"I'm leaving on a jet plane..."

Friends at Charlie Hooper's


I just got the call from NCLA, you know...the company I'm working for? Little did I know that when my license, MMD, came in, THEY would call me! I'm so stoked. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning to fly to Hawaii and begin my adventure aboard one of the largest cruise ships in Hawaii, The Pride of America.

The Pride of America wasn't the ship I initially wanted to work aboard at first, but I think all things happen for a reason...and I know I'm going to have a great adventure...no matter what! Watch out Hawaii, because Red is coming!

I'm glad I got to stay here in KC for a few weeks and see people. It was a good break from the crusty Piney Point training I endured for 4 weeks. This was just what the doctor ordered. Now, I'm more than ready to spread my wings and hurry to Hawaii to entertain those guests.

Please stay in touch!

Keeping it all in the Family (Cousins...that is)




Mini Moped Time (Andrew modeling on a moped)

Piney Point -- The Best Place on Earth

So I've been in Piney Point, MD for the past four weeks...going through training and awaiting my government-issued document, MMD, in order to board the ship. So the government is running behind on processing the MMD cards and mine, unfortunately, did NOT show up this week. Everyone that I've been working with in the HR office here at our training facility DID, in fact, receive their MMDs and are shipping off to Hawaii tonight to go to work aboard the ship. I, on the other hand, am flying home to KC in order to take a week off and relax. Yep! It's true...I'm coming home. I decided instead of staying in solidary confinement...I'd go home to KC so I can eat some real food (I've been craving sushi, burgers and BBQ) and wait for my MMD.

Here's what I look like when I'm at work...enjoy the Aloha shirt!


Hopefully, I'll be able to see everyone while I'm in town. KC here I come! For the meanwhile...you'all can view pictures of our lovely facility. Where when it rains, so does the roof; where the flies swarm; where the Piney Point Plague spreads like wildfire; where the carpet smells like mildew; and the food tastes like slosh...OH I'LL MISS THIS PLACE!

A Visit from George Dubyah

On Monday, September 4...for those of you who don't know our national holidays...Labor Day, President George W. Bush visited Piney Point, Maryland. He came out to the training facility where I've been living for the past two weeks and he made a political speech to all of the residents here (nearly 700 people). He talked about really important things like nuclear power plants, getting sea sick and our nation's steadily decreasing unemployment rate. Sounds interesting...right? WRONG! The man is a complete idiot. I really would like to get him into a room and speak with him one-on-one, mano-y-mano...with out scripted speeches. I actually got to get face-to-face with him (as proven in the picture), but only for a millisecond. Even though he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, he was a very charismatic gentleman. He signed autographs and took picures with us. He really took the time to show us he "cares." And when he was leaving the stage...they played the corny President music...just like in the movies. I couldn't help but laugh.

On Monday morning, we were summoned through metal detectors (carrying NOTHING in our pockets) and waited outside at the site where George Dubya was going to speak to us for 3.5 hours...while the secret service guys secured our building. But the long wait was worth the spectacular arrival! President Bush arrived in one of four helicopters and for the nearly 100 foot distance from the helicopter to the stage he rode in a motorcade along with five other suburbans, police vehicles and a paddy wagon...which was quite a scene. Upon arrival, he waltzed upon the stage, gave us a 45 minute speech and then...within a flash...he was back on the one of four helicopters and gone. All of that work and collaboration for 45 minutes of the President's time...crazy! But an experience to say the least.

I believe there were nearly 300 secret service people, sheriffs, police officers...and other authorities. And those secret service guys...aren't the nicest. They literally have no personality. No smiles...just a serious, "I'm going to kill you if you screw up" face. Needless to say...not my kind of people. Can I just go to Hawaii already? Enjoy the pictures of my newest found celebrity.

Hurricane Ernesto

Well...I survived my first hurricane. Ernesto made his way to the southern Maryland area on Friday. It stormed all day and night. The rain was raining sideways and the wind was up to gusts of 74 MPH. If it would've been 1 more MPH, they would've categorized it as a Category 1 hurricane. OK. So I exaggerated a bit, it was more like a tropical storm, but still scary! The water in the bay rose very quickly and started to seep into our pool and it completely covered our docks. The boats seen floating above the water before the storm were quickly floating on the water because the water had risen dramatically.



There was also a trailer alongside a beach just north of us and it was setting in standing water as well. Crazy! The ceiling of the 7-story building I'm staying in was shaking and creaking...and the ceiling tiles were soaking up the leaks from the roof and spontaneously combusting at any given second.



It was a very exciting day to say the least. Just as I had started a load of laundry, the power in the building went out...and I was forced to finish it by hand...how ridiculous, right?!? So what did I do? Made my way to the bar, which was lit via candle light how romantic...until the power came back on...and ruined the intimate scene we had going. I guess beer googles weren't working as well that night! It was so weird, because the next day the water level had sunk to it's original level and the water/weather was so calm. I really did experience the calm after the storm! These pictures aren't too good of a representation, but you get the idea.

The Unbelievable Gumby Suit

I forgot to post this picture with the last post. So here are the pics of the most buoyant suit I think I've ever swam in. Enjoy!

Boot Camp

I'm so sorry for not blogging earlier! I have been busy meeting new people (as I explained in my previous posting) by partying it up at the bar and adapting to my new lifestyle (including working 7 days a week)!

This week, I completed my training courses, which included fire fighting and personal survival (lifeboat) training. For the fire fighting course, we were bussed over to a local fire school, Joseph Sacco Firefighting School, and we put on the full gear and put out fires using a fire hose and in some cases extinguishers. We learned about all classes of fires and the different ways to fight each of them. To prove my experiences as a firefighter, I've included pictures of me in my extremely sexy fire outfit. It was one of the hottest days, reaching 97 degrees, and we were dressed in layered gear...it was definitely HOT!

As for the personal survival course, we had to use the facility pool to jump in and out of the liferaft...as well as prove that we were strong enough to pull others into the raft. In this class, we learned about food rations stored in the lifeboats and flares to use in case of an emergency. We were also tested by putting on a very buoyant outfit, Gumby suit, within 60 seconds and swimming across the pool.

I graduated last night and it was bittersweet mainly because I will not be able to go to Hawaii until I receive my MMD card (which has been taking roughly 3-4 weeks). Wish me luck in receiving my card very soon. I can't wait to get to the islands.