Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[helen haywood]

Well, Siamese are a breed apart…😜

[Ozark_Kid]

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

@Ozark_Kidposted this on the Bella thread by mistake. I received a fairly large update from Samsung last night. After the install I tried using the Samsung keyboard with CC and so far everything seems to be working normally.

I was just wondering, did you check to see it the Samsung keyboard works with the high school communications app now? 

[Momof3gurlz]

41 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Last night, our daughter, SIL, and grandkids were here for dinner. Of course, when my grandson saw my impromptu decoration of our Valentine’s Day tree for President’s Day, he wanted to know if he could have the money from the tree to buy something. 

 

His mother says “They just gave you money for Valentines Day, and you spent it all”

 

Him “That’s why I need more!”

 

Me “Those are ones on the tree, so you couldn’t buy much”

 

So, Susan, who is known as the chief enabler at our house, grabs her purse and peals off some larger bills and hands them to him.  Then, she realizes she needs to keep things even, so she hands a bunch to our granddaughter.  
 

They both left, flashing cash and talking about what they wanted to buy last night.  
 

They are coming for lunch today, so I hope they aren’t broke already. 

 

Susan sounds like Andy who constantly gives out “ piggy bank donations”.  Maybe I need to buy myself a piggy bank 🙂. 

[Ocean Boy]

34 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I was just wondering, did you check to see it the Samsung keyboard works with the high school communications app now? 

Yes, I sent out a message earlier and things seem to be working correctly on that app.

[BonTexasNY]

1 hour ago, George C said:

My wife went to the movies with one of her friends then they came back to our house for a while, wife just got a phone call that she tested positive for Covid, hopefully we will be ok we both have had our shots and three boosters. 

she was always 6 ft from me. 

Hope you wife's symptoms are mild and that she gets over it quickly and that you stay healthy.

1 hour ago, h20skibum said:

My daughter-in-law made it through her trip to Singapore without getting anything.  Then she found out she was in close contact with someone at work on Wednesday that tested positive.  DIL tested last night, and now she has it. Just a sore throat for her so far. 

Same as with George's wife.  Hope your daughter-in-law gets over it quickly with minimal symptoms.

Jack and I were both lucky in July when we both got it.  Our symptoms were mild and didn't last long.  

[BonTexasNY]

@dani negreanuDani, I'm confused.  Is your trip over?  I thought you were going to Marrakesh?  I hope things picked up for you to enjoy the rest of your trip.

[George C]

4 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

Hope you wife's symptoms are mild and that she gets over it quickly and that you stay healthy.

Same as with George's wife.  Hope your daughter-in-law gets over it quickly with minimal symptoms.

Jack and I were both lucky in July when we both got it.  Our symptoms were mild and didn't last long.  

I should have worded this better we as of now don’t have Covid her friend who was with her for about 4 hours Saturday tested positive.

[chucknmarilyn]

36 minutes ago, George C said:

I should have worded this better we as of now don’t have Covid her friend who was with her for about 4 hours Saturday tested positive.

Hopefully  your wife will be fine. I had it pretty rough but husband didn't get it from me. Shared stateroom/bed but fortunately he is fine.

[bobmacliberty]

5 hours ago, Lionesss said:

 

 

A few years back we were hacked on all our accounts credit, debit and savings that we kept  at our one local  bank. Separate accounts at another bank we untouched.

 

It all started innocently, by me.

 

We were shopping at Dillards at our eastwood mall, and I when it came time to pay I opened up my account and saw I had more than enough in checking, so I used the debit card.

 

The next morning as always the DH checks our accounts on line but does not say anything to me until later. 

There was a transaction of $.02 removed from savings.  He thought it was a fluke.

The next day  (((((BAM))))))))))  All our savings accounts as well as debit were listed at less than $5.

He was the one who found the loss.

 

So the bank opened at 8:30am.

He called at 8:31am and they told him to immediately come in.

 

He did.

They were able to close what was left of our livelyhood.

They said we both must come in at 4:00pm to file for new accounts, credit cards and fill out forms, and bring any records, check book with you.

 

So 4pm

We go into the bank and are escorted to a private room.

The local Bank president took a history and asked if we did any unusual activity with our credit or debit cards.

I go not really.

He goes what do you mean.

I go well, 2 days ago I was at Dillards and before I paid my bill I checked my checking account.

He goes, how did you check.

I go, well, I just brought it up.

He goes how.

I go the mall has free WiFi

DING DING DING

He proceeds to tell me, the only thing free WiFi is good for is the weather channel.

 

So now the process begins.

 

He goes, all your accounts are federally insured, and your credit card has protection, but before we can replace your assets we must go through a process.

 

To start after we listed what checks we wrote and were still pending, those would go through on the old account.  Anything that we do not list would not. Then they closed it.

The credit card did not have any hacked charges on it, so it was just cancelled.

The Bank account was closed.

 

Then we got a sermon about using free WiFi, and did I not know better???

 

Finally we had to fill out the traditional forms to get credit cards, debit, open new savings account and they provided free checks.              I go please do not issue the checks starting at number -1-

I go, no one will accept them at that beginning number and besides on our last checking account we were over number 14,000.

The president said OK

(YUP, they came in at #100).

Then we had to change all our passwords, and I was sad about that, because they were my favorites, now I had to really come up with some doozies.

 

So after all was said and done and now it is well after time to cook dinner (so carry out night) and I thought we would be on our Merry way. NOPE.

 

The president goes, one last form.

This is a disclosure form, that we dealt with the loss of funds, and our insurance will replace everything to your accounts within 3 business days, you will receive new credit and debit cards.

And finally.  

When you sign this you will not have access or receive any information on the followup to recover funds.  Thus for you this process ends.

You will not be notified of who hacked your accounts.

And in the future you will only use the ***** Bank App to access it.

 

Everything returned to normal like he said in 3 business days.

 

EXCEPT

 

I forgot one check to list that we did write well before this happened.

So, now we are at church a few weeks later, and after mass, father asks us to meet with him.

So we go to the office and on his desk is our check for our commitment to the capital fund,

with a bank slip that said "Inadequate funds"

He sincerely asked us if we hit on hard times, and wanted to know if the church could help.

 

Now, after moments of explanation, he had heard stories of people being hacked at the mall, but it is usually by some type of system that can obtain your credit card information through your wallet or purse. (This was new to me at that time).

 

He then gave ME the sermon of free WiFi and not using it.

The bank and priest must stick together.

 

Oh we wrote him a new check, gotta keep the powers that be happy.

 

Now thinking back I could have put the blame on my spouse and let him think what he did, but good wifey, I owned up to it.

 

 

Best of luck with resolution.

It really taught us a lesson.

 

Were not in Kansas anymore (Nothing bad intended Sea Dog).

 

Be safe 

Mama Lions

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's an important message about public WiFi.  It's common to use what's called a Man in the Middle attack.  You think you're connecting to a public WiFi network but you're actually connecting to a bad guy who is pretending to be a public WiFi connection.  The bad guy is connected to the Internet so you end up going through him to get to the Internet, but you never know the difference.  The bad guy can "see" everything that you do.  Any web sites that you connect to SHOULD use encrypted traffic, at least when sending your username and password, but not all do.  Even if the bad guy sees the encrypted version of your password, there are ways to decrypt it in some cases.  All it takes is to buy a $120 device called a Wifi Pineapple.  You set it up to pretend that you're the Starbucks Wifi, or the Kroger Wifi, or Panera Bread Wifi, or the Lowes WifI, etc.  

 

Moral of the story...use your cellular connection to the internet unless you must use WiFi for some reason.

 

Edit: Using your home Wifi is fine.  I'm talking about public Wifi connections.

Edited February 20, 2023 by bobmacliberty

[brillohead]

4 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

That sounds so Cruella de Vil. Let it be noted, that would be a small blanket. 

It's a good thing I wasn't drinking anything when I read this, or it would be all over my screen and keyboard!!!

[brillohead]

3 hours ago, h20skibum said:

Yes, those are eggs in the background. We were splurging. 🤣🤣

Well, you COULD have afforded the World Cruise, but you wasted all your savings on that plate of deviled eggs instead!!!

[bmblob]

22 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

Moral of the story...use your cellular connection to the internet unless you must use WiFi for some reason.

 

Edit: Using your home Wifi is fine.  I'm talking about public Wifi connections.

I agree, the cyber criminals now are more and more sophisticated and can gain access to your information.  I did engage with a private VPN service which works globally and help reduce these risks.  Just have to remember to leave the VPN on.

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, George C said:

I should have worded this better we as of now don’t have Covid her friend who was with her for about 4 hours Saturday tested positive.

You worded it well.  I totally misunderstood.  When you typed "she" I jumped the gun thinking you meant your wife.  Sorry her friend got covid but glad you and your wife are ok.

[dani negreanu]

11 hours ago, sgmn said:

Dani @dani negreanuhope you're trip home went smoothly without any problems.

Final thoughts of your holiday?

 

We're thinking of a short European break. But would want some sunshine. Maybe Malta or Nerja in Spain. Went to Nerja when the kids were small and apart from beaches and interesting Caves, it is fairly close to Granada. Would like to visit Alhambra again 

 

Pls. see final thoughts below

 

Alhambra was amazing. I'm sure on the 2nd visit, you'll see details you've missed on the first.

 

2 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

@dani negreanuDani, I'm confused.  Is your trip over?  I thought you were going to Marrakesh?  I hope things picked up for you to enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

Our Venice trip is over. We got home late Saturday night (motzey shabat). Of course, nothing food-shopping wise is open so late, and if some non-kosher supers are open, they don't have fresh produce, since Friday and Saturday.... And Sunday is also takes time to replenish. We stocked today.

 

We'll fly to Marrakesh on March 19th, the day some of the lucky ones of you will debark Oasis... I'll have all the week to follow your adventures and be jealous 😢

 

We enjoyed our trip to Venice and fulfilled a long-time dream of living like a Venetian and eat fresh sea food products. We had 2 days of beautiful and freezing weather, and we're grateful for those.

 

It was a real treat to buy at the sea food market. Hubby kept whispering: "Did you check how much are those"? Me: "I don't CARE"... In the end, after really going "wild", the bill was 39 Euro, which lasted us 2 gourmet evening meals, and the 2nd time, even cheaper -- 36 Euro, again, for 2 gourmet evening meals.

 

For lunch we took away an amazing pizza (3X), a few mins walk from our rental. It was pipping hot still when we got "home". The last day we finished all the pizza left overs.

 

I've splurged for my fav raspberries, and found a new version of blueberries, enormous, flat [think IRobot] and very sturdy. I've bought 6 packets for the flying home day, and they sustained us very well.

 

It was one of the cheapest stays, food wise.

 

Nevertheless, we don't plan to return any time soon. For us, it's an exhausting city.... 

 

If you're tired of walking, you can't just call a taxi home. Of course, you can take the waterbus, but first, you have to reach the nearest station, spend some time in it, and then, if you're lucky, your accommodation isn't far from the station. So, proximity to a waterbus station is very important.

 

As an example, Saturday -- woke up when it was still dark, checked up to see if the waterbus we needed to reach the Bus Station is not cancelled due to the foggy weather. Thankfully, it was running. Walk with our carry ons only 5 minutes on the uneven and narrow lane to the nearest waterbus station. Wait for it in the freezing cold. 30 minutes later we're at the Bus Station. 10 mins walk to the airport bus. Wait for it in the freezing cold for 20 mins. Travel to the airport - 70 mins. Arriving the required 3 hours before. One hour before boarding, at the low cost gate -- a very long line, no seats. Then you wait OUTSIDE the gate, to be herded, walking, to the plane, climbing the stairs with our luggage.

 

Mercifully, they were on time. Almost 4 hours flight, not even a glass of water was offered free of charge...

 

First time ever I was so happy that our trip was over and I'm finally at home....

[A&L_Ont]

At our locL OHL arena to watch our London Knights. Start of the third. Tied 1/1. Top two teams in the west playing. 
 

[Sea Dog]

22 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

First time ever I was so happy that our trip was over and I'm finally at home..

Sorry your trip did not turned out like you wanted. We are happy you are back.

[Luckynana]

@dani negreanuyour trip home sounds laborious as well as exhausting!  I'm glad you made it home safely, Dani.  I love seafood, and it sounds like that part of your trip was awesome with your amazing chef preparing your favorite foods.  Your pictures were wonderful!  Thank you for sharing!🥰

[Luckynana]

16 hours ago, Coralc said:

I woke up this morning to a bunch of text alerts from my bank. Apparently, my debit card has been hacked. And someone or someones went wild & crazy with Doordash on Saturday night. 11 charges in San Francisco from various restaurants in San Francisco. They really wanted Chinese food. Or maybe it just says SF, because that is where they are based. I wouldn't know, because we have never used Doordash. 🤔 I think we have it all sorted out, and I am pleased that the bank was on top of it, and quick to respond.

 

It is just kind of a nuisance to wait for a new card. But better now, than later. It makes you kind of paranoid. 😊

Several years ago, after arriving at our Condo in Florida, I had gone shopping at our Home Goods Store.  My daughter called from NY and said that  American Express was trying to reach me and left their number.  I called and they asked if I had just shopped at Home Goods.  When I replied that I had, they told me that my Amex card # was also used in Canada and one Country in Europe.  They immediately closed that account and sent a new card over-night to me.

[Luckynana]

@George CI sure hope you and your DW will not contract the Virus, George....not with your cruise coming up so soon!

[reallyitsmema]

If any of you Below Deck watchers are impatient like me and want to know what happens, the first seven minutes of tonight's show is posted on the Bravo website.  They have been doing that recently for some reason.

[grapau27]

46 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

@dani negreanuyour trip home sounds laborious as well as exhausting!  I'm glad you made it home safely, Dani.  I love seafood, and it sounds like that part of your trip was awesome with your amazing chef preparing your favorite foods.  Your pictures were wonderful!  Thank you for sharing!🥰

+1

[Ocean Boy]

21 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

If any of you Below Deck watchers are impatient like me and want to know what happens, the first seven minutes of tonight's show is posted on the Bravo website.  They have been doing that recently for some reason.

🙂🙂🙂👍

[lenquixote66]

17 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

The first time I danced with a boy slow and close was to Chances Are.  I was 14 and so scared.  

 

Best performance at the Catskills was Jack Jones at the Nevele.  I was 18 and I thought he was the most handsome man in the world.  Next to my dad. 😍

My friend Alan’s family (cousins) owned the Nevele at one time .There was a recording studio at the hotel.Tony Bennet recorded several of his hit songs in the mid 50’s there.

[lenquixote66]

4 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

@dani negreanuDani, I'm confused.  Is your trip over?  I thought you were going to Marrakesh?  I hope things picked up for you to enjoy the rest of your trip.

I went to my late friend Mikes house today for a Shiva Call .Several of those who were there went to the same HS as your BIL(C) at the time he was there 

 

(Shiva Call is usually at the home of a deceased person where friends and relatives gather to discuss their memories of the deceased).

[Sunshine3601]

7 hours ago, h20skibum said:

My daughter-in-law made it through her trip to Singapore without getting anything.  Then she found out she was in close contact with someone at work on Wednesday that tested positive.  DIL tested last night, and now she has it. Just a sore throat for her so far. 

Add my new DIL, Donna, to the list of covid patients.    Chris called us in the last hour that Donna was out sick today and her work wanted her to test - Yup she is positive.    Chris said he is not feeling so great but negative so far.  

This is her first round with it.     Chris said she has been wiped out all day and feels like crap.     If he is positive, it would be his 2nd time.