Carnival | Magic | May 25, 2014 | G&L

[BJWill]

I just saw that his profile picture was an equality symbol so I messaged him an invite.

 

I can be the cruise director but I am not a very pretty Drag Queen and prefer not to be called Julie... Jules on the other hand will work and if you want to call me Big Jules :p (also BJ) then I can be okay with that for so many reasons.

 

Beads are fine with me! I didn't realize Jon was the growlr type...oh wait is that not what you meant?!?!

[twocruiseguys]

Sorry guys. Lots going on here. Will jump back into the conversations when I can sit down at my desk.

 

And, yes I do growl.

 

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[dndranchguys]

Oh, I found him. I thought the "equals" symbol was bacon and totally overlooked it. He looks familiar. We may have seen him in the Iron Bear last Sunday on one our rare visits.

 

Ok, I'm bringing a bag of beads. If nothing else, I'll hang them on door knobs and the gazillion kids that will be on board will wear them. At least they will be out of my house! Too bad Sail Aways aren't like in the old movies....hundreds of jealous but well wishing fans, friends, and family, lining the dock, cheering wildly and waving a fond "bon voyage" as we sail slowly away, sipping at our flutes of champagne and looking down on them. Ah the good old days. <sigh>

 

Big Jules the cruise director it is! You get to herd the cats! BTW, I call Mike "Myrtle" sometimes when he's having a moment.

Edited May 8, 2014 by dndranchguys

[twocruiseguys]

OK, here's what's been going on. On April 25, my CPAP craps out. I have been dealing with sleep apnea for quite a number of years (10+?, maybe more). I've been using one of my earlier models until we can get a replacement. The process is quite an ordeal (doctors, medical suppliers, sleep labs all have to work together on this). In the meantime, periods of reduced oxygen to the brain does a number on my cognitive awareness, functionality, and most of all my attitude. I mentioned earlier that I growl? Well there you are.

 

About this same time, my older brother in Huntsville (yes, he lives there by choice, and he can choose his own clothes), fell off a ladder at work, broke his heel. Now he's off work for 3-6 months, and has no insurance. Doesn't believe in it. His wife/gf supports him, but I half expect him to hit me up for $$ any day now. Did I mention that I growl?

 

On Saturday 5/3, I just happen to discover I paid my utility bill to the City of Austin . . . . and I also paid my credit card bill -- also to the City of Austin. Of course, nothing went to the credit card. Discovered too late to stop them. So I have spent about 3 days straightening that mess out. Growling suits me!

 

And then on Monday, I get rear-ended at a stop light on the way to work. Idiot passenger in the car that hit me gets out and starts laying into me that there is no damage to my truck, so don't call the police. Too late, I'm already on the phone to 911 dispatch. So this guy is all over me with attitude and colorful language . . . which the 911 dispatch operator is picking up on the other end of the call . . . and recording. Long story short, I have about $1000 damage to my rear frame, which of course I am filing with their insurance company. Karma's a b****! Somebody said something about me growling?

 

I soooooo need this cruise!

[dndranchguys]

Wow Jon! Sounds like you need a hug, a nap, a lot of strong margaritas, and a cruise! Only 2 weeks away big guy! Hang in there.....you'll make it. I need my Roulette table buddy!:D

[BJWill]

Don't worry Jon we will fix you up in a matter of no time! I'm sorry for your stint of bad luck but it is sure to change on the ship if not sooner.

[twocruiseguys]

Don't worry Jon we will fix you up in a matter of no time! .

I'm afraid. I'm very afraid.:eek:

 

 

 

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[BJWill]

No need to be afraid...well maybe.

 

So just twelve days until cruising! Are you guys all ready to go? Just curious how early you start packing? I am definitely a last minute guy.

 

I probably need to go find me a couple more decent shirts for dinners. If I packed today it would be all tank tops and swim trunks. I guess I could pass up dinners and just have a liquid diet all week. Still considering that Cheers program.

[dndranchguys]

We'll pack next week. Well, after the last cruise, we washed all the clothes we had taken and just put them aside for the next cruise. We packed too much last time and didn't wear everything we took so cutting it down a bit this time. Definitely need nothing with long sleeves except for formal night. Debating whether to take jackets. Hell, we saw tons of people dining in t-shirts and shorts on formal nights in the MDR! Disgusting.

 

Is anyone going to do the "Meet n Greet" the group on Facebook has planned for Vibe from 2 - 4 pm on Monday the 26th? Supposed to wear a yellow lei and black shirt if you go. Hmmmm. Straight people, geez! I think a coral shirt with yellow lei would have been more appropriate, but do they ask, nooooooo! :confused:

 

Oh, someone help me drag my Mike to the disco or karaoke on this cruise....please!

 

Teaser for the snorkeling story....involves a lobster and machine guns!:D

[BJWill]

As hot natured as I am, there will be no coat. Slacks and a long sleeve button down for formal night is the most I can commit to without sweating all over the dinner table. I agree, I don't like to see shorts and t-shirts in the dining room but things are definitely changing and especially on the warmer weather cruises.

 

I don't think we will be doing the Meet and Greet. I have a hard enough time getting my group to dinner at the same time. Besides, I meet people all over the ship and cant be a conformist in black and yellow!

 

We will work on Mike and try to get him to the fun stuff but I get distracted by shiny things so if he is too stubborn I may abort that mission quickly.

 

I hope your story can live up to the one that I have created for you in my head!

[twocruiseguys]

Packing? What do we need to pack? We thought this was a nude cruise! Yes? Just sunglasses and suntan lotion - - - LOTS of suntan lotion.:D

 

OK, just kidding. We will pack the day before the cruise. And although we vow to abide by the "cruisers guide to packing", we always over-pack.

What guide was that, you say?

• Lay out your clothes. Lay out your money.
  
• Take half the clothes and twice the money.
  

We do great on the 2nd part, it's the clothes part that we just can't seem to get right. And it's mostly me. Remember Mr & Mrs Howell? Ever wonder why they packed so much for a 3-hour tour? Well, that's us.

 

I'll bet your singing the song now, aren't you?

 

We will probably take jackets for formal nights. And that's a step down for us. We have always taken full tuxes, mostly to take advantage of all of the photo opportunities. (Check out our pic in our profile. That was one such photo-op.) But we have enough of those, so we will take it down a notch or two. Besides, taking formal wear means another suitcase, and that's not going to happen.

 

We won't be joining the M&G, but we might be found at Karaoke once in a while. There's actually some really good talent out there. And it's from these shows that they pick the talent for the Legends show at the end of the cruise. Those have been fun.

But, Doug, I'm going to have to side with Mike on this one. Won't find me in the disco. Tony? Maybe. Just depends on how his luck is going in the Ca$ino.

 

 

[dndranchguys]

GAWD!!! I wouldn't go nude even on a nude cruise! Somethings are best left unseen even by the wind.

 

Yeah, I didn't think any of us would be attending the M&G. I think that's the time for the Hairy Chest contest at the pool anyway. Mike has been after me to practice my Tarzan yell. Hmmm. Don't think that is going to happen. But, if forced to drink enough ya never know.

 

We didn't go to Karaoke or the Disco last cruise. I want to at least check it out. Also, the comedy club had a waiting line every night. Luckily it is right by the Piano bar. One night they had an adults only burlesque magic show. Boring!!! Lots of people left during the show plus I have no idea why it was adults only, I see much more on network tv.

 

As much as we thought two cruises a month apart was a bad idea after the last cruise, we are ready to go again! Cannot wait to get on board and meet all you guys!:D

[BJWill]

I'd be fine with the nude cruise...less to pack and less to wash when we got home!! But instead I will over pack in case I decide that I would rather wear blue than red or yellow or green or black...

 

If I can wear a toupee glued to my chest and not be disqualified then I would compete with you Doug! Don't they take the hairy chest men and make them dress up and dance though?!?

 

When in doubt, if you cant find me I will be somewhere that there is music whether it be the Piano Bar, Karaoke Lounge or Disco! Unless of course they happen to add an adult burlesque Thunder Down Under type show...then I'm front and center! I will strongly persuade anyone within arms length to join me wherever I go especially if you are the fun person who keeps drinking with me and reminding me that its all okay since we don't have to drive back to our room!

 

Definitely looking forward to meeting you guys!!!

[twocruiseguys]

Totally off subject . . .

 

Just came home for lunch . . just in time to see the Google Maps camera-car cruising through the neighborhood. Looked like he was filming, but couldn't be sure. I struck a pose. Wonder if it will come out.

 

"Ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille"

[dndranchguys]

Oh Lord Jon! That's funny. If they were driving around, they were filming.

 

BJ, having a hairy chest apparently is not a requirement for winning the contest. Apparently being young and hot is not either as witnessed on our last cruise. Thus, I would have a chance. Well, I would if I could flirt, and dance, and do a Tarzan yell, and...well forget it.

[BJWill]

I'd love to see the amazing pose you modeled for google Jon...keep checking online and when its posted let us know!

 

It's never about winning the competitions...its more about giving your friends something to laugh at you about for the rest of your life! We should do some shots and join the contest!!

[BJWill]

Single digits gentlemen...only 9 days until we set sail!!!

 

Next week would typically drag for me, but my company decided they should put the Oklahoma City office through an audit before I go on vacation. They have been running me like crazy so just one more reason to be looking forward to the 25th!!

 

I hope your luck has turned for the better Jon!

[twocruiseguys]

Well, sitting here at the medical supply office waiting to pick up my new CPAP. So that's one thing off my list. Still waiting on sleep study to be scheduled. And still waiting on progressive to cut me a check for the accident. And still waiting on city to refund my overpayment. Things are going about as I expected.

 

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[dndranchguys]

Damn Jon, hope this all straightens out for you before the cruise so you can relax! Mike needs a CPAP (and a lot of other things, LOL) but won't do the sleep study to get one. So, I get to listen to him breath, then not breath, and snore like a fog horn every night. Ahh, the things you do for love and money.

 

Yep, nine days! Looks like we have our house in Austin sold and the new house in Bastrop is still 4 months from completion. Need to find a place to live for a while!

 

Heading to the coast this weekend. Got some friends coming to the beach house from Brenham. Gonna be too windy to put the boats in the water, but never too windy to Bar-b-que and drink beer!

 

BTW, anyone else taking wine along on the cruise? We are taking a couple bottles for before diner drinks. Always like to share with others.

[BJWill]

We may bring some wine with us but we usually just buy a bottle in the MDR for dinners. It will also depend on if we do the Cheers program. If we decide to Cheers then I doubt we would do any extra alcohol in carry on or direct to room delivery since my goal will be to use up all my 15 drinks each day.

[twocruiseguys]

Not sure if we will bring any wine on board or not. About the only time we drink wine would be at dinner. And the last two cruises, the maitre d' has presented us with a bottle of wine . . on a couple of nights . . compliments of the casino. Go figure.

 

Still, I might bring one bottle, and a corkscrew. Pop the cork late one evening, sit out on the balcony in my skivvies, watch the sunset, and enjoy some "me" time.

[twocruiseguys]

Got my money back from the city of Austin. Woo hoo! Now what do you think the odds are that Progressive will send me an insurance check before we sail?

 

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[dndranchguys]

Yeah, Mike got free wine from the Casino on the last cruise too. HE promised me this would not happen again this time. Ahem, any one want to bet? Oh, and never let him hold your color chips while playing Roulette! I'll have to tell you that story too.

 

Glad things are turning around for you Jon. Come on Progressive! I'll ring Flo!

 

I'm going to try to get moved out of the bowels of the ship again this week. Wish me luck! Maybe we can just put up our hammocks on BJ's balcony. There's plenty room and the nights are warm.

[dndranchguys]

Ok, well still stuck in Steerage. No hope of getting out. After talking to about 10 Carnival reps, I give up.

 

I'm thinking that we should move up meeting at the Atrium bar. I know I said 3 pm originally, but I think muster is at 3:30 pm. And, since all of us will be on board early, I'm thinking we might start hanging out in the Atrium around 1:30 pm. Besides, we need to select our "cruise husbands" and identify any other family that may be coming aboard.

 

Gawd, this week is already dragging!

 

Thoughts?

[twocruiseguys]

130pm at the Atrium bar sounds about right. We plan on heading out Sunday about 630am . . maybe 700am. Stopping in Houston to join some friends for breakfast. Should be on the road to Galveston by 1100. If things go smoothly, we should be parked and checking in by 1230. FTTF should speed things up, but you never know. Hopefully, our bags will be there and we can unpack before muster.

 

After muster, we will be heading back to our cabin to wave at some friends from Dallas who will be watching the ship sail out on webcam. Will be visiting with them on the phone for a few minutes. Then it's back to finishing any unpacking and get ready for 600pm dinner. Of course, I'm sure there will be room for another drink or two before dinner.