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. 

 

A true "Bucket List" cruise.

 

This is a cruise I'd like to take someday in the future.  It's 28 days long, and it goes to ports I'll never have the chance to go on other trips.  One of my friends from game night has taken a 1-way 2-week cruise from New York to Iceland, touching at some of these ports.  But I'd want to do a round trip, closed loop cruise and spend the better part of a week in Iceland.

- - - - - -

Yesterday, I found out how much RQS receives in pension and social security benefits, and I realized that she has many more demands on her monthly income than I have on an income 20% more than hers.  She'd never be able to afford such a trip on her own.  So, if I were to book this trip, I might as well pay for her share of a cabin, as it would cost me the same either way.  

There is one problem with this cruise - The last time it's being offered (right now) is in 2026.  Instead of costing $6600/pp, a similar 2027 cruise will cost $11400/pp and last 35 days.  However, it will be a Solar Eclipse cruise, and the cruise line is charging as much money as they can for the privilege of seeing the sun disappear from the sky for 4 minutes.  Hopefully, the cruise line will offer something similar to the 28-day cruise in 2028.

- - - - - -

In 2027, I'm hoping to be able to take RQS on a Hawaii cruise.  Sadly, with the new Hawaii taxes that start in 2026, it will cost at least 14% more expensive than it was this year (ignoring inflation).  It will still be worth the money spent.  But it will likely be the last time I get the chance to visit this state, as there are no discount ways to cruise the Hawaiian islands.

There are so many cruises I'd love to take.  I'm lucky - I have already checked off 3 of the most common bucket list cruises, with more to go.  Hopefully, I'll have both health and money to finish off my list. 

I'm starting to pack for my upcoming cruise

 

I miss being able to cruise as Marian.  The Orange Snowflake is out to erase transgenders from the earth, claiming "it is all in our heads."  One problem - it is easier to change the body than to rewire the brain.  And even if it could be done, should it be done?  When the person who holds the presidency has no morality, no sense of justice, and no respect for others, then how can anyone cis or trans feel safe?

Safety for us trans people is important.  For those like me, we can go stealth and not worry much - but we still have our worries.  When presenting as a male, my whiteness helps keep me safe from the ICE raids going on in neighboring towns.  So, if I have to make contact with anyone from the Federal Government, I've decided to do so as a white male and assert my "privilege". This is not real safety.  I've been hassled by a TSA Officer before flying to London, simply because he had a bug up his ass.  Could you imagine what he'd have been like if I were presenting as a female for an international flight?

I remind people that Cisgender people are not safe.  The husband of one of my friends is an immigrant from the Philippines. He is not white, but he is a male US Citizen who has communications issues.  He lives in a town which has suffered ICE raids, and my friend (his wife) fears what could happen if he goes out during one of these raids. He could not advocate effectively for himself.  Given that we have deported US citizens caught in one of these ICE roundups, do you think he'd be safe.

RQS is a fair skinned black, somewhere in the mocha shade of skin tone.  She'd likely be tolerably safe, as she has an "American" accent. And that relative safety would likely extend to many "American Blacks" who speak with an "American" accent familiar to many ICE agents.  But that doesn't extend to their initial treatment by these "authorities", as there has been a different standard of justice for whites and blacks in America. I must note that Asian Americans may have similar treatment to American Blacks, but would be subject to similar risk factors.  Yet, even if I were a second or third generation Chinese American, would I feel safe if ICE was raiding a Chinatown neighborhood as they recently did in New York City?

The promise of the Orange Snowflake was to round up the criminals who were in the US illegally and deport them first.  Instead, he is aiming for quantity over quality, scooping up law abiding people (here legally or illegally) to make artificial quotas.  So, a wise gender nonconforming person can not feel safe in a society where every touch point with the Federal Government puts her/him at risk.

So, I've started my packing, and I'm disappointed that I won't be able to wear my summer dresses again. But, I still wouldn't do so on this cruise, as many of the islands in the Caribbean have similar backwards attitudes as our president.  I'll still be relatively comfortable and safe, but I won't be as happy as if I could present as my true self. 

 

 

 

 

 

She's going home, bye, bye....

 

I always feel a little sad when RQS goes home.  I love having her near me, but I also feel a little freer when I have the time to  take care of my own affairs without worrying about her feelings.  We have a good thing going, where our periodic absences from each other's lives makes the fondness grow stronger.

Today, RQS had to go home.  She had things to take care of at home, and I had things to do here as well. So, after relaxing all day (and having some of our leftover lobster), we got showered and dressed (me in a $5.00 dress I picked up at Burlington a few years ago) and prepared to go to the station. So, around 3:15, we left for the train station, me without my wallet in my handbag.  Well, after dropping RQS off, I found out that I left my wallet at home while I was on the drive thru lane at McDonald's.  AARGH!  You can guess how careful I drove home - I'm glad nothing happened on my way home.

Next, I was off to Walmart with my wallet in hand.  It was time for me to replace my car's cell phone charger.  When I brought the charger and cable up to the cash register, the credit card reader had problems with my card.  Why, I do not know.  But I ended up having to swipe the card instead of inserting the card to charge this to my account.  Later, I'd find out that my credit card company's fraud detection system had texted me about this transaction, and I okayed it.  Luckily, I had a second charge card for another transaction I'd make in the same store.

- - - - - -

When I got home, I found that RQS had a problem with her taxes. (I won't go into details here.)  When our tax lady looked into it, she found that Fran (who RQS used for her taxes 2 years ago) made a mistake, and RQS got flagged for a problem with her 2022 taxes.  OUCH!  This makes me glad that I had to do a last minute shuffle and find our current tax preparer.  I just wonder what tax year 2025 will look for me....

 

 

PS: The tax problem was with a previous tax preparer's mistake - The State/Local forms were not filled in correctly.  The person who did the taxes did this two years in a row.  I'm glad that both of us have someone good on the case these days - I almost got stuck using this person, and dodged a bullet with my taxes.

The remainder of a nice weekend (a short post)

 

But baby, it's cold outside...

Being serious, it felt cold outside.  It finally feels like winter is just around the corner, and the two of us finally needed our warmer coats to go outside.

- - - - - -

Sunday came, and I decided not to go to church.  Although I could have done so, I was not in the mood to shower and wear a dress on the coldest day of the season.  Instead, I turned off the alarm, turned over, and went back to sleep for a while.

When I finally got up, I proceeded to the living room to start my wake-up process and have a little bite to eat.  RQS was up about an hour after I was, and we relaxed most of the day.  Since we had to make a run to Kohl's to make an exchange, we knew we had to get out the door before closing.  (Little did we know that they were on Holiday Hours.)  So, we got showered and dressed (sadly, with me in Mario mode), and proceeded to Kohl's.  Thirty minutes later, RQS was out with her haul.  And then, it was over to Shoprite.

I've been to almost all of the supermarkets within a 30 minute drive of my house.  So I proceeded to the seafood department and ordered 3 lobsters.  These were feisty critters, and they likely had just molted.  We expected lobsters that would be easy to crack open and tasty to eat.  And we were right.  For the most part, we barely needed our lobster crackers, and we had some of the best lobster we ever ate at home.

Monday would come, and I'd have to drive her to the train station to go home.  But as Scarlett O'Hara might say: "Tomorrow is another day."

  

Guess who was the birthday gal! (No, not me.)

 

I rarely drive to TCL's house these days, as she is uncomfortable with me when presenting as female. So, I save the times I plan to see her for when I'm presenting as male.  This means that I visit her much less than I visited a former cruise partner when we were still friends. Today was a day I was presenting as a male, and it was a perfect day to visit TCL.

But first...

RQS's friend was in town today, and we had made arrangements to meet her for lunch.  Of course, this dictated that this would be Mario's day out. So I made sure that we'd see TCL for a belated birthday dinner.  While I was at it, I also scheduled my Covid vaccination for today as well.

Waking up at 9 am, RQS and I went to CVS, so that I could get my arm stuck.  Then it was off to a small diner in Yonkers where we'd meet RQS's friend (and family) for lunch.  This diner was tiny, and not geared for 5 people (plus infant) to have a leisurely meal.  Yet, we were able to get a table quickly and we were able to have lunch together.

RQS's friend started off by telling us about her sister falling ill overseas.  I won't describe the symptoms here, but she has been stuck in a clinic in Fiji.  Travel insurance does not cover her evacuation to America.  Instead, it covers evacuation to the nearest place where appropriate care can be given - Australia.  AARGH!  Now, RQS's friend is trying to figure out a way to get her sister home and under the care of American doctors.  Although we talked about other things, this was the overriding focus of our get together, and something still being worked on as we left the diner.

Next, we were off to New Jersey.  RQS had to go to Land's End to return a coat, and came out with another at a lower price.  (Everything was on sale at 50% of the list price.)  Once done at Lands End, we killed 90 minutes before driving to TCL's place to pick her up for a belated birthday dinner.

The 3 of us made it to a nearby Italian restaurant just before the crowds came in.  We had a leisurely meal, TCL being greeted as a regular at the restaurant.  Around 6:45, I got a subtle hint from one of the wait staff that they'd like to seat new people  (Don't think this was an unreasonable hint - there was over 15 people waiting inside the doorway, and another 15 waiting outside in the chilly weather.)  So, I signaled TCL after she finished the last bite of dessert that it was time to leave.  When I pointed out how many people were waiting to get in, she understood why it was time to leave.

It was a long day.  And an expensive one, as I dropped $250 on two different meals.  Yet, it was a good day.  RQS got to see her friend, and I finally got the chance to see TCL

Lunch with Maria - the only point of the day.

 

Years ago, I took a set of Boudoir pictures of my friend Maria, so that she could have something sexy to give her husband.  It was a fun evening, and I made sure NOT to view any part of her body that I couldn't see at a typical beach or swimming pool.  Neither of us were available at the same time - we were either both married, or one of us was "attached" while the other was available.  And yet, I don't think we'd ever have thought of each other as a romantic partner, as we never looked at each other as anything other than good friends who just happened to be in the opposite gender.

- - - - - -

The only thing on my docket for the day was lunch with Maria. We decided to meet at our usual place at 12:30.  Both of us got to Cold Spring on time, but we couldn't find parking close to the Cold Spring Depot restaurant.  So, I called her, and suggested that we drive to a diner in Beacon for lunch.  Fifteen minutes later, we were pulling into the parking lot and walking into the diner.

Maria was surprised to find me using a cane.  I noted that I don't always need it. But when I have to stand in one place for a while, it makes it possible for me to do so.  We sat down in one of the booths, and we caught up on each other's lives. I mentioned my two trips into NYC and our upcoming cruise, while Maria talked about her family and the problems she has been dealing with. As a grandmother, she should be able to give her grandchildren back to their mother at the end of the day.  But Maria has been doing the job of raising a second generation, while her daughter ducks the responsibilities of being a parent.  She's stuck doing so, and I hope that one day she will be able to have more leisure time to enjoy life. As it is, I may have said too much about Maria's life.  But, without seeing her face, and leaving the details of her life unsaid, I don't think she'd mind me mentioning this one aspect of her life, as she shares this struggle with many grandparents in our generation.

All too soon, we had to part.  Hopefully, we'll be able to meet again in December. I drove home, and took a much needed nap. And then, my day was over.  At least, I was able to wear my sweater dress again,  

Soon, I'll be going on a cruise ...again.

 

 

This year, I'll have spent over a month of my time at sea.  My last cruise for the year is coming up soon, and I'll be on a "new" ship (for us) with RQS.   Unlike all of the other ships we've been on, the Queen Mary 2 sails for a cruise line known for its formality.  It'll be a new cruise experience for us, and I hope we'll enjoy it.

- - - - - -

As I write this, it is close to freezing outside.  I'm not sure if I want to bother getting dressed and taking care of errands.  The temperature will be lower than normal for the rest of the week, and I have things booked towards the weekend.  This means that I'll be looking for all my cold weather clothing, and hoping that I have enough of it available when I need it.

It'll be relatively easy for me to pack for my upcoming cruise, as I will be presenting as Mario while on the cruise.  It's simpler for me to dress as Mario, as the only thing that changes will be the number of layers I need to wear.  But I wish I could have gone on this cruise as Marian.  Even if we had sane politics in the US right now, I'd be in the Caribbean where cultural norms aren't as progressive as they are in the US.

I'm thinking of giving RQS a winter cruise for Xmas.  Although we'd sail several weeks later, I'd want it to be a surprise.  One catch: As much as I don't like the itinerary, it'd be the last chance I'd get to sail on an MSC ship before they abandon the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for a new home port in Florida.  Hopefully, we'll see MSC return some day, as well as seeing the terminal expand to handle two ships at the same time.

- - - - - -

If all goes right, the year 2026 will have us taking 3 cruises.  But, as soon as we're done with our last cruise, I'll start the process of both renewing my passport and my global entry registration (Trusted Traveler ID), so that I can take my 2027 cruises without worrying if there is enough time on my passport to schedule a cruise.

Ideally, I'd be able to travel as Marian, with a passport that identifies me as Marian.  But that is not likely to happen soon.  RQS still wants Mario as a partner (even though she's comfortable with me presenting as Marian.)  And in today's political climate, it makes sense for me to stay in stealth mode when I have to deal with any employee of the Federal Government.  

Since I rant about the Orange Snowflake and his fascist regime too often, I'll stay away from politics today, save for the "in passing" references in this entry. I'm more concerned about how I'll dress when I get home from my next cruise, as we will want to take the ferry from Red Hook to either the Atlantic Avenue or Williamsburg ferry stops before summoning an Uber.  I maintain my sanity by maintaining my freedom to travel - by any means necessary.  Hopefully, I'll be able to complete the process of getting an EU passport (I won't say which country yet) before this time next year, as this will be my "Get Out of Jail Free" card if I need one.

 

A nice way to end restaurant week.

 

RQS and I had only one thing on our docket today: A Restaurant Week dinner at Le Provençal Bistro,  I've eaten here before with Vicki, and loved the food.  This would be my first time here with RQS, and I knew she'd be impressed.

- - - - - -

We didn't get moving until late morning, and putzed around most of the day.  However, I had a phone call to make - I had to call the co-op board president and develop a game plan for our next meeting.  We have 4 applicants looking to buy apartments in our complex, and have to find the time to interview them all.  In addition, we have other issues that need discussion, and we have to fit everything into a 4 hour block.

Once done with the co-op business, my GI tract decided to act up.  Luckily, I still had enough time to get showered, made up, and dressed, so that we could make a 6 pm dining time.  Unlike RQS who decided to wear slacks, I decided to wear a nice casual sweater dress for dinner. We were able to get out the door by 5:15, leaving us enough time to fill the car up with gas, and still make it to Mamaroneck on time.  

Arriving at the restaurant at 6, it seemed to take forever to have our order taken. Service was slow and spotty, as I expect that one of the servers was not able to make it for the last day of Restaurant Week (an always busy time before Holiday Season).  However, this was balanced by the excellent food in front of us.  RQS had the Salmon Tartare, while I had the Garlic Sausage for appetizers, then both of us had Mussels for a main course, followed by chocolate mousse tarts for dessert.  Both of us would go back here again.  But the next time we do, it will be for a special dinner.

- - - - - -

When we got home, I behaved like a typical woman - I couldn't wait to take off my bra.  As I've mentioned before, I'm very comfortable in my female presentation, and have no problems going out in the NYC metropolitan area as a woman.  Hopefully, I'll be again able to travel the USA in the future as a woman, and go back to "Cruising Pretty" soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

(See you tomorrow.)

The longer I'm out and about, the less I write about being TG

 

When I started blogging, I used to talk about how I worried about whether people would clock me as being TG.  I discussed things such as voice training, meeting people as Marian, and other things that would set me apart from cisgender women.  Over the years, I have gained much more confidence in who I am and where I can safely go.  But people like me are under attack from the Orange Snowflake.  Most of us don't flaunt what we are.  We simply want to go about our lives without being treated less than human from certain social groups such as religious fundamentalists. 

This entry is not about being TG as much as it is about life in general.  For the most part, the vast majority of people lead humdrum lives.  Even if one has become famous, such as being a movie star, a sports player, and a politician, most of our lives consist of relatively boring activities such as shopping, doing the laundry, cleaning our houses, etc.. So, what should anyone write about?  I'm not one who makes a big deal about what I'm wearing these days, save that I want to hide my less than feminine features.  Going into the ladies' room is no longer a big deal when I'm presenting as Marian - I just go into the stall, get my clothes out of the way, sit down and relieve myself.  Most people don't bat a eyelash, especially since most fat people tend to be "invisible" to others.

For a little over a week, I've been wearing red nail polish.  As a consequence, I've been presenting as a female. The only reason I removed my nail polish today was that it was starting to chip away.  I figure that I'll go get my nails done when RQS goes home, as I don't want to spend the time to redo my nails while she's here.  

- - - - - -

Today has become a sort of "maintenance day".  RQS decided to reorganize my kitchen cabinets, while I decided to pay some bills and to prepare to do laundry.  Since the light over the kitchen counter got damaged, we will end up going to Lowe's to pick up a replacement later on.  While we were sitting down, we booked a couple of shore excursions for our upcoming cruise.  Now, we have 3 out of 5 shore days where we have things to see when in port.

Cruising has become our preferred mode of taking a vacation, as it gives us the most bang per buck. We keep looking at cruises we can take.  I'm hoping that the snowflake is removed from office so that sanity can rule in the US again.  Then, and only then, will I consider the cruise I want to take - a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2, where I can return to the States as Marian.

Until then, I'll just have to keep living my humdrum life....