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Posted 12/5/2010 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
I've been busy at work and also planning for an upcoming cruise (we fly out on Saturday and sail on Sunday for a week). I have also been under the weather with some intestinal problems.

Anyway, I did plan to be offline during our cruise. Ha:

My University (I am aa math prof) said I have to be in contact with them. The only way will be the internet. So, I will take my netbook and pay $100 for 250 minutes. They want to be able to be in contact in case any grade or other issues come up. They really insisted on it. I did tell them that means this cruise is a business trip, so they should be reimbursing me for this "conference." I did get a "grin-email" (ie: a smiley face) in response.

Mel

Posted 12/5/2010 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
If they need/insist you are in contact, it would only be proper business for them to pay for the internet fees during your trip.
Posted 12/6/2010 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I would INSIST on being reimbursed for that C-note.. OR, "The wireless system on the cruise ship overloaded and failed, I could not get online...Sorry..." In other words, I'm on vacation, you people deal with it...
Posted 12/6/2010 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, I did mention that.

They won't do it.

All they want is a telephone number in case they need to contact us.

But my cell phone does not work abroad and the ship contact number is only for dire emergencies, at $16 per minute. So, that leaves email.

No big deal. Let's face it, it's also an excuse for me to do some internet stuff!!

Frankly, they ask for this information every semester at this time and I think they only had to contact me

once in 7 years.

So it really amounts to my just checking email every couple of days.

But we know I'll probaby do more. I might check in with HW once or twice.

I think there is also a cheaper internet plan but at a much higher cost per minute.

Mel

 

Posted 12/6/2010 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
so much for your cancer free vacation week, lol
Posted 12/6/2010 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
I am pretty sure that all major cruise lines have a computer room with a bunch of computers where you can sign into your email account once a day for 5-10 minutes. It should cost you a lot less than $100 for the week. At least Princess and Celebrity had well equipped rooms (the two lines I have been on)

It is not as convenient as buying a wireless package that you can use from your cabin with your own laptop, but if you are just anticipating maybe 1 or 2 emails from the school, I think $10-$20 should cover it for the week.

I do remember that certain times of the day the computer room had a line to get in (but other times was near empty.

Dan
Posted 12/6/2010 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
$100 for 250 minutes of internet access on ship sounds pretty reasonable.  When we went to Europe for a river cruise we used my wife's Blackberry for email and it worked well.

Personally, I don't know why your university insists that you keep in contact when school's out.  If there are any grade or other issues, you can deal with them when you return.  You're on vacation for Pete's sake.  Some other professor who's on campus can show a student how to solve a quadratic equation.  My college is more flexible. 

Enjoy your trip! 

Tim

Posted 12/6/2010 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Tim:

My University if normally very flexible, easygoing, etc.

I really was surprised that they insist on being able to contact profs. during the break.

Oh, well, it is a total non-issue as far as I am concerned. As I said, normally a telephone number is sufficient.

Yes, I can probably get a much less costly (total dollars) internet plan. I think this is an excuse (the 250 minutes plan) to feed my computer addiction.

Mel

Posted 12/6/2010 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
How is this relative to anything related to PCa?
Posted 12/6/2010 5:33 AM (GMT 0)

Red Nighthawk,

Strictly speaking, this thread has nothing directly to do with prostate cancer, but it seems to me to be indirectly related, at least as far as my own personal experience with prostate cancer.

I remember the importance of my first vacation after receiving a PCa diagnosis and being treated six months later. It was such a relief to get away with my wife from the  anxiety about what the next PSA would be and other recovery issues.

The moderators are good guys and I'll go with their judgment about whether to pull the plug on irrelevant threads.  I agree that in general posts should be more directly concerned with the purpose of the forum, to provide information and support for those with prostate cancer.  

We used to have a thread about where people were from.  What does it have to do with PCa?  Nothing, but it seemed to help a lot of us feel like we knew each other better.  Prostate cancer, of course, creates an instant brotherhood, without which none of us would be here.

All the best on your recovery!

Tim     

Posted 12/6/2010 8:07 AM (GMT 0)
From my experience, there should be a way where the university can contact you if they need to without you having to break the vacation mind-set and log in every day. There should be a number they can call or send a fax to, with the cruise ship operator, where the cruise ship operator can then relay a message or a fax to you.

That way you can keep your mind in "vacation mode" and not be tempted to check this bulletin board or anything else PC related, when you are supposed to be on vacation!

enjoy!
Posted 12/6/2010 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
This is very much related to PC. Mel could have used the C-note towards Viagra, now he gets shorted a few woods
Posted 12/6/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Gimpy -- I loved your response.

Nighthawk -- you must be having a bad day. We are a family here and every one in a while, we actually share something that may not be directly related to PC. Trust me -- it's allowed (in moderation, of course).

But, actually, it is very much related, although I didn't elaborate. The cruise is kind of my bucket list. All of a sudden, I realize my future might not follow that of my father, who passed away at age 97. So, frankly, my mindset is to try and do a few things sooner, RATHER THAN LATER. This will be our first cruise and my dx. really did spur me on to do this.

Mel

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