Heidi and I have given money to various African charities for some years now including an adopt a child organization. However, I have always had a I fear that no matter how much money I pump in, the bejeweled bastards that run the place will pump it straight back out again, into the coffers of Kalashnikov and Mercedes-Benz. The one thing I would love to send to the Dark Continent is a team of Delta Force and SAS hit men to shoot the likes of Mr. Mugabe and that pig from Chad in the middle of their faces.
We get sent leaflets and information packs all the time about the child that Heidi chose to sponsor this year. She is called Baako which in African means “born first”…………..my name is John and means toilet.
Seriously though our 25 pounds sterling a month we are told by the organization helps Baako lead a better life and our money will cover her food, education, health and housing for one year……….that’s $400…….to live on in a year.
Baako is from Rwanda, a country of 10 million people but thousands upon thousands of them do not have legs or arms. In fact, according to the information we received when we undertook this sponsorship there are 25,000 amputees, the highest ratio per capita of any country in the world. It is because of landmines.
Nobody knows how many mines were laid during the endless cycle of warfare, but it’s sure to be in the millions.
It’s still going on today and even though Heidi and I are trying to help we sometimes wonder if indeed our money is actually helping this 12 year old lead a better life………….one can only hope so. ………….these feelings are amplified when you read about a team of British doctors who happened upon a little girl in a remote village in Rwanda. Her face had been horribly disfigured, by a bloody landmine I suppose, and they were overwhelmed with a need to help.
They went to meet her parents, and her father was keen that his daughter be sent to the UK for plastic surgery.
Her mother, however, went ballistic when she discovered the poor child would once again look normal. “How will she be able to beg then?” she asked. And the Brit medics were sent packing.
Why am I telling you this? Well, I guess for once, today’s events enabled me to actually see the good I was doing. I had thought of this idea to help New Orleans a year or so ago and now here we were………..actually doing it………………it wasn’t help from afar like Heidi and I give each month to Baako………….but it was there for all to see and while I am not comparing the plight of many Africans to the people of New Orleans, it is still a place that needs help…………….and a lot of it.
As you saw from the video in yesterday’s blog I met with one of the Director of the Beacon of Hope charity and we spoke in length about the city she loves. It has been three and a half years since Hurricane Katrina visited New Orleans, creating a catastrophe that uprooted more than a million people. They were promised a reawakening, but no one said it would be easy.
The floodwaters have been pumped out, but the sludge left behind was so deep in places that some neighborhoods were being baked by the sun into modern-day Pompeiis.
The community of Lakeview was one of the worst hit and as I was told yesterday more people are moving back finally. As we drove around we saw home after home that is either rebuilt, in the process of being rebuilt or still awaiting to be rebuilt. Yet, the people of New Orleans seem a determined group. I met Jane Du Pree today who works with the charity. She told me how after the waters subsided and she was finally allowed back into the town she arrived gripping a black garbage bag in which to collect a few salvaged possessions. She left empty-handed, because everything she owned had been swept up by the torrent and cooked into a solid mud-cake………………..she lived four miles from the coast.
She also told me of her heartbreak of not being able to retrieve the ashes of her brother, Andrew, who died aged 10 in an automobile accident. The water has seeped into the bag, which was kept inside an urn. “It was my mother’s wish to get these,” she told me. …………but Katrina had washed them away. You might expect Jane to have buggered off and moved to Iowa…………but no……………she is rebuilding and so are many of the residents of Lakeview. Jane then went on to talk about how she and other survivors of Hurricane Katrina watched in horror as Hurricane Gustav threatened to wipe out their rebuilding efforts last year. “People are just finishing rebuilding. I do not think they will go through it all over again,” she said. …………..but luckily Gustav left the Big Easy alone.
And so a merry band of brothers and sisters arrived to help Mrs. Du Pree and the residents of Lakeview. As we set about our task we all remembered Katrina and the subsequent flooding, which put much of New Orleans under water and killed 1,700 in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The day started early at 8:00am and when the alarm sounded at 7:00am I have to admit I wanted to crawl back under the covers and go back to my dream of Drew Barrymore and a large peacock feather. I’m not a natural morning person. Left to my own devices, with no work commitments or sense of purpose, my sleeping pattern tends to drift into student mode, ambling further and further past morning until it gets to the point where I’m waking up at 1pm. I seem to be going to bed later and later these days and soon I will be John Heald the vampire, but more of a loser, and with markedly less capacity for transforming into a bat and flapping around a castle scaring virgins.
But all that’s had to change of late because once onboard it will be early to bed and early to rise as I start being a Cruise Director once again, and oh boy, it’s an exciting journey into a whole new world. For one thing, I’ve discovered an entire species of human being that I rarely come into contact with…………………….early morning passengers.
Their existence never fails to surprise me. I’d always thought of the mornings as essentially uninhabitable, like the planet Uranus. But no. I head out the cabin door at 7am and there they are – actual live people! Some wander the decks in a daze, some are dressed to jog and gym and some are bringing their loved ones breakfast in bed. These are usually the honeymooners or men who screwed up the night before by blowing the kids’ college fund in the casino and are now trying to make up for it.
Anyway……………as usual I digress
As I said I was tired after a long day of writing and making continuing arrangements for the days ahead. Last night I had met with Big Ed and his group of 50 plus blogger who were meeting for a get-together at the hotel. It was wonderful to meet old friends and some new ones and there were hugs galore………………I felt like a superstar and it was a wonderful yet humbling feeling. I won’t mention any other names as it will be hard to remember them all but never the less, Big Ed and his beautiful wife Pat put on a heck of a party and it was an honor to attend. I was joined by Stephanie, Stephanie, Tom, Tony and Vance and afterwards we all said how thrilling it was to have been welcomed in such a warm and friendly way.
So, back to this morning. We met at 8:00am and then off we went to the park. This used to be a place where you would hear and see kids at play but now…………..it was just a barren stretch of grass most of which had been killed by the 8 foot of water that flooded this once vibrant family area.
Now, rather than me waffle on about what happened……………here is Tom’s video showing the work that was done and the wonderful people who did it.
Let’s come back to this later
But first……………..here is the latest Dear John letter from Jaime who is still without love …………….maybe she needs to go blonde?
February 5, 2009
Dear John,
Today the Splendor team experienced another wonderful day at sea, which brings us another step closer to reaching our first stop in the ever so highly acclaimed Brazil. This morning, Goose, our Cruise Director, was kind enough to invite all of the entertainment staff to his morning show so that guests could get a better understanding of how we all ended up working on cruise ships. This is a question I am asked almost on a daily basis; so much like the rest of the team our responses are well rehearsed.
Brad told everyone that he was a teacher by trade; he started out working for Camp Carnival, transferred departments and advanced from there. Adele informed the public that she left for the same reason everyone else did! She was “running away from her ex-boyfriend.” Owen did his general introduction telling everyone how he missed his flight and joined the ship in Barbados. He will be instructing both Spanish classes and Samba lessons throughout the cruise. Lauren was at trivia, but I believe her story is similar to mine and Adele’s. And myself, I just told everyone that I was interested in traveling and meeting people. I had sailed as a guest before so I thought I knew what I was getting myself into =). Now, I have friends all over the world!
Throughout the day I had a chance to speak with some of the other entertainers on board and ask them these similar questions, about their background, life before ships and what they are currently working on. Some of my favorite people on board is the band that performs regularly in the El Morocco Lounge – “Elite.” They are a high energy, fun loving, international show band based out of central Florida. They have worked all over, on cruise ships, resorts, casinos, theme parks and the list goes on. Each night you can find their lounge packed full of people dancing to 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and current music. The band members in Elite are: Nina originally from Philadelphia, Pete from Cocoa Beach, Florida, Dave from New York and Joe all the way from England! They are a wonderful team both on and off stage and definitely a highlight to the Carnival Splendor entertainment crew.
Now when guests come aboard and are looking to dance the night away, and have some fun and laughs, many find themselves ending up in Greg Gallello’s piano bar. Greg informed me that he is from Grand Bend – and he assured me this was not a sexual innuendo. He has a big beard, and has since he was 12. His favorite color is green and he refuses to disclose his age in such a public forum. I think this is just because he is trying to attract ladies from all generations. He did inform me that his birthday just passed on January 4th, so he will accept gifts of jewelry, food and/or monetary donations. For Greg, coming to ships was the next step in his musical career. His primary instrument actually is not the piano; in fact it is his guitar! He has only worked on cruise ships for 6 short months, but among the piano bar entertainers in the fleet, he has already made quite a name for himself and guests do love him. Mickey (not the mouse, but a guest), one of his regular attendees during this run referred to Greg by saying “This Piano Man Greg really has IT!” Now, he did not specifically state what “IT” was, but I am fairly certain this is a good thing!
Tonight, our fly on entertainer was none other that the wonderful Marcus Anthony. Marcus has a show unlike any other fly on that Carnival offers. He is one that is certainly most appreciated and requested by the guests. Even with out older demographic on board, both of his shows were packed this evening. Primarily because anyone passing by simply can not resist the temptation of coming into the show lounge to watch Marcus perform! He entertains with his incredible selection of R & B, Motown, Jazz and beyond. Marcus comes to us from the beautiful island of St. Thomas. If you ever have the opportunity to see Marcus’s show, do not miss it because he leaves the entire audience dancing in their seats and longing for more.
I know last time I was writing for you all, I showed you around the bridge, the kitchen, our crew rooms and eating location, but is there anything else you would like to see? We have lots of sea days to come so I would like to provide you with the best glimpse of cruise ship life possible.
Have a wonderful day!
Greg with guest enjoying his entertainment in the piano bar see if you can find Mickey his newly appointed manager
Marcus Anthony performing on stage in the spectacular lounge wit Jim Hanson and the Splendor orchestra
The amazingly talented elite show band performing in the back lounge El MoroccoAll the best,
Jaime =)
Thanks Jaime…………blondes do have more fun.
I forgot to post the photos of the Carnival Conquest yesterday for which I apologize ………….here they are showing just some of the public areas after her dry dock period………….and doesn’t she look brilliant
Well, here I am back in the hotel having finished the charity work and having presented the Beacon of Hope charity with a check for $5,000 on behalf of the volunteers and of course the Carnival Foundation I feel pretty fulfilled. However……………I did have one set back today
I was told by a blogger I’m not as good as I used to be and my blogs were mostly “boring these days.”
Now, when you hear stuff like that, your brain does two things at once: on the one hand, it marvels at self-importance of the person who told you. And on the other, it agrees with every word they say. Lurking deep within my brain are two interdependent creatures. One’s an insecure bugger and the other a needy egomaniac. So long as they both take turns pulling the levers, everything works out OK. But the balance is a fine one. So, I promised the lady in question as I promise you all………….I will do my best to unbore the blogs and should I fail then and if enough people tell me I shall shut down the laptop dancer computer and bugger off.
So, there I was in New Orleans driving a Hertz rent a car trying to avoid being killed by the tram thingy and drivers who learned their skills in Miami. The car I was in was a ………….I actually have no idea what it is. I do know that it’s a car for females. It is so completely girlie that I’m surprised it isn’t supplied with a bra and high heels. It really is a Hallmark Movie……….with windshield wipers. This is a very ugly car. So ugly in fact that you’ll want to get inside it and shut the door as quickly as possible. But sadly when you are inside it’s even worse.
The designer has gone for a half-timbered look with bits of wood nailed to every flat surface…………like a newly fitted kitchen. I had ordered a seven seater because we have to ferry myself and the gang of Stephanies etc around but if this is a seven seater then I’m a sex object……………….well actually I was a sex object at college. I would ask all the girls for sex………..and they would object……….but that’s another story. The 15 year old Hertz assistant said it’s a seven-seater, but it isn’t really. To fit into the rear seats you’d have to be so badly deformed that you’d need all manner of specialist equipment to keep you alive. An iron lung, for instance, and that isn’t going to fit.
What’s more, you can only get into these seats from the driver’s side, and only then if you have no legs, no arms, no head and a torso that can be twisted like putty. Best to push the little button that electrically folds these seats away and pretend they don’t exist.
However, the most annoying factor was the extra $45 I had paid………….sorry…………..that Carnival had paid for a GPS system called Never Lost………………..Never Lost my arse. It was hopeless and invented street names and when I typed in Lakeview it sent me to Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club on Bourbon Street.
Seriously though it was hopeless and the female voice began to get on my nerves. The more I got lost the more she seemed to get angry with me and I started imagining the woman bossy, impatient slightly Germanic voice suddenly turn into a Heidi! “In 50 meters, you are going to shut your window, because I am freezing.” And: “I know you’re a man, but it’s been 45 minutes, why don’t you admit you’re lost?” And: “If you fart again, you can get out and catch the bus.” followed by…………I am going to insist you stop the car, then I will get out, slamming the door behind me, walk away and wait for you to come and apologies, even though you haven’t got the faintest idea what the matter is.”
Well, it’s been a long but fruitful day and I go to bed dreaming that the park in Lakeview, New Orleans will once again be filled with the sound of kids playing and family fun. We did our bit to get New Orleans back on its feet again and I am so very proud of the people who joined me. Tomorrow they and another 300 people will join the Carnival Fantasy for five days of fun and laughter.
Wish You Were Here
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy…………………who today I miss more than ever.
Filed under: Bloggers Cruise, Caribbean, Destinations, South America, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Evolutions of Fun, New Orleans, Carnival Splendor, Bloggers Cruise, beacon of hope resource center, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Conquest, Jaimie's post, South America, Camp Carnival, Brazil
Not boring John, not at all
A big hug to all
Nanni
Hi John!
What a day. How wonderful of the group. Great video. Thank you.
I disagree about the bloggers thought of your recent updates. Although its different since its not shiplife stories, you still write the blog as funny and exciting as before. Keep it coming.
Great letter from Jaime. I look forward to pics from Brazil.
Thanks for the update and good luck tomorrow.
Take care!
David
great job to the krewe and everyone else helping! have a lovely cruise y’all!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hi John! We aren’t far from New Orleans.My first born child, who is older than you,and his wife are so excited and if they ask one more time are we there yet, I may stuff a sock in their mouth. All kidding aside you don’t have any idea how escited they are to take this , their first cruise, with you and all of the Evil Krewe.
Cya tomorrow…….
Countess Carolyn, Don and family
Hi Heidi Hope the snow has all melted and things are back to normal. Miss you
Hello, John.
I can only hope that everything is going well for you and Heidi in health and in spirits.
First and foremost, I do not know who told you that you’re not as good as you used to be and/or that your blogs were mostly boring these days. In my humble opinion, I think that you “still got it”! I look forward to your daily posts as I find myself thoroughly entertained and it’s also informative. I am beginning to develop a serious crush on you! (No disrespect to Heidi, mind you.) The only thing keeping our love apart is the restraining order you have placed upon me. Ouch, papa, you cut me to the quick! Ha!
Anyhow, please keep doing what you’re doing as we all adore you. Much love to you, Heidi, sand the Thingy.
Ciao,
S.
John -
Boring – never. Evolving, yes.
Evolution is inevitable. Apparently the commenter didn’t realize that.
Keep up the good work and enjoy the cruise. I’m saddened that I am not there enjoying the friendships that exist within the bloggers.
Oh and beware of anyone named Big Ed – he has an evil crewe backing up his every move
Jon
Hi John!!
I don’t think the blog is boring at all! I come and check numerous times during the day to see if the newest is posted. I haven’t figured out what time they usually have it posted.
I wish I could have been there today. You guys did a wonderful thing! And how awesome it was for Carnival to give the check to them!
I love Jaime’s entry. She asked what we would like to see. Well, I haven’t seen the bridge at all. I think I will have to do a search on your blog to see if I can find it. But it would be so great to see the engine room, and what’s exactly in that funnel that I love so much! I’m not only new to your blog but to cruising as well. So I’ve never gotten to see these things before! My hubby would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see the engines also! I really wish we could do a real tour onboard but I understand they can’t do that anymore because of security. And the crew’s quarters… OK so I’m a bit nosey and I want to see all the behind the scenes stuff…. nahhh I just love how things work and would love to see it!
Get some much needed rest! It sounds like those bloggers are going to be running you crazy the next few days!!
Wishing I was there….
Stef
hey john,
boring my arse,,,,
that lady that said you are boring.
was she from FRANCE
“laissez les bons temps rouler”
we fly out tommorrow
joy,,, all air lines suck,,,,
all for fun and fun for all
tom & jane
Hi, John,
Thanks for the video. It was wonderful to see all those bloggers working so hard for the Big Easy. It’s a great town (er, city), and deserves to be restored to previous glory.
Your blog is never boring. I do miss the routine answering of each persons post everyday as you used to do, but understand how much time that must have taken. It did give a more personal feel. Maybe that’s why that lady thought it’s boring now.
Anyway, there’s always a little something for everyone, and one can skip parts one doesn’t find interesting.
Wish I was there with you guys. Have a magnificent time!
Your Pal, Myra
PS: Hi, Heidi and Thingy/Desk
Hi John & Bloggers -
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun doing a very good deed.
I put some photos taken by Vance on my blog — looks like fun!
http://www.expertcruiser.com/blog/carnival-bloggers-help-re-new-new-orleans/
See you all tomorrow afternoon!
Best,
Anita
Great video. I grew up at West End Park as my family had a business there.
John, to me you could never be boring. That woman is the boring person. Congratulations with your success in New Orleans along with all the tremendous bloggers who asssisted you. You and the rest of your friends did a fantastic thing today. Rest now in preparation of your cruise. Enjoy it my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi John.. Thank you for the updates on the work that was done at that park..looks like a very nice effort and congratulations.I don’t think I have ever seen a cruiseline do such charity work as Carnival does..even the Walk for a cure onboard events are great.Anyway…I wanted to send our best wishes to YOU,Slightly BIG TEX and Kuki’s group,Big Ed’s group and the Cruise Critic group “Mach”..to have a wonderful time together this week and have a nice cocktail for Amanda “the weathergirl” and myself..”froggy” and Catie wants a Shirley Temple toasting !!! Stream us a few video’s would you?? Dr. says doing much better…I’ll be cruising soon !!!
HELLO HEIDI and THINGY as well !!
Your friends in Alabama !
Mark,Amanda and lil Catie Bug
John
Please Reply,
I have a very random question from a member of our roll call for our valor cruise coming up on 2/22…first off we are all very excited for the upcoming cruise and those of us that follow your blog are so excited you will be our CD, for those that dont follow the blog we have already told to start reading…..anyways my question is…do you know if the ships use equal as a sweetener ? one of the cc members uses equal ( as opposed to sweet and low or splenda and is determining whether they need to pack any or not) thanks in advance for your help!
Meghan
ha! I was there cleaning up that park today running their chainsaw to cut up overgrown trees around their pond. Mind you, I didn’t really want to do it. However, since Cindy wanted to do it she signed us both up. Now that its over I’m really glad I helped.
I was surprised and very impressed afterward when you presented the $5000 check to the mission. I must say Carnival is a class act and I was proud to be a part of it.
John you keep up the good work and do not let 1 persons opinion get you remember yo have had almost 3 million hits. Steph thanks for the great reports from the Splendor.
Best to Heidi and thingy
Papanh
The blog is not at all boring, you’re doing a great job.
Thank you for posting the pics of the Carnival Conquest!!
Have fun this week.
John,
Today was the best and worse day before a cruise. But the knowledge that rebuilding is possible brings me hope. The people who live around there waveing and honking their horns made it all worth it 1000 times over.thank you and steph for all your hard work making this happen. Time for another drink
K
I’m not certain, but anyone who calls the your blog thingy boring may very well be off their rocker.
…
Good times and bum times,
I’ve seen them all and, my dear,
I’m still here.
…
and so are a whole slew of others….
The charity event was an amazingly humbling but eternally rewarding experience.
You are a superstar…… and your creative energy has consummated a group of loyal people who think very highly of your daily rants which could never be construed as boring…
Take it from self- proclaimed quintessential expert of boring
The Flying (trapeze artist) Dutchman
Blog is not boring at all, there is always something fun and interesting to read. I try not to miss a day of checking the blog, if I do then I just catch up.
I know you and the bloggers will have a great time on the Carnival Fantasy. Wish we were there. Maybe the DREAM who knows?
Bless you all for the charity work in Lakeview. I have never been to NOL, but I live in Florida where hurricanes can be unwelcome guests. It could have been us.
Regards,
Mar & Steve
Hi John!
Sorry for no replies in so long, but my computer was acting up for several months. I hope I have finally have fixed the problem, but we shall see.
OK, first off… I bet you read that story about the disfigured Rwandan girl in the Sun, didn’t you? John, John, John, why do you keep letting Rupert Murdoch tell you about the news? Most of what he publishes are either lies or ridiculous exaggerations. Yes, a few people are just plain rotten, but most of them left Washington last month. (Hee, hee! I bet Big Ed won’t be able to resist commenting on that one!)
As to your recent blogs being “boring” – to start off, that lady was downright rude, and shame on her! Your blogs have NOT been boring, but … could they have a bit fewer poo jokes in them? I’m not a prude; in fact the story you related several months ago about how you thought you had colon cancer until Heidi reminded you that you had eaten beetroot was hilarious! But the mundane biological fact that what goes in, must come out, is not particularly funny to me.
If you are looking for more material when you are not on a ship – why don’t you blog about your Mum and Dad some more? I liked those items! Is your Dad doing any woodworking or other projects? And how about some more recipes from your Mum?
Please tell Jaime that I think her Dear John letters are excellent! I was really surprised to read that she is still in her twenties! I am a Silicon Valley engineer and yet most of the writing I come across – written by B. S.’s, M. S.’s and PhD’s – might as well have been written in crayon. Jamie in her 20-some years has developed a writing acumen that is light years beyond what most of America’s best colleges typically produce! So, yay Jaime!
She asked for topic suggestions – I am curious to read how such a long cruise requires different preparations from a normal cruise. In particular, how does the medical staff prepare? Not only is the cruise longer, but I also assume the guests tend to be older than the norm. Does Carnival add more nurses and doctors? Do they add equipment they don’t normally carry? Do they contact the various ports to ensure that, say, cardiac catheterization is available along the whole route?
John,
JohnHealdsBlog.com is now the FIRST website both my husband and I log into each night. It is not boring AT ALL!
But… one thing we DO miss… is your day to day experience on the cruise ship…. the daily letters and complaints from whining guests….and your diary of the daily happenings on your weekly adventures….
But.. I am looking forward to when those can happen again really soon!
I have said this before, but I really do think that Jamie’s letters really add something special to this blog. Her writing style and sincere enthusiasm really makes us feel that we are there with her! Thank you Jamie!
Boring????? Never!
We had to cancel the 3 legs around South America because of sudden illness…so we are really enjoying Jaime’s reports from the Splendor. Keep them coming. Will there be another cruise like that one?
Thank you again Jaime and John for the GREAT blog!
BORING???? Mais Non!!
you are terrific and like another blogger I have a crush on U also (blushing) but Heidi it is a platonic crush and am Happily married,but I digress,KEEP blogging!!It keeps my fix for a Carnival Cruise going till I am there once again!!
-Sandra
I agree with Mark Twain and a Half regarding the blog and Jamie’s writing. Let me stress though that the blog is not boring and I’ve been reading it from the start.
Still sorry we had to cancel being with everyone on the Bloggers Cruise, but we wish you all a fantastic time.
John,
What a tremendous effort by a group of…what were they?…oh, yeah–PAYING CUSTOMERS! Not some bunch of people working for the corporation who volunteered as an opportunity to have a day away from work. These were people on VACATION! Not only did they volunteer their time and energies–they actually paid for the priviledge of slogging into a lake to cut up refuse and haul it away. What an astounding, giving group of people you have brought together to help others, and all as a result of this little blog thingie you reluctantly poured your heart and soul into. Boring? I think not! Your mixture of heartfelt commentary and self-deprecating humor (spelled AMERICAN) has created not just a blogging community–it has formed a family, and when you look back on today’s activities, I believe it will be one in whom you can feel pride again and again.
Thank you for bringing Jamie onboard. We were scheduled to be on that trip of a lifetime, but life intervened, and we must live it vicariously through her musings. Good to hear that your and our favorite Skowser, Adele, is there. We have sailed with her a number of times, and found her to be an absolute doll.
Soon you will be headed home, and will hear those special words–”Congratulations, Mr. Heald, it’s a …” I hope it’s a girl, for 2 reasons. First, I honestly believe from my own experience that girls are God’s way of showing you how much love He can pack into one small package. From the moment they are born, they can wrap Daddy around their tiny fingers. Boys, on the other hand, are His way of getting back at you for everything you ever put your Dad and Mum through. Second, I believe you are desined to spend the rest of your life protecting her from boys…just…like…you were! Either way, your coming experiences are about to provide Heidi with a lifetime of laughter. Put on your track shoes, Mate–your run is just about to start, and what a glorious race it will be.
Much love to you and Heidi, and many blessings on the Thingie. I can’t think of a more deserving couple.
Hello Mr. Personality: Whoever said you are boring has either never had you as their CD, never met you in person, or are boring themselves and think negativity all the time! YOU are the reason all us bloggers come back each day to read what you have to write, you are mesmirizing. Perhaps when you are back to being your CD self this person will change their tune, because you will have that much more to write about -”Life on a Carnival ship.” Say, that is a good title for your first book! Followed by your second book – “Life with Heidi and little Thingy.” Gee you could have a whole series of books! Maybe even start a comedy series – you would be the equivalent of a U.K. Ricky, and Heidi would be Lucy, and Thingy would be Little Ricky – remember the I LOVE LUCY comedy shows? In those days you couldn’t say you were pregnant, you had to say “with child”, and they had twin beds, but Heidi would adore that, in one of your moments of HOT AIR! HA! HA! Miss you John, so glad we got to see you on the Valor. I came home to cold weather and 2 days later I got a bad sinus infection. I am on antibiotics, and NEED to get better by Monday to take Mike to the VA in Tampa for eradication of 4 kidney stones! Not fun! Hope you all are having fun on the bloggers cruise. Thanks for all the pictures yesterday. Great to see so many bloggers participating in the cleanup of New Orleans.
Your friends, Linda & Mike
John – wish we could be there with you. It is just too close to the Panama Canal cruise. Maybe next time…
Don’t let anyone make you question your blog. You couldn’t be boring on an iceberg.
Our best to Heidi and “thingy”
Good morning John,
You just keep blogging! I enjoy your blog every day and there a very few days that I miss reading it. Whoever that “person” was who told you the blog was boring needs to either get a life or a hobby. I wonder how interesting their blog would be if they wrote one??
I miss my blogger Krewe and certainly wish we were there too. I know everyone will have “fun for all and all for fun” and they better give me all the juicy details when they get back ;D
Take care
Joan
John – please do not even consider stopping your blog. I do not find it boring in the least!! The stories and subjects are different than they were when you were CD on the ships, but that just allows us to learn more about you and what you think about things…and that’s what I LOVE about your blogs. No one and nothing can ever be liked by everyone…that’s just the way the world works…but as long as you have so many devoted friends logging in daily to hear what you have to say, you shouldn’t worry about those who do not like the blogs…they don’t have to read them
Congrats on the great work in the Big Easy…what a fantastic way to show what Carnival and it’s people are all about.
Have a great time on the Bloggers Cruise…wish I could be there!
Hi John, I realize you are busy, what with your bloggers cruise, etc. However, when time allows, could you please provide me an e-mail address, where I might correspond with you. Specifically, I am trying to find out who the CD will be onboard the Valor in November, 2009, if you have this information. There is a specific reason I am requesting this information, however, I do not want to fill your blog response forum with all the details. If I had an e-mail address for you, I would be more than happy to provide you with a full explanation. Thank you for your help and I hope you are having fun
excellent blog , wonderful job , arranging the charity event , giving back to many who need it . its great having this blog to see other places and meet other people , your blog is interesting , spirited , and is very much liked . we love it , keep it up JOhn – thanks
John:
Thanks to you and all the bloggers that were there to help NO continue on the path of recovery. If the Blogger’s Cruises weren’t during school times, my family & I would have been there with you. (Can we PLEASE get a Blogger’s Cruise sometime when school is out??)
A suggestion: I think some of the video from the clean-up would make a great ad for CCL. Of course, it would have to end with everyone yelling, as the video here ended!
As to the comment about the blog being boring, I have two thoughts: First, the person making the comment obviously fails to see that there was a calm before the storm of fun that the Blogger’s Cruise will be. Second, don’t listen to someone who so obviously prefers the IgnoringThe ClimbingWallSoICanPayForASteakOfTheSeas.
Enjoy BCv.2!
Rick H.
I’m new to cruising, but I’m not new to blogs and John there hasn’t been an entry yet that hasn’t made me laugh out loud. Keep up the good work , you’re not boring…
Hi Everyone =)
Thank you everyone for reading the blog!! I love reading all of your comments.
I appreciate Mark Twain’s comments about my writing – even though I have never really been a writer. I am working on finding the answers to those questions for you!
All the best,
Jaime