Cruisin'

Deb and I just completed a four-night Bahamian Disney cruise and are just now slowly creeping back into reality. Whatta hoot! (Even thought I'm retired, I still got the cast discount.) People worry that because it's Disney, the ship will be overrun with kiddos. Well, there were a LOT of kids on our cruise but the only time you really saw, (or heard) them was during mass events like the broadway style shows they put on in the Walt Disney Theatre The rest of the time they are involved in their own activities. On board there is almost an entire deck devoted to kid fun, and they even have their own pool! On Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, there is even a kid's beach and an adult beach. For a real treat, book a reservation very early at Palo, the adults only restaurant on the top deck, where you are surrounded by fabulous ocean views through wall-to-wall glass. The food is super, and the service is unbelieveable. We stopped over in Nassau where I made a fast 35 bucks playing blackjack at the casino in Atlantis and at Castaway Cay where we went on a snorkel trip over a colorfully populated reef. Pics from top to bottom: Deb posing on our stateroom's veranda/the "Fying Dutchman" from "Pirates of the Caribbean" anchored at Castaway Cay/the adult beach at Castaway Cay/ Deb and some finny friends at the aquarium in Atlantis/The Disney Wonder in port at Nassau/the skyline of the Atlantis property on a misty morning in port.

Things that make people go, "Hmmmmm"

Who decreed that bicycle helmets had to look like the uncovered brain of some alien race?

Dog Daze

I've aways been a dog nut. We own three now! And, I just finished up my 16th week of volunteering at the Orange County Animal Services where I became even more of a canine crusader. I believe Florida needs to do something substantial about it's animal abuse laws. Like put some teeth in them! By now, everyone has heard about the tragic case of "Ella" the German Shepherd who was left to starve to death in a locked crate while the owner moved away. Apparently that has now magically become a misdemeanor. If our legislators would like to do something a little more worthwhile than pass a law allowing people to bring their guns to work (!) they might think of coughing up some more severe animal abuse laws.

Then at least they could take a bite out of an awful crime.

Aggravation of the week

Nothing annoys me more that on the morning after a typical Florida frog-strangling, gully-washing, afternoon monsoon to see my neighbors sprinklers running. How lazy can you get?

Radio and History

July 30

If ever there was a poster child for the phrase, "Those who don't learn from history, are doomed to repeat it," it's the radio business. Radio's latest "hula hoop" is so-called HD Radio. According to some in the the industry this transmission method is the salvation of the medium. Wrong! Does anyone even remember quad or AM stereo? At the time, those were considered the saviour of the business.
It's the content stupid!
It's always been about the programming. People would listen to CB radio or a Ham station if the progamming was entertaining, fun and informative!
And just when logic dictates that radio ought to be more local than ever to combat satellite radio, the internet, and i-pods, they go the opposite direction with tons of syndicated shows and voice tracking. The people on these shows can't even look out the window and tell you it's raining in your own home town

" and Then He Wrote...."

Stand by for some stream of consciousness blathering from an old (Literally and figuratively) radio guy. To be published on no particular schedule. Or rhyme or reason.