Having said all that, I hope the cruise goes smoothly, I think the word is there will be news soon. There are at least two FB sites for it.

I kiped this off the MB cruise FB:

I receive email updates for CTTE " Cruise to the Edge" that will take place this upcoming November. They also are on NCL Pearl and will have a Pre-Cruise Party. Don't book your hotels yet for The Moody Blues Cruise Pre-Party; BUT this next statement may be of interest:

"As a 2015 Cruise to the Edge guest, you are invited to our complimentary Pre-Cruise Party on November 14, 2015 at Magic City Casino in Miami with doors opening at 3pm! This is an awesome way to kick off your CTTE experience . . . "

More bands were added yesterday, one mentioned was Vanilla Fudge, which I remember as pretty good. I didn't know the others.

So Annie Haslam, the Strawbs, the Moodies of course, and Vanilla Fudge. All good, bummer I have to fly so far to make the sailing however. (timid tone) the west coast has some lovely places to sail too, out of Long Beach or out of Seattle.

I tain't going no where near the Middle East until it gets quieter. I did Dubai, Baharain, Athens, and a quick stop in Kuwait, many years ago. Reagan was in office then, and they knew better than to stir stuff up 'cause he enjoyed shelling the oil platforms, in fact I flew into Dubai that day when he did it. My cousin who was in the oil business there was pretty shook up.... long story, but I met a very handsome Dubai official (giving my passport the once over) I would have followed home had he winked at me just one more time.... white robes and the whole bit. Hubba hubba..........

A month after I flew into Dubai, an American cruiser shot down an Iranian commercial airliner headed to Dubai. BIG f*** up that..... my squadron was pulling out of Diego Garcia the same day, so I guess they thought there was an attack coming in, or their radar was really messed up on that cruiser. That's the only time I've ever heard the USN release the name of a skipper publicly, after an international incident ...... a few months later the poor guy had to move his family because there was a hit put out on his house.

The Middle East is actually no different than here...... the desert is like driving through the Mohave. Inner city, that's a different matter. You stand as much chance as being mugged there I suspect, as you do in downtown Chicago. I had no problems, and I was traveling alone too. People were actually rather nice, and some were interested in Americans too.

Go watch Lawrence of Arabia, take two aspirins, and call me in the morning.

I dunno I had a beer, a small almond joy and plan to watch Balto, dog of the north tonight. It's not the milligrams that count, it's the substance behind it.... not to mention the legal counsel....

What the heck do you want to go to the Middle East for? I'd like to go to the Khyber pass, but it's sorta dangerous right now there. I read a cool article about Meggido in Israel in the latest (Nov) issue of Discover Magazine, and that was good enough for me.

I'll catch Justin if and when he tours around again... anon....

I think the poll is ludicrous. I'm really holding back on opinions right now.

Justin can go and do what he pleases.... and if you let the terrorists get the upper hand, they win.

I would very much enjoy going to Israel someday, but something also tells me it's the land of great rip off, since so many people DO go there as a lifetime desire.... Tel Meggido caught my attention lately, then I found an eco-tourist site for it, very expensive too. I like going places off the beaten path. Lots of that along the trail when there are Moody tours in America.

I have to go to work... it's nice seeing you pop up, leslee. Take care there, and don't let the dream factory take over.... pity me, working with small noisy children a few days before Halloween.

some self help books are quite good. Darn if I can remember the one I read about "being a professional victim" and how to stop that, but it was very effective. I took it with me on vacation to Greece and read it on my hotel balcony, looking out to sea. Possibly "The Myth of the Superman*

There's a gal named Sark who turns out very delightful self help books, full of lovely little water colors. She's a lot of fun too. Basically what is good if you don't feel like doing "real therapy" and are a bookish sort, is to prowl through the "self help" or psychology section in Barnes and Nobel, and pick through the books. Lots of interesting stuff .... I learn better by reading, not be listening.

Actually I'm a terrible listener which is why I don't do real counseling.

I liked what Justin said in a recent interview, he catches up on his reading on the cruises. THAT is my idea of a vacation!!!