After sleeping in to be woke up by room service delivery, we enjoyed a breakfast of smoked salmon, cream cheese, coffee and OJ. Delicious!
We moseyed out on deck to the sounds of distant thunder. All day it was cloudy with rain in the distance on either side of the ship. However it was never ugly cloudy over the ship - the sun cooperated enough to allow for some good lounging on deck. We parked ourselves on the Lido deck, relaxed, chatted with our neighbors and had a drink or two. Each day the ship had the Fun Ship drink and this day we got one in the special Carnival cup. I know what my pool party cup will be next season :) After a while we headed back inside for another round of Bingo. Nichelle discovered she had more luck with the scratch off tickets than the bingo card. Then up to the Sun Deck for a round of putt-putt. Nichelle kicked my butt! Back to the Lido deck for some pizza and we discovered the 21 & over deck -- lounge chairs with cushions and 2 hot tubs. We parked ourselves there for a while. After a nap and a drink we figured we would be good and hit the gym.
Tonight was "Cruise Elegant" dress as the Captain's Reception and Dinner was on the schedule. Free cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served at the reception. The entertainment was the ship's orchestra then the Captain and senior officers were introduced. Hmm...who was steering?? Haha - couldn't resist :) Dinner was outstanding again as we sampled prosciutto truffles and baked white stuffed mushrooms to start. Those mushrooms were awesome! I went with the grouper for a main entree. After dinner we headed to the big show for the cruise, "Shout." The show was a musical review of the 50's, 60's, country & western, Mo-Town and Rock & Roll. The show was very good.
For my first day at sea I must say I approve. Though one could easily schedule the entire day with activities, I decided to take the route of relaxation. What happened, happened. I took lots of pictures (go figure, me with a camera) and enjoyed the open sea. I let myself relax and not think, people watched, daydreamed while watching clouds and ocean go by and feel the rhythm of the ship. All is well.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Cruise Day 1: Tampa
The day starts out cloudy & chilly as rain blew through Tampa during the night. I wandered to the hotel continental breakfast to kill some time then waited for my shuttle to the Port. And waited. And waited. Seems they had more cruise passengers staying at the hotel then they realized AND more airport traffic than planned. Of course, only 1 shuttle. While the hotel was nothing to write about, it seems organization isn't their strong point.
Once finally at the Port of Tampa, it was hurry & wait mentality getting through the lines. All the security measures we run across at the airport are also at the Ports. There was a benefit of the shuttle running late as I was able to board the ship and head right to my stateroom. After snapping a few pics of the still clean room, I headed to the Lido deck to find Nichelle & members of the group and get food! The Carnival Inspiration had 2002 passengers and nearly 1000 more in crew. I never thought I'd find my way around the ship so easily let alone find Nichelle very quickly. I must admit it never felt overly crowded as everyone is so spread out at any one time.
So much food from which to choose! By that time I was hungry enough to get a salad rather than stand in line for anything else. Of course I balanced that out with ice cream :) After some food and getting our bags in the stateroom we began wandering the decks to get the layout. Just before pushing off everyone had to attend the mandatory lifeboat drill. The drill was a bit behind schedule so at the end when the captain blew the horn to signal the drill was over, he multi-tasked and it signaled we were leaving port. We watched Tampa fade away then headed to the sushi bar :)
Though dinner was "Cruise Casual" we decided to change just because we could. Really, how can I pass up an excuse to dress up to go out for the evening? While getting ready we were suddenly plunged inot darkness! The lights went out! Hmm...well, the ship was still moving forward, no new rocking sensations, the cabin stewards weren't in a panic, so we caarried on and went to dinner.
Ah...dinner. Delicious! We got a bottle of merlot as they will re-cork and save it for the next night. There were so many choices we ordered several starters, each got the steak and just so we could try something really new, we got the vegetarian entree to share too. It was some a pumpkin, squash, yam and something else pot pie and was pretty good!
If someone is bored on a cruise ship, it's his or her own fault. From the time we boarded until the last night at sea, there is always something happening. After dinner we hit the Welcome Aboard show to check out the singers/dancers (all very good by the way). Nichelle uncovered her love of Bingo then we head up to the clubs. The Singles Dance was in the Rock & Roll club (in which, ironically, I rarely heard rock & roll - that was next door in the Avante Gard club). To kick off the party Smithy, one of the cruise director team, asked for 5 single women and 4 single men. We had a rousing game of human musical chairs which I must brag I took first place. Nichelle ran a close second.
The DJ started up and we hung out people watching. We noticed two women out on the dance floor shakin' it up. We called them Grandma and Daughter and they were having a GREAT time. The positive energy rolling off them was awesome. I talked to them while they took a break - Linda and Sarah, two friends both over 60 and I'm telling you, they were going to last long into the night and well past me going to bed!
After a bit we called it a night, headed back to the cabin and set out our room service order. As I settled in bed, I could feel the vibrations of the ship. It made me think of the old massage beds in motels as a kid and how much we fought over the bed and hoped for a quarter. Sleep came quickly -- needed our rest for Day 2!
Once finally at the Port of Tampa, it was hurry & wait mentality getting through the lines. All the security measures we run across at the airport are also at the Ports. There was a benefit of the shuttle running late as I was able to board the ship and head right to my stateroom. After snapping a few pics of the still clean room, I headed to the Lido deck to find Nichelle & members of the group and get food! The Carnival Inspiration had 2002 passengers and nearly 1000 more in crew. I never thought I'd find my way around the ship so easily let alone find Nichelle very quickly. I must admit it never felt overly crowded as everyone is so spread out at any one time.
So much food from which to choose! By that time I was hungry enough to get a salad rather than stand in line for anything else. Of course I balanced that out with ice cream :) After some food and getting our bags in the stateroom we began wandering the decks to get the layout. Just before pushing off everyone had to attend the mandatory lifeboat drill. The drill was a bit behind schedule so at the end when the captain blew the horn to signal the drill was over, he multi-tasked and it signaled we were leaving port. We watched Tampa fade away then headed to the sushi bar :)
Though dinner was "Cruise Casual" we decided to change just because we could. Really, how can I pass up an excuse to dress up to go out for the evening? While getting ready we were suddenly plunged inot darkness! The lights went out! Hmm...well, the ship was still moving forward, no new rocking sensations, the cabin stewards weren't in a panic, so we caarried on and went to dinner.
Ah...dinner. Delicious! We got a bottle of merlot as they will re-cork and save it for the next night. There were so many choices we ordered several starters, each got the steak and just so we could try something really new, we got the vegetarian entree to share too. It was some a pumpkin, squash, yam and something else pot pie and was pretty good!
If someone is bored on a cruise ship, it's his or her own fault. From the time we boarded until the last night at sea, there is always something happening. After dinner we hit the Welcome Aboard show to check out the singers/dancers (all very good by the way). Nichelle uncovered her love of Bingo then we head up to the clubs. The Singles Dance was in the Rock & Roll club (in which, ironically, I rarely heard rock & roll - that was next door in the Avante Gard club). To kick off the party Smithy, one of the cruise director team, asked for 5 single women and 4 single men. We had a rousing game of human musical chairs which I must brag I took first place. Nichelle ran a close second.
The DJ started up and we hung out people watching. We noticed two women out on the dance floor shakin' it up. We called them Grandma and Daughter and they were having a GREAT time. The positive energy rolling off them was awesome. I talked to them while they took a break - Linda and Sarah, two friends both over 60 and I'm telling you, they were going to last long into the night and well past me going to bed!
After a bit we called it a night, headed back to the cabin and set out our room service order. As I settled in bed, I could feel the vibrations of the ship. It made me think of the old massage beds in motels as a kid and how much we fought over the bed and hoped for a quarter. Sleep came quickly -- needed our rest for Day 2!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Vacation Time!
My first cruise experience begins with a flight from Phoenix to Tampa. I arrive to pleasant weather - much like AZ really. On the hotel shuttle I met a couple going on the same cruise as me. They were lucky enough to have been bumped to first class on their flight from Atlanta so they were already pretty happy :)
Check into my hotel and off for some food and beverage. Grillsmith is right next to my hotel and had good reviews. I start with a new beer - La Fin du Monde - and am pleasantly surprised by the hoppy yet slight fruity taste. I figure of they don't have Yuengling then I might as well go for the alcohol content of 9%!
My classic cheeseburger came more medium well than medium however was still tasty. The jalapeno mac & cheese side was good though I would make it cheesier. The green chili mac & cheese at Carlsburg Tavern in Scottsdale puts it to shame though. The prices are reasonable and surprisingly the portions are also! Not your typical American restaurant where one plate feeds at least 2 people!!
For my second beer I switched to Bells Ale. Very tasty - a bit on the lager side though not too heavy. It rounded out my meal.
LOL! Two guys at the bar - obviously scoping out the women. They seem to be regulars and have been chatting with the bartenders. The funny part...woman alone comes in, sits one seat away. The guy giving off the most "player" vibes says "For a minute I thought Rachel Ray came in!" The woman said "Oh do not say that!!" - on obviously either a tired comment or not what she considers a complent. Player 0, Woman 1. The bartender was smart enough to say he didn't see the resemblence.
Player trying to recover. Both male bartenders and I are amused. Woman still ahead as Player compares himself to Hugh Jackman (No!), Brad Pitt (still no!), and Prince William. Woman advises she could help him with better hair as she's a stylist. LOL! Dinner and a show, who knew. Upon closer inspection the woman is close to Cougar age and really working to get him a new hair style. Wish the light was better for a picture of this!!
The service was prompt and friendly. The food good and beer tasty (for those non beer drinkers there was a decent wine and cocktail selection). I would recommend Grillsmith if you are traveling through.
P.S. I just may spring for a massage on the ship after the flight and lugging my camera through airports!!
Check into my hotel and off for some food and beverage. Grillsmith is right next to my hotel and had good reviews. I start with a new beer - La Fin du Monde - and am pleasantly surprised by the hoppy yet slight fruity taste. I figure of they don't have Yuengling then I might as well go for the alcohol content of 9%!
My classic cheeseburger came more medium well than medium however was still tasty. The jalapeno mac & cheese side was good though I would make it cheesier. The green chili mac & cheese at Carlsburg Tavern in Scottsdale puts it to shame though. The prices are reasonable and surprisingly the portions are also! Not your typical American restaurant where one plate feeds at least 2 people!!
For my second beer I switched to Bells Ale. Very tasty - a bit on the lager side though not too heavy. It rounded out my meal.
LOL! Two guys at the bar - obviously scoping out the women. They seem to be regulars and have been chatting with the bartenders. The funny part...woman alone comes in, sits one seat away. The guy giving off the most "player" vibes says "For a minute I thought Rachel Ray came in!" The woman said "Oh do not say that!!" - on obviously either a tired comment or not what she considers a complent. Player 0, Woman 1. The bartender was smart enough to say he didn't see the resemblence.
Player trying to recover. Both male bartenders and I are amused. Woman still ahead as Player compares himself to Hugh Jackman (No!), Brad Pitt (still no!), and Prince William. Woman advises she could help him with better hair as she's a stylist. LOL! Dinner and a show, who knew. Upon closer inspection the woman is close to Cougar age and really working to get him a new hair style. Wish the light was better for a picture of this!!
The service was prompt and friendly. The food good and beer tasty (for those non beer drinkers there was a decent wine and cocktail selection). I would recommend Grillsmith if you are traveling through.
P.S. I just may spring for a massage on the ship after the flight and lugging my camera through airports!!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving
Pre-middle and high school Thanksgiving was about hand turkey pictures, when did I get to move from the kids table to the grown up table and the Christmas decorations came out. Thanksgiving (and for that matter Christmas) dinners at my grandmother's house in NY with everyone there was warm and loving chaos.
Middle and high school it was all about OJR football games then big turkey dinner and still getting the Christmas decorations out. Because both Paul & I were in band during high school there was no traveling for the holiday. In college it was still OJR football (my college didn't have a football team!) then big turkey dinner. Though I was no longer in band, I was now the one traveling home from school so dinner was at home.
One day I moved away from home. By this time I was 3 years into a corporate job and engaged. Now Thanksgiving was not having to go to work and where was the big turkey dinner going to be. Do we go home at Thanksgiving or Christmas? Which family had us on the day for dinner? Or better yet, did the relatives come to us?
So I replaced football and friends with visiting relatives or gatherings of friends. If the relatives visited me, I was cooking. If I was visiting the relatives, I was helping. If no relatives were involved, someone in the circle of friends hosted the 'orphan turkey dinner' for those of us not traveling or having a house full of relatives. One of us hosted and everyone brought a dish to contribute. I hosted many times as we used to smoke the turkey (mmmm...smoked turkey) and it was easier to bring side dishes to my house. One year stands out as the orphan turkey dinner was first held outside. My friends in Phoenix are thinking "eh, no big deal." Well then I was living in Roswell, Georgia and a Thanksgiving Day warm enough to eat outside was a rarity.
Lots of life changes later, here I am 18 years into corporate work and single. Thanksgiving has become more and more about not having to go to work. It used to be about wondering if Paul would book a last minute flight or only come for Christmas. I used to get annoyed by his indecisiveness, now I miss it. Oh, there's still turkey dinner however it just isn't the same. Rather, maybe I'm just not the same - a more likely scenario. Thanksgiving is still about family and friends however, that part won't go away just how it gets done changes.
It's also still about putting up the Christmas decorations. Someone remind me not to take down mom's lights when I'm hung over this year..............
Middle and high school it was all about OJR football games then big turkey dinner and still getting the Christmas decorations out. Because both Paul & I were in band during high school there was no traveling for the holiday. In college it was still OJR football (my college didn't have a football team!) then big turkey dinner. Though I was no longer in band, I was now the one traveling home from school so dinner was at home.
One day I moved away from home. By this time I was 3 years into a corporate job and engaged. Now Thanksgiving was not having to go to work and where was the big turkey dinner going to be. Do we go home at Thanksgiving or Christmas? Which family had us on the day for dinner? Or better yet, did the relatives come to us?
So I replaced football and friends with visiting relatives or gatherings of friends. If the relatives visited me, I was cooking. If I was visiting the relatives, I was helping. If no relatives were involved, someone in the circle of friends hosted the 'orphan turkey dinner' for those of us not traveling or having a house full of relatives. One of us hosted and everyone brought a dish to contribute. I hosted many times as we used to smoke the turkey (mmmm...smoked turkey) and it was easier to bring side dishes to my house. One year stands out as the orphan turkey dinner was first held outside. My friends in Phoenix are thinking "eh, no big deal." Well then I was living in Roswell, Georgia and a Thanksgiving Day warm enough to eat outside was a rarity.
Lots of life changes later, here I am 18 years into corporate work and single. Thanksgiving has become more and more about not having to go to work. It used to be about wondering if Paul would book a last minute flight or only come for Christmas. I used to get annoyed by his indecisiveness, now I miss it. Oh, there's still turkey dinner however it just isn't the same. Rather, maybe I'm just not the same - a more likely scenario. Thanksgiving is still about family and friends however, that part won't go away just how it gets done changes.
It's also still about putting up the Christmas decorations. Someone remind me not to take down mom's lights when I'm hung over this year..............
Eddie's Tavern
One night I was in the mood for a beer. My usual drinking buddies were not available yet I didn't want to go home and drink alone. This night as I drove down 32nd Street in Phoenix I pulled into Eddie's Tavern.
Eddie's is a small establishment and I'm not kidding about small. But that's part of the charm. (Anyone who remembers my first apartment in Pottstown, well, two of those could just fit inside Eddie's) Somewhere I read Eddie's was established in 1960; that bit of information already lured me there -- established before bars were just another addition in a long line of strip malls. Inside you will find a bar, a pool table, about 5 tables, a good set of tunes and friendly bar staff. The bartender that night was friendly and attentive - I never lacked a beer or a smile.
Eddie's patronage is loyal. One look around as I walked in and it was obvious. The laid back atmosphere hit me right away -- even the voices in my head paused for a few moments. It's one of those places where everyone knows your name. As no one knew mine, I was certainly the object of attention for a bit.
Eddie's is not a place to get a bite, only a beverage. On tap was Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Fat Tire and one other that I now forget (Blue Moon sticks in my head for some reason though) and I saw a full bar. I'm taking a stab that most beers are also available in bottles as I enjoyed a few cold Coors Light.
As I sat and sipped my beers, I watched and listened to the interactions (and to the voices in my head, they don't stay quiet that long) going on around me. And I thought about lots of things. As more folks came in I was joined at my end of the bar by a regular and a conversation about music, cars and life in general wiled away another hour.
If you are looking for a local hangout, come give Eddie's a try. It won't take long for everyone to know your name.
Eddie's is a small establishment and I'm not kidding about small. But that's part of the charm. (Anyone who remembers my first apartment in Pottstown, well, two of those could just fit inside Eddie's) Somewhere I read Eddie's was established in 1960; that bit of information already lured me there -- established before bars were just another addition in a long line of strip malls. Inside you will find a bar, a pool table, about 5 tables, a good set of tunes and friendly bar staff. The bartender that night was friendly and attentive - I never lacked a beer or a smile.
Eddie's patronage is loyal. One look around as I walked in and it was obvious. The laid back atmosphere hit me right away -- even the voices in my head paused for a few moments. It's one of those places where everyone knows your name. As no one knew mine, I was certainly the object of attention for a bit.
Eddie's is not a place to get a bite, only a beverage. On tap was Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Fat Tire and one other that I now forget (Blue Moon sticks in my head for some reason though) and I saw a full bar. I'm taking a stab that most beers are also available in bottles as I enjoyed a few cold Coors Light.
As I sat and sipped my beers, I watched and listened to the interactions (and to the voices in my head, they don't stay quiet that long) going on around me. And I thought about lots of things. As more folks came in I was joined at my end of the bar by a regular and a conversation about music, cars and life in general wiled away another hour.
If you are looking for a local hangout, come give Eddie's a try. It won't take long for everyone to know your name.
Monday, June 30, 2008
NORM!!!
How many of us watched Cheers! and thought Norm and the rest of the crew had no life? Why in the world would Norm spend night after night at the bar? Besides the obvious...beer :P
It's simple really. He was a regular. Being a regular somewhere is being part of a family. The Regulars accept you as you are. There are no expectations, nothing to live up to. If you don't show up a few times, the Regulars ask about you. They make sure everything is okay and want to hear about where you were.
Going to your place, your regular spot is comforting. It's a place you know you can go to no matter your mood. If you're happy, you'll be happier. If you're sad, you will be cheered up. You can't help but smile at least once while you are there. You pick on each other, tease, throw insults around, talk about stuff -- good and bad, listen to each other, care, laugh, and smile.
So, when you find that place you seem to go to over and over and over and over again, be sure they know your name. Embrace it, enjoy it, just be as you are.
"Be glad there's one place in the world
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name. "
It's simple really. He was a regular. Being a regular somewhere is being part of a family. The Regulars accept you as you are. There are no expectations, nothing to live up to. If you don't show up a few times, the Regulars ask about you. They make sure everything is okay and want to hear about where you were.
Going to your place, your regular spot is comforting. It's a place you know you can go to no matter your mood. If you're happy, you'll be happier. If you're sad, you will be cheered up. You can't help but smile at least once while you are there. You pick on each other, tease, throw insults around, talk about stuff -- good and bad, listen to each other, care, laugh, and smile.
So, when you find that place you seem to go to over and over and over and over again, be sure they know your name. Embrace it, enjoy it, just be as you are.
"Be glad there's one place in the world
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name. "
Thursday, May 15, 2008
It's Already May
Where is 2008 going??? It seems like just last week when I finished my personal trainer class --- it was actually the first week of February! I go to San Francisco for the Bay to Breakers 12K this weekend! This trip seemed so far away when we booked it. My 20 miler for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is only 5 weeks away!! I better start booking flights.....
Time does fly....I wasn't having as much fun as I would've liked...some fun, but too much drama was intermingled. A few weeks ago I woke up again and remembered that drama was intermingled because I let it be. What a waste of time! I let go of alot of it the night I woke up. It's amazing how free you feel when you simply let the drama roll off. I feel happier, freer and I'm having WAY more fun with life again :)
So, with the year flying by it's time to ENJOY it. Prioritize everything -- ask yourself, does this thing I'm doing support what's important to me? does it make me happy? If the answer is no to either of those questions, don't do it. Life is too short to do things that aren't important to you ...ok, yeah, we still have to work & pay the bills, however "Do what you like, like what you do." Find a job that gives you some kind of satisfaction. Yes, I'm looking to follow my own advice :P
Life is too short for drama & petty things,
So kiss slowly, laugh insanely,
Love truly and forgive quickly
Live While You Are Alive
Time does fly....I wasn't having as much fun as I would've liked...some fun, but too much drama was intermingled. A few weeks ago I woke up again and remembered that drama was intermingled because I let it be. What a waste of time! I let go of alot of it the night I woke up. It's amazing how free you feel when you simply let the drama roll off. I feel happier, freer and I'm having WAY more fun with life again :)
So, with the year flying by it's time to ENJOY it. Prioritize everything -- ask yourself, does this thing I'm doing support what's important to me? does it make me happy? If the answer is no to either of those questions, don't do it. Life is too short to do things that aren't important to you ...ok, yeah, we still have to work & pay the bills, however "Do what you like, like what you do." Find a job that gives you some kind of satisfaction. Yes, I'm looking to follow my own advice :P
Life is too short for drama & petty things,
So kiss slowly, laugh insanely,
Love truly and forgive quickly
Live While You Are Alive
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Time to Blog Again
I've been 'scolded' by a few friends because I haven't blogged for a while. I just didn't have much to say. Or rather I kept my self too busy to blog. Anyway, here's some updates:
I'm working again. I started in November back at a corporate job. Smaller company this time, much smaller and that's nice. My team is fun. We all got to meet face to face in February (besides me there's one more newbie). It's nice when a team understands the need to laugh during the day. The job itself is a good job. Essentially I'm in customer support for POS machines (credit card machines). It's funny, I went from one side the industry to the other.
I'm in the final steps of getting certified as a personal trainer. This is my passion. I really enjoy helping others see their fitness goals. Plus I enjoy working out and to do it as a career is a bonus :) I'm not sure exactly where I'll end up however in the meantime I'll start taking clients on a part time basis.
I need to make sure I keep taking time for myself though. I've stopped practicing my guitar. I was making such progress!! I need to make time for that as it is something I enjoy. I'm also going to dig out my Native American flute. Now, that is a relaxing hobby. Time to get back to my music.
2008. It's time. It's my time. Time to determine what's important to my life and do it.
I'm working again. I started in November back at a corporate job. Smaller company this time, much smaller and that's nice. My team is fun. We all got to meet face to face in February (besides me there's one more newbie). It's nice when a team understands the need to laugh during the day. The job itself is a good job. Essentially I'm in customer support for POS machines (credit card machines). It's funny, I went from one side the industry to the other.
I'm in the final steps of getting certified as a personal trainer. This is my passion. I really enjoy helping others see their fitness goals. Plus I enjoy working out and to do it as a career is a bonus :) I'm not sure exactly where I'll end up however in the meantime I'll start taking clients on a part time basis.
I need to make sure I keep taking time for myself though. I've stopped practicing my guitar. I was making such progress!! I need to make time for that as it is something I enjoy. I'm also going to dig out my Native American flute. Now, that is a relaxing hobby. Time to get back to my music.
2008. It's time. It's my time. Time to determine what's important to my life and do it.
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