I'm tired of talking politics, and I hope that the new year is better than this one.

 

Today will not be an excuse for a political rant.  I am thankful that the year is almost over, even though I have a few chores left to take care of before baby new year comes a calling.

- - - - - -

I'm very thankful that I've been able to take 5 different cruises this year.  It's nice to have someone to share experiences with.  After being widowed for 29 years, it feels a little strange to be with someone I can trust to be there when I need her.  (She feels the same about me.)  It's a blessing to have someone in my life who can accept me both as Marian and as Mario.  Unlike former relationships, I don't have to hide the feminine side of me from her.

I've tried to keep in touch with people, but some of them have fallen by the wayside.  One friend is assumed to have died, or he is unable to keep in touch.  Another friend is doing OK, and we have to find time to get together during the new year.  Yet, unlike most cisgender females, I do not have a typical woman's network of friends.  This is the price a transgender person pays for being assigned male at birth.

In spite of what is going on in the Orange Snowflake's mind, I have been able to live most of my life untouched by his evil nature.  Yes, I get angry when I hear his voice.  But I know to change the channel and catch up on the news in ways where I don't have to hear evil words come out of his hateful voice. Yet, I still have faith that things will get better sooner than later.  However, I know that I have an exit plan underway, just in case things get really bad.

When I look at things going on with my co-op, I worry about things that could cause our complex to fail financially.  Luckily, I have a voice in things, and use it as much as possible,  I publish the co-op's website, as well as manage the co-op's zoom presence.  (Zoom is nothing much to talk about.  But I handle all technology issues for the co-op.)  There are some accounts that are in arrears, and I am looking to get these shareholders to pay up, so that others don't have to carry them.  Hopefully, 2026 will be a better year for the co-op, as I don't want to take on any more responsibility than I have now.

After a year of having no tenants in the family homestead, it looks like we will have some soon.  This year, 2025, the house became a money pit for my brother and I, and neither of us expected that we would sink as much money into the house as we did without rent coming in to pay the expenses.  Assuming we get someone good to rent the place, I'm hoping that we will sell the place 5 years from now, as I expect I'll need a cash infusion by then.

So, I'll close this entry with a simple wish - have a joyful and prosperous new year!

 

It's hard to believe that this year passed so quickly!

 

The image of a hurricane from space.  It seems like a fitting metaphor for this chaotic year.  We went from relative calmness, steered by a caretaker president, to a lunatic who is steering us into the middle of a global storm.

For a transgender person in the United States, we were the first targets of Trump's hatred.  He tried to erase us from history - even at the Stonewall Memorial site.  Yet, he has failed to silence us and force us into the closet.  Although people like me are staying in stealth mode when we interact with the Federal Government, others are openly challenging this corrupt administration.  We were the canaries in the coal mine.  Next, he targeted women, people of color (I hate that phrase), anyone who looks Latino (they were in the Southwest before the Anglos), and now anyone who stands up to oppose him.

Yet, life has gone on as normal for many people, save that they have to make hard choices because of our president's foolish actions: pay rent, pay for food, or pay for medical care.  Everything has gone up in price for the average person, and yet, the president claims that "Affordability" is a hoax created by the Democratic party.  

What many people aren't seeing yet is the debasement of the legal system.  Promises to deport the criminals among the "undocumented" (I call them illegal aliens, as am not politically correct) have been broken, and now it's a numbers game to round up as many of these (generally) law abiding people as possible, herd then into prison camps without the rights to challenge their detentions, and then shipping them off to places such as El Salvador's CECOT, where these people are treated worse than most farm animals.  The DOJ is trying a third time to indict James Comey, simply because he did his job and investigated the crimes committed by Trump.

Fortunately, people are waking up. It's hard to believe, but even MTG is now on the president's shit list because she opposed him on releasing the Epstein Files.  In special elections held recently, the Democratic party has over-performed.  The snowflake knows if we have a fair election, the GOP would lose big time.  Even if the election is rigged slightly, they have no guarantee of winning in the general election.  I'm sure that my congress critter will be voted out - he has done nothing for his district, save make meaningless promises.

Sadly, I've had to stay in stealth mode when taking cruises this year.  Normally, I'd present as Mario when sailing to the Caribbean.  For convenience, I'd have sailed as Mario when we went to Alaska.  But I'd have sailed as Marian when going to Bermuda and on the New England/Canada run had the snowflake not weaponized branches of the government to terrorize people.  

Sometime late next year, I'll be filing to renew my passport and my global entry card.  I wonder what that process will be like, considering what he's already planning to do with ESTA applications which foreigners must submit before coming to the US.  (I'm appalled that we may soon be demanding to know foreign tourists' Social Media history and all Email addresses used in the past 5 years.)  What will his henchmen dream up to limit what US Citizens can do, especially their right to leave the country.

Earlier this year, I applied to be registered in a foreign nation's foreign birth registry.  If things get really bad here for transgender people, I will marry RQS and take her to Europe with me, hoping that I can bring enough financial resources with me to start a new life there.  

It's amazing - in less than a year, America has changed from a democratic republic into a fascist state.  Hopefully, we'll see this change soon....

What a difference a few years can make.

 

It's been about 12-13 years now that I've been going out in public as Marian.  I've cruised as Marian and have flown as Marian.  However, things changed in January 2025 when the Orange Snowflake took power.  Now, I'm careful NOT to interact with any employee of the Federal Government presenting as Marian, as I can't trust anyone in the Federal Government to respect my rights as a human being, much less a trans person.

The other day, I received an email from a pen pal in Canada.  She said that if she knew that I was going to be on a cruise with one of her other friends, that she'd have made the effort to be on the same cruise as well.  If a Democrat had been elected last year, I'd have felt no qualms about taking my next cruise as Marian.  However, I'm playing it safe by presenting as Mario.  So, I will avoid meeting this fellow, as I would avoid meeting my pen pal on the ship.

It's sad to think that it's not just transgenders that are under attack.  It's anyone who doesn't fit the snowflake's Aryan idea of what an American should be.  He calls countries such as Haiti, Somalia, and Iran as "Shit Holes", and hates people from these countries because they are not Aryan.  Even when people have assimilated into American life, he'd deny them the opportunity to become full fledged Americans simply because of their race and nation of origin.  If the man hadn't so much evil and hatred in his heart, I'd almost feel sorry for him.  Stress the word "Almost" here, because he's one of the few men I can't say a good word about.

I'm glad that some Republicans are finally feeling safe enough to start challenging the snowflake.  But that doesn't affect my level of respect for any of them - they haven't earned any yet.  If a bully were to choose 1 victim out of 101 people, 50 would side with the bully out of fear, 49 would hold their coats and say nothing, leaving only one person who'd help the victim.  I hope that I'd be that 1 person who'd help the victim, even if I had to go "all-in" to do so.  Since 99 of the remaining 100 would not help the victim, I have no respect for them, as I have no respect for any of the GOP members who Kow-Towed to to the snowflake or ignored the victim's cries for help.

Sadly, all I can do is talk today.  I am not willing to be a sacrifice on the altar of the snowflake.  But if things get worse, I will try and help others avoid his wrath.  I don't know what will happen if things get worse, but I will try to be prepared, as well as having an escape route if I need one myself.

Going from one cruise to the next (a short post)

 

Somehow, we seem to be going from one cruise to another with only short breaks on land.  Although this is not true, we've compressed a lot of cruising into a short time - 5 cruises in one year.

- - - - - -

As I write this, we will be taking another cruise in a few weeks.  This cruise will be on one of the more boring routes I could think of:

• New York - Start
• Port Canaveral
• Nassau, Bahamas
• Cruise Line's Private Island
• New York - End

All this on a 7-day cruise.  This trip is not one where we plan to do any exploration.  I've been to all 3 destination ports before and found them all boring.  There is "no there there" in Port Canaveral.  The only good reason to stop  here may be to visit the nearby Space Center.  Nassau is a bore.  And that leaves the private island, a place where the cruise line can pick even more money out of one's pocket.

One of the things we like about cruising is that, as RQS says, "All one has to do is show up, and the rest is taken care of for you."  It's a chance to turn off, tune out, and chill.  As long as the cruise isn't one where there are too many kids and not enough sober people, we usually find ways to relax in comfort.  Whether we chill out watching movies in the ship's theater, sipping drinks in a lounge, or grabbing food at the buffet, we relax.  And if one lives in the NYC orbit, one needs to find ways to relax.

A problem we've had with cruising is that there is so much nickel-diming going on with cruising.  Instead of selling "all-inclusive" fares, most lines don't include so-called gratuities in their fares.  This is a deceptive practice that is annoying, as one has to perform an extra calculation in one's head to figure out the true base price for a fare.  I'll buy soda packages, as it's cheaper for me to do so, than to buy each soda individually.  I'll buy fare packages that include dining and adult drinks for the same reasons.  In short, I'll pay a little more for simplicity in pricing, as I always seem to break even on the deals.

As I cruise more, there are fewer places I want to travel to via cruise ship, and more I want to travel to by train.  Soon, I'll be planning another trip that involves riding the rails.  Until then, I'll be on the waters.

It was a busy day and evening

 

Today would be a busy day.  I didn't have the time or energy to clean up my apartment before RQS came up today So, all I could do is get some little things out of the way, so that she could feel more comfortable while here.

- - - - - -

I woke up early, but had little energy to move.  My back was bothering me a little, and I didn't want to spend what little energy I had cleaning up my place.  So, I moved things out of the way and got ready to go out as Marian for the first time since before my last cruise. 

Getting ready as Marian involves several things.  First, I have to shave very close.  Then, I have to apply my makeup.  And that has a routine that I try to follow: (1) Clean my face, (2) Apply beard concealer, (3) Apply dark makeup to disguise my chin bones, (4) Apply foundation, (5) Apply brow makeup, (6) Apply setting powder, (7) Apply blush, and finally (8) Apply lipstick.  There are times that I am in a rush and skip a step - but that's usually when I'm in a rush.  It's a production, but worth it to go out as Marian.

- - - - - -

My friend from the imaging firm and I had a lunch appointment scheduled for noon at Panera Bread in White Plains.  So I wouldn't have much time in the morning to putz around and all I could do would be to get up, get ready to go out, and drive to White Plains.  By 11 am, I was running late, and was about to call my friend.  Then I read a test on my phone - my friend would be late.  She "got credit" for asking for a delay, and this suited me just fine.

We met at Panera at 12:30, and had a nice chat.  I talked about my recent cruise, and she talked about her Thanksgiving day dinner disaster.  All too soon, lunch had to end.  Part of me couldn't wait - this place was much too loud in which to hold a good conversation.  So I went home for a while, waiting for RQS to come in.

At 4:30, I picked up RQS at the station, and we went to a local "Red Sauce" joint for dinner.  But neither of our dishes were covered by red sauce: she had shrimp scampi, while I had chicken scarpiello.  Yum!  The food was tasty, plentiful, and filling. We lingered a bit at the restaurant, and then it was off to the Westchester Woman's Chorus perform at a nearby church.

- - - - - -

A friend of ours performs with the chorus, and we were there to hear her (and others) sing.  It was a nice performance, and  we were glad to have gone.  We met DS there from game night, but she didn't have a lot to say.  Soon, it was time to leave, and we were home for the night.

Still recovering from my cruise

 

As I write this entry, I've been on land for 3 days now.  And reality is catching up with me.  I've had to write out a fistful of checks (actually, they are ACH Payments for the most part) , and my bank account is the lowest it's ever been for a while.  By tomorrow, my monthly Social Security payment will be credited to my account, and I will be mostly whole again.  

Catching up with this is always a pain in the butt.  Last night, I laundered 2 baskets of dirty clothes, with another basket ready to go today.  Today, I paid bills.  And tomorrow, I'll likely do some apartment cleanup before going out for lunch with a friend and going to game night for the first time in a couple of months.

- - - - - -

Today, I went to the radiology center in town to get a liver scan.  Now, I have some understanding of how a woman feels as her belly gets slicked up for the ultrasound scan, and for the device to be rubbed over the skin.  (No, there's no sensory comparison.  But there is a procedural comparison, and only that, here.)  In a week and a half, I expect that my doctor will be giving me some bad news as the results of this scan comes in.

Once done with the liver scan, it was off to the bagel shop to get breakfast.  Being without food or water for 10 hours made me hungry and thirsty.  And I dealt with that need before going home.  Then, I relaxed for the rest of the day. 

Merry Christmas 2025

 

Merry Christmas!

(See you tomorrow.) 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

 

While we were on the cruise, both RQS and I were noticing the gradual mounting of Christmas decorations around the ship.  First, it was setting up this Christmas tree.  Then, it was the read garlands around the light sconces on the ship.  Gradually, the ship had been transformed for its Christmas season cruising.  If I could afford both the time and money, RQS and I would be taking a Christmas cruise on the Queen Mary 2.  Given what I've seen so far, they how to celebrate the holiday on this ship. 

Several years ago, I took a Christmas Cruise which sailed from New York to Port Canaveral, NCL's private island, and Charleston, SC before returning to Manhattan.  This was one of the first cruises to sail after Covid-19, and it was one of the best cruises I've ever been on.  On Christmas Day, both children and their parents came down to the atrium in their PJs, just to visit with Mr. & Mrs. Santa.  The best gift that we could get that year was the ability to travel again as things were coming back to normalcy.

This year, I have yet to buy RQS a present she doesn't know about.  But I've already given her the gift of a cruise we'll be taking soon.  As much as I'd like to have traveled as Marian for this cruise, I know I'd be pressing my luck with another visit to Florida and its dreaded bathroom laws.

- - - - - -

I still have to give RQS an idea of what I want for Christmas.  I don't need any more dresses in my closet.  And I need to figure out what best fits me from the Marian side of my closets if I want her to give a clothing gift.  Jewelry would be nice, but I'm not sure of what I'd want and it's hard to find things that will fit me and look good on me.

Still, as I write this, it's a couple of weeks before the holiday, and we have time to figure things out. 

 

 

 

 

 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Thoughts on the cruise (12/09/25)

 

The more I travel, the more I realize that I should have done much more traveling while I was younger. Now that I have a travel partner, I feel a bit more secure about going into the unknown (for me) and experiencing new things.

In the case of this cruise, it wasn't much of a stretch for me to take this trip.  I am comfortable with the cocoon of cruise ship travel, as it allows me to feel safe in foreign lands.  What was new for me was the casual elegance of this ship.  This was the first time that I kept bumping into people who think like I do. (I'm not talking about agreeing with me.  I'm talking about people who can disagree, but talk about and analyze objective data.

I remember one acquaintance telling me that I would enjoy the Queen Mary 2.  And she was right.  Sadly, she is preoccupied, and doesn't include me in her circle anymore.  But then, there is a difference in social class between us, and I figure that she isn't comfortable with someone from my social level.  Yet, I feel that I finally was in my milieu when I was on this ship. Maybe, I have finally started to reach the social level I could have been in when younger, had I only proper mentoring and guidance.

Sadly, the older I get, the more I realize that I wasted much of my life.  We live two lives: the first, where we waste much of it away.  And the second, where (if we're lucky) live up to our fullest potential.  For me, travel is helping me live up to that potential. 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Disembarkation Day (12/08/25)

 

I don't have that much to say about leaving the ship today.  The alarms were set to go off at 5:45 am, and I was up even earlier.  Normally, if one is on the starboard side of the cruise ship. one doesn't get a chance to see the Statue of Liberty at sunrise from the safety and comfort of our cabin.  However, our ship was brought in to the pier pointing South. And that meant that the ship would do a U-Turn before going to the pier, allowing me to capture the shot above.

- - - - - -

We got off the ship around 8:30 am or so, and spent the next 30 minutes going through the cruise terminal hunting for RQS's luggage.  (It was placed in a wrong, but nearby area.)  By the time we found it and got outside, we saw the ferry leaving the dock, meaning that we would have to stand outside on the coldest day of the year, waiting for another hour.  Of course, we had no intention of waiting.  But all the cabbies shunned us, and the fare to take us to Central Queens.  After getting frustrated, someone at the pier told us - summon an Uber, as it will be cheaper. So, we did.

When the Uber arrived, we encountered a very nice fellow at the wheel  His GPS took us through a traffic jam I always try to avoid (the section of the BQE that's falling apart and always moving slower than a walk), and then through back roads to RQS's place.  (I knew most of the roads, and it probably was the fastest way there.)  What startled me a little was that the driver was getting his directions in Chinese!  We were at RQS's place before 11:00 am, and the gentleman helped us bring our luggage to the first landing of RQS's apartment.  I made sure to give him a good tip!

- - - - - -

RQS had no food inside her place.  So at noon, we ordered some from a local pizzeria.  We knew we were going to have problems when she had to repeat a phone number and address several times to the fellow on the other side of the line.  At 12:40 pm, we got our first call - where were we?  The delivery person was waiting for us.  (But at the wrong address, as we'd find out when RQS went downstairs.)  After a few fits and starts, the fellow still couldn't find us, and claimed he was in front of our place.  So, when the pizzeria called at 1:00 pm, we were both very upset and told the person we were cancelling the order.  We wanted hot pizza, and after 30 minutes, it would likely be cold in this weather.  After hanging up on the owner, he left me a message telling me to F-Off!  With an attitude like this, and a screwed up delivery, we'll never order from this place again - a sad thing, as this was the best pizza joint in the neighborhood for delivery.

I got home around 4:30 pm, and found that a plumber was doing work downstairs.  What was being done, I don't know.  But I'll find out at our next co-op board meeting.  At least, the work being done did not affect my apartment. 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Sea Day #6 (12/07/25)

 

This would be the last day we'd have breakfast in our room.  Room service came at exactly 9:30, and they put all of our places on the small table, save for the one they put on our bed.  We were hungry and ready to feast - and feast we did.

The last sea day before returning home is always sad.  We have to pack up our clothes, toiletries, and other things, keeping what is needed for the morning into our carry-on bags, and stashing the rest into larger suitcases which left by the door tonight to reappear on the pier tomorrow morning.  There are so many people who get things wrong on this last day, such as packing their passports in their larger suitcases being brought to the pier.

One usually says goodbye to the new friends met on the cruise, knowing that they may never see these people again.  One will often hand their cabin attendant a tip for service, as well as tipping any staff member who went over and above what would be expected from that staff member.   And we planned to do that tonight, when we'd see our cabin attendant for our last time.

- - - - - -

For the most part, we took it easy today, packing things back into our suitcases, so that it could be left by the door before 10 pm.  We were mostly ready to go before dinner, but we planned to do one last inventory of things before leaving them in the hallway.

We went to dinner for one last time in the main restaurant, and had an almost private nook all to ourselves.  Today's minor inconsistency in service was that the person normally assigned to take our drink order didn't see us in the alcove, and we had to ask for service.  Again, a very minor issue that didn't get in the way of enjoying our last dinner on the ship for this cruise.  And, I'm glad to say - everything was to my liking!  Yum!

- - - - - -

Once back in our cabin, we did one last check before putting our luggage in the hallway.  This is when the reality set in - we will be at home tomorrow, and we will have to pick up our towels if we leave them on the floor.

Coming home is such sweet sorrow. 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Sea Day #5 (12/06/25)

 

As we approach New York, both RQS and I dread our return home.  No, it's not because our cruise is ending.  Instead, it's because we're coming back to some of the coldest weather we've had in a while.  When I look at the NYC weather forecast, I see subfreezing weather for the day we return.  That means that we'll have to be outside, on the waterfront, while we wait for our ride home.  And then, once at RQS's place, I'll have to cart most of my bags up to Croton that same day.  If I'm lucky, my car won't be covered by too much snow.  But I won't know until I get home.  

- - - - - -

This morning started with another Room Service breakfast. This time, it came early.  Only one problem: they forgot to bring sweetener with the coffee.  But we made do.  Around 11, we left the room to have a snack and to do some laundry.  Around 1, we returned to the room with our clean laundry and all traces of breakfast were gone. I had a table I could fold clothes on!

Around 3:15, we went to afternoon tea, expecting to meet a new acquaintance there. She wasn't there when tea service started, but she did appear at our table a bit late.  I told her of my idea for an adaptive garment, and she loved it - she doesn't have the use of one arm, and my garment idea would have solved one of her needs, making it easier to get dressed in the morning.  While there, I showed her a few pictures of me in Marian mode, and she loved it.  She wants to find out more at some later time.

- - - - - -

Tonight would be the last gala night of the cruise, and today's laundry run gave me a clean white shirt for the night.  Yay!  I don't have to break open another new shirt for this time in a suit and tie!  So I took out the suit one last time for this trip, and went to dinner with RQS.  This was the night of the chef's parade, where key restaurant personnel were saluted for the hard work they do.  I preferred something like this, where we didn't have to completely disrupt our meals, than to endure Princess's Baked Alaska parade towards the end of their cruises.

 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Sea Day #4 (12/05/25)

 

I don't have much to say about today's activities, save that we ordered breakfast from room service and went to afternoon tea.  But with that being said, that's enough to occupy the better part of a daily post.

- - - - - -

We set our alarms for 8:00, so that we'd be dressed enough for when room service came.  Around 9:45, our breakfast came - with hot breakfasts for both of us, some pastries, and a toasted bagel for me.  And this breakfast service is complimentary on Cunard.  The only thing that didn't come was coffee - we may have forgotten to write it down on the card we hung on the door the day before.  There is something very nice about having exactly the food one wants delivered, and not a standard breakfast setup as done on other lines.

Around 11:00, we got out of our room to let the attendant make up the room, and I returned around 1:00 to relax on the bed.  (My back has been bothering me for most of the cruise.)  RQS returned around 2:30, and we left around 3:15 for afternoon tea service.   

 

Afternoon tea is a daily ritual on Cunard ships.  On the Queen Mary 2, it is a special treat, as the wait staff marches into the room from both sides of the room accompanied by music from a pianist on stage who plays all through tea service.  The food at tea service is not meant to be a meal.  Instead, it is meant to keep a person from feeling peckish before dinner is served.  For us, this would be the high point of our day, even though dinner had yet to come.  We enjoyed experiencing this ritual, and will likely make it a regular part of our future Cunard trips. 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - St.Lucia (12/04/25)

 

St. Lucia.  It's a tender port for this ship, and we decided not to go onshore with the heat and humidity outside.  Instead, we decided to get up late and go for lunch again.

- - - - - -

RQS noted that this ship is frequented by a more educated clientele, more world traveled than the cruisers we have met when sailing other cruise lines.  For example, on one of our recent Princess cruises, RQS met a man wearing a MAGA hat, and couldn't wait to get away from him.  On a line most frequented by Americans, some people think that they can offend others by wearing political slogans and symbols that are divisive in nature.  Contrast this with Cunard, where virtually all the people we have met are well educated and have enough social skills to be able to be polite with people who disagree with them.

At lunch, we were seated at a shared table with 3 other couples.  All were well educated, and one gentleman (a former Republican mayor of a town in New Jersey) and I were having a pleasant point-counterpoint discussion of current affairs.  Although we didn't agree with each other regarding America's current parallels with past history, we enjoyed learning from each other.  Unlike many in the GOP, he is not a fan of the Orange Snowflake, and he understands the damage this man has done to our country.  Too bad that I will be unable to keep contact with this gentleman after this cruise - I could learn a lot from him.

- - - - - -

At dinner, another couple from Scotland chatted us up.  We enjoyed the chat, but found it hard to hear them with the noise reflected from the surfaces in the restaurant.  Afterwards, we went to the ship's theater to see a performer, Katie Clarke, perform on the piano.  She was good.  But we had to leave before the show ended - neither of us could risk waiting for elevators tonight.

It was a nice day.  But we know that days like this will end soon - the ship is now returning to New York with its cold weather.  Hopefully, any snow left on my car will have melted by then. 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Barbados Day 2 (12/03/25)

Day 2 in Barbados, and we decided to stay on the ship and rest.  Neither of us wanted to go back outside and deal with the heat and humidity in this part of the world, and then get dressed up for another gala night.

But first...

We decided to sleep late, and go to the buffet for our first meal of the day - lunch.  I find it amazing that a buffet as small as that on this ship is big enough to serve the passengers on this ship.  However, I think it's because the main dining room is open for lunch - even on port days.

After lunch, we went back to the cabin, where RQS got ready to go to the gym to exercise.  I, on the other hand, took this chance to start work on this daily post, as well as working on my travel blog.  It gives me something to do when i don't want to go outside.  

- - - - - -

Dinnertime came again, and we got dressed in our best and headed to the main dining room for gala night (there would be 3 on this cruise).  We enjoyed a nice dinner, and went to a lounge to listen to some music.  I befriended a woman interested in my thoughts on cruising, and I introduced RQS to her when RQS returned from a bio break.  It was a nice way to end a nice day. And we're looking forward to a similar day tomorrow.
 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Barbados Day 1 (12/02/25)

 

This was a day we were dreading.  No, it's not because anything bad was about to happen.  Instead, it was because we had to wake up by 6 am to make a tour scheduled for 10 am.  If we had known better, we could have woken up at least an hour later.  But we were playing things safe, as our shore excursion instructions mentioned a 15 minute walk to the cruise terminal (or using a shuttle that ran every 15 minutes that can get overcrowded).  Since neither of us wanted to walk 15 minutes, we decided to take the first shuttle of the day.

But first....

We showered and dressed and were at the buffet before 7 am.  One problem - the main area of the buffet wasn't yet open, and we had to find our food at the other end of the buffet area.  Rushing to finish our meals, we were back in our cabin before 7:30, with a few minutes to get ready before leaving the ship to find the shuttle bus.

The pier in Bridgetown, Barbados is long.  I wouldn't recommend walking it, as it is narrow and allows for only one lane of vehicular traffic.  This means that a pedestrian lane has been squeezed out of the area where one would have buses and other vehicles pass each other in opposing directions.  We were at the far end of the pier, and I estimated that we'd walk 1/2 mile before reaching the terminal.  Use of the shuttle would be our only realistic option today.

At 8 am, we walked to the gangway and found the shuttle loading nearby.  By 8:10, we were in the terminal, ready to kill time before going outside to find our tour bus.  A little before 9 am, we went to the designated waiting area, and our tour guide arrived a few minutes late.  (Heck, it's "Island Time", nothing is on time by NYC terms when in the Caribbean.)  Narren, our guide, was dressed up like Santa, and was ready to show us the best of Barbados.

Now, I'm not going to fault Narren, but there wasn't that much to see on this tour.  Yes, we went past the home of the rich and famous. But after that, it was a long drive on twisty and bumpy roads to reach scenic vistas and an old church.  One member of our group commented that she had seen much better old churches in Europe - and I wouldn't doubt her.  Barbados has only a short history of being settled by European people.  So, shoring a 300 year old church is not enough to impress everyone. Both my partner and I agreed that we might not have taken this tour had we known how little there would be to see.  Again, I won't fault our tour guide.  It was not what we were looking for in a scenic tour. 

We were glad to get back to the ship for lunch and a nap....

- - - - - -

Around 6:30 pm, we went downstairs for dinner. My only complaint was that there were not enough Anjou Pear slices with this appetizer.  My partner noted that Cunard's version of an appetizer is not a mini-main.  Instead, it's a bite or two of tasty food.  And, as usual, I enjoyed two appetizers and a Caesar Salad. The rib eye steak was done to perfection, and the desserts were on the mark as well.  Not that much to say about dinner, save that this was the first time that RQS noticed a mistake in the restaurant's service.  Yet, we still keep getting impressed by service (in general) on this ship. 

 

mmmmm 

 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Domenica (12/01/25)

 

Domenica.  It looks like it might be a nice place to walk around. However,  we weren't in the mood to get off the ship today.  So we stayed on the ship, with two things in mind: 

• Laundry
• Resolution of Internet issue.

But first we had breakfast in the buffet....

After breakfast, we walked onto the promenade deck to get a view of the island. nd that's where I had a mishap that could have caused me some serious problems.  I had decided to sit down in one of the lounge chairs.  It collapsed forward because it wasn't set up right, and I fell forward.  This wouldn't be so bad, save that my cell phone almost fell off the ship.  Several more inches, and I would have lost a general purpose credit card, 2 gas cards, and my OMNY (NYC Mass Transit) card in addition to the phone.  But I was lucky, and only had a minor loss of pride.

Our next stop was to the purser's office, where we got the internet issue fixed - RQS did buy access for me, and the lady at the desk logged me into the ship's wi-fi under my account.  (Now to get the default settings fixed for my laptop.)  Finally, RQS and I can get on the internet at the same time, and not share a single account!

- - - - - -

After a chance to rest, we went down to the laundry room to wash a week's worth of clothes.  We only had 90 minutes to wash and dry our clothes, but the machines were running slow.  Even after 45 minutes of drying time, some items were still slightly damp - and that would have to wait until after dinner.

We arrived at the dining room at 6:30, and met the same 2 people who sat next to us last night.  Again, we had a pleasant chat over dinner.  And again, we noticed minor inconsistencies in staff service in the restaurant, none of which affected our enjoyment of the meal, but should be noted to management to prevent this from getting worse in future cruises.

Once back in our cabin RQS noticed something about the tour we would be taking the next morning in Barbados.  It leaves almost as soon as we get to the port, and we will need to hustle to make it to the tour bus on time.  This meant we'd have to get up very early in the morning for us, and that we'd skip tonight's show in the ship's theater. 

 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - St. Maarten (11/30/25)

 

We got up early and went to the buffet.  Normally, this woud not be our choice, but we had a shore excursion to go to, and we didn't want to miss it.

Around 9:30, we left the ship and walked to the small tour bus that would take us on a 4 hour trip around St. Maarten.  Our tour guide took us to several beaches - not for swimming, but for the views.  And then we went to an Iguana feeding station, where, for a simple gratuity, one would have a chance to feed an Iguana.  It was fun to see one of the iguanas greedily go after some leaves put in front of him, as if there would be no one there tomorrow.  But there would be, as December 1st is the official start of the tourist season, and there would be larger crowds passing by this informal tourist attraction.

Next, we were off to the capital of the French side of the island, and stopped for a bite to eat.  Three currencies are used on St. Maarten: the Lesser Antilles Guilder (St. Maarten and Curacao), the Euro, and the US Dollar.  Many places were treating the dollar at par with the euro, even though the euro trades at 10% higher value.  So, when I got the bill for lunch, I saw the Euro price with a conversion for US Dollars.

After lunch, we were off to the Airport/Maho Beach, where crazy people have decided to try getting blown back by the jet blast.  Although we were not lucky enough to see people try this when a jet took off, there were a lot of people looking to get a thrill by being directly under the flight path pf the planes going in to/out of the airport.

Finally, it was back to the ship.  It was a long day, and it was only 2:30 when we walked back onto the ship. 

- - - - - -

After a chance to rest, RQS and I went to dinner.  As usual, dinner  was tasty, and I had a chance to taste Haggis.  Yum!  The rest of the meal was good as well, including the pheasant.  While at our table, a couple from Ontario started up a chat with us, and we shared pleasantries while eating our dinners.

When dinner was over, we went back to our cabin.  RQS was still upset at having bought internet for 2 devices, but only was credited for one.  I looked at her copy of what was purchased, and I figured out why we were told we only had internet for 1 device - a combination of Cunard's wonky website and her use of the English language - she wasn't thinking like a systems analyst in her use of language, and that got the original internet specialist on the ship to think we bought internet for 1 device.  Once she showed me the proof that she had purchased internet for 2 device, she marched down to the purser's office to get things fixed.  I expect that will take place tomorrow morning.

- - - - - -

Once the internet issue was taken care of, it was time to go to see the stage show - Symphony.  This was far from what we expected, but I'm glad we stayed.  We were expecting a miniature symphonic concert.  Instead, we got the ship's musicians and singers performing/singing Post -WW2 20th century pop music along with a prerecorded segment from the Royal Alpert Hall Orchestra for John Williams and Beatles' selections.  It was much better than I would have thought, given that there was a prerecorded segment being part of the show.

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Sea Day #3 (11/29/25)

 

 (Queen Mary 2 Library)

It started out as a sunny day, and that could only mean one thing: We're now in the Caribbean, and it's warm outside.  I'm comfortable with this for now, but I'd rather be inside in air-conditioned comfort, than to be outside in the warmth.  At times like these, I'm glad that my mom's side of the family emigrated from "the islands" to come to America - the weather is better up here for people like me.

- - - - - - -

We went to Breakfast in the dining room and met 5 other people at a shared table.  All of us were from North America, and we had a few common things to talk about.  This is the type of table at which I enjoy eating at the most, as there is always a chance for a great chat.  All too soon, breakfast had to end, and it was time to go back to our cabin for a while.  Once in the cabin, RQS worked on her painting,  while I worked on my blogs for a while.  And then, I ended up taking a rest. 

As we sail further South, it seems as if it's becoming much more humid outside.  (RQS says it is doing so, as she sits on the balcony working with her watercolors.) For me, this will be a bit of a curse, as I've noticed that I've become much more sensitive to heat and humidity.  So, I expect that our shore excursions may be a little hellish for me on this trip.

RQS wanted to get out of the room, and we decided to find the ship's library after a late lunch in the buffet.  We went upstairs and walked to the front of the ship, where we found the largest library I've ever seen at sea.  It is a great place to relax and get away from crowds, and one of the "little" nooks on this ship that make it cozy.

- - - - - - 

At 6:00, we went to dinner, and were seated without much of a wait.  However, today's service seemed to be slightly slower than usual, and the formalities of flatware placement before serving any of the meal's dishes wasn't observed.  Instead, they were replacing flatware after each course, as if there was a backlog of clean flatware coming from the dishwashers.  The meal was good, albeit with a couple of misses in appetizers and desserts.

After a short stop in our cabin to refresh ourselves, we went to the ship's theater to see a pair of aerial acrobats (Duo Quintessence) perform a Cirque du Soleil like show.  This couple did a fantastic show, showing off their talents and skills at their best. Would I see them again?  Yes.  Yet, I wouldn't go out of my way to do so, as there is only so much variety one can insert into this type of performance. 

 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Sea Day #2 (11/28/25)

 

The Christmas tree, the true sign that holiday season is coming.  On the QM2, the ship's staff is quietly installing Xmas decorations, and this tree "magically" popped up just after Thanksgiving. 

Now that we're halfway to our first port, the weather outside seems to be getting a little warmer.  Or, this is how it felt next to a window in the dining room, where RQS had to take off her sweater to feel comfortable.  Could it be that we finally have a sunny day?  Maybe.  But I think it's because we've gone South enough for the ship to start warming up from the outside in.

Our alarms got us moving around 7:45, and I was the first one in the shower.  Surprisingly, we were both ready to go to breakfast a little early.  When we arrived at Breakfast, there were several people waiting to escort people to their tables.  We were seated near a window, and could feel the warmth from the outside, now that we are in warmer climes.

While I was typing in the basis for this blog entry, RQS went outside (while it was still dry) to do her walk around the promenade deck.  I figured that I'd then continue work on my cruise blog, and started to slice and dice things to make the other blog more useful.  Things such as Cunard's wonky app had to be described, and I had to dedicate an entire section to Cunard's wonky technology.

Around 6 pm, we went for dinner, and had our hits and misses as usual.  Out of the 3 main dishes we ordered, only my lamb dish passed muster.  The chicken dumplings had no taste, while the chicken with Moroccan spices was a little too far out there for RQS's taste.

It felt like we had a long day - only because we were up since 7:30 am.  I can only imagine how we'll be feeling in St. Maarten, as we'll be out in the tropical sun for several hours. 

 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Sea Day #1 (11/27/25)

 

Thanksgiving - will they have a different menu for us Americans on the ship?  By mid-afternoon, I've seen no mention of turkey anywhere, and that's just as well.

- - - - - -

We thought of going for breakfast in the dining room, but we ended up in the buffet for both breakfast and lunch.  However, neither of us wanted to get up until 9:30, so we ended up in the buffet instead.  It was a dreary day outside, and we were glad to be indoors as the rains came in.

After lunch, RQS went off to an art class, while I stayed in the room resting.   I knew I would have to change clothes for "Gala Night".  And I wanted to wait until the last minute, which I did.  (I'll bet it's related to a GI Tract issue I have, details I won't go into now.)   This would be the first time that RQS would see me in a suit with traditional white shirt and tie (I'd have rather presented as Marian on this trip), and I looked halfway decent for presenting as Mario.

We had a scare that Cunard's computer system dropped our reservations for dinner.  So, we walked over the main dining room to check on things, and again - Cunard's wonky computer system got in our way.  We just learned NOT to trust their system, but to trust the people in charge of the venues to get things right. Dinner was good.  I enjoyed the Chateaubriand, while RQS enjoyed the Thanksgiving Turkey. However, we encountered a miss with dessert - the Pear and Ginger cake needed some kind of sweet drizzle over it to make the dish work. 

After a brief stop in our room, we went to the ship's theater to see a stage show.  Since I'm not a great fan of dance shows, I knew I'd be underwhelmed.  But these performers were competent, and I enjoyed a couple of songs performed by the singers. 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Embarkation Day (11/26/25)

 

This was a day where we didn't have to rush.  Cunard sent us a notice that embarkation time was 2 hours later than originally planned.  I knew better than to trust traffic on the BQE on the day before Thanksgiving (the 4th Thursday of November in the US), so we planned to reach the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal only 1 hour later than called for.

Having an extra 2 hours to relax made things much easier for us.  RQS was able to go out and pick up something for us to eat for breakfast, while I had the time to shower at my leisure.  We were ready to go to the terminal by 1 pm, and had summoned an Uber for a 2 pm pickup.  Just after I had brought all of our luggage to the main floor, I found out that the Uber was arriving early.  So, I was glad that I started this preparation a little early, rather than waiting until almost 2 pm.

It took an hour to reach the cruise terminal, and it was the emptiest I've ever seen the place.  From the time we dropped our bags off to the time we were on the ship, it seemed like we were continually in motion.  It took (maybe) 10 minutes at most to enter the terminal, go through security, get our boarding passes stamped, and walk onto the ship.  Finding our room once on the ship took longer, as we had to bypass the crowds at the elevators (they are too small, and there are not enough of them) to get to our cabin.

Once in our cabins, we were able to relax.  But we still had to check in at our muster station.  Once that was done, it was time for a small nibble before finding out what to do for our internet setup.  And here is where we were disappointed: RQS thought she was buying internet service for 1 device for each of us, instead for the two of us.  That's OK - we know how to share.  At least, we can switch devices as needed, unlike MSC's internet offering.

Around 7 pm we went downstairs for dinner.  We weren't sure of what to expect.  How good would the dinner be?  Would we enjoy our choices?  Would we enjoy the formality?  Well, to answer those questions, we liked our menu choices, we found the servers' formality pleasant and comfortable, and we found our meals tasty - even though RQS had to send back an accidentally overcooked steak.  As one could say - "So far, So good."  We shall see what the rest of the trip brings. 

 

Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2025 - Final Preparation (11/25/25)

 

This is going to be a quick post.  The last thing I wanted to do is trigger any problems when getting to the ship. So I made sure to organize things in a way that I had everything in a convenient location when we got to the cruise terminal.  I made extra sure to set things up in a way that would make sense when I would be in a rush and not have time to think.  My passport and boarding pass was safely stored in my backpack, along with the computer I'd be making daily blog entries.  My clothes were stuffed into suitcases, and my main CPAP machine was attached to my carry-on bag, so that I wouldn't forget it at RQS's place. 

RQS, on the other hand, was still doing her last minute packing, while I was sitting on the sofa watching TV.  She had a luxury that I didn't have - extra days to pack, as we were leaving from her place.  She was ready around 10 pm, and we were finally able to relax and prepare ourselves emotionally for the trip yet to come.

- - - - - -

Now that I got the essentials out of the way, I should note that I got small bills from my bank before packing up the CPAP machine for the trip to RQS's place.  She tasked me with picking up snacks, and I found a big bag of Twizzlers for us to munch on.  Neither of us needed to have this sugary treat, but I figured that it would take up less space than pretzels, and would be consumed more slowly.  I'm still not sure if this was a wise choice.  But, you only live once - unless you're James Bond. 

 

By the time you read this, I'll be back home and running at full speed.

 

This would be a short weekend with RQS, and a last chance to prepare for the above cruise.  I would need to drop off my bags at RQS's place, and then go home to park my car before going back to RQS's place before cruise day.  Any business I needed to take care of before the cruise had to be done now, as I couldn't do it while on the cruise.

- - - - - -

My plans for the Friday before the cruise were to see my doctor, finish my packing for the cruise, and then drive to RQS's place for a "short" weekend.  ("Short" means going down on Friday and driving back on Sunday.)  The first think on my task list was a doctor's visit.  We discussed things I need to do (lose weight, having gained 5 lbs.), as well as getting a prescription for a GLP-1 drug.  Well, he put thru the prescription to my local drug store (probably without checking first to see if Medicare covered the drug) and I balked at a $500/month price for the prescription.  There is no way that I am going to spend that much on a drug to help me lose weight (and get my Type-2 under better control), and I will tell him so when I see him just before Xmas.

Next on my list of things to do was getting money from the bank, as I'll need some folding money to take with me when sailing between the islands.  (Now, I have to get small bills, so that I can make buy small value things in ports.)  That took place without problems, as I got to the bank before the ATM shut down before weekly replenishment.

Finally, it was time for me to drive to Queens.  I was out the door by 2:30, and I made good time until I reached the Van Wyck Expressway.  There, traffic slowed to a standstill without reason.  So, I bailed, and went on local streets to keep moving.  (If I bail at Jewel Avenue, I pass by a former acquaintance's apartment house - someone who is better lost than found.)   I was able to snake through local streets to get to RQS's place, and asked RQS to meet me where I parked to unload all the stuff I had with me.

Once back at RQS's place and having a chance to rest, we ordered a pizza and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

- - - - - -

Saturday came, and we walked to the supermarket to take care of food shopping that will last RQS until the day we leave on our cruise.  I pointed out the Porterhouse Steak that we both drooled over, then selected the salmon we had for dinner.  (This was the first time that RQS did everything right - the salmon was perfectly cooked, and the rice was tasty; She gets in her cooking practice when I'm around, and I'm sure to always show my appreciation for her efforts.)  

After dinner, RQS finished up most of her packing, and we were able to relax again.  Both of us were exhausted from what went on during the prior week, and we were glad to have each other to relax with.

- - - - - -

On Sunday, I had to go home to take care of things.  I had an Amazon package being delivered, and I needed a break - I'll be with RQS for almost 2 weeks, and wanted some alone time that I couldn't get when she's around.

Neither of us got moving until noon.  I took my time getting showered and dressed, as I didn't want to rush home.  RQS had to drop off some goods in a donation bin, and then pick up prescriptions at the drug store.  So, I dropped her off at 3:30, and was home before 5.  It was nice to be home, and tomorrow I'll likely book a cruise on NCL that will give me double loyalty points and take care of the "gratuities" as part of the fare.  If I can couple this with another discount, this cruise will be relatively cheap - which is important, as I'll be the one paying for everything.

- - - - - -

I woke up early on Monday, alone in my bed and I'm glad I did - I was about to get some calls from my doctor's office to schedule a test, and then a call from the lab which was to perform the test.  By the time noon came around, I was tired again, and took a nap.

For those of my readers who are unfamiliar with the description of my apartment, the place needs to have windows open in cooler weather, as I get too much heat.  (There is a flaw in my building's design - the central heating core runs through my apartment and the apartment below me.  Being on the top floor, I get extra warmth both from a Southern exposure and from the heating core.)  So, I feel that my nap was triggered by the apartment's warmth. But I digress....

When I felt rested, I got online and booked a cruise, this time solely at my expense.  It was a long delayed treat for RQS.  All she has to do is correct her loyalty awards number, and we both get our credits for this cruise.... 

- - - - - - 

Since I'll be too busy over the next couple of days, the next post here will be the start of my latest cruise related entries....   

 

Lunch, and an aborted evening

 

My brother seems to call at the darnedest times.  Today, he called me as I was getting dressed for lunch.  And this evening, he called when I was getting ready to go out again.  Both times were interruptions to my routines.  I responded differently in the evening - I was no longer in the mood to go out for anything.

But first....

I had only one thing on the docket for today - lunch with my friend from the census.  We get together on a monthly schedule, and it's usually either Mexican or Italian, as she's a vegetarian.  Since she goes to the health club at noon and gets out at 1 pm, we know the time to meet-1:30 pm. The only decision we have to make is which restaurant we'll eat at.  And that decision is usually made the night before.

My brother called me at lunch time, just before I was to apply my makeup.  He wanted me to review the paperwork for someone who wants to rent out the family homestead.  I said that the people look stable, and would be good renters.  Then, I had to cut my brother off, as I had to finish getting ready to go out.  Luckily, I still had a few minutes to spare, and I was able to make it to Ossining at 1:30 on the dot.

My friend and I order almost the same thing - Baked Ziti.  There was only one difference between the two dishes: hers had no meat, while mine had several meatballs with the ziti.  We talked about what is going on in our lives.  For me, it was the upcoming cruise and that we have renters for the family homestead.  For her, it was her husband preparing to retire and her son's employment (he may have a new and better job).  Eventually, lunch had to end, and we scheduled next month's get-together.

After I got home, I rested for a while.  But before I was to leave, my brother called me to ask me for something he would end up doing himself - getting a boilerplate rental contract.  (He thinks of things way too often at the last minute.)  And then, he mentioned that his job may still be at risk.  Sadly, at the age of 62, he has not hit "the number" he needs to retire.  By the end of the call, I was ready NOT to go out for the evening, and I succumbed to resting on the sofa for the rest of the evening.  

Sometimes, giving into temptation can be the wisest thing to do....

 

It's been a while, and I'm sure that WDS has fallen ill again (or worse).

I'm not sure of what to say about my friend WDS.  He was my best man when I got married 40 years ago  We were very close when we were in college, but we drifted apart over the years.  Both of us lost our wives to the same type of cancer.  Both of us had a strong interest in computers.  But he took a very different path than I did in life. WDS went deep into the technology rabbit hole, while I stayed closer to the business world.  He worked hard to avoid becoming technically obsolescent, while I stayed in a stable position with a dying technology.  Yet, our friendship lasted..

Things changed when our wives passed away.  WDS always felt that he should have been a sailor on a 3-masted ship, sailing the oceans and exploring new worlds.  With his wife, they planned to tour the country in a custom-built mobile home on wheels. That dream ended when his wife died.  I was with him when she took her own life, as she wanted to die on her own terms. She did not want to be doped up in hospice and kept breathing to please a society that couldn't let a woman die with dignity instead of in pain. 

Once his wife died (I won't fill in any of the blanks my readers might have), he was harassed by the DA in the city in which he lived.  It took 6 months for things to clear, and some valuable items were stolen by the very police department who were supposed to investigate the case. (I can vouch for one thing: WDS could not have prevented his wife's suicide if he wanted to.)  After things cleared, and his wife's death ruled a suicide, WDS left the NYC area for good and landed in Florida.

WDS and I had occasional contact via email after that, and he couldn't understand how I lost interest in the nitty gritty of technology.  To me, there was much more to life than making a machine get up and dance.  (If I were young, I'd likely have gone into robotics and made the machine dance.  But that's another story.) One time, when I reached out to him, he didn't respond.  So, I reached out to an organization he was associated with and sent out a feeler.  Still no response.  It took him a while to get back to me.  He had suffered a brain aneurysm, and no longer had the verbal ability he once had.  He was no longer able to speak, as he lost much of his brain's ability to quickly retrieve words and speak them. Instead, he was forced to constantly use a thesaurus to create sentences to express his thoughts in writing.  What would take him 5 seconds to say now took him a half hour or more.  So, I never had the chance to speak with him again.

The other day, I tried to reach WDS at his long term email address.  The domain he used was no longer in existence.  I had no other email address, but I did have a phone number.  So I texted him.  No response.  At this time, I'd bet that WDS has had more maladies, and may either be in a nursing home or has passed away.  Either way, if I'm visiting his neck of the woods, I'll knock on the door of his last known address (that I could find) and see if he's still alive.  If so, I hope he's doing well.