Musical journey (179)

I'm now almost two weeks into Rotation #25. This is an interesting (and uncertain) time as the business unit undergoes significant changes (for efficiency gains a.k.a. cost-cutting). Usually, I'll be the first to whinge about this but I think this time, the changes are for the better, as some moves are a precursor to letting some of the fat-cat expats go (they are the ones that constantly get on my nerves). Although this will not be communicated officially, from what I've heard from the grapevine, I believe this is part of upper management's grand plan. So fingers crossed they will be gone by the end of the year.

Talking about being employed in a foreign land, I've written about life in Papua New Guinea as a fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) worker over the years but my last two posts (here and here) went in-depth and provided a clearer picture of the everyday struggles of PNG citizens based on my experience. Because I live in company-provided accommodation in a secured compound, I'm not in a position to post media about what goes on when I'm on site, but this month's musical offering is an exception.

As you know, I spare no chances to perform in front of people as that's my passion. I was supposed to sing at the Christmas party two years ago but due to a significant upset in the processing plant that temporarily halted production, the celebration was muted and I didn't get the chance to perform. Due to our fixed rotation, my back-to-back and I spend alternate Christmases on site, so fast forward two years, I grabbed this opportunity to sing.

Below is my live cover of Lonestar's "I'm Already There" using a standard karaoke track from YouTube. The clip was taken at the Refinery I supported after we had our Christmas dinner buffet with colleagues and contractors present. I'd have preferred a key lower but we didn't have that luxury (the wireless microphone wasn't great either). Because everyone missed their family back home especially during Christmas, this song struck a chord with my audience. I was later told that some people even cried which meant that my voice really touched them. Although them dropping tears was not much of a surprise to me, it was a huge surprise for them that I could actually sing this well.

Before Christmas in July officially ends, I hope you enjoy this Christmas performance, but you'd have to pardon the parts where I forgot the words—I didn't have the lyrics in front of me as that wasn't a karaoke session!