So, most of you that read my LJ, well, if there are any of you left, know that I'm a huge NKOTB fan, right?

Or DID you know that? LMAO - my layout.

I'm not really one any more. Why? 

I loved them back when I was younger. They were huge and so was my heart; and ONLY for them. I knew their every move. I knew what country they were in. I followed every story, every news article, every magazine. My sister and I would sit and sift through magazine after magazine looking for THEE one that we wanted to buy. We walked MILES, and I'm not even kidding, MILES to get the new Bop, Big Bopper or Teen Beat.

When they came back? My heart froze and then skipped merrily backwards 20 years. The feeling I got when they came out on stage at the Staples Center that October night was - well, there are no words that can describe it. Imagine seeing your long lost best friend from elementary school and with her? Your favorite pet from the past, teacher, grand parent, family member and flavor of ice cream surrounding her. It was as if something came alive again. Sparked in me what I had been lacking for the past couple of years.

They announce a cruise. My sister doesn't want to go. We book it.

Then? It continued. Five star passes (also known in the concert community as 5*)? What's this? I can pay to meet them? Hug them? Touch them? RIGHT ON! We did that. I had a great experience that I wouldn't give back for the world. It was amazing. I friggin' kissed Joe McIntyre. WHAT? Yes. I did. Bucket list item number 1? COMPLETE! ACCOMPLISHED!

The cruise of 2009 was the best weekend of my life. Again, the experiences, the whole vibe of the ship, the time spent with my sister- unbelievable and NOT repeatable as we found out in 2010. But we still had a blast when that rolled around.

Now, let's get into 2011. I love Joe. That will never change. And I'm thankful that NKOTB brought my love for him back to the surface. Love it. I've had the opportunity to go to two of his solo shows; die! Amazing. Hands down the best and only New Kid that, in my opinion deserves fame, fortune and success based on talent. Well, that Jordan guy ain't so bad but I can understand if his stuff keeps him a little away from the mainstream. Joe too, actually, but he deserves recognition.

Anyway, this isn't really about Joe. It's not even really about NKOTB as a whole. They're touring with Backstreet Boys this summer and I've always wanted to see them live so this will give me a chance. I'm slightly stoked. Really good seats and all that.

This is about the fans.

Yep.

The ones that "ruined" it for me. Or made it "old" for me. Of course a lot of my close friends that I have now are fans. I wouldn't give them back for anything. They're as precious to me as my memories and family. I'm not talking about them. I'm not even talking about the majority of the fans. I'm talking about those select few. Those that took something so light, young hearted, breezy and turned it into high school.

So, the wonderment and the pureness of elementary school turned into the "hey, that's not fair!" of Junior High. And now? Now we're in High School. And what happened when we got to HS before? The NK's went away, right (well, for me that happened in JR High, but still- I was on the little younger edge of the spectrum).

Now? If you don't have this, if you don't go there, if you don't buy something; you're not a fan. That's not right. You're not the "cream of the crop" if you didn't pre-order this and that.

Before the first cruise, Donnie gave a VERY heartfelt thank you speech. It moved me. I think it even moved my sister. I got goosebumps. All throughout that cruise, he was sincere, he was warm. Fell in love all over again! Right after that cruise I said, "Joe's my favorite New Kid, then Jordan, Danny and Jon. Donnie? He's on a whole other level."

That died quickly. Why? Because the rewarding of bad behavior.

That's another story.

Anyway. I'm sure we're reaching twilight time with NKOTB. The guys need to do their own things. Joe's got three, or will have three, little babies at home. Donnie's doing whatever that's called and Jordan? He needs to do a tour. The other ones? As much as I love Jon and Danny as an inspiration to some; meh. They're there to be there. It wouldn't be the same with out them but I think they're "done" too. At least it seems like it.

This isn't a negative post. This was more to say; I think I'm done. :( And it's sad! I don't want to be done with it!! But every tweet, every post, every OMGAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SOMEONE SAID TWUG TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEE that I see, it makes my skin crawl.

Would I jump out of my seat if I got a simple "hi :)" from one of them? Yes. I would. How do I know? Because it's happened.

But now? It's a collection of tweets that matter, not what's in your heart. It's not what's in YOU that matters but what's in your favorites. It seems friendship isn't about common ground; it's about common FOLLOWERS.

It's not right. =-\

Week of Jan 17th

@mac_feisty

LIFESTYLE
Started new weight watchers Points Plus on Sunday night
Staying active while home
Measured foods throughout the week
Better food choices than previous weeks

EXERCISE
January 17th, 2011: HHA-Fat Burning Cardio, 30 minutes
January 18th, 2011: Walked at lunch, HHA-Fat Burning Cardio, 30 minutes
January 19th, 2011: Walked at lunch, HHA-Ab Sculpt, 23 minutes
January 20th, 2011: HHA-Fat Burning Cardio, 30 minutes
January 21st, 2011: HHA-Fat Burning Cardio, 30 minutes
January 23rd, 2011: HHA-Ab Sculpt, 23 minutes

WEIGHT LOSS
Lost .4lbs

IMPROVEMENTS
Stick to the new Weight Watchers program, find time for the treadmill (this is for my mental state even more so than physical)

---

@WannaRubaDdub

EXERCISE
January 17th, 2011: Ran 3.2 miles & day 1 on Wii active 30 day challenge
January 18th, 2011: Ran 3.18 miles & day 2 on Wii
January 20th, 2011: Ran 3.3 miles & day 3 on Wii
January 21st, 2011: Ran 3.7 miles & day 4 on Wii
January 22nd, 2011: Ran 3.57 miles & 12 minutes boxing & step out workout
January 23rd, 2011: Ran 3.68 miles & day 5 on Wii

ACCOMPLISHEMNTS
Just completed 4 full weeks of workouts

---

@MoodyJessi

LIFESTYLE
January 17th, 2011: Drinking more water
January 18th, 2011: Eating healthy

EXERCISE
January 17th, 2011: Cardio – burned 300 calories
January 18th, 2011: Ran 2 miles
January 19th, 2011: Triceps, Biceps, Chest, Abs. 45 minutes Cardio – 690 calories burned

---

@highheeledmom

LIFESTYLE
January 18th, 2011: Coffee made with actual milk vs. powder or half and half
January 20th, 2011: Resisted fast food!

EXERCISE
January 19th, 2011: worked out in the morning
January 20th, 2011: worked out in the morning

---

@naultybits

LIFESTYLE
Resisted sweets at work for 2 weeks

EXERCISE
January 19th, 2011: 2.15 miles on the elliptical for 30 minutes
January 21st, 2011: 2.24 miles in 30 minutes, 60 crunches
January 22nd, 2011: 2.65 miles in 35 minutes

WEIGHT LOSS
Lost 1.4lbs!!

---

@eTownMelly

LIFESTYLE
Eating enough calories to support work outs
Worked out 6 of 7 days

EXERCISE
January 17th, 2011: walked 2 miles
January 18th, 2011: walked 2 miles
January 19th, 2011: walked 2 miles
January 20th, 2011: walked 2 miles

WEIGHT LOSS
Lost 3lbs!

---

@MrsBR00KSTER

EXERCISE
January 18th, 2011: Ran 5 miles
January 20th, 2011: Ran 6 miles
January 21st, 2011: Ran 5 miles

WEIGHT LOSS
Lost 2lbs!

---

@PrincessCR1

WEIGHT LOSS
Lost 1lbs!

Week of Jan 10th

@mac_feisty

LIFESTYLE
Continued STRICT weight watchers.

EXERCISE
January 10th, 2011 – 30 minutes Hip Hop Abs
January 12th, 2011 – Ran a mile (all I have time for in the damn morning!)
January 13th, 2011 – 30 minutes Hip Hop Abs
January 14th, 2011 – 30 minutes Hip Hop Abs

WEIGHT LOST – 4lbs

NSV (non-scale victory) – complimented on losing weight. Favorite jeans sort of fell down!

IMPROVEMENTS
Need to quit STOPPING then RESTARTING my Hip Hop Abs routine and stay on it!! So inconsistent, it bothers me!

---

@MoodyJessi

LIFESTYLE
January 10th, 2011 – Salmon and veggies for lunch
January 11th, 2011 – Salmon and veggies for lunch, Chicken, veggies with small side rice for dinner
Overall week – Eating better, Starbucks only 1 time

EXERCISE
January 10th, 2011 – Gym at lunch time
January 11th, 2011 – Ran, abs, arms at gym
Overall week – Gym every day, cardio and weights

---

@WannaRubaDDub

EXERCISE
January 10th, 2011 – Ran 3.25 miles
January 13th, 2011 – Ran 3.19 miles
January 14th, 2011 – Ran 3.28 miles
January 15th, 2011 – Ran 3.38 miles
January 16th, 2011 – Ran 3.26 miles

---

@JenLovesJoey

EXERCISE
Overall week – long runs, training

---

@MrsBR00KSTER

EXERCISE
January 12, 2011 - ran 5 miles
January 14, 2011 - ran 6 miles

---

@nomoregames75

WEIGHT LOST - 3lbs

---

@LittlestPixie

WEIGHT LOST – 2lbs, 1 inch from waist

---

@ETownMelly

EXERCISE
January 12th, 2011 – 3 mile walk
January 13th, 2011 – 3 mile walk

Week of Jan 3rd

@mac_feisty

LIFESTYLE
Continued doing weight watchers. Gave up most snacks. Refused vending machine.

EXERCISE
January 3rd, 2011 – 30 minutes Hip Hop Abs
January 4th, 2011 – Ran 1 mile on the treadmill
January 5th, 2011 – 30 minutes Hip Hop Abs
January 6th, 2011 – 30 minutes Hip Hop Abs

IMPROVEMENT
Need to get more sleep, need to use treadmill more often, need to WRITE DOWN MORE!! Stick to points, more water.

---

@gabbiegee

LIFESTYLE
January 3rd, 2011 – logged all food/calories

EXERCISE
January 3rd, 2011 – walked outside for lunch, went to gym

---

@WannaRubaDDub

EXERCISE
January 3rd, 2011 – Ran 1.8 miles
January 6th, 2011 – Ran 3.1 miles
January 8th, 2011 – Ran 3.1 miles
January 10th, 2011 – Ran 3.25 miles

---

@JerseyJoeyGirl

WEIGHT LOST – 1.5 pounds

---

@MoodyJessi

LIFESTYLE
January 6th, 2011 – Healthy lunch

EXERCISE
January 5th, 2011 – Elliptical during lunch hour, 300 calories (ONLY, she says? GOOD JOB ‘only’)
January 6th, 2011 – Ran 2 miles, ab work

---

@highheeledmom

LIFESTYLE
January 6th, 2011 – 6” Subway, no snacks, no soda.

---

@MrsBR00KSTER

EXERCISE
January 3, 2011 - ran four miles
January 5, 2011 - ran four miles
January 7, 2011 - ran four miles
January 8, 2011 - ran three miles

---

@PrincessCR1

EXERCISE
January 3rd, 2011 - 30 minutes, 125 calories

Week of Dec 27th

@mac_feisty

LIFESTYLE
Watched what I ate/drank. Kept up water intake. Made better choices.

EXERCISE
December 28, 2010 - Treadmill for 16 minutes, ran a little over a mile. Walked another 16 minutes at incline 6. Ran another 5 minutes at incline 2.5. Totals: 37 minutes, 296 calories, 2 miles.
January 2nd, 2011 - Treadmill for 16 mnutes, ran a little over a mile. Walked another 15 minutes at incline 6. Ran another 5 minutes at incline 2.5. Totals: 36 minutes, 293 calories, 2 miles.

IMPROVEMENTS:
More sleep needed, more exercise, more activity, more water – write down all food intake. Write down daily accomplishments

---

@gabbiegee

LIFESTYLE
December 27th, 2010 - Made breakfast at home instead of fast fooding it. Plain Cheerios (measured cereal and milk) and plain coffee. Brought lunch to work; turkey breast on whole wheat.

EXERCISE
December 27th, 2010 - Walked for an hour at lunch, 45 minutes on cross trainer at the gym
January 2nd, 2011 - Walked around block – 2.57 miles!

---

@WannaRubaDDub

EXERCISE
December 27th, 2010 - Ran 1.5 miles this morning and just finished a 25 min walk
December 30th, 2010 - Ran 1.6 miles
January 1st, 2011 - Ran 1.65 miles
January 2nd, 2011 - 1.7 miles

WEIGHT LOST - 6 lbs

---

@NKinKiltsLuvr

LIFESTYLE
December 27th, 2010 – ate Subway

EXERCISE
December 27th, 2010 – Walked instead of drove

---

@tractorprincess

EXERCISE
December 27th, 2010 – rode 7 miles on bike, ab exercise, pilates

---

@MrsBR00KSTER

EXERCISE
December 27th, 2010 – Ran 5 miles

---

@naultybits
LIFESTYLE
December 27th, 2010 – lunch with a friend; ordered green salad instead of French fries

---

@JenLovesJoey

LIFESTYLE
December 27th, 2010 – had a See’s candy but only one
December 29th, 2010 – turned down See’s candy (HOW???)

EXERCISE
December 27th, 2010 – ran intervals for 4 miles in 40 minutes
December 29th, 2010 – ran 4 miles
January 2nd, 2011 – Ran 10 miles

---

@Princess CR1

LIFESTYLE
December 27th, 2010 – only 2 Christmas cookies
December 28th, 2010 - walked w/ co-workers to McDonalds and didn't get a thing. :) Lunch: ground turkey & whole grain pasta. – 0 Christmas cookies
December 29th, 2010 - Mexican for lunch; had chips & salsa but had salad w/ grilled chicken & no dressing
December 30th, 2010 – Healthy Choice lunch, ground turkey with whole wheat pasta dinner

EXERCISE
December 28th, 2010 – Walked to McDonalds (didn’t order food), 40 minutes (215 calories) on Wii
December 29th, 2010 – Walked to lunch, 15-20 minutes
December 30th, 2010 – 37 minutes of the Wii - 190 cals, 20 mins good sex, 15 minute walk.
January 1st, 2011 – Wii workout, 105 calories
January 2nd, 2011 – Wii workout, 200 calories

---

@highheeledmom

LIFESTYLE
December 28th, 2010 – brought vegetables for lunch; mashed potatoes and mixed veggies.
December 29th, 2010 – bought chips from vending machine but for sustenance snack, not boredom

PACKING FOR THE CRUISE AND BOARDING

Prior to even shopping for the cruise - Make a list!

In my phone for each cruise I have each day, each outfit I'm wearing down to the shoes and underwear. I'm not the type to just throw every thing I own in the suitcase and pray that I have enough or that I won't mismatch something that goes with something else. Very strategic planning goes into my packing. I hate packing. I also hate organization (as you can tell from this journal) so this is a chore for me but it pays off.

I always make sure that I take at least 2, yes 2 extra pair of panties for each day that I'm going to be gone. Why? Because hell! It's hot in the friggin Caribbean, that's why. And although at least one of those days I'll be in and out of water, I still count that day as a day. I don't like being without fresh panties. It's gross!

So, in my phone I have each day that I'm going to be gone and the clothes I'm going to be wearing. It looks like the following.

Prior to preparation but after we receive the Theme of the night:

Friday
Boarding
Dining
Casino Night

Friday
Boarding
Green dress
White tank
White flippies - rd
Dining
Black and white dress - rd
Black heels
Casino Night
Black dress - rd
Black heels

That's an example. After I "ready" every item while packing, I mark it with "rd" next to it. I may or may not put in there a suggestion of what I want to find for the specific outfit. This helps me narrow my absent-mindedness while I'm in a store. I also make sure that when I'm looking for something, I keep my eye out for things I might want to exchange or use for work. Work clothes = dining room outfits.

Of course things may not always go as planned while I'm on the ship. I may skip the dining room one night so I don't have to use an outfit. However, I know that I got my back covered if in case I need those clothes for something else.

Secrets to packing prior to boarding

On embarkation day, pack everything that you're not going to need for the muster drill, Sail Away Party and dinner if you have early dining in your checked luggage. Everything that you will need for these events, keep on you!

Reason? You just may not have your luggage by the time dinner rolls around. I say may. I didn't for the 2010 cruise. Here's a little story.

( This could happen to you...!Collapse )

Make sure you either have with you or are wearing your outfit for the Sail Away Party. Chances of your luggage being in your cabin prior to the muster drill could be slim. Rule of thumb: The earlier you get to the ship, the sooner you'll have your luggage. However, just because you're first on the ship doesn't always mean you're first to get your luggage. There are people handling your stuff- you're trusting them. Humans. And you know how reliable that species is, right? That's what I thought.

If you want to bring on a small little backpack or if you're bringing your laptop (don't check this item, carry it with you so you don't complain about someone stealing your shit later) I'd suggest stuffing something that's wrinkle free just as a back-up in case of mishaps like the above mentioned. Will I be packing a back-up this year? Nah. But did I suffer through the muster drill and the chilly dining room in a wet, white t-shirt? Yes. Yes I did. But I was really buzzed and didn't care.

What Can't I Bring Onboard

Here is a list taken from the Carnival website of items that will be CONFISCATED upon boarding.

• Alcohol (hard liquor)/sealed, unopened bottles
• Beer/sealed, unopened bottles/cans
• Wine or champagne/sealed, unopened bottles - beyond the allowable limit of one bottle (750 ml. size) per adult 21 years of age (brought on at embarkation time only)
• Clothing irons and steamers (all Carnival ships offer laundry facilities with irons and ironing boards. Fleet-wide valet laundry service is also available for a nominal fee.)
• Electrical and household appliances (i.e. coffee makers, hot plates, toasters, etc.)
• Candles
• Heating Pads
• Incense
• Hookah

Here is a list of items that will be DISCARDED and thrown away prior to boarding

• Large coolers
• Alcohol in unsealed containers
• Firearms (i.e., non-firing weapons and starter pistols)
• Ammunition (i.e., bullets, shot or missile that can be fired using a propellant)
• Imitation or replica weapons (i.e., de-commissioned weapons or those not capable of being fired, toy weapons, or any other item made, intended or adapted to be used as a weapon)
• Explosives or explosive component parts, (i.e., detonators)
• Fireworks or pyrotechnics (except those previously approved in connection with a company stage production which have been properly manifested)
• Taser or electronic stun guns
• Pepper or mace sprays
• Telescopic or regular batons
• Martial arts equipment (i.e., flails, throwing stars, belt buckle knives, etc.)
• Handcuffs, brass knuckles
• Compressed gas bottles/cylinders
• Knives with blades longer than four (4) inches ( Recreational dive knives are allowed but must be held in the custody of the Guest Services Manager or Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise.)
• Dive tanks (empty or full), diver spears/slings
• Household goods or tools of trade
• Volatile and highly flammable liquids such as cigarette lighter fluid
• Scissors with blades longer than four (4) inches (Large scissors of the type used by scrapbook and quilting enthusiasts are at times permitted with prior notification from the Security Services Department, but are held onboard in the same manner as dive knives.)
• Medical Marijuana
• Bicycles
• Surfboards
• Scooters (only permitted if used for mobility – must be stored in guest’s stateroom)
• Boats/canoes
• Segways
• Any footwear with wheels, i.e. Heely’s type shoes

LOL Leave your handcuffs off the cruise, ladies. Sorry. But white scarves can do the same thing ;) #FreakySaga. OKAY! Also don't bring your boat. You're on one.

I, however, did manage to bring my handheld steamer board.

What Can I Bring On Board

Water/Soda. You can bring your own bottled water or canned soda. I'm pretty sure the limit is 12 bottles per person. This is kind of awesome, right? I mean, I have no problem drinking the water on board that they give you to make tea with. A tip from my sister mrsbr00kster, make iced tea. Yeah, just make tea and then put ice in it. Saves a whole shit load of money on soft drinks. And, well, saves some calories too, right?

Power strips: here's the deal - People have brought them and have gotten away with them. People have brought them and had them tossed. If you want to chance it, go for it. If it's not in your luggage when you get it in your room, don't throw a fit. The policy is: Electrical devices such as fans, power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords will be removed if determined to pose a hazard and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark.

They know what cabin you're in. They know how many people are going to be on your grid. They know these things. If they see too many of those power strips, they're going to start taking them. So, if you're early enough you may luck out and get to keep yours.

If you need a power strip for any purpose and it's very important that you have it (I needed one for my breast pump on the 2010 cruise), then call ahead and put it as a special item on your booking. They'll help you out. I didn't have one in my cabin prior to sailing but I know that they would have hooked me up; especially since it's deemed a medical reason.

Alcohol: This deserves it's own journal entry, really. Which I'm going to post right after this one.

IN CONCLUSION

I'm putting this out there: I work for a cruise line. I work for Carnival Corporation. If you have any questions, you can ask me. I can ask managers that deal directly with passenger related departments what policies are enforced and what you can "get away with" or how you can "get away" with them. legally, I mean. If you require special services, please call Carnival and check with them before just assuming you can/can't bring something.

If you want me to call on something, then hell, sure. Why not? I can call Carnival and ask them for you if you don't want to be bothered or you don't know how to phrase something and feel like a moron. The Carnival FAQ is littered with good information; and it's easy to understand. So, ya know, check there first if you have a simple question.

Future blogs will include information about having a good time(yes, some people need help with this shit), passports, alcohol and whatever else I can think of. If you have a question, please tweet me (@mac_feisty) and I'll answer. If you have a blog topic or something that I should write a journal entry about, let me know via a comment on here or a tweet. I'll do my best to be more on top of this crap! :)

We've done it before: we've lost weight as a team. Did we keep it off? I kinda did. Half of it. I gained some over the holidays. The big eating holidays are over. To hell with RESOLUTIONS. Let's make a life style change. We're doing this NOW. Starting tomorrow. Hell, starting right after I finish this glass of wine! *swig-swish-so good :D*

Anyway, here's the deal. You have to join Twitter to participate.

1. Join Twitter
2. Follow JKs_feisty
3. Tell me you're interested in partying and I'll follow you back.
4. Every day it is up to YOU to tell me what you have done. DM or @reply, doesn't matter. Whether it be activities or what you've done to go that little extra step to be healthy. If you've turned down french fries and bought a salad? Tell me about it. I'll log it. Each Monday you will weigh in and tell me how much weight you have LOST. I will never ask you your weight. If you want to tell me what it is and have me keep track of how much you lose, then that's fine. I'll do that. But I don't want to tell you how much I weigh lol so I don't expect you to tell me how much you weigh.
5. Every week I'm going to post here what we've done to get healthy. What changes we have made. I'm NOT going to use the numbering system that I've used before. I'm going to use our Twitter names here. So that way we're more accountable for what we're doing. However, if you don't want me to use your Twitter name, DM me and let me know what you want to go by. Gotta respect the privacy of those who want it.
6. Change your lifestyle! I know some of you have already. This is meant to be a motivator and a team of us to kick each other's asses!

I have a cruise in March so this will be going on every week until February 28th. The last day of this party will be March 5th. My cruise laves March 6th. I'll be back March 13th and we'll pick up right where we left off to get in shape for May!!

If you want to join, follow the 6 steps (yeah, 6, not 5 because I just can't do 5 lol). Let's get this, let's lose this... let's friggin do this, people! I'm tired of feeling/looking like a sloth! :)

EDIT TO ADD: If you want to submit pictures of your progress as well, DM me and I'll give you my email address and we can track ya that way too :D

I started a new blog for story related ramblings and snippets.

http://feistytales.blogspot.com

Go, leave a comment. :)

I've been wanting to post my feelings about writing and what I'm writing. I want to keep away from many 140 character Tweets about how frustrated I am, or how awesome it feels to finally write something I like- though the former happens much more often than the latter.

I will complain about writing, I will gush about writing. Most of all, I'm going to keep my modesty and be humble about it. I'm not some great author. I'm not pretending to be something I'm not. But I *have* written 3 complete full length "novels". I have two more in the works. One was the NaNo for last year that I don't really count. Another is the fourth and final part of what's been dubbed the "Freaky Saga".

If you're reading this post and you're interested in finding more about my writings or whatever, feel free to contact me via blogspot. :)

Word UP!
*Kristi*