bobmacliberty

42 minutes ago, Keksie said:

I wish I could fold a fitted sheet that way.  I have looked at a lot of videos and I am still not able to do it.  I think part of the problem is my arms are very short.  So my fitted sheets are crumpled squares in my linen closet.  

I just asked Micheline and she said the same thing.  She's seen the videos and has tried, but her arms are also too short.

29 minutes ago, Momof3gurlz said:

Thanks Bob. They’re staying with her in-laws who live in your neighborhood so they should be all set, but I appreciate the offer. 

Small world.

7 minutes ago, Momof3gurlz said:

We’ve had a whirlwind few days.  Our two nights in Jacksonville Beach were nice, just wish the temperature could’ve climbed above 65.  Still better than home!  Our first night, we went to Dockside Seafood.  The food was good but the place wasn’t quite what I expected.  Order at a counter, get a pager and they bring your food in a basket. As Andy said “only the finest for you”

 

Our second night was dinner at TacoLu at @bobmacliberty Bob’s recommendation.  It did NOT disappoint!  Naturally we ordered way too much food. Our oldest will be in Amelia Island at the end of the month with her family for their spring break. I texted her and said they have to make the drive to try this place.  
Today we drove to the Margaritaville in Hollywood Beach.  Due to a snafu in the parking garage, we were upgraded from partial Oceanview room to two room Oceanfront Suite.  Cheeseburgers in Paradise for dinner were excellent.  Tomorrow night is JWB Steakhouse.  Best of all? The temperature today was 80 degrees! 

 

 

Sorry about the less than ideal temps at Jax Beach. That’s why we went to Punta Cana. 😁 Glad you enjoyed TacoLu. You’ve got my email so feel free to share it with your daughter if she has any Amelia Island area questions. 

Just checked out of our resort. Having one last drink with lunch before being picked up at 12:45. Then, a long day of travel. Yuck. Should have decent weather, although not as warm, when we get back. Lunch view. 

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

Beautiful day here with the temperatures in high 60’s. Nice to sit outside and watch Lizzy and Charlie having fun rough housing.

 

 

 

Looks like the artificial turf was a great investment. 👍

17 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

Where are you staying?

Secrets Cap Cana

15 hours ago, maggieq said:

@bobmacliberty  looks lovely.  We never been.  Aruba is always our land  based vacation choice.    How was the food?

Food is good, sometimes very good.  Nothing yet that I’d call great. Variety is great though. Lots of options including their version of the Windjammer for breakfast and lunch.  

Sorry that I haven’t been able to respond to anyone’s recent posts. We’ve been enjoying our Punta Cana trip. Very good so far. As expected, it’s a lot like being on a cruise with a private island plus the drink and unlimited specialty dining packages. I’ll post more with pics and videos when we get back…probably Saturday as we arrive home late on Friday.  Here’s a teaser though…the view from our room. 

2 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

DIL1 got admitted in the hospital last night.  Her H2O broke.  She’s only 36 weeks along. They texted us and DH has been giving them advice.  It was like he was on all in the middle of the night all over again.  

 

Update now is:  She is in labor.  Stay tune.

Best of luck to your DIL!  I'm far from a medical expert, but we did have a OBGYN tell us that a baby really only needs 38 weeks and the last couple of weeks (up to 40) are just bonus time.  Not exactly what a woman wants to hear when she's a week overdue, but that stuck with me.  

6 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

You can't see it???? Does this show?

 

Mr. Bayley,
 
I am writing this after 20+ years of sailing with RCI to make you aware of an ongoing health issue aboard your ships and it has to do with sound levels in some of the entertainment areas. I have found this to be an ongoing issue, particularly in the main theater and Studio B. I have heard this complaint from many people and I, as a physician, claim it is a health issue.
 
I recently completed the February 3rd sailing of Odessey of the Seas. After attending a show in the main theater, I believe the act was called The Rookies, where the sound was so loud that I found myself with hearing difficulties that didn't fully resolve until sometime the following afternoon. Though I have encountered uncomfortable sound levels in the past on your ships this is the first time I have had to deal with the aftermath for a prolonged length of time following the exposure.
 
The health issues on hearing from exposure to loud noise is well know. It takes little time to do a search to get information on decibel levels, pressure waves, and length of exposure to put the pieces together. Anyone who is controlling the sound boards in the ship venues should be well versed in this subject. If they are not the RCI needs to address its hiring protocols.
 
I am bringing this issue to your attention in the hope that you will rectify the situation. I would find it disappointing to say the least if RCI did not take seriously the harm that these sound levels can do to its guests.
 
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
 

Perfect.  You will (hopefully) get a better response to this issue being a physician with personal experience.   Although you mention that you have heard this complaint from other people, you may want to add that you would be willing to provide names of these other people should that be helpful to them.  It's easy for people to say that "others" have the same problem that they have when that's not necessarily true.  Offering to back up your statement with names may help give it more weight.

I would be happy to volunteer Micheline's experience where she can't be in most of their entertainment venues for more than a couple of minutes without triggering her tinnitus and causing pain.  I'm sure that plenty of other people here would be equally willing to share their negative experiences.  Thanks for doing this.

Love seeing this in my inbox. 😁

 One more sleep until Punta Cana. It's been a while since we've been to an AI but it seems very much like a cruise on land, but with bigger "cabins", and hopefully better food.  Live music and various activities throughout the day and a show every evening in the theater.

5 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

That’s the problem. It’s really minor but I keep feeling like I’m getting the runaround. This shouldn’t be that hard. It certainly never has in the past.
 

I pre-ordered an extension cord for my CPAP machine via special needs. Received confirmation via email 2 months ago. 

 

it wasn’t in the room when we arrived. However, there was a QR code that you could scan for ordering things to the room. So of course I tried that and the app said it would be delivered in half an hour. Of course it wasn’t. I asked my stateroom attendant and he said he would get it for me. When it hadn’t arrived in the evening, I asked him again and he said he was waiting on his supervisor to bring it. He called this supervisor again and requested it. I could hear one half of this conversation so I expected to see it shortly. It never showed up  went down to guest services and asked them about it. They got on the phone told me that someone was on the way to the room now to deliver it. So I went to a show when I came back from the show still no extension cord. Went back to guest services. Different representative gets on the phone and ask this mystery person about my extension cord and then tells me they are on the way right now to my room.

 

I ask, are you sure, that’s what they said three hours ago. I was assured yes they are on their way now. So off to my room I go. Of course nobody showed up by 11:30 when I went to bed.

 

So, in order to get a to work, I have it strung from the outlet at the desk to a chair near the bed. However, the cord is now waste height spanning the room because if I try and laid it on the ground, I don’t have enough cable to reach close enough to the bed.

 

it’s a tripping hazard, I could knock the machine over and break it, the whole set up looks hillbilly.

 

again, it’s a minor thing, but for me to get a decent night sleep I need that machine in the evening. 

 

 

Not a minor thing at all...especially after making so many attempts to get the situation rectified. CPAPs are very important to many people and forcing you to make your hillbilly setup isn't safe. You've got more patience than I do.  At this point, I'd probably be knocking on the door of the bridge, demanding that the Captain personally bring an extension cord to my room. 🤣  I agree with others...check with the Diamond concierge or the LA.  Explain the situation and I'm sure they will get it resolved quickly, and maybe even comp you a meal or a bottle of wine for your inconvenience (even though I'm sure that you're not asking for that).

6 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

I am thinking of watching it tonight.  Although I’ve got to finish a long Wes Anderson movie first.  Have you watched The Royal Hotel @lenquixote66  Australian movie but stars Julia Garner. Very Australian but I thought it was good. 

I watched a documentary about Oppenheimer before I watched the movie.  It helped because the movie jumps back and forth in time.  For the first 30 minutes or so, Micheline kept having to ask me what was happening, since she didn't have the context of the documentary.  It's on YouTube if interested, but is 90 minutes long.

Speaking of Old Fashioneds, I had to go to the liquor store today because I ran out of this:

Greg turned me on to Meletti as a part of his Sea Dog Special Old Fashioned recipe.  It's now part of almost every Old Fashioned that I make.  Don't think you'll find it on a Royal ship though.

59 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

@Sea Dog @bobmacliberty

 

first Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned 

 

Nothing better than an Old Fashioned in a Schooner Bar!  Was this your first drink?  I usually start with a Miami Vice and the Old Fashioneds don't happen until before dinner.

4 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

Bon Voyage! I hope you have a great cruise and look forward to your updates.  We board two weeks from today with @jmh2006 on the Southern itinerary of Labadee, Aruba and Bonaire.  
It’s been a busy week packing and preparing for our upcoming trip.  We leave Monday, first stop is Atlantic City for the night.  Then on to Chapel Hill NC to visit my 89 year old great aunt.  It’s just a little off course of the  I-95 South route, but how many more chances might we have to see her?  We’ll spend the night there, then on to FL visiting Jacksonville Beach and Anna Maria Island before our S2S cruises on Allure and Adventure. Last up will be 4 nights at Old Key West in Disney before heading home.  Three and a half weeks in total so I feel like I’m packing for all four seasons.  At least driving we don’t have to worry about saving luggage space.  
I’m sorry to read about the injuries to family members. I hope all are in the mend soon!

@Sea Dog I’m glad to hear the surgery went well and I hope you’re still relatively pain free.  How very sad that your Chiefs celebration was marred by yet another awful shooting. 
 

Have a great trip Deb!  If you're looking for a place to eat in Jax Beach, TacoLu is a very popular local place.  Great tacos.  We try to go there whenever we're down in that area.  They also set up a tent at The Player's golf tournament called Tacos on Twelve (it's behind the 12th green) that is always packed.

If you're staying along the beach, I'd also recommend getting a drink at the rooftop bar of the Casa Marina Hotel.  We went to a wedding at the Casa Marina a few years ago and the rooftop bar was a lot of fun.  For some reason I'm thinking that you mentioned staying at the Margaritaville Hotel.  If so, the Casa Marina is right next door.  

16 hours ago, sgmn said:

Thank you all for your birthday good wishes and Happy Birthday to Lisa for yesterday too!

I had a lovely day. Weather was a bit grey and misty but we had a great day out at a National Trust property walking Molly in the 1600 acres of the property, and then while she rested in the car we had a quick look around the gardens and house.  Family came over in the afternoon for coffee and cake and then Gary cooked a steak dinner.   We'll go out to dinner at the weekend to celebrate properly and then look forward to our Singapore trip

 

You can just spot thec house in the background 

View from the house. As far as you can see belongs to the property 

The Gold Room

 

In her will in the '40s she left the house and grounds to the National Trust and her Jewels to her good friend, our old Queen Mother (she had no children). In this cabinet are replica of two tiara that are still being worn by the Royal Family today 

 

She was the only child of a brewery owner (McEwan). She inherited a million pounds in the beginning of the 20th century and married into nobility.  I love learning about the owners of these big country houses 

 

Polesden Lacey, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/polesden-lacey

Thanks for posting this.  Micheline loves visiting estates, and this looks like a great place to visit.  Margaret Greville must have been a very interesting person.  Adding this to the list for our next visit to London.

Add me to the long list of well-wishers Greg!  

4 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

I am currently watching Obliterated on Netflix .One season ,8 episodes.It is a raunchy comedy /action movie that should be rated somewhere between R and X.

Perfect description.  I've been watching it one episode at a time, several days apart, when there's nothing better to watch.  It's entertaining, but not binge worthy.  

1 hour ago, Etta1213 said:

Back during the glory days of the Dallas Cowboys, my dear Texan husband often would get up, leave the house for a while, never saying a word. I remember him stressing over R Starbuck's 'Hail Mary' passes.

   

Spell checker strikes again!  I guess it says something about today's world that spell checker would choose Starbuck's instead of Staubach.  

21 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

I only liked one commercial.The Dunkin Donuts one with Jennifer Lopez ,Matt Damon ,Ben Afleck and some obscure former football player.

It seemed like Brady made an appearance in several commercials.  

7 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Although Usher is very talented, I didn't much care for halftime but wished Alicia Keys was on longer.

My thoughts exactly.  The 10 seconds of her singing behind the piano were the best part of the whole halftime show.  I only recognized one song, so that didn't help. 

6 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I don’t know how many more Super Bowl games I can take. I was in a bad mood till the very end. I will say this to the haters.

NFL! "You can doubt the Chiefs. You can dislike the Chiefs. You can disrespect the Chiefs. You’re gonna have to deal with the Chiefs!"

Mitch Holthus, 

Congrats on the win Greg!  The Chiefs are now up there with the 49ers, Pats, and Steelers as a dynasty team.  The Bills have work to do to get by Mahomes and the Chiefs.  

6 minutes ago, molly361 said:

I also have no kids and told my sister who is here now that when I go just to hire one of those places that just come in and put price tags on everything (for their fee of course) and sell it all after she and my other siblings take whatever they might want to keep

We did this with my father's house.  My brother, sister, and I first went through to see what we wanted to keep.  The service that we hired took care of the rest.  It's a good way to quickly handle the situation.

16 minutes ago, sgmn said:

Gary has an app on his phone which tells which aircraft is flying overhead even if its just a speak in the sky.

Though we're 30 miles from Heathrow we're on the flight path for landing so depending which runway is being used they go over every couple of minutes 

FlightAware works well for this.  They have an app and it works in a browser.  It's like MarineTraffic for planes.  It's amazing to see how many planes are in the sky at any point in time.

47 minutes ago, sgmn said:

Thank you, did you get a three day card or just tap in and out with debit card ?  The nearest MRT is about 500 yards from our hotel

I was there twice but traveling on business both times.  We typically took a taxi (expense report 😁) and only used the MRT a few times.  I don't remember exactly but I think we just bought single trip tickets.  My last time there was in 2016 and I don't remember there being an option to tap a card at the time.  I'm sure that option must exist now.

19 hours ago, Luckynana said:

One of our daughters lived in St. Mary's, Ga.,  when her husband was on the Nuclear Subs there.

We visited the St. Marys historic downtown area shortly after moving here.  Not much there, other than a few historic homes and the ferry to Cumberland Island (which we've still not done...on the list).  If we are lucky, we can see a sub sailing in or out to sea at the northern end of our island, in the St. Marys River.  I say lucky because they don't announce when this happens...you just have to be at the State Park there at the right time.  I've been told that boaters on that part of the river will occassionally be told (not asked) to temporarily move out of the area without explanation, although everyone knows what that means.