Saint John

Good afternoon, everyone! We’ve had some interesting things happen since I last posted, especially in the theatre. At our final production show of last cruise (2 days ago) we had some machinery malfunction near the end of the show. Just before a big section from Les Mis, a screen that covers the whole stage is lifted to reveal the cast. Well, the other night it only lifted to a height of about 5 feet off the ground. So no-one could see the heads of any of the cast, and the ones who were supposed to be upstage had to duck under it as they sang and danced. The A/V team tried desperately to raise it manually, but no such luck. With the screen in the way, we couldn’t do the rest of the show (about 10 minutes of Les Mis), so at the end of that song, they just cut the track and acted like it was the end of the show. Luckily that song is rather climactic in itself. The cruise director came out and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the incredible Celebrity singers and dancers!!” And we took a bow as well, since we weren’t playing bow music like we’d normally do. It was a nightmare for the cast, but they handled it well, and honestly I don’t think the audience realized anything was wrong. They gave us a standing ovation, in fact. ☺ I guess if any of them talked to the audience who saw the second show, they might be confused. “What do you mean, what big Les Mis section? ‘Bring him Home?’ No, they didn’t sing that. Huh?” Then during that second show, although they did get through it, minus the screen and their computer software, there was one other equipment malfunction: the curtains opened very quickly in the middle of one of the female vocalist’s big solos: she happened to be standing too far back on stage and the thing whacked her on the side of the head and almost knocked her over right when she was getting really into her solo. She started hitting the curtain to get it away from her. She was mad, but not hurt at all. I’m not going to lie - it was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. ☺

Last night was Jefferson’s last night on board (solo guitarist). I am definitely going to miss having him on board and hearing him sing every time I walk through the lobby midship. I caught his last set that night since it was my last chance to hear him play, and he played “I will be here” by Steven Curtis Chapman and dedicated it to me, and to my absent parents, for whom he had played it when they were on board. It was sweet of him to include it in his lest set ever, since I was there. I wish good people weren’t always leaving! He will be missed.

Today I tried to get off the ship early, because we were told there was a window of time to get off early, before debark. It turned out that I got the wrong time – the window closed at 7:45, when I thought that was when it opened. I was there right on time, unfortunately I needed to be there like a minute earlier. I was a little grumpy that they wouldn’t let me off even though I was literally seconds late, but there wasn’t anything to be done about it. They weren’t going to reopen the gangway for crew until after 11. So, back to bed for me. This afternoon I went back to the spa to be a live demo for the spa and treatment tours they give guests on embark day. Today it was a facial for me – the first one I’ve ever had in my life. It was wonderful, the best part being getting a $150 treatment for free. ☺

I recently realized that since daylight savings time just began for the U.S., I am not longer 4 hours ahead of you all, but only three. Not that you really care, but I thought you should know just in case you ever find yourself wondering, “I wonder what time it is the in the Caribbean where Andrea is?”

Bonaire

Well, I know its been a while since I've posted. My computer was acting up, but my computer-savvy friend Rob just took a look at it for me today and fixed it. Hooray! I can finally get online again!! I'm sitting at the KFC here in Bonaire, pretty happy with the food I just ate. :-)

Last night we did something pretty different - we played a late night "Cabaret" with the singer from the new lounge band, in the Rendezvous Lounge. Her name is Kelly Broadway, and I really like her. She is in her mid forties, and has a lot of personality. Her singing has a lot of character and is filled with passion, life, and spontanaity. We are friends already. Basically the Cabaret was like a rehearsal for her guest entertainer -style show that she plans to do on the transatlantic. She is trying to get hired as a guest entertainer full time. I think she definitely has what it takes. Her show is great, she's talented, and her charts are amazing (arranged by Elliot and Ian Finkel). We had a two hour rehearsal in the afternoon, which was long, but she's still figuring out how the charts work and how to work with a 7 piece band. She took us out for drinks after the show, and was really grateful for our willingness to give our time. She is bugging me to sit in on one of her sets and play trombone. She'll probably talk me into it soon.

Well, I will post a bit more tomorrow if I can! But once again I'm out of time. :-)