MY CORPORATE cruise company neglected to pay me this month. Well they missed out the bit that involved a month’s extra “thank you” pay as promised by the CEO on March 19th 2020 after we risked our lives on a coronavirus infected cruise making sure passengers stayed safe. Maybe they will pay later.
My agent says sit tight and wait until next month. Only one crew member died on our ship and I was there before I was evacuated on a duty rota so I do think I have a case for the “thank you” . Especially if other musicians evacuated the same day as me have been paid in full. Especially as my extended contract ended on March 22nd.
If they don’t pay me it’s time for legal action. It made me feel paranoid even if they do put out videos saying that we’re all one big happy family. Princess Cruises still have time to redeem themselves. I’m thinking pay up the money you promised my agent and your pr rep who phoned, prove me wrong.
(author’s addition in 2022 – Princess turned out to be truly decent with their employees)
So what do you do to stop yourself from feeling like a bag of dirt and a downtrodden overlooked corporate entertainment servant. You do what you’re best at. You play music, teach and write.
I did my first online Zoom lesson this week and yes there is a delay on the sound so you can’t jam with your students but it’s pretty good. Pretty easy. Language lessons would be even easier. And socialising with Jazz Jim on my second go at Zoom was fun. “It’s just like Star Trek” he kept saying, and it is just like Star Trek. Result.
Next step is livestreaming. I couldn’t match up my 4K camera with my ASUS Zenbook laptop so I reckon I’m doing it straight onto Facebook on MIke Kneafsey Guitar Page. This Friday 8.15pm. Friday March the 11th. I’m committing to it.
Plus maybe I can start making films of single songs to up there – transfer them from the camera on an SD card and find some video editing package. Pick the right light. Pick the right song. Try and find the storming confidence I got from playing every night on a cruise for 3 months. Trying to overlook the fact that it’s whittled away back to weak arse normality every day I’ve been stuck in lockdown. Festering. Trying to practice to YouTube on the telly.
I don’t honestly know if I’ve got it in me. To write that book. To play with the unflappable confidence which you need as a performer at any level. The one that counts for more than any natural talent and originality that you may have or imagine you have.
I don’t know what I’ll find when I start. That’s part of your own personal journey that we all do isn’t it. See how it goes.
The Music Workers Diary 