Back to Work!

I spent the last few weeks at home working on my new house in Running Springs. There was and is a lot of work to be done, and I have been lucky to have so much help with it from family and friends. Everyone has really come behind me to help me get the things I need. When I look around the house I marvel at how many things were graciously given to me by friends and family and people I've met. Its now just about ready to move into, but now my time is up, and I'm broke, so its back to work. Another reason I'm broke is that I invested in lasik surgery while I was home, and can now see without my glasses! Its amazing, I'm so happy with it.

While I was home I was also lucky enough to have some good family time with my Grandpa Kopecky before he passed away, and then was able to attend his memorial services up there in Grass Valley. I'm so glad to have been able to say my goodbyes and have some time with him and our whole family together before he went to be with the Lord. He was honored by a military service which was very moving.

So now I am back on the Queen Elizabeth, for my third contract. I was able to come out a few days early and spend some time with Nick's family. They spoiled me and took me sightseeing all around their area. I got to see Winchester Cathedral, Swanage, Corfe Castle, and Longleat. We stayed very busy! Nick's little niece Hope likes me much more than she likes him, which is very entertaining. I joined the ship yesterday, and had a pretty easy night, due to the timing of a live stream of the Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics, which they showed in the theatre for the guests. So we only had time for one early half-hour Welcome show. Finished by 8:20pm, what a great deal! I got to relax in bed and watch the Opening Ceremonies, which were spectacular!

Also because of the Olympics, they've set aside one of the lounges for constant viewing of the events, which means its one less venue that needs to have music in it, resulting in less work for us over the next couple of weeks. Today we only had a 12:30 Dixieland set in the Garden Lounge. One hour's work and done! Its nice to be eased back into heavy playing this way. So far my chops are doing okay. I prepared enough in the weeks prior to coming back. Tomorrow will be our first normal night, with a full rehearsal and two late shows. But for now, I'm kicking back and getting all moved in to my cabin. I'll write another update soon about the changes here and new band members.
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I know, I know!!

Yes, I'm sorry I stopped posting!! I really wore myself out on the World Voyage posting for every single port.  And then I lost use of my blackberry for a while, and then I had family traveling with me so I was just too busy.....I know, excuses, excuses.  Well now I've finished up my contract, and am safely at home.  I will fill you in on a couple of the highlights of the end of the contract.   We got to visit a few favorite places again, had our favorite chocolate waffles in Belgium, went out to a jazz club on our overnight in Amsterdam, walked the city walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia, and had some amazing sunny days in the Med with some beautiful meals shared along the way.  I enjoyed having Ellie back as my fellow trombonist for my last 6 weeks, big band nights are always a blast with her there, and together we tackled "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" relying on each other for moral support.  I had a new roommate, Kat, who is a childhood friend of Nick's, and a great friend and roommate.  My mom and I got to experience Sardinia, Gibraltar, Rome, Florence, and Barcelona together.  We even climbed the very top of the Duomo in Florence together for the most spectacular view.  We stood together and saw Michaelangelo's David, something we had done with 40 years separating our two individual experiences, now experiencing it together.  It was a very emotional moment.  The finale of the voyage was a regal Sail-in to Southampton Harbor, with all the other Queens of the Cunard fleet, to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in our own way.  All the guests and crew were out on deck waving British flags, and the three ships came into formation together for some amazing photos via a circling helicopter.  My mom and I almost felt British....it was a very exciting atmosphere.

After I finished my contract I stayed in England 5 days.  I spent 2 of those with Nick's family, who took me to see Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral for an incredible day out.  I loved getting to know them all better.  Then I took a coach up to spend 2 days with my old friend James and his girlfriend and family in Luton, just north of London.  I love getting chances to catch up with him since we grew up together.  My last day I spent in London on my own, but not without getting to see a few friends from past contracts, and taking in Les Mis on the West End.  I lucked out because a friend of mine was playing Jean Val Jean in the show, arranged my ticket, and even gave me a backstage tour afterwards, and took me out for drinks with some of the cast.  I had a little too much fun and was pretty tired dragging myself to the airport the next morning via the Piccadilly Line, with all my luggage.  But I made it! So now I am home, taking care of all that business that has to wait until you are home, and then some as I try to get myself a house.  I am here until the end of July, my next contract starts on the 27th of July, and yes, I will be returning to the Queen Elizabeth.  And you are officially updated!!!