8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 14

[tom31b]

Thanks

No Prob

Glad you are less grumpy today

 

[castoff]

I'm off to take a dreaded Stress Test, I really hate these things.
The last 2 that I had ended up with surgery and I don't want a 3rd.

How do we get enough gas on board?

 

[goofyforlife]

Hello Everyone,
It's been a little crazy around here. I was in a bad mood yesterday.................so I didn't come here as I didn't want to bring anyone else down.

Aww Tina...

I think we all could use a happy hour tomorrow to end this week....

 

[castoff]

Is it possible to be just on the drinking part ???????

Ah I don't think this is a good idea.

I'm pretty sure it should be the Drinking and maybe if we run out of rum Fish Extender club....

Thanks to the volunteers

seperate committee?

You're in for that part -- I think the drinking part is going to overlap with fincantieri's committee, anyway . . .

can you only imagine what could happen with this?

 

[micmse2003]

Aww Tina...

I think we all could use a happy hour tomorrow to end this week....

Count me in too!!! My bad day was Monday!!!!!!!!

 

[castoff]

Oh, Man!!! I have to got to get me one of these



On our last cruise there were several people that had cabins switched at the terminal (upgrades, GTY status room changes) and once that happened there was no way of finding out what cabin they had moved to unless you happened to run into them on the ship.I can see this being an issue (on a much larger scale) with all the GTY's we have.

Perhaps we should have some plan in place if your cabin number changes from the list at any time you can notify other DISers via fish mail ....just thinking out loud.

Funny story here...............On our Aug. DD cruise I had a list of all cabin #'s for our Dis Tag game and of course the fish mail. A couple of days into cruise we found a couple got upgraded and weren't in the cabin I had listed. We were wondering where all there fish mail was going to? My DH and I marched down to the cabin where we saw the dis tag on door. We knocked on cabin door and the woman wanted to know who we were and what we wanted. She hadn't opened the door so we were talking through the door. When she opened the door we saw all the fish mail opened and on her table. She said she thought it was a joke someone was playing on her. Now you should know it clearly had the couple's name on it. We took the fish mail and delivered it to the right cabin.

 

[castoff]

My general strategy for airfare is patience, but I used a number of tools.

First, I set a deadline that I will book by (e.g. for TOAL, I will likely set April/May deadline).

Second, I set a price I want to pay (e.g. for TOAL combined airfare per person of under $200 - don't laugh, for June trip to WDW, paid under $650 for 4 of us, after taxes and fees - its patience)

Third, I use some fare alert services (usually I use the Orbitz deal detector which lets you set dates and what you want to pay e.g. April 10 there, April 15 back and $100. It will send you a weekly update on fares and an e-mail or txt when it finds your fare. I usually use e-mail, so the fare may be gone by the time I get e-mail. When I get the alert....see Fourth below. One note, Orbitz's tool will only do round trip so I will set it for two week intervals and search for one that will do one ways)

Fourth, when an alert comes in and also periodically (weekly) I will use an all in one service to search multiple airlines for fares. Two examples are Sidestep and Kayak. Discount airlines such as Spirit, Southwest, etc. will NOT appear on these search engines so you need to search their sites separately.

Last, when you see the fare that is the "best" you think will come along, book it.

Now there are a few counterintuitive things you need to understand about airlines and airfare:

1) Airfare is cheapest when the plane is empty. Airlines need to have a certain number of passengers to make a flight profitable, so they give their cheapest rates up front to fill the plane to profit level and raise price on remaining seats to maximize profit.

2) Once a plane is full (95%) the airline will bring a new plane on line with similar flight times (e.g. when 9 a.m. fills, they will bring a 9:30 on line). When this happens, airfare drops back to lowest. This means that if airfare goes very high and you are 6+ months from when you need to fly, patience can be very rewarding (unless some intervening event e.g. gas prices, changes fee structure).

3) Periodic airline fare sales throw 1 and 2 out the window. Tom's Law on airfare sales: the flight you want will be the only one NOT on sale. If you are flexible, the sales can save you some bucks.

4) Not all airlines are the same when it comes to seat assignment, etc. Some airlines will not give you seat assignments for discount fares until you arrive at the terminal. This means you need to do on-line check in or get there early to get seats. Coming back from WDW I had to go to gate to get seats and they had 4 separate seats for us (meaning DS8 and DS10 were sitting alone with strangers - fortunately the very kind and highly complimented gate agent rearranged so DW and DSs were together and I had to sacrifice in exit row....). KNOW THE AIRLINE RULES when booking.

5) Non-stop can be as cheap or cheaper than connecting flights.

6) Expedia and Travelocity are discounters and they contract with airlines to purchase tickets at a fixed rate (e.g. they contract for $75 per seat). As the airlines airfare increases, so do the discounters (e.g. now they make more money). Sometimes they will have the cheapest rate available (or only seats on a flight) and other times the airline direct is cheaper. SHOP BOTH.

Hope this helps some of you.

Great plan, I have a credit with Jet Blue that expires in a year, will have to check out when. DH has miles with United. It kinda would be nice if we flew together, Just not going to think about it now, since I have paid the cruise off.............that's all I am doing for now.

 

[dahuffy]

Funny story here...............On our Aug. DD cruise I had a list of all cabin #'s for our Dis Tag game and of course the fish mail. A couple of days into cruise we found a couple got upgraded and weren't in the cabin I had listed. We were wondering where all there fish mail was going to? My DH and I marched down to the cabin where we saw the dis tag on door. We knocked on cabin door and the woman wanted to know who we were and what we wanted. She hadn't opened the door so we were talking through the door. When she opened the door we saw all the fish mail opened and on her table. She said she thought it was a joke someone was playing on her. Now you should know it clearly had the couple's name on it. We took the fish mail and delivered it to the right cabin.

It takes all kinds to make this old world go around.

 

[castoff]

Maybe designate 1 cabin from the comitte to be the official list holder. If anyone has any cabin changes, they notify that person. Then as anyone is ready to distribute fish mail, they can double check the list??

Great Idea...............Julie? Only since you volun. first.

Monica has told you lately that you're brilliant? That would work so well - as long as we make sure the designated cabin/list holder doesn't change cabins.

Since drinking has become a priority of this committee, I was thinking that a designated bar stool rather than cabin might work as well



Or perhaps Julie McCoy with her clipboard

I never liked her.............not sure why.

 

[castoff]

Tell me what to do, when to do it and where to meet.

Ditto !

 

[bellelinus]

Great Idea...............Julie? Only since you volun. first.


.

I'd be happy to . . . and I hate to say it but I did get my cabin assignment right away (hiding my head in shame) . . . so in theory mine shouldn't move around. I'm glad you are in a better mood, Tina, and glad to have you on THE committee . . .

 

[castoff]

Thanks! I know things will work out one way or another. I just have a [somewhat] Type A personality, and the waiting/not knowing/not being able to get things in order and finalized is driving me bonkers...LOL

But whatever happens, it's what's meant to be, and we've had to just kind of take a deep breath and "let go" the past couple of months. (and realize that there are just some things in life we can't have control over...HMPH!! *stomps foot* )

Good Luck, hang in there.

for the scrappers

That would be me ! Thanks

This one looks interesting too.
http://www.scrapbookingsuppliesrus.com/product_info.php?cPath=276_565&products_id=8221

Thanks,

 

[micmse2003]

Shhhhh! It's a secret! Thanks for the offer though! I did find something on line that might work so I haven't given up hope.





Aw guys sorry to hear it! Have some cake! It always helps!

I needed the cake Monday but will take a slice anyway!!!

I'd be happy to . . . and I hate to say it but I did get my cabin assignment right away (hiding my head in shame) . . . so in theory mine shouldn't move around. I'm glad you are in a better mood, Tina, and glad to have you on THE committee . . .

I got my cabin number a week later after I booked(saying very quietly). However, if DCL wants to up-grade me from a Cat5 to a Cat 3 or 4 .......I would be willing to make the scarifice.

 

[castoff]

Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. Can not buy anymore scrapbook stuff. .....but it's so cute, and I need it.

I used to say that.

After our cruise 08/06 I went out and bought everything to do with scrapbooking. Guess what? Everything is still in the bags that I bought them in. Someday I will get to start scrapbooking. Yeah Right!!!

Karen

I am proud to say those scrapbooks are done. I even got the past Feb. cruise with DD done. I am working on a scrapbook on just the first month of being in Chicago.

 

[castoff]

Hello all

Thank you Julie and all for this post, I will be off Saturday to Barcelona for a pre cruise week in the city before the Magic on the 28th, I am going to hide something and see if its there on the 2008 Repo!

Oh that sounds like fun ! have a great cruise Andrew.

Oh,before I forget, thank you for all the well wishes yesterday on my stress test. The Cardiologist hasn't called,so that is good news....hopefully.

The saying goes...............no news is good news.

 

[castoff]

Hi my name is Chrissie and I buy WAY too many scrapping supplies..(esp disney ones!)......


I buy them even if I don't have a use for them! Someday I say I will need it and they won't sell it! Then what will I do?

I want that Cricut machine....they have a Disney cartridge to do Disney di-cuts!


Chrissie

I found a michaels store near me, don't even want to tell you how many times I have been there..............since I have only been here a month .

Is everyone hiding tonight????? We had some big storms go through last night with an inch of rain. My flowers appreciated the rain. We are going to have a beautiful weekend with 80 degrees and sunny!!!

That's the difference between NY and here. We had quite the light show last night.

i'm a bit grumpy myself! hoping to get cheered up by browsing the dis!!

o.k did this make you laugh? I think I am having to much wine tonight.

Shhhhh! It's a secret! Thanks for the offer though! I did find something on line that might work so I haven't given up hope.

Aw guys sorry to hear it! Have some cake! It always helps!

Cake is always a good thing............however tonight I ate a huge choc. bar.

Aww Tina...

I think we all could use a happy hour tomorrow to end this week....

 

[castoff]

It takes all kinds to make this old world go around.

Yup,

I'd be happy to . . . and I hate to say it but I did get my cabin assignment right away (hiding my head in shame) . . . so in theory mine shouldn't move around. I'm glad you are in a better mood, Tina, and glad to have you on THE committee . . .

Thanks and shhh I also have a cabin #

 

[captaincrash]

Today I got a new notebook computer - a Toshiba A135-s4467... my otherwise regular computer DIED a couple of days ago right after I got it back from being reloaded / repaired by a friend. He warned me that it looked as though the hard drive was failing - and sure enough it did. Fortunately all my files are backed up - and now I'm having a great time with my new computer.

It's got an Intel Core 2 Duo processor - the mid line T series T5200, 1025 MB SDRAM, a 160 GB HD (only 5400 RPM) and a DVD RW +/- wit 15.4" WXGA (1200x800) screen. On the weak side it has an intergrated video processor as opposed to a stand alone card - so it is unsuitable for 3D games. That's probably just as well I figure.

So - I guess this qualifies as my "cheapie" computer - as I got it for .... are you ready?.... I got it for only $350 net after adjusting for the $350 gift card that was included from Best Buy (clearance priced at $699). Then on top of that I bought it using old Best Buy gift cards amounting to about $440 ... so my net out of pocket expense was only $315! My old notebook lasted a long time and cost me about 2500 - so I am sort of off-setting that purchase with this cheapie one. And as cheap as it is - it DOES have a true dual processor CPU - and 160G HD + 1MB of RAM. So how can I complain at the cofiguration and price ... so long as it works for a year or so??? Plus the reviews on the new Toshiba say it was introduced brand new in the product line in January of 2007! And now it's being clearanced out already!!!! WOW...this does not mke any sense except to say that the truly HOT notebook configurations are almost never seen in the clearance area! So this is about as good as I can get without paying a LOT more for a marginal gain in processing power among those thast were on sale or being clearanced.

This is a similar tactic to that which I'm employing with my DSLRs. I alternate spending a lot on one camera - then the next one is a cheapie stop gap of some sort - then alternate back to a pricey model. I am satisfied with this approach - as I save a little and then I satisfy my itch for the latest and greatest - so to speak.

As for my old computer - I'm gonna give it one last shot at renewal - as I'll buy a replacement hard drive (for a pitttance) and try installing it. With any luck the thing will soldier on for another year or more of service. Or maybe not....

OK - I have a lot of catching up to do on the DIS and off...

TTFN!

 

[captaincrash]

I'd be happy to . . . and I hate to say it but I did get my cabin assignment right away (hiding my head in shame) . . . so in theory mine shouldn't move around. I'm glad you are in a better mood, Tina, and glad to have you on THE committee . . .

Welcome to THE Committee...

 

[captaincrash]

Oh that sounds like fun ! have a great cruise Andrew.
:

Awww.....

Don't let Andrew and Esteri fool you... they're goin' on account of those racy European beaches where the swimsuit rules are more .... shall we say ... liberal?