Deb’s Blog

2013, VIRGIL SCOTT’S MUSICIANS’ NEW YEAR

The year began with Virgil Scott’s annual Musician’s New Year at the Hollywood on Queensway.  It’s always a fabulous reunion for those of us who used to see each other all the time in the old days, when the music biz was hot, and lucrative.

CARNIVAL VALOR UKE CRUISE

In February, I went on my first vacation in years – went on a “Uke Cruise” on the Carnival Valor, with a few of my uke pals.  What a beautiful ship.

CELEBRATING A NEW DECADE “DECADENT TOAST AND JAM”

In May, 2013, I reached a new decade of my life, and celebrated by giving a special concert at the Dominion on Queen.  The band, led by Bill King on keys, consisted of tried and true friends I’ve worked with for years, which made it very special.

The friends who showed up to celebrate with me were myriad, and there were some fabulous performances by Sam Broverman, Suba and Dylan, Grant Slater, and MANY more.

CORKTOWN UKULELE JAM

Wednesday evenings, I try to attend as many uke workshops as I can.  We have a load of fun, and learn a lot!

TORONTO MENDELSSOHN CHOIR

Still singing in the choir, but not happy to have been moved to Sop.2, when High C’s still come easy.  Ah well, it’s worth it because of all the beautiful music we get to sing together.

HAMPTON AVENUE REUNITES FOR SING

It was such a pleasure to reunite six of the original singers in Jazz Report Award winning Hampton Avenue, to do a 30 minute set at SING, Toronto Vocal Arts Festival.  Hampton Avenue 4 members Tom Lillington, Dylan Bell, Suba Sankaran and Debbie Fleming reunited with Larry Folk and Judy Tate to sing some luscious 6 part arrangements such as A Quiet Place(originally recorded by Take 6).

JAM GRIA AT 417

Pat Murray found a lovely restaurant on the Danforth – 417 – to host a jazz jam on Tuesday evenings.  It became a gathering place for some of Toronto’s finest musicians and singers for the summer months.  Unfortunately this restaurant didn’t last long – it was perhaps too high-end for the funky Danforth.

Pat Murray and Debbie Fleming at the beautiful 417 on a summery Wednesday evening.

THE HOMESMITH BAR

In October, Debbie hosted “Party Night” at the beautiful Homesmith Bar, at the Old Mill Spa in Toronto’s west end.

Backing her were John MacMurchy, Russ Boswell, and the gifted young pianist, Ewen Farncombe.  

BACKUP VOCALS

Still doing what I love to do best – singing backup vocals, to make OTHERS sound the best possible.  In June, Betty Richardson and I backed up the ferociously talented Cathy Young:

In November, Debbie was invited to be the one tiny bit of estrogen, as part of the celebration of Robbie Rox, at the Lula Lounge.  She sang backups, and a couple of feature numbers.

THE AULT SISTERS

A continuous thread in my life is doing vocal and instrumental arrangements for the uber-talented Ault Sisters.  This year they recorded an album, of nearly all my arrangements.  I was in the studio to coach them a little, while they recorded.  Love these ladies!!

THE INSPIRATION:

Toronto is a plethora of excellent singers and musicians. I’m so happy to feel still part of the Toronto music scene, and to enjoy the community,camaraderie and artistry of many singers and great musicians in Toronto  – most of whom are much younger than I am.

Over 10 years ago, Lisa Particelli began a regular evening of jazz jamming for singers, backed by live musicians. Entitled “Girls’ Night Out (Where Men are welcome too)”,   it became a very successful endeavor, and the singers who showed up to ply their voices on those magic evenings (featuring Peter Hill on piano, and Ross MacIntyre on bass) were able to hone their chops, play to an audience and get their names out there. I became a great fan of many of the regulars, including Sam Broverman, Ilana Waldston, June Garber, Gigi Marentette, Heidi Lang, Linda Carone – and so many others, including the beautiful Lisa herself.

Having reached the eighth decade of my life here on earth, I felt it was time to do a final legacy recording while I still had a strong voice. But what? I had already recorded many projects, including three solo projects, three with Hampton Avenue, my jazz vocal group, and three with ChoirGirlz, a roots-acoustic trio I assembled and led. All these albums largely consisted of my original songs and material.

When I sing, I cover so many styles  – from R&B, classical, roots/acoustic to jazz. I’m not a purist in any of those styles, and there are great singers all over Toronto, who do far better than I do in their specialties. So what could I do, which would set me apart from the rest of the great talent surrounding me?

My answer came, just after I sang one of my favourite songs (A House is Not a Home) at a jam somewhere,  and one of Toronto’s most talented jazz vocalists, Maureen Kennedy, said some kind words to me about my performance, adding “I could never sing Bacharach – it’s really difficult to do well”. BINGO. There was my moment of truth. I would do a tribute album to Bacharach/David – two of the finest writers of music in the 20^th century.

You see, I’ve been singing Bacharach/David songs since the 60’s when Dionne Warwick, one of my idols, released so many songs written by the prolific duo.   When I started singing in nightclubs in the mid 60’s, backed by my husband, Gordon Fleming, on B3 and keys – Dionne Warwick was at the top of the charts every week, and it was her hits which people wanted to hear. So I learned those songs, as a “pup” and never felt intimidated by the challenges the music presented. (You don’t, when you’re in your 20’s – EVERYTHING’s possible!).

As my career became more successful (mostly as a studio and session singer), I continued to sing Bacharach/David songs at corporate functions where I sang with various bands. We had to include a few “oldies” for the families of the bride and groom or bar mitzvah boy, who grew up with those wonderful songs.

THE PREPARATION:

I decided I wanted to work with the best musicians – and because of his brilliant arrangements on other albums (esp. Pat Murray, and her Beatles tribute), and his intoxicating jazz voicings when he played keys, I wanted Mark Kieswetter to play on, and do some of the arrangements for the songs to be chosen.

Mark and I got together in September 2015, and discussed song possibilities – and oh, there were SOOOO many to choose from. I already had a few in my mind, which were “MUSTS” and we narrowed down our list of songs to do.

I wanted to give the songs a new twist from the originals. For most of them, I had definite ideas in my mind — new chords, feel, tempi etc. Once I got the charts together, Mark would suggest some wonderful chord changes here and there, and we were ready to record the first six tunes.   I turned “Anyone Who Had a Heart” over to Mark, because I couldn’t switch the song up enough from what it was originally. MAGIC!!!! This song was a total challenge for me to learn, and for the band to play, but it turned into a stunning track, complete with Peter Mueller’s total rock-dude guitar solo to add even more “punch”.

THE RECORDING:

Number 9 Audio Group was the studio in which I chose to record. Most of the studios of my past are now gone, razed, no more. Manta, Eastern, RCA, McClear etc. RIP. I knew of the one-of-a-kind Beckstein grand at Number 9, and felt we MUST have the best piano for the best pianist around. Good decision!!!

For the first 6 songs, I wanted less “jazz” and more R&B/Groove feel. So I hired Charlie Cooley on drums, along with Ross MacIntyre on bass (both electric and upright), Peter Mueller (an old dear friend) on electric guitar, and Mark Kieswetter on piano and all keyboards.

We laid down the bed tracks first, and even though Bernie Cisternas was new to me at the time, it didn’t take me long to discover that Bernie is a wonderful recording engineer, with great ears, and above all – total respect for the ideas and musicians he’s working with. Bernie and I quickly became a real team, and for that I’m so thankful!

Then came the sweetening of the tracks – I brought in horns – John MacMurchy and Chase Sanborn, with the addition of my dear old friend and mentor, Russ Little on trombone for You’ll Never Get To Heaven.  Mark Kieswetter added some gorgeous strings and horns to Alfie, and suggested adding a sound of gentle wind at the beginning of Windows of the World.  Mark’s magic touches were the icing on the cake!

There were backup vocals added by Choria, some GREAT solos – including the one by Mueller, and by John MacMurchy, Chase Sanborn and Russ Little!

Before moving onward, we mixed the first 6 tracks, and took a break for the busy Christmas season.

In January, came the “Jazz” treated songs, where Mark played a larger part in the arranging and feel.

This time we had Ben Riley on drums and Ted Quinlan on guitar, while still having Mark and Ross as the hubs of the rhythm section.

Five tunes were recorded with this swingin’ section, (Close to You, One Less Bell To Answer, I Say a Little Prayer for You, The Look of Love and Promises Promises). We sweetened those tracks with Art Avalos on percussion, John MacMurchy and Chase Sanborn on horns and The Hampton Avenue-4 adding vocals to Close to You and Look of Love.

By this time, it was quite apparent to all of us, that we had something very special, and much bigger than we’d ever predicted.   A combination of the magnificent songs themselves, as well as the excellent musicianship and great arrangements created a gestalt, far bigger than the sum of it’s parts.  And I swear, I’ve never sung better in my long life!

Next step was mixing the final 5 tunes, and mastering the whole shebang, which Bernie did with aplomb.

Now the cover art is complete – the new head shot, by Yanka photography, is pretty sassy, and the design – implemented by Neale Ramakrishnan at Number 9 – is simple and satisfying.

The royalties have been paid to Mr. Bacharach and David, and we’re ready to manufacture.

The CD’s should be ready for sale on April 16^th.

Keep your eye on the shopping cart on this website, where you’ll be able to order your own copy of this special CD, featuring the most melodic, heartfelt songs of the 20th century.  I’m proud of this fitting tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Colonoscopy and what it “Entails”

WARNING!!! The following is rated “R” – restricted only to those who are not offended by “TMI” – and want to know the ins and outs of this procedure, which most people must undergo in the name of health.  This is my personal account of my BEST colonoscopy yet!

 

Having had some not-so-pleasant experiences with my previous 3 colonoscopies, I was NOT looking forward to my “procedure” in 2013.  Matter of fact, the minute I opened my new appointment calendar for 2013, I thought – “Oh no – this is the year for yet another colonoscopy”.  However – I realized it was a necessity – as my maternal grandmother died of colon cancer, and it’s always good to catch these things early.

Three weeks before the date of the procedure, I received the notice from the Doctor in the mail about the “prep instructions”.    Despite promises three  years ago that there would likely be a more effective prep for my next one – the tired and familiar instructions to buy “Kleen-Prep” were unearthed when I opened the envelope.  My heart sank.  With Kleen Prep – one must fast the entire day before the “procedure” – having only clear juices and broths (and staying away from red jello or juice).  Then you’re supposed to  begin drinking this at-first decent tasting mixture – every 20 minutes, beginning at 6pm.  The instructions say you can stop drinking the liquid once the effluent runs clear.  Hmmm.  Then you repeat the same procedure beginning at 6 am the morning of the procedure.  Now if your digestive system is anything like mine – you end up drinking the entire 4 litres, and NOTHING happens for another hour, which keeps you up and running until at least 1 a.m.   And if your digestive system is like mine, and you do the 6 AM repeat – good bloody luck getting to the hospital without having an “accident”.

This year, St. Michaels Hospital called me 2 weeks before my procedure, and asked if I would like to be part of a research study, which may give evidence that colonoscopies may not be necessary if blood samples and stool samples are checked on a regular basis.  I felt very willing to take the time to do this – maybe to save my kids and grandkids from having to unnecessarily undergo the dreaded “procedure.”   So, a week before my colonoscopy date, I went to St. Mikes – had some bloodwork done, and was instructed to take poo samples during the week previous to my procedure, and send them off  in a safe, sealed container via UPS to be analysed.  Although this process was a tad unpleasant, it wasn’t even in the same ballpark as a colonoscopy in the “yuck factor”.

While I was at the hospital for these preliminary workups, I confided to the nurse about the unpleasantness of Kleen-Prep with my particular system, and I also told her I was a musician – and 6am is absolutely NOT in my vocabulary!!  She was so very sympathetic, and sent me to Dr. Kandel’s nurse down the hall, who would give me a requisition to purchase a relatively new product called MOVI-PREP.  Apparently the Dr. was having great success with the “cleanouts” this formula provided to the patients.

Four days before my procedure, I went to the pharmacy to purchase the Movi-Prep, and was told it had to be ordered.  Yikes!!  This was Thursday.  My procedure was Monday!  Luckily it arrived in on Friday, ready for the big “day of rectuming”.

I read the instructions – and found it a delightful surprise that a light breakfast AND LUNCH were allowed the day of the “CLEANSE”.  PLUS!!!  It only entailed drinking TWO litres of the mixture instead of four – and no 6 am crap!!!  YAY.

So, on the Sunday I began the Movi-Prep  at 5 pm, after a decent breakfast, and a light snack for lunch.  The mixture had a pleasant lemony flavour – but was quite sweet.  I have to say, after the 3 hours of drinking every 10 minutes – the imbibing turned into a most repulsive undertaking – and it got to the point I could only do one sip at a time.  With my slow system, it took a LONG time after I’d consumed the 2 litres before anything happened.

Because my blood vessels are very temperamental, and it’s difficult for healthcare workers to find good veins for taking or giving blood – a nurse friend of mine told me to DRINK DRINK DRINK WATER all day and all night and the morning of the procedure.  (Last time, it took seven painful pokes before they finally found a vein to administer the sedative – and I think they damaged a nerve in my wrist).  I drank copious amounts of water and herbal tea as a chaser to the MoviPrep,  even though I felt I was full of liquid already.

I was up ‘til 1 a.m. and a few times in the night.  In the morning – it worried me that the clarity they’re looking for in the effluent wasn’t quite there, and I was sure the Doctor was going to be very perturbed.

My procedure was scheduled for 12 noon.  I went by subway to St. Mikes, and checked in.  I gave them the questionnaire I filled out for the study, and they handed me an envelope with $35 cash in it for my participation!  Gettin’ paid fo’ sheeyot!  Whoo HOO!

They showed me to a room with lockers where you can store your valuables, and I got undressed, and into the 2 little gowns they gave me to wear – one worn frontways, one worn backways.   I sat and waited.  And waited.  And waited – and had to use the loo a couple of times to get rid of all the water I’d been drinking.  FINALLY an hour after the procedure was booked (they squeeze in emergency cases, which always ends up holding up the schedule) the nurse came and took my vitals, asked questions, and managed to find the right vein in the left hand, first poke!  I was happy and relieved, and I was sporting an IV attachment ready for activation.

More waiting and waiting.  Interestingly enough – I wasn’t in the least bit hungry, and it had been more than 24 hours since I ate.

Finally they led me to the room, where I got up on the table.  Dr. Kandel asked me how I was, and I said “Pretty good for an old broad”  giggles – Then in answer to what I “do” I told him I was a singer – and while the nurse began to hook up the sedative solution, they asked me to sing them a song.  I sang the beginning of Freddie Mercury/David Bowie “Under Pressure”.  That is all I remember.  At one point I woke up to see a bit of my insides on a screen beside me – all pink and shiny – but right back to sleep again.  Unlike previous procedures – there was no pain, and no consciousness of what they were doing to me.  I think finding a good vein for the sedative definitely helped!!

Suddenly I hear them say “You’re done. Roll over”   WHAT???  In my previous procedures, I was aware of every painful corner that little scope went around, and every conversation that went on while I was “under”.  In a previous procedure they had removed a couple of polyps – and one in my stomach too. (I usually have endoscopy at the same time as the colonoscopy).  But this time – I was all clear.  No polyps.  AND the Movi-Prep apparently did a fabulous job of cleansing – making the sightlines much easier for Dr. Kandel.

As they wheeled me down to recovery, I couldn’t help thinking of the scene in Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life” and the “machines that go “ping”  as I looked at the ceiling racing by.  They set my gurney up beside another person or two in recovery, all of them sleeping  – and I was sitting up drinking juice and eating cookies in no time.  I also was instructed to fart – the Dr. puts gas into the intestine to maximize clarity and room for the scope – so they won’t let you leave until a pfffft or two.  No problemo!!!

I felt on top of the world.  Immediately perky and alert, and so happy with the good news of a clear passage, and no necessity to return for another 5 years.

I didn’t bring anyone with me to take me home – I didn’t need anyone to do that. It seems that sedative they give you only lasts for me as long as it’s coursing through my veins.  I’m wide awake once they remove it.

So where did I go after I got back in my civies?  I went across to the “Eatin’ Center” and had a lovely “breakfast croissant” and bought myself some new “post colonoscopy” clothing.

Five years!!!  Hopefully, if I’m still around, that next one will be just as good as this one was – the BEST of all of them!!

DECADENT BDAY SPEECH – 2013

This year, I reached a milestone birthday, and I gave a speech to the dear friends and family who honoured me by attending my Decadent Toast and Jam,  a musical celebration at the Dominion on Queen in Toronto, April 28th, 2013.  A few of them asked me to share the speech I gave about growing older, so here it is:

Recently, I received an advertisement on a torn-out magazine page  in the mail from an anonymous friend for a miracle wrinkle remover.  S/he wrote a personal note beside it saying “This really works!  Try it!”

I had reason to believe this “friend” can’t know me too well. Firstly, because my wrinkles are few and far between on my face – and secondly – because I don’t believe in trying to erase signs of aging by plastic surgery, or any other means.  To me – wrinkles are badges of honour.  And we should wear them proudly as we age.

I know, I know – you’re likely thinking – “You’re in a business where youth and appearance are key factors in success or failure” and that is true.  However – I’ve HAD a wonderful career, and though the money-making aspects of it have ebbed, I’m still enjoying making music and singing as my “expensive little hobby” (i.e. – today, if you want to perform it’s “Pay to Play”).

Yes – I do look younger than my years – but I’m convinced that is because I sing a lot (working those facial muscles) and laugh a lot – and I use Mary Kay moisturizer daily.  I’m not ashamed of my age – so I’m not going to do anything drastic to try and fool people.  Inside I’m still a bratty teenager,  while on the outside I’m a little rusty and creaky – but I’m still having fun.  Age is just a number, and you’re only as old as you believe you are.

There are certain traits for which people of a certain age are notorious.  I don’t exhibit all of them – but I do admit I often look back on the “Good Old Days” with my cronies.  And in many respects they WERE the “Good Old Days”.

I REMEMBER THE DAYS WHEN:

 

CHILDHOOD:

• WE KIDS WERE LEFT TO OUR OWN DEVICES, AND WERE SHOO’ED OUT THE DOOR EVERY DAY TO PLAY WITH OUR FRIENDS UNTIL WE WERE CALLED IN FOR LUNCH OR SUPPER
• WE PLAYED  IN THE CEMETERY – (then, a farmer’s field where the gravestones hadn’t been erected yet); WE RAN AND JUMPED IN THE SAND DUNES, AND WILD PATHWAYS THAT LED TO THE HUMBER RIVER BEFORE THE HOUSING BOOM TOOK AWAY OUR PLAYGROUND
• FARMS WERE STILL AROUND US
• WE COLLECTED SIX-QUART BASKETS FROM NEIGHBOURS FOR A FARMER WITH A MARKET GARDEN THAT WAS PART OF THE PARKLAWN CEMETERY. HE WOULD PAY US 2 CENTS FOR EACH BASKET, AND WITH OUR NEWFOUND RICHES, WE’D GO ONWARD TO POP’S VARIETY STORE ON GRENVIEW AND BUY BLACK BALLS, COMIC BOOKS AND ALL SORTS OF CONFECTIONS.
• WE WALKED  TO AND FROM  SCHOOL WITH A FEW FRIENDS EVERY DAY, RAIN OR SHINE
• WE COULD GO AND SKATE, OR GET A GAME OF BASEBALL HAPPENING  AT “THE OLD SCHOOL”  – A BEAUTIFUL OLD SCHOOLHOUSE WHICH WAS STILL STANDING ON THE EAST SIDE OF PRINCE EDWARD DRIVE IN TORONTO
• 04 Run and Play – THIS IS A SONG I WROTE FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN, TO DESCRIBE TO THEM WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO GROW UP IN THE 50’S
• MY FRIEND MARLEENE AND I WOULD BIKE ALL OVER OUR AREA OF ETOBICOKE WHEN WE WERE ONLY AROUND TEN YEARS OLD
• WHEN WE WERE OUT OF THE HOUSE, OUR PARENTS DID NOT MICROMANAGE US – BUT WE SURE HAD A LOT OF DISCIPLINE IF WE DID THINGS THAT BROKE THE RULES  – AND THE NEIGHBOURS WOULD “TATTLE” IF THEY SAW OR HEARD SOMETHING.  IT WAS A GOOD COMMUNITY.

HEALTH

• YOUTH GAVE US A SENSE OF INVULNERABILITY, AND DEATH WAS THE FARTHEST THING FROM OUR MINDS
• WE SMOKED OR DRANK ANYTHING WE WANTED WITHOUT WORRY
• WE NEEDED NO PILLS TO TAKE (EXCEPT BIRTH CONTROL)
• DOCTORS WOULD RENEW PRESCRIPTIONS AND GIVE ADVICE OVER THE PHONE FOR NO CHARGE
• DOCTORS WOULD MAKE HOUSE CALLS IF YOU WERE TOO SICK TO VISIT THE OFFICE.
• ALL PHYSICALS, EYE EXAMS, ANY HOSPITAL TESTS WERE FREE
• NOBODY IN CANADA WOULD GO BANKRUPT FROM PAYING FOR LIFE-SAVING TREATMENTS LIKE MEDICATIONS NOT COVERED BY OHIP, OR BY OUR MEDICAL PLANS
• PRESCRIPTIONS WERE FREE OF SERVICE CHARGES
• I COULD SIT DOWN ON A CHAIR WITHOUT EMITTING A LOUD GRUNT
• EVERY NEW PAIN I FELT DID NOT CAUSE ME TO THINK  “YIKES!  IS THIS IT??”

SERVICE FEES:

• THERE WERE NO BANK FEES EATING UP YOUR SAVINGS
• A CHILD’S BANK ACCOUNT COULD SIT FOR YEARS, EARNING INTEREST, AND NOT BE DEPLETED TO NOTHING BY SERVICE FEES AND DEDUCTIONS
• SAVINGS WERE ALWAYS GROWING AT THE BANK
• I EVEN REMEMBER WHEN THERE WAS NO SALES TAX! (in the early ’60’s it was a shock when we had to start to pay 2% on purchases)

GOVERNMENT

• WASN’T A PROFIT MAKING BUSINESS – IT WAS RUN FOR THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL WITH THE AIM OF MAKING OUR COUNTRY A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO LIVE.
• IT WAS RUN WITH HONOUR, INTEGRITY, RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WERE ENFORCED BY WATCHDOG ORGANIZATIONS
• THERE WERE NO PARTISAN ADS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES – JUST ADS ABOUT WHAT PARTIES  PROMISED TO DO FOR US.
• THERE WERE ENFORCED ETHICAL REGULATIONS IN THOSE DAYS – NO SMEARING ALLOWED
• PRE MIKE HARRIS – YOU COULD GO WALKING OR SHOPPING WITHOUT BEING BADGERED AT EVERY CORNER FOR SPARE CHANGE – OR BUY A PAPER FOR THE HOMELESS – THERE WERE NEXT TO NO PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS

• PROVIDED HOUSING, SERVICES  AND CARE FOR THE POOR AND DISENFRANCHIZED

EDUCATION:

• WE WERE TAUGHT TO SPELL CORRECTLY, AND USE PROPER GRAMMAR.
• TESTS HAD TO BE PASSED BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE NEXT LEVELS
• ERRORS WERE MARKED ON TESTS, AND MARKS DEDUCTED, SO THE STUDENT COULD LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES, AND GROW IN EXCELLENCE
• MUSIC WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
• POST SECONDARY TUITION WAS AFFORDABLE, AND DIDN’T LEAVE YOU IN HEAVY DEBT FOR YEARS AFTER GRADUATION
• TEACHERS’ STRIKES WERE UNHEARD OF
• EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WERE PLENTIFUL, AND ADDED TO THE FEELING OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND SPIRIT

MAKING A LIVING:

• 95% OF THE POPULATION GOT A JOB AFTER HIGH SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY, AND WE HAD THE SECURITY OF KNOWING WE COULD SUPPORT OUR FAMILY UNTIL WE RETIRED – FREEDOM 55?????
• BEFORE NAFTA THERE WERE JOBS FOR MOST OF THE POPULATION – INCLUDING JOBS IN MANUFACTURING
• YOUR WORKPLACE PROVIDED PENSION AND INSURANCE COVERAGE
• STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE IN OUR PRODUCTS WERE OF PRIME IMPORTANCE, AS WAS CUSTOMER SERVICE IN ALL CANADIAN RUN COMPANIES.
• MADE IN CHINA? THE EPITOME OF “CHEAP” IN MY CHILDHOOD (we also believed if we dug deep enough, we could dig a hole to China.)
• THERE WAS NO OUTSOURCING OF JOBS TO PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHO WOULD WORK CHEAPER.
• 75% OF THE POPULATION WAS PART OF THE HEALTHY MIDDLE CLASS
• THE MEGAWEALTHY PAID THEIR SHARE OF TAXES, AND THEIR INCOME WAS GENEROUS, BUT NOT IN THE STRATOSPHERE
• UNIONS WERE HEALTHY, AND THEY WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE  DECENT WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THEIR MEMBERS.    TO PERFORM  SOME JOBS, TO BE A UNION MEMBER WAS A MUST.

SOCIETY:

• CHILDREN WERE TAUGHT MANNERS, ETHICS AND MORALS AT HOME, SCHOOLS AND CHURCH – AND IT WAS A FAR MORE CARING AND CONSIDERATE SOCIETY
• FACE TO FACE, OR TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS WERE OUR WAY OF COMMUNICATION. (OR MAIL IF YOU WERE STRAPPED FOR CASH)
• GUNS WERE NOT ON THE STREETS IN CANADA – ONLY IN THE U.S.
• WE HAD NO KNOWLEGE OR FEAR OF TERRORISM (Although we were afraid the Russians may come and nuke us someday)
• THERE WAS A LOT MORE TRUST IN EACH OTHER, AND IN THE DECENCY OF OUR WORLD.

ROADS AND DRIVING:

• PEOPLE DROVE BY THE RULES 
• AMBER LIGHTS MEANT – SLOW DOWN AND GET READY TO STOP
• RED LIGHTS WERE FOR STOPPING
• STOP SIGNS WERE FOR STOPPING
• TRAFFIC CALMING SPEED BUMPS DID NOT EXIST
• THERE WASN’T A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT EVER CORNER, AND TRAFFIC COULD FLOW
•  MOSTLY EVERYBODY SIGNALLED THEIR TURNS AND INTENTIONS
• EVERYONE HAD TO HAVE A DRIVER’S LICENSE, AND INSURANCE, AND THE RULES WERE ENFORCED
• RUSH HOUR WAS FROM 4 – 6. 
• I could make it from my Riverdale home to Roy Thomson Hall in 20 minutes, and get easy parking at the many lots around the hall ($5 for the night).  Now the parking has been replaced by condos.  🙁  It takes over 30 minutes to get there, and parking is from $10 – $25 for an evening.

• USED TO BE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS ONE OF THE CLEANEST CITIES ON THE PLANET 
• OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM WAS SECOND TO NONE
• THE SUN WOULD SHINE ON OUR DOWNTOWN STREETS, AND WE DIDN’T HAVE TO CRANE OUR NECKS TO SEE THE SKY
• WE COULD SEE AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF OUR BEAUTIFUL LAKE FROM THE GARDINER EXPRESSWAY
• WE HAD SOME BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDINGS IN THE CENTRE OF THE CITY (NOW WE’RE THE CITY OF GLASS, AND EXPLODING BALCONIES.)
• GARBAGE WAS COLLECTED TWICE A WEEK
• MAIL WAS DELIVERED TWICE A DAY, AND ON SATURDAYS TOO
• THE COUNTRYSIDE WAS ALWAYS WITHIN A 30 MINUTE DRIVE OF THE CITY
• OUR MAYORS WERE DIGNIFIED, AND FULL OF INTEGRITY, AND LOVE FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY

MUSIC:

• MUSICIANS USED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING 
• THE MUSICIAN’S UNION ACTED ON BEHALF OF MUSICIANS TO ENSURE THIS
• CLUB OWNERS WERE OBLIGATED TO PAY BANDS, IN ORDER TO BRING IN MORE CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR BUSINESSES. THERE WERE VERY FEW COVER CHARGES.  CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED, PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS MADE – AND THERE WAS HELL TO PAY  BY THE AFM IF A CLUB OWNER RENEGED ON PAYMENT TO MUSICIANS.
• 6 NIGHTS A WEEK GIGS IN CLUBS, WITH A DECENT WAGE – MADE FOR SOME REALLY TIGHT BANDS
• PEOPLE ACTUALLY WENT OUT TO SEE LIVE MUSIC, A LOT!
• RECORDINGS, TV SHOWS AND JINGLES – CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED, 2% WENT INTO A PENSION FUND, RESIDUALS  AND ROYALTIES WERE PAID FOR TAPED SHOWS, COMMERCIALS, RECORDINGS.
• BEFORE NAFTA – JINGLES AND MUSIC TRACKS HAD TO BE RERECORDED BY CANADIANS IN ORDER TO BE ALLOWED TO AIR (I used to be a singer for CTV’s “Stars on Ice” – a show where celebrity skaters would come to CTV in Agincourt, and perform their routines on an ice rink built in the studio.  The music they skated to were hits of the time, and at that time in the 70’s and 80’s – the CRTC ruled that all music for Canadian shows and commercials HAD to be re-recorded by Canadian musicians and singers.  Hence – I would have to try and clone vocals of pop stars of the day – Diana Ross, Irene Cara – and many others.  If we recorded a commercial for a product with a jingle made popular in the US, we had to re-record that as well, by an all-Canadian cast.  Those were the days when Canada took care of their own, and made it possible for us to make a good living).
• PEOPLE HAD TO LEARN HOW TO SING PROPERLY, AND IN TUNE IF THEY WANTED TO BECOME PROFESSIONALS
• SONGWRITERS WOULD RECEIVE GOOD COMPENSATION FOR RADIO PLAY AND TELEVISION USE.
• THERE WERE NUMEROUS  RECORD STORES WHERE YOU COULD BUY RECORDINGS (out of which artists were compensated)
• THE RADIO– RADIO PLAY AND EXPOSURE HELPED THE SALE OF RECORDINGS, AND TO MAKE THE HITS
• CHUM CHARTS
• JURGEN GOTH ON CBC WOULD PLAY ANYTHING I RECORDED WITH HAMPTON AVENUE, THE CHOIRGIRLZ OR AS A SOLO ARTIST.  (That exposure helped to sell a lot of recordings, and allowed a diverse audience to hear my projects)
• WORKING IN TORONTO, VEGAS AND ATLANTIC CITY WITH PETULA CLARK – WHEN THERE WERE STILL FULL 15 PIECE BANDS ONSTAGE, AND NOTHING WAS PRETAPED.

HOW THE WORLD HAS CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?  NOWADAYS –

•  WOMEN IN AMERICA AND EUROPE – WE’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!  OUR WAGES HAVEN’T REACHED PARITY WITH MEN, BUT WE’RE UP TO 70%  (WHOO HOO!)
• BIRTH CONTROL ALLOWS CHOICE FOR WOMEN WITH LIFE DECISIONS
• SMOKING IS NOW CONTROLLED – EASIER BREATHING FOR MOST OF US
• THE INTERNET – INSTANT COMMUNICATION, ACCESS TO INFORMATION
• TELEVISIONS – BIG FLAT SCREENS ARE A BIG IMPROVEMENT OVER 14”
• OLD ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOODS LIKE MINE – STILL BEAUTIFUL
• DIGITAL RECORDING – MUCH EASIER (THO NOT AS FULL OF QUALITY) THAN ANALOGUE, AND A GREAT BLESSING FOR SINGER-SONGWRITERS
• DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY – FAST, EASY, SAVES STORAGE SPACE, AND IMMEDIATE REWARD
• CARS – A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT

• FAMILY AND GRANDCHILDREN
• GOOD FRIENDS
• KIND LOVING PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE ME
• I HAVE GOOD HEALTH
• SMILES, HUGS, HOPE FOR A BETTER WORLD
• I LOVE MY HOME
• I LOVE MY CITY, AND MY COUNTRY
• I LOVE THE FREEDOM I HAVE AS A WOMAN LIVING IN CANADA
• I HAVE GREAT FAITH IN GOD’S PLAN FOR ME
• MEMORIES OF A GREAT JOURNEY
• MUSIC – THE ABILITY TO STILL SING, ARRANGE AND BE PART OF THE MUSIC SCENE, WHILE COLLECTING A PENSION – THANKS TO ACTRA AND TMA (AND OF COURSE THE GOVERNMENT)
• PRIVILEGE OF HAVING WORKED WITH, AND FOR GREAT MUSICIANS LIKE MY BAND HERE (BILL KING, DANIEL BARNES, RUSS BOSSWELL AND TONY QUARRINGTON)
• ROBBIE RETTBERG – SO GLAD TO SEE YOUR FACE, ALL THE WAY FROM L.A.  WE’VE MADE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER IN THE PAST, AND I’VE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU.
• SINGING WITH GREAT SINGERS – LIKE SHARON LEE WILLIAMS, LYNNE DERAGON, HEATHER KATZ, MARY ELLEN MOORE, BRIAR BOAKE, SAM BROVERMAN, AND NUMEROUS OTHERS WHO COULDN’T BE HERE TODAY.
• MENDELSSOHN CHOIR – AND THE PRIVILEGE AND EXQUISITE PLEASURE TO SING GREAT WORKS WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST CHOIRS ON THE PLANET
• HAMPTON AVENUE – THE BRILLIANT SINGERS WHO WERE IN IT, AND STILL ARE
• THE UKULELE – AND ALL MY UKE FRIENDS WHO CELEBRATE THIS GREAT LITTLE INSTRUMENT EVERY WEDNESDAY TOGETHER – RIGHT HERE AT THE DOMINION ON QUEEN

I HAVE BEEN TRULY BLESSED – WITH A RICH, CREATIVE LIFE, AND I HOPE AS I ENTER MY NEXT DECADE I’LL HAVE THE ENERGY AND HEALTH TO KEEP IT GOING AS LONG AS I’M ABLE, AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO STOP.

THANKS FOR COMING – ALL OF YOU THERE WILL BE CAKE SERVED

AND NOW – THE FINAL SONG OF THE SET – A SONG I WROTE ABOUT “THE ONE MORE BIRTHDAY BLUES”.

 

---

You are invited to make your own comments, and add what you remember from the “Good Old Days”, and I’ll add them to the lists above.

 

CARIBBEAN CRUISE, 2013

Sometimes it’s difficult to even think of going on a vacation.  To me, vacations are for sharing with friends or lovers who enjoy doing the things you enjoy doing.   I haven’t felt the need to go on a vacation in 17 years – and really wasn’t complaining about it.  I love my home, my family and friends, and find plenty to keep me engaged and busy in my wonderful city.

One of the things I enjoy about Toronto is the Corktown Ukulele group (CUJAM) I play with most Wednesday evenings, and when the opportunity arose to go on a cruise with like-minded friends from CUJAM, I felt this was the perfect vacation fit!  Not only was this a chance to sail on one of the largest ships in the Caribbean in the middle of February, but I would be with friends, and learning more about my sweet little ukulele from virtuoso – Manitoba Hal Brolund.  I put my money down for this adventure in late 2012 to Captain Sandy’s Cruise Holidays – run by Donna and Harry Curtis – fellow uke afficionados from Ottawa, and began to get very excited.  Six of us from CUJAM would be going on this cruise, along with around 30 others from Ottawa, Vancouver, Texas and Florida.

I’m going to outline some highlights, points and helpful hints about my experience with this cruise:

 

PACKING:

My suitcase, a giant of a behemoth, ended up weighing 49 pounds, packed.

Two more pounds would have necessitated paying an extra fee for extra weight.  There was no need to pack as much as I did.  I learned that it’s quite OK to wear the same Tshirt  or tank top more than once.  Some clothing, (extra bathing suit, white tights, some tops) I never ended up wearing.  Bringing underwear for all seven days is a good idea.  It’s good to pack some light dresses or tops that can double as bathing suit cover-ups and dresses to wear to dinner.  2 or three light sweaters or jackets are a good idea – the night air can be cool.   Cutoffs, dress pants, a skirt, a beachbag.   A fleece hoody I purchased in Miami turned out to be one of my constant companions on the ship (which is air conditioned in many places).   I found that the urge to invest in colourful hats, dresses and other clothing at the ports at which we disembarked, was irresistible.  You will almost certainly go home with more than you came with.  A sunhat, and sunglasses are a must!  Also pack some plastic bags, Ziploc and otherwise – they’ll come in handy.  Hairdryers are provided by the ship.

Don’t bring too many shoes – sneakers, sandals and some low heeled dress shoes should be fine for everything, including dinners with “elegant” themes.

I brought backdated magazines I’ve been saving to read,  in my suitcase, for pool or beach entertainment, and by the time I was ready to come home – they were read, and disposed of.

CARRYON:  Make sure to include toothbrush, medications, your bathing suit, PJs, extra underwear, sunglasses, sunhat, sandals, reading material, camera and battery charger – if your luggage gets lost – you want to have enough to get you through to the end of the week.  You can easily buy what you’re missing when the ship lands in port.

WHAT TO WEAR IN WINTER:  Layers!  I wore jeans with lycra cuttoffs underneath, many layers on top, including my fleecy hoodie, sox and sneakers.  I had my important ID – passport, boarding pass, luggage tags and Canadian money in a fanny pack that I wore nearly all the time during the cruise.

CURRENCY:  U.S. dollars was the currency for purchases onshore.  Theoretically, if you stay on the ship, you don’t need any currency – everything you purchase, including photos, extra drinks are charged to your room, and the credit card they have on your records.

CUSTOMS AND AIRPORT; SATURDAY FEB. 2^ND

When they say arrive 2.5 hours before your flight – they aren’t kidding!!!

It’s confusing to learn how to use the self-serve machines at the airport, which print your boarding pass at 6 am when you haven’t had a coffee.  After someone has helped you get that together – you get in the first LONNNNG  SLOWWWWW line to check in.

And FYI – you have to PAY for your checked luggage with Air Canada.  $25!!!

After checking your big suitcase, you’re ushered into another LOONNNNNG  SLOOWWWWW line to go through customs.  There is NO PLACE TO SIT and rest your tush for nearly 2 hours of zig-zagging with hundreds of others.  For someone with a bad back like mine – that can be agony. It didn’t used to be that way – those 9/11 terrorists really ruined it all for travelers. I guess I’d have been better to have a carry-on I could sit on, when needed.

BUT!!!  My uke was my carry-on.  My backpack had all my emergency items, including a fresh change of underwear, PJ’s, meds and supplements; makeup; sandals, my purse; a bathing suit.  (good idea – one of our seatmates on the plane never did receive her luggage, and lived a whole week on what she had in her carry on, and what she bought onshore).

By the time I was checked through customs, our plane was boarding.  Very close!!

FLIGHT:

If you’re hungry – you must buy food on the plane – quite expensive – but customs will not allow you to bring a lunch with you – unless it’s just bread and cheese (no meat, no fruits).  They allow you to bring water on ONLY if you’re diabetic.

MIAMI:

Ahhh – once we found our luggage, and got outside, the feel and smell of that humid tropical air was nirvana.

We did end up waiting a LONNNNNNG time for a chartered bus to take us to our hotel in Miami – I was glad to have my big suitcase that I could sit on as we waited.

MIAMI HILTON HOTEL:

Checked into assigned room (after another LOOONNNNNG wait at the counter), and went down to the poolside with the ukulele to meet our fellow ukers.  We had a fun little jam and some food and drink, while enjoying the beautiful sunny late-afternoon breezes.

Four of us decided to walk to a “nearby” plaza to pick up groceries for our morning breakfast.  “Just a 10 minute walk” turned into a 45 minute walk.  Much further than we were led to believe.  We noticed on our walk, there were VERY FEW WALKERS!  It seems most everyone drives in Florida.

We got to the plaza, and found a nice little Chinese restaurant where we enjoyed our dinner.  We then proceeded to do some shopping – groceries, and some clothing items.  I bought the most wonderful little sunhat for $8 – and that hat turned out to be my identifying label a few times on the cruise.

By the time we were ready to go back to the hotel, we were  all very tired,  loaded down with bags and groceries, and decided to take a cab.  THERE ARE VERY FEW CABS IN MIAMI!  “This isn’t New York” we were told by a helpful security guard.  Marya, who had a cellphone, called to order a cab, and we waited for over ½ hour outside Starbucks.  After 3 separate calls, a cab finally arrived, and we thanked the driver for coming.  Turns out he was NOT the one we ordered – he was just coming to the plaza to pick up some cleaning!

Next morning after checking out of our hotel, our cruise directors, Donna and Harry, organized a dropoff to the plaza we’d visited the evening before – so we could all buy the allowed ONE bottle of wine for our personal use in our rooms on the ship.

EMBARKATION, Sunday Feb. 3^rd:

Once out of the buses, it was time for more LONNNNNG LINEUPS, zig-zagging our way with 3000 others to have our luggage and passports checked.  After over an hour – we finally embarked to the Carnival Valor.

We entered a large lounge with comfy seating surrounding a bar, dancefloor and stage, where a decent guitarist was playing live to pre-recorded tracks for our enjoyment.  It was a bit early to be allowed into our rooms, so we enjoyed the music, and craned our necks to look ‘way up to a 10 storey atrium lined with see-through elevators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally in my room – I checked out my new home for the coming week.  My room was about the size of a hotel room, with a generous window overlooking the pier.  Lots of drawers and storage, and comfortable seating.  A functional loo with a small shower.  Just as I was about to leave the room to explore further, my large suitcase arrived, and I spent another 15 minutes unpacking its contents into drawers and cupboards.

I was the only one of the group without a balcony.  I didn’t figure it was worth it to pay $700 extra for one, but when I saw my friends’ balconies on the 6^th level, I quickly changed my mind about the wisdom of my decision.  My window was rainspattered, and unopenable.  One of our people actually slept out on their balcony one night, listening to the waves and enjoying the sea air.  (That was the one night it rained – and she had to hastily re-enter her room at 4 a.m. to avoid being soaked).  I spent more time in my cabin, than originally planned – and next time, I will definitely pay extra for the balcony, if only for that fresh sea air!

One of the first things we had to do was participate in a lifeboat drill, and again – we had to stand for a LOONNNNNGGG time awaiting our instructions.  It was hard for me to believe that all of us in our section could fit into the lifeboat at hand, but thankfully we didn’t need it.

The Lido Deck on the 9^th level was the place where we could eat wonderful food for most hours of the day.  On that deck were 2 saltwater pools and hot tubs – one near the bow in the noisy party section, and one near the stern in the quieter section.  Had a snack to tide me over ’til dinner, and was very excited as we left Miami behind.  We took photos from the stern, of beautiful Miami and the sunset, not long afterwards.

 

DINNER:

We had “free seating” in the dining room – meaning that we could eat dinner whenever we wanted.  My friends Jacquie and Bob and Sue ate together that first night.  I ordered gazpacho as an appetizer, and I was shocked when our waiter delivered a bowl with a little ball in the  middle of it.  I took a photo of it before I ate it, and was very relieved when he came with a little jug of the red soup, to pour around the ball. It was MOST delicious, as were all of the meals on the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One nice thing about our dining room, was that the wait staff, in the middle of serving dinner, donned Spanish colourful tops, and hopped up on the tray tables to do a performance for us every night.  They’d sing, they’d dance to a loud track – and after the initial shock, I grew to look forward to these performances.  My favourite one was the “Gangnam Style” routine.

At first I was imagining the thought-process of someone applying for a waiter job on our ship.  Answering questions like “Do you sing?  Do You dance?  Can you memorize clever lyrics to long songs” would likely get some applicants rolling their eyes.  But!  It worked!  And every night – their full participation in this exercise seems to have united them in a spirit of accord.

By the way – the wait staff were all very charming and affable.  Because they had 3000 people to feed between 6 – 9:30 – receiving the food was a slow process – dinner took nearly 2 hours each night.  But who was in a hurry????

Also – I was told if you like something you’ve been served, and want to make sure you can order it for your next evening’s meal – they will accommodate you if you order the day before!  Warning!  Dinner menus change every night.

SPECIAL FOOD SERVICES:

My friend Jacquie is lactose intolerant.  When dining room staff overheard this, they sent a dietary specialist to help Jacquie order the food that was fit for her condition.  Jacquie got to order her dinner from the next day’s menu, and it would be specially adapted to her needs.  Turns out that a lot of what she was served was bland and boring.  Jacquie told the lovely woman, Petra, that she wasn’t “THAT” lactose intolerant, and could tolerate the odd sauce or butter-enhanced additive.  They are very accommodating to people with special needs on the Valor.

ENTERTAINMENT:

In the large Ivanhoe Theatre (one level above my cabin) there was a big show every night

There were singers, dancers, comedians, jugglers, magicians.  We received a taste of each act during the 10:30 show the first night, along with a welcome speech and introduction to the ship by the cruise director.

The house band was VERY good, and my intentions to hear more of them during the cruise, were dashed as I awoke earlier and earlier every morning, and went to bed earlier and earlier every night.

On the Casino deck, there was smoking allowed, and it seems that all the good bars and the available entertainment were on that deck.  Needless to say, I didn’t visit that deck often.

There were many “fun events” entertainment wise that were outlined on a flyer left on our beds at night, for the next day.  Along with the flyer, there was “towel art” – the room steward would fashion the towels into various animals, for our amusement and enjoyment, along with the flyer, 2 chocolates and a downturned bed.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH:

I knew this cruise would definitely undo my ardent efforts to take off weight during the past few months.  So, I told myself I’d go to the gym (large and fully equipped) and WALK up 120 stairs to the 9^th level every morning.  The gym?  Never did I go there after the initial look-see.  The stairs?  Yes – I did them 5 of the 7 mornings, and believe me – I never got to the point where I could do it without taking a few pauses for breath.  I also began every day with my regular stretch routine, based on the Yoga Sun Salute, with a few extra moves thrown in (about a 5 minute routine to keep supple).  I did the outdoor track on the 11^th level twice – fast walking.

 

The Lido Deck had a very large screen with very LOUD speakers, broadcasting whatever was on the screen at the time.  Could be newscasts; could be movies – I never stopped to watch – but proceeded to the buffet section, where there were numerous cafes and buffet stations containing every kind of food you can imagine.  My breakfasts consisted of oatmeal with raisins, raisin bran, nuts and a grapefruit. I ignored the custom made omelets, bacon, sausages, potatoes, fresh fruits and pastries that were copiously available.  I took a grande latte (an expense added to my final bill), which I brought back to my room, where I eased into my day.  This is where a balcony would have been really nice.

Lunch was also on the Lido deck, and I chose to create salads for myself with so many add-ons, I’m sure they were VERY high in calories.

I discovered that mixing iced tea with lemonade from the drink dispensers was a very satisfying beverage.  There was also a “sweet station” where you could get various pies, cakes, wonderful cookies made onboard.  I did participate in this fare once a day, and I’m sure my blood sugar levels were suffering because of it.

Ordering drinks and cocktails onboard was not something I did.  The beer available was just the regular Coors Light type stuff.  Blech.

I ordered a pina colada one evening by the pool.  It was very disappointing (and expensive).  It was like a slushy – not like the pina coladas I’ve experienced on other trips.

EXTRAS:

Our welcome aboard was enhanced by a free bottle of champagne and a tray of very high-end pastries in each of our rooms (compliments of Captain Sandy’s Cruises).   We spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to consume these little gifts.  I brought my champagne up to a gathering in Bob and Sue’s cabin, where we CUJAM folks rehearsed a few tunes for possible performance at one of our jams. The pastries?  I ate them bit by bit over a period of 3 days.  DELICIOUS!!

My personal bottle of wine remained untouched, and in my minibar fridge until the last day, when I brought it up to share with everyone as we jammed for the last time.

SECURITY:  Just before boarding the Valor, we had to have our photos taken before we were issued our plastic room key.  This key stays with you at all times, both on and off the ship.  (I kept it in my trusty fanny pack, which held my passport, ID, cash, and a credit card).  The key not only opens your cabin door, but you must present it every time you order something on board – an excursion, a drink, a bottle of wine for the dinner table, a latte.  This is the way they keep track of your expenses.

When you leave the ship, you present your room key to the security guard, who sticks it in his little machine;  and when you come back on the ship, after being in port, you must not only present your room key AND passport (with photo ID) – but you must submit anything you’re carrying – bags, outer clothing, purses, fanny packs, shoes – to an X ray machine (the same type of machine they use at customs).

MEDICAL:

I had a blister on my finger that looked a little scary, and I decided to have it looked at.  As a Canadian, used to waiting 8 hours in emergency with any problems,  I was very pleasantly surprised to have my blister examined by a Dr. within 5 minutes of arrival. They sold me a $3.00 pkg. of anti-biotic salve and bandages, and the Dr. told me if my arm began to hurt – to “skedaddle right back here as fast as you can” and he’d start me on anti-biotics.  That was kinda scary.  My arm did indeed begin to hurt – and I was fearing the worst – blood poisoning?  Amputation?  ARGH!  I went back 2 days later, and the nurse took my temperature, and told me I had nothing to worry about.

The facility had a lot of beds and equipment – and a pharmacy.

WiFi and INTERNET:  A friend went to the computer room on the ship, where they had WiFi – only to send a fast email to a friend, and check her inbox.  No more than 5 minutes did she spend before logging off.  It cost $15!  Wifi was apparently slated at .75 cents per minute – so I wisely steered clear of Facebook, and wordgames, knowing how time can add up surprisingly.  One Facebook friend told me a friend of his had to pay $2000 at the end of his trip for WiFi he didn’t think he had to pay for.  Yikes!!!

MOTION SICKNESS AND SHIP STABILITY:

The Valor is so huge, it didn’t move very much.  There were some whitecaps during the cruise, but I was hardly aware of any motion.  Sleep was wonderful (unless noisy hallmates, or  crew noises awakened me).

I did notice some people wearing patches behind their ears, and I’m certain that the medical clinic onboard could easily accommodate those who were feeling queasy.

I cruised once before on a smaller cruise ship called the Jupiter.  Now THAT ship (which I performed on) was rockin’ and rollin’ throughout the 2 week cruise.  The Caribbean was very rough at that time (end of Feb. 1980) and my cabin was towards the stern of the ship.  Conditions were so rough – we had to strap ourselves into our bunks to avoid being thrown out of bed during the night.  The crew was seasick, and in order to perform our show in our high heels, my fellow singer, Jamie Ray and I had to hold on to poles with one arm, and our mic with the other arm.

I didn’t get seasick then either.  When we got to our first port on that cruise – Granada – I got the feeling the island was floating, and wondered how it stayed in one spot.  While trying to find the answer to that question, I was informed that I had “sea-legs” as a result of the cruise.  The island wasn’t floating.  My inner ear just wouldn’t stop adjusting to the motion of the ship.

There was not a HINT of that sort of need on the Valor.

My ship — 11 stories high. The size of a large Toronto condo!

The Good Ship Jupiter in 1980, 1/8 of the size of the Valor. 

 

 

 

 

NIGHTLY ROOM SERVICE:  The cabins are cleaned twice a day – trashcans emptied, bathroom cleaned and towels replaced.  In the evening, the stewards have once again tidied, and turned down your kingsized bed, leaving an itinerary about activities that will occur the following day, topped with 2 chocolates, and a different piece of brilliant and fun towel art every night!

 

MANITOBA HAL BROLUND AND THE UKE EXPERIENCE:

Our first day at sea was Monday Feb. 4^th, as we sailed for Grand Turk (arriving on the morning of Tuesday Feb. 5^th).

Hal had planned our first morning session based around suggested daily exercises involving keys, strums and rhythms.  He was extremely patient with questions, and gave willing one-on-one help to anyone needing it.

Our afternoon session consisted of learning and singing some songs especially chosen by Hal.

Hal gave us a concert on the Tuesday evening – and his ability with, and knowledge of the uke was very very impressive.  His singing is also wonderful – a beautiful voice has he!!

People who wished for private lessons were booked throughout the cruise by Hal’s able assistant Nicole, and kept our man very busy.

We had a second day at Sea on Thursday – and on that day Hal taught 2 group sessions based on blues uke playing, and gospel.

By the end of the cruise – one woman who had never before played the uke, was playing with the group – feeling more confident than she did the first day.

As we walked throughout the ship with our ukes, many of the other passengers asked if we’d be giving a concert.  We didn’t plan that – but decided that we would assemble on the Lido deck at 5 pm every evening, at the quiet stern section, and sing songs from the Jam book which was ably compiled by Mark and Sue Rodgers from Ottawa.  The ship would leave port at 5pm on the days we were at an island – so we’d be uking and singing by the pool as we pulled away from port.  We’d watch the ship maneuver its way back to sea, while watching the sun set, pickin’ and grinnin’!

Hal Brolund was a wonderful gift to our cruise experience, and thanks to Harry Curtis for the idea!  There will be more cruises arranged in future with the same theme!

EXCURSIONS:

My CUJAM friends pre-booked excursions through the travel agency.  I didn’t do that, as I wanted to play my days “by ear” – depending how I was feeling, and who wanted to do what.

Jacquie, Linda-Marie and Marya booked a horseback ride the first day, and raved about cantering into the ocean on the horses.  They also partook of a “helmet walk” exploring the seabed, while weighed down with helmets of 75 pounds (with air supply).  That didn’t much interest me – but they raved about the experiences they paid a LOT of $$$ to partake in.

I had booked to go on a glass boat excursion at Grand Turk, to see the underwater flora and fauna – but it was cancelled, due to unclear water conditions.  So the day was spent visiting some shops, and going back to the ship and hanging by the saltwater pool.

ST. MAARTEN, FEB. 7

When we arrived at St. Maarten, I had nothing booked, and all my friends were going here and there on their excursions . I decided I’d best find something to do.  I booked one of the only excursions that wasn’t sold out – a trip on the Golden Eagle Catamaran.  I didn’t know anyone on the excursion, but quickly became acquainted with two sisters from Utah – Sheena and Emma.  There was snorkeling involved with this excursion, and when we got to the site – they handed out flippers, masks and snorkels.  I wasn’t too enthused about the snorkeling aspect – but figured I should be daring for a change.

We had to leave the boat, anchored about 100 feet offshore, either by jumping off the side,  or using the “chicken ladder”.  Well – you can well guess which choice I made.  With my mask covering my nose, and my HUGE flippers trying to find the rungs – I slowly eased myself into the not-so-warm Caribbean.  I had to do this faster than my usual slow pace – as there were people behind me on the ladder, rarin’ to snorkel.  When I got into the water, and put the snorkel in my mouth, I immediately got a mouthful of salty water.  Because we had life jackets on, there was no danger of sinking, and I finally adjusted it so I could breathe through it, and see a few rocks and little fish on the bottom.  I wasn’t that comfortable with the snorkeling – so went directly to the beach, and was helped out of the water by someone from the boat. “You gots ta take your flippers off first, ma’am” I was told.  Took a while to get my balance after coming ashore. (Sealegs again).

It was hot, sunny, and there was no place to escape the sun – my towel, sunglasses and camera were on the boat – and sitting, wet, on the golden sand didn’t feel like a comfortable option.  They gave the beach people a beer to drink, while standing, waiting for the snorkelers to finish their adventure.  I was very happy when the dingy picked us up and took us back to the boat.  It was a fun, rough ride back to the ship, with great scenery, and rum punch.

I was glad to tell my friends about MY adventure – and they had great stories about their excitement of the day.

ST. KITTS, FEB 8TH:

Good place to shop for beach wear, and souvenirs for the grandkids.  Went back to the ship for lunch, then back to the stores for more purchases in the afternoon.

One thing to watch out for in St. Kitts is the guys walking around with little pet monkeys – they bring them to you and put them on your shoulder or head, and take a photo with your camera.  Warning!  It ain’t free!  “Tree pictures for $12….”   Nope.

ST. THOMAS – FEB. 9

CUJAM friends Bob and Sue Cutler invited me to join them for this excursion off the ship, as Bob was familiar with St. Thomas.  As the three of us entered the town, after showing our passports and ship information, we began walking towards the Cable Ride, which would take us up the mountain that Bob felt we’d enjoy.  All along the way, we were shooing off taxi drivers wanting to take us somewhere.

On our way up the hill, past “Hooters” – just when we felt we were now clear of the taxi menagerie – we were approached by a friendly man, who asked if he could help us.  We began brushing him off, telling him in our friendliest way, that we were off to ride the cable car up the mountain, and then we would be getting a cab to Magens Beach.

Franco was very polite and helpful – pointing out that the cable car alone would cost us $21 each (U.S.D.) then we’d pay $8 on top of that for a one-way cab ride to Magan’s Beach.  He could offer us a much better deal – a guided historical tour of the town;  a trip up to the HIGHEST mountain (which was NOT the same mountain as the cable cars) AND he’d take us to Magan’s Beach, leave us there, and come and pick us back up for $24 USD each.  He seemed like a likeable, intelligent man, so we agreed that would be the best thing to do.  And we were very happy we did so.

He warned us, with a glint in his eye,  that we should listen to his historical “lecture” because he’d be testing us with some questions later on.  I told him that I had a question for him to answer first, and began to sing the melody of the jazz standard “St Thomas” as we drove.  He had no clue about the song – had never heard it before.  So, I guess it isn’t the theme song of the Island – likely just written by some jazz artist who was smitten by the place.

He took us past the landmarks in town, and halfway up the steep road leading up the mountain, he delivered us to Blackbeard’s Castle for a short look.  We weren’t charged entry to this historic site, as he was friends with the people who ran it.  We took photos of our ship, ‘way off in the distance, and the tour guide gave us the tale of Blackbeard, his reign of terror, and eventual demise.

 

The Valor from St. Thomas, Blackbeard’s Castle

 

 

Back in the cab, I was concerned that my prescription sunglasses had disappeared.  We looked all around the cab.  Nada.  I was a bit upset, thinking of the cost to replace them.  So when Franco dropped us off at the mountaintop Bazaar with incredible views of the turquoise Caribbean, my first stop was to find a new pair of sunglasses.  When I found a nice pair, I removed my hat to try them on, and VOILA!! There were my sunglasses sitting on my head beneath my hat.  Was I ever happy!

 

There were signs all over the Bazaar that it was famous for its banana daquiris – and even though it was before noon, Bob bought Sue and me one of those drinks.  Ohhhh my MY!!  Was it GOOOOD!  I wanted another one, but managed to discipline myself.  Meanwhile, Sue and I went looking for jewellery and clothing, while Bob searched out a Hawaiian shirt.  He put his daquiri down, in order to try on a shirt, and 3 minutes later – he found his drink was gone!  Someone just came and stole it.  The bartender was kind enough to give Bob another one at no charge.

 

At the appointed 20 minute deadline, we met Franco in the parking lot, and he took us back downhill (Wow! Those ziggy roads are STEEP!!  Lucky they don’t have snow).

He dropped us off at Magan’s Beach, and we walked quite a way before finding a shady piece of beach to lay down our towels, backpacks and ukes.

I waded into the calm Caribbean a few times.  I was surprised the water wasn’t even as warm as the Y pool I’m so used to – but it was refreshing once we got used to it.  It was very enjoyable watching the pelicans swooping in for a dive, to catch their lunch.  They seemed to have no fear of the swimmers, and would land very close to some of them.

 

After a slice of pizza, more swimming, and singing a few songs with our ukes, our 2 hours were up, and we went in search of Franco.  We found his wife, who is also a cab driver, waiting for us, and she and Franco got us back to the ship in time to have a lunch, and a rest by the aft-pool.

I decided to finalize and pay for my bill (which contained my grande lattes, my pina colada, and my excursion on the Golden Eagle).  I lined up for over an hour to do this, only to find that it wasn’t really necessary (unless one had doubts about any charges).  After dinner that night, there was a printed itemized account of the expenses in everyone’s little mailbox outside our rooms, and these charges were automatically charged to the credit cards of each passenger.

Later that afternoon, the ukers grouped at our regular spot on the aft Lido deck, and many of us brought up our bottles of wine, or champagne from our rooms, to share with our fellow strummers.

We had our final dinner together, then went back to our cabins to pack up our suitcases, so they could be picked up, outside our rooms before midnite.  Cleared out shelves, closets and drawers, and packed them in the suitcase I had kept under my bed for the week.

Had to make sure I kept my gloves, hat, sneakers etc. for my carryon, so I could change into them at the airport, in preparation for the cold weather at home.

FINAL DAY – SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO:

I was wide awake at 6:30 am, and looked out my window to see we were now docked in San Juan.  The sun wasn’t quite up yet.

I got dressed in my layers, and went up to the Lido deck for the last time, to get some breakfast, and to scoff a croissant, some ham, cheese, pastries and a pear for my lunch.

Ate my breakfast, and made my lunch, and put it into the Ziploc baggies I had brought in my luggage.

Our itinerary told us we’d be disembarking around 8 a.m., and we had pre-booked an excursion for that morning in San Juan, beginning at 9 am,  as we had a few hours to kill before our plane left the airport.  This excursion was supposed to take us on a tour of the Baccardi rum factory, and a tour of historic San Juan.

We gathered in the lounge with our carryons and ukes, and waited.  And waited.  And waited.  It wasn’t until 10:15 that our group was finally called to disembark – there had been delays with other groups disembarking before us.

Then the lineups began.  We had to find our luggage, sitting under our group number sign in the terminal.  Thank God for the bright red bow on my suitcase handle.  That made mine easily identifiable.

Then another LONG lineup through US Customs.  By the time I got to the front, they examined my little customs form, on which I admitted freely to bringing food in – “Just my lunch” I said naively.  They put a big “A” on my form, and directed me to a separate interrogation room, where the customs lady examined my lunch and told me I would not be allowed to bring it into the country.  The pastries – they were OK.  But the ham, and the pear were definitely taboo!  So I stood there at around 11 a.m. and ate my lunch under the surveillance of the customs person.  Handed her my pear core to throw away, and I was cleared through to join my buddies, carrying my lunch conveniently in my gastrointestinal tract.

There was a bus awaiting us for our excursion, and since we were 2 hours late – we voted on a historic tour, rather than a trip to the rum factory.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and San Juan is a beautiful, clean city – with many historic forts and buildings.  We visited the Capitol Building – all marble everywhere.  Most beautiful.  We stopped in the center of town for lunch, and we were told to be back at the bus in one hour.  We wandered the narrow cobbled streets of the old part of town, and visited some mouldy little stores.  Some of us found a lovely little taverna on a side street, and I joined this group.  Since I’d eaten my “lunch” in customs, I opted instead for a Mojito.  (“When in Rome”…, said I).  I am a beer and wine-drinker, and don’t go too much for rum cocktails – but I have to say – this drink was NIRVANA!!  Loved the fresh mint and lime in the cocktail, and I’m so glad I finally could say “I know what’s in a Mojito”  MMMMM!

Final photo of the Corktown ukers with our guru and teacher, Manitoba Hal – in San Juan.

 

My beautiful Mojito in San Juan  

 

 

The bus took us to the airport for 1:30.  Our flight was to leave at 3:20.  CUTTING IT CLOSE!!!

Our line moved at a snail’s pace!  My big suitcase was weighed, and despite the fact that I had disposed of 3 years worth of Musicians, SOCAN, CAA and other magazines while on the cruise – it still weighed 49 pounds.  Yikes!

Once my bag was checked, I was directed “just around the corner” about a kilometer away, and proceeded to zig zag along with HUNDREDS of people needing to go through the security checks.  Around 3pm, I finally got to the head of the line – I could hear my plane was boarding, and I knew that a lot of my friends from our flight were ‘way back in the lineup behind me.

I was made to remove my sandals.  ????  Took off my hat, my fanny pack, my jacket, my backpack, my uke and put them on the tray for examination.  As I waited for my belongings to be spewed out of the Xray machine, it stopped.  Oh NOOOOOOOwuh!!!

The customs guy asked me if I was carrying knives.  KNIVES???  No  – I have NO idea what they saw in my backpack, but they removed it from the machine and began going through it, all the while, I’m hearing my flight was boarding, over the PA.

The lady found 2 bottles of water in my backpack, and told me I was not allowed to carry water “unless you’re diabetic”.  I told her I was.  So she went and tested the water, before giving it back to me, and letting me move onward.

I raced to the gate – another 2 kilometers away – and found it just as they were boarding my seat and row number.  My seatmate was ‘way back in line, and I still had to try and breathe deeply to calm myself, and put on my sox and sneakers, and a few layer things that would be difficult to put on once I was seated in the plane.  Do you know how hard it is to tie a pair of shoes when you’re under pressure, and people are waiting for you???

Boarded the plane, and was preassigned the BACK window seat.  My friend Jacquie followed in a few minutes – apparently a new line was opened to shuttle our flightmates through so they wouldn’t miss the flight.  Whew!

I decided to order my dinner on the plane, and knew exactly what I wanted.  HOWEVER, when you’re in the very back seat, and they start serving from the front of the plane – you take what’s left by the time they get to you.  I had a cold chicken wrap.  A large step down from the exquisite dinners we’d enjoyed during our week on the Valor.  Also, being at the back of the plane delayed us another half hour, as everyone deplaned.

We arrived right on time at Pearson airport, noting the snow that was covering the ground in Toronto. We donned our layers, gloves and scarfs from our carryons in order to await the taxi that would take us home.

Walking with Jacquie towards another customs lineup, J said her foot wasn’t feeling too good, and she was having trouble walking.  I told her I’d run ahead and get us a spot in the zig zag lineup, and she could join me at her leisure.  I kept checking behind me – no Jacquie.  How WEIRD!!  Finally, just as I was getting to the front of the line – Jacquie appears in a wheelchair, accompanied by a medic and a porter, who was taking care of her bags.  I was lucky enough to be called her “Companion” and we were zipped through the lineups, and waited to retrieve our checked luggage, all under the watchful eye of the porter and the medic.

We hailed a cab back to our neighbourhood – first stop was my house.  We had only HEARD of the worst snowstorm in 5 years when we were lazing on the ship.  We felt grateful not to have to deal with all that, as we basked in the tropical sun.  Well – reality must set in, and it bites sometimes!

In front of my house and driveway was a 3 foot windrow of a plowmound, and there was no easy access to my front door.  I was dressed in layers, but had my sneakers on.  I was so lucky the cab driver lifted my behemoth of a suitcase over the plowmound to my front door.  Waved goodbye to Jacquie, still in the cab.

Home at 10:30 pm.  First thing I had to do?  Don my gloves, hat, coat and boots and go out and shovel.

Welcome home!!!

There will be another ukulele cruise next year – plans are taking place now.  For further information, contact Donna or Harry Curtis at   http://ottawawest.cruiseholidays.com/