Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday Beach Pic
Happy Friday everyone! Today is a holiday, Carnival Friday! Even
though it's a holiday I'm actually supposed to be working. Our
department scheduled a system upgrade this weekend because we knew
there wouldn't be any users on the system with it being carnival. We
worked late last night and was supposed to continue today and test Sat
and Sun. Hit a couple of snags so I'm waiting to hear it's resolved.
In the meantime I'm going to head over to the children's carnival
parade. :-)
Enjoy your weekend! And hopefully I'll get to post some carnival pics.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
j'ouvert
j'ouvert: French meaning open day. This has been interpreted as the begining of the day and the carnival as well. Should start before the sun comes up and be over shortly after. Lately, including today, they have been starting after the sun is up for security. Too n...bad the thugs have spoiled it for everyone else. J'ouvert is too sanitary these days. Long gone are the clashes, up and down the waterfront tramping, Main Street tramping, tramping from the country, tramping from Sub Base. None of these are 'allowed' anymore!
Today's sayin': Don' stop de carnival!!: An old one used everytime somebody has the idea to end it! Imagine that. Even used as a title for a popular book by Herman WOuk.See More
I won't be participating in any of the carnival activities this year because we have a big project at work and we're working the whole weekend while there are no users on the system. But here are a few pics posted by friends on Facebook of this mornings activities. Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Family tour
I had some family come in for the day yesterday on a cruise ship. I wanted to show then how beautiful the island is so took them up to the overlook on Skyline drive.....big mistake! There were four cruise ships in, including Oasis, so let's just say the overlook was more than a little packed. It was a cluster! And with the hazy conditions, it wasn't even a great view. Lesson learned.
But other than that, we had a nice afternoon together visiting and I was glad I got to see them. :-)
But other than that, we had a nice afternoon together visiting and I was glad I got to see them. :-)
Hazy days
It has been soooo hazy out the past several days. It's also been hot and humid. No more winter winds. I guess that means it's summer time.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
What not to do with your dink
This is a moorings dink we saw the guy trying to tie it up a couple
hours ago. He was having a tough time with knots. It's now on the
beach in Cruz Bay untied. The kill switch is in it. Thief soon come.
Sunday Evening On St John
So Deb and I are over on St John for Sunday jazz. Sitting at High Tide
having a St John Brewers IPA. There are going to be a bunch of
Forumites here this evening and Bev is bringing jello shots.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday Beach Pic
It's Friday!! Hope everyone has a great weekend! We're hoping to go over to St. John on Sunday to meet up with a big bunch of Forum friends. Hopefully Jay is over the cold that I gave him by then. :-)
BTW - this is a pic of one of the beautiful St. John beaches taken by our Forum friend bayer.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
American Airlines review
Just thought I would share part of a letter that my supervisor sent to American Airlines reviewing our recent trip to San Francisco. She tried to enter the complaint on their website but there is a 1500 word max, and well, she went over. So she had to send it via fax. It was a pretty crazy trip. San Fran was fun, but the trip there sure wasn't.
Enjoy!
From STT, departure to SJU was delayed several hours. We were informed departure from SJU to LAX was also delayed so we would make our connection. This proved to be true. We did make the flight from SJU to LAX. We were also initially told the flight from LAX was also delayed so we would make that flight.
Upon landing in LAX, SFO passengers were asked to report to the customer service area at gate 42. The flight to SFO was literally pulling away from the gate when we landed shortly before 6pm.
AA then had to find flights for at least 20 passengers from LAX to SFO. We asked, wouldn't it have been easier and more cost effective to delay the flight to SFO a little longer?
My party was rerouted from LAX to SFO on United Airlines, on 2 different flights. This required us to exit the airport and report to United ticketing. If we hurried, we might get on the same flight, possibly an earlier departure.
After a mad dash from terminal 3 to United at terminal 7, we were all given seats on the 8pm departure to SFO. The United ticketing agent noted all our baggage tags and contacted AA for proper routing. Upon going through security, we were informed the duty free alcohol purchased in SJU for a colleague in SFO, which was carry-on luggage to this point, had to be checked in as it went outside the airport. It was still sealed and marked from when purchased, but now had to be checked in.
One of us had to return to United's counter to check it in. This of course, involved paying to check the bag. While the bag checked directly with United was received in SFO, one of the 4 bottles was broken and spilled. In addition, of the 6 bags checked in with AA, only one (1) arrived on the United flight. We were told they would be delivered to us. The other five (5) were delivered to our hotel Saturday morning 4/10.
Upon leaving SFO on April 16th, all passengers were informed the flight was full. Overhead space was not available for all. Persons who had difficulty finding same were asked to give bags to flight attendants for checking. Two persons in my party did this. Of course, the assumption was that the bags would be valet checked and available when we land in LAX.
This proved to not be the case. The bags were fully checked. My colleagues had to go down to baggage claim to pick up their carry-on luggage and re-enter the airport, going through security again. Unbelievable!
With a short connection time, this would have led to a lost bag. Flight attendants should have informed passengers of the type of check being done. Someone with a connecting flight should not have been made to go through that process.
All in all, this experience was problematic for all. After years of traveling on American, greater concern for passenger convenience is expected. This was not experienced on this flight at all. The lesson learned:…bypass American Airlines whenever possible!
Please investigate and provide some communication on this terrible travel experience!
Enjoy!
From STT, departure to SJU was delayed several hours. We were informed departure from SJU to LAX was also delayed so we would make our connection. This proved to be true. We did make the flight from SJU to LAX. We were also initially told the flight from LAX was also delayed so we would make that flight.
Upon landing in LAX, SFO passengers were asked to report to the customer service area at gate 42. The flight to SFO was literally pulling away from the gate when we landed shortly before 6pm.
AA then had to find flights for at least 20 passengers from LAX to SFO. We asked, wouldn't it have been easier and more cost effective to delay the flight to SFO a little longer?
My party was rerouted from LAX to SFO on United Airlines, on 2 different flights. This required us to exit the airport and report to United ticketing. If we hurried, we might get on the same flight, possibly an earlier departure.
After a mad dash from terminal 3 to United at terminal 7, we were all given seats on the 8pm departure to SFO. The United ticketing agent noted all our baggage tags and contacted AA for proper routing. Upon going through security, we were informed the duty free alcohol purchased in SJU for a colleague in SFO, which was carry-on luggage to this point, had to be checked in as it went outside the airport. It was still sealed and marked from when purchased, but now had to be checked in.
One of us had to return to United's counter to check it in. This of course, involved paying to check the bag. While the bag checked directly with United was received in SFO, one of the 4 bottles was broken and spilled. In addition, of the 6 bags checked in with AA, only one (1) arrived on the United flight. We were told they would be delivered to us. The other five (5) were delivered to our hotel Saturday morning 4/10.
Upon leaving SFO on April 16th, all passengers were informed the flight was full. Overhead space was not available for all. Persons who had difficulty finding same were asked to give bags to flight attendants for checking. Two persons in my party did this. Of course, the assumption was that the bags would be valet checked and available when we land in LAX.
This proved to not be the case. The bags were fully checked. My colleagues had to go down to baggage claim to pick up their carry-on luggage and re-enter the airport, going through security again. Unbelievable!
With a short connection time, this would have led to a lost bag. Flight attendants should have informed passengers of the type of check being done. Someone with a connecting flight should not have been made to go through that process.
All in all, this experience was problematic for all. After years of traveling on American, greater concern for passenger convenience is expected. This was not experienced on this flight at all. The lesson learned:…bypass American Airlines whenever possible!
Please investigate and provide some communication on this terrible travel experience!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Recycle Program at UVI
Recycling on island is a huge issue. I have never understood why there isn't an aggresive recycling campaign on island. But, UVI is trying to do their part. I received this email this morning and thought I would pass it along.
Aluminum Recycling Effort Underway on St. Thomas Campus
St. Thomas campus student Benita Randolph recently initiated an on-campus recycling program as part of her senior nursing leadership project. The University of the Virgin Islands Recycle Program (UVIRP) aims to promote a healthier environment, reserve the beauty of the environment and decrease the amount of waste products sent to the landfill by promoting practices that encompass reusing, reducing and recycling.
UVIRP has begun recycling aluminum products. One blue and seven clear receptacles, donated by the Recycling Association of the Virgin Islands (St. John Chapter), have been placed around the residence halls on the St. Thomas campus. Students are urged to dispose of their aluminum waste in these receptacles. Randolph said all aluminum items will be accepted, including aluminum foil, cans, chocolate bar wrappings and cider/wine bottle tops. Users are urged to discard only aluminum products in these receptacles. Because the territory does not yet have a means of recycling plastic, which is the most abundant waste product on island, at this time the project focuses on recycling aluminum only, Randolph said. Randolph encourages the UVI community to utilize the receptacles.
In this initiative, Randolph has partnered with the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, UVI’s Reichhold Center for the Arts and Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS). Reichhold Center and CAHS are conducting similar recycling projects. Volunteers from the CAHS program will sort the aluminum from receptacles on campus. Sanitary Trash Removal Services, which conducts the recycling, will process and transport the recycled aluminum off-island. Proceeds of 20 cents per pound will be given to the CAHS volunteer group. The arrangement is expected to create an ongoing and low-cost project.
For more information on UVIRP and conservation practices visit Randolph’s blog at http://www.uvirp.blogspot.com/.
Aluminum Recycling Effort Underway on St. Thomas Campus
St. Thomas campus student Benita Randolph recently initiated an on-campus recycling program as part of her senior nursing leadership project. The University of the Virgin Islands Recycle Program (UVIRP) aims to promote a healthier environment, reserve the beauty of the environment and decrease the amount of waste products sent to the landfill by promoting practices that encompass reusing, reducing and recycling.
UVIRP has begun recycling aluminum products. One blue and seven clear receptacles, donated by the Recycling Association of the Virgin Islands (St. John Chapter), have been placed around the residence halls on the St. Thomas campus. Students are urged to dispose of their aluminum waste in these receptacles. Randolph said all aluminum items will be accepted, including aluminum foil, cans, chocolate bar wrappings and cider/wine bottle tops. Users are urged to discard only aluminum products in these receptacles. Because the territory does not yet have a means of recycling plastic, which is the most abundant waste product on island, at this time the project focuses on recycling aluminum only, Randolph said. Randolph encourages the UVI community to utilize the receptacles.
In this initiative, Randolph has partnered with the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, UVI’s Reichhold Center for the Arts and Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS). Reichhold Center and CAHS are conducting similar recycling projects. Volunteers from the CAHS program will sort the aluminum from receptacles on campus. Sanitary Trash Removal Services, which conducts the recycling, will process and transport the recycled aluminum off-island. Proceeds of 20 cents per pound will be given to the CAHS volunteer group. The arrangement is expected to create an ongoing and low-cost project.
For more information on UVIRP and conservation practices visit Randolph’s blog at http://www.uvirp.blogspot.com/.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Kyle's Birthday
So we are out and about on the boat today. It's Kyle's birthday so
after a snorkle at flat key we are at Heidi's on Water Island for a
bight.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Saturday Beach pic
Well, I'm back from San Fran and enjoying the sun on St. John. Sorry
that there's been no posts over the past week. Jay was supposed to
keep up the blog while I was gone and apparently that didn't happen. I
could have posted from San Fran (had a great time btw) but since this
is a blog about Virgin Islands, I didn't think you would want to see
that. ;-)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Off island in San Fran
Just a quick update from San Francisco, yes that's right, I escaped
the rock for a few days. Actually I'm here for a work conference with
my coworkers. It was a grueling travel day on Friday, but yesterday
made up for it. Shopping and Alicia Keys concert. Great day!
Today starts the work portion of the trip, but we have some fun
evening activites lined up for the rest of the week. I hope to make
some good contacts at the conference and come back more knowledgable
about our Banner system (had to post that in case the boss is reading
this :-). No seriously, I am looking forward to this week and so
grateful for the opportunity.
Poor Jay is still on island working hard and suffering through that
terrible St. Thomas weather. But I think he'll survive :-)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday Beach Picture
This is one of T's pictures from the recent visit of the Red Neck's in the Caribbean. It's someplace on the south shore of St John waiting to here from T to find out if she knows which beach.
Jay
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sunday Beach Pic
Well, since I missed the Friday beach pic (it was a holiday and I
totally forgot) here is a Sunday Beach Pic. We're sitting on Honeymoon
Beach on Water Island listening to Eric Stone. What a wonderful way to
spend Easter Sunday. Doesn't get much better than this. :-)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Final Four....Caribbean Style
Our beloved Mountaineers made it to the Final Four!! WooHoo!! So now
we're trying to decide where we should go watch the game. The best
sports bar on island is the Caribbean Saloon in Red Hook. They have
several big screens plus good food and drinks but it will be insanely
packed. So we're not sure if we want to deal with that. So we're
trying to find option number two. Any suggestions? :-)
Let's gooooo......Mountaineers!!!!
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