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

---

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.

 

Conflicts in Europe

How did Europe become what it is today?

By Jay Gunsauls

 

I have been studying and visiting museums on the subject of European history and finding it helps me understand how societal changes have occurred and shaped the various issues we are working through in a global way today.

 

The world has had its share of "Rascals" and "Scoundrels" and it doesn't appear this is going to change any time soon. More on this to follow.

 

Hundreds of years B.C. there were small groups of like-minded humans foraging for food; gatherers, hunters and eventually farmers. Conflict was between the humans and nature. At some point in the "metal ages", tools were made to help these humans survive against the elements and to enhance food production. Societal struggles came about when resources were scarce and began appearing over land, poaching, vengeance and at some point, over kidnapping of slaves and women. Demonstrations of superiority and dominance over others (by Rascals) led to tools becoming weapons and efforts being made to protect groups from attack by other groups. We see the advent of castles becoming fortresses and control meted out over the common people by the elites and aristocrats. Farmers and merchants were taxed and made to conform to standards not of their own choosing. Landholders were given compulsory quotas for food production that allowed them to keep a portion for their own use, but when crops failed to yield the prescribed quotas, the landholder suffered the most. Often the land was given up as chattel or even forfeited.

 

In our travels in Europe we are visiting huge mansions and estates once occupied by the aristocracy that are now memorialized, made accessible to us through government ownership (for a small fee). One cannot help but draw a conclusion that many of these succumbed to lack of maintenance, occupation by hostile forces, or perhaps onerous taxation.

 

We learned an interesting accounting related to hunting. At one point the rascals decided that hunting should be restricted to themselves as a measure of their prowess while landholders could kill animals that endangered their crops or families but could not profit from same.

 

The elites (aka Rascals) devised a hierarchy of royalty, nobles, lesser nobles, knights and such in order to give definition to societal structure. Allegiance, loyalty and subservience were tantamount to securing control. Rascals often plotted against other rascals and the number of familial murders and mayhem are quite notable.

 

Conflicts lasted for years as wars. While many were touted and justified as religious or political imperatives, the character of high order individuals makes one wonder. Some were revered, others hated and depending on which end of the sword a person was on they were both.

 

Over decades certain groups rested control over vast geographical areas only to lose that control in subsequent rebellions. Today we see centuries-old buildings reflecting these changes in their architecture, most notably religious structures.

 

Then there were the "Scoundrels" who got the idea they could dominate and control the whole world through plunder and elimination of vast numbers of humans. Vikings, Turks, Napoleon and Hitler are some of the most notable scoundrels (heinous criminals) to live. In the scheme of things, a lot of people suffered, and a few (too many) gained.

 

The World Wars, I and II, certainly didn't teach us anything except how to maim and kill other human beings. Reading and seeing the evidence on the ground puts these events in perspective but I can find no justifiable explanation why they occurred. Human cleverness created the ability to hurl large amounts of lethal material into populated areas and destroy infrastructures hundreds of years in the making.

It seems as though the "higher ups" of today are prone to repeating the worst aspects of our human history.

I'm including a link here for further study and reference:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_conflicts_in_Europe

 

Landing Gear

I don't see any other way to promote an idea in aircraft innovation better than posting on social media. Perhaps some person or group within aircraft manufacturing will further develop my idea and I will retain some credit by virtue of this posting date and time.

Every time we see an aircraft landing, one of the things you cannot miss is the smoke from the tires. Tires touching the pavement must immediately accelerate to the forward speed of the aircraft, causing tremendous friction and absorption of energy. Burning rubber wears the tires and leaves an accumulation of rubber on the pavement. I have read that periodic replacement of tires cost airline companies thousands of dollars each. Periodic removal of the rubber left on runway pavement (for safety reasons) has to be very expensive as well.

The concept of my idea is to build a mechanism on the tires or wheels that will act as accelerators when the landing gear is extended, using the forward speed of the aircraft to spin the wheels up to the touch down speed, thus reducing the damage to tires and accumulation of rubber on the pavement.

For maximum benefit and to minimize the cost of design and manufacturing such mechanisms should not require additional control systems.

I can anticipate some resistance to the idea since the current configurations provide for energy absorption on landing, helping to slow the aircraft's forward movement and my suggestion might be said to extend landing distances and add additional stress to current aircraft braking systems. Brakes would also have to be applied after take-off when retracting the landing gear. In most aircraft this is a routine procedure.

In recent years aircraft and airline companies have focused on accomplishing "Zero Carbon" goals by reducing engine emissions. My idea would certainly help in reaching these goals.

Clock

Time Check

---

 

The Outdoor Cafe

The Outdoor Cafe

By Jay

We find ourselves wondering what it is that draws us to foreign countries, wanting to leave the familiarity of the good old U.S. and our friends and family. It certainly can't be difficult languages and currencies, confusing transportation systems or unfamiliar food. It must be something that is uniquely enjoyable and difficult to find at home. One of these things might be the outdoor or sidewalk cafe.

The outdoor cafe is an institution in many countries we visit; one of the most intriguing things that we love and look for in our travels. These places are fun to be in and to watch. People gather here in a relaxed mood or engaged with others. Coffee, Cappuccino, Wine; with snacks or cheese or other accompaniments attract the pallet, people make up the rest of the experience. It is a small price of admission to a live theatre.

Most outdoor cafes would have a difficult time with the strict regulations imposed on eating and drinking establishments and traffic standards in the U.S. It is quite common here to be seated curbside with cars and motorbikes whizzing by your elbow. In many cases a restaurant or cafe will have tables that are on opposite sides of the street with waiters negotiating the traffic carrying trays of drinks and food. Adjacent establishments will often distinguish their territory with different colored chairs, tables and umbrellas. Most will have a chalked menu on a sandwich board or attached to a post or wall. In some heavy tourist area they may have menu displays in multiple languages. This is rare in France but we do see menus with pictures occasionally. It pays to have a modicum of understanding of a country's customs and preferences when ordering food or drink. What you read or interpret on a sign or menu may or may not be even close to your actual experience and the more close that the item matches a literal meaning in the U.S. is cause to be especially careful. We had a most unpleasant "Cheeseburger" in Paris on our last visit there. It was more like Steak tartare smothered with a gooey harsh cheese and mayo...served cold. French fries, in almost any country will come close to a familiar texture, shape and flavor, but don't count on it. We have had some pretty ugly imitations.

One thing that we notice in Europe, France in particular, are the number of people smoking. This can be a distraction (along with the dog poop) especially when people are smoking at an adjacent table. It is particularly disturbing to see the young people smoking and imagining their future health problems.

Relaxing in an outdoor cafe may be the penultimate form of voyeurism. We hear quiet, thoughtful conversations and because we do not understand the language we can only speculate as to the relationship between the couples or group of people we see sharing a table. In France it seems to be O.K. for public displays of affection; not so in many other countries. Viva la France!

We sometimes see very animated discussions and by the tone and expressions it is difficult to determine if there is anguish, conflict or something else going on between the participants. They, at least,  take their time about it; in fact people in France seem to relish free time and you can read much about the workforce in France and their propensity for long periods of non-work. Another "Viva la france!"

Brief essay on Greek history

Author's note:

I do not pretend to be a scholar or perfect in any way about Greek history but I find the period from 500 BC and the 7th century AD fascinating. It reflects the emergence of democracy and Christianity. I write the following as I understand it.  My apologies for any inaccuracies or misrepresentations of fact.

One kilometer from our apartment here in Athens is the birthplace of democracy, the ancient Agora of classical Athens; "Agora" meaning "gathering place", the center of the Athenian artistic, spiritual and political life, established in the 5th and 4th century BC. Solon, Peisistratos and Cleisthenes each played a role in forming the government of Athens that gave citizens more say in their daily lives. Cleisthenes is credited with being the author of Athenian democracy. In 508 BC in unsettled times decided he needed support from the people and devised a system of voters and districts. His determination was intended to reduce slavery and diminish control by the aristocracy that was prevalent after the Persian wars. These voters were selected by lottery and distributed to (originally four and expanded later by Solon to ten) districts (50 in each district) and all adult male citizens were subject to serving for specified terms. The democracy was direct, not representative. All laws and rules were devised and voted on by these people. Apparently abstention was not an option and any voter who quit the assembly suffered serious consequences which were passed on to that person's family and heirs.

This democratic system was interrupted several times over the years by wars with Sparta, Rome's domination of the world and a period that followed the Herulian (German) invasion of AD 267. Wars and periods of occupation by foreign powers have been unfortunate for the Greek culture.

Temples like the Parthenon were built honoring various gods over the years and served Athenians and people of the surrounding parts of Attica. Another type of structure that we see here is the "Stoa", a place of assembly and shelter for entertainment, merchandising and political activity. The "Boule" (government assembly) met and held court here in the Tholos, a round structure of which only the foundation survives.

In the 1st century AD the Apostle Paul sought refuge in Athens, having been run out of Thessalonica and other parts of Northern Greece. He was stunned by the presence of idols representing pagan believes and deities. He began to preach here in the Agora and was called to task by the high court at Areopagus where he gave the speech which is recounted in Acts 17:16-34.The Apostle Paul had a significant influence in bringing Christianity to Greece, later reinforced by Rome's conversion.

Near the Stoa, at the foot of the Acropolis, stands the Church of the Holy Apostles, which can be dated to the 2nd century AD, built on the original site (actually directly on top of) a Roman Nympherium. Prophetic? This church has been preserved and restored in recent years and is open to visitors. I've attached a photo of the dome's ceiling, one of my personal favorite depictions of Jesus and have seen in other locations. Christianity came to Greece at a cost, not unlike many other places in the world.

Footnote: Women did not get to vote in Greece until 1952 (That is not a typo).

Sent from my Galaxy Tab® S2

Retirement

I occasionally hear speculation from friends and relatives that I might not be "Retired for Good" as my Facebook page announces. Therefore a little self-examination and research are in order. Using the Google search engine I found the following definitions of "Retired"

"Having left one's job and ceased to work."

"Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely."

"Not working anymore."

While it is true that I have not received a "pay check" in the previous three years, I haven't given up "thinking" and certain "projects" that come to my attention intrigue me to the point that I might be lured into some activity that resembles work. I am not seeking employment.

Further study on the subject revealed these definitions:

"Having ended one's working or professional career."

"Withdrawn from or no longer occupied with one's business or profession."

Does "thinking" negate the concept of retirement? Does one have to give up thinking to be "Retired for Good"? Are there activities that benefit from one's former training and experience that are worthy of pursuit? Am I relegated to limiting my decisions to "Paper or Plastic?" at the grocery store?

Still pondering. In the meantime, we will continue exploring the world, visiting different cultures, enjoying the sights, people, food and transportation and looking for fire stations.