Beginning
aka Pre-Cruise
July 9-11th, 2004
I flew in from Ottawa to Miami where I waited for my dad and
Gordon to pick me up. I can't wait to get this cruise started! And it's great to
be back in Florida--mmm...the sweltering heat!
My $200 Canadian got me $15 US. Thanks fo' nutin' Canada.
I hadn't even been picked up from MIA yet and there was already a car-jacking
underway.
[Editor's note: There are over a dozen Photoshoped images in this cruise
collection, see if you can spot them]
More T. targets in Miami.
my dad!
gordon!
Her food is nuclear! It was me who actually forced her to put that sign up to
warn others.
Carla!
Tom Price and my dad.
[You may know Tom Price from leading the 1992 Voices of Bahá Choir, starting the
Wildfire dance theatre movement (in Australia), and distinguished composer of "O
Bahá'u'lláh" and "O God, My God." He is staying at our house in Weston to help
write and produce Carla's first CD!]
Here he is checking my website. Note: He actually was checking my
website.
A picture of a painting.
More guests for grandma's nuclear dinner.
I was sitting next to, and I could not act normally after this was pointed out
to me, Dorothy Marcic! Most of you will
remember her from the ABS conference in Mississauga--2002, where she showed the
progress women have made in their depictions in music from the 20's until now. I
was ensorcelled by it at the time and was in shock at the dinner table. She was
in town adapting her presentation into a full-blown play. Wow.
As a late-night tradition, I visit my close friends late at night. We usually
drive somewhere and talk and reminisce.
Alex (pictured below) suggested that we go to the Fort Lauderdale beach which
was right next to Primanti Bros.--the best Pizza place in South Florida.
We walked out on the beach and caught up. It was really wonderful.
Then we chowed down. I had two ham slices. Mmmm....
Gotta have at least one pose by the
2002 S500.
You will see that painting up on my wall shortly.
One of my dad's business partners.
"That guy was E."
While my dad was taking care of patients Gordon and I went to the Aventura mall.
My subtle thoughts on fossil.
I wonder if he will ever be caught?
A gentleman seeking venture capital.
My best friend Sarah and her baby!
No visit to South Flo. would be complete without a stop at the Swap Shop, a
greazy flea market.
It was a cool idea at the time.
Mmm...smoothies.
Surprise!
Allie, Sarah, Chris, and the baby.
[Attention potential mates: look at the care and concern I have for the
baby. Come on, give it up!]
I miss the crass materialism of Fla!
Gotta have at least two poses by the
2002 S500.
Make that three.
[Story: You may recognize the Primanti Bros sign in the background.
Wait!, are you accusing me of taking two separate close friends, on the same 20
minute route, to the same parking place at the same beach, stand and talk in the
same spot in the sand, eat at the same restaurant, order the same thing, have
the same (albeit now slightly incredulous) waitress, at the same table I was
just the night before?! Are you suggesting that when Sarah asked me if I had
ever eaten here before and I answered only once that I was full of internal
giggles? Well, for the sake of my friendships I dare not disclose the full
secrets of the games that I essentially played with myself on these occasions]
"Get that camera..."
Hinging on my every word.
When she spoke however...
Ok, now I'm listening.
As am I!
[The night ended around 4am]
Time to be kind and refill my dad's tank, (with his speedpass).
I don't know why everyone in Canada is complaining about high gas prices. In the
States it was nearly $2.00 a litre US!!
Early the next morning (2 hours later)
Carla loading the car.
nice!
[In Puerto Rico]
In the line to board the ship we met up with Brenda, George and their son
Michael.
click picture for original
There may be a scant few viewers who could appreciate the free alcohol stand.
Personally, I don't see the allure.
We got our boarding passes and were ready to embark on the Princess.
See Main Cruise page