Friday, July 10, 2009

Hats one of the top 10 Fall "Must Haves" According Elle

To the nitwit who didn't like my entry yesterday. If you don't like my opinions, then don't bother reading this blog. If I was looking for "hits" for this site, I'd be showing girls taking off their clothes!!
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Well, week one of my bed-side recover is drawing to a close, I go to the doctor tomorrow to see if I can go to work on Monday. In the meantime, I continue to be bored out of my mind. And so today, I figured I would find out what fashion trends for Fall, 2009 we can expect to see.
Much to my pleasant surprise - HATS! Yes, according to Elle Magazine, we can expect to see hats: http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Fashion-Spotlight/TOP-10-TRENDS-NEW-YORK-FALL-2009/Top-10-Trends-New-York-Fall-20094

I happen to love hats, and, it's a shame they went out of style for so long. It's a fun accessory that nearly anyone can wear and your size or shape does not effect who can wear hats.

Other Fall trends for 2009 we can expect to see include:
And, of course, your own sense of style will be your best guide to setting you apart from everyone else. That's one thing I love about NYC. You see it all - high fashion, low fashion and no fashion!

Well I will the rest to the pros but, just thought I'd share what I found today. I am eagerly waiting to begin Fall clothes shopping, and, preparing for my busy Fall social calendar.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Are you as tired of stupid people as I am?

Well the title of today's entry says it all. My question is "Are you as tired of stupid people as I am?" I mean really and truly - the dumbing down of America continues...

So here I am, stuck in bed fighting off pneumonia. Since I live in NYC one of the great conveniences I have at my disposal is the ability to place an entire order from the grocery store, and, have it delivered. I've done this on other occasions when I was either sick with a bad cold or running very late and simply didn't have time. So I placed my order, and, the delivery man came when I was ready to give him his tip, I realized I didn't have anything smaller than a $50 bill. So I asked him if he was able to make change and he said "I think so". Please note two important factors here: I said delivery man (he was easily into his late 40s or early 50s) and the other important fact here is that the reply was "I think so".

Turns out this man did NOT know how to make change, and, had I been a less honest person, could have robbed this guy blind. This man clearly at least finished high school, possibly even had some college because he was able to hold an intelligent conversation. And, I suspect he was delivering groceries either to supplement another job or it is the best he could do at the moment given the economy.

It is a sad and scary state that a man well into his 40s could not make change. And, he is not a limited case. No longer do cashiers in grocery or department stores need to be able to make change, the machine tells them exactly what is owed and what change should be returned to the customer. Even with that I've had clerks stare at me and even ask me to help them make change.

I'm amazed some people have enough brain power to remember how to breath! We are in deep trouble my friends, stupid people are everywhere these days.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Booked My Cruises for 2010 for July and December

Well, after discussing things over with family, we are now officially booked and deposited for two very wonderful cruises in 2010. It was a very, very hard decision to make, but, after careful deliberation, you will find me on the following two cruises:

July 2, 2010
9 Night Bermuda and Caribbean Cruise
Caribbean Princess

Day Location Arrival Departure
Friday, July 2, 2010 New York, New York -- 05:00 PM
Saturday, July 3, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, July 4, 2010 Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Monday, July 5, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 San Juan, Puerto Rico 01:00 PM 11:00 PM
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 St. Thomas, U.s. Virgin Islands 07:00 AM 04:00 PM
Thursday, July 8, 2010 Grand Turk, Caicos Islands 01:00 PM 07:00 PM
Friday, July 9, 2010 At Sea -- --
Saturday, July 10, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, July 11, 2010 New York, New York 07:15 AM --

And the Christmas cruise may shock some of you. We decided to go with Cunard aboard Queen Mary 2. There were many factors in this decision but ultimately it is the best fit for those in my family who are joining me on this cruise.

December 19, 2010
15 Night Christmas Cruise
Cunard Queen Mary 2

Day Location Arrival Departure
Sunday, December 19, 2010 New York -- 06:00 PM
Monday, December 20, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Grand Turk 08:00 AM 01:00 PM
Thursday, December 23, 2010 Tortola 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Friday, December 24, 2010 St Maarten 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Saturday, December 25, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, December 26, 2010 Curacao 09:00 AM 02:00 PM
Monday, December 27, 2010 Grenada 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 Barbados 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 St Lucia 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Thursday, December 30, 2010 St Kitts 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Friday, December 31, 2010 St Thomas 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Saturday, January 1, 2011 At Sea -- --
Sunday, January 2, 2011 At Sea -- --
Monday, January 3, 2011 New York 06:30 AM --

Am I excited? Of course! It's been three years since I've been on a cruise and now I have two really good ones to look forward to enjoying in 2010. The best part? I don't have to fly! It's as simple as driving to Brooklyn to the cruise terminal for both sailings.

And the only repeat on the itineraries is St. Thomas which can easily be rendered by going to St. John instead.

Cabin selection? Well, of course, I am not giving my cabin number out, but, I didn't book the most expensive cabin nor did I book the least expensive cabin, and, I do have a balcony on both sailings.

Booking these trips has been more therapeutic than anything. I haven't given any thought to what's-his-name the cheater, and, somehow, I don't feel as under the weather with my battle with pneumonia as pro I've been researching, planning, and booking.

I've ordered my guide books from Amazon.com, and, should have those in hand tomorrow. Now I just have to figure out how to entertain myself the rest of the day. I HATE soap-operas, can't stomach another minute of CNN or any of the other 24 hour news stations (enough with Michael Jackson already, the man died, let him rest in peace), and, even though I love the Food Network, I can't take another episode of 30 minute meals!!

Time to pop another movie into the DVD player...

Planning ahead - November Birthday with Mr Big

While my birthday isn't until November, my special friend (my version of Carrie's Mr. Big from Sex and the City) has already informed me that theater tickets are in hand, a special hotel has been reserved, dinner reservations are in place, and, I'm getting a rare treat. He is taking the following day off from work, from his kids (who are hardly children at this point, his eldest is in college), and, I'm getting the best gift from him possible. Quality time.

If you are new to my blog - yes, I have my own real life Mr. Big (on again, off again) relationship and we've been in "friendship mode" for the past two years. And, even though this birthday will not be a romantic one, there is no one I'd rather spend my birthday with than my own Mr. Big. He has been one of the two constants in my life that I can count upon. And, if I am once again involved with someone else by the time my birthday rolls around - he'll just have to deal with it.

I'm certain I will not end up with Mr. Big (as Carrie did in the Sex and the City movie), but, I am certain we will be important parts of each others lives until the day we die.

Perhaps I'm more secure in myself than other women, but, I could never get bent out of shape about platonic male/female relationships. If a man has a woman friend before I enter the picture, why would I view her as competition? After all, if he wanted her, they'd already be dating...

Likewise, I don't like men who get bent out of shape over my platonic male friends for the very same reason. If we were going to date, it would have happened.

And, no I am not the trusting fool. I've been around men who actually had groupies throwing themselves at them. And, while temptation was always in their path, the guys with the groupies always went home to their steady better halves. And, yes, I know this as fact and not speculation on my part. The point being is if the relationship is solid then friends of the opposite sex should not be viewed as a threat.

So, therefore, let it be known my birthday weekend is being spent with my own Mr. Big. I will be at the Waldorf Astoria and have the pleasure of enjoying Billy Elliott. Dinner is yet to be announced but, I wouldn't be surprised if it was 21 or some other similar restaurant. Then on Sunday, I am being treated to brunch at Peacock Alley.

If you are unfamiliar with Sunday brunch at Peacock Alley, it is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. You will no doubt gag at the $95 per person plus tax and tip pricing, but, then again, the buffet is simply incredible.

Oh yes, I know, there are those of you are skeptical and cynical (and very obliviously jealous) about the truthfulness of my blog, however, it is all very real. So to those of you who fall into this category, say what you want but, one special weekend in November as I am enjoying one of the most renowned hotels in the world, having dinner at one of the best restaurant in NYC, and, going to Tony Award winning Broadway show.

What will you be doing in Podunk, USA? Nothing? That's what I thought.

Yes, this blog is real and this is really my life. If you care to expand your horizons and elevate yourself, it could be your life too - you jealous, small minded, twit!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Wow what a response! Looks like Caribbean Princess and Explorer of the Seas!

Well you guys are overwhelming me, I didn't realize I had this much of a following and, I certainly didn't think anyone would respond either via the poll or via email.

THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to vote and who has emailed me with get better soon wishes and asking questions about me and the cruises I am planning. You really touched me!

While I'm keeping the poll open for several more days, right now you guys think I should maximize my vacation and take the 9 night Caribbean Princess cruise in July and the 14 night Christmas cruise on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas. After analyzing everything, you are right, this way I can still carry a couple of days over to 2011, and, have some really wonderful vacations in 2010.

To answer two repeating question in the emails I am receiving... No, I am not a travel agent, and, no, I have no plans to make this a group cruise. While any of you are welcome to book the same sailings, the purpose is for vacation, and, not to play hook up on a cruise ship. So, if you are looking for group rates on these sailing, I would suggest contacting your own travel agent or the cruise lines directly. I am not in any way, shape or form trying to form a group here. I am merely telling my thought process and asked for your input regarding what you would do if you were in my situation.

That aside, thank you to those who are genuinely concerned about my health. Yes, I know pneumonia isn't anything to fool with, and, I promise I am taking my medicine faithfully. I'm in bed as I blog so, I'm certainly not stressing myself out. I am on doctor's orders not to even attempt going to work for at least one full week.

For those inquiring about me personally. Email me, I will not discuss my personal details publicly. If you are sincerely interested in getting to know me, then make the effort to at least email me. And please only email if you're serious. And, yes, I do have a photo but, I will only send it out to those who send their photo first.

To the guy who sent an email of his private area. Nice, but, you would have a much better chance if you had been serious with me from the start instead of acting like a horny teenager. Apology accepted but, I'm just not interested in someone without an ounce of class.

For the person who sent me the link to the article about the elderly man who died on a cruise with Norovirus. Thanks but that could have happened anywhere, it is not limited to cruise ships!

Well, I'm tired, that's all for now. Thanks again to those who took time to vote in my cruise question poll. You're helping me make the right decision with my vacation time!

Help me decide vacation 2010

After another restless night (I was coughing and pretty much miserable all night), I started looking into the various cruises I might be taking in 2010. An idea came to me that perhaps I will take two different vacations in 2010 instead of one long vacation.

Here are the two cruises I am thinking about booking in July, 2010.

July 2, 2010 aboard Princess Cruise Line's "Caribbean Princess". This is a 9 night cruise to Bermuda and the Caribbean which sails round trip from NYC. Since the 4th of July falls on Sunday in 2010, that means Monday is the legal holiday (even for the post office and banks). I would be able to take a 9 night vacation and still only use 5 days of vacation time.

Here is the itinerary:
Day Location Arrival Departure
Friday, July 2, 2010 New York, New York -- 05:00 PM
Saturday, July 3, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, July 4, 2010 Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Monday, July 5, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 San Juan, Puerto Rico 01:00 PM 11:00 PM
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 St. Thomas, U.s. Virgin Islands 07:00 AM 04:00 PM
Thursday, July 8, 2010 Grand Turk, Caicos Islands 01:00 PM 07:00 PM
Friday, July 9, 2010 At Sea -- --
Saturday, July 10, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, July 11, 2010 New York, New York 07:15 AM --


July 1, 2010 aboard Cunard Cruise Line's "Queen Mary 2". This is a 5 night cruise to New England and Canada also sailing round trip from NYC. Once again, since the 4th of July is Sunday, the 5th is the legal holiday, and, I would only need to take 3 days vacation.

And here is the itinerary for Cunard QM2:

Day Location Arrival Departure
Thursday, July 1, 2010 New York -- 06:00 PM
Friday, July 2, 2010 At Sea -- --
Saturday, July 3, 2010 Halifax 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Sunday, July 4, 2010 Boston 12:00 PM 11:00 PM
Monday, July 5, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 New York 07:00 AM --


Interesting proposition. My family has been tossing around the idea of a Christmas cruise for 2010. Since everyone lives within 150 miles of NYC we are thinking about either taking Queen Mary 2 OR Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas.

Here is the Explorer of the Seas itinerary:
Day Location Arrival Departure
Sunday, December 19, 2010 Cape Liberty, Bayonne, N.j. -- 04:00 PM
Monday, December 20, 2010 Cruising -- --
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Cruising -- --
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Labadee, Haiti 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Thursday, December 23, 2010 Samana, Dominican Republic 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Friday, December 24, 2010 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Saturday, December 25, 2010 Cruising -- --
Sunday, December 26, 2010 Bridgetown, Barbados 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Monday, December 27, 2010 Roseau, Dominica 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 St. Johns, Antigua 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 Philipsburg, St. Maarten 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
Thursday, December 30, 2010 Cruising -- --
Friday, December 31, 2010 Cruising -- --
Saturday, January 1, 2011 Cruising -- --
Sunday, January 2, 2011 Cape Liberty, Bayonne, N.j. 07:00 AM --


And here is the Queen Mary 2 Itinerary:
Sunday, December 19, 2010 New York -- 06:00 PM
Monday, December 20, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Grand Turk 08:00 AM 01:00 PM
Thursday, December 23, 2010 Tortola 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Friday, December 24, 2010 St Maarten 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Saturday, December 25, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, December 26, 2010 Curacao 09:00 AM 02:00 PM
Monday, December 27, 2010 Grenada 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 Barbados 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 St Lucia 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Thursday, December 30, 2010 St Kitts 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Friday, December 31, 2010 St Thomas 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Saturday, January 1, 2011 At Sea -- --
Sunday, January 2, 2011 At Sea -- --
Monday, January 3, 2011 New York 06:30 AM --


I am very fortunate that the company where I work automatically closes for the entire week between Christmas and New Year's so it's like a bonus week of vacation. And, other members of my family who are still in the work force and not retired also have this same great benefit with their respective companies.

Additionally, since Christmas falls on Saturday in 2010, that means my company will use December 24th as the holiday, and, therefore, the Christmas cruise will only cost me 4 vacation days on Royal Caribbean and 5 days on Cunard.

Vacation Carry Over

So, if I take the QM2 sailing in July, I will be able to carry an additional 2 to 3 days vacation into 2011 or no extra vacation days in 2011 if I select Caribbean Princess for the 4th of July in 2010 and QM2 for Christmas.

Confused yet? Help me decide! Vote in the poll (found in the upper right hand column)

On the right hand column you will see that I put up a poll. If you'd like to give your opinion of which you believe is the best vacation combination - based only on the choices I have presented, please take a moment to vote.

The polls is open for the next 10 days but, realistically, I'll probably book by next Monday or so.
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Monday, July 6, 2009

So I Have Pneumonia, I'm Using My Time To Plan Vacation 2010

Well, I did to myself good this time - I went to my doctor after work. In a near panic he sent me for x-rays, I have pneumonia. Gee, and, I just didn't think things could get any better, now I get to stay home (I fought tooth and nail not to be admitted to a hospital) for the next week to two weeks to try to get healthy again.

The jerk had the nerve to send me flowers today. I refused them. I wonder if he realizes that I REALLY don't want anything more to do with him?!

So, what am I doing to entertain myself? Planning my next vacation of course! After thinking long and hard, I decided that next 4th of July I will be on a cruise. But, where? So many choices! Alaska has long been on my "bucket list" - I blame "The Love Boat", ever since I saw that episode of The Love Boat where they went to Alaska I wanted to go too. Then again, there are some really great cruises right out of the greater NYC area. Princess has a good one leaving on July 2, 2010 for 9 nights to Bermuda and the Caribbean. Then again, perhaps I will take my two weeks and take a cruise in Europe.

I have to tell you that it is my deepest hope that I am going with someone special and not just another vacation with my friends or family. Then again, a scenario like "Sleepless in Seattle" could be romantic... Think about it, meet on line (well ok she snail mailed him in the movie) but still the same concept, and, then picking a spot on the ship to finally rendezvous.

Yes guys, we girls, even at my age long for this type of romance. We also realize that most of you don't have a clue how to be romantic and that is why we get all bent out of shape when you just bring us flowers or send us a card for no reason. (I know girls, like that happens without some type of fight between you, right?) But, just imagine, out there, in cyber-space, perhaps there is that one guy who gets it.

The guy who is fit but doesn't live at the gym, who is good looking but isn't all about outward appearance, who has class, manners, oh hell - the whole package - afterall, I am daydreaming here. So why not go for everything? Yes, I want the impossible - are you out there??

I have a year to find out...

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