Lobster Bisque, GI, other

First, there is a gentleman on board who has a giant “carpe diem” on one arm and his entire back, from top of shoulders to lower lumbar region, with a huge black drawing of the World Trade Center towers and a script “Made in New York” underneath it. We do a scene where we make fun of people who want to talk about 9/11 constantly, how it's awkward. It didn't get much of a reaction this time around. Heh.

Second, whenever we come off stage and enter the crew elevators, we enter a short corridor which has the overwhelming odor of lobster bisque. I do not know how they do it. But it could make you gag.

Third, there is an email going around to the crew that if they are having symptoms of GI, they HAVE to go to the doctor. Some people are waiting and/or going to work first. The reason for the wait may be that if one person is sick, the whole room gets quarantined, which can be up to 6 people.

Fourth, the dancers do a show where they sing about 50 songs in 50 minutes. This is not a joke. But as such, they have to change costumes very quickly. This means that they have a costume changer (very common) who helps them. Normally, for a show on land, this is a specially hired job. On the cruise ship, it is “someone from housekeeping.” You can make the jokes. We just got a new crew of dancers. The gentleman who works backstage enjoys this particular period because he gets “all new boobs to look at” meaning: when they change clothes. We also have no understudies, so one of our cast members has a good time saying “I broke my ankle! You have to go in for me!” and giving the guy a heart attack. Our cruise director gives a speech once a cruise to the passengers to explain customs and immigration and what to do to leave the ship. During one section, he says, basically, “don’t steal things from the ship, even though you might want to” during the disembarkation speech. Then he says “Jerric?!” and the backstage guy comes out carrying a suitcase with legs sticking out on one side and a chef’s hat sticking out on the other. The backstage gentleman says he: “hates it” because he “hates being on stage” and that what runs through his head is: “just get this over with.”

Fifth, I cannot believe it, but I saw an Asian guido. A guy with the same haircut, same sideburns, same weirdo groomed eyebrows. So clearly this is a good idea and style to follow and brings with it great rewards.

Sixth, that whole exasperation-with-how-stupid-everyone-is must be just how people talk and say hello and must not be upsetting. I heard this exchange: daughter: “they went to the pool.” Mom, sans eye contact: “You think I give a shit?” And no one seemed to mind. Persons!