That's my excuse for such a long gap of no blog, anyway. More on that later, though.
I guess I'll pick up where I left off. Where else, right? In my first St. Lucia I went to what we lovingly refer to as "Discount Beach" down the street from the recently closed, "Happy Day Bar." Essentially we hopped in a cab and Zach, Nick, Sara and I asked the driver to take us to the closest beach with the cheapest cab fare. So we walked down, four starving ship workers, and found Aunty Jane. This Caribbean woman was grilling up chicken and rice with a cooler of Pitons, the local St. Lucia brew, selling it all for about $8 a plate. We each got lunch, some beer and set our towels not too far from Aunty Jane. We sat there talking about ships, home, tattoos, etc in a pleasant little picnic. After a dip and a quick nap we reluctantly went back to the Summit.
Another day was spent with Sara in St. Maarten. We shopped, ate and generally grew much closer. I really like my Spanish girl friend. We get on really well.
Dominica found us free internet and St. George's was spent onboard. In Tobago Anna, Dan and I found a very secluded beach. It was so great it looked like the perfect spot to shoot a deserted island scene. Barbados found us at the Boatyard again. That will most probably definitely be my favorite spot of this whole itinerary. How do you beat a water trampoline!?
That next San Juan the men from head office in Miami came onboard, bringing with them a whole slew of new equipment. Two new Mac monitors, a Mac Pro, Final Cut Pro editing software, the Adobe Suite, a Final Cut editing keyboard, and two brand new Panasonic HD P2 cameras. It was like Christmas in the broadcast. I was severely out of place as these men invaded my little workspace, routing wires and tossing boxes my direction. I hung with the ITV guy Dan, and we stayed as out of the way as possible. Needless to say, though, that's how I've spent the last week and a half. I'm organizing, transferring files from one area to the next, weening off of the beta cams and beginning to use the P2s it's a long, long process. I;m much more tired than normal, hence the lack of a blog.
The next St. Thomas I was in port with one of my best Elon friends, Jess. Her Holland America ship was docked on the other side of the island and we met up to do some online time and catching up together. Getting a taste of home is always so wonderful when you're cut off.
St. Croix and St. Kitts found me and my girls sunning on deck 5, the simplest way to enjoy the sun without spending any money. Perfect, man.
In Antigua I was asked to do a shore excursion for Miami. I essentially go on free tours and shoot them. The best part about it here? I am required to take an assistant, so I get to just ask my friends who would like to go. As there are no tour escorts here I'm noticing people are jumping at the chance. Awesome. So in Antigua I took my friend Don, the drummer from the band. What a great day. We went to an old stock yard and then had a great lunch on Turner Beach. Dan was perfect company. I am so lucky to meet so many different and interesting people with my job.
The next day was another excursion with my girl Anna. We went snorkelling in St. Lucia. Really not a bad way to spend the day - especially when I'm getting paid for it. I shot for a good while until I got as much footage as I could. Then I jumped in. There were fish of every shape, size and color. Electric blue swipes, neon purple fins, yellow and black stripes, mini swordfish, brain coral, you name it. At one point Anna and I were surrounded by a school of fish. I really could have stayed there all day.
The next night I discovered the awesomeness of deck 5 at night. I went up because I had heard that often we can pick up phone reception the night before we arrive into San Juan. With all that's going on in L.A. I was anxious to try and get in touch with my friends out there. Anyway, I ran into a friend and he pointed out the stars above. I figured I couldn't see that many, but after laying on a chair for a bit and letting my eyes adjust it was amazing what I could see. Three hours and five shooting stars later, I realized I want to spend as much time as possible on deck 5 at night.
After settling into my living space and learning the layout of the new ship I began having to re-settle the broadcast center. Needless to say after nearly a month onboard, this may be the longest I have ever or will ever have to take to settle. I'm making friends who will be leaving in a matter of weeks and dealing with that. Luckily my two closest girlfriends aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
In case anyone wanted it, I realized I hadn't put out the address to my new ship:
Mackenzie Ames
Broadcast Operator
Celebrity Summit
PO Box 019158
Miami, FL 33101-9158
And to answer one question I've been asked frequently. No, I have felt nothing of the Haitian earthquakes. There are donation boxes all around our ship and the one ship in our fleet that docks in Haiti is still going there, delivering supplies everytime it arrives. It's a tragedy in the actual sense of the word, not the way people throw it around these days. This is in fact a tragedy and I hope everyone realizes it and works to help these people literally clean up and rebuild in any and every way we can.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
I'm a Florida Girl, I can Handle the Sun
…or so I thought. I’ve grown up in Florida, spent countless mornings, afternoons and evenings in a bathing suit on the beach, rarely using much sunscreen (spare me the health speeches please) and so why would I think laying on a beach in St. Croix would be any different? Well I should have listened to those telling me “the sun is different here.” I went to the beach with my girl Shabiki and did the norm – covered my face in sunblock and set my timer in order to turn over in 30 minutes. That afternoon I passed by my cabin mirror to see my stomach was the darkest shade of red, along with my thighs and legs. I have never been sunburnt, and I can guarantee all of you worrying about me out there, I bought a bottle of sunblock this morning and will always believe it when someone tells me “the sun is different here.”
St. Thomas proved to be one of the strangest days I’ve ever had working aboard a cruise ship. As I sat at the free internet station paying my bills, a dancer rushes in and tells us that the ship has been roped off and no one is allowed to go back onboard. I kind of brushed it off thinking something to do with immigration probably. Slowly giant groups of guests began invading what is normally a place only the crew knows of. As we all huddled up we began exchanging information and as it turned out there was a bomb threat. They were taking every precaution and I honestly didn’t mind the extra time in port. I made some more friends, had some beers and took a colleague on her first trip to Hooters. Something everyone should always experience.
I attended my first Wine and Cheese on the Summit. I really enojyed myself, let loose a little and made more friends. I must say the whole experience of working on a ship is completely dependant upon the people around you. I like a lot of the people here the more I get to know them.
Today we found a small beach in St. Kitts with a bar and grill. It’s small, out of the way and has cheap beer – the perfect spot for crew in their time off.
The Summit becomes my home away from home more and more everyday.
St. Thomas proved to be one of the strangest days I’ve ever had working aboard a cruise ship. As I sat at the free internet station paying my bills, a dancer rushes in and tells us that the ship has been roped off and no one is allowed to go back onboard. I kind of brushed it off thinking something to do with immigration probably. Slowly giant groups of guests began invading what is normally a place only the crew knows of. As we all huddled up we began exchanging information and as it turned out there was a bomb threat. They were taking every precaution and I honestly didn’t mind the extra time in port. I made some more friends, had some beers and took a colleague on her first trip to Hooters. Something everyone should always experience.
I attended my first Wine and Cheese on the Summit. I really enojyed myself, let loose a little and made more friends. I must say the whole experience of working on a ship is completely dependant upon the people around you. I like a lot of the people here the more I get to know them.
Today we found a small beach in St. Kitts with a bar and grill. It’s small, out of the way and has cheap beer – the perfect spot for crew in their time off.
The Summit becomes my home away from home more and more everyday.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010? Wow...
First and foremost, I want to wish all those at home a very happy 2010. I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Years Eve. You'll hear more abot mine momentarily.
I signed on to the Celebrity Summit December 27th and have been re-adjusting ever since. I reunited with my good friend Anna which has resulted in my being her shadow as I still don't always know where I am or where I'm going. I'm getting the hang of the layout of the ship and meeting lots of new people, all of whom are called "hey you" for at least another couple weeks. Training is a bit easier and less intimidating this time. The food is still awful. One of the toughest readjustments, though, which will never get easier, is the rocky seas. I didn't think the Caribbean would have choppy waves - I was wrong.
While I know many people want to hear about the beauty of the Caribbean, I'm going to have to disappoint. I've been off the ship just twice, and once was simply to catch some free internet at the ship's terminal. The view from the ship seems beautiful and I really can't wait to go out and enjoy paradise, but as for now my body is calling for sleep in my extra time.
The people onboard are different from the people on my last ship. There's not as much of a community feeling around. It's a larger crew and I think many stick within their own department. It's all making me try to recall my first impressions of the Century's crew. Did I think they were clique-y as well? If I did I was proved wrong. Maybe this crew will prove me wrong as well. I have Anna, and I was surprised to see my old neighbor, Thiago the Brazilian Lighting Technician. I get along with my manager. I like the ITV guy, and a few of the acapella guys have been pretty friendly. My roommate is a great girl from Canada, Shabiki. She's leaving soon, though, and I may be moving to my permanent room in the morning with a Ukranian Youth Staff member.
The job's the same job, but if you can imagine, older equipment and older software. It's weird to train yourself in reverse. The software is some of the original Avid - which is a far cry from what I learned in school. Luckily, though, in another two weeks the head office is coming onboard to update all of our software to the latest version of the program I used in school! We're also getting brand new, tiny cameras. Until then, I will be making friends with the gigantic beta cams we have here. Any of you who know television will likely scoff when you read "beta." Yes, we still use beta cam. If you still don't get the idea I will tell you I have lovingly named my equipment, as I do with many pieces of equipment I use frequnetly. My ipod is "Esther." My computer is "Dexter." My netbook is "Prudence." The camera and tripod os the Summit's broadcast are, "Bertha" and "Gert," resepctively. If that doesn't give you an idea of what I'm working with here, well then I'm just at a loss.
The one day I did go out was in Bridgetown, Barbados. As the taxi sped through the town I caught glimpses of Canadian banks and colorful houses. It was very much a Key West type of feeling. My roommate and I were going to the crew hot spot for this port. "The Boatyard" is a place that offers special deals to members of cruise ships. For $5 you get entry, a free drink, beach access, chairs, umbrellas, use of the rope swing and the beach trampoline. There's music, food, picnic tables, drinks - all right there on the beach! Needless to say I have found my "usual" of Barbados. It also is where many of the people I'm likely to be hanging out with will be. The beach water was a brilliant tourquoise and clear enough to see my toenails even in the deepest of water. As you step in you're amazed at how perfect the temperature of the water is. It's not the type of beach that you dip your toe in and run away with shivers, and it's nothing like bathwater.
Spending New Years Eve surrounded by strangers was, in all honesty, really tough. It's not the first holiday I've had away from home, or even on a ship. It's just the first one by myself. The poolside of the Summit was a huge party. All of our singers onboard sang with different bands we have. Guests danced and there was a little corner of crew. Where was I? Behind the camera, naturally. I was feeding shots into the giant screen hanging atop the Mast Bar. I was having a great time, watching everyone dance and sing, until the countdown. Baby New Year smashed the "9" of the "2009" ice sculpture and the Captain lead the count to 1. We rang in the New Year and I was pushed and elbowed as friends and family tried to give each other their New Years kisses. I really did feel alone. I went to the crew party later and it kind of made it worse. People who met me a day ago, or barely remembered my name wished me "Happy New Year" along their way to their close friends. Anna was with me, but people pulled her this way and that to wish her a happy 2010. Holidays on ships aren't bad, but when you're this new, it feels like a waste of a holiday.
This afternoon at lunch in the staff mess the captain came around and shook all of our hands wishing us a "happy new year." That felt a little nice.
Tomorrow we're in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I hear there's a great mall, which is great since I'm desperate for some essentials. What am I looking forward to most? The use of my phone. Calling home will definitely make this contract easier.
So far, less than a week in, I really can't make a judgement call about life here. I have really high moments. I have really low moments. Essentially, though, I haven't set up my life here yet. I guess get back to me on that in a couple more weeks.
I signed on to the Celebrity Summit December 27th and have been re-adjusting ever since. I reunited with my good friend Anna which has resulted in my being her shadow as I still don't always know where I am or where I'm going. I'm getting the hang of the layout of the ship and meeting lots of new people, all of whom are called "hey you" for at least another couple weeks. Training is a bit easier and less intimidating this time. The food is still awful. One of the toughest readjustments, though, which will never get easier, is the rocky seas. I didn't think the Caribbean would have choppy waves - I was wrong.
While I know many people want to hear about the beauty of the Caribbean, I'm going to have to disappoint. I've been off the ship just twice, and once was simply to catch some free internet at the ship's terminal. The view from the ship seems beautiful and I really can't wait to go out and enjoy paradise, but as for now my body is calling for sleep in my extra time.
The people onboard are different from the people on my last ship. There's not as much of a community feeling around. It's a larger crew and I think many stick within their own department. It's all making me try to recall my first impressions of the Century's crew. Did I think they were clique-y as well? If I did I was proved wrong. Maybe this crew will prove me wrong as well. I have Anna, and I was surprised to see my old neighbor, Thiago the Brazilian Lighting Technician. I get along with my manager. I like the ITV guy, and a few of the acapella guys have been pretty friendly. My roommate is a great girl from Canada, Shabiki. She's leaving soon, though, and I may be moving to my permanent room in the morning with a Ukranian Youth Staff member.
The job's the same job, but if you can imagine, older equipment and older software. It's weird to train yourself in reverse. The software is some of the original Avid - which is a far cry from what I learned in school. Luckily, though, in another two weeks the head office is coming onboard to update all of our software to the latest version of the program I used in school! We're also getting brand new, tiny cameras. Until then, I will be making friends with the gigantic beta cams we have here. Any of you who know television will likely scoff when you read "beta." Yes, we still use beta cam. If you still don't get the idea I will tell you I have lovingly named my equipment, as I do with many pieces of equipment I use frequnetly. My ipod is "Esther." My computer is "Dexter." My netbook is "Prudence." The camera and tripod os the Summit's broadcast are, "Bertha" and "Gert," resepctively. If that doesn't give you an idea of what I'm working with here, well then I'm just at a loss.
The one day I did go out was in Bridgetown, Barbados. As the taxi sped through the town I caught glimpses of Canadian banks and colorful houses. It was very much a Key West type of feeling. My roommate and I were going to the crew hot spot for this port. "The Boatyard" is a place that offers special deals to members of cruise ships. For $5 you get entry, a free drink, beach access, chairs, umbrellas, use of the rope swing and the beach trampoline. There's music, food, picnic tables, drinks - all right there on the beach! Needless to say I have found my "usual" of Barbados. It also is where many of the people I'm likely to be hanging out with will be. The beach water was a brilliant tourquoise and clear enough to see my toenails even in the deepest of water. As you step in you're amazed at how perfect the temperature of the water is. It's not the type of beach that you dip your toe in and run away with shivers, and it's nothing like bathwater.
Spending New Years Eve surrounded by strangers was, in all honesty, really tough. It's not the first holiday I've had away from home, or even on a ship. It's just the first one by myself. The poolside of the Summit was a huge party. All of our singers onboard sang with different bands we have. Guests danced and there was a little corner of crew. Where was I? Behind the camera, naturally. I was feeding shots into the giant screen hanging atop the Mast Bar. I was having a great time, watching everyone dance and sing, until the countdown. Baby New Year smashed the "9" of the "2009" ice sculpture and the Captain lead the count to 1. We rang in the New Year and I was pushed and elbowed as friends and family tried to give each other their New Years kisses. I really did feel alone. I went to the crew party later and it kind of made it worse. People who met me a day ago, or barely remembered my name wished me "Happy New Year" along their way to their close friends. Anna was with me, but people pulled her this way and that to wish her a happy 2010. Holidays on ships aren't bad, but when you're this new, it feels like a waste of a holiday.
This afternoon at lunch in the staff mess the captain came around and shook all of our hands wishing us a "happy new year." That felt a little nice.
Tomorrow we're in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I hear there's a great mall, which is great since I'm desperate for some essentials. What am I looking forward to most? The use of my phone. Calling home will definitely make this contract easier.
So far, less than a week in, I really can't make a judgement call about life here. I have really high moments. I have really low moments. Essentially, though, I haven't set up my life here yet. I guess get back to me on that in a couple more weeks.
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