Intersections in Life

How I became me.

Intersections as defined by Webster, “Two lines that cross, especially applied to roads…”

I will commence with “A convergence of events and people that has life long inferences.” Some might also say, “Consequences”.

Was it a chance meeting or an event that led to a new acquaintance? Were you introduced to a person that would eventually become an icon in your life or did circumstances force you at some level to interact with a person that would be an unlikely person to meet through mutual acquaintances or family?

Have you found yourself at a crossroad where a decision, yours or someone else’s, lead to major consequences in your favor or to the contrary?

Would you say that every decision has been made to your advantage or would you say that some decisions have created less than desirable results?

What is the nature of “regrets” in your life; durable or temporary?

Have you made decisions at these Intersections that resulted in positive or negative consequences for another person or group? We would probably say some of each. Certainly our existence has some level of impact on others. Have we always given equal weight to divergent potential outcomes when considering a direction or action?

Which Intersections in your life have had the most impact on where you are today or how you feel about your circumstances?

With this preamble let me begin to tell, “How I Became Me” and invite you to write your own story of how you became you. Perhaps in the telling we can overcome some of the durable regrets and celebrate the regrets that we have successfully rejected in our lives.

Born

Adopted

Moved

Worked

Married

Struggled with

Overcame

Discovered

Succeeded

Contributed

NCL Mexico Cruise Nov 9 - Nov 17

OUTBOUND
Sat Nov-9	SWA 3587 TO LONG BEACH	12:45 PM	4:10 PM
	QUEEN MARY OVERNIGHT
CRUISE
Sun Nov-10	BOARD NCL BLISS	12:00 PM	4:00 PM
Mon Nov-11	AT SEA DAY
Tue Nov-12	CABO SAN LUCAS	11:00 AM	7:00 PM
Wed Nov-13	PUERTO VALLARTA	12:00 PM	8:00 PM
Thu Nov-14	MAZATLAN	7:00 AM	2:00 PM
Fri Nov-15	AT SEA DAY
Sat Nov-16	ENSENADA	12:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sun Nov-17	WORLD CRUISE CENTER	7:00 AM
FLIGHT
Sun Nov-17	SWA 2232 TO RENO	11:15 AM	12:40 PM
Sun Nov-17	RENO TO HOME	1:00 PM	2:00 PM

 

Elitism

I asked Co-Pilot to Write a short essay about witnessing elitism on a cruise and it produced this.

 

Title: Elitism on the High Seas: A Tale of Cruise Line Snobbery

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Cruises, with their luxurious amenities and breathtaking ocean views, have long been a symbol of leisure and escape. Yet, beneath the glimmering surface of these floating paradises lies a curious phenomenon: elitism. As passengers embark on their maritime adventures, they unwittingly step into a microcosm where social hierarchies play out against the backdrop of azure waters.

The Celebrity Cruisers vs. Carnival Controversy

Picture this: a sun-kissed deck, a gentle breeze, and passengers sipping colorful cocktails. Amidst this idyllic scene, a subtle battle brews—one that pits the devotees of Celebrity Cruises against the stalwart fans of Carnival. The former, with their air of sophistication, sip champagne and discuss art exhibitions, while the latter, clad in Hawaiian shirts, dance to lively tunes at the poolside bar.

Celebrity cruisers, it seems, harbor a secret disdain for their Carnival counterparts. They exchange knowing glances, their whispers laden with judgment. "Carnival is so pedestrian," they murmur, as if the very mention of the word taints their refined sensibilities. They scoff at TikTok videos that portray Carnival ships as mere party vessels, dismissing them as unworthy of their discerning tastes.

But let's pause for a moment. Is this truly elitism, or merely a matter of preference? After all, each cruise line caters to a distinct audience. Celebrity offers polished service, gourmet dining, and an ambiance akin to a boutique hotel. Carnival, on the other hand, embraces exuberance, vibrant entertainment, and a more laid-back vibe. Neither is inherently superior; they're simply different strokes for different folks.

The Whispers and Keyboard Warriors

Onboard, the tension simmers. Passengers from both camps cross paths at the buffet, the casino, and the dance floor. Some engage in hushed conversations, sharing their unfiltered opinions. "Carnival is for the masses," they say, as if the masses were a lesser breed. Others nod in agreement, their disdain palpable.

Yet, let's not forget the keyboard warriors—those who wage their battles online. In the virtual realm, the snobbery amplifies. Celebrity cruisers, armed with their Wi-Fi connections, unleash their disdain across message boards and forums. Carnival enthusiasts, equally passionate, defend their beloved cruise line with fervor. It's a clash of ideologies, fought with words instead of life vests.

A Reflection of Society

Perhaps this elitism mirrors broader societal divisions. We're conditioned to seek exclusivity—to elevate our tastes above the commonplace. Whether it's designer labels, Michelin-starred restaurants, or cruise lines, we crave validation through our choices. And when we find ourselves in a floating microcosm, surrounded by fellow travelers, those choices become badges of identity.

So, the next time you board a cruise ship, observe the subtle glances, the whispered judgments. Remember that beneath the sun hats and deck shoes lie stories—of dreams fulfilled, of hard-earned vacations, and of the human need to belong. Elitism, whether on land or sea, is a reflection of our shared complexities.

As the ship sails toward distant horizons, let's raise our piña coladas to unity. For in the grand theater of the ocean, we're all passengers—each with our quirks, our preferences, and our longing for adventure.

 

MARCONI ROOM

The RMS TITANIC was equipped with state-of-the-art technology for 1912. One shiny new tool was the Wireless Marconi System. The system took power from the Ship's 100-volt direct current lighting circuits to drive a 5-kilowatt motor-generator that provided the alternating current needed to create radio waves. The guaranteed working range for this Marconi was 250 miles, but it could receive and transmit messages up to 2,000 miles at night under good atmospheric conditions.

Operators of #TITANIC's radio were employed by the Marconi Company rather than the White Star Line. Extensive training was required to learn the machines, and becoming fluent in Morse code was challenging.

The professionals chosen for TITANIC were John "Jack" Phillips and Harold Bride. Both vivacious young British men, the two worked in alternating 6-hour shifts. During the sinking, both men worked tirelessly sending distress messages until the icy water forced them out of the radio room. Because of Jack Phillips and Harold Bride, the CARPATHIA was able to pinpoint the location and rescue the 712 survivors.

Harold Bride was rescued, but Jack Phillips was lost. 

Travel Scams

Click on the link below to learn about scams encountered while traveling.

Travel Scams

 

Welcome

I'm considering a message to family members and friends that, as an alternative to Facebook, I would like to propose staying in touch via a Blog site, built on a free service offered at blogger.com. I am posting some random musings of my own here and you can do the same by creating your own blog and sharing with the public or group of friends and family. You can also post comments that are accessible to other visitors to my blog. 

The messages created on your blog are called "Posts" and you can create them as easily as writing an email message (the method I'm using to create this post) and sending it to a proprietary address that you create in your blogger account. You do have to have a Google account to use Blogger. It is free and no ads will appear on your blog unless you opt to monetize your blog and that, in my opinion, defeats one of the benefits of blogging. 

Note: at the end of a page you will find a link to "Older Posts" that will show earlier posts and a link that will take you back to the top of the blog.

Enjoy... and let me hear from you.

Jay Gunsauls

BTW, in my profile you will find links to other Blogs that I have created, in particular collections of posts related to travel by Jain and Jay.

Titanic Trivia

JACK DAWSON

Aboard the maiden voyage of Titanic was a 23-year-old man listed as J Dawson. Since the release of the 1997 Titanic film, his grave has been well visited by many fans of the film and the character Jack Dawson – with many flowers having been left upon the grave since.

Although some point to some similarities between them, the man buried there is not Jack Dawson, the character from the film, but is in fact Joseph Dawson, who served as a Trimmer aboard Titanic.

Joseph Dawson was born in Dublin, Ireland in September 1888. His parents were Patrick Dawson and Catherine Madden. He is said to have been a carpenter but when he was around 20 years old, he moved across the Irish Sea to Great Britain, where he enlisted in the British Army, serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps, which provided the medical care needed to those serving in the army. He left the army in 1911, and sometime after, began his career at sea.

It is said that by the time he boarded Titanic, Joseph Dawson was courting a girl named Nellie Priest, the sister of Titanic Fireman and survivor John Priest.

In Southampton on 6th April 1912, he signed on as a member of Titanic's crew as a Trimmer. Titanic's crew Particulars of Engagements lists the last ship he served upon as being Majestic, a White Star Line ship. A Trimmers job was to deliver the coal to the fireman placing it into the boilers, and to keep the coal properly balanced and stored aboard the ship.

Joseph Dawson did not survive the sinking of Titanic. His body was recovered, listed as body No. 227, by CS Mackay-Bennett. It was noted that he had light hair and a moustache, and that he had his National Sailors' and Firemen's Union card in his possession, card number 35638.

His body was taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was, along with 120 other victims of the Titanic disaster, buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

The following inscription is found on the memorial:

J. Dawson
Died
April 15. 1912.
227

After the release of the 1997 Titanic film, in which the leading male character was named Jack Dawson, the grave of Joseph Dawson, the memorial simply stating the name J Dawson, become a popular destination for fans of the film and the character Jack Dawson. Although there is no connection between the character Jack Dawson and the Titanic victim Joseph Dawson, with Jack Dawson in mind many flowers have been left at the grave, and, it is said, so have love notes been left there.