Our last Southampton was a really big day for the ship, for everyone involved. We had a major turnover of crew - over a hundred signed off and were replaced by new crew. The stage staff were busy all morning unloading set pieces and props for shows that have been cancelled, to be stored in the huge warehouse of old and recycled sets in Carnival House near the port. We got a new string quartet and solo pianist among our musician family on board, all ladies I know from my first contract here, one who was my roommate for several months. We said our final goodbye's to the actors, except for the one who managed to get himself back up the gangway as entertainment staff when someone didn't show up, despite all our efforts to get him off the ship. We did our final shopping in our favorite stores, in preparation for 3 months in Greece, Italy, and Turkey where certain things will be harder to find. Later in the afternoon when Nick was able to get ashore, we met up for a final lunch with his "mum" Lynne, and his niece Hope. Nick took advantage of his last chance to offload some things at home. Lynne gave me a great birthday present - tickets to see Starlight Express in December when I'm visiting them. I can't wait - its a show I've never seen.
Today we're in Gibraltar after two days at sea, which means we've completed our final crossing of the dreaded Bay of Biscay, known for rough seas. Things should be fairly calm here in the Med now, much to the relief of my roommate who invariably succumbs to seasickness on rough days. I don't ever get sick, but I do feel really tired and sluggish on those days, so I won't miss them either. I have moved back into my old cabin from last year, with my old roommate Kat, a stage tech from Southampton, an old friend of Nick's. Its nice to be back in the normal section where all the musos (pronounced mew - zo's, ship and international slang for musicians), cast, and techies are. Now I feel like I'm part of the normal community I'm used to again. I'm back on the top bunk again, but Kat was here first this time, and fair's fair. I had it my entire last contract, so I can't complain. And I'm finding I don't mind at all. I like having Kat for a roommate, and that makes it a great place to be.
Last night we weren't required in the show, so it was my turn, along with our tenor player Bryan, to be on jazz sets with the rhythm section. We played two sets in the Garden Lounge up on the top of the ship, a beautiful indoor garden style room with a glass roof. During the second set an older gentleman brought his trumpet up and asked if he could play a tune with us. I allowed it, despite it being a bit of an awkward situation since we didn't know how well he played. I had in mind for him to play one solo on one of our tunes, since the set is all improvised anyway. But once I let him up there, he sort of took over, and had even brought a chart for us to play. He even sang the verse on the microphone and then kept yelling things like "Come on, you lot!" to get us to improvise along with him on this song we'd never heard before. It was interesting, to say the least. Its a difficult situation when you want to accommodate a guest without compromising the integrity of the set. Later Tim (my boss, who wasn't present) told me in the future I can say something about it being company policy not to allow guests to perform. Stories of the incident had got back to him, likely as a result of the gentleman managing to insult half the band with his opinionated comments and domineering attitude on stage. I believe he told Vlad he played his guitar like a balalaika, with which somewhat racist comment Vlad was understandably unimpressed. I know this guy is going to show up at Tim's jazz set later in the voyage, and I hope he will be able to let him down gently after me having set the precedent of allowing him to play. From the experience I'm taking the lesson that its better not to allow a guest to join in, unless you already know them, their attitude, and their abilities. It's a bit unfortunate that it has to be that way, as I like to make people happy and give them a chance, but after that experience I wont be tempted to a repeat anytime soon.
Today we're in Gibraltar after two days at sea, which means we've completed our final crossing of the dreaded Bay of Biscay, known for rough seas. Things should be fairly calm here in the Med now, much to the relief of my roommate who invariably succumbs to seasickness on rough days. I don't ever get sick, but I do feel really tired and sluggish on those days, so I won't miss them either. I have moved back into my old cabin from last year, with my old roommate Kat, a stage tech from Southampton, an old friend of Nick's. Its nice to be back in the normal section where all the musos (pronounced mew - zo's, ship and international slang for musicians), cast, and techies are. Now I feel like I'm part of the normal community I'm used to again. I'm back on the top bunk again, but Kat was here first this time, and fair's fair. I had it my entire last contract, so I can't complain. And I'm finding I don't mind at all. I like having Kat for a roommate, and that makes it a great place to be.
Last night we weren't required in the show, so it was my turn, along with our tenor player Bryan, to be on jazz sets with the rhythm section. We played two sets in the Garden Lounge up on the top of the ship, a beautiful indoor garden style room with a glass roof. During the second set an older gentleman brought his trumpet up and asked if he could play a tune with us. I allowed it, despite it being a bit of an awkward situation since we didn't know how well he played. I had in mind for him to play one solo on one of our tunes, since the set is all improvised anyway. But once I let him up there, he sort of took over, and had even brought a chart for us to play. He even sang the verse on the microphone and then kept yelling things like "Come on, you lot!" to get us to improvise along with him on this song we'd never heard before. It was interesting, to say the least. Its a difficult situation when you want to accommodate a guest without compromising the integrity of the set. Later Tim (my boss, who wasn't present) told me in the future I can say something about it being company policy not to allow guests to perform. Stories of the incident had got back to him, likely as a result of the gentleman managing to insult half the band with his opinionated comments and domineering attitude on stage. I believe he told Vlad he played his guitar like a balalaika, with which somewhat racist comment Vlad was understandably unimpressed. I know this guy is going to show up at Tim's jazz set later in the voyage, and I hope he will be able to let him down gently after me having set the precedent of allowing him to play. From the experience I'm taking the lesson that its better not to allow a guest to join in, unless you already know them, their attitude, and their abilities. It's a bit unfortunate that it has to be that way, as I like to make people happy and give them a chance, but after that experience I wont be tempted to a repeat anytime soon.
