Yea Maan

February 8, 2001

You say that title with a Jamaican accent.

I've had it.

Enough of winter already.

Monday morning I was sitting on the side of the pool in the middle of my usual early AM ritual, that consists of wrapping my warm robe around myself and contemplate the still water.

I think Monday morning I was also contemplating generational issues, such as what it all meant to be referred to as "pops."

Hey, It's my ritual, I'll sit there as long as I want.

The silence was broken by another swimmer walking by, saying hi and jumping into the water. As she was adjusting her goggles, she turned and asked me, "Do you have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder - ie mild depression from the lack of sunlight).

I nodded.

"I thought so," she said, "so does my daughter."

We had a brief discussion of light boxes and then I finally jumped into the pool.

As I swam I thought about a lot of things, one of them being the gray Michigan winters, and what it means to be so old.

I pushed myself in the pool, and decided, well, maybe today I can find a bit of youthful energy, and turn out a few extra laps.

I did the extra 10 laps and after completing the mile and a half, dragged my sorry old a** out of the pool and looked for my walker.

My spirits were sinking.

I reported the conversation with Mrs. NSR that evening and suggested that I would look on the web for a light box.

The next evening, Mrs. sat down in the chair across from my desk and said, "I have an idea."

"Since you do have this seasonal thing, why not try and figure out someplace to take the kids next week where there is some sun?"

Mrs can't go, since she has no vacation days till the summer.

I told her I had thought about it and dismissed it because all of the airfares were just too expensive. I was told about the winter break just 2 weeks in advance, and as we were on our way to a hockey game.

Having no time to surf the web, I decided that things would just have to wait till Easter.

But you know, having that high speed internet connection at the office can be a dangerous thing. I was able to search just about every airline site in minutes, and came up with real "deals." Only 1,500 per person to just about anywhere, for just about any time, since I did not have two week "window."

I remembered that the hockey boy had made one specific travel request, and I thought, what the heck. I went sniffing.

I came up with two deals.

This evening I sat him down and said, "Boy, we need to have a man to man talk."

The first deal, was with British Airways, only $350 bucks, and the tickets had to be purchased by midnight. Boy pursed his lips and asked about the second option. I said to him, what, England in the winter doesn't appeal to you?"

What's the second option Dad?

Well there is good news and bad news. At the good news the boy smiled, and said.. Dad, did you really have to ask?

Really?

So I did it. I booked it, having verified with a travel agent friend that she could not come close to the price.

Ok, So, it is, well... SLOW.

I needed speed.

At least we'll get some sun.

Yeaaaaaaaaa Maaaaaaaan

The newest ship in the Carnival Line, the Victory, large enough to have a 214ft water slide, departs from Miami on Feb 18 for a 7 day cruise.

We stop in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios.

Oh yea, the bad news...

We have to drive to Miami, and they will miss at least a day of school on week following the vacation.

The boy yelped, "But Dad, You know how I love MONDAYS"