Josh's Weblog

Not Everyone Likes Cruises, But We Do

A year ago around this time, Misty, the kids, and I recreated our wedding and honeymoon by cruising the Caribbean again on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. One of the pictures from that journey, shown in the “We're Home!” entry, was sought by the Wall Street Journal this week for an article on cruising. I saw that article posted today. I'm a subscriber so I can read pretty much anything on the site, so I'm not sure if that article is visible to the general public.

I'm a little surprised that Stan Stesser didn't like cruising on Freedom as much as I did. For example,

I don't know about Stan, but we traveled with family. When you have kids with you, we don't focus on the emphasis on casinos, liquor, and vapid entertainment. The kids loved the ice shows, magic acts, and cruise activities. Heck, how much fun is it to do a Halloween Parade through the largest cruise ship in the world? As for being all dressed up with nowhere to go, I recall that I went to the midnight dessert buffet wearing a bathrobe still wet from the hot tubs under the stars on the upper deck. While they like you to dress up in the dining room it's not some oppressive disaster, it's a chance to get good pictures to remember the cruise by.

Stan did learn some things about cruise life on his tour though.

While it's entirely true that you can get a lot of of excursions, I don't see why he didn't see the tremendous variety of things to do that I did with my family. In his article he complains about not being able to go into Haiti when he visited Labadee (where we sat on the shore, played in the water, and jet-skiied our hearts out), but he did go to the same Tulum Ruins we did and seemed to enjoy it. Still, calling the excursions “liberation” makes the ship seem oppressive, which is outside of my experience.

Another surprise was that Stan didn't like the food! In the main dining hall I never had anything I didn't like. Sure, the Windjammer buffet was a buffet, but in general cruising is a delightful experience leading to significant weight gain.

Still, I can understand how Stan's experience was different than ours. It seemed he traveled alone, in an inside cabin, whereas we traveled with family and friends and made sure we had a balcony.

Beyond our cabin we also had a chance to use Adventure Ocean (a floating classroom for the kids), the Wave Rider, and hundreds of other things we generally enjoyed. If you find something you don't like there's a lot of other things you can try. Stan found something I didn't in the deck chairs with reading lights, so I guess I didn't explore enough!

Stan's article is a good read, and covers his excursions far more than his ship. Go ahead and read his perspective, but keep in mind that Freedom was a heck of a lot bigger and more interesting for my family than it was for him.

Update: I didn't realize it before, but this entry was my 1000^th blog posting.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Saturday, Nov 3 2007 09:33 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Anniversary

Four years ago today, Misty and I were married. However, I still sometimes think she wasn't sure what she was getting into back then:

She got used to the idea eventually:

it's been a wild and wacky 4 years and we're going for 400 more.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Misty, Pictures” Thursday, Nov 1 2007 09:45 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Christmas Presents

As you can see, Ryan had a good Christmas:

Alana got some interesting dolls that interact with you, I'll try to get a good pic up soon.

Verdict on the Playstation 3 so far: needs more titles, kids like Marvel Alliance.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Tuesday, Jan 2 2007 09:41 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

I have not done a Feline Friday in a while. Here's Snowball vs. The Chair:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Dec 22 2006 09:24 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  1 trackback

Pacific Northwest Storm

The big storm that came through the Pacific Northwest took out my power, my web provider's power in Seattle, and even dropped a tree on the chicken coop:

However, judging by the stories we hear of people still without power, accidents with downed power lines and trees (including some fatalities), and people that have lost their homes, we're counting ourselves lucky.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, Dec 16 2006 05:28 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Freedom of the Seas, Montego Bay

When you peer out from the terminal building in Montego Bay, Jamaica, this is what Freedom of the Seas looks like, towering over your head:

It's more than a little imposing.

The massive ship still doesn't feel all that crowded, except when you are leaving on the last day and the US Customs computers are having a problem…

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Thursday, Nov 16 2006 04:03 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Random Jamaican Rest Area

Our bus ride for “Best of Jamaica” included a brief stop at a random Jamaican rest area. It was beautiful.

Sometimes white, sandy beaches get boring. I really like this shore:

Now, this particular tour was supposed to be a short guided tour bus trip taking us to a yacht that sailed down this coast to the foot of Dunn's River Falls. We were supposed to walk up the falls, lunch in Dolphin cove, perhaps do some shopping, and come back. Instead it turned into 2 hours of riding a bus to Dunn's River Falls, only an hour to walk them (we got rushed out, and as a result one of our party twisted her ankle), a few minutes to shop, a lunch at a hotel (which was nice, but we wanted Dolphin Cove), a short ride on a boat for no particular reason other than to sell us hair braiding, and another 2 hours in a bus to come back (late).

Shorex (Royal Caribbean's excursion partner) did partially refund our money, but we still came away from it with no pictures on Dunn's River Falls except a DVD they rush-printed for us while we visited the nurse to make sure the ankle wasn't broken.

The tour guide was very helpful, as were the rest of the staff, but I'd have to say it was a disappointing day in Jamaica.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Thursday, Nov 16 2006 03:18 PM  |  Permalink  |  2 comments  |  No trackbacks

Montego Bay, Jamaica

In contrast to the previous entry, notice right away that Jamaica has mountains.

We didn't see much of Montego Bay, as we immediately boarded a bus to visit Dunn's River Falls and other items near Ocho Rios, where we had landed on our previous cruise.

Here's the terminal building which we whisked through in each direction. When we returned we had delayed the ship. Because we booked the tour through the ship they did not leave without us.

More on the particular tour, “Best of Jamaica,” later.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Thursday, Nov 16 2006 08:52 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Grand Cayman is Flat

Unlike many of the other exotic locations we visited on this cruise, Grand Cayman is a flat island:

You'll see with upcoming posts how much more mountainous Jamaica and Haiti are.

Update: I forgot to mention that the structure hanging over the top of the picture is the starboard cantilevered hot tub which hangs out over the sea. Those were the only hot tubs I used on the cruise and I loved them. In addition, Freedom filters its pool, flowrider, and hot tub water, making it the only cruise ship afloat without salt water in its features.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Thursday, Nov 16 2006 07:26 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Early November in Grand Cayman

Most of my pictures in Grand Cayman come from disposable underwater cameras, and my scanner software seems to be completely broken. I have no idea what broke it either, but it no longer works on any of my computers in the house.

So I offer you a picture of Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, with Navigator of the Seas peeking out from behind it, with unfortunately gray skies (click for the full size picture).

I took this shot from the “Seven Mile Beach” where we ate lunch and played in the sand after visiting Stingray City and did some snorkeling on the coral reef.

The kids did not visit the stingrays in our last trip through Grand Cayman but we brought them out to see them this time. Everyone was afraid of them at first, but Alana quickly grew to like them. Ryan stepped on one and cut his foot, so he ended up not liking the experience.

If I ever fix my HP scanner software, I'll post underwater pictures. (I have more costume pictures, too!)

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Thursday, Nov 16 2006 07:07 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pirate Girls Too!

Ryan was only one of ten pirates in our crew (and we were hardly the only guests dressed as pirates). Here are the girls.

These shots are all from the parade of children in costume through the Royal Promenade on Freedom of the Seas.

As I said before, I'll work on getting group shots posted soon.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Friday, Nov 10 2006 07:55 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pirates on Freedom of the Seas

I'm having scanner problems at the moment or I'd post more from Freedom of the Seas's first Halloween cruise. For now I offer Ryan the Pirate:

I have plenty more pix, but I need the scanner for the group photo!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Friday, Nov 10 2006 07:10 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Tulum Mayan Ruins and Xel-Ha

We boarded Freedom of the Seas in Miami, Florida and our first stop was Cozumel, Mexico. We directly boarded a jetboat from the ship and zoomed over to Playa Del Carmen, and an hour later the bus dropped us off at the ruins of the Mayan temple at Tulum:

We got to wander around for a bit before a short trip to nearby Xel-Ha (pronounced “shell ha”) to play in the water:

Then we got back on the bus and zoomed back to the ship.

Of course, we were just getting started. He were on Freedom for its first Halloween. More on this later!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Tuesday, Nov 7 2006 10:13 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

We're Home!

Royal Caribbean fixed things for us, we came home on Delta yesterday. Here's a taste of the upcoming review of the October 29, 2006 sailing of Freedom of the Seas:

It was the 22nd sailing of this latest largest cruise ship in the world…

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Cruising, Pictures” Tuesday, Nov 7 2006 01:44 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Rules of photographic girls, don't take pictures of them when they are sleeping in awkward positions (Snowball atop a bookshelf in this case):

Instead, find a soft backlight and get them in focus:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Sep 1 2006 07:49 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  No trackbacks

Trapped!

I'm working all day and I can see this outside my office:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Thursday, Aug 10 2006 08:25 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  No trackbacks

That Didn't Take Long

It hasn't been here a day yet, and it's already been stolen!

There she goes!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Wednesday, Aug 9 2006 01:39 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Top Banana

The earlier picture was from my cell phone. This morning I got a chance to use a better camera.

Those who know me recall I have another Dodge. Here they are together:

I like the Daytona accents on the “Top Banana” Charger Daytona R/T better than the standard R/T.

The interior accents include my serial number (Daytonas are limited editions) and other yellow accents everywhere.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Wednesday, Aug 9 2006 08:26 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Vroom!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Tuesday, Aug 8 2006 11:42 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Snowball attacks!

…and the bottlecap is defeated. Time to march in triumph!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Aug 4 2006 12:51 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  1 trackback

This Is Your Josh On Drugs

Before valium:

After valium:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, Jul 22 2006 12:06 PM  |  Permalink  |  2 comments  |  No trackbacks

I'm Not Sauron, Honest

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, Jul 22 2006 11:56 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

My picture of the cats playing Risk was so popular, they wanted to try another game.

Sorry!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Jul 21 2006 06:28 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  1 trackback

Our House At Night

Shot from the same position as the previous picture, our house at night:

I love the little LED shooting stars we have up front. I think the office shot makes me look like a bookworm.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Tuesday, Jul 18 2006 10:10 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Front Lawn

Been a while since I posted an addition picture. Today we have a front lawn and garden area:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, Jul 15 2006 11:54 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

4th of July Wedding

Yesterday at my house Dan and Patty were married by the same minister that married Misty and myself, John McEnroe.

Everyone looked great, had a blast, and we even had fireworks to finish the day…

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Wednesday, Jul 5 2006 08:01 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Been Away

Some of you folks out there actually missed me. Yes, I'm alive, and so are the cats:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Tuesday, Jun 27 2006 04:47 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Church wants to exercise:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Jun 9 2006 12:14 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

A couple weeks ago Snowball was on the floor below a triumphant Church, today the tables are turned:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Jun 2 2006 07:06 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Snowball enters the matrix:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, May 26 2006 10:38 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  1 trackback

Trojan Implosion

This Sunday, early in the morning, the cooling tower at the decommissioned Trojan nuclear power plant (just a few miles downstream of our house) was imploded. The cooling tower was a prominent landmark on the drive from Portland to Seattle and has been standing for 30 years.

Dan Sweet had front-row seats for the implosion and took some amazing pictures (click the picture for a full-resolution image):

A moment of sunlight before the implosion:

Just before the implosion:

The first charges fire (the entire implosion took less than eight seconds):

The next shot as soon as Dan could trigger it, the tower is already fallen and raised a giant cloud of dust:

Afterward, an altered skyline:

The family watched (some by TiVo) the implosion on the Newschannel 8, which had great camera angles (including from the air) of the event. They have a basic story here, but it's worth poking through their complete coverage.

All of these images are Copyright 2006 by Dan Sweet. He's reserving all rights to copy and distribute them.

Update: Some great photos on Laughing Squid and Flickr.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Monday, May 22 2006 07:34 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, May 19 2006 07:15 AM  |  Permalink  |  2 comments  |  1 trackback

Addition Progress: Porch Posts

Misty snapped a picture of the newly-completed posts for the front porch this morning:

We're expecting to put in gutters right away, but we're not sure we should put them on the porch. We considered a downspout integrated into the posts, or chains instead of a downspout, but now we think that there's just not enough surface area to justify gutters on that small roof. Plenty of other gutters to install on the house (especially for the four big valleys that accumulate so much rain).

The other big step is finishing up the landscaping. Monday we will have more topsoil and Hydroseed.

My folks are visiting around Memorial Day (and they are attending my graduation), so we are scurrying to finish all the remaining items.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, May 12 2006 11:09 AM  |  Permalink  |  2 comments  |  No trackbacks

Addition Progress: Office

Far from being a cube farm “fortress of servitude,” my office is starting to take shape nicely:

(Click the image to get a full size picture)

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, May 12 2006 10:05 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Church and Snowball are bent on world domination!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, May 12 2006 08:25 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  2 trackbacks

Science Project

Can you guess what Alana's science project is?

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Monday, May 8 2006 09:25 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  No trackbacks

Addition Progress: Porch and Sidewalk

Forms:

Freshly-poured sidewalk:

And the porch:

I didn't spring for special colors and patterns like Clayton Cramer did, and I guess that's a good thing.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, May 6 2006 09:02 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Addition Progress

A little bit of a combination platter: cats and hardwood…

Sorry I missed Feline Friday yesterday. I got busy.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, May 6 2006 08:54 AM  |  Permalink  |  2 comments  |  1 trackback

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 10

Butterflies and moths like oranges:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Thursday, May 4 2006 08:17 AM  |  Permalink  |  1 comment  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 9

For one dollar you get a big piece of glossy paper and five minutes on the “Harmonograph,” a heavy pendulous platform with a pen on a solidly fixed arm:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Wednesday, May 3 2006 07:30 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 8

Another bridge design:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Tuesday, May 2 2006 07:08 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 7

Another butterfly:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Monday, May 1 2006 07:44 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 6

Alana and her strong bridge design:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Sunday, Apr 30 2006 07:28 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Ask The Cats

Laurence Simon at This Blog Is Full of Crap proposes a new feature called “Ask The Cats” and today's question is:

Snowball: Shh! I'm writing my own version. Everyone should be able to capitalize on this stuff.

Church: Could someone please turn off Snowball's piano?

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures, Politics” Saturday, Apr 29 2006 10:32 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 5

Late evening shot of the fountains at the Pacific Science Center. The sculpture on the right I named “Helix”:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, Apr 29 2006 10:20 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Sunny Dining Room

The floor is done, trim is going in, and the dining room looks great:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Apr 28 2006 08:16 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 4

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Apr 28 2006 07:23 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Church, Snowball, and feline hygiene:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Apr 28 2006 07:19 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  1 trackback

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 3

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Thursday, Apr 27 2006 06:22 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Addition Progress: Hardwood Floor

Eddie, Pam, Misty, and I started putting in the floor in the dining room yesterday, expecting to finish today:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Wednesday, Apr 26 2006 07:53 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 2

Today's installment is Rex, of the Pacific Science Center, demonstrating the scientific method as applied to learn more about those mysterious peeps:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Wednesday, Apr 26 2006 06:58 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Pacific Science Center Camp-In, Part 1

This past weekend Alana, Misty, and I went to a camp-in at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. I took a bunch of pictures and I'll post a few in the next few days.

Today's installment is a butterfly:

One of these landed on Alana's head and scared her, but they seem pretty tame to me.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Tuesday, Apr 25 2006 07:23 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

I realize I've been remiss in posting pictures for the past two weeks, so I'll make up for it today.

First we have Snowball claiming one of my shelves in my office:

Then we have Church and Snowball immediately figuring out where the hearth was on my fireplace tile template I was laying out on the floor:

Finally, we have them together in my office window after catching them watching birds:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Apr 14 2006 07:21 AM  |  Permalink  |  3 comments  |  1 trackback

Aww

Sometimes doing all that painting and trim tires you out! Misty takes a deserved rest…

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, Mar 25 2006 01:30 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Addition Update

I haven't posted about the addition in a while, so I had better do so.

We had to cut holes in the window areas to breathe while we were painting. The effect is kind of like weird eyes:

Go forward a week and you can see we have fresh, unstained siding and windows:

Lots of work going on inside, as well. However, we're waiting for a few things to get finished, we'll get the drywall and texture spots we discovered fixed, then we paint and finish floors. One room is done, though: carpet, trim, door, and all!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Mar 24 2006 08:46 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Snowball is getting to be a big cat, but she still manages to find a way to sneak under furniture looking for treats that may have escaped.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Mar 24 2006 07:58 AM  |  Permalink  |  4 comments  |  1 trackback

Survived Capstone Presentation

On Friday our team gave our final presentation for the Capstone class I've been working on these past months. This is the end of my march towards a MS in Management with a focus on managing high tech companies. Capstone puts us through the process of developing business, marketing, and financial plans for a startup company. It was quite a bit of work!

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Monday, Mar 20 2006 09:33 AM  |  Permalink  |  3 comments  |  No trackbacks

Snow Women and Men

Alana's snow man eventually survived yesterday's melt.

Ryan, because he brought his inside, wasn't as lucky.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Mar 10 2006 01:56 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Feline Friday

Sometimes Snowball thinks it's fine to sit in the window above the sink even though she's been told repeatedly that she's not allowed on the counter. Does she think we believe her teleportation story?

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Friday, Mar 10 2006 01:52 PM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  1 trackback

March Snow

The kids finally get a snow day, although I think it's going to melt off before mid-day.

Chicken coop:

Barn:

New addition:

Hangar:

View from high in the hangar:

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Thursday, Mar 9 2006 07:09 AM  |  Permalink  |  No comments  |  No trackbacks

Soon To Be My Home Office

Yesterday the carpet was installed, so we are moving forward rapidly on having a home office. Misty is doing trim today while I finish my work for my degree and the desk is expected a week from now.

Sheetrock was hung in most of the addition yesterday as well, so the house is a total disaster with most of our stuff piled high in the living room. Mudders and tapers are expected Monday.

The cats are freaking out over the constant changes.

Josh Poulson

Posted in category “Pictures” Saturday, Mar 4 2006 01:47 PM  |  Permalink  |  2 comments  |  No trackbacks