Monkey See, Cruiser Do

Today we got another report of a man overboard, this time in the South Pacific off the coast of Vanuatu (famous from the Survivor episodes filmed there). Thank heaven, the media has now started calling them JUMPERS instead of insinuating people are accidentally falling overboard all the time. This particular 22-year old chap was on a P&O ship, and reports are that he and friends were seen partying heavily, before he leaped over the railing into the water. Lucky for him, the ship made an immediate turn, and within 45 minutes he was rescued and in perfect health. Even luckier, the Great White Sharks in the area are either really slow swimmers, or had a sinus infection and didn't pick up his scent...or maybe they just don't like the smell of cheap Bourbon. It's hard to tell, but this is a frustrating side of cruising that can't go away quickly enough, in my opinion.

Sorry I've been too busy to write the last few days, but January and February are the "Super Bowl" of booking in the travel business. Every human on the planet has just found out their vacation schedule for the year after January 1st, and the crush is on to get something booked. It's a phenomenon known as Wave Season (historically because of the large number of cruise requests), though we are seeing just as many people booking all-inclusive trips these days. Although the economy has hit the quick-getaway traveler, the people who go for a week or more are still booking like nothing has happened. That's good for our business, and with some of the excellent deals out there right now, you too can take advantage. In the stock market, it's BUY LOW, SELL HIGH. Right now it's TRAVEL LOW. Believe me, when the economy starts to boom again, all these vendors are going to raise their rates to not only make a profit again, but try to recoup some of what they lost. That means if you can travel now, the world is your oyster. I never understood that saying, since I don't like oysters. How about the world is your jelly-doughnut (thank you, Elvis). Or the world is your double-fudge brownie. Whatever YOUR world is, call me and let's get you booked to go visit more of it!!

Recently, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources was seeking approximately 75 volunteers, to be trained in the fine art of frog listening. Huh? Apparently Georgia has an annual frog survey, and they were having difficulty completing the task. It turns out the state has 31 different frog species, each with a distinctive ribbit and/or croak. The surveyors, after practicing detection to be able to identify all 31, would monitor frog habitats to help officials measure population trends. Gee. You mean they were having trouble finding VOLUNTEERS for this? Maybe if it's that important, you might want to offer some cold hard cash. Even then, locating 75 people who have what I like to call "no life" will be difficult. Make it a 6-figure job, instead of a 31-frogger volunteer program, and just maybe you'll get people to Kermit (commit - get it?).

And you think WE'RE tough on crime? Canadian citizen Robert Christianson, 64, was arrested recently, upon his arrival at Tampa International Airport. His name came up on an international criminal watch-list, and he was held and bound over on two arrest warrants issued by Canadian customs officials. When I first read this, I thought WOW - sounds like this guy needs to be off the street, and I feel safer knowing he's in custody. Then I read further about what Christianson was being sought for, back in Canada:

1) Allowing his dog to run at large.
2) Having no valid license tag for his dog.

There were international rumors floating that he might be wanted for the trifecta, the 3rd part being "Failure to scoop le poop", but as of this writing it cannot be substantiated.

A suburban Chicago couple really believes it's never too late for love. Dorothy Taylor, 84, and Duane Williams, 82, were married Saturday at a Tinley Park independent living center, after what family members describe as a "whirlwind" courtship. The two have been friends and bridge partners for about a year, but the romance started to bloom around Christmas, according to 84-year-old best man Walter Urbanik. That was when Williams got the nerve to kiss Taylor. The two decided to marry within a week. "When you're 84 and 82, you don't need a long engagement," Duane said. He was never an impulsive man, but was inspired by "the spark of love," said his son Tom Williams. Taylor wore a light brown satin gown with a jacket, and was walked down the aisle by her 16-year-old grandson Vince Laneve of Chicago. The only unfortunate part was when the Reverend asked "Do you take this woman, 'til death do you part?" and Duane looked at his watch....