Here, There and Everywhere

National TV

2009-11-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

Imma be on it. Like that grammar?
Yeah, whatever. The point is I'm going to be singing on NBC starting Dec 14th at 8pm.
A group of SoCal VoCal alumni and I got back together for this new competition show that NBC has put together for the holiday season.
It's a 4 episode special. 8 groups are competing for a cash prize and a Sony Record contract...
The winner will eventually be crowned by America's vote...so I expect some legit DPL styled support.
Get your text voting muscles in game shape. It's crunch time baby.

dpl

ps.
Those of you from Alaska who are trying to catch up, this is why I left the ship. bing bong.

Early Departure

2009-11-06T17:23:00.000-08:00

So, I’m getting off this thing earlier than expected. Something came up that I just couldn’t say no to. Details on that to follow.
Anyway:
I’ll be landing in LA on Nov. 18th. Yup, in 2009.
Mark your calendars, tell your friends, alert the media.
dpl

'Rangin some 'Roo

2009-11-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

Alright, check this out:
The other day, my buddy Jake and I found this amazing place outside of Perth, Australia. They said it was one of the few places that kangaroo hunting had been legalized. Turns out they have a population control problem. Anyway, led by a guide named Rosco, and equipped with nothing but a ridiculously awesome boomerang, we went out in search of kangaroos. We spent hours skulking around in the dessert tracking down the apparently elusive overpopulated hopping marsupials. Finally, we spotted one. Rosco said that it was a female. He said the looseness of the pouch was a dead give-away that she had recently carried a joey; pretty cool. He told us that this was the one. We followed her for a minute or two before Rosco gave me the thumbs-up. From a distance of about 25 meters, I launched my boomerang at the little sucker. For what seemed like an eternity, my boomerang sliced weightlessly through the air. My aim was true. BAM! GOT HER! My first throw had been a perfect one. The young mother kangaroo fell lifelessly onto the dessert floor beneath her. The three of us then bagged her up and brought her back to camp, where we skinned her and threw her on the ‘barbie. It turns out Kangaroo meat is really tasty…

Actually, none of that really happened. In reality, Jake and I just went to the supermarket and picked up some pre-packaged kangaroo steaks. Did you really think I would kill a roo?

gotcha
dpl

Pacific Crossing Season in Review

2009-10-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

It’s been a month…but I have successfully crossed the largest geographic feature on the planet. Wanna know how it went? Oh YEAH!
Grades, Awards, Nonsense:

Ports of Call: A-
Big shout out to Hawaii on this one. Our nation’s newest state might be it’s coolest. There is so much to do on these Islands and I tried to do as many of them as possible; Surfing, Luaus, Volcanoes, Lava Tubes, Beaches, Cliffs, Waterfalls…the works. Oahu and Kauai take the cake, but I can dig Maui too. If we only stopped at Hawaii on the way ports of call brings down an A+. but then…
French Polynesia; the Big Overrated. Place was ridiculously expensive in terms of dollars and cents…and then to make it worse they dealt in terms of thousands (1,200 Francs for a hamburger…that’s 15 bucks to you and me.)
Then there was Bora Bora a.k.a. Snore-a Snore-a. You’d think a place like that has beaches everywhere. Nope. I took an hour long hike along the shore line; not 1 beach. Lame. French Polynesia; giving the middle of the pacific a bad rep.

Lindsay Hilly Award for Oldest Friend Visited
The namesake, Lindsay Hilly herself. Apparently my old next-door neighbor lives in Honolulu now. Who would have thought? We kicked it hard; drinks in Waimea bay, monopuas from 7-11, body surfing at Sandy Beach, dinner overlooking the city…hard.

Interesting Number: 5
Number of times I used the world’s largest public bathroom. Pretty self-explanatory.

The Darwin Award for Experience closest to Idiotic Death
While in Raiatea, in a stroke of absolute genius, I decided it would be a good idea to swim from the tiny island we were on to this other, even smaller island which was over a mile off shore. About three quarters of the way there, my leg started to cramp up a bit. It was at this moment that the stupidity of my situation truly sank in. I was by myself in the middle of the ocean, without a lifeline. Luckily, I am a true badass and finished up the swim. To get back to the main island, I hitched a ride holding on to the back of a kayak that some dude was paddling around. Yeah I’m smart. (Related story: to make matters worse, when I got to said smaller island, I got caught about 50yrds off shore on a really shallow and really sharp reef. It took me about 20 minutes to tiptoe those final 50 yards. At one point, I tried crawling; truly Pathetic.)

The “Buy Honda Stock” award for Best Tip
This one goes out to Jess Aman (My old next door neighbor’s boyfriend’s sister…yeah I know a bit Spaceballs-y.) Anyway, I was planning this hike up the Stairway to Heaven, which is an illegal hike up these government owned stairs in hololulu that Kawika told me about (Honorable mention). Unfortunately, I couldn’t convince a cab to drop me off and pick me up at the stairs entrance which was on the side of a high way on the way out of town. So I followed Jess’s suggestion and climbed Koko Head on the east side of the island to see the sunrise. Proof is in the pudding. Check out that picture up there. Obviously she deserves this prestigious award.

Passengers: A+
What made these passengers so special you ask? Well, its not that they are any younger than previous passengers (they aren’t). It’s also not because they are any less obese than the typical Alaskan customer (they aren’t). It’s also not because they aren’t American (they aren’t). What made the new demographic of guests on the Rhapsody of the Sea so awesome were their crazy Australian colloquialisms. These people have the most ridiculous slang (strine). I laugh at it daily. Taste: Chicken = Chook. “Mmm I’m hungry for a nice chook sandwich.” Bathroom = Dunny “Can you show me where the dunny is…I need to poop.” Afternoon = Arvo “I have stupid slang names for things that I like to use in the arvo.” And my personal favorite: Really? = Fair Dinkum “I have no idea how to create a sentence using this absurd Australian word. Fair Dinkum?” HAHAHA
Ok…maybe you had to be there.

The “Scott Tenorman Must Die” award for best conclusion
Me. Here it is:
While we spent far to many days at sea, lost sense of time, lost some of our sanity, and lost a few brain cells, the time we spent in port was legit. The Pacific Ocean has a lot to offer. Go there. I have. The end.

dpl

CABIN FEVER!!

2009-10-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6lY-EQrdA4

Well, it’s been four days at sea….
With two more to go…

I’VE GOT CABIN FEVER!!!!

The other day we reveled in our cabin fever and woke up and started our insane day with mimosas at 9:30. 15hours, 2 bottles of Champagne, 1 bottle of Vodka, 1 bottle of Gin and 1 bottle of Rum later…we still had cabin fever!

What was that? Did you hear something?
dpl

Pollywog

2009-10-08T00:32:00.001-07:00

Somewhere along the way, there was a breakdown in communication. Apparently, Royal Caribbean was under the impression that I had never crossed the Equator before. False.
But because of this miscommunication, I had to participate in the other day’s Pollywog initiation ceremony. Evidently, a Pollywog is someone who has never sailed across this big imaginary line on the earth’s surface…odd.
Anyway, I was tied up, forced to “Kiss the Fish (!),” had eggs broken on me, and flour thrown all over me! It was an outrage.
Seriously, don’t they know I freaking HATE gluten??!!?
But really, it was a blast. I ended up rivaling with this brat 12 year old who thought it was cool to rub the fish all over my leg while I was tied up. Whatever, I got the last laugh when I stuck that fish halfway down his throat. MWAHAHAHA!!! KISS THE FISH SUCKA!! (Don’t worry. No 12 yr old children were injured during the making of this blog. Abused? Maybe.)

From the southern hemisphere,
dpl

Hallelujah

2009-09-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

For the lord god omnipotent reigneth...
Hallelujah.

I'm out of Alaska and lovin' it.

Right now I'm about to have dinner overlooking Honolulu. Oh yeah. I'm having dinner with Lindsay Hilly. What up Westwind Drive?

Life is hard.
dpl

Hawaii > Alaska

2009-09-29T17:13:00.001-07:00

it's just that simple.

details soon.
dpl

The Couv

2009-09-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Vancouver; The Canadian Version.

Have you ever been to a city?

Yeah?

Ok, you can skip the Couv.

dpl

Blackout?

2009-09-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

So I'm eating some gluten free pizza in Victoria...I look up and stuck up in a collage on the wall is a picture of someone...who appears to be me...about to hook up with an androgynous black person with dreadlocks.

i'm a little worried.
dpl

ps.
im pretty sure it's not actually me.

Big Time Cooler

2009-09-10T12:16:00.001-07:00

I've been cursed my whole life. Probably the least lucky guy ever.
Wanna lose money? Bring me to the Casino.
Want your team to lose? Bring me to the Game.
Want someone to score on your own basket? Well, that one's Conor...but I was there...

It's seriously been goin' on my whole life. I missed Syracuse's Basketball Title by a year. USC's most recent Football title season by a semester.

But recently there has been reason for hope. I mean, the Phillies won the World Series...granted I wasn't in Philly at the time. (However there was the dubious nature of the rain postponed game that cost me and Kob a rowdy all-Philly celebration at the Shack...)

Then there was difinitive proof that the curse was gone. I freakin' won every March Madness Pool I was in this year; correctly prognosticating all 4 final 4 teams. I was red hot.

Since I've been on this ship...refridgeration has been on MAX.

Check out that bridge up there in the picture. Went on a 2 hour hike to get to this bridge looking to see some bears. This hike was apparently a hot spot for bears. Anyway, after giving up, I was heading home. On my way out I saw a friend who invited me to keep hiking with him for a bit longer. Of course, I passed. Obviously that dude ended up seeing bears. It was basically a galactic certainty. Seriously? Freakin' Bogus.

And I'm only on this ship, stuck in Alaska, because the first contract they offered me which was southeast asia, and the mediteranean got taken away and I got this gem instead.

So I'm putting this up as a word to the wise:

With me out of the way...here are some smart picks.
Phillies, Eagles, Trojans.

And I'll probably miss it all...

dpl
ps.
By making this post, I probably just doomed them all. Either way, you're welcome.
also
confirmed: Dane Cook is least funny commedian...all-time

Better Luck This Time

2009-09-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

So as you may or may not have known, during my initial collegiate years, I had some interesting (to say the least) experiences with Roommates. I started my run off with the guy pictured above; the infamous "Chuckles". Dude was my freshman roommate at Syracuse and was a total bum. He had it all, smelliness, dirtiness, flatulence, and of course dashing good looks. (Chuckles if you are reading...no apologies)

So as soon as I got out of that dump-hole, I found another legendary roommate my first semester at USC; his "name" was THE ROC. That's right; the 50yr old assistant professor and the Champion of the impossible technology of digital fabrication who called himself the ROC. One more time...He ACTUALLY CALLED HIMSELF THE ROC! Riisen, Kob and My Mom, yeah they know the absurdity that was THE ROC. For you leymen out there, feast your eyes: http://www.ennex.com/~Marshall/

Dude's crazy.

Anyway, what it all boils down to is this:

Benny, our cast's resident hippie and my cabin-mate is leaving the ship for good. So what it means for me is that I am back in the roommate draft. Elligible for one and all. Waiting to be assigned some rando with whom I'll share a 5x5 box.

Seriously if I get screwed again, I might stab someone.
dpl

ps.
Dane Cook is probably the least funny commedian of all time.

Alaska: Season in Review

2009-08-27T13:19:00.001-07:00

So with only 3 weeks left in the Alaskan cruise season, I feel like I’ve mentally moved on. But briefly, I want to look back on a successful season and toss out some grades, some awards, and maybe even a tidbit or two. This isn’t going to be organized in anyway, so just deal.

Passengers: D-
Proudly boarding the Rhapsody of the Seas, week after week, were the people that insist on giving Americans a bad name. Overweight, and under-educated, these guests, mainly from Middle America and somewhere past middle age, paid like crazy for their all-you-can-eat vacation, and believe me, they made the most of it. Other words that come to mind: Boorish, Brainless, Obese (Exceptions go out to Emily, Evynne’s Family, Benny’s Family, and basically anyone who came on the ship who happens to be reading this. I’m sure you were in the minority…)

Ports of Call: B-
We’ll put my Alaskan bias aside for a minute and just try and call it straight. There was amazing hiking, a glacier that I basically lived on, decent eats and free wi-fi. Not to mention that the majority of the ports get a bonus for being in the US where I could use my cell. Points deducted for lack of wildlife, lack of intelligence, and Canada.

The Trevor Davis Award for most Embarrassing Moment:
(If you need to know why this award is named after Trevor Davis, I would be happy to explain) No, I want everyone to just know. Basically boils down to a lack of bladder control during a performance of “Company” at USC a few years back; basically, the pinnacle of embarrassment; crowded theater, everyone looking at you, pee.
Anyway…mine’s not that bad comparatively. But here’s the story:
During a rehearsal I decided it would be a good idea to tie a piece of magenta mylar around my head. Other than the color…it was pretty legit. I looked like Johnny from the Cobra Kai in Karate Kid. It was tight. Anyway…it was all gravy until later in the day I took off my headband. The band had stained a pink line right across my forehead. But of course I didn’t find this out until I had walked around Juneau all day long and had made a fool of myself several times along the way. The picture above shows the pink line. Recognize.
(Apologies to Trevor Davis if he’s reading…but I mean…it happened)

Interesting number: 3
When I first told my Uncle Jim that I was going to be working on a cruise ship the first thing he said to me was, “I wonder how many people die on cruises.” I thought it was a really weird thing to say. But so far the answer on my ship is 3. Sad. But true. RIP

Getting Money: A+
Getting paid every two weeks has been a highlight of this cruise. I’m spending it all. But it’s cool making money and then buying toys that I’ve been wanting for a while. Shout out to my new computer, camera, studio rig, and suit.

Saving Money: F
I promise to work harder in the Australian Season.

Overall Grade: B+
Everything in life has its pros and cons. (Take for example the Philadelphia Eagles…get it?) But I feel like this job for me has had the most clearly defined upside and downside of any job I’ve ever done in my life. But I am incredibly happy that I decided to take the journey and am looking forward to the rest of the trip and some sweet new places and some interesting new stories and experiences. But am really excited to come home eventually. Been missing a bunch of you people.

The Payson-Lewis award for best blog:
Paysonlewis.blogspot.com

dpl

Studio Love

2009-08-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

It's small, but mighty.

Got my studio set up in my shack of a cabin.

Tunes to follow shortly.

dpl

Saviors of My Sanity

2009-08-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try not to talk about how rad Alaska is in this blog for fear of becoming completely one-note. But just because I'm not going to mention it...don't forget it.

Anyway...

With only 4 weeks left up here in the glorious last frontier (HA!), all of us on the ship are doing our best not to lose our minds before we finally escape to Hawaii and destinations tropical! I just wanted to make a quick shout out to those things which have to this point kept me in the black in my fight against insanity.

1. Seasons 2-4 of Lost
Yeah...shut up. I'm only about 3 or 4 years behind on this stuff. I've still got season 4 to go, But Charlie just sacrificed himself...and it's NOT PENNY'S BOAT. Oh god. (PS. If this show ends with less than 123618726381 plot holes...it will be the most miraculous job of writing of all time)

2. Books
Remember these things? Apparently they were really cool before TV and stuff. And since we only get FOX News and TNT ("We Know Dumpy TV")...Books are back.

3. Badmouthing Alaska
Ok. I couldn't do it. An entire entry with no digs on Alaska...for sure not! So here's what I've got this week:
Because of some nasty weather, my ship had to change up its itinerary this week and we hit up a new port, Ketchican. Trying to make the most of my one and only day ever in, wherever we were, I checked out the famed "Lumberjack" show and took a "Wild"life tour. Unfortunately, when I went to these attractions, they didn't have the convenient quotation marks I have added above.
The "Lumberjack" show was actually really fun. But, these dopes weren't real lumberjacks. They were recent graduates of obviously low caliber colleges, because they came to Ketchican for the entire summer to pretend to be lumberjacks. But like I said, it was actually really hilarious and a bunch of fun. Go here. See it.
Then there was the "Wild"life tour. I saw a nest of Bald Eagles (sitting on a tree next to a house, over a busy street) saw another bald eagle (sitting on a metal gate next to the same busy street) then I saw a bear (right next to a fish hatchery, located on, yup, a busy street). So yeah...I saw some life...but it was about as wild as discovering a racoon in your dumpster. Evidently wild is a relative term here in Alaska. Pictures.

4. Counting down to Hawaii
4 weeks away....4 weeks away...4 weeks away...

5. dpl

No problem.

2009-08-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, another classic example of me dominating Alaska...

Apparently, Alaska is really proud of their salmon fishing. In fact, on a bunch of souvenirs they sell up here touting the "Top 10 Alaska Facts", 2 of the 10 are about their stupid salmon.

I caught one with my bare hand.

I'm starting to wonder if Alaska can really be this bad, or whether I am just utterly unstoppable? haha.

thoughts?
dpl

Proof

2009-08-07T11:33:00.001-07:00

Seriously. Come on, Alaska.

Stuff like this makes me want to trade all of Alaska to Canada in exchange for Montreal. USA'd be making out like bandits; Dropping dead weight, Eliminating Sarah Palin from American Politics, and adding the site of one of the most epic new years celebrations in recent history. (mbfl vip fs)

I have 6 more weeks in Alaska. I think the part of those 6 weeks I'm most looking forward to is finding more evidence of Alaska's galactic stupidity and sharing it on this blog.

By the way, if you don't see a problem with that photo, please, do us all a favor, move to Alaska.
dpl

sup?

2009-08-06T14:53:00.001-07:00

Yes, this update is merely to tell you all that I got a haircut.

Don’t complain. When you have a sick blog (like mine), you can start updating people about the mundane details of your life.

So this is the first time I’ve had my hair short in about 8 years. It was time for a change. Also, I didn’t feel like paying for a haircut every month or so to keep my hair out of my eyes (apparently hair in your face isn’t cool with the brass here at Royal Caribbean). So I got it cut off…HA!

Let me know if you love it or hate it.
dpl

Kickin’ it 6th Grade Style

2009-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Apparently I didn’t learn anything in 6th grade. Back then our class took a big trip up to Boston to go whale watching. What we were supposed to learn on that trip is that you can see 47839 times more whales by watching “The Voyage of the Mimi” than you ever will by paying out the ass to try and see them in real life. I did not learn that lesson.

The other day I paid to be paraded around the ocean up here in search of the elusive humpback. It was a beautiful day and it was amazing out on the water, but the first three hours felt like an exact replay of that 6th grade trip; no whales. The only difference was that this time I wasn’t trying to make out with Paige Hopewell.

By the end of our 4 hours on the boat, this was the tally:

3.5 Hours of Nothing
3 Snickers Bars
2 Sodas
2 Packs of Almonds
1 Sea Lion
1 Humpback Whale (5 minutes)

So heed my warning: Never pay to go whale watching. Just rent “The Voyage of the Mimi”.

Here are pictures of the lesson learned.
dpl

There was this Cliff in Skagway....

2009-07-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

That's all.
dpl

Emily of the Seas

2009-07-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I've had a little over four days now to pull myself together since Em hopped off the ship in Seattle. It's been a rough week trying to reestablish myself into the monotonous routine that is "Ship Life". Things are much sweeter on the passenger side and even sweeter when you get to share them with someone you love. Here's the recap:

First of all, it was amazing to see Emily again. It was only the second time I'd seen her since leaving LA back on April 1st. We stayed in a really nice cabin that, get this, had a window. SWEET! (Related thought: You'll know something is "off" in your life when you feel lucky to have a window in your room, and when it is dissorienting to wake up to natural light).

Anyway, we had an amazing week highlighted by hikes to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, and a huge portion of the Reid Falls in Skagway. We took an early morning train ride 26 miles and up 2,800 feet up through the white pass, saw bald eagles, whales, and a bunch of stupid Alaskans. We took ballroom dance and hip hop classes on the ship and saw a bunch of cool shows including the Platters and a couple of B-rate variety acts. We even tried to play shuffleboard when the relative wind speed had to be over 50 knots. HA! And, oh yeah, we ate like royalty!

The food in the dining room is legit and actually having table service is a nice change of pace from the cafeteria lines I've grown accustomed to. We had some bomb alaskan chocolates and some of the best french fries I've ever had.

But honestly, it was just amazing to have a bit of home on the ship. Having Emily here really made me miss LA. And thinking about being off the ship just made me crave a significant trip back east to visit all the family and all my boys back in Philly. So look out for me first quarter 2010...I'm coming to a neighborhood near you (lame).

But all good things must come to an end. And unfortunately, voyage #599 of the Rhapsody of the Seas had to make way for #600. So, after an embarrassingly tearful goodbye to my girl, it was back to the grind. So here I am, doing my thing, singing, dancing, wearing ludicrous costumes and updating my millions of fans on the happenings of my incredibly interesting life. HA.

If you want to check out pictures of my amazing week with Emily they're here on Facebook.

Later
dpl

Peace, Picasa

2009-07-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Apparently, Google thinks I'm a total sucker and expects me to pay for storage on their pathetic photo hosting website, Picasa. What google failed to realize is that I am not a sucker...

In response to Google's inflammatory insult, I will now be posting my photos exclusively on Facebook, which has a better uploading interface anyway.

So what does this mean for you the masses? Probably nothing since most of you already have Facebook accounts (And let's be honest, I think there are only about 12 of you who read this thing anyway). However, it does mean that you will have to remember and type in your password to see the pictures (Dad, if you need help remembering your password, I'd be happy to provide assistance at a low monthly rate).

So if you don't have a Facebook account, wake up. Y2K was a bust. Facebook.com

Here are the links to albums that I have on facebook:

Upper Dewey Hike

Mendenhall Glacier

Upper Reid Falls

screw picasa
dpl

Come on a Cruise, Fools.

2009-07-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

What are you doing that’s so awesome? Nothing? Didn’t think so. Well, you should be doing something awesome. Come on a cruise…fool.

Here’s where my ship, the Rhapsody of the Seas, is going and when it’s going. Let me know when you want to come and I’ll see if I can hook up some sort of discount or something. There are lots of ways to work the system…so just let me know.

7 Day Alaskan Cruises
Porting in Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, BC
7/24 – 7/31, 7/31 – 8/7, 8/7 – 814, 8/14 – 8/21, 8-21 – 8/28, 8/28 – 9/4, 9/4 – 9/11, 9/11 – 9/18

12 Day Hawaiian Cruise
Porting in Vancouver, Maui, Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, and Kailua Kona
9/18 – 9/30

17 Day Pacific Crossing Cruise
Porting in Honolulu, Tahiti, Morea, Raiatea, and Bora Bora (Warning: 11 SEA DAYS)
9/30 – 10/17

16 Day Australian Cruise
Porting in Sydney, Brisbane, Papua New Guinea, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth and Perth
10/17 – 11/3

18 Day Australia and New Zealand Cruise
Porting in Perth, Bunbury, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Burnie, Hobart, Denedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Sydney
11/3 - 11/21

10 Day Australian Cruise
Porting in Sydney, Cooktown, Willis Islands, and Brisbane
11/21 – 12/1
12/1 – 12/11
12/11 – 12/21

17 Day New Zealand Cruise (Christmas and New Years Cruise)
Porting in Sydney, Melbourne, Dunedin, Christchurch Picton, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, and Auckland
12/21 – 1/7/10

14 Day New Zealand Cruise
Porting in Sydney, Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin
1/7 – 1/21

You can book it online at RoyalCaribbean.com

sweetness.
dpl

Big up Alaska

2009-07-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

Alaska as a state and part of the U.S. is pretty weak. If it were just some unclaimed wilderness inhabited by cool Eskimos in Igloos it would rule. I mean, it does offer some of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, all of which I’ve discovered in just the past 2 weeks since I’ve started exploring some of the incredible hiking trails that are around in Juneau and Skagway.

In Juneau, which looks like it was transplanted from the set of an old western movie (reference picture), I went on a really cool hike that goes right up to the Mendenhall Glacier. I really can’t describe how cool it is when you get up right next to one of these glaciers. Even when the sun is hidden, the ice seems to glow an iridescent blue hue. It’s almost as if the light were coming from inside the glacier. It’s seriously ridiculous. Check out some of the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/paysonlewis/JuneauGlacierHike#

Honestly, people need to stop driving SUVs because these things are melting like it’s going out of style. But don’t buy a Prius…just don’t.

In Skagway, there’s this awesome system of hiking trails, which can best be described by these sweet pictures. These are from a hike to the Upper Reid Falls:
http://picasaweb.google.com/paysonlewis/UpperReidFallsHike#
These are from the Upper Dewey Lake and Devil’s Punchbowl:
http://picasaweb.google.com/paysonlewis/UpperDeweyLakeDevilSPunchbowl#

I freaking love hiking out here. It has been an amazing experience. When I was up at the Devil’s Punchbowl, it was so quiet and serene. I hiked up there by myself, and I think that it was the farthest removed I’ve ever been from another living person. It was incredibly humbling; one of those “I’m so small in the grand scheme of things” moments. Pretty lame huh?

Seriously, Alaska is a beautiful place. But also seriously, Alaska is a dumpy state.
dpl

Alright, so life on the ship…

2009-07-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

…is not that sweet. I’m definitely having fun, but I’m going to keep it real and tell you that it’s not just like being on a cruise. First of all, we can start with my room. Imagine your freshman dorm room. Now, cut it in half. Take out all the windows. Throw in some left over casino floor carpet and a few life jackets and you’ve got my cabin. And, yeah, I definitely share this tiny spot with the tallest guy in the cast. Awesome. Whatever, I make due.

Next up, the food; Pretty decent. Since something like 80% of the crew is Filipino, there is rice at every meal. And seriously, they eat mountains of the stuff. It’s definitely breakfast time and you can look around and just see piles of plain old white rice on these guys’ plates; it’s crazy. But there is always something for me to eat that won’t kill me, which is basically all I really care about. No Gluten, No Problem.

The social life on the ship is pretty stagnant. We have 1 bar. It’s called the Skäl Bar, and no one has any idea what the name means. This place is a cave. It’s dark, overcrowded with chairs since it doubles as a training room during the day, and CHEAP. A crazy night won’t cost you much more than 10 bucks. It’s a fun time, but it gets old.

The fun times, for me, usually happen just hanging out in the mess hall or when we venture up into guest areas. However, going up and mingling with the guests can be exhausting because we have to follow all sorts of crazy rules and the guests always want to come up and talk to the cast. It’s kind of like being a celebrity but with none of the perks…just the annoying fans. But I’m a pretty self-sufficient person and I’m very easily entertained. I’ve spent a lot of time reading and going to the gym, both of which are a lot easier to do here than at home.

I just went back and read all that…

Just to be clear, I am having a lot of fun right now. It’s just really fun to be a bit cynical in all these descriptions.

Enough. More later.
dpl

I'm on IMDB!

2009-07-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

In news unrelated to this cruise thing, I now have an IMDB page. So far it consists of my name and 1 little movie I was in, but the point is I'm on there.

I know it's not that big of a deal, but as a kid who has been cruising IMDB for years and years and years...I feel pretty cool right now.

Hopefully, I'll figure out how to get a picture up there and maybe a bio since I know the masses are really dying to know how the star of "DEAD LOVE" grew from rags to...rags.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3459191/

Enjoy!
dpl

My First Legitimate Update

2009-07-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've been gone from LA now for a little over 3 months now. In that time I think I've managed to tell most people I've talked to that "nothing's new." But that's not entirely true. I think I've been waiting until I had a forum for updating everyone at once since I am lazy and did not want to tell the same old stories over and over again. I also really hoped not to bore anyone with stories of long rehearsals and cheesy show material. That honor was all Emily's! But now, finally, things are starting to pick up and I feel I've done some things worth sharing for those of you who are interested.

First of all heres the 10 cent tour of my first 2 months with Royal Carribbean:

1. Flew to Dumpy Hollywood, FL April 1st.
2. Rehearsed 6 days a week for 2 months.
3. Learned the 3 cheesy Revue shows I'll be performing for the next 8 months.
4. Had an amazing visit with Emily who flew down to see me!
5. Finally left Dumpsville, USA.

Then I got on the ship:

1. Had 3 more rigorous weeks acclimating our shows to the new space with costumes and props and lights and all that jazz.
2. Spent what hours I wasn't rehearsing either catching up on sleep or catching up on sleep during training sessions.
3. Finally performed all 3 shows on the ship, got rave reviews, kicked our directors back to the studios, and got started with the part of this adventure I was actually looking forward to.

Should these posts be short? I think so.

Next one.

This is the Beginning...

2009-06-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

Just created this blog while enjoying free wi-fi in a small coffee shop in Juneau, AK. There will be more to come from this in the future (photos, videos and music) but I wanted to get started by setting it all up and alerting you to its existence!

Tell anyone you think may be interested!

-dpl