Something About Nothing...........#8

[Coach81]

Thanks Mac and I am looking foward to July and usually so excited every year but I am a guy and was always told not to show my feelings but so heart broken I really don't feel like going on anymore
But I will push thru as always

Hang in there, Ky! Not sure what is going on with you, but just trust in the fact that it will get better!!! Also realize that many people care very much about you, and you are loved and needed. Good luck, I'm sure things will improve for you very soon!

devastatingmy dad & 2 grandparents were hardworking coal miners. mine in question doesn't have the best safety record according to news reports. I wan't going to vent, but i will since it was brought up...

I still remember collecting my dad @ ER after a minor roof cave-in when I was a teen. He'd always shower before coming home, so I never realized how dirty he got (solid grey color).

He only went into the mine last 9 years of his life, after recession hit it was the only job he could get to support us as a 52 y.o. - roof-bolting (from one im told one of the hardest jobs in the mine). He wound up w/black lung & died @ 61

Many miners work in dangerous conditions as it can be the only employer in small rural areas. reform is needed to keep them safe, this is unacceptable.

AMEN! They work so hard in dangerous conditions.

hey there homies...I need your help...PLEASE!!!!

When you book to go to Universal & Hotel how do you book it? Through Universal..through Hotel? What is the best deal? Does anyone know an airline that is NOT expensive....we like to fly from Detroit to Orlando...we can do Toronto to Orlando too.....if the price is right????

If we go this year will anyone be there Sept 30 - October 7?

THANK YOU

I've always just booked through the website.. I would love to learn of any cheaper ways.

 

[minniejack]

devastatingmy dad & 2 grandparents were hardworking coal miners. mine in question doesn't have the best safety record according to news reports. I wan't going to vent, but i will since it was brought up...

I still remember collecting my dad @ ER after a minor roof cave-in when I was a teen. He'd always shower before coming home, so I never realized how dirty he got (solid grey color).

He only went into the mine last 9 years of his life, after recession hit it was the only job he could get to support us as a 52 y.o. - roof-bolting (from one im told one of the hardest jobs in the mine). He wound up w/black lung & died @ 61

Many miners work in dangerous conditions as it can be the only employer in small rural areas. reform is needed to keep them safe, this is unacceptable.

DH has been with coal mine since before, during and after college--he's an electrical engnr for a coal mine.(just got his 20 yrs completed)You just don't think about the peril until something like this happens. He's looked at other industries, but not a single one can touch his salary. So he stays. 7 more yrs until he takes his retirement (he'll be 55, old in coal miner yrs--it's hard on a body--leaves at 6, not home until usually 8, and lucky to work only 22 out of 28 days, and the phone is constantly ringing all night long, and on vacations) Plans on teaching at a local University when done.

I remember when we lived in Virginia, I took the kids who were both under 5 at the time to visit daddy at work. We timed it so it would be at the end of the day. He looked like a black raccon and my son didn't recognize him at first, but then everyone who walked by, covered in coal, he'd yell, "Daddy!"

Picture a city the size of Pittsburgh, that's how big DH's mine is underground. You just can't imagine. It's not picks and shovels any more--most people don't realize how high tech the mining industry is.

With all of the new men that they've been hiring, he's been coming home for the past year about the stupid things that these guys do--not enough experience--Stupidity CAN kill.

One of his coworkers was the superintendent at the mine that exploded until about 10 yrs ago. It is a very rural area.

Coal accounts for 50% of the energy that America uses. Remember the next time you turn on a light, a computer, the washer/dryer about those men that are "working hard down there, to Keep America running up here."

 

[macraven]

Please pray for the families of the West Virginia coal miners.

i have and will continue.
my brother was a coal miner for 12 years until the mines in southern illinois were shut down.

he was only hospitalized twice while he worked there.

hey there homies...I need your help...PLEASE!!!!

When you book to go to Universal & Hotel how do you book it? Through Universal..through Hotel? What is the best deal? Does anyone know an airline that is NOT expensive....we like to fly from Detroit to Orlando...we can do Toronto to Orlando too.....if the price is right????

If we go this year will anyone be there Sept 30 - October 7?

THANK YOU

i'll be there during the time period you have listed.

i smell a meet.........

i only book by phone.
the reason i do that is to find out if there are any other deals or promos coming up that will be beneficial to me.

i called again a few weeks ago to inquire about changing things around.
i thought if i booked the stay more save more promo for the first 3 days of my stay then kept the AAA rate i have for the other 4 nights, i would come out ahead.

one of the TM's worked with me for 45 minutes to find out my best deal was keeping the ressie under the AAA for the full time period.

you can always get more info by calling and booking by phone.

i use the website to check out the prices and availability, but call to book.
i also get to upgrade when i do that by membership in the loews program.

i wouldn't be able to get my free upgrade at the time of booking if i only did it online.


i did see some deals out of detroit.
try these sites.

i signed up with tripit and fare compare a long time ago.

the nice thing about that service is you are sent an alert 6 hours before the airline does an increase.
that way you can decide if you should book now or play the game for lower prices in the future.

that site also gives you information on when is the best time to book.
they track the flights you are interested in and let you know the cost of it since you signed up for that program.

i track 5 different flights w/different airlines.
i watch it for awhile and once i see the activity and receive an alert, then i book my flights.

i booked 2/7 this year as it predicted the fare would increase later.
paid $168 and that is with taxes for rt chi to mco.

that same ticket i bought is today going for $277 plus tax.
try tripit.com
kayak.com
bing.com
farecompare.com





St Lawrence, you need to check in with us so we know you are hanging in there.

don't make me get in my car and drive to kentucky to hunt you down......

 

[macraven]

why was part of my post about the travel sites removed from the first part of my essay.......?

i added them to a later section now.

 

[macraven]

i hope all the homies that have wednesday as trash day remembered this time.


i can imagine 2 of youse running outside to take care of that issue now...

not to name names but it was a hoot when Double D and then mad hattered did a scramble on that wednesday..............



something for all youse in the south to know.

we have a prediction of wet snow for tonight.

 

[tink1957]

St Lawrence, sorry to hear you're having a rough time, while I don't know your situation, I can relate as I've had a tough year myself. Just know that your homies are here to help anytime we can.

mac, remind me about my trash on Thursday so I can get my son to drag that big contracter bag to the curb.

Good news on the tax front, I had to pay about half of what I'd planned so all is right with our vacation, if only Universal would have soft openings of WWOHP while we're there it would be perfect.

 

[macraven]

ok.
i'll pencil in that you should not forget to take your son to the curb tomorrow.


and, that is great news you don't have to pay as much as you thought for the trip.

 

[schumigirl]

Hello,

Been in Scotland visiting my mum and rest of the family for 5 days and came home today

Although it was lovely to be back with Tom and Kyle again, I really miss my mum a lot. She is 4 hours away and I don`t see her often enough.

But back to work tomorrow

And NOBODY thought to put our garbage out last week, if I`m not there it all goes to pot!!!!

Still on the bright side 197 days to Orlando

 

[keishashadow]

i hope all the homies that have wednesday as trash day remembered this time.


i can imagine 2 of youse running outside to take care of that issue now...

not to name names but it was a hoot when Double D and then mad hattered did a scramble on that wednesday..............



something for all youse in the south to know.

we have a prediction of wet snow for tonight.

it was 90 degrees here yesterday, only 85 today; supposed to not break 40 on Friday

spring, sming...bring on summer

mj & mac - didn't know ur family worked in the minesmr's in the steel mill putting that degree to good use driving a piece of heavy equipment. So many don't get it that sometimes it's all that's available to put food on the table to best of their ability, as if they'd want to do such a dangerous job for the fun of it.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Keisha,

I noticed in your sig that you're cruising on the Destiny soon. We were on that ship a couple years ago. We took off out of Puerto Rico and hit St Thomas, Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados and Antigua. It was an awesome time. We really liked that ship alot. Hope you guys have a great time!!

 

[donaldduck352]

Keisha,

I noticed in your sig that you're cruising on the Destiny soon. We were on that ship a couple years ago. We took off out of Puerto Rico and hit St Thomas, Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados and Antigua. It was an awesome time. We really liked that ship alot. Hope you guys have a great time!!

Enlighten me if you will.The last cruise DW and I was on(it was on a carnival)about 7yrs ago.This was our 1'st cruise and did not enjoy the eating situation at all.We had designated times and seating.The people we ate with just would not shut up enough for me to enjoy a single meal.

Is this the norm?

I would love to see the Caymen islands and Cozumel again.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Enlighten me if you will.The last cruise DW and I was on(it was on a carnival)about 7yrs ago.This was our 1'st cruise and did not enjoy the eating situation at all.We had designated times and seating.The people we ate with just would not shut up enough for me to enjoy a single meal.

Is this the norm?

I would love to see the Caymen islands and Cozumel again.

We've been on 5 cruises and all have been different experiences. Some better than others. We've gone on two with another couple so the dinner situation was easy...we requested a table for four and were accomodated. Another thing we do is eat at the later dinner (8ish). That way we have plenty of time to get back from an excursion, shower, hit the bar and then head to dinner.

The opposite experience was when we were on a 9 day to Panama and Costa Rica. It was just the two of us on this trip. We won the lottery with the dining arrangements. We were honored enough to be sat at a four top with a young married couple (24ish) who were both doctors. They enjoyed talking about themselves, and their suite, and all the art they had bought at the ship's auction....and so on.

That's about the time we discovered the "dine at any time and sit where you want" buffet that they had nightly. They had some good nights. That or we'd show up a half hour late to dinner and they would be on their desserts. It's one thing to collect masks....but art? Not exactly our style.

We do tons of research ahead of time and book most excursions directly on the island instead of going thru the inflated prices on the ship. There's a time factor penalty involved with that but we have been lucky enough to never had that be a factor. Which brings me to one of the most interesting experiences ever in my life. We rented a golf cart in Costa Maya, Mexico and drove MILES and MILES down a sand road that bordered the coast. We stopped at strangers houses that were selling cervesa for $2/can. We had LOTS of those. Interestingly enough, we found that lots of those stops had put bulls that liked to surround you as you walked toward the makeshift bar in front of their house. About 2.5 hours due south and 8 miles from the Belieze border I had a premonition. Was this golf cart electric or gas? And no matter what it was....can we make it back? Talk about sweating it out.....JUST made it back to the ship!! We were going over the Mexican speedbumps (shipyard rope stretched across the "road") at top speed! Airborn we did get. Between that and those freaking lizards that stand up and run freaking me out....overall...totally awesome!!

 

[donaldduck352]

We've been on 5 cruises and all have been different experiences. Some better than others. We've gone on two with another couple so the dinner situation was easy...we requested a table for four and were accomodated. Another thing we do is eat at the later dinner (8ish). That way we have plenty of time to get back from an excursion, shower, hit the bar and then head to dinner.

The opposite experience was when we were on a 9 day to Panama and Costa Rica. It was just the two of us on this trip. We won the lottery with the dining arrangements. We were honored enough to be sat at a four top with a young married couple (24ish) who were both doctors. They enjoyed talking about themselves, and their suite, and all the art they had bought at the ship's auction....and so on.

That's about the time we discovered the "dine at any time and sit where you want" buffet that they had nightly. They had some good nights. That or we'd show up a half hour late to dinner and they would be on their desserts. It's one thing to collect masks....but art? Not exactly our style.

We do tons of research ahead of time and book most excursions directly on the island instead of going thru the inflated prices on the ship. There's a time factor penalty involved with that but we have been lucky enough to never had that be a factor. Which brings me to one of the most interesting experiences ever in my life. We rented a golf cart in Costa Maya, Mexico and drove MILES and MILES down a sand road that bordered the coast. We stopped at strangers houses that were selling cervesa for $2/can. We had LOTS of those. Interestingly enough, we found that lots of those stops had put bulls that liked to surround you as you walked toward the makeshift bar in front of their house. About 2.5 hours due south and 8 miles from the Belieze border I had a premonition. Was this golf cart electric or gas? And no matter what it was....can we make it back? Talk about sweating it out.....JUST made it back to the ship!! We were going over the Mexican speedbumps (shipyard rope stretched across the "road") at top speed! Airborn we did get. Between that and those freaking lizards that stand up and run freaking me out....overall...totally awesome!!

We are in the process to renew our passports-talking about a hassle nowadays.Thanks for some insight cuase DW wants to do another cruise as I do.Research can go along way along with phone calls.I just wish the next one we do I will enjoy,DW has no problem with talking with strangers.Me,I'm more reserved or to myself on a 5day trip at sea..

Thanks Hattered.I'm in the planning stage as of now and this helps!!

And yes I do remember them dinosour reptiles in Cozumel,nasty buggers!!!!!!!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Hi homeys. What up?

Mac, snow is just not right. I had hoped to golf nine holes tomorrow with DH for his birthday. Now I'm sure that won't happen. I can't believe I had to wear a sweater today.

It is supposed to be nice this weekend, when I will be slaving away at the ole homestead. I hope to golf a little this summer. I have to be ready for Orlando.

Every day, I think about a different intoxicating drink I will have on vacation. Today it is the Fruit of the Gods at Mythos. I won't get to keep the cup, though. DH is jealous of the one I got last October and wants one of his own.

 

[macraven]

Hi homeys. What up?

Mac, snow is just not right. I had hoped to golf nine holes tomorrow with DH for his birthday. Now I'm sure that won't happen. I can't believe I had to wear a sweater today.

It is supposed to be nice this weekend, when I will be slaving away at the ole homestead. I hope to golf a little this summer. I have to be ready for Orlando.

Every day, I think about a different intoxicating drink I will have on vacation. Today it is the Fruit of the Gods at Mythos. I won't get to keep the cup, though. DH is jealous of the one I got last October and wants one of his own.

yea, the weather suxs here right now.
you can hear the wind banging against the windows.

i'm 1.5 mile from lake michigan.
when it blows, we feel it.
not many buildings or barriers between me and the lake.......

if you ever hit the court house in wkgn, let me know.
i'll stand on the street corner for a sight of you.


i'll have a drinky poo with a little umbrella, in my hand waiting for you..

not the umbrella would be in my hand but in the drink....
that is how you would know who i am.

the weekend is going to nice .....very nice.
bring the hubby to the golf course by me and play there this weekend.

he might think that you love him if you treat him to golf......
http://www.golfnow.com/course-direc...ses/zion-golf-courses/thunderhawk-golf-course

the course opens on the 9th.

tell him HB from the homies here......!!

 

[macraven]

no snow here yet so i think we are safe for thursday........

 

[marciemi]

Hm, lucky you Mac! We've got at least a couple inches down and forecast for 2-4 more inches today. Which wouldn't matter except I'm leaving in 45 minutes to head down to Milwaukee with Matt to fly out to Colorado for his Air Force orientation. And some skiing. Yes, here's it's 32 and inches of snow and where we're heading skiing it's 50 and sunny. Makes all kinds of sense!

I'll try to post some pics later - too dark now to take the pics. And still snowing steadily. Even the roads are coveered which is amazing since it was 75 last weekend. And of course we have the snow tires off the car and I have to drive the car down that has the tires on it that they "strongly recommended" we replace due to wear. Wish us luck! I'll try to let you guys know if we actually make it to the airport. Seems like we have the worst luck with Milwaukee!

Janet - I didn't realize you were doing the Destiny so close to my guys. Royce, Matt & Matt's GF are cruising on it on June 10, but doing Western. Just made that final payment yesterday. We can post some pics for you! What day do you sail?

Everyone have a good day and hopefully the next post will be from the airport!

 

[marciemi]

Okay, the pics I promised:

Happy Spring!!??

 

[marciemi]

And no, I am not shoveling it! Janet, a pic of the countdown calendar we made for my son's GF for the cruise (her first!):

And the countdown calendar I made for Matt until he leaves for Air Force:

We're outta here!

 

[tink1957]

Good morning homies!

It's in the 60's here and it's gonna be a rainy day in GA. Weatherman is predicting thunderstorms, but I'll take that over snow any day.