Quick Hits in the New Year

So…New Years Eve is usually a fun night for me as a musician. When I'm lucky enough to have a gig on NYE, I enjoy that because I get to party, play music, and get paid for it. If I don't have a gig, I usually am hanging out with good people anyway, so, the holiday is enjoyable. New Years Eve on the ship was great. I had the best of both worlds. First, we played an extra set on the Promenade (main area in the ship where all the shops are) and counted down the time until 2013. It was a huge party almost everyone on the ship there (I'm talking about literally thousands of people). Awesome. We played some funk arrangements and I did my best Fred Wesley impression. At midnight, we drank champagne and I realized that I was at a gig while also surrounded by all my friends. The party continued in Studio B (onboard ice rink) where there was drinking and dancing. We continued with an after party in the crew bar. The evening/morning came to a close having snacks and watching a DVD of the Ellington band with several close friends. Good stuff. I can truly say I'm damn glad to be here.

--

I turned 37 on January 17, 2013 and had the pleasure of my Mom's company for the cruise over my birthday. We had a great time onboard enjoying St. Croix, St. Maarten, Barbados and more. She got me an M-22 shirt for my birthday as well as a massage up in the Shipshape Spa. We saw the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater show. She came to all my shows and met all my friends. We took a tour of Old and New San Juan and basically got some great hangout time. Ended out the week with a trip to Crane Beach in Barbados to get some sun and boogie-boarding. Terrific. What a treat!

Photographic evidence of fun:

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.

Representin' Northern Michigan!

St. Croix with Adventure in the background.

L to R: Mom, Me, Beau Fleming (tenor sax), Jamie Newnham (vocalist)

Dustin Bear (alto sax). Murder Mystery night.

A smoothie in Antigua.

L to R: Shannon McMillan (vocalist), Mom, Dustin, Me.

Crane Beach, Barbados.

Crane Beach, Barbados.

Lunch in Barbados.

Crane Beach entrance. Only entrance to beach is

over the stone circular walkway. 

Me and Jaime catching big waves! 

Mom catching some rays in Barbados.

The boogie-board crew (L to R: me, Jaime, Chris Joodi (trumpet),

Beau, Krisitan Brooks (dancer) at Crane Beach.

Mom enjoying a Carib...the official beer 

of the Caribbean! (I practically live on the stuff).

Crane Beach view from our lunch spot.

Another shot of Crane Beach.

Mom relaxing at Crane Beach.

Profile pic at Crane Beach. That is a 

CRAZY shirt.

Old San Juan. Castillo San Cristobal.

Castillo San Cristobal museum.

A view from the fort in Old San Juan.

Main courtyard of the fort.

A lookout post.

Photo opportunity in Old San Juan.

View from the top of the fort in Old San Juan.

St. Croix. What, what?

The beach in St. Maarten.

After the Old/New San Juan tour in PR. End of a 

great week.

--

For the first time in almost a year, I have accepted a bit of responsibility into my life. The Music Director (manager of all 20+ onboard musicians) is taking his vacation in about 5 weeks. He asked me to fill in for him while he is gone and I said yes. It is only a short vacation fill, but, I had to extend my contract to do it. I will be with the Adventure until May 5, 2013 and will be serving as MD for the last 6-7 weeks. This past week I started shadowing Kris (current MD) around and learning from the master Jedi. We'll see how it works out, but, I like it so far.