Gerry & Geoffrey on Katinka have introduced us to several things British. One is Marks & Spencers. It appears that they are an upscale store that has the most amazing commercials.
Some of you may remember at Christmas time the Gerry blogged about their commercials for “Christmas Food”. With Santana playing in the background and the husky voiced female talking about the food it is called “Food Porn”
It was the topic of conversation at lunch. We thought that we could make our own M&S advert about the Cayuco Club and post it on YouTube.
It is the rainy season and there is not much to do during a Monsoon afternoon.
So, this afternoon, Cynthia and I were surfing YouTube and found several spoofs on M&S adverts. We were rolling on the floor. It appears that we are a day late and a dollar short. Many had beaten us to the punch and produced just what we thought was an original idea. That’s ok I missed out on the pet rock thing also
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Internet Woes
Technology sometime makes our lives easier, but sometimes it is just a pain. I love all the gadgets that help run the boat until they break down and we can’t fix them.
Right now the biggest bug-a-boo is the internet. Yes we have become spoiled with access to the internet and now it is very intermittent to say the least. The hardest part is getting use to the idea of not having what you once used without a second thought.
I can check my email via our satellite phone but when you need to surf the web to order school or boat parts it is difficult.
The more secure the site the harder it is to move around the site when the satellite keeps dropping the signal.
Frustration levels are high now as I think that I have ordered next years school curriculum, but as of yet no confirming email and they aren’t open on the weekend to talk to a representative. Of course some of the pressure is that I have a burro (someone traveling to the States who is willing to carry back text books) and I need to get the order there in a timely fashion.
So first thing Monday morning I will be calling about the order. At least the cell phones aren’t down.
Right now the biggest bug-a-boo is the internet. Yes we have become spoiled with access to the internet and now it is very intermittent to say the least. The hardest part is getting use to the idea of not having what you once used without a second thought.
I can check my email via our satellite phone but when you need to surf the web to order school or boat parts it is difficult.
The more secure the site the harder it is to move around the site when the satellite keeps dropping the signal.
Frustration levels are high now as I think that I have ordered next years school curriculum, but as of yet no confirming email and they aren’t open on the weekend to talk to a representative. Of course some of the pressure is that I have a burro (someone traveling to the States who is willing to carry back text books) and I need to get the order there in a timely fashion.
So first thing Monday morning I will be calling about the order. At least the cell phones aren’t down.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Home Schooling Confessions
Home Schooling can be a wonderful experience. I am not sure for whom, but it is a wonderful experience.
For me personally the best part is getting to re-do Algebra. I was so good at it the first time around. I never could figure out why anyone would want to solve for “x”. Math with numbers was hard enough and now you want me to use letters.
Because of my love of all things mathematical I am very particular about which Math/Algebra book I purchase for the school year. It is imperative that it not only have an answer key, I demand the solution book. That way I can hide up in the V-Berth and study the night before. I also am always looking on the internet for sites that can be helpful. Dr. Math is great. You can type in math questions and he/she explains them and there is other cool math stuff there. Several Universities have great tutoring sites. However, what follows was the most helpful. Enjoy.
For me personally the best part is getting to re-do Algebra. I was so good at it the first time around. I never could figure out why anyone would want to solve for “x”. Math with numbers was hard enough and now you want me to use letters.
Because of my love of all things mathematical I am very particular about which Math/Algebra book I purchase for the school year. It is imperative that it not only have an answer key, I demand the solution book. That way I can hide up in the V-Berth and study the night before. I also am always looking on the internet for sites that can be helpful. Dr. Math is great. You can type in math questions and he/she explains them and there is other cool math stuff there. Several Universities have great tutoring sites. However, what follows was the most helpful. Enjoy.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
For You, Dad
Happy Birthday and Happy Father’s Day, Daddy
Dad as your birthday and Father’s Day are approaching I wanted to tell you how much you mean to me.
Growing up you were the “man with the keys”, “the man who could fix anything and it usually included the use of a coat hanger” and the “man who cut the ears off the chocolate bunny Easter morning.”
I remember you taking us out in the snow on a toboggan, walking through the snow to cut down our very own Christmas tree, having you pull me behind the boat at first light so that we could have the smooth water and the lake to ourselves. I remember you putting your foot over mine on the accelerator and asking me, “If I had ever gone 100 mph?” You were one cool cucumber when I turned down the One Way the WRONG WAY! I will never forget the day you let me drive to the Dairy Queen and I got to eat my ice cream cone while driving home!
Do you remember the day I drove my car through the garage? Your first question was, “Is the boat ok?”
I think of all the times that my friends were in trouble and they would call you, even in the middle of the night. You made the paths home smoother for many of us. You weren’t a soft touch, no you had boundaries, but you had compassion.
There are so many things that I want to thank you for, but I am sure that I won’t be able to remember them all but here is a short list:
For telling me that I could be anything and that nothing was out of my grasp
For loving me when I was pretty unlovable
For showing me how a husband should treat his wife
For teaching me to drive
For making me pass your Driver’s Test after the State thought I could drive
For showing me that if you make a promise you keep it, even if it hurts
For pulling me all those very early mornings behind the boat just so I could have the best water
For interviewing every boy that ever took me out on a date.
For having Rules not just guidelines
For coming to get me when I rented that awful room and thought I could live on my own at 16. You were right! I didn’t know much and belonged at home
For taking me to lunch at the Elk’s Club. I always felt so grown up
For making me pay my own way
For working two jobs so I could go to private school and college
For all the Sundays that you played Monopoly with us kids
For the countless hours you worked with me on Math
For the pink champagne on my 16th Birthday
For buying me my first Beatles album
For answering all my questions
For all the times you forgave me
Daddy, you are the best a girl could hope for. I love you!
Dad as your birthday and Father’s Day are approaching I wanted to tell you how much you mean to me.
Growing up you were the “man with the keys”, “the man who could fix anything and it usually included the use of a coat hanger” and the “man who cut the ears off the chocolate bunny Easter morning.”
I remember you taking us out in the snow on a toboggan, walking through the snow to cut down our very own Christmas tree, having you pull me behind the boat at first light so that we could have the smooth water and the lake to ourselves. I remember you putting your foot over mine on the accelerator and asking me, “If I had ever gone 100 mph?” You were one cool cucumber when I turned down the One Way the WRONG WAY! I will never forget the day you let me drive to the Dairy Queen and I got to eat my ice cream cone while driving home!
Do you remember the day I drove my car through the garage? Your first question was, “Is the boat ok?”
I think of all the times that my friends were in trouble and they would call you, even in the middle of the night. You made the paths home smoother for many of us. You weren’t a soft touch, no you had boundaries, but you had compassion.
There are so many things that I want to thank you for, but I am sure that I won’t be able to remember them all but here is a short list:
For telling me that I could be anything and that nothing was out of my grasp
For loving me when I was pretty unlovable
For showing me how a husband should treat his wife
For teaching me to drive
For making me pass your Driver’s Test after the State thought I could drive
For showing me that if you make a promise you keep it, even if it hurts
For pulling me all those very early mornings behind the boat just so I could have the best water
For interviewing every boy that ever took me out on a date.
For having Rules not just guidelines
For coming to get me when I rented that awful room and thought I could live on my own at 16. You were right! I didn’t know much and belonged at home
For taking me to lunch at the Elk’s Club. I always felt so grown up
For making me pay my own way
For working two jobs so I could go to private school and college
For all the Sundays that you played Monopoly with us kids
For the countless hours you worked with me on Math
For the pink champagne on my 16th Birthday
For buying me my first Beatles album
For answering all my questions
For all the times you forgave me
Daddy, you are the best a girl could hope for. I love you!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Food and Where You Get It
Grocery Shopping Roatan Style
When cruising before you leave port you provision with all the things that you think you will never find in the next port.
While in Guatemala we have found that a trip to the city will find us in Price-Smart looking for familiar labels and goodies. Every year that we are here we find more and more US products. Finding “I can’t believe it’s not butter” in Puerto Barrios was a major coup! Charmin toilet paper is another hot item on our list. I personally would give my left tit for some Miracle Whip.
So here I am on one of the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras and what do I find at Eldon’s Grocery Store? Charmin, Miracle Whip, Jiff peanut butter, fresh veggies and Hunt’s and Heinz products galore; and for Michael, Budweiser Beer!
But the best veggie shopping was from the back of the pick-up trucks at West End Roatan. Fresh and ready to eat!
When cruising before you leave port you provision with all the things that you think you will never find in the next port.
While in Guatemala we have found that a trip to the city will find us in Price-Smart looking for familiar labels and goodies. Every year that we are here we find more and more US products. Finding “I can’t believe it’s not butter” in Puerto Barrios was a major coup! Charmin toilet paper is another hot item on our list. I personally would give my left tit for some Miracle Whip.
So here I am on one of the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras and what do I find at Eldon’s Grocery Store? Charmin, Miracle Whip, Jiff peanut butter, fresh veggies and Hunt’s and Heinz products galore; and for Michael, Budweiser Beer!
But the best veggie shopping was from the back of the pick-up trucks at West End Roatan. Fresh and ready to eat!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Stuff We Saw At Fantasy Island
Fire Dancers
When you are cruising you have some wonderful opportunities. During our stay in the “Duck Pond” anchored behind Fantasy Island Resort we were able to enjoy the facilities.
One evening we went to watch the Fire Dancers. Not only were cruisers out past “Cruiser’s Midnight” the show was spectacular.
So here are some pictures and a short video of the show. We hope that you enjoy them.
When you are cruising you have some wonderful opportunities. During our stay in the “Duck Pond” anchored behind Fantasy Island Resort we were able to enjoy the facilities.
One evening we went to watch the Fire Dancers. Not only were cruisers out past “Cruiser’s Midnight” the show was spectacular.
So here are some pictures and a short video of the show. We hope that you enjoy them.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Why we listen to the NET
“Is there any emergency, medical or priority traffic?”
That is how the morning NW Caribbean NET starts every day of the week. Most of the time there is nothing and we move on to the weather. Well the other day was different.
Good friends of ours on the S/V Likeke had a medical emergency. I don’t know all of the beginning of the tale, but I do know that their EBIRP was set off and their family was notified. By the time of the NET several people were working the problem. Randy was in pain and Kathy was handling the boat on her own.
I was reminded of Sheri on Procyon when her Randy was Air Evac’d off their boat in Pacific she said, “I may be alone on the boat, but I am never alone on the ocean.” These words were so very true. Mary on CAMRYKA was leading the charge and cruisers from all over were helping to make arrangements for Randy’s evacuation and to help Kathy with the boat.
They diverted to Roatan, Honduras and so the NET took 2 hour sifts on the SSB so that if Kathy needed to check-in to hear a voice there was someone there to talk to her all night long.
Cruiser’s in West End went out to meet the boat and moored it for them. A water taxi was procured to transport them to the hospital in La Ceiba. Rides were given so that friends could be in the anchorage to meet and support them.
I am leery about naming all the names of all the wonderful people who helped, but here goes. If I leave YOU out I apologize, it is unintentional. If I miss-spelled your name or the name of your boat…Sorry:
Mary & Carl on CAMRYKA
Doug & Rayn on Christiana
Gloria & Mike on Windfree
Steve & Sue on Evensong
Debi & Roy on Lyric
Mary & Orin on Antares
John on Triumphant
Lone Star Love
Heather on Evergreen
Slipaway
LTC Michael Haloran, US Army Flight Surgeon
The helicopter crew
Diver Dan
Mel & John on Diamond Lil
Rita at Lagoon Marina
That is how the morning NW Caribbean NET starts every day of the week. Most of the time there is nothing and we move on to the weather. Well the other day was different.
Good friends of ours on the S/V Likeke had a medical emergency. I don’t know all of the beginning of the tale, but I do know that their EBIRP was set off and their family was notified. By the time of the NET several people were working the problem. Randy was in pain and Kathy was handling the boat on her own.
I was reminded of Sheri on Procyon when her Randy was Air Evac’d off their boat in Pacific she said, “I may be alone on the boat, but I am never alone on the ocean.” These words were so very true. Mary on CAMRYKA was leading the charge and cruisers from all over were helping to make arrangements for Randy’s evacuation and to help Kathy with the boat.
They diverted to Roatan, Honduras and so the NET took 2 hour sifts on the SSB so that if Kathy needed to check-in to hear a voice there was someone there to talk to her all night long.
Cruiser’s in West End went out to meet the boat and moored it for them. A water taxi was procured to transport them to the hospital in La Ceiba. Rides were given so that friends could be in the anchorage to meet and support them.
I am leery about naming all the names of all the wonderful people who helped, but here goes. If I leave YOU out I apologize, it is unintentional. If I miss-spelled your name or the name of your boat…Sorry:
Mary & Carl on CAMRYKA
Doug & Rayn on Christiana
Gloria & Mike on Windfree
Steve & Sue on Evensong
Debi & Roy on Lyric
Mary & Orin on Antares
John on Triumphant
Lone Star Love
Heather on Evergreen
Slipaway
LTC Michael Haloran, US Army Flight Surgeon
The helicopter crew
Diver Dan
Mel & John on Diamond Lil
Rita at Lagoon Marina
Chuck & Jeanette on La Vagabunda
Cindy and Mike on Dragonheart
And then there are all the others that kept them in their thoughts and prayers. Kathy told me later that you never want to be in the position of receiving all this help, but that the Cruising Community is always there to help you when you need it.
Oh, and the medical emergency was a kidney stone. All is well and Randy is out of the hospital and he and Kathy are in a hotel waiting for their son to arrive and help them get the boat back to the States.
Cindy and Mike on Dragonheart
And then there are all the others that kept them in their thoughts and prayers. Kathy told me later that you never want to be in the position of receiving all this help, but that the Cruising Community is always there to help you when you need it.
Oh, and the medical emergency was a kidney stone. All is well and Randy is out of the hospital and he and Kathy are in a hotel waiting for their son to arrive and help them get the boat back to the States.
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