Princess Update 3

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 As I write this, I am waiting for the article change to finish (one of the many shipboard regulations that keep us in compliance with something). It has been an interesting week. I finally got to learn the "plan" that the company has for me, which is for me to actually get the training they promised me, and to promote up into the original position come July. As a result, I have been moved to a different position in my department, which has the additional benefit of getting me out of the somewhat toxic environment in which I had been working. The only thing is that the training still isn't any kind of formalized structure - they hope that the shift will give me the time to meet with the lighting director to learn what I need to learn about programming the board and caring for the intelligent lights. In the meantime, I run around like a demented ferret trying to keep everything going and done that is my new responsibility. It is challenging, as I often literally have 2-3 events starting at the same time in different parts of the ship, and the presenters tend to arrive at the same time to check their setup. I will say, though, that even with all the chaos and running around, I'm having fun for the first time since I got on board, and am really enjoying myself. In a lot of ways, this new position is a lot more in line with what I thought I had signed up for. It will be interesting to see what the next few weeks bring. Life on a ship is a unique animal - there are usually around 2800-3400 passengers, and about 1200 crew members on the Crown Princess. There are 19 decks, and a LOT of activity. You would think it would be hard to get to know anyone, but as it happens, it is more like a small town - you tend to see the same faces all the time, and friendships form fairly easily. I often run into Fabi (the Fabulous!) from Rio, who was my roommate the night before I joined the ship. I also see the cook, Riccardo from Rome, who joined the same day as well. My friends range from 3-stripe officers to cabin stewards and the guys who work on the ships septic system. For the most part, people are really friendly, and the company policy is to actually encourage people to be friendly in the hallways. Roatan, Honduras, tends to be hot and humid, I haven't gotten off in Belize yet, and Cozumel, Mexico is slightly more humid, but with a climate more resembling Southern California. I will say, however, that it really does make you grateful for what you have when you see the conditions in some of these countries. More soon, with job news, but for now....Adios! :)

Caribbean update

Friday, 15 March 2013 As I write this, I am on my way back to Galveston, TX, from the Caribbean - on this 7-day cruise, we spend a total of 3 days at sea, a day in Roatan, Honduras, a day in Belize, and a day in Cozumel, Mexico. I admit, I haven't seen a whole lot yet, but I'm hoping to get to go to they Mayan ruins before we leave this part of the world. I don't regret what I have done (which is sleep and talk with my man via internet), but I don't want to feel like I didn't take advantage of the situation and see things I may never get a chance to see again. So we've talked briefly before about the job situation, and the fact that it isn't quite what I thought it would be, so I won't belabor that point here. Just suffice to say that I am working hard to up my game, be a "team player", and have asked the lighting director to include me in any maintenance calls he has so I can become intimate with the intelligent lighting systems. So I know a lot of folks are curious about life onboard a cruise ship. Many have taken cruises with Princess, and I can honestly say, I would totally be a passenger on a Princess ship - they really know how to do it right. They have a mission statement of being the "consummate host" - both to passengers and to each other. That really resonates with me - to be the best you can be to both the people you serve, and the people with whom you work. Overall, it seems to be something fairly well implemented - my particular department seems to want to be a world unto itself, but I still strive to keep a positive attitude and model the mission statement, regardless of the attitude of those around me. The crew with whom I work is comprised of 7 or 8 different nationalities - primarily Philipino, we are losing our one guy from Mexico tomorrow (he's rotating home), with a Brit, a Canadian, a South African, a couple Indians, and an American (that's me!). Probably the most challenging thing is the language issues - many of my crewmates (especially the Philipinos) are VERY soft spoken, and tend not to enunciate very well. Last night, working on the followspot, the LD (lighting director) said he wished he could use some of my volume. It is frustrating on both sides that I have to constantly ask them to repeat things, but it is getting better. I'm starting to get it by the 2nd or 3rd time rather than the 5th or 6th. The heavy physical work is still heavy, and I'm still experiencing a great deal of frustration in that I get yelled at and told not to touch things when I take initiative and try to plug myself in, and I get yelled at if I stand back for a moment to assess what is going on and see where I can fit in. That is one of the most frustrating parts to me. That said, the running of the actual shows is finally going a lot more smoothly, and within the next round of performances I think I will feel fairly confident about almost all of it. We're also finding our way around fitting me into the changeover tasks, because I don't have the physical strength of my predecessor. Food-wise, things are challenging as well. I have found that the more I stay gluten-free, the better I feel and the more energy I have. It is challenging, though, because I seem to be the only crew member who is willing to speak up and say that I do have dietary issues. Fortunately, I am still eating fish and eggs, so I'm not quite as limited as I would be otherwise with regard to actual choices. Lets just say I eat a LOT of salad these days. I also walk and climb stairs CONSTANTLY. Yesterday in Cozumel I was on duty (that meant I couldn't leave the ship) and logged over 15,000 steps - just over 7.5 miles over the course of the day. That's a lot of running around for work! Fortunately for me, I also have what is called "deck priviledges" - this means I can go out and be where the passengers are. Almost every day at least once a day, I get assigned to either set up or tear down (or both) a band setup in one of the upper deck pool areas, and/or to run the "movies under the stars" - I love doing all of these because it means I'm up on deck and out in the fresh air for a few minutes. Often it is a beautiful day, warm, breezy, and a delight to be outside. The performers are also a joy. Many are Australian or Italian, and the greatest concentration of Americans are in the performers. Believe it or not, the first American I met onboard is actually from the town I grew up in! I also seem to be settling in with them, and becoming part of the crowd - which always makes me feel really good. They seem to know I am looking out for them, and are very sweet to me. My cabin is very small, with two bunk beds, a desk, a bathroom with a shower, toilet and sink, closet and one small set of drawers (pictures will be posted). Oddly, this is probably the easiest transition I've had to living with someone - it's maybe twice the size of the trailer bunk I shared in the Smirkus, although the bathroom is actually smaller than the trailer shower. The bed is surprisingly comfortable, and I sleep very well. I am delighted that there is a curtain I can draw and be private, and I am glad I had the forethought to bring some decorative pashmina-type things with me - I was able to attach them to the curtains, and it makes it a nice, comfortable, hidey-hole for me at night in my bunk. I don't have internet at the moment (only when I am in port) because it is wicked expensive onboard ($40 for 6 hours). I can get calling cards ($10 for 1 hour 15 min), but am working on getting a "global" plan for my phone - I think it is about $30 a month, and will be more cost effective than the calling cards (and hopefully better service). The hardest thing about this whole experience is being apart from my family - Paul and I have become incredibly close over the past months, as well as his son and I. I miss them every moment of every day, and wish I knew a better way to handle all of this. I know my mom misses being able to pick up the phone and ring me - hopefully when I get the extra plan on my phone, we can talk more.

Princess Update 1

As I type this, I am sitting in a cafe in Cozumel, Mexico, and it is a gorgeous day. The long and the short of the situation is that I was given to understand that I was being hired as Stage Crew to train and "fast track" into a Lighting position within 2-3 months. Apparently that wasn't communicated to the ship I am on, and I am now "general stage crew" - which means a LOT of heavy lifting, late nights, early mornings, and overall general exhaustion. I was also told that there would be plenty for me to eat (I am mostly vegetarian and gluten free), as there are crew members from around the world who have specific diet issues as well. Mostly I eat salad, and 1-2 out of 10 times, there isn't salad dressing I can eat. I get salmon almost every night, but some days they don't really even schedule us time to eat. I'm working on things, but I am really beginning to feel like I was hired under false pretenses, and that I'm either going to be stuck doing this job (I would have turned them down if I knew this what what I would be doing), or will have to pay my own airfare home. I won't say there aren't some good moments, but they tend to be few and far between. More late.

The New Big Leap

Wow, I am waaaaayyyy overdue for a blog update! Since we last met, I have met an amazing guy and am in a wonderful, loving, supportive relationship - yay for love! I am in a hotel room in North Houston as I write this, preparing to go to Galveston in the morning to board the Crown Princess, and become one of the newest stagehands for Princess Cruise Lines. I won't say I'm not nervous, for several reasons. Not the least is it means being at sea without a day off for 6 months. It means being away from my new beau for 6 months (we've been together for just over 5 months), and being back in that place of "I hope I can do this. I hope they like me. I hope I like them" and so on and so on. There are many things I'm excited about with regard to this job - I've always wanted to work on a cruise line, and it is exciting. I'll get to learn a light board (Whole Hog III in case you are wondering) that I've wanted to get to know, as many touring companies use them. I'll get much more in-depth knowledge about moving lights, which will be invaluable. And not least, I'll be having a regular paycheck for a while, and the opportunity to move up into a management/officer position, and will literally be making money hand-over-fist as I really don't have any expenses while I am at sea. Know that I am so very grateful for all the wonderful support I've had over the past few weeks getting ready for this leap. I love that so many are asking about Paul (my guy), and how he is handling it all. I know you will be keeping both of us in your thoughts and prayers as he keeps the home fires burning while I'm gone. For those who know him and are connected to him on Facebook, I know he'll appreciate you touching base and saying you're thinking of him. We've been fairly inseparable the past 5 months, and I know it will be a huge adjustment for him to have me gone. Amusingly, when I was in the baggage claim area today, I met 2 couples who will be on my first cruise! :) If you are interested, here is a website of a cruise line that books the ship I will be on - first stop, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico!! http://www.cruisecheap.com/ships/princess-cruises-crown-princess-cruise-itineraries.html

Reconnections and moving forward

I apologize in advance if this ends up being a bit of a long post - it is way overdue, and will take a bit to catch up. I think when we left off, I was finishing up my summer at Castleton Music Festival. From there, I went to "Walton's Mountain" to see the museum of the television show. It was great! I also visited my old friend, Hiawatha Johnson, at Randolph college in Lynchburg, VA. From there, on to Knoxville, TN to see another friend, and then to Lafayette, LA to visit old friends - and see how her kids have grown (now they're a foot taller than me!). From Louisiana it was to Houston, TX, to visit friends, then an afternoon in Roswell, NM and the alien museum (sooo cool!!). I spent a couple days with one of my best friends, Jen, in Albuquerque, NM. It was wonderful to see her doing so well in her veterinary internship. I then took my mom to Utah for a week. It was the first time I'd been back in probably 7 or 8 years. It was amazing to reconnect with all my cousins - we had a "hen night" with my female cousins on my mom's side, and it was the first time we'd all been together in many years. The night included new daughters-in-law and daughters with small children running about. We had a ball and just couldn't stop talking. We went to the family reunion on my dad's side - the first one I'd been to in almost 20 years. It was incredible to see family I haven't seen in so long, and how the families have grown. I saw cousins that I grew up with, with children of their own, some on the verge of becoming grandparents. That same afternoon, mom and I went to join her side of the family to bury the ashes of my uncle, who passed away a year and a half before. I saw family that I literally haven't seen in 30 years, and met some that I have only known via Facebook. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take my mom to visit our extended family, and to reconnect with so many wonderful people that are not just family, but friends. I got to see my great aunt, and hear some fascinating family history. I spent a lovely evening with my first "real" boyfriend, Jon, catching up after not seeing each other for about 23 years. I had coffee with Tony, a dear friend from High School, that I haven't seen since I graduated. In the middle of all this, I had a job interview with a college in Ocala, FL. It was a great interview, and they invited me to come down (on my dime) for an interview. After I dropped mom back in Santa Fe, I flew from Albuquerque to Orlando for the interview. After many misadventures with the hotel situation, I had a fantastic interview. I wasn't interested in the beginning, but as I got to know the situation, I realized it was one version of my "dream job." While waiting to hear about the job, I continued my cross-country drive, and got to spend 2 weeks in Las Vegas, with my dear friends, Scott and Marissa. It is always a delight to see them and my other friends in Vegas. I had planned to continue to California and go to Los Angeles and San Francisco, but decided to head back to Massachusetts in case I did get the job and needed to get my stuff together to head to Florida. I stopped in Indiana to visit my good friends from my brief stint there in 2011, then pushed on to Massachusetts. Oh - I also got to drive Route 66 in 4 states - and saw the world's largest rocking chair! :) On the way home, I stopped in Niagra Falls. I almost didn't, but am SO glad I did! I took a ride on the "Maid of the Mist" boat, and had one of the closest things to a spiritual experience you can have - going into the falls was like touching the face of God. So beautiful, so powerful. From Niagra Falls, I spent a week on Cape Cod at my timeshare. While on the Cape, I got the call that the job in FL went with the other candidate. Needless to say, I was VERY disappointed. I did get offered a position as the Master Electrician with the national tour of "A Chorus Line". I was excited about it, but when I really got thinking about it, I realized it was a situation much like the one I had in Indiana, and felt exactly the same to me. It was an extremely difficult decision to make, but I decided to let it go. My wallet has been significantly leaner for the choice, but my heart and "gut" feel much better. Shortly after returning to Western MA, I had the rare opportunity to spend the day with my best girlfriend, Brenda. We spent time with her grandkids, and I did some shopping for tour (thinking I was still going with "Chorus Line"), then went to pick up some salmon to make for our dinner. When I walked into the fish department at my local Stop & Shop, little did I know how much my life would change. I got to talking to the "fish guy," and ended up standing there for about 20 min talking with him. He was cute, with big brown eyes, a lovely smile, and an Australian accent that just hooked me. I remember walking into the frozen food section and calling Brenda and telling her, "I'm not sure, but I think I just met a guy!" Meeting someone was the last thing I ever expected to happen in my life - in fact, I had pretty much given up on the idea, which was one of the reasons I had no qualms about touring - I could pick up and go anywhere, without worrying about leaving someone behind. But on September 16, 2012, that all changed. I now have someone to come home to. In October I interviewed with Princess Cruise Lines. On February 23rd, 2013, I join the crew of the Crown Princess as a Stagehand. The idea is to "fast track" me in to the equivalent of a Production Manager/Lighting Director position as soon as I learn to program the lightboards and repair/maintain the moving lights. With luck, that promotion will happen within 3 months, giving my bank account a much-needed boost. I won't say it isn't going to be difficult keeping the bills paid between now and the end of February, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 2012 was a year of great learning, and 2013 is off to a more than interesting start...

Home for the moment

It feels good to be back in Western MA after having been gone for so long (3 1/2 months is a long time!). I'm still waiting on the paperwork, but I have taken a position as the Head Electrician for the national tour of "A Chorus Line". I'm very excited and, as always, a little nervous about this new adventure. I will be living on a bus with 6 other crew people and the driver. I don't know yet if I'll be the only girl on the bus. Occasionally we'll have hotel rooms, but more than not will be on the bus - this should be interesting. I've been getting some great advice from friends in the industry who have toured, and one gave me a heads-up on some of the more challenging venues. I'm doing everything I can think of to prepare for this both mentally and professionally. For the folks looking for housing for me in NYC - thank you. I'm now not sure if I'll be going to the City - I may end up just flying to the shop, then joining the tour in Tacoma from there. So here's the first part of the schedule: Tech at shop Oct 9-20. Tacoma, WA Oct 21-27. Portland, OR Oct 28, Abbottsford, BC (yes, I get to go to CANADA!!) Oct 30. And for those of you in Western MA, if you want to get together, call me SOON. Time is slipping away, and I'll only be home for 2.5 weeks at Christmas before I'm off on the road again.

all roads lead to NYC

A more complete update will be coming soon, but for now, I need help. It looks like I will be working with the tour of Chorus Line, and need a place to stay in NYC (rehearsals are at Chelsea Studios)from Oct 7 - Oct 20, 2012. If you know of someone who might be willing to put me up or a safe, clean, inexpensive place to stay, I would really appreciate the help. Thanks! Kat :)