Finally getting to do some lighting work

After a frustrating year of trying to find a light tech willing to help me out with my lighting promotion (aside from Eric on Serenade), my time has finally come.  The new Light tech (and Head Sound & Light tech) in the La Scala theatre, Tennessee, has been very helpful to me as well as Thomas, a stage staff who is quite skilled in sound.  Last night, I fully programmed and operated lights for a headliner show for the first time and Thomas ran sound.  Both shows went quite smoothly aside from the house lights malfunctioning during both shows (not due to any error on my part).  It was great to be given an opportunity to show that I actually can do what I've been saying I can.  I've been told I am welcome to do any repairs that are needed as well... so that will allow me to demonstrate the other half of light tech skill requirements: maintenance.

Since Rey was promoted, he was to be transferred to the Vision of the Seas, so he left on Sunday.  Unfortunately, due to a visa problem, he ended up having to go home (for now) instead of to his new ship.  We didn't get a replacement stage staff for him and it appears we may not get one for a while (possibly .  Thomas transferred from Studio B to the theatre when another SS departed and we got one replacement SS in Studio B, Hine.  So for now Hine and I are the only Stage Staff in Studio B.  It'll be a little more work but really the only big pain is that the duty rotation will be every other week instead of every three weeks.

Just over 2 weeks left until the crossing.  I have seen the tentative schedule for the crossing to Galveston and there will be a LOT of activities going on in Studio B.  We will be very busy.  Somewhat dreading the 6 sea day stretch when we will not be seeing any land at all.

Transferring again??? ...or not

At the beginning of the month my Production Manager called me up to her office to talk to her.  In my experience, this is never a good sign; good news is usually delivered over the phone.  She said that shoreside had decided to transfer me to Adventure of the Seas, departing Voyager on Oct. 10.  It's amazing how everything can change so quickly with this job.  One minute you're thinking about future events on the ship and (in my case) working towards promotion on this ship.  The next minute, all of that is washed away when you're informed you're being transferred.  I dreaded the thought of packing up and moving again, not to mention the overweight luggage charge which would surely apply since I have acquired a few extra items since joining Voyager (especially my 19" LCD TV).  However, a few days later we received notification that I would be staying here on Voyager instead... was that ever a relief.

Our new stage staff, Thomas, arrived Oct. 3.  He's a new hire but is a very quick learner so there has not had to be any extra duty week(s) taken on by myself or Rey-- a nice surprise after coming off of 3 busy weeks.  Also, Rey was interviewed for the Lounge Technician position and passed the interview.  I'm very happy for him, he has worked very hard to earn that promotion.  So far he has not been assigned a lounge tech position but I'm sure that news will come soon.  Our PM, Marie, has just departed for vacation a couple of days ago, but when she comes back I am hoping that she will be able to arrange a light tech interview for me.  Just have to work at getting lighting hours in during the coming 7 weeks that she will be away so that I have some evidence of being ready for the interview when she returns.