We moved buildings this week so am now in a new, ok different cube farm. Same job same staff that I work with but we now share our floor with others.
Here are a few things I have noticed….This building must be from the late 70s early 80s the tile in the mens room is bright and I mean BRIGHT yellow. I would know this since my cubicle position has left me as default bathroom monitor..but who is fussing? I made an extra $3 in tips this week. I have been removed from window status and am now as I noted above in a strategic location ….across the hall from the mens room, on the main hallway to a conference room as well as just off the pathway of the elevators and break room. Am I fussing?? Hell no! I have a job and honestly despite the onset of depression because of lack of sun I am pretty happy. My cube is way larger than what I had in our previous cube farm. I am in a grouping with a bunch of people that I like so all is good there. Here is the bonus….more wall space to hang my tropical pictures on….ahhhhhhh!
That leads me to my next topic and basis for this page in the fist place. We are starting to look at when we can return to the island mon!!!!! We are thinking it would be good to head back in April to make some island contacts and then again in hopefully November to simply enjoy our friends that are on island. I am trying to figure a way to budget both as we will have the need to paint our house this year and take care of a couple more things that are out there and need addressed. I am lining up some new products, some that will be fun and some that are very much in the realm of art. I hope to put my head down and work towards getting a website up and running and then when we visit the island work towards getting some of my products into some shops there too. I have my domain name and LLC all taken care of so I am a shot …Long way towards getting to a successful place with MY company. I have even gone as far as to find a graphic artist that has redesigned my logo and is looking at my pix to tweak the colors a tad…clearing out that tropical mid day haze.. I am working with printers to develop products and will soon have a bunch of samples.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
It's in the books!
Thanksgiving that is.. What a wonderful weekend it was. Got to see my family, eat turkey, od on football and didn’t have to leave the house too much. We saw family and some good friends. Met a new one too. Even got out all of the Christmas decorations, now just have to decorate the tree and we will all be done.
We got our first real frost of the season last night, you know the kind in which you have to scrape windows on your vehicle because the defrosters may not be enough to do it by themselves at least if you want to get going quickly.
I took the time to go thru a bunch of my travel shots with the idea of setting up a coffee table book for use in the future. I have even ventured out to websites to see costs of products as I take my fledgling photo company and move it into the world of profitability.
What I am getting to is that this was a very productive 4 days away from the working world. I can use a few more of those. As I said earlier we got together with some friends this weekend and talked about our trip to the island. Even discussed when we would be going back. If there is a way we can squeeze it in we will be back this spring and hopefully again in the fall. Wow moving up to twice a year will tacke some commitment but as the little train that could said…..”I think I can, I think I can” Toot toot!!
We got our first real frost of the season last night, you know the kind in which you have to scrape windows on your vehicle because the defrosters may not be enough to do it by themselves at least if you want to get going quickly.
I took the time to go thru a bunch of my travel shots with the idea of setting up a coffee table book for use in the future. I have even ventured out to websites to see costs of products as I take my fledgling photo company and move it into the world of profitability.
What I am getting to is that this was a very productive 4 days away from the working world. I can use a few more of those. As I said earlier we got together with some friends this weekend and talked about our trip to the island. Even discussed when we would be going back. If there is a way we can squeeze it in we will be back this spring and hopefully again in the fall. Wow moving up to twice a year will tacke some commitment but as the little train that could said…..”I think I can, I think I can” Toot toot!!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Goodbye to Anguilla Rums LTD
We make a day trip to Anguilla each time we visit ST Maarten. This year was no different. We have two things that we consider a must. 1. A day at gwen’s Reggae beach Bar at Upper Shoal Bay. 2. VisitAnguilla Rums LTD in Road Bay to pick up our yearly supply of Pyrat rum…yes, we can get some of it at home but that isn’t what we buy. We pick up a bottle or two of Cask (their very high end stuff) and a couple of bottles of Savage….this is special blend that is only produced on island.
So….why am I blogging about this?? I found out just the other day that the owners of the plant (Patron Tequila) have decided to close the plant on Anguilla. This is the only place that the rum was blended and bottled. Pyrat rum is not going away. Just the quaint almost surreal place and style that it has been bottled. So much for the good ole days. This is a money decision. I understand it and know that the rum will still be every bit as good as it has always been, I am just in a bit of mourning over the close or the plant.
Why?? It was part of our Caribbean experience to stop in, take a tour, sample a bit and then lay out a few Benjamin’s and walk away with some of the finest rum on the planet (cask)as well as some of the sweet nectar that is Savage. It is the experience that I will miss. Certainly not the rum its self as I will continue to purchase their products.
It just feels like another palm grove has been bulldozed to put up a high rise condo village. Yes I am a Pyrat rum fanatic, that being said, I was more than a bit sad. I decided to come home and drown my sorrows.
This is what Rob did to commemorate the sad news. Shared with my wife what my intent, she snickered at my idea but was supportive. I came home and put on my pirate costume from Halloween parties that we have hosted in the past, found a couple of pirate movies to watch and then poured a strong drink of Pyrat Blanco (another of Pyrats products that is no longer available but quite tasty) and coke, Yes I did watch both movies and finish my drink…then had another.
Will this change my life…no. The move has however stolen away a bit of Caribbean flair that our visit to Anguilla Rums LTD used to provide.
So….why am I blogging about this?? I found out just the other day that the owners of the plant (Patron Tequila) have decided to close the plant on Anguilla. This is the only place that the rum was blended and bottled. Pyrat rum is not going away. Just the quaint almost surreal place and style that it has been bottled. So much for the good ole days. This is a money decision. I understand it and know that the rum will still be every bit as good as it has always been, I am just in a bit of mourning over the close or the plant.
Why?? It was part of our Caribbean experience to stop in, take a tour, sample a bit and then lay out a few Benjamin’s and walk away with some of the finest rum on the planet (cask)as well as some of the sweet nectar that is Savage. It is the experience that I will miss. Certainly not the rum its self as I will continue to purchase their products.
It just feels like another palm grove has been bulldozed to put up a high rise condo village. Yes I am a Pyrat rum fanatic, that being said, I was more than a bit sad. I decided to come home and drown my sorrows.
This is what Rob did to commemorate the sad news. Shared with my wife what my intent, she snickered at my idea but was supportive. I came home and put on my pirate costume from Halloween parties that we have hosted in the past, found a couple of pirate movies to watch and then poured a strong drink of Pyrat Blanco (another of Pyrats products that is no longer available but quite tasty) and coke, Yes I did watch both movies and finish my drink…then had another.
Will this change my life…no. The move has however stolen away a bit of Caribbean flair that our visit to Anguilla Rums LTD used to provide.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Welcome back????
Have been back from the Caribbean a week today. The weather here at home isn’t much fun but it is mid to late November weather so what should I have expected. Went from mid 80's to an inch of snow in a very short time.
We had a great time on ST Maarten, Anguilla and ST Barts. Took lots of pictures and hung out with lots of friends. I will have a long trip story to post on my webpage this weekend if I can get away from the rug cleaning that we have to do before the holidays.
There will be lots more blogs to come over the next few weeks.. lots to say.
We had a great time on ST Maarten, Anguilla and ST Barts. Took lots of pictures and hung out with lots of friends. I will have a long trip story to post on my webpage this weekend if I can get away from the rug cleaning that we have to do before the holidays.
There will be lots more blogs to come over the next few weeks.. lots to say.
Welcome back????
Have been back from the Caribbean a week today. The weather here at home isn’t much fun but it is mid to late November weather so what should I have expected. Went from mid 80's to an inch of snow in a very short time.
We had a great time on ST Maarten, Anguilla and ST Barts. Took lots of pictures and hung out with lots of friends. I will have a long trip story to post on my webpage this weekend if I can get away from the rug cleaning that we have to do before the holidays.
There will be lots more blogs to come over the next few weeks.. lots to say.
We had a great time on ST Maarten, Anguilla and ST Barts. Took lots of pictures and hung out with lots of friends. I will have a long trip story to post on my webpage this weekend if I can get away from the rug cleaning that we have to do before the holidays.
There will be lots more blogs to come over the next few weeks.. lots to say.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ten and a wake up!!
Autumn is here in my home town, the leaves are vibrant and the weather has cooled.
So freaking what!! I have ten days and a wake up till we are off on another journey to the Caribbean. Getting excited! Will have the chance to renew friendships, start new ones and of course rekindle or own.
Lots happening in Rob’s household. Youngest and family are in process of moving out. Not sure I understand how when they moved in everything was there the same day but when moving out it is a staging process. Oh well they are now living on their own and I hope doing well for themselves. They are missed but the freedom at home is nice too.
I also have a business trip scheduled for next week to Las Vegas. I am even bailing on the conference’s last night of fun that will be Thursday night. I am sorry that I will miss it but it seems that if I wish to get everything I need done before we leave for the Caribbean that it necessitates me passing on the after party to catch the last flight of the day back home. Gets me in bed by about 1 AM on Friday but that is fine as I will run errands Friday to prepare for our journey.
I already have my camera equipment packed and just need to drop my laptop into my bag and all technical equipment I need will be ready to go. Dive equipment is out and ready to be packed but not too sure if will take it or not…We may dive and may not…guess not much time to make up our minds now. Will be a 12 day trip that will cover ST Maarten, Anguilla and ST Barts. Diving may jut not be on the relax plan this time..we shall see.
Stopped by the techno geek store at lunchtoday and picked up some burnable DVDs and new headphones. Came back to work and fired up my best buddy Jimmy Buffett for some escape this afternoon while editing a bunch of presentations that will be given next week.
Not yet too geeked about the trip but know it is coming. There is just so much to do and so little time to do it in. Feel as if we have been planning for so long that I truly feel over prepared.
We will also see so many friends that this trip will be different from any we have previously taken. I will however commit my early mornings and evenings to photography. I wont hesitate to stop while driving around the island to snap off a few pix no matter what time of day. Time is coming fast….and it will go by even faster once we are there. Right now it is 10 days and a wake up till my toes will be in the sand with the most beautiful woman in the world at my side…..can hardly wait!!
So freaking what!! I have ten days and a wake up till we are off on another journey to the Caribbean. Getting excited! Will have the chance to renew friendships, start new ones and of course rekindle or own.
Lots happening in Rob’s household. Youngest and family are in process of moving out. Not sure I understand how when they moved in everything was there the same day but when moving out it is a staging process. Oh well they are now living on their own and I hope doing well for themselves. They are missed but the freedom at home is nice too.
I also have a business trip scheduled for next week to Las Vegas. I am even bailing on the conference’s last night of fun that will be Thursday night. I am sorry that I will miss it but it seems that if I wish to get everything I need done before we leave for the Caribbean that it necessitates me passing on the after party to catch the last flight of the day back home. Gets me in bed by about 1 AM on Friday but that is fine as I will run errands Friday to prepare for our journey.
I already have my camera equipment packed and just need to drop my laptop into my bag and all technical equipment I need will be ready to go. Dive equipment is out and ready to be packed but not too sure if will take it or not…We may dive and may not…guess not much time to make up our minds now. Will be a 12 day trip that will cover ST Maarten, Anguilla and ST Barts. Diving may jut not be on the relax plan this time..we shall see.
Stopped by the techno geek store at lunchtoday and picked up some burnable DVDs and new headphones. Came back to work and fired up my best buddy Jimmy Buffett for some escape this afternoon while editing a bunch of presentations that will be given next week.
Not yet too geeked about the trip but know it is coming. There is just so much to do and so little time to do it in. Feel as if we have been planning for so long that I truly feel over prepared.
We will also see so many friends that this trip will be different from any we have previously taken. I will however commit my early mornings and evenings to photography. I wont hesitate to stop while driving around the island to snap off a few pix no matter what time of day. Time is coming fast….and it will go by even faster once we are there. Right now it is 10 days and a wake up till my toes will be in the sand with the most beautiful woman in the world at my side…..can hardly wait!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Reach out and touch someone…
I am sitting and pondering some odd things today. I have 19 days until our vacation…we are seriously all but packed. We have never been this prepared for a trip this early. What has me shrugging my shoulders and scratching my head today is….cell phones…have em at home, use em all the time. Seems I cant get away from them. We have traveled to the Caribbean many times and we take one with us but the phones only have US service so they stay tucked away in our travel bags for the lion’s share of the trip. I have always liked that we are pretty much left to no communications for the week or so we are traveling…kinda nice just my wife and I.
This year we are renting a phone and will have a number while in the islands….why? What the hell? Am I crazy? (responses…dunno, not hell but will be warm, response #3 Yes, you know you are crazy) Oh, wait maybe I shouldn’t be answering rhetorical questions.
We will for the first time know several couples on island at differing times while we are there so have found that having a phone may make our lives easier…wait, did I just say having a phone makes life easier…again here I go with the am I crazy thing. There is something to be said about not worrying about a ringing phone, escaping day to day life and its electronic “enhancements”.
Ok still stuck on the cell phone thing. Since we will have a multitude of friends there interlacing in and out of the set days we will be on our little island get away, we thought it wise to be immediately reachable by the relaxation shattering screech of a cell phone to break the romantic and relaxing mood of lying on a beach on an exotic island with the beautiful woman at my side…(yes honey I mean you), rather than the tried and true we will meet ya at Peg Leg Pub at 7:30 or see ya at the port tomorrow morning at 7 to head to Anguilla, we can now call and coordinate.
Hmm have we made our vacation complicated life by making it easier??
Me thinks so!! Therefore we will be like many others and be able to reach out and touch someone even when we don’t wanna or they don’t want to be touched all for the convenience of coordination. It seems instead of a man’s word being his bond it is now a quick little buzz to confirm that yes you intend to keep the pre-arranged date and meet us when you said you would.
We all know no one ignores a ringing cell phone, us included.
This year we are renting a phone and will have a number while in the islands….why? What the hell? Am I crazy? (responses…dunno, not hell but will be warm, response #3 Yes, you know you are crazy) Oh, wait maybe I shouldn’t be answering rhetorical questions.
We will for the first time know several couples on island at differing times while we are there so have found that having a phone may make our lives easier…wait, did I just say having a phone makes life easier…again here I go with the am I crazy thing. There is something to be said about not worrying about a ringing phone, escaping day to day life and its electronic “enhancements”.
Ok still stuck on the cell phone thing. Since we will have a multitude of friends there interlacing in and out of the set days we will be on our little island get away, we thought it wise to be immediately reachable by the relaxation shattering screech of a cell phone to break the romantic and relaxing mood of lying on a beach on an exotic island with the beautiful woman at my side…(yes honey I mean you), rather than the tried and true we will meet ya at Peg Leg Pub at 7:30 or see ya at the port tomorrow morning at 7 to head to Anguilla, we can now call and coordinate.
Hmm have we made our vacation complicated life by making it easier??
Me thinks so!! Therefore we will be like many others and be able to reach out and touch someone even when we don’t wanna or they don’t want to be touched all for the convenience of coordination. It seems instead of a man’s word being his bond it is now a quick little buzz to confirm that yes you intend to keep the pre-arranged date and meet us when you said you would.
We all know no one ignores a ringing cell phone, us included.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Rob plays the bonus round and WINS!!!
Wow, I just noticed that I have been absent from posting for quite some time...if there are readers out there sorry....
Met with a friend for coffee Saturday morning to cuss and discuss life in general as well as a bit more specific trips to the islands. We became friends several years ago and found that we both have a terminal case of DIF. What is DIF? Dreaded Island fever and the kind we both have is quite terminal. It possesses our very thoughts. We are both budding entrepeneurs and yes both businesses are based arount the Caribbean.
During our discussion he brought up our impending trip. Easy conversation fro Rob for sure but he threw a giant monkey wrench into the works….he said something like Hey, did you see that Jimmy Buffett is giving a free concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Le Select in Gustavia, ST Bartholomew French West Indies. My response was no but my interest certainly was piqued. Rob is a closet Parrot Head….that would be Jimmy Buffett fan to any non parrot head. I load up on island music about 30 days before my trip and honestly JB is, wait…have to get out my Ipod, ok he is playing now….the most prolific musician that plays ESCAPE music and I love it!!! Ok, tangent complete for now so back to the conversation.
Buddy asked if I was going, I said would love to but not so sure my wife would be into it.
He said if he and his wife were going to be on island they would move heaven and earth to go. I went home and asked what she thought and her response surprised me, she was in!!! Didn’t really do much about it. Looked into travel from ST Maarten to ST Barts but frankly didn’t see this happening so kind of left the idea beached like a smugglers boat after a storm.
Monday on my way to work I got a text message…same buddy…Hey we booked to be on island, still wanna see the JB concert? There is a one word reply….DUDE!!!!
We talked a bit and next thing I know I am calling the couple that has been planning on traveling with us the entire time and they want in as well. JB boat to Bart’s for 6!!
Before lunch on Tuesday we have acquired passage for 6 from SXM to Barts….look out Jimmy here we come. For many this seems an awful lot to do to see this guy. JB will as I said above be playing in Gustavia….to celebrate La Select’s birthday. Significance is this is the little restaurant that was the catalyst for the song Cheeseburger in Paradise. So for a parrot head…we will be in what equals out to be the escapist’s Mecca. I never in my life thought I would have an opportunity like this.
Our diversion to ST Barts is truly an opportunity that someone like me doesn’t pass up when presented to you all wrapped up in a pretty little package. My wife asked about the cost….response was concert is free, trip over and back is $95 each plus…she then chimed in…your souvenir. To which I answered emphatically Yes Ma’am!!!
Now you may see why Rob sees this little piece of incredibly convenient timing as playing and winning the bonus round. We were to be in ST Maarten anyway and now I get to see the master of escape music perform in the place that may have provided the inspiration for the song that gave him his big break………Look out Gustavia you will be inundated with a flock of parrot heads that will bring a voracious appetite for beer, rum and that infamous Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Met with a friend for coffee Saturday morning to cuss and discuss life in general as well as a bit more specific trips to the islands. We became friends several years ago and found that we both have a terminal case of DIF. What is DIF? Dreaded Island fever and the kind we both have is quite terminal. It possesses our very thoughts. We are both budding entrepeneurs and yes both businesses are based arount the Caribbean.
During our discussion he brought up our impending trip. Easy conversation fro Rob for sure but he threw a giant monkey wrench into the works….he said something like Hey, did you see that Jimmy Buffett is giving a free concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Le Select in Gustavia, ST Bartholomew French West Indies. My response was no but my interest certainly was piqued. Rob is a closet Parrot Head….that would be Jimmy Buffett fan to any non parrot head. I load up on island music about 30 days before my trip and honestly JB is, wait…have to get out my Ipod, ok he is playing now….the most prolific musician that plays ESCAPE music and I love it!!! Ok, tangent complete for now so back to the conversation.
Buddy asked if I was going, I said would love to but not so sure my wife would be into it.
He said if he and his wife were going to be on island they would move heaven and earth to go. I went home and asked what she thought and her response surprised me, she was in!!! Didn’t really do much about it. Looked into travel from ST Maarten to ST Barts but frankly didn’t see this happening so kind of left the idea beached like a smugglers boat after a storm.
Monday on my way to work I got a text message…same buddy…Hey we booked to be on island, still wanna see the JB concert? There is a one word reply….DUDE!!!!
We talked a bit and next thing I know I am calling the couple that has been planning on traveling with us the entire time and they want in as well. JB boat to Bart’s for 6!!
Before lunch on Tuesday we have acquired passage for 6 from SXM to Barts….look out Jimmy here we come. For many this seems an awful lot to do to see this guy. JB will as I said above be playing in Gustavia….to celebrate La Select’s birthday. Significance is this is the little restaurant that was the catalyst for the song Cheeseburger in Paradise. So for a parrot head…we will be in what equals out to be the escapist’s Mecca. I never in my life thought I would have an opportunity like this.
Our diversion to ST Barts is truly an opportunity that someone like me doesn’t pass up when presented to you all wrapped up in a pretty little package. My wife asked about the cost….response was concert is free, trip over and back is $95 each plus…she then chimed in…your souvenir. To which I answered emphatically Yes Ma’am!!!
Now you may see why Rob sees this little piece of incredibly convenient timing as playing and winning the bonus round. We were to be in ST Maarten anyway and now I get to see the master of escape music perform in the place that may have provided the inspiration for the song that gave him his big break………Look out Gustavia you will be inundated with a flock of parrot heads that will bring a voracious appetite for beer, rum and that infamous Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Oops I goofed.
Rob prides himself on doing the travel stuff right and getting it done early.
He made a little faux-paux earlier in the month. Forgot to deposit the remaining points from a cancellation made in July..yes July. I recognized my error on Sept 1 and bet you cant guess what the last day to save timeshare points was? Insert Jeopardy music here….ok times up…yup you guessed it. The answer is, What is August 31, Alex! Rob is officially a bonehead…now sitting with a bunch of points he cant deposit, it is the beginning of the 9th month of the year and our big trip is still ahead of us. Nice part is, there is always visiting the folks in Branson in December. ( no, not a bad thing, is actually a great time to visit Branson )
Soooo now have to find out what I am to do with these points. That didn’t take too long to figure but made me no happier to use however the bright side is it put money back in my pocket…the error ends up being a $100 loss error when it comes down to it but frankly will save me somewhere around $700. We decided that we would cancel our three nights on Anguilla and the single night stay on ST Maarten and book those four nights on ST Maarten at our timeshare.
Upside…entire time will be at one facility, downside….will have to change rooms part way thru our stay. ( from one bedroom to a studio )
Upside….save quite a bit of money by not staying on Anguilla, downside…..we love Anguilla
Upside….not wasting any of our points, downside…..if would have deposited when I should have could have taken friends again next year….wait that one could be two upsides or an upside and downside not too sure there.
Back to making lists;
I am a travel list maker but our list is down to three things…
1. Fake Bake, get the base tan
2. Pack
3. Go to bank for some cash…..
As Porky Pig said….ba de ba de ba de, That’s all folks!!
Planning is going well and actually other than a purchase of tanning....COMPLETE!!
All this with 52 days left till touch down in ST Maarten…look out island we will be there for Halloween!!!!
He made a little faux-paux earlier in the month. Forgot to deposit the remaining points from a cancellation made in July..yes July. I recognized my error on Sept 1 and bet you cant guess what the last day to save timeshare points was? Insert Jeopardy music here….ok times up…yup you guessed it. The answer is, What is August 31, Alex! Rob is officially a bonehead…now sitting with a bunch of points he cant deposit, it is the beginning of the 9th month of the year and our big trip is still ahead of us. Nice part is, there is always visiting the folks in Branson in December. ( no, not a bad thing, is actually a great time to visit Branson )
Soooo now have to find out what I am to do with these points. That didn’t take too long to figure but made me no happier to use however the bright side is it put money back in my pocket…the error ends up being a $100 loss error when it comes down to it but frankly will save me somewhere around $700. We decided that we would cancel our three nights on Anguilla and the single night stay on ST Maarten and book those four nights on ST Maarten at our timeshare.
Upside…entire time will be at one facility, downside….will have to change rooms part way thru our stay. ( from one bedroom to a studio )
Upside….save quite a bit of money by not staying on Anguilla, downside…..we love Anguilla
Upside….not wasting any of our points, downside…..if would have deposited when I should have could have taken friends again next year….wait that one could be two upsides or an upside and downside not too sure there.
Back to making lists;
I am a travel list maker but our list is down to three things…
1. Fake Bake, get the base tan
2. Pack
3. Go to bank for some cash…..
As Porky Pig said….ba de ba de ba de, That’s all folks!!
Planning is going well and actually other than a purchase of tanning....COMPLETE!!
All this with 52 days left till touch down in ST Maarten…look out island we will be there for Halloween!!!!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Trippin....
Have just over 60 days till we head for Anguilla and ST Maarten.
That will be my third trip away from home in the next 60 days..
Trip one is to Dallas to meet a friend and discuss some business.
Trip two will be to a conference in Las Vegas the week before we go to the island.
Yes, the week before. Will leave for Vegas on a Monday and return home on that Friday only to get on board that big silver bird and fly waaay southeast the next day to SXM!!!
Last year I was on vacation the week before our yearly conference in Vegas. This year I didn’t plan our trip in the spring like we usually do but rather for the first of November and low and behold…we moved the Vegas trip. Nice part is I will be sick of travel by the time I get back from the islands.
Part of the reason to visit the islands is for photo ops. I have daily shoots planned. Will have to see how things work out but I am hoping to spend hours a day shooting and moving about the island. If I can do what I plan we will still have the bulk of the day to relax on the beach and soak up lots of rays and rum. We might even get to spend a couple of hours getting wet one morning with a dive shop out of Grand Case.
I cant even begin to express my level of excitement about this trip. We will have a life long friend and his wife coming along with us this time too. It looks as if there will be a few other couples we know that will be on island at the same time and I am hoping we will find a way to rendezvous with them for at least a quick drink and how do you do.
That will be my third trip away from home in the next 60 days..
Trip one is to Dallas to meet a friend and discuss some business.
Trip two will be to a conference in Las Vegas the week before we go to the island.
Yes, the week before. Will leave for Vegas on a Monday and return home on that Friday only to get on board that big silver bird and fly waaay southeast the next day to SXM!!!
Last year I was on vacation the week before our yearly conference in Vegas. This year I didn’t plan our trip in the spring like we usually do but rather for the first of November and low and behold…we moved the Vegas trip. Nice part is I will be sick of travel by the time I get back from the islands.
Part of the reason to visit the islands is for photo ops. I have daily shoots planned. Will have to see how things work out but I am hoping to spend hours a day shooting and moving about the island. If I can do what I plan we will still have the bulk of the day to relax on the beach and soak up lots of rays and rum. We might even get to spend a couple of hours getting wet one morning with a dive shop out of Grand Case.
I cant even begin to express my level of excitement about this trip. We will have a life long friend and his wife coming along with us this time too. It looks as if there will be a few other couples we know that will be on island at the same time and I am hoping we will find a way to rendezvous with them for at least a quick drink and how do you do.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Manscaping….its a dangerous thing!
Ok, I never thought I would blog about something like this but eh its almost 2010.
Yesterday I decided that the Austin Powers look was out for me….um, didn’t know how far out I was thiking!!! LOL
If you are following along and not getting what I mean I will explain it in 1980’s terms.
Chest hair on men seems to be a bit passé. I grow a mean crop of chest and belly hair so in my infinite wisdom I thought I would trim it a bit and see if less was more. Ummmm, well!! Lets just say I got a bit less than I wanted.
First I used the trimmer that is for my beard. One pass and it was clogged and frankly couldn’t even tell that I had trimmed anything…I think it takes like every 10th hair or something. Rob goes and gets out the big gun! The shears that his wife cuts his hair with. Hey I am a generally bright guy so I recognize that there are guards for each length of hair. I go with the shortest one. Fire up the weedwhacker 2009 and watch the dials on meter on the side of the house spin like they just got caught in a tornado. Lights flicker and then return to full brightness…. Rob starts at the waistline of gym shorts and takes one swipe straight up the belly and stops at pecks.... Looking at the tumbleweed that has formed at my feet I realize that the ole # 1 may have been a bit too short.
Not much I can do now but complete the sheering of this dark haired sheep that is standing before me in the mirror and then hope and pray that it will all grow back to a decent length over the next 60 days.
What the hell have I done to myself? What would have ever possessed me?? I did however find the great pumpkin that Charlie Brown has been waiting in the pumpkin patch for all of these years. It is below my chest and above my waistline but he isn’t orange…no he is a very stark white….run, run for your lives!!!!
The one positive in this miss adventure is the motivation that the over exposure of skin has caused. I started doing sit ups again last night…Holy cow only 74 more days till people will see me with no shirt on. If I don’t get the great pumpkin carved down a bit I may have to stay away from the beach as I don’t want to be mistaken for a beached marine mammal.
Tonight, second ab workout. I already know this will lead to sore muscles but I gotta do it just in case the camouflage for the great pumplin doesn’t grow back before we head to the islands…
So guys, if you are thinking about any kind of manscaping….pay a pro or look like your chest has mange..your choice but choose wisely!!!
Yes I am laughing at my foolish self here……
Yesterday I decided that the Austin Powers look was out for me….um, didn’t know how far out I was thiking!!! LOL
If you are following along and not getting what I mean I will explain it in 1980’s terms.
Chest hair on men seems to be a bit passé. I grow a mean crop of chest and belly hair so in my infinite wisdom I thought I would trim it a bit and see if less was more. Ummmm, well!! Lets just say I got a bit less than I wanted.
First I used the trimmer that is for my beard. One pass and it was clogged and frankly couldn’t even tell that I had trimmed anything…I think it takes like every 10th hair or something. Rob goes and gets out the big gun! The shears that his wife cuts his hair with. Hey I am a generally bright guy so I recognize that there are guards for each length of hair. I go with the shortest one. Fire up the weedwhacker 2009 and watch the dials on meter on the side of the house spin like they just got caught in a tornado. Lights flicker and then return to full brightness…. Rob starts at the waistline of gym shorts and takes one swipe straight up the belly and stops at pecks.... Looking at the tumbleweed that has formed at my feet I realize that the ole # 1 may have been a bit too short.
Not much I can do now but complete the sheering of this dark haired sheep that is standing before me in the mirror and then hope and pray that it will all grow back to a decent length over the next 60 days.
What the hell have I done to myself? What would have ever possessed me?? I did however find the great pumpkin that Charlie Brown has been waiting in the pumpkin patch for all of these years. It is below my chest and above my waistline but he isn’t orange…no he is a very stark white….run, run for your lives!!!!
The one positive in this miss adventure is the motivation that the over exposure of skin has caused. I started doing sit ups again last night…Holy cow only 74 more days till people will see me with no shirt on. If I don’t get the great pumpkin carved down a bit I may have to stay away from the beach as I don’t want to be mistaken for a beached marine mammal.
Tonight, second ab workout. I already know this will lead to sore muscles but I gotta do it just in case the camouflage for the great pumplin doesn’t grow back before we head to the islands…
So guys, if you are thinking about any kind of manscaping….pay a pro or look like your chest has mange..your choice but choose wisely!!!
Yes I am laughing at my foolish self here……
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Island fever – catch it!!
Things are clearing up here…have heard about my job and am safe until the next round of layoffs, when ever that will be. Have all room reservations made and double checked.
Have rental car booked for the ST Maarten part of the trip at least. Have a general itinerary of activities….ok a list of places on island I would like to visit. Have everything ready for passport renewal….just need to write the check and drop in the mail.
In quick review…I’s dotted and T’s crossed. We are 10 times more prepared for this trip than any one we have previously made. Now for the hardest part of the game….sit and wait. We have 86 days to sit and ponder on what more we can pack in and what we may want to take out.
This year for the first time we are getting a bunch of stuff to pre-pack. I know it sounds ridiculous but items that we know we will want or use and may not find or don’t feel like hunting down while there. A new small collapsible cooler, a small noise making machine for the room, several grocery bags as they no longer use plastic on island for groceries. A couple of book for the travel portion of our trip (there are book exchanges all over the island), our over the counter regiment of meds like allergy meds and benedryl. The benedryl saved me a trip to the hospital last time we were on island. We have collected a few other things too but I will spare you from enduring the entire list of what we already have gathered.
I got the fever….is going to be a long illness…. the remedy will only be applied by the first breath of air that fills my lungs upon arrival to the island.
Have rental car booked for the ST Maarten part of the trip at least. Have a general itinerary of activities….ok a list of places on island I would like to visit. Have everything ready for passport renewal….just need to write the check and drop in the mail.
In quick review…I’s dotted and T’s crossed. We are 10 times more prepared for this trip than any one we have previously made. Now for the hardest part of the game….sit and wait. We have 86 days to sit and ponder on what more we can pack in and what we may want to take out.
This year for the first time we are getting a bunch of stuff to pre-pack. I know it sounds ridiculous but items that we know we will want or use and may not find or don’t feel like hunting down while there. A new small collapsible cooler, a small noise making machine for the room, several grocery bags as they no longer use plastic on island for groceries. A couple of book for the travel portion of our trip (there are book exchanges all over the island), our over the counter regiment of meds like allergy meds and benedryl. The benedryl saved me a trip to the hospital last time we were on island. We have collected a few other things too but I will spare you from enduring the entire list of what we already have gathered.
I got the fever….is going to be a long illness…. the remedy will only be applied by the first breath of air that fills my lungs upon arrival to the island.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
And then there were two….couples that is.
Just found out today that one of the couples planning to go with us will not be able to make it for the trip. It makes us a bit sad but we asked them a bit last moment so something like an international trip is a lot to ask of someone else to make a decision about in 60 days or less. I am saddened that they wont be able to make it to the island with us this year but they go quite regularly so they aren’t missing out on anything other than the sterling company!!! LOL
Just gives us more opportunity for friends to come along in the future.
Rather than continue to ask friends and give them less and less time to plan to go. I cancelled the third room we had booked and will have a blast with the couple that is still planning on going with us. They are island virgins so this will be special as we will get to see the island anew thru their eyes.
Since the staging is now over, it is time to look at activities. Friends are avid golfers and one of the couple is a diver so we will get wet but is up to them to go whack that little dimpled ball around the “course” that is on island. That will be a day that my wife and I will find something to do by ourselves..wonder what we could plan to fill the day????? Hmmm bet we find something. Heck worst case scenario, there is always the beach…LOL
Will be time to work with friends to see what they are interested in doing other than golf and diving. Know we will be looking to spend a day in Anguilla…darn the bad luck. My buddy is pretty easy going as in, hey we will go with the flow. My flow as I have stated will be hopping a bit more this year cause I am wanting to catch a ton of pictures on this trip. I really want to make sure they have as good of a time as possible while there without putting too big of a dent into our time, which is a fine line to walk!!
Just gives us more opportunity for friends to come along in the future.
Rather than continue to ask friends and give them less and less time to plan to go. I cancelled the third room we had booked and will have a blast with the couple that is still planning on going with us. They are island virgins so this will be special as we will get to see the island anew thru their eyes.
Since the staging is now over, it is time to look at activities. Friends are avid golfers and one of the couple is a diver so we will get wet but is up to them to go whack that little dimpled ball around the “course” that is on island. That will be a day that my wife and I will find something to do by ourselves..wonder what we could plan to fill the day????? Hmmm bet we find something. Heck worst case scenario, there is always the beach…LOL
Will be time to work with friends to see what they are interested in doing other than golf and diving. Know we will be looking to spend a day in Anguilla…darn the bad luck. My buddy is pretty easy going as in, hey we will go with the flow. My flow as I have stated will be hopping a bit more this year cause I am wanting to catch a ton of pictures on this trip. I really want to make sure they have as good of a time as possible while there without putting too big of a dent into our time, which is a fine line to walk!!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Too much on my mind....
This week we are supposed to hear about our jobs….
1. If we will have one
2. what our new salary will be, and they aren’t on the rise here!!!
Rob is suffering from a bit of writers block..no cutsie quips or lengthy story.
I have heard as long as there is testing done in schools that there will always be prayer there. That is kind of how it is here. We are waiting and waiting and waiting. Most of us really like our jobs and at this moment it is very hard to stay motivated. Have had our trip to focus on but was told last week that we would find out either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week about our position…First note I got this morning said not today.
Damn, I am losing sleep, this is as probably many of you know a huge event in my life and I have no control over any of it……and to top it off our air conditioner shot craps last night so have had to call a repairman for some more Freon and then can hope it lasts another season.
Guess we all have those downer days, weeks, months and years. I wont let this get to me…it will improve I just have to be patient. Patience isn’t one of my strong suits either..oh well! God never gives us any more than we can handle and he knows I have broad shoulders so guess is time to brace myself and see just what will happen.
Writing block will dissipate soon and I will be back with my whit and charm…
1. If we will have one
2. what our new salary will be, and they aren’t on the rise here!!!
Rob is suffering from a bit of writers block..no cutsie quips or lengthy story.
I have heard as long as there is testing done in schools that there will always be prayer there. That is kind of how it is here. We are waiting and waiting and waiting. Most of us really like our jobs and at this moment it is very hard to stay motivated. Have had our trip to focus on but was told last week that we would find out either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week about our position…First note I got this morning said not today.
Damn, I am losing sleep, this is as probably many of you know a huge event in my life and I have no control over any of it……and to top it off our air conditioner shot craps last night so have had to call a repairman for some more Freon and then can hope it lasts another season.
Guess we all have those downer days, weeks, months and years. I wont let this get to me…it will improve I just have to be patient. Patience isn’t one of my strong suits either..oh well! God never gives us any more than we can handle and he knows I have broad shoulders so guess is time to brace myself and see just what will happen.
Writing block will dissipate soon and I will be back with my whit and charm…
Friday, July 24, 2009
Double Digit Midgets!!!!!!
That is what we became today.
What the heck is this guy talking about?
Has he totally gone off the deep end?
Is it once again time to bring Rob his the white dinner jacket? You know the one; it has the wrap around sleeves and leather straps.
No I am quite sane and today passing yet another hurdle in this long race to the vacation finish line. Sooo, I am saying that as of today I have less than 100 days until I board the silver bird headed south for ST Maarten and Anguilla. I know it seems like that is a long way off and it is but that time will fly by just like the vacation that I have worked months on.
We booked our room 234 days out and our flights 141 days out so milestone 3 is we are now under 100 days. See why it is significant? Time passes quickly so 99 days will be here before we know it.
Will send in our passport renewals today so all that will be left to do is save some more coins, pack and work with friends about when they want to do a couple of big activities such as diving and day tripping to Anguilla otherwise, find me a beach and comfortable chair and get out of the way cause I want a clear view to watch the waves breaking at the shore as the grains of sand tumble over each other jockeying for a place to settle in and shimmer in the sun when the tide recedes as quickly as the hair follicles on the head of a 45 year old man.
I love being a short timer or double digit midget. Will love it even more when my countdown clock says….hours not days!!
What the heck is this guy talking about?
Has he totally gone off the deep end?
Is it once again time to bring Rob his the white dinner jacket? You know the one; it has the wrap around sleeves and leather straps.
No I am quite sane and today passing yet another hurdle in this long race to the vacation finish line. Sooo, I am saying that as of today I have less than 100 days until I board the silver bird headed south for ST Maarten and Anguilla. I know it seems like that is a long way off and it is but that time will fly by just like the vacation that I have worked months on.
We booked our room 234 days out and our flights 141 days out so milestone 3 is we are now under 100 days. See why it is significant? Time passes quickly so 99 days will be here before we know it.
Will send in our passport renewals today so all that will be left to do is save some more coins, pack and work with friends about when they want to do a couple of big activities such as diving and day tripping to Anguilla otherwise, find me a beach and comfortable chair and get out of the way cause I want a clear view to watch the waves breaking at the shore as the grains of sand tumble over each other jockeying for a place to settle in and shimmer in the sun when the tide recedes as quickly as the hair follicles on the head of a 45 year old man.
I love being a short timer or double digit midget. Will love it even more when my countdown clock says….hours not days!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Obsession; it’s not just a perfume for women!
With my last post I was running a bit of island fever.
Today's topic is Obsession.
Webster’s online dictionary definition of obsession is…a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling. So! Where am I going with this?? Here is where; Count the number of times I use the word island in this post. Already have used it twice…
Since I last shared I have made the one night reservation on ST Maarten that will cover our late arrival on all hallows eve. (We found a great on line rate for our timeshare for one evening) Next morning we will get up and take a cab across island to Marigot and then on to Anguilla for a few days. Only reservation left will be for a rental car on Anguilla, I will do that when we get there as it is still off season and won’t be an issue to get.
Scheduling
Since I am going to visit the island to capture as many tropical pictures as I can I have started a simple spreadsheet to make sure I can take advantage of the best lighting as well as optimize our beach time. We are taking my buddy and his wife along with us this time and they are island virgins. I want to make sure they are getting some of the highlights of the island so it only makes sense to make a kind of calendar that can be interchanged with events such as…a round of golf when and if we get a rain out day..it can be replaced by an afternoon of shopping. Schedule? Schedule?? Are you kidding me? Rob is the type that plans all the way until we get there then…neatly folds up the schedule and puts it in what ever book I plan to read while on the beach and uses it as a bookmark, what ever happens on island stays on island. Ok, not quite like that but we get up in the morning and as we are getting ready will have the Where’s Waldo discussion about which beach we will be on that day. Sooooo, this schedule thing is tuff for me but I know I want to be on differing parts of the island during the softer natural light hours of morning sun and evening sunset.
Mindset
When I started this blog, I quickly realized that I am inflicted with what travelers to ST Maarten refer to as DIF (dreaded island fever). Once I have been there I can’t get enough. Why? What is so special about this little island? With all of the islands in the Caribbean, why continue returning to this place? Is it the island or the mindset?
Above, are a group of questions that one might ask before planning a vacation to this piece of island paradise.
1. Why? This one is easy for me. Ever been to the heartland of the USA? Try living there, many are narrow minded and set in their ways. Most have never seen another country or even costal USA. Simply the escape from Bubba and kin would be my response there. Yes I grew up here so am a bit red in the neck too but I try to escape my own environment at least once a year. That being said, I come from landlockedville USA. Only water we see is very dirty brown lakes just not my bag to swim in. I gotta go to ST Somewhere, a tropical island and nice beaches….that is where ESCAPE starts for me.
2. What is so special about this little island? Where do I begin; how about this recipe? ST Maarten is a slice of Europe covered in tropical Caribbean sprinkles with a sugar coating of beaches all kissed and baked by the sun and served for your enjoyment by some of the Caribbean’s nicest people. Honestly it is a great place to visit and enjoy.
3. This is a place that you start your day with a fresh morning greeting of bonjour and a double espresso and a nice glass of a magical rum concoction served by your favorite bar tender is the perfect ending to the day. The island offers some of the creature comforts of the good ole US of A blended with Caribbean love and friendship and displays just a flair of Europe.
4. Island or mindset? BOTH. We love the island and what it has to offer. We totally enjoy what it transforms us into. This little island escape has become our yearly recharge/honeymoon. When you land at PJIA and they roll up and secure the jet way and crack the doors on the plane, there is a rush of warm (sometimes hot) tropical air that wafts thru the cabin. In that air is just a hint of jet fuel and smell of the tarmac. That combination of smells is about as exhilarating to my nose as a fine perfume on my beautiful wife, it means we are back on island and for 7-14 days we don’t have any cares to worry about. It is just my wife and I escaping from our normal routine to enjoy each other and what the island has to offer.
My wife and I love our visits to St Maarten (yes we sleep on the Dutch side but travel the entire island a multitude of times while there). We love the island, its people, the return visitors we have gotten to know and some other private things that make this a special escape for us. We work hard for 11 and a half months a year and take about 2 weeks to enjoy the fruits of our labor each year by taking the time to escape to the island, walking hand in hand with the one we love, soaking up rays and enjoying each other without all of the concerns back home.
Obsessed? Maybe a bit…..ok yes I am!!!!
By the way did you count how many times the word island appears in this post??
Today's topic is Obsession.
Webster’s online dictionary definition of obsession is…a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling. So! Where am I going with this?? Here is where; Count the number of times I use the word island in this post. Already have used it twice…
Since I last shared I have made the one night reservation on ST Maarten that will cover our late arrival on all hallows eve. (We found a great on line rate for our timeshare for one evening) Next morning we will get up and take a cab across island to Marigot and then on to Anguilla for a few days. Only reservation left will be for a rental car on Anguilla, I will do that when we get there as it is still off season and won’t be an issue to get.
Scheduling
Since I am going to visit the island to capture as many tropical pictures as I can I have started a simple spreadsheet to make sure I can take advantage of the best lighting as well as optimize our beach time. We are taking my buddy and his wife along with us this time and they are island virgins. I want to make sure they are getting some of the highlights of the island so it only makes sense to make a kind of calendar that can be interchanged with events such as…a round of golf when and if we get a rain out day..it can be replaced by an afternoon of shopping. Schedule? Schedule?? Are you kidding me? Rob is the type that plans all the way until we get there then…neatly folds up the schedule and puts it in what ever book I plan to read while on the beach and uses it as a bookmark, what ever happens on island stays on island. Ok, not quite like that but we get up in the morning and as we are getting ready will have the Where’s Waldo discussion about which beach we will be on that day. Sooooo, this schedule thing is tuff for me but I know I want to be on differing parts of the island during the softer natural light hours of morning sun and evening sunset.
Mindset
When I started this blog, I quickly realized that I am inflicted with what travelers to ST Maarten refer to as DIF (dreaded island fever). Once I have been there I can’t get enough. Why? What is so special about this little island? With all of the islands in the Caribbean, why continue returning to this place? Is it the island or the mindset?
Above, are a group of questions that one might ask before planning a vacation to this piece of island paradise.
1. Why? This one is easy for me. Ever been to the heartland of the USA? Try living there, many are narrow minded and set in their ways. Most have never seen another country or even costal USA. Simply the escape from Bubba and kin would be my response there. Yes I grew up here so am a bit red in the neck too but I try to escape my own environment at least once a year. That being said, I come from landlockedville USA. Only water we see is very dirty brown lakes just not my bag to swim in. I gotta go to ST Somewhere, a tropical island and nice beaches….that is where ESCAPE starts for me.
2. What is so special about this little island? Where do I begin; how about this recipe? ST Maarten is a slice of Europe covered in tropical Caribbean sprinkles with a sugar coating of beaches all kissed and baked by the sun and served for your enjoyment by some of the Caribbean’s nicest people. Honestly it is a great place to visit and enjoy.
3. This is a place that you start your day with a fresh morning greeting of bonjour and a double espresso and a nice glass of a magical rum concoction served by your favorite bar tender is the perfect ending to the day. The island offers some of the creature comforts of the good ole US of A blended with Caribbean love and friendship and displays just a flair of Europe.
4. Island or mindset? BOTH. We love the island and what it has to offer. We totally enjoy what it transforms us into. This little island escape has become our yearly recharge/honeymoon. When you land at PJIA and they roll up and secure the jet way and crack the doors on the plane, there is a rush of warm (sometimes hot) tropical air that wafts thru the cabin. In that air is just a hint of jet fuel and smell of the tarmac. That combination of smells is about as exhilarating to my nose as a fine perfume on my beautiful wife, it means we are back on island and for 7-14 days we don’t have any cares to worry about. It is just my wife and I escaping from our normal routine to enjoy each other and what the island has to offer.
My wife and I love our visits to St Maarten (yes we sleep on the Dutch side but travel the entire island a multitude of times while there). We love the island, its people, the return visitors we have gotten to know and some other private things that make this a special escape for us. We work hard for 11 and a half months a year and take about 2 weeks to enjoy the fruits of our labor each year by taking the time to escape to the island, walking hand in hand with the one we love, soaking up rays and enjoying each other without all of the concerns back home.
Obsessed? Maybe a bit…..ok yes I am!!!!
By the way did you count how many times the word island appears in this post??
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I've got a fever of 115!!!!!!!
For those that may be new to my blog, I may have a bit of explaining to do.
115 is a countdown of days leading up to our next Caribbean vacation. We leave early on Halloween morning and fly to Dutch ST Maarten (SXM) for a one night stay, the next morning we travel via cab to the French port of Marigot and board one of the hourly ferry runs to Brittish Anguilla (AXA).
My fever is simply an obsession with being in the islands with my wife. We are fortunate enough to escape the every day drudgery such as bills, responsibility and work for a few days. Doing this yearly replenishes me to my very core. Yes I am obsessed but when you plan all year to go, save from each check. Book rooms, make flight reservations it keeps trips like this in the forefront of my mind. When we bring friends with us it is even more so because my need for uber planning is intensified so they can get a larger bang for their buck.
After the first night, we will spend three relaxing days and nights on Anguilla visiting different beaches and of course sampling all of the different rum punch recipes that we can. My intent is to get our little rental car out on “the wrong side of the road” and see the beauty of the island. Where there are side roads, we will take them and just see what we will find. Last year we did this and I discovered the villas on the cliffs that overlook Road Bay. What a view. Will visit some of the beaches we haven’t in the past and of course get our fill of our favorite little beach bar on Upper Shoal Bay. As a matter of fact, we will be there on a Sunday…and get to see first hand the music that lends its name to Gwen’s Reggae Beach Bar. We are so excited about the pickup jam session that they have that we can hardly wait to get there. Only problem will be that 3 days will FLY by and we will have to depart for a weeks stay on Dutch ST Maarten. We will however meet up with some life long friends on SXM and they want to experience AXA so we will get to return for a day trip…hello Anguilla Rums ltd (Pyrat rum bottling plant).
Our stay on SXM will be highlighted by the sacrifice of a pair of virgins….ok not exactly but our friends joining us for the week and they are virgins to the Caribbean. Having friends visit for the first time is like seeing the island thru a new set of eyes. Things that you have overlooked for years just pop out at me when someone else sees it and asks what is that or why do they do that those brief surprises and make me love SXM even more when shared with friends.
As I have previously noted, we have an agenda this time. That I don’t like but won’t get done the things I intend to if I don’t take care of the agenda. Have a blooming landscape photography business going and it is geared around the Caribbean. After all, this is a place that millions escape to each year, a place with stunning vistas and incredible sunsets. Meaning there are shots to be taken and many miles to put on the car to make sure I am in the place I want to be to capture the beauty of the island. Nice part is the middle of the day is waaaay to bright to shoot pictures so dang, will have to relax with my beautiful wife and friends on a beach, sipping a bit of ti-punch and paint pictures in my mind of all the beauty that my eyes soak up to keep me warm thru out the upcoming winter.
Yes, my fever is 115 today but as each day passes the number looks less and less daunting until it finally comes to pass that my feet are firmly entrenched in the sand as the waves of relief gently break at my knees.
115 is a countdown of days leading up to our next Caribbean vacation. We leave early on Halloween morning and fly to Dutch ST Maarten (SXM) for a one night stay, the next morning we travel via cab to the French port of Marigot and board one of the hourly ferry runs to Brittish Anguilla (AXA).
My fever is simply an obsession with being in the islands with my wife. We are fortunate enough to escape the every day drudgery such as bills, responsibility and work for a few days. Doing this yearly replenishes me to my very core. Yes I am obsessed but when you plan all year to go, save from each check. Book rooms, make flight reservations it keeps trips like this in the forefront of my mind. When we bring friends with us it is even more so because my need for uber planning is intensified so they can get a larger bang for their buck.
After the first night, we will spend three relaxing days and nights on Anguilla visiting different beaches and of course sampling all of the different rum punch recipes that we can. My intent is to get our little rental car out on “the wrong side of the road” and see the beauty of the island. Where there are side roads, we will take them and just see what we will find. Last year we did this and I discovered the villas on the cliffs that overlook Road Bay. What a view. Will visit some of the beaches we haven’t in the past and of course get our fill of our favorite little beach bar on Upper Shoal Bay. As a matter of fact, we will be there on a Sunday…and get to see first hand the music that lends its name to Gwen’s Reggae Beach Bar. We are so excited about the pickup jam session that they have that we can hardly wait to get there. Only problem will be that 3 days will FLY by and we will have to depart for a weeks stay on Dutch ST Maarten. We will however meet up with some life long friends on SXM and they want to experience AXA so we will get to return for a day trip…hello Anguilla Rums ltd (Pyrat rum bottling plant).
Our stay on SXM will be highlighted by the sacrifice of a pair of virgins….ok not exactly but our friends joining us for the week and they are virgins to the Caribbean. Having friends visit for the first time is like seeing the island thru a new set of eyes. Things that you have overlooked for years just pop out at me when someone else sees it and asks what is that or why do they do that those brief surprises and make me love SXM even more when shared with friends.
As I have previously noted, we have an agenda this time. That I don’t like but won’t get done the things I intend to if I don’t take care of the agenda. Have a blooming landscape photography business going and it is geared around the Caribbean. After all, this is a place that millions escape to each year, a place with stunning vistas and incredible sunsets. Meaning there are shots to be taken and many miles to put on the car to make sure I am in the place I want to be to capture the beauty of the island. Nice part is the middle of the day is waaaay to bright to shoot pictures so dang, will have to relax with my beautiful wife and friends on a beach, sipping a bit of ti-punch and paint pictures in my mind of all the beauty that my eyes soak up to keep me warm thru out the upcoming winter.
Yes, my fever is 115 today but as each day passes the number looks less and less daunting until it finally comes to pass that my feet are firmly entrenched in the sand as the waves of relief gently break at my knees.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
There are lists to be made....
Yes I am a large gray haired old man but NO I am not Santa Clause, however I will be making my lists and checking them twice!!
Major list;
Flight purchased…check
Room Reserved….check…kind of.
(Have the week on SXM but still need an overnight and 3 nights on AXA)
Car reserved…check
New point and shoot camera purchased….check
Most of the major things are done!!!
Still to be done;
Passport renewal….have forms but have to get my wife’s beauty shot and my mug shot taken.
Book room for three nights in Anguilla (know of availability where we want to stay so this one is easy)
Book room for arrival night on ST Maarten (don’t have a clue on this one)
Planning lists; Money, Activities, Gear
Damn, going to be busier than I would like on this trip.
We used to go to the island to relax, now we have agendas, I think we have this backwards but there are reasons this is happening and can’t share all of them just yet.
Money; We have already put away nearly as much money as we normally take to the island and still have 4 months left to go. This time we do intend to spend a bit more eating out than we have in the past. There are a few things that will need to be purchased before we go and have already started on those.
Activities; We as you know from reading the drivel that has been previously posted are taking ST Maarten virgins with us this trip. Though it is a lot of fun for us it does cause Sir Plans-a-lot to be even more forward thinking and plan slightly more than usual.
I need to plan things like….beaches we would want to take our friends to…as well as those we want to visit without them (wink, wink). There is the prerequisite visit to Orient beach as well as a couple of our other favorites like Baie Rouge and would like to get to Friar’s as well as Happy. Remembering these are friends from home so no French style sun bathing
Our friends are avid golfers and want to play the course on island….I tell them I fully understand and respect that they want to play, however, this may possibly be the worst course they have ever had the chance to knock that little dimpled ball around on. That being said, they do want to play golf one day.
They are also interested in a day of diving. I am looking into going thru the dive shop in Grand Case, Octopus Dive. This will allow for access to a different part of the island and they gear their dives towards a smaller group than some of the shops on the Dutch side of the island.
One evening we want to head up to Fort St Louis above Marigot and have cheese, crackers and split a bottle of wine while watching the sun set in the distance.
There will be of course the required (when traveling with Rob) return trip to Anguilla so we can share a few of our favorite things from that island like a visit to the Pyrat rum bottling plant and to enjoy the beach of upper shoal bay and lunch with Gwen.
There will also be several evenings that we will partake in some fine and not so fine dining at a number of fine establishments all over the island and who can skip an evening at the Red Piano Bar? We can walk back to our room from there!
In all of our visits we have never been to Pinel Island…that has to change as well as we will make another trek to Green Key but it will be just the two of us.
Gear; We are once again entering into discussion and decision making about how much to pack. Issue is dive fins or no….We have a great interest in using our own fins and do plan to dive and may snorkel just a bit so my bet is they will come along. Since they are dive, not snorkel, fins both sets are rather long, equating to the need for a suitcase (more like rolling duffle bag) to go underneath on the flight. With the fins on board it also means more rum for our return!!!! I think we will bring the big bag again this year.
Clothes are pretty easy for us.
A couple of swim suits each
Wife brings three sun dresses a couple of shirts and pairs of shorts and of course appropriate undergarments. Shoes are a minimum we both bring 2 pair and a pair of flip flops.
I bring three pair of shorts, 4 shirts underwear and a shaving kit.
We take a bit of time to do some laundry while there of course, this just makes it so much easier when we pack.
Packing mantra. A week before you travel, lay out everything you think you will need, the day before cut the amount of clothes in half and then go by the bank and get twice the money you planned. This makes for an excellent trip and I think every time we have traveled, something makes it home without being worn while on vacation.
As you can see there are many reasons to make the list and check them twice. Only thing I won’t do is assign a day to each activity because believe it or not Rob hates that much structure. Roll eyes here…
Major list;
Flight purchased…check
Room Reserved….check…kind of.
(Have the week on SXM but still need an overnight and 3 nights on AXA)
Car reserved…check
New point and shoot camera purchased….check
Most of the major things are done!!!
Still to be done;
Passport renewal….have forms but have to get my wife’s beauty shot and my mug shot taken.
Book room for three nights in Anguilla (know of availability where we want to stay so this one is easy)
Book room for arrival night on ST Maarten (don’t have a clue on this one)
Planning lists; Money, Activities, Gear
Damn, going to be busier than I would like on this trip.
We used to go to the island to relax, now we have agendas, I think we have this backwards but there are reasons this is happening and can’t share all of them just yet.
Money; We have already put away nearly as much money as we normally take to the island and still have 4 months left to go. This time we do intend to spend a bit more eating out than we have in the past. There are a few things that will need to be purchased before we go and have already started on those.
Activities; We as you know from reading the drivel that has been previously posted are taking ST Maarten virgins with us this trip. Though it is a lot of fun for us it does cause Sir Plans-a-lot to be even more forward thinking and plan slightly more than usual.
I need to plan things like….beaches we would want to take our friends to…as well as those we want to visit without them (wink, wink). There is the prerequisite visit to Orient beach as well as a couple of our other favorites like Baie Rouge and would like to get to Friar’s as well as Happy. Remembering these are friends from home so no French style sun bathing
Our friends are avid golfers and want to play the course on island….I tell them I fully understand and respect that they want to play, however, this may possibly be the worst course they have ever had the chance to knock that little dimpled ball around on. That being said, they do want to play golf one day.
They are also interested in a day of diving. I am looking into going thru the dive shop in Grand Case, Octopus Dive. This will allow for access to a different part of the island and they gear their dives towards a smaller group than some of the shops on the Dutch side of the island.
One evening we want to head up to Fort St Louis above Marigot and have cheese, crackers and split a bottle of wine while watching the sun set in the distance.
There will be of course the required (when traveling with Rob) return trip to Anguilla so we can share a few of our favorite things from that island like a visit to the Pyrat rum bottling plant and to enjoy the beach of upper shoal bay and lunch with Gwen.
There will also be several evenings that we will partake in some fine and not so fine dining at a number of fine establishments all over the island and who can skip an evening at the Red Piano Bar? We can walk back to our room from there!
In all of our visits we have never been to Pinel Island…that has to change as well as we will make another trek to Green Key but it will be just the two of us.
Gear; We are once again entering into discussion and decision making about how much to pack. Issue is dive fins or no….We have a great interest in using our own fins and do plan to dive and may snorkel just a bit so my bet is they will come along. Since they are dive, not snorkel, fins both sets are rather long, equating to the need for a suitcase (more like rolling duffle bag) to go underneath on the flight. With the fins on board it also means more rum for our return!!!! I think we will bring the big bag again this year.
Clothes are pretty easy for us.
A couple of swim suits each
Wife brings three sun dresses a couple of shirts and pairs of shorts and of course appropriate undergarments. Shoes are a minimum we both bring 2 pair and a pair of flip flops.
I bring three pair of shorts, 4 shirts underwear and a shaving kit.
We take a bit of time to do some laundry while there of course, this just makes it so much easier when we pack.
Packing mantra. A week before you travel, lay out everything you think you will need, the day before cut the amount of clothes in half and then go by the bank and get twice the money you planned. This makes for an excellent trip and I think every time we have traveled, something makes it home without being worn while on vacation.
As you can see there are many reasons to make the list and check them twice. Only thing I won’t do is assign a day to each activity because believe it or not Rob hates that much structure. Roll eyes here…
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Odd???
We had one of the couples in our little travel group pull the plug on going to the island with us this year. No biggie there is always another year but am having issues with getting others to join us. I don’t get it, I shower, we leave our clothes on at the beach, and am not the typical obnoxious American tourist.
It is ODD to us since we love traveling to St Maarten that so many have either backed out or turned us down. I am guessing it is one of two things….either my sterling personality…I can be a travel bear….or our economy. I cant do much about the second part but the first one I can explain. We are a bit adventurous and don’t like being tied down. Criteria for travel with Rob is…you too must rent a car and we wont be spending every waking minute together. There are various reasons for part two of that statement.
1. We all so spend a couple of dollars to get there and we like some couples rejuvenation time while there. This is our yearly escape and we love sharing but aren’t willing to be tour guides for a week.
2. I have started a business that is in its infancy that will require me to be free at certain times of the day.
3. We have some differing interests that will cause us to go our separate ways…such as golf and diving.
I know that I am a bit ODD as I will take any opportunity to head for the islands. In today’s economy many are much more leery of dropping the coin it takes to fly from the middle of the US to the island for a week. I just look at it as this is what I work 50+ weeks a year for…and I will do what ever it takes to get me there!!!!! So I guess it is just me that is ODD. LOL
It is ODD to us since we love traveling to St Maarten that so many have either backed out or turned us down. I am guessing it is one of two things….either my sterling personality…I can be a travel bear….or our economy. I cant do much about the second part but the first one I can explain. We are a bit adventurous and don’t like being tied down. Criteria for travel with Rob is…you too must rent a car and we wont be spending every waking minute together. There are various reasons for part two of that statement.
1. We all so spend a couple of dollars to get there and we like some couples rejuvenation time while there. This is our yearly escape and we love sharing but aren’t willing to be tour guides for a week.
2. I have started a business that is in its infancy that will require me to be free at certain times of the day.
3. We have some differing interests that will cause us to go our separate ways…such as golf and diving.
I know that I am a bit ODD as I will take any opportunity to head for the islands. In today’s economy many are much more leery of dropping the coin it takes to fly from the middle of the US to the island for a week. I just look at it as this is what I work 50+ weeks a year for…and I will do what ever it takes to get me there!!!!! So I guess it is just me that is ODD. LOL
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hey It’s late why you calling? Oh! OK!!!
Phone rang at 10PM last night…that usually only brings bad news.
Last night was an exception to that rule. It was my buddy saying that they had worked everything out and are definitely in for our fall trip to the islands. Wooo hoo SXM virgins. Get the volcano ready..one, two, oh yeah this is a holiday not a sacrifice…never mind guys, shut off the flames and hike back down the hill. Lets head for the beach instead….and who is bringing the cooler?? By the way just incase you are reading this ...no I'm not bothered that you called at 10 is just a fun way to title my blog.
Actually I have been talking the island up for years and they have been saying we would love to go….my response is one day…guess what!!! That one day is arriving soon. As in this fall. I am excited to have them join the crew this year.
We discussed things like airfare…I already have mine but shared what to look for and setting a price he is comfortable with. When it hits the price buy buy buy and then if satisfied don’t look back cause you will kick yourself when you could have saved another 50 a ticket. Told him I will pick them up at the airport on island with some cold ones ready for their consumption.
So the confirmed crew is now 4 there may be 2 more joining this party with the possibility of another 8 that we know being there in overlapping times. We are in process of scouting out a place to call our own on the beach…with those numbers look out we are bringing it!! LOL Actually we are all pretty quiet and generally respectful folks that wont take over a beach or be obnoxious to others.
Is there anyone else out there that wants to join our party? There is plenty of room on the beach!
Last night was an exception to that rule. It was my buddy saying that they had worked everything out and are definitely in for our fall trip to the islands. Wooo hoo SXM virgins. Get the volcano ready..one, two, oh yeah this is a holiday not a sacrifice…never mind guys, shut off the flames and hike back down the hill. Lets head for the beach instead….and who is bringing the cooler?? By the way just incase you are reading this ...no I'm not bothered that you called at 10 is just a fun way to title my blog.
Actually I have been talking the island up for years and they have been saying we would love to go….my response is one day…guess what!!! That one day is arriving soon. As in this fall. I am excited to have them join the crew this year.
We discussed things like airfare…I already have mine but shared what to look for and setting a price he is comfortable with. When it hits the price buy buy buy and then if satisfied don’t look back cause you will kick yourself when you could have saved another 50 a ticket. Told him I will pick them up at the airport on island with some cold ones ready for their consumption.
So the confirmed crew is now 4 there may be 2 more joining this party with the possibility of another 8 that we know being there in overlapping times. We are in process of scouting out a place to call our own on the beach…with those numbers look out we are bringing it!! LOL Actually we are all pretty quiet and generally respectful folks that wont take over a beach or be obnoxious to others.
Is there anyone else out there that wants to join our party? There is plenty of room on the beach!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Vacation + Daily Schedule = Crazy!!!
I will stick by the math in the title for planning a vacation. I will plan things like room, airfare, car rental and a couple of activities but in the past have not put a daily schedule together to structure our days. This time I must. Not happy about it but since this is business first for me I will build daily structure but not assign days. My first task this time is not to simply enjoy the trip, it is to gather some marketable photos of places known and unknown on both ST Maarten/Saint Marten and Anguilla.
Yes I am trying to make my mark with art photography. These are not of people but rather nature as well as some man made vistas. So this trip will be photo op + specific daylight = work…bright sun = poorer opportunity so we will then relax or make some contacts for possible product sales.
Guess that means, with the help of my trusty COO and assistant, we will be grouping beach visits together with where we would like to enjoy a bit of the sun for the day…
Here is the only catch, we will be bringing two first time visitor couples with us this trip too.
We do have one item we will want to do with the group, we want to go to FT ST Louis above Marigot and watch the sunset while sharing a bit of wine and cheese. Have been to the fort a few times but never later in the day when the light might give an incredible glow as the sunset occurs.
Yes I am trying to make my mark with art photography. These are not of people but rather nature as well as some man made vistas. So this trip will be photo op + specific daylight = work…bright sun = poorer opportunity so we will then relax or make some contacts for possible product sales.
Guess that means, with the help of my trusty COO and assistant, we will be grouping beach visits together with where we would like to enjoy a bit of the sun for the day…
Here is the only catch, we will be bringing two first time visitor couples with us this trip too.
We do have one item we will want to do with the group, we want to go to FT ST Louis above Marigot and watch the sunset while sharing a bit of wine and cheese. Have been to the fort a few times but never later in the day when the light might give an incredible glow as the sunset occurs.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Planning and Friends for travel
Met this weekend with some friends/business associates and discussed ST Maarten. They had just come back and found the trip to be very worth while to them. I shared that we in turn had just booked our tickets to go in Nov. He said that they may be returning to the island about the same time. What a blast it would be if they went at the same time we did. We have been trying for years to get together while on island.
There is an outside possibility that some friends of ours from Texas may be on island when we get there too. There is also the chance that yet another one of our friends from the KC area will be there at the same time. This could lead to a couple of VERY fun nights out!!!
Rob’s count of friends on island could be something like 12. There is some economy stimulation for SXM.
We so far have our flights paid and our week long stay on SXM booked. I still need to pay for our stay on Anguilla and a single night on SXM before we go to Anguilla.
Other things left to do is book cars for both islands and the hardest part for me……plan our days. No I am not looking to plan out every minute but we are going with the intent of taking lots of photos for my business. That comes first for us, way before hanging out on the beaches or what non-business meals we may plan.
Our typical plan in the past has been ….make a list of three or four things to do and do them otherwise we get up in the morning and have a conversation that goes something like this….
R says “Hey honey can you help me with sunscreen?”
M says “ Sure let me get that for you.”
R “Hey I need to run by and get my Espresso fix on our way to…..what beach do you want to go to today?”
M “Well, I kind of like the chairs at La String over on Orient, would you mind if we drive across island today”
R “No problem as long as I can stop by Zee Best on our way”
M “Ok, and I have already gotten the cooler ready for some snacks”
R “Cool, lets get outa here so we can enjoy the sun and surf, besides we need to get there and grab front row chairs”
M “ Ok I’m ready lets go”
That is a conversation that goes on almost every morning..just change the name of the beach. This time I will need to work on planning a bit better so we can hit some other photo ops while there.
To say we are getting excited about traveling back to the island is a bit of an understatement but that is what this blog is all about remember!!!
You will see me posting quite a bit more often now that we are booked!!
There is an outside possibility that some friends of ours from Texas may be on island when we get there too. There is also the chance that yet another one of our friends from the KC area will be there at the same time. This could lead to a couple of VERY fun nights out!!!
Rob’s count of friends on island could be something like 12. There is some economy stimulation for SXM.
We so far have our flights paid and our week long stay on SXM booked. I still need to pay for our stay on Anguilla and a single night on SXM before we go to Anguilla.
Other things left to do is book cars for both islands and the hardest part for me……plan our days. No I am not looking to plan out every minute but we are going with the intent of taking lots of photos for my business. That comes first for us, way before hanging out on the beaches or what non-business meals we may plan.
Our typical plan in the past has been ….make a list of three or four things to do and do them otherwise we get up in the morning and have a conversation that goes something like this….
R says “Hey honey can you help me with sunscreen?”
M says “ Sure let me get that for you.”
R “Hey I need to run by and get my Espresso fix on our way to…..what beach do you want to go to today?”
M “Well, I kind of like the chairs at La String over on Orient, would you mind if we drive across island today”
R “No problem as long as I can stop by Zee Best on our way”
M “Ok, and I have already gotten the cooler ready for some snacks”
R “Cool, lets get outa here so we can enjoy the sun and surf, besides we need to get there and grab front row chairs”
M “ Ok I’m ready lets go”
That is a conversation that goes on almost every morning..just change the name of the beach. This time I will need to work on planning a bit better so we can hit some other photo ops while there.
To say we are getting excited about traveling back to the island is a bit of an understatement but that is what this blog is all about remember!!!
You will see me posting quite a bit more often now that we are booked!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Book’em Danno!!
It’s done, we are proud owners of two tickets to paradise…we wont be packing our bags to leave tonight but will however be spending 10 days in island paradise. For us that is three days and nights on Anguilla followed by another 7 on ST Maarten.
My constant monitoring of a couple of travel sites has paid off and in our eyes paid big.
Our tickets were about $50 less than what we paid last year and we were quite happy with those then. The best part is that there will be no overnight travel stays. Ok one, but I don’t consider a night on ST Maarten before going to Anguilla an overnight for travel purpose. We will spend one night on SXM then head to AXA for three days to include something I have wanted to do for years, that would be listening to the pickup reggae band at Gwen’s on Sunday afternoon. We will then return to SXM for a week.
This will give me more than plenty of opportunities to shoot all the photos I need for an upcoming project.
My constant monitoring of a couple of travel sites has paid off and in our eyes paid big.
Our tickets were about $50 less than what we paid last year and we were quite happy with those then. The best part is that there will be no overnight travel stays. Ok one, but I don’t consider a night on ST Maarten before going to Anguilla an overnight for travel purpose. We will spend one night on SXM then head to AXA for three days to include something I have wanted to do for years, that would be listening to the pickup reggae band at Gwen’s on Sunday afternoon. We will then return to SXM for a week.
This will give me more than plenty of opportunities to shoot all the photos I need for an upcoming project.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Did I wait just a bit too long?
This morning I did my usual perusal of prices on flights from Kansas City to ST Maarten.
We are going! It will be in early November now here is the rum, er rub!! Last week I priced airfare and found the perfect flight…and price for us. KC to Dallas, overnight and see some friends and then next morning Dallas to SXM. Return would all be in one day. Price for 2..rt with taxes $1200. This week, price of gas is up 18 cents a gallon cause it is driving season again. Same flight, $1350. I am experienced enough to know that the prices will fluctuate and will wait a couple more weeks to monitor but I am now ready to make that purchase.
On a more fun note, I am now exploring new products to add to my hopefully soon to be published website. At this point I have photos and some logo wear but my stock is growing. Hope to have a few products other than just photos. More on this one to come in later blogs....
We are going! It will be in early November now here is the rum, er rub!! Last week I priced airfare and found the perfect flight…and price for us. KC to Dallas, overnight and see some friends and then next morning Dallas to SXM. Return would all be in one day. Price for 2..rt with taxes $1200. This week, price of gas is up 18 cents a gallon cause it is driving season again. Same flight, $1350. I am experienced enough to know that the prices will fluctuate and will wait a couple more weeks to monitor but I am now ready to make that purchase.
On a more fun note, I am now exploring new products to add to my hopefully soon to be published website. At this point I have photos and some logo wear but my stock is growing. Hope to have a few products other than just photos. More on this one to come in later blogs....
Monday, May 18, 2009
Entertaining Caribbean style!!
Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend. What does that mean. Usually more time to lay around, do yard work and oh yeah the pools open. This year, we have some friends coming in from out of town. This couple has been asked to go to the islands with us this fall. Actually they are one of two couples we are planning to introduce to ST Maarten D.W.I!!!!
We are going to invite them over for a Caribbean dinner and I am excited. Looking to make chicken on the grill. I will use charred coal instead of charcoal briquettes. We will make peas & rice, coleslaw maybe some plantains…if I can find them here. Rum punch/painkillers and of course some kind of rum dessert. A simple meal really but it will bring us back to the little restaurants on the beaches that serve meals like this.
We will toss in a dvd of pix shot on island and see what they think.. We are really hoping that they do decide to come along with us. That would make three couples around the same age…give or take a few but when you are our age around becomes an ever expanding circle. Same general interests and all three guys have the same sense of humor. That is good for the guys as we will feed off of each other….uh oh….a bunch of late 40 somethings on spring break!!!! The women are all nice and should get along as well.
Been following flights and trying to bring my wife in on the decision about what day to leave and what time. Including where we will overnight on the way down or if we will.
There are several options…leaving in evening after work….overnight in Chicago…this is November so I don’t like that idea. Overnighting in Miami with a flight that is thru Chicago or…..leave KC at 6am and get to SXM at about 10pm. The last one has a 5 hour layover in good ole San Juan. Then for a few dollars more, we can fly thru Dallas, that would be a much easier flight for us as I don’t want to go north in the winter or late fall to head south.
We are going to invite them over for a Caribbean dinner and I am excited. Looking to make chicken on the grill. I will use charred coal instead of charcoal briquettes. We will make peas & rice, coleslaw maybe some plantains…if I can find them here. Rum punch/painkillers and of course some kind of rum dessert. A simple meal really but it will bring us back to the little restaurants on the beaches that serve meals like this.
We will toss in a dvd of pix shot on island and see what they think.. We are really hoping that they do decide to come along with us. That would make three couples around the same age…give or take a few but when you are our age around becomes an ever expanding circle. Same general interests and all three guys have the same sense of humor. That is good for the guys as we will feed off of each other….uh oh….a bunch of late 40 somethings on spring break!!!! The women are all nice and should get along as well.
Been following flights and trying to bring my wife in on the decision about what day to leave and what time. Including where we will overnight on the way down or if we will.
There are several options…leaving in evening after work….overnight in Chicago…this is November so I don’t like that idea. Overnighting in Miami with a flight that is thru Chicago or…..leave KC at 6am and get to SXM at about 10pm. The last one has a 5 hour layover in good ole San Juan. Then for a few dollars more, we can fly thru Dallas, that would be a much easier flight for us as I don’t want to go north in the winter or late fall to head south.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Hold it…hold it….almost, not quite!!
We came close to buying two tickets to paradise this week. Found a pair of round trip tickets from Chicago O’Hare for $375 including tax. This is for a November trip so we have a little time. (even with acceptable departure and arrival times)
There are three reasons I didn’t pull the trigger,
1. tickets will go on sale again.
2. we are traveling with two other couples and would kind of like to go together …they aren’t ready to buy tickets yet.
3. there is concern for jobs right here in river city especially mine…LOL.
If the new management of the company that is buying us wants to keep me then rock on….Nov travel it is. If not…it may be travel in June. I have a list of tasks I need to do on island and I will do it for sure sooner or later.
Needless to say I didn’t buy the tickets but like the white shark hunting seals…I am out there and waiting for that one fat slow seal to slip into the water for dinner…Hey air fare I’m out there and I’m waiting!!!!!! I will be successful and capture my prey.
There are three reasons I didn’t pull the trigger,
1. tickets will go on sale again.
2. we are traveling with two other couples and would kind of like to go together …they aren’t ready to buy tickets yet.
3. there is concern for jobs right here in river city especially mine…LOL.
If the new management of the company that is buying us wants to keep me then rock on….Nov travel it is. If not…it may be travel in June. I have a list of tasks I need to do on island and I will do it for sure sooner or later.
Needless to say I didn’t buy the tickets but like the white shark hunting seals…I am out there and waiting for that one fat slow seal to slip into the water for dinner…Hey air fare I’m out there and I’m waiting!!!!!! I will be successful and capture my prey.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The clock keeps moving forward towards our trip!!
Ok we have 28 weeks from today….man, that sounds like a long way off….we will be in ST Maarten!
Looks as if we have two couples going with us.
The couples differ in interests but will I am sure get along just fine. Besides, this trip is not an all join hands and do everything together type of trip. As a matter of fact my thought on this is there will be probably 2 or 3 times when we will all be together. First will be a day trip to Anguilla unless one of the couples just doesn’t want to go and the second will be watching a sunset from the fort above the French town of Marigot.
We may all go to the same beach the same day and have a few adventures together but I just don’t see this being a lock step vacation. One couple eats gourmet…and are they in luck!! The other golf and wants to Scuba. Honestly I feel real good about this trip and think that we will have lots of fun and I will get a lot of things done that I want to do!
Rob’s list of things to do is pretty simple.
Each morning I will be on a different beach either as the sun comes up or not too long after taking plenty of landscape pictures. Every day from about 9:30 to 4 I will do what my wife wants ….as in she picks the beach and we RELAX. After 4 till the sun goes down I will again be shooting lots of pix of the island. Then dinner and drinks and repeat only difference being it is another day.
I am going to the island for two purposes, one is to relax and the other is to get some specific photos so I can put some creativity to work and put together a special photography project that may be marketable.
Have been watching flights and the prices are good right now but will hold out till a bit later in the summer to purchase our flights. We are going to try to fly with either one or both couples, something we have never done but which would add to the general excitement for at least the arrival leg of our journey.
Looks as if we have two couples going with us.
The couples differ in interests but will I am sure get along just fine. Besides, this trip is not an all join hands and do everything together type of trip. As a matter of fact my thought on this is there will be probably 2 or 3 times when we will all be together. First will be a day trip to Anguilla unless one of the couples just doesn’t want to go and the second will be watching a sunset from the fort above the French town of Marigot.
We may all go to the same beach the same day and have a few adventures together but I just don’t see this being a lock step vacation. One couple eats gourmet…and are they in luck!! The other golf and wants to Scuba. Honestly I feel real good about this trip and think that we will have lots of fun and I will get a lot of things done that I want to do!
Rob’s list of things to do is pretty simple.
Each morning I will be on a different beach either as the sun comes up or not too long after taking plenty of landscape pictures. Every day from about 9:30 to 4 I will do what my wife wants ….as in she picks the beach and we RELAX. After 4 till the sun goes down I will again be shooting lots of pix of the island. Then dinner and drinks and repeat only difference being it is another day.
I am going to the island for two purposes, one is to relax and the other is to get some specific photos so I can put some creativity to work and put together a special photography project that may be marketable.
Have been watching flights and the prices are good right now but will hold out till a bit later in the summer to purchase our flights. We are going to try to fly with either one or both couples, something we have never done but which would add to the general excitement for at least the arrival leg of our journey.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
You can’t get there from here
Ok you can but not in a very direct or at all thrifty way.
What am I talking about you might ask? Getting to ST Maartin (airport code SXM) from Kansas City (KC or airport code MCI).
We are looking to book our annual trip to the islands mon!! My preference is to head immediately south or southeast of KC especially in the fall of the year. It can be a bit chilly otherwise and frankly I just don’t want to pack cold weather clothes.
My search of airports going into SXM have led me to the following key airports….
Airport Flight price
Kansas City (MCI) ** $557
Chicago OHare (ORD) ** $365
ST Louis (STL) ** $512
Detroit (DTW) ** $501
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) ** $602
Minneapolis (MSP) ** $501
Washington DC- Dulles (IAD) ** $415
Atlanta (ATL) ** $562
Orlando (MCO) ** $536
FT Lauderdale (FLL) ** $475
Boston (BOS) ** $485
Philadelphia (PHL) ** $358
New York (JFK) $425
Charlotte (CLT) $402
Newark (EWR) $414
Miami (MIA) $504
** is not non-stop
It is cheapest to fly from Chicago for us but there is still another $120 each to get to Chicago and then would have to transfer from one airport to the other or an 8 hour drive but then we are looking at work time lost and parking a car for a week at the airport.
I did not look at cut rate airlines like Jet Blue as they don’t book that far out yet.
What am I talking about you might ask? Getting to ST Maartin (airport code SXM) from Kansas City (KC or airport code MCI).
We are looking to book our annual trip to the islands mon!! My preference is to head immediately south or southeast of KC especially in the fall of the year. It can be a bit chilly otherwise and frankly I just don’t want to pack cold weather clothes.
My search of airports going into SXM have led me to the following key airports….
Airport Flight price
Kansas City (MCI) ** $557
Chicago OHare (ORD) ** $365
ST Louis (STL) ** $512
Detroit (DTW) ** $501
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) ** $602
Minneapolis (MSP) ** $501
Washington DC- Dulles (IAD) ** $415
Atlanta (ATL) ** $562
Orlando (MCO) ** $536
FT Lauderdale (FLL) ** $475
Boston (BOS) ** $485
Philadelphia (PHL) ** $358
New York (JFK) $425
Charlotte (CLT) $402
Newark (EWR) $414
Miami (MIA) $504
** is not non-stop
It is cheapest to fly from Chicago for us but there is still another $120 each to get to Chicago and then would have to transfer from one airport to the other or an 8 hour drive but then we are looking at work time lost and parking a car for a week at the airport.
I did not look at cut rate airlines like Jet Blue as they don’t book that far out yet.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Working the battle of my bulge!!
What a weekend. We got a nice little snow storm that dumped 5” or so of snow on Saturday and Sunday it was close to 50. The nice thing is all the melt has turned everything VERY green here.
While snowed in CB and I got into a conversation ….uh oh…. Actually this was a good one. We decided to both make a conscience effort at losing some very unwanted pounds. With this we decided to incent the process. Don’t have all the incentives laid out but CB is looking at about 10lbs while king chunk is looking at about 40lbs. So at every 10lbs there will be a reward for the chunkster…where they will be every few lbs for the lady of the house.
We have since thrown ourselves into a workout plan that has left me happy but a bit sore..LOL. I have even hit the treadmill, this is the thing I dislike the most but will drop more weight than lifting which we are doing too. It helps that she has personal trainer background…but when she gets into business mode I tend to fade as I prefer to see my wife as a nice and sweet lady not the drill instructor that comes out in her when we exercise. Our eldest has joined us so that helps to keep it a bit light and our youngest is discussing doing the same. Family time is a good thing….ha.
While snowed in CB and I got into a conversation ….uh oh…. Actually this was a good one. We decided to both make a conscience effort at losing some very unwanted pounds. With this we decided to incent the process. Don’t have all the incentives laid out but CB is looking at about 10lbs while king chunk is looking at about 40lbs. So at every 10lbs there will be a reward for the chunkster…where they will be every few lbs for the lady of the house.
We have since thrown ourselves into a workout plan that has left me happy but a bit sore..LOL. I have even hit the treadmill, this is the thing I dislike the most but will drop more weight than lifting which we are doing too. It helps that she has personal trainer background…but when she gets into business mode I tend to fade as I prefer to see my wife as a nice and sweet lady not the drill instructor that comes out in her when we exercise. Our eldest has joined us so that helps to keep it a bit light and our youngest is discussing doing the same. Family time is a good thing….ha.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The deck has been re-shuffled
I made my last post confirming that we had booked our rooms for ST Maarten. Had two other couples scheduled to go with us. One couple had a contingency plan that was enacted so they decided to back out but another couple may be stepping up to take their spot. Here is the rub for a couple of us. I think I shared before the same issue that is happening all over America may be hitting home. Our company has been purchased so 4 of us wont know if we have jobs or not for the next 4-6 weeks. Based on that outcome I do believe we can start looking to purchase flights.
If we are let go…the trip goes from three couples to one…us, and will be moved to a much earlier date than November. Like as soon as I can book!! I do have some business ideas that will take a bit of time to develop…but once up and running I am pretty sure will provide at least some income for near term…and hopefully support me in the long term. That said some of it will be based in ST Maarten so I need to get back there to complete the next level of my plans. I hope beyond hope that things work well and all three couples can go. This will make for a very fun trip.
Still watching airfare and waiting on sales to hit. It looks as if I had to book today we would fly from Chicago rater than Dallas or NYC or even Charlotte. So would be commuter flight from KC to Chicago and then Chicago to Miami and on to the island.
I have a magic number set in my head and if they get there I pull the trigger even if I am not sure about weather or not I will still have a job.
If we are let go…the trip goes from three couples to one…us, and will be moved to a much earlier date than November. Like as soon as I can book!! I do have some business ideas that will take a bit of time to develop…but once up and running I am pretty sure will provide at least some income for near term…and hopefully support me in the long term. That said some of it will be based in ST Maarten so I need to get back there to complete the next level of my plans. I hope beyond hope that things work well and all three couples can go. This will make for a very fun trip.
Still watching airfare and waiting on sales to hit. It looks as if I had to book today we would fly from Chicago rater than Dallas or NYC or even Charlotte. So would be commuter flight from KC to Chicago and then Chicago to Miami and on to the island.
I have a magic number set in my head and if they get there I pull the trigger even if I am not sure about weather or not I will still have a job.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Step one complete
Its starting to happen! Woo Hoo!!
Have gotten a hard conformation from one set of friends and a soft one for yet another to come along to the islands with us this November. Today I booked 3 rooms at our resort! Rob is a very happy camper. We have rooms, next up is the flights!
I needed this today, things are good but at this time of the year we are used to tanning and getting ready to pack for our trip..now the wheels are in motion. Look out island we have you in our sites and are ready to head that way.
Getting a room is pretty small but I cant believe how happy it made me…is like the first robin you see late in the Winter that tells you Spring is on its way. Next up is coordinating flights for 3 couples….heck I should open a travel business..LOL
Have gotten a hard conformation from one set of friends and a soft one for yet another to come along to the islands with us this November. Today I booked 3 rooms at our resort! Rob is a very happy camper. We have rooms, next up is the flights!
I needed this today, things are good but at this time of the year we are used to tanning and getting ready to pack for our trip..now the wheels are in motion. Look out island we have you in our sites and are ready to head that way.
Getting a room is pretty small but I cant believe how happy it made me…is like the first robin you see late in the Winter that tells you Spring is on its way. Next up is coordinating flights for 3 couples….heck I should open a travel business..LOL
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I’ve got what may be a terminal case of RIF!
It has bee ll months since our last visit and Rob has a bad case of RIF! What is RIF? It is Reverse Island Fever. I say reverse because we used to live on Oahu and Island fever was the want to get off that rock! This is Reverse of that….I think Jimmy Buffett said it best….”I gotta go to ST Somewhere” and my somewhere is ST Maarten.
We usually go in April but this year it just isn’t the best of ideas (see interpretation as not enough money and hoping to hang on to my job in a merging company) so we are looking at traveling in November instead….Oh NOOOOOOOOO! Hope I can make it that long.
This does however give me the opportunity to put together some photo-art sales ideas. I have a couple up my sleeve and now that it is getting warmer outside I am starting to get a bit more motivated about getting things set up and hopefully get my little business off the ground.
So now we have picked the month and I am looking at our flights….prices are pretty reasonable. Next will be pull the trigger and start the official countdown to return. Yes I have invited some friends but at this point have no idea if they will accept the offer and go or not. We shall see!!
We usually go in April but this year it just isn’t the best of ideas (see interpretation as not enough money and hoping to hang on to my job in a merging company) so we are looking at traveling in November instead….Oh NOOOOOOOOO! Hope I can make it that long.
This does however give me the opportunity to put together some photo-art sales ideas. I have a couple up my sleeve and now that it is getting warmer outside I am starting to get a bit more motivated about getting things set up and hopefully get my little business off the ground.
So now we have picked the month and I am looking at our flights….prices are pretty reasonable. Next will be pull the trigger and start the official countdown to return. Yes I have invited some friends but at this point have no idea if they will accept the offer and go or not. We shall see!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Trip time is getting closer….
We have discussed travel to the island this year with several friends and have two couples that may be interested. We will pay our fees within the next week and look to pin down a date in November and then book the rooms. This little positive change has made things look up for us both.
We got about 5 or so inches of surprise snow this weekend and spent a lot of that time discussing our trip. Rob feels as if there has been some stress lifted off his shoulders.
I am facing the possibility of a layoff but at this point I am trying to get a business up and running. I have the ideas and now need to follow thru to turn my little venture into a hopefully profit making company. A big part of that will be another trip to the island so I can capture the photos I need to put some real teeth into my business. Right now I am selling one off pictures and only in SXM. That makes things a bit tuff to make it big but I have the right ideas and plans now I just need to put things into place with a follow up trip , unfortunately it looks as if November is as soon as I can get back on island.....better Nov than not at all though!!!
We also found a new toy this weekend, ok, not new but new to us. Wife and I have stepped out into social networking and have put up pages on facebook. Lots of fun!
We got about 5 or so inches of surprise snow this weekend and spent a lot of that time discussing our trip. Rob feels as if there has been some stress lifted off his shoulders.
I am facing the possibility of a layoff but at this point I am trying to get a business up and running. I have the ideas and now need to follow thru to turn my little venture into a hopefully profit making company. A big part of that will be another trip to the island so I can capture the photos I need to put some real teeth into my business. Right now I am selling one off pictures and only in SXM. That makes things a bit tuff to make it big but I have the right ideas and plans now I just need to put things into place with a follow up trip , unfortunately it looks as if November is as soon as I can get back on island.....better Nov than not at all though!!!
We also found a new toy this weekend, ok, not new but new to us. Wife and I have stepped out into social networking and have put up pages on facebook. Lots of fun!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Battle of the Bulge
Yesterday I started my own Battle of the Bulge. No not a World War II slug it out battle with the Axis powers rather a slug it out battle with my waist or is that waste line.
We have just over 8 months till we board a plane to the tropics again and today the only being I would be able to swim with might be Shamu! Rob has gotten a bit round in the middle. So here is what I am doing about it. I am cheating!! Have successfully lost some serious weight in the past….well, it took years for it to come back but I did lose it!
I always have an issue with the start of my change of eating habits and exercise. Seems the first three weeks nothing comes off no matter how hungry I keep myself and how much I run, jog, walk or even lift. So this time I am cheating a bit. I have gotten one of the over the counter appetite suppressants. It is in many of the fitness magazines and have even seen ads for it on air. Point being it is a booster shot to start. They recommend 8 weeks on their product along with exercise and diet. What the heck if I can get an extra 5 lbs at the start it is worth it to me.
Daily I am drinking about 120oz of water…10 glasses. Started on 9 Feb with some exercise and will get in at least 3 days a week and try to get on the treadmill daily. Guess if I get on the treadmill before I log on to my computer or turn on the tv that might motivate me a bit. The appetite suppressant has so far worked, I am not hungry much at all however there is a bit of side affect. I wont be getting much sleep. Woke at 430 this morning. If this happens tomorrow morning, I may just go and get on the treadmill and knock that out earlier in the day. Now eating habits have to change, I need to cut out sugar and most starches and eat veggies (yuck) and lean meat with a bit of whole grain to supplement. My weaknesses are sugar and starch….so no fun for Rob on this one. Goal is at least 40 lbs by fall. Hoping for a loss closer to 50 lbs. Yes I certainly have 50 to shed.
If you do read the blog and you are around me in the next probably 4 weeks…then please cut me a bit of slack cause I am sure I wont be the most pleasant of people as I get accustomed to my new eating lifestyle. The reward for me is not only cosmetic but I do have a family history of diabetes and heart conditions so carrying an extra 50 lbs is not doing me any favors at all.
We have just over 8 months till we board a plane to the tropics again and today the only being I would be able to swim with might be Shamu! Rob has gotten a bit round in the middle. So here is what I am doing about it. I am cheating!! Have successfully lost some serious weight in the past….well, it took years for it to come back but I did lose it!
I always have an issue with the start of my change of eating habits and exercise. Seems the first three weeks nothing comes off no matter how hungry I keep myself and how much I run, jog, walk or even lift. So this time I am cheating a bit. I have gotten one of the over the counter appetite suppressants. It is in many of the fitness magazines and have even seen ads for it on air. Point being it is a booster shot to start. They recommend 8 weeks on their product along with exercise and diet. What the heck if I can get an extra 5 lbs at the start it is worth it to me.
Daily I am drinking about 120oz of water…10 glasses. Started on 9 Feb with some exercise and will get in at least 3 days a week and try to get on the treadmill daily. Guess if I get on the treadmill before I log on to my computer or turn on the tv that might motivate me a bit. The appetite suppressant has so far worked, I am not hungry much at all however there is a bit of side affect. I wont be getting much sleep. Woke at 430 this morning. If this happens tomorrow morning, I may just go and get on the treadmill and knock that out earlier in the day. Now eating habits have to change, I need to cut out sugar and most starches and eat veggies (yuck) and lean meat with a bit of whole grain to supplement. My weaknesses are sugar and starch….so no fun for Rob on this one. Goal is at least 40 lbs by fall. Hoping for a loss closer to 50 lbs. Yes I certainly have 50 to shed.
If you do read the blog and you are around me in the next probably 4 weeks…then please cut me a bit of slack cause I am sure I wont be the most pleasant of people as I get accustomed to my new eating lifestyle. The reward for me is not only cosmetic but I do have a family history of diabetes and heart conditions so carrying an extra 50 lbs is not doing me any favors at all.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Travel tip we picked up from a friend
This weekend we visited with some friends that frequent ST Maarten too. In fact his brother owns Halsey’s a very good restaurant in the Simpson Bay area. We met them for dinner and drinks. While talking about the island we moved to “who do you use to book your airfare”. He shared that he built his own profile for flights to SXM via Chicago. I told him that Chicago O’Hare is one of my least favorite airports. Actually it is not so much the airport but rather where the city is located and the time of year that we travel.
We normally head to the islands as you may have read….in April/May or November. Both being months in the midst of seasonal changes in that part of the country…can end up with pretty ugly weather from wind ( it is the windy city you know) to big thunderstorms and even that ugly snow and ice. Ok have digressed enough.
My friend John shared that they use Travelocity and via their profile have set price points and get email when the fares drop to or below those points. So guess what Rob did then next morning…yup you guessed it. Logged on and went directly to Travelocity.com to set up our profile. I set up three…woo hoo. KC to SXM Chicago to SXM and my favorite, Dallas to SXM. We can get to both big D and the windy city pretty cheaply so I set all three up. Sure enough this morning Travelocity sent me an email alert. Fares from Chicago at $269 + taxes. Much better than I have ever gotten them. We have been to the island several times and never for less than $600 and that was without the expense of room in NYC or Charlotte for an overnight layover.
Ok, so I wont pull the trigger today, but here is to hoping that with fare price fluctuation I hit it again on a day in which it makes it worth my while.
We normally head to the islands as you may have read….in April/May or November. Both being months in the midst of seasonal changes in that part of the country…can end up with pretty ugly weather from wind ( it is the windy city you know) to big thunderstorms and even that ugly snow and ice. Ok have digressed enough.
My friend John shared that they use Travelocity and via their profile have set price points and get email when the fares drop to or below those points. So guess what Rob did then next morning…yup you guessed it. Logged on and went directly to Travelocity.com to set up our profile. I set up three…woo hoo. KC to SXM Chicago to SXM and my favorite, Dallas to SXM. We can get to both big D and the windy city pretty cheaply so I set all three up. Sure enough this morning Travelocity sent me an email alert. Fares from Chicago at $269 + taxes. Much better than I have ever gotten them. We have been to the island several times and never for less than $600 and that was without the expense of room in NYC or Charlotte for an overnight layover.
Ok, so I wont pull the trigger today, but here is to hoping that with fare price fluctuation I hit it again on a day in which it makes it worth my while.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Been a while this is a long one!
Hi all or maybe the one or two that read my blog.
It has been a long, long time since I have blogged. Made it thru the holiday season though we are probably one of 4 families left in the US with their tree still up. We went from holidays to the cold, flu and repertory distress season. Seem to be just surfacing from that so now we can look forward to the more positive.
The bride and I have been in discussion about our yearly trip to the islands. By now we usually are paying for our fake bake tans to prepare us for out April trip. This alone sometimes gets us thru the end of January and all of February before the longest and to me worst month of the year MARCH.
Tangent…..why Rob doesn’t like March. I don’t like March for many reasons. In the planes states the weather goes crazy….snow, sleet, ice, hail thunder storms return ….strong winds and 50 degree temp swings are just a few of the crazy weather issues. Oh yeah 31 calendar days of this mess with no vacation days involved. It usually is the month we are trying to get thru so we can head to the islands too so I pretty much am not a big lover of March. Now for the good parts of March….march Madness, the ST Pattys Day beer tour at Old Chicago and at least a day or two where Rob and a few others can wear shorts outside without freezing your proverbial backside off. That’s about it!!! Tangent over….
On a 3 hour car trip that the two of us recently were on we discussed great things like the economy and our jobs as we both are working for a company that is going thru a merger. This led us to the decision that we both simply despise. Time to postpone our trip….Noooooo. As of today I have officially been given back my shoe laces and even belt and hear rumors that the Rob suicide watch may be cancelled. (ok folks I know that wasn’t in the best of taste but I do try to add a bit of humor in my posts).
We have settled on the month of our return to the island but still need to pick out a week.
That is being hampered by our fantabulous new timeshare company…seems that they think a 40% increase in fees annually isn’t much of an issue and of course they are due the same time our car tags, Christmas and worst yet property taxes on the house are due, so bet you cant guess who gets the last check!!!! And on another sad point, the money tree that we planted in the back yard has either gone dormant or gulp..died! So the timeshare will just have to wait their turn cause we settled on a new plan in September…no more credit card usage. This means we will use what we have at hand and spending will come from our debit card for major purchases like airline tickets. Ok, that was tangent #2, back to regularly discombobulated ramblings.
So we know we will be going back to the island in November. Have been there before in Nov and though a bit wetter than in April, the water is warm and everything was very green so we have tentative dates set…at least in our heads for Nov. Woo hoo now I know that previously discussed watch has been cancelled.
So here comes the lists……
1. we want to bring at least one couple with us….but who
2. pay timeshare fees no matter how exorbitant they may be
3. book room
4. watch flights
5. see what friends will be on island (this will lead to decision making on activities we will do during our visit)
6. my small (ok at this point microscopically small) business is off the ground so will be time to see where we can get some of my items in some of the boutiques’ there on island
7. prepare samples for island visit
There will be more listing I am sure. I do go out of turn on my list as I will as you know from previous posts follow airfare between Feb and probably summer time when I will eventually pull the trigger.
My resolution to my blog….I will post more frequently than once a month ……ciao!!!
It has been a long, long time since I have blogged. Made it thru the holiday season though we are probably one of 4 families left in the US with their tree still up. We went from holidays to the cold, flu and repertory distress season. Seem to be just surfacing from that so now we can look forward to the more positive.
The bride and I have been in discussion about our yearly trip to the islands. By now we usually are paying for our fake bake tans to prepare us for out April trip. This alone sometimes gets us thru the end of January and all of February before the longest and to me worst month of the year MARCH.
Tangent…..why Rob doesn’t like March. I don’t like March for many reasons. In the planes states the weather goes crazy….snow, sleet, ice, hail thunder storms return ….strong winds and 50 degree temp swings are just a few of the crazy weather issues. Oh yeah 31 calendar days of this mess with no vacation days involved. It usually is the month we are trying to get thru so we can head to the islands too so I pretty much am not a big lover of March. Now for the good parts of March….march Madness, the ST Pattys Day beer tour at Old Chicago and at least a day or two where Rob and a few others can wear shorts outside without freezing your proverbial backside off. That’s about it!!! Tangent over….
On a 3 hour car trip that the two of us recently were on we discussed great things like the economy and our jobs as we both are working for a company that is going thru a merger. This led us to the decision that we both simply despise. Time to postpone our trip….Noooooo. As of today I have officially been given back my shoe laces and even belt and hear rumors that the Rob suicide watch may be cancelled. (ok folks I know that wasn’t in the best of taste but I do try to add a bit of humor in my posts).
We have settled on the month of our return to the island but still need to pick out a week.
That is being hampered by our fantabulous new timeshare company…seems that they think a 40% increase in fees annually isn’t much of an issue and of course they are due the same time our car tags, Christmas and worst yet property taxes on the house are due, so bet you cant guess who gets the last check!!!! And on another sad point, the money tree that we planted in the back yard has either gone dormant or gulp..died! So the timeshare will just have to wait their turn cause we settled on a new plan in September…no more credit card usage. This means we will use what we have at hand and spending will come from our debit card for major purchases like airline tickets. Ok, that was tangent #2, back to regularly discombobulated ramblings.
So we know we will be going back to the island in November. Have been there before in Nov and though a bit wetter than in April, the water is warm and everything was very green so we have tentative dates set…at least in our heads for Nov. Woo hoo now I know that previously discussed watch has been cancelled.
So here comes the lists……
1. we want to bring at least one couple with us….but who
2. pay timeshare fees no matter how exorbitant they may be
3. book room
4. watch flights
5. see what friends will be on island (this will lead to decision making on activities we will do during our visit)
6. my small (ok at this point microscopically small) business is off the ground so will be time to see where we can get some of my items in some of the boutiques’ there on island
7. prepare samples for island visit
There will be more listing I am sure. I do go out of turn on my list as I will as you know from previous posts follow airfare between Feb and probably summer time when I will eventually pull the trigger.
My resolution to my blog….I will post more frequently than once a month ……ciao!!!
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