Wow, it’s been a crazy week! So much has happened in the past nine days that it feels like a whole month has gone by. A week full of Coast Guard sanctioned classes and daily tests. A written fire exam test that had us all stressed out. A day of practical testing that included: donning fire gear, fire-hose handling, learning all about SCBA how to put it on, use it and change tanks, maneuvering through a pitch black structure in a three-man team while wearing complete fire gear, using a CO2 extinguisher to put out a flame, and putting out a flame with a three man hose team. And that was only the fire portion of the day!

In the second half of the day we went through water safety practical exam! Let’s just say at the end of the day we were all exhausted.

In addition to all of that we were trying to spend as much time as we could with the cast that was leaving especially since several of them are good friends of ours. But truly the long days and jet lag had me wanting to go to bed by 8pm. And our practical exam day coincided with the previous casts departure date so we didn’t get a great deal of time to hang with them. But they helped so much in the transition to this ship, not only with dealing with issues on board but also helping to block our ending piece which they had been doing in their show as well.

Here’s a little clip from Kona last week with Robyn Norris.

Last night we did our first scripted show in the Hollywood Theater and they went over really well. The cast is already very tight and we get along great, so the whole rehearsal process has been a breeze. Our director Commander Matt Craig has had it pretty easy with us and in turn he’s adjusted the process to meet us where we’re at. So it’s been about as painless as imaginable.

We celebrated Thanksgiving today in Kauai. And I really thought we were going to eat somewhere on the ship airplane. But Jen came through and found an amazing place called Gaylord’s, an old plantation that could not have been more perfect. Our producer treated us all to an amazing dinner with all the trimmings and a bounty of bits. It really was great.

Tonight our first scriptless show, I hope I can stay awake.