Happy Fourth Of July?……………………..not for some it wasn’t.
Last night before the show the lights were dimmed, the curtain came up and the orchestra played The Star Spangled Banner……………everyone stood…………most sang…………..and I wished everyone a happy fourth of July.
The this morning I received the above letter.
I have just spent the last ten minutes listening to an American tell me how much she hates America and how upset she was at me for playing the anthem………….her anthem.
She seems to be of the opinion that America is consistently alienating itself through its foreign policy and to have played that tune was disrespectful. I explained that it was tradition and that even as someone on the losing side of the war of independence that I took no offence in the playing of the son…………..this made her even madder and she then launched a triad of abase about the UK saying that we were hanging on the ” coat tails ” of the US Government.
I tried then to tell her that the ship was not a place for political debate but a place for fun and………………………….she hung up on me.
I called back immediately but she refused to answer the phone. This has left me doing what I do best………….second guessing myself…………..should I have played the National Anthem?……………….Were there as she said hordes of guests ready to hang me from the yard arm……………….Well, apparently not as I just finished walking around the Promenade during the Elegant Night parties and apart from one man who said it was too cold in his cabin everyone seemed happy and excited to be here and nobody wanted to hit me over the head with a hammer for daring to play the Star Spangled Banner.
I mean, wether she agreed with the politics of today or not I was surprised at her total distain towards the flag of her own country. She told me that she was scared to say she was American these days and the fact that I had openly played her countries anthem seemed to fill her with fear and rage.
Strangely, however, my biggest fear for the future of the world is………………… YouTube.
At present it is full, mostly, of young men falling off their bicycles and catching fire. But in addition to this you can log on if you wish to see the first new episode of 24 since thw writers strike.
This means the producers of 24 have gone to all the trouble of making a show, and paying the actors, and getting all those phones to go “beep beep eeoooh” and then finding that no television company in the world is all that bothered about screening it, because everyone’s seen it already on the web.
Naturally the company that makes 24 has started proceedings against YouTube.
Fine, you might think. YouTube will be forced to treat the copyright laws with a bit more respect but of course even if they do take it off it will immediately appear on another video sharing site based in Bombay.
This morning there are lots of John Heald clips on YouTube, and someone from the shipyard who was supposed to be laying carpet in the theatre instead snuck a camera in there and filmed segments of our new show and slapped it on for all to see
The upshot is that films, television shows, magazines, newspapers, songs, anything published or recorded, can be put on the internet. And the person who published it or recorded it doesn’t get any money. So what’s the point of publishing or recording anything?
At present, everyone is obsessed with the Internet. Every large media company in the world is investing millions in their websites and they are smart to do so. Some though seem to make no money whatsoever.
A prime example is iTunes. It doesn’t. Apparently Apple doesn’t make a penny from the music you download to your computer. But if you want to put that onto a portable device you have to buy an iPod, and they make zillions from that.
And it’s not just the media that are under threat. Why go to a doctor when you can see whats wrong with you by typing in your symptoms to www.itsjustacold.com
Why worry about meeting trawling the single clubs and bars desperate to meet that special person when you can get meet Zelda from Lativa on www.ofcourseiloveyouandnotjustforthegreencard.com
Why buy an encyclopedia when there’s Wikipedia (apart from the fact that everything on Wikipedia is wrong)?
One day, of course, everything and everyone will be replaced. The world will wake up and realise it’s unemployed; that we’ve all been terminated by machines. And please don’t try to argue that men will always triumph over machinery because we can always turn it off. Because that’s the thing with the Internet. You can’t.
Today, I spoke to an old friend from the blog ” Bill – Zydecocruiser”………………I am sure you will have seen his name many a time in the comments section and we chatted about the blog and life at sea. he is a great chap and like everyone onboard he is looking forward to sailing through the straights of Gibraltar tonight. This will happen around 7:30pm. Hopefully most guests on our main sitting will have finished munching on their steaks and lobsters and will be able to come out and see the rock of Gibraltar………………..I myself have only seen “the rock” in the dark a few years agoi but hopefully visibility will be good enough tonight…………..I will let you know.
Here are today’s random photos taken this time by Entertainment Staff member Lauren.
I have to admit that I felt a little frustrated this morning even before I met with Mrs. Not Proud To Be An American. I had started my first ever morning show here on the Carnival Splendor and after ten minutes it transpired that we were having major difficulties. I was told that the audio was terrible and instead of my usual placid tones I in fact sounded like Donald bloody Duck………………and ……………to make matters worse…………….the synchronization from sound to picture was about three seconds out which meant I looked like I was in the middle of a bad Japanese monster movie. Joking aside though, I was very frustrated at this. It’s nobody’s fault but I just expect everything to be perfect all the time. Somebody said ” its the first cruise, you should expect these things and laugh them off.”………..maybe…………but the guests here on the ship this week deserve the same high standards that those who will sail with us next week and beyond will enjoy.
Tonight though, the mood is great and I had many a compliment and many a photo taken.
On the domestic front all is well…………..oh…………..except I was forced to empty out my trunk of crap. This is a trunk that has followed me from ship to ship and as you can guess from my previous description.,…………its full of what heidi calls…………..crap.
There are indeed one or two things that are ……ummmmmmm…..well………….strange.
There’s the Sicilian shepherd with the melted face, the endless array T shirts, a particularly horrible snow shaker,North and South series one and two on VHS, a coffee table size book about cigars and a Jesus on a rope. …………………………..E bay here I come.
I am slowly trying to get the blog back to how it used to be and we can add a little more to that recipe with the welcome return of the ” In Their Own Words Section.”. For those who are not familiar with this let me explain. When my Morning Shows are running normally and not looking like The Return of Godzilla I invite guests to write in with dedications, messages of love and as we saw with the first letter…………suggestions and comments. I will share one or two with you each day so you can see for yourself some of the things people write.
Here are a few from today.
Just before the show tonight I introduced the Captain and Senior Officers. However, there was one more officer I had to introduce ……….Lt.Col. McMillan. U.S.Army. The Colnel had flown in direct from Iraq and has just two weeks to spend with his daughter Mary and wife Katie. I know this because Katie wrote me a letter………………so……………….here is what happened when Mary showed Dad how proud she was of him…………………oh ……………and so did many others………….Proud To Be An American ?………………………….you bet they were!
See for yourself
Video coming soon…
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the McMillan family.
Filed under: Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel
Tell that woman she can get the hell out of america if she hates it so much good ridance to bad rubish. She should be ashamed of hating her own country. Keep playing the U.S. national anthem don’t let those traitors get you down.
Dear John
The Big Kahuna here. I have an enlightenment for Mrs. X here……”She knows not about which she speaks” She is plaguarizing something that she has heard from someone else. America is not as hated as she would have lead you to believe. For the last 200+ years its been American Navy , augmented by the British Royal Navy that has kept the sea lanes of this world open so that and allowed this $#%$**** person to be allowed to sail across foreign seas as is upon the Splendor. If she is NOT WILLING to pay a small tribute to the men and women who have died for her country and who have shed their blood , or sacrificed their lives for keeping her country free by listening to the anthem, I am sure their are other countries to go live in. I am sure Fatima could use an assitant / or customer in the Turkish baths.
Ok I’m getting off my Soapbox now
Arnold Tucker
USN Ret 22 Years
John,
Even though I am Canadian I would have been proud to be part of the audience when you played the anthem. I get goosebumps when I see an American flag flying proudly . If that guest did not approve she should have left the theatre .
It seems like you made a lot of people proud and happy, as you always do!
So much looking forward to meeting you on July 13! Keep up the great work!
John,
I have a good idea for the lady ?? that did not want you to play our anthem.
Why don’t we all take a collection up for a plane ticket for her to Somalia. That sounds like a place she deserves to live in.
Even with all our faults, I am proud to be an American.
We are very proud to be Americans and after watching many patriotic tributes on television last night feel even more so. Anyone who takes the time to pay tribute to someone else should be thanked, not chastised, certainly not from a person living in America. Next thing she won’t want is to hear the different anthems representing the different armed services. I guess she does not watch the Olympics because they play a tribute to the country of each of the victors in each venue. Wow! As a very patriotic American I salute you for your tribute to our holiday and wish you and Heidi a great summer. See you on August 18 in London! Hopefully the kinks will have been worked out by then and everyone can enjoy your shows “live” or on TV.
Love,
Barb and Joe Dombrowski
Keep on playing the Star Spangled Banner and whatever countries anthem you want. Is she is embarrassed or doesn’t like living in the USA there are plenty of other countries in the world. I wouldn’t mind if you played other countries anthems on an appropriate day.
If anyone wants to keep up with the Carnival Splendor at least a couple of cruises go here http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor/splendor_pre_map.htm. Information on ports of call and plenty of photos. Wish I could be along for the ride.
John, I thank my good fortune everyday that I was born in America. I will always be greatful that I was born a free person in a free country. In our travels have have met many people who weren’t so lucky. There have many times that when I stepped back on American soil I wanted to kiss the ground in gratitude.
Drop Mrs. Unamerican off in Russia. You were right to play the Star Bangled Banner.
Jo
John,
You keep following your heart my friend, you can tell mrs. that she can take a flying leap fro the rail of the lido deck.
I comes to our minds that in an earlier blog on the day when Carnival took delivery officially you made a note that one of the things that took place was that the Italian flag was taken down and replaced with the american flag.
seems to us that mrs. has been watching way to much CNN and that the poor lady has been scared to the point of paranoia.
And to direct her wrath at you,,,,,,well she was and is wrong.
One of the great things granted to all americans by our constitution is the FREEDOM OF SPEACH, and unfortunatley for you, you were ground zero for her attack.
We as, your friends and as an americian thank you for recognizing our national holiday.
As a matter of fact we would like to use our constitutional rights to tell Mrs. to “BUGGER OFF”
You keep being you and doing what you do. You are the best at what you do and to all who truley know you, we know that you care and respect all of your passengers.
take care and smooth sailing my friend.
Cindy and Bill
ps. If you recall back to march the 5th 2008 on the Freedom and Just leaving Grand Cayman you did the daily show and read a letter from a woman who though that you should step down complaning that because of Mr.Bells visit she could not understand you and was very upset over this. remember that the first call you took was from Cindy and if ya can recall she exercised her constitutional rights and told that mis guided passenger to “bugger off” as well, hell she even bought a tear to your one good eye.
Folks need to understand that any person who showes that much dedication and love of his passengers is not to be chastized but commended. Having sailed on 4 cruises with you my friend all we can say is that if BIG John is the CD, we book immediatley.
again thany you for remembering and recognizing our national holiday.
John,
I guess the lady who was frightened by the playing of the US National Anthem has many other problems in her closet. I am very proud of the USA and wish I could say the same for our President but alas he is a poor example. I hope she realizes what the USA means to the world and we keep going to help others even when it means we individually pay more and suffer from loss of young men and womens lives serving in the armed services to protect us all .
Please do not let this deter you from your duties of making MOST people happy. I would be a proud American and welcome hearing your wonderful orchestra play our National Anthem anytime. How about playing it over the ships system everytime you leave a US Port.
Thanks for honoring the US by playing it on our countries 232nd birthday, July 4, 2008.
BRAVO ZULU
Dave Myerly
Stats are from your blog on July 3.
3290 total guest
2130 are Americans
You had an easy decision and that was to acknowledge our independence and your loss.
John, pick yourself up and carry on. You did the right thing.
Yay! I love the “in their own words” section. What a proud Grandpa and what a hard working young man.
I’m also happy that things are starting to fall into a pattern for you even if you are living in a badly dubbed film at times – lol.
If you see Bill again please tell him hello and a big thanks for all the pictures. Between Heidi, the entertainment staff and Bill, I feel like I have seen the entire ship. I do hope you’ll post a pic of the rock of Gibraltar…how exciting.
Thanks,
Dawn (who in 8 days will be on the Splendor)
Hey John,
sigh…I know it takes all kids to make up this world, but why do so many ‘mrs. complainers’ get the “voice” for the rest of us that are proud to be americans?
Keep up the blogs as they are great. Love you.
Jan
Good evening Mr. Heald. I’m proud to be a Canadian to say that my friends can be proud to be an American where you have two countries that are very free. That American woman unfortunately is not proud of her country. Yes, there are probably people that don’t like the U.S. but who gives a damn. ALWAYS show pride in your country. It’s all that you have. I’m proud to say that you my friend is one of the greatest individuals who stand for everyone. I wish I was onboard the Splendor right now to stand right next you. You, my friend is a staunch, proud, strong and caring man and I’m very happy to know you. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
ps…thanks Lauren for the great pictures!!!
Hi Stephanie!!
John,
Please don’t stop playing the national anthem on the fourth of July. In fact…I would like to thank you soooo much for playing it! I am sorry you had that complaint from Mrs. I hate my country.
Don’t second guess yourself; you go out of your way for anybody and everybody. You didn’t win the best cruise director because you second guessed yourself and changed things!
Now…I would give anything to see the video of you looking like a bad Japanese and to hear you sound like Donald Duck!!! I promise if you post it on here I won’t put it on YouTube!! hehe (fingers are crossed)
Princess Sussan
John – Great to hear that you played the Star Spangled Banner on our Independence Day. Thank you!!!
Well, Mrs. X – If you are embarrassed to be called an American, why not go back to wherever it is your ancestors came from and find out what it truly means to be an American, Freedom! Freedom of choice, and Freedom of Speech. Then maybe you will apologize to John Heald an Englishman who is proud to be the CD on a cruise ship that sees hundreds of Americans each week, and makes their cruise experience something to remember. You I am afraid will only remember the hatred you have in your heart! You are a miserable human being- and I for one am NOT proud to call you an American! Don’t come back to the U.S. if you feel so adamant about your feelings. Proud to be an American ALWAYS, Linda
John, you did no wrong. Thank you for playing our National Anthem. I want to apologize for this womans attitude and everything she said. I wish you could drop her in Cuba and leave her. I wish I was there so I could look her in the eye and say
“Climb this and then take a flying leap.”
Carolyn Very proud to be an American
I think you did the right thing playing the national anthem. If she is ashamed to be an American then maybe she should find another country to live in. Keep up the great work.
Hi John,
Wow is about all I can say about the complaint of playing the Star Spangled Banner. I definitly do not agree with most of the policies of the current administration, BUT, I AM STILL PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! I see absolutely no reason that we shouldn’t love America even though we occasionally get leaders we aren’t too proud of. Our system is called Democracy. Our citizens voted & we got the person that the majority wanted. We vote again this November & again we will have a president elected by the majority of the people. Many brave men & women have died & continue to die to protect democracy. The least we can do is to love our country.
John:
I hate to break little Johnathan’s heart…but true Karate Senseis will not even allow a person to “test” for their first Black Belt until they are 16.
Anything else is called “selling a belt” which is like “buying a college diploma from a diploma factory”. Unfortunately, it is very popular in today’s world of “easy fame”.
I am sure Chuck Norris’s instructor is a very fine fellow…but it sounds like he is a “commercial karate peddler” as opposed to a true Sensei like ours, Sensei Mikami.
The Chief Instructor of ASKF is Sensei Takayuki Mikami, 8th dan black belt (JKA hachi dan), who founded the federation in 1965. Mr. Mikami, a native of Japan, was the first certified instructor sent overseas by the Japan Karate Association (JKA). He was the All-Japan Kumite (free fighting) champion twice and three time All-Japan Kata (forms) champion.
When you finish your first test for your Black Belt with Sensei Mikami, there are very few parts of your body that is not bleeding freely. (including the bottom of your feet which has several layers of skin completely gone).
As for “little Ms. I hate America”… I only have one word….LEAVE!!! Of course, she won’t …
Keep playing that Star Spangled Banner. If I am blessed to be selected for the Talent Show in Sept. on the Ecstasy…I will be singing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
john I thank you and my dad thanks you for playing The Star Spangled Banner……………you did the right thing. If it wasnt for freedom she would never been on the Splendor, you did the right thing.
robert
Tell the “embarrassed” american that she can go get bent!!! She can also pick any other country to live in, try IRAQ, North Korea, China, Iran. DON’T COME BACK!!!!
Thanks John for sticking up for us (US). The unamerican lady is fortunately a minority of one. I sure would love to see the ROCK too. Best to you and Heidi.
dude! there always seems to be one… sorry. i am VERY proud to be an american and would have loved to hear it myself… just sayin’.
relax. don’t sweat the small stuff. breath in. breath out…. there. feel better?
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie