USVI-On-Line

It's Sunday in Raleigh. It's about 40 and it's pouring. The kid and I are at a Denny's. Mom's been dropped off at RDU for her flight to Orlando. She's off to visit her ailing father and I'm getting my one week of the year to play Mr. Mom. It's funny. Because I travel all the time, when I'm home alone with the beast, it's like the one week of the year when the divorced dad gets the kid. So...I'd promised breakfast as a way to curry favor and entice good behavior. Denny's it was. Good thing I didn't choose Cracker Barrel or I'd have missed out on a good story.

We were waiting for our food when a waiter came by to top off my coffee.

Him: More coffee?
Me: (barely looking up because, at this point, I've been up for over an hour, it's dark out and I have not had nearly enough coffee) Mrph
Him: St. John bracelet. Right?
Me: (Lights up) Yes!
Him: I got married there and have vacationed there.
Me: So have we. We love it there!

Mountains of food arrive and we start eating.

He comes back to top me off again

Him: Ever been to The Beach Bar?
Me: I spent my birthday there this past year. I had a round of beers there (with Ruth).
Him: Good for you. That's great. Have you ever seen that website On-St. John?
Me: (Laughs). I'm Rob. (Pauses for recognition). The guy in the hula skirt.
Him: (Laughs). Oh yea. It's a small world.

We keep eating.

He comes back to top me off again.

Him: Rob in the hula skirt. (Half laughs, half shakes his head)
Me: Yea. (Because, what can you say when you've gone out, dressed in a bra and danced in front of a video camera.)

We talked about Lindy and he made mention of "The forum".

Little did he know that I was already writing this post in my head. Of course, if he "knows" me at all, he knows that this is going to be written up, exaggerated somewhat, and posted for all to see.

So...Hi Bennie. Nice to have met you and to have shared a little sunshine on a miserable day.

how were the pancakes?

Not bad. Too many though. We have 4 sitting in the fridge.

no pics?

I was talking to a guy a few weeks ago I see in the gym all the time sporting St. John or Virgin Islands shirts.

He's probably about to get back home now, captained a rented boat in the BVI for New Years.

I wasnt thinking small world, I was thinking "what a jerk!"

j/k

I'll have to see if he's here and if not, point him over and see if he will provide a trip report.

That's a good story.

It is amazing what a St. John bracelet can do. Nice story.

Good stuff! The bracelet and the petroglyph seem to be to good passwords.

I get introduced as "that St. John guy" sometimes - "Do you know Rick? Maybe you met on St. John when you stopped there for a day on that cruise?" Not so good.

Cheers, RickG

That's a really great story! Funny!

I was at the doctor this morning due to a little too much wine and dancing and a twisted knee.... Anyways the doctor happens to be a neighbor of mine who has a timeshare at the Westin. No discussing the knee for a while, it was all about St. John and when we're each going back!