My red high heels...

Okay, so the past 48 hours have been somewhat hectic.  I flew back to Atlanta yesterday, Daddy picked me up, and dropped me off with Mommy in Woodstock.  I had been on the phone with the other captain from the boat in New York...  Mommy and I had a marathon shopping spree at two thrift stores and Ross to get some decent clothes for my interviews up here.  So, in short, I was up at 7 a.m. and didn't get home until after 9:30 p.m..  But, my night was nowhere NEAR over.  After I brought all my purchases and luggage inside, I had a TON of laundry, packing, outfits to put together...  I didn't stop moving... RUNNING... until almost 3 a.m.  My flight left at 8, so I had to be up and out by 5.  

My flight was smooth sailing... the plane was almost empty, so I was able to stretch out across my own row.  I couldn't sleep because I was jazzed out on coffee.  Once we landed, I ducked into the bathroom to put on my tights (which are the DEVIL!), saucy red heels, and make-up.  Blair, the mate, and Bobby, the engineer, picked me up at 11 and we drove the 20 minutes to the boat.  the BEAUTIFUL boat.  IT's only a year old, so it hasn't had time to get dirty.  I hung out with the guys until 12:30 and we went to get lunch with Jon, the captain.  I liked the boys immediately.  We have similar senses of humor and I felt comfortable joking with them.  Lunch was at a busy diner in Jersey City.  The boss arrived on the boat at 3 to interview me, and we talked for at least an hour and a half before he and the captain took a "break" to talk about moving the boat.  I met up with the boys in the galley where they told me I was doing great and that I had talked to Mr. longer today than they ever had.  

After the Mr. came back from talking to Jon, we started the "real interview"...  He asked me about my music, and he wanted to see my myspace page.  The boys hooked the computer up to the television and we all listened to my music while I blushed.  They seemed impressed.  Mr. was a bit stand-offish.  Later, I turned down the bed, looked at vinyl samples for new pillows on the sun deck.  Jon wanted me to help them pick out the colors.  He then asked me to look through the galley and assess what I would move around and change if I worked in there.  I looked around, but honestly I was so wiped out that I couldn't think straight.  Eventually, Mr. ordered dinner and Jon went to pick it up.  Meanwhile, Mr. requested that I make him a "Manhattan Vivere", but there is no ice on the boat because the refrigeration is not working properly.  Jon brought ice with the pizzas... yes, the first meal I served my potential boss was pizza.  He requested that we heat the pizzas in a skillet with olive oil to make the crust crispy.  My Manhattan Vivere needed more Vermouth, but Mr. was happy that it was well-chilled.  He turned in by 9, and now I'm in the crew mess watching TV with Blair and Bobby.  Jon lives in the city with his wife and 6 month old son, Sacha.  

I'm WIPED out right now...  Not sure what to expect for tomorrow, but I'll be up around 7 to get ready for the Mr. to wake up around 8.  I won't be cooking breakfast, but I do need to have his cappuccino ready for him.  My flight leaves for Atlanta at 1, so I'll have to be at the airport by noon.  I imagine I'll have an opportunity to sit down with Jon and talk to him about the job.  

Right now, I REALLY like the boat.  The crew--the guys--rock.  I would be organizing the boat how I like it, learning as I go, and getting some GREAT experience as a solo stew.  I'll need to beef up my knowledge of table settings.  I'd also like to contact my chief stew friends to get some info from them.  These boys definitely need a woman's touch here.  Apparently, the boat has only had temporary stews, so things have remained a bit touch and go.  Their decor is basically knick-knacks that the owners have brought on board, and it doesn't really match.  But that's cool.  I'm all about surrounding myself with things I love, so whatever makes them happy.  Blair says that the Mr. loves to spend money, so this is a good sign.

What I loved EVEN more was that they guys REALLY DID help me out.  Blair helped with serving the Mr. by getting out the flatware and placemat, heating the pizza, and helping with dishes.  Jon walked me through the turn down and gave me pointers on how to make the Mr.'s drink.  In short, this team REALLY DOES work together.

So, I'm waiting for the official invite.  then it's decision time...  New Moon or Vivere?  

Jobs Jobs JOBS!!

Okay, 

So I'm sitting in the airport after an interview with the captain of New Moon.  He gave me a tour of the boat and a run down of what they do on board.  Basically, I would be cooking for the crew as the boss's wife prefers to cook when they are on board.  (Unless they go out, of course!)  Summers would be spent on the Great Lakes and winters spent between Fort Lauderdale and Bahamas.  The itinerary seems rather boring, but one never knows.  He would like a year commitment, but that is always subject to a 2-month trial period.  They would provide full medical benefits, 401k matching...  I would be one of usually three on board, but with a charter happening, there could be as many as five crew.  Before I left, the captain offered me the job...

In addition to THAT, the captain of the 116' Azimut wants to fly me up to NYC tomorrow for a face-to-face interview.  From the job description, it sounds like it might be more than I can handle, but the pay is MUCH better than New Moon.  (I don't know about benefits, taxes, or anything like that, though...)  I'm thinking about going for it anyway, getting a feel for the boat and then seeing how I feel tomorrow evening.  I just don't want to miss out on Cumberland...  I know a job is top priority, but I'm SOOO close to the trip, and I hate to have my big plans screwed up at the last minute.  

SOOO, I have big decisions to make in the next few days, I just know it.  Such is the life of a yachtie, and part of me just wishes I had ONE job possibility so that I couldn't look at the greener grass on the other side of the fence...  Welcome to LIFE!

....leavin' on a jet plane...

Okay, so I had a VERY nice chat with the owner and captain today.  The captain just text messaged me and wants to fly me up for a face-to-face interview on Wednesday.  Between flying home tomorrow and to NYC and back the next day, it seems I'll be spending a good bit of time in airports in the next few days... CRAZY!  

As Murphy's Law would have it, just as I start making plans to QUIT sitting around the crew house, I get two more job leads.  The second came as I was sitting in Smallwood's putting Keith's resume's in the notebook.  A captain looked at me and asked if I was a stew, was I looking for a job, and could I cook?  He was looking for a crew cook/stew for his 112' motor yacht.  He's picking me up tomorrow to look at the boat and then take me to the airport--saving ME some money on a taxi!  YESSS!  The THIRD job lead came from an email from Crew Network about a 120' sailboat in San Diego needing a cook/stew.  It's privately owned, family prefers simple meals, they would be going to Caribbean til April and then probably off to the Med for summer.  With both of the jobs, they wouldn't need me to start until after Dec. 1st.  So that wouldn't conflict with my recording with Kimmie or going to Cumberland with my family!

I'm REALLY excited about ANY of these possibilities simply because they would be SUCH great learning experiences.  I believe the one in NYC would be more formal and a bit more work than I am ready for, but I am going to be honest with the captain and let him know what my stipulations are.  That a professional chef would have to be hired for the charters and for longer trips with the family, a second stew would also be hired.  I am willing to start out below $3500/month, but in three months, I would like a review for a raise.  I called around to four of my crew agents and they ALL said that average salary is $3500, but one urged me to no for no less than $4000.  

SO, the next couple days are going to be QUITE interesting... literally, I'll be living minute-by- minute.  I'm still planning on going forward with the original plan of going to Charleston and Cumberland, but that all my change if I get a job offer.  The most important thing is to get a job...  Welcome (again) to the world of yachting...

the waiting game....

Okay, so I'm waiting on a call from a captain and owner on a boat in NYC coming down here in the next little while.  I'm being interviewed for a Cook/Stew position on a 116' Azimut (check them out!  They're GORGEOUS!)  The boat is called "Vivere" which is Italian for "Dare to Live"... they do lots of charity work and have family on board all the time.  Sounds like a very relaxed boat with LOTS of work, but a potentially great atmosphere. 

Keeping my fingers crossed...  

"Courage is your greatest present need..."

... so said my fortune cookie today. Funny how apropos that little line is. I am about to embark on a leap of faith like no other... that seems to be quite the trend with me lately.

I called my dad tonight to update him personally (none of this blogging business between father and daughter!) on all that has been going on -- how there is NO work down here, a talent scout found my music myspace page, and how Kimmie has offered to help me get some more tracks recorded in Charleston. (I swear, I need to pay this girl for all her help! One day I'll have the opportunity to repay her for her kindness.) Anyway, I told him all that, and he gave me the advice and boost I needed to book a flight home to pick up my car and head to Chucktown for a while... I'm still keeping the yachting option open, but I'm just wasting time here in Ft. Lauderdale. And REALLY, I had a bad feeling all along about returning down here. At one point, I had to take some Xanax to calm my hysterics (my mom can vouch for that one!!). So, I'm taking a detour to my favorite city ever, and I'm crossing my fingers that I can score some gigs to save up some money to work on yachts once again when the market bounces back. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Going on a job hunt, a job hunt, a job hunt...

Okay, so the hunt continues, and honestly I feel like a greyhound chasing after that elusive stuffed bunny...  chances are slim that I'll be the lucky winner-- I'm neither the fastest, slimmest, nor in the right place at the right time.  Needless to say, it's beginning to wear me down.

Chris leaves on Wednesday or Thursday and there is no telling if or when I'll ever see him again.  Of course, we both want to keep in touch, but one never knows with this industry.  I'm kicking myself that I didn't accept the position on his boat... of course, after the way the chief stew (who shall remain unnamed but you can find out if you look at my previous posts) spoke to me the other night, I'm glad I'm not trapped in a job with her for another six months.  

I had a job interview on Thursday, but I got an email this morning saying that the chief stew hadn't selected me for a second interview.  Fine.  Sometimes I wonder what these people are really looking for... some cute prissy girl to look good in a uniform?  or someone who is going to actually do a good job?  someone not afraid of hard work, getting dirty, or messing up her hair?  Granted, I'm not saying that the cute girls searching for jobs as stews can't do a good job, but when housemates admit that they don't know how to iron, leave their wet towel on my bed, and make comments like "I'm SO not domestic!" YET, they are still offered jobs at the drop of a hat, it really makes me wonder...  

At any rate, I'm noticing my depression deepening into becoming more edgy with my housemates.  I don't mean to be, but it's hard to stay positive when I'm literally down to my last few dollars and I'm having to call home for money.... and the bills continue to pile up.  On Wednesday, I'm supposed to pay rent, and I honestly don't know how I'm going to pay for it.  I might have enough money on my credit card, but it would cost half as much to take the Amtrak train up to Charleston and see about getting work up there.  Of course, that could be a potentially fatal decision if jobs *suddenly* start pouring in.  I'm to the point of tears right now...  That's why I'm trying to stay to myself which usually means I'm curled in a fetal position on my bed either reading, staring into space, or sleeping.  

There is a job fair today, and I'm fully intending on going (along with every OTHER crew member in the tri-city area!)  I already know I'm just going to be another blurry face to the captain and crew agents represented there, but I've got to try.  I'm armed with about 20 resumes and a handful of business cards, I've got my make-up on and my "crew-niform" ready to go...  (a crew-niform is the standard white polo shirt and khaki or navy shorts)  I don't know what is going to happen, and I'm TRYING to have a good attitude about this.  But honestly, I'm so depressed that I'm exhausted and sick to my stomach.  I don't even feel like playing my guitar any more.  I just want to run away from it all...

On a lighter note, I was contacted by a talent scout about my music, and she wants to put me forward to have some music on an indie film's soundtrack.  Here goes MORE rejection...  (God!  I hate to be so negative!  But it isn't as disappointing as getting my hopes up and then having them let down.)  Anyway, Kimmie wants me to come up to Charleston to record some music with her to post onto my website.  I'd be working with a professional producer with REAL recording equipment in a studio.  I honestly feel unworthy of this sort of treatment.  Kimmie has always been SO encouraging and uplifting... she's always helped me and sacrificed her busy schedule for me.  

Anyway, I've got to pull myself out of this funk.  It's only a HORRIBLE vicious cycle that isn't going to get me anywhere but further down and away from what I've been looking for.  I need a a job and sitting around the crew house isn't going to get me anywhere NEAR that goal.