yeah, I know it's late, but I wanted to post...

Okay, so night four of being the "late girl" and it's really starting to get OOOOOLLLLD!!!  Of course, I don't have to get up early which is nice...

The guests were up until about 1:15 this evening -- they had invited some friends over for some cocktails, and the party lasted until the wee hours of the morning.  I didn't mind serving them because everyone was in a great mood and already hammered -- singing karaoke to Elton John and relaxing in the hot tub.  It is actually kind of fun to watch everyone get drunk... hehehe...

Oh yeah, and I have to tell you -- these people are JUST like the rest of the world...  in fact, one of the guests told me tonight that her favorite food is PIZZA!!!  This woman has two kids and drinks liquor... she's been around the world and tried all sorts of foods and her FAVORITE of EVERYTHING is PIZZA?!  OOOOOoohhh-kaaaaaaay... Case in point - having money doesn't make you any less normal or more special than anyone else...   

OH!    GOOD NEWS!!  I made it sea-sick free from the voyage yesterday!  WAHOO!!  About half-way through, I took the bracelet off because it was stinging the shit out of me...  I was fine after that... and I didn't need any Bonine.  In FACT, I think the meds make me feel WORSE than anything.  That's not to say that I've grown a beautiful set of sea legs just YET, but they are definitely sprouting...

In other news, I had the COOLEST encounter with whales yesterday during the voyage!  They ended up getting about 15-20 feet from the boat...  I almost CRIED it was such a moving experience.  I got some pictures, but they aren't as great as seeing them first hand...  there is something about hearing the blowing and seeing the tail slapping the water that is just magical...  Besides, my camera is slow and unreliable, so some of the pics turned out bad.  BUT, I was able to crop, so I hope I've been able to capture just a TASTE of what it looked like.

There is so much more I'd like to say right now... but I'm just too exhausted to do anything else... I got up at 7 this morning and have only had a one and a half hour break all day... didn't even eat dinner and I'm WIPED OUT!

SOOOO.... I'll have to save my comments on the whales for another day... Good night.

So far... so good...

Okay, so we've been underway for almost four hours, and I haven't puked yet...  My left hand is twitching from this fancy-smancy motion sickness bracelet, and I have to keep myself from getting hot, but other than that, it's been smooth sailing.  I honestly think this bracelet is more a psychological thing.  The tingling through my hand is keeping my mind off the swirling in my stomach... Hey!  I'm all for whatever works!!

I only have about 15 minutes left of my break, and then its the TRUE test of my abilities.  Kaki said everyone is up on the fly bridge (the very top deck), and its breezy and cool up there.  GOOD!  AND, they're drinking like fish.  Surprise, surprise!!!  They've been going through Absolut like it was water -- at LEAST a bottle a day.

Remember a couple days ago I said I'd be having school nightmares right about now?  Yeah, I had one last night... it was weird.  I showed up as a student, but I didn't have my shoes, and there was no way to get to my classes without walking over squishy mud or sharp rocks.  It was weird...

Anyway, I'm hoping that maybe I can work well enough that I can get off early tonight?  I'd love to play my guitar and relax a little around everyone else.  Every time I'm in the crew mess, everyone is either asleep or working!  Oh well...

Gotta run... 

I miss my guitar...

Okay, so we are scheduled to leave Nantucket tomorrow morning... for an 8-9 hour ride to Boston.  All I can say is, "Please, GOD, let it be smooth sailing!!!!!"  Kaki broke out the $100 motion sickness bracelet to hopefully keep me from ralphing the whole ride...  I've been "the late girl" for the past two nights, and I'll be the late girl again tomorrow night to make up for the time I'm potentially down tomorrow...  

Had another mood dip today...  started tearing up basically feeling sorry for myself...  I swear, lately I've been either pissed off or pitying myself.  I HATE it.  The only time I'm happy is when I'm alone or with the guests.  I honestly think that Kaki and Donna Marie think I'm retarded when it comes to service.  Okay, so I'm not an impeccable cleaner... I leave spots in the shower...  But, shit...  I'm still learning, okay?!  Whatever...  I'm quickly becoming numb to the lectures.  I'm not stupid or inept.  

As stated before....  I miss my guitar.  The other night was SO much fun playing and singing for Mark...  Tim (the engineer) stopped me yesterday to tell me that Mark had been saying how much he enjoyed my music...  Tim made me promise that the next time I get my guitar out, I have to call him.  Hehehe...  

The crew is quickly becoming my family...  Shelton, the deckhand, is SO sweet and cute... almost like a little brother.  He told me last night about a dock girl he was interested in, but he was afraid he'd be rejected.  I of course, had to play big sister and tell him how wonderful he was and she'd be missing out if she did reject him.  Then there's Chris, the chef who is grumpy every morning...  I honestly never know what to expect from him.  One minute, he'll be short and curt with me, and the next minute, he's play fighting with me in the kitchen... Crazy boys...  and Mark, the first mate, always makes me say good morning to him and calls me "gorgeous" and "love" in one of those Philly accents...  Its weird...  I've folded all their clothes, made Chris's coffee...  I know what sizes they wear and whose underwear is whose...  I iron their shirts every day...  Its weird, I know, but I really enjoy taking care of them...  they're like my brothers.  We laugh together, watch TV together...  do dishes together.  I guess the crew house was a good preparation for living on a boat with guys...  they are definitely slobs, but they are endearing in a way. 

Ugh, I'm getting mushy...  

I was able to leave the boat for a few minutes today.  Found some REALLY cute shops and took some pictures of Nantucket...  I haven't uploaded them yet, but maybe I will tomorrow...  the town is PRECIOUS with cobblestone streets and cute little weather-beaten store fronts.  The hydrangeas were blooming...  the perfect little coastal town.  

Tomorrow we are headed for Boston.  Tuesday we are supposed to host a cocktail party...  that'll have Kaki in a tizzy for sure...  and we'll be in Maine by the weekend.  I wonder if we'll make all these stops again on the way back down? 

Good night...  

I'm growing sea legs...

Hey there, 

We've been in Nantucket since yesterday afternoon.  Good news!!  I didn't get sick on the ride!!  I felt light headed a little bit, so I laid down out of preventive measures.  I'm thinking all that was due to the Bonine I took...  Next voyage, I'm just wearing bracelets...  

Was SOOOO tired today because I stayed up until one this morning playing guitar for Mark, the first mate.  He was making a wish list for the shipyard, and I was in my bunk practicing...  He hollered at me to practice in the crew mess, so I picked up everything and played in there.  One song turned into twenty and before I knew it, Mark had stopped working and was staring at me enjoying the music.  It was funny.  After every song, he said, "That was awesome!"  And then he'd promise to not say anything again, and then he'd say it again anyway.  

So, this morning I wasn't in any mood to be messed with... and of course, Kaki was in a mood to nit-pick at everything I did...  there were spots on the mirror, the glasses weren't polished enough, I should have dusted, blah, blah, blah...  whatever.  I've gotten numb to her constant nit picking to where now I just smile, nod, and forget about it.  I mean honestly...  I'm frikkin human.  If I miss one spot on a HUGE glass shower...  are the guests REALLY going to care or notice all that much?  Most likely not, and if they WOULD...  well... I won't say what they should do.  ANyway, after my afternoon nap, I was MUCH more chipper and ready to face the day.  Too bad the family (who had been drinking all day) went to bed by 10 PM!  

So, we're in Nantucket -- whaling capital of the world, and Herman Melville's home.  I'm sad that we leave on Monday, and I will not be able to see anything...  I imagine I won't be able to leave until late tomorrow because of... well, just because.  And Nantucket seems like the COOLEST place to visit so far!!  Oh well...  I'll be back another day.

Okay, my feet are killing me, my back aches, and I'm exhausted.  SO, I'm going to put some foot cream on, already have a heating pad on my back, and I'm taking some Tylenol PM and heading for bed...  A girl needs her beauty sleep...

Love ya!

one week down, five more to go...

... until my first charter job will be finished...  Hard to believe it's been a week, and we're already back around to Thursday.  Once again, Keith was right that you lose track of time on boats...  life must go on, so there is no such thing as "the weekend" as a yachtie.  We party every moment we can--whether that is Tuesday morning or Saturday night.  

It has been raining since yesterday evening... like pouring piss out of a boot, as my old pal Mike used to say.  The water came down in sheets making waves upon the waves and blurring the horizon into one wall and floor of water.  The effect was beautiful, but it made Mark and Shelton cuss because they had to scramble to get all the towels and cushions inside before they ruined.  It's funny.  We're on a vessel made for water, but much of what goes INTO it gets ruined by water...  cushions and towels dry rot, brass sinks spot and corrode...  I dunno...  one of the earth's great ironies, eh?

Anyway, I'm the late girl tonight, but I don't know how late everyone is going to stay up.  Today was pretty low key.  They don't seem to like Martha's Vineyard very much...  Tim hasn't even gotten off the boat, but their son and grandkids have been here every day, so maybe that's their draw.  I was able to get off the boat for a few hours.  Went straight to the legendary "Black Dog Bakery" to see what goodies they had.  Apparently, their t-shirts are more popular than their food, so I bought a couple shirts to take back home.  Nice quality, and the German chocolate cake was the BEST EVER!!!  At that point, the rain clouds seemed to be building, so I headed back to the boat, and sure enough, as I stepped onboard, the clouds opened again.

I've only got a few more minutes before I have to be back on... grrr...  Was pretty sluggish today...  my back was cramping, so I tried to hide down in the laundry room once Kaki and Donna Marie came in.  Was not feeling the whole "guest service" vibe today...  Would have much rather had a glass of wine and curled up with the Chronicles of Narnia.  

Gotta jet...  wanted to get some shut eye before the marathon evening ahead of me.  Leave me some love...  

the boat moved and I didn't get sea sick!!!

We anchored out today.  Our guests had guests of their own, three kids included, so we took a trip around the corner to anchor out and give them a chance to jet ski and play in the water.  I started to freak out when we backed away from the dock, but I decided that I wasn't going to let it get to me... I just moved slowly and kept about my work.  Miraculously I didn't get queasy!  

I got kindof down today.  Hid out in the laundry room for a while and kept myself busy with the massive amounts of ironing and washing to do.  Hiding behind the laundry seems to be a safe way to stay out of Kaki's path sometimes.  Not that she's hard to work with...  I just feel like sometimes my work isn't "good enough" for her standards.  Case in point:  today I was left to guest service while Donna Marie and Kaki both went on break for about two hours.  No problem.  Kaki left me the task to prepare for dinner, so I had to polish all the silver trays and platters.  No problem.  The guests had me making their drinks, I polished all the platters, folded the napkins... I was pretty frikkin proud of myself.  No problems whatsoever.  Until this evening when Kaki wanted to change into her black blouse that was in the laundry bag she had given me this morning.  Oops.  Seems I failed to keep the laundry going two floors below me in my attempt to serve my guests their wine, beer, and mixed drinks.  My freaking bad.  She didn't yell or scream, but I wish she had told me that she needed that laundry finished and it would have been done.  Oh well...  Usually I try not to take these things personally, but when I screw up, I DO take it personally...  

So now its 10:23 and it feels like 3 am....  My feet are throbbing, and I just want to take a hot bath... do you think anyone would notice if I sneaked into the master bath's jacuzzi?  hehehe...  I've been wanting to be a bit naughty on this boat.  Everyone is always so well-behaved.  

Tomorrow I have a three-hour break, and if we're not anchored out again (which I doubt we'll be), I'll be taking a walk into town to check out the cute shops.  Not that I have ANY money to buy anything with, but there's no charge for looking, right?

I just realized that if I were living my old life, I would be having "back to school nightmares"...  no really!  I'd be dreaming about horrible students and showing up to school without my clothes on and all sorts of frightening things.  To those of you teaching buddies out there, know that I am thinking about you, and I'll try to miss my old stomping grounds, but I have to warn you, I probably won't.  These dogs may be achin' but not that bad.

I noticed today that I have had 315 hits on my site!  CRAZY!  Who's been reading my blog?  I've only gotten a handful of comments, so those of you phantom readers -- SHOW YOURSELF!

Send me some luv...

My life is dominated by random songs...

Okay, so I know I posted the pictures, but I wasn't done talking for the evening...  I have had silly random songs stuck in my head ALLL weekend (and into the week)!!!  Today it was "Hang on Little Tomato" by Pink Martini, yesterday's was "Who Let the Dog's Out"; and Sunday's was some Josh Turner song about how much he loves his wife...  The sad thing is, I don't even know all the words to the song so that I can sing it and be DONE with it...  I just have the part that I know looping in my head ALLLLLLLLL day...  it drives me INSANE!  

Maybe I've had this problem because I'm itching to play my guitar.  I haven't even opened the case since I got here, and I'm quite literally sleeping with the instrument!  (See pictures below for more details...)  I've missed sitting on my bunk singing my heart out, but my life has taken a different turn, and I really do like it --  despite the banged head, upset stomach, and aching feet (which are feeling better, thanks for asking!).  

Tomorrow night is my "early night", and I'm hoping that it really IS an early night...  Maybe I'll be able to get out of here by 8 so that I can hit the town and see what all the hype is about.  I'll probably look around for an ornament and some postcards to send home...  Woo.  Hoo.  Just call me a party ANIMAL!!!  

Can I just say one more thing?  And then I'll go... Tylenol PM has become my BEST FRIEND lately.  It helps me sleep and eases my aches and pains.  Who needs a man when you've to pills?

Those promised pictures...

Newport yesterday evening...

The same shot, but original color...

My humble abode...

Those of you who know me well probably recognize some of these items!!  

The view from my bunk...  minus the picture of the half-naked chick the deck hand before me left behind...  I think he's moving back in after me, so I'm leaving his eye candy up for him...  I just glare at her.

I hate waves.

Well, I made it to Martha's Vineyard in one piece... minus the contents of my stomach and my pride.  Oh well...  I don't have my "sea legs" yet...  Spent the entire four-hour ride holed up in my cabin feeling EVERY wave that hit the bow of the boat.  Keith had said that the ocean outside Newport harbor was pretty rough, and BOY was he RIGHT!!!  Once I hurled though, I felt much better...  

Everything was fine at first.  I geared up with my wristbands, chewed Travel gum from Europe, and took my Bonine.  I ate a light breakfast of toast and water, and had a good night's rest.  Once we went underway and hit the rough waters, I got hot, the floor kept moving, and it was all over for me.  I managed to finish "stowing" the cabins and made it downstairs and to the trash can in perfect time to see my breakfast again.  Niiice.

I feel fine now that we are docked.  In a few minutes, I'll head back upstairs to serve dinner to our nine guests (who are going HOME at the end of the day!!), and I'll be up late to serve cocktails -- strong ones so they'll go to bed early! -- and prepare for tomorrow's adventure!

I must say, I've noticed that I'm making some improvements with my stew work...  I find that I take pride in having clean cabins and shining sinks -- the damn guests keep USING them and making them NOT shiny!  Since we're ON the subject, who in their RIGHT mind would put such a water-unfriendly material as a SINK?!  How STUPID!  Anyway, I digress...  I've also discovered that I'm pretty much the domestic goddess...  I can keep up the laundry, decorate the table, and keep the heads and beds in proper order.  But, I can't claim all the credit...  So without further ado, I would like to thank the following people:

Mommy -- the original domestic goddess who was determined to NEVER allow herself to be a slave to her home, but prided herself on having a domicile of cleanliness and tranquility.  She taught me how to separate colors, how to properly iron pants, that I can't get every "nook and cranny" of space if I don't move anything, and which cleaners do what jobs.   She is a firm crusader against the war on laundry, never relenting in her quest to have an empty laundry room floor.  

Clifton -- who taught me that procrastination pays negative dividends.  Why put off til later what needs to be done now?  Inevitably, "later" will introduce its own set of problems.  Taking preventive measures and getting jobs done while there is still no stress, will always save more stress later.  

Daddy -- for teaching me the value in patience and persistence.  Working with others is always a challenge, but if I am patient and bide my time, life will be more tranquil and everyone will be happier.  In addition, "stick-to-it-ive-ness" is key in success with everything in life -- especially in this job.  There are always heads that need attention, pillows that need fluffing, dishes to wash, laundry to iron.  Just when I think it's all finished, another item gets added to the list.

Herryn -- my trainer when I worked at Outback Steakhouse.  She was better known as "Hitler" because she was so stringent on EVERYTHING she did.  And the first night I was with her, I wanted to quit, but my mom wouldn't let me.  In the end, Herryn taught me to be thorough, take pride in my work (even if it is cleaning a toilet), and work hard.  I also learned from her that what seems hard at first will in time become routine.  

Those are a few of the lessons I've managed to carry with me to this new adventure...  I've also learned that work on a boat is NEVER finished, only put off until later; I need time to recharge if I'm going to do ANYTHING right; and a sense of humor and a smile go much farther than etiquette ever could. 

Enough for now...  It's almost time for me to don my black shirt and gear up for the night shift.  I have until Friday to come up with a plan for how I'm going to keep my stomach on the next leg of our journey.

I touched dry land today...

... and I still felt the rocking of the waves...  weird huh?

Anyway, today was my short day, so I started around 9:15 and got off around 8:15...  I was lucky because everyone went out to an early dinner...  Tonight is our last day in Newport, so I guess everyone wanted to see the town one last time.  I was able to get off the boat for about an hour this evening.  From the few blocks I limped around in, Newport is a REALLY cute town!!  There were little alley-ways with neat shops and cool restaurants.  When we come back in a couple weeks, I hope I get more time to explore! 

While I was out, I saw a couple with two Yorkies, and it made me miss my precious Percy all the more...  As if seeing his sweet face on my desktop isn't enough to break my heart, I had to run into two little angels on the street.  But, surprisingly, they lifted my spirits a bit.  Gives me something to look forward to when I make my journey back home.

Eek, the Tylenol PM is starting to take effect and I'm going delirious.  We leave Newport tomorrow and head for Martha's Vineyard.  I've been told the ride is a bit choppy, so I'm not looking forward to it.  I'll be taking Bonine, wearing wrist bands, and chewing travel gum.  If I get sick, I'll feed myself to the fishes.

BREAK TIME!!

Okay, so I have a three-hour break before I have a late night tonight... the owner's daughter is bringing her friends over, and last time she did this, they stayed up until 2:3o AM!!!!  Anyway, I'm supposed to be back up to serve breakfast, but tomorrow is a "short day", so I should be finished by 10 PM...  that's one good thing about this job...  I haven't spent a CENT since I arrived on the boat simply because I haven't had a CHANCE to leave the boat...  I can even get shampoo and toothpaste on here!!!!  Kaki is leaving in a bit to get my very own pair of Crocs because I've been wearing a pair two sizes too small, and I think that's why my feet have been killing me.  All the cushioning is in the wrong spots!!  I still need to make that picture.  Today's pretty foggy, so I'll probably wait until tomorrow. 

I gotta admit something...  I got REALLY frustrated this morning...  I understand that I am new and inexperienced and I have a LOT to learn, but sometimes it seems like I can't do ANYTHING right...  I really do appreciate Kaki and Donna Marie.  They are fantastic stews and great examples, and maybe I'm a little bit special ed... hell, I don't know.  But, I just don't see what the big deal is if we leave the bedspread untucked around the edges.  In FACT, I think it looks BETTER untucked...  it hides a multitude of flaws...  And another thing... Does anyone REALLY notice if we turn down the bed the same every night?  Especially the guests???  I understand that the master's suite needs more TLC and attention.... for cryin' out loud!  They're paying for this!  They SHOULD get the towel monkeys and chocolates on their pillow... but the guests?  I mean, if we spend more than 15 minutes in a room during an evening turn down (preparing the suite for bedtime), I think we're taking too long!  We have laundry that continues to pile up...  One day, all I'd like to do is focus on laundry... today alone, we changed a king and queen sized bed...  Yesterday it was two twins, and tomorrow, well change another king and another two queens...   And all the sheets have to be pressed, so that adds about 20 minutes PER set -- if I'm lucky.  Add on top of that towels for every time we check heads (bathrooms) and they've used the shower or the sink... OH, and did I mention that we have to dry out the shower and sinks every time they are used?  Apparently designers are the least practical people on the face of the earth, and they had to install silver and brass plated sinks.  Everybody knows that water is a metal's worst enemy...  and even though there is a beautiful finish on these metals, they still attract water spots like flies to kool-aid.  

One thing I am enjoying, as I mentioned earlier, is setting up for meals...  for lunch today, we had an aqua-ocean theme...  turquoise straw placemats with shells sewn on the edges, turquoise linen napkins folded in a fan and held with silver fish napkin rings.  In the center, we used a hurricane lamp with shells inside and scattered shells around the outside.  I wanted to get some candles, but we ran out of time, and I thought Kaki was going to have a shit fit because the guests (all 10 of them!) were ready to be seated and we weren't ready.  We just got so caught up making drinks for all of them that time got away from us.  

I'm thinking about making a list of daily duties for the stews to keep up with...  I feel like there is always something I'm forgetting...  so much to remember, so little brain space...

Okay, going to take a nap before I have to get back in the swing of things.

Later.

ouch...

Okay, so today wasn't AS bad as yesterday, but my feet feel like they've been turned inside out...  I really need some better shoes.  Since I have FLAT feet, I need more support and cushioning than most other people.  I guess I'll just have to suffer until I can afford some new ones.  Right now, I've slathered Peppermint and Rosemary Foot Lotion on my sore dogs and I'm keeping them elevated.

So, I have to be up and out by 6:30 tomorrow morning... I'm the early girl, so I get to set up for breakfast, and eagerly await another day of cleaning toilets every time someone pees, swabbing out showers every time someone bathes, and keeping everything stocked.  Actually, I rather enjoy doing one or the other, but it's hard for me to switch gears from working solo to turning on the charm...  If I could have one day to be housekeeper -- heads and beds, as we in the industry call it -- and another day to be service stew, I would LOVE that...  I think that's what the basic routine is going to boil down to eventually, but both Donna Marie and I have SO much to learn about where everything is located and how everything is run...

Speaking of how things are run, I've been thrown into learning silver service without my even realizing it.  When I interviewed with crew agents, I specifically said that I didn't think I wanted to learn silver service quite yet.  WEEEEELLLLLLL!!!!  Guess WHAT!!!  I'M DOIN IT!!  I'm serving from the left, clearing from the right.  I'm putting knives facing the plate, dessert forks and coffee spoons up top, folding the napkins in cool shapes... ALL this for EVERY meal!!!   And, I actually kind of like it!  I feel more sophistocated (even though I can't spell it!)... despite the fact that I'm the servant here... not actually getting to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere...  Maybe one day I'll meet my own Aristotle Onassis an I'll be able to vacation on gorgeous mega-yachts like this one...  Aw, Hell, I'm too simple a girl to enjoy gold filigree sinks and French travertine showers... and a bath tub with a fountain coming out of the wall...

Chris made ribs tonight, and Mommy, I'm sorry, but I admit that I relished every bite...  I'm getting his recipe to send to you because it was DIVINE!!!!  I'm so fortunate to have Kaki around to help me behave with my diet...  she'll pull me aside and tell me to stay away from the "poison" cookies or that the homemade croissants are awful when in reality they melt in your mouth AND have chocolate in them!!!!!  I'm telling you, CHRIS is the MAGIC MAN!!!  

OKay, Mr. Sandman has smacked me upside the head, so I'm headed off to dreamland...  5:45 comes early, but it's the latest I can sleep before I HAVE to get up.  I've taken two tylenol, hoping they will kick in and I can get some good rest despite the waves pummeling the side of the boat...  that reminds me.  I need to get a picture of our view before we leave on Monday... it's positively magical...  

Good night, sweet dreams...   

ouch.

Good morning...  scratch that...  Just plain morning...  

I slept like a rock tonight and only woke up when Donna Marie (my roommate) came in and left.  Poor thing.  She has another long day ahead of her, but we trade off tomorrow.  I'll have the long day and she'll have the short day...  it'll work out.  Anyway, I have about 15 minutes until I have to report to Kaki (Chief Stew and my boss).  

This morning is tough and Kaki says that the first day is always the hardest...  no routine down, my body isn't used to the beating its getting...  hopefully after 30 days of this my back, knees, feet, shoulders... everything will be numb?  

Gonna get some more rest before the marathon begins...

these dogs are whooped!!

okay... day one down, and my feet are BEGGING to be amputated...  well, maybe not that bad, but a nice hot soakie would be nice...  Alas, NO!  No luxuries for me right now... I am destined to work my tootsies to the bone for the next 31 days.  

Owners seem nice, and I'm catching on to this stew thing pretty quickly.  Maybe by next week I'll cut my trips up and down the stairs in half?  From 1000 to 500...  Oh well.  Maybe I'll lose some mad weight... so much you guys won't recognize me when I get home!  Hahahaha...  I doubt that.  With Chef Chris in the galley, I'll have NO PROBLEM keeping the weight on.  His cooking is Mmm - MMM - GOOOOD!!!

Anyway, I gotta run...  I've got to be up by 7, and it's full speed ahead until about 8 or 9 tomorrow evening...  Sheesh, I hope all this is worth it.

one more thing...

I meant to tell you... the yacht's website is www.yachtaquasition.com

Check it OUT!!!!

Um... slight change in plans...

remember how I said that yachtie plans are about as solid as jello?  Well... hehe...  yeah.  So, my plans to come home this weekend have been... er... delayed because I GOT A JOB!!!!  I leave at 7 tomorrow morning for Providence, Rhode Island.  From there, I taxi to Newport to meet my new home for six weeks.  At some point, we will wind up in Maine with the filthy rich owners and their guests, and then the charter madness begins...  I'm not sure what to expect other than to be buried in laundry and cleaning supplies...  As the third stew, I'm the low-girl on the totem pole, so I get the less glamourous jobs.  No worries, though, I will be adequately compensated for my sweaty work.  PLUS, I'll be in gorgeous Maine, where I hope to score some cute ornaments to send back home...  hehehe...  

Yes, it was just as I expected -- quite a whirlwind experience.  Yesterday, I had spoken with Linda of Nautic Crew International about this position, but I didn't think much of it.  She had told me that the boat wanted someone experienced because there would be no time to train me.  Still, Linda had faith that I could pull it off because I have a willingness to do whatever I am asked.  So, she put me forward.  I, on the other hand, planned on coming home to deliver my car and spend some precious time with my sister and Percy because things were so slow here in Ft. Lauderdale.  Today I scored some day work -- cleaning the hell out of a boat before its brochure photo shoot tomorrow.  At some point during the day, the boat's chief stew called me interested in hiring me for the charter.  I spoke with her about it, but she reiterated that she and the captain wanted someone experienced.  I didn't expect to hear anything about it, so I went about my business.  An hour later, she called back and I was hired.  

THEN the true madness began.  She found me a plane ticket and ordered my uniform while I had the dilemma of figuring out where to stow my car for a month and a half AND packing all the crap I've strewn everywhere in the past month.  Without much effort, though, everything seemed taken care of...  the crew house manager said I could leave my car here at my crew house, I picked up my uniform from the outfitters up the street, and had my bags packed (with unnecessary clothes stored in my car).  I would leave tonight just to get the travel part over with, but I have to wait until the butt-crack of dawn.  So, I wait.

Once Molly gets home from Target, we're heading out for one (and I mean ONE) last drink together -- a celebratory libation for our jobs...  she got offered one today, too!  In fact, THREE of us -- Molly, Ashley, and I -- got jobs today!  The best part about my job is that it's short term and will put me back here right as the season changes and yachts are getting ready for boat shows, changing crew, and heading to the Caribbean for the winter.  Exciting, huh?  Of course, I am going home for a while to see my patient sister... she'll be a big, important college student at UGA...  Of course, I'll do my best to make time for the rest of the people in my life, but everyone knows Hannah-Leigh is the most important person in the world. 

Ciao for now my lovelies...  

Today's Headline: LAINA COMES HOME THIS WEEKEND!

That's right, I've decided to go ahead and drive my car back this weekend... Things are starting to pick up around here, and my car seems to be more baggage than is necessary, so...  I'll be flying back to Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday.  

I've been job hunting the past two days.  Monday I made my way around to the crew agencies -- ones I had interviewed with before and new ones that I'd registered with online.  I was put forward for some promising leads, but I don't know if I'll get anything.  There are some jobs that are just for a month that would put me back here right in time for the "Changing of the Guard" as they like to call it... and Caribbean season.  One boat I saw online is going on a world tour...  How COOL IS THAT?!  But it is really normal in this industry...  boats regularly have world itineraries...  usually, the captain will take the boat to each port and the owners / guests fly out to meet it...  Pretty sweet, huh?  Let's pray that I am fortunate enough to get one one such vessel.

Before I leave on Thursday, I have my first day of daywork on Wednesday (tomorrow)...  I'll be "sprucing up" the interior -- making things look good for a brochure photo shoot on Thursday.  I don't care what I have to do as long as I make some money...

Anyway, it's still early, and I had a two hour nap today -- throat was hurting and mucus-y -- but I've got to head to bed so I'm fresh for the morning...  YAY!

 

and the winner is...

Watched the Miss Universe pageant with Phil, Tac, and Mark tonight...  I swear, watching the pageant with three nationalities represented was quite an experience!  Funny thing was the winner - Miss Venezuela - shocked us ALL!  Phil and I had our hopes set on Miss Mexico and Tac was rooting for Miss Dominican Republic...  

Anyway, it was interesting watching with guys, too... they tend to have a different take on things.  At one point, Mark made a comment and Phil looked at me like he was in trouble!  I just sunk in my chair and covered my ears.  I guess I've been accepted as one of the guys although sometimes they still make me turn red.  

Job hunt starts hot and heavy tomorrow...  going by the agencies to get my name in their minds, going by the docks to hand out resumes, and possibly stopping by Quarterdeck and Red Lobster to get a temporary job until things pick up here in the marinas...  Everyone keeps saying that everything will work out okay, so I have to trust that it will.  I know it will, but I need a timeline...  WHEN will everything be okay?  I'm not eating dirt yet, but I have to find something soon or I WILL be!!!!  EEEEEK!

one hard core day...

Rain started pouring on the way to the beach, so we didn't go. Got stranded at CVS for about half an hour before I'd had enough, so I trekked it home and ended up a drowned rat... soaked to the skin. Haven't warmed up since, but oh well.  Everyone else followed me about 15 minutes later.

May go to Red Lobster tomorrow to look for a temporary job until things pick up around here. My friend's wife manages the restaurant, so... maybe it will sustain me until something more permanent comes along...

I'm looking at going to an open mike night tomorrow evening... there are three options before me... One bar that is close but "hard core" (as Phil would say), and two that are coffee shops and more artsy, but father away... I'd have to drive to the coffee shops versus take the bus to the close but hard core one... I don't know... I don't really like to perform at taverns and bars because my music isn't exactly "crowd pleaser"... it's enjoyable, but it isn't a sing-along-and-jam sort of music. It's more thoughtful and contemplative... In other words, it will put you to sleep unless you've got caffeine to keep you going.  Alcohol + my music = Sleep!!

It's almost time for the open bar at Embassy, but I don't know if people are going to want to go or not. I SWEAR! These people can drink like NOBODY's business!! I haven't had a DESIRE to drink the past few days, and I haven't had nearly as much as they did!  They're going to pickle their livers at the rate they are going...

I think I'm going to take a nap...  it's been a hard core day.

STCW '95 Graduation

Hey there, faithful readers...

Sorry for the delay in updating... As a result, I have LOTS to report. I am now a graduate of the STCW course. I am ready to tackle almost any disaster that may occur at sea - man overboard, fire, flooding, lacerations, burns, and heart attacks - I just hope I can remember it all when the time comes. The course was informative, and as scary as the scenarios are, I am not as afraid of them if they SHOULD occur. I hope I NEVER have to abandon ship in the middle of the ocean, but if I do, I know what to do.

Thursday, we went to fire school where we put out fires, breathed through SCBA, wore insulated fire-protective gear, practiced using fire extinguishers, and even sat in the "burn box" with a fire over 250 degrees! It was an exhausting day, and I felt like I spent it in a sauna, but I learned a lot and was faced with some of the more terrifying aspects of a fire - what to do if I'm stuck in a room filled with smoke, how to do search and rescue, etc.

Friday night, after we all "graduated" - which was nothing more than running by IYT to pick up our diplomas - we hung out at Waxy's. True to my word, I only bought one beer and I drank water for the rest of the evening. It was cool hanging out with everyone, and as the night wore on, more people started joining our group. As a result, I've met LOTS more people.

Last night, we had a party over at the Main house (two doors down). Everyone got out their iPods and we shuffled through them until we found OLD songs to rock out to. We danced and sang along in the kitchen while the smoking section clouded it up outside. I drank water, but it was fun to watch everyone act like idiots...

Today, I think we are going to the beach maybe? I'm about to head over to Dunkin Doughnuts for some exotic coffee and a chat with Molly. I was kinna depressed last night about some things, and Molly was SUCH a sweetie about it all... so encouraging and positive. She promised a coffee talk, and she offered again this morning, so I'm taking her up on the offer. I may be cooking my famous Chicken Tikka Masala tonight. Only about half of the group likes spicy food, so it may be a small turnout. Oh well... more for me, right?

I'm gonna head out now... If you love me, leave a comment.

the dangers of walking down the street...

Howdy, mate... eek, I'm getting my accents mixed up...

Anyway quick note to say hello and I'm off to Day 3 of STCW. Yesterday we learned all about personal survival - what to do if the boat catches on fire, what to do if you fall overboard, etc. It was a bit scary to think that some of this COULD actually happen, but since I know about it, I feel a bit more confident in how to care for myself.

Tonight we are to be going to the pool for the practical portion of our learning... we are going to be donning life vests, jumping from the 15 ft platform with vests on, swimming in immersion suits, climbing aboard the liferaft, and some other things... should be interesting.

welcome to florida - lightening capital of the universe...

Okay, so I'm quite proud of myself. Went out with Molly, Tac, and Phil to a little bar called "Ernie's"... everyone else was drinking beer, but I only swigged water... AND I had a Greek salad instead of a mega-burger. I'm making a resolution to only drink once a week, and THEN, I'm only BUYing two. I'll allow for the suckers who want to try to woo me with their generosity... but, drinking is expensive and expansive... my jeans were tighter today than they were last week... I'm not allowing myself to rationalize that it has to do with my having washed and dried them on hot.... No, sirree... it ALL has to do with this indulgent lifestyle. Well, NO MORE! I'm becoming an ascetic... Nothing goes into this body unless it's absolutely healthy... Diet starts TODAY... AFTER Kim and I get back from our ice cream run...

Speaking of what goes into my body, many of you know that I take anti-anxiety meds every day because I can get a bit edgy at times. Well, I've realized that since I won't have insurance or regular contact with a doctor, things will get difficult once I get on a yacht and run OUT of my meds. SO, I've decided to wean myself off the meds and try some alternative methods. I've done some research about the subject, and I've discovered that what I thought were the side-effects of my anxiety - the "shock wave" feeling, my cloudy thoughts, and the desire to crawl out of my skin - are all WITHDRAWAL symptoms of coming off the meds!! Basically, I'm a drug addict... EEK! That could be taken TOTALLY out of context! But really, I'm fearing the worst here... my research says that withdrawal symptoms can last up to three weeks... I hope to be WELL into my first permanent job by then, and I don't need to be going through withdrawals while trying to impress my new coworkers.

Okay, the thunder is getting pretty massive... I love it though. Somewhere I read that thunder means that God and the angels are bowling... lightening means someone got a STRIKE!

Day Two of STCW tomorrow... all about staying safe in crisis situations -- fire, flood, storms, man overboard, etc. Tomorrow evening, we are going to be at the pool treading water, swimming in immersion suits, loading onto life rafts, and jumping in with our PFD -- all sounds harmless, eh? But it can be VERY dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Fun / Frightening fact: Life expectancy in Arctic waters is 15 minutes... AND hypothermia is an issue even in tropical climates.

Registered for a couple more crew agencies this evening. Hoping something comes up pretty soon... May have some day work for next week -- cleaning a yacht for showings...

OH YEAH! True Mega-Yacht story.... So Keith text messaged me this morning saying that he was cooking breakfast for some high profile NASCAR drivers. Apparently, they all flew their private jets down to party like Parrot-heads in Key West... I hope it isn't storming there like it is HERE!!

Okay, so I'm headed to my bed... Class starts at 0900.

First day of class down. I barely survived the hypothermia from the overactive air conditioner, but I learned a good bit.

Right now I'm watching the Snoop-Dog show "Father Hood"... I swear, some people can be the BIGGEST babies. Snoop's wife is complaining because she was given a spa treatment for her birthday, she doesn't have a cake, and she has to walk to a restaurant over cobblestone streets in expensive boots. Is she FIVE?! I think its behavior like this that gives Americans in general such a BAD reputation. I wish I could smack her.

Anyway, I'm getting sick of drinking every night... I feel like my insides are getting pickled. Unfortunately, Waxys and other area bars are prime spots to network for jobs... I could always just drink water. Oh heck, I'll be daring... water with lemon.

ft. lauderdale - capital of the world

Went out last night with some of my housemates... actually, I went out alone first -- drove to Waxy's to get some food. I would have walked, but there are creepy guys at the end of my road who hit on and proposition any woman walking by, so I felt safer in my fiberglass shell. Anyway, as I was chowing down on some fantastic chicken curry (especially for an Irish pub!), some Dutch guys came over and one started talking to me... Honestly, sometimes I wonder what vibes I give out. I'm too nice, I swear. Anyway, Dima was his name and he was very nice. Apparently, he is a yacht transporter and he lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. He bought me two drinks. I drank one and left the other... I had told him that I didn't want the second drink! Anyway, I politely excused myself to the ladies room and when I returned, I told him that my friends were at the Village Well waiting for me. It wasn't a COMPLETE lie... yes, Tac and Phil were at the Well, but they weren't exactly waiting on me to join them! Hehehehe...

So, off I trot across the parking lot -- literally! -- to the Well, a smokey, cavernous hole-in-the-wall dive where all the lighting comes from TVs and neon signs. Two pool tables are tucked against the back wall, and dart boards dominate the front corner. high-top tables and bar stools litter the concrete floor in between. Before any of the creepy guys at the bar can corner me, I spot the boys playing pool with a few more members -- Jane, Ashley, Brooke, Brett, Rolf, and Guy. Jane is a really cool Kiwi who is also getting started in the business. Ashley and Brooke are from Bermuda (but they have VERY mid-western accents... suspicious...), Brett's from Tennessee, Rolf is a South African who sports a faux-hawk and tight jeans, and Guy is a Beastie Boy look-alike from South Africa... I bought my beer and started sipping, chatting with Tac and Phil. Phil introduced me to a VERY cool new drink -- Jager and cranberry -- it tastes almost like a non-carbonated Dr. Pepper... spicy and refreshing!

I didn't even get half-way through my beer before everyone decided to head to Waxy's to watch the Australia / New Zealand rugby game. A sense of foreboding clouds my mind, but I shush it away because I'm protected by the group, right? WRONG! Dima the Dutch Dude finds me within two minutes of my arrival and starts pestering me about how I'm nothing like typical American girls; I'm beautiful and giving and blah blah blah... We go back and forth for a while, and secretly I hope that if I just give him my number, he'll go AWAY... I don't have to answer it, right? Well, his phone number is international and it isn't working on my phone... so finally, I give him one of my business cards and tell him that I really want to spend some time with my friends. It was nice talking to him, but he should really go. And then he's gone... WHEW!

I get myself another Heineken and start to mingle with the group... we talk about how rugby is a real man's sport, and Jane tells me about how the NZ team playing is only made of Maori descendants. After we've had enough of Waxy's honey-colored goodness (around 2 am), most of the group is hungry. I'm not ABOUT to walk home by myself at this time of night, so we crowd into the 24-hour Denny's up the road from our houses. We cram into a crescent booth and quote silly movie lines from Zoolander and Office Space -- you'd be at home, HL. After my chicken curry only hours before, I am not hungry, but I've been craving pancakes for days... so... well, you know the rest.

We stumble home dizzy from the evening's adventures, full of some greasy groceries, and exhausted. The entire house slept until after 11 today... except me. I was up at 10 walking to Waxy's to fetch my car. The short walk in the morning heat helped sweat the rest of the alcohol out of my system and I was ready for the day once I made it back with my car. Kim and I went to the beach for a couple hours... I'm getting quite a tan and my hair is lightening... I came home from the beach with wild hair that Molly said looked like a mermaid... I thought it looked more like Medusa, but mermaids are seductive and mysterious, so I'll take that over deadly Medusa any day! After I'd showered up and gotten comfortable, Molly comes bouncing through the house, "We're going to the Embassy to swim! Get your suits on!" Confounded, I plop on my bed... my HAIR was still dripping and I smell like Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion... YUMMY! Maybe I'll head down there to hang out but I won't swim... or maybe I'll throw on my skirted black polka-dot bathing frock and take a dip... I dunno. I'm an independent woman.

when one door closes, another opens...

So sorry it's taken me so long to update... what a BAAAD blogger I am! But really, I was out of town with a sketchy internet connection and a busy schedule.

Wednesday, I left for a visit to Keith in Key West. What a GORGEOUS drive it was -- LONG, BORING, but BEAUTIFUL! I am always amazed at the wonders of God's creation. On Thursday, Keith and I relaxed - sleeping late and running errands around town. I did some research about getting my Open Water SCUBA Certification, and I've settled on a place here in Ft. Lauderdale.

Friday evening, Keith and I performed at a dock party... we donned our gypsy gear, climbed to the fly deck of our host's boat, and rocked out for a solid two hours. The guests were so grateful saying the music we played was perfect for the party, and I sounded like I was on the radio instead of live! That made me smile. After the music, Keith and I ate while mingling with the guests. Pretty soon, the fireworks started, and I ran to the bow of the boat to take it all in. Over the marina, a band played classic rock while the fire works went off in the distance and a balmy breeze tickled my skin. All the excitement from the evening washed away, and my body slipped into a peaceful trance.

Later that evening, I had "the talk" with Keith... I've been thinking a LOT about this new adventure I've gotten myself swept into. I'm going to be sailing to exotic ports, experiencing the world like I've never known it. I could be taken away next week or tomorrow for all I know! And, who knows when I would ever return to these shores? Weeks? Months? YEARS? Is it really fair that I should expect Keith to hang on to me? Or I to him? Is it right for us to be attached to each other only technically? No, I don't think it is. So, I set him free of me last night. We vowed to remain friends, and that promise I intend to keep. But, as for any bond that requires certain rules and social regulations, there is none. Yes, I am sad about this break. We had such grand plans for our future together, but sometimes I wonder if I may not have been more in love with the IDEA of such a romantic future. I still see myself as so young and immature -- barely ready to be out in the world on my own, let alone attached to another human for the rest of my life! Maybe this is too much to share for the "general public" and I hope that you aren't upset about my talking about this, Keith...

Anyway, it's early evening here at the crew house, and oddly enough, everyone is home... probably regretting their alcohol intake from the day before. The boys are watching some show about crazy, death-defying videos, and we girls are doing what we girls do -- laughing at the boys. I've never lived with guys before (my brother doesn't count), so this crew house thing is really new to me... quite amusing, actually. If half of yachties are this entertaining I should have PLENTY to talk about in future posts.

Thanks for your patience as I galavant around south Florida, and if you ever need a little piece of paradise, may I suggest the Keys?

spending the morning in paradise...

This is how I fell in love with yachting... I'm currently seated on the fly deck with the tropical wind caressing my hair. The dock has barely begun to wake up, and I feel like I'm the only one who knows about this little piece of paradise.

Not sure what's on the agenda for today, but it is supposed to be HOT - welcome to ultra-south Florida. I'll probably stay indoors cleaning up to help Keith get ready for the owners coming in on Sunday. Word has it that some Nascar drivers are supposed to be down here to hang after the Daytona race on Sunday. Pretty cool, huh?

in the blink of an eye...

Okay, so the past.... mmmm.... 24 hours have really shown me how things can change in the blink of an eye...

First off, today I was supposed to journey north to visit my dear Percy, but last night about midnight I got a call from Lisa telling me that she and Luis had been in a pretty bad car accident with a drunk driver. The Tahoe was totaled, and Lisa and Luis were taken to the ER. Lisa is stylin a neck brace, and I haven't heard back about Luis. When I spoke with Lisa, he was getting checked out. I PRAY that things are okay... With one son in college, things can't be easy around their house, and a back and neck injury never *helped* anyone.

Second, I had an interview about a yacht that is both private and charter -- meaning the owners rent the yacht out for weeks at a time to defray the ridiculous cost of running these floating palaces. The itinerary for the yacht is to head up to Alaska in the next few days, spend some time in a shipyard in California, and then head off to Tahiti and New Zealand!! If I got the job, I would have to leave in the next day or two because there will be guests aboard on Friday. The captain is reviewing candidates in San Diego right now, so there's a strong possibility that I would not get the job, but things like this happen all the time.

At any moment, I could get a call about a boat leaving for who-knows-where, and I'd have to pack up and be ready to go. This industry is definitely not for the faint of heart or the ultra-planners. Its rather exhilarating to think that I may be in another place tomorrow or next week. Yacht plans are about a solid as Jello in the summer sun... jiggly and never quite reality until it is the past...