the next instalment...

Monday 17th July 2006

4:25 p.m. CET Yesterday evening was a bit of a weird one. Not very busy but a bit of a strange mix of people. Having said that, a lady approached me after my first set who complimented me on my ability to play songs entirely from memory, which was nice. We chatted for a few minutes, and it turned out that she is in the Beverley Operatic Society in Hull.

Concluded the evening on a good note as towards the end of my penultimate set, a group of students came in and sat next to the piano, and they were requesting loads of stuff and singing along. Ended up going over time – didn’t finish til about midnight, with Hey Jude, including a long drawn-out coda!

James has got some family business to take care of at the end of the coming week so Jo (the children’s entertainer) and I are going to be filling in for him while he’s away. Will only be one round-trip which shouldn’t be too bad. Looks likely that I’m going to need to lend myself to some more DJ-ing, and some bingo calling… lol

I got eight hours’ sleep last night which is the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I began working on the boat. Haven’t done very much today though, mainly because it’s rediculously hot outside. The people from the band headed off to the beach this afternoon, but I decided to stay here. Probably just as well that I did; I sat outside for about half an hour but had to come in because it was unbearable.

11:02 p.m. BST Last night was difficult, tonight was just a wash-out! Well up until the last twenty minutes or so. I think part of my endurance in this job is going to be about taking the rough with the smooth. As with any job really.

One positive thing though is that I think my voice and my playing are both improving. I had always thought of them being being synonymous in a way, but I am beginning to see them as two separate and very different skills that can work individually or combine. My voice was a bit husky last night, and the first half of tonight as well, but then something changed and it sounded a lot better. My playing is just strengthening without me having to think about it. There are still a few bum notes here and there but a lot less than a week ago. Makes me wonder what results I might get if I actually did some rigid practice…

I’m off down to the mess to grab some food, then down to the DJ box to hang out for a bit.

Tuesday 18th July 2006

1:41 p.m. BST True Nature left this morning, and I helped them shift their stuff, and also lent a hand to Top Secret, the band who are coming on to replace them. James had a lot to take care of, so I offered to help out with cleaning the cabins. I relished the opportunity to do some vacuuming, as I haven’t had to the chance to do any house-work for the last nine days!

Took a couple of photos last night which I will be uploading shortly...