July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[soccerdad-Chris]

WHERE ARE MY DOCS???????? ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!! I want them now!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!! Now!!!!
That's whining.
Chris

OK, as someone just pointed out to me in a PM, I have to admit that this may be considered more of a rant than whining. How 'bout we just say it's a rant done by a whiner??

 

[cruzin'gain]

Hey everyone!!! I hope everyone has a great time at the DL meet. I'm sorry I can't be there.... I just have to tell everyone how AWESOME my wireless network is in my house! I spent most of the day today setting it up, it's wonderful to sit in the family room on the laptop!! I also set up the kids computer in the basement, so they're no longer hogging my PC. They can play nickjr.com and playhousedisney.com downstairs now!! We bought the laptop and network yesterday so the kids could use it to watch movies during the 5 1/2 hour flight to/from LAX. We were going to buy a portable DVD player, but anything with a decent screen size was about $300 or so, it just made sense to make the investment in a laptop! Bigger screen, and surfing capabilities from my couch!! Now, I'll have even more time to surf, since I can do it basically anywhere now!!! This is pretty cool!

Lori-

I think it is time to start planning our "EAST COAST MEET @ Jose's" ! (ANYBODY ELSE IN OUR CENTRAL NJ NEIGHBORHOOD ?)

Congrats on the PC and the Wireless Network! We have three PCs going at a time, the best thing is the wireless printers!

One of the reasons we decided to fly JetBlue was so the kids would have the DirectTV for the flights. We could not get flights on Continental that had the individual tv/programming.

All-

We will have the docs before we know it, time is flying!

 

[jel0511]

Lori-

I think it is time to start planning our "EAST COAST MEET @ Jose's" ! (ANYBODY ELSE IN OUR CENTRAL NJ NEIGHBORHOOD ?)

Congrats on the PC and the Wireless Network! We have three PCs going at a time, the best thing is the wireless printers!

One of the reasons we decided to fly JetBlue was so the kids would have the DirectTV for the flights. We could not get flights on Continental that had the individual tv/programming.

All-

We will have the docs before we know it, time is flying!

Randy - count us in!! We'll definately go to Jose Tejas!!! It gives me an excuse to get my lazy self up there!! We thought about Jet Blue, but to drive alll the way to JFK, is truly a nightmare. I'd rather buy the laptop and have them be able to watch that!!! The few times we've flown out of JFK, we always have had bad luck with parking..... I'm much more comfortable at EWR.

Definately let me know when you'd like to to a meet! Since DH works in NYC, the only good days are the weekend, not good for the lines at Jose Tejas though....

 

[jel0511]

O.K. Slightly off topic here.... For those of you with laptops, who use them as DVD players, how long does your battery last? Also, what battery mode should we use on the plane to make it last as long as possible? We have like 5 different choices (low power, normal power, high power, DVD power and presentation power) What do all those mean and which one would be best? Based on the labels, DVD power sounds the best, but I'm not sure. Basically, I'm trying to get about 3 hours or so out of the battery on DVD play. The battery is listed as giving up to 3 1/2 hours under normal power, so I need some advice. We bought a Toshiba laptop, and the batteries are $150 and up!! YIKES!! Do you think it would be beneficial to buy an additional battery?

 

[Sarangel]

We have a portable DVD player, rather than the spiffy laptop (but we got an awesome deal - $169.00). We did cough up the money for an extra battery - not an easy choice at $80/battery. We would just rather have the insurance of the extra power (in case one "didn't get charged," or we want to watch 2 movies while flying, or driving down to LA, or whatever).

Just the choice we made, for what it's worth.

Sara

 

[Amous]

Please no quizzes, Chris! Got your e-mail with the list of cruisers. Thank you so much! Hmmm, there's a payment due, right? Wine, wine, where's the wine?! To answer your question about Temecula wineries? Two of my favorites are from Maurie Car'rie Winery..... Heather's Mist and Sara Bella. And there's also a nice bottle of Gewurztraminer! Ahh man, too many choices.....

Matt & I can't wait to meet ya'll at the Rainforest Cafe. Sara, you're a doll for taking charge of the ressies! We're up to lucky 13 for the lunch? Cool!

There's an East Coast meet in the planning stages too? Way cool!

Amy

 

[Sarangel]

Y'know if we're having this much fun *before* the cruise, just imagine what July will be like:

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Lori,
The basic rule for laptops, batteries, and DVD play times is: your mileage will vary. I travel a lot, I get a new laptop about every 12 months, and I've seen significant variances between different brands. The good news is, there is plenty of time between now and the cruise for you to experiment and see what kind of play time you get.

Of course, the bad news is, there is plenty of time between now and the cruise. Crud!!!

You can also try contacting your airline and find out if they have power outlets on board, and if so, what kind of adapter you need to use them (they're almost never regular US-style plugs). I fly American when I travel, and almost all of their planes have them. I have an adapter so that battery power is never an issue, which is important to me since my trips are usually to far-away places like NY, London, Amsterdam, etc. Usually, these adapters are considerably less expensive than additional batteries or portable DVD players.

Sara, you're right, this is gonna be fun!!! With the West Coast itinerary, this is quite different from the normal cruises: with so many people from California going, it gives us a great chance to meet up before-hand (referring to an earlier post, you'll know before getting on the ship whether we're "dreadful"!!). That wasn't really possible with Port Canaveral-based cruises.

Amy, thanks for the recommendations. These sound yummy.

Is it Friday yet?

Chris

 

[renknt]

OK, this is only sort-of off topic. Mike, Lexi & I will be going down to DL over the President's day weekend... Any of our Southern CA folks interested in a little pre-cruise meet?

Sara

I was just looking to see who was going to be at the pre-cruise meet @DL and saw all the "atta girls" Sara was getting and so I went to original invite and I see my DW didn't even credit me with this "good" idea. Boy its not every day I have a good idea you would think I could get a little credit for it



#8

 

[Amous]

Chris, have you heard of Hi Time Wine in Costa Mesa? I get their newsletter on occasion. Check out their website at http://www.hitimewine.com/

My son knows of the cruise! Couldn't keep it a surprise too much longer. My excitement is building and just had to share!

Hey Mike, we love your idea!

 

[jel0511]

Chris - thanks for the laptop advice. I did call Continental, and the plane we're flying on does not have laptop powerports anywhere on the plane! BUMMER! So, we're back to deciding to see how long this lasts. We're flying to FL next month to see Darren's mother and go up to WDW, so we'll get a test run there. I really leaning against buying another battery. If I can get 3 hours out of it (doubtful I know) that will be enough. I plan on trying to keep them busy with other activities and when all else fails, bring out the movies. Driving to JFK is starting to look better and better... Wait no it isn't... I HATE the Belt Parkway!!!!! Oh well, if this doesn't last more than 2 hours, I will have to suck it in and buy another battery..... Oh well....

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Chris - We're flying to FL next month to see Darren's mother and go up to WDW, so we'll get a test run there.

Lori,
You know, you don't have to actually be in an airplane to test out your play time!!!
Just put the laptop on a table, pop in a DVD, and see how long it goes!!

As for JFK, I agree. But, the only direct American flight to/from San Diego is through there, so I end up dealing with JFK whenever I come to NY (which is usually at least 10 times a year!!).
Chris

 

[jel0511]

Lori,
You know, you don't have to actually be in an airplane to test out your play time!!!
Just put the laptop on a table, pop in a DVD, and see how long it goes!!

As for JFK, I agree. But, the only direct American flight to/from San Diego is through there, so I end up dealing with JFK whenever I come to NY (which is usually at least 10 times a year!!).
Chris

Yes, Mr. Chris, I know that much!!!!! I'm not to worried about our flight to FLL, but I will try it out before we leave. If it doesn't last that long, they'll survive this flight without it!!! I'm sorry about you having to deal with JFK, but when going to Manhattan, it's really not all that bad. Just the Van Wyck to the LIE, the Midtown Tunnel, and poof, you're in Manhattan. For me, I have to take the Van Wyck to the Belt, the Belt to the Verazzano, then the Staten Island Expressway, to the Outerbridge, then I'm back in NJ. Which with extreme traffic can take up to two weeks!!! Is your head spinning yet... Mine is!!!!

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Yes, Mr. Chris, I know that much!!!!!

Just yankin' yer chain, Lori!!

BTW, did anyone happen to notice that the cruise is exactly 5 months from today?
Chris

 

[jel0511]

Just yankin' yer chain, Lori!!

BTW, did anyone happen to notice that the cruise is exactly 5 months from today?
Chris

Right back at you!!! I'm lucky right now, Brandon fell asleep on the way home from preschool and hasn't woken up yet, and Julianna doesn't get home from school for another hour. So, I have all this time to sit here on the computer!! Maybe I should do some shopping........ Do you believe I didn't notice that today was the 5 month mark!!!! I'm more focused on July 2nd, as that's the day we leave here for LA and the start of our vacation. I really can't wait!! YIPPEE!!!!!

 

[GrumpyMom1]

BTW, did anyone happen to notice that the cruise is exactly 5 months from today?
Chris

Yippee!! The girls and I were just discussing this last night cause after today it's 4 months and x day and that makes it seem so close.

I'm so bummed I want to go to lunch with everyone but I have to work. Maybe I can take a really long lunch break that day.

 

[Sarangel]

Sheila, maybe you could come down with a "migrane" that afternoon. We'd love to see you.

On another topic, I'm trying to guess what Chris does for a living... He travels a lot, he can afford a house *with a swimming pool* in San Diego, he buys a new computer at least once a year, and he can afford to travel Concierge on the Magic... Mike thinks he's the Verizon spokesman or knows where Jimmy Hoffa's buried, I think he might be a lawyer, or a producer. Any other guesses (no fair spoiling it by having Chris or Cheri answer too soon)?

Sara

 

[mommykeg]

In his profile, it used to say "corporate executive." Now I think it says "corporate guy." Whatever that means! But which corporation? No idea!

 

[mommykeg]

I also think Chris' wife is a reading tutor. Right up my alley...I'm a first grade teacher, so I teach reading too!

Kim

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

On another topic, I'm trying to guess what Chris does for a living...

Can you hear me now?? Can you hear me now?? … that would indeed be a cool job.

Hoffa’s in a cement bridge column somewhere in New Jersey….everyone knows that. Lori and Randy have probably driven over him dozens of times.

Well, this is an interesting question!! Sometimes I wonder myself. However, I promise I won't spoil the fun, mostly because I'm very curious to hear what kind of guesses people will make!!!

OK folks, have at it!!

By the way, Sara, since you’ve tendered your guess, and without saying whether you’re right or wrong, I have to ask: what makes you think I’m a lawyer or producer? The little profile you’ve written in your post includes numerous pieces of information that come from several different posts over time, so you are obviously a detail-oriented person that misses very little: you must have specific reasons for your guess!! Do share!!!

Chris