Welcome to Glenn's Blog!

Here I will periodically post random thoughts and stories about what's going on in my life and the world around me. As if anyone cared. But seriously, you've found your way here, so hopefully you will enjoy at least some of what I have to say, even if you aren't entirely interested in it. At the least, it should be a good way to waste time.

Friday, January 31, 2020

Week Two: Done

So in the past I've written posts at the end of the first week of the semester, entitled appropriately enough: "Week One: Done". So I thought I'd mix things up this year with this post. Here we are at the end of WEEK TWO. How's that for craziness? Actually it's been a weird time as I've been struggling to get past this head cold that's been with me for the past two weeks. Ever since I got back from that cruise. Oh yeah, I took a cruise. Just a little 4-night jaunt out of Long Beach to Catalina and Ensenada. This was my 16th cruise overall, and fourth on Carnival. And it was the first that I've taken as a solo cruiser. But it was actually pretty fun. You can read my review and see pictures on Cruise Critic.

Anyways. It's Friday at the end of the second week of school. I'm actually going to a cabaret show featuring music of Andrew Lloyd Webber tonight, put on by the Sacramento Theatre Company. I've never actually been to any of their productions, now that I think about it. Guess I'm branching out. Earlier this week I subbed in for my brother on bass at a rehearsal of the Sacramento Symphonic Winds. It had been awhile since I played in a concert band setting, but it was actually pretty good. Though they're playing, among other things, some music from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with studio-quality arrangements. Those suckers are not sight-readable. Oh well. A good time was had anyway, despite it being past my bed time as it ran till 9:30pm. Well I'll be out past my bed time tonight too. What a week this is turning out to be! Maybe I should have focused on week-twos more often in the past.

Other than that, not much is happening in my world right now. Just slowly working towards that time when I'll be able to breathe clearly again, and not be periodically coughing up stuff. Today is the best it's been in two weeks, so that's something. And this Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Maybe Connor will let me watch it. Probably not though. He has his own plans, his own designs. But the 49ers are in it, and he likes the colors red and gold, so there's hope.

I'm going to cut this short as I'm at work, and darn it if I shouldn't probably be doing something productive. In fact people keep stopping by and interrupting me and making me do stuff. The nerve! Well, at least it forces me to get my steps in for the day...

Friday, January 17, 2020

Day at Sea

Well it's Thursday morning just after 10am as I sit in a cushy lounge chair at the aft "Serenity" section of the Carnival Inspiration. It will be Friday morning before this posts, as frankly I just don't want to pay for internet service. Which means, by the time this posts, I'll be getting ready to disembark and head for home.

It's been a great little getaway, a Monday-Friday cruise that one of the comedians on board refers to as a Section 8 Cruise. Yes, it's a cheap quick trip on an older ship to one of the least interesting Mexican ports (albeit one that has been working slowly but steadily to improve its image). I was offered $40 massages with happy endings multiple times in Ensenada yesterday, and one shopkeep even promised that he has great girls and no "crusty women". Keeping it classy, Ensenada.

But it's been a relaxing time at sea with mild temperatures and sunny skies spattered with white fluffy clouds. Lots of booze, lots of food, and lots of DJ-run pop and hip hop music. And also a rather entertaining piano bar. Also, I played just a wee bit of slots in the casino, and came out $4 ahead. So, that's a win.

This morning I had eggs Benedict at the Sea Day Brunch, then spent some time walking around the ship up on the open decks. And now, I'm just staring blankly at the vast ocean behind us as we slowly churn our way back to Long Beach. Sometimes doing nothing is just what the doctor ordered.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Vacation Time

I realize this is my first post of the year, or if you are one of those "glass half empty" people, my first post since last year, but I've been terribly busy doing absolutely nothing of consequence. So, therefore, it is time for a vacation.

I'm currently a board the Carnival Inspiration in Long Beach, about to embark on a four-night journey to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. This was sort of my Christmas present to myself, and incidentally the first time I've ever traveled as a solo cruiser. So it should be interesting.

I've been onboard for about two hours now, and we just got the OK to go to our staterooms. While waiting i've had lunch at Guy Fieri's burger bar, and my first tropical drink to start the trip off right. Now I suppose I will relax a little bit before we have the obligatory Muster drill. And then we're off!

See you on the ocean. Or. I guess. Back on land. At the end of the week...