Kevin's Ramblings…

We are still chugging across the Pacific Ocean, en route to Hawaii. It seems we’ve been on the ocean forever really.

We left Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, but it seems much longer than that. I’m thinking it’s too many sea days, I certainly hope that Hawaii is worth it.

I guess I’m getting tired of the ship itself. There isn’t a lot that I want to do on the ship activity wise, so it’s been relaxing, that’s for sure. I’ve had plenty of naps and eaten tons of food.

The food quality doesn’t seem to be on par with the previous cruise I went on. Same cruise line, just not quite as good. The room is good, no problem at all with an inside cabin. I don’t miss not having a balcony, although I could sit out there comfortably, unlike the Caribbean where it was too hot and humid. Small issues I suppose.

We get to Hawaii in just over 24 hours, on Tuesday morning, and we spend 4 days going to the various islands. That should be fun for sure.

After that we start the rather long voyage back across the gigantic Pacific Ocean to Mexico where we only spend a few hours there. Then we are overnight back to Los Angeles and a flight home. We’ve still got 10 or 11 days left.

My dogs are good. I video chat with my sister in law a few times a day. I’m missing the regular routine that the dogs and I have.

Time to eat my morning cookies and drink my daily latte. Enjoy Monday.

Day 4 was pretty relaxing and started pretty early…

I was awake shortly after 2am and headed to the International Cafe. A vanilla latte and 3 chocolate chip cookies were on the menu a shit well that early.

I napped a lot today and ate too much food. Dinner was at Plank BBQ and I was absolutely stuffed to the gills.

I had a nap after dinner and feel much better now. I’m sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartender.

Tonight we put the clocks back another hour, so that’s now 4 hours earlier than Calgary, I think…

We are still steaming ahead to Hawaii, although we don’t arrive for a few days still. It’ll be Tuesday morning before we get there.

It’s a relaxing trip, that’s for sure. I’m enjoying it.

It’s most of the way through day 3, it has been a relaxing day.

It started early as I went to bed last night early around 830pm.

I was up around 2am and headed to the International Cafe for a latte. I spoke with a new friend for several hours until we went for breakfast.

A nap was in-order after that and I had a great nap. I soaked in the hot tub for a bit, it was more like a warm tub though.

An afternoon nap was also in order, apparently I had to catch up on a LOT of sleep.

I’m currently in the buffer on Deck 15, port side of the ship and had excellent tri-tip for dinner with roasted potatoes and Mac and cheese.

No real plans for the evening, we’ll see what materializes.

Day two was a very laid back day.

I went to the duck exchange. I picked up some interesting ducks. I don’t know what I’m going to do with them, but I have them, regardless.

Sasha didn’t handle the rough seas too well, she got seasick and spent the afternoon in the cabin recovering. I wasn’t bothered, other than stumbling around like a drunk guy.

I spent the afternoon at various bars and had some great conversations.

I had pizza for dinner, a lighter day for meals for sure.

Unsure what’s on the agenda for today. I’m awake at 2am and will shower and head to the International Cafe for a latte in a bit, and a bit to eat.

We are about half way to Hawaii by now, hopefully we’ll have smoother sailing today and some sun, yesterday was very gray and pretty cool.

As I have written, my friend Sasha and I are on a 16 day Hawaiian cruise. We left Calgary yesterday morning at 6am for Los Angeles via Vancouver.

I was able to sleep most of that quick flight, it was just over an hour to Vancouver. We had a quick layover and then boarded for Los Angeles.

Behind me on the plane were two rather annoying children with parents who obviously subscribe to the gentle parenting model. Well, here’s a heads-up, it doesn’t work, your children are assholes.

Anyway, we made it to Los Angeles in his time, found our car service and made the relatively short drive to the dock and boarded the ship.

We stopped for a drink and then I ventured to the room and our bags had already been dropped off.

I hadn’t slept much and ended up having a great nap of almost 3 hours. Dinner was on the Lido Deck, a grilled chicken sandwich with fries and I followed that with 3 slices of pizza. I had intended on going to a few different events, sleep was the priority.

I went to bed around 1030 and slept until 230 or so. Not bad really.

The ship is swaying heavily this morning, it doesn’t bother me, in fact I find it relaxing but there will be many sick passengers today.

Sasha and I will head down to the international cafe shortly and she’ll try her first vanilla latte. Should be a great day out at sea.

After counting down the days for a few weeks on Facebook, sailing day is tomorrow, finally…

It’s just after 1am and I hear down to Crowsnest Pass at 7 to pick up my traveling companion. I’ll take the dogs of course. It’s about 2.5 hours to get there. I’ll pick up my sister in law on the way home. I should be back by shortly after noon.

We’ll have a relaxing afternoon. I’m making Texas Twinkies for dinner. That’s a cream cheese stuffed jalapeno pepper, inside a chicken breast all wrapped in thick cut bacon, BBQd to perfection. I’ll serve it with roasted potatoes and some sort of vegetables. Nothing planned for dessert at the moment, but I think I’ll make a chocolate and cherry dump cake in the Crock-Pot.

We leave for the airport at 415am tomorrow or so, fly Calgary to Vancouver then onto Los Angeles. We’ll get picked up in LA and driven to the dock via executive car service. We board at 130pm.

To say I’m looking forward to the trip is an understatement. I cannot wait, good thing it’s only 36 hours away or so. Bon voyage…

It’s been almost 3 weeks since Achilles was adopted and came home with Apollo and I.

His personality is beginning to shine, and I must say it’s a big personality. He’s come out of his shy shell and is an absolutely amazing puppy. He’s almost 9 months old now, 9 months tomorrow in fact.

He and Apollo get along great. They wrestle almost non-stop. It’s great for Apollo to have a little brother as well, he’s getting way more activity than he was before.

They are walking on a tandem leash perfectly and Achilles is making dog friends with the dogs in the complex and elsewhere when we go to other offleash parks.

I’ve had other puppies before. Blondie was an absolute terrorist until she was 3+ years old. Hera was adopted at about 7 months and was almost perfect from day one. Although Achilles started out slow and shy, he’s now bursting out. I’d put him right behind Hera – a high honour indeed.

I’m hoping that my leaving him for nearly three weeks won’t stunt his emotional growth, I don’t think it will, but we’ll see. His Auntie Edie will take good care of him, I have no doubt.

My cruise must be getting close, I’m considering packing today.

It’s Sunday, September 27, three days before we head to the Calgary airport, fly to Vancouver and then onto Los Angeles and board our home for 16 nights.

I am bringing one suitcase and bringing enough clothes to last the entire 16 days. I have plenty of t-shirts and underwear, I’ll bring about 20 of each. Maybe 10 pair of socks. Three pairs of jeans. Some Hawaiian themed shirts, 4 bathing suits/shorts, sandals, Crocs, shoes and I’ll wear cowboy boots on her plane. Toiletry bag (or two), electric razor… That’s about it.

I need to do a load of laundry to be totally ready. I’m sure I’ve got some shirts and what not that are currently dirty. Oh, I think I’m bringing my suit as well for formal night.

I should be packed and ready to go by Monday night at the latest. I cannot wait. 

So, I haven’t updated on this topic in a while.

My lung cancer is in check, has not spread at all and my lung capacity is now around 30% as opposed to about 18% a few months ago.

No spreading at all which is amazing and I’m down to monthly scans now. I feel pretty good and do have more energy. That’s awesome in itself.

So, good news all around. Thanks for those who have been thinking about me and I know some have had their churches pray for me. Hey, I’m not religious but if it works, thank you David and Janine.

Next update a month from now. Take care all, live life to the fullest.

I’ve been counting down for my upcoming cruise…

I’m greatly looking forward to it. On Wednesday morning, my friend Sasha and I fly from Calgary to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Los Angeles. We then take an Excursion limo to the dock and board the Emerald Princess.

We sail at 330pm and for the next 5 days we cross the Pacific ocean, heading for the Hawaiian Islands. We tour four islands in four days, then back back across the Pacific to Mexico, spend a few hours there and then head back to Los Angeles.

We reverse course home, Los Angeles to Vancouver to Calgary and it’ll be a LONG day coming home, we land at 11:55pm.

To say I cannot wait is an understatement.