last night on ship

I had some things to blog about before I left. I visited Malaga for a third time and bought some really cool gifts for my sister. I overpayed for a simple lunch at a bar. Etc. But, 5 beers into my going away party of sorts with the band, I don't much have the patience for that. The crew bar was a big love fest tonight. Hugs and kisses all around. In addition to my parents, I now have multiple other places to stay in NY if I ever need. The funny thing about drinking is that you mean every word you say, but it's not necessarily what you would have said if you were sober.

Because I had shows tonight after my luggage had to be checked, I'll be carrying my black shoes around all tomorrow.

I've already been asked back to this ship over the summer. The band master is due for a vacation again and I'm the obvious choice for a replacement. I'm not sure yet if I'll come back to ships. The saying I've used most often on the ship (but not my favorite saying...Fav) is that some days you feel like you're stealing money and other days you feel like you earn every penny. On this ship, I had the pleasure of working with some of the best musicians and singers I have ever worked with. I also had to work with some of the most undertalented, over-obnoxious people I have ever had to deal with.

Overall, my cruise ship experience has been successful. It's been about 50% the paid vacation that my family and friends seemed to assume it would be, and 50% the hard work I was pretty sure it would be. The bottom line is that I've now visited Rome, Athens, Cairo, Canary Islands, Madeira, Malta, Casablanca, Barcelona, and Malaga while being paid and working with highly talented people. Oh, and drinking $1 beer nightly.

Stay tuned to my blog because when I get home and the internet is fast and free, I'll be posting all my pictures. Including me on a camel at the pyramids.

For those in Cincinnati, I'd like to get anyone interested together at Hofbrauhaus (in honor of all the beerfest sets I've played on board) this coming weekend (not sure Friday or Saturday yet).

Thank you so much for reading my blog and for some of you, posting responses. I look forward to real water, real air, and the two Lost episodes I have yet to see.