Greetings:

JHP - Your reference to Barlett put me in a quandry until I found his name in the dictionary
"John 1820-1905; U.S. editor & publisher: compiler of a book of quotations." Cool, I got a good chuckle out of that. Thanks. And yes, Masaki, you have previously pitched a compliment towards my quotes and am glad they catch your eye.

I have had my mind on this cruise for quite some time as it offers a unique opportunity to meet so many people from this forum and from what I can gather, the personalities of those involved promises an ample amount of shipboard congeniality.

So, it is on to Norway on Sat. where we anticipate seeing some absolutely incredible scenery for several weeks; thence settle in back home for a period of time with the comforting knowlege that another extraordinary cruise is on the horizon.

It just doesn't get any better than that.

Cheers! Ray
Remember that happiness is a way of travel - not a destination.
(Roy M. Goodman)

Ray - good to know that I wasn't the only one baffled by the Barlett reference (chuckle). I just figured it was an inside joke.

Masaki

Didn't mean to baffle or put anyone in a quandry. In the pre-internet days when we had to use more books, I always thought "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations" was the prime source for quotes. They're great if you are giving a little talk and need one apropos of the subject. When I was in school, I worked for an appellate judge for a summer, and he kept one right by his desk for use in his opinions. Ray always comes up with just the right quote under his posts!

Olivia - I detest public speaking with a passion so that probably explains my unfamiliarity with the text. Though now that you mention the book's name, it does sound sort of familiar. :)

Masaki

Masaki, I think you should try to see if they have an on-line version, and because you used to be known as "spleen" just see if they might have a quote in case you would have to do one of those seminars on this subject when you have more gray hair than now. All I know about spleens is that sometimes when people are in auto accidents, they get removed with no consequence. Are they sort of like appendix, no longer needed? Sorry if I am asking for professional advice. Just bottom feeding here on a slow Sunday night on the boards!

Olivia - spleens are part of your lymphatic system. They do have a role in supplementing your immune system and the lack of one does make you more at risk of catching certain disease (such as pneumococcal pneumonia). Does that help? :)

Masaki

And I thought The Spleen it was a Mystery Men Character played by Pee Wee Herman (LOL --just kidding, of course!)

Wow...it sure is great having a Dr. onboard! If I were to get sick on MINT, I want to call you Masaki! Will you have a Dr. is "in"; Dr. is "out" sign on #929 ??
You are a man of so many talents (I'm sure Amanda is talented as well...hey she picked you right!) :D

I can put up a sign on the door like Lucy from Peanuts. Though I'm pretty sure I'll have to charge more than 25 cents! ;) Amanda is more talented than I am. For instance, she's more talented in doing laundry, cleaning, washing dishes ... (ducking magazine thrown by Amanda)

In all seriousness, she's a better physician than I am so you're probably better off calling her! Oh wait, we'll be in the same cabin.

Masaki

Well, if I get that same bug I had on VJ7, I think I would vote for the nurse that came to my cabin to administer lots and lots of drugs that made me feel much better in 2 hours! We had a great time talking. That way, I would not have to bother Masaki and Amanda. Masaki, I am just going to ignore those comments about laudry, cleaning, washing dishes, etc. Hope that magazine hit you in the head. Of course she is a better physician than you! She is a woman!

Olivia - we would come and talk to you too! :) I'm not going to rise to the bait because I'm clearly outnumbered here and I'm a coward.

<img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" />

Masaki

Masaki, you are not a coward, but I do think you are outnumbered on the gender thing! However, I would never bother you or Amanda (now that I have friends in high places, you and Amanda!) on a cruise unless that nurse wasn't filling the bill, and it would never come to needing "talk", I just want the drugs! Really, I cannot believe I got relieved of symptons by an IV in such a short time. I must have touched the wrong door knob, or railing, or whatever.
Speaking of medical bills for anyone anticipating whether to get cruise insurance, my bill exceeded $900 for the treatment I received. Have no idea how much my insurance will cover, and my travel insurance (RSSC) only covers what my insurance does not.

Olivia - it's amazing how much IV fluids will make people feel better when they're dehydrated. You point out yet another reason why outside travel insurance may be better than shipboard insurance especially if it's primary insurance.

And yes, I'm a coward. You have no idea. :D

Masaki

OMG - I got deathly ill on a ship not too long ago...I am not naming the ship as I don't want to get the doctor in any trouble. Neither he nor his nurse spoke English well at all to start with.

Second, I was SO deathly ill, I was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't stay out of the bathroom... :ohmy:

Masaki...I bet the IV would have worked wonders...I am a bit surprised they didn't offer one...maybe the ship didn't have te supplies???

SORRY guys...didn't mean to get off on a tangent!!!

Sheri

p.s. editing to say - I sounded a bit harsh when I didn't mean to...he and his nurse were extremely nice, and I am quite sure they meant well and tried to do what they thought was right...perhaps the language barrier got in the way.

Sheri - good question. The one ship doctor that I've actually met in person (on Celebrity) was very well trained and probably wouldn't have hesitated to place the IV if you were that sick. You're right ... maybe they were short on supplies? (though that's hard to believe). The stuff that you were drinking sounds like oral rehydration solution (probably WHO formula) - but if you're throwing it up, it's obviously not going to work well. (sigh) Sometimes you just can't figure out what exactly happened.

Masaki

Sheri, I too had to answer all those questions, but the Dr. asked and wrote them down. By that time, there was nothing else to come up, so I didn't have extreme nausea. That IV first had a medicine for cramping, then one for nausea, and then I think it was glucose. After that it was the big bag of fluids. What a miracle "cocktail", taken in the comfort of my cabin as we were leaving Bordeaux! Too bad you had to suffer unnecessarily.

Just got my cabin assingment so thought I would get with the group here.

Frank & Carla Valentino #908

Thank you for the update. This is so helpful so I can keep our MINT list updated. Looking forward to this!! F U N !

113 days to LAX
114 days until we cruise.
I don't know about you but I am getting more excited every day. :hyper: <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Peter is ready to go now...already!!!

It seems so far away still ... :(

Masaki

Yes it does seem so far away...especially since this is my only planned vacation between now and then!

Still time to book DABS! It's a whole week away!

Todd - that's a LONG time to go without vacation. You don't want to turn into that CEO, do you? ;) Having said that, we don't have any planned vacations between now and then either ... though we may do a long weekend on Maui sometime in September.

Masaki

Well since then (the above) I did book 4 days camping in Yosemite....so I now have a little something in between.

Good job Todd.
We were worried.
Jan and I have to go to a wedding in Salem OR for next trip 09/15/04.
Wow now isn't that exciting???? <img border="0" alt="[sleep]" title="" src="graemlins/sleep.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[sleep]" title="" src="graemlins/sleep.gif" />

Todd - oooh, camping in Yosemite! Are you doing the full backpacking/tent thing or are you renting the canvas tent cabins? Or something even more upscale? (like the Ahwahnee!)

Jim - better hope that Jan didn't see that - might get a smack. :D

Masaki

Masaki-

Tents! Yes in a campsite named Crane Flats which is about 1/2 hour outside the Valley floor. It's right near the gate (about 5 miles) from the gate that people living in Sacramento or San Francisco would come through. Great location - not too crowded....generally very quiet.....not like the valley floor. Oh and no backpack.....just roll the car into your space!

Regarding Ahwahnee - just a casual dinner one night, the other two nights will be at campsite - Filet Mignons and such. How's that for camping? <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> !

Hi Todd: Olivia and I will toast you on our cruise next week we both wish you were with us - we will miss you.

Todd - my kind of camping -- car camping! With a dinner at the Ahwahnee, no less! :) You guys certainly know how to live it up ...

Masaki

Sure gotten quiet on this topic.
do we have anymore signed up to go on the 'MINT'?

It'll definitely pick up when it becomes closer, Jim. :) We've still got to plan out the precruise party!

Masaki

Yes at the Westin!

I know I know.
I think we are all hoping that the Californina "MINT" crew will be a big help and take charge since they will have a better idea of who, what, and where to contact since they live there.
Things we need to work on are.
1. Where will we meet when we arrive at the Westin 11/11/04?
2. Are we going to plan something for dinner or are we on our own that evening? I have heard comments about going somewhere close and I have heard about just staying at the Westin and eating there.
3. Who do we need to contact about a larger than normal shuttle bus to take us to the ship the next day, and at what time?
Anything else I missed?? :nw: :nw: :nw: :nw: :nw:

11/14????? You will miss the ship Jim!

I realized it after I hit send.
Now it is corrected.

Yes Yes 11/11 at the Westin!

I thought that we were looking at renting vans? Hmmm ... might be at the beginning of this thread but I'm too lazy to go look at it right now ...

Masaki

Masaki:
Yes we have had some talk about it and someone (Marcie)maybe has even contacted a company about it.
Of course that is been along time ago.

Just got a note from Julie Harris of Brown & Keene travel.
She informed me that she will be going on the "MINT" cruise with us as Ngaire's ass't escort.!!! :banana: :app:
I don't think she is on our cabin list yet Marcie.