Comments on: A Fruit Punch Memory http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/ Thu, 24 May 2012 00:06:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kathleenhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33399 Kathleen Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:11:02 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33399 John,You silly, inexperienced dad! I say that filled with love and appreciation and actually as a mom who is going to fill you in... You child is your "Get any electronic gadget you want free" card. All you have to do is say,' I heard this is essential for hand / eye co-ordination' or "it's all the rage in physical fitness' when you want a new video game system (Like Wii fit).When you want a surround sound theatre in your home (which now resides in our finished basement) all you have to do is say, "Wouldn't you feel more comfortable if the kids were here with their friends rather than who-knows-where unsupervised?Or, when you want that really flashy car, pray you have a girl and say, "I read this has the highest safety ratings, and are you really willing to risk our daughter's safety in a Smart Car?I tell you this because we had four wonderful thinies before we turned thirty, and our oldest is graduating from High School and moving out this summer. My home is filled with more electronic gadgets than I will ever have time, much less any desire, to figure out. However, in the name of father/child bonding, my husband has always swayed me when he puts the argument in terms of how it effects the mental or emotional well being of our children. He knows it's the one way to stop my train of questioning that ends with, "Honey, I don't really think we need that."I will also admit to using this myself. It's the plausible deniability all parents learn- doing what's best for your children is an unquestionable trump card. If you play ignorant occasionally and let your spouse think you bought their sincere dedication to your thingy, there is no harm, especially when you can use it to your own advantage later. As for whether the thingies really need any of it? Well, maybe not. However, ours relish it and it does mean that they and their friends spend time at our house where I can stop in frequently with snacks and get an idea of what is going on.So, take heart. Your chance is only two years away. As soon as your thingy can say "Please Mummy!" you are ready for shopping. Mind you, this only lasts until they are old enough to have desires of their own (Around age five) and then you will be too short to consider anything you want. Enjoy it while it lasts.Savor every second- they pass more quickly than you will believe. John,

You silly, inexperienced dad! I say that filled with love and appreciation and actually as a mom who is going to fill you in… You child is your “Get any electronic gadget you want free” card. All you have to do is say,’ I heard this is essential for hand / eye co-ordination’ or “it’s all the rage in physical fitness’ when you want a new video game system (Like Wii fit).

When you want a surround sound theatre in your home (which now resides in our finished basement) all you have to do is say, “Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable if the kids were here with their friends rather than who-knows-where unsupervised?

Or, when you want that really flashy car, pray you have a girl and say, “I read this has the highest safety ratings, and are you really willing to risk our daughter’s safety in a Smart Car?

I tell you this because we had four wonderful thinies before we turned thirty, and our oldest is graduating from High School and moving out this summer. My home is filled with more electronic gadgets than I will ever have time, much less any desire, to figure out. However, in the name of father/child bonding, my husband has always swayed me when he puts the argument in terms of how it effects the mental or emotional well being of our children. He knows it’s the one way to stop my train of questioning that ends with, “Honey, I don’t really think we need that.”

I will also admit to using this myself. It’s the plausible deniability all parents learn- doing what’s best for your children is an unquestionable trump card. If you play ignorant occasionally and let your spouse think you bought their sincere dedication to your thingy, there is no harm, especially when you can use it to your own advantage later. As for whether the thingies really need any of it? Well, maybe not. However, ours relish it and it does mean that they and their friends spend time at our house where I can stop in frequently with snacks and get an idea of what is going on.

So, take heart. Your chance is only two years away. As soon as your thingy can say “Please Mummy!” you are ready for shopping. Mind you, this only lasts until they are old enough to have desires of their own (Around age five) and then you will be too short to consider anything you want. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Savor every second- they pass more quickly than you will believe.

]]> By: Top Posts « WordPress.comhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33398 Top Posts « WordPress.com Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:59:05 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33398 [...] A Fruit Punch Memory Isn’t every kid supposed to have that fireside talk with their Dad about the time you first start noticing that [...] [...] [...] A Fruit Punch Memory Isn’t every kid supposed to have that fireside talk with their Dad about the time you first start noticing that [...] [...]

]]> By: rocknrollgal109http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33397 rocknrollgal109 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:55:36 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33397 When I was growing up in Davis, OK we called it draggin' main. You would start at the Ez-Mart go down main street (speed limit 25 mph) wave at people you know...windows down, rock music blasting loud...then turn around at Ballards Drive-In and go back the other way. During football season when we would play our rivals... we would go drag their main street and throw eggs and toliet paper at the other kids...(they would be doing the same thing). This was like a right of passage for everybody that owned a car or got their parents car to go drag main. Even after school if you didn't have anything else better to do...you would drag main for like an hour or two. My mom claims that they did the same thing when she was growing up in the 30's only they didn't do the eggs and toliet paper like we did!! She called it cruisin' then too! I do have to make a comment about upgrades. The first time I ever cruised with Carnival was on the Destiny out of SJU. My friend and I booked a 6a(ocean view) and got upgraded to an 8a (balcony)! I knew that she had cruised with Carnival many, many times...but to have that happen...I was so shocked...and so was she. After that I was hooked...whatever cruise we went on I would pay the extra money to for the 8a; because I had to have my balcony. Each time we cruised we would book a 8a and get upgraded to a better balcony cabin. Now we never told Carnival that we were travel agents nor did we ask for any special upgrades...it just happened. I was just happy I got my balcony. Now the last cruise that she went on...she didn't get upgraded...nor did she care...and she was platinum status too. I read alot on your blog about the different status levels and the VIP line and stuff. I personally think that Carnival should really tweak it's status levels and offer something for those people who have cruised with CCL for like the 20th-30th time. When I would attend the talks that the CD would give they would acknowledge the past guest and how many times they have cruised...but surely CCL could do something "really special" for those people who have made it to the 20th-30th time call their level the "black" level or something really off the wall like the "tanzanite level". Maybe when it comes to the whole VIP line CCL could be pickyer about who exactly is a VIP? I just think that surely something could be done about that to satisfy both the VIP's and the people who are in wheelchairs that require extra help in boarding. As for the whole gadget thing...and not being able to get any cool gadgets because of "the thingy". Just wait until he or she get's older and discovers all those cool gadgets...the it will "daddy buy me this...daddy buy me that..." then you could use that as your excuse as to why you had to have a 52 inch plasma HDTV. I can just hear you know telling Heidi "Honey I couldn't help it...thingy needed it to watch 101 Dalmations" All my best to Heidi and thingy...and of course to you John...Rock on. When I was growing up in Davis, OK we called it draggin’ main. You would start at the Ez-Mart go down main street (speed limit 25 mph) wave at people you know…windows down, rock music blasting loud…then turn around at Ballards Drive-In and go back the other way. During football season when we would play our rivals… we would go drag their main street and throw eggs and toliet paper at the other kids…(they would be doing the same thing). This was like a right of passage for everybody that owned a car or got their parents car to go drag main. Even after school if you didn’t have anything else better to do…you would drag main for like an hour or two. My mom claims that they did the same thing when she was growing up in the 30′s only they didn’t do the eggs and toliet paper like we did!! She called it cruisin’ then too! I do have to make a comment about upgrades. The first time I ever cruised with Carnival was on the Destiny out of SJU. My friend and I booked a 6a(ocean view) and got upgraded to an 8a (balcony)! I knew that she had cruised with Carnival many, many times…but to have that happen…I was so shocked…and so was she. After that I was hooked…whatever cruise we went on I would pay the extra money to for the 8a; because I had to have my balcony. Each time we cruised we would book a 8a and get upgraded to a better balcony cabin. Now we never told Carnival that we were travel agents nor did we ask for any special upgrades…it just happened. I was just happy I got my balcony. Now the last cruise that she went on…she didn’t get upgraded…nor did she care…and she was platinum status too. I read alot on your blog about the different status levels and the VIP line and stuff. I personally think that Carnival should really tweak it’s status levels and offer something for those people who have cruised with CCL for like the 20th-30th time. When I would attend the talks that the CD would give they would acknowledge the past guest and how many times they have cruised…but surely CCL could do something “really special” for those people who have made it to the 20th-30th time call their level the “black” level or something really off the wall like the “tanzanite level”. Maybe when it comes to the whole VIP line CCL could be pickyer about who exactly is a VIP? I just think that surely something could be done about that to satisfy both the VIP’s and the people who are in wheelchairs that require extra help in boarding. As for the whole gadget thing…and not being able to get any cool gadgets because of “the thingy”. Just wait until he or she get’s older and discovers all those cool gadgets…the it will “daddy buy me this…daddy buy me that…” then you could use that as your excuse as to why you had to have a 52 inch plasma HDTV. I can just hear you know telling Heidi “Honey I couldn’t help it…thingy needed it to watch 101 Dalmations” All my best to Heidi and thingy…and of course to you John…Rock on.

]]> By: CLT-Brycehttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33396 CLT-Bryce Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:20:59 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33396 John (please reply),A few weeks ago you mentioned the possibility that you would be the CD on the Carnival Freedom sailing on 6/28/09. We are on the cruise just before that (6/20), so is there a chance you might be on that sailing as well? If not, is Todd staying on as CD until you arrive?Speaking of CD's in general, I sincerely hope that you are encouraging them to come up with their own original material. They have a tough job-- I could never do what they do week in and week out-- but it does get a bit old hearing the same old jokes every single cruise!Thanks! John (please reply),

A few weeks ago you mentioned the possibility that you would be the CD on the Carnival Freedom sailing on 6/28/09. We are on the cruise just before that (6/20), so is there a chance you might be on that sailing as well? If not, is Todd staying on as CD until you arrive?

Speaking of CD’s in general, I sincerely hope that you are encouraging them to come up with their own original material. They have a tough job– I could never do what they do week in and week out– but it does get a bit old hearing the same old jokes every single cruise!

Thanks!

]]> By: Vickihttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33395 Vicki Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:17:42 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33395 FOR MALCOLM:Best wishes to you for a quick and complete recovery. We sailed with you twice (both on Victory) and you seem like a great guy - and are a fellow New Yorker! You're in our thoughts and prayers. FOR MALCOLM:

Best wishes to you for a quick and complete recovery. We sailed with you twice (both on Victory) and you seem like a great guy – and are a fellow New Yorker! You’re in our thoughts and prayers.

]]> By: Florence Dickhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33394 Florence Dick Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:12:40 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33394 Dear John, First of all our prayers and thoughts are with Malcolm and Chris. We had the pleasure of sailing with Malcolm on the Victory and he was a joy to have as CD. I certainly do remember cruisin' when I was a teenager. However, it still happens every Friday and Saturday night on Long Island. My husband and I have 1957 cars and we still go to car cruise night hangouts. My car is a Thunderbird and Dave's is a Chevy BelAir. Best wishes to Heidi and Thingy. Love to you also John. Florence Dear John, First of all our prayers and thoughts are with Malcolm and Chris. We had the pleasure of sailing with Malcolm on the Victory and he was a joy to have as CD. I certainly do remember cruisin’ when I was a teenager. However, it still happens every Friday and Saturday night on Long Island. My husband and I have 1957 cars and we still go to car cruise night hangouts. My car is a Thunderbird and Dave’s is a Chevy BelAir. Best wishes to Heidi and Thingy. Love to you also John.
Florence

]]> By: divetrashhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33393 divetrash Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:56:12 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33393 To Malcolm:Good wishes for a speedy recovery are heading your way. I have not had the chance to sail with you yet since you were on vacation when I sailed the Victory last July. But I did enjoy meeting you at the Carnival event in Philly in November. You were very entertaining. I was the one who asked you to convey my regards to Peter Rossetti the piano bar entertainer on the Victory last summer/fall. Thank you very much for doing so, I got a nice note from Peter shortly afterward.Get well soon! Know that there is a whole cruising web-verse out there send you good vibes.Take Care,Laura (aka divetrash) To Malcolm:

Good wishes for a speedy recovery are heading your way. I have not had the chance to sail with you yet since you were on vacation when I sailed the Victory last July. But I did enjoy meeting you at the Carnival event in Philly in November. You were very entertaining. I was the one who asked you to convey my regards to Peter Rossetti the piano bar entertainer on the Victory last summer/fall. Thank you very much for doing so, I got a nice note from Peter shortly afterward.

Get well soon! Know that there is a whole cruising web-verse out there send you good vibes.

Take Care,

Laura (aka divetrash)

]]> By: Carol Schoenbergerhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33392 Carol Schoenberger Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:58:06 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33392 Hi John & Heidi,Ah yes - Fred & Ginger - I remember them so well. What a pair!FOR MALCOLM: Get well. I want to cruise with you again. I first cruised with you when you were on the Imagination. My sister and brother-in-law cruised with you last year on the Victory. Now you're on one of my favorite ships - the Miracle. I hope to be back on her next year, so please get well and come back on board. Us Bronx people are tough & strong Malcolm!About the VIP line & wheelchairs: I didn't see this the last time I was in Miami, but that was in 2007. The last cruise in NY had 2 separate lines before you get to check-in. The one on the far left was for VIPs. While I was waiting (security had stopped the lines because there was a lot of people already waiting), those people in wheelchairs on the regular line were all let in past security. And there was an exceptional amount of people in wheelchairs on this cruise. Why they were let in first, and those on the VIP line still had to wait, is beyond me. I guess I'll find out if it's the same in November.Hugs, Carol Hi John & Heidi,

Ah yes – Fred & Ginger – I remember them so well. What a pair!

FOR MALCOLM: Get well. I want to cruise with you again. I first cruised with you when you were on the Imagination. My sister and brother-in-law cruised with you last year on the Victory. Now you’re on one of my favorite ships – the Miracle. I hope to be back on her next year, so please get well and come back on board. Us Bronx people are tough & strong Malcolm!

About the VIP line & wheelchairs: I didn’t see this the last time I was in Miami, but that was in 2007. The last cruise in NY had 2 separate lines before you get to check-in. The one on the far left was for VIPs. While I was waiting (security had stopped the lines because there was a lot of people already waiting), those people in wheelchairs on the regular line were all let in past security. And there was an exceptional amount of people in wheelchairs on this cruise. Why they were let in first, and those on the VIP line still had to wait, is beyond me. I guess I’ll find out if it’s the same in November.

Hugs,
Carol

]]> By: DC IN SDhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33391 DC IN SD Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:37:04 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33391 Did we cruise when I was young? We sure did, but in the very small town I grew up in (Northern California) we called it "draggin' Main"...it took all of 10-15 minutes, driving very slowly up and down Main Street so we could check out all the other cars draggin' Main. Our turn-around points were the High School driveway and the John Deere tractor store driveway. Those were some great, carefree days! At the time I complained a lot about living in such a small town (one stop light). Now I realize how lucky I was to be able to grow up in such a great place. Can't wait for the happy news when the Thingy/Thingette arrives. Heidi looks absolutely amazing! Did we cruise when I was young? We sure did, but in the very small town I grew up in (Northern California) we called it “draggin’ Main”…it took all of 10-15 minutes, driving very slowly up and down Main Street so we could check out all the other cars draggin’ Main. Our turn-around points were the High School driveway and the John Deere tractor store driveway. Those were some great, carefree days! At the time I complained a lot about living in such a small town (one stop light). Now I realize how lucky I was to be able to grow up in such a great place. Can’t wait for the happy news when the Thingy/Thingette arrives. Heidi looks absolutely amazing!

]]> By: Host Machhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/04/21/a-fruit-punch-memory/#comment-33390 Host Mach Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:47:24 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=8845#comment-33390 For Malcolm...John, please tell Malcolm's mom that I'll be praying for Malcolm and the entire family.I've not had the pleasure of sailing with Malcolm but I've never heard a bad word about him.Here's hoping that he's back with us soon.Regards,Mach For Malcolm…

John, please tell Malcolm’s mom that I’ll be praying for Malcolm and the entire family.

I’ve not had the pleasure of sailing with Malcolm but I’ve never heard a bad word about him.

Here’s hoping that he’s back with us soon.

Regards,

Mach

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