MINI, Plane, Taxi, Ship to the Caribbean

Like all great adventures, it is the mad rush of preparation before departing on a long awaited trip that stokes my anticipation and excitement. I was so busy yesterday that I had to turn down an invitation from Cathy and Arjay to join them for a bon voyage cocktail. However, those bags will not pack themselves – much like my beard will not dye itself.

I have been counting down the days to this trip since Christmas. This is the fourth year that my friends and I have cruised into the Caribbean to escape the tail-end of winter. And, even though this year’s temperatures have been among the mildest I can remember, it is the bleakness of gray skies, chilling winds, and naked trees that weigh heavy on my mood.

The past week was filled with appointments, workouts, last minute beauty applications, and the usual doubling up at work in preparation for being away for a week. However, I feel healthy, toned, groomed, whitened, confident, and giddily excited. Sadly, the weather in Florida today, much as it was last year, is a bit chilly. But, by the time we reach the Bahamas in the morning, all will be balmy sunshine with gentle breezes smelling of tanning lotion. 

And yet, with all of the preparations I made in the weeks leading up to this day, there was still a mad dash to the airport this morning. Due to expert packing , my checked bag was 2 pounds (1 Kg) below the weight limit; however, the combined weight of my luggage is nearly 80 pounds of clothing, costumes, and toiletries (large bag 48 pounds, small bag 28 pounds, plus backpack and laptop.) This is after I packed and re-packed those bags knowing that half of everything I packed would return home unworn. So a big thank you to Southwest Airlines for allowing both your first and second bags to travel for free.

In a few hours, I will be onboard the ship having lunch with my best buddies in the world. For the next week, all cares will be lost in a haze of raucous laughter, delicious food, themed costume parties, sunshine, dancing, cocktails, and friendship. From where I am sitting, life couldn’t get much better.

Motivation. Motivation. Where for art thou, motivation?

Suprisingly I got a lot of work done yesterday, despite the little side trip to the beach around 1:30.  On the way home, we stopped to pick up the Thanksgiving day turkey and a pumpkin cheesecake at Whole Foods. While at the store, I texted my friend Johnny Bravo to see what his plans were for the week. He was free Tuesday night so we decided to get together for a quick dinner. Oddly, he did not ask where or what I wanted to eat, but since he is in the hospitality industry, I trusted his choice.  And, he made a great one. 

Cafe Casablanca is situated along the Ft. Lauderdale beach. We sat at the outside bar and had a great view of the beach walkway.  The weather was breezy, but quite balmy - just perfect for sitting outside and having a leisurely dinner. After a beer and a seared ahi tuna appetizer, we ordered dinner and a bottle of wine. I had the duck, Johnny had an outstanding mediterranean inspired chicken dish. We finished up with snifters of chocolate liqueur spiked with a shot of expresso.  Besides the great atmospher, conversation, and alcohol it was also "Industry" night at the restaurant - so our bill was 50% off.  It was great catching up with an old friend.

We met up with John and Jay at Rosie's in Wilton Manors for a night cap. Although I had worked all day, I was starting to feel a bit like I was on vacation.  Hmmmm - perhaps that is why I am having such a difficult time focusing on work this morning.

I will be signing out of the company web connection around noon to help John finish the shopping and to prepare food for tomorrow's all day feeding festival. John and Jay are hosting a fund raising brunch for around 50 people from 10:00 - 3:00 (Myer's Rum & Croissant French Toast, with bacon, sausage, fresh fruit and a full service bar) benefiting the Poverello Center of Wilton Manors. They will then be serving a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner starting around 7:00. It will be a fun day to contemplate my family and friends who together make my life so happy, exciting, rewarding, and unspeakably fabulous.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Glenn