For years I refused to take a cruise because someone always invited me in September, “hurricane season.” However, I’ve learned since then that, technically, hurricane season is half the year.

In September of 2003, I was asked to speak on a cruise, and off I went … into the eye of Hurricane Isabelle.

We didn’t know this when we emb

Our fears can also be irrational. We recognize this when we see it in others – the child who thinks all dogs bite, or the adult who’s afraid to ride in an elevator. When we have a fear like that, we know intellectually it’s irrational, but we don’t feel that way about it emotionally.

I'm reminded of this as Halloween comes around. My field is Emotional Intelligence (EQ), including EQ at work. I have always written before the December holidays about the emotional issues managers and CEOs must prepare for. They center around religion, which we feel strongly about, one way or another, and how to make everyone happy is a continuing challenge with our growing diversity.

Those feelings are strong, but they can't compare to the fear that generates at Halloween, which is now the second most celebrated holiday in the US.

I’m not a native Texan, and I'll never forget my first Halloween here. The town I moved to is 60% Hispanic, and there's this thing they do where they dress skeletons like a bride and groom. I found this creepy! There's a lot that goes on around Halloween that's creepy, and “creepy” is in the eyes – and minds – of the beholders.

Halloween triggers two things we don't like around an office -- (1) It's "childish," and (2) It's creepy. And each person has their own level of "creepy tolerance."

We can put up a Christmas tree in an office and get little flack, but try putting out a skull and crossbones.

Now I’m going to relate this to the hurricane that is circling around Yucatan as I write, and heading for Florida at the rate of about 5 miles an hour.

For years I refused to take a cruise because someone always invited me in September, “hurricane season.” However, I’ve learned since then that, technically, hurricane season is half the year.

In September of 2003, I was asked to speak on a cruise, and off I went … into the eye of Hurricane Isabelle.

We didn’t know this when we emba

Those feelings are strong, but they can't compare to the fear that generates at Halloween, which is now the second most celebrated holiday in the US.

I’m not a native Texan, and I'll never forget my first Halloween here. The town I moved to is 60% Hispanic, and there's this thing they do where they dress skeletons like a bride and groom. I found this creepy! There's a lot that goes on around Halloween that's creepy, and “creepy” is in the eyes – and minds – of the beholders.

Halloween triggers two things we don't like around an office -- (1) It's "childish," and (2) It's creepy. And each person has their own level of "creepy tolerance."

We can put up a Christmas tree in an office and get little flack, but try putting out a skull and crossbones.

Now I’m going to relate this to the hurricane that is circling around Yucatan as I write, and heading for Florida at the rate of about 5 miles an hour.

For years I refused to take a cruise because someone always invited me in September, “hurricane season.” However, I’ve learned since then that, technically, hurricane season is half the year.

In September of 2003, I was asked to speak on a cruise, and off I went … into the eye of Hurricane Isabelle.

We didn’t know this when we emb

I’m not a native Texan, and I'll never forget my first Halloween here. The town I moved to is 60% Hispanic, and there's this thing they do where they dress skeletons like a bride and groom. I found this creepy! There's a lot that goes on around Halloween that's creepy, and “creepy” is in the eyes – and minds – of the beholders.

Halloween triggers two things we don't like around an office -- (1) It's "childish," and (2) It's creepy. And each person has their own level of "creepy tolerance."

We can put up a Christmas tree in an office and get little flack, but try putting out a skull and crossbones.

Now I’m going to relate this to the hurricane that is circling around Yucatan as I write, and heading for Florida at the rate of about 5 miles an hour.

For years I refused to take a cruise because someone always invited me in September, “hurricane season.” However, I’ve learned since then that, technically, hurricane season is half the year.

In September of 2003, I was asked to speak on a cruise, and off I went … into the eye of Hurricane Isabelle.

We didn’t know this when we emb

Halloween triggers two things we don't like around an office -- (1) It's "childish," and (2) It's creepy. And each person has their own level of "creepy tolerance."

We can put up a Christmas tree in an office and get little flack, but try putting out a skull and crossbones.

Now I’m going to relate this to the hurricane that is circling around Yucatan as I write, and heading for Florida at the rate of about 5 miles an hour.

For years I refused to take a cruise because someone always invited me in September, “hurricane season.” However, I’ve learned since then that, technically, hurricane season is half the year.

In September of 2003, I was asked to speak on a cruise, and off I went … into the eye of Hurricane Isabelle.

We didn’t know this when we emb

For years I refused to take a cruise because someone always invited me in September, “hurricane season.” However, I’ve learned since then that, technically, hurricane season is half the year.

In September of 2003, I was asked to speak on a cruise, and off I went … into the eye of Hurricane Isabelle.

We didn’t know this when we embarked, we only learned about it as rumor and passengers began to get worried. Being quasi-staff, I heard the crew side of it. They weren't concerned about safety as much as extra work. They had to batten down the hatches, calm people, and cancel excursions as they diverted the ship.

Now that’s a multi-million dollar ship to consider, so trust me, you’re safe. You actually can't be safer than on a cruise ship. Well, I mean you're safe in Boise, Idaho, but as far as where the hurricane might be actually heading. The ship can easily, easily outrun the hurricane. If you're sitting in Key West, or Cozumel, not so. You can't move. Think about it rationally – what does it take to outrun something moving at 5 miles an hour?

In fact my friend tells me that when he was in the navy in Vietnam, they'd duck in and out of a hurricane in order to wash the ship. Five miles an hour, as you know, is very slow.

What happened is we went to Belize instead of Grand Cayman, and encountered some bumpy water and it was windy, but no one was allowed outside, and it basically just made a great story to tell. My fear of cruising during hurricane season was irrational, and when confronted by reality, dispelled. Therefore, when I hear "cruise and hurricane" my emotional reaction is not one of fear. If I were in Key West right now, I would be scared, and my heart goes out to those in the possible path.

There's no feeling that isn't accompanied by a thought, you see. When I hear "hurricane and cruise," my thoughts don't scare me. And looking at two skeleton dolls dressed like a bride and groom isn't going to hurt you, it's the