plan b adventures

EXTRACT DELIVERS PERFECT FORMULA FOR BATEMAN FANS

2009-08-25T14:45:00.008-04:00

Last night we went to the screening of Extract, a Mike Judge film starring our favorate actor, Jason Bateman. He was perfect in the role of a harried extract entrepreneur dealing with a sexual dry spell with his wife, Kristen Wiig. We loved the scene with the gymormous 3 foot bong, and the twist after the attempted late night booty call. Ben Afflect had us rolling as his druggie bartender friend. Bateman looked amazing on screen and off – we said hello and told him about our new comedy written just for him, called Plan B. We want Scott's high school friend, Leslie Mann, for the female lead.

Extract stars Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis, J.K. Simmons, David Koechner, Clifton Collins, Jr., T.J. Miller, Beth Grant and a special appearance by Gene Simmons. The film is written and directed by Mike Judge, and is produced by John Altschuler and Michael Rotenberg, executive produced by Dave Krinsky, Tom Lassally and Glenn Lucas, and co-executive produced by Michael Flynn.

The director of photography is Tim Suhrsted, and the production designer is Maher Ahmad. Visual Effects were by Pixel Magic. The film editor is Julia Wong. Original music for the film was composed by George S. Clinton.

On another note, it was brought to our attention yesterday, that J Lo gave up on the title Plan B for her new movie on artificial insemination resulting in twins, and has retitled it, “The Back up Plan.” We’d like to think that all of our blogging and tweeting under @planb had a little to do with it. (Although it could have been the morning after drug Plan B, who knows.) So the film title is officially back as ours and our international sailing fan base will recognize it as the crazy couple they met back in the day. Nice.

By the way, Jason it was such a pleasure to finally meet you in person. We look forward to our next meeting about Plan B with you and Mike, soon.

Why Jason Bateman Should Star in The Adventures of Plan B

2009-08-21T18:43:00.008-04:00

This week, I won a contest to attend the Red Carpet premiere of Extract, a Mike Judge film which looks amazing and stars Jason Bateman. You can see the winning tweet by going to @planb. Kismet!

It was EXACTLY one year ago I sent this letter to his agents. My position hasn’t changed, he’s just gotten more popular.

I look forward to the opportunity to meeting his team and handing off the script on Monday.

Join Jason’s Facebook fan page and tell him to read The Adventures of Plan B, or Twitter #extract and @planB and tell him we want him!

August 21, 2009

Jason Bateman
3 Arts Entertainment Inc Management 
9460 Wilshire Blvd Fl 7 
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 USA

Jason,
Do you believe in kismet?

I started a sailing journey a year and a half ago, and decided to keep a journal. I joked with someone about developing my story into a screenplay and when asked who would play the lead role, I immediately said Jason Bateman.

The Adventures of Plan B is the story of a colorful couple who sells everything to travel around the world on a catamaran with their dog, a Golden Retriever. They get hit by lightening early on and wind up on a little island in the middle of the Caribbean. There they learn to appreciate the journey and not the destination.

I will follow up to see if you are interested in reading the draft script later this summer. In the meantime, you can visit www.planbadventures.com to learn more.

Sincerely,

Stephanie
steph at planbadventures dot com

Two if By Sea: Phoenix Business Journal Cover Story on Us

2009-02-20T16:59:00.002-04:00

Today we are in "Two if by Sea" a cover story in the Phoenix Business Journal. Thanks Chris!

Friday, February 20, 2009
Unlikely journeys lead to creation of film businesses
Phoenix Business Journal - by Chris Casacchia

Stephanie Houser Silverman embarked on a new career in the movie business during a shipwreck odyssey in the British West Indies.

Carole Bartholomeaux’s job with a New York Times best-selling author led her to a treasure hunter in Australia.

Eventually, both established film production companies in Phoenix.

The two businesswomen took circuitous routes –– filled with tales of shipwrecks and the open seas –– to the film industry. One day, their own stories may end up on the big screen. But for now, they’re working on movies about other people, and they just struck their first major deals.

Silverman’s company, launch flix, finalized an option agreement with Minneapolis-based Lerner Publishing Group for a feature film based on the story of Holocaust survivor Henry Oertelt, author of the award-winning book “An Unbroken Chain: My Journey Through the Nazi Holocaust.”

Oertelt, a Berlin native, was 12 years old when Adolf Hitler came to power. He witnessed the devastation of Kristallnacht, “the Night of Broken Glass,” on Nov. 9, 1938, with his mother and brother. Many consider that night the start of the Holocaust, as Hitler’s troops burned and demolished Jewish businesses, homes and temples and forced the first 30,000 Jews into concentration camps.

Silverman stumbled upon the opportunity to tell Oertelt’s story onscreen during a serious travel predicament.

In September 2006, she sold her firm, launch PR, to Allison & Partners. On March 1, 2007, she embarked on a sailing trip around the world with her husband, Hayden, an avid sailor, and their golden retriever, Celis (named after a Texas beer).

But four months into their voyage, their 42-foot Fountaine Pajot Venezia catamaran, aptly named Plan B, was hit by lightning, wiping out the electrical system, radar, VHF radio and lighting.

Stranded on the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos for three months, Silverman began chronicling their mishap. She rented numerous movies from a store miles inland and read books about screenplays and the film industry in her spare time. The pair’s only real communication with family was via the Internet.

After her husband fixed the boat (the auto pilot had to be shipped back to its manufacturer in France), they continued their journey, traveling to many island nations, including St. Thomas. There, she had a chance encounter with Oertelt’s granddaughter, who told Silverman her grandfather was looking for a screenwriter.

In June 2008, the couple sold their boat in the Virgin Islands. Two months later, Silverman returned to the U.S. and opened the downtown Phoenix office of launch flix.

Oertelt’s screen adaptation is in development. The company is scouting locations in Europe and looking for talent and investors.

“My main concern is putting out a great film on the lowest budget possible,” said Silverman, who also is working on a screenplay dubbed “Plan B.”

Independent movie budgets can range from $2 million to $12 million.

Jennifer Lopez to Star in Plan B the Movie

2008-12-29T00:59:00.006-04:00

I have always dreamed of this day. My friend Lynn called from her plane before take off tonight. She just heard that Jennifer Lopez will be starring in a movie called Plan B due out in November, 2009! She was so excited.. I hated to tell her that its the wrong Plan B!

Her film will be about a single woman who conceives twins through artificial insemination (her Plan B), only to meet the man of her dreams (Plan A) the same day. My film is the story of two people who sell everything to travel around the world, get hit by lighting and end up on a little island in the Caribbean. I an currently planning to speak to CAA in January to help give me guidance about selling the script. If you are interested, drop me an email at steph(at)planbadventures dot com.

What a bummer. CBS Films is taking the movie title Plan B. I registered my script under a different working title name. Back to the drawing board for a catchy new title.

The good news is I will definitely be using the momentum from her Plan B exposure to market my Plan B. Shouldn't be long now!

American Film Market, welcome aboard plan b

2008-11-03T15:02:00.012-04:00

IMAGINE IF YOU SOLD EVERYTHING YOU OWNED, BOUGHT A SAILBOAT… AND ESCAPED TO A TROPICAL PARADISE.

Plan B is based on a true story of a couple who sold everything to travel around the world on a catamaran with their golden retriever. They get hit by lightning and stuck on a little island in the Caribbean.

Well, that's what happened to us, and now my tear and alcohol stained journal tells the story. Contact me for a synapsis or a copy at steph(at)planbadventures dot com, or for more information, visit launch flix. We are looking for distributors, investors, actors, and crew. We will be taking meetings at the American Film Market in Santa Monica from now through November 12.

It's the perfect time to make an Escape comedy.

“The escapist musical Mamma Mia scored all over the world. It just became the highest grossing British film of all time according to Universal Pictures International.

“In times of economic gloom, people seek affordable and escapist entertainment. Mamma Mia! has really tapped into the public's desire for feel good escapism. An absolute phenomenon." Phil Clapp, chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA)"

“If I were a studio head I’d be making a bunch of light escapist movies—including comedies and romances, going forward…” Anne Thompson, Variety..

introducing launch flix

2008-09-08T18:16:00.006-04:00

H and I are making progress with our new production company, launch flix. We decided to stick with the LAUNCH brand (my last company) and keep things moving forward. Here's a picture of him shopping for his new camera.

Soon we hope to finalize a deal with the author we have been speaking with and publicly announce our affiliation. We have been busy getting familiar with the biz and are making plans to find a new home for launch flix in Los Angeles.

I continue to work on the Plan B screenplay and hope to get that in development as well.

Follow us over to launchflix and keep in touch!

Action!

2008-08-08T13:40:00.009-04:00

It's been a little over a month since we left the Caribbean. Things are happening quickly now that we are on dry land.

I am moving forward in setting up a production company so we can produce independent films. Right now, I'm trying to come up with a catchy name, and like all my former clients, I want the dot com that goes with it, too. (Unfortunately Brad Pitt's production company is already called Plan B, or I would have picked that.) Then, we'll move to a new web site.

Our first project may take us in a completely different direction than the Plan B comedy. Right now, it's too early for details but all I can say is that I'm overjoyed about the quality of the new project. It's an intense and meaningful life story of a close friend's family and I am honored that they are interested in working with me. I'll post the details as soon as it makes sense.

I'll also be looking for investors in the film and production company as well as crew.. so keep in touch!

It's crazy that somehow our time off lead me on this new path but I am loving every minute of it. Meanwhile, H is looking at opening a restaurant in downtown Phoenix with a very talented chef. Yum.

Don’t Stop the Carnival: One last island – Water Island

2008-06-30T09:18:00.009-04:00

Yesterday we had the best day. We woke in C’s place, at Point Pleasant Resort with an amazing 180 degree view (see pic from one side of the deck) of Water Bay at St. John, Tortola, and Congo and Levongo Cay, and Thatch Cay. After we had coffee and relaxed on a couch (a luxury for people who have not had one, or a TV for so long) we got dressed and went to Water Island with J. He drove us in an open air jeep that has a tie dyed roof, very island. When we arrived at Crown Bay Marina, there was Plan B. We walked by but when we did, we saw movement in the salon and decided not to say hi. Yesterday H was kind enough to help T move the boat from the American Yacht Harbor to Crown Bay Marina. His dog was already out of sorts from all the changes from moving from England, and it got sick underway. In fact, we have been told that Saturday was one of the roughest days on the water that they have had in quite awhile – definitely since we have been here. So, hang in there, T and B – it’s all down hill from here! (Course I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled that I didn’t have to be on that trip.)

Our friend J from Jester came over in his new dinghy and gave us a ride to his boat, where his friend L was hanging out. It was really nice to sit on someone else’s sailboat. Jester is a 38 foot Irwin that J charters in the area. J told us that Kenny Chesney’s people contacted him awhile ago when they were coming to do a video to charter his boat for crew for a few days when they were shooting at Jost Van Dyke, but he was booked up. (Which song, does anyone know?)

After a drink on Jester, we went into Honeymoon Beach at Water Island (the inspiration for Don’t Stop the Carnival, a fabulous book about island life). It is a very quaint beach with two little beach bars – Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill and Joe’s Beach Shack. After a succulent burger (their description on the menu) H and I went for a quick swim and immediately saw a sting ray and some other basic fish. When I went back for a second swim in the afternoon, I actually saw a fish I hadn’t seen before – gorgeous blue and green patterned.. I’ll have to look it up in our fish guide book when we get home.

Later we took the dinghy to a little place in Frenchtown, back in St. Thomas, that said it was their last day. We then drove up to say goodbye to our friends from Happyface Foods, J and J. They recently moved and have a darling place on the North end with gorgeous views of Megans Bay, one of the top ten beaches in the world according to the Fromers Guide. (And if you haven't tried their delicious all natural Happyface ice cream, you must! Go to their Four Winds location and tell them Plan B sent you. Our favorite flavor is Mint Chip, see photo of H on boat enjoying one last splurge!) Finally we went back to Pointe Pleasant and shared our last mahi mahi sandwich for awhile.

We just turned the dial to Regis and Kelly and she was just saying she was at Rawhide, at the Pointe at South Mountain this past weekend, which is where our townhouse is. She was showing pictures from her visit to Arizona. Weird! Well, that’s where we’re headed, to pick up Celis and then head out to the mountains.

Goodbye St. Tizzy! Goodbye C, J and J, J, J, and all our other locals! We had a ball. We are so glad that we had Celis with us when we met you, otherwise, we would have been very lonely, that’s for sure. Ciao.

SOLD!!!!!!

2008-06-28T17:33:00.002-04:00

We did it. It’s over. We have sold Plan B to a very nice guy we’ll call T, and his adorable, cuddly dog, B. This happened in record time – two days after our listing went up on the Internet with Catamarans.com, we got an offer, and negotiated with that buyer resulting in our sale. Our buyer is from England, which didn’t surprise us based on the value of the dollar today. He is planning to eventually sail to Croatia and charter there. At this point, he plans to keep the name of the boat. Especially when we told him about my screenplay and that in a few years, he’ll be able to charge a premium to sail on the original “Plan B.”

Good luck to T and B, and thank you to all our friends and family who supported us through this tumultuous time getting through our deal and paperwork. And it’s not quite over, as we just discovered the airline wants over $500.00 to change our tickets, so we will have to “suck it up” and stay on the island until Monday.

I had mixed feelings this afternoon. Naturally I’m thrilled to go home and see all our friends and family, and Celis! (It’s been over two months since we shipped her home to beat the airline heat restrictions.) But I’m sad our cruising days are over. It was definitely the most exciting – and challenging – time of our lives. Some of the best parts of our trip? Sharing the boat with our friends and family, catching a mahi mahi for dinner, snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, spotting dolphins and turtles, laying in the trampoline while underway, Celis fetching her water toys off the back of the boat, listening to a music festival from the boat in Tortola and meeting wonderful people all along the way. Last weekend, we were in an anchorage called Cinnamon Bay (just like the Kenny Chesney song) and we saw a spotted bat ray breach out of the water next to the boat. It was amazing.

Now the blog can take a whole new direction, the evolution of a screenplay. We are headed to the mountains for the fourth and see family and then I will start the journey of a screenwriter. As I’ve already mentioned, I have been working on a screenplay based on our experiences. We are very excited and thankful for our health, our sanity and the amazing friends and memories we have collected over the last year and a half.

Shalom.

Plan B Underway - Yes this '93 Venezia Catamaran 42' Could Be Yours

2008-05-28T14:09:00.002-04:00

Well, my fans have spoken. Apparently The Catamaran Company wants to post my interior video of Plan B on their home page. Thanks, guys. And now, what you have been waiting for - a tour of the outside of Plan B, while underway.

Take a Tour of Plan B, '93 Venezia 42' Catamaran For Sale

2008-05-22T11:22:00.002-04:00

Plan B is FOR SALE

2008-05-15T11:19:00.007-04:00

Well the day has finally come.. Plan B is officially FOR SALE. We have just posted our initial Plan B boat specs/brochure to the blog. (There will be more photos within the week.) If you or anyone you know is looking to buy a catamaran, this is definitely worth a look. There are not many used catamarans of this model, Fountaine Pejot Venezia, in this price range. (I believe it is one of the lowest priced cats currently in the Caribbean.) Right now the boat is docked at Crown Bay Marina, the closest marina to the airport in St. Thomas. Owner Captain H used to build boats at one point, and he put a lot of time and love into his baby, making improvements and maintaining the boat.

This boat is perfect for a couple who wants to do what we did - take a year or two off from the rat race, someone who wants to start up a charter business, or for baby boomers who are retiring. This area is one of the best cruising grounds in the world - some call the Virgin Islands the "World's Biggest Bath Tub."

One piece of advice from anyone who is looking to buy a used boat? H says he would never buy a boat without meeting with the owner to understand all of the nuances of the vessel.

And yes, with Plan B comes - Plan C, our trusty inflatable Caribe dinghy. Right now, we do NOT plan to split them up, you have to buy Plan B to get the dinghy.

Please spread the word and if you are new to the blog, you can click through to access our online brochure or feel free to contact us for more information.

I also just tried to post some of our favorite photos to Flickr for the slideshow. It is not showing all of the photos, so check back to see if you made the cut. I only used pictures taken on the boat to show off our awesome guests and crew over time.

As some of you know, this boat is also the basis for a screenplay of the same name. We might even see if you're interested in letting us film some scenes. What the heck, we'll throw in a couple of tickets to the premiere for the new owner. Fair Winds!

Whirl Wind Week Island Hopping with J

2008-05-10T08:55:00.003-04:00

Well, we got out of the boatyard in Tortola, actually by noonish the next day, Tuesday and headed straight over to the Bitter End Yacht Club where we had a few painkillers and bought a few souvenirs before heading back to the boat for dinner. J made us a simple but delicious dinner of grilled tenderloin, potatoes, and zucchini and squash and I made H’s mom’s oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for desert.

The next day, we saw dolphins on our sail over to Jost Van Dyke. We stopped at Foxy’s but ultimately decided to check out White Bay. It was maybe my favorite place in the British Virgin Islands during our whole trip. The Soggy Dollar is the notorious stop, as sailors used to have to swim in for a drink since there’s no dock. They had a tee shirt I loved that said, “MY NEXT HUSBAND WILL BE NORMAL.” (Thought about getting one for me, my mom and a few select girlfriends..) We met the owner, R, who seemed pretty happy, (although here’s some advice: lose the Blackberry dude, you’re killin the vibe! We’re trying to be off the grid – word?) After that we went to Geraldine’s on the Beach for our last supper in the BVI’s. I had lobster, H ordered ribs, and J the mahi mahi, but they only took cash and we only had a credit card. So, H and I thought it would be fun if he swam back to the boat for our money rather than drag the dinghy down from the beach and unlock it, etc.

Sure enough, he peeled down to his drawers in the dusk and ran out into the water. We cheered when we got to the boat and he did a back flip off the transom. Then I realized he forgot the front door boat key. I’m still not sure exactly how he managed to get in for the cash but sure enough, he swam back with the money in a little Pelican watertight box that someone had given me in the Turks and Caicos. It is supposed to keep your belongings dry and that one is made especially for an ipod. (We actually recently bought a bigger model for transporting the laptops to shore in the dinghy.) Well, I’m glad we tested it before swimming with my ipod (or the computers) because somehow the seal got comprised and the money was soaking wet – so, we too paid with soggy dollars.

The next day we headed to St. John. We stopped at Hawksbill Bay to have lunch and snorkel and then we went on to moor at Caneel Bay. We took the dinghy over to Great Cruz Bay and visited a few of Jason’s old haunts – Woody’s , the Beach Bar and La Tapa.

Yesterday we sailed over to the St. Thomas Yacht Club where J was the chef about five years ago. B was happy to see him and told us a few good stories, like recently someone drove through the front doors of the Yacht Club right before the Rolex Regatta. Then we walked over to see K at Robert’s American Grille and stayed for lunch on the beach. The view is gorgeous, but the food is better. We shared calamari and then I had a spinach salad with sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, bacon and just the right amount of cheese. H had a portabella mushroom sandwich with red peppers and J had the sirloin and chedder sandwich. K is an entertaining character. He is about 6”4’ and must weigh less than me. In fact, his logo is a tall stick figure that says “Trust the Thin Man – FOOD GOOD.” And you should. Definitely put this place on your list for your next trip to St. Tizzy (as our friends started calling it recently.)

So we sailed over to our new home at Crown Bay Marina in St. Thomas for our final leg and docked without too much drama. Now, J leaves today and H starts completing the spruce up so we can put this puppy up on the market. (The boat not the dog.) I am going to stay with a friend on land for a few days so we’ll see the progress upon my return.

Surprise - we are still at Nanny Cay

2008-05-06T09:32:00.004-04:00

So, we had a real nightmarish day yesterday. After waiting all morning, we finally got the boat put back in water, (see the picture of our boat in the lift) and then, one of the engines wouldn't start. H fixed it for an hour during the marina workers’ lunch break, which was lucky, because they usually have a tight schedule and would have another boat waiting to be taken in or out on the lift. We finally left, and went to provision and get fuel and water. But once we hit the open water, H realized it wasn't quite right, so we came back. They were able to take our boat out again, in fact, really quickly as far as island time goes – within minutes as opposed to our six hour wait a week ago. H fixed the propeller, after consulting an expert he figured out that the pitch was wrong. So we went back in the water again and immediately, we realized in his haste he put the propeller in backwards. Now that engine hammer goes forward and reverse in an opposite way of the other engine – a) not safe and b) causing potential major damage to that engine so we waited overnight here at an open boat slip (with no charge, if you can belive that) and now today we are hoping they can pull us out again so H can repair again. Will the third time be a charm?

My brother is actually being very cool and telling us he's just glad to be here but it sucks. Wish us luck!

Somehow, every time we plan to head to Anagoda, we get delayed and have to abandon that plan. Not sure it’s going to be in the cards this trip.

Leaving Nanny Cay, Tortola with J

2008-05-05T08:50:00.005-04:00

J got here yesterday after traveling for like 16 hours – he said he was “meandering” which I though was pretty funny. It was so great to see him. H and I spent some time together in the boat yard yesterday. I could barely get through a few hours, and have no idea how he spent practically a week on our boat in such disarray. It looked like a bomb went off in H’s tool room and one did, yesterday we set up a bug bomb “just in case.” There was no evidence of a problem afterwards, which made us really happy.

J lugged a big suitcase of books, magazines, and dvds for me, as well as Chai Tea and licorice. Thanks again, Mom, and J! And the iphone survived the trip, in J’s pocket. I was able to set it up in less than an hour and now have my own number, once again. If you get a call with a 424 area code, it just might be me. And now, we have current pictures again on the blog, as you can see.

But I might not call you this week. We are off to visit some of J’s favorite places in the British Virgin Islands – the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda – and H and I still want to try for Anagoda. Maybe this time we’ll finally make it.

A Pretty Typical Day in the Islands

2008-05-03T11:06:00.003-04:00

H came back to the room yesterday and informed me that we had a new challenge. He had some old rusty decrepid yet critical engine part that might need to be replaced and we had to go back into town. He promised me lunch if I came with. So, we went back to “Parts and Power” the local boat super store to get the part. H said it was a pretty common part and he noticed they had them in stock the day before when we went for another reason. When we got there, it turned out he was wrong and they had two on backorder. Ut oh. So, they tried to pry the old engine piece (called an elbow) of off another part and couldn’t.

They then sent us to a machine shop called NauTools near the Moorings Charter Center in Road Town. At NauTools, they looked concerned and said they couldn’t promise us anything, and we should come back by 5pm. We went and had a nice lunch and went back to NauTools an hour and a half later. The part was still lying on the counter where we had left it. I think somewhere between lunch and returning to the machine shop I realized that if we didn’t get this solved, we would be in big trouble. H had also expressed concern that they not break the part when removing it. We are due to be put back in the water on Monday, and my brother, J, is arriving tomorrow (this picture is from a spring training game in March) for a week of cruising the BVI’s. Without that part, we would be stuck in the boatyard for as long as it took to get the part ordered. Those of you who have heard some of our other tales might remember that we waited in the Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico for months at a time waiting on parts.

So, H insisted on going inside the little machine shop and planting ourselves in front of the staff so they would take pity on us. We asked if they minded if we waited inside and the man said, yes, but we sat down anyway. After awhile, they brought our part in the back to the machinists. Finally, we got the news – a dude got the part off – and he didn’t break it. Whew. I guess the Visa commercial would go like this:

Three cab rides in town for two people: $12, $10, and $14 = $36

Lunch while waiting for machinist: $30

Machinist shop charges: $75

Having engine fixed on time so boat can back in the water and we can go sailing with brother: priceless!

We got back to the hotel and H went to the boatyard, and I went back to the room. A few hours later we ordered a pizza and watched a movie and crashed. Around 4am, we were woken by the craziest noise – a cat being attacked and screaming. We weren’t sure if he was getting pecked by a bird he was after, or what. He kept moaning and crying, and then it sounded like a baby wailing. It kept going for awhile so H opened the door and looked outside our room. He said something that struck me as really ridiculous, like, “hey, you get outta here!” and then came back and told me that it was actually two cats fighting under our window. I guess I never heard a cat fight before, but now that expression will have a whole new meaning for me. H says this hotel is becoming like the one in My Cousin Vinny.

By the way, I recognize the comment made on the last set of complaints. L, you are right, but then again, if I always wrote about how great things are, people probably wouldn’t read this at all. It would be too boring!

Oh yeah, I should have a working camera again by Monday – J is bringing my new iphone. So excited! Going with AT&T also means we’ll have a working phone even when we are in the BVI’s next week..

Wonderful News from Home - Neil’s a “Rare Success Story”

2008-05-02T09:04:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I went outside and held my laptop at a certain angle so my online phone, Skype , would connect. My mom, Ann, let me know that my dad, Neil, had unbelievable news. He has been kicked out of the oncology department of the Phoenix V.A. Hospital. The reason? The doctor says he’s a “rare success story.” After a five-year battle, he has beat cancer. To make a long story short, Neil was in Vietnam and got sinus cancer from Agent Orange. (I don’t know if he’d want me to share the long story. I’ll ask him.) He’s been staying positive and become a lot more spiritual over the past few years. He has been very involved in building a new Jewish community, as Vice President of Congregation Eitz Chaim, in Awatukee, (where we all live in Phoenix.) Neil is getting ready to close AnnNeil Antiques this year and retire. He’s excited to become a grandfather when my sister, Amy, has her baby later this month. He plans to help our Rabbi conduct a naming service over Skype, since Amy lives in Hawaii. We were so glad that Neil and Ann came out to visit us in Turks and Caicos this summer and put in some sailing time on Plan B. This is a picture of Neil in Grace Bay, Providenciales, on that trip. Congratulations, Neil! We love you!

More Nanny Cay Hotel Observations

2008-05-01T08:09:00.002-04:00

For the past two days at Nanny Cay Hotel , we have been woken in the four a.m. hour to the sounds of some exotic tropic birds singing. H thought they are mistaking the hotel’s spotlight for the sun. I wonder if anyone else has called to complain about this. We haven’t. (Hello, this is room 105, can you please get rid of the singing birds near our room? Thanks.)

The beds are extremely cheap and sunken in, and H is complaining that he’d be more comfortable sleeping on the boat, except for not having air conditioning. Great.

Yesterday, after seeing the amenities list in the room, I asked the hotel where the gym is, and I was told that another guest lost the key and now no one can use it. This morning, I walked around the property, dodging speeding cars on their way to work and decided to try harder. I told the front desk attendant that H was a locksmith and that we would be glad to talk to the owner and unlock the gym. This woman informed me that there’s a sign on the gym with a phone number. When I found the gym and this sign, it said Dr. Rod’s Personal Training. Oy Vey. This is how it is here and I know I should just shut up and leave them alone but on the other hand, why can’t I use the stupid gym? They shouldn’t list it then.

One good thing, the housekeeping service left us a bag of clean towels on the door yesterday when they couldn’t get in to clean, which was appreciated. And they do have cable TV and Internet, although the net is up and down all day long or else our room is too far from the wireless source to get a good connection.

Off to Road Town this morning. See ya.

Nanny Cay Marina and Resort First Impressions

2008-04-30T09:45:00.004-04:00

This past week on the way here, we visited Foxy’s at Jost Van Dyke, Quitos at Cane Garden Bay (pictured from prev. trip) with friends and then we went to Peter Island for a few days and stopped at the new Ocean’s Seven Beach Club.

Yesterday was a trying day, to say the least. Our cell phone is roaming here, which costs $3.50 a minute, so we used the VHF radio, and called Nanny Cay Marina and Hotel several times Monday to confirm our haul out time. They gave us different times – first, they said 11:30am, then 9:30am. We showed at 9:11am and called them over the boat radio, and a woman told us to standby. Then, an hour later H took the dinghy over to find out what was the hold up, and they accused us of missing our haul out time. Then, they were saying wait until 1pm, or maybe 3pm. We sat in a slip, across from the haul out area, waiting (and fuming) for about six hours. You can be sure that if we were keeping the boatyard waiting we would be charged for six hours of their time.

Anyway, once we got hauled out, we had an attitude adjustment (us not them.) They scraped and power washed the bottom of the boat and set it on blocks in the yard. I packed up some clothes and food and went to check into the little hotel. We actually get 20% off since we are using the boatyard services.

I walked into the room to find two double beds so I went back and was told that it costs extra to get two queen size beds, and more for a single king bed, which is considered a “suite.” The room rates actually go down tomorrow from $200 a night to $120 a night since they consider May the beginning of their slow season. So, I decided to stick with the first room.

Also I had noticed a sign saying marina showers near the lobby and was praying we had a private bathroom and shower, and we did. Whew.

Service wise, when one of the workers saw us approaching our boat yesterday, he immediately brought us a ladder and told H that he would be arriving at 7am for work this morning. We are paying for them to do the work this time, versus having H do it and then pay to have it fixed, like the last time.

Overall, having once stayed on our boat, in a boatyard in Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos islands, I am thrilled. (There were no hotel options there.) There are a couple of fun restaurants here within walking distance as well as a few shops and a chandlery (food store.) I understand there’s a laundry facility somewhere and we plan to wash everything, including comforters, curtains, and seat cushions. There’s also a beautiful little beach with lounge chairs and a swimming pool.

There happens to be a huge number of dogs around, which makes me miss C even more. I have counted like ten so far today - usually we are the only ones w/ a dog. But it is super hot and she’s probably happier in the air conditioning in Phoenix.

Nanny Cay has a few live web cams happening, so if you are really interested you can take a look for us online.

Exciting news. My bro is coming next Monday to visit. We will be leaving the boat yard and hopefully heading over to a few of the other British Virgin Islands, maybe even Anagoda. Later today, we might cab over to Road Town for a boat part. All for now.

Chunky Monkey

2008-04-25T09:45:00.002-04:00

Yes, this is the AFTER picture of C. She gained 7 pounds over the past year but overall she is doing well in readjusting to life in the desert. We all decided to have her shaved to insure that no island insects, tics, or fleas survived the trip to AZ.

Today we leave for the British Virgin Islands: Jost Van Dyke and then Tortola, and maybe Peter and Norman Islands, depending on how long our friends stay on - J and J are coming for at least an overnight, and maybe C. Tuesday morning we check into the marina at Nanny Cay to haul out the boat. I am hoping J and J will bring a camera so we can share later.

Happy Face Foods’ Lick the Vote

2008-04-23T11:17:00.006-04:00

Remember when I mentioned that St. Thomas-based ice cream company, Happy Face Foods, is planning to get political on us and release two new flavors inspired by the Democratic race? Well, the company revealed that they are going with “Holy Hillary ” and “ O'Bama Blast” and both flavors will be a vanilla and chocolate milkshake. I also stand corrected on an ice cream fact, it’s vanilla that outsells other flavors by approximately five to one. Anyway, you can go to Ice Cream Vote and learn more. Will Happy Face export their new flavors to Michigan and Florida? They should. Go Holy Hillary!

Delta Pet Service - Lacking is the Description that Comes to Mind

2008-04-23T11:03:00.007-04:00

C is safe and sound in Phoenix after her journey. What irks me is that although we had reserved and discussed her trip with Delta several times, things did not go as planned. We booked a kennel in Atlanta and paid Delta $100 extra for her to be taken from her first flight from St. Thomas and stay overnight, and then be put on her second morning flight to Phoenix. Instead, apparently they just decided to throw her onto a departing flight for Phoenix and she arrived in Phoenix Monday night and spent the night there in the Cargo office. It was climate controlled and the Delta team told my parents that they did walk and feed the dog. However, no one called to let us know where she was.

The next morning, we looked up her flight and tried to track her online. Instead, we saw the word “Missing Cargo.” H called Delta and that’s when we learned that she was sitting in Phoenix. Delta also claims we couldn’t have picked her up before 8:30am when Customs opened but it still would have been nice to know she was safe. I’m also not sure why we should still pay an extra $100. The last time I wrote an angry letter to Delta it was ignored so I’m not terribly motivated to try, but I do have the benefit of time on my hands.

So, C is gone and the boat seems very empty without her. Another sad development was the coincidental loss of my camera over the weekend. Even though my Pentax Optio was waterproof and I have taken it snorkeling numerous times, somehow it didn’t make it on Sunday. It does have a 12 month warranty so even though we purchased it in Providenciales, I’ll dig up the receipt if possible and send it back to the manufacturer. They warn it will take awhile to be resolved but I’m pretty used to that pace after the past year! We ordered new lights for the boat over a month ago now and they still haven’t come in from Miami. WTF. After we get them, we can finally confirm our reservations for the boat yard (now tentatively next Tuesday) and get on track for putting this catamaran up for sale.

Thank Goodness This Never Happened to Us

2008-04-19T08:33:00.006-04:00

Yahoo reported that Snickers the cocker spaniel was abandoned on a South Pacific island when its owners were rescued by people who wouldn't take their dog. (tried to post the video above.) If I had heard about this before our trip I highly doubt we would have brought C along.

In fact, this morning I walked by a woman at the Wyndham who barely spoke to me when I said hi and then later when H picked me up on the beach, she was suddenly super friendly and said, "oh, how's your dog?" We said, fine, thanks for asking. We are really going to be lonely when she leaves as most of our friends are a direct result of being in her company.

Today we are off to Hans Lolek (almost 100% sure) and looking forward to snorkeling although we've been told there are sharks there..Oy vay.

Celly’s Last Weekend on the Boat

2008-04-18T09:59:00.005-04:00

Yesterday our friends J and J really helped us out. First, they gave us a ride to take C to the vet for a health certificate and then later, J drove H to pick up a new crate for her to travel home in. It's kind of incredible that they had the size crate we needed on this island. We had had one originally but chucked it when we left FL due to space constraints.

So, C has a flight Monday to leave St. Thomas and head to Atlanta, where there’s a special airline kennel who will pick her up, take her picture, feed her and let her run around before lights out. Then they’ll put her on the plane Tuesday morning bound for Phoenix.

We are, or at least I am, still a little nervous about saying goodbye at the airport, (as I am going to stay here and help with the boat), but the airlines have heat restrictions which will start going into effect when it hits 85 degrees here or by May 15, in the case of Delta. Since we have decided to sell the boat, it’s time for her to leave the island.

Unfortunately, C weighed in at 87 pounds at the vet yesterday. I think the vet wanted her to get to 70? I am hoping that she will lose weight now that she will have two dogs to chase and a yard to run around. I am also hoping that certain family members will not overindulge her as she is very good at acting cute and hungry. She seems to have a bit of an obsession with food (like the rest of us in my family, I guess.)

During our trip, C loved sailing, swimming in the ocean, running on the beach and especially, at our current anchorage in Water Bay, walking through the Funghi’s restaurant and sniffing the floor for crumbs. We are pretty sure no one will talk to us after she is gone, as just about everyone we have met has started by petting her and commenting on her being here.

Thanks in advance to my rents and bro who will be taking care of her until we get back.

d

Goodbye St. John

2008-04-16T10:57:00.002-04:00

We had a really relaxing time at the Westin St. John for the past two days. We just said goodbye to J and C, who were amazing boat guests, probably because they work on mega yachts, so they are extremely considerate, helpful, and knowledgable, as well as two of the sweetest, most fun people we have met on our travels. They spent 10 days on Plan B and then we all grabbed rooms at the Westin for the past two nights.

We are getting ready to pack up and head out. H has made a tentative reservation for C our dog who will fly home Monday if all goes well, and then H and I will figure out next steps – cleaning the boat, taking pictures, etc.