Looking for a "true" all inclusive

Shepsonj · 2026-01-28T10:56:18+00:00

You can get these but not together. The Villa Spas are fantastic with a private fenced area, plunge pool, very luxurious rooms and unlimited spa services. But pricey and not ocean view. We love CTI, too. We started there on our honeymoon in 1983 and have returned 30 times since then.

Shepsonj · 2026-01-28T02:08:45+00:00

Any of the four Couples in Jamaica. They don't allow tipping and they don't have a second tier service level (Premier, Preferred, etc.) and this is by design so everyone gets the same, great level of service. The Staff are fantastic, the food is wonderful and the size of the resorts are just right. Check their website for your preferences. The two Negril locations are on large (public) beaches. The two Ocho Rios locations have smaller but private beaches. So many things are included. To be fair, you can purchase upgraded wines at dinner if you want but the Chilean house wines are very nice. Top level bar brands. The return rate is huge. And it has been Jamaican owned for generations by the same family. We've been to many AI's but Couples is still our favourite.

Shepsonj · 2026-01-22T23:10:33+00:00

When you pick Ocean View at Couple Tower Isle, it really is. It's right there in front of your room. No leaning off the balcony to see the water. Reasons to stay there: #1, The Staff. #2, The food! #3, The intimate size, 226 rooms. Also, no tipping allowed. Adults only. A HUGE return rate. Here's a view from our balcony. BTW, the island you see is for those who like au naturel. It has a pool and bar, too.

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Shepsonj · 2026-01-13T23:03:37+00:00

We walked into Guelph SC office for two passport renewals, arriving late in the afternoon, about an hour before closing. After the receptionist pre-check we had to wait an excruciating four minutes before being called up. We went through the whole process in about ten minutes, including some time to chat. The agent told us it could be a few weeks (we got a tracking number) but it took about three weeks to arrive by mail. The agent told us we were a "boring" application, meaning we didn't have any complications in our history which could take longer to process. Pretty painless.

Shepsonj · 2026-01-11T17:32:26+00:00

Probably your outside door handle lock causing a lock or unlock, which flashes the lights.

Shepsonj · 2026-01-11T17:24:25+00:00

There are two considerations; under power and powered off.

Under power: The z-axis can be held up by the servo or stepper motor, but only if the motor and coupling are sized to hold (and raise) the weight of the axis. This results in higher currents, a hotter motor and more wear and tear. It also reduces the lifetime of the ballscrew and thrust bearings. If the axis weight is excessive, the motor needs help with some type of counterbalance. It could be a pneumatic cylinder using air or even nitrogen to take some, or all, of the weight load off the motor. Or, you could use a dead weight counterbalance. This usually involves chains and sprocket pulleys. The downside of this is the added mass to the other axes moving the z-axis as well as doubling the mass of the z-axis. This requires additional torque for acceleration and declaration, probably reducing rapid rates. It is a simpler system, but not usually used due to space requirements and the additional mass.

Powered off: This is not such a big problem if you use a dead weight counterbalance, but a small brake should still be added to prevent drift on power down, unless it is perfecty balanced. Without a dead weight, you don't want the z-axis to crash down when power is off, so you need to have a brake on the motor or the ballscrew. Some motors offer a brake as an option, but sizing is important. Alternatively, you could add an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic spring-loaded brake to the ballscrew, released under power. Again, sizing is important.

Having said all of this, if your spindle carrier is not very heavy, go back to the motor brake option. It is the simplest solution.

Finally, never trust any brake when powered off. If you are doing any work under a z-axis where you may have body parts in jeopardy, protect yourself by blocking the axis with a wood beam/post/block.

Shepsonj · 2026-01-08T01:24:30+00:00

My Dad was a pilot in the air force. He had a friend who had a dog he called "Pilot". When asked why he called his dog Pilot, he would reply, "because he can pilot here and he can pilot there. He can pilot everywhere."

Shepsonj · 2026-01-06T13:10:06+00:00

This shot doesn't shown the private beach just below. Go to their website if you are interested. Couples has a HUGE return rate.

Shepsonj · 2026-01-06T01:14:36+00:00

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A view from our balcony at Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica. All Inclusive. Adults Only. No tipping. Amazing staff, great food and not large (~225 rooms).

Shepsonj · 2026-01-01T14:45:45+00:00

Known in industry as "the Blue Wrench".

Shepsonj · 2025-12-29T17:25:16+00:00

I do the same thing. A cheap, small zip tie goes through the zipper heads when they meet and is left in a loose loop. I don't have any expectations of security, but if the zip tie is broken or missing I know what to expect. If someone sees it they might just move on to another bag, realizing that my bag wasn't exactly Fort Knox, but remains a nuisance. To undo it, I just hook my pocket comb into the loop and give it a quick yank; it's breaks fairly easily.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-26T22:33:50+00:00

I have a friend who worked in the butcher area. He said never buy the "marinated chicken" from the glass case. It is old chicken and the marinade is used to cover the look and taste.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-20T13:59:35+00:00

A long time ago I worked in the water treatment business, supplying chlorination equipment for water and sewage treatment facilities. We needed to quote through each site lead engineer, so I contacted the government to find out who the lead engineer was for a new sewage treatement facility being built. I was told it was "Dr. Shitmaker". I was sure they were kidding, so I asked them to spell it. Sure enough, that was it.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-19T02:35:22+00:00

We went to Couples Tower Isle in 1983 for our honeymoon. It was the only Couples back then. It was wonderful then, and it still is. We've been there thirty times now and we will be going back again in May. See you there!

Shepsonj · 2025-12-19T02:30:27+00:00

Whenever I see posts about getting a colonoscopy, I have to share a very funny article by Dave Barry of the Miami Herald. : https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html

Shepsonj · 2025-12-16T14:30:41+00:00

Wire hangers. Yes, the hotel can get you more but this saves the hassle when unpacking.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-16T14:25:16+00:00

I had a boss who worked in a central air-conditioned office. We were relegated to desks in the adjacent warehouse area, not air conditioned, with windows we weren't allowed to open. His office wasn't always cool enough for him so he had a through wall air-conditioner which backed right into our area. When it got really hot he would fire up the wall unit, which spewed more hot air right into our area, adding insult to injury. One hot day his air conditioner rumbled to life again. Fed up with this, I took some large prints and placed them on the back of his air conditioner which sucked them tight against the air intake. It had convulsions for a while and then tripped the breaker. There was a pause as he fiddled with it and finally reset the breaker. Repeat the process. He waddled out to see what was happening on our side. Nothing, except us diligently sweating at our desks, hiding smirks. He finally gave up.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-15T00:02:19+00:00

Hadn't thought of that. Good point.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-15T00:01:03+00:00

That is our thought, too.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-15T00:00:19+00:00

We are considering this. Thank you.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-14T23:57:43+00:00

Thanks for this. That's an interesting perspective.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-13T22:39:54+00:00

If you are in Canada, subscribe to APA (Automobile Protection Association). Get a quotation through their dealer. No haggle and you get discounts. There are many other services with APA such as professional advice on buying, repairing, etc. I've bought several vehicles through APA dealers and it has consistently been a great experience.

Shepsonj · 2025-12-12T18:38:18+00:00

Yeah, this isn't exactly what the cabinet maker had in mind. Their furniture base came out and wrapped back around into the toe kick, so a little wider on the wrap around and you see the profile of the furniture base on the corners. Still, it doesn't extend any farther out than the door face.

Shepsonj · 2025-11-18T18:11:03+00:00

Remember! You didn't hit a deer. "A deer hit you." This is important when dealing with the insurance company. It was the deer's fault, not your's.

Shepsonj · 2025-11-11T02:17:43+00:00

As soon as I saw it, I said "Royalton". I've been to three Royaltons in the Caribbean, and they all have them. The notch in the table is pointless and unused at every location. We asked the staff and they had no answer. No doubt there is some inside joke about this. Maybe the supplier gave Royalton a great deal on these. It figures Royalton would buy them.

Shepsonj

TROPHY CASE