6. At Sea

A day's rest? I don't think so. Of all the days, I think this was the most jammed packed I've even seen any convention!

It all started so innocently with a lovely light breakfast...and okay, admittedly, a card trick...

We then made our way to watch the close-up competition (Sandra and Suley skipped out enjoying other amenities!). Then after some lunch at the Market Cafe Luncheon Buffet, we rushed back to the Stardust Theatre for Shawn's 1.30 PM Close-Up show. Yes, a close-up magic show for an intimate group of 700 people. Nice!

At 2.45 PM, we then rushed back to the cabin rooms to get Tony ready for his Pro Challenge competition in the Cinema Room. There was a lecture before us, so that started late, and then that went long... so the Challenge got started late so IT finished late. Sigh. And this was just the beginning!

After moving IMMEDIATELY from the Cinema back to the Stardust Theatre (we're Deck 12 to Deck 7) - and no time for loo visits or change of clothes (God forbid), we rushed to catch Gregory Wilson's highly-anticipated show. Only problem was that we arrived so late (5.30 PM) and delayed his start time, that he had to truncate his show drastically! We had to clear out of the theatre in time for the Dance Company to get ready for their final show at 6PM. Talk about a circus.

Did I mention that we were also selling pre-registrations all day for the next PCAM which is going to be held in Victoria?! So here we are dashing around, selling Victoria and the convention with pens in hair, VISA transaction slips in pockets AND watching these shows. It was definitely an interesting day. Greg's show was like he was on overdrive (poor guy) but he still had a very funny act for us. Great fun....but no time to dilly dally...

We sold a few pre-regs before we were kicked out of the theatre, just as well, because it was time to run back (and I mean at a sprinters pace) to the cabin, change, organize clothes for a "pre-pack" and then dash back up to the Market Cafe and shoveled food into the system. Nice final meal! We managed to get cleaned up, fed and back into dealer's room to sell a few more pre-registrations before the final Dance Troupe show. Sandra came to save me with a lovely cosmo. She's such a thoughtful sister.

Whew.

Back down to the grand Stardust Theatre for a 7.30 PM final farewell ...and, they surprised us by bringing the entire crew (okay, most of the crew) on stage to bid us goodbye. An even bigger surprise for me, as I had to dash to the loo. Martinis have that side-effect. As I dashed out of the theatre, I nearly took out some of the cooking staff who were hovering in the entrance way. Well, at least it was a memorable goodbye.

No time for tears...we had to run back up to the Cinema for Greg Wilson's lecture followed by the awards presentation of all the competitions. Finally, a chance to sit and relax. Well, I did. Sandra and Suley and Annie went back to Spinnaker's during the lecture and caught another comedy show. After the lecture at 11:00 PM everyone reconvened into the Cinema and we watched patiently as all the awards were doled out. Tony Eng was a SILVER MEDALIST for the Pro Challenge! YAY!

Following this, if you can believe it, there was another event called the Bag 'O Tricks. A fun and creative magical exercise! But at 1.00 AM, to be honest, all tricks start to look the same.

Lucky for me Suley was on the ball, and peeled out at 12.15 AM to pack up the final load of our bags and get them out the door for pick up ... JUST in time. Whew! We then met up around 1.45 AM for a snack and then passed by the various bars and haunts to say goodbye to our friends. What a fun time. Exhausting trip but we had an absolutely brilliant time!

Hit the hay around 3.30 AM with wake up call for 7.30 AM. People wonder why I look so tired?!

Tomorrow we are off the ship and into LA!