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bobmacliberty

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Posts posted by bobmacliberty

  1. I'm the same with Sailing Doodles.  Loved the early days where he actually had 2 Labradoodles (hence the name) sailing with him.  Cool dogs.  That's when they usually found the cheapest food possible and he usually anchored wherever he went so that he didn't have to pay for a mooring ball.  Things have definitely changed.  He now has a deal with Navigare Yachting and you can join one of his flotillas (multiple yachts cruising together, which looks like a lot of fun) by getting a cabin on one of the boats for $3K a week.

    • Like 3
  2. 8 hours ago, Jimbo said:

     

    I think getting a second round draft pick is great for Buffalo. Any time you can get a high draft pick for a player over 30 with a huge contract, you just have to take it. Build a team with cheaper younger players. This is a Salary Cap move for sure. Money to spend elsewhere for sure.

     

    Diggs has a huge salary for 2024, 18.5 million. He is on the down side of 31 years old now and you just have to think his production will really drop off from here on out.

     

    https://overthecap.com/player/stefon-diggs/3994

     

    Eagles only got a 3rd round pick from the Jets for Haason Reddick  linebacker who has had 40 Sacks in the last 4 years. 

     

     

     

     

    The trade saves the Bills some salary money, but doesn't really help their cap.  They'll still take a $31M dead money cap hit.  I agree though that he's on the downside of his career and that he's a locker room problem.  The Bills are following the Patriots model of letting him go maybe a year early rather than a year late. Like many Bills fans, my first response was shock, and wondering why they could only get a 2nd rounder for next year in return. Seems like the rest of the league doesn't want to pay much for him and other teams probably have similar concerns. 

     

    I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop.  You don't just dump your WR1 for next to nothing without a plan.  I don't know if that's another trade (Tee Higgins?) or maybe moving up in the draft for one of the top WRs (although they don't have much draft capital).  They picked up Curtis Samuel in free agency so at a minimum, he should replace Diggs in the lineup and pair nicely with Shakir. 

     

    This will be a test for Josh.  It never seemed like it mattered to Tom Brady who was at WR...he made them look good.  We'll see if Josh can do the same.

    • Like 1
  3. 2 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

    Bob, you are absolutely correct about how organized and precise the train system works in Japan.  It does seem so overwhelming in the beginning and it does take a while to understand how it works.  Everything runs like clockwork so you have to really plan ahead and not be late.  I also notice how clean the trains are.  There is no trash in the cars and the seats and floors are not dirty.  I wish we had good public transportation system like this or other foreign countries.

     

    I completely agree with wishing that we had better public transportation in the US.  I understand though why we'll never really have a broad, national train system (beyond what Amtrak already has).  Too many reasons why there isn't enough demand.

     

    In addition to being clean, I remember the Japan trains being quiet.  Other than an occasional "Moshi moshi" when someone answered their phone, any talking was very quiet.  I was with a group of about 10 people from the US who were always talking and laughing.  I could see it on the faces of the Japanese people on the train...we were the "ugly Americans".

    • Like 3
  4. 9 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

    Day 7- 4/1  We leave Okayama today and head for Kyoto on the bullet train.  But first we make a stop in Himeji to visit the Himeji Castle.

     

    I love your photos!  I visited the Himeji Castle several years ago (maybe 2005??) on a business trip.  Beautiful place...the castle itself, the outbuildings, and the surrounding area.  I remember there being some unusual (to me at least) flavors in the food that we sampled in that street food area. 

     

    We also used the trains to travel.  The engineer in me loved it.  Everything was so precise.  You looked at a message board to see when your train would arrive, how many cars long the train was, and where the train doors would be according to symbols on the platform.  People would politely line up by the appropriate symbol.  At exactly the right time, the train would arrive and stopped exactly lined up with the symbols.  People getting on would wait until everyone got off, and then board.  Everything was so organized.  

    • Like 11
  5. 26 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

    They must want you to go away hungry with the sizes of those portions.........

     

    Looks about right to me.  Multiple courses with a little time and a little wine between courses means I'd be full.  Besides, I don't have the self-control to NOT overeat when they put huge portions in front of me.  Huge portion sizes are a part of the reason that we've got such an obesity problem in the US, and all of the other medical issues that go with that.

    • Like 15
  6. 49 minutes ago, akcruz said:

    For the foodies, we went back to the Culinary Institute for dinner this week.  Have done lunch before but first time for dinner.  Seven courses for $45 pp, we left stuffed, all wonderful food, lots of great chefs coming up the ranks.  Missed pictures of a few courses, too interested in eating, by the time I remembered it wasn't photo worthy.

     

    The menu, also included was a lobster soup to start.  The only item you needed to pick was dessert, of course we got 1 of each.

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    Lobster soup, went to take a bite before remembering picture, happened more than once

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    Chevre

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    Carrots

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    Surf & Turf

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    Mousse

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    Tart

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    Dining room, we like to sit at the counter and watch the cooks.  Great night, looking forward to the next one.

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    Looks fanatastic.  I wish we had a CIA near us.

    • Like 2
  7. 18 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

    A whole fish for breakfast is an interesting concept.

     

    I went to Japan a couple of times on business to visit a manufacturing plant.  For lunch, we sat at the VIP table in the cafeteria (because we were from "headquarters") with the local people in charge.  They served whole fish which we ate by picking out pieces of the "meat" with chopsticks.  It looked quite a bit better than what everyone else was eating at the other tables.  Different, but when in Rome...

    • Like 7
  8. 1 hour ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

    Day 3- 3/27 con’t

    This day’s adventure is to hike the Mt. Misen Trail.  
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    This trail is a 535 meter elevation climb to the top.  The equivalent of 105 floors.  Yikes.  Not sure what I’m in for.  It starts off easy enough. 
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    It increasingly gets harder.  The path is dry in some spots but wet in most because of rain and water rain offs.  The stepping stones below looks pretty even and low but they get taller and steeper.

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    Wish I have a picture of the steepness of the stepping stones and of the climb but at this point about half way up, I don’t want to do it anymore.  I don’t want my back killing me afterwards so the next bench we find, I’ll just sit there and wait for DH to finish the hike.  Good thing because DH said the last half of the climb is so much more challenging.  I would be so frustrated.  

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    He made it to the top.  That is a view of Hiroshima .

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    Some waterfalls along the trail on the way up.
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    Great photos and a spectacular view from the top!

    • Thanks 1
  9. Looks like Amber Cove is Carnival built.  No Royal ships scheduled there.

    https://www.ambercove.com/Port-Schedule.aspx

     

    Guessing that you're going to Taino Bay:

    https://puertoplatacruiseport.com/

     

    Edit: You can virtually walk through the Taino Bay shops and pool area.  Looks very nice, although definitely another man made area for cruise passengers.

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/J9zbjsVmeffAefE1A

    • Like 4
    • Thanks 2
  10. 12 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

    Boys and their toys.  Some boys really like their big toys.

     

     

    I never invested in the long lenses.  A few short ones which are excellent, but really heavy.  The new mirrorless cameras do photos just as well and are so much smaller and lighter.  Too bad I invested in the full size camera and lenses, because it is so hard to give up after a large investment.  I will be bringing my full sized DLSR with a couple shorter lenses to the leg starting in Southampton.  I will have to chat with him again when we board.  I am sure there will be days though where I leave the full sized camera on the ship and just venture out with the camera phone as well.

     

    11 hours ago, CSHS1979 said:

     

    John went mirrorless for this trip, but stayed with Canon and an adapter. The expensive lens isn't long, it's just really heavy. Look him up when you board 

     

    My 70-200 2.8 is my favorite lens, and my most hated lens.  It's big and heavy so I never want to take it with me when traveling.  If I was still using my DSLR enough, I'd love to switch to mirrorless.  I was drooling over the R5 for a while.  Doesn't make sense for me to spend the money though.  There are a lot of other toys that I can buy instead. 😎

    • Like 1
  11. 1 hour ago, h20skibum said:

    Our granddaughter won Artist of the Month award for this.  

    IMG_0823.jpeg.31b831ffc104a2e36b689c3a17d20e94.jpeg

     

    I think she did pretty good for a third grader.  Now I have to have her make a new one for me.  
     

    She was doing some amusing interpretations of famous paintings in her sketchbook, when we had her out to dinner.  
     

    Having snails appear as the Mona Lisa, the Scream, The last supper, American Gothic, and, of course, Dogs playing poker.  

     

     

    That's impressive for any age, especially a third grader.  She's got talent.

    • Like 8
  12. 1 hour ago, doghog said:

    Bhanu was nothing but a drama queen. Sick of all his whining.  I don't believe for a New York minute he didn't come on Survivor to win the money.  He needed to man up and play the game. Glad he's is gone. IMO, Survivor has gotten way too soft. 

     

    Hunter all the way. 

     

    I have to believe that the show's producers knew what they were getting from Bhanu when they put him on the show.  Probably drama that they wanted.  Glad he's gone.  Not sure how you can call yourself a super fan and have less than zero clue how to play the game. 🤷‍♂️

    • Like 4
  13. 7 hours ago, CSHS1979 said:

    Canon pics. Still don't get the appeal over the cell phone

     

    I've almost completely stopped bringing my big Canon and lenses with me and shoot almost always using my phone (in RAW using Lightroom Mobile). It's much less to carry and still gives me good control over post processing.  

     

    I'll still use my Canon if I want to blow something up to hang on a wall, if I want shallow depth of field (i.e. like John's monkey pics), if I want to precisely control shutter speed, or if I want to use a regular flash.  For other shots, especially typical "snap shots" when posting on social media in a small size, I don't think you can tell the difference.

    • Like 4
    • Thanks 1
  14. So I decided to check out the "Bella 3.75" cruise on the Celebrity web site.  I'd heard about the infinite veranda cabins (some good, some bad) but figured that I'd opt for a regular balcony.  Other than a few aft balconies and a few porthole balconies, it looks like that doesn't exist.  I like being on the balcony for morning coffee, for an afternoon cocktail while Micheline is getting ready for dinner, watching sunrise/sunset, looking at the stars, etc.  In short, I spend a fair amount of time out there.  The biggest knock on the infinite veranda cabin seems to be that the AC shuts off when the veranda window is lowered.  In humid areas like the Caribbean, the room quickly gets warm and humid.  I think I'd end up using it as a floor to ceiling window rather than as an open balcony for that reason.  Not ideal.

     

    I know that this has been discussed ad infinitum on the Celebrity board but I'm looking for some quick input from those here who have experienced an infinite veranda cabin.  I guess the Retreat is an option but for Retreat pricing, we'd probably do a land trip somewhere or try one of the luxury lines.  The Bella 3.75 trip looks appealing to meet and cruise with some of you on a good itinerary, at reasonable group pricing (that's not available for suites).  Am I being overly concerned with the infinite veranda?

    • Like 1
  15. 1 hour ago, lenquixote66 said:

    I just finished watching The Gentlemen on Netflix,2024 version starring Ray Winstone,Joely Richardson,Giancarlo Esposito and many other great actors.

    It reminded me a bit of Godfather I.I highly recommend it.

     

    We are 4 episodes in and love it.  It reminded me a lot of a Matthew McConaughey movie from a few years ago that I liked with a similar underground "gardening" setup.  Duh...that movie was also called The Gentlemen and was also directed by Guy Ritchie.  They loosely used the movie plot to make the TV series.  I love the smart humor and the witty dialog between Eddie and Susie Glass. 

     

    I recognized Theo James (Eddie) but couldn't remember where.  IMDB told me that he played "Four" in the Divergent movies. 

     

    I concur with your recommendation Lenny.  I recommend closed captioning 😉

    • Like 3
  16. 11 hours ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

    I like your model ship collection.  Are those all from the logo shops on the ships? 

     

    Yes.  We've got one from every ship we've been on, including a Disney Wonder (our first) hiding with the Royal ships.  We'll be adding Wonder of the Seas this fall but the cabinet is full.  I'll need to figure something out...a good problem to have.

    • Like 4
    • Haha 2
  17. 17 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

    @Ozark_Kid John, thank you so much for the b'day wishes, especially those of adorable Kenzie. So much pleasure to get one from a beautiful young lady, as opposed to our 2 "macho" grandsons....😉

     

    Also, heartfelt thanks for the wonderful wishes from so many of you --

     

    Judy @NHProud, Graham @grapau27, Debbie @Sunshine3601, Jennifer @jmh2006, Greg @Sea Dog, OB @Ocean Boy, Marietta @DaniDanielle, @Vibe, Marian @helen haywood, Mary @MJSailors, Jane @firefly333, Karen @Keksie, Joe & Amelia @cruisingpeople, Mark @SteelCityCruiser10, Andrew @A&L_Ont, Sue @sgmn, Mark @h20skibum, George @George C, Bob @bobmacliberty, Sue @Lionesss, Bonnie @BonTexasNY, Deb @Momof3gurlz, Arzeena @Arzeena, @HBE4, Helen @FromSea2ShiningSea, @reallyitsmema, Dorothy @#55worktoplay, Lenny @lenquixote66, Sue @CrzLvr2 and @aussielozzie18.

     

    DH cooked a nice dinner 2 days before my b'day, to celebrate also our eldest son's (Pi b'day😉).

    Black (squid) pasta with shrimps...

     

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    For my actual b'day, we went to a food stand for my favorite shawarma.... we were lucky to even find a table. It was delicious, huge portions, we took doggy bag home.

     

    That's on the main street in our city, looks like the eighties, feels the same.

     

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    Dani - That food all looks absolutely delicious...especially the squid pasta with shrimps. Yum.

    • Like 4
  18. 7 hours ago, fla33023 said:

    Forgive my ignorance as I've never flown outside of economy (!), but those seats are very interesting. Is there an option to sit next to someone in your party or is the point to sit alone? Thanks for the review. It's been fun traveling with your family.

     

    Business Class is often a 1-2-1 configuration.  Depending on the plane and the airline, the middle 2 seats may be right next to each other.  Sometimes the middle seats are angled (like Andrew's picture) so that even though they are technically next to each other, you're not really that close to the person next to you.  They do strange things with BC configuration so that there is room to put your feet with the seat flat for a bed, while maximizing the number of seats.

    • Thanks 2
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