Wednesday, November 21st, 2007...3:35 pm
Thanksgiving Day Wishes
£3.50 a liter, ($7) it’s bloody outrageous, have they lost their minds? No, I am not talking about petrol I am in fact taking about …………..water. Heidi (she is home by the way and more about that later) sent me shopping. We had friends coming over for dinner and an hour before they were due to arrive, the flag was raised because she discovered we had……….no sparkling water.
I saw pure panic in her eyes and I was tasked to go and get two-liter bottles of sparkling H20. “Can’t we just give them water from the tap? (forcet, fawcet or however you spell it)………………….her answer was to throw my car keys at me and I began my trek to the supermarket.
Anyway, I have to admit that I have no idea about supermarket prices as Heidi has always been in charge of that stuff but I guess as I was on my own and that I approached the checkout with only two bottles of water I realised what a complete rip off bottled water has become. Stick some fancy Italian or French name on the bottle and it appears that you can charge what you want……….Perrier apparently is French for “I can’t believe you are paying all this money for water you English idiot.”
How can we complain about the cost of petrol when water…………costs more per liter than the black stuff…………………it’s a strange world. So, Good Morning everyone and as usual we start with a two apologies. The first is for not writing a personal blog for a few days but meanwhile I hope you enjoyed the interview with Mr. Jack Andersen whom I think showed that the family of cruise lines ………..come on John lets give them the title they deserve………..The World’s Leading Cruise Lines………that’s better …………….are indeed a family and we will hopefully make sure that for there are benefits in place to benefit those of you who continually cruise on them all.
The second apology is for not answering the questions and comments the last few days. I have read them all and I promise that I will indeed answer ALL of them over this coming weekend and post the answers on Monday………..hope this is OK.
So on Monday morning at 9 am Easy Jet flight number crap1 arrived into Stanstead Airport bearing my wife and 100 or so other poor sods who had to endure the bright orange interior and couldn’t care less service that this wonderful airline provides. I had not seen Heidi for over two weeks and when you are used to spending so much time together as we normally do…….two weeks feels likes a very long time. I couldn’t wait to see her for many reasons and close to the top of the list of those reasons was the fact that I had run out of clean underwear three days ago.
Anyway, she is home now and I am basking in the luxury that is clean underwear. We have visited Alan who continues to do well and day by day I see my best pal getting back to his old self. Yesterday we went to see Mum and dad and generally we have just enjoyed being together again and slowly we are starting to unwind.
Well, it’s Wednesday morning and along with these few words you will also be able to read a brilliant interview with the Hotel Director of the rejuvenated Carnival Imagination. Having read the interview I immediately asked permission to go and sail on her. This permission was granted and on the five-day cruise after the bloggers cruise Heidi and I will embark and see for ourselves this amazing evolutions. These changes will eventually be placed on all the Fantasy class ships and I want to experience these changes for myself.
Now, although I will not be the cruise director and will not be performing maybe some of you may want to come and sail with us. If you do decide to book let me know please and maybe we can arrange a little get together. A Blogger also asked about the Seaside Theatre Big Screen that has now been placed on the Carnival Victory and if there are plans to put them on other ships. The answer is yes, there are indeed plans to do so and I will let you know as and when this is due to happen.
I also want to take the time to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Each of us have a lot to be thankful for and tomorrow many of you will celebrate in your own way with your family around you and I hope you have a wonderful day.
To the readers of this blog who are not from the U.S.A. and who do not celebrate Thanksgiving Day I want to suggest this. Tomorrow, let’s all, wherever we are from sit down at dinner tomorrow night and have a Thanksgiving Dinner. Now, you don’t have to cook turkey, pumpkin pie and all the other bits but whatever you eat maybe we can all just take a few seconds to remember how thankful we should be that we are able to enjoy cruising and that as thousands of you continue to read this blog everyday I am certainly thankful for that.
So, have a happy Holiday and I hope your Celebration changes from a Fantasy to reality and that the pure Ecstasy that is sharing time with family. Then, that Sensation you feel as you remember how fortunate we are to enjoy cruise vacations will further your Imagination and give you Inspiration to come and sail again soon. The Elation of receiving your tickets in the mail will no doubt have you ready to sail to Paradise.
Last night there was a program on the television about the NFL footballer who was involved in the horrible sport of dog fighting. I think his name was Michael Vick and his wife’s name is Tory…………what a shame, that was a man who had it all and it will be a Miracle if he ever returns to his former Glory…………..what a shame…….he could have been a Legend. Yesterday I achieved a personal Triumph and yes, it’s all about underwear. As I had run out of clean pairs I returned to an old stock of briefs. Now, for those just tuning in I reported some months ago that Heidi made me change from briefs to boxers and for months my Spirit has been flagging. However, she gave me permission to return to briefs and my Liberty has been restored. I hated the Freedom that the boxers gave my………….well……… you know and now my Pride has been restored and the fact that Heidi has agreed to this is a Miracle.
It’s nearly time to go as I am driving Heidi to have her hair done. She has used the same hair stylist for some years here in Southend so off we go to see her. I think her name is Val Or something like that.
What a strange blog this has been. we started talking about water and that it Cost A lot to buy and my friends hardly touched it drinking the expensive wine instead. After dinner we watched the movie The Born Directive starring Matt Damon. Anyway his character was called Jason Born and it was great to See Born kung fu his way around Paris and London……..great movie.
Time to stop writing now as I am taking my little Princess shopping to buy a new dress and we will have lunch at our favourite restaurant Nardias. This is a very popular Spanish Tapas restaurant. There is always a queue………..Nardias is worth it. OK, I must go as I have to Pee and Oh, yes, let me finish by saying one more time whether you are in the U.K., Canada Holland America or wherever you may be…………….Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
26 Comments
November 21st, 2007 at 4:58 pm
John,
Thanks for the nice Thanksgiving wish. I agree that it is so sad that an NFL player who was at the top of the world put himself in a situation where he has basically lost it all.
When I first started reading this blog, I never thought I would learn so much (more than I really wanted to ever learn in fact) about your under garments. That said, I’m glad you’re back to what’s comfortable for you.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:43 pm
My good friend John,
How good to see you back to your blogging self again. I, and I’m sure the rest of us, have missed your wit and style.
Congrats on managing to tie 15 ( did I get them all?? ) of the ships into your monologue! It truly was a demonstration of the Splendor of the written word, a Conquest of prose, an exercise in literary Freedom. Blogging, it seems, is your Destiny!
Thanks, also, for the reminder to all of our blogging nation about Thanksgiving. Those of us fortunate enough to have meals on the table, to find ourselves secure and blessed with the resources to enjoy our favorite past time, cruising, should give thanks each and every day.
So glad to hear that the lovely Heidi is back home with you. I’m sure that your comfort level has increased dramatically. Good for you… good for you both.
I’ll take my leave now as I must start preparing food for tomorrow. Although I love this Holiday it does require remarkable amounts of effort and time.
Offer my ‘howdies’ to Heidi and the Always Amazing Roberto!
Regards,
Greg
November 21st, 2007 at 6:48 pm
John, it was not that water you paid so much for it was the sparkling bubbles. Have you ever tried to catch them. The minute you think you got them POOF there gone.
You miss the boat that much all ready that half your words are ship names.
The reason Heidi gave you Freedom in boxers was to give you Inspiration to create a Dream of Magic.
“BIG” ED
November 21st, 2007 at 6:57 pm
John and Heidi,
I loved the way you incorporated every cruise ship’s name in your blog! That’s pretty talented!
Thanks for the great laugh before I take a couple days off for Thanksgiving. We will be enjoying time with our families and eating way too much food! But isn’t that what life is all about afterall?
Heidi, welcome home! John sounded like a fish out of water and missing you greatly, I could tell. Enjoy your vacation time together!
November 21st, 2007 at 7:44 pm
John,
You have a good (British) Thanksgiving as well. By the way, $3.50 for a litre is becoming all too common in the States as well, someone needs to step in. May I introduce John Heald, WATER POLICE.
-BigMike
November 21st, 2007 at 7:52 pm
YEAHHHHH… I am hoping (fingers crossed and wishing) that you are talking about the Imagination cruise Jan 28, 2008…..because….
that is the first part of our B2B on her!!!!!
Which means we would be sailing with you!!!!
And you also get to sail with our good friends Noonan and Gemma.
He doesn’t know yet that we are booked. (I lost his cell phone number …uughh!! ) I talked with them when they were on holiday in New York (before I lost his cell phone number) and he said that he and Gemma were being assigned the Imagination as soon it came out of drydock!!
We have already started a Cruise Critic Roll Call and have a small (but enthusiastic) group ready to sail!!
Please tell me this is the one you will be on!!!!
November 21st, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Nice use of the Carnival ship names scattered about in your latest blog. Rather pseudo-clever of you
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 21st, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Thanks for the post. Loved your idea of everyone celebrating their own special day of thanks around the world. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Heidi.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:23 pm
John and Heidi,
Thank you so much for the Thanksgiving wishes to all of us here in the U.S.A. During this time of year it is tradition to share what we are thankful for. I’m sure that I am not alone in being thankful for the two of you and what you have brought into our lives, both by cruising with you, but also by being grateful for what you share with us through the blog. You keep us laughing, sometimes crying, but always being thankful for the time you take out of your busy schedules to blog to all of us.
That was a nice interview with Miles, and great pictures of the Imagination. That was quite clever of you how you intersperced all the names of the Carnival ships and some others into the blog.
I’m happy that Heidi made it home safe, and that you will now be able to enjoy some time off together. Thank goodness she got home in time to prevent you from having to go “commando” in the underwear department! Commando, in case you haven’t heard that term, means going without underwear.
When Heidi gets her new hat, please take a picture of her wearing it and post it on the blog so we can all admire it. When is the big day with the Royals?
All my best to you both,
Sheryl
November 21st, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Dear John and Heidi:
Happy Thanksgiving!! I have many reasons to give thanks today. My father’s operation went well and for many new blogger friends that have been with me in this difficult times. I have been blessed.Thank you!!
Nani
November 21st, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Greetings John & Heidi from the great Pacific NW! Have been reading furiously to get caught up! So glad to hear you are home at last and getting the R&R you and Heidi deserve. Our thoughts and prayers are still with your friend Alan.
Speaking of R&R, I am happy to share that our son Randy is home from the desert for two weeks over Thanksgiving! It is wonderful to have him here. Please pray for those soldiers deployed and in danger especially during the holiday season.
I am just home from 4 great days on the Carnival Paradise! OK, it was my 5th time doing that itinerary (and my 10th Carnival which meant I enjoyed those Platinum rewards!) however, it was my girlfriend’s first cruise and she had an awesome time! She loved the Verandah balcony, the chocolate melting cake, etc etc. Most of all, she was very impressed with the cleanliness of the ship and the professionalism of the crew. Now she plans to convince her hubby that Alaska will be their first family cruise!
Much thanks to Carnival for not letting me down after the big build up I had given to my good friend!
Wishing our Carnival Freedom June 6th friends and our blogger/cyber friends, and of course John & Heidi, a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. May God bless all of your friends and family.
Janet & Phil Sargent
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 am
Hello John,
The ship the Imagination is a special ship for me, that is where I first met you. I was one of your “Dick Silver’s” on the ship. and had a great time.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
Mark
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:11 am
John,
. Any updates on the 2009 bloggers cruise ? When what ship and so on. never to early to start planing. I did notice you managed to get every carnival ship’s name into this blog you sly guy you. Thought no one noticed eh. Seems we all did, Glad to hear your going to take a cruise on the newly refurbished Imignation, Maybe BIG ED will change his B2B to join you on her. I sure wish I could 
. Work is nuts right now and it’s only going to get worse soon. But then it will be done again and things will go back to normal. Best to Heidi again and mum and dad, and of course Alan who needs to get better so you can start bringing him along when you and your upper echelon friends are dining with Burt and Angelina.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Heidi also. Please join us next year. You forgot to tell us about the sofa and wine problem. Are you in the dog house forever or not? John the secret to underwear is just go and buy more when you run out
Kevin
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 am
John and Heidi -
Happy Thanksgiving from the Smokefree Paradise clan. May your dreams be realized in the coming year.
Jan 28th sounds awfully interesting, but it remains too soon. What is your schedule on the Splendor? Will you be staying on the ship after the Transatlantic Crossing? [BTW - I am glad to see an interim port in the crossing next year. Seven days can be an eternity - and I prefer the sea days.]
Jon
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:18 am
BTW2 – what is up with Heidi’s search for a hat?
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Thanks for keeping up with your blog. My husband and I really appreciate reading about the ships and what you do on them. Yes, a big Thanksgiving here this year. No matter where I am in the year now, we often celebrate thankfullness.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Greetings from Canada. Let’s add the next 3 Carnival ships.
The SPLENDOR of a Canadian winter is upon us. We had a dumping of the white stuff along with freezing rain during the night. It is still too early to DREAM of a white Christmas. However, when there is snow for Christmas, it is MAGIC.
For those interested here are the next 3 including Splendor we have heard/read so much about on this blog thingy. (#guests – deliver date)
Carnival Splendor (3,006 – Spring 2008)
Carnival Dream (3,608 – October 2009)
Carnival Magic (3,652 – June 2011)
SewingNut
November 23rd, 2007 at 10:41 am
Hi John,
Nice to hear that Heidi is back to keep you inline.
Very impressive with all the ship references in the poast. I’m thinking of throwing a little Mardi Gras in Celebration of this Holiday and your use of terms
Glad to hear Alan is improving. That does make some wishes come true.
Cowboys won, so it was a great Thanksgiving in Texas.
Hope all is well!
David
November 24th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Give Thanks!
We’ve just had a chance to look at some of the photos/videos of the fabulous places all over the world we have been with Carnival. We are very thankful that we have had the opportunity and abilty to travel to places one only dreams of!
We woke up this morning to yet another Malibu fire with many homes already lost. We feel so badly for the people and right after Thanksgiving. I do know the feeling as my parents lost their home in the Northridge Quake of ‘94. It is a feeling you can’t explain….
Kathy and Paul
November 24th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Hello John and Heidi!
This blog is bound to be a Legend in it ’s own time, you have a wonderful Imagination, showing the Glory of the crusie life with Pride, and have been an Inspration to Blogger everywhere. To have the Freedom and Liberty to share with all of us. From here we Dream of future a Holiday that will lift our Spirit with a Celebration of Paradise. As a child it was a Fantasy to go on a cruise, and a true Elation at Triump of making it real. A true Conquest and maybe a bit of a Miracle too, at the Victory of each booking. Sometimes I may wonder if it was our Destiny to come together here with a comon Fascination. With Ecstasy we wait for the next cruise to come because we never forget the Sensation we had the first time we walk on to a Carnival Ship! Such Splendor could not be know anywhere else Carneval has earned the Valor of all other in the Indestry.
Ok I know the last one was a stretch but I think that is all of them truly the Pinnacle of my blog coments!
I know, I know, I have been quiet for a bit but I am still here and enjoying every blog thingy. We had a very nice and quiet but very filling Thanksgiving, the best part is my Kevin and I always cook together. Friday we took a day and went to the Lighthouse in Daytona too, it was a great day. (we happen to like Lighthouses, and try to see as many as we can)
Well I seem to have made up for lost blogging with this one.
My Best to you all
Heidi-Beth
November 26th, 2007 at 10:20 am
John and Heidi,
Oops! You can tell I have not been able to read the blog on a regular basis. I thought Heidi was returning home today…….well, anyway, thanks for the wonderful Thanksgiving message. Ours was very eventful. First of all, I purchased a frozen turkey on Monday, November 19. My daughter kept telling me earlier that I needed to go ahead and buy the turkey. I was just sure it would not be frozen. What a surprise! Well, by Thursday morning, it was still not completely thawed and a full fledged panic set in. I was frantic….all these people were coming for dinner…..that turkey could not be cooked…..what was I going to do?
Well, my devoted husband went to the local Walmart and purchased a styrofoam cooler and an aluminum pasta pan to cook the turkey in. He came home with these items and we filled the cooler with cold water and submerged the turkey.
The water had to be changed every 30 minutes.
Within two and a half hours, the turkey was ready to be cooked. It came out looking marvelous and I was proud of myself. My husband agreed, but then he asked if I thought it was big enough.
We were having eight people for dinner. We managed just fine and even had some left over for our dinner on Friday night. Anyway, the dinner turned out great. Everyone had plenty to eat.
I do know that next year I plan to purchase the turkey well in advance to allow for adequate thawing.
Thank goodness for Walmart!!!!!!
November 26th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
{thought I posted this a while ago, but don’t seem to see?}
Hi John,
Long time no see. I’ve been very busy and was even stuck for a while in a place with no Internet (actually just not allowed). I thought that was illegal? I though I was going to die!
Anyway, I leave today on my Carnival Conquest cruise – the Zydeco Cruise and for any who are interested in following the adventure:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/conquest_07/conquest_07.htm
We must not forget food, so here is a picture of a Philly cheese steak I inhaled from a deli near the Liberty Bell (in Philadelphia, of course):
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/philly_2007/pics/IMG_6324.JPG
November 26th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Hi John
Your dad told me about the blog when he bought some beef rib last week, so I thought I must check it out.
Is it always about underwear?
I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving dinner as much as I did mine.
Kindest regards to you and Heidi
David
November 27th, 2007 at 2:37 am
Hi John
Your dad called in to buy some beef and told me about your blog. I had to check it out.
Is it always about your underwear?
Kind regards to yourself and Heidi.
David
November 27th, 2007 at 11:44 am
To David Harrison,
Nice web site you have. Sounds like your beef cooked by John’s Mum would be a meal made in heaven.
“BIG” ED
November 27th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Thank you for your kind words “BIG” ED, I’d like to think that you are right!
David
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