Lamps
posted by taylorsherman at 12:08 AM
1 comments
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Crapck
Tuesday, February 27 2007
23:39
Today's highlights include: the two giant cracks in my windshield that appeared after a rock smacked into the left edge of it while I was driving through the Mt. Baker tunnel; another day with 10-30 minute searches for parking in the building where we work, thanks to a large conference in the hotel, no reserved spots for people that pay monthly rates, and no concept of not letting new vehicles take a ticket and enter the garage when there aren't any spaces left. Pretty whiny that was pretty much it, the rest was just a day.
Did do some thinking, well not thinking but I don't really have a verb that fits better and doesn't sound pretentious, about those burning issues mentioned Sunday. No burning the past few days, but the embers are still there – whatever it was that kicked this all off late last year. Well, I say "whatever" but I know what it is. Life is somewhat more bearable in this state, but I can't quite tell if that's better.
Getting really curious about what has become of that little origami crane.
Coughing less today.
music: New Order - Substance disc one; Fela Kuti - Zombie; Rush - Signals; played some bass along w/ The Police Message in a Box disc three.
P.S. was awakened this morning at 7:30 on the dot by a charlie horse
23:39
Today's highlights include: the two giant cracks in my windshield that appeared after a rock smacked into the left edge of it while I was driving through the Mt. Baker tunnel; another day with 10-30 minute searches for parking in the building where we work, thanks to a large conference in the hotel, no reserved spots for people that pay monthly rates, and no concept of not letting new vehicles take a ticket and enter the garage when there aren't any spaces left. Pretty whiny that was pretty much it, the rest was just a day.
Did do some thinking, well not thinking but I don't really have a verb that fits better and doesn't sound pretentious, about those burning issues mentioned Sunday. No burning the past few days, but the embers are still there – whatever it was that kicked this all off late last year. Well, I say "whatever" but I know what it is. Life is somewhat more bearable in this state, but I can't quite tell if that's better.
Getting really curious about what has become of that little origami crane.
Coughing less today.
music: New Order - Substance disc one; Fela Kuti - Zombie; Rush - Signals; played some bass along w/ The Police Message in a Box disc three.
P.S. was awakened this morning at 7:30 on the dot by a charlie horse
posted by taylorsherman at 12:07 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday
Monday, February 26 2007
25:22
Back to work today. Easy to fall into the old routines. Though, woke up around 7:30 this morning for no apparent reason, and only half-slept from then until 9. Whatever that is, it's been going on for a few weeks now. Had to stop by the PO and pick up my mail, that took a bit longer than expected so was a bit late for the meeting this morning. Other than that, a fairly slow day of remembering exactly what it is that I was doing, and planned to do. Looking at other people's pictures from the trip.
Left at 5, an hour earlier than usual, as I needed the extra warmup/review time before the show. This definitely felt like the "first" show of a new season to me, whereas the dress rehearsal felt like a continuation. Apparently, everyone else felt this last week. Overall, from my seat it seemed very mediocre, but I don't think that had much to do with the real audience experience. Feedback was generally positive. Out to the usual place afterwards, talked about the trip some.
Some sad news arrived while I was gone, my friend and fellow guitarist Jim passed away last Monday morning. The services were Thursday in Oregon. It was just ten days after I found out he had cancer; I'm not sure how long they'd known something was wrong before that. He was a kind and generous man, willing to let ten guitarists stay at his house for the night on the League tour three years ago. He's survived by his wife and five kids.
I've been coughing on and off today and yesterday. It first showed up before the trip, then kind of went away for the most part.
music: Japan - Oil on Canvas; Roxy Music - Viva!; The Minus 5 – s/t
25:22
Back to work today. Easy to fall into the old routines. Though, woke up around 7:30 this morning for no apparent reason, and only half-slept from then until 9. Whatever that is, it's been going on for a few weeks now. Had to stop by the PO and pick up my mail, that took a bit longer than expected so was a bit late for the meeting this morning. Other than that, a fairly slow day of remembering exactly what it is that I was doing, and planned to do. Looking at other people's pictures from the trip.
Left at 5, an hour earlier than usual, as I needed the extra warmup/review time before the show. This definitely felt like the "first" show of a new season to me, whereas the dress rehearsal felt like a continuation. Apparently, everyone else felt this last week. Overall, from my seat it seemed very mediocre, but I don't think that had much to do with the real audience experience. Feedback was generally positive. Out to the usual place afterwards, talked about the trip some.
Some sad news arrived while I was gone, my friend and fellow guitarist Jim passed away last Monday morning. The services were Thursday in Oregon. It was just ten days after I found out he had cancer; I'm not sure how long they'd known something was wrong before that. He was a kind and generous man, willing to let ten guitarists stay at his house for the night on the League tour three years ago. He's survived by his wife and five kids.
I've been coughing on and off today and yesterday. It first showed up before the trip, then kind of went away for the most part.
music: Japan - Oil on Canvas; Roxy Music - Viva!; The Minus 5 – s/t
posted by taylorsherman at 1:49 AM
0 comments
Monday, February 26, 2007
Ahh, well.
So, looking at someone else's photos of the karaoke contest, I see that April has a wedding ring on her finger. Ahh, wow, I can be such a fucking moron sometimes. I hadn't even looked. I can laugh about that part, but I will have a harder time getting over the fact that now I feel like a total asshole.
posted by taylorsherman at 4:38 PM
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Home
Sunday, February 25 2007
Seattle, WA
23:55 PST
Back home. Yesterday evening was consumed by sifting through / cropping / resizing pictures, typing in my journal, and doing laundry. Got to bed around midnight. Slept until almost noon. Got the rest of the journal typed up, and posted. Extensive editing between the written and published versions – names edited to initials, and quite a few sections removed entirely or just paraphrased. As will be the next paragraph.
Suffice to say that I carried some baggage into the trip, and said baggage spontaneously combusted about halfway through. I'm pretty sure no one else was hurt in the explosion. Taking stock of what's left in the wake.
Played some bass today (Rush), fiddled around on guitar some. Didn't really practice anything I'll be playing tomorrow night. . . Went over to Travis and Igor's to watch a movie, Curt and Bob came over too. Had some pizza, watched Lucky Number Slevin. It was good – funny, interesting, a little disturbing. The "happy" ending actually worked I think, the alternate (darker) one really didn't fit the plot. All the acting – Kingsley, Freeman, Hartnett, Willis, Liu, Tucci, - was a joy to watch.
Back to work tomorrow. Have to go pick up my mail too, on the way (a bit out of the way, really). And then of course the show. Into the fire.
music: Tool - Lateralus; Franz Ferdinand – s/t
Seattle, WA
23:55 PST
Back home. Yesterday evening was consumed by sifting through / cropping / resizing pictures, typing in my journal, and doing laundry. Got to bed around midnight. Slept until almost noon. Got the rest of the journal typed up, and posted. Extensive editing between the written and published versions – names edited to initials, and quite a few sections removed entirely or just paraphrased. As will be the next paragraph.
Suffice to say that I carried some baggage into the trip, and said baggage spontaneously combusted about halfway through. I'm pretty sure no one else was hurt in the explosion. Taking stock of what's left in the wake.
Played some bass today (Rush), fiddled around on guitar some. Didn't really practice anything I'll be playing tomorrow night. . . Went over to Travis and Igor's to watch a movie, Curt and Bob came over too. Had some pizza, watched Lucky Number Slevin. It was good – funny, interesting, a little disturbing. The "happy" ending actually worked I think, the alternate (darker) one really didn't fit the plot. All the acting – Kingsley, Freeman, Hartnett, Willis, Liu, Tucci, - was a joy to watch.
Back to work tomorrow. Have to go pick up my mail too, on the way (a bit out of the way, really). And then of course the show. Into the fire.
music: Tool - Lateralus; Franz Ferdinand – s/t
posted by taylorsherman at 12:24 AM
0 comments
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Saturday, February 24 2007
Saturday, February 24 2007
Grand Princess
Galveston, Texas
7:09
The ship has docked. The first of the express walk-off passengers are departing. I am doing the non-express, so they have my suitcase and theoretically I'll be disembarking around 7:45.
The social / cocktail thing was OK. Open bar, though they were pushing nasty "rum punch" at first. Had one of those, a black Russian, and a too-sweet mojito. Stood and talked for the most part. A number of passengers came by and looked to see what all the noise (talking) was about – it was at the bar outside in the back of the boat. Weather by this time was overcast-ish and not warm.
Napped after that, then packed. Went to get some tequila at the duty-free, as I'd missed my chance for that in Cozumel. All they had was Cuervo and Patron, damn, can get that in Seattle. So, didn't get any. Went to dinner. A couple things I noticed on the way there were transformed by the powers of ego and imagination as having something to do with me, the coin-toss landing on "positive" this time, so I immediately felt good for likely no real reason. That feeling lasted through dinner for the most part.
After dinner, went to the Pop Star (karaoke contest) finals. Was in the Vista Lounge this time. Quite a few from our group were there to root for the two that made it to the finals. The lineup:
1. Joe – Neil Diamond song. good, sounded a lot like him. Boring though.
2. ? from Kansas – sang Bobby McGee, decent singer, but not really too exciting.
3. April – Ice Ice Baby this time, complete w/ a costume (sweats and a tank top, shades). Threw in some freestyle at the end. Before she went up, M tapped me on the shoulder and said, "It's your girlfriend!". She was pretty good, though it wasn't as fun as her first one. Think she was self-conscious this time.
4. Jen – "Just Get Here". VERY nervous. But she did really well considering, you could see the nervousness on her face, but couldn't hear it in her voice. The backstage-cam hostess got her confused with Dana, it was pretty funny.
5. Dana – some country song. Had on heels, jeans, and a cowboy had. She can sing. Apparently sang backup for Streisand once. Had the stage presence and all that. Too good for an amateur competition, really!
6. ? from Boston – sang "O! Pretty Woman" again. Pretty well, sounded like Roy. So-so stage presence though.
Voting time. The four/five of us decided on Dana (I would have voted for April but there was no way I could convince the group to vote for her). While the votes were counted, they showed some crew karaoke candids / bloopers on the screen. Was actually funny. The audience had been so-so this time, it was not as easy to really cheer for people. Anyway, April won. She was surprised. Think our group split the votes between Jen and Dana. I expected Dana to win. Though, on the backstage cam, she said (about Streisand), "She's not the bitch everyone thinks she is!" which was apparently pretty shocking in this family-type crowd. April got to do an encore, so it was Bust a Move this time. Even more self-conscious this time.
After that, hung out a bit w/ folks, talked to Jen, who was still red-faced and flustered. Then I came up to my room and debated what to do next.
Decided to go up to the nightclub. Got and 1800 + G&T. Was finishing the latter when I saw April and her two friends walk in and go to the bar. Anyway, as I saw them leave the bar, went there and got another shot and G&T. When I came back, she was sitting at the barstools behind the dance floor. As I approached, she turned and gave a very cheerful "Hi Taylor!". Talked a little, congratulated her, etc. She didn't think she would win, "no singing talent". I said if she didn't have talent, she wouldn't have won. Sat for a bit, awkwardly. Noticed her drink was empty – "What are you drinking?" "Nothing! ha!" as she held up the glass. "Can I buy you another one?". Said she was waiting for her friend to come back (curly brunette one), if she didn't they were going to leave. If she came back and they were going to stay, I could buy her another. Saw her friend come up the walkway, she came up and the 3 talked for a bit. Last call for room-charges was announced, it was 12:30 maybe? April turned and asked, "What are you drinking?" "Gin and tonic". "Hey, that's what she's drinking!" (points to curly-haired friend). "This is a vodka tonic" "Would you like another one?" She smiled and nodded. Went to the bar and got one of each, brought them back. A bit later, a song came on (heard it before, but don't know what it is), she said, "we like this one" and they got up to dance. I watched for a bit, then went out myself. Noticed L and a friend were out there too.
Danced for a while. The music was OK to good. Had a lot of fun dancing. Haven't danced much in the past few years. The 3 of them went down to the bar. I sat out for a few songs, went out and danced some more. Floor mostly empty, people I knew were all gone. Was about 1:45 by this time. April and her friend (straight-haired brunette; they had a picture taken together on the first formal night, it was up in the gallery) were at the bar talking to a short-haired blonde woman. Hmm. Getting the feeling that I'm not her type. Anyway, figured that was that, so came back to my room. Still very drunk. Flopped face down on the bed, for 20 minutes or so. Went to bed. Woke up what seemed like immediately afterwards – alarm clock said 5:52. Got up with the alarm at 6:00. Got breakfast, came back, finished packing, wrote this.
It's 8:05 now. They've just finished calling for express walk-off passengers, so it shouldn't be too much longer.
14:37 CST
ATA flight 6042
Just NW of Dallas, Texas
Long, long disembarkation / bus process. They called our disembark code (purple) at 8:15. Went down to deck 5 and lined up. At which point we didn't move until 9:30. A back-up in customs apparently. Stood around, trying not to fall asleep. No hangover, but very tired. Plaza area was filled w/ folks from our group. (the drink cart is here now, more later . . . ok, just got a ginger ale, which sloshed on my pants as I took it from the stewardess) Finally got off the boat, then stood in line for 5 minutes in the terminal. Got our bags, stood in line for customs. My line went fast – no questions, just straight through. Others not so lucky – they're training new agents apparently.
Moved my toiletries from the backpack to the suitcase, then got on the bus. Four buses for the charter, there was some chaos w/ seating, families trying to sit together etc and the bus people not being any good at all at dealing with such things. Completely full bus, smelled like ammonia, tiny seats. Boring drive to the airport. The buses stacked up near the plane, then sat for 30 minutes. TSA wanted to spot-check all passengers. So they had to set up some tables outside (it was windy and raining off and on), then each busload went through two lines, having their luggage hand-searched and their persons checked w/ the wands. Gave up my bottle of water. That took I don't know how long, seemed like forever.
On the plane – picked a seat at random, then realized people were going back to their same seats from the flight down. So, back to 40D. Oh – the sign outside the airport had said "Threat level Orange, expect delays" or something like that. Don't know what that was all about. Anyway, bumpy first few minutes. Rain and wind in Houston. Dust storm at Dallas – got some good pictures of that from above.
15:37 PST
Beginning to descend into Seattle. Overcast and cold there, of course. Hope my ride doesn't have to wait around since 3, but I don't know if he'll be able to find out about the status anywhere. By the time I knew we'd be late, the cabin door was shut.
Still not quite sunk in that the vacation is over. Wonder how / what will be different on Monday.
Grand Princess
Galveston, Texas
7:09
The ship has docked. The first of the express walk-off passengers are departing. I am doing the non-express, so they have my suitcase and theoretically I'll be disembarking around 7:45.
The social / cocktail thing was OK. Open bar, though they were pushing nasty "rum punch" at first. Had one of those, a black Russian, and a too-sweet mojito. Stood and talked for the most part. A number of passengers came by and looked to see what all the noise (talking) was about – it was at the bar outside in the back of the boat. Weather by this time was overcast-ish and not warm.
Napped after that, then packed. Went to get some tequila at the duty-free, as I'd missed my chance for that in Cozumel. All they had was Cuervo and Patron, damn, can get that in Seattle. So, didn't get any. Went to dinner. A couple things I noticed on the way there were transformed by the powers of ego and imagination as having something to do with me, the coin-toss landing on "positive" this time, so I immediately felt good for likely no real reason. That feeling lasted through dinner for the most part.
After dinner, went to the Pop Star (karaoke contest) finals. Was in the Vista Lounge this time. Quite a few from our group were there to root for the two that made it to the finals. The lineup:
1. Joe – Neil Diamond song. good, sounded a lot like him. Boring though.
2. ? from Kansas – sang Bobby McGee, decent singer, but not really too exciting.
3. April – Ice Ice Baby this time, complete w/ a costume (sweats and a tank top, shades). Threw in some freestyle at the end. Before she went up, M tapped me on the shoulder and said, "It's your girlfriend!". She was pretty good, though it wasn't as fun as her first one. Think she was self-conscious this time.
4. Jen – "Just Get Here". VERY nervous. But she did really well considering, you could see the nervousness on her face, but couldn't hear it in her voice. The backstage-cam hostess got her confused with Dana, it was pretty funny.
5. Dana – some country song. Had on heels, jeans, and a cowboy had. She can sing. Apparently sang backup for Streisand once. Had the stage presence and all that. Too good for an amateur competition, really!
6. ? from Boston – sang "O! Pretty Woman" again. Pretty well, sounded like Roy. So-so stage presence though.
Voting time. The four/five of us decided on Dana (I would have voted for April but there was no way I could convince the group to vote for her). While the votes were counted, they showed some crew karaoke candids / bloopers on the screen. Was actually funny. The audience had been so-so this time, it was not as easy to really cheer for people. Anyway, April won. She was surprised. Think our group split the votes between Jen and Dana. I expected Dana to win. Though, on the backstage cam, she said (about Streisand), "She's not the bitch everyone thinks she is!" which was apparently pretty shocking in this family-type crowd. April got to do an encore, so it was Bust a Move this time. Even more self-conscious this time.
After that, hung out a bit w/ folks, talked to Jen, who was still red-faced and flustered. Then I came up to my room and debated what to do next.
Decided to go up to the nightclub. Got and 1800 + G&T. Was finishing the latter when I saw April and her two friends walk in and go to the bar. Anyway, as I saw them leave the bar, went there and got another shot and G&T. When I came back, she was sitting at the barstools behind the dance floor. As I approached, she turned and gave a very cheerful "Hi Taylor!". Talked a little, congratulated her, etc. She didn't think she would win, "no singing talent". I said if she didn't have talent, she wouldn't have won. Sat for a bit, awkwardly. Noticed her drink was empty – "What are you drinking?" "Nothing! ha!" as she held up the glass. "Can I buy you another one?". Said she was waiting for her friend to come back (curly brunette one), if she didn't they were going to leave. If she came back and they were going to stay, I could buy her another. Saw her friend come up the walkway, she came up and the 3 talked for a bit. Last call for room-charges was announced, it was 12:30 maybe? April turned and asked, "What are you drinking?" "Gin and tonic". "Hey, that's what she's drinking!" (points to curly-haired friend). "This is a vodka tonic" "Would you like another one?" She smiled and nodded. Went to the bar and got one of each, brought them back. A bit later, a song came on (heard it before, but don't know what it is), she said, "we like this one" and they got up to dance. I watched for a bit, then went out myself. Noticed L and a friend were out there too.
Danced for a while. The music was OK to good. Had a lot of fun dancing. Haven't danced much in the past few years. The 3 of them went down to the bar. I sat out for a few songs, went out and danced some more. Floor mostly empty, people I knew were all gone. Was about 1:45 by this time. April and her friend (straight-haired brunette; they had a picture taken together on the first formal night, it was up in the gallery) were at the bar talking to a short-haired blonde woman. Hmm. Getting the feeling that I'm not her type. Anyway, figured that was that, so came back to my room. Still very drunk. Flopped face down on the bed, for 20 minutes or so. Went to bed. Woke up what seemed like immediately afterwards – alarm clock said 5:52. Got up with the alarm at 6:00. Got breakfast, came back, finished packing, wrote this.
It's 8:05 now. They've just finished calling for express walk-off passengers, so it shouldn't be too much longer.
14:37 CST
ATA flight 6042
Just NW of Dallas, Texas
Long, long disembarkation / bus process. They called our disembark code (purple) at 8:15. Went down to deck 5 and lined up. At which point we didn't move until 9:30. A back-up in customs apparently. Stood around, trying not to fall asleep. No hangover, but very tired. Plaza area was filled w/ folks from our group. (the drink cart is here now, more later . . . ok, just got a ginger ale, which sloshed on my pants as I took it from the stewardess) Finally got off the boat, then stood in line for 5 minutes in the terminal. Got our bags, stood in line for customs. My line went fast – no questions, just straight through. Others not so lucky – they're training new agents apparently.
Moved my toiletries from the backpack to the suitcase, then got on the bus. Four buses for the charter, there was some chaos w/ seating, families trying to sit together etc and the bus people not being any good at all at dealing with such things. Completely full bus, smelled like ammonia, tiny seats. Boring drive to the airport. The buses stacked up near the plane, then sat for 30 minutes. TSA wanted to spot-check all passengers. So they had to set up some tables outside (it was windy and raining off and on), then each busload went through two lines, having their luggage hand-searched and their persons checked w/ the wands. Gave up my bottle of water. That took I don't know how long, seemed like forever.
On the plane – picked a seat at random, then realized people were going back to their same seats from the flight down. So, back to 40D. Oh – the sign outside the airport had said "Threat level Orange, expect delays" or something like that. Don't know what that was all about. Anyway, bumpy first few minutes. Rain and wind in Houston. Dust storm at Dallas – got some good pictures of that from above.
15:37 PST
Beginning to descend into Seattle. Overcast and cold there, of course. Hope my ride doesn't have to wait around since 3, but I don't know if he'll be able to find out about the status anywhere. By the time I knew we'd be late, the cabin door was shut.
Still not quite sunk in that the vacation is over. Wonder how / what will be different on Monday.
posted by taylorsherman at 1:41 PM
0 comments
Friday, February 23 2007
Friday, February 23 2007
Grand Princess
Gulf of Mexico
11:37
Lots to fill in here. Yesterday: never go the snorkeling tickets. So, at 12:30, I disembarked to go into town. Walked by the catamaran – D and family called out. I said "I must have signed up too late, never got the ticket!". Some people on the ship yelled back "We have an extra! come on! use it!". My mental momentum had me turning them down without really considering it. Walked through the security gate. Stopped. Turned around, went back. I had my swim trunks in the backpack, after all. So I accepted. Was mostly sunny, hot. Sat up on deck w/ D and family. The tour guide gave us an overview / rules / gear talk. We would be wearing inflatable vests. Adjustable. Nice view of town, the ships, then the scraggly trees along the coast.
The snorkeling was good, better than Costa Maya. The reef is mostly gone, from hurricane Wilma. Some fish. Very clear water. Could hear the parrot fish chomping on coral, 10-20 feet down. After that, complimentary drinks and we went to a beach for an hour. Nothing special – sandy, some smooth coral under the sand. D and the kids played volleyball w/ some of the people that gave me the ticket. D spiked the ball into a girl's face. Not too bad, shocked her a bit but then it was just funny.
Then another ride/sail (they put the sail up but used the motor, wondered how much the sail contributed), back to the pier. Parted with the B's, took a shower, changed. D called, said they'd be playing a game upstairs, invited me. OK. Went up to the table, then went to get some food – and realized I'd left my wallet and cardkey in the room. So, detour to the purser's desk. I just gave them my room number, and they made a new key right there. Must have had my picture on the computer. Went back up, got a slice of pizza. Played Fluxx with D, D, J, and K. Weird game. Generally fun, but very random. Played until 7:45.
Came back and changed, went to dinner. The B's were at Sabbatini's, so it was just me and the R's at the table. OK dinner: asparagus, French onion soup (bland), OK salad, pesto linguini (also bland). "Espresso Mocha Souffle" for dessert – couldn't taste any coffee at all, but it was good. K and her to kids showed up after their dinner. The wait staff sang Happy Birthday for A, and a few other people at other tables too. R stopped by too, talked to her for a bit about our days. Lots of people went to the beach party – a very crowded beach apparently. Story was that it was OK, just a day at the beach. Glad I went snorkeling.
After our table split up, went over to another table and chatted for a bit. While waiting to get into the dining room, DaveK came over and said they'd have Guitar Hero set up to project underneath the sky-way in the back of the ship. So, I went there after that. Not many people turned up, about 10. It was pretty sweet – the projector was hung over the railing, shining up onto the underside of the walkway, 20 or so feet up. We all sat on reclining deck chairs. I'm actually getting OK at this game, this being the third time I've ever played it. Bass parts work better for me. Got through YYZ on medium, but not hard. A few other songs on hard. A few teens / tweens were hanging around and watching, got the feeling they wanted to play. Wrapped up the GH around 12:45.
Came back to my room for a bit, then went up to the club, intent on getting drunk and dancing. It was "Ladies Night Out" for the group up there as of 11:00, I figured they'd had a good couple hours already so I wasn't really crashing. Got there at 1:00. Noticed the Bust a Move chick dancing, and what appeared to be her friend pointing me out as I came up the walkway. Hmm! Took a look at the dance floor, there were still a pretty good number of girls from our group there. Went back to the bar. At the bar, ML bumped me from my seat: "I've already got something going on here", as she picked up some drinks. "What are you drinking?" I said tequila, ordered a shot of 1800. She paid for it, and stepped away before I quite realized that.
At this point, Bust a Move chick sat next to me. "ooooh! that looks good!" she said, pointing at the tequila. Seemed a bit sauced. Introduced myself (her name is April) and said I thought her song was the best thing ever. Chatted for a bit, she was really cheerful but it was a bit awkward.
She left w/ a "you have to come root for me tomorrow night!". Left me feeling pretty up / bemused. Ordered another tequila and a gin and tonic. Drank the shot, went up to the back. The dance floor had emptied considerably. B was hanging out up there, said hi. He tweaked his leg playing volleyball at the party. The music wasn't really what I wanted to dance to. Drank the gin and tonic. April was dancing with some other girls over at the other end of the floor. Went down to the bar, got another shot and another gin and tonic. Was just starting to feel the alcohol. Sat and waited for a good song, or to feel drunk enough not to care. April left. Last call was just before 2. They played "Don't Stop Believing", which got all the young east-coasters near me on the the floor. Then the music stopped. At this point the alcohol really started to take effect. K asked if I was having fun, I said "The music stopped!". "I know, they suck!". Stayed for a few minutes, entertained by K, D and a few others still there being generally drunk. Left. Walking not so straight. Got to my room, felt very drunk, too much so to go to bed. Went up to the deck and crashed on a lounge chair. Maybe fell asleep – was awakened at 3:00 by a crew member – "Sorry sir, I need to wash this area" Had a hose in his hand. Glad he asked first. Came back downstairs and went to bed at 3:15.
Today: Sunlight woke me up at 7:30. Didn't feel hung over, yay! Up at 9. Shower, Grabbed a banana and OJ, coffee, went to the poker tournament mk. II. 25-ish people this time. Got knocked out early (2nd), by DE. Went all-in with AQ off suit, and two Jacks in the flop. D had two tens, and I got no help in the next two cards so that was it. Took some pictures and watched for a bit, then left. It was raining outside. Still overcast. Nice temperature though. Back to my room to diarize (it's now 12:41).
Gabe's party / ice cream social is from 3-5. Then the last dinner and evening of the cruise.
Grand Princess
Gulf of Mexico
11:37
Lots to fill in here. Yesterday: never go the snorkeling tickets. So, at 12:30, I disembarked to go into town. Walked by the catamaran – D and family called out. I said "I must have signed up too late, never got the ticket!". Some people on the ship yelled back "We have an extra! come on! use it!". My mental momentum had me turning them down without really considering it. Walked through the security gate. Stopped. Turned around, went back. I had my swim trunks in the backpack, after all. So I accepted. Was mostly sunny, hot. Sat up on deck w/ D and family. The tour guide gave us an overview / rules / gear talk. We would be wearing inflatable vests. Adjustable. Nice view of town, the ships, then the scraggly trees along the coast.
The snorkeling was good, better than Costa Maya. The reef is mostly gone, from hurricane Wilma. Some fish. Very clear water. Could hear the parrot fish chomping on coral, 10-20 feet down. After that, complimentary drinks and we went to a beach for an hour. Nothing special – sandy, some smooth coral under the sand. D and the kids played volleyball w/ some of the people that gave me the ticket. D spiked the ball into a girl's face. Not too bad, shocked her a bit but then it was just funny.
Then another ride/sail (they put the sail up but used the motor, wondered how much the sail contributed), back to the pier. Parted with the B's, took a shower, changed. D called, said they'd be playing a game upstairs, invited me. OK. Went up to the table, then went to get some food – and realized I'd left my wallet and cardkey in the room. So, detour to the purser's desk. I just gave them my room number, and they made a new key right there. Must have had my picture on the computer. Went back up, got a slice of pizza. Played Fluxx with D, D, J, and K. Weird game. Generally fun, but very random. Played until 7:45.
Came back and changed, went to dinner. The B's were at Sabbatini's, so it was just me and the R's at the table. OK dinner: asparagus, French onion soup (bland), OK salad, pesto linguini (also bland). "Espresso Mocha Souffle" for dessert – couldn't taste any coffee at all, but it was good. K and her to kids showed up after their dinner. The wait staff sang Happy Birthday for A, and a few other people at other tables too. R stopped by too, talked to her for a bit about our days. Lots of people went to the beach party – a very crowded beach apparently. Story was that it was OK, just a day at the beach. Glad I went snorkeling.
After our table split up, went over to another table and chatted for a bit. While waiting to get into the dining room, DaveK came over and said they'd have Guitar Hero set up to project underneath the sky-way in the back of the ship. So, I went there after that. Not many people turned up, about 10. It was pretty sweet – the projector was hung over the railing, shining up onto the underside of the walkway, 20 or so feet up. We all sat on reclining deck chairs. I'm actually getting OK at this game, this being the third time I've ever played it. Bass parts work better for me. Got through YYZ on medium, but not hard. A few other songs on hard. A few teens / tweens were hanging around and watching, got the feeling they wanted to play. Wrapped up the GH around 12:45.
Came back to my room for a bit, then went up to the club, intent on getting drunk and dancing. It was "Ladies Night Out" for the group up there as of 11:00, I figured they'd had a good couple hours already so I wasn't really crashing. Got there at 1:00. Noticed the Bust a Move chick dancing, and what appeared to be her friend pointing me out as I came up the walkway. Hmm! Took a look at the dance floor, there were still a pretty good number of girls from our group there. Went back to the bar. At the bar, ML bumped me from my seat: "I've already got something going on here", as she picked up some drinks. "What are you drinking?" I said tequila, ordered a shot of 1800. She paid for it, and stepped away before I quite realized that.
At this point, Bust a Move chick sat next to me. "ooooh! that looks good!" she said, pointing at the tequila. Seemed a bit sauced. Introduced myself (her name is April) and said I thought her song was the best thing ever. Chatted for a bit, she was really cheerful but it was a bit awkward.
She left w/ a "you have to come root for me tomorrow night!". Left me feeling pretty up / bemused. Ordered another tequila and a gin and tonic. Drank the shot, went up to the back. The dance floor had emptied considerably. B was hanging out up there, said hi. He tweaked his leg playing volleyball at the party. The music wasn't really what I wanted to dance to. Drank the gin and tonic. April was dancing with some other girls over at the other end of the floor. Went down to the bar, got another shot and another gin and tonic. Was just starting to feel the alcohol. Sat and waited for a good song, or to feel drunk enough not to care. April left. Last call was just before 2. They played "Don't Stop Believing", which got all the young east-coasters near me on the the floor. Then the music stopped. At this point the alcohol really started to take effect. K asked if I was having fun, I said "The music stopped!". "I know, they suck!". Stayed for a few minutes, entertained by K, D and a few others still there being generally drunk. Left. Walking not so straight. Got to my room, felt very drunk, too much so to go to bed. Went up to the deck and crashed on a lounge chair. Maybe fell asleep – was awakened at 3:00 by a crew member – "Sorry sir, I need to wash this area" Had a hose in his hand. Glad he asked first. Came back downstairs and went to bed at 3:15.
Today: Sunlight woke me up at 7:30. Didn't feel hung over, yay! Up at 9. Shower, Grabbed a banana and OJ, coffee, went to the poker tournament mk. II. 25-ish people this time. Got knocked out early (2nd), by DE. Went all-in with AQ off suit, and two Jacks in the flop. D had two tens, and I got no help in the next two cards so that was it. Took some pictures and watched for a bit, then left. It was raining outside. Still overcast. Nice temperature though. Back to my room to diarize (it's now 12:41).
Gabe's party / ice cream social is from 3-5. Then the last dinner and evening of the cruise.
posted by taylorsherman at 12:55 PM
0 comments
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Thursday, February 22 2007
Thursday, February 22 2007
Grand Princess
Cozumel, Mexico
11:07
Sunny, hot and humid out. Got up at 9:30. M+R doing their own thing today. Got some breakfast. Signed up for the 1 PM sail / snorkel trip. Maybe. The desk was closed, so I put the form in the drop box. But I'm not sure they're going to check the box in time. The desk isn't open again until 5.
The view out my stateroom is of the Carnival Fantasy. I can see some of the town over the top of that. The starboard view has the mainland just visible, 10-ish miles away.
They were working on the carpeting in the hall outside again. It stinks.
If the snorkeling thing doesn't happen, may just go do some shopping. Want to get some tequila and other gifts.
Grand Princess
Cozumel, Mexico
11:07
Sunny, hot and humid out. Got up at 9:30. M+R doing their own thing today. Got some breakfast. Signed up for the 1 PM sail / snorkel trip. Maybe. The desk was closed, so I put the form in the drop box. But I'm not sure they're going to check the box in time. The desk isn't open again until 5.
The view out my stateroom is of the Carnival Fantasy. I can see some of the town over the top of that. The starboard view has the mainland just visible, 10-ish miles away.
They were working on the carpeting in the hall outside again. It stinks.
If the snorkeling thing doesn't happen, may just go do some shopping. Want to get some tequila and other gifts.
posted by taylorsherman at 11:38 PM
0 comments
Wednesday, February 21 2007
Wednesday, February 21 2007
Grand Princess
Belize City, Belize
9:31
Last night was pain. Unbearable. Spent about two hours in a personal hell of my own making.
Tonight is a formal night.
17:34
Went in to town, w/ the same group today. Got breakfast first at the buffet at 9:30, then caught a 10:30 tender. Smallish boat, covered, fast. The main strip along the piers is somewhat touristy, but not as bad as Costa Maya. Looked in a few shops, then booked a city / ruins tour. Left around 11:30. Just the 5 of us in a minivan. Interesting town. English is the primary language, then pidgin English, then Spanish. Most houses are on stilts. Our guide gave us some facts about the country. 270k people, mixed population: Africans, Mestitzo, Menenites, Lebanese, Chinese.
Half the drive (distance-wise) was on a broken, one-land road where we had to slow almost to a stop every minute due to potholes or traffic. Finally got to the place at 1. Hot and humid. The temples were mostly re-created. There are a couple original mounds still there, overgrown. Two plazas, and one very tall temple (sun god). Had steps on the side to go up. View is just at / over the jungle canopy – trees in all directions. Many shades of green. Took a short walk in the forest. Our guide (Dale Watters) opened up a Kahona? nut and we tried some. Tasted like nothing, looked / felt like coconut (almond-sized though). Looked at the shops there. some very nice ziricote carvings. Wanted to get a shark ro dolphin, but a) not enough cash, and b) it would break on the trip home. Tried a sip of cashew wine – sweet, like a Tokay but w/ a funny, mild aftertaste. Dull drive back, seen it already. We would be pushing the last tender boarding time. Started to worry. Get there at 4, booked to the dock and had no problem on the 4:30 (they had several boats ready).
Straight to the buffet after that, we were all starving. None of us could tell if the guide was sincere or not as he laughed almost the whole way (R was up front and said a lot of silly things, eg, "The Mayans turned into sneaky tree people and abandoned their cities").
I came back to my room, put some lotion on sunburned bits (arms, face, neck, feet) Showered. Have some postcards to write now. The ship is moving, I think the anchor came up around 5:15, then it was moving at 5:30.
The sun just set. If I leave my balcony door open for 10 minutes, the air inside will become cigarette smoke infested. It really pisses me off.
24:30
Formal dinner night. While waiting to get into the dining room, found myself staring at someone several times. Was content to keep doing it. Dinner was good. Beef Wellington. Tried the lobster – eh. Was really warm in the suit. Awkward afterwards as usual. Stood up for a bit. Hung around with a few people in the elevator / stairway area for a bit, all being indecisive about what to do. Looked at pictures in the photo gallery. Bad one of me from dinner, OK one from the boarding.
Sat down for the karaoke Heat 3 w/ J+M. Also Q and his wife. My chair was defective, and so was the replacement. J signed up to sing. A bunch of OK / lame stuff, then MD sang The Love Boat fairly well. Also a good "O! Pretty Woman". J sang "Copacabana". Off-tune but with enthusiasm. Ran around the club, acted doofy, stood on a table. Good stuff. Jay and Chris (MC Chris – though they were called up as "Joy" and "MC Crisp") did Rapper's Delight. Jay almost had it, Chris no so much. Finally, Jen sang a love song, very well. The winners: the Orbison guy, and Jen.
The woman that did Bust a Move was sitting in front of us w/ 2 girlfriends. They seemed to be evaluating the competition more than having fun. Damn, she's cute. Actually tempted to hit on her. More than a little out of character for me. Can't help feeling like I've met her before, looks really familiar.
There is a group beach party tomorrow at 9:30 AM to 3 PM. Not going. Rather would go see the island or snorkeling. Don't want to get stuck on the beach all day w/ a few other random folks.
Grand Princess
Belize City, Belize
9:31
Last night was pain. Unbearable. Spent about two hours in a personal hell of my own making.
Tonight is a formal night.
17:34
Went in to town, w/ the same group today. Got breakfast first at the buffet at 9:30, then caught a 10:30 tender. Smallish boat, covered, fast. The main strip along the piers is somewhat touristy, but not as bad as Costa Maya. Looked in a few shops, then booked a city / ruins tour. Left around 11:30. Just the 5 of us in a minivan. Interesting town. English is the primary language, then pidgin English, then Spanish. Most houses are on stilts. Our guide gave us some facts about the country. 270k people, mixed population: Africans, Mestitzo, Menenites, Lebanese, Chinese.
Half the drive (distance-wise) was on a broken, one-land road where we had to slow almost to a stop every minute due to potholes or traffic. Finally got to the place at 1. Hot and humid. The temples were mostly re-created. There are a couple original mounds still there, overgrown. Two plazas, and one very tall temple (sun god). Had steps on the side to go up. View is just at / over the jungle canopy – trees in all directions. Many shades of green. Took a short walk in the forest. Our guide (Dale Watters) opened up a Kahona? nut and we tried some. Tasted like nothing, looked / felt like coconut (almond-sized though). Looked at the shops there. some very nice ziricote carvings. Wanted to get a shark ro dolphin, but a) not enough cash, and b) it would break on the trip home. Tried a sip of cashew wine – sweet, like a Tokay but w/ a funny, mild aftertaste. Dull drive back, seen it already. We would be pushing the last tender boarding time. Started to worry. Get there at 4, booked to the dock and had no problem on the 4:30 (they had several boats ready).
Straight to the buffet after that, we were all starving. None of us could tell if the guide was sincere or not as he laughed almost the whole way (R was up front and said a lot of silly things, eg, "The Mayans turned into sneaky tree people and abandoned their cities").
I came back to my room, put some lotion on sunburned bits (arms, face, neck, feet) Showered. Have some postcards to write now. The ship is moving, I think the anchor came up around 5:15, then it was moving at 5:30.
The sun just set. If I leave my balcony door open for 10 minutes, the air inside will become cigarette smoke infested. It really pisses me off.
24:30
Formal dinner night. While waiting to get into the dining room, found myself staring at someone several times. Was content to keep doing it. Dinner was good. Beef Wellington. Tried the lobster – eh. Was really warm in the suit. Awkward afterwards as usual. Stood up for a bit. Hung around with a few people in the elevator / stairway area for a bit, all being indecisive about what to do. Looked at pictures in the photo gallery. Bad one of me from dinner, OK one from the boarding.
Sat down for the karaoke Heat 3 w/ J+M. Also Q and his wife. My chair was defective, and so was the replacement. J signed up to sing. A bunch of OK / lame stuff, then MD sang The Love Boat fairly well. Also a good "O! Pretty Woman". J sang "Copacabana". Off-tune but with enthusiasm. Ran around the club, acted doofy, stood on a table. Good stuff. Jay and Chris (MC Chris – though they were called up as "Joy" and "MC Crisp") did Rapper's Delight. Jay almost had it, Chris no so much. Finally, Jen sang a love song, very well. The winners: the Orbison guy, and Jen.
The woman that did Bust a Move was sitting in front of us w/ 2 girlfriends. They seemed to be evaluating the competition more than having fun. Damn, she's cute. Actually tempted to hit on her. More than a little out of character for me. Can't help feeling like I've met her before, looks really familiar.
There is a group beach party tomorrow at 9:30 AM to 3 PM. Not going. Rather would go see the island or snorkeling. Don't want to get stuck on the beach all day w/ a few other random folks.
posted by taylorsherman at 11:26 PM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 20 2007
Tuesday, February 20 2007
Grand Princess
Coxen Hole, island of Roatan, Belize
9:52
Arrived here around 8:00. Half-slept from 7 until 9:15. Some interesting dreams this morning. Roatan is hillier than Costa Maya (which is dead flat). Reef seems to surround the coast, though the ship was able to dock at the pier. The sounds of birds, honking horns, and marimba music filled my stateroom this morning (and still do).
16:06
Now that was good. Met up with the same folks from yesterday's excursion again. Disembarked around 12. Got a bit of the runaround from a guy in town – we asked about renting scooters, they all pointed to him. He led us to his place down the street, where it was slowly revealed that a) he's the only guy in town with scooters, b) he has no scooters to rent, and c) why rent scooters for $40/each when you can take a van tour for $15/each? We extricated ourselves from that situation, it took a few minutes, then found the real scooter-rental guy. $40/per scooter. We got three. The town is a bit crazy, but not so sad like Mahahual or fake like the Costa Maya shops area. Most of the locals here are of African descent. Apparently the Spanish took away all the indigenous people.
The scooters were great. We went up and over the middle of the island – pretty high, maybe 500 feet? Beautiful views. not too scary roads, though a little bit. Took about 30 minutes to get to West End. Missed the beach, ended up in a new housing development. Went back a bit and asked for directions – go down this alley here (from some Americans that appeared to own a wine shop). Signs all in English. Town folks all spoke decent English. Actually, road signs are in Spanish, but private signs in English.
The beach was very nice. Long, sandy. Warm water. Some palm trees for shade. Stayed there from 1:30 to 3ish. Not much reef or fish, but a nice relaxing swim. Took a "wrong" turn on the way back, not as hilly / scenic but we got to go through more of Coxen Hole, and along the water. The "deposit" on the scooters was my ship card, so I was a bit nervous about getting back in time. Back on the ship at 3:30. Changed, went up to the buffet. Ran into M+R there again. Now, writing this from the balcony. The last passengers are straggling through the gate.
Back to the scooters – easy to drive. At around 40Kph it feels really fast. Got up to 60 once or twice, but mostly around 40. Windy roads, didn't quite get the feel for cornering, had some wide exits. Probably ate a few bugs. Didn't get too burned, face and left arm got it a bit, stripes on my feet.
16:59
And we're underway. L and her kids were the last ones through the gate, about 10 minutes ago. Lots of cheering from the balconies. One "Idiot!" shouted. Holy crap. Lighten up. Probably the same guy that's smoking a cigar right now and stinking the whole place up (he's down and aft about 6 rooms from me).
19:27
The moon is out. It was a faint crescent overhead at the beach. Now, it is bright, and staring at Venus (or maybe that's Jupiter), slowly sinking into the horizon. There is some glow from it on the sea.
Sat and talked w/ some folks up by the ice cream place. Had a pina colada. Back here for a quick shower etc. Too bad the moon will set during dinner. Beautiful.
Grand Princess
Coxen Hole, island of Roatan, Belize
9:52
Arrived here around 8:00. Half-slept from 7 until 9:15. Some interesting dreams this morning. Roatan is hillier than Costa Maya (which is dead flat). Reef seems to surround the coast, though the ship was able to dock at the pier. The sounds of birds, honking horns, and marimba music filled my stateroom this morning (and still do).
16:06
Now that was good. Met up with the same folks from yesterday's excursion again. Disembarked around 12. Got a bit of the runaround from a guy in town – we asked about renting scooters, they all pointed to him. He led us to his place down the street, where it was slowly revealed that a) he's the only guy in town with scooters, b) he has no scooters to rent, and c) why rent scooters for $40/each when you can take a van tour for $15/each? We extricated ourselves from that situation, it took a few minutes, then found the real scooter-rental guy. $40/per scooter. We got three. The town is a bit crazy, but not so sad like Mahahual or fake like the Costa Maya shops area. Most of the locals here are of African descent. Apparently the Spanish took away all the indigenous people.
The scooters were great. We went up and over the middle of the island – pretty high, maybe 500 feet? Beautiful views. not too scary roads, though a little bit. Took about 30 minutes to get to West End. Missed the beach, ended up in a new housing development. Went back a bit and asked for directions – go down this alley here (from some Americans that appeared to own a wine shop). Signs all in English. Town folks all spoke decent English. Actually, road signs are in Spanish, but private signs in English.
The beach was very nice. Long, sandy. Warm water. Some palm trees for shade. Stayed there from 1:30 to 3ish. Not much reef or fish, but a nice relaxing swim. Took a "wrong" turn on the way back, not as hilly / scenic but we got to go through more of Coxen Hole, and along the water. The "deposit" on the scooters was my ship card, so I was a bit nervous about getting back in time. Back on the ship at 3:30. Changed, went up to the buffet. Ran into M+R there again. Now, writing this from the balcony. The last passengers are straggling through the gate.
Back to the scooters – easy to drive. At around 40Kph it feels really fast. Got up to 60 once or twice, but mostly around 40. Windy roads, didn't quite get the feel for cornering, had some wide exits. Probably ate a few bugs. Didn't get too burned, face and left arm got it a bit, stripes on my feet.
16:59
And we're underway. L and her kids were the last ones through the gate, about 10 minutes ago. Lots of cheering from the balconies. One "Idiot!" shouted. Holy crap. Lighten up. Probably the same guy that's smoking a cigar right now and stinking the whole place up (he's down and aft about 6 rooms from me).
19:27
The moon is out. It was a faint crescent overhead at the beach. Now, it is bright, and staring at Venus (or maybe that's Jupiter), slowly sinking into the horizon. There is some glow from it on the sea.
Sat and talked w/ some folks up by the ice cream place. Had a pina colada. Back here for a quick shower etc. Too bad the moon will set during dinner. Beautiful.
posted by taylorsherman at 11:04 PM
0 comments
Monday, February 19 2007
Monday, February 19 2007
Grand Princess
near Costa Maya, Mexico
10:14
Half-slept from 7:30 to 9:45. Nice w/ the door open. Some sort of annoying hammering sound started at 9 though. Off to breakfast now.
11:43
Just docked at Costa Maya. A local pilot came on board about 30 minutes ago – a skiff came around and approached from port, didn't see the actual transfer but I think he basically stepped right off the bow onto a landing. Then the ship stopped, swung around, and backed in to the pier. A Carnival ship (Liberty) is next to us. Another is nearby, not sure where they will park though.
It's warm in the shade, and hot in the sun. Called M and R, they're getting breakfast, will call back in a few minutes, then we'll figure out a plan. Feeling sleepy / low-energy today so far.
16:15
The hammering outside this morning was new carpet going down in the hallway. Wow.
Disembarked, with M, R, C, and K. The "shops" area off the pier was gross and annoying. Signed up for a snorkel trip – one hour, leaving at 2 PM. Got some tacos – overpriced, under flavored. At 1:45, realized we had to be in Mahahual (a few miles down the road) by 2, and we wouldn't make it because the bus just left. So we got there at 2:15 ($3/person bus ride), and they said to come back at 2:50 for the 3 PM trip. Walked along the "strip" – the down is a long dirt road w/ beach on one side and stuff on the other, mostly shacks. Lots of vendors coming up to advertise their wares / food / drinks / beach space. Went into a taqueria, R got some chicken tacos. Not appetizing apparently, she fed them to a stray dog.
Back to the snorkel place (after changing into my trunks in the "bathroom" at the restaurant – and I came back out to an empty table w/ my backpack sitting under it, unattended – they were all out in the street waiting. Thanks!). Got fins and life jackets. Small little boat, with just room for driver and 10 people. The "reef" was just a bit south. Nervous about dropping into deep water (10-20 feet), but it wasn't too bad. Still had 5 minutes of slight panic. Not many fish – some blues, some dragon colors, one big charcoal angelfish. The coral didn't look in too good shape. not much of it. Started getting some cramps after a bit (30 minutes?) got back on board. The ladder was broken and wobbly, very hard to get into the boat. Sat and talked w/ R (she wasn't feeling well enough to go in the water). The "signal" to the people to get back in the boat was the driver starting the engine up. While people were nearby. There was some discussion about getting food after we got back to shore, but we ended up coming back to the ship (via two taxis, $2/person). Took a shower.
Right as we walked into the "town" at Mahahual, we passed a table full of some other people from the group. I was distracted by being late and all that, so I don't think I even waved. Felt self-conscious about that all day.
19:34
The ship is underway again. Dark outside. Sat outside near the back of the ship for around 20 minutes after sunset (just missed it). Went in to get something to drink – lots of folks eating at the buffet. Ran into a few people. Lots of talk about how "bad" the dinner food has been. I thought it was OK to very good. Still looking forward to it tonight. The food could suck and that'd still be true however.
24:47
Hmm, good food tonight. Italian theme. Preoccupied w/ something, but what else is new. Sat w/ another table for a bit. Went with them to the comedy show. It was so horrible that we all ran out after 5 minutes. Went to the Promenade bar. No pianist thankfully. Got a 007 Martini. Some of the folks from the table I didn't wave at earlier in the day walked by, so I gave a big wave. Got one smile but another didn't seem to notice. We got up in a few minutes and went to the karaoke contest, Heat 2 - D was in heat 1 and got a spot in the finals. Some standard stuff, some good, some bad. A girl got up and did "Bust a Move", it was awesome and I was tempted to shout "Marry me!". Then AH did "Shoop", badly but funny. AB asked for a random song, and got Angels? painfully bad song and rendition. Then the two of them did a duet, "Time of My Life". Good stuff. We didn't get ballots, but the Bust a Move chick was one of two winners. This was around 12? We all split up. I wandered around for a bit.
Preoccupations came to a head, convinced myself that something would happen in regards to them tonight. Stood on the deck outside looking at stars for a bit. Went down to the Promenade deck outside and walked around. Checked a few of the bars, empty. Damn. Back here. To bed now. SHIT.
No idea what I'm doing tomorrow.
Grand Princess
near Costa Maya, Mexico
10:14
Half-slept from 7:30 to 9:45. Nice w/ the door open. Some sort of annoying hammering sound started at 9 though. Off to breakfast now.
11:43
Just docked at Costa Maya. A local pilot came on board about 30 minutes ago – a skiff came around and approached from port, didn't see the actual transfer but I think he basically stepped right off the bow onto a landing. Then the ship stopped, swung around, and backed in to the pier. A Carnival ship (Liberty) is next to us. Another is nearby, not sure where they will park though.
It's warm in the shade, and hot in the sun. Called M and R, they're getting breakfast, will call back in a few minutes, then we'll figure out a plan. Feeling sleepy / low-energy today so far.
16:15
The hammering outside this morning was new carpet going down in the hallway. Wow.
Disembarked, with M, R, C, and K. The "shops" area off the pier was gross and annoying. Signed up for a snorkel trip – one hour, leaving at 2 PM. Got some tacos – overpriced, under flavored. At 1:45, realized we had to be in Mahahual (a few miles down the road) by 2, and we wouldn't make it because the bus just left. So we got there at 2:15 ($3/person bus ride), and they said to come back at 2:50 for the 3 PM trip. Walked along the "strip" – the down is a long dirt road w/ beach on one side and stuff on the other, mostly shacks. Lots of vendors coming up to advertise their wares / food / drinks / beach space. Went into a taqueria, R got some chicken tacos. Not appetizing apparently, she fed them to a stray dog.
Back to the snorkel place (after changing into my trunks in the "bathroom" at the restaurant – and I came back out to an empty table w/ my backpack sitting under it, unattended – they were all out in the street waiting. Thanks!). Got fins and life jackets. Small little boat, with just room for driver and 10 people. The "reef" was just a bit south. Nervous about dropping into deep water (10-20 feet), but it wasn't too bad. Still had 5 minutes of slight panic. Not many fish – some blues, some dragon colors, one big charcoal angelfish. The coral didn't look in too good shape. not much of it. Started getting some cramps after a bit (30 minutes?) got back on board. The ladder was broken and wobbly, very hard to get into the boat. Sat and talked w/ R (she wasn't feeling well enough to go in the water). The "signal" to the people to get back in the boat was the driver starting the engine up. While people were nearby. There was some discussion about getting food after we got back to shore, but we ended up coming back to the ship (via two taxis, $2/person). Took a shower.
Right as we walked into the "town" at Mahahual, we passed a table full of some other people from the group. I was distracted by being late and all that, so I don't think I even waved. Felt self-conscious about that all day.
19:34
The ship is underway again. Dark outside. Sat outside near the back of the ship for around 20 minutes after sunset (just missed it). Went in to get something to drink – lots of folks eating at the buffet. Ran into a few people. Lots of talk about how "bad" the dinner food has been. I thought it was OK to very good. Still looking forward to it tonight. The food could suck and that'd still be true however.
24:47
Hmm, good food tonight. Italian theme. Preoccupied w/ something, but what else is new. Sat w/ another table for a bit. Went with them to the comedy show. It was so horrible that we all ran out after 5 minutes. Went to the Promenade bar. No pianist thankfully. Got a 007 Martini. Some of the folks from the table I didn't wave at earlier in the day walked by, so I gave a big wave. Got one smile but another didn't seem to notice. We got up in a few minutes and went to the karaoke contest, Heat 2 - D was in heat 1 and got a spot in the finals. Some standard stuff, some good, some bad. A girl got up and did "Bust a Move", it was awesome and I was tempted to shout "Marry me!". Then AH did "Shoop", badly but funny. AB asked for a random song, and got Angels? painfully bad song and rendition. Then the two of them did a duet, "Time of My Life". Good stuff. We didn't get ballots, but the Bust a Move chick was one of two winners. This was around 12? We all split up. I wandered around for a bit.
Preoccupations came to a head, convinced myself that something would happen in regards to them tonight. Stood on the deck outside looking at stars for a bit. Went down to the Promenade deck outside and walked around. Checked a few of the bars, empty. Damn. Back here. To bed now. SHIT.
No idea what I'm doing tomorrow.
posted by taylorsherman at 10:42 PM
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Sunday, February 18 2007
Sunday, February 18 2007
Grand Princess
Gulf of Mexico
11:37
Woke up at 5:30, then again at 8:30. Alarm at 9:30. Showered etc, then went up to the breakfast buffet. Sat with six other folks already at a table. Granola w/ yogurt, banana, OJ [the same every day mostly, plus coffee]. Walked around for a bit. Warmer, nice in the sun. Didn't have my sunglasses though. Ran into M and R, talked for a bit.
The other cruise ship is about a mile or two off to port. Has been since last night.
18:04
The poker tournament is over. I got knocked out around 4:30, in 15th place. It was fun. One guy got too drunk to play. Pushed in his chips, turned over his cards (no one had called yet), then stumbled into a closet. Someone helped him back to his room.
It's maybe about 60 outside? Twilight. The ship was rocking more today. The captain said that due to weather / currents, we wouldn't arrive in Costa Maya until 12 tomorrow.
Earlier – wandered around. Sat w/ D and K for a bit. Had lunch w/ them at the Da Vinci dining room [dinner room is the Botticelli]. Good curry chicken and very good blueberry frogurt. Face is a bit sunburned.
Formal night tonight. 7:45 reception, then 8:15 dinner. This is what I have been looking forward to most. I hope I don't have too many expectations [hah] and can just relax.
Oh yeah – my underwear has been on backwards all day. Didn't notice until after lunch. ha!
17:09
Mostly dressed for dinner. Still not quite sure if my cuffs are right. Getting a bit nervous.
24:35
The Captain's reception as mostly lame. Weak drinks. Crowded on three floors. Didn't go up to the third floor until the end. Wished I had done that earlier. To dinner at that point.
The food was good. Some duck, a yogurt / tamarind soup (cold), and mahi mahi. Was kind of tortuous sitting there, waiting. After dinner, walked over to one of the other tables to chat. Left after a bit w/ that group. Went to the Promenade bar. Got a round of drinks there, two others joined us. At 11, went up to the night club – was to be 70s / 80s theme. Right as we got there, they started doing annoying shit (conga lines etc). Hung out for 30-40 minutes. I left, wandered around a bit. Felt good, but longing.
Not what I'd hoped for, but I feel good. It's warm enough now that I can keep the balcony door open. Yay!
posted by taylorsherman at 10:19 PM
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Saturday, February 17 2007
Saturday, February 17 2007
Holiday Inn
Galveston, Texas
11:02 CST
Slept fairly well. Woke up at 6:30 for a bit. Mind working away while I mostly dozed. Alarm at 8:30. Shower – had to do the limbo to wash my hair, but hot water at least. Breadfast at the hotel place. Not bad – buffet, coffee, OJ (good) for $16 including tip. Quickly re-packed, then went for a walk. Can see the ships from here – in the other direction – Galveston is an island. Couple miles across, long. Our ship and one other in port. Walked along the beach. Lots of small shells. Two to three foot waves. Windy, not warm, but sunny. Nice. Two large rock jetties – big cubes of granite. Shoes and pants a bit sandy / muddy now. The boulevard is busy and intersections are few, so jaywalking is the way to go. Crossed paths w/ a few folks I knew here and there.
17:17
Grand Princess
Galveston, Texas
Somewhat chaotic getting on the buses this morning. Sat w/ MO and R. Not a long drive to the pier. Waited in line around 30 minutes, easy check-in though. Non-US passengers got a confused worker that blocked them up. To my room: Aloha deck, room 522. Port side, rear-amidship. The ship is big.
Walked around, ran into J and M, M and R. Got lunch at the buffet. Not bad. a few other folks. Hung out there for a while.
Went on a more extensive walk-around. Will take me a while to get it all figured out. Back to the room around 4. At 4:15, a General Alarm drill was sounded. Lots of people. I go downstairs to deck 7 (this is 12) and aft. They made us stand for 15 minutes while talking about tonight's activities, then showed us how to put on the lifejackets. Slow and mostly orderly dispersal from there.
Just unpacked, put on nicer clothes. There's a big ship-wide party thing going on now, will check that out. We have been cleared to sail, I felt a little movement 10 minutes ago. But nothing since.
17:34
The other ship just departed. Our horn may have blown too. They are pushing us away from the pier now.
19:38
We are underway. Got moving around 17:45. Not warm, and windy on deck. Now cold. Went up to the "party" and hung out for a bit, walked around. Found DB, JM, and MD at a table, joined them and got a Long Island iced tea. Not bad, a double. AR showed up. Cold even in there (quasi-inside).
Dinner will be at 8:15. Looking forward to it. A bit nervous about some things. Sigh. Must relax. . .
The view / experience from my balcony is very nice. Oil rig lights in the distance. If it weren't so cold, I'd be out there now. Romantic atmosphere. Sigh.
23:09
Dinner was good. Two empty seats at our table. Too much food. Should have skipped the spring rolls or the salad or the soup. Was preoccupied the whole time with not really having the opportunity to be social. By the time we were done, most tables were empty. Where did they all go? Passed ML in the stairwell, she said: "They're all in that bar. . .every single one of them. The one in the front [back?] of the ship". Walked around the ship several times. Every bar I found was a ghost town [missed at least two]. Ugh. Oh well. It's warmer outside, but still cold. I need to find a way to hook into the post-dinner stuff. Nobody else at my table is going to care about that. If every night is like this I'm going to die.
Anyway, going to read for a bit now and go to sleep.
Holiday Inn
Galveston, Texas
11:02 CST
Slept fairly well. Woke up at 6:30 for a bit. Mind working away while I mostly dozed. Alarm at 8:30. Shower – had to do the limbo to wash my hair, but hot water at least. Breadfast at the hotel place. Not bad – buffet, coffee, OJ (good) for $16 including tip. Quickly re-packed, then went for a walk. Can see the ships from here – in the other direction – Galveston is an island. Couple miles across, long. Our ship and one other in port. Walked along the beach. Lots of small shells. Two to three foot waves. Windy, not warm, but sunny. Nice. Two large rock jetties – big cubes of granite. Shoes and pants a bit sandy / muddy now. The boulevard is busy and intersections are few, so jaywalking is the way to go. Crossed paths w/ a few folks I knew here and there.
17:17
Grand Princess
Galveston, Texas
Somewhat chaotic getting on the buses this morning. Sat w/ MO and R. Not a long drive to the pier. Waited in line around 30 minutes, easy check-in though. Non-US passengers got a confused worker that blocked them up. To my room: Aloha deck, room 522. Port side, rear-amidship. The ship is big.
Walked around, ran into J and M, M and R. Got lunch at the buffet. Not bad. a few other folks. Hung out there for a while.
Went on a more extensive walk-around. Will take me a while to get it all figured out. Back to the room around 4. At 4:15, a General Alarm drill was sounded. Lots of people. I go downstairs to deck 7 (this is 12) and aft. They made us stand for 15 minutes while talking about tonight's activities, then showed us how to put on the lifejackets. Slow and mostly orderly dispersal from there.
Just unpacked, put on nicer clothes. There's a big ship-wide party thing going on now, will check that out. We have been cleared to sail, I felt a little movement 10 minutes ago. But nothing since.
17:34
The other ship just departed. Our horn may have blown too. They are pushing us away from the pier now.
19:38
We are underway. Got moving around 17:45. Not warm, and windy on deck. Now cold. Went up to the "party" and hung out for a bit, walked around. Found DB, JM, and MD at a table, joined them and got a Long Island iced tea. Not bad, a double. AR showed up. Cold even in there (quasi-inside).
Dinner will be at 8:15. Looking forward to it. A bit nervous about some things. Sigh. Must relax. . .
The view / experience from my balcony is very nice. Oil rig lights in the distance. If it weren't so cold, I'd be out there now. Romantic atmosphere. Sigh.
23:09
Dinner was good. Two empty seats at our table. Too much food. Should have skipped the spring rolls or the salad or the soup. Was preoccupied the whole time with not really having the opportunity to be social. By the time we were done, most tables were empty. Where did they all go? Passed ML in the stairwell, she said: "They're all in that bar. . .every single one of them. The one in the front [back?] of the ship". Walked around the ship several times. Every bar I found was a ghost town [missed at least two]. Ugh. Oh well. It's warmer outside, but still cold. I need to find a way to hook into the post-dinner stuff. Nobody else at my table is going to care about that. If every night is like this I'm going to die.
Anyway, going to read for a bit now and go to sleep.
posted by taylorsherman at 10:01 PM
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Friday, February 16 2007
Friday, February 16 2007
Holiday Inn
Galveston, Texas
21:52 Central Standard Time
My room smells of cigarettes. The entire hotel does. It's in the 40s outside w/ a stiff wind blowing. My balcony (over the restaurant) has a view of the main drag, beach, and water. Can't see much water in the dark however.
Up at 6 AM: showered, checked email, turned off the computer, final packing. Ride showed up at 8. Went to the wrong end of the terminal – was thinking South was North. A few people in line ahead of me. Checked in and took the train to the terminal. Got some coffee and a scone. Sat with JR, JM+K, and BM for a bit. DB and AR showed up, each w/ family in tow, a bit later. The hour-ish went by pretty quick. Lots of people including lots of kids.
Suzy gave everyone Mardi Gras beads. We boarded a bit after 11 – plane was a 757-300. Sat near the back. Traded aisle for window w/ B. B hadn't flown in 10+ years (fire on a flight), he was on Zanex but pretty jumpy. Uneventful flight – bumpy though. Read some of Life of Pi. Didn't watch The Guardian. It was pretty quiet, especially with all the kids and the adults all getting a free drink (gave mine to B).
Landed around 4:30 in Houston. Plane taxied (took forever!) to a cargo area where the buses were waiting. Got on a bus, sat there for 20 minutes. The ride from there was fairly boring. Lots of strip malls, especially once East (South) of Houston. Did go right through downtown Houston. Talked w/ JD some. He went to school in Pittsburgh.
Got to the hotel around 6:30? 7? Big line for the elevators (had an express check-in, so everyone pretty much walked right through the lobby to the elevators). Got to my stinky room. Checked luggage, took some photos, and left. Some folks in the lobby, hungry. Went to Salsa's w/ some of them. Good food. Good company. Had the mole enchilada. Very rich – good, but I like Guadalajara Hacienda's better. Good service. Noisy but OK atmosphere. Enjoyed the conversations. Back at the hotel at 9:30. Hung out in the tiny lobby for a bit, then up to the room.
Really stinks in here. I imagine the Hilton (where half the people are) is nicer. I'll probably have to step out and find someplace to kill time. Problem is that it's freezing outside, and inside stinks!
Overall, not a bad traveling day. Think the other planeload got here after us. Saw some of them after dinner. Have the urge to play music. Oh well.
Got my Paparazzi game assignments, three of them.
Holiday Inn
Galveston, Texas
21:52 Central Standard Time
My room smells of cigarettes. The entire hotel does. It's in the 40s outside w/ a stiff wind blowing. My balcony (over the restaurant) has a view of the main drag, beach, and water. Can't see much water in the dark however.
Up at 6 AM: showered, checked email, turned off the computer, final packing. Ride showed up at 8. Went to the wrong end of the terminal – was thinking South was North. A few people in line ahead of me. Checked in and took the train to the terminal. Got some coffee and a scone. Sat with JR, JM+K, and BM for a bit. DB and AR showed up, each w/ family in tow, a bit later. The hour-ish went by pretty quick. Lots of people including lots of kids.
Suzy gave everyone Mardi Gras beads. We boarded a bit after 11 – plane was a 757-300. Sat near the back. Traded aisle for window w/ B. B hadn't flown in 10+ years (fire on a flight), he was on Zanex but pretty jumpy. Uneventful flight – bumpy though. Read some of Life of Pi. Didn't watch The Guardian. It was pretty quiet, especially with all the kids and the adults all getting a free drink (gave mine to B).
Landed around 4:30 in Houston. Plane taxied (took forever!) to a cargo area where the buses were waiting. Got on a bus, sat there for 20 minutes. The ride from there was fairly boring. Lots of strip malls, especially once East (South) of Houston. Did go right through downtown Houston. Talked w/ JD some. He went to school in Pittsburgh.
Got to the hotel around 6:30? 7? Big line for the elevators (had an express check-in, so everyone pretty much walked right through the lobby to the elevators). Got to my stinky room. Checked luggage, took some photos, and left. Some folks in the lobby, hungry. Went to Salsa's w/ some of them. Good food. Good company. Had the mole enchilada. Very rich – good, but I like Guadalajara Hacienda's better. Good service. Noisy but OK atmosphere. Enjoyed the conversations. Back at the hotel at 9:30. Hung out in the tiny lobby for a bit, then up to the room.
Really stinks in here. I imagine the Hilton (where half the people are) is nicer. I'll probably have to step out and find someplace to kill time. Problem is that it's freezing outside, and inside stinks!
Overall, not a bad traveling day. Think the other planeload got here after us. Saw some of them after dinner. Have the urge to play music. Oh well.
Got my Paparazzi game assignments, three of them.
posted by taylorsherman at 9:44 PM
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Thursday, February 15, 2007
Vamos a jugar por la playa!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
22:16
Actually woke up with a hangover this morning. First time in a while. Worth it for an enjoyable evening after practice last night. Practice for me was mostly not playing, as the group worked on pieces where adjustments were needed for my upcoming absence.
Woke up this morning at 7:43, then lay in bed for a while half-asleep. The next time I looked at the clock, it was 7:43. Huh. Didn't quite feel like déjà vu. Anyway, got up around the usual time anyway. Went on a brief road trip to pick up some suits – really windy out there. Whitecaps on the Sound, and my car was a bit dodgy heading down 99. Got the suits, then stopped by a luggage place to get a garment bag. Split the day between some work, some TV, and packing. My ride to the airport shows up at 8 AM tomorrow.
music: Pixies - Surfer Rosa / Come On Pilgrim; Opeth - Ghost Reveries
22:16
Actually woke up with a hangover this morning. First time in a while. Worth it for an enjoyable evening after practice last night. Practice for me was mostly not playing, as the group worked on pieces where adjustments were needed for my upcoming absence.
Woke up this morning at 7:43, then lay in bed for a while half-asleep. The next time I looked at the clock, it was 7:43. Huh. Didn't quite feel like déjà vu. Anyway, got up around the usual time anyway. Went on a brief road trip to pick up some suits – really windy out there. Whitecaps on the Sound, and my car was a bit dodgy heading down 99. Got the suits, then stopped by a luggage place to get a garment bag. Split the day between some work, some TV, and packing. My ride to the airport shows up at 8 AM tomorrow.
music: Pixies - Surfer Rosa / Come On Pilgrim; Opeth - Ghost Reveries
posted by taylorsherman at 10:44 PM
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T-Minus
(still Wednesday, despite what the Blogger thing says above)
26:02
Maybe I'll write more about today later. Nothing too exciting. Time for bed now, though.
music: Swans - Forever Burned; Jonathan Kane - February; Bill Rieflin's Slow Music - Live at the Croc; The Cure - Faith
26:02
Maybe I'll write more about today later. Nothing too exciting. Time for bed now, though.
music: Swans - Forever Burned; Jonathan Kane - February; Bill Rieflin's Slow Music - Live at the Croc; The Cure - Faith
posted by taylorsherman at 2:03 AM
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Wednesday, February 14, 2007
zzz
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
9:55
Woke up at 5:30 AM this morning for some unknown reason. Half-slept until my alarm went off at 8. The same thing happened yesterday, and at 6:30 AM on Monday.
9:55
Woke up at 5:30 AM this morning for some unknown reason. Half-slept until my alarm went off at 8. The same thing happened yesterday, and at 6:30 AM on Monday.
posted by taylorsherman at 9:57 AM
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Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Aura Gummy Valentine
p.s. I just looked up some anagrams of "Aura Gummy Valentine". There were more than I expected. Some that made me chuckle:
EVALUATING MY MANURE
UNVARYING EMU TAMALE
NIRVANA LEAGUE TUMMY
AUTUMNAL MIRAGE ENVY
NEGATIVE UNRULY MAMA
NAVY GERANIUM AMULET
MUTUAL VINEGARY AMEN
posted by taylorsherman at 11:29 PM
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Expect Nothing
Tuesday, February 13 2007
23:01
Almost every single day this year has been tortuous. All different kinds. Today, like many, was a battle between "I have to do this" and "what the fuck am I doing". All the while, not doing much of anything.
Forgot to mention – there was an amazing rainbow over Elliot Bay when I was walking along Alki on Sunday. When I first got out of the car, it was sunny but just barely raining. Pretty soon the rainbow formed – a double, spanning from Magnolia to downtown (intercepted by the hill from where I was). I just stared at it the whole time I walked along, once in a while making sure I wasn't about to step into traffic.
music: Depeche Mode - Music For the Masses (the first song I ever really cranked up on the stereo was the "Aggro Mix" of "Never Let Me Down Again", just standing in the living room listening to the sound of the synth bass line and the chanting vocals); Ministry - The Land of Rape and Honey (from the same year, but it was only a couple years later that I first heard some of these songs, cranked up in the club this time); Miles Davis - On the Corner
P.S sending good wishes out to a friend who is very sick with cancer, and his family.
23:01
Almost every single day this year has been tortuous. All different kinds. Today, like many, was a battle between "I have to do this" and "what the fuck am I doing". All the while, not doing much of anything.
Forgot to mention – there was an amazing rainbow over Elliot Bay when I was walking along Alki on Sunday. When I first got out of the car, it was sunny but just barely raining. Pretty soon the rainbow formed – a double, spanning from Magnolia to downtown (intercepted by the hill from where I was). I just stared at it the whole time I walked along, once in a while making sure I wasn't about to step into traffic.
music: Depeche Mode - Music For the Masses (the first song I ever really cranked up on the stereo was the "Aggro Mix" of "Never Let Me Down Again", just standing in the living room listening to the sound of the synth bass line and the chanting vocals); Ministry - The Land of Rape and Honey (from the same year, but it was only a couple years later that I first heard some of these songs, cranked up in the club this time); Miles Davis - On the Corner
P.S sending good wishes out to a friend who is very sick with cancer, and his family.
posted by taylorsherman at 11:27 PM
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Show Zero
Monday, February 12 2007
24:14
The dress rehearsal went very well. It mostly felt more like the first show, just not announced to the public. Friends in the audience, only about half of which I knew. I had tons of loose energy before the show, only some of it actually related to the show. Almost lost it on the drive over. Anyway, lots of good feedback afterwards. Even if some of it was outright lies about my tendencies to rush the beat. Bah. Everyone else is just late! haha.
Out to the usual place afterwards. A habit that may be changing next week. I was starving, so it was two mini pizzas plus the mojito for me. Some good and interesting conversation.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
music: Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway; Public Image, Ltd. - Compact Disc
24:14
The dress rehearsal went very well. It mostly felt more like the first show, just not announced to the public. Friends in the audience, only about half of which I knew. I had tons of loose energy before the show, only some of it actually related to the show. Almost lost it on the drive over. Anyway, lots of good feedback afterwards. Even if some of it was outright lies about my tendencies to rush the beat. Bah. Everyone else is just late! haha.
Out to the usual place afterwards. A habit that may be changing next week. I was starving, so it was two mini pizzas plus the mojito for me. Some good and interesting conversation.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
music: Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway; Public Image, Ltd. - Compact Disc
posted by taylorsherman at 12:27 AM
0 comments
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Cigarettes, Coffee and Boo-boos
Sunday, February 11 2007
23:33
I see that Adam Jones won a Grammy for the 10,000 Days packaging.
Slept in this morning. Drove up to Alki in search of a "surf shirt", or "rash guard". Something to wear while snorkeling that gives some UV protection. I have a bike shirt which is too small and only works somewhat. The store there (that I found on Google) didn't have such things after all, it was more beach clothing than swimwear. But I did find a really nice shirt, and got some flip-flops while I was there. The guy there recommended a skate/snowboard shop up the hill – but, they didn't have their surf gear out yet. So, I headed south to REI – no luck their either. Got some shorts and lightweight pants. Then braved the mall for a few more things, including black pants for the about-to-begin TTA season. Home, had some dinner, did lots of laundry, practiced guitar, watched American Pie 2 and American Wedding.
Oh yeah – almost was in a car accident yesterday. IK was driving to coffee after the sitting, and decided to make a u-turn right in front of an oncoming car. He apparently didn't even see them at all. My "whoa! watch out! hey! aaagh!" didn't really have any effect. The elderly lady in the car headed right for my door was nice enough to slam on the brakes and not clobber us. Reeking of cigarettes is no longer the thing I fear most about getting in his car. I think I'll drive next time.
music: Herbie Hancock - Headhunters; Killing Joke - Extremities, Dirt, and Various Repressed Emotions; The Minus 5 – the "gun" album (though I really didn't need to hear "Aw Shit Man" today, and the randomizer thankfully obliged).
23:33
I see that Adam Jones won a Grammy for the 10,000 Days packaging.
Slept in this morning. Drove up to Alki in search of a "surf shirt", or "rash guard". Something to wear while snorkeling that gives some UV protection. I have a bike shirt which is too small and only works somewhat. The store there (that I found on Google) didn't have such things after all, it was more beach clothing than swimwear. But I did find a really nice shirt, and got some flip-flops while I was there. The guy there recommended a skate/snowboard shop up the hill – but, they didn't have their surf gear out yet. So, I headed south to REI – no luck their either. Got some shorts and lightweight pants. Then braved the mall for a few more things, including black pants for the about-to-begin TTA season. Home, had some dinner, did lots of laundry, practiced guitar, watched American Pie 2 and American Wedding.
Oh yeah – almost was in a car accident yesterday. IK was driving to coffee after the sitting, and decided to make a u-turn right in front of an oncoming car. He apparently didn't even see them at all. My "whoa! watch out! hey! aaagh!" didn't really have any effect. The elderly lady in the car headed right for my door was nice enough to slam on the brakes and not clobber us. Reeking of cigarettes is no longer the thing I fear most about getting in his car. I think I'll drive next time.
music: Herbie Hancock - Headhunters; Killing Joke - Extremities, Dirt, and Various Repressed Emotions; The Minus 5 – the "gun" album (though I really didn't need to hear "Aw Shit Man" today, and the randomizer thankfully obliged).
posted by taylorsherman at 11:46 PM
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The Way Up
Saturday, February 10 2007
24:02
Had a short, strange dream this morning. Sort of a dream. My eyes weren't open, but some muscles worked. I caught on part way through, and started messing with what was going on. The sound of moving my ear on the pillow was somehow being translated into words, and I was having fun with that.
Went to bed early last night, as I was tired but also crawling out of my skin. Kind of worked, I woke up a few times off and on. Up early for practice this morning. It was good, mostly as long as I had something to do to keep me distracted. The first thing we noticed was that somone had shot a small pebble through one of the windows, so there was some glass to clean up. Ran the set, rehearsed the entrances a few times. There was some prolonged discussion which had me again in a very twitchy state.
Grabbed some lunch on the way home, then stopped by a nearby crafts store for some paper. A little later, made a bit of a road trip to drop something off. Taking another risk. Mostly still going absolutely nuts all afternoon / evening, tried to keep distracted via TV.
music: Pat Metheny Group - The Way Up; Talking Heads - Fear of Music; Underworld - Everything Everything
24:02
Had a short, strange dream this morning. Sort of a dream. My eyes weren't open, but some muscles worked. I caught on part way through, and started messing with what was going on. The sound of moving my ear on the pillow was somehow being translated into words, and I was having fun with that.
Went to bed early last night, as I was tired but also crawling out of my skin. Kind of worked, I woke up a few times off and on. Up early for practice this morning. It was good, mostly as long as I had something to do to keep me distracted. The first thing we noticed was that somone had shot a small pebble through one of the windows, so there was some glass to clean up. Ran the set, rehearsed the entrances a few times. There was some prolonged discussion which had me again in a very twitchy state.
Grabbed some lunch on the way home, then stopped by a nearby crafts store for some paper. A little later, made a bit of a road trip to drop something off. Taking another risk. Mostly still going absolutely nuts all afternoon / evening, tried to keep distracted via TV.
music: Pat Metheny Group - The Way Up; Talking Heads - Fear of Music; Underworld - Everything Everything
posted by taylorsherman at 12:28 AM
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Friday, February 09, 2007
sigh
Friday, February 9 2007
22:25
A day tinged with euphoria, unresolving to an unbearably beautiful ache. The tequila had nothing to do with it.
Lyrics that stood out today:
Also what I love is that this is the chorus to a song where the syllables of the lines in the verse map out an ascending and descending Fibonacci sequence.
music: Tool - Lateralus; Autechre - Incunabula; Talking Heads - Fear of Music
22:25
A day tinged with euphoria, unresolving to an unbearably beautiful ache. The tequila had nothing to do with it.
Lyrics that stood out today:
Over thinking, over analyzing
Separates the body from the mind
Withering my intuition
Leaving all these opportunities behind
Also what I love is that this is the chorus to a song where the syllables of the lines in the verse map out an ascending and descending Fibonacci sequence.
music: Tool - Lateralus; Autechre - Incunabula; Talking Heads - Fear of Music
posted by taylorsherman at 10:41 PM
0 comments
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Thursday
Thursday, February 8 2007
23:27
Listening to some audio files from Steve Ball's site, of the SEGC stuff from 2004. These two aren't quite as rough (both performance-wise and sound-wise) as the two he sent around after that work was completed. I almost don't quite believe that they're from the same sessions.
Decided to skip the Sarah Shannon show, and not skip practice, last night.
The condo close date has now been moved back about another two months. No actual date yet, but likely "sometime in May". This is completely ridiculous.
Feb 8th already. The past month has been very, very long. In some ways though, it has flown by. Generally felt pretty optimistic today.
music: Herbie Hancock - Headhunters; Opeth - Ghost Reveries; T-Rex - The Slider (not doing too much for me, so far); Bowie - Low
23:27
Listening to some audio files from Steve Ball's site, of the SEGC stuff from 2004. These two aren't quite as rough (both performance-wise and sound-wise) as the two he sent around after that work was completed. I almost don't quite believe that they're from the same sessions.
Decided to skip the Sarah Shannon show, and not skip practice, last night.
The condo close date has now been moved back about another two months. No actual date yet, but likely "sometime in May". This is completely ridiculous.
Feb 8th already. The past month has been very, very long. In some ways though, it has flown by. Generally felt pretty optimistic today.
music: Herbie Hancock - Headhunters; Opeth - Ghost Reveries; T-Rex - The Slider (not doing too much for me, so far); Bowie - Low
posted by taylorsherman at 11:44 PM
0 comments
Agave
Wednesday, February 7 2007
26:28
Somehow I got shanghaied into fixing another guy's bug while everyone else went to lunch today. It was OK since I was just finishing up breakfast, but still. . .other than that, a fairly good day.
Practice at BobAndJax's – some more on the Zeppelin thing, then work on arranging the zithers for the dress rehearsal. Still not sure who will be our audience for that. Debated inviting a few people, but then figured it'd be best to have folks who had been to a show before, so they could provide some feedback relating to where we are now as opposed to where we have been. Anyway, practice was mostly fun.
After that, walked down the street to chez Trav-gor for some fine tequila, and somehow ended up watching War of the Worlds (the Spielberg one). Definitely a mixed bag (the movie; the tequila was great). Also got some good moral support and some bad advice while I was there. I'm not sure how wise it would be to take advice on romance from a Russian (or ex-Soviet Georgian at least, as the case may be). But I'm kidding.
music: Arcadia - So Red the Rose; Gordian Knot – s/t; Franz Ferdinand – s/t
26:28
Somehow I got shanghaied into fixing another guy's bug while everyone else went to lunch today. It was OK since I was just finishing up breakfast, but still. . .other than that, a fairly good day.
Practice at BobAndJax's – some more on the Zeppelin thing, then work on arranging the zithers for the dress rehearsal. Still not sure who will be our audience for that. Debated inviting a few people, but then figured it'd be best to have folks who had been to a show before, so they could provide some feedback relating to where we are now as opposed to where we have been. Anyway, practice was mostly fun.
After that, walked down the street to chez Trav-gor for some fine tequila, and somehow ended up watching War of the Worlds (the Spielberg one). Definitely a mixed bag (the movie; the tequila was great). Also got some good moral support and some bad advice while I was there. I'm not sure how wise it would be to take advice on romance from a Russian (or ex-Soviet Georgian at least, as the case may be). But I'm kidding.
music: Arcadia - So Red the Rose; Gordian Knot – s/t; Franz Ferdinand – s/t
posted by taylorsherman at 2:39 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
I R TEH SUN
Tuesday, February 6 2007
24:12
Woke up with an ailing gut. A more common occurrence than usual, lately. Had ahi for lunch today, that makes two days in a row. I don't think there's any correlation between the two.
Got a little help in the "neither and/or both" department in the past few days.
music: Swans - Swans are Dead; King Crimson - Elektrik; The Cure - Concert
24:12
Woke up with an ailing gut. A more common occurrence than usual, lately. Had ahi for lunch today, that makes two days in a row. I don't think there's any correlation between the two.
Got a little help in the "neither and/or both" department in the past few days.
music: Swans - Swans are Dead; King Crimson - Elektrik; The Cure - Concert
posted by taylorsherman at 12:19 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Magnesium
Monday, February 5 2007
24:27
Nothing too interesting about today. Oh, it was beautifully foggy all day.
music: Skinny Puppy - Too Dark Park; Land - Road Movies; Oysterhead - The Grand Pecking Order
24:27
Nothing too interesting about today. Oh, it was beautifully foggy all day.
music: Skinny Puppy - Too Dark Park; Land - Road Movies; Oysterhead - The Grand Pecking Order
posted by taylorsherman at 12:29 AM
0 comments
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Give me your eyes, that I might see
Sunday, February 4 2007
23:01
Slept in for real today, woke up off and on a few times but then got up at noon. Went to the suit store to get some clothes. Mr. Talkative Salesman was all over me like stink on a dog as soon as I got in (I guess that makes me the dog). This guy really liked to talk about undervalue and how the lambs were sheared and this and that. I got the urge to just leave a few times, but I had a mission, so I stuck through it. Came out of there with the one suit that I was really looking for, and another that will hopefully be useful. Overall I spent a lot more than I expected to, mostly because I didn't factor in the fact that I needed shirts, ties, belts, and shoes (and Mr. Salesman notwithstanding, I really did need them). But hopefully this also means that I never have to set foot in such a place again for the next decade or so (well, I have to go get the suits in two weeks). I think one reason I had lots of attention there was because the place was totally empty; the super bowl was on, after all (oh yeah, that).
Ate some dinner, watched some TV, practiced some guitar. Just finished up some of the Cure Trilogy DVD – about half of the Pornography set, and the entire Disintegration set.
When trying on the one sport coat that I own, before leaving for the store, I noticed a business card in the pocket – from the HR woman at AMC; I'd worn the coat to my interview there, almost exactly seven years ago (it was a few weeks from now). In other septennial reminiscence, it was seven years ago today that I emailed then-registrar Jonathan Brainin about the GC Level One course in Lebanon, NJ that would take place in September. I don't think I sent off the application that day, I took a couple days to write it. Actually - Curt's reply to my inquiry about the Beginner's Circle, and guitars / tuning / strings, showed up on the 14th (with "sipping hot water and lemon as he types" below the signature line); and in it, he recommends sending in the application ASAP due to the amount of interest in the course. So that may mean I had yet to do that. I bought the plane ticket on April 16th; I was actually accepted to the course on May 8th. I remember saying in my interview at AMC that one condition was I'd be gone for a week in September.
The impulse to sign up for the course was very clear, and I had no doubts about it. I did have some idea what to expect, but really it was very much up in the air. I had strong feelings that it was the right thing, and would be good.
This past December, the same thing (but entirely different) happened. A very clear impulse arrived, there were absolutely no doubts (a first for me, in this department). I had strong feelings that it was the right thing, and would be good. I acted on the impulse, and now things are up in the air. I'm having a harder time with this, this time around, however.
Friday was a really strange day.
music: Meshuggah - Catch 33; (it's essentially one long song, broken up into 13 tracks; there are a few different themes, but at times over 10 minutes of the same riff more or less; I'm not sure how much I'll find myself listening to it; I really liked it today).
23:01
Slept in for real today, woke up off and on a few times but then got up at noon. Went to the suit store to get some clothes. Mr. Talkative Salesman was all over me like stink on a dog as soon as I got in (I guess that makes me the dog). This guy really liked to talk about undervalue and how the lambs were sheared and this and that. I got the urge to just leave a few times, but I had a mission, so I stuck through it. Came out of there with the one suit that I was really looking for, and another that will hopefully be useful. Overall I spent a lot more than I expected to, mostly because I didn't factor in the fact that I needed shirts, ties, belts, and shoes (and Mr. Salesman notwithstanding, I really did need them). But hopefully this also means that I never have to set foot in such a place again for the next decade or so (well, I have to go get the suits in two weeks). I think one reason I had lots of attention there was because the place was totally empty; the super bowl was on, after all (oh yeah, that).
Ate some dinner, watched some TV, practiced some guitar. Just finished up some of the Cure Trilogy DVD – about half of the Pornography set, and the entire Disintegration set.
When trying on the one sport coat that I own, before leaving for the store, I noticed a business card in the pocket – from the HR woman at AMC; I'd worn the coat to my interview there, almost exactly seven years ago (it was a few weeks from now). In other septennial reminiscence, it was seven years ago today that I emailed then-registrar Jonathan Brainin about the GC Level One course in Lebanon, NJ that would take place in September. I don't think I sent off the application that day, I took a couple days to write it. Actually - Curt's reply to my inquiry about the Beginner's Circle, and guitars / tuning / strings, showed up on the 14th (with "sipping hot water and lemon as he types" below the signature line); and in it, he recommends sending in the application ASAP due to the amount of interest in the course. So that may mean I had yet to do that. I bought the plane ticket on April 16th; I was actually accepted to the course on May 8th. I remember saying in my interview at AMC that one condition was I'd be gone for a week in September.
The impulse to sign up for the course was very clear, and I had no doubts about it. I did have some idea what to expect, but really it was very much up in the air. I had strong feelings that it was the right thing, and would be good.
This past December, the same thing (but entirely different) happened. A very clear impulse arrived, there were absolutely no doubts (a first for me, in this department). I had strong feelings that it was the right thing, and would be good. I acted on the impulse, and now things are up in the air. I'm having a harder time with this, this time around, however.
Friday was a really strange day.
music: Meshuggah - Catch 33; (it's essentially one long song, broken up into 13 tracks; there are a few different themes, but at times over 10 minutes of the same riff more or less; I'm not sure how much I'll find myself listening to it; I really liked it today).
posted by taylorsherman at 11:50 PM
0 comments
Engender
Saturday, February 3 2007
24:03
Slept in a bit, well first I woke up at 5 AM for some unknown reason. Got back to sleep after 10 or 15 minutes. Then up at 9, a shower and some coffee, and out the door to practice. Two people short today, but we still got 3 hours of good work in. My attention started to waver near the end, however. Out for a light lunch at Tacos Guaymas w/ Igor, Travis, Bob, and Jaxie. The topic of conversation was mostly relationship related; got some advice that I am grateful for but unsure about. Noticed I was blushing about halfway through, and it stayed that way for a few hours. That's been happening a lot lately. It's not that I'm embarrassed, I'm not quite sure what it is. Nothing about the past couple months has actually embarrassed me, or engendered any fear of embarrassment.
Then a quick stop at home and then up to my Dad's for his birthday dinner. My sister and her husband were there by the time I arrived; we caught up on things and conversed for a couple hours, then went to the store to pick up some food. Nothing fancy – some pasta, a salad, garlic bread, brownies and ice cream. A lucky pick of some Australian Shiraz (Jester) that was pretty good. After dinner, a few more hours of visiting, then I headed home around 9:30. Watched an episode of Scrubs, played some bass.
I have some shopping to do tomorrow, got to get some fancy duds for the cruise.
music: King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic
24:03
Slept in a bit, well first I woke up at 5 AM for some unknown reason. Got back to sleep after 10 or 15 minutes. Then up at 9, a shower and some coffee, and out the door to practice. Two people short today, but we still got 3 hours of good work in. My attention started to waver near the end, however. Out for a light lunch at Tacos Guaymas w/ Igor, Travis, Bob, and Jaxie. The topic of conversation was mostly relationship related; got some advice that I am grateful for but unsure about. Noticed I was blushing about halfway through, and it stayed that way for a few hours. That's been happening a lot lately. It's not that I'm embarrassed, I'm not quite sure what it is. Nothing about the past couple months has actually embarrassed me, or engendered any fear of embarrassment.
Then a quick stop at home and then up to my Dad's for his birthday dinner. My sister and her husband were there by the time I arrived; we caught up on things and conversed for a couple hours, then went to the store to pick up some food. Nothing fancy – some pasta, a salad, garlic bread, brownies and ice cream. A lucky pick of some Australian Shiraz (Jester) that was pretty good. After dinner, a few more hours of visiting, then I headed home around 9:30. Watched an episode of Scrubs, played some bass.
I have some shopping to do tomorrow, got to get some fancy duds for the cruise.
music: King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic
posted by taylorsherman at 12:25 AM
0 comments
Friday, February 02, 2007
Nothing I feel like posting on a public site for tonight.
posted by taylorsherman at 10:50 PM
0 comments
K
Thursday, February 1 2007
24:24
Today was a rough day. Been having a hard time concentrating lately. Enthusiasm is at a low point. There were a few moments of levity in there. One being when I picked up a bowl of tortilla chips and spun it in the air like a saucer – turned out the lid wasn't on tightly, and chips went flying in all directions. Lots of them.
Groundhog Day tomorrow. Can't help but think of the movie.
music: Steve Reich - Music for a Large Ensemble / Octet; Shakti - Handful of Beauty; Holst - The Planets
24:24
Today was a rough day. Been having a hard time concentrating lately. Enthusiasm is at a low point. There were a few moments of levity in there. One being when I picked up a bowl of tortilla chips and spun it in the air like a saucer – turned out the lid wasn't on tightly, and chips went flying in all directions. Lots of them.
Groundhog Day tomorrow. Can't help but think of the movie.
music: Steve Reich - Music for a Large Ensemble / Octet; Shakti - Handful of Beauty; Holst - The Planets
posted by taylorsherman at 12:35 AM
0 comments
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