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Aug 30, 2010
Amsterdam
Ok, I'm really tired. I was unable to sleep on the flight over and it's going on 5 pm here. I've no idea what time that translates into back home-when I got into Schiphol I vaguely remember setting my watch, but not sure if I moved it back or forwards...like I said very tired!! But I was determined to take the train into the city..and I walked around for a few hours. Amsterdam is....well, it's very...well...uh...DAMN IM TIRED! Pictures below........ Schiphol is a very cool airport...hope I spelled it right... I took the "A" train. Really! Just outside Amsterdam Central... Continue reading
Posted Nov 23, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Back in T-town
Whew! Well, I made it home in one piece! My flight from Brisbane to LAX was 12 hours, then another 6 hours to DTW-a bit of jet lag, but I'll be alright tommorrow. I'm leaving for Singapore somewhere around Nov 22 and really looking forward to the next contract! Continue reading
Posted Nov 10, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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A few pictures
Hi family and friends, I'm having alot of fun, and forgetting to blog about it, so I thought the least I could do was post some pictures! I was captured by natives in fiji.... but it was all worth it because the food was really good... this is from the museum in Noumea that has some very cool tribal artifacts....i found out as we were leaving that I wasn't allowed to take pictures....whoopps! Lost in the rain forest....(Fiji) Still sort of lost, but we finally found our way back to the main path....haha! and ended up here... Here is the... Continue reading
Posted Nov 1, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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I've got a show to do.....
So.....I've done a few pre-shows in the Atlantis at the request of the Cruise Director over the past couple of weeks. The first one (read "where's barfy") just about gave me heart failure, subsequent shows have been much easier. So, in a decidedly abrupt and over my head, behind my back move, it was decided today that I am to have my own show. It will be an hour show with the pacific show band backing me up in the main theatre on the ship. How about that, I went from having 3 bosses who looked at me funny if... Continue reading
Posted Oct 13, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Fiji
We just departed Brisbane for 14 days in Fiji. I will try to update as much as I can with pictures during this period. I LOVE THIS JOB! Cheers- Continue reading
Posted Oct 10, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Where's Barfy?
I'm a bit nervous today. Tonight I will be performing in the main show lounge for somewhere around a thousand people. This is largely the work of the Cruise Director David Pepper who seems intent on making me vomit onstage for his own amusement. Actually, he is a very kind man who refuses to allow me to be humble about myself, constantly tells me I'm brilliant and is promoting the heck out of me. My absolute knee-jerk response to this is to say, "David, I"m just a guy from Toledo, Ohio with a guitar-stop fawning over me!" Of course, I... Continue reading
Posted Sep 28, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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24 hour souvenir shop?
A friend recently asked me which of the many amenities on board the pacific sun was my favorite. I would have to say that the pizza bar ranks up there as numbero uno. They serve pizza 24/7 and for those who just have to have a burger and fries at 4 am, they can find one there as well. I typically steer clear of the crew bar-the guys from the show band go there every other night or so, and I always get the knock at my door around 12 am asking if I want to go with them. I... Continue reading
Posted Sep 27, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Cairns
Pulling into Cairns tommorow-I'm stoked....we will be staying overnight so I am going on a tour of the rainforest and also will be spending a good part of the following day jetskiing. I opened tonight for the Guest Entertainer"Steady Eddie"-a fairly well known comedian in Australia. Good fun, but he's not exactly your run of the mill comedian. He has cerebral palsy and he spends a good part of his show taking the piss out of his illness. Very interesting, and pretty funny as well. I will be doing a show with one of the Guest Entertainers later this week.... Continue reading
Posted Sep 20, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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The Pacific Jewel
I signed a new 4 month contract today aboard P&O's new ship the "Pacific Jewel". I will be on the maiden voyage as the resident piano/guitarist in the piano bar beginning December. This ship is massive-almost twice the size of the Pacific Sun, and it's an honor to have been chosen for this position. I can't really describe how exciting this is for me. I'm grateful to everyone who encouraged me back in Toledo. Thanks so much for your support- Pictures coming soon! Continue reading
Posted Sep 14, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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At Sea
Heading back towards Brisbane today after the 7 day Island cruise. From now until mid-October, the ship will be primarily following the same itinerary: Brisbane-to drop off, pick up passengers Sea Day Stops in New Caldonia & Vanuatu over 3-4 days Sea Day Back in Brisbane This is good news for me as I will have many opportunities to explore the islands. I am allowed to take any of the passenger tours for free as an escort and there is much to do. I have neglected to sign up for any tours so far-usually opting to roam the islands with... Continue reading
Posted Sep 3, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Darwin
We just pulled out of Darwin,Australia after a 3 day stay. I only played a few sets during this time and I actually had all day and night Friday off. It tends to go something like this- as soon as the boat docks, most of the passengers disembark and the Cruise Director schedules as much time off for me as he can. I am then free to do whatever I want. It's the funniest thing, and I'm definately not used to it. If someone were to ask me how I earned my paycheck over the past three days, I don't... Continue reading
Posted Aug 22, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Pictures
I'm getting a ton of pictures...this job is so much fun. I'm basically having a blast and getting paid for it...I'm still pinching myself daily. Unfortunatly, I won't be posting any pictures until I get back from the cruise to Darwin-probably around the end of August, so in the meantime, I'll just be posting random thoughts and happenings as they occur...check back for the pics around the end of the month. Cheers! Continue reading
Posted Aug 9, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Back In Auckland
I'm back in Auckland, New Zealand now. The last eleven days have been packed full of fun and I'm so grateful to be here doing this. I have met many wonderful people, and feel I am right where I should be! I guess I should mention the name of the boat is the "Pacific Sun". I'm looking forward to finding out about it's history when I have more time as it has been around for awhile. So far, it seems to float pretty good...it's also good for a laugh or two when I'm performing and the boat tips enough so... Continue reading
Posted Aug 3, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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Paging the Captain
*this post was from yesterday* July 26th, Sunday, At Sea Leave it to me...I know what your thinking... Ok, let me explain. The bandmaster on board the ship (his name is Dimitri and he is a very fine gentleman) had called me and I was returning his call. I was having a bit of a problem dialing his room because my phone is broken. That is to say, it is usable, but barely. I was getting frustrated because I had several training sessions to get to today, and I need to know rehersal and showtimes for this evening. (I'm performing... Continue reading
Posted Jul 26, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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2 days ago in Auckland
*i tried to publish this from my hotel room and was unable to do so.* July 25th 11:41 p.m EST Actually it's around 5:45 am Auckland time. I''m realizing a bit of the jitters as I wait for the shuttle from the hotel to take me to the boat where I will spend the next 4 months. Just the fact that I have made it here alive is enough to give me a boost of needed confidence...a few deep breaths and I should be fi... ..."pukes"... I say no major concerns but the airline did manage to lose my luggage...so... Continue reading
Posted Jul 26, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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4 months in the S. Pacific
This is a picture of the highway that runs directly in front of my home in Swanton, Ohio...the fact that the photograph was taken facing east is remarkable to me only because in 5 days I will be traveling over 12,000 miles in that very direction. I realize that many people travel like this regular basis, and to them its no big deal, so if I meet you in the airport, or worse, if by some fantastic chance you end up sitting next to me during the flight, your going to have to try to indulge me...because I'm new at... Continue reading
Posted Jul 18, 2009 at Where's Derrick?
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