It seems that the Inauguration of President Barrack Obama went well and although I missed it live yesterday. Captain America decided to keep us informed by using the PA system on the plane to tell us that he was now officially President of the United States. ……..we can’t use our cell phones or electronic devices during take off and landing but the pilot has a 50-inch Sony Plasma in the cockpit.
Anyway, last night back at the hotel I caught up with the speech and all the hoopla and then suddenly, I began to feel quiet sorry for your new President.
After a long speech in freezing temperatures he then had to pretend to be nice to George W. Bush by saying “Thank you, sir, for all you have done, the country owes you a huge debt of gratitude”……………of course what he probably wanted to say was “Bugger off you silly sod and if I find there’s no toilet paper in the private residence there will be trouble.”
But, that’s not why I felt sorry for him………nope…………The first thing he had to do as the new President was to eat an inaugural luncheon attended by 200 hungry congressmen, judges and other dignitaries.
Halfway through the main course, I am sure he suddenly realized the enormity of the task that lies ahead of him. He no doubt reflected, with a weary belch, that this was not what he got into politics for. And when they finally plonked his desert in front of him, he will have been tempted to lean across to Vice-President Biden and whisper: “I can’t do this, Joe, you take it from here,” before bolting for the door marked rest rooms ready to give some shock and awe to the toilet bowl.
You see, I watched the news last night and Wolf Blister on CNN explained that the menu tied in with the Abraham Lincoln-themed festivities of the day. And so, obviously, they prepared a menu that began with many kilos of lobster, scallops, shrimps and black cod boiled in cream and vermouth, then ladled into pastry cases, glazed and baked into pies. Mmm, the joys of simple food. After the “fish stew” came a lovely, simple “Brace of American Birds with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses Sweet Potatoes,” served, like everything else, on replica china from the Lincoln Administration.
Again, I’ve looked up the recipe on the White House website where it says they cooked a pheasant breast that had been stuffed with, and I quote, “football-shaped patties” of a rice-and-canned-chicken-soup.
Bloody Hell…….. “football shaped?”………..I mean, he is the President of the Free World not a nine year old who if he eats his football shaped patties Mum says he can go skate boarding!
Wolf Blister then interviewed the Chef who started talking about how the pheasants were served with a dish of “molasses-whipped sweet potatoes,” involving these already very sweet vegetables being baked and then mashed with – wait for it – brown sugar, molasses, orange juice and maple syrup……..does that not sound like baby food? No wonder presidents do so much running. Any less than five miles a day and within a year Obama won’t even fit in the Oval Office……oh yes……….I nearly forgot after a meal that already had more sugar in it than your average wedding cake, President Obama was expected to eat an apple sponge cake served with vanilla ice cream and a cinnamon sauce with lashings of caramel sauce. The Chef of the White House will no doubt relish the thought of being able to cook again having spent the last eight years preparing Barbecue Ribs and a Bud.
As I lay on my hotel bed watching all this I wondered if the Chef may have been a Republican and realizing they don’t have a candidate to beat him in four years is going to make sure he gets diabetes and doesn’t run………I feel it is my duty to send him a few of my pills.
Please don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to put a sour commentary on this joyous day. I guess at the end of the day who cares what was served at lunch other that it was meant to honor (see, I even spelt it honor the American way) Abe Lincoln who led America through a perilous time ………….as of course will President Obama. I wish him well. There is huge expectation that he will save the world and watching him at that lunch yesterday and then those ball things last night I am sure I could see in eyes that he didn’t want to be there. He wanted to be at work, behind that desk, doing the things the rest of the world expect and demand of him………like giving France some free soap.
Well, it’s now 2:20 pm and whereas my life onboard as a cruise director is pretty much structured here on land it’s a little different.
For example, I am now supposed to be sitting in my underwear in the hotel writing the rest of this blog thingy. However, instead I am sitting in a posh hotel in Miami’s South Beach surrounded by the top producing travel agents and all of Carnival’s top executives. This group of people are called the Executive Forum………….and this morning I was invited to attend. The afternoon started with a special guest speaker ………. Nope ………that’s not enough of an introduction………….a brilliant and sincere public speaker ………..Coach Pat Riley. He spoke to the room on how his winning ways as a basketball coach have helped him through life…………and the room listened to each and every word. The standing ovation he received showed that each and every person had found something to take home with them that would help their business and improve their quality of life…………..he is an extraordinary man.
And now Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill is speaking and he will be followed by Executive Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience Ruben Rodriguez and our new Chief Marketing Officer Jim Berra…………and maybe a little bit of me.
Here are some photos
I will report on what they have said this afternoon because a lot of what is being spoken about will ultimately improve your cruise experience….. am proud to be here and prouder to be able to put your points of view across.
And so, I can’t answer your questions today but I promise to do so tomorrow ………. without fail.
Here is a quick video from today’s Bloggers Cruise meeting. We have finalized everything and over the next few days I will highlight all you need to know…..and keeping some surprises for onboard.
OK, time to go and speak and I will be back tomorrow with apologies for this quick thingy today. Keep your comments coming, tell us what we can do for you. I am here to deliver and there has never been a better time to express them.
If there are any bloggers who live in Miami could I ask a favor? The Hotel Intercontinental charges $4.25 to was one pair of underwear………….can anyone do them for me?……a free cruise to anyone who does and you won’t need to come and collect them as the pair I wore yesterday can walk their themselves.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy………..whom I miss very much
Filed under: Behind the Scenes, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival, cruise, Pat Riley, vacation
Intercontinel is pretty close to me. 10-15 miles. It’s freezing! Yesterday I feel into the bay when I was fishing, and could have swern it was an episode of deadliest catch.
from, JAKE S.
Bring the underwear with you on Sunday and we can wash them on the Valor while we are having lunch ok? Anxiously awaiting hearing from you to set the plans for where to meet etc. I speak for all of us, Paul & Marilou, Bee & Charlie, and myself and Mike, do NOT disappoint us!!!!!!! AND, hope you have a very Happy Birthday tomorrow! Welcome to sunny/cold Florida! Linda & Mike
P.S. I will email you tomorrow with our cell numbers, cabin numbers etc., ok?
If you’re going to stand next to Pat Riley, open you’re eyes! We give my mom a hard time because she has her eyes closed in every picture
HEY CHRIS!!!! (sorry John)
So great to see you on the video.
We are sooo looking forward to the Blogger’s Cruise….
DJ is ready with his “Joke of the Day”…..
(he rags on Paris Hilton the way John rags on the French)
Anytime Paris Hilton has an accident…why is it bad?
Because it is always HORrific!!
Hey John and Stephanie….it won’t be long now!!
woo hoo
Linda (Mom of John’s friend DJ)
Awwwww…… love seeing the excitement about the Thingy. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Can’t wait to hear more about the Blogger’s cruise plans.
Wish I lived in Miami, I would do your laundry at no charge.
Take care, see you in 16 days!
Ann M
John, just think we may get our pictures in Playboy. Maybe when we are in or thongs at the beach thingy or wearing the “These Fit The Rest” size robes.
BIG ED
Only 17 more days to the Bloggers Cruise.
Hi there John. Glad that you are back in the
U.S. of A. though I live in Canada. I see that you have many different thnigs to do since you are here. I hope that you’ll still have some time for that visit with Bee, Linda and me, that’s Paul. After I arrive in Ft. Lauderdale ( 12:14 pm ) I’m not sure how long it will take for the Carnival people to put my wife and I on a bus to Miami to go to the Valor. So I hope that you will still be there when I get arrive.You look very fresh and ready to get back to being a Cruise Director even though I’m pretty sure that you miss your beautiful wife and of course Thingy. Have her send some videos of herself for you. That might help the loneliness of being away from her. Well good luck and I hope to finally sit down and have that little discussion. Don’t work to hard my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi John!
What a day with Par Riley. Amazing. He is a phenomenal coach and I have heard that he is a great motivational speaker.
Love the pictures and video.
Thanks for posting and look forward to hearing more.
Take care!
David
Hi John,
$4.25 to wash a pair of underwear. Holy Moly. That’s cruise ship prices. Unless you’re Platinum, of course.
I once heard a comedian that had the solution. Donate the underwear to Goodwill and they will wash it for you. Then you buy it back for $0.50. Such a deal!
mr bill
Dear John First I know you miss Heidi and the Thingy.I know it must be rough being so far yet with modern gizmo’s so close.Glad to hear things are coming together for Blogger’s cruise.I know the anticipation is building on our blog on CC.We have the daily and hourly count down.Hope the press gives you some good write ups.Best wishes to all Gary and Bug
Hey Dad… I mean John,
Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday, I hope it all goes well. I was going to comment a few days ago about the Midight Buffett, I used to love them, however my fav, was the late night breakfast buffett, I remember the trlloy cars on the Jubbilee and Holiday, I really miss the smaller ships, the service was more intimite, you saw someone more than once on the cruise, the crew had time to learn your name and what you liked and disliked.
Oh Well enjoy the warmth, it is only 29 degress here in Boston today. take care and work safe,
your friend
Capt Bill
Hey John!
Playboy!! LOL Hef says “Hi!” from the Playboy Mansion.
Oh, one last thing:
Go Steelers!!!! Pittsburgh’s going to the Super Bowl (again)
Here we go Steelers, here we go!
Okay, enough. I have to go soak in the Grotto now with Hef!
Best,
Anita
John, Please Reply.
Well you are finally made it back to the states and I am trying to get ready for South America! Now since you are the fixer of all things and thingy’s and are eager to do so, here’s what would be great–to have my favorite waiter on the Splendor Thanksgiving cruise Romie (157) in Black Pearl be our waiter this time only in the dining room with Ken so I can hear him sing please–we are in Spa cabin #1105. I think there are 5 of us attached to the same group. Ok that’s all–no other requests!
Wish I could be on the Blogger’s cruise but the Dream is a possibility. That is so exciting that you got to feel the baby kick before you left. In another month or so you will need to get Heidi to video her belly when the baby is moving because you can really see it! Best wishes to all. Thanks John!
Cheryl Killian
Great video, John! You KNOW we love those!!
Wow… sounds like half the ship will be press folks and the other half will be Bloggers!! I’ve gotten quite a few emails in the last few days from folks trying to book the Blogger’s. We don’t have any cabins left with our group and according to the PVPs that folks contact there’s no additional cabins for the CPBL fare code. Hopefully, they’ll be able to make one of the cruises on the Dream.
We’re all getting pumped and ready to have a great time on the Fantasy!! I’ll be looking for new details over the next few days!
Please pass along my ‘Howdies’ to Heidi and the Thingy and thank Stephanie for her hard work!!!
Ciao!
Host Mach
John I will drive down from OHIO and do your laundry for a free cruise!!!! I will also remove the french from Miami.
Rositer11
Crapolla. Capt Bill beat Mr Bill.
I was thinking Jan 22 was your birthday. So Happy birthday tomorrow, you old fart.
Hi John,
Happy Birthday!!!
I do believe you have brought the cold weather to Florida with you, it down right chilly. Welcome back to sunny Florida.
Cheers
Happy Birthday in the morning John. 44?
The baby movement is a wonder. I recall the first time the bed moved because the unborn baby was doing some aerobics. Pretty amazing.
I asked my wife if she felt it. Kind of dumb huh.
Regards
Hi John,
Sounds like you are enjoying Miami and being back to work already.
Now if you can get your underwear to walk to Wisconsin, I’ll wash them and return them to you in New Orleans! LOL
See you soon!
Hugs!
Princess Barb
PS…. Happy Birthday!!!
Oh oh…
John is in need of some underwear service. The FBI may get involved and use this device to “clean” your chonies and keep the world safe at the same time.
http://i.gizmodo.com/5135393/the-fancy-security-gear-the-fbi-busted-out-for-the-inauguration
The Flying (hazmat) Dutchman
John,
It was great to see you looking so rested and hear your wonderful laugh on the video. Thank you! BUT, TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, WHERE IS THE VIDEO OF HEIDI THAT YOU PROMISED US TODAY??? How exciting that you got to feel the thingy kick before you left for Miami! Exciting stuff, eh? You are going to make such a good dad! And your message to Heidi at the end of the video was very touching!
Enjoy your birthday tomorrow!
Sheryl
John Please Reply
Is there anyway we can verify we are on the blogger’s cruise? We originally booked our cruise using Carnival Sea Miles, but we didnt know we had to specify that we wanted to be on the bloggers cruise. We called back later to be added to the blogger’s cruise and they said they added us but we have not received any type of verification.
Thanks.
Hey John! very nice to hear your voice on the video!We are getting so excited about this cruise with you and the rest of the bloggers! My boyfriend said that he is sure this will be the best vacation of his life…this coming from a man that lived in Hawaii for many years and traveled to so many different places while in the Navy! I am sure that much of that will be because this will be OUR first vacation together. (we met after he retired) …AND because he is just going to have so much fun on this ship! Can’t wait!
John, I could just see the love on your face when you talked of feeling that little kick from your thingy! It is a beautiful thing to feel your thingy kick! Hope Heidi and Thingy are doing great! I am sure they would love to be sharing your birthday with you…but that’s okay…you can have a belated birthday party on thingys birthday! Now that is who you really want to have your party with!
Sea you soon! OMG I can’ t believe it is only two weeks and 2 days away before we will be underway! WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!
Oh, I could really use a free cruise…can’t get to Miami right now but if you send your under panties to Ohio I will gladly wash them and send them back overnite! And as a bonus, if you feel the need for them to be colorful…maybe pink….I could throw in something red in the wash for you….they might be a little streaked though!
Sea Ya!
Cruzn
Hi John,
Welcome to sunny, COLD, Florida.
Pat Riley! Awesome. I wish he’d do some motivational speaking at my company.
My nephew took his class to the Inauguration and sent me photos yesterday. Bus to D.C. and back all in one day, and he made it back to work yesterday. Oh to be young again.
Can’t wait to hear more from your meetings. Oh, and I’ll gladly do your laundry for you if it means a cruise, or at least a drink with you on the Dream.
Enjoy,
Carol
OK – reluctantly I will wash your underwear if it gets me on the BC2!!!! Nothing else seems to be working!
Welcome back to the United States.
Have fun,
Lori
Catmama
Happy Birthday, John!
We hope you have a wonderful day!
Cathy & Tom
John, I have previosly ragged on you about a need for a coordinated loyalty program for the 3 major lines : CCL,Princess & HAL.
In todays mail I received 8 preapproved charge card applications, Among them Sea Miles, Princess and HAL ,all offering double miles on the single line.
On a clear day you can see Carnival Corp!
Cheers!
John please reply.
Dear John,
You may or may not know this, but is there ANY chance that Carnival will resume sailings in Europe in 2010? Can’t make any of the Dream sailings there this year.
I really would like to take more European cruises but hate the fact that I would have to go with another cruise line in order to do it.
Thanks!
Melissa