2009 - A Crusin' Vacation

So, y0u see, I got this bug, this affliction, nay I say, addiction. To pampering and treating myself as close to royally as possible. I've really had this most of my adult life. But since becoming a father at 45, I've really gotten this addiction under control, choosing instead to realize I'd treated myself so well previously, and now it was time to change priorities.

BUT - the kids are now older, and I believe its time to start treating myself again - certainly not with the same extremes as previously, but every now and then, doing what feels good. The last 12 years, I've done this less than a handful of times, mostly centered around golf, including to Golfing Vacations. Yet, they fail to compare to the insanely decadent vacation aboard a cruise ship.

Today, we leave for a 7-day cruise down the Mexican peninsula. We fly out of Sacramento to LAX, get on a HumVee Limo (there are 20+ in our travelling part of four families & other adults) and kill 3-4 hours up and down the Pacific Coast Highway, before we get to the docks of San Pedro, and board Carnival's Splendor, a ship of about 1 1/2 years in age, and a literal floating city.

I have no clue the number of decks, the different things to do, the number of guests, the size of the staff, or anything else - just that this gonna be fun and at times, overwhelming. But the decadence is not the treat to myself - its simply being there with my family, for I chose to do this trip only because my boys said "Dad, you HAVE to go!" when I thought I'd just send my wife with them.

For certain, we are not going "whole hog"; while I would very much like to repeat past cruises of supreme excellence, we are pretty much going "cut rate" this tiime around. For example, our cabin will not be high end, in any way - instead we're "bunking" it.

And so, now in the airport, ready to leave in about an hour, I'm posting this to get people clued in to where I'll be for the next week. Also, I realize in typing this, that this vacation is the PERFECT opportunity to get back to blogging, for the handful of those that might want to read about my life & times.

This vacation has its challenges, which I'll no doubt write about over the next week. The ship has Internet access, and I've got my laptop - what more is needed to ensure a good time? Seriously, though, my reality for this trip includes a truly remarkable reality I'll face when I leave the ship NEXT Sunday - no liquor tab!?! I no longer drink alcohol, but have never experienced a cruise without that end-of-vacation sticker shock. Now If I can only NOT instead fall prey to the blackjack tables during the week, for there is no such ability to "sign for it" and worry about it later.....

I now give myself a Bon Voyage prayer, asking only for calm and sensibility, self-control and no drama. I ask God to take care of me, my family, and my challenges, and simply allow me a week from now to reflect on a good time had by all.