Gone to Plaid: The Blog

Now Freestyle Certified

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:10:00 +0000

Wow, 2 posts: 1 week. I'm on a roll!

I'm just excited, because we just earned Freestlye Certified status from Norwegian Cruise Lines. Here's the press release:

Norwegian Cruise Line is proud to announce that Carmen Shirkey is among the first to graduate from its new online travel agent university, NCL University. This progressive, state-of-the art online school is geared to deliver an enhanced level of knowledge and insight into Freestyle Cruising - NCL's popular style of cruising, as well as NCL destinations, NCL ship programs and operations, and many other behind-the-scenes elements not available anywhere else. Each graduate is required, within one year, to earn a minimum number of credits through a choice of accredited courses and electives. The rigorous curriculum includes testing at every level in order to move forward.

Norwegian Cruise Line's online university opened its virtual doors in 2008 and is one of the most innovative and successful programs available to travel agents today. With thousands of registered students and growing, NCL U plans to expand its training from the interactive experience of its online program to a continuing educational experience that includes a Ph.D. @ Sea program aboard its ships.

At NCL, we highly recommend the use of a travel professional when booking an NCL cruise, says Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Passenger Services. "With NCL U, we are investing in our travel partners' product knowledge, marketing and sales skills so our guests will know they are relying on an expert who knows our product inside and out."

By earning NCL U's Freestyle Certification, Carmen is considered among the most qualified and expert representatives for NCL's cruise product. Contact Carmen at carmenandjim@cruiseshipcenters.com.

That's in ADDITION to our Princess Commodore status, earned late last year, and our completion of Carnival University. We've got a lot of cruise info in our heads!

Thursday 13 - Cherry Blossom Time

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:51:00 +0000

We went for a drive into DC last weekend to see the cherry blossoms. We battled a TON of people, but got some really nice photos. So this week, my Thursday 13 is 13 (okay, it's 14, so shoot me) photos of the blossoms for you to enjoy!

Home of the new Thursday 13

The Countdown Has Begun

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Today is T-minus two weeks exactly until our journey to the Netherlands. I'm hoping and praying for at least a few sunny days while we're there, so I can tiptoe through the tulips!

PS: If you're on Twitter, and you want to follow my cruise agent antics, you can follow me at @Cruise7Cs

Happy St. Patrick's Day

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:37:00 +0000

In the hopes of getting some "Luck O' the Irish," I thought I'd celebrate by posting some of my favorite Ireland photos. :)

Pooh Bear Vs. The Foot!

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:43:00 +0000

If you can't tell that I love my new iMac and the iMovie that comes with it, here's the comic-style video I made of Pooh Bear.

Ask Me

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:42:00 +0000

I've noticed that a lot of folks recently come up to me to ask about a specific location, or for travel tips, etc.

So new feature. You ask me. Have a travel question? Ask away.

The dilemma

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:38:00 +0000

For our upcoming Amsterdam trip, we're considering a day-trip into Belgium. Why? Because it's there, it's close, and we'll have a week. So might as well add another country to the list, right? :)

We're having a dilemma. Where in Belgium do we go? I've been told that Bruges is gorgeous, however, it's at least a 4-hour train ride away, and that's if we hit all of our train connections. So I think that's a little much for a one-day trip.

That leaves us with Brussels and Antwerp. Brussels has a little more to see, I think, but Antwerp is closer.

What to do, what to do? :) If anyone has any suggestions, I'm up for hearing them.

13 Things I'm Looking Forward to in Amsterdam!

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:46:00 +0000

Can't let the opportunity go by to promote my new book The List.

Since that's out of the way, lets get onto my 13 things!

We left off guessing where I was heading on my next trip, and learned it was AMSTERDAM!

I'm stoked about the trip, and here are some of the things I'm most looking forward to.

1. Tulips, tulips and more tulips!
2. Tulips and WINDMILLS!
3. Canals - I loved Venice for the canals, and I'm betting I'll love the ones in Amsterdam, too
4. Biking through the town. I just have to buy the extra bike insurance and just hope the rental doesn't get stolen
5. I can't wait to see Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" in person
6. Despite being slightly depressing, I'm very interested in the Anne Frank House
7. I'll admit it, I'm fascinated by the Red Light District, but not THAT fascinated. Just looking, no partaking.
8. Despite the fact that I think it would help me understand this crazy world better, I will not be partaking in the legal drugs. Unless coffee is a drug. :)
9. Side trip to Belgium, for waffles and chocolate! (It's all about the food.)
10. Seeing the peeing boy statue in Brussels. Hilarious!
11. Taking more photos than is normal.
12. Buying a pair of wooden shoes - for decor, not to wear.
13. Just seeing someplace new, and adding two more countries to my list. :)

Home of the new Thursday 13

And the Answer to "Where Am I Going Next" Is . . .

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:57:00 +0000

If you guessed AMSTERDAM, you would be correct-amundo!

We're going in April, and I can't wait. I'd always wanted to see the tulips blooming in Holland, but I never connected the dots from Holland to Amsterdam in my head (they are the same thing) until Jim said he wanted to go to Amsterdam. Once I found out that it was tulip and windmill heaven, I was on board!

It's hard to pick a good time to go to see the tulips. It's kind of like planning to see the cherry blossoms in D.C., you're kind of dependent on Mother Nature. So I just hope mid-April gives us enough time to let some of those bulbs see their blooms fulfilled!

Have a great weekend!

Next Trip Is . . . . . . 13 Hints

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Man, I've been a busy little bee recently. Yeah, I know I've been a big blog slacker, at least here on Gone To Plaid anyway. I've been trying to market the heck out of my new book The List. I just posted an excerpt from the book, btw, so check it out.

I didn't mean to ignore my travel blogging. Mostly, there wasn't anything exciting to blog about, but now there is!

We've just booked our next trip, to a place I never thought I'd want to go but now that I've researched it I'm stoked about going!

Where am I going?

Well, let's play a little blog game. Why don't you GUESS where I'm going, and then I'll tell you all about it in the next post?

13 Hints as to Where I'm traveling next:

1. Matt Lauer has been here
2. Wind is a big energy source here
3. It's a sailor's town
4. It's run by a monarchy, sort of
5. English is spoken, but it's a second language
6. One of the earliest "stock exchanges" was started here
7. Mind-alteration is openly accepted
8. Sex sells
9. A good way to see the city is by boat
10. I'll be sightseeing by bike as well
11. There's a flower garden here that gets more visitors between late March and May - 800,000 - than it gets all year.
12. I'll get to see Van Gogh's "Sunflowers"
13. Their shoes can NOT be comfortable!

Home of the new Thursday 13

Book Signing Party Goin' On!

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:39:00 +0000

I'm having a book signing party over at

THE LIST

where you can get a signed copy at a discounted rate!

This is all happening starting Friday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 25.

Or you can stop by the Web site anytime and click the "Buy on Amazon" link.

Death Valley Day Trip

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Hello again, all.

I've been busy, busy, busy! For those of you who are interested, my book is published and up on Amazon.com ready for purchase! However, on the weekend of Jan. 23, I'm having an online book signing party, where you can purchase a signed copy for a discount. Head on over to The List for more info.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Here is a slide show of photos from our day trip to Death Valley. We hopped in a 4x4 from Las Vegas and headed to the wilds of California.

If you'd like to read something about each place, you can check out my journals on igougo.

Featured Journals

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:36:00 +0000

I'm still working on some posts for Las Vegas and Death Valley, holding them until the new year so everyone can get back from vacation, etc.

I wrote my Igougo.com journals however, and they were featured on the IgoUgo blog. They sent me an email, saying they REALLY enjoyed them, and this is an excerpt from the blog post:

On to our expert, Carmen. She’s been to Vegas so many times that she didn’t even stay entirely in the city this time around; one morning, she jumped in a 4X4 for a Death Valley Adventure Day. The comedienne, it turns out, can make even the depths of Death Valley funny, titling one review, I Be Hebe at Ubehebe Crater. Back in town after the excursion, she chronicles Christmastime in Sin City (Plus Some Best Ofs). Both the December-centric reviews and the more general “Best Of” fare are fantastic, so don’t miss this journal if you’re thinking of playing in Vegas this year.

Merry Christmas!

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Or Happy Holidays or whatever you celebrate. :)

We got back from Las Vegas just before the 3 1/2 feet (inches! I meant inches! For Vegas, it seemed like feet) of snow fell on the Strip. We did see some flurries while we were there, but I'm really glad we missed the airport closing and such.

Since we've been back, it's been a swirl of "stuff." We spent all morning on Monday in the ER, because Jim got a stomach flu Christmas present. I'm now washing my hands every 2 minutes trying not to get it myself.

However, it's still the holidays, and here is my holiday treat for you, while I work on getting the other Las Vegas stuff ready for viewing.

The first is a Bellagio Fountain treat, with the water dancing to a Christmas tune, and the second is a slideshow of Las Vegas Christmas images.

Hope Santa is good to all!

Thursday 13 v. 74: Good/Bad

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:21:00 +0000

Thirteen Good Things and Bad Things

1. The Good: I approved the proof for my new book. Two weeks until you can buy it!

2. The Bad: Right after I approved it, Jim pointed out a mistake. A stupid mistake. I read it 8 times, and didn't catch it, so maybe no one else will. Can't change it now. This is what I get for not spending $2000 to get it professionally edited.

3. The Good: We leave for Las Vegas on Friday

4. The Bad: There's a front coming through over the weekend, making it cold and rainy there. Even calling for snow next week. SNOW in VEGAS!

5. The Good: We have a free car rental, and we were going to drive to Death Valley to see the moving rocks on Racetrack Playa

6. The Bad: Said front is also causing rain in Death Valley. It seldom rains in Death Valley, but it's raining this weekend when we wanted to go. Rain = bad roads and no seeing the moving rocks (can't walk through the mud and leave our footprints.)

7. The Good: It's supposed to be nice in Valley of Fire State Park on Sunday, so we'll probably go there instead.

8. The Bad: I would rather go to Bryce Canyon, but said front will bring snow there. And rain to Zion National Park. Damn you weather!

9. The Good: I broke down and vacuumed the downstairs - it was awfully dirty!

10. The Bad: The upstairs still needs to be done. I'm making that Jim's job.

11. The Good: I have a job, when a lot of people don't.

12. The Bad: Right before, and right after a vacation, things always get more stupid and more idiotic. (Can you say re-org? Again?) PS: Never have an idea at work. They think they want you to have an idea, but they really don't.

13. The Good: Did I mention we're going to VEGAS? :) Always good to end on a good.

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Elf Yourself

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:03:00 +0000

Always a sucker for online time wasters, here's Jim and I with our Elf Disco. He's gonna kill me.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Another State

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:39:00 +0000

Well, I added another state to my travel board this weekend. Jim and I drove to Delaware to visit with his parents. Delaware - at least Newark, where we stayed - wasn't anything like I expected it to be. I have these visions of the Northeast being one big city, but Newark was almost a little redneck, if I can say that. There were big houses, surrounded by lots of land. There were deer and fox and rabbits crossing the yard (we knew this, thanks to the light snow we god. Jim's stepdad said it was a perfect tracking snow.)

We ate at a few good restaurants, drove around the University of Delaware campus, and saw Jim's old high school and stomping grounds.

And to tell you just how small this world is, here's a story.

We were driving around, looking at the area. I was in the backseat - a recipe for car-sickness if there ever was one, and I requested a short stop so that I could recover a bit. We stopped at this botanical gardens, and when we pulled into the parking lot, we were drawn to a long row - about 20 - of Mini Cooper cars. Well, it then occurred to me that I had a friend who lived in Delaware, and who had a Mini Cooper. Then I remembered that they had a club, and I wondered if her car was among the display. I looked for her licence plate (at least the one they had when they lived in VA) but didn't see it. So we were walking to the car to get back on the road, and out walks my friend into the parking lot. Everyone was then treated to some squealing and hugging.

So don't let anyone tell you there's not a higher power. That, my friends, was orchestrated!

Thursday 13 v. 73 Why I Hate Being Sick

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:02:00 +0000

Thirteen Reasons I Hate Being Sick

1. Sore throats. I hate sore throats. If there's one symptom that knocks me on my ass, it's a sore throat.

2. Watery eyes. I'm not crying, really.

3. Coughing draws way too much attention to myself.

4. We're going to Jim's parents house this weekend for our Christmas visit. Great impression, coughing all over your boyfriend's parents.

5. I hope the germs go away by next week, because we go to Vegas. Cold coughing plus breathing in cigarette smoke equals lungs falling out.

6. Lysol. I hate the smell of it, but I have to Lysol everything so we don't keep sharing the germ wealth.

7. Lack of smoochies. It was the smoochies that got me sick in the first place, as Jim was sick last week. I keep trying to tell him to take back the germs, but for some reason he won't do it.

8. Colds always get worse at night. Which is stupid. Because you need to sleep to get better, but you can't sleep because you feel like crap. What's up with that?

9. I always get the worst symptoms. Jim was just stuffy and sneezy. I've added coughy, drooly, headachy, achy, chilly and grumpy to the list.

10. Cold medicine is REALLY expensive these days.

11. Cold medicine also makes me feel loopy and sick to my stomach.

12. Chicken noodle soup. I have bad associations here - chicken noodle soup is what I ate when I was sick as a kid, so I don't like it. But I drink it, because it's magic.

13. I can't work out when I'm sick - wait, was that a bad thing?

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Thursday 13 v. 72 Thirteen Reasons I Don't Have a Real 13 List

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Thirteen Reasons I Don't Have a Real 13 List

1. I've been working on items for my new book. It should release soon! If you'd like to participate in my virtual book tour, visit http://thelistbook.blogspot.com.

2. I've been volunteering for more responsibility at work. I know, what was I thinking, right?

3. I've been planning our trip to Las Vegas. Less than a month to go!

4. While in Vegas, we'll be driving one day to Death Valley. I've been researching that, too.

5. It got really cold. Cold weather makes me want to hibernate.

6. We bought a new iMac. I need to spend time playing with the new 'puter!

7. The house hadn't been vacuumed in a long time. Too long. Spiders were getting too comfy. So out came the Dyson, and Pooh Bear had to hide.

8. I have a ton of shows to watch on the DVR. I'm uninspired by fall TV, so it's taking me a bit longer than normal.

9. I've been trying to adjust to the new, way-too-expensive, memory foam pillow I bought. Funny, my neck still hurts. Stupid pillow.

10. I've been stressing about Thanksgiving. It's the first joint holiday venture with Jim and I. Of course, my parents love him more than they love me. ;) The next weekend is Christmas with his family in Delaware.

11. It's really cold in Delaware.

12. I've been trying to find a pair of comfortable, black boots. I've been through every Joseph Seibel on zappos.com, and now I'm trying all the Clarks. I hate buying shoes.

13. I've been cutting coupons. I am now the coupon queen, so we can save 25 cents on toilet paper and such.

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Thursday 13 v. 71 Things About Meme

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:31:00 +0000

Thirteen Things About Meme

And now for a meme I found over at Red's place because it's somewhat travel related. Though I modified it to only be 13 things.

Answer the questions below, do a Google Image search with your answer, take a picture from the first page of results, and do it with minimal words of explanation.

1. Your age on your next birthday

2. A place you want to travel to

3. Your favorite place

4. Your favorite food

5. Your pet

6. Favorite
color combo

7. Favorite piece
of clothing

8. Favorite TV show

9. Name of your
significant other

10. First Job

11. Dream job

12. Bad Habit you have

13. What you'd like
to do before you die

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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VOTE FOR CARMEN

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:03:00 +0000

Okay, the big election is over. But if you're in withdrawl, you can still vote -- for me!

I've been nominated over at IGOUGO.com for an award for a travel photo in a the Shot of Urban category with my photo called Vegas View.

Please vote for me. :) Please? And tell your friends to vote for me. You all know how competitive I am, but I'd really love to have a travel photo win an award, so I can add it to my resume! Woot!

VOTE HERE

Thursday 13 v. 70 Blue Ridge Parkway Pics

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:26:00 +0000

Thirteen Pictures from My Leaf-Peeping Trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway

Jim and I took a little jaunt down I-64 to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see some of the fall color. It was a beautiful, if not crisp, fall day. Blue sky, colorful trees, and we ended the day in Charlottesville to get some Bodos Bagels. (And if you've never eaten Bodos bagels, they are the best bagels in the world. Most wouldn't think that the best bagels would come from Charlottesville, but they do!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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I Voted

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:09:00 +0000

I waited for the lines to clear, and then I went to cast my ballot. It only took about 5 minutes, and, as usual, I got a little emotional. I am blessed to be able to express my (sometimes strong) opinion and choose who will take us into the next 4 years. Virginia is a state to watch tonight, and I hope we go blue!

PS: I wrote an editorial about it for work. Read it here.

Your Travel Destination for Tomorrow Is . . .

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:10:00 +0000

Your nearest polling location.

Please, if you haven't already, vote.

Thursday 13 v. 69 GO VOTE!

cs94wahoo@gmail.com (Carmen) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:13:00 +0000

Thirteen Reasons EVERYONE needs to vote next week

Folks, this is not open season on anyone's political views - mine or any of my commenters. I, for one, think that what makes America strong is our diversity of opinions and our passions about them.

1. This may be the most pivotal election in your lifetime.
2. The economy is in the crapper. Clearly, somebody has to do something.
3. We are currently fighting two wars.
4. We just ran out of digit space on the National Debt Clock in Times Square.
5. My insurance company is charging me $10 per pill for my migraine meds, and they'll only give me 6 pills a month. Something is wrong with our system.
6. Even though the electoral system is stupid, your vote could be the swing for your state's votes to go to a candidate. So your vote does, indeed, count.
7. Yes, gas prices have fallen, but we're still lining the pockets of people that hate the U.S. We need to cut them off and cut ourselves off from oil dependence.
8. You should vote because I've made it to number 8 without sharing with you who I think can fix 1-7, I don't know how long I can hold out.
9. You need to vote because no matter what the polls say, this is a 50/50 race.
10. You can't bitch about things if you don't vote.
11. You should vote because it's one of the most patriotic things a regular citizen can do.
12. You must vote because there is a debate in this country about whether or not you are a "real American" if you don't believe a certain way, or live in a city rather than a small town. (Okay, I made it to number 12, I couldn't go anymore!) :)
13. You should vote because this country may be in more trouble if we have another 4 years that are anywhere near 90% like the last 8.