Saturday Night: White Party (P-Diddy Style)

Day 2 of the Ensenada 3 day cruise was a "sea day". That means the ship parks about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Mexico and everybody hangs out at the pool and eats a lot of fried food. I know...sexy combination.

Saturday night is the formal dinning night on the ship and a lot of people get dressed up for dinner...including my group. While most men wear suits and a lot of ladies put on fancy dresses, I would argue that nothing is more formal then donning all white. Wimbeldon, N 'Sync, doctors...they all recognize the power of white.

Well you can go ahead and lump our group in with all those other visionaries...because as you can see we rocked it boy band style.

All kidding aside, wearing all white is exhilarating. Partly because everywhere you go people stare...partly because it's you against the world of red wine and stains...and partly because you literally glow under the black lights in the dance club.

It's nice change for me since normally under a black light all you can see of me are my freckles. Talk about a sexy combination.

Corn Hole

You know how some things sound dirty even though really are quite innocent? Well, try telling your co-workers that you need to get home because you and your wife are going to play cornhole after work. If that doesn't get you meeting with H.R. then you either work at a shipyard or you're the H.R. Manager.

Even though Cornhole (or "Bags" as I know call it after my H.R. workshop) has been around for a while in the Mid-West, it is relatively new to us Left Coasters. Last summer I built a set for the neighborhood and between the Bingham's, the Barbera's and the Weisbarth's, we logged a lot of hours throwing bags and talking smack. It's a blast and we couldn't shut up about it.

As it turns out, all that talk had me back in the shop today, building a new set for some friends. Two Band-Aids, some cussing and a fair amount of elbow grease later and they are just about ready to get some else in trouble with H.R.

Friday Night: Nautical Gentleman and Lovely Ladies

Because I was on the cruise this weekend, for the next few days we're doubling up on the blog entries. Today is all about Friday night. First some background.

The number one thing you need to know about me (if you didn't already) is that I like to dress up. Not, "Hey look at my loafers" kind of dressing up...more like, "Hey check out this funny hat and tiny little shorts" kind of dressing up.

The second thing you need to know is that a lot of my friend feel the same way about costumes. That makes trips like this weekends really colorful.

All in all we had 13 of us dressed up in our best nautical gentlemen and lovely lady gear...and we definitely turned some heads. For me, dressed as the captain, I had more then my fair share of opportunities to pose with my fellow shipmates and...and some of the Junior Officers too. What can I say, I just like that ind of thing.

That reminds me, the third thing you need to know about me is that I love attention too. Now I know you already knew that.

And I'm Back...Sort of

So we got back from our 3 day cruise to Mexico this morning and it got me thinking...how on earth does anyone go on a cruise for longer then an extended weekend? I'm serious...3 days is long enough. It kind of reminds me of Vegas in that each day feels like about seven. It's like dog years out there on the high seas.

Of course I realize that not all cruises are like the Carnival 3 day to Ensenada...but of the three total cruises I've been on in my life...I've been on that one twice. So as much fun as it is...and I've got the pictures to prove it's an absolute blast...by the end of it I am always wiped out.

To make matters worse, for some reason this morning, there was a 3 hour delay getting off the boat. Nothing better for a hang over then sitting around in a stuffy room with 2,400 of your closest friends.

Still, I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Great weekend!

Authors Note

The wife and I are going on a cruise this weekend. No internet means no Picture of the Day...so sit tight and I promise to come back with some whoopers on Monday.

See ya then.

Tamarind

This is my friend Tamarind...she is what I would describe as a "free spirit". We've been friends for about 10 years now and in that time she has been a waitress, a writer, an entrepreneur, a business owner and a good friend. She has moved around the country a handful of times and always has a new plan...for better or for worse.

She currently lives in Nashville, TN...but is in town this weekend to visit her mom, so I met the two of them out for a drink this evening to do a little catching up. I'm not sure why Tamarind and I have remained friends all these years, but I sure am glad we have. Tamarind has what can only be described as "moxy". If we were in Hollywood I guess we would say she has "It". Spunky, fun and full of eclectic energy.

The thing about Tamarind is, it doesn't matter where in the country she lives, she will always fit in...even if she doesn't. For instance, the "Bible Belt" in Tennessee is probably not her wheel house, but she is kicking ass there because she has that quality that draws people to her. I really like that about her. And I like that even though she is a gypsy I know that she will always be friends with Megan and I...and we will always get to live vicariously through her.

I mean, moving around all the time is hard, I'd rather just hear the stories and then claim them as my own.

Jam Session

While the modern day acoustic guitar was invented in Spain during the 1850's, most historians agree that instruments similar to the guitar have been around for at least 4,000 years. You don't have that kind of staying power unless you're doing something right...and Mr. Guitar, you are doing something right!

Obviously not everyone feels the same as I do, but for me there is nothing more entertaining then a singer/songwriter performing with his guitar. Actually that's not true...three singer/songwriters and their guitars is more entertaining then just one. It gets even better when said singer/songwriters are breaking out new stuff to try and impress their buddies. When that happens...and you're lucky enough to be sitting on a couch taking it all in first hand...well that's heaven as far as I'm concerned.