there are more days in the US. I was told about the Paradise and how it does 4 day booze cruises in America.. So, that might be something to shoot for if I were to come back.
Anyways, I gotta go to the MSA and get a shipping piece of paper for my boxes. Tomorrow is San Diego day, which will be the last day I get to enjoy it. The following week, I have Port Manning. So I’ll be making phone calls off the ship. Luckily, I have my iphone to browse the internet for free*. So... until next time!
*I pay a monthly payment... so it’s not free in the least.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
An Orignal Hour of Derek Daisey?
Yesterday was... eh. I woke up at 10 for the little boat drill thing. The 4th week in a row, which kinda sucks. I went to my room afterward and worked more on the cartoon. Around 2, I decided I needed to go out and get a big cardboard box for my speakers and recording equipment. So I got off the ship. As I was leaving, I saw Glenn coming back. So I told him what I was doing and he said I should just pick some up at garbage at the ship.
So I got back on the ship and went to the garbage room and picked up a couple smaller boxes... I took them back to my room and combined them to make a larger box, and started packaging the speakers, my portabooth thing, microphones, and a couple more movies.
I didn’t have any tape, so I had to put the box down on the floor so the bottom wouldn’t fall out. I got ready and went up to play for Lido Deck. It was fairly dead and unresponsive. I went down to eat some dinner, and sat with the comedian for the day, Marcus Raymond. He’s a nice guy. He told me he really enjoyed my songs earlier, and told me he was from San Francisco. He told me if I ever come out there to get in touch with him, and he’ll introduce me to some people. So that was cool.
I went and saw his show, and it was real funny. Prop comedy. But he did a good job with it. Stu saw me in the audience (in the back) and he came over and told me he loved my album, especially “Words You Bleed.”
As I was leaving I saw my bartender, Elizabeth serving drinks, and I went over and said hi, and she told me she heard some of my songs from a woman that bought my CD (the woman who worked for Bon Jovi’s guitar player). She told me I was unbelievable and never gives compliments unless they’re deserving, and we ended up talking about what I’m planning on doing.
Afterwards, I went back to my room for a few minutes. Then headed back up to my 9 o clock gig and played for about an hour and a half for Kelly, Leah, Jason and some others. Then I took my break. When I came back, it was DEAD... I fooled with the guitar for 45 minutes... No one was really paying attention, so I took another break.. and waited for 40 minutes for people to show... But no one did, so I left early. As I was waiting though, I talked with Elizabeth a bit. She’s almost 34, and has quite a mouth on her (cuss word wise..) But real nice, none the less.
I went to the crew mess, and got some yams... I think... and sat with Sopemla. Noochie came over and said hi. She was having a bad day she said.. Not sure why. But afterwards, I went back to my room and started looking at my SNES games on my backup hard drive. A knock came at the door.. I was in my underwear... but afraid the person would leave quickly, I grabbed my shorts and ran to the door and opened it half way. It was Noochie. Unfortunately I had the pants in the hand the door was open over, so she saw them. She told me to put my pants on. So I did and let her in. We ended up watching half of “Yes Man,” and she was suddenly tired, and got up and left. So I went back to the game thing, until I was tired, and I went to bed.
I woke up this morning at 11:50. I went to eat lunch. Stu was there, and he came and sat with me. He told me he had an idea of giving me like an original’s hour in the piano bar, where I do all of my songs and it’s promoted in the capper. I agreed to it, but I only have 2 cruises left. A shame we didn’t think of it earlier.
I came back to my room and saw my room steward, and I asked if I could borrow some tape to tape my package. He gave me duct tape. So I went to town wrapping this stuff up. I probably used half the tape given to me. Because it take a lot of tape to tape two boxes together and shut.
Afterwards I went to put money on my sail and sign card so I could get some coffee. Apparently I owed 1.70 and the only way to unlock my card was if I put 30 dollars on it plus pay 1.70... So... I just paid the 1.70, and I won’t be getting anymore snack foods.
As I came back to my room, I realized I didn’t have my room card, so I called room service. I waited nearly 20 minutes... and they still hadn’t come. My room steward saw me and let me in. 10 minutes later, room service showed up, slightly annoyed I was already in my room.
I just listened to music and have been anticipating dinner. I only had yogurt for lunch... so I’m STARVING!!!!!!
So I got back on the ship and went to the garbage room and picked up a couple smaller boxes... I took them back to my room and combined them to make a larger box, and started packaging the speakers, my portabooth thing, microphones, and a couple more movies.
I didn’t have any tape, so I had to put the box down on the floor so the bottom wouldn’t fall out. I got ready and went up to play for Lido Deck. It was fairly dead and unresponsive. I went down to eat some dinner, and sat with the comedian for the day, Marcus Raymond. He’s a nice guy. He told me he really enjoyed my songs earlier, and told me he was from San Francisco. He told me if I ever come out there to get in touch with him, and he’ll introduce me to some people. So that was cool.
I went and saw his show, and it was real funny. Prop comedy. But he did a good job with it. Stu saw me in the audience (in the back) and he came over and told me he loved my album, especially “Words You Bleed.”
As I was leaving I saw my bartender, Elizabeth serving drinks, and I went over and said hi, and she told me she heard some of my songs from a woman that bought my CD (the woman who worked for Bon Jovi’s guitar player). She told me I was unbelievable and never gives compliments unless they’re deserving, and we ended up talking about what I’m planning on doing.
Afterwards, I went back to my room for a few minutes. Then headed back up to my 9 o clock gig and played for about an hour and a half for Kelly, Leah, Jason and some others. Then I took my break. When I came back, it was DEAD... I fooled with the guitar for 45 minutes... No one was really paying attention, so I took another break.. and waited for 40 minutes for people to show... But no one did, so I left early. As I was waiting though, I talked with Elizabeth a bit. She’s almost 34, and has quite a mouth on her (cuss word wise..) But real nice, none the less.
I went to the crew mess, and got some yams... I think... and sat with Sopemla. Noochie came over and said hi. She was having a bad day she said.. Not sure why. But afterwards, I went back to my room and started looking at my SNES games on my backup hard drive. A knock came at the door.. I was in my underwear... but afraid the person would leave quickly, I grabbed my shorts and ran to the door and opened it half way. It was Noochie. Unfortunately I had the pants in the hand the door was open over, so she saw them. She told me to put my pants on. So I did and let her in. We ended up watching half of “Yes Man,” and she was suddenly tired, and got up and left. So I went back to the game thing, until I was tired, and I went to bed.
I woke up this morning at 11:50. I went to eat lunch. Stu was there, and he came and sat with me. He told me he had an idea of giving me like an original’s hour in the piano bar, where I do all of my songs and it’s promoted in the capper. I agreed to it, but I only have 2 cruises left. A shame we didn’t think of it earlier.
I came back to my room and saw my room steward, and I asked if I could borrow some tape to tape my package. He gave me duct tape. So I went to town wrapping this stuff up. I probably used half the tape given to me. Because it take a lot of tape to tape two boxes together and shut.
Afterwards I went to put money on my sail and sign card so I could get some coffee. Apparently I owed 1.70 and the only way to unlock my card was if I put 30 dollars on it plus pay 1.70... So... I just paid the 1.70, and I won’t be getting anymore snack foods.
As I came back to my room, I realized I didn’t have my room card, so I called room service. I waited nearly 20 minutes... and they still hadn’t come. My room steward saw me and let me in. 10 minutes later, room service showed up, slightly annoyed I was already in my room.
I just listened to music and have been anticipating dinner. I only had yogurt for lunch... so I’m STARVING!!!!!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Massages and Paradise
Today, I got up at 8:30. My body was very confused why I was doing such a thing, but I forced myself too, and I got my sunscreen on, and set my phone clock to the right time. I made my way outside, and met up with Kelly and Leah. Jason had to hang with his family for awhile. So we all got a little van that took us to the Paradise Beach. We got a table with chairs for 6 bucks. Immediately, I ordered a coke and guacamole.
One of the thousand people that was trying to sell us stuff sold me some cool sunglasses. I ate up the guacamole. Then I ordered some lobster and steak, which was pretty delicious.
Then I got a massage from a girl that came by. She was 22.. that’s about all I learned. But she did the whole body for me. I laid down on a lawn chair and she went about it for about 40 minutes.
Afterwards, I got some oysters and eventually got more guacamole. Jason and his family showed up a little later and they hung out with us at the beach until about 2. Then Kelly, Leah and I took a taxi back to the ship. I separated from them, and went back to my room and wrote a song for a customer.
After I recorded it, I took a nap for about an hour, and then went and got dinner. Then I started work on another song order, and finished that up by about 12. Now I’m going to do a template order real quick and go to bed. I have some stupid boat drill tomorrow...
One of the thousand people that was trying to sell us stuff sold me some cool sunglasses. I ate up the guacamole. Then I ordered some lobster and steak, which was pretty delicious.
Then I got a massage from a girl that came by. She was 22.. that’s about all I learned. But she did the whole body for me. I laid down on a lawn chair and she went about it for about 40 minutes.
Afterwards, I got some oysters and eventually got more guacamole. Jason and his family showed up a little later and they hung out with us at the beach until about 2. Then Kelly, Leah and I took a taxi back to the ship. I separated from them, and went back to my room and wrote a song for a customer.
After I recorded it, I took a nap for about an hour, and then went and got dinner. Then I started work on another song order, and finished that up by about 12. Now I’m going to do a template order real quick and go to bed. I have some stupid boat drill tomorrow...
Late nights, cartoons, Bon Jovi assistants...
1 am, December 16th
Today, after writing the blog, I went to lido deck and got some japanese food. Then got some banana creme pie. Afterwards, I spent more time on recording my voice parts for the cartoon, and put together a couple scenes. I went to eat dinner, which was steak and fried cheese. I was feeling kind of sick so I didn’t eat too much. Came back to my room and took a shower and went to work.
As I played, a lady called me over and told me used to be the personal assistant of the guitar player for Bon Jovi. She said she scouts for musicians for some of her friends that are in record labels and stuff. She bought an album and said she would send my stuff to her people.
After playing, went to eat pizza with Kelly, Leah, and Jason. Afterwards, came back to my room to go to sleep!
December 17th
Today, I woke up at 12, and found that my financial aid should cover all my schooling, and I should be set on that front. I went up and got lunch on Lido with Glenn and we talked about the things he could be doing, and things I'd be doing. Then I went to my room to work on my cartoon until 6. I had dinner and then came back to my room and took a shower. Then I went up to meet the friends for sushi at 7. Except they didn't show up. So.. a little annoyed, I went and restrung my guitar.
Before the start of my second set, Kelly came with Jason and she apologized saying she got so drunk in Ixtapa that she was just too sick to come, and she was going back to sleep. But we made plans to meet as a group tomorrow at 9 in Acapulco.
I got a terrible migraine, but I played through. Stu came by and watched me play and brought some people.
After my set, I went over and talked with him about the commercial thing on my album. He said he figured I didn't have it, and he didn't want to say anything unless corporate really forced.. Which since they were... He apologized for the whole mess.. and then bought a cd. Ha.
He told me if I EVER want to come back, to email him and he'll get me on his ship. He said it would be a sad day when I left. So, that was real cool of him. I asked him if he'd be willing to fill out an internship paper for me, if my school allowed it, and he said he would write me anything I needed for that.
After the gig, I went down to the crew mess and saw Noochie. There was no good food so she made me some thai food. Very spicy, but very good. Then she told me the song I wrote for her always makes her smile and puts her in a good mood. Which was nice to hear. She said she'd be coming to NC in April, so I said she'd definitely have to keep in touch.
Now I'm in my room!! Getting up in 6 hours!
Today, after writing the blog, I went to lido deck and got some japanese food. Then got some banana creme pie. Afterwards, I spent more time on recording my voice parts for the cartoon, and put together a couple scenes. I went to eat dinner, which was steak and fried cheese. I was feeling kind of sick so I didn’t eat too much. Came back to my room and took a shower and went to work.
As I played, a lady called me over and told me used to be the personal assistant of the guitar player for Bon Jovi. She said she scouts for musicians for some of her friends that are in record labels and stuff. She bought an album and said she would send my stuff to her people.
After playing, went to eat pizza with Kelly, Leah, and Jason. Afterwards, came back to my room to go to sleep!
December 17th
Today, I woke up at 12, and found that my financial aid should cover all my schooling, and I should be set on that front. I went up and got lunch on Lido with Glenn and we talked about the things he could be doing, and things I'd be doing. Then I went to my room to work on my cartoon until 6. I had dinner and then came back to my room and took a shower. Then I went up to meet the friends for sushi at 7. Except they didn't show up. So.. a little annoyed, I went and restrung my guitar.
Before the start of my second set, Kelly came with Jason and she apologized saying she got so drunk in Ixtapa that she was just too sick to come, and she was going back to sleep. But we made plans to meet as a group tomorrow at 9 in Acapulco.
I got a terrible migraine, but I played through. Stu came by and watched me play and brought some people.
After my set, I went over and talked with him about the commercial thing on my album. He said he figured I didn't have it, and he didn't want to say anything unless corporate really forced.. Which since they were... He apologized for the whole mess.. and then bought a cd. Ha.
He told me if I EVER want to come back, to email him and he'll get me on his ship. He said it would be a sad day when I left. So, that was real cool of him. I asked him if he'd be willing to fill out an internship paper for me, if my school allowed it, and he said he would write me anything I needed for that.
After the gig, I went down to the crew mess and saw Noochie. There was no good food so she made me some thai food. Very spicy, but very good. Then she told me the song I wrote for her always makes her smile and puts her in a good mood. Which was nice to hear. She said she'd be coming to NC in April, so I said she'd definitely have to keep in touch.
Now I'm in my room!! Getting up in 6 hours!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
4 days passed... still going!
Ugh, I’ve been getting behind on updating this thing. Not because I don’t care. Just lack of time. I’m working on a couple little projects, and I devote a lot of my free time to them. OK! So, a bit has come to play since I last updated in Manzinillo.
The third sea day, I woke up late like I have been lately, and tried writing lyrics to the rock song. I really fought hard to do that and get it done. I finished a set, but just wasn’t happy with it, so I put it aside, and decided to start packing my ps3, movies, cds, and miscellaneous things. So I got the Beatles Rockband Box, and pulled it out and started packing. Didn’t take too long. Got everything packed in there and put away.
After I finished that, I called Rosetta Stone about getting a refund. Luckily it was a no hassle kind of phone call, and they just gave me an address to send it to, and that was about it.
I found out I was “reentered” into Catawba, and Financial Aid would send me a packet early next week.
I called Felicia, and talked to her with the rest of the phone card. Afterwards, I went to dinner, and played a rather quiet night, and finished up a little after 12. I saw Glenn walking around all dressed up. Apparently he was meeting up with someone who ended up not coming cuz her kid was sick, so he and I talked and went to the crew mess until bed. Then we went our separate ways.
Last sea day, I woke up late, and managed to find my room steward, and asked for some tape, which he supplied and I taped up my box and such. I continued to look over my rock song.. Just hitting blanks left and right. No real subject to talk about. I did a lot of loungin’ around until dinner. When I was there, I was eating with Chris and asked him about the process of shipping a big box. He said I needed to fill out a form i got from MSA (Which closed for the day) and go through customs. Also.. we’d be in town sunday, I felt there was almost no hope to send the box home. Next week is my last chance to do so because the following week.. my last week.. I have port manning.
So slightly defeated I started walking back towards my room, but as I walked by CTC, I saw one of the head MSA people. So I asked him what I could do. He questioned how I would mail something home on a sunday, but he told me to just come in the morning and he’ll get me a form.
I went back to my room and got online to see if there were any places in the immediate area that might be open. I saw there was a UPS Store three blocks away. So I check online, and sure enough they were open 9-3 on sundays.
So I showered and got ready for my last night of playing. The crowd was really still until about 12, when people decided to show up because I was the last real performer working. It was fun. I sold 3 CDs, and I sat with a group that had been to see me times before. They all said I was the best on the ship by far, and I deserve to be in a better place. They were all real nice. One guy gave me a $15 giftcard to starbucks, which for those that have been reading, I go there once a week, so that should take care of the rest of my purchases there.
After all that, I went back to my room to sleep for the busy morning.
San Diego Day! I woke up at 8 and got dressed, and walked around impatiently until 8:30. The guy was there, and he printed off my form and told me to bring my stuff to the crew bar. When I got there, there were a bunch of people signing off. Chris and his girlfriend, Gabe, Sasima, Marina (the first girl I met on the ship) and a few others. We were supposed to be there at 9, but of course 9 means 9:25 on the ship. No one seems to have any time discipline. The handle to my box broke, so I had to put my es-335 on top of it and pick the box up from the floor horizontally. And it was heavy. When I got off the ship, I put it on the ground and just slid it to the xrays. Everything went through quick and painless, and I managed to find a taxi. The guy took me 3 blocks to the store, and dropped me off (like most taxis do.) As I was walking towards the door, I heard a voice hassling me about buying the Beatles rockband. I just thought it was some homeless guy who wanted money (which really wouldn’t be hard to believe, if you look around town. It was Glenn though. He helped me get into the place and told me another idea he had for our cartoon.
So, I filled out the paper work and got everything weighed and shipped, and I was reminded why I never want to pay to package something at a UPS Store. It cost me 491 dollars to mail 2 guitars, a box of stuff, and Rosetta Stone. The guitars cost 200 each to package and ship. I’m debating taking my Les Paul Robot on the plane with me, because even overages would only be 125 to get it on the plane. I’d save 75 bucks just like that. The guy told me it wouldn’t cost less than 200 to ship it... So... what’s the point.
Afterwards, I called Nick and we talked about the band thing, life and all that. He’s doing well. He really wants to be promoted to manager by January. Hopefully he achieves that.
Went to Starbucks, and got online and did my updating and all that. Nick called back and I got lunch and finished up that convo. Afterwards, I called my Dad, and told him what to be expecting in the mail. He told me Jenn and Him would drive down with me and bring some furniture so I wouldn’t have to go out and buy any for Christmas, which would be just fine for me. Giving me a bed and a couple couches and a futon would save me close to a thousand bucks.
Afterwards, I called Felicia and we talked for a good hour or so. I got on the ship to drop some stuff off. As I was coming down my hall, I saw Peter talking with a red head woman. Her name is Jessica, and she is my new MD. She seemed nice enough.
After boat drill and the meeting, I came upstairs to do more iphone internet before it’s out of use for another 8 days. Glenn walked by with his drums to set up. He told me this real nasty Music Director that everyone hates finally quit, in necessity because he probably would have been fired. My boss Jessica became MD just so she didn’t have to work for this man again. So at least I’m safe of that, in case I ever come back.
Went to my room and got dressed up and went to dinner. Sat and ate with Glenn. As I was leaving, bumped into Jessica, and she asked if the food was any good. So I told her the truth, and she didn’t seem surprised.
I started playing for a small but interested crowd. Eventually my return friend, Kelly showed up with her friend, Lea. They watched for a bit and went to dinner. They came back after my break and requested a few songs off the album. When they left for the show, the audience all quietly said she liked me a lot. To which I replied, nothing was going to happen. I don’t want to lose my job. And other things are developing on land, and I’d rather not complicate that.
It was DEAD by 12, so I broke down and went to my room and started messing with some lyric ideas. Eventually fell asleep.
The next morning, I was woken up by 10 announcements.. first quiet, then very loud in repeat every five minutes. Guest Services kept paging someone who apparently was missing. Turns out the guy was passed out in a girls room. He didn’t hear any of the announcements. A lot of crew and I would have liked to have dumped him overboard...
I started working on my cartoon. Went to lunch and talked with Randy about computers. Then went back to the cartoon, watching Seinfeld until 6ish, then went to dinner. Glenn and I started eating, then Jessica and Peter joined us. Jess has sort of a New Jersian accent, but she’s from Rhode Island. I kinda made the little nudge that her and I are from the 2 smallest states in the country. She has to play finger bass on the keyboard for the band since there is no bass player on the ship.. or guitar player... for the big band. She’s a trombone player for her main instrument.
After dinner, got dressed up in the suit and went played my set. There was a good hour where my bar was full, and people were diggin’ the music. Sold a CD to these brothers, Jason and Cody. Kelly and Lea watched as well. We ended up all chatting and going up for pizza and talking about various young adult things until 4:30 am (with the clock 1 hour forward change.)
I came back to my room and passed out.
This morning, I woke up at 12, and started writing this. I got a knock at the door at about 1:35, and it was Peter. He asked if he could talk to me for a second. He told me that word came in from the office in Miami that people without approved CDs,(CD’s without a commercial) must seize to sell CDs. He asked if I had my papers, and I told him no, and he said I had to stop. But then he asked had I tried, which I told him, I mailed in my CD, to get approved and was told I’d be given a commercial, but never got one and after awhile, it proved to be unprofitable to go make CDs that late in my contract, so I just started selling these. He said they really dropped the ball on the and he’d go see what he can do. But honestly... this late in the contract.. it’s what ever.. I’ll stop putting it out, but if people tip me high enough, I’ll give them one. So then I’m never really selling them. It’s like a gift.
Anyways... I’m going to go eat on Lido deck.
The third sea day, I woke up late like I have been lately, and tried writing lyrics to the rock song. I really fought hard to do that and get it done. I finished a set, but just wasn’t happy with it, so I put it aside, and decided to start packing my ps3, movies, cds, and miscellaneous things. So I got the Beatles Rockband Box, and pulled it out and started packing. Didn’t take too long. Got everything packed in there and put away.
After I finished that, I called Rosetta Stone about getting a refund. Luckily it was a no hassle kind of phone call, and they just gave me an address to send it to, and that was about it.
I found out I was “reentered” into Catawba, and Financial Aid would send me a packet early next week.
I called Felicia, and talked to her with the rest of the phone card. Afterwards, I went to dinner, and played a rather quiet night, and finished up a little after 12. I saw Glenn walking around all dressed up. Apparently he was meeting up with someone who ended up not coming cuz her kid was sick, so he and I talked and went to the crew mess until bed. Then we went our separate ways.
Last sea day, I woke up late, and managed to find my room steward, and asked for some tape, which he supplied and I taped up my box and such. I continued to look over my rock song.. Just hitting blanks left and right. No real subject to talk about. I did a lot of loungin’ around until dinner. When I was there, I was eating with Chris and asked him about the process of shipping a big box. He said I needed to fill out a form i got from MSA (Which closed for the day) and go through customs. Also.. we’d be in town sunday, I felt there was almost no hope to send the box home. Next week is my last chance to do so because the following week.. my last week.. I have port manning.
So slightly defeated I started walking back towards my room, but as I walked by CTC, I saw one of the head MSA people. So I asked him what I could do. He questioned how I would mail something home on a sunday, but he told me to just come in the morning and he’ll get me a form.
I went back to my room and got online to see if there were any places in the immediate area that might be open. I saw there was a UPS Store three blocks away. So I check online, and sure enough they were open 9-3 on sundays.
So I showered and got ready for my last night of playing. The crowd was really still until about 12, when people decided to show up because I was the last real performer working. It was fun. I sold 3 CDs, and I sat with a group that had been to see me times before. They all said I was the best on the ship by far, and I deserve to be in a better place. They were all real nice. One guy gave me a $15 giftcard to starbucks, which for those that have been reading, I go there once a week, so that should take care of the rest of my purchases there.
After all that, I went back to my room to sleep for the busy morning.
San Diego Day! I woke up at 8 and got dressed, and walked around impatiently until 8:30. The guy was there, and he printed off my form and told me to bring my stuff to the crew bar. When I got there, there were a bunch of people signing off. Chris and his girlfriend, Gabe, Sasima, Marina (the first girl I met on the ship) and a few others. We were supposed to be there at 9, but of course 9 means 9:25 on the ship. No one seems to have any time discipline. The handle to my box broke, so I had to put my es-335 on top of it and pick the box up from the floor horizontally. And it was heavy. When I got off the ship, I put it on the ground and just slid it to the xrays. Everything went through quick and painless, and I managed to find a taxi. The guy took me 3 blocks to the store, and dropped me off (like most taxis do.) As I was walking towards the door, I heard a voice hassling me about buying the Beatles rockband. I just thought it was some homeless guy who wanted money (which really wouldn’t be hard to believe, if you look around town. It was Glenn though. He helped me get into the place and told me another idea he had for our cartoon.
So, I filled out the paper work and got everything weighed and shipped, and I was reminded why I never want to pay to package something at a UPS Store. It cost me 491 dollars to mail 2 guitars, a box of stuff, and Rosetta Stone. The guitars cost 200 each to package and ship. I’m debating taking my Les Paul Robot on the plane with me, because even overages would only be 125 to get it on the plane. I’d save 75 bucks just like that. The guy told me it wouldn’t cost less than 200 to ship it... So... what’s the point.
Afterwards, I called Nick and we talked about the band thing, life and all that. He’s doing well. He really wants to be promoted to manager by January. Hopefully he achieves that.
Went to Starbucks, and got online and did my updating and all that. Nick called back and I got lunch and finished up that convo. Afterwards, I called my Dad, and told him what to be expecting in the mail. He told me Jenn and Him would drive down with me and bring some furniture so I wouldn’t have to go out and buy any for Christmas, which would be just fine for me. Giving me a bed and a couple couches and a futon would save me close to a thousand bucks.
Afterwards, I called Felicia and we talked for a good hour or so. I got on the ship to drop some stuff off. As I was coming down my hall, I saw Peter talking with a red head woman. Her name is Jessica, and she is my new MD. She seemed nice enough.
After boat drill and the meeting, I came upstairs to do more iphone internet before it’s out of use for another 8 days. Glenn walked by with his drums to set up. He told me this real nasty Music Director that everyone hates finally quit, in necessity because he probably would have been fired. My boss Jessica became MD just so she didn’t have to work for this man again. So at least I’m safe of that, in case I ever come back.
Went to my room and got dressed up and went to dinner. Sat and ate with Glenn. As I was leaving, bumped into Jessica, and she asked if the food was any good. So I told her the truth, and she didn’t seem surprised.
I started playing for a small but interested crowd. Eventually my return friend, Kelly showed up with her friend, Lea. They watched for a bit and went to dinner. They came back after my break and requested a few songs off the album. When they left for the show, the audience all quietly said she liked me a lot. To which I replied, nothing was going to happen. I don’t want to lose my job. And other things are developing on land, and I’d rather not complicate that.
It was DEAD by 12, so I broke down and went to my room and started messing with some lyric ideas. Eventually fell asleep.
The next morning, I was woken up by 10 announcements.. first quiet, then very loud in repeat every five minutes. Guest Services kept paging someone who apparently was missing. Turns out the guy was passed out in a girls room. He didn’t hear any of the announcements. A lot of crew and I would have liked to have dumped him overboard...
I started working on my cartoon. Went to lunch and talked with Randy about computers. Then went back to the cartoon, watching Seinfeld until 6ish, then went to dinner. Glenn and I started eating, then Jessica and Peter joined us. Jess has sort of a New Jersian accent, but she’s from Rhode Island. I kinda made the little nudge that her and I are from the 2 smallest states in the country. She has to play finger bass on the keyboard for the band since there is no bass player on the ship.. or guitar player... for the big band. She’s a trombone player for her main instrument.
After dinner, got dressed up in the suit and went played my set. There was a good hour where my bar was full, and people were diggin’ the music. Sold a CD to these brothers, Jason and Cody. Kelly and Lea watched as well. We ended up all chatting and going up for pizza and talking about various young adult things until 4:30 am (with the clock 1 hour forward change.)
I came back to my room and passed out.
This morning, I woke up at 12, and started writing this. I got a knock at the door at about 1:35, and it was Peter. He asked if he could talk to me for a second. He told me that word came in from the office in Miami that people without approved CDs,(CD’s without a commercial) must seize to sell CDs. He asked if I had my papers, and I told him no, and he said I had to stop. But then he asked had I tried, which I told him, I mailed in my CD, to get approved and was told I’d be given a commercial, but never got one and after awhile, it proved to be unprofitable to go make CDs that late in my contract, so I just started selling these. He said they really dropped the ball on the and he’d go see what he can do. But honestly... this late in the contract.. it’s what ever.. I’ll stop putting it out, but if people tip me high enough, I’ll give them one. So then I’m never really selling them. It’s like a gift.
Anyways... I’m going to go eat on Lido deck.
Friday, December 11, 2009
27 days to go
Today was ok. I was woken up for the punishment boat drill since so many people missed the last one. I hadn’t slept very much, so I had a headache and felt sick. After the drill, I went to my room, and just went back to sleep until 3:30. Then I got up and took a shower, and went and got set up on Lido deck for my “sail-away concert.” Randy, one of the other soloists, came over and we talked for a few minutes just about the gig itself, and then Cha-Cha showed up to help for soundcheck.
As she was setting up, I learned that she was signing off in 10 days. Since she’s pregnant she’s only allowed to work until then. Which kinda blows, because she, like the rest of my friends will be leaving and I’ll really have no one left, except the occasional conversation with Sopemla (Cafe’ barista), Noochie, Katerina and Claire. All my guy friends will be gone. Most of these girls I see in passing. So it’s going to be a lonely 27 days.
So I did my show to a pretty awesome receptive crowd. My voice was feeling great, and I was hitting everything with ease. I can only hope that my voice stays this way. I’m not sure why it’s doing so well. I switched teas that I’ve been drinking, and since then things have been getting better. But we’ll see.
After the show, I ate dinner with Glenn and Chris (whose leaving for another ship to be Music Director. Lucky for him, his girlfriend gets to go along too, and since he has the big bed room, she gets to live with him, no questions asked.) Glenn told me some more ideas he had about getting off the ship. He has a lot of options in the air, but he doesn’t really have a clue which one’s actually going to work for him,
After dinner, I came to my room and watched Beavis and Butthead, while I worked on the cartoon a bit.
Then I went upstairs to get set up in the casino. It was a very quiet crowd all night. During breaks I played darts with other casino dealers... Lost two very close games. But I’m holding my own for playing only a second time.
During the gig, I saw Iryna, who seemed very cold and didn’t want to talk to me in the least. So I came up behind her and told her goodbye, and then she very defensively said why should she say bye when I haven’t said hello when I passed her or made any attempts to talk to her. Which was true. But only because I thought she was mad at me from the other day when I asked her if she was in a bad mood and she snapped at me. When people snap, I give up trying to be nice for a few days. But to be fair, she never said hello or anything to me when I passed either, so I feel this is mutually our faults. But regardless, I said “I’m Sorry, and Hello”. She said “it’s too late for hello” and walked away. The bartender Solvia was listening, and he said she’s been in a bad mood tonight. I really hate drama. This will be the first I’ve experienced it out here. But she transfers to another ship in two days to be with her boyfriend, so it won’t really weigh on me much longer.
Now I’m in my room. Gonna check tomorrows capper to see when I’m playing!
As she was setting up, I learned that she was signing off in 10 days. Since she’s pregnant she’s only allowed to work until then. Which kinda blows, because she, like the rest of my friends will be leaving and I’ll really have no one left, except the occasional conversation with Sopemla (Cafe’ barista), Noochie, Katerina and Claire. All my guy friends will be gone. Most of these girls I see in passing. So it’s going to be a lonely 27 days.
So I did my show to a pretty awesome receptive crowd. My voice was feeling great, and I was hitting everything with ease. I can only hope that my voice stays this way. I’m not sure why it’s doing so well. I switched teas that I’ve been drinking, and since then things have been getting better. But we’ll see.
After the show, I ate dinner with Glenn and Chris (whose leaving for another ship to be Music Director. Lucky for him, his girlfriend gets to go along too, and since he has the big bed room, she gets to live with him, no questions asked.) Glenn told me some more ideas he had about getting off the ship. He has a lot of options in the air, but he doesn’t really have a clue which one’s actually going to work for him,
After dinner, I came to my room and watched Beavis and Butthead, while I worked on the cartoon a bit.
Then I went upstairs to get set up in the casino. It was a very quiet crowd all night. During breaks I played darts with other casino dealers... Lost two very close games. But I’m holding my own for playing only a second time.
During the gig, I saw Iryna, who seemed very cold and didn’t want to talk to me in the least. So I came up behind her and told her goodbye, and then she very defensively said why should she say bye when I haven’t said hello when I passed her or made any attempts to talk to her. Which was true. But only because I thought she was mad at me from the other day when I asked her if she was in a bad mood and she snapped at me. When people snap, I give up trying to be nice for a few days. But to be fair, she never said hello or anything to me when I passed either, so I feel this is mutually our faults. But regardless, I said “I’m Sorry, and Hello”. She said “it’s too late for hello” and walked away. The bartender Solvia was listening, and he said she’s been in a bad mood tonight. I really hate drama. This will be the first I’ve experienced it out here. But she transfers to another ship in two days to be with her boyfriend, so it won’t really weigh on me much longer.
Now I’m in my room. Gonna check tomorrows capper to see when I’m playing!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Under a month left to go!
The last couple of days have been somewhat uneventful. This cruise has a few people that care about the music I play but most of them are gone by 12:30. The last sea day before Acapulco, I had strange dreams and ended up sleeping away most of the day. I played my music, and messed with my loop pedal a lot. There were a lot of dead spots through out the performance, so I decided to stop singing to save my voice. I can’t get in trouble for it or anything. All the other guys do that. They just have full on tracks. The night ended at 12:45, and I went down to my room and got to sleep because I had a radio interview in the morning. Though I did check my facebook and found my dearest friend, Marina was denied a visa to come stateside for a year...
The alarm goes off at 8:30, and I just start watching The Office while I wait for my phone call. At around 9:45 I was concerned because there was no call, so I got online, and sure enough three emails from Amanda were waiting for me about how they couldn’t get through and they needed me to call them. So I did, but unfortunately the signal was so bad, that we had to postpone it until the next day. So, I hung out for awhile, and eventually called Felicia and talked with her for a bit.
After the conversation, I went out to Acapulco for some food. Got a couple gifts along the way. Went to a flea market where they give you free coke,beer, water, and other drinks. This guy Epi, showed me around.
After getting what I got, I went to the restaurant I ate at when I had lunch with Eric, Thomas and Claire last. I got some guacamole dip and some steak tacos. Very delicious.
Then I came back to the ship and got online and talked with a few friends for awhile.
Once I got off the internet, I decided to be productive, so I picked up the elctric guitar and started fooling around, coming up with a pretty neat guitar riff. 5 hours later, i had the whole song tracked minus words. I was very pleased with it. Couldn’t write lyrics so I went to bed since I had an interview the next morning... again.
I woke up at 8:30 and listened to the song again and started writing lyrics. I checked the internet several times to make sure there were no problems. Turns out it would be too expensive for them to call me, so I called them. The interview went over well, and it should be played soon. We talked about my album, crusin’, and other various things.
Then I continued working on the song.. until I was getting used to everything, so I turned it off and played some Sims 3 until a knock came at my door. It was Glenn ready to track his voice parts for our cartoon, so we did that. Went over well.
Then I ordered personal desk calendars for my family with some of my pictures in them.
During one of my breaks at my gig, I played darts with someone for the first time in my life, and I started off terribly. But sure enough it was neck and neck at the end, and I hit a bullseye and won!
After the gig, which was awesome, until after my last break. No one was there... I made 55 bucks in tips though. Neat stuff. I went to the crew party upstairs and talked with some friends like my boss Peter, Aaron, Noochie, Natalia, and Carrie.
Now I’m here! In my room! Watching the office!
The alarm goes off at 8:30, and I just start watching The Office while I wait for my phone call. At around 9:45 I was concerned because there was no call, so I got online, and sure enough three emails from Amanda were waiting for me about how they couldn’t get through and they needed me to call them. So I did, but unfortunately the signal was so bad, that we had to postpone it until the next day. So, I hung out for awhile, and eventually called Felicia and talked with her for a bit.
After the conversation, I went out to Acapulco for some food. Got a couple gifts along the way. Went to a flea market where they give you free coke,beer, water, and other drinks. This guy Epi, showed me around.
After getting what I got, I went to the restaurant I ate at when I had lunch with Eric, Thomas and Claire last. I got some guacamole dip and some steak tacos. Very delicious.
Then I came back to the ship and got online and talked with a few friends for awhile.
Once I got off the internet, I decided to be productive, so I picked up the elctric guitar and started fooling around, coming up with a pretty neat guitar riff. 5 hours later, i had the whole song tracked minus words. I was very pleased with it. Couldn’t write lyrics so I went to bed since I had an interview the next morning... again.
I woke up at 8:30 and listened to the song again and started writing lyrics. I checked the internet several times to make sure there were no problems. Turns out it would be too expensive for them to call me, so I called them. The interview went over well, and it should be played soon. We talked about my album, crusin’, and other various things.
Then I continued working on the song.. until I was getting used to everything, so I turned it off and played some Sims 3 until a knock came at my door. It was Glenn ready to track his voice parts for our cartoon, so we did that. Went over well.
Then I ordered personal desk calendars for my family with some of my pictures in them.
During one of my breaks at my gig, I played darts with someone for the first time in my life, and I started off terribly. But sure enough it was neck and neck at the end, and I hit a bullseye and won!
After the gig, which was awesome, until after my last break. No one was there... I made 55 bucks in tips though. Neat stuff. I went to the crew party upstairs and talked with some friends like my boss Peter, Aaron, Noochie, Natalia, and Carrie.
Now I’m here! In my room! Watching the office!
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