De Travel Guru

14/05/2019

It's better to be LUCKY than to be SMART,

11/04/2019

I relish the lack of news...the serenity and peace that is my lot.
Grazie Deo.

25/08/2018

My life has been simplified considerably
First I cancelled my cable connection to Television. So now I don't get all the ISIS atrocities every day.
Then I skip listening to the radio news, so I miss the Taliban su***de bombings of the Souk, that kills 49 grandmothers shopping for the weekend meal. I also avoid newspaper reports of domestic school shootings killing 17 students and 3 teachers...or the spouse shooting her husband and 2 young girls. Disgusting.
I try to focus on celebrity marriages and births. Much more pleasing, non?
Skip the drama and disaster...focus on the niceties in life. Agree?

02/06/2018

I keep posting here for the benefit and amusement of my friends and writers. Just to confirm I aint dead...or even ailing. Grazie deo. The grandkids are growing up nicely and are a great source of delight in my weekly visits. Next cruise in Sept. Lemme know if y'wanna join me. I always look forward to seeing old friends...and I promise not to crowd you out at the Buffet on deck 11. Join me.

12/05/2018

We live in a charmed era...No major wars around the globe, No massacres, no upheavals.
The headlines have to stoop to revealing some politicans romantic/sexual dalliances...and thats from 10 or 15 years ago.
How lucky are we ! The Dow keeps rising, the economy keeps growing and improving, employment keeps rising. Now ALL we gotta do is care for our health...and stick around ! Grazie Deo.

28/03/2018

Its amazing to me, when I visit my crossword puzzle page, to aee the ages of some celebs having a birthday this day.
Lookit Gene Shalit, the film critic is 92 !! Aretha Franklin, the singer is 78. Wht even Elton John is 71. What Geezers !
I'm glad I stayed young at 39...okay maybe 49...but young.

01/02/2018

Being a Geezer has led me to express that I have FOUND the answer to most of mankinds problems. I say "most" just to be modest....I KNOW it's the answer to ALL of our problems.
What is it? you ask...Simple, PROCRASTINATION.
I have learned (only recently) that if you ignore most problems and annoyances...they go away. All except my Visa bill...that presists, dammit. But te rest become far less pressing with the passage of a month or two. Try it. You'll thank me later.

19/10/2017

"God Bless America"...I remember my father saying it often and with great sincerity.
He was referring to the great economic opportunity offered to everyone willing to do an honest days labor...on the job, and improve their status in life.
On my latest cruise this phenominon was in great evidence. The Trickle Down Effect...in full display. No longer are cruises for retired couples or honeymooners...all Caucasian. I was surrounded by all races, colors, nationalities. The wealthy invest in companies, which build factories and then hire numerous employees to run the plant. These wage earners then spend their wages to enhance their lives, second cars, new homes, better furniture and clothing, etc...creating new demand on the economy...thus new factories and new empyees. Now it's called The Virtuous Circle...or The American Economic System. Dad was right...God Bless America, indeed.

14/10/2017

"They tell us to make up passwords to protect our accounts from hackers and intruders who would steal our 'stuff'. and they say, make 'em difficult...Not 12345.
Make 'em unusual...Not 'I don't remember my password'.
And DON'T write them down anywhere. Then you're safe.
Except that now I can't remember 3 or 4 of them and now I'M locked out of my most important accounts. Even when I try to enter what I remember, if I get ONE LETTER wrong...I'm OUT.
These electronic guardians cut you NO slack for an incorrect letter or number. (Wait. I think that's one of my passwords..
"incorrect letter". I'll try it and see.) Grrr....

11/08/2017

I often wonder, now that pen and paper are obsolete...what will we refer to in 5 years to recall or views of today? Surely we won't have it all on Facebook or e-mail or such. It will ALL have been erased...or sent to some cloud...irretrievable. Pity, I like to old letters and such received from friends over the years. It helps relive and re-enjoy old moments. Do keep in touch....please.

05/04/2017

I have been fortunate to learn life-affirming lessons from my cruise mates. Here are two excellent examples.
At out first breakfast together, my cabin mate Mike commented (briefly) that my snoring had kept him awake all night. I mumbled an apology..and that was the end of the conversation When I returned to the cabin to don swim trunks for the whirlpool bath I noticed all of Mike's stuff WAS GONE! His brief note said, "Couldn't stand the snoring. Moved to cabin XYZ, Call me for lunch." I was immediately impressed with his DECISIVE BEHAVIOR. No moaning or whining. He just TOOK ACTION. (Notice the Past Tense. Done!) I labeled the lesson T.A.
An even more important lesson came from Joachim, which I now try to emulate. I call it FOP. Friendly. Optimistic. Pleasant. Never is heard a discouraging word...from Joachim. How refreshing.How uplifting. So y'see why I emulate these fine examples of behavior and attitude? Bravo cabinmates.

25/02/2017

Y'know, it amazes and pleases me that nomatter how long ago that photo was put it there...
my goatee looks the same, I look the same...and that T-shirt is still in service. It comes from a pile of a thousand and keeps getting rotated into use. And believe me, I'm very glad ALL the features shown above are still in regular use. (Not HER of course, but all the others.)

23/01/2017

12/09/2016

SCHNAPPS VINCIT OMNIA As you guys know, that is about of the extent of my Latin, from my days at Catholic school. I'm sure the nuns would be proud of my proficiency. AND the fact I keep my brandy in the freezer...to make it doubly refreshing, late in the afternoon. And I must say, it DOES Vincit Omnia. Whatever may be troubling me at the moment goes pffft after a sip or three. Y'really gotta try it...on a regular basis. I'd be appy to hear yur thoughts after a week or three. Y'think?

25/08/2016

What have we to complain about??
The DOW is stable at 18,500. Gas is $1.89 a gallon. No major violence or disaster facing us. To Whomever Is in Charge...THANK YOU. Sure, we're growing older and crabbier...but it sure beats the alternative, non?So count all your blessings and appreciate The Good Stuff.