Saturday, May 10th, 2008...7:23 pm
A Man’s Blog Thingy
I take great pride in the fact that I do not cry when I watch a movie……..the only exception to this came when I saw the latest James Bond movie and the blowing up of the new Aston Martin DBS………….I cried like Halle Berry at the Oscars at that bit.
Last night my manhood was put to the ultimate test when I agreed to watch back to back movies designed to separate the men from the Richard Simmons………………..who by the way I met many times and is an absolute genius.
Now, I should explain that the reason I agreed to watch these DVD’s was that tomorrow (Sunday) is the final day of the Premiership football season…………….its a bit like March Madness without the gorgeous college girl cheerleaders dressed in tight spandex. …………..sorry……I got carried away there for a moment…………….anyway, tomorrow afternoon I intend to dominate the TV and indulge myself in football, newspapers and mugs of tea.
My punishment for this was a movie night………………..this involves the lighting of dozens of candles despite the fact that we live in a barn………….a big tub of ice cream and fresh fruit for Heidi which I have to serve her ……………..and ………………..finally……………..any real man’s worst nightmare……………….a cuddle on the sofa. …………….yep…………….we have to watch these movies together on the sofa……………it’s the law.
The first part of this evening of pure hell starts with a trip to Blockbuster to rent the movies and she gets to choose.
This involves her completely ignoring anything slightly resembling a gun, car or explosion on the cover instead looking for movies with the words love, heartache or passion in the title.
Look at the film stars who melt the hearts of Heidi kind these days: Johnny Dripp, Judy Law, George Loony and Joquaim Feenex . ………….all me with girly hair, pouty expressions and men who are with out doubt comfortable wearing make up.
These are not real movie stars. Maybe they’d manage an argument in a Starbucks with a girl called Kristen but in a jungle they’d be eaten within 10 minutes…………..we need more Segals, Van Dammes, Stallones and Schwarzenegger……….they may not have the chiseled chin of the Brads and Georges of this world but they are hunter gatherers …………….they are real men.
So, I decree that next Saturday is now officially Real Man Day………….this will involve us men walking around the house naked, eating great big lumps of freshly killed meat with our hands, not panicking when we spill something on the carpet but instead spilling some more, cut something up with a chainsaw (probably something that says Made In France,) drive a Mustang at 100 miles an hour through the streets of San Francisco and throw darts at photos of Ryan Seacrest.
You see these men…………Ryan, Brad, George etc are what I have been told by various women and some …………..ummmmm……………men………….warrant the title Metrosexual. This I am told is a man who has no fear of being in touch with his feminine side. Can you imagine someone calling Steve McQueen or Paul Newman “Metrosexual” and coming away from that conversation with all your limbs intact.
However, it appears that these days being Metrosexual is what is going to have the women falling at your feet and according to Heidi wearing a pair of sweat pants and my old Miami Heat shirt is far from Metrosexual and more Buysexual…………meaning the only way I will get women to want me is if I ” buy ” it.
However, Man Day seemed a long way off last night as I was forced to endure Four Weddings and A Funeral and the hell that is The Holiday………………..it was while I was watching Cameron, Judy and some Brit actress that I realized……………there just isn’t enough vomit in the world.
On a happier topic I see that many of you took the time to write in with your comments about anytime dining. I know there are many more that Stephanie is preparing to slap on so I will wait until Monday until I read them all and discuss the findings with the Miami office and of course with you all………………many thanks to all of you who felt the need to respond.
I am off to Alan’s for a barbecue and I will post a video if he lets me so you can now see just how ugly my best mate is.
In 1997 I met Mr. and Mrs. Koutselas on the Carnival Destiny. When I say met, I mean that we shook hands on Promenade and maybe said hello to each other at the gangway ……..anyway, it was a quick and brief meeting. A few weeks later I received a box in the mail with a beautiful plaque inside.
I am not sure if I have mentioned this before but whenever this special day comes around I always think of them. It was the day before Mother’s Day 1995 and their daughter Simone had gone to a mall in Detroit to buy her Mum a gift. Unfortunately Mum would never receive these gifts as her beloved 15 year old was shot and killed caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time while innocently standing at a bus stop.
When I read this letter and the plaque that came with it I did cry…………….and while hopeless romantic movies may not then reading this letter and that the families sadness had been lifted just for a short was one of the most humbling yet rewarding experiences I have ever felt. For the next 9 years I kept in touch with the family calling them every Mother’s Day. Unfortunately Mrs. Koutselas (Louise) passed away in 2006 and I lost touch with her husband. However, as tomorrow is Mother’s Day I think of them and say a prayer for Mum and daughter who are together again.
Mum’s ………..where would we be without them…………….if your Mum is still with you…….call her……….buy a her a big cuddly stuffed toy with the words “I love you Mum” on a big card…………….if Mum is no longer with you then still buy her that big cuddly toy and put it by her resting place or leave it somewhere that was a special place for her and Heidi and I wish all Mum’s………..Happy Mother’s Day……………………..and thanks for making us better people.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
ps - sorry for the short blog today but I promise more tomorrow.
35 Comments
May 10th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Hi John,
Before I forget again, I do like the assigned seating for dining. I am the kind of person that enjoys a schedule.
Happy mothers day to your mom and I hope she has a happy one.
I fell very bad for your friends who’s daughter died and it was so very, very kind of you to keep in touch with them. It is very hard to enjoy life when the worse nightmare you can imagine happens and for them to send you that plaque was a sign of their process of healing. Unfortunetily (sp?) I have been there. I have *I never say HAD* a wonderful son that was murdered when he was 17 on his way to work. My family has grown and life has gone on, but we still miss him with all our hearts. My motto is: I will never get over it, but I will get through it. I will never be the same, but I can be better.
My mom died when she was only 52 and I am 64 and can’t imagine being without my family. My mom missed so much.
Well, now you got me going so I better go play some Guitar Hero for awhile because there was always music when my children were growing up, and it helps a lot.
Ciao, Kathleen
May 10th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Thanks for making me cry with your last paragraph. I lost my mom 1½ years ago and this is the 2nd Mother’s Day without her and I miss her very much. She was also in the wrong place at the wrong time, her very own house asleep when a fire started in the basement of the house. We travel to honor her memory and my father’s memory (who also passed away from complications due to the house fire), they loved to travel and did so a lot.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there in ‘blog thingy’ land.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
John so many thanks for your words on Mother’s Day. This will be my first one without my Mom and while I am truly sad your story about the Koutselas family jerked me out of my doldrums a bit and I recognized just how fortunate I was to have her as long as I did. You’re a good man John Heald.
Enjoy your football! Barb
May 10th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Thank You.
Grandma
May 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
John,
You may not enjoy the sappy, tear-jerker movies we women like…. I’m willing to bet you enjoy cuddling and holding your beautiful Heidi. Just chalk it up to quality time with your beloved! Enjoy it… Life is way to short not to!
The plaque is a beautiful memory for you. You bring so much joy to so many people. It was nice that you could bring some happinness into that couples life. They surely needed it.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Now John, would this ” Man Day” happen to be the day Heidi is away and you are alone in the house ???
We are really glad to be with Bloggers 2 and to be able to finally meet and sail with you.
Phil & Liz
Houston, Texas
May 10th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I don’t think I fall into the ‘metrosexual’ mold unless wearing worn out jeans and a ‘Cruisin’ With the Crazies’ t-shirt works for that ilk… Some how, I think I’m securely OUT of the metrosexual category…
I do have to admit that I really enjoyed John Dipped in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ trilogy. Even if he did manage to make a pirate captain a bit effeminate I still got to see the ships and the Caribbean so I was happy.
I, and I believe the rest of the Blogging Nation, are looking forward to seeing your mate, our friend, Alan on the blog… live… in living color… as they used to say!
Tell me… have you mastered you Flic or whatever that camera thingy is called??? Is Heidi manning (womaning???) the machine???
Can you convince Heidi to get a shot of you in sports bliss tomorrow and post it for us???
Thanks so much to you, the lovely Heidi and the fantastic MOB, Stephanie!!!
Ciao!!!
GregB
May 10th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Happy Mother’s day to all the mothers on our bloogers family and to John’s and Heidi’s mothers.
Muchos huggos!!
Nanni
May 10th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
John and Heidi,
Hopefully next year, at this time, we will be able to wish Heidi a Happy Mother’s Day also! What a touching story. And, there again, it shows just how much you mean to all of us! You make our days, weeks and months, over and over again, both when we are sailing with you, and when we are at home reading your wonderful blogs! I have opened up this blog site so many times today looking for the video of you and Alan. I wish my computer was voice activated so that I could sit down, say “John Healds Blog” and up it would pop! We are anxiously awaiting your video to finally see what Alan and his family look like–it is so nice to put faces to the people we hear about, and it will be especially nice to see Alan since we feel that he is a part of our huge family! You know the old adage, “Any friend of John’s is a friend of ours”!
Sheryl
May 10th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
What a wonderful blog, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in blog land. My son and his wife and my 2 grandsons came into town tonight to see me for Mother’s day, bringing me a beautiful necklace, and the best gift of all, seeing my 2 grandsons, Carter and Andrew. Next year at this time they will have a baby sister or brother, which will be born around Christmas. I HOPE it is a girl. My daughter and her husband and my other 2 grandsons Jacob and Joshua will visit me tomorrow. I hope you get to see your mum and Heidi sees hers soon too, since you said you will be watching football on tv tomorrow. The movie The Holiday is a good movie John! I saw it with my daughter last year at the movies. Can’t wait to see the video with Alan at his barbq. If you can take a video of your new home, and put it on the blog, inside and out, ok? Well, can’t wait till your next blog. Have a nice weekend! Linda & Mike
May 10th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
John - I liked your blog, even the length. For many people Mother’s day is difficult due to unresolved childhood issues. So, here or there, it should be “Get Right with your Mum” day. Reconcile, be compassionate and loving. Forgiveness brings growth. Tell them that, too, John.
We just got off the Glory. We sat at a table with a delightful couple and their Down’s syndrome son. People would not sit with them, but we gladly stayed and were joined by another couple from Texas. We had such great dinners, and were the last to leave the restaurant every night. How different our cruise would have been without sharing their company. I recognize that sometimes assigned seating is inconvenient, but for us, it adds more than it ever takes away. I hope Carnival will always keep it somewhere.
Now John it seems like you are taking a lot of vacation time this spring. So, assuming you get time to do other than Europe things, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT DOING THE PRIDE PANAMA CANAL CRUISE NEXT MARCH. We really missed you and didn’t laugh once at the CD (Ryan). Please let me know if there is a chance you could be free to do this.
And, send us a picture of Alan. After what you have said about your sister, perhaps Alan looks more like George, no?
May 10th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Thanks, John. I appreciate anything you send our way. We came close to losing our son in 2001 in a car accident, but he is now clean and sober 4 years, 5 in December this year. We thank God every day. Thanks for the reminder.
Jan
May 10th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Hello John and Heidi,
Just want to wish both of your moms a Happy Mothers Day and also to all the moms of the bloggers (and those who are moms) a Happy Mothers Day too.
We’re lucky we still have both of our mothers with us but we’re not so lucky about our fathers.
Enjoy the rest of your vacation time.
Linda & George
May 10th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Happy Mother’s day to John’s and Heidi’s Mums. Oh I hope and pray this time next year we will be wishing Heidi a happy Mothers day.
Even though I am a mother of 2 and grandmother to 2 grandaughters I find Mother’s day hard to celebrate, I lost my Mother 59 years ago on May 11th. She was buried the day before Mother’s day. I was 9 years old.
This year the anniversary of her death falls on Mother’s day. There is absolutely no one that can take a mother’s place.
I’m sorry I am so depressing tonight.
Carolyn…. guess I need a cruise with John as the CD……..to make me laugh ……..
May 11th, 2008 at 1:48 am
John: If memory serves, you think/used to think Angelina Jolie was “hot”. Just read you can sleep in her bedroom…sort of:
[url]http://cbs2.com/local/Angelina.Jolie.Body.2.720973.html[/url]
If you decide to move…no need to tell Heidi who told you about this. Trust me…
May 11th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Hi John & Heidi;
I hope Carnival does go with anytime dining, my husband will only go on ships that have it. He doesn’t want to take a chance of being asigned at a table with someone we don’t like or haveing a set time that you have to eat. I sailed with you in Sept. (with a group of ladies) & had a great time.
Bye for now
Marlene
May 11th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I think that having the option of assigned or anytime dining is great. However, in reading many comments on cruise critic, there does seem to be a problem with many people prefering assigned seating and not being able to get it. Others complain that they do not like the wait times when going to the restaurant without a reservation. If the ship truly has enough space/staff to offer the option of both types of seating then it is wonderful. But if the ship cannot satisfy either the people wanting assigned dining and also satisfy (in a timely manner) those wanting anytime dining then it is not going to be successful. My personal preference is for an assigned dining time but I recognize that the cruise lines must try to please as many of their passengers as possible.
May 11th, 2008 at 8:39 am
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
TO ALL THE MOTHERS OF JOHN’S THINGY
A special Happy Mothers Day to the two Mothers that gave us these two wonderful people that make our day every day. To John’s Mum we know it must have been a very trying life raising John but you did a wonderful job we all Love your for it.
BIG ED
May 11th, 2008 at 11:30 am
We’re doing the “as you wish” dining on a sister line in just three days. Hubby has been jonesing for this, I’m skeptical. But I just thought of this advantage — I don’t have to have a completely different outfit for each night because I will be sitting with different people.
I promise not to pull a frenchie and wear the same thing the whole time, but this will reduce some packing — thankfully.
Happy Mum Day to all it applies to — past, present, or future.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Silly question - wasn’t Mothering Sunday ages ago? (March?)
Another thought provoking blog - it goes to show that you never know how far a smile is going to go and the benifits it can have.
So, whats the film for next Saturday? and on a total man’s day, fancy coming to Twickenham for Rugby final (31 May)?
Regards,
Gav and Em
May 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Thank you John, for even a short blog…..better than none at all.
Happy Mother’s Day to John & Heidi’s moms……..hope this time next year, we can include Heidi in our Mother’s Day wishes and John on Father’s Day……
Happy Mother’s Day to all our blogger mom’s and their mom’s near and far.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Anytime dining - yes - ONLY if there is an option for traditional dining. Like Princess. (We had traditional dining and there was a huge wait list of Anytime diners to get into Traditional.)
Groups -Anytime dining is TERRIBLE. Traditional dining enhances a group’s cruising experience - and doesn’t make the group leader a crazy person trying to coordinate group dining times.
Couples traveling alone (which we seldom do) can enjoy anytime dining, so I’ll agree it should be considered as an OPTION.
Kathy
May 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
John -
Wonderful blog, as usual.
For those who want to read my Mothers Day blog, just click on my name - I love you, Mom.
Jon
May 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Good afternoon Mr. Heald. Your story of the Koutselas family made me feel sorry about how life is so confusing at times and it even made todays Mother’s Day today a special one. I have invited my mother, my wife and family except for Michael as he returns home tonight from his honeymoon cruise, for a Mother’s Day dinner. I am the chef for this special dinner. It is my way of thanking my wife and mother for all that they do for me and the entire family. So I just wanted to say I enjoyed your blog today and I have to get back to my kitchen. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
May 11th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
John,
I prefer assigned dining. I like getting to know my waiter and team along with my dining companions. I will be a solo cruiser on my next cruise and with dining being the most stressful part of cruising solo, sitting at the same table with assigned tablemates will help me make friends.
So, my vote is assigned dining stays!!!
By the way, I have really enjoyed Bubbas guest blog entries.
When are the new itineraries (if they are coming) going to be announced?
Keep the fun coming!!!
Your friend,
Maria
May 11th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and, of course, grandmothers, who are reading this. May you enjoy a pleasant day with your family.
May 11th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Having sailed on NCL with their Freestyle Cruising, on Cunard Queen Mary 2 with the formal dining and on many Carnival cruises (most recently 2 on the Freedom), we much prefer the reserved table dining as Carnival has now. I know most of the lines are testing the public with small sections dedicated to the other type of dining, but we have always had wonderful waitstaff members and truly enjoy having the same table every night. We find the service much more efficient and pleasant when you have the same waitstaff. Hope it continues that way!
See you in August on the Splendor … love your daily blog, stories and pictures. I have kept a lot of the information for my clients who are traveling with us on the Splendor. We are coming in one day ahead for a very quick time in London.
See you soon as well as our friend Ron!
Cheers!
Barb and Joe
Get Away Travel
Cherry Hill NJ
May 11th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Happy mothers day to all you moms out there. Yesterday my daughter got her Masters from Mary Washington U. in Virginia. She has a husband and two wonderful boys, so she makes me sooooo proud. Today my son is going to cook on the grill for me. He has a beautiful wife and two boys and one little princess. It is great to be a mom and “Nanny”.
John, as alwsys I enjoy your blogs.
Thanks,
Jennifer
May 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Hello John, My wife & I enjoy cruising every few years. Our last cruise was on the 12 day med., with Carnival with you as the cruise director. Really magnificent job I might add. If anybody reading this is considering booking that cruise, DROP what your doing and book it today. You won’t be sorry !! Carnival has done their homework and it is a trip of a lifetime.
Carnival is one the right track offering a combination of assigned seating and the option of freestyle! It will catch on especially with with the younger crowd. We enjoy the assigned seating, however, there are times after a long shore day of sight seeing that assigned seating is just another place you HAVE to be there on time. Casual seating is a perfect option. Regards, Jim
May 12th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Hi John,
What a touching story of the Kouselas family. You’re right - it brought tears to my eyes. My Mom passed away 15 years ago, but it seems like it was only yesterday. I really miss her & my father. They were my pals, my confidants and even sometimes my adversaries. But they were above all, my parents and I wouldn’t be here if not for them.
Man Day, huh? Like someone else said - Heidi won’t be home, right?
Over the weekend I had my movie day - 3 in a row - the Indiana Jones trilogy was on the USA Network - can’t wait for the new one. You can keep Arnold & Stallone - just give me Harrison Ford. And a little bit of Capt. Jack Sparrow too.
Can’t wait to see the pictures of Alan.
Carol
May 12th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
John,
I must tell you, I had a wonderful Mother’s Day with Mom. She lives with us and it’s a joy to have her there! I doubt she’ll be able to cruise anymore, which is unfortunate since she LOVES cruising, but her Alzheimers is progressing… On our February cruise this year, I found her lost only once… and thank heavens for WONDERFUL crew members… she wasn’t lost for very long!!!
I pray your Mum and Heidi’s had wonderful Mother’s Days!!
Lambie
May 12th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
John: Thank you for the kind Mother’s Day greeting. Being a single Mom whose children have both moved away, Mother’s Day is especially hard for me. You made me realize just how lucky I am.
Thank you!
May 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
Great concise blog today and very special that you single out the mothers. That is very nice that you kept in touch with that family after all of these years. I’m not surprised though since that is just like you.
I am all for man day. Something tells me though that my wife would not be too thrilled. It seem that everyday is her day, so i’m lucky to get one every now and then.
Thanks for another great blog and looking forward to catching up soon!
Take care.
David
May 13th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Hello John,
Just a quick note to let you know that I will be returning to Iraq after June 3 after my final appointment with my Neurologist. I had a stroke on December 11, 2007 in Iraq at 2:00 A.M. I am at near 100% healed after 2 months of intense physical, speech and occupational therapy and am ready to go back to work. My Uncle, Aunt and I will be going on a cruise out of Galveston, Texas on the Ecestacy. I cannot wait!! I will go on a Greek Islands cruise next year for sure and hope to see you and Heidi. Well you both take care and God Bless,
James
P.S. Hope that you remember who I am. I was on the Great ship The Freedom last May 25 that went out of Rome for 12 days!! I enjoyed every minute of that cruise with you and Heidi and met so many wonderful people too!! It was Great seeing Alan and knowing what he looks like after praying for him. Thanks for the video!!!
May 19th, 2008 at 11:02 am
John:
This was my second Mother’s Day without Mom who passed away at the age of 97.
She was nothing short of fabulous and I was so blessed to have had her as my Mom.
Mom had my 5 brothers and sisters and 11 years later; when she thought the days of diapers were over …surprise. At the age of 46….I came along!!!!
She and my Dad were married 54 years before he passed away at the age of 76. Mom was a widow for 20 years and we did everything together.
As odd as it may sound, even though she is gone…whenever I have a struggle to deal with, I know instinctively the advice she would give.
So while I miss her terribly, she is still with me.
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