Starting tomorrow, I have the trifecta of duties. I have my regular work and then on top of that I have Port Manning, Backstage Manager on Duty, and Laser Tag. Port Manning happens every 5 weeks, BSMoD ever other and Laser Tag every 4th week. It only happened like this this week because I had to swap out Laser Tag last week because of being signed off. Calling all math nerds! How often should something like this happen if there were no irregularities/swaps?
By the way, this means I won't be getting off of the boat this week (Sun-Sat), so no phone calls this week and little internet.
I don’t have any pictures, but we were horsing around backstage and Mike set up some of his climbing gear and I zip-lined across the stage. Well, sort of – I connected in the center, pulled myself up and then only went half way across the stage (back where I started) so that I didn’t crash into the band set-up… but cool, right? Mike did some rappelling from the perch. Good times.
I have a new friend – he’s one of the officers and is trying to schedule it so I can visit the bridge. You should ooh and aah right now. Go ahead. Very few people get to go up there. For security reasons, they only let 16 guests take a tour each week.
I met a kid today who did it – he’s maybe 3 years old and his mother said he told the captain that it was a BMW.
Check facebook for pics from friday.
Love and rarities,
Jamie
28 August 2010
27 August 2010
Day 55
I didn't really know what it meant to have sea-legs until one day a couple of weeks in I realized I had to stop and think if I could feel the boat moving or not. I don't notice it much at all.
And then there are days like yesterday when we are doing a show and you don't have to stop to feel it. You feel it without thinking and you see it in how set pieces that are hanging backstage and backdrops up in the sky sway more than average.
In my first weeks I wondered why the crew even bothers drinking alcohol - just the swaying of the boat made me feel tipsy. I'd lie in bed and feel that motion of a good buzz. When we're at sea, I can hardly walk a stick straight line. But as I've said, now I don't notice it so much: I've gotten used to the motion of the sea so now I better understand why people don't not drink.
Now I know that a lot of alcohol consumption here is out of boredom or job frustration (or both). And it's cheap for crew! Did I tell you? $1.5 beers, $3.5 wine, $2 shots.
I'm still on meds so I'm not drinking for another couple of days.
We had even more excitement than just the more-than-usual boat rocking. In fact, we've had many technical glitches in the past few weeks. Last night, all of one type of light fixtures went out in the middle of the show. The day before, the lavaliere mic stopped reading on the sound board just after the magic show started. I think I mentioned the glitches last week with the video feed not patched correctly and the curtain coming off it's carrier.
Ah, live theatre.
Love and gentle rocking,
Jamie
And then there are days like yesterday when we are doing a show and you don't have to stop to feel it. You feel it without thinking and you see it in how set pieces that are hanging backstage and backdrops up in the sky sway more than average.
In my first weeks I wondered why the crew even bothers drinking alcohol - just the swaying of the boat made me feel tipsy. I'd lie in bed and feel that motion of a good buzz. When we're at sea, I can hardly walk a stick straight line. But as I've said, now I don't notice it so much: I've gotten used to the motion of the sea so now I better understand why people don't not drink.
Now I know that a lot of alcohol consumption here is out of boredom or job frustration (or both). And it's cheap for crew! Did I tell you? $1.5 beers, $3.5 wine, $2 shots.
I'm still on meds so I'm not drinking for another couple of days.
We had even more excitement than just the more-than-usual boat rocking. In fact, we've had many technical glitches in the past few weeks. Last night, all of one type of light fixtures went out in the middle of the show. The day before, the lavaliere mic stopped reading on the sound board just after the magic show started. I think I mentioned the glitches last week with the video feed not patched correctly and the curtain coming off it's carrier.
Ah, live theatre.
Love and gentle rocking,
Jamie
26 August 2010
Day 54
I was released from isolation on Tues morning. Doc still isn’t fully sure what it was, though he’s pretty sure that it’s not scarlet fever (without the fever) which is what I thought it was. The antibiotics I was taking may have toyed with my immune system and made me hypersensitive so it may have been an allergic reaction to laundry detergent, the treated water, or anything. Then he said that I was just in isolation for no need. Turns out it wasn’t chicken pox… they were just jumpy about that because they’ve had a few cases recently. Grrr.
There are now three of us that worked together at the Cleveland Play House working on Carnival ships: Devon, Liz, and me. How silly. It’s strangely nice to have an outside friend on a ship who I can see every other week when we’re in port together. Somehow connects me to my outside life. Unfortunately, Devon and I don’t cross paths.
Chris lent me a book called Origins, which is about the cosmos – the Big Bang theory and the thought processes behind how the universe works. It can be pretty technical in places, but isn’t written like a textbook. It has a sense of humor peppered in that checks in to see if you’re paying attention and helps break things up a bit. I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment by the nitty gritty of the math behind it because I get a little lost in terminology, but it sparks some pretty neat conversations with Chris. And it makes me wonder why we learn in school only about our solar system and not more even about what galaxies, supernovas, stars, nebulas, and what all of these things are. This book is really opening up my perspective. I feel like when I look up at the sky I know a lot more about what is out there and how it works, rather than it being a big scary mystery. While it’s strange to know that the way our solar system works now is not permanent, that slowly everything is changing (and I haven’t yet gotten to the chapters that probably talk about the future), it’s nice to kind of understand how things in space change and why. I may not be able to do anything about it if there is a possibility that Earth is threatened, but I’m sure there’s also a chapter on that and what is predicted to happen and if there are plans on how to save Earth/keep existing.
I see hummingbirds every time I go to Roatan. Love it!
Love and physics,
Jamie
There are now three of us that worked together at the Cleveland Play House working on Carnival ships: Devon, Liz, and me. How silly. It’s strangely nice to have an outside friend on a ship who I can see every other week when we’re in port together. Somehow connects me to my outside life. Unfortunately, Devon and I don’t cross paths.
Chris lent me a book called Origins, which is about the cosmos – the Big Bang theory and the thought processes behind how the universe works. It can be pretty technical in places, but isn’t written like a textbook. It has a sense of humor peppered in that checks in to see if you’re paying attention and helps break things up a bit. I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment by the nitty gritty of the math behind it because I get a little lost in terminology, but it sparks some pretty neat conversations with Chris. And it makes me wonder why we learn in school only about our solar system and not more even about what galaxies, supernovas, stars, nebulas, and what all of these things are. This book is really opening up my perspective. I feel like when I look up at the sky I know a lot more about what is out there and how it works, rather than it being a big scary mystery. While it’s strange to know that the way our solar system works now is not permanent, that slowly everything is changing (and I haven’t yet gotten to the chapters that probably talk about the future), it’s nice to kind of understand how things in space change and why. I may not be able to do anything about it if there is a possibility that Earth is threatened, but I’m sure there’s also a chapter on that and what is predicted to happen and if there are plans on how to save Earth/keep existing.
I see hummingbirds every time I go to Roatan. Love it!
Love and physics,
Jamie
22 August 2010
Day 50
I have a mysterious rash all over my body.
(Notice I have figured out how to include photos on this thing)
The medical center has put me in isolation for at least a day, but I had to pack for 6 days. This obviously means that I am not allowed to leave my room and I am to order room service. What they didn’t tell me at the medical center is that when on isolation, all room service is allowed to give me is bananas, plain rice, toast, plain yogurt crackers, and clear soup. I don’t eat most soups so I’m even more limited.
Good thing I went to Whole Foods today (what a heavenly, soul warming, home-like feeling) and have brought along with me fig cookies and… more crackers. My friends, I’m sure, will sneak me, funny to say this, better food from the staff mess (it’s usually pretty mediocre itself). But I think I’ll put up with the bland food for tonight and if I have to continue being confined, ask if the doc will give room service the green light for other foods. He already said he didn’t think it was an allergic reaction.
He said he thinks it’s a post-viral reaction.
As you may know, I just got over strep throat. But, he says he just has to deductive (is that the right word?) diagnosing - to figure out what it is by slowly crossing off what it isn’t is because of what it isn’t from.
And because they’ve recently had a few cases of chicken pox on board over the last 3 weeks, they’re gun shy – but I’m pretty sure it’s not that.
The doc said “come back tomorrow and we’ll see if you have blisters. Then we’ll take it from there.”
Man, I was just starting to have fun again. I was out and about socializing in the evenings. No longer feeling dopey from antihistamines and spacey which I attribute to the antibiotics, though that may be incorrect.
Back to Whole Foods. While it was so comforting to go to that store again after multiple months (it’s where I do most of my regular grocery shopping), it felt strange to not be buying regular staples. There were whole isles I didn’t walk down because I have no need for baking items or even canned soups – I have nowhere to heat them. I did almost buy a box of Annie’s mac and cheese just out of nostalgia. I am one of the lucky people who has a mini-fridge in their room. You either have to buy one from Carnival (because they only let you use their approved ones) or you have to be lucky and have one left behind by a previous tenant (which is my case). So I did buy myself a tub of blueberry yogurt. Unfortunately, the room I have been moved to for isolation does not have a fridge, so I couldn’t bring/sneak it along.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a weird or mysterious affliction.
Sigh.
Could be worse.
And for the folks at home, I ran all over looking for a phone charger today and am going to have to order one online. My phone is just that old.
Sorry Dad, it’s hard to go around taking pictures around the boat with this time off, since I’m not allowed to leave my room… and be careful what you wish for. If I get bored, you’ll know it by a proliferation of hideously yellow photos of the beige and plywood cabin.
As I've been writing, my room service showed up. You should see it... oh wait, you will. (This isolation is going to cost me a pretty penny in internet cards.)(Not really, I'll be responsible.) (And it's 10 cents a minute, not exactly a bank breaker when you're responsible.)
UPDATE HALF-AN-HOUR LATER: F this S - one plate of chlorine tasting plain rice, half a green banana, and two cold pieces of toast - I'm busting out my snuck-in snacks and getting my friends to hook me up.
(Notice I have figured out how to include photos on this thing)
The medical center has put me in isolation for at least a day, but I had to pack for 6 days. This obviously means that I am not allowed to leave my room and I am to order room service. What they didn’t tell me at the medical center is that when on isolation, all room service is allowed to give me is bananas, plain rice, toast, plain yogurt crackers, and clear soup. I don’t eat most soups so I’m even more limited.
Good thing I went to Whole Foods today (what a heavenly, soul warming, home-like feeling) and have brought along with me fig cookies and… more crackers. My friends, I’m sure, will sneak me, funny to say this, better food from the staff mess (it’s usually pretty mediocre itself). But I think I’ll put up with the bland food for tonight and if I have to continue being confined, ask if the doc will give room service the green light for other foods. He already said he didn’t think it was an allergic reaction.
He said he thinks it’s a post-viral reaction.
As you may know, I just got over strep throat. But, he says he just has to deductive (is that the right word?) diagnosing - to figure out what it is by slowly crossing off what it isn’t is because of what it isn’t from.
And because they’ve recently had a few cases of chicken pox on board over the last 3 weeks, they’re gun shy – but I’m pretty sure it’s not that.
The doc said “come back tomorrow and we’ll see if you have blisters. Then we’ll take it from there.”
Man, I was just starting to have fun again. I was out and about socializing in the evenings. No longer feeling dopey from antihistamines and spacey which I attribute to the antibiotics, though that may be incorrect.
Back to Whole Foods. While it was so comforting to go to that store again after multiple months (it’s where I do most of my regular grocery shopping), it felt strange to not be buying regular staples. There were whole isles I didn’t walk down because I have no need for baking items or even canned soups – I have nowhere to heat them. I did almost buy a box of Annie’s mac and cheese just out of nostalgia. I am one of the lucky people who has a mini-fridge in their room. You either have to buy one from Carnival (because they only let you use their approved ones) or you have to be lucky and have one left behind by a previous tenant (which is my case). So I did buy myself a tub of blueberry yogurt. Unfortunately, the room I have been moved to for isolation does not have a fridge, so I couldn’t bring/sneak it along.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a weird or mysterious affliction.
Sigh.
Could be worse.
And for the folks at home, I ran all over looking for a phone charger today and am going to have to order one online. My phone is just that old.
Sorry Dad, it’s hard to go around taking pictures around the boat with this time off, since I’m not allowed to leave my room… and be careful what you wish for. If I get bored, you’ll know it by a proliferation of hideously yellow photos of the beige and plywood cabin.
As I've been writing, my room service showed up. You should see it... oh wait, you will. (This isolation is going to cost me a pretty penny in internet cards.)(Not really, I'll be responsible.) (And it's 10 cents a minute, not exactly a bank breaker when you're responsible.)
UPDATE HALF-AN-HOUR LATER: F this S - one plate of chlorine tasting plain rice, half a green banana, and two cold pieces of toast - I'm busting out my snuck-in snacks and getting my friends to hook me up.
20 August 2010
Day 48
Last few hours of being on antibiotics after having strep throat. Tonight: alcohol. (and singing and dancing and revelry)
It's amazing how pleasant it is to have a pretty snafu-free show after the mess that was two days ago for the magic show. We had our main curtain come off of it's traveler right before a show (making it not move automatically) and then after getting that fixed in time, the video patch for the video camera was messed up - and half the show requires the camera.
Once our troubleshooting was unsuccessful (we of course, didn't know right away that it was the patch), we came up with a back-up plan, but all of this made the show start 40 minutes late. And we didn't rehearse the changes to the show order, so both performances had some less than magical moments. Yuk.
Also, the giant talking couch that is in the Monday show looks like he had a stroke. One of his corneas came detached, and hanging down, so when his eyes open he was one good blue eye and one blank white one. Repairing this is proving more difficult than expected.
So I partied last night (without alcohol). Closed the piano bar. Closed the disco. Tried to brave the high winds and gusts of salt water at the front of the ship. Hit the sack at 4:30am.
It was only the second time that the boat was rocking pretty heavily since I've been here. Pretty good in 7 weeks!
Love and tempests,
Jme
It's amazing how pleasant it is to have a pretty snafu-free show after the mess that was two days ago for the magic show. We had our main curtain come off of it's traveler right before a show (making it not move automatically) and then after getting that fixed in time, the video patch for the video camera was messed up - and half the show requires the camera.
Once our troubleshooting was unsuccessful (we of course, didn't know right away that it was the patch), we came up with a back-up plan, but all of this made the show start 40 minutes late. And we didn't rehearse the changes to the show order, so both performances had some less than magical moments. Yuk.
Also, the giant talking couch that is in the Monday show looks like he had a stroke. One of his corneas came detached, and hanging down, so when his eyes open he was one good blue eye and one blank white one. Repairing this is proving more difficult than expected.
So I partied last night (without alcohol). Closed the piano bar. Closed the disco. Tried to brave the high winds and gusts of salt water at the front of the ship. Hit the sack at 4:30am.
It was only the second time that the boat was rocking pretty heavily since I've been here. Pretty good in 7 weeks!
Love and tempests,
Jme
15 August 2010
day 43
I stopped at the infirmary this morning - the doc was kind enough to see me even though he doesn't have hours until later today. He looked in my mouth and his eyes enlarged - he said that it looks like someone poured boiling water in my mouth and that I have the beginnings of strep throat.
Antibiotics, theraflu, alka-seltzer, cough drops, vitamins.
Already the food at the mess takes an effort to eat. Now it's harder. I'd almost rather drool than swallow.
So in my quick note about the lovely time in Roatan, I didn't elaborate on how I tried to drown Randy while snorkeling. I hadn't planned to go snorkeling. I was perfectly happy lying on the plastic floating dock by the snorkeling, but Randy came back in to tell me I had to go check it out.
And I try to give people a warning about me and water. "I am a spastic swimmer" "I am not a good swimmer" "I've only been snorkeling once"
So he gave me his goggles and snorkel and led me out. I let him keep the flippers. We got a ways out and I started to panic. So we go to turn back, Randy is going to tow me back so I offered him back the goggles and snorkel. I tried to help put them on him, while piggybacking, of sorts, and ended up submerging him.
It was spastic. He doesn't seem to hold any ill feelings about it. We had a good laugh when I had to re-explain that my swimming skills are not so proficient. Next time, I'll use a life vest!
A group of my colleagues got in an auto accident with some locals in Cozumel. It wasn't their fault and they were fine. They were in a hummer and the locals were on a scooter - a couple and their baby. The man broke his leg and the baby was in a coma for a couple of days. The police needed someone from the party to stay at the station to finish up paperwork (maybe he was the driver?), so he had to miss the boat leaving port! Such a big deal! Thankfully there wasn't any corruption against the foreigner and there don't seem to be any big repercussions from work. Missing the boat in general is grounds for termination.
Oh, and Randy has fainting goats.
http://www.facebook.com/jamielynnesimons?v=wall&story_fbid=419205276935#!/video/video.php?v=1250714101318
Does the link work?
edit aug 20: ah here we go, dunno what happened with that other link.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=1250714101318
Anywho, when they get excited, they freeze up and fall over.
Love and pain,
Jme
Antibiotics, theraflu, alka-seltzer, cough drops, vitamins.
Already the food at the mess takes an effort to eat. Now it's harder. I'd almost rather drool than swallow.
So in my quick note about the lovely time in Roatan, I didn't elaborate on how I tried to drown Randy while snorkeling. I hadn't planned to go snorkeling. I was perfectly happy lying on the plastic floating dock by the snorkeling, but Randy came back in to tell me I had to go check it out.
And I try to give people a warning about me and water. "I am a spastic swimmer" "I am not a good swimmer" "I've only been snorkeling once"
So he gave me his goggles and snorkel and led me out. I let him keep the flippers. We got a ways out and I started to panic. So we go to turn back, Randy is going to tow me back so I offered him back the goggles and snorkel. I tried to help put them on him, while piggybacking, of sorts, and ended up submerging him.
It was spastic. He doesn't seem to hold any ill feelings about it. We had a good laugh when I had to re-explain that my swimming skills are not so proficient. Next time, I'll use a life vest!
A group of my colleagues got in an auto accident with some locals in Cozumel. It wasn't their fault and they were fine. They were in a hummer and the locals were on a scooter - a couple and their baby. The man broke his leg and the baby was in a coma for a couple of days. The police needed someone from the party to stay at the station to finish up paperwork (maybe he was the driver?), so he had to miss the boat leaving port! Such a big deal! Thankfully there wasn't any corruption against the foreigner and there don't seem to be any big repercussions from work. Missing the boat in general is grounds for termination.
Oh, and Randy has fainting goats.
Does the link work?
edit aug 20: ah here we go, dunno what happened with that other link.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=1250714101318
Anywho, when they get excited, they freeze up and fall over.
Love and pain,
Jme
13 August 2010
day 41, but who's counting
On Wed, I was led to Maya Key by the piano man, Randy (as soon as we're friends on Facebook, I'll tag him, but I'm sure you can figure out who he is). He kept telling me about his friend George... yes, he did say he was a monkey, but I didn't realize how friendly he'd be. Hugs hugs hugs. And kisses. He also loved to play with the velcro on my Tevas.
Went snorkeling.
Got bit or stung by something that left some cool looking red spots all over my back, arms, and feet. No pain, or itching (until the next day). Randy tried to tell me it was sea lice. I think it was noseeums. Biting gnats. And now they are like mosquito bites. Grrr.
Such a lovely day. It was the farthest I have been from the boat - about 15 minutes away on a smaller boat. Very quiet beach with a variety of animals in captivity - perhaps it's a preserve? Not many people know about it, it's well maintained, and they have nice facilities. Definitely going back. With bug deterrent.
Have been checking out the meteor showers the past couple of nights. Saw a huge one two nights ago! Takes patience. When I think of a "shower," being from Seattle, I think of lots of meteors. I think it's more like a meteor occasion(al). I saw 8 in half an hour last night.
Yesterday was a long day. 10 hours of work. Sometimes it tries my patience being on call always. I'll be in the middle of a nap, not expecting work for another 3 hours, and get a call to be backstage for one reason or another. A little more communication and pre-planning would prepare me to not be (as) grumpy. But did not get so much yesterday. Oh well. It's still a great life.
I get paid to live where people pay to be.
Love and itchy spots,
Jme
Went snorkeling.
Got bit or stung by something that left some cool looking red spots all over my back, arms, and feet. No pain, or itching (until the next day). Randy tried to tell me it was sea lice. I think it was noseeums. Biting gnats. And now they are like mosquito bites. Grrr.
Such a lovely day. It was the farthest I have been from the boat - about 15 minutes away on a smaller boat. Very quiet beach with a variety of animals in captivity - perhaps it's a preserve? Not many people know about it, it's well maintained, and they have nice facilities. Definitely going back. With bug deterrent.
Have been checking out the meteor showers the past couple of nights. Saw a huge one two nights ago! Takes patience. When I think of a "shower," being from Seattle, I think of lots of meteors. I think it's more like a meteor occasion(al). I saw 8 in half an hour last night.
Yesterday was a long day. 10 hours of work. Sometimes it tries my patience being on call always. I'll be in the middle of a nap, not expecting work for another 3 hours, and get a call to be backstage for one reason or another. A little more communication and pre-planning would prepare me to not be (as) grumpy. But did not get so much yesterday. Oh well. It's still a great life.
I get paid to live where people pay to be.
Love and itchy spots,
Jme
05 August 2010
Day 32
Today we’re in port in Jamaica and I’m not getting off of the boat. I might have had time this morning if I wasn’t recuperating from the past couple of days. While we (I) don’t actually have to do much on the charter cruise, we are on the clock longer hanging around just in case aka babysitting.
The Festival at Sea brought all their own equipment and personnel, so we just help them hook up to our system and make sure they don’t break any of our stuff. At least, for sound and backstage that is the case. Lights actually have to work and I’m on rotation for running spot, but haven’t had to do that until tonight.
The best gig yet was the O’Jays concert, two nights in a row. I was assigned to backstage and basically just got to watch the show from there. If you don’t know them by name, they’re the band that does the theme song for Trump’s tv show the Apprentice. “Money-money-money money… money!” 3 singers, 2 keyboardists, electric guitar, bass guitar, percussionist, drummer, 2 trumpets, trombone and sax. I sat by the sound guy that adjusts the quality of the sound – changing the levels for the different types of sound and then there is another guy out in the audience making the main mix. Real pro gig.
Yesterday I also ran sound for the Bachelor Auction. That was quite amusing for the first half an hour. Then it was tedious. The best looking guys, in my opinion, were first, but what made the other hour and a half drag was that they had four people on microphone acting as auctioneers all at the same time. They’d lose track of where they were in bidding, what they already had and what they were looking for. And they all were yelling into the mics. Combined with the massive sound system they brought, the deafness of the clientele and the technicians, I’m sure the decibel levels were off the charts. I wore earplugs in the audience (where the sound board is) and still was exhausted from the barrage of sound by the end.
The Festival at Sea brought all their own equipment and personnel, so we just help them hook up to our system and make sure they don’t break any of our stuff. At least, for sound and backstage that is the case. Lights actually have to work and I’m on rotation for running spot, but haven’t had to do that until tonight.
The best gig yet was the O’Jays concert, two nights in a row. I was assigned to backstage and basically just got to watch the show from there. If you don’t know them by name, they’re the band that does the theme song for Trump’s tv show the Apprentice. “Money-money-money money… money!” 3 singers, 2 keyboardists, electric guitar, bass guitar, percussionist, drummer, 2 trumpets, trombone and sax. I sat by the sound guy that adjusts the quality of the sound – changing the levels for the different types of sound and then there is another guy out in the audience making the main mix. Real pro gig.
Yesterday I also ran sound for the Bachelor Auction. That was quite amusing for the first half an hour. Then it was tedious. The best looking guys, in my opinion, were first, but what made the other hour and a half drag was that they had four people on microphone acting as auctioneers all at the same time. They’d lose track of where they were in bidding, what they already had and what they were looking for. And they all were yelling into the mics. Combined with the massive sound system they brought, the deafness of the clientele and the technicians, I’m sure the decibel levels were off the charts. I wore earplugs in the audience (where the sound board is) and still was exhausted from the barrage of sound by the end.
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