8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC #3

[tom31b]

As I haven't been on the boards in quite a while, I am feeling really lost.... What, I am really looking for is some info on shore excursions. I have been able to find most of the other info that I need but I am very interested in shore excursions. I know what DCL is offering but what has been arranged outside of DCL

I appreciate any info you can provide me with

Thanks

Denise

If you check on thepiratezone website, there are non-DCL excusions listed in the itinerary/port info sections and if there is a group trip being looked at its usually at the top of the port's page.

 

[got2travel]

Naw Cpt - just scuttlebutt - your fame (or infamy?) precedes you to other places......um... threads!





Come on - this is too good to pass up - who's gonna be the first to post some type of picture - if I didn't need to run to the bank - I'd google something but then again - I don 't know how to post an image w/o going through photopucket.

Free LOADED Mickey Bar to the first to come up with this exact image!

OK everybody - get out of the way of the mad scramble?

 

[tom31b]

U.S. Plans to Shoot Down Broken Spy Satellite

By Marc Kaufman Washington Post Staff Writer

President Bush, acting on the advice of his national security advisers, has decided to attempt to shoot down a malfunctioning spy satellite that is expected to crash to the Earth by early next month.

National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president made the decision recently and asked the military to come up with plans to destroy the satellite -- the first attempted shoot-down of its kind.

In an afternoon press conference, Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that a Navy missile will be fired at the satellite as it enters the atmosphere. He said that the missile "has a reasonably high opportunity for success," although the window for shooting down the spacecraft is quite small.

Deputy National Security Adviser James F. Jeffrey said that the decision was based on the fact that the satellite is carrying a substantial amount of a hazardous rocket fuel, hydrazine.

He said that the fuel tanks were not expected to explode on their own as the satellite hit the atmosphere and could fall to Earth, leak their toxic gas and injure people. Officials said that the danger zone would spread for about two football fields. "This is all about trying to reduce the danger to human beings," he said.

...

 

[captaincrash]

I realized after reading my last post that it may have come across as rude and dismissive of Tom's idea. I didn't mean it that way. I am posting from my phone enriute to Harrisburg, PA and even though my Motorola is wonderful (shameless plug), I did not reread it.

I can set up a forum on the website when I get back from business trip and holiday in Wisconsin next Wednesday and we can experiment.

I was just warning people that if you thought the DIS was slow, wait until you see a forum powered by two hamsters and a neurotic gerbil.

As I understand it - 2 hamsters and a neurotic gerbil can be quite a powerful setup!

Come on - this is too good to pass up - who's gonna be the first to post some type of picture - if I didn't need to run to the bank - I'd google something but then again - I don 't know how to post an image w/o going through photopucket.

Free LOADED Mickey Bar to the first to come up with this exact image!

OK everybody - get out of the way of the mad scramble?

OK... above I count 2 hamsters and a rather scrawny and psychotic looking animated gerbil in the wheel ... so where's my prize?

 

[ratfam]

Tom, I think your idea is great! I try to read posts here occasionally but I don't have enough free online time to keep up, and I haven't had luck trying to do focused searches. I think its great that so many people are connecting and I hope to be able to do that as we draw closer to departure, but I would really welcome an alternative more information-based exchange, particularly about ports as we try to do our planning. As you can undoubtedly tell from my lack of signature line, pictures, icons, etc. technology is not my forte, but we are very excited about the trip and meeting everyone!

 

[captaincrash]

U.S. Plans to Shoot Down Broken Spy Satellite

By Marc Kaufman Washington Post Staff Writer

President Bush, acting on the advice of his national security advisers, has decided to attempt to shoot down a malfunctioning spy satellite that is expected to crash to the Earth by early next month.

National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president made the decision recently and asked the military to come up with plans to destroy the satellite -- the first attempted shoot-down of its kind.

In an afternoon press conference, Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that a Navy missile will be fired at the satellite as it enters the atmosphere. He said that the missile "has a reasonably high opportunity for success," although the window for shooting down the spacecraft is quite small.

Deputy National Security Adviser James F. Jeffrey said that the decision was based on the fact that the satellite is carrying a substantial amount of a hazardous rocket fuel, hydrazine.

He said that the fuel tanks were not expected to explode on their own as the satellite hit the atmosphere and could fall to Earth, leak their toxic gas and injure people. Officials said that the danger zone would spread for about two football fields. "This is all about trying to reduce the danger to human beings," he said.

...

I was just reading about this somewhere in the morning and chatting with a fellow parent of one of Juliannas' friends at school today. we were speculating on how much of this was forthright and true - as well as what the consequences were really gonna be.

I felt the administration was NOT gonna impact the 5,000 KH-13 spy satillite much with 3 strike attempts from a SM1 missle... modified with probably NO explosive to ad the fuel and a modified guidance head - just a hope for a high velocity IMPACT to crumple it.

AND I speculated the administation was trying to MATCH the antisatillite capability the Chinese government demonstrated a couple of years ago when it struck an old wetather satillite with anti-satillite missles.

The KH-13 is a name used by observers of U.S. military space programs to refer to a class of imaging reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States. The KH-13 is the putative successor to the "KH-12" IMINT satellites, the last of which was launched in 1999.

Interpretations
Almost everything about these satellites is classified; observers acknowledge that "KH-13" is probably not the program's "real" name. KH-13 may or may not be the same project as 8X, later rechristened as EIS (Enhanced Imaging System), and may or may not involve satellite stealth technology (see Misty). Some believe that the 8X/EIS project is different from the KH-13. Observers have also speculated that the newer satellites might be an enhanced version of the KH-12 that extends its observations into the infrared, or that uses radar. The "KH-13" satellites probably have a shape similar to that of the Hubble Space Telescope—a shape its predecessors (e.g. KH-11) are believed to have as well.

In 1995, a Los Angeles Times article reported that the 8X program was intended as "a major upgrade to the KH-12". However, the 8X was reported to depart from the KH-12 in that the 8X was speculated to weigh 20 tons. The 8X was reported as fulfilling a detailed wide-field-of-view imaging role. The cost of the program was a subject of disagreement from some within the military at the time.[1] [2]

The KH-11/12/13 series are planned to be replaced by the planned Future Imagery Architecture digital imaging spacecraft. The contract for these planned spacecraft was initially awarded to Boeing in 1999, but in September 2005 the contract was shifted to Lockheed after cost overruns and delays of the delivery date.[3]


[edit] Public observations
Amateur satellite observers have identified several satellites in sun-synchronous orbits which might be new IMINT satellites:

USA-144 was launched on 22 May 1999 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. NSSDC ID1999-028A. Idenfitied as KH12-4 in NASA's database, it is sometimes identified as part of the Misty program.
USA-161 was launched on 5 October 2001 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. NSSDC ID 2001-044A
USA-182 was launched on 30 April 2005 by a Titan-IVB from Vandenberg AFB. NSSDC ID 2005-16A
USA-186 was launched on 19 October 2005 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. NSSDC ID 2005-042A [4]
USA 193, also known as NRO launch 21 (NROL-21) was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base[5] on December 14, 2006 by a Delta II-7920 rocket.[6] Less than a month after its launch, it was reported that a U.S. spy satellite, probably this one, had lost all contact with the ground.[7] On January 29, 2008, an AP story quoted a U.S. Air Force general, who stated that intact pieces of the satellite "might re-enter into the North American area".[8] 2006-057A

[edit] In popular culture
The KH-13 is also the subject of Bruce Sterling's science fiction book The Zenith Angle, released in April 2004. Since the capabilities of the real satellites are not publicly known, it is impossible to compare the abilities of those described in the book are to those of the real surveillance satellites.

BTW... I think it's a KH-13 as the US only seems to have 2 spy satillites commonly in use today. This sat was launched in late 2006 - immediately sufferred a CPU failure subsequently declared a total loss a couple months later. It NEVER achieved the orbit insertion intended. SO - it was a dismal failure. It has been cited as weighing 5,000 pounds and the KH-12 weighs much more ... 19,600 kilos ... or roughly 40,000 pounds or 20 short tons. SO... I am guesing it's a KH-13 we're gonna shoot at.

Below is an image / cutaway diagram of a KH-12

Remember... all this info is TOP SECRET - so don't tell anyone otherwise we'll send a CIA hit squad to erase your memory of all this.​

 

[captaincrash]

Tom, I think your idea is great! I try to read posts here occasionally but I don't have enough free online time to keep up, and I haven't had luck trying to do focused searches. I think its great that so many people are connecting and I hope to be able to do that as we draw closer to departure, but I would really welcome an alternative more information-based exchange, particularly about ports as we try to do our planning. As you can undoubtedly tell from my lack of signature line, pictures, icons, etc. technology is not my forte, but we are very excited about the trip and meeting everyone!

And we are very happy to hear your views and position - as we can only assume there are dozens of others just like you who may not have posted yet. Obviously, as friendly neighbors we aim to be... well ... neighborly. And we really do want to have a thriving and harmonious community that enhances the experience for all. if nothing less... when you pass me in the corridors of the MAgic you'll RECOGNIZE who to throw wadded up paper balls at once my back is to ya! Right?

Just kidding of course...

So now I'm off for Costco... gotta load up on grub for the weekend in Big Bear. I'm cooking the dinner on Sunday - and I'm wanting to whip up a prime rib and all the fixens' - and stuffed salmon from Costco if they still have 'em in stock.

As for Jean - she had a 2CM growth removed yesterday - still in the ICU but doing well with complete memory retention it seems. Her recovery will take several weeks or months - and I brought by a nice stuffed GUND puppy with mylar balloons for getting well and noting Valentines Day... but they would not allow balloons in ICU - so her husband took them home. We hope she will go home on Saturday which is only one day longer then predicted.

We remain for ever upbeat and hopeful for the future. They are good folks and will prevail favorably in this fight.

Now I'm pff fpr Costco - tomorrow we ski - or rather the kids and Alicia will... as I think I'll help with the young ones who quit early or do not ski - as the youngest may not ski at all. And the house we rented has a higfh speed line - and I'll be bringing my WiFi gate so we'll have convenient web access - though I don't know if I'll spend much time on line except when it's really really late at nite.

TTFN!

 

[m&m's mom]

FYI - The Passporter is offering free shipping until the 18th on the 2008 Passporter. I ordered the deluxe refill pages w/ everything included it was around $17.50.
There is a 30% discount code of "friend" if you are not a previous customer.
In the preview download they said it would include information on Los Angeles and the Panama Canal.
Expected ship date- Mid-March.

 

[MrsScooby]

AND NEVER, NEVER, EVER let them sleep on the bed else they will "allow" you to sleep on "their" (read your) bed when they want. They do like to dig and will dig under a fence if you don't watch them. TRAIN THEM - if you don't have time to train them - at least have someone train them. They are good pets but not good watchdogs. Better yet - they will watch the burglars take things as opposed to guarding.

I was talking to a Dalmatian owner several years ago and that's exactly what she said about her dalmations Something about the pack mentality and having to be higher than they were or they would consider you their equal She loved her babies too though

Read the book -- you'll love it -- and then rent the movie again when it comes out on DVD. At least you didn't need dialogue for the library scene!

No, no dialogue needed there

I got my Valentine present last night. I was babysitting my grandson and DD was home (she usually works nights) so we decided to celebrate a day early. DH picked up a heart shaped pizza and filled my car up with gas and got it washed. So no cooking, a full clean car and my family all together, nice gift.

Sounds great I need my car washed too I need to hint better to my DH

Same here. For some reason I don't feel worthy of winning yet, so I think I will just sit an watch the next few posts.

CONGRATS They seem to come just when you've given up

Nope , I quit doing that over 5 months ago ...

 

[MrsScooby]

The runs have largely become non-events, a brief small spike on the radar as we rack up posts getting to know each other.

So, I have a proposal, which I have been working on with another member of the list and would like you input. It has a few more details to be worked out, but the essence of the proposal is as follows:

As a part of thepiratezone website (or a link from there), set up a set of discussion forums for trip planning details.

These forums would include:

• One for each port
• One for each event planned
• Questions that s need answered
• etc.

The idea is to allow for detailed discussion of the specific events that would be easier to keep up on than scanning through posts in what will become multiple threads here. For example, the Roger's Jolly Pirates excursion in Aruba that 50 or 60 of us are doing would have a thread, Roger could be given "administrative rights" on the thread, discussion of things like taxi cab or public bus transportation, plans for after the trip is over (e.g. hanging at the beach for sunset), etc. etc. would happen there. Another thread would deal with the group photo at Castaway Cay, now people can commit/discuss, as it gets closer, Todd can give times, etc.

None of this would be intended to interfere with or eliminate any of the discussion here, but would instead just make it easier to find specific information regarding the events you are interested in.

Thoughts? Comments? Statements that Tom is insane?

Good idea
I know I worry about missing important info and I'm sure others do too.

 

[MrsScooby]

Hello, again, everyone! I hope that today is a terrific Valentine's Day for all (Pirates and Wenches alike)!

I just wanted to post that our assignment went from Cat 6 GTY to room 6582 (Cat 6, mid-ship). I am really surprised as we have not yet paid in full, I was thinking they were wanting to make sure we were actually going to go. If I knew how to post those smilies, they would be inserted <here>.

As for the reply to my posts, my sincere apologizes as I cannot find them anymore. However, to the kind lady in BC -- our Nicole would love to exchange emails with your daughter. I was able to connect her with a fantastic girl on our last cruise and the two of them hit it off instantly -- making wonderful memories and instilling the knowledge that friends can be made within your community and around the world. It was great for Mark and I too, as we loved having a cocktail while the girls were off enjoying themselves. The two of them ate at our table for dinner one night (we had a table with just Mark, Nicole and I) while the four of us enjoyed an extra dinner at Palo.

To the other kind lady from within the GTA, we have not made our reservations in Buffalo for the night prior to the cruise. I am planning on waiting a little and see what the "Millennium Hotel" will be offering, just beside Walden Galleria. They frequently offer a special of "150 for 100", meaning you receive $100 in free food/beverages (including room service) for $150. I have heard that they do not mind extended stays for airport guests and offer a shuttle. I will likely look more into our Buffalo options a little later - we have also been lucky with Hotwire within the airport area, in past travels. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Again, have a fantastic day. I hope you don't mind these little side bars as I try and get on when I can; however, I LOVE reading all your jokes and friendly jabs. Looking so forward to meeting everyone (or as many of you as 15 days allows).

Michele

OOOOh
Now I've gotta go check on my room

We're looking forward to meeting you too

 

[MrsScooby]

No room for me yet, I'm still GTY

FYI - The Passporter is offering free shipping until the 18th on the 2008 Passporter. I ordered the deluxe refill pages w/ everything included it was around $17.50.
There is a 30% discount code of "friend" if you are not a previous customer.
In the preview download they said it would include information on Los Angeles and the Panama Canal.
Expected ship date- Mid-March.

Thanks Gotta get the refill pages too

 

[MrsScooby]

Hey Mike,
I just found out today that I passed my certification test too

I'm a patent examiner and we need to be certified if we want to move up, do more work and make more money

Feels soooo good to have it behind me

I hate tests

 

[allshookup]

Hey Mike,
I just found out today that I passed my certification test too

I'm a patent examiner and we need to be certified if we want to move up, do more work and make more money

Feels soooo good to have it behind me

I hate tests

Congrats!!!

 

[MrsScooby]

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:


Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal.. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes..

No wonder men are happier.

 

[sk8ingmom]

PERFECT! Except substitute huskies for gerbils!

So now I'm off for Costco... gotta load up on grub for the weekend in Big Bear. I'm cooking the dinner on Sunday - and I'm wanting to whip up a prime rib and all the fixens' - and stuffed salmon from Costco if they still have 'em in stock.

Oh, buy a bag of chips! It's fun to watch an unopened bag puff up as you drive up the mountain. (been there a few times from San Diego)

Have a great time,Crash. I love Big Bear & Lake Arrowhead...as well as the little know community between them, Arrowbear.

Hey Mike,
I just found out today that I passed my certification test too

I'm a patent examiner and we need to be certified if we want to move up, do more work and make more money

Feels soooo good to have it behind me

I hate tests

YAY you!

 

[sk8ingmom]

Well, yay! I'm a matron. One of my (2) BFFs called me tonight. She just got engaged! This is once of my friends from way back in HS dance team days. She's DS7's godmother. She's one of my friends whom I escape to WDW with when I go sans kids. I'm the "matron of honor" and my friend who we just met in WDW for the marathon is the "maid of honor"...she was also my maid of honor 13+ years ago. Good golly that "matron" makes me sound so much older!

My friend is 33 and never been married. She is more psycho about planning WDW vacations than 99% of the people here (yes, I truly understand that statement).

Bridezilla has been unleashed!

The "maid" of honor and I are already looking at bridesmaid dresses, hoping to pull off a pre-emptive strike!

 

[tom31b]

Well, yay! I'm a matron. One of my (2) BFFs called me tonight. She just got engaged! This is once of my friends from way back in HS dance team days. She's DS7's godmother. She's one of my friends whom I escape to WDW with when I go sans kids. I'm the "matron of honor" and my friend who we just met in WDW for the marathon is the "maid of honor"...she was also my maid of honor 13+ years ago. Good golly that "matron" makes me sound so much older!

My friend is 33 and never been married. She is more psycho about planning WDW vacations than 99% of the people here (yes, I truly understand that statement).

Bridezilla has been unleashed!

The "maid" of honor and I are already looking at bridesmaid dresses, hoping to pull off a pre-emptive strike!

What's the date? Not August 25, 2008?

 

[sk8ingmom]

What's the date? Not August 25, 2008?

Oh no.

This is my friend who bought DVC as a single person. Goes 2-3 times a year by herself or with friends. When DH gets the message and books Victoria and Albert's Chef's Table for my 40th b-day, this friend is there.

She understands.

 

[jonesing]

I was just reading about this somewhere in the morning and chatting with a fellow parent of one of Juliannas' friends at school today. we were speculating on how much of this was forthright and true - as well as what the consequences were really gonna be.

I felt the administration was NOT gonna impact the 5,000 KH-13 spy satillite much with 3 strike attempts from a SM1 missle... modified with probably NO explosive to ad the fuel and a modified guidance head - just a hope for a high velocity IMPACT to crumple it.

AND I speculated the administation was trying to MATCH the antisatillite capability the Chinese government demonstrated a couple of years ago when it struck an old wetather satillite with anti-satillite missles.

BTW... I think it's a KH-13 as the US only seems to have 2 spy satillites commonly in use today. This sat was launched in late 2006 - immediately sufferred a CPU failure subsequently declared a total loss a couple months later. It NEVER achieved the orbit insertion intended. SO - it was a dismal failure. It has been cited as weighing 5,000 pounds and the KH-12 weighs much more ... 19,600 kilos ... or roughly 40,000 pounds or 20 short tons. SO... I am guesing it's a KH-13 we're gonna shoot at.

Remember... all this info is TOP SECRET - so don't tell anyone otherwise we'll send a CIA hit squad to erase your memory of all this.[/CENTER]

Correction: Not CIA....NRO. The National Reconnaissance Office is the DOD agency responsible for designing, buiding and operating intel satellites and other aerial platforms. They work closely with/for CIA, NSA, NGA etc. Actually, they don't build the birds themselves, they rely on their contractors (TRW is #1) for that.

Now, as for the bird that coming down and the specific armament they're going to deploy...yeah, I am SO not getting into that unless/until multiple public news sources publish that information