Well here we are, I've finally managed to sit down and try and write down some of the most interesting bits of the last few weeks! I ended my last entry by saying that I felt I had enough to write a novel, and boy if I were to document half of the goings on of the last few weeks then we'd be here all year! I think I should start by saying that despite all the whinging that is likely to follow I am actually having a great time, really enjoying the work, total change of scenery and lifestyle, but it really is hard work!
It seems a lifetime away since I last tried to write things down and it really isn't an exaggeration to say it doesn't feel like there has been a moment since then that I've had as spare time off. So, where to start? Last time I wrote it was just Adrian and I on board, but a few days later the Peel production and show team arrived and so things obviously started picking up then! Everyone I've had to work with so far have been really great and I think everyone in the team is going to get on really well. It has been total chaos so far for a number of reasons, but as I mentioned the ship was being used by Louis as a replacement to the Sea Diamond which made it really difficult to work as there were passengers around and all the staff for the other cruise. It meant there were constant clashed and confusion with meetings and rehearsals time. Obviously there is a huge amount of equipment, props, scenery and other stuff involved so storing and using all that whilst not having anywhere to keep resulted in lots of problems. On top of that the stage manager was having visa problems, and we didn't have a DJ so I was the only technician until three days after we went live!! The Regency Lounge where the shows happen every night is a really tough room, as are most of the places around the ship to be honest. There have been so many problems with the set-up and equipment it’s untrue and I really couldn't start to tell you what a mess everything has been. We are slowly getting there and now Jhun (the stage manager) as finally arrived we are able to get things in better order, but it's still going to be really busy until all that is done and we have had one run through all the shows so we know what's going on a bit better. So by this time next week I should get a bit more time off.
I'm not going to go on about all the ins and out of everything that has gone wrong as it isn't particularly exciting so I'll try and keep a mental note to talk about at a later date! However as I've spent almost every moment trying to sort out all those issues it does leave me a bit light on the ground of material!! So if there is anything you want to know - ask away! Important things are is that the food is good and I'm eating two big meals a day, the weather is fantastic although the only time I spend in it is setting the band up on deck! However on that note, the band didn’t do too well and they’ve left already! They’re being replaces with a four piece rather than five, so I’m first on the list for my own cabin if the way they share works out!
Wednesday 16th May
There have been a few moments where it really has got to me and I’m totally exhausted at present and just hoping for a rest bite soon! I’ve written all this in stages, but as I write now I’m sitting on the ship in Venice! However the rehearsal this morning didn’t go well, so although I have a rare hour or two off, no-one else does and Venice sounds like a bit of challenge to navigate so I think I’ll have to wait ‘til the next time we are here, as I’ll have been paid by then too!
The evening shows are really enjoyable, and although the performances still have room to improve, the audiences are giving good feedback and I’m enjoying ‘teching’ them. It does make the stress and exhaustion somewhat bearable when you get to the end of the second show and all has gone well! We have a guest artist each week too, both been comedians so far and that’s been great too, having a 20 minute rehearsal then doing a full show with ques for songs and gags and all sorts, but Maurice Grumbleweed said the show was perfect last night so you can’t ask for more than that!!
Friday 18th May
Well if today is a sign of what things will eventually be like then there finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel! Friday is disembark/embark day so we lose lots of passengers and get a new lot on depending on whether they’ve booked for one or two weeks. It means the schedule is different to any other day and as technicians don’t have any duties like welcoming people at the terminal it’s been quite a relaxed day. Add to that it’s been raining on and off all day so the band haven’t been able to play on deck which was my main daytime duty. So after teching the port showcase this morning I’ve had some free time. It’s around 6pm now and I’m waiting to hear if we are going to set the band up on deck or not!
I moved into my own cabin late last night, so it’s been good to have some time today to sort out, get off ship and get a few groceries in, as I now have a fridge to myself in my cabin to go along with the flat screen TV and DVD player – makes up for the shoe box size!
Unfortunately things are going to take a turn for the worse this week however, as the DJ (who was only ever here short term) is leaving and it’s going to be really tough to get by without his help as he has been doing lots of odd jobs and which Jhun and myself don’t have the time to do! We supposedly have a new person lined up but not sure when he arrives and how good he is. Fingers crossed that we are not too long without as even with him, I didn’t get an evening meal last night and survived on crisps and chocolate!! That was because the new band arrived, 4 middle aged guys from the Ukraine. I think they’ll be a lot better than the last lot once they’ve settled in. They’ve been doing ships for years by the sound of things and reckon we have it good!!!
Monday 21st May
We are back in ‘real time’ now as I’m writing this from a cafe in Kusadsi, Turkey. I’m at the crew calling centre and logged onto the wireless network sat out in the sun with a cold drink! If this is the sign of things to come when things properly calm down then things are looking up!
Things have settled down a bit more over the weekend and I’ve enjoyed a few more hours off here and there, although not managed to get off the ship until now. We are back to the start of the 2 week show programme now, so we are doing everything for the 2nd time so fingers crossed it should all run a bit smoother. I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the places I’ve only seen from the boat too. Venice and Santarini look beautiful and i can’t wait to have some time to get off and have a look round. I’ve been paid now so I think I’m going to treat myself to a digital camera as my phone really isn’t cutting it!
Apologies if the formatting is a bit all over the place, the Blogspot site is in Turkish and I can't work out whats goin on!! I hope everyone is well, I’m running out of interesting things to say already, so drop me a message and hopefully I’ll be able to reply soon!
