Traffic…………Naples traffic is some of the worst in Italy. It comes at you from all sides and directions. The pedestrian has few rights and road signs are…………mere suggestions and crossing the road…………is a life-changing event. However, the horror of Naples traffic is not just confined to the roads but to the sea as well…………as it was today.
Good Afternoon, it’s 4:45 pm at it’s been a hectic day. This morning the traffic situation in the busy port of Naples was worse than ever. Heidi and I woke at 6:15 am to prepare to send the 1,900 guests on tour. Usually, the first thing I do when I wake up is go straight to the computer………….OK, it’s the second thing I do as usually the first thing I do is moan and complain that I hate this job, etc., etc., then I go to the computer…………..OK, it’s the third thing I do………..so, after moaning and then flushing ……..then I go to the computer to see what mail the wonderful Mr. Dell has collected for me during the night.
Usually, at this time I can look out of the window and see the lights of the shore and the silhouette of Vesuvius but this morning all I could see in the window was a big ugly guy clad only in a pair of red underwear. After realizing that the actor John Goodman was not walking on water but that it was me ……………… I knew Mr. Murphy was about to come calling holding one of his laws.
I called the bridge and they told me were on a “holding pattern” as there was a ferry that was coming out of the port and that another cruise ship was ahead of us. Basically, the ferry was leaving 30 minutes behind schedule which meant the other cruise ship was 30 minutes behind schedule which meant we were …………….well…………you know. I just get frustrated because it is a terrible first impression
The first people on tour had received tickets to meet at 7 am and it was obviously too late to change that. We put the staff in place and opened the lounges and Heidi advised people of the situation over the microphone. Then at 7:20 am, I made a general announcement on the PA system in the open decks and the guest lounges advising of the situation. We eventually arrived at 7:40 am and started to debark the guests 40 minutes later than advertised. Now, that does not sound like a big deal, does it? Well, in fact it is. Firstly, the main tour which goes to Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri lasts 9 hours. This means that the tour left nearly one hour later that it comes back nearly one hour later so the ship is then delayed. Also, many of the 525 guests who are on this tour will be scheduled to eat on the early sitting dinners which start at 5:45 pm and 6:15 pm…………..I have alerted the Maitre D’s and they will do their best to accommodate them.
So, you can see that a little thing like Rocco the Ferry Captain losing his keys to his boat has far-reaching consequences.
Mr. Murphy was not finished with me yet though……………….oh, no ………… and, I have decided to become a Piano Tuner…………why………………they must be Millionaires!
This cruise I have two wonderful entertainers who use the baby grand piano in our main theatre……………these are amazing acts by the way and I will tell you more about them in another blog. Anyway, I had asked our ships agent to find me a piano tuner to come on today and tune one piano. So, at 10:30 am this morning I met with a gentleman who was ummmm……….old……….very old …………..he had to be 85-plus. He was accompanied by another younger man and the Musical Director and I led him to the piano. Once there, I left him in the care of the Musical Director Dave and went back to the cabin to see Heidi who was still recovering from this morning’s late arrival adventure. The phone rang at 11:15 am………….it was Dave to tell me they had finished tuning the piano. So, down to the lounge I went and met with Dave who had said he had tuned the piano and he was satisfied with the job he had done. I then asked how much I owed them………………………it was at that moment I decided to become a piano tuner…………….one piano………….45 minutes of work …….400 euros ………………$560. I thought he was joking and I let out a little laugh but the old Italian man just looked me in the eye………..and opened his hand and said in that hard Neapolitan accent……………cash. I was about to argue but then I realized I had nothing to argue about…………I should have checked the price……………..the job had been done……………and besides, the way the old Italian man and his friend were looking at me I decided to pay rather than find myself waking up to find Heidi and I had adopted a horse’s head.
Murphy was having a laugh now and he wasn’t done yet……………more about that later.
Here are today’s photos highlighting the beautiful city of Florence.
1. The Dumo Cathedral
2. And again
3. Ponte Vecchia Bridge
4. Another great shot of the Cathedral
Here are today’s letters from the In Their Own Words Section.
Here is today’s joke of the day.
Three convicts were on their way to prison. They were each allowed to bring along one item to help them occupy their time while incarcerated.
On the bus, one turned to another and said, “So, what did you bring?”
The second convict pulled out a box of paints and stated that he intended to paint anything he could. He wanted to become the “Grandma Moses of Jail.” Then he asked the first, “What did you bring?” The first convict pulled out a deck of cards, grinned and said, “I brought cards. I can play poker, gin and other games with a cellmate, or all sorts of different solitaire games when I’m by myself.” The third convict was sitting quietly aside, grinning to himself. The other two took notice and asked, “Why are you so smug? What did you bring?”
The guy pulled out a box of tampons, smiled and said, “I brought these.”
The other two were puzzled and asked, “What can you do with those?”
He grinned, pointed to the box and said, “Well, according to the label, I can go horseback riding, swimming, roller skating….”
Time for some Q and A………….I won’t have time to do many because I have started this blog thingy so late in the day but I promise to catch up over the weekend.
OH BY THE WAY, WE REACHED 750,000 YESTERDAY…………THANK YOU ALL.
Here we go. To skip the Q&A, click here.
MRS. MTSFP – You have eagle eyes Mrs. MTSFP and yes, my Dad frames everything including the first ever table mat from the Carnival Ecstasy and photos and ship memorabilia. The cabinets and cupboards you see he made himself and as I said his talent certainly did not rub off on me. Well spotted. See you and Jon very soon.
JULIA BARNES – Hello Julia and as always it is wonderful to welcome new people to my little blog thingy. Goodness me, you made me blush with your kind words and I hop also that I will be on your Carnival Freedom cruise. There is a good chance that indeed I may just be but regardless I will keep blogging and hopefully that will enhance the excitement you are already feeling. Thank you again and how right you are when you used the word community in describing the blog and we welcome you to it. Heidi and I send you all our very best.
LINDA HERNACKI – Hello Linda. I will make sure you get your book, I promise and will make sure Todd has it ready to deliver. You kindly asked about sending something to Heidi and I via Chris Prideaux which you can do and I am sure by now you have seen the address on the side of this blog thingy. Chris will forward all the mail as soon as he gets it to my home address.
Linda, thank you so much for your beautiful words of compassion for Alan. I know he will be fine and I will be there to look after him ………except the bathing bit. Anyway, please say hello to Mike and I am certain that one day we shall eventually meet. Heidi sends her best as do I and please write soon. I just saw from your other posting that you found the address. Please can you make sure you include your mailing address so that Heidi and I can send you a Holiday card?
MATT EDMUNDS – Thanks mate for assisting me with my very limited baseball knowledge which though……..is growing by the day. I have a bat and a hat and I know that Los Angeles has a team called the Angels (thanks to you) and for some strange reason everyone hates the Red Sox. Thank you so much for sending me a package and I am very excited that you have taken the time to do so. Thanks also mate for thinking of Alan and I know he appreciates so very much your kind words. Cheers.
LAUREN – Obviously the boars were not wild enough because someone shot it ………..anyway, it did not die in vain because it was excellent. It was my first time eating it as well and I enjoyed it…………and just once………….usually new food like that means I enjoy it………..twice………….if you know what I mean…………….I get that from my Dad. Hope all is well in Oregonian land and thanks as always for reading the blog.
BIG ED – I thought we were a team at that we would jog in thongs together, me, you and Alan. Even if that is not the case you are my Assistant Cruise Director and have to therefore follow my instructions. As for Sherriff Roscoe P Coltrane arresting us I would think the charges would range from indecent exposure to cruelty to thongs………….its me you and Alan mate …….that’s the price of fame. Thanks again for posting the get well card for Alan………….you are a great friend.
KAREN TESSIER/EDMONSON – I am glad that you enjoyed your wine tour in Italy during your recent cruise and I am sure you would have loved the new venue we are using next season……….it was peace on earth. Now, you mentioned you are researching a 2008 Caribbean cruise and asked for my suggestions. May I ask who is going? Let me know some demographics of your party then allow me to throw some ideas at you. I look forward to hearing from you soon and all the best until then.
BOB HOPE – I am glad you have stopped “lurking ” and have taken the time to slap on a posting. Alan has been my friend and I have been his role model for 20-plus years and I want to make sure I am there to support him after what will be seven hours of intense surgery. Thank you therefore for highlighting the words friendship and loyalty which both mean a lot to me. Please tell Matt your son that I am proud of him and I wish all of you a wonderful vacation on the Carnival Glory together. Please see Wee Jimmy the CD when you get onboard, he will have a few goodies for Matt. Please keep writing mate and our best to you and the family…………….you have proven your last name is most appropriate.
ARNOLD AND ELIZABETH TUCKER – Hello to you both and I new some of you would be able to see what Mr. Baseball wrote…it was rather harsh was it not? My Dad’s office may need an extension as you stated and as I continue to send in photos and memories of my career he continues to put them in the office. He has already told me he wants to build a special shelf for the baseball bat. I am glad you liked the joke and hopefully today’s gave you a laugh. Thanks also for the compassion you showed to Alan and I hope you continue to enjoy the blog thingy. All the best to you both.
PAUL F. PIETRANGELO – Sir, you can call me anything you want, it’s just good to see a posting from you. I want you to be happy when you read this ……….I am………….the doctor said…………”you do not have cancer”…………..I could add loads of other words to this reply but I am not going to ………… nothing else matters…………..you do not have cancer………….and I am so happy for you. Celebrate, be happy and one day I know for sure we will celebrate the love of life together on a Carnival cruise.
LFTTNSFCF – hello Jon, I am starting to call you that so when we meet in a few weeks time I don’t say “hello Missing the smoke free Carnival Paradise but looking forward to the nearly smoke-free Carnival Freedom.” Hello Jon is much better. You will be reading an interview with Ruben our new Executive Vice President in a moment and I for one am very excited that he is joining the team. We have never met but as you will see from his answers he is full of energy which is directed purely at making Carnival an even better and more guest-oriented company. Maybe someone at Carnival has a plan for me to be on land but if they do they are keeping it close to their chest but thanks mate for the recommendation. I am sorry you have wasted hours watching BBC America in order to get used to my accent, may I suggest you now watch Baywatch or LA Law to get used to Todd’s Californian way of speaking…………….actually there are two other reasons to watch Baywatch but lets leave them alone for now. Thank you for offering to take over the blog while on the TA cruise, how kind of you. I have decided to keep going even if in a diluted form, I know it will be lots of work but I have to keep it going. I have altered Todd to your presence and he will be knocking on your door to assist with Halloween celebrations and I also told him he could count on you at all the events…………….so that’s you and Mrs. MTSFP in the Marriage show then. OK, see you soon Jon and can you send your cabin number again………I got it from Roberto but it seems to have disappeared. Cheers mate.
KEVIN – The car sounds heavenly, how lucky you are mate. I look forward to seeing the photos. Thanks mate for thinking of Alan and I know he and his family appreciate all the kind words they are receiving. I laughed when I heard the postal service returned your package and they are right to think of 3,000 jellybeans as explosive……….they certainly would be. When are you cursing next mate. Please let me know when you can and enjoy the Aston Martin.
BRIAN SWANSON – Brian, I am so sorry you might not make it to our TA party. If you land at 3:40 pm, you should be away from the airport and at the ship at 6 pm. If you don’t make it, I will send some goodies to your cabin; please can you tell me your cabin number. I have been to Great Yarmouth many times, including a family holiday when I was 10 with our friends Norman and Doreen Smith. I remember we stayed in a lovely hotel called the Red Shield. We thought we were very posh because it was the first time we had stayed in a hotel rather than in a caravan. I am so glad that like me, you love the Carry On movies. I am a huge fan of Sid James and Heidi loves watching Eastenders which features an ex-Carry On star Barbara Windsor. Thank you for the kind words for Alan and I will indeed try and provide him with as much laughter as I can. All the best mate……..oh and by the way, my favorite Carry On movie is “Carry On, But Don’t Lose Your Head.”
TERESA C – Bulgheri is very similar to Lerici but even more beatiful. The entire community is based around the wine and olive industry and Vincenzo and his family live a life many of us dream of. I am now cheering for the Cubs. I have no idea who they are and if they are playing well, but “Go Cubs!” All the best Teresa…………………………….LET’S GO HEAT!
SUSAN B – If playing Notting Hill on the Bloggers cruise will make you happy, then I will fight my inner feelings and make sure it gets played. You and Heidi can sit on deck and watch this tear fest and sniffle and cry together. I will be watching something with guns and loads of…….well, you know. The Cubs are going. All the best.
SHERYL PELTON – Hello Cheryl, Heidi here. I am sure the cards will make it to the vessel before we leave on vacation. If not, then someone will forward them to us. I just wanted to say a big thank you for thinking of me and I really hope we see each other again very soon. Alan will be fine; John will look after him and keep him laughing. I hope you are right and that next year you can be our delivery nurse……Thanks again, you are a lovely person who John and I appreciate very much.
LANCE AND ILDA – How right you are. Every day I write a blog I continue to be surprised at its growing popularity and postings like yours is what keeps me going. I agree with you totally that a few weeks on Vincenzo’s farm with no cell phones or constant looking at watches would be a wonderful way to live. I am glad you feel so proud and I share your pride tonight. Please keep reading the blog and best wishes to you and your family.
LEASA – Thanks for enjoying the Cruise Mates interview. I will be on the Carnival Liberty sometime in February and hopefully you will too. The Cubbies are going, I guess I need to see who is winning what. Thanks for thinking of us and thanks also for mentioning your fellow blogger Paul F. Pietrangelo, who today is celebrating being cancer free. Thanks Leasa.
MARILYN VISCHIO – Welcome back from the land of the mouse, did you read my blog yesterday about my adventures there? Thanks for the great story about George Hamilton. For some reason he has become a hero of mine, I can’t explain it, I think it is his Bentley and his tan. Therefore, finding out his make-up tips from your son brought a big smile to my face. We will see you in April and thanks again for the smile.
CAPTAIN CHUCK – It is with great sadness that I read that your father has passed away. I know the days ahead will be difficult and therefore I want you to know that Heidi and I and thousands of your friends from this community of Bloggers send you our deepest sympathy. We will light a candle for Dad in Venice this week………….thinking of you tonight.
J TODDINMAN – Spoke to Alan today and he had a good laugh at your poem. I have to ask, have you met Alan before because the snail reference was perfect and because of that small animal girls were never interested in us. You should know also that the bat has become the talk of the ship with everyone wanting to see it. Once again, my huge thanks to you for the bat and for today’s poem. I know all will be well with Alan and his snail will rise again.
GREG BALDASARRI – I promise to keep you informed on Alan’s progress. I passed your comments on to Butch and we spoke on the phone yesterday and he was like the cat who found the cream. Thanks for making his day as well as mine. Cheers mate.
KATHIE – Livorno finishes them off as you discovered yourself. Heidi often tells me that when she greets them on Livorno tour morning the guests look at her hoping she will cancel the tours and they can go back to bed. Now I understand about the spider reference and that he was bitten while serving in Iraq. I thought for some reason, he was home, but I must have dreamed that. Randy, if you are reading this, check your boots and check the messages of support from all the bloggers who read this. We continue to be proud of you and I know your mum and dad are proud of you beyond measure. Say hello to the rest of your family Kathie and it feels like so long ago since you were here. Come home soon.
ELIZABETH TUCKER – During the crossing I will ask Todd to keep you all informed as to Alan’s progress, plus give you copies of the blog. Thanks for the great idea Elizabeth.
RUTH JAMISON – We received the box with the Halloween card but nothing else as yet. Don’t worry, I am sure it will be here soon. I am glad you bought another pet and the story of how you bonded reminds me of the old Lassie movies. Enjoy every day with your faithful friend and thanks again for always thinking of Heidi and I
CATMAMA 044 – Trust me, wild boar is wonderful. It tastes like a cross between pork and beef. Just slightly sweeter. The Supper Club reservations will continue so please post them as normal and I will make sure they are confirmed. Thank you for asking, Heidi did have a wonderful time with her mum and it was great to see them both having so much fun together, although I must say it’s nice to have Heidi to myself again. Thanks for the great posting and best wishes to you and your family.
SOUTHERN DREAMS – What the heck is floating in your water which means you have to boil it…….has Big Ed been bathing in it again? So, how are you feeling? I hope you are ready for days of adventure and we have added cabin 7228 to the invitation list. Sorry you have to start taking the nasty pills and I am sure you forget all about them the moment you walk on the gangway. Take care of yourself and see you and Charlie soon.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER – Looking forward to receiving your postcard from the Carnival Imagination in December. Alan will be reading your words and I know will be inspired by them. I am really confused to what my team is. I have a Red Sox hat which puts them just ahead of the Cubs and the Yankees and then finally the Angels but I am very confused. I will look forward to your neighbors’ review of the Emerald Princess. Heidi and I have now been confirmed to sail on that beautiful ship in late March and are really looking forward to a great time. Thanks Carol and you can ramble any time you want.
BIG ED – Thanks mate.
BLUE MAX BOB – I am sure you are very excited about your coming Carnival Conquest cruise. You asked about the two doors which open on both sides of the ship just forward of the anchor and open only in port. These are used to let go extra spring lines which in bad weather give extra tie to the pier. They are also opened if a tug needs to operate on either side of the ship. The picture you are referring to was of the Carnival Triumph which caught some bad weather after leaving New York, heading to Canada. Everyone was OK although it was not a good day to be a paper bag. Can you remind me a few days before you cruise? Thanks mate and thanks for the kind words for Alan.
TERESA AND PAUL B – I am glad you are enjoying the sunsets. We will slap on some more later this cruise. You asked about the weather in the Caribbean for your April cruise. The good news is, hurricane season will be a long time away and I am sure you will have blue skies and a lot of sunshine. Heidi and I would love to come to Montana one day, maybe we will see you. Keep dreaming of the sunshine, it will be here before you know it.
PATRICIA NELSON – Thank you so much for saying those wonderful words. The post 9/11 cruise was one of the most challenging I can remember but it seems, like me, you remember the laughter and fun we all had regardless of the fact that our hearts were heavy with sadness. How nice that Goose the Cruise Director said those kind words about me………………..he owes me money I think, that’s why he was so nice. I am so sorry I cannot be with you as planned but I know you will have a fantastic cruise and will enjoy Todd immensely. This posting made my day and I thank you for that.
BILL ZYDECOCRUISER – Thanks for the Caper link. Were you on here last week checking the Capers and didn’t tell me? I thought of you while I was eating the wild boar…………….you would have loved it.
And on that note I will finish here and start tomorrow with more from the blog called Simple Life and with the comment from DWA76
Did you see the new Carnival Splendor cruise which sails from the Italy to Dover …………….here is the information.
8 Day Western Europe Cruise on Wed., July 2, 2008:
DAY DATE PORT OF CALL ARRIVE DEPART
Wed. 7/2 Genoa, Italy 5:00 PM
Thurs. 7/3 Cannes, France 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
Fri. 7/4 Barcelona, Spain 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Sat. 7/5 “Fun Day” At Sea
Sun. 7/6 Lisbon, Portugal Noon 10:00 PM
Mon. 7/7 “Fun Day” At Sea
Tues. 7/8 “Fun Day” At Sea
Wed. 7/9 Le Havre (Paris*), France 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
Thurs. 7/10 London (Dover), England 7:00 AM
A great itinerary even with Paris included 
It has been an unusual day. We eventually sailed 55 minutes later than normal and away we go to Venice. The weather today was good though and hopefully I will meet some great characters in the welcome aboard show this evening.
One other little mishap I wanted to share with you that followed perfectly on from the late arrival of the ship and meeting the Piano Tuner Don Ripoffie. It is a simple thing but just summed up my day…………………..I dropped my ships cell phone in the toilet.
I had it clipped to my pants and………..well……………when I was finished …………I pulled my pants up again and it fell in the toilet ……………………….. sorry but I have to tell you this………………before I had flushed. I shouted for Heidi to come and retrieve it and for some unknown reason she refused …………….can you believe it? Anyway, after fishing it out………….word’s can not describe that feeling I tried to use it but I could see it was already not going to work.
I then cleaned it off……..again Heidi refusing to help and then walked up to the I/S office. Here is the conversation that followed and again I promise that these were the words that were spoken…………..I promise.
JOHN…………..hello Sandy (I/S manager)…………..my phone has stopped working
SANDY………….let me see it
I hand the phone over and then Sandy said some words that she had no idea were so true
SANDY………..These phones…………..are crap!
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Catherine Zeta Jones, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
Hi John
My cabin number is #1410, I hope I can make to your cocktail party in if not have a safe trip hope to meet you again on a future cruise.
Brian
well john you would only have had to drop it in my kitchen sink to be crap. we are still under a boil water order. some parts of the town are not any longer, but we still are, i think you are right, big ed swam in my water in his thong. can you see about that please? ha ha ha ha ha see y’all in 10 days!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Well John,
I think I accidentally hit the send button on my last message–hopefully it got thru to you. Would you please let us know again the exact date of Alan’s surgery so extra positive thoughts will be going his way? Thanks so much in advance. Please tell Heidi that the post office did send the package with the cards in it back to me, but only because I didn’t put enough postage on it. Will mail it to the new address in Miami instead now. Have a safe trip home, a wonderful vacation, and we will talk again soon! Sheryl
I thought Carnival might pull a Freedom with the Splendor. When does the new Splendor itinerary go on sail? It might be time for a back to back Inaugural sailing.
John, you are lucky it was your crappy cell phone and not your over stuffed wallet that fell in. You surely don’t want your dollars any crappier then they already are now when you go home.
John I think it is safe to say 3/4 of a million slaps. It sounds better then just 750 thousand. One million by the Bloggers Cruise or all bets are off.
“BIG” ED
105 days or 2380.952380995230 slaps per day to get a MILLION
Dear John: First of all let me say I have read your blog since day one and look forward every day. It feels like I have visited these ports. I’ve been a fan since we were fortunate to have you as our CD on the Triumph several years ago. Our friends, Dotty and Bob Santangelo from Rock Hall, MD are in the process of booking the Splendor on the January 10, 2009 cruise out of Fort Lauderdale. They will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. My husband Bill & I will be joining them also. What would really make this trip fantastic is that you and Heidi will be our CD;s. Please say YES….
Hope to hear from you soon and we will be praying for Alan that his operation will be successful and he will have a speedy recovery.
Regards,
Terry & Bill Dunning
Ah John- welcome to the world of those of us who have tried to get rid of cell phones that way. I am now very, very careful to make sure that my phone is nowhere near the toilet. There seems to be an attraction for the phones to land there.
Hope Mr. Murphy stays away the rest of the cruise. It seems that things come in 3’s so hopefully you will be safe.
Ah, John…
I’m so glad to see that I’m not the only one that Mr. Murphy spends considerable amounts of time with. I certainly understand the problems this acquaintanceship can bring as he and I have been close for many years. However, when he visits you he also visits 3,000 other people as well. I suspect that he finds annoying you far more satisfying than annoying me.
The pictures from Florence are GORGEOUS! Kudos to whoever manned (femaled???) the camera. Just lovely.
Thank you so much for passing my comments along to Butch. He is a wonderfully talented fella with more energy than any four men I have ever seen. I’ve booked the Conquest again next year and I hope he’ll still be C/D on her then.
After reading about the price that Don Ripoffie exacted I have signed up for a correspondence piano tuning course. All I need is a baby grand. If you aren’t using the one aboard the Freedom would you mind sending it along to me for a year or two? I promise to mail it back, freshly tuned, in short order… along with a bill for $560.
Keep the smiles coming, my friend. As always my best to the lovely Heidi and the Remarkable Roberto.
Cheers!
Greg
John you are a little devil. That Carnival Splendor sailing on July 2, 2008 isn’t even on the website. Once again you and maybe 007 have one upped the Carnival sales team.
When will the sailing go on sale? Please we want more inside info.
Jo and Dave
Hi John,
I had to laugh when I read about you dropping your cell phone in the toilet. I did the same thing about two years ago (fortunately it was only number 1) and I actually did flush. The phone was too heavy to get sucked in all the way. I didn’t realize it happened until I walked out of the bathroom and realized that the phone was no longer in my pocket. I looked everywhere, even tried calling it, and then I realized what happened. I walked back into the bathroom and looked in the toilet and saw the little antennae sticking out. I fished it out. The first thing I did was remove the battery and then took a hair dryer to it to dry it as much as possible. Then I left it open and the battery out overnight. The next morning to my amazement it turned right on and worked fine. Well, except for the camera which took pictures in pink and green for the rest of it’s life. I eventually dropped it in the grocery store and broke the hinge and had to replace it.
The other thing from this blog that stuck out to me was the “World Ambassador”. It’s very similar to the Flat Stanley my niece sent me in 2nd or 3rd grade. “Flat Stanley” was book they read about a boy who gets flattened by a bulletin board that falls off his wall in the night. He’s so flat he starts to mail himself around the world on an adventure. The kids all colored (and laminated) their own Stanleys and were told to send it on an adventure with a letter asking the recipient to write about Stanley’s adventures. My niece sent it to me since I worked in exotic “New York City”. I took him to work and around the city. We then sent him down to a friend on Andros Island in the Bahamas, where we would pick him up when we went diving there in May. The friend was an elementary school teacher so we sent a disposable camera and a copy of the Flat Stanley book with it. What we got back when we retrieved him in May was so much more than we expected. The friend and her students had a field day with it. The kids took pictures with Stanley everywhere, filled the camera with their wonderful smiling faces and pictures of their island. They gave us a locally made Red Bays basket, a piece of Androsia batik fabric, a conch shell and letters of their own. I passed it all on to my niece for her class and they loved it.
I thought it was a wonderful way for kids to get to know other places and hopefully other cultures. To understand that there is a great big world outside of America.
I can only imagine the adventures your Traveler can have being on a cruise ship. Have fun with it!
Anywho, only one more cruise after this and you are off on your vacation. Counting the days, hours and minutes yet? When you get back to Civi on the 16th you should have a package from me. It got delivered right after you sailed on the 4th! (Ah the wonders of on line package tracking!)
Enjoy your vacation! As for me I’m excited to almost be at double digits for the Bloggers’ Cruise only 104 days to go. Don’t let Big Ed wriggle his way out of the thong jog!
Cheers mate,
Laura
John -
At least you have not been assigned to the Murphy Bed by Heidi.
Three weeks and counting.
Jon
Thanks for the laughs. 96 days until we sail the Miracle. I can’t wait. We’ll be visiting St Lucia, St Kitts and St Maarten. What are some of your favorite things to do on these islands? Any “don’t miss” things? Thanks
Hi again John, You are in deep doo doo so to speak. I keep thinking about the new Carnival Splendor cruise on July 2 – July 10, 2008. The first full cruise is July 13, 2008. What happens with those missing three days? If someone is going on the July 13 sailing and signs up for the July 2 sailing can they pay to stay on the ship those three days or do they have to move to a hotel? You have opened up a whole new can of worms my friend.
Also why Genoa? Dave was there when he was in the navy. Would you fly to Rome? These two cruises would be nice BTB.
Jo and Dave
hello john
did you get janes post ???? about our trip on ,,
R C mariner of the seas????
WE STILL LOVES C A R N I V A L ,,,,,BEST
John,
I have to say while this car isn’t brand new, people (epically the ladies) can’t keep their eyes off it. Yesterday I went to costco (it’s a bulk shopping store, 3000 rolls of toilet paper $6.00 us 10 gallons of honey $7.00us and so on) Well I come walking out of the store and it’s a huge parking lot mind you and I see this guy leaning LEANING ON MY CAR!! So now I’m thinking nah thats not possible why would any one do that, well then I see why there is this dream goddess she could have been Angelina Jolie or Catherine Zeta Jones (Heidi in your case John) standing there talking to this guy. Now everything seemed to come together this jerk told her this was his car. So me being the nice person I am walked over put my key in the trunk(boot) said excuse em to the guy loaded my bits of things, closed the trunk (boot) turned walked up to the drivers door, put the key in the lock and then they fun began she had noticed all this but not him and she said to him and i can’t make this up,
AJ: Is this really you car
Guy: Yes
AJ: You sure because if it is someone is stealing it right now
Guy: um what ahh well you see
AJ: Right so this isn’t your car now is it
Guy: Well it’s a friends
AJ: Really I wonder if he knows that
Guy: no he’s deaf and from Europe he speaks no English ( I can’t believe this guy)
AJ – knocks on the window : Excuse me sir is this your car and is he your friend.
ME ( In perfect English with my NY accent) Yes it is my car and (now i came to a dilemma do i help this total putz out or let him hang) I’ve never seen that guy before in my life, i honk the horn for him to move.
AJ: I though so and with that she walked away.
John you asked when i’m sailing again so it’s oct 18-20 carnival miracle cabin 5106 (under the anchor I think)
Yes john damn jelly beans I would resend them but i think you will be heading for vacation by the time they get there and i rather send them to somewhere you don’t need to move them too. So I think i saw your opening a PO box when you get home for all this crap to come to once you have all that setup it’s in the mail. Best to Heidi
Kevin
Kevin,
Your little joke up there sounds just like a motorcycle commercial I’ve seen on TV. John what’s the word for it when somebody steals another comic’s jokes?
“BIG” ED
Cosmic Whistleblower
This heard this week on Good Morning America!
Problem: My cell phone has gotten wet..( polite version)
Low-Tech Fix: Everyone’s first instinct is to blow dry it or put it in the oven, but don’t do that. Instead, remove as many components as you can, including the battery and the SIM card. Put the phone in a bowl of uncooked rice. The rice will naturally absorb the moisture, without frying the electronics.
John, I’m coming home on Jan 19th. Bought travel insurance this week, have the plane tickets, joined Weight Watcher’s ( down 6.6 pounds and Dan down 5 pounds. I hear the Chocolate melting cake calling my name.Kathieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
Msqpon – Jo Myerly –
Genoa (Genova) is not just for salami or Christopher Columbus anymore . It is where Splendor is being built.
I would think at least one of the 3 days between sailings is for the christening soirée – I suspect by invitation only. John, can you put me at the top of the waiting lists for one of those invitations?
Say John, how about some updated photos on the construction of Splendor???
Hi John: That was some story about your cell phone, reminded me of an incident with my brother, who is also my boss (he owns a company that produces chemicals for cosmetics etc. (shea butter, cocoa butter, Emu oil, Aloe, etc.) anyway, he had just gotten a new pair of eyeglasses, had them on and was going to the bathroom and he looked down, the glasses fell off his face into the commode and he flushed, you figure out the rest. He had these glasses a total of 1 hr. when this happened! Funny huh? Not as funny as your crappy cell phone story though!
Say Kevin, at the top of the blog site to the right is the NEW address to mail stuff to John in Miami.
John, I think I will mail your package in a few weeks so you get it while Alan is recuperating, as I said there’s something in there for him to, to keep his spirits up.
Will definitely send holiday cards etc. and include our mailing address.
Can’t wait to surprise Mike with the Blogger T- shirts, when we go on our cruise Thanksgiving week, look forward to receiving the book, please sign it if you will ok? We will miss you but I know we will see you again someday on a Carnival ship, hopefully on the Splendor (inaugural cruise) hope one is scheduled for early 2009, maybe January in the Caribbean? When will you have info. on this, before you start your vacation I hope! What is the exact date of Alan’s head surgery, we all want to be praying for him on that day (the power of prayer) you know! It will make a lot of difference! How long does it take for stuff to reach you from Miami? Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Wow! That was quite a bit of money to tune that piano! I can tell you need a vacation desperately! Your friends, Mike and Linda
Congratulations on the 750,000 slaps!
John, I did read about your mis-adventures in the world of Mouse. That’s what prompted me to tell you about my time there. Good lord boy, never go to Disney World in the summer! We went because my niece was going. They are from N.Y. (so am I originally) and they were dieing in the heat and the dredded humidity. We were only there for 4 hrs. then went to the hotel pool, Wilderness Lodge, very nice and COOL.
To anyone who has anyone in Iraq–I pray for them every night. They are not alone in this country.
I can’t stop thinking and praying for your mate, Alan. A best friend is truly a thing to cherish.
Best to you and Hiedi,
Marilyn
Hi again John!
Really enjoyed this blog. Especially your little story about your “Crappy phone”! Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun!
I like the Little Traveler you recieved. I may just send them a little card myself (being from Minnesota, originally.) I have been to Maple Lake many times as a child.
Carl and I are off to Color Fiesta. Our fall festival here in our city. We are going to the “Bed Races”. Lots of fun to watch!!! And later this evening to the parade of lights. But first I want to share a joke:
A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o’clock in the morning by a loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
“Not a chance,” says the husband. “It is 3 o’clock in the morning.” He slams the door and returns to bed.
“Who was that?” asked his wife. “Just some drunk guy asking for a push!”
“Did you help him?” she asks. “No. I did not. It is 3 o’clock in the morning and it is pouring rain outside!”
His wife said, “Can’t you remember about three months ago when we broke down and those two guys helped us? You should be ashamed of yourself!”
The man reluctantly gets dressed and goes out into the pouring rain.
He calls out into the dark, “Hello. Are you still there?”
“Yes,” comes back the answer.
“Do you still need a push?” calls out the husband.
“Yes! Please!” comes the reply from the darkness.
“Where are you?” asks the husband.
“Over here on the swing!” replies the drunk. (sniff….sniff….)
Well John,
I am so glad to learn that I am not the only one who’s cell phone (and in my case a pager also), have decided to take swimming lessons in the great white pool! I can’t believe that you had the nerve to ask Heidi to retrieve it for you though!!! You are toooo much! I will miss all the laughs while you are on vacation–I like many others, sign on to the Carnival website several times a day to see if there is anything new posted from you or Heidi. We will enjoy whatever you do have time to post though and thoroughly understand your need for some free time! I can’t believe that it has only been 2 weeks ago today that we got off the Freedom–seems like a year ago! Why is it that work days drag by, but fun vacation days fly?!! Hugs to you and Heidi.
Hi John
Happy to hear your getting a much needed rest soon. Spending time with your friend, Alan and family. Also alone time with Heidi!!
WOW!! 560.00 for piano tuning. The cost of my upcoming (5 day) cruise (Celebration) for 2 is cheaper then that. Will “On Deck for the Cure” be taking place on this ship?
You asked me to remind you about the Fantasy Pin if I didn’t hear back from you. It’s ok if you haven’t checked, you do have alot on your mind late.
Thanks to everyone who helps with the Blog Thingie
Hello, John and Heidi,
Hope this finds you both well and excitedly looking forward to your well-earned vacation. Thanks for the pictures of Pisa (last blog) and Florence (this one). They brought memories of our wonderful honeymoon in 1985. We did a group tour with Perillo which included bussing from Rome to Genoa with stops in Pisa and Florence along the way, and a cruise from Genoa visiting marvelous ports: Barcelona, Majorca, Tunis, Palermo and Naples. Then, land visits to Nice and Monaco. We saw and did the greatest things! I never imagined I would get to go to some of those places. Our ship was the Enrico C, a Costa ship, which I just researched to see whether it’s still around. It apparently was sold, for about the fourth time, just before Carnival acquired Costa. The ship experience was memorable for such things as the “Italian round line,” in which, for example, everyone gathers around a door and squeezes themselves through, much like ketchup from a bottle. Also, the boat drill was interesting as 1) it took place the morning after we sailed 2) it was during a “right major” storm so we all had to stay indoors, never mind where our lifeboats were, and 3) passengers were “barfing” into the wall ashtrays as a result of said storm. If the ship had stabilizers they were well disguised as we sort of “fish tailed” through the Med. In spite of all this, it was a wonderful cruise, with free wine at dinner every night, great entertainment by among others a “magician” who could literally steal everything on one’s person without that person’s knowledge (he was amazing, but I don’t remember his name) and last but not least lots of wonderful people from all over the world…but mostly from Italy!
Question: is climbing the stairs in the tower at Pisa allowed again? I think we were among some of the last people who did so before the tower was closed due to fears it was going to topple over. And yes, we also have one of those ubiquitous pictures…Scott holding up the leaning tower.
Anyway, thanks for reminding me of all that!
And now, about The Mouse. I guess I’m in the minority here, as I love all things Disney. We are annual passholders, live about 10 miles from the nearest park gate and go to one of the parks or Downtown Disney often. You were correctly advised that summer is not the ideal time for a visit to WDW, but then it’s not a great time to be anywhere in Florida unless you, like I, really enjoy the hot weather. Also, I believe you would enjoy EPCOT more than the Magic Kingdom, and especially now as the International Food and Wine Festival is going on. You could eat and drink your way around the world. (They have even included “Afternoon Tea With Stephen Twining” on two weekends.) Next Saturday we will be attending something called “Party for the Senses” where we’ll sample food from over 25 chefs and more than 70 wines and beers, plus entertainment by members of Cirque du Soleil. I just think people should know that WDW is so much more than just theme parks. (This may not make the blog as it is beginning to sound like an advertisement, although that was not my intent. I just really like to share my enthusiasm for the place.) You could even see the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees…or some other team…in a spring training game next year at the Wide World of Sports! Okay, I’ll hush.
More prayers for Alan and his family as well as you two. Keep strong for each other and know we’re thinking positive thoughts for all of you.
Best Wishes
Myra
John, knock on wood, I have never had a phone drop into the plop, but I can guarantee that if it ever happens, there is only one action I will perform – flush! There is no amount of money that would force me to take something that swam with something from my bum and place it into my hand, much less put it to my face to see if it still works! What do you tell the IT people? “It fell overboard!”
In answer to the question, “What do you call it when a comic steals another comic’s jokes?” Flattery!
Remind me to buy my wife a drink. I think she has packed and repacked at least a dozen times. I have beem banished to the carport since I came to the opinion that none of my ideas were any good once my lips started to move. We are lookin forward to the cruise on the 16th. Take care and see you soon.
It’s Sunday! My grandkids will be over after church to visit, Mike and I went out to breakfast early. I am just playing around with my new digital camera I got for the cruise, It’s a better one that the one I had, only 41 days till Nov. 17th! Can’t wait! You will be off the ship in 2 weeks! Wow, time goes by so fast! Best you can’t wait! Please let us know the date of Alan’s surgery ok? In my last email I made a mistake – it isn’t the inaugural Splendor cruise we want to go on, but the Bloggers cruise, hopefully on the Splendor, if you can swing it, (Jan. 2009)? I know Big Ed would like that too, preferably around his and Pat’s anniversary. Then we could finally meet Big Ed and his wife and see you again John and meet Heidi. See what you can do to make this happen, ok? Looking forward to Monday’s blog, I love reading them all. I must have missed something though, about your visit to Disneyworld, what blog was that under so I can go back and read it. Best Wishes, Your friends Linda & Mike P.S. Hi to Heidi and tell her if she has a chance before your departure to write another blog thingy.
Boy John, You got sooo ripped off! It costs about 100.00 max in Buffalo, N.Y. I’m glad to hear that you are taking some much needed time off. I was sorry to hear about Alan. I will pray for both of you!
Cindy from Buffalo(and Booooob)
John,
I sympathize with both your telephonic adventures in the W.C. and with your reaction to a day amongst the worshippers of The Mouse. We have assiduously avoided all things Mouse when it comes to vacations — aided by the fact that we have no children begging to be taken to such a place.
Reminds me of a little song…..
“Be our guest, be our guest,
Put your wallet to the test.
Bring a basket full of Twenties
and let D*$%#@ do the rest.
You will spend all you bring
buying useless little things
And your kids will not give you a moment’s rest….
You will spend all your dough
and have nothing to show
when you’re our guest — you’re our guest — you’re our guest!”
Ta for now
j&kwatts
When I was on the TA last year on the Liberty, I was shocked for a quick second when I heard the familiar ring of the beloved “cisco” wireless phone that was carried by the Carnival staff. I carry one every day at work. I am reachable at all times. The hairs on my neck stood up – I thought someone had sneaked it into my luggage as a cruel joke. I may have dropped a phone or two in the toilet! It is so easy to do. Being available to take calls in the toidee lends itself to accidents – (no pun intended!) I make sure to dry it before calling to report it dead. I should publish a warning never to purchase a used Cisco wireless phone – you can’t be sure of the reason it was refurbished!
Hello to John and Heidi!
John, I had to laugh as I read the blog about your ship’s cell phone. That kind of thing happens to the best of us!
OK….here is the deal on the box…….it did arrive. It had the ornament and the cookies. I am planning on another box prior to Christmas, but it will be sent to the Miami address and then forwarded. (i am researching to find some sugar free cookie recipes.)
I was intrigued by the route of the Splendor going over to Dover. With Paris and Barcelona, that should be quite a voyage. My family loved Paris last year. It is so beautiful.
What a great laugh you gave me this morning. I can relate to the cell phone issue – it seems my husband is always dropping them (although not in the potty), or breaking them. At this writing on his current phone you can only see half of the screen as our grandson was playing with it and who knows what happend. (Tom had no idea where the phone was when the baby discovered a wonderful new toy). He has lost them in a hot tub, over the Hoover Dam, under a truck tire, and the list goes on. Once again, you are the best and we continue to enjoy this bloggy thingy.
Hi John/Heidi/Friends:
$560? I’m in the wrong business. Maybe since he was the senior guy (at 85+ years old) is he able to command that kind of rate. Amazing!
Goregous pictures of the Domo today. Almost makes you feel like you are standing right in front.
Sorry about you dropping the phone. I like the person’s idea above about letting it sit in rice for a while. I will have to remember that.
I like the Splendor-Italy/Dover itinerary. That looks like a fun little journey.
Hope things are getting better for you.
I’d like to think its going better than my wife, with whom I am now living in the dog house. I made the executive decision to pick up Chinese food from a new restaurant last night, and she was hating me all throughout the night and today. Oh well…Live and learn
Thinking of you,
David
I do hope tomorrow goes better for you, Murphy does get around but he does not stay for long (most of the time)
the baby grands sound so nice, it looks like Italy in not the place for you to do you shopping without a lookout
the Little Traveler is so cute I hope he makes it all over the world and the children enjoy all the wonderful postcards
Sending my best to you both
Heidi-Beth