This post is mostly for Jen, but also for anyone who recently started playing Settlers or don't really know the rules right (like me and anyone who's played with me...read on).
Rene, who we're staying with, recently found out Settlers is available for download on xbox live (Listed only as "Catan"). So he set his xbox up for xbox live and downloaded the demo. I then logged in and upgraded his demo to full version via my account.
I mention this because you can learn things from the electronic version of games.
Jen and Larrance...here are the things that are contrary or new:
1) you CAN play a soldier before you roll the dice to free up your "awesome" hex.
2) if your road ends at a point where someone crossed their road in front of you, and that spot is blank, AND it is two away from another settlement or castle you can BUILD in that spot...RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR ROAD!...AND!!! It cuts their road in two! I had a 10-long road (and longest road) and the computer built right in the middle of my road AND my longest road was listed as 7 long.
Strategy galore!
I like bees.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Not THAT Bad
bah...I had a great post and the computer ate it. I'm sitting here eating eggs, yogurt and oatmeal. I HATE eating the same thing over and over.
Oh C'MON!
Remember how I said it was getting warmer? Remember how I said I got on facebook.com (did I say that part? maybe not...I'll start there)
I'm in a writing class (which I know I've mentioned) and I had an idea for one of the assignments that involved facebook...but I knew nothing about it. So I joined. If you have no idea what it is, it is like myspace.com. If you don't know what myspace is, it's like hanging out with your friends, but you just do bits and show each other pictures...AND all of your friends will suddenly try to sell you something without even knowing it.
Anyway. I added a bunch of friends on facebook last night. One feature you can do is change how you "feel"...essentially change text that shows up after your name. Right now mine says "Rance does headshots...make him prove it."
Well, I'm sitting here...haven't really got up and about yet, but I'm thinking "it was getting warmer yesterday. Maybe I'll go for a run! Let me just look at facebook since I have my computer on." And new friend, Nicky, set her text to "Nicky is about to trudge out into the glorious snowy spring day! C'mon Chicago get with it already!" I'm thinking she must have written that on that day it snowed a lot...and then I see she typed it 29 minutes ago.
I look out the window.
It's snowing.
I only eat April snow.
I'm in a writing class (which I know I've mentioned) and I had an idea for one of the assignments that involved facebook...but I knew nothing about it. So I joined. If you have no idea what it is, it is like myspace.com. If you don't know what myspace is, it's like hanging out with your friends, but you just do bits and show each other pictures...AND all of your friends will suddenly try to sell you something without even knowing it.
Anyway. I added a bunch of friends on facebook last night. One feature you can do is change how you "feel"...essentially change text that shows up after your name. Right now mine says "Rance does headshots...make him prove it."
Well, I'm sitting here...haven't really got up and about yet, but I'm thinking "it was getting warmer yesterday. Maybe I'll go for a run! Let me just look at facebook since I have my computer on." And new friend, Nicky, set her text to "Nicky is about to trudge out into the glorious snowy spring day! C'mon Chicago get with it already!" I'm thinking she must have written that on that day it snowed a lot...and then I see she typed it 29 minutes ago.
I look out the window.
It's snowing.
I only eat April snow.
Things...more or less than 5.
Well, it was kind of warm out today...I didn't have to wear my hat.
What's been going on? Well, we definitely have a place to move into and will probably move on the 3rd or so (so we probably won't be to bh this time around, declan...but I didn't think I was coming last year...we're very fluid).
On Monday night I had an idea. "I want to play Settlers of Catan! Rene is gone, Deanna is leaving soon for an audition...I'd better call the calvary." So I tried first getting in touch with Ben and Shad. I knew they would play! All we need are three! Ben, in. Shad, out. I then sent a barrage of text messages and emails to find at least a third player if not a fourth. No one. Zero. This was around 5pm. Ben and I gave up and then good ole Jon sends a text around 7:20. I get ahold of Ben again...and we're on! We played two games...one regular and one Cities and Knights. Ben won both. It was glorious.
Side note, today I was in Staples and they had a "secret safe" type thing. It was designed to look like a book, but not...you know. The only problem was this book was probably 2.5-3" wide on the bridge, but easily only 8" tall. Why is this a problem for me? The "book" title was "World Atlas". Not US or State...World. Every...and I mean EVERY World Atlas I've seen has been at least 11x14 if not bigger, and DEFINITELY not as small as this safe. I think if I had never seen this contraption, and I walked into someone's den and saw this tiny little World Atlas I would be COMPELLED to pick it up. "War and Peace" I would have bought.
What's been going on? Well, we definitely have a place to move into and will probably move on the 3rd or so (so we probably won't be to bh this time around, declan...but I didn't think I was coming last year...we're very fluid).
On Monday night I had an idea. "I want to play Settlers of Catan! Rene is gone, Deanna is leaving soon for an audition...I'd better call the calvary." So I tried first getting in touch with Ben and Shad. I knew they would play! All we need are three! Ben, in. Shad, out. I then sent a barrage of text messages and emails to find at least a third player if not a fourth. No one. Zero. This was around 5pm. Ben and I gave up and then good ole Jon sends a text around 7:20. I get ahold of Ben again...and we're on! We played two games...one regular and one Cities and Knights. Ben won both. It was glorious.
Side note, today I was in Staples and they had a "secret safe" type thing. It was designed to look like a book, but not...you know. The only problem was this book was probably 2.5-3" wide on the bridge, but easily only 8" tall. Why is this a problem for me? The "book" title was "World Atlas". Not US or State...World. Every...and I mean EVERY World Atlas I've seen has been at least 11x14 if not bigger, and DEFINITELY not as small as this safe. I think if I had never seen this contraption, and I walked into someone's den and saw this tiny little World Atlas I would be COMPELLED to pick it up. "War and Peace" I would have bought.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter
It is Easter. The day our lord and savior found eggs...right? I think commercialism may have confused me a little. I know there are baskets...that I know.
In other news. I still haven't gone to the gym since I've been back. My DAD however has been hitting the gym like a f***ing champion! Good work, dad.
All through growing up I know my dad's back has hurt...and got progressively worse as years went by. On the cruise ship my folks got VIP treatment which meant free access to the spa. My dad went to the spa and use the steam room or sauna or something and said he had the first pain-free day in a long time.
Does he just walk away saying "Well, that was good...I'll miss it." NO! He got a gym membership and is there not just using the steam room, but working out.
I'm proud of you, dad. You too, mom...but for different stuff. ;) Seana...we'll see (BURN!)
Eat eggs for Jesus everyone!
In other news. I still haven't gone to the gym since I've been back. My DAD however has been hitting the gym like a f***ing champion! Good work, dad.
All through growing up I know my dad's back has hurt...and got progressively worse as years went by. On the cruise ship my folks got VIP treatment which meant free access to the spa. My dad went to the spa and use the steam room or sauna or something and said he had the first pain-free day in a long time.
Does he just walk away saying "Well, that was good...I'll miss it." NO! He got a gym membership and is there not just using the steam room, but working out.
I'm proud of you, dad. You too, mom...but for different stuff. ;) Seana...we'll see (BURN!)
Eat eggs for Jesus everyone!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Musical Memories
Well, we pretty much have an apartment. We hope. We passed the credit check and put down a deposit of 1.5 month's rent (thanks, Ships!). I say "we hope" because our move in date will probably be 4/1. We'll know the actual day it will be available in a few days, but the Easter weekend proved too difficult for the landlords to get ahold of the current tenants.
For those still on the NCL Jewel...or who know what I'm talking about...today while we were driving in the car "Dancing Queen" came on and we were immediately reminded of Band on the Run. I even shut the radio off at the right moment so Deanna and I could transition into Lady Marmalade. Then, later in the day as I drove home from buying a new copy of Quicken at Circuit City (since my older one prompted me for an update, failed, and then errored saying I needed the CD...the one buried in storage) the Britney Speares song that Christopher uses to end Ship n Males came on. I have a feeling if Band on the Run didn't tweak songs for transitions (i.e. Clap Clap Clap...drum fill..."Macho Man!") I could make a song list that cut off in the right places. Right away, though, combining Come Sail Away and Band on the Run at the same time would be hard. Oh well.
(Secret Plug: www.rancerizzutto.com for headshots....shhhhhh)
For those still on the NCL Jewel...or who know what I'm talking about...today while we were driving in the car "Dancing Queen" came on and we were immediately reminded of Band on the Run. I even shut the radio off at the right moment so Deanna and I could transition into Lady Marmalade. Then, later in the day as I drove home from buying a new copy of Quicken at Circuit City (since my older one prompted me for an update, failed, and then errored saying I needed the CD...the one buried in storage) the Britney Speares song that Christopher uses to end Ship n Males came on. I have a feeling if Band on the Run didn't tweak songs for transitions (i.e. Clap Clap Clap...drum fill..."Macho Man!") I could make a song list that cut off in the right places. Right away, though, combining Come Sail Away and Band on the Run at the same time would be hard. Oh well.
(Secret Plug: www.rancerizzutto.com for headshots....shhhhhh)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Spring is Here....What a delight...
So, a little joke Deanna and I would always say on the boat...Somehow or another the terrible Chicago winter would get brought up and the fact that we're in the Caribbean. We'd joke that we wouldn't miss the winter...because it lasts forever in Chicago.
The very first time I visited the city was in April...it was snowing. Granted, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, but it was April and it was snowing.
Well, yesterday was the first day of Spring and there were winter storm warnings and watches. Our county was on Winter Storm Watch...that meant it could have missed us. Then it went to warning for everyone. The forecast said it would happen late...around midnight. I went to bed at 2am and there was nothing. Sure enough we woke up to less than an inch of snow and the roads weren't that effected at all. That was around 10am. The picture is from 1:40 and the video is from about 2:05. It is coming down now and building up. On the roads and everything.
As much I my ship trip actually got me used to the heat, and as much as I said "I like cold better than heat...you can always put on more clothes, right?", and as much as I'm sitting here with frozen feet...I love it. The snow is pretty. I love snows. I could get killed for saying that out loud around someone who has been here the whole winter, so it must remain safely in my blog.
Deanna's first year in Chicago we had a gig together. It is something Marshall Fields/Macy's used to do called Bunny Breakfast. Basically kids and their families bought tickets to show up early to eat breakfast at a MF/M store. During the breakfast two colorful characters of some sort would come out and greet them with their good friend the Easter Bunny...and then go away. After the food was all finished the two colorful characters would come back out, put on some sort of skit, and welcome back the Easter Bunny who would then have kids on his lap for pictures. I say colorful characters because they would change from year to year. This particular year it was pretty standard...it was the Easter Bunny and his two common Easter friends the Farmer and the Farmer's Cow (last year it was the cow as a chef, and a chicken). I was the Farmer and Deanna was the Cow. These gigs would happen on the weekends starting two weekends before Easter and ending on Easter weekend. And the winter was always around for them. I mention this whole story because the skit we had that year involved a song that I mostly remember and sing every year when it is technically Spring but you wouldn't know it:
(sung to the Looney Tunes "On With the Show" song)
Spring is here! What a Delight!
Time to swing or go fly a kite!
No more cold weather or snow in our way!
It's time to go out and play!
(kazoo break)
The third line is my favorite. Please enjoy the following videos of Deanna and I in the Spring.
Adventure Galore
Well...what's been going on? The apartment search continues. We saw a place that looked good, but not good enough to take it. We've been looking at a place pretty much everyday. But TODAY...well, we may have a winner. We filled out our credit check applications and we're waiting to hear back.
Seems like there was something else. I don't know.
I feel like I'm in a good groove with performing. The new ComedySportz Theater is fantastic to play in. I was in a show tonight and had a blast. Got to perform and rehearse with Johnny Roast Beef, my team at iO.
Had my first photo shoot since being back...the new space I'm using is great for headshots.
Still on the TODO list...go to the gym.
OH! I just remember the "seems like there was something else" thing. Today is the first day of Spring!!!!...yeah. Right now we're on a Winter Storm Watch. We could get up to 7 inches of snow starting anytime now. I tried to find a map I could add to this post, but I couldn't. It is coming though...the snow...on the maps.
Seems like there was something else. I don't know.
I feel like I'm in a good groove with performing. The new ComedySportz Theater is fantastic to play in. I was in a show tonight and had a blast. Got to perform and rehearse with Johnny Roast Beef, my team at iO.
Had my first photo shoot since being back...the new space I'm using is great for headshots.
Still on the TODO list...go to the gym.
OH! I just remember the "seems like there was something else" thing. Today is the first day of Spring!!!!...yeah. Right now we're on a Winter Storm Watch. We could get up to 7 inches of snow starting anytime now. I tried to find a map I could add to this post, but I couldn't. It is coming though...the snow...on the maps.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Old Habits Die Hard
Well, we've been busy...in comparison to ship life. Thursday through Sunday was a mix of doing shows and apartment hunting. So, busy.
Yesterday was our writing class and then hanging out with friends playing games. The favorite of the night was Mad Gab. A card has a bunch of words that, when said, sound like a phrase of some sort. The real game is timed, but it is just as fun to just go around the room saying them. We found that saying them quick and angry helped the most. Deanna got totally stumped with "Gasp Helm Ooze Sick" say that out loud and see if you know what it is. She didn't. The fun part is when everyone else knows what it is and tries to give clues...eventually leading to clues that are obvious.
Last time we gathered to play Jon was the most memorable. He got something along the lines of Paw Pie These Hail Herman. He couldn't get it. We started giving clues like say it in an accent. I finally said "Say it like Popeye"...he still didn't get it.
Today was supposed to be a little more mellow. We were going to look at a couple apartments at 1:00pm and then I needed to get some copies made since my printer cables are buried deep in storage. Then Deanna's agent called asking for headshots (also buried). We sprung into action. I put a bunch of files on a CD. There is a Walgreens and Staples right by us. We printed a couple headshots at Walgreens, went to Staples and printed her resume and the other stuff I needed to print, went back to pick up the photos, and she was set.
Looking at places took awhile. We looked at a great place with a lot of space, but it was too far out west and didn't have parking. No go.
So, tonight we go to CSz rehearsal, then I have JRB rehearsal. AND I have my first full on photoshoot since we've been back tomorrow.
Yesterday was our writing class and then hanging out with friends playing games. The favorite of the night was Mad Gab. A card has a bunch of words that, when said, sound like a phrase of some sort. The real game is timed, but it is just as fun to just go around the room saying them. We found that saying them quick and angry helped the most. Deanna got totally stumped with "Gasp Helm Ooze Sick" say that out loud and see if you know what it is. She didn't. The fun part is when everyone else knows what it is and tries to give clues...eventually leading to clues that are obvious.
Last time we gathered to play Jon was the most memorable. He got something along the lines of Paw Pie These Hail Herman. He couldn't get it. We started giving clues like say it in an accent. I finally said "Say it like Popeye"...he still didn't get it.
Today was supposed to be a little more mellow. We were going to look at a couple apartments at 1:00pm and then I needed to get some copies made since my printer cables are buried deep in storage. Then Deanna's agent called asking for headshots (also buried). We sprung into action. I put a bunch of files on a CD. There is a Walgreens and Staples right by us. We printed a couple headshots at Walgreens, went to Staples and printed her resume and the other stuff I needed to print, went back to pick up the photos, and she was set.
Looking at places took awhile. We looked at a great place with a lot of space, but it was too far out west and didn't have parking. No go.
So, tonight we go to CSz rehearsal, then I have JRB rehearsal. AND I have my first full on photoshoot since we've been back tomorrow.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
You Betta Use Them For What They're For, And That's To See
I added pics to old posts. In doing so I think I realized that my camera doesn't know about the leap year we're in. Either my posts are a day ahead or the camera is a day behind.
Last night was my first ComedySportz show since I've returned. I was super-charged by the energy of the crowd and the new space and had a blast.
I also stayed around to watch the Beatbox show. That was fantastic as well. The crowd was pretty much awesome.
All sorts of goodness...that's about it for now.
Last night was my first ComedySportz show since I've returned. I was super-charged by the energy of the crowd and the new space and had a blast.
I also stayed around to watch the Beatbox show. That was fantastic as well. The crowd was pretty much awesome.
All sorts of goodness...that's about it for now.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Fiiiight to the Death....Cha Cha Y'all
(Random Title)
The weather has been getting warmer around here, but that means it's in the 40s. When I was shopping for that shirt at Express for Men the other day I paid for it and the clerk said "Enjoy the sunshine" to which I replied with a laugh. About 50 feet later it occurred to me that she was serious. So, in Chicago, 40s = awesome.
The apartment hunt has truly started. We went and looked at a place that Deanna found online. A walk up 2 bedroom with a garage and in-unit laundry. I believe the words spacious and something else like wonderful were used to describe it. Deanna called to set an appointment to see it and the guy who answered kind of pressured her to see other places...in a needy way. She didn't back down. So we went to the place yesterday with a lady who seemed very nice. We got there and saw it was a garden level of a house...mental note, "Walk up" means "walk down stairs to get into a garden apartment." Every...EVERY room was tiny...mental note, "Spacious" means "not spacious" or "spacious to people with no depth perception." We were done right away. As the lady drove us back she mentioned one other place. It is near Wrigleyfield...we had time since that other place took all of 2 minutes. We checked it out. It was ok, but still small...and the neighbor had a yipe-yipe dog that barked the entire time we climb up the stairs to the third floor. She assured us the dog only barks when people walk in...very assuring. When we got in the apartment the dog stopped barking, but started as soon as we left. Even if the place was the most glorious apartment with in-unit laundry, parking, furnished, and everything was free, I would have to say no OR I would go crazy and probably kill the neighbors dog. I immediately pictured the Seinfeld episode where Elaine can't sleep because of a dog and Kramer and Newman kidnap the dog and take it to the country.
We also watched a CSz show in the new space. It is hard to get a feel for how the new shows are going because this weekend begins march madness and things are a little different. Afterwards I was one of the panel in The Improv Match Game, right there as part of the Late Night Series at ComedySportz. Fun group in the panel: Matt Miller, Meagan Flannigan, Todd Edwards, Jonathon Pitts, Me, and Sam Super.
Once we came home Deanna called it quits pretty quick and went to bed. I thought I'd stay up to watch an episode of Lost that Rene has recorded from this season. I watched Lost episodes until 3:00am. It's pretty good.
The weather has been getting warmer around here, but that means it's in the 40s. When I was shopping for that shirt at Express for Men the other day I paid for it and the clerk said "Enjoy the sunshine" to which I replied with a laugh. About 50 feet later it occurred to me that she was serious. So, in Chicago, 40s = awesome.
The apartment hunt has truly started. We went and looked at a place that Deanna found online. A walk up 2 bedroom with a garage and in-unit laundry. I believe the words spacious and something else like wonderful were used to describe it. Deanna called to set an appointment to see it and the guy who answered kind of pressured her to see other places...in a needy way. She didn't back down. So we went to the place yesterday with a lady who seemed very nice. We got there and saw it was a garden level of a house...mental note, "Walk up" means "walk down stairs to get into a garden apartment." Every...EVERY room was tiny...mental note, "Spacious" means "not spacious" or "spacious to people with no depth perception." We were done right away. As the lady drove us back she mentioned one other place. It is near Wrigleyfield...we had time since that other place took all of 2 minutes. We checked it out. It was ok, but still small...and the neighbor had a yipe-yipe dog that barked the entire time we climb up the stairs to the third floor. She assured us the dog only barks when people walk in...very assuring. When we got in the apartment the dog stopped barking, but started as soon as we left. Even if the place was the most glorious apartment with in-unit laundry, parking, furnished, and everything was free, I would have to say no OR I would go crazy and probably kill the neighbors dog. I immediately pictured the Seinfeld episode where Elaine can't sleep because of a dog and Kramer and Newman kidnap the dog and take it to the country.
We also watched a CSz show in the new space. It is hard to get a feel for how the new shows are going because this weekend begins march madness and things are a little different. Afterwards I was one of the panel in The Improv Match Game, right there as part of the Late Night Series at ComedySportz. Fun group in the panel: Matt Miller, Meagan Flannigan, Todd Edwards, Jonathon Pitts, Me, and Sam Super.
Once we came home Deanna called it quits pretty quick and went to bed. I thought I'd stay up to watch an episode of Lost that Rene has recorded from this season. I watched Lost episodes until 3:00am. It's pretty good.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Secret, Hidden Post
Hey, Rance!I have been a faithful reader of your captain's log (captain's blog?) of your ship tour with the skits and the make-em-ups. So bring on the minutiae! -- Gretchen
Getting Back Into the Swing
Today and yesterday have been a mix of errands, reunions, and performances.
Deanna's day was probably a little more exciting during the day than mine. I went and got copies of keys made and got some chicken breast pitas at the gyros place I always went to.
Later on Tuesday we met with some CSz friends for dinner and then went to rehearsal. Joey brought me my red winter coat. I had been borrowing one of Rene's since all I had were sweatshirts. I had heard from Tara that Joey wore my coat once or twice with a "Guess who I am?" bit to boot. Joey told me the scoop. He said he wore his coat in some bar after a show early on in the winter. The next day he needed to be somewhere, put on his coat, and it wreaked of smoke...so he borrowed mine. He had worn it everyday since then. Glad it kept him warm.
After CSz (http://www.comedysportzchicago.com/) rehearsal Deanna and I sat in for the Lottery. The Lottery is a show at iO (http://www.iochicago.net/) on tuesdays in which one student from each of the five class levels has been picked to be in this group for 8-weeks. Every week they are joined by some veterans. This week, we were two of the veterans.
Tuesday was also our first brush with the video game Rock Band. You may have heard of Guitar Hero, in which you have a game controller shaped like a small guitar and you actually strum while pressing one of five fret buttons. Guitar Hero II added the option to play rhythm, lead, or bass. Rock band has guitar, bass, drums, and singer. You actually have to sing and it can tell if you're off pitch. Drums have been what I've been playing...four pads and a bass pedal. It's fun.
Wednesday...today...meant starting the day off with a tour of the new CSz theater. Even though we were just there for rehearsal we didn't get the complete low-down. We had lunch with Greg and then went separate ways temporarily. Deanna needed to buy shoes and pants for the new CSz uniform and I needed to renew my gym membership (it's been at least 5 days since I've worked out...I need to get in there). While I was out I also picked up a t-shirt and stopped by a game shop to get Rene a little something for giving us a place to crash. He is a gamer, so I bought him...what else...Settlers of Catan. I'm sure we'll play soon.
Deanna and I then went to our storage unit. There were a few things missing that I though I put in places...I'm pretty sure I just remembered wrong. One of those things...CSz shoes. So we turned right back around and Deanna dropped me off at the shoe store. DSW. It is always a crap shoot there because I have to wear a 14-15 in most shoes, and the store usually maxes out at 13. So, when I say "I need to go buy a pair of black sport shoes" what do you think? "I bet he got Addidas, or Nike. Maybe even New Balance." Well...if you guessed "Dr. Scholls?" you win. I will wear them with black knee high socks while wearing shorts. I will also probably be walking in comfort while reading Reader's Digest.
We played Rock Band again and it was off to iO for my first return to Johnny Roast Beef. It was a fun show. I hosted. This is a weird thing at iO. An unspoked rule is usually if you're in the last team, someone from your team hosts. We play on Wednesdays. It is free night. The final team is always the same and we've been in that slot forever too. We think it is great because there is always a big crowd ('cause it is free). Anyway, I usually host. I like hosting and now people know it.
After that we went back home. Tomorrow we look at apartments! Ah, the joys of living lives.
Side note. I have pictures that I will add to the posts later. So, if you're a true follower, scroll back a few days every now and then.
Deanna's day was probably a little more exciting during the day than mine. I went and got copies of keys made and got some chicken breast pitas at the gyros place I always went to.
Later on Tuesday we met with some CSz friends for dinner and then went to rehearsal. Joey brought me my red winter coat. I had been borrowing one of Rene's since all I had were sweatshirts. I had heard from Tara that Joey wore my coat once or twice with a "Guess who I am?" bit to boot. Joey told me the scoop. He said he wore his coat in some bar after a show early on in the winter. The next day he needed to be somewhere, put on his coat, and it wreaked of smoke...so he borrowed mine. He had worn it everyday since then. Glad it kept him warm.
After CSz (http://www.comedysportzchicago.com/) rehearsal Deanna and I sat in for the Lottery. The Lottery is a show at iO (http://www.iochicago.net/) on tuesdays in which one student from each of the five class levels has been picked to be in this group for 8-weeks. Every week they are joined by some veterans. This week, we were two of the veterans.
Tuesday was also our first brush with the video game Rock Band. You may have heard of Guitar Hero, in which you have a game controller shaped like a small guitar and you actually strum while pressing one of five fret buttons. Guitar Hero II added the option to play rhythm, lead, or bass. Rock band has guitar, bass, drums, and singer. You actually have to sing and it can tell if you're off pitch. Drums have been what I've been playing...four pads and a bass pedal. It's fun.
Wednesday...today...meant starting the day off with a tour of the new CSz theater. Even though we were just there for rehearsal we didn't get the complete low-down. We had lunch with Greg and then went separate ways temporarily. Deanna needed to buy shoes and pants for the new CSz uniform and I needed to renew my gym membership (it's been at least 5 days since I've worked out...I need to get in there). While I was out I also picked up a t-shirt and stopped by a game shop to get Rene a little something for giving us a place to crash. He is a gamer, so I bought him...what else...Settlers of Catan. I'm sure we'll play soon.
Deanna and I then went to our storage unit. There were a few things missing that I though I put in places...I'm pretty sure I just remembered wrong. One of those things...CSz shoes. So we turned right back around and Deanna dropped me off at the shoe store. DSW. It is always a crap shoot there because I have to wear a 14-15 in most shoes, and the store usually maxes out at 13. So, when I say "I need to go buy a pair of black sport shoes" what do you think? "I bet he got Addidas, or Nike. Maybe even New Balance." Well...if you guessed "Dr. Scholls?" you win. I will wear them with black knee high socks while wearing shorts. I will also probably be walking in comfort while reading Reader's Digest.
We played Rock Band again and it was off to iO for my first return to Johnny Roast Beef. It was a fun show. I hosted. This is a weird thing at iO. An unspoked rule is usually if you're in the last team, someone from your team hosts. We play on Wednesdays. It is free night. The final team is always the same and we've been in that slot forever too. We think it is great because there is always a big crowd ('cause it is free). Anyway, I usually host. I like hosting and now people know it.
After that we went back home. Tomorrow we look at apartments! Ah, the joys of living lives.
Side note. I have pictures that I will add to the posts later. So, if you're a true follower, scroll back a few days every now and then.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Title Change
I'm ditchin' the "Day #" while I'm back at home.
The rest of the day was good. We checked out the place I'm using for photography and it is sweet. It's a theater. To say more is to let other photographers know of it's existance, and it is hard enough to book as is...so...it's good.
We ate at a cafe near where we used to live. I REALLY miss morning breakfast buffet. All I really ate was oatmeal, eggs, and yogurt (unless there were only plain or peach yogurts...which was pretty much our entire final cruise)...but I ate it minutes after waking up...MINUTES. I already started slipping back into my old eating habits. I wake up, get online to check email, one thing leads to another and it's 3pm and I'm starving. We at least got out of the house at noon...so only a couple hours before I ate a big breakfast. From food we went to the bank, Walgreens for lotion. Lotion. Our skin got almost instantly dry when we got back. I took a shower and my face was all dry after that. So, we're keeping moisturized.
Then it was off to Caribou coffee. Deanna wanted to write before we went to our writing class...I know...weird, right (write)? They have free internet there so I worked on website.
Finally, at 3pm we were at our writing class. Everyone was supposed to have written a two-liner for each day, based on Tribune headlines. I don't know many people in the class, but there are some good writers in there already. One woman in particular has a very specific and original point of view, and an interesting style of delivery...Deanna and I were enjoying her stuff a lot.
From there we went to Jewel to buy some groceries. I basically picked up oatmeal, eggs, and yogurt. I just want to start my day with breakfast. If I have the food to do that I'm ok for getting sandwiches or whatever while being out and about.
Tomorrow we make copies of keys, go to storage, and if I'm lucky...hit the gym!
The rest of the day was good. We checked out the place I'm using for photography and it is sweet. It's a theater. To say more is to let other photographers know of it's existance, and it is hard enough to book as is...so...it's good.
We ate at a cafe near where we used to live. I REALLY miss morning breakfast buffet. All I really ate was oatmeal, eggs, and yogurt (unless there were only plain or peach yogurts...which was pretty much our entire final cruise)...but I ate it minutes after waking up...MINUTES. I already started slipping back into my old eating habits. I wake up, get online to check email, one thing leads to another and it's 3pm and I'm starving. We at least got out of the house at noon...so only a couple hours before I ate a big breakfast. From food we went to the bank, Walgreens for lotion. Lotion. Our skin got almost instantly dry when we got back. I took a shower and my face was all dry after that. So, we're keeping moisturized.
Then it was off to Caribou coffee. Deanna wanted to write before we went to our writing class...I know...weird, right (write)? They have free internet there so I worked on website.
Finally, at 3pm we were at our writing class. Everyone was supposed to have written a two-liner for each day, based on Tribune headlines. I don't know many people in the class, but there are some good writers in there already. One woman in particular has a very specific and original point of view, and an interesting style of delivery...Deanna and I were enjoying her stuff a lot.
From there we went to Jewel to buy some groceries. I basically picked up oatmeal, eggs, and yogurt. I just want to start my day with breakfast. If I have the food to do that I'm ok for getting sandwiches or whatever while being out and about.
Tomorrow we make copies of keys, go to storage, and if I'm lucky...hit the gym!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Day 1
Chicago, IL.
As the Beatles said, "I get by with a little help from my friends."
We are staying with our friend Rene for awhile while we try to get resettled. Deanna and I showed up at his place around 10:30 last night. I've been to his place many times but didn't realize it's greatness. Since it is just him living here, we've got some space. A room with a futon, a bathroom that he doesn't use. Pretty sweet.
Another major score last night was that the Potbelly in the airport was open. If you haven't had Potbelly sandwiches, you're missing out on deliciousness. We grabbed sandwiches before heading to baggage claim.
The other major bonus about being back on land...internet. FAST internet.
For the past four days both Deanna and I have had River Deep, Mountain High stuck in our heads...today is no different.
Just under 8 hours until Band on the Run.
As the Beatles said, "I get by with a little help from my friends."
We are staying with our friend Rene for awhile while we try to get resettled. Deanna and I showed up at his place around 10:30 last night. I've been to his place many times but didn't realize it's greatness. Since it is just him living here, we've got some space. A room with a futon, a bathroom that he doesn't use. Pretty sweet.
Another major score last night was that the Potbelly in the airport was open. If you haven't had Potbelly sandwiches, you're missing out on deliciousness. We grabbed sandwiches before heading to baggage claim.
The other major bonus about being back on land...internet. FAST internet.
For the past four days both Deanna and I have had River Deep, Mountain High stuck in our heads...today is no different.
Just under 8 hours until Band on the Run.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Day 116/Day 0
Miami, FL. This is it. The last entry from/about the ship. We got up early and settled our accounts…turned in our nametags…and went back to bed. About 8:30am David stopped by to say goodbye. I wish we were more awake to say more than “ok…uh…goodbye.” We will miss you David. Thanks for stopping by.
Said the remainder of our goodbyes and stood in line to get off the ship. Everything went pretty smooth. We got out, got on a free bus to the airport. And here we sit. We arrived about 11:30am and weren’t allowed to check our bags until 3:30. We did that. Now we’re waiting for our 7pm flight.
Will this blog still be interesting? Will I still write? I intend too…we’ll see what happens.
In the words of Kanye West:
“Do you think about me now and then
Fireworks at Lake Michigaaaaaaaan
UHHHHohhhhh
I’m comin’ home again.”
Said the remainder of our goodbyes and stood in line to get off the ship. Everything went pretty smooth. We got out, got on a free bus to the airport. And here we sit. We arrived about 11:30am and weren’t allowed to check our bags until 3:30. We did that. Now we’re waiting for our 7pm flight.
Will this blog still be interesting? Will I still write? I intend too…we’ll see what happens.
In the words of Kanye West:
“Do you think about me now and then
Fireworks at Lake Michigaaaaaaaan
UHHHHohhhhh
I’m comin’ home again.”
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Day 115
Sea Day…the last sea day. Today was all about packing and being places at certain times. Yesterday we talked with personnel and asked if we really needed to be up at 6:30am on the final day to close out our accounts. They said we could do it today, but we wouldn’t be able to buy anything. So we figured we would stop by the finance department at 4:30pm. Well…finance was only open between 11am-12pm on the last sea day so we’re getting up early tomorrow. We would have had to be up at 8am to turn in our nametags so it isn’t that bad.
At 5:30 we had our last workshop. It was pretty good. Not a lot more to ask for on this one. Next on the agenda was taking luggage down to security at 8pm. Deanna had been punchy all day because of the 5:30am bedtime the night before. We ate dinner at Tangos around 6:30pm. She pulled a sweet move on my there. The waiter was making the push for us to order drinks from the bar and suggested a margarita. Deanna said “you know what? I WILL have a margarita!” and started looking for her card. SURPRISE! She didn’t have it. I got the drink for her.
8:00pm, we take our luggage down. They look through it and sign us off. Boom. Only a slight hiccup when I’m not on the list. We got back to the room so Deanna could take a nap before the 9:30 show.
Ahhhh…the 9:30 show. It was a variety show…a mix of the performers in a way. This is the first cruise, I think, in our contract that did not have a crew show. Normally Senad (cruise staff) plays Gorky Park on guitar in the crew show. This is his last cruise and he started of the variety show. Tambye also sang, and the jugglers did a few things. But the awesome parts? Let me tell you. David did his Crow themed straps routine (the stuff I took the pictures of), and Massimo and Alesia did their silks routine. Oh…my…god…these were great. David was towards the beginning of the show and the silks were toward the end. I’m sitting here trying to think of how to describe them and I can’t. They were great. They haven’t performed those routines on the ship before…or before at all in the case of Massimo and Alesia. We’re glad we got to see them on our last night.
We then went to shipnmales and hung out. Andy did his backwards striptease again. More importantly they did that dance I like to River Deep, Mountain High. It all goes downhill from the end of that show…the goodbyes started.
We told people we would be down in the crew bar, so it wasn’t that bad up in Spinnaker. So crew bar we went. It wasn’t that bad until people could tell it was coming down to the final goodbyes. I teared up a little bit down there. We left. We came up to good ole deck 10, walked down the hallway, went through our door, and I broke down. It all became real, all at once.
I hope I get to see these people again. I feel like Deanna and I will probably be on a ship again. Hopefully with at least some of these people. We’ve made so many great friends from all over the world, and now we have to leave them. You will be missed, but stay in touch…I mean, c’mon!
We’re so thankful for this opportunity and hope another comes along.
This is the last post from the ship. Well…I guess we’re going to at least eat breakfast on the ship. Oatmeal and boiled eggs…one more time!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Day 114
Sea Day. To be honest (I hate when people use that phrase, by the way…it seems like if you start a sentence with “to be honest…” then you are saying “…because all the other things I say are lies”) I am writing this entry late at night on 3/8 (…see, in this case it clears up that I’m not actually writing on the date stated. I feel cleansed). Once you read tomorrow’s post you’ll understand why.
So, today…what happened? I did laundry…our last ship laundry. And started packing the rest of my stuff. Tomorrow we have to start going through our sign-off tasks. One of which is taking our luggage down.
We had our improv shows. Before that we saw our last Cirque Bijoux show. It doesn’t even really feel like the lasts are really lasts (on 3/7). I think with all of the prepping and such we’re keeping busy and thinking about getting all of our packing done on time. After our last improv show we stayed in the bar for the Quest. We didn’t necessarily watch, we were just hanging out. Christopher has been taking our leaving pretty bad. He seems sad whenever we see him. It’s starting. The actuality of leaving.
I had a strawberry daiquiri, and then Jen bought me another one because she said she’d never seen me after two drinks. I wasn’t much different.
Something I didn’t mention about the crew party and shipnmales show…the JARs did a dance number that they did once before when Christopher’s parents were on board. It is Chris/Sapphire lipsyncing to River Deep, Mountain High sung by Celine Dion. The dance is fantastic and sexy. I wished I would have video recorded it. They told me they were going to do it in the shipnmales show for the passengers because Johnny’s sister was there. Awesome.
At the end of the night we went to the Blue Lagoon for food and Christopher brought me a CD I asked him to burn (River Deep, Mountain High)…and lent me the Celine concert DVD. He said if I liked their dance I should see the dancers on the DVD…I watched it and I like the JARs version better. After I watched that one song I was done. Deanna was not. She put the DVD in and proceeded to stay up until 5:30am watching it.
So, today…what happened? I did laundry…our last ship laundry. And started packing the rest of my stuff. Tomorrow we have to start going through our sign-off tasks. One of which is taking our luggage down.
We had our improv shows. Before that we saw our last Cirque Bijoux show. It doesn’t even really feel like the lasts are really lasts (on 3/7). I think with all of the prepping and such we’re keeping busy and thinking about getting all of our packing done on time. After our last improv show we stayed in the bar for the Quest. We didn’t necessarily watch, we were just hanging out. Christopher has been taking our leaving pretty bad. He seems sad whenever we see him. It’s starting. The actuality of leaving.
I had a strawberry daiquiri, and then Jen bought me another one because she said she’d never seen me after two drinks. I wasn’t much different.
Something I didn’t mention about the crew party and shipnmales show…the JARs did a dance number that they did once before when Christopher’s parents were on board. It is Chris/Sapphire lipsyncing to River Deep, Mountain High sung by Celine Dion. The dance is fantastic and sexy. I wished I would have video recorded it. They told me they were going to do it in the shipnmales show for the passengers because Johnny’s sister was there. Awesome.
At the end of the night we went to the Blue Lagoon for food and Christopher brought me a CD I asked him to burn (River Deep, Mountain High)…and lent me the Celine concert DVD. He said if I liked their dance I should see the dancers on the DVD…I watched it and I like the JARs version better. After I watched that one song I was done. Deanna was not. She put the DVD in and proceeded to stay up until 5:30am watching it.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Day 113
St. Lucia. Deanna and I slept in later than usual…about 11:45 or so. Just long enough to miss breakfast. The weather wasn’t that good and we didn’t research ziplines so we stayed on the ship. I went to the gym for the first time in awhile since being sick, and I did laundry.
We had our last rehearsal at 5:00. Deanna plays a grandma in one scene…a dead grandma who is playing football. The lights come up and you see her laying face first on the floor as a football lands by her. During rehearsal she had dropped her pants and her butt was hanging out. She’s silly like that.
Our shows tonight were good. They were our last sketch shows. The JARs were at both of them. At the end of our second show Jimmy the cruise director stopped us from leaving the stage. He was on mic and the audience already knew we were at the end of our contract. He said that there was a tradition that we take of our mics one last time, on stage. Now, earlier…after our 7:30 he had said that he was going to try to pie us in the face. Jen said that was actually a tradition when it was someone’s last show on the mainstage. He said “really?” So, while he was telling us to take off our mics we pretty much knew we were going to get pied. After that it is kind of hazy. I remember he was saying something else and then said “wait wait wait!” I looked behind to see JARs with pies. I remember Johnny, Christopher, Jon Paul, and Ryan were there. We were all gracious and took it. I managed to take my tie off and put it in my pocket first. Christopher was my pie-er. He covered my face and then slid the plate up into my bangs. I think I got the most. Well played. I don’t think I’ve ever been pied before…maybe once at outdoor school.
We went out for drinks with most of the JARs and signed programs for some like it was the last day of high school with yearbooks.
Two sea days and it all comes to an end. It re-dawned on me tonight that, come Tuesday, we don’t get to watch Band on the Run. It’s like watching a weekly TV show, but the show is the same episode each week…but you still look forward to watching.
One more side note. I didn’t dry clean my suit the whole time. I don’t sweat enough to worry about it. I was planning on cleaning it when we get back and now…it is pied. Just a little…on the pants. But enough to actually warrant a cleaning. So, good timing, pie. We feel honored to be pied. I guess usually one casts leaves and the next comes on and that is really all that happens. No big hooplah. But we made enough of an impact to get pie.
We had our last rehearsal at 5:00. Deanna plays a grandma in one scene…a dead grandma who is playing football. The lights come up and you see her laying face first on the floor as a football lands by her. During rehearsal she had dropped her pants and her butt was hanging out. She’s silly like that.
Our shows tonight were good. They were our last sketch shows. The JARs were at both of them. At the end of our second show Jimmy the cruise director stopped us from leaving the stage. He was on mic and the audience already knew we were at the end of our contract. He said that there was a tradition that we take of our mics one last time, on stage. Now, earlier…after our 7:30 he had said that he was going to try to pie us in the face. Jen said that was actually a tradition when it was someone’s last show on the mainstage. He said “really?” So, while he was telling us to take off our mics we pretty much knew we were going to get pied. After that it is kind of hazy. I remember he was saying something else and then said “wait wait wait!” I looked behind to see JARs with pies. I remember Johnny, Christopher, Jon Paul, and Ryan were there. We were all gracious and took it. I managed to take my tie off and put it in my pocket first. Christopher was my pie-er. He covered my face and then slid the plate up into my bangs. I think I got the most. Well played. I don’t think I’ve ever been pied before…maybe once at outdoor school.
We went out for drinks with most of the JARs and signed programs for some like it was the last day of high school with yearbooks.
Two sea days and it all comes to an end. It re-dawned on me tonight that, come Tuesday, we don’t get to watch Band on the Run. It’s like watching a weekly TV show, but the show is the same episode each week…but you still look forward to watching.
One more side note. I didn’t dry clean my suit the whole time. I don’t sweat enough to worry about it. I was planning on cleaning it when we get back and now…it is pied. Just a little…on the pants. But enough to actually warrant a cleaning. So, good timing, pie. We feel honored to be pied. I guess usually one casts leaves and the next comes on and that is really all that happens. No big hooplah. But we made enough of an impact to get pie.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Day 112
Barbados. Today we got up a little earlier than usual and headed to Folkston beach. This is where everyone went last Barbados day when I was feeling sick. The day started off sour with some attitudes and such. Last time it was $15 roundtrip to taxi to the beach. Our guy said he would take us there for $8 one way, and on the way there he was saying that the trip back would be $10. We didn’t ask him to pick us up. Last time they got beach chairs for free. This time the guy wanted $5 per chair. I was already pretty fed up from the cab ride so I walked away from the chairs. Oh, David and Alesia went with us. They, along with Deanna, talked the guy down in price. The snorkeling was rumored to be awesome so I got in the water with my camera right away…it was cloudy out which equals crappy photos under water. Luckily there were breaks of sun. I was counting on the snorkeling to help change my mood. I saw a HUGE school of fish and followed them around for awhile. No one was with me so they missed it.
I then got out and lied in the sun for a while. Mood still not totally changed. After a while I got back in and Jen called me over. “Squid!” I stayed around them long enough for the sun to come out. They were amazing…there were about 10 or more of them, and they swam side by side in a perfect row with about a foot of space between each other. That made the trip for me.
On our way back we stopped at a rum plant called Mount Gay Rum. They had a tour that was free for crew. Jen, Larrance, and Andy wanted to shop at their gift shop. They said to take the tour. Another random person there said “DEFINITELY take the tour! It’s so worth it!” So, Deanna and I did. It was a small talk about the history, followed by a 10 minute movie on the brewing process, followed by us being allowed in a tiny viewing area of the bottling process, followed by a tasting. I barely ever drink and I don’t drink rum for sure. If I would have paid money I would have been pissed. Since it was free it is simply 30 minutes I’ll never get back.
We had a new juggling act on tonight. Brothers from Other Mothers. They were pretty good. I enjoyed their tie-ins…the bits they did in between juggling acts to keep the show flowing.
At the end of the night there was a crew party. Crew parties always have a theme and this one was gender-bender. Part of the party was Ship n Males…the male strip show. Some of the crew never get to see it so they did the show at the party. The ultimate highlight for me was when Jon got up to strip to his usual song…after about 10 seconds or so of his normal song (some U2 song) the music switched to “I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.” The entire audience laughed and Jon walked off stage. Later his normal song started again and he came back, but he was mad. It made my night. It was hilarious.
Now I’m sitting here in bed watching Prestige (great movie) and listening to Deanna hiccup loudly while we’re buffeted by waves.
I then got out and lied in the sun for a while. Mood still not totally changed. After a while I got back in and Jen called me over. “Squid!” I stayed around them long enough for the sun to come out. They were amazing…there were about 10 or more of them, and they swam side by side in a perfect row with about a foot of space between each other. That made the trip for me.
On our way back we stopped at a rum plant called Mount Gay Rum. They had a tour that was free for crew. Jen, Larrance, and Andy wanted to shop at their gift shop. They said to take the tour. Another random person there said “DEFINITELY take the tour! It’s so worth it!” So, Deanna and I did. It was a small talk about the history, followed by a 10 minute movie on the brewing process, followed by us being allowed in a tiny viewing area of the bottling process, followed by a tasting. I barely ever drink and I don’t drink rum for sure. If I would have paid money I would have been pissed. Since it was free it is simply 30 minutes I’ll never get back.
We had a new juggling act on tonight. Brothers from Other Mothers. They were pretty good. I enjoyed their tie-ins…the bits they did in between juggling acts to keep the show flowing.
At the end of the night there was a crew party. Crew parties always have a theme and this one was gender-bender. Part of the party was Ship n Males…the male strip show. Some of the crew never get to see it so they did the show at the party. The ultimate highlight for me was when Jon got up to strip to his usual song…after about 10 seconds or so of his normal song (some U2 song) the music switched to “I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.” The entire audience laughed and Jon walked off stage. Later his normal song started again and he came back, but he was mad. It made my night. It was hilarious.
Now I’m sitting here in bed watching Prestige (great movie) and listening to Deanna hiccup loudly while we’re buffeted by waves.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Day 111 Pt. 2
Antigua. Well, after I left my sweet internet connection Deanna and I met up with the rest of the gang at Big Banana for pizza…and oddly enough, more internet.
Deanna and I got our first homework assignments for a writing class we’re taking at iO. Monday was the first class and we get back on Sunday. I have heard absolutely NOTHING but good things about this class. The short summary is that it teaches how to write for TV in different forms, AND how to take the stuff you write and actually market it to agents and shows. Our first assignment, however, is tricky. It is writing a Leno-esque monologue two-liner joke a day based on that day’s Chicago Tribune. They don’t exactly have daily Tribunes on the ship, and internet awesomeness ended in Antigua.
From Antigua we got back on the ship and watched TV until I fell asleep. Yet another nap…boo, naps. I don’t mind the sleeping part, it’s the waking up part I hate. Deanna woke me up at 8pm to see if I wanted to get dinner. I knew if I didn’t get up that I would probably sleep until 4am then be wide awake. So I got up.
Since then we watched Royal Tennebaums on TNT mixed with up-to-date election coverage from the Situation Room on CNN.
Deanna and I got our first homework assignments for a writing class we’re taking at iO. Monday was the first class and we get back on Sunday. I have heard absolutely NOTHING but good things about this class. The short summary is that it teaches how to write for TV in different forms, AND how to take the stuff you write and actually market it to agents and shows. Our first assignment, however, is tricky. It is writing a Leno-esque monologue two-liner joke a day based on that day’s Chicago Tribune. They don’t exactly have daily Tribunes on the ship, and internet awesomeness ended in Antigua.
From Antigua we got back on the ship and watched TV until I fell asleep. Yet another nap…boo, naps. I don’t mind the sleeping part, it’s the waking up part I hate. Deanna woke me up at 8pm to see if I wanted to get dinner. I knew if I didn’t get up that I would probably sleep until 4am then be wide awake. So I got up.
Since then we watched Royal Tennebaums on TNT mixed with up-to-date election coverage from the Situation Room on CNN.
Day 111 Pt 1
Antigua. INTERNET ACCESS GRANTED! I feel like Tron.
Deanna and I were awoken early by our neighbors, the Screamersons. The have always been loud talkers, room thumpers, wall tappers...annoying. But this morning they were having a screaming match. Two parents, two kids. They are making this final cruise a real treat.
Deanna and I were awoken early by our neighbors, the Screamersons. The have always been loud talkers, room thumpers, wall tappers...annoying. But this morning they were having a screaming match. Two parents, two kids. They are making this final cruise a real treat.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Day 110
Tortola. This is a day I’ve been looking forward too, ESPECIALLY since I didn’t get off the ship in Miami. In Miami I normally go to the Holiday Inn to use WiFi and go to an ATM for cash. That didn’t happen, but it is something that CAN happen in Tortola. Cash and internet.
So…I get off the ship with everybody and walk them to a cab (they all went to the beach). As I started walking I saw Keelan and Charlotte walking back towards the ship. I knew they were going to the internet café so I asked how it went. Everything in town is closed…mostly. Everything I needed was closed. We found a few shops that were open, just not the ones we needed. As I was talking to Keelan and Charlotte, Alesia walked up from the ship. I still needed to go to an ATM so I figured I would do that and go see if I could at least sit on the steps outside the café and get a signal. Our usual ATM…not giving cash. But you don’t find out until you go through the whole process. Fine, we carry on to the Café. We get there…no signal. The bookstore downstairs is open, but not the upstairs or the signal. Alesia and I hunt other places.
We stopped by another ATM…same deal. No cash, but you don’t find out until you go through the process. And it wasn’t just my card. I watched other people not get cash too. We found a restaurant that was open and part of a hotel. THEY HAD INTERNET! We went to the reception desk to get the password. No one was there. Then a guy came in through the front door and asked what we wanted. I said, “Hi. We are going to the restaurant and they told us to come here for the WiFi password.” “Are you going to eat?” he says. We said yes and he went back through the front door and then showed up behind the desk. “Are you sure you’re going to eat?” he asks. “Yes. What do you recommend?” And he replies, “I don’t know. I don’t eat.” What?! Anyway. He gives us the password. Alesia and I are getting excited that we found a place that was not only open, but they had WiFi AND we had the password! We sat down and it wasn’t connecting. It wasn’t even taking us to an option to type in a password.
I managed to check my email. I connected to a server that was as slow as the ship, but free. That wasn’t good though. Our waitress never came to us again to take an order so we didn’t feel like we needed to stay. We were outta there. Bianca showed up right as we were leaving and left with us when she heard the WiFi wasn’t working. We stopped by another internet place that charged, but they didn’t have WiFi. Boo. I stopped by one more ATM…same story. And back on the ship we went.
It was a bank holiday or something like that. At least tomorrow is Anitgua. When Antigua shuts down for a holiday, at least the WiFi still flows freely at Coast.
Everyone else came back right before the boat left…RIGHT before. Well, within the time they were supposed to be back. Later at night we played cards. Pig and BS.
Oh, I weighed myself while the ship was in port and steady. 192.5. After all is said and done, after all the eating, I lost weight. Down eight pounds from when we first arrived. I at least still have some muscle and strength. I went to the gym and tried working out. I haven’t been able to eat as much as I was so I didn’t have as much energy, but it was good to at least work out a little.
So…I get off the ship with everybody and walk them to a cab (they all went to the beach). As I started walking I saw Keelan and Charlotte walking back towards the ship. I knew they were going to the internet café so I asked how it went. Everything in town is closed…mostly. Everything I needed was closed. We found a few shops that were open, just not the ones we needed. As I was talking to Keelan and Charlotte, Alesia walked up from the ship. I still needed to go to an ATM so I figured I would do that and go see if I could at least sit on the steps outside the café and get a signal. Our usual ATM…not giving cash. But you don’t find out until you go through the whole process. Fine, we carry on to the Café. We get there…no signal. The bookstore downstairs is open, but not the upstairs or the signal. Alesia and I hunt other places.
We stopped by another ATM…same deal. No cash, but you don’t find out until you go through the process. And it wasn’t just my card. I watched other people not get cash too. We found a restaurant that was open and part of a hotel. THEY HAD INTERNET! We went to the reception desk to get the password. No one was there. Then a guy came in through the front door and asked what we wanted. I said, “Hi. We are going to the restaurant and they told us to come here for the WiFi password.” “Are you going to eat?” he says. We said yes and he went back through the front door and then showed up behind the desk. “Are you sure you’re going to eat?” he asks. “Yes. What do you recommend?” And he replies, “I don’t know. I don’t eat.” What?! Anyway. He gives us the password. Alesia and I are getting excited that we found a place that was not only open, but they had WiFi AND we had the password! We sat down and it wasn’t connecting. It wasn’t even taking us to an option to type in a password.
I managed to check my email. I connected to a server that was as slow as the ship, but free. That wasn’t good though. Our waitress never came to us again to take an order so we didn’t feel like we needed to stay. We were outta there. Bianca showed up right as we were leaving and left with us when she heard the WiFi wasn’t working. We stopped by another internet place that charged, but they didn’t have WiFi. Boo. I stopped by one more ATM…same story. And back on the ship we went.
It was a bank holiday or something like that. At least tomorrow is Anitgua. When Antigua shuts down for a holiday, at least the WiFi still flows freely at Coast.
Everyone else came back right before the boat left…RIGHT before. Well, within the time they were supposed to be back. Later at night we played cards. Pig and BS.
Oh, I weighed myself while the ship was in port and steady. 192.5. After all is said and done, after all the eating, I lost weight. Down eight pounds from when we first arrived. I at least still have some muscle and strength. I went to the gym and tried working out. I haven’t been able to eat as much as I was so I didn’t have as much energy, but it was good to at least work out a little.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Day 109
Samana. Guys. This recovering from a cold thing sucks. I took it easy today and will continue to do so until I feel more energetic. Today was a bust because it was Samana. Deanna and I stayed on the ship. She tanned and went to the spa. I just hung out and worked on photos so I would have them ready for updating tomorrow in Tortola.
Before I knew it it was time for the ship to leave. For the last few Samana days I’ve heard of at least one person seeing whales as we left port. So I went to the back of the ship to look for them as we left. I didn’t see any. I DID see a fantastic sunset though. So it was worth it.
We ate around 7pm and played Settlers at 8pm. All six of us played and Roman even paired up with Larrance. It was a pretty decent game. In the end I think it was between Deanna and I, but all Deanna needed was to build two roads. She ended up winning. She had a bad headache and I was tired so we went to bed and called it a night after that.
Before I knew it it was time for the ship to leave. For the last few Samana days I’ve heard of at least one person seeing whales as we left port. So I went to the back of the ship to look for them as we left. I didn’t see any. I DID see a fantastic sunset though. So it was worth it.
We ate around 7pm and played Settlers at 8pm. All six of us played and Roman even paired up with Larrance. It was a pretty decent game. In the end I think it was between Deanna and I, but all Deanna needed was to build two roads. She ended up winning. She had a bad headache and I was tired so we went to bed and called it a night after that.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Day 108
Sea Day. Dear lord…seven days left. SEVEN. A WEEK! Today has been rocky. I tried to weigh myself in the gym, but the scale can’t handle rocky days. I weigh somewhere in between 186-197 pounds.
Today I ate breakfast…more than yesterday but not as much as usual. My appetite is coming back at least. Deanna and I were up late watching terrible movies on TNT. Well, first we watched Saved with Mandy Moore and Macauly Culkin. Next we watched some movie with Kevin Klein and young Darth Vader (the actor that played him…Hayden something). That was pretty good, but we never knew the name of it. Kevin Klein has cancer and wants to build a house with his son. Know it? I’d never heard of it either.
I think I’m back on track with my appetite. Had three meals today. Little battles. I didn’t go to the VIP party tonight, but met with the cast for dinner at Chin Chin’s. It felt like the first dinner that we’ve all been too in a long while. And we’ve been to a lot. The past few cruises someone has had guests so we either had too many people to go eat together at a restaurant, or we ate separately. But tonight! Chin Chin’s.
Afterwards Deanna, Jen, Andy and I went to see our last Band on the Run for our contract. I don’t recall a cruise on this contract where Deanna and I haven’t seen the show. Maybe one, max. They were having fun with it for the most part. I mean…they always do, but it seemed like they were giving it extra spice tonight. At the end it got ridiculous, I started misting up thinking about how it is the last show…but I pulled it together. We hung out to chat with the JARs afterwards and apparently a lot of them were on the same wavelength. Everyone was trying to avoid eye contact with us at the end because they were thinking about how it was the last BotR with us there (in the front row if you’re Deanna and I). We’ve been blessed with a fantastic cast of people in the JARs just as we have been in our own cast.
JARs, you are great…spread the word Jenny and Christopher and Phillippa.
Oh, and that picture is of a teen who got kicked out of the Casino. He was with his dad and there was a bit of a heated discussion with Security. As always, the parent ends up staying in the Casino and gambling.
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