text:
Gutiérrez de Lara: Mexican-Texan
José Bernardo Maximiliano Gutiérrez de Lara, first governor of Mexican Texas, lived in a revolutionary age. Born August 20, 1774, just eight months before the outbreak of the American Revolution, he was to be deeply influenced by that struggle and by its French counterpart. Like other great Spanish-American revolutionary heroes (Hidalgo, Bolivar and San Martin) he became obsessed with ideas of colonial independence from Spain, and toward the attainment of this goal for his native Mexico he was to devote his life. The desire for freedom that fired this revolutionary may be attributed also to his proud Creole parentage and to his life on the frontier. His parents, Dońa María Uribe and Don Santiago Gutiérrez de Lara, were members of families long prominent in the frontier provinces. The Gutiérrez de Lara were natives of Nuevo León who had migrated to Nuevo Santander; Don Bernabé Gutiérrez de Lara was one of the founders of Revilla in that province. Revilla was one of the villas fronterizas -settled on the Río Grande about 1750 by José de Escandón whose astute planning made his settlements highly successful. [José de Escandón, (1700-1770), Count of Sierra Gorda, who colonized Nuevo Santander, now the state of Tamaulipas] This able colonizer first gave careful attention to the selection of a site that had adequate water for irrigation and for stock. Then he set up a military camp as a preliminary step toward building a municipality on the old Roman pattern. Streets were laid out according to a set form that provided for a plaza one hundred and twenty-four varas square, and set aside adequate land for the missions of the Zacatecan fathers and for community grazing and agriculture. Trade possibilities were carefully explored and especial care was taken to deal fairly with the Indians.
Revilla was founded on this plan. For its site Escandón selected the area surrounding the junction of the Río Grande and the Salado River that now falls within the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and the Texas counties of Starr and Zapata. Here he settled his twenty-six families under the supervision of Vicente Guerra, a wealthy citizen of Coahuila. The jurisdiction quickly grew and prospered. By 1753 it had forty-three families, and its rancherias pastured thousands of sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. But these were not the only sources of income. Salt, taken from numerous salines on the northern side of the river, could be sold in the interior cities of Mexico. When the first Royal inspection was made in 1757, Revilla evidenced still greater prosperity. The population of Spaniards, mestizos, and mulattoes stood at three hundred. Some of this number lived in jacales built around the plaza, others in homes scattered in the hills. Most of the people, however, lived on the jurisdiction's twentynine rancherias. The number of sheep, horses, and cattle had increased to fifty thousand head. The settlers had little trouble with the Indians. The Misión de San Francisco Solano de Ampuero, to which Escandón had granted twelve caballerias of land, was the focus of attempts to convert the natives. Members of the neighboring tribes, the Malos Hombres (Bad Men) and the Cueros Quemados (Burnt Skins), came to the mission daily in a peaceful and friendly fashion. To be sure, the settlers did have to be constantly on guard against the Lipan Apaches of Texas and their rascally kin, the Mescalero Apaches of Coahuila, but their relations with the Indians were, on the whole, remarkably friendly.
The jurisdiction developed so steadily that by 1767 officers of the Spanish Crown deemed it advisable to adjudicate the lands. The grants were made in the form of long, narrow strips called porciones, so laid out that each settler had access to water. Don Santiago Gutiérrez de Lara was awarded porcion number twenty-one, which he exchanged for number twenty. This plot of land had a frontage of twenty-three hundred varas, an approximate depth of twenty thousand varas, and contained seven thousand acres. In 1786 he bought porcion number sixtyseven from Don José Feliz Recio. Along with this material prosperity, the Gutiérrez de Lara family increased its prestige and influence in the community. In 1786 Don Santiago was alderman of the second vote in the Middle Council. His oldest son, José Antonio, after receiving his canonical and civil law degrees with distinction in Monterrey, returned to Revilla as a priest. Bernardo, who had remained in the jurisdiction, married his first cousin, Dońa María Josefa Uribe, and devoted himself to the business of administering the hacienda, which he inherited from his father. The last decade of the eighteenth century brought two events of importance to Revilla. In 1792 the Lipan Apaches raided Camargo and Reynosa and drove off large numbers of cattle and horses. It is more than probable that Bernardo, who was then about eighteen, was one of the revillanos who galloped across the river to pursue and to kill Chief Zapato Zas and to recover part of the booty his band had taken.
A few years later Philip Nolan, who for some time had been securing horses in Texas, for his Natchez trade, came to Nuevo Santander. Revilla, indeed, was Nolan's destination when he set out on his ill-fated expedition in 1800. Before leaving the Mississippi he wrote in a letter that he had everything so well arranged in Revilla that he did not expect to be detained there more than two days. But Nolan never reached the Río Grande. The prompt and determined efforts of three Spanish governors put an end to his colorful career. Royalist troops killed him in Hill County, Texas, in March 1800. The short association with Nolan no doubt opened the eyes of ambitious Creoles in Nuevo Santander to the economic advantages that would be afforded them in a New World in which they would be unhampered by the trade restrictions imposed by colonial rule. Contact with Nolan may or may not have accounted for some of the ideas that young Bernardo held, but certainly he was early anxious to shake off what he termed the "ignominous yoke of Spain."
Eleven years later, Bernardo was to ride north across the Río Grande to seek the aid and support of three men who had been closely associated with Philip Nolan: Juan Cortés, Samuel Davenport, and James Wilkinson. [Juan Cortés, retired Spanish army officer and former commander at La Bahía; Samuel Davenport, b. Pennsylvania about 1764, surviving member of Barr and Davenport, important commercial firm of Nacogdoches; General James Wilkinson (1757-1825) Revolutionary soldier and frontier diplomat]
Don Bernardo was not alone in his dissatisfaction with Spanish colonial rule. Throughout New Spain Creoles brooded over the social inequalities and the economic injustices of a system that gave every preference to Spain and the European-born Spaniards whom the Creoles contemptuously called gachupines. The smouldering embers of discontent at last blazed into a flame of rebellion. On September 16, 1810, the priest Hidalgo gave his immortal grito de Dolores and led his followers in open revolt against the Spanish Crown. When news of the rebellion reached Nuevo Santander, Don Bernardo quickly espoused the cause. From strategically located Revilla he began to distribute propaganda leaflets by courier to Aguayo, Nuevo Santander [now Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas], and to Béxar, capital of Texas. His voluntary propaganda efforts and his family and personal influence did much to revolutionize these two provinces. Don Bernardo went to Saltillo in March 1811 to offer his services personally to Maríano Jiménez, the patriot lieutenant of Hidalgo, who was facing stiff opposition in his attempt to wrest the Eastern Interior Provinces from Royalist troops. He found the general at the Hacienda de Santa María with Hidalgo and Allende, and to these leaders he offered his help, his personal fortune, and, if need be, his life. Already pleased with Don Bernardo because of the tactics he had employed on the Río Grande, the revolutionary chiefs took him with them to Monclova and appointed him lieutenant colonel in the Army of America. At the same time, they gave him his first commission. He was to return to Nuevo Santander to organize patriot forces and to take any Royalist prisoners he could.
About this time Hidalgo received the distressing news that the two agents whom he had dispatched to seek aid from the United States had been captured at Béxar. Great was his disappointment, for he had counted heavily upon the success of their mission. The patriots sorely needed arms, ammunition, and the sympathy of the United States. At this point Don Bernardo displayed once again the daring initiative that marked his whole career. Requesting letters of credit, gold, an escort of fifty men, and a secretary, he volunteered to become plenipotentiary to the United States. Hidalgo and Jiménez promptly accepted his offer. First, though, he was to fulfill his previous commission at Nuevo Santander. To do this, he left Saltillo March 17, 1811. Back in Revilla, Don Bernardo applied himself to his duties and to making preparations for his trip to the United States. Before he could complete his plans, the revolutionary troops suffered a stunning disaster. The patriot leaders Hidalgo, Jiménez, Allende, and Aldama were betrayed by the traitor Elizondo into the hands of the Spanish governor of Texas and executed. Don Bernardo, who now had cause to fear for his own safety, hastened his preparations. Late in July he recruited twelve men and equipped them with arms, ammunition, money, and pack animals. By the first of August he was ready. Taking with him all the gold and silver he had been able to muster, he set out at the head of his little party for the long and dangerous overland trip to the United States. With him went Captain José Menchaca, a revolutionary from Béxar. As the party traveled north through the lands of the Indians, Don Bernardo took every opportunity to talk with the natives and to try to gain their support in the coming fight against the gachupines. Not all his advances were well received, however, for he later wrote that only through the use of weapons or strategy was he able to escape death at the hands of some of the tribes.
When Don Bernardo and his escort reached the Neutral Ground separating Texas and Louisiana, they decided to break their five-day fast and to rest from the fatigue of their journey in the home of a Frenchman living in the Bayou Pierre district. But they were not to have this well deserved respite, for the Spanish troops in Nacogdoches had been apprised of their arrival and almost immediately launched an attack. In the ensuing struggle Gutiérrez lost three men and all his possessions before he and his surviving followers managed to escape across the Louisiana line into Natchitoches. The greatest of his material loss was that of the papers that proved his official capacity. In Natchitoches, however, he was well provided for by U. S. Indian agent John Sibley, Juan Cortés, Captain Overton, and other friends of the Mexican Revolution. They gave him and his men food, clothing, lodgings, and, most helpful of all, letters necessary for continuing his journey. While in Natchitoches Don Bernardo and the Mexican curate Sosa addressed to Thomas Monroi (James Monroe) an appealing letter asking for arms, men, and money to aid in the fight for Mexican independence. They promised that in good time reimbursement would be made and added that "treaties advantageous to both nations should be drawn up."
About the middle of October, Gutiérrez left Natchitoches for Natchez. He was accompanied only by a boy to act as interpreter and, having been relieved of three hundred pesos by his host in the Neutral Ground, had only two hundred pesos to defray his expenses. The papers he carried included a letter from John Sibley, the Indian agent at Natchitoches, to Secretary of War Eustis in Washington and a letter from Captain Overton of the Natchitoches garrison to General Overton of Tennessee. He also had a statement of the original oath taken by several of his companions as to his original commission. At about the same time, Captain Menchaca started back to Béxar with American volunteers he had recruited to establish a provisional government and to forward the necessary letters of credit and authority to Gutiérrez. sdct
Don Bernardo and his boy companion reached Natchez, capital of the Mississippi territory, without great difficulty, and from there traveled northeast on the Natchez Trace. [a highway from Natchez to Nashville opened in 1801 by General Wilkinson]. Though out of the territory of New Spain, Don Bernardo had not left danger behind him. For six days hired assassins pursued him along the winding course of the Trace, and at last attacked him. The intrepid colonel, however, managed to dispose of his assailants and proceeded on his way unharmed. While in northeastern Mississippi Don Bernardo and his companion spent the nights with Indians, from whom they procured food for themselves and corn for their mules. They progressed steadily and were not long in reaching the Tennessee River, which they crossed at Colbert's ferry. On November 9, 181I, Don Bernardo reached Nashville, already a town of considerable importance. Here he spent four days, observing with keen interest all that went on in the busy town. He was especially impressed with the heavy traffic on the river-and with the prices! When he paid an inn-keeper fifteen dollars for the three days' stay of his companion and himself and his three animals, he considered the charge extremely high.
Twelve miles out of Nashville, Don Bernardo stopped to deliver his letter to General Thomas Overton, and to enjoy the hospitality of this American Revolutionary hero, whom he described as "a gentleman of the first rank." At this point, his boy companion, a "contemptible runt of an interpreter," refused to go any further, and Don Bernardo was forced to push on without him. His host, however, accompanied him a distance of three leagues, and before bidding him farewell, gave him three letters of introduction: one to General James Winchester, another to Overton's brother in Knoxville, and a third to farmers living along the road. The deserted colonel spent the next night at "Cragfont," the palatial estate of General Winchester. The stone house, built in 1802-03 by workmen from Baltimore, was richly furnished and famous throughout Tennessee for its hospitality. Don Bernardo was received with the greatest cordiality, feasted royally at a "great supper," and given a luxurious feather bed.
Encouraged by the hospitality of General Winchester, Don Bernardo left "Cragfont" in good spirits. Before he had traveled far, however, his disposition was to be sorely tried by the extremely cold weather and heavy snow that he encountered. On November 20, nearly frozen from a long ride through the icy country-side, he at last reached an inn. Here a servant bade him to dismount, but a flirtatious young landlady compelled him to stand for a long time in the cold before she saw fit to invite him in. "She presumed on her good looks," wrote Don Bernardo in his diary, adding, "D--- inn-keepers!" The next night he was received with more consideration in the home of a family that had never before seen a Mexican. Through the novel snow and over frozen corduroy roads the shivering Don Bernardo struggled on toward Knoxville. When he reached there he immediately presented his letters to judge John Overton, who in turn notified Governor Blount of his arrival. That same day (November 26, 1811), the Mexican envoy had dinner with the governor and other men of distinction. Later he visited the governor in his home.
Don Bernardo remained in Knoxville until December, visiting the legislature, the archives, the postoffice, the Osnaburg factory, and other points of interest. Governor Blount and other influential men in Knoxville provided Don Bernardo with several letters of introduction to their friends in Washington. One of these was to a person whom Don Bernardo referred to as the "President of Congress." Possibly he meant Henry Clay, who was known to be interested in the independence of the Spanish colonies. While Gutiérrez was in Knoxville, two alarming rumors reached the capital. One was that the Shawnee Indians had raided Kentucky and killed one hundred and eighty soldiers, with loss of only eighty. The other report, which turned out to be false, was that Great Britain had declared war against the United States. The Tennesseeans, wrote Don Bernardo, were filled with dread, for they foresaw heavy responsibilities for themselves on the frontier. Neither the Tennesseeans nor Don Bernardo, however, even suspected that in 1815 they would stand side by side in New Orleans to deal the British a crushing defeat. Don Bernardo, having sold his horses in Knoxville, proceeded on his journey through Virginia on the public coaches. Throughout the trip he marveled at the industry of the Virginians and at their good fortunes. Believing their ambitious energy and wealth to be the result of good government, he coveted a similar fortune for his beloved Mexico. On December 11, 1811, after a trip of four months' duration that had involved a strange mixture of danger and hardships, sumptuous living and extravagant entertaining, and the making of friends ranging from Indians to high government officials, Don Bernardo entered the city of Washington.
Don Bernardo, the volunteer envoy of Hidalgo to the United States, was the first Mexican to present himself to the Government at Washington. He could hardly have arrived at a more propitious time. James Madison was then in the third year of his first term; James Monroe was Secretary of State; the new Speaker of the House was Henry Clay; and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina was serving his first term in the House. The "War Hawks" of the South, just come to power, were exerting immediate and determined efforts to effect the independence of the Spanish colonies. A month earlier the State Department had instructed its representatives at the courts of Great Britain, France, Russia, and Denmark to apply their talents to the influencing of these countries to recognize the independence of the Spanish colonies. On December 10, the very eve of Don Bernardo's arrival, the House of Representatives passed a resolution expressing friendly interest in the establishment of an independent sovereignty in Mexico.
Upon his arrival in Washington, Don Bernardo promptly called on Secretary of War Eustis [William Eustis (1753-1825)], veteran of the Revolution; later governor of Massachusetts], who received him with the greatest cordiality and gave him an appointment for the next day. Later in the day Don Bernardo was the guest of John Graham [John Graham (1774-1820) b. Virginia; secretary of legation and later chargé d' affairs in Madrid (1801-1803); named in 1804. Secretary of The Territory of Orleans under William Charles Cole Claiborne], Chief Clerk of the Department of State, who proved to be a most gracious host. Graham's fluent command of Spanish and his ardent interest in the cause of Creole liberties made him very simpatico to Don Bernardo.
At noon of his second day in Washington, Don Bernardo opened his negotiations with the Secretary of War and implored the aid of the United States in the Creole's fight against Spain, pointing out that Mexican independence would greatly benefit the United States. Eustis agreed that it would, but argued that his country could not lend open aid to the Mexicans without becoming involved in a Spanish War-a conflict that she could ill afford. He did, however, offer to send troops to occupy Texas, since there was some question as to whether it belonged to Spain or to the United States. As Gutiérrez did not feel that he could take it upon himself to enter into any such agreement, he promptly rejected the offer. He proposed, instead, that Texas be left as neutral ground between the two Americas. The discussion ended in a stalemate. The day after this unsuccessful interview with Eustis, Don Bernardo suffered another and still greater disappointment. The distressing news came that Captain Menchaca, who had been entrusted with settling up the provisional government in Texas, had surrendered to the Royalists, and that the leaderless American volunteers had abandoned the cause and returned to their homes.
Some time later, at the request of Eustis, Don Bernardo wrote a ten-page history of the Mexican Revolution. In this document, now in our National Archives, Don Bernardo, after setting forth the causes and chief events leading up to the conflict, extolled the advantages of inter-American commerce. His story of colonial resentment over Spanish exploitation and cruelties is a moving expression of the Creole point of view. He appealed for arms and ammunition-but arms and ammunition for which ample payment should be made in the future. Here was no suppliant plea for a boon but the vision of an American planning a New World on a reciprocal basis. Even this stirring document, however, did not enable Don Bernardo to gain a diplomatic victory over Eustis, Through many drawn-out interviews the hopeful Mexican pressed his plea for help without the conditions imposed by the Secretary of War. But Eustis still held out for the occupation of Texas. As the situation became more and more hopeless, Don Bernardo wrote in his diary, "María Santisima, help me!" Family tradition has it that his exasperation with the Washington officials was so complete that he learned to swear in English. As the first Texan to go to Washington in an official capacity, he was the first Texan to lose his temper with the Federal functionaries. Thus he initiated a custom that the passage of time has not altered.
At length Don Bernardo presented his credentials to Monroe, who was impressed by the fact that his visitor had come such a long distance, traveling much of the way entirely alone. That very day the Secretary of State sent word to the proprietor of the hotel where Don Bernardo stayed, instructing him to provide the Mexican envoy with every comfort and to serve his meals in his room whenever he so desired. Monroe, who later was to enunciate his famous doctrine calling for the exclusion of European influence from the Western Hemisphere, lent Don Bernardo an attentive ear. Of all the Spanish colonies, New Spain was most interesting to him, because of Texas. Like many other Americans he believed that with the Louisiana Purchase the United States had acquired a valid title to the land extending to the Río Grande. He himself, as a special minister of Jefferson in 1803, had gone to Paris to help conclude the purchase. Although Talleyrand, the French minister, had not set a definite southwestern boundary to the territory, France had held a claim to Texas that dated from the explorations of La Salle, and so Monroe reasoned that Texas was included in the purchase. Like Eustis, he proposed that the United States send troops to take possession of Texas.
Don Bernardo was no nearer to achieving his purpose than he had been before. He reiterated to Monroe his words to Eustis: that he had no authority to discuss territorial adjustments. Since the United States could make no other offer without endangering its relations with Spain and Don Bernardo was not empowered to accept this one, there was nothing for Monroe to do but to express his sympathy with the Mexican cause and to offer the envoy money for his return trip. Two other meetings were, however, devoted to the boundary issue, and in the last one Monroe told Don Bernardo that in the event of war with Great Britain his government would immediately send an army of 50,000 into Texas to help the Creoles. At the same time he expressed once again his great admiration for the Mexican, who had, he said, brought together two sister republics.
Don Bernardo did not give all his time in Washington to official business. He devoted a week to sight-seeing and to visiting the sessions of Congress, the Supreme Court, and other departments of the Government. During his stay in the capital city he was received in the White House by President Madison and was called on by senor d' Orea, the deputy from Caracas, and by Mr. Foster, the minister of Great Britian. He also met the diplomatic representatives of Russia and Denmark. He spent Christmas morning in the company of Dr. Samuel Latham Mitchell, a noted chemist, and the evening with a couple from Paris. He also made the acquaintance of Alvarez de Toledo, a former delegate to the Cortés of Cadiz. Don Bernardo had previously become interested in Toledo because of an article the Spaniard had written for the Philadelphia Gazeteer. In this letter Toledo, though expressing regret for the fate of his native Spain, asserted that he was an American who desired, above all else, the complete independence of "the Hemisphere of Columbus." Don Bernardo was no less impressed by the Spaniard's presence than he had been by his writing. He recorded in his diary that Toledo, "a man of great talents," was passionately devoted to the cause of liberty. The passage of times and the turn of events were to throw an entirely different light upon the character of Toledo and to cause Don Bernardo to reverse completely this opinion. sdct
While Don Bernardo was making preparations for his return trip, his Washington friends insisted that he sit for a portrait, in order that they might preserve a likeness of the great Creole, whom Captain Antonio Menchaca, at a later date, described as "a man of medium stature, goodlooking, and of amiable countenance, keen eyes and black hair." Early in January 1812 Don Bernardo left Washington for Baltimore, where he hoped to engage passage for his trip to New Orleans by sea. His visit to the capital had not been without results. He had effectively presented to Washington officials the Creole point of view, and he may have exerted a great influence on the thinking of James Monroe. As an unofficial Mexican diplomat he had been recognized by the Secretary of State of the United States and by the minister of Great Britain. He had, in addition, obtained first-hand knowledge of the working of government in a free country and had formed cosmopolitan associations that made him an internationally known figure.
For his trip from Washington to Baltimore, Don Bernardo did not lack a traveling companion. Whether by accident or by design, he shared his seat in the coach with a "naval officer of Napoleon" who spoke fluent Spanish. From this time forward, the French were to evidence a keen interest in the doings of the Mexican diplomat. After a day of sight-seeing in Baltimore, Don Bernardo went to the docks to see whether he could get a ship to take him to Philadelphia, where he hoped to board one for New Orleans. Because of the extreme cold, however, no ships were sailing from Baltimore, and so he made the trip by coach. Arriving in Philadelphia, he learned that he would be obliged to wait until the ice thawed in the channel before he could get passage. This, it turned out, was to take more than a month. While awaiting a change of weather, Don Bernardo lived in the home of Ira Allen, a former major general of the Vermont Militia. Since portions of his diary covering this period are missing, little is known of Don Bernardo's activities at the General's home. It is known, however, that here he again met Toledo.
The records of Don Bernardo's stay in Philadelphia, however incomplete, do show that the Creole's interest in the United States had not abated. While he was there, he visited a prison, the Pennsylvania General Hospital, and a scientific exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania. He attended church, hearing Bishop Egan preach, and frequented the public coffee houses, where he found the company to his liking and learned bits of news from near and far. It was in one of these gathering places that he heard of the insurgents' entrance into Vera Cruz. There was great rejoicing, he wrote, and sympathy on every side for the Mexicans. While in Philadelphia the envoy also met several interesting persons. One of these was a recently-arrived citizen of Lisbon who told him that Napoleon had been in his country negotiating with the king in an attempt to entice Portugal into declaring war against England. After recording this news in his diary, Don Bernardo added this warning to the Americans: "Beware! beware!"
He also met a group of Frenchmen whom he described as "the devils." As he suspected that they carried papers outlining some plot against Mexico, he resorted to deception to cultivate their good will, in the hope that he might be able to gain possession of the documents. So well did he succeed in gaining their confidence, he wrote, that they even offered to have a French aide-de-camp accompany him to Mexico. The Creole politely declined the offer, telling the Frenchmen that he would accept such aid after he had returned from Mexico. On February 12, 1812, the channel was clear and he was able to board a sloop for Newcastle, a small town near the mouth of the channel where a larger vessel was waiting to take him to New Orleans. Arriving there in six hours, he boarded the other craft, which immediately set sail. Don Bernardo, who had been given quarters in "the best part of the ship," enjoyed the remainder of the day on deck watching sights in the river and on shore as he journeyed to the sea. At last he was on his way to New Orleans.
The very first night he was aboard, however, another wintry gale swept on the coast, and in the morning the ship was lodged in a sea of ice. Although the floe did break up to some extent during the day, sailing was still impossible because of danger of striking one of the floating bergs, which Don Bernardo described as "mountains of ice." On the 15th the captain risked sailing but proceeded only a few leagues before he dropped anchor because of the threat of another storm. The next day the channel was frozen again. On the 18th, the ship being still ice-bound, Don Bernardo walked across the solid ice to visit a Portuguese captain whose frigate was in a like predicament. Because of the similarity between their languages, the Portuguese and the Mexican were able to converse about foreign affairs. The 19th bringing good weather and an open channel, the ship set sail for New Orleans. By sunset it was on the high seas, and Don Bernardo was violently seasick.
The long voyage down the coast was not without other adventures for the unaccustomed sailor. Two days out of Newcastle the voyagers encountered a French pirate corvette, which set out in pursuit of them, but gave up the chase because of the superior speed of Don Bernardo's ship and the imminence of another gale. Two days later a storm did strike, and with such fury that the vessel was tossed about so that "she seemed to reach the clouds". On February 1st the ship passed the Bahamas and on the 6th entered the Gulf of Mexico. With a favorable wind pushing her at good speed, she sailed into the mouth of the Mississippi on March 11th. Here Don Bernardo met the captain of a Jamaican frigate who gave him news of the war between England and Spain. On March 23rd, after experiencing another storm that had nearly dashed his ship upon the rocks, the captain dropped anchor at New Orleans. As soon as he had disembarked and secured lodgings in an Italian home, Don Bernardo presented his letter from Graham to Governor Claiborne." [William Charles Cole Claiborne (1775-1815) b. Virginia; named by Jefferson as governor of Mississippi Territory (1801) and as commissioner with General James Wilkinson to receive Louisiana (1803); appointed by Madison to take charge of Baton Rouge district (1810)]
Claiborne, Don Bernardo wrote, received him with the greatest cordiality, telling him that while he was in Louisiana he was to be the guest of the government. Claiborne, like Eustis and Monroe, wanted nothing better than to see European rule banished from Mexico. While visiting the Governor, Don Bernardo also made the acquaintance of Captain William Shaler, a New Englander and former sea captain who had been appointed in 1810 as the United States commercial agent to Mexico. He had at that time been dispatched to Cuba, going there with the instructions to leave the island and proceed to Mexico whenever conditions permitted. In Havana, however, Shaler had had too many dealings with the Creoles to suit the taste of the Spanish Marquis Someruelos, who requested the American agent to leave. Shaler straightway went to New Orleans, where he anxiously awaited favorable development in Texas. He was quick to attach himself to Don Bernardo. Asserting that he feared that the Mexican envoy might become the victim of French intrigues, he persuaded Don Bernardo to take up the safety of his own quarters and asked for permission to accompany him to Natchitoches. From this time until he entered Texas, Don Bernardo had Shaler as his almost constant companion.
Don Bernardo found life in New Orleans pleasant enough. On March 24th he and Shaler attended a social gathering in the Governor's home. Later Claiborne invited them to a formal dinner, an event in which the Creole society of New Orleans delighted. Since his marriage to a native of the city, Claiborne had become a part of Creole New Orleans; and his lavish entertainments were bringing the Creoles and Anglo Americans together socially, just as his administration was weaving them together politically and commercially. Among the guests at the Governor's dinner was the prosperous merchant Benjamin Morgan, who invited Don Bernardo to be his guest the next day. Morgan, who had business interests in Natchitoches, had long been actively interested in Texas. His agent in Natchitoches was Juan Cortés, the former Spanish officer who had left Texas after he had run into difficulties with his superiors over trade with Louisiana. While he was in New Orleans Don Bernardo met Morgan on several other occasions. Indeed, he postponed his leaving the city by one day in order to have breakfast with Shaler and the Governor in Morgan's home on the morning of April 8th. Immediately afterwards, he and Shaler left for Natchitoches, traveling up the Mississippi on the Marcelette, a barge belonging to Morgan's agent, Juan Cortés.
Don Bernardo's account of the trip reveals once again the keen interest he took in his surroundings. He wrote at length of the beauty of the Mississippi, of the shipping industry upon it, and of the flora on its banks. At every stop of the boat he went ashore. Once, having disembarked and walked ahead of the barge to shoot, he spent a night entirely alone in the swamps before the boat caught up with him. But on this occasion he did not enjoy his outing, for he recorded that he spent the night fighting mosquitoes and trying to subdue the terror that had been instilled in him when he had been attacked by a panther. Reaching Rapides, Don Bernardo and Shaler quit the Marcelette to continue their journey to Natchitoches by land. After having dinner with a relative of Governor Claiborne, they set out on their overland journey. They spent their first night at a ranch belonging to a Mr. Miller and the next night at the home of Mr. Auguste Baylio. On April 28, 18 1I, the two travelers reached their destination. For Bernardo the long trip to Washington was over. But his main task was yet to begin.
The town of Natchitoches, a mixture of Indian, French, Spanish, and Anglo-American cultures, had been originally established by the French as a buffer outpost to ward off Spanish expansion into Louisiana. Here on the borders of the French and Spanish New World empires, social relations between the citizens of both territories had flourished. The cession of Louisiana to Spain (1762) had bound the people even more tightly together, establishing ties which the Retrocession to France (1801) and the subsequent purchase of Louisiana by the United States (1803) had not severed. Then, too, ever since the marriage of Manuela Sánchez Navarro of the Spanish Presidio de San Juan Bautista to Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, the founder of Natchitoches, trade between Texas and Louisiana, legal as well as illegal, had been a very lucrative source of income to both sides. Hence the return of the Mexican envoy in company with the United States Commercial Agent to Mexico caused no little stir in Natchitoches.
In accordance with true Creole courtesy, the citizens welcomed the two officials with a series of cordial calls and joyful entertainment. Colonel Zebulon Pike, the commanding officer of a unit that Claiborne had sent to clear the Neutral Ground of bandits, feted Shaler and Don Bernardo at a lavish banquet at the fort. Judge Carr, the magistrate, and Dr. John Sibley, the Indian agent, joined with other citizens of a community justly famed for its hospitality to do all possible honor to the returned diplomat. Soon after his arrival at Natchitoches, Don Bernardo summoned before him the Great Caddo. As a result of the interview, the Indian Chief agreed to recognize Don Bernardo as the "supreme chief", and promised to await his orders before making any more forays against the Spanish in Texas. Now that he was back in Natchitoches, Don Bernardo began to see signs that his dream of securing military aid for the revolution would be realized. Mr. Pailette, a citizen of Louisiana and once a French officer, came, he said, as an official representative of the French government, offering to supply a detachment of four hundred men for a military venture into Texas. The Frenchman urged Don Bernardo to accept this aid in order to prevent the British, then at war with Spain, from occupying Mexico. Anglo-Americans, too, came with offers to assemble within two months five hundred men with two cannon and sufficient funds to finance a campaign.
The Mexican listened eagerly to all proposals that seemed to offer hope for a successful expedition into Texas. He had lately received news that his family in Mexico had been imprisoned and his property confiscated, and this intensified his desire to march against the hated gachupines. News that Don Bernardo was planning to assemble an army to invade Texas caused no small amount of consternation among the Spanish officials, who set feverishly to work to thwart his design. De Onis, the Spanish representative in Washington, busied himself with writing messages to the other Spanish officials reporting the embroilments in the New World. Diego Morphi, the Spanish consul in New Orleans, strongly protested to Governor Claiborne Louisiana's flouting of Neutral Law. In Texas, Governor Salcedo, who indeed was in a precarious position, bombarded the Viceroy at Mexico City with pleas for help, asserting that the activities on the Louisiana border were "ominous" and describing alarmedly the defenseless condition of Texas.
In May, 1812, Don Bernardo, who had not forgotten the effectiveness of his propaganda on the Río Grande, began to print proclamations which he hoped would pave the way for his push into Texas. In addition to the-literature of his own making, Don Bernardo had a supply of pamphlets written by Despallier [Bernardo Martin Despallier; former resident of Salcedo; husband of María Candida Grande of Nacogdoches], and a number of booklets entitled The Friend of Man, written by Alvarez de Toledo. The writings of Despallier told glowingly of the reception the United States had given Don Bernardo and of the expedition that the Creole would soon launch into Texas. Toledo, in his book, had used his literary talents to expound the theory of popular government. To help sow this propaganda, Don Bernardo had the services of Bagenas, a deserter from the Spanish army at Nacogdoches. His first mission was to proceed to the Nacogdoches garrison to leave a supply of the inflammatory literature for the members of his old troop. Upon finding the papers the next morning, loyal soldiers promptly handed them over to their commanding officer, Bernardino Montero, who sent them on to Governor Salcedo. At the same time, as if he had not already done enough to alarm the governor, Montero wrote of the prevailing rumor that General Wilkinson was to join Don Bernardo at Natchitoches with six thousand men, and that, as soon as the United States and Great Britian clashed in war, this force would cross the Sabine.
On June 18th, Don Bernardo once again sent Bagenas to the garrison with leaflets, dispatching at the same time two more propaganda-laden agents to Revilla. This time Bagenas was captured. The other two messengers, however, managed to evade the Spaniards and reach Revilla, where they immediately sought out José Antonio Gutiérrez de Lara, Don Bernardo's clerical brother. From Revilla, then, word was spread of Don Bernardo's intention to invade Texas and drive out the Spanish. Great was the rejoicing on the Río Grande. Captain Bustamante, a Spanish officer stationed at Monclova, wrote Governor Salcedo that even the Indians unanimously declared that they followed "the cause of Bonaparte."
The picture of Natchitoches steadily became brighter for Don Bernardo. In June and July, Anglo-American volunteers, anxious to take part in the coming invasion, began to assemble. Among them were Samuel Kemper of West Florida fame; Reuben Ross, a native of West Virginia, who had moved to Louisiana; Henry Perry of Connecticut, a former Army quartermaster; Joseph B. Wilkinson, son of General James Wilkinson; James Gaines, a sheriff of a Louisiana parish, whose fight for Texas liberties was to continue to 1836, when he signed the Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos; Joseph Carr of Woodville, Mississippi; Lockett of Virginia; Owen, a merchant, and Warren D. C. Hall, a lawyer, both of Natchitoches; Carlos Beltran; the personable Augustus W. Magee; and hundreds of others. The Mexicans of East Texas flocked to the standard of Don Bernardo. They came in such numbers that it is said not an able-bodied man remained west of the Sabine. Creoles and Anglo-Americans, cultured men and rough frontiersmen-all awaited the signal to march into Texas.
In the hope of supplementing this already formidable force, Don Bernardo wrote a letter on July 16, 1812, to General James Wilkinson, in which he expressed his admiration for the United States commander and hinted that he knew he could count on the commander's help in "so great and just a cause as has ever been promoted in the Hemisphere." Don Bernardo sent this letter by Don Pedro Girard, whom he empowered to act as his agent and to negotiate with Wilkinson. Later that same month, Guti6rrez dispatched Girard on another mission-this time to seek out General Adair, the commanding general of the United States troops in Louisiana, to see if help could be recruited from that quarter. Girard, traveling in the company of Alferez Atanasio de la Serda, went to Rapides, where he found the General with his aide, Colonel Johnson, at the home of Mr. Miller, who had earlier extended his hospitality to Don Bernardo and Shaler.
Soon after he arrived, Girard wrote Don Bernardo of his interview with General Adair. In his letter Girard said that the General had been unwilling to make commitments until he had discussed the matter with officials in Natchez, but that he had promised that in two weeks' time, he would be in Natchitoches and then would settle "this important affair." Girard wrote that he had then asked the General what his position would be if he did take part in the coming revolution. The queries he had made were: What motives would prompt the General to take part? Would he take oath to defend the Mexican Republic? Would he be disposed to obey the orders of Don Bernardo as representative of the Mexican republic? Would he accept a Mexican-Creole as general-in-chief should one be chosen? How many troops would he have and when could he have them ready?
Girard said in his letter that the General had declined to answer these questions; instead, he had informed Girard that his aide, Colonel Johnson, would include all this information in a letter which would be sent to the General's agent in Natchitoches, Augustus Magee. Adair had said, however, that if he came in at all he would have at least two thousand troops. He had stated definitely that he would accept no command over him other than that of his own government and that he would have nothing to do with the political aspects of the revolution. He himself would name his agents and provide for his troops. Girard's letter containing this report, written on July 27th, must have reached Natchitoches almost simultaneously with the news that Great Britain had declared war against the United States. This was what Don Bernardo had been waiting for; and, with or without the aid of General Wilkinson or of General Adair, the volunteer Republican Army could be restrained no longer. On August 2nd, they streamed across the Sabine into the Neutral Ground. It is worthy of note, however, that the leader of the expedition was Augustus Magee, named by Girard as General Adair's agent, and that Samuel Davenport, who had lately made use of Juan Cortés' barge to go to New Orleans, was quartermaster. sdct
Independent State | New Spain-Index


text:
Daily AMV Madness // Day 606
Creator: Scofield
Anime: too many to list
Music: Alex MORPH feat. Sylvia Tosun - An Angel's Love (Radio Edit), DJ Spoke Prest. Solar Corp - An Afternoon In Heaven (Original Mix)
Be sure to check out my Blog for More AMV's and the Downloadlink

subset: commoncrawl


text:
ARLINGTON, Va. — Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense operational committee, announced that two Maine employers have been selected as semifinalists for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.
The Freedom Award is the DoD's highest honor for employers that provide extraordinary support to their Guard and Reserve employees. This year, 138 semifinalists stood out among 2,899 employers nominated by a Guard or Reserve employee.
The Maine employers named semifinalists are Kennebec Behavioral Health, Waterville; and State of Maine, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Warden Service, Augusta.
More than 1 million Americans serve in the National Guard and Reserve, playing a critical role in both combat and humanitarian missions. The Freedom Award provides these service members with an opportunity to recognize civilian employers that go above and beyond in supporting their service.
Employers selected as semifinalists assist Guard and Reserve employees through formal and informal initiatives, including setting veteran hiring goals, establishing military employee liaisons, providing childcare for deployed employees, arranging care package drives, and granting additional leave for military employees and family members before and after deployments.
"Freedom Award semifinalists stand out for their extraordinary support and steadfast commitment to our nation's Citizen Warriors," said ESGR Executive Director Ronald G. Young in a press release. "National Guard and Reserve members show tremendous resolve overseas and during times of domestic crises. Our nation owes a special debt of gratitude to employers enabling these brave men and women to serve."
ESGR will announce the 2013 Freedom Award finalists next month after a review board comprised of military and civilian leaders selects the 30 most supportive employers. Up to 15 award recipients will be announced early this summer and honored in Washington, D.C. in September at the 18th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony.
A complete list of Freedom Award semifinalists from each state is available at www.FreedomAward.mil under the Media Tab in the Press Releases section.
The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 175 employers have been honored with the award. ESGR develops and maintains employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.


text:
Netflix gets update to deal with Android 4.3 problems
0. phoneArena posted on 08 Aug 2013, 01:02
You might remember that just as July was coming to a close, we told you that there was a problem with the version of Netflix for Android 4.3; when the Netflix app was running and the phone would go to sleep, pressing the power button wasn't turning the phone back on. In fact, the power button would have to be pressed hard enough to turn off the phone and re-boot it...
This is a discussion for a news. To read the whole news, click here
1. coinmanmat (Posts: 12; Member since: 28 Nov 2012)
The latest update has problems, when I tried installing it on my Nexus 7 I got an error message saying that the update was invalid and it failed to install. Now naturally I thought it was a glitch so I uninstalled Netflix and tried to reinstall it but that didn't work.
2. stopresisting (Posts: 16; Member since: 05 Mar 2013)
Odd, I didn't have that problem this morning with my nexus 7


text:
The Best Dressed Real Men in America: Meet the Finalists
A bright color done right — as in green, and classy — will usher you into and straight through the new season with a hint of summer's past. Button up the collar on your favorite new checked shirt and toss on a blazer for the office, then unbutton it for the after-work BBQ. Someone's still gotta be throwing one of those in September, right?
London shirt ($175) by Burberry, available at Burberry stores.
Now this is a nice shirt. There's something subtly cool about dark-on-slightly-less-dark plaid — and that large-scale pattern is a good thing. Throw on a navy blazer and own the friggin' place.
Dark brown shirt with French blue checks ($198) by Zachary Prell, available at zacharyprell.com and stores nationwide.
Inglourious Basterds: The Complete Esquire Style Portfolio


text:
Full Menu
William Carter - baroque guitar
"What most strikes you about William Carter is the sheer force of his musical imagination" writes William Yeoman in Gramophone.
Born in Florida, Carter received a thorough training as a modern guitarist with Bruce Holzman at The Florida State University before falling in love with the earlier plucked instruments and the world of historical performance. Following initial guidance from Pat O'Brien in New York City, he travelled to London as a Fulbright Scholar where he studied the Lute with Nigel North and quickly established himself as one of the leading players on old instruments.
Concert tours and festival appearances followed throughout Europe, Asia and North and South America both as an orchestral player and as a chamber musician and soloist with his own group, Palladians. Carter has an extensive discography (including 10 CD's with Palladians) and has featured on numerous recordings of the Academy of Ancient Music and The English Concert, for both of which he acts as principal lutenist.
He is also an enthusiastic teacher and is Professor of Baroque Studies and Lute at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. 2005 saw a new development in Carter's career as his exploration of the world of the baroque guitar led to the release of his first solo album "La Guitarre Royalle: The music of Francesco Corbetta" (Linn CKD 185) which has been widely praised and named in Gramophone's 'Critic's Choice' list for 2005. In 2007 Carter released his second solo album on Linn "La Guitarra Espanola" (Linn CKD 288) which was awarded Gramophone Editor's Choice.
William Carter's previous albums have won great critical acclaim:
This is a wonderful disc... a real flamenco inspired tour-de-force Gramophone
This is that rare and perfect thing, a pioneering recording where the historical interest is fully matched by the quality of the music and performance... one of 2005's real gems. International Record Review
The compelling artistry of William Carter makes this often complex music sound disarmingly simple and natural, making each and every movement a unique and treasurable listening experience. Classic FM Magazine
Mr. Carter performs with agility and eloquence on a first solo disc with as much appeal for fans of Eric Clapton as those of John Williams. The Observer
Carter's sound is gorgeous... the playing is faultless... helps introduce a guitarist of the highest stature. Fanfare


text:
(2:14 p.m. EDT) -- Every week we catch wind of so much cruise news, we don't always know what to do with it all, but a few standout bits sometimes catch our attention. Here are some interesting snippets we think you might like to know about.
Mo' Money
Carnival cruisers must now fork over a bit more for dinners at the line's two specialty restaurants Cucina del Capitano and Ji Ji Asian Kitchen. The prices at both venues went up $3, from $12 to $15. Cuncina del Capitano can be found on Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine; while Ji Ji Asian Kitchen is only on Carnival Sunshine. Prices for children 11 and under remain at $5.
Icelandic Ash
Thousands of mini-earthquakes underneath the ice-capped Bardarbunga volcano in Iceland are raising fears of an eruption that could disrupt air travel in Europe. In 2010, a large plume of volcanic ash from an eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland closed airports in the UK and Europe, stranding thousands of travelers around the world -- cruisers included. Aviation industry officials have elevated air travel warnings to orange -- signaling a greater potential likelihood for disruption -- based on advice from Iceland's Meteorological Office.
But Wait, There's More
Norwegian Cruise Line has extended the deadline for booking its all-inclusive package to September 30. Among other amenities, the $899 per person, seven-night package comes with a 10 percent cruise fare discount, six bottles of water, shore excursion credit of up to $200, 250 minutes prepaid Internet access, as well as the ultimate beverage and ultimate dining packages.
Caribbean Eats
Oceania cruises is expanding is Culinary Discovery Tours program to two Caribbean islands, St. Lucia and Antigua. The tours give Oceania passengers the chance to explore local food markets, vineyards, farms and restaurants with a chef from the line's Bon Appetit Culinary Center. The St. Lucia option includes a visit to a private estate for a tour of an expansive herb garden and hands-on cooking class. In Antigua participants tour the local market, then head to the Villas at Sunset Lane hotel and cooking school to prepare their own lunch using local ingredients. Both tours will be offered the Dec. 23 Holidays in the Tropics and two 2015 Island Paradise sailings.
Head First into Asia
Enough of the dipping toe thing! Australia cruise and tour operator APT is diving into the waters of Burma (Myanmar) with the addition of two new river ships. RV Samatha and RV Princess Panhwar are scheduled to debut 2016. Both river ships will offer 15-day itineraries between Yangon and Mandalay from January 2016. The operator previously offered Burma cruises through a partnership with AmaWaterways.
Double Down
Tauck River Cruises has ordered two more ships, the result of which will double the size of its fleet from 2014 to 2016. The as-yet unnamed vessels will join the line's two Inspiration-class vessels, Inspire and Savor, which launched this year. The line also will launch one Jewel-class ship in 2015, Esprit. The five new ships take the line's total fleet from four ships to nine in the space of just two years.
--By Gina Kramer, Associate Editor; Jamey Bergman, U.K. Production Editor; and Dori Saltzman, News Editor


text: Watchung Hills HS ranked #11 in NJ '16 NJ Monthly Magazine. Stunning, meticulously maintained home in one of Warrens finest neighborhoods. Amazing very private backyard. Lots of room to play or entertain on your EPI deck or just enjoy your gunite in-ground heated pool. Full house generator. 1st floor complete w/private office & guest suite-full bath. Oversized dining room for entertaining. Soaring ceiling in the family room. Beautiful bright & sunny home. Fabulous finished walk out basement with kitchen, full bath, large recreation room, gym & 2nd laundry room. Speakers on all levels, inside and out. (5 units A/C & heat).Great home a true must see.


text:
|low graphics version | feedback | help
|You are in: World: South Asia
Monday, 17 July, 2000, 15:39 GMT 16:39 UK
Pakistan embassy attacked again
There has been an explosion at a Pakistani diplomat's house in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
It is the second attack on the Pakistani mission in Kabul in a week.
The ruling Taleban has blamed it on opposition forces led by Ahmed Shah Masood, calling it a "terrorist attack".
A spokesperson said the opposition was trying to create problems between the Taleban and Pakistan.
A Pakistani envoy, Sakhi Ullah Tareen, however said it was too early to blame anyone.
He also said Pakistan was satisfied with the security arrangements made by the Taleban.
No Injuries
No one was injured in the latest blast which, like the first one, occurred early in the morning.
It took place inside the grounds of the residence premises.
A wall and roof on the perimeter of the residence was reported to have been damaged.
Initial reports suggested the explosion happened at the Pakistani ambassador's house, who is thought to have been in Islamabad at the time.
It is now believed to have taken place at the home of a junior diplomat.
Similar blast
Last week, a bomb ripped through the Pakistani embassy, located in one of Kabul's most secure neighbourhoods, severely damaging the visa section but causing no casualties.
The ruling Taleban blamed the attack on the Afghan opposition and said it carried it out to appease Russia.
The BBC's Kabul correspondent, Kate Clark, says the Taleban are bound to be concerned about this latest attack on a building owned by Pakistan - one of their most important allies.
In 1994 and 1995, the Pakistan embassy was ransacked and looted by supporters of Ahmad Shah Masood, who controls about 10% of the country.
Pakistan - which supports the Taleban - is one of only three countries to have diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.
See also:
10 Jul 00 | South Asia
Blast at Pakistan's Kabul embassy
23 Jun 00 | South Asia
Afghan militant camp disbands
25 May 00 | South Asia
Taleban warns neighbours
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Top South Asia stories now:
Links to more South Asia stories are at the foot of the page.
Links to more South Asia stories
|^^ Back to top
News Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | In Depth | AudioVideo
To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>>
© MMIII | News Sources | Privacy


text:
Does anyone have a recommendation for snorkeling in Grand Cayman. I want to make plans for our upcoming Royal Caribbean Cruise and want to find the best snorkel trip for my family. Any suggestions?
Hi rrhara, welcome to Cruise-Chat. We have done a few snorkeling trips through the ship, most of them have been near to where you tender. I think there are a couple of dive shops that will let you use their docks/ladders, but not positive. We did 3 different wrecks. The water was great, very clear. The last trip we did the Stingray City trip again. This trip we're going to either 7 mile or Rum Point.
If you'll use your "Find" feature in the upper left hand corner and type in your port, it will bring up all the posts made about Grand Cayman. You might find an excursion that interests you. You might also like to browse through the Caribbean Port Chat section. I can honestly say, the ship tours I've booked, I've not been disappointed it.
rrhara, we have done the Sting Ray dive through RCL the first time there and last time we did 7 Mile Beach on our own which worked just fine. We did not snorkel so I can't tell you how it is but most of the area we were in did not seem to have the type of waters for it.
Enjoy your cruise.
|All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:15 PM.


text:
Hit and Miss: Noordam Cruise Review by seattletrvlr
Overall Member Rating
Hit and Miss
Destination: Southern Caribbean
Embarkation: Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Several years later we booked a two week Panama Canal cruise on Celebrity. They offered a better rate and we were not disappointed by an aspect of that trip.
Ready for an extended Caribbean cruise, we checked itineraries, prices, and reviews and decided to return to Holland America. The itinerary was great and the boat appeared to be well maintained. But from disembarkation on, most things seemed a little lacking: lower energy, less friendly, more hurried. Food was acceptable, but generally not wonderful. Several entrees were VERY poor: overcooked fish and veal, lukewarm steak and vegetables. Our dining steward was a very nice person, but either poorly trained and forgetful and overworked. The original More seating for our group of four was at a table for six right next to the servers' station. The new assignment was in a far corner, again by the servers' station. Our dining 'entertainment' included a birds-eye view of the staff's work: sorting entrees, clearing dishes, cleaning and sorting silverware. We spoke to the staff about the pace of our meal [originally too rushed] and then it was sooooo slow we were regularly late to the evening's entertainment. The continued errors became comical as it became easier to laugh than continually complain.
Generally enjoy the tea opportunities and dessert extravaganzas, but here too, on this cruise - things were lacking. Mediocre food, presentation, and service. Caribbean barbecue ran out of fish and staff was complacent when advised. The use of the culinary center was disappointing and mediocre. Only one demonstration included a tasting. Many others were very simple and amateurish. The party planner offered only simple rote comments and her other activities reflected her lack of knowledge and experience. Multiple wine trivia events also became laughable as she regularly mispronounced the name of virtually every wine!
Shore Excursions generally met our expectations. River-tubing on Dominica was wonderful. The 4X4 beach and island tour on Barbados was well done. Our historic guide on St. Thomas seemed to have been trained by the military. Lining by correctly and boarding the bus on time seemed his highest priority. He offered little description of the sites and thankfully it was a short itinerary and we were quickly on our own. HAL did the island of Martinque a disservice. A Sunday stop, we were regularly informed that NOTHING would be open and shore excursions were limited. One began to wonder why this port was included. Local staff from the tourism office answered questions on the dock and we were sent by them to a wonderful 90 music and dance performance which we followed with a visit to the main church, pastries from a street vendor, and lunch at a wonderful 'French' Caribbean site with outdoor dining. HAL staff should be embarrassed to have recommended McDonald's! Weather preempted several things, including any activity at Half Moon Cay.
Entertainment generally was mediocre. We too wondered about the dance choreography - was it designed to show off the moving stage parts? The HAL band had low energy and was not engaging. The Piano Bar was enjoyable but as a group that dined at the late seating and took in the late show, it did not fit into our day - a competing cruise line had two 'sets' at the piano bar which was great. Wonderful spot for a pre-dinner drink. Consider it HAL!
We generally travel independently and this experience leaves us wondering if we will cruise again - and if so, would we book with Holland America. Although we are on the young side of the typical HAL passenger, we appreciated the class, style, and decorum on our first cruise. We are not looking for a PARTY boat, but a re-commitment to first class service, entertainment, and food is needed on Holland America. Less
Published 03/19/12
Cabin review: K Interior Stateroom
Satisfied with space and location. We chose to spend time in the public areas not our room. Worked great for us. Some people may need a guide to the storage - we poked around to know about the multi-functional uses that allowed us to get unpacked and make good use of our cabin.Read All Interior Stateroom (K) Reviews >>
Port and Shore Excursions
Jeep 4X4 Adventure
River Tubing
Touna Aute Carib Indian Village
City Tour
Read Cruise Critic's Noordam Review >>
Great Cruise, Great Itinerary!
First Family Cruise- Sailing f...
Average at Best, if you want a...
Enjoyable week at sea.
Beautiful Weather for the Crui...
Loved Alaska, Holland Cruise L...
Disappointed in cruise but por...
It Beat the Texas Heat
Enjoyed this ship and the crew...
Sponsored Links


text:
Health Care Providers
What's New...
- NH Simplified Immunization Schedule
- Vaccine Management and VaxNH Vaccine Ordering and Management System (VOMS)
- Sign - Attention Parents
- Vaccines for Children (VFC) Screening Is your practice doing this at every childhood immunization visit?
- Adult Immunization Campaign
- Adult Immunization Campaign, "Start the Conversation…
- Standards for Adult Immunization Practice
Children and Adolescents
Educational and Training Resources
- Brochures
- Health Care Providers She's Relying on You …
- Protect Yourself to Protect Your Baby
- Rack Card: Diabetes & Adult Immunizations, Front and back, 4" x 9"
- Rack Card: Hiker, Front and Back, 4"x9"
- Rack Card: Millions, Front and Back, 4"x9"
- Rack Card: Mother & Son, Front and Back, 4"x9"
- Start Protecting Your Baby At Birth With Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Fact Sheets
- Posters
- Bike Helmet, Flu
- Desk
- Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers
- "I have too much to do to risk getting sick, so I'm getting vaccinated"
- "I want to protect my health, so I'm getting the vaccines recommended for me"
- Measles, Mumps, and Pertussis
- "My dad got shingles, my wife got whooping cough, that's why"
- Rufus
- Stay Healthy, Cover Your Cough
- What you need to know about Diabetes and vaccines
- What you need to know about heart disease and vaccines
- When Health Care Providers Should Wear Masks
- Training Resources
- American College of Physicians
- Guide to Adult Immunization - will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
Immunization Publications
Immunization Schedules
- For Health Care Providers (Birth - 18 Years, Catch-Up, and Adult Schedules)
- For Everyone: Easy to Read Schedules (Birth - 18 Years and Adults)
Immunizations for Healthcare Workers
- Immunization of Health-Care Personnel, 11/25/2011
- What Immunizations Should Healthcare Workers Have?
- 2015-2016 Influenza Season Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendations, MMWR, 8/7/15, Vol. 64, No. 30
- See:
- Figure 1: Influenza vaccine dosing algorithm for children aged 6 months through 8 years
- Figure 2: Recommendations regarding influenza vaccination of persons who report allergy to eggs
Monthly Conference Call
- Receive Timely Immunization Updates the 2nd Wednesday of Every Month at 8:15 a.m. and Repeated at 12:15 p.m. - Contact Hours Awarded
Vaccine Information
- Is it Tdap or DTaP?
- Preparing Liquid Vaccines
- Preparing Reconstituted Vaccines
- Shingles
- Vaccine Administration Fee Change, effective 01/01/2013
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national program that monitors the safety of vaccines after they are licensed. It is an early warning public health system where people can report vaccine concerns that helps CDC ad FDA detect possible side effects or adverse events following vaccination.
- Vaccine Error Reporting Program
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
Vaccine Management
- Fridge-Tag 2 Data Logger Training Video
- Impact of Power Outage on Vaccine Storage
- Vaccine Label Examples - Helpful strategies in labeling vaccine and diluents
- Vaccine Management Plan Template
- Vaccine Storage & Handling (You Call The Shots)
A requirement for all Primary and Assisted Vaccine Coordinators
- Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit, June 2016
- What is Your DDL Telling You – Side 1
- What is Your DDL Telling You – Side 2
Vaccine Management and VaxNH Vaccine Ordering and Management System (VOMS)
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Vaccine Recommendations of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) develops vaccine recommendations for children and adults. The recommendations include the age(s) when the vaccine should be given, the number of doses needed, the amount of time between doses, and precautions and contraindications.
Adobe Acrobat Reader format. You can download a free reader from Adobe.


text:
The house is very comfortable, there are 3 bedrooms, a 4th room that can be used as a study or you can have your own private lounge if you like. The bedroom has built in robes and ceiling fans the main lounge has aircon. There is a very large entertaining area with bbq and large backyard. There is a supermarket within walking distance, 10 min drive to the beach and public transport is 2mins away.
Hi I'm mary. I'm Korean and here Australia on working holiday. I'm clean and friendly! I going to be there 20th August. I will work as a full time worker in Stockland shopping center. So I hope to the house is close with there. I don't have a car and I'm not smoker. Thank you! :)
Were a couple, ages 18 and 24. We work 5 days/ 5 nights a week, so hardly in the house. We have a cat. Both have rental history that we can provide. Preffered unfurnished but if its furnished were happy with that. Will have our own food, so if we could put a fridge if our own out the back or in the shed that would be great.
2/11 Lachlan Court - Kawungan Hervey Bay 4655 This brand new/modern unit is situated in town and is only a couple minute walk to Stocklands. Air conditioned unit. Mostly furnished. Own private bathroom/toilet. Nice back yard and outdoor entertaining area. Very nice quite neighborhood. Off road parking.
3 bdrm on the Esplanade. 30secs to the beach. Bedrooms overlook ocean. . Beautiful unit in very small gated complex with pool, bbq, and other facilities. Very clean very tidy. 2 spare rooms available so can take your pick, with own bathroom. Central to major shops.
Handy to beach and town. Electricity on top of rent. Don't want party animals. Must have employment.
Room for rent in modern, spacious 2-storey townhouse in central and convenient location (next door to the Woolshed backpackers). Close to the beach, shops and bicycle path, as well as cafés and restaurants along the Esplanade. Downstairs offers a bright, open living and dining area with a large, fully equipped kitchen with loads of bench space. There are plenty of windows which create excellent natural light. There are 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs. There's air-conditioning in living areas and all bedrooms. Plenty of parking available for housemates and guests. Fully furnished with washing machine, fridge, dining table, sofas, TV/DVD (with USB input). Sunny courtyard outside. The room is a good size and has built-in wardrobes with shelves and hanging space. It has a split system air-conditioner/heater as well as a ceiling fan. The room currently has a king single bed, a bookshelf, a desk and a chair, but it could fit a larger bed if you have your own furniture. You'll be sharing the main bathroom with one other female housemate, Rachel, and you'll have your own shelf and drawer in the bathroom vanity. The bathroom has a bath and shower. There are also two separate powder rooms (one upstairs and one downstairs), so no need to wait if someone's in the shower! :) The room is $90pw unfurnished or $105pw furnished. Bond is 4 weeks rent and you'll need to be approved by the real estate agent who manages the property. We currently just use our mobile phone data for 4G internet, but happy to discuss setting up an internet plan for the house. Water is included in the rent and electricity is shared 3 ways. Females only. No pets and no smokers. Thanks for checking out our ad! :)
Room for rent with built ins. Internet is included. Just chip in for electricity when the bill comes. To have a look please text me Massive shed and yard. Would suit someone working.
1. House is only 7 years old. Designed with one room (owner) down one end with own living-room. Other rooms are at opposite end of house with one master bedroom having en-suit bathroom and walk in style robe. 2. Rent includes power and internet. 3. The house is over 400sq, has a large open kitchen with a commercial size oven (gas) and stove is equally large and Gas. 4. Living area is combined open plan and tiled. Main house has a double garage as well. 5. Main bathroom is spacious and contains a full size bath as well as extra large shower. 6. Plenty of Air Con. 10kw in main area. Master bedroom 4.5kw, Smaller rooms 4kw. 7. Large double roller door extra height work shed on property with own driveway. Shed currently empty. 8. Property size is over 2100sq so you can keep gardens, chickens, whatever you want. The entire rear property is fully fenced and locked gated. The property is at the rear of Wondunna, 100m away from the reserve so we have a few Kangaroo's visiting us nightly. Due to the renovations and cleaning, and the fact we now have a LOW ERMI score of Q1 (No mold) we do not want anyone to bring anything into the house which might contaminate it. This is perhaps the most important item in this list. We just spent $20 000 re-mediating and renovating, and plan to test the property every three months. All the furniture in this house is about to be purchased BRAND NEW from Fantastic Furniture etc. Everything that was here was sent to the tip. We have a cleaner to ensure all the necessary cleaning is done and we even have the Air Con units routinely cleaned AND run InovaAir Airfilters in the house. This is a guaranteed healthy house and highly suitable to people with environmental chemical or mold sensitivities. If you are chemical sensitive we suggest you visit the house for an hour before you decide to move in. We prefer NON smokers but smokers will be considered if you are a light smoker and NOT a chain smoker. Smoking must be done outside away from doors where it can blow in. Please discuss this with us. The house is ready for tenants in about 3 weeks ie Late August 2017. If you are interested esp. if you intend to stay here 'long term' - early interest would be to our mutual benefit. We can make sure we have furniture to your liking. You can even help us choose what goes in the main living and dining areas. Rent Breakdown: The three smaller rooms are of the same size and have built-in robes and air con $150 The Larger master bedroom with en-suit and walk robe, air con $200 neg. The private room down the other end is occupied by the owner and I being his son, am using one of the small rooms. The owner is 78 years old, still works full time etc. I work part time, run a business etc. We are experienced ex market gardeners, very well versed in Natural remedies, ferments, making soap etc. We intend to set up a few things in the shed such as brewing. Chickens are also on the agenda for the back yard. We have a large water tank on the property with it's own pump too.. so water is not a problem. The house itself has 7kw of solar on the roof and we aim to expand that at some point. A 'Fire pit' is something we want but cannot have due to fire risks. We have lots of tree's and it would be very un cool should we burn down the Suburb :-p Please contact us if you are interested or wish to inquire about something.
hi im 32 im looking for a place to stay for around a few weeks up to 3 month
Easy going. Trustworthy and will always pay my rent first. I love cooking. Will share housework,gardening, all ways ready to help if I can. Like fishing , walking and don't mind a social beer. Not a party animal. BBQs I can enjoy. Have been in Hervey Bay for 10 years. My parents, Sister and her husband and three children live here. I was working up until a couple of months ago but after nine years work was no longer available. Hence why I need to be in town. I am 46. With a great sense of humour and get along with most people. Cheers Jason
I am mature, friendly, honest, and respectful. Don't smoke (unless on fire😉) I'm clean and tidy like to be organised. I am currently on a carers pension but looking for full time work in Aged/Disability sector, or anything else. I like to listen to music but it's not heavy metal nor will I deafen you.. I love anything with fur and have 3 cats which I will be keeping, so if your pet paranoid I'm not the renter for you. My cats are well looked after, and I have stayed with them in Stayz and Air BnB properties with no problems. No children except for fur kids😉 I've done a lot of house sits and also private rentals and come with references. I'm ideally looking for a granny flat furniture and bills included in price I have my own internet. Please contact me if you have a clean place where everything works... Cheers, Sue
I'm a car crazy person aND motorcycle.I enjoy football. I'm from Victoria I came up here for a holiday and loved and stayed.
Hey I'm Lydia I'm originally from London and here in Australia on a working holiday. I will be working in the Hervey Bay area from October 2017, my work involves long hours and on call so I require somewhere I can relax. I am an extremely laid back and tidy individual who respects other people's privacy, however I love socialising with my house mates and always happy to go for a drink or head down to the beach.
Down to earth, fun and tidy :)
We are super clean and tidy! Chilled and relaxed and very ambitious,Love animals I'm quiet but full of laughs! We like to think we Have a good sense of humor but forever busy working or studying so you'll hardly See us 😇
I work full time and hardly home due to masters swim training morning and evening.
Quite clean and happy helpful
I have been living semi independent for the past 18mths and have a good understanding of rental obligations, good history of paying rent on time and no damage to property. I am respectful of co-tenants belongings and privacy. I have a girlfriend and we've been together for just over 12mths. I currently live in Maryborough however want to live in Hervey Bay to make it easier to study and for more job opportunities. Feel free to ask me questions.
Peace and quiet,walking distance to the beach/corner store/supermarket/doctors/pharmacy and PO.Large home with wrap around verandahs catching all sea breezes, rooms are large, queen or double bed, ceiling fans, wifi available if required,may consider small ,well behaved dog, sorry no cats.Large yard, plenty of room for parking, neighbours on large allotments so plenty of room between houses, plenty of privacy.
Very independent single mum of 3. Very genuine, honest, reliable, easy to get along with also have ocd, clean and tidy. Love doing yard work anyway I can.
This property ideal for one person or a couple. Power bill monthly to be paid on top of next rent payment ! Rent payment 1 week in advance. If weekly ! if fortnightly 2 weeks in advance . This is a waterfront property. With access direct to beach 30 metres Air-condition Fans. Large flat screen tv . Washing Machine Dryer Clothes Line. Outdoor table and chairs. Please feel free to contact me for any other info.
Tidy, clean, quiet, honest, non-smoker, health-minded.
Easy going need a place to stay close to work


text:
This property is no longer available.Search for Available Property.
1.2 acres in Appomattox County, Virginia
Dream up your dream home in Spout Spring New subdivision, Benjamin Estates. Each lot has plenty of space!
460 East to left on Hummingbird Lane, left on Marston Drive
Tax Data (Show Tax Data)
Loading Tax Data
Other Land for Sale in Appomattox County
- Appomattox County Properties by City
- Appomattox, VA Land for Sale
- Pamplin, VA Land for Sale
- Spout Spring, VA Land for Sale
- Darlington Heights, VA Land for Sale
NOTE: The information contained herein is provided as general information only and has been obtained from sources deemed reliable. It is provided without any guaranty, warranty or representation, expressed or implied, made by Lands of America, or any related entity, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. The information is presented subject to errors, omissions, change of price or conditions, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. Prospective purchasers should make their own investigations, projections and conclusions concerning the information.


text:
Ducks Recall Jason Marshallby Staff Writer / Anaheim Ducks
Marshall, 34 (2/22/71), was reassigned to Portland on Dec. 29, 2005 for conditioning purposes. He was scoreless in two games with Portland with four penalty minutes (PIM).
Marshall has appeared in 520 career NHL games, earning 16-50=66 points with 984 penalty minutes. He has played 364 games as a Mighty Duck, ranking second among defensemen in all-time games played for the franchise. He has played 17 games with Anaheim this season, earning 0-3=3 points with 14 penalty minutes.
The 6-2, 200-pound blueliner has appeared in each of the last two Western Conference Finals series, facing Anaheim as a member of the Minnesota Wild in the 2003 playoffs and facing Calgary as a member of the San Jose Sharks in 2004.
A native of Cranbrook, B.C., Marshall was drafted by St. Louis in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed as a free agent on August 8, 2005. Marshall was originally acquired by the Mighty Ducks from St. Louis on Aug. 29, 1994, in exchange for defenseman Bill Houlder.


text:
ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
Trillium CollegeCarling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
Set the record straight:
Arbitration Program
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/23/2010 08:22 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/trillium-college/ottawa-ontario-/trillium-college-only-a-work-in-progress-ottawa-ontario-584402. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Trillium College
If you would like to see more Rip-off Reports on this company/individual, search here:Search Tips
In order to assure the best results in your search:
#1 General Comment
SUBMITTED: Sunday, July 18, 2010POSTED: Sunday, July 18, 2010
You have described to a "T" the Trillium experience ! I feel bad for you and all students who were subjected to this kind of education. I am amazed at how the owners and executives of this so called "college" aren't embarassed at being involved with a less than professional and certainly, legally questionable (given their penchant for blantant copyright infringement ) conglomeration of misfits masquerading as a legitimate business.
It is very well known amongst government agencies and organizations as being less than acceptable and whose practices are suspect.
One of the reasons for it's incompetence is they hire people who are inpexperienced in this type of setting. The owners believe you can run a school if you have experience as a cashier in a retail store. Many of their employees are devoid of the ability to experience empathy. Most are ego centric and self- centered , or subservient and compliant ; types Trillium prefers .
As for the naive folks who wrote to give them a chance or "sour grapes". You obviously have never experienced this school. The school isn't being attacked-they are the aggressor-we try in Canada not to re-victimize the victim. That is the kinder way to go. Trillium are big boys with big money, they know exactly what they are doing when it comes to making money- and they like to make it giving very, very little in return.
They just shouldn't be allowed to do it the way they do. Lots of people get genuinely hurt in many ways from their lack of concern.
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide "insider information" on this company?
Advertisers above have met our
strict standards for business conduct.


text:
Australia to ask Apple for iPad name change over 4G incompatibility
0. phoneArena posted on 16 Apr 2012, 13:00
Apple's 4G woes continue down under, as Australia's consumer protection agency asks Apple to remove "4G" from the name of their cell-enabled model of the iPad...
This is a discussion for a news. To read the whole news, click here
1. good2great (Posts: 1042; Member since: 22 Feb 2012)
more android bait...lol
13. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Apple they like misinforming public's!
2. ivanko34 (Posts: 617; Member since: 04 Sep 2011)
It's about the same problem with the iPhone 4. Owners believe it's 4G
3. gp284 (Posts: 120; Member since: 25 Feb 2012)
Yeah theres this really stupid girl that i know that thinks her phone is 4G and no matter waht i do i cant convince her that its not.
4. xoatomxo (Posts: 57; Member since: 26 Apr 2011)
Same here in my office. They think its 4G
8. Virile (Posts: 38; Member since: 01 Mar 2012)
haha they could look at the top of their screen where it says 3G >.
11. LionStone (Posts: 844; Member since: 10 Dec 2010)
With the new update for ios, AT&T iphones have a new 4G icon. So, they do indeed have 4G...but without the speed.
7. gallitoking (Posts: 4721; Member since: 17 May 2011)
well it is blazing fast so it could.. remember non phone gets truly 4G (100mpbs) so why not..
12. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Gallitoking wow 8 reds! Look's like every1 know'$ ur an ifan.....
5. hamids9898 (unregistered)
People complaining about this are crazy. ASUS told people that weren't happy to return the prime. They can't fix the GPS in the existing build because it's design flaw with the case. They have fixed the design for the Infinity and newer primes and the 300 tranformer. ANd now they offered a solution for people who choose to keep it and wanted to use it as a GPS. That's pretty good support as far as I am concerned. This coupled with the update support for the firmware makes feel pretty confident that Asus will support it's offering. Now obviously it would have been better to not have the problem in the first place but what's done is done.
6. hamids9898 (unregistered)
Erm, you're getting caught up in "well, I wouldn't use it, so it's less of an issue." Whether there is a real use or not isn't the problem, the real issue is that people spent $600 on a tablet that fundamentally doesn't work. I don't use the FFC on my phone, but I'd be pissed if I paid $600 for a phone whose camera is broken.
Also, while you say this isn't "as insulting" as the bumper, I think there's a big difference. One is giving you a free case to remedy the solution and the other is giving you a "dongle" that stops you from using the device the way they intended it to be used. Why buy a Transformer Prime if you can't use the laptop dock anytime you want? They should have just recalled them
9. InspectorGadget80 (unregistered)
What Apple should of done is called their NEW iPad THE 3RD IPAD.


text:
So that being said, I'm a very go with the flow person, i love spending my nights doing anything from hanging out with my best friends, playing cards, to going out at 1 am to walk on the beach in the moonlight, to hiking or fishing, to partying, to random spontaneity like visiting washington dc at 2 in the morning.
Movies: underworld series, 10 things I hate about you, Disney movies, a knights tale, the departed, charlie and the chocolate factory(remake and original), 80s movies, the hangover, avatar, grown ups. the a-team, he's just not that into you, shutter island,bachelor party, stardust, she's the man, cool world, pineapple express, sin city, repo man, horrible bosses, ted, the boy in the striped pajamas,the green mile, the shawshank redemption, nightmare before christmas, edward scissorhands, coraline and many more
TV Shows: revolution, spartacus, sex and the city, daria, whose line is it anyway, scrubs, family guy, buffy the vampire slayer, criminal minds, law and order svu, reign, doctor who,face off, game of thrones, lost girl, the 100, orange is the new black, salem, SHARK WEEK <3
Music: motion city soundtrack, green day, sum41, blink182, the fray, all american rejects, jimmy eat world, breaking benjamin, red hot chili peppers, queen, styx, ok go, taking back sunday, yellowcard, modest mouse, joni mitchell, senses fail, the used, all time low, maroon 5, jason mraz, and yes, many more
2) Coffee and Monster
3) Books/Movies/Nook (and yes the nook is different than a book)
4) My phone and laptop
5) My car and gps
6) food
(I know i kinda cheated)


text:
Relax and Enjoy!: Celebrity Equinox Cruise Review by Fuzzyella
Overall Member Rating
Relax and Enjoy!
Destination: Transatlantic
Embarkation: Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Our cabin was so comfortable and we both enjoyed sitting on the balcony at night. Neither of us are "sleepers" but the comfort of the beds and the gentle rocking of the ship made us sleep much more soundly!
Entertainment calendar was full and we had to make some choices, therefore missing some quality events. Shirley Jones was pure delight, and that lady can still belt out a tune! We found the shows to be of excellent quality, and the performers outstanding. Only dud was a "comedian" who seemed to shuffle across the stage as if he couldn't remember what he was going to say. The band has some world-class musicians, particularly the alto saxophonist. Yes, the acapella group was frequently off key, but they tried.
Even Bingo was well-run. Of course the beautiful casino took up a quantity of our More time, and the 2 cent machines had a voracious appetite.
We found the staff at the buffet area very accommodating and were usually on hand to help us find a table and even carry our food to it for us. The Silhouette dining room is beautiful, with our wait staff eager to serve. Yes, it took a few minutes to get to our table, but the short wait was worth it, and what's the hurry in the middle of the ocean? Food throughout the ship was very good, and served hot. (We had sailed transatlantic last fall on a new Carnival ship and the food was always cold, and broccoli served at every lunch and dinner!)
The tours we took were well-organized, with comfortable buses and knowledgeable guides. If you have vertigo, be careful which ones you take in Nice! Since we had been to most of these ports before we headed off to take the local double-decker sightseeing buses, which were fun and you can ride around and around to see the sights you missed the first time. Back on board, the tour desk staff was very helpful.
The Concierge went out of his way to help us when the computer lab was down, which seemed to happen frequently. Through him we were able to send some important Emails.
Both embarkation and disembarkation were a breeze. Our bags were at our cabin before we even finished a lunch at the Ocean Breeze cafe, and were easy to find when we got off the ship.
We are eagerly looking forward to our next cruise with Celebrity! Less
Published 05/19/10
Cabin review: con1130
Cabin was in a perfect location, close to the Library and elevators, but far enough away that there was no noise. However, the way this ship is laid out the view forward was restricted.
Port and Shore Excursions
Read Cruise Critic's Celebrity Equinox Review >>
Wheelchair Access Notes - Exce...
Not a Vacation
Highly disappointed
2nd Time on Equinox, 3rd time ...
Graduation Celebration with 11...
Two trips only four weeks apar...
2nd Time on Equinox, 3rd time ...
Great Trip!
Excellent 1st Time Celebrity C...
Sponsored Links


text:
Colts-Broncos tickets selling at high prices
Update: Kris Kirschner will have more on Colts tickets for this Sunday's Broncos game on Sunrise today, Tuesday.
The Colts are prime time Monday night against the Chargers, but it's not the Monday Night Football game that is getting the most hype here in Indianapolis.
It's next Sunday's matchup with the Broncos which brings former quarterback Peyton Manning back to play in Indianapolis for the first time since he left the Colts.
Peyton returns to Peyton's place. Some fans can't wait, but others can't take it.
You know it's a big game when the Colts have yet to play on Monday night and everyone is talking about Sunday night. NBC's welcome-home montage hit home today. Kurt Luibhardt of Indianapolis watched it on our iPad in downtown Indianapolis Monday.
"It is hard to watch. I am looking forward and not looking forward to the game," he observed.
"It's kind of depressing. I miss Manning a little bit. Bring him back. I'll be cheering for the Broncos this week. I love Manning. Great guy," said Phil Endris, who is still mourning Manning's departure.
"I would pay to be there...just to see Peyton," Bobby Mazaratti said after he watched the NBC promo video.
"Your total for two tickets is $990," a worker at Fanfare Tickets said to a caller on the telephone. It is a very busy place this week.
"Some season ticket holders who sold their tickets are able to pay for as much as 40 to 50 percent of their season ticket package by selling this one game. That has diminished a little bit as the games approached," Renny Harrison, the owner at Fanfare Tickets, said.
Joe Pechous was one of the season ticket holders who decided to sell his Sunday night tickets.
"Is this something you do a lot of?" we asked him.
"Not at all," he said.
"Because you will get a good price for it?"
"Absolutely. If someone wants bad enough to see it. I'm rooting for Peyton except this game!" he said.
Currently upper level tickets which regularly sell for $60 are going for $175. Lower level, club level at the end of the stadium regularly go for $90, but that is bumped up to $350. And lower level seats that are regularly $300 are going for $700. But there are exceptions.
Suggested Links
"Section 113. That is right here. Fifty-yard line, right behind the Denver bench," an operator at Fanfare noted. Those tickets sold for $2,000 a seat. That is the kind of profit margin that brought Eric Stockholm in on Monday.
"This is the game to sell, yes. We were able to make 200 percent, so yeah, it was a good deal for what we paid for them."
Price fluctuation could actually depend on how the Colts do tonight. Since it's a late start a lot of Colts fans are choosing to watch it at home on NBC and make money at the same time.


text:
The airline on Thursday said it would cut 5000 jobs, or the equivalent of around 15 per cent of its workforce, over the next three years and asked all workers to accept a pay freeze.
"It's fair to say the unions don't support the level of jobs that will have to go in order to protect as many jobs as possible in the future," Mr Strambi said after the meeting.
"We are making these changes because we have to. It is not a reflection on the hard work and commitment of our employees, but a result of the stark realities we face."
Australian Services Union assistant national secretary
"They pretty much went over the things that we already knew, just in a bit more detail," she told The Australian Financial Review. "There were certainly more questions that needed to be answered. They didn't have a lot of time so they didn't go into as much detail as we'd like."
Ms White said the airline reiterated its request for all employees to accept a pay freeze. She said the airline had written to the ASU asking Jetstar check-in and administration staff accept a pay freeze in an enterprise bargaining agreement now under negotiation.
She said she did not know whether industrial action would be taken as a result of management's demands.
"It is very early days," she said. "This is one day after the announcement. We have more questions that need to be answered."
Ms White said another meeting with management would be held next week.
The Australian Financial Review


text:
Looks like Shadetree is no longer available on Rent.com which means this information is likely out of date.
Contact for details
Ranch Style/Single Story Living... Utility Rooms with Washer/Dryer Connections... High Speed Internet Access Available
At Shadetree apartments in West Palm Beach, you'll enjoy the home-like atmosphere of living with no one above or below you and you will appreciate the savings that come from our energy efficient double walled construction. Shadetree Apartments is only minutes from downtown West Palm Beach, just 8 minutes away from Palm Beach International Airport, easily accessible to expressway I-95, shopping, banking, churches, and schools.
Flexible lease terms.
Pets Accepted. Call for service animal policy.
76 units
Don't have a Rent.com account? Create one.
Creating an account allows you to acccess your saved and contacted properties on any device. Already have an account?
Log In
We are experiencing technical difficulties at the moment. Please try again later.


text:
Hi guys, i am trying to reduce the space in my study, and get rid of some dvds. I want to rip them in a great quality to an Iomega Minimax 2TB drive, but i dont want to loose all the extras, deleted scenes, audio commentary etc, which i usually bought the movies for.
Can anybody recommend:
a) a software which rips the whole dvd (ideally in a way that i can just watch the movie or open the dvd itself on any Mac or possibly apple tv without any issues)
b) the settings i need to use to convert it in a high quality, so that i wont have to re-rip again. I want to be able to watch the ripped dvds on my full HD tv, or on my imac, or even on my iphone and still have awesome quality and no compromise, as if i put the dvd into my dvd player. Which file format should i use? (mp4? mkv? etc.), what should be the frame ratio? etc.
I am trying to use handbrake right now but its taking too long. i put in my desperado dvd 2 hours ago and its just at 74%.
I dont mind paying for a top notch programme, as long as it does the job quick and painless with great results. I have about 250 dvds i want to convert and dont want to sit the next 6 months just ripping them.
PS: I have a macbook pro 2.26 GHz, snow leopard and have tried imtoo dvd ripper standard and handbrake already


text:
- February 24, 2014, 4:34 PM
San Francisco-based Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing (MRL) purchased two Sikorsky S-92As for its growing fleet aimed at supporting operators in the oil-and-gas and search-and-rescue markets, the company announced today at Heli-Expo. The two S-92s will be leased back to Avincis subsidiary Bond Offshore Helicopters and will be delivered in the second quarter. MRL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia's Macquarie Bank, also purchased two S-92As and two S-76Ds in November and recently added an additional S-76D and two other helicopters to its roster.