3362 nautical miles, 2 flights, and an unexpected overnight with an alligator later......I'm home.

Yes, I'm home!  But before I get to that I'll tell you about the last few days of my contract.  The weather unfortunately took a turn for the worse, so no more afternoons out on deck 7.  But I kept myself pretty busy - going to the gym, using the internet, watching movies in Marie's cabin, and getting packed early.  This is the first time I haven't had to rush to get everything done.  My last night on board was a really nice one - for work all I had to do was play in the short, easy Christmas show we've been putting together.  I actually really enjoyed it.  Afterwards I spent some time in the crew lounge with all my friends who came to wish me farewell.  I've found that sometimes its not until you are leaving that you realize what neat friends you were lucky to have, and how much they have come to mean to you.  

The next morning we arrived in Miami, and after full crew and guest immigration, the sign offs were finally able to disembark.  I made it to the airport by 11am, and then had some time to kill before my flight at 3:50.  I got to Dallas without incident, but unfortunately it was so cold there that all the planes had to be de-iced prior to departure, which delayed us about an hour and a half.  By some strange coincidence, I happened to be seated next to a bandmaster from Norwegian Cruise Line, who also had just signed off that morning, so we kept each other entertained swapping ship stories.  (He talked to me first because he saw my trombone and thought I was on a high school band field trip, go figure).  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my parents were getting snowed in on the mountain.  They couldn't come get me, so I ended up crashing at the NCL bandmaster's house with him and his wife, who live about 15 minutes from Ontario Airport.  They are a really cool Christian couple, and I felt at home staying with them.  So where does the alligator fit into all of this?  Well, apparently they know someone involved in a Discovery Channel documentary, and were babysitting this 2 and a half foot alligator overnight.  They were keeping it in their bathroom shower.  No kidding - I took a picture. 

My parents were able to get out the next day and pick me up around 3pm.  It was so great to see everyone.  We went straight to In N' Out, of course, then barely managed to make it home before the next storm hit.  It dumped buckets on us up here, I think we have three feet of snow.  But the important thing is, I'm HOME!!!!

Sea Day #4

We are halfway there!  Actually on the map we are more than halfway, but this is our middle sea day, three down, three to go.  I should really get packing!  

Yesterday was a really nice day, although it was rocking a bit more than it has been.  I still spent an hour or so out on deck seven feeling like I was on top of the world.  It was a pretty laid back day since the show was Jack Walker - who was here 2 months ago for a couple cruises and whose show we know really well.  To be honest the greatest challenge was just staying awake since for his show we only play along with a click track and its pretty easy the whole time.  To help pass the time in the afternoon, Marie and I decided to do something new for us and go get manicures in the spa.  I've never had one before, and it was fun to go with her.  I hope I can keep my nails looking nice so I can show off to you all when I get home.  After the show a few of us watched a movie in Marie's cabin to wind down, after stocking up on snacks from the staff bar before they run out.  

Today I spent my morning here in the Cova Café, since I couldn't seem to stay in bed.  All these hours back are getting my body used to a 25 hour day, which makes things interesting.  I've been here for a while, and the ship is just starting to wake up, so to speak.  We have something exciting today - a rehearsal for an impromptu Christmas show.  The ship was Christmas-ified at the beginning of the cruise, by the way, and Marie even bought a 4 foot tree in Barcelona!!  It takes up half her cabin.  Anyway, the Christmas show wasn't supposed to be until next cruise, but a scheduled comedian didn't make it to the ship in La Palma, and the aren't going to helicopter him in, so we're filling in for him.  We got the music yesterday, and everyone is involved - all the musicians on board plus the cast and the new a cappella group.  I'm actually kindof excited - maybe because I don't actually have to stick around for the whole Christmas season, I just get to do the show once.  The show will be on my last night here.  

This evening myself and the usual suspects are going out to eat at casual dining.  Our cruise director Matt got us approved last minute because the schedule had been flipped around and we can no longer go the day I originally requested.  So we'll get to go out one last time before I leave, which I've been wanting to do.  Tonight (after our Christmas show rehearsal) we only have Starring You, the guest talent show that also tries the band's collective ability to stay awake.  That reminds me - I've been thinking about it, and just for fun here are a few of the songs that have been ruined for me forever, as a result of working on ships:

-My Way (this one definitely tops the list)

-Sweet Caroline

-Don't Cry for Me, Argentina

-Con Te Partiro

-Hey Jude

-Music of the Night

-Zorba the Greek

-The Entertainer

-Danny Boy (although I highly recommend the Muppet version on Youtube)

-Nessun Dorma

Note: this list is not exhaustive and will be added to.   We hear/perform these songs several times a week on average.  I know most of them in about 7 different keys.  If I ever have to play or listen to any of the above again, it will be too soon. 

Sea Day #2

We did have a really good turnout for our late jazz sets last night, especially for the first one.  By the end of the night it cleared out a little bit, mostly because going an hour back every night is messing with people a little bit, so it feels like 1am when its technically midnight.  One lady came to the set just to hear me play and took my picture afterwards - we had met that morning in the gym.  She had seen my APU t-shirt and come to talk to me - she actually lives in Azusa!  That was neat - she is only the second guest my whole contract to recognize APU and say hello.  

I got an early start on the day today (for a musician).  Yesterday I had been chatting with my friend George who is one of the fitness instructors in the gym, and he invited me to come to the morning spin class, something I hadn't done in a while due to new rules regarding crew in the gym.  But there hasn't been a very good turnout for the classes, so he asked if I wanted to come and help fill up the class so its more fun for him to teach.  So I did the spin class at 9am, which really wore me out, and then George talked me into staying for his 10am pilates class...he said it would be a good stretch and cool down from spinning....yeah right....wow I earned my breakfast this morning.  We are allowed to eat at the breakfast buffet upstairs in its last half hour, which is from 11 to 11:30am, so I headed there after the classes and ate with Marie and Liam.  I know I'm guaranteed to see them if I go up at 11 - since its the only chance we have to eat a good breakfast (the crew mess = ew) its become sort of a tradition. 

Its been an absolutely gorgeous day today - it is amazing how fast it is warming up.  I went out on deck 7 to read a book for a while, and was actually too hot in pants and a t-shirt.  It was sunny and warm, with almost no wind.  In the distance you could see clouds and little patches of drizzle - which meant I saw a couple of gorgeous rainbows while I was soaking in the sun.  This crossing is looking pretty good so far - and if it stays like this....wow.  I might actually enjoy all these sea days.  :-)  So far so good!  

Tonight we have an Italian violinist, whose show is much more classical (Marriage of Figaro, dance macabre, etc) than any I have played before on ships.  We had a pretty short rehearsal this afternoon, and I while I don't know if the audience will like the show tonight, its going to be fun for me to play on my bigger, more classical trombone, and I really have to focus on what I'm doing (as opposed to Antonio Salci's show).  After rehearsal, our band leader did something unprecedented by inviting the whole band to his cabin and hosting what I personally would call a band "geeking out" session - we watched cool videos of big band concerts of some of the greatest bands and famous jazz performers.  Today was Louis Belson, Maynard Ferguson, Duke Ellington, and Gordon Goodwin.  It was fun to geek out with the other musicians and discuss what we were seeing.  Kevin apparently has a lot of great dvd's like this, and promises he will be hosting similar get-togethers to watch other bands during the rest of the crossing.  This is really the first time Kevin has planned to spend any social (albeit educational) time with us - he usually does his own thing and we only see him when we're working.  But today was really a lot of fun, and I hope it starts a trend.  

Where am I today? Well, Miami is straight ahead, 5 days west of right here (which is probably underneath the second "t" in "Atlantic" on your atlas)  :-)  

Goodbye, Europe!

It was fun going to some new places for our last few ports of call.  My friend Scott and I decided to return to Rick's Café in Casablanca, owing to the free wireless signal they have there.  That was a relaxing afternoon.  Due to time constraints and transportation issues and the fact that I'm kind of tired of Morocco in general, I didn't get off the ship in Agadir.  We were only docked for 5 hours in the afternoon, and we had a mid-afternoon rehearsal, so I decided it would be less stressful just to stay on board.  But then we had our last two port of call in the Canary Islands, which was pretty neat. 

The first island, Lanzarote, is basically a "moonscape", with everything covered in lava from a huge volcanic eruption in the 1700's.  But the day was really awesome because we decided to rent a car!!  Woohoo!  There were five of us all together, so we each only had to chip in 9 euros apiece, and Marie drove us all around the island.  Marie became the driver because out of those of us who knew how to drive stick shift (myself NOT included) she was the only one used to driving on the right side of the road.  The other two who could have driven are from South Africa, and the idea of not driving on the left hand side really scared them away.  Plus Marie loves driving a lot anyway.  So we grabbed a couple of maps and drove out to Timanfaya, a national park made up of the "Fire Mountains", basically the volcanic craters. I was the navigator, and I did a great job, if I do say so myself. :-)  It was really cool and strange to see crops planted in black soil, and to drive across huge areas where you literally could not pull over or leave the road because it was all lumpy, hardened lava for miles. It was a pretty cool experience, and definitely exhilarating to be in our own car and feel a little bit of freedom.  

The next day (yesterday) we made our second stop in the Canary Islands, on La Palma.  I think La Palma is what Lanzarote will eventually look like in 500 years or so - it is also of volcanic origin, but everything has become green again and covered up the lava formations with some forests.  I wasn't able to get on a tour, so I walked around the main streets with my friend Tim. We spent about an hour and a half walking around outside, while I found ways to spent all my last euros and euro change.    I found out by talking to a local shopowner (they speak Spanish) that La Palma is famous for a religious celebration they have only once every five years, for which something like 600,000 people migrate to the small island, whose population is usually only 80,000.  

I got back on board the ship for lunch: a big all-crew barbeque out on the front deck, deck 7 forward.  It was really great weather, and nice to be outside.  At quarter to four I made my way back up to deck seven to watch my last sailaway.  And to say goodbye to the last piece of land we'll be seeing in over a week.  It was neat to be out on deck and witness the official beginning of our transatlantic voyage, complete with an announcement from the captain, promising good weather (we'll wait and see about that).  Marie, Liam, and Stephan showed up, too, and we all watched the sailaway together, and stayed out on deck for over an hour as we circled La Palma and then headed west out toward the sunset, which was really beautiful.  We all pondered what seven days at sea are going to be like, and how we'll help entertain each other, and made a pact to go out on deck and get some fresh air every day we're at sea so we don't go nuts. 

I guess I should say something about my job too, huh? Musically speaking, we've had a few entertainers this past week, including a really good vocalist named Paul Emmanuel, and one of our least favorite entertainers, a pianist named Antonio Salci.  I won't go into details, but I'll just say that for the band, his show is musically unfulfilling. Yesterday all of the entertainers from week one of this cruise left, and all of the ones for the transatlantic came on board.  We'll have play the first of those shows tomorrow.  Last night we played jazz sets in the Cova cafe, and it was really a lot of fun.  The venue was totally packed, and everyone who was there was really into the music and had come specifically to hear our sets.  (This is one great thing about transatlantics!) Marie and I collaborated on a couple of tunes in each others sets to make things more interesting, which was really fun.  Our alto player Ian was even taking requests during his set and really interacting with the crowd.  They all had really complimentary things to say to us afterwards, and I hope that a lot of them come out to our late big band sets tonight.  Anyway, here we are on our first sea day of seven, feeling good!  

Leaving Europe....

Some links for pictures:  

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2065618&l=059b3&id=56903845

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2069399&l=434c4&id=56903845

Today we are in Gibraltar, which is our last port in mainland Europe.  Tomorrow we head south for two ports in Morocco, then two in the Canary islands before heading into the west.  I'm taking advantage of the internet here at a café while I still can - there are no guarantees at sea!  I'm enjoying some British tea with milk and sugar...about my third teapot now.  Its definitely wintry here!  We are all praying for good weather on the transatlantic so we aren't miserable...:-)  

Cartagena was really nice yesterday.  I explored the port with Marie, Liam, and Tim.  We walked all around and stopped for a coffee as well as doing some shopping.  Cartagena has a nice feel, with a really beautiful waterfront promenade lined with palm trees.  It really reminded me of the California coast a lot.  Speaking of which, I am still waiting on my flight details, which I will hopefully receive tomorrow.  Once you get those you really feel like you're going home.  I've heard though that it might take a while for me to get off the ship in Miami, due to Coast guard drills and inspections and immigration....I guess I'll just be patient and get home when I get home.  

It is officially Christmastime on board the Century - decorations have gone up all over the ship, including some gorgeous fake trees in the main lobby.  Its a nice feel....but the best by far is the fact that Marie bought herself a 4 foot tree in Barcelona and decked it out.  It takes up half her cabin, but its awesome.  She also bought some fake snow spray and stencils, so we've all decorated our mirrors.  Its a fun atmosphere - surprisingly I actually can feel the Christmas feeling on a ship.  Another thing improving the mood is that Marie and Liam just received the seasons of The Office that they ordered from amazon - providing us with group entertainment every night when we finish work, and promising to make the crossing go by faster.  Its a good feeling on the ship at the moment.  

Well, my computer is about out of juice, plus its time to head back so I don't miss the ship.  Goodbye Europe!!!  

On my way home!

Well, our last mediterranean cruise is over!  It was interesting, to say the least.   I went on a short tour in Livorno to the nearby town of Lucca, which is the birthplace and hometown of the composer Puccini.  The tour was nice, but it was a really rainy day, and I even saw snow on someone's car.   In Naples I got a chance to retake a tour I took last year - along the Amalfi Coast to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi.  It was even better than I remembered it, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  I can honestly say its one of the best tours Celebrity does.  But, that was the last time I got off the ship last cruise.  Why?  Well, bad weather caused us to miss our stop in Malta - the port refused to allow us entry into the pretty narrow harbor due to wind and rough seas.  So we had an unscheduled sea day - basically we just really took our time getting to our next port (maybe we drove in circles??) in Tunisia.   I had no desire to walk around that port (it can be unpleasant, and once you've experienced it there's really no reason to do it again, if you ask me) so I stayed on the ship.  Then, another sea day.....I'm practicing for the crossing, I guess. :-)  We were all really upset to miss Malta, since it is one of our favorite ports, and we all had plans for the day outside.   

The latest drama on the ship is two unexpected departures.  Sean from Metro ended up leaving the ship a few days early because of problems with the flights the company had given him.  I came back from my tour in Naples to find out he had left, which was a bummer.  I wish I had had a chance to say goodbye.  The rest of the group coped by working one of the production singers into the group in order to perform one song for the last night.  Next, , we just found out that the activity manager (basically the assistant cruise director - head of the activity staff) suddenly decided to quit today and left the ship before we sailed out of Barcelona.  Her leaving was totally unexpected, and while rumors abound we haven't heard the reason why she left.  It puts the cruise director and activity staff in a really hard position, especially since they had no warning, and this cruise is a transatlantic crossing, which is probably the worst time we could be without an activity manager.  Most likely they will have someone new in the next couple of days, or promote one of the junior staff.  Yikes! 

Yesterday was a bit sad as we said goodbye to the remaining three guys from Metro, and to two youth staff girls who are my good friends, and my friend Rob.  It was sure strange to hear a different a cappella quartet singing tonight at the welcome aboard show.  They couldn't be more different than Metro, who are already really missed here.   The Metro guys also invited me to come and visit them in Hong Kong - where they can show me around and introduce me to the huge live music scene, and maybe connect me with some auditions there.  I must admit the idea intrigues me...we'll see if anything becomes of it.  Anyway, they were all off the ship early this morning to fly home, and I was off early to enjoy my last day in Barcelona.  I spent a few hours walking around with my friend Scott, who is the bass player in the lounge band.  We took the metro to the end of the main street La Rambla, visited the Gothic Cathedral and the Boqueria outdoor/tent market (where we had some amazing pure mango juice for just 1 euro!) and enjoyed some coffee in a café that came highly recommended to me.  We had fun watching the street performers and looking at the birds and beasts being sold in the little mini pet-store stalls that line the entire center pedestrian walkway.  We walked all the way back down La Rambla (which is a pretty long street) before heading back to the ship. 

So today begins the long voyage home!  I will take my time on the scenic route back to the states on this 14 day Transatlantic crossing (like I have any choice in the matter).  :-) I had my last guest boat drill today - hooray!  Tomorrow we start off with a brand new port of call: Cartagena, Spain.  I'll keep you posted!