Lisa's bloggie

Steve Jobs, I love you.

2008-02-02T07:56:00.000-08:00

Well, we're back in Tampa today. Ah, free internet and ATM access. A nice feeling after being stuck on the boat for 7 days straight...::O(

But right now, I'm sitting near an Apple Store, where a VERY sexy laptop is looking over my direction...it's half an inch thick, and sexy in every way. It's looking over here as if...as if...as if it wants me to buy it. NO! Must, exercise, self-control....I swear, this is why Steve Jobs is a billionaire. I'd think of having one of his children, if he'd make the alimony payment....

Sick. Again. Just, great.

2008-01-26T09:44:00.000-08:00

Yep, I was sick again guys. This time it SUUUUUUCKED. I had a 101 degree fever for like, 3 days. Then it went up to 103 on the second day. I.C.K. Oh, and playing a show with alot of high notes is a special feeling...Basically my entire body was leaking....Oh, and that special lady time started at the same time. I swear, it happens in 3s people....WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's see, what else....We're in Cozumel today. Weather's nice, a little warm. In the 80s probably. A little balmy too. Lots of old people on the cruises right now, for obvious reasons....:O) Oh and boat drill is ALWAYS fun in warm weather, with your life jacket and full evac regalia on. Ugh.

Other than that, all's pretty boring guys. Sorry to report. Happy recession! Er, I mean, happy Saturday! :O)

Blah....

2008-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well, nothing really exciting to report this time. Well, other than the fact we have a sh**load of old people on the cruise this time. Which is fine, except ALOT of them are kinda rude. Well, ok, flat-out rude. Ugh. It's not what you're asking, but how you ask it, grandma!

We're in Grand Cayman today. Weather's nice, just had THE best omelette ever, and having just as fabulous coffee. Oh, and SexyBack just came on. Gotta go. That's my cue to...Heh, yeah NOT!

I'm so boring. Oy.

Happy Birthday, Mom...

2008-01-12T12:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, today is that day. She would be 59 today. It's ok--I don't actually feel sad. Maybe a little bummed, but not sad. Had some yummy food, will have some gelato in a bit. Yum! Today's a good day though. We have the night off, so I will have a date with my computer watching some movies I've wanted to watch for a while, courtesy of my roomie.

And speaking of which, my new roomie is awesome! I can't express how nice it is to be in my cabin and not be waiting for the dragon of doom to come through the door...*sigh* SO nice...:O)

Had a chance to be Musical Director for a cruise. And yet again, I found myself in a position that has too much responsibility for too little money...The story of my life...hee hee! I was responsible for 5 people's sign-off information, a new guy signing on only for one cruise who's never been on a boat before, and a drummer who has absolute contempt for Carnival, their management, etc...So, it was a special time, nonetheless...:O) I can't say I'd take that job if it were offered to me though...not for any less than $35,000 a year( I think MD's only make $75 a week more than musicians do!). Heh, and Carnival is a corporation. Corporations are cheap bastards. We all know that now, don't we?....:O)

Otherwise, nothing is new. we're in Cozumel today. Sky has some clouds, but the sun peeks through. Temperature is very pleasant. I think I may go nap when I get back on the boat...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Merry Kissmas! Happy Yew Near! You may vomit now.

2008-01-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, that title's covering the happenings of the last couple weeks...

So, Kissmas...on Xmas Eve, we went to an Irish pub in Grand Cayman that served quite a feast. There were probably 25 of us or so. They had turkey, YUMMY mashed taters, veggies, and Yorkshire pudding. For those who haven't had it, it's like a flaky sort of pastry that goes with food. It's not sweet like you think though...Hard to desribe. So one of the dancers saw a chihuahua that was so cute, she had to hold it--the owner said ti was cool, so that was that. Too funny. Then people were stingy, and like 6 of them left without paying the remaining share, so the guy who coordinated shelled out $30 of his own. And of course, one of them was my crazy ex-roommate who's cheap as *insert explative here*...Ugh.

Then, Kissmas Day. We were in Calica. Lots of people went to the beach. Lots of people stayed in and kept it cozy like they were home...I went out, had some food and walked around. Nothing too complicated. Then came back and took a nap. It was a good "me" day, actually. Everything went good on that cruise and the next cruise. Oh, we did do this HOKY Xmas show. Good grief was it cheesy. Oh well. At least we had Santa. And the Entertainment dept. did a Secret Santa thing, which was fun. I got a few presents that I was VERY happy with. I think everyone was happy with everything. It was nice considering we were all away from home for the holidays...

New Year's. Oh boy has THIS cruise been fun. We started out leaving Tampa on the 31st. So when the ball dropped, we were nowhere. Basically on the water. Oh well. People were happy drunk everywhere. Musicians worked alot. The horns in our showband played with the Filipino band that was playing on the main open deck, after the ball went down. All of us (Ent. dept.) were hanging on the open deck and having a great time, drunk or no drunk. It was just fun.

Then yesterday. Holy crap, yesterday. It started out decent. our cruise director got on the horn and told everyone that we needed to be back on the ship by 1:30, instead of 2pm(our normal departure time) due to intense weather on the way. Fine. Dandy. Except the storm got there earlier. Yay. SO we left earlier. a little after 12. Oops. We left 700 people behind. Guess we'll have to turn around...Yeah, that really happened, people. SO we went back around the other side of the island where the winds were calmer. Otherwise, the tender boats were getting blown backward by the wind, or they slammed against the ship. I think one tender's security rope actually snapped, and they hit the ship. I'm sure that was swell. That was after people had been on it for 40 minutes, vomiting, sitting in the cold with all the water flowing overboard. Needless to say I steered clear of the boat entrance after we picked them up. I'll bet they were piiiiiiiiiiiised! Then it got worse. in order to go to Cozumel, we had to head through it. Picture being on a rollercoaster. You know the parts where you feel all the G-force hit you? It felt like that ALL, NIGHT, LONG. We were hitting 25-foot surges. Huge waves hit the boat sending walls of water over the front of the bow, and onto the ship. People were heaving everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE. I think housekeeping was VERY busy last night, people!

And today we FINALLY made it to Cozumel, an hour and a half later than our original time. We did get more time in port though. Which would've been great if it wasn't raining, cold, and completely dark and cloudy overhead. Yeah, that's great. I have a feeling we'll have fun going back too...Meclizine, anyone? (That's sea sick medicine) I have 6 packs of it in my room. I will survive. Rock on Donna! I hear ya!

So, that's everything thus far. If you've made it, congrats. I don't have any monitary reward for you. Just a big ol' Jersey hug.

So Happy Yew Near to everyone, may 2008 be great! Mine's off to a puky start. Mmmm. Tasty.

The fishies have been amply fed.

2007-12-17T07:46:00.000-08:00

OK, so this past cruise was PRETTY crappy. Picture trying to do some squats with dumbbells, and you are temporarily suspended in mid-air while jumping up. Yeah, I didn't ask for the rollercoaster cruise, thank you very much. Vomit bags and motion pills flowed like...Well, I can't think of a flowing example that's nicely rated, so I won't.

On a different front, my roommate now thinks I'm going after her ex-boyfriend. And she doesn't like me at all now, and I still have to live with her. Mind you, ANYONE who knows me, knows I'm pretty damn boring, and am not even pursuing relationships now. Ha! This guy's been kind of talking to me a bit more than before, since they broke up, and to make it worse, she walks out of our cabin right when he and I are talking. Great....I even told this guy that while they've broken up, I still live with her, and that's that. Ha! All that aside, I really wish she'd get drunk one of these nights and fall overboard. It'd do me a big favor. Yeesh.

And we're in Tampa today, and it's cold! It's probably like, 50 or so. Of course I have no jacket to walk around in. Eh, I'm East Coast, I can handle it! Word to the East Coasters! Whoo-hoo!

Well ok, it's a little nippy out...

Did you ever get that feeling...

2007-12-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

That your roommate is the head general soldier demon from hell? Well ok, maybe not THAT bad, but still drives the living shit out of you? Ugh. Lately I just get the feeling that I want to ring her neck and throw her nasty corpse over the side and feed the fishies...Ok, so this is a bit of a rant instead of a post, sorry kids...:OP

At any rate, we're in Grand Cayman today yet again. I went to this small market down from the tourist strip, with a friend...I think I've just had the best omelet EVER!!!!!!!!!! Well aside from Proud Bird in the South Bay, which was just as good...:O)

Other than that, there's nothing new to report just as of now, I suppose. I'll be back in a few days!

Khau-phee!

2007-12-05T08:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, this isn't anything significant in this post. I'm just excited that I found a GREAT little coffee shop in Grand Cayman. It has like, AWESOME coffee, that has actually has a flavorful body.(Ok, stop with the perverted thoughts...Shame on you!) And...FREE INTERNET! Yippee!!!!!

Finding a great coffee shop: FREE

Getting internet: FREE

Small 12 oz. latte with flavor shot: $6 US.

Yes. You read that right. $6 for a cup of coffee. Don't ya love how the American dollar has gone to crap?

Who's got talent? Your Inspiration crew, that's who!

2007-12-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, we just had our crew talent show the other evening. It ranged from people singing, to interpretive art, to large Indian dance numbers, to someone doing interpretive dance of Michael Jackson(and may I say, that guy was pretty good!)...

But then, our GUEST talent show was the next night. And may I say, THAT talent show is quite...special, let's just say. However, some of the crew talent got to be on that show. I don't think the guests knew what to make of it...Ha! They just had blank looks, followed by looks of "I didn't know the crew were actually human beings too! Wow!" Ugh, it seems retail will never escape me, it is here to stay in every way it seems, with the whole "we're the consumers, so only WE are human, not the people helping us." Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to all my coffee-drinking buds, I'm having like, THE best coffee EVER! Real Mexican coffee, none of that Starcrud crap! :O)

We were in Calica the other day, and went to the beach with some friends. Man oh man, is that beach gorgeous. I didn't know it was topless, either(I'm sure all the guys would appreciate that!), but that was no biggie. No, I did not show my ta-tas, thank you very much. I was actually in a t-shirt and jeans. Yeah, that sounds like a death sentence, but it was actually pretty gorgeous that day, so I was actually pretty comfortable, all things considered. When I get comfy with my surroundings, I'm going to splurge and take a taxi to Cancun, which is about an hour away. Now THAT will be fun.

Oh and there's this bee that's been flying around on the window next to me for the last 10 minutes straight--this is the most intimacy with a man I've had since I got on the cruise...I think he likes me. I think this could be the start of something new...This could be the man of dreams guys, be ready!

Until next time friends, here's a pic of Calica beach...:O)

Turkey Day. Some got the wing, some got the thigh. I got the butt.

2007-11-23T16:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I must say, Turkey Day was, well....it stunk. It started by waking up with a funky throat. I thought maybe it might just be frrom the dry air conditioning. So i went out into Cozumel(we were ported that day), and went into the 105,000% humid air. Yep. That helped alot.

I did get to go to one of my new fave places to eat, called Cocina Economica. And to all my LA friends--if you think you get real guacamole there, you can bow down and kiss my short little tucus(That's "butt" to all who are not familiar...)! You order guac and chips, and 5 minutes later, they bring out fresh-made on the spot guac with yummy chips. Dee-lish!

So then I check email, and get crappy news. That didn't help. Then some plans with people fell through because they all flaked out. So 3 for 3.

By 2pm, I was back on the ship, in my PJs, in bed, the rest of my day in Cozumel numbered, and feeling miserable emotionally and physicallly. Sorry folks, this post doesn't seem to be for the happy-minded I guess....Though I am feeling better today, after Cepacol throat losenges and TheraFlu-a-plenty.

But hey--on the bright side, I got to have guacamole and palm trees on Thanksgiving. So much for turkey!

Ah, blue Carribean water.

2007-11-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

Well, it was Cozumel, Grand Cayman & Calica this past week. And man, Cozumel was GORGEOUS, for those who don't already know. Water so blue it's ridiculous. Grand Cayman's nice, but I didn't get a chance to get off the boat for that. Next time though...Calica was nothing but trees from the boat, so no news on that either. Hopefully more next time...

Cozumel's interesting. There's a big tourist drag when you get off the port. It's FULL of all these merchants who want your touristy business (of course), and pharmacies where you can get things for cheap unlike the States. Oh--and LOTS of jewelry stores. I mean LOTS! There's apparently some great restaurants there too, but I didn't hit those up this time. Next time will be a place called La Chosa, which is supposed to be excellent...

Until next time, kids, here's a lovely pic o' Cozumel!

That big white thing.

2007-11-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well dear friends, the boat IS as big as they say. Although I'm told I'm on a "smaller" boat...I'm sure some of you already know that, but it was news to me! So the first day was fairly overwhelming. Going to safety meetings, coordinating with the musical director, and sitting in on my first gigs on the boat.

The band's pretty cool. We all get along pretty well. It's a trumpet, trombone, sax, guitar, bass & drums. One little happy family!

I had my first time playing a "click" show last night--was interesting to say the least. Playing with the click in one ear, while trying to stay in tune with the recording that's helping to double and make it sound like a fuller orchestra. Crazy stuff....

We just ported in Cozumel today. While I have port manning duty(I have to stay on the boat to help "man" it while at port) my first time out, I'll catch Cozumel in person next week. I can't say I've seen water so blue like this. Beats LA's beaches, and well, Vegas has no beach...I did see water like this when I was 9, in the Bahamas for a week. But nothing until now...

And oh, are people stupid drunk. I had 4 drunk guys in an elevator hitting on me at once. Luckily I only had to travel 3 floors. Yeeeesh!

Ah, humidity, my long lost friend.

2007-10-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

Well, the flight from Vegas to Tampa was pretty good. While waiting at my gate in Vegas, I sat next to Hulk Hogan. Yes, Mr. WWF himself. or whatever wrestling chapter he was...Anyway, he sat in 1st class, so no shinanigans to witness or report, as I was in coach. Sorry folks. Please move on...

Ah, and I forgot about how it's like 94% humidity out here. Yeeesh! I haven't experienced that since Jersey. I suppose mosquitos will now be in order. I just love those cute little bugs, really. Though I must say I do enjoy the air-conditioned hotel room I'm currently posting from. Ahhhhhh...lovely.

Well, that was the excitement for today. What's next? Probably a post about the giant monstrosity I will witness tomorrow, called a cruiseship....

Leaving LA? Could it be?!?!?!

2007-10-27T23:15:00.001-07:00

Yes, the jersey girl is leaving the city of lost souls-I mean, Angels. I thought that I would be absolutely ecstatic that I'm leaving this crazy place with smog, traffic, curse of the fake people and celebrities in your daily sightings. But, as I spend my last night here, I find this tense feeling in my gut, like I'll actually miss it....

Sure, I won't miss the traffic. Sure, I won't miss the fake people, celebrities or smog. But alot of things happened out here. I laid my mom to rest; I graduated the last bit of schooling I'll ever do; I made some of the awesomest and most coolest friends ever out here. That, will be hard to shake. :O) Oh, and I almost forgot--AMOEBA! Amoeba Music, the ultimate musician's temple...(For those who aren't out here, it's the most amazing place where you can get anything from classical to electronic trance, on vinyl, CD or some cassettes!)

So, dear LA, I say goodbye. I'm leaving you. I can no longer handle your drama--this relationship is over! I'm running off with your close relative, Las Vegas. I'm sure it'll be so much better there. Lots of shiny happy people, who don't smoke and ALL eat strictly vegetarian diets.