August 6, 2011

TURNAROUND FTL

Well, I have a roommate. I didn’t bother going to bed last night. By the time I finished updating this blog and posting it, it was already 3:30 and I had Immigration at 0600, that I was supposed to be at by 0550. Immigration they check every person on the ship, crew-wise that is. It is a large cattle-call that takes place in Studio B. The line stretched back and around like a Disneyland ride line. You finally get to your seat, then they call you row by row. You head down to the Customs Officials and they take a look at your passport, if you are American, or passport and I95 if you are foreign…which they stamp. Then a long line out. I got back to the room around 0630, which is not bad time if you consider they are taking through over 2,000 people. I passed out for a bit, planning to wake around 11AM so I could get off ship and do some essentials shopping. When I woke, dressed and was walking out the door, there was a knock and the door opened.

Hudson is a 24 year old Brit. He is Sports Staff and comes from a contract on the Allure, our sister-ship. Dark hair, about 5’6 and with the coloring that makes me think of Cornwall…the Celtish side. We shook hands then off I went, returning in about an hour and a half so I would have time for a nap before starting work. Hudson and I chatted a bit, and I am relieved that he seems a very responsible type of chap and we share the same sense of humor. I was worried that I would have a Haitian or something. I am not in the least bit racist, but after 8 years of conquering, in a sense, the cultural divide between Cuban/Key West and Yankee Northerner, I am not up to bridging another cultural divide in my off time. So if I have to have a roommate he seems like a good one to have…even if he is young enough to be my son.

It is now time for the Passenger Safety Drill, (PAX Drill), then off to Box Office for several hours and on to karaoke tonight.

Side note: we lost two of the cast of Hairspray today. They were with us at the Park Royal and were made to take a breathalyzer test when they got back…they failed.
Karaoke was a blast tonight, I have great hopes for the show on Day 4. I don’t know why people say that the first night is boring and hard…I packed the room. Standing Room Only, and the singers were great! There was one that stood out for me…he’s 15 years old with the most amazing voice. Apparently he is already cutting a cd. I’m not sure if he is represented or if the cd is his own making…but he could very well be the next Justin Bieber.

I had to cut the Karaoke exactly on time because Amy was having a staff party. Actually it was more of a test. Right before the Quest Gameshow begins she has an intro where she does Minute Games. Challenges that take place in 60 seconds. She had a list of games she wanted to try with us to get our comments and see if they were fun/challenging enough to make them worthwhile to add. Of course there was alcohol involved. So down to the Deck 1 Training Room I ran after changing out of my Karaoke hosting clothes. A cooler of beer, a couple bottles of wine, and Priscilla, Joyce, Susan, TT and me were there with Amy. Amy had prizes for each of the games, we had music to create a mood, and off we went. The best game of all, in my opinion, was the pantyhose and baseball game. We lined up 6 bottles of water in a line, put the baseballs in each of the pantyhose feet, place the pantyhose on our heads, (did I mention there was alcohol involved??), and with our hands behind our backs attempted to knock over the bottles of water by swinging the baseballs in the pantyhose. It is much harder than it sounds. Physics is involved. Jerk your head too much and the baseballs go swinging in great arcs…and totally avoid the bottles.

We decided that this game should involved two people at the same time, and a line of at least 8 bottles.

Another game was done with a bowl of Vaseline, and empty bowl, and a pile of cotton balls. Placing your hands behind your back you dip your nose in the Vaseline, touch a cotton ball with your nose, pick it up, place it in the empty bowl. Again…harder than it sounds. You get too much Vaseline on your nose and the cotton ball won’t come off. After I trounced everyone with this we, (I took a small amount of Vaseline and did not dip each time, making it easier to drop the balls into the empty bowl), we decided that the rule should include HAVING to dip your nose each time.

There was also a game with a Ped-o-meter. You know the little device that counts each step you make when running? Well, it was attached to a headband and you have to rock your head as fast as you can and garner the most “steps”. This is sure to be a favorite as it not only looks incredibly stupid, but will make the person dizzy as well. Joyce, a Filipina who always reminds of Bloody Mary in South Pacific looked a bit like a Sumo wrestler as she was doing it. She won, beating me handily.

It was a fun night, and we all enjoyed ourselves. But it did make for a very long day.