Tucson at Last
It seems like I've been driving
forever. Actually it's just been a few days: after the cruise (which was great) we drove Miami to Pensacola, then to Gladewater TX. We stayed with our wonderful friends there for 3 days -- a luxury. Then San Antonio, El Paso.
The route looked sort of like this:
The weather en route has been cooler than we'd planned for, warm for New Hampshire but we've been in south Florida for going-on two months and kind of got used to 80s. So light jackets but 38 degree rainy weather (in parts of Texas) haven't been pleasant.
But things are looking up! As I write (Saturday, 1/19/08) it's sunny with temperatures in the low 60s planned for Tucson. We arrive this afternoon and will start looking for a permanent home as early as tomorrow.
We've assembled a few
photos for your viewing pleasure :) [PDF format, 4MB]
Labels: Florida Keys, Texas, travel, travel driving, Tucson
Becoming Celebrity Celebrities
Over the course of our
104 day cruise we met quite a few on-board presenters, and "learned the ropes" of how the cruise industry works (as far as getting "talent"). Basically, the cruise lines recruit from "talent agencies" like
SixthStar Entertainment. Sixth Star separates talent into "Special Interest" and "Destination" speakers, and then there are some special categories like Gentlemen Hosts ("Dance Hosts")
After that cruise, we got in contact with Sixth Star and went through their rigorous screening and interviewing process. Eventually we were approved as Special Interest speaker
s. We talk about travel technology, technology futures etc., in a format that is light-hearted and easy to digest for older folks who will never be technologists.
Anyway, the final hoop to jump through to become approved talent for Sixth Star, is to join a short cruise, so they can get feedback from the cruise line on your performance, demeanor and so forth. That time has come for us: we'll be boarding the
Celebrity Century in Miami, cruise down to the Cayman Islands, back up with a stop in Key West, and return to Miami 5 days hence. The itinerary is
here.
The cruise is for all intents and purposes, free for us. There is a per-day administration fee that goes to the agency, we pay for our alcohol on board and tips and such. Kathy will do two presentations in the course of the 5 days. That's it.
Assuming all goes well, we'll be permitted to cruise on higher-end cruise ships and on more "choice" itineraries. Watch this space!
The weather en route has been cooler than we'd planned for, warm for New Hampshire but we've been in south Florida for going-on two months and kind of got used to 80s. So light jackets but 38 degree rainy weather (in parts of Texas) haven't been pleasant.
