Thumping Our Way Through Disneyland.

[dwheatl]

Fun pictures. I can hardly wait for Monday, and our San Diego trip. No SW for us, but we'll be staying right next to it.
The sharks give me the creeps. Have you seen Jaws 3 in 3D? Stupid movie, but it does include a giant shark bursting through the glass at an amusement park. I always think of that at SW.

 

[pkondz]

Ok…So after battling a 3 day migraine, I am finally able to stare at my computer long enough to discern what pictures are what.

That sucks. Sorry to hear about that Heather, but glad you’re feeling better now.

Gah, I loathe not feeling well.

And yet… so many, many people truly enjoy it!

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

Okay, I can see that being hit by a ton of bricks might cause some discomfort. Heck, I’ll bet that being hit in the head by one brick would sting at least a little.

We last left our fair maiden wondering if she would ever be reunited with her Knight in Shining Armor.

Why are the maidens always fair in stories? No unfair maidens? Not even a bit of a cheating maiden?

“Wait a sec! That’s a two headed coin! That’s not fair!”
“Oh, yes it is. I’m a fair maiden.”

As luck would have it, he came bounding around the mountain on his trusty steed only to sweep our dazzling princess off her feet and carry her off into the sunset, only to live happily ever after.

The end. Thanks for the TR!

…ok, fine…he walked around the entrance from Manta and caught me taking pictures of the ride.

Same thing.

We take out our trusty map and try to figure out what to do next.

We just went from a trusty steed to a trusty map. A downgrade if I’ve ever heard one.

Shipwreck Rapids is just around the corner from Manta, so we saunter that way to check it out.

I reiterate… I would’ve sashayed. But to each his or her own.

At the end of the ride, we were soaked. You could literally ring out our clothes and be left with a puddle under our feet.

What could you do figuratively?

I was tempted to pay the $5 for the walk in dryer, but decided against it. This is after all the reason you go on a water ride…to get wet right?

Well… some people do. Others get upset when they get wet… no matter how many signs that bluntly say, “You WILL get wet”.

But…

Walk in dryer? I think I’d pay the $5 just to try it.

Of course now, my eye is really irritating me, and getting hit in the face with water from the ride hasn’t helped at all.

Uh, oh.

I’ve probably scratched my eye in the process and that’s what I’m feeling.

That’s what I was thinking too.

I put my sunglasses back on to hide the now red hideous eye.

Why seek medical attention when you can just hide it?
Makes sense to me.

This one in particular was doing everything in its power to get onto the sand, but just couldn’t quite shimmy far enough.

I’m telling ya… If that turtle had sashayed instead of shimmied, he’d’ve made it.

Eventually all his hard work getting to where he was, got washed away as he slowly slide back into the water.

Fail!

Poor ‘lil guy.

Can’t you almost hear him saying, “HELP!”

He needs somebody.
Not just anybody
You know he needs someone

I don’t know what expression I was trying to convey here…More than likely, it was the "I’m freezing, and I’m going up in this gondola with no seatbelt or harness, what am I thinking," look…don’t know if it came across that way though.

This ride takes you on an aerial tour, just on the outskirts of the park.

Ah!

I was thinking, “How come SW can keep theirs but MK can’t?”

Because it’s on the outskirts… fewer opportunities to dump stuff on people.

And of course T-Man, taking pics, completely at ease with the fact that we are high up in the air. If you notice, my hand has not moved from the middle bar, you can just make out my ring off to the right of the picture. I’m holding on for dear life.

Nice rock. But if it’s from T-Man you might want to check and see if it’s real. A man who will shave or grow a beard with no warning can’t be entirely trusted, ya know.

Hmmmm… can’t say for sure, but…. Piranhas?

I get the heebeejeebies every time I see these guys. They remind me of the movie Tremors back in the day.

Never did see that movie…
So I guess I have neither the heebees nor the jeebies.

As people started filing in for the show, the pre-pre show began.

Ever wonder what that says about our society where not only do we need to be entertained with a show, but we have to be entertained while we wait for the show and we also have to be entertained while we’re waiting to be entertained prior to the entertainment!

I wonder if that’s the longest sentence I’ve ever written.

A mime came out from backstage and came down to the walk way in front of the stage. As people walked past him, he would make faces at them, make fun of the way they walked, or pretend to be an usher and usher them to a seat in the audience, only to make them get up again, and move a couple times before they got tired of him and he would stick his tongue out at them and go on to the next victim.

While this sounds amusing… I don’t believe you. Oh sure, it might have happened somewhere else, somewhen… but… nah. I’m not buying it.

Biff seems to realize that he is in front of an audience and decides to ham it up a little. As he cleans the stage, he narrowly misses falling into the … Of course, anytime he points to the water, the crowd erupts in applause, and every time he points to the stage, we all boo. Still, he stays dry.

What a great job! If he screws up and accidentally falls in the water, the audience is going to think it was great and part of the act. I wonder if he ever actually has fallen in?

The idea behind the show, is that Clyde and Seamore, the Sealions, and an otter, whom I forget the name of at the moment, are to interact with the main hosts,

Typical otter prejudice. Everybody remembers sea lion names, but nobody ever remembers the otter. Well otters have feelings too young lady! They have feelings and personalities and names gosh darnit!

His name is Bob.

You may not remember… but you otter.

There wasn’t anything they could do to get Seamore to cooperate, so they had to cancel the show for the day.

Actually, I kinda like that. Oh, sure I’d want to see the show, but it really illustrates that these are animals after all. And sometimes an animal is not necessarily going to behave like a cartoon character.

Even animals have days when they just don’t feel well or just don’t wanna.

Exactly. And trying to force them is just cruel.

Looks like some tropical island, but looks are very deceiving, as there are some dangerous creatures in them there waters.

As we head down below, you are suddenly surrounded by sharks. There is a conveyor belt, ushering you from one side to the other at a menacingly slow pace, while sharks are swimming on every side of you, including above you as they move from one side of the tank to the other.

The first three pics are sand tiger sharks. They’re pretty docile. They look mean with those teeth sticking out, but there’ve been very few reports of sand tigers attacking people. The sleeping sharks are nurse sharks. Really, docile. The last couple of pics are what look like Blacktip Reef sharks, also quite timid.

I’ve watched a lot of shark shows in my day.

So, do we make it out? Can we just pass right by these man eaters, without them trying to find a way to bust through the glass and take us prisoners?

I know you were just kidding (I hope!) but this actually happened fairly recently in China. Several people were injured, not by the sharks but by flying glass. Here’s a link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/27/shark-tank-breaks-china-video_n_2369967.html

Tune in next time for the next installment…And yes, I will do my best to get the next chapter out before the end of time...

Okay and I’ll try to get my comments in before the time after the end of time! Thanks for the chapter Heather! :

 

[pkondz]

Have you seen Jaws 3 in 3D? Stupid movie, but it does include a giant shark bursting through the glass at an amusement park. I always think of that at SW.

I saw that in the theater. What a waste of money that was. Really, really sucked.

 

[Thumper_Man]

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

That sucks. Sorry to hear about that Heather, but glad you’re feeling better now.

Thanks! Glad the migraine is gone...however, Now i've run into another issue. Insomnia. I don't know how I did this back in college, but running on about 6 hours of sleep total for the last few days is turning me into a zombie now at my age.

But instead of complaining...I'll just go by Cardinal Richard Cushing's words...

I'm Fine
"There's nothing whatever the matter with me,
I'm just as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees,
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin,
But I'm awfully well, for the shape I'm in
I think my liver is out of whack,
And a terrible pain is in my back.
My hearing is poor, my sight is dim,
Most everything seems to be out of trim -
But - I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
I have arch supports for both my feet,
Or I wouldn't be able to go on the street.
Sleeplessness I have, night after night,
And in the morning I'm just a sight!
My memory is failing, my head's in a spin -
I'm peacefully living on aspirin.....
But - I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
The moral is, as this tale we unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old
It's better to say, "I'm fine", with a grin
Then to let them know the shape we're in."

And yet… so many, many people truly enjoy it!

I've said it before, there are some truly strange people in this world...

Okay, I can see that being hit by a ton of bricks might cause some discomfort. Heck, I’ll bet that being hit in the head by one brick would sting at least a little.

It will only hurt for a moment...Take it like a man!

Why are the maidens always fair in stories? No unfair maidens? Not even a bit of a cheating maiden?

“Wait a sec! That’s a two headed coin! That’s not fair!”
“Oh, yes it is. I’m a fair maiden.”

I don't think the stories would go over as well if they started out with,

"Once upon a time, an unfair maiden lived in a beautiful kingdom, taking advantage of all the noblemen in the land by carrying around a two headed coin and daring anyone to second guess her when she won."

The end. Thanks for the TR!

You're welcome. Now you may return to your regularly scheduled lives and forget this TR ever happened.

We just went from a trusty steed to a trusty map. A downgrade if I’ve ever heard one.

It goes along with the unfair maiden story...What can I say.

I reiterate… I would’ve sashayed. But to each his or her own.

No one can sashay like you Ponzi. So we just don't bother trying.

What could you do figuratively?

Yeah...I got nothin...

Well… some people do. Others get upset when they get wet… no matter how many signs that bluntly say, “You WILL get wet”.

But…

Walk in dryer? I think I’d pay the $5 just to try it.

The first time I saw the walk in dryer, I think it was at Universal in Orlando. We had gone on Bluto's Barge and as you climb your soaking self to the exit, there are about 2 or 3 dryers waiting your arrival. The kids seem to love them. When i saw the ones near this ride I figured there was no way I wasn't going to get wet...I guess it's a good warning system.

Why seek medical attention when you can just hide it?
Makes sense to me.

That's what i figured. I mean what is the doctor going to do? See that my eye is possible scratched and then give me something to cover it up with anyway...I don't even have a medical degree and I'm all over it!

I’m telling ya… If that turtle had sashayed instead of shimmied, he’d’ve made it.

He needs somebody.
Not just anybody
You know he needs someone

In my lack of sleep haze that took me a moment before I went...AHA! Beatles, I tell ya, Their songs speak to everyone and everything.

Ah!

I was thinking, “How come SW can keep theirs but MK can’t?”

Because it’s on the outskirts… fewer opportunities to dump stuff on people.

Yeah, the only people you can dumb stuff on on this ride are the paddle surfers. While it may be fun, it would be too much work to really try to hit them.

Nice rock. But if it’s from T-Man you might want to check and see if it’s real. A man who will shave or grow a beard with no warning can’t be entirely trusted, ya know.

Fortunately, his sense when it comes to buying a ring is better than to shave or not to shave. There is a whole story that goes along with these rings...

Hmmmm… can’t say for sure, but…. Piranhas?

I believe you are correct sir.

Never did see that movie…
So I guess I have neither the heebees nor the jeebies.

I have only watched the first one. I know they made a sequel, but I just couldn't watch it. The funny thing is, every time I watch that darn movie, I end up with my feet up on the bed or couch and worried that one of those darn things is going to come up and attack me.

Ever wonder what that says about our society where not only do we need to be entertained with a show, but we have to be entertained while we wait for the show and we also have to be entertained while we’re waiting to be entertained prior to the entertainment!

You can't have entertainment without entertainment...I mean even commercials at times are entertaining. Isn't that the reason we watch the superbowl?

I wonder if that’s the longest sentence I’ve ever written.

I'm gonna go with yes...Only because I don't want to have to go back to all your posts to figure it out.

While this sounds amusing… I don’t believe you. Oh sure, it might have happened somewhere else, somewhen… but… nah. I’m not buying it.

Can't fool you...

What a great job! If he screws up and accidentally falls in the water, the audience is going to think it was great and part of the act. I wonder if he ever actually has fallen in?

Both T-Man and I wondered this ourselves. The two times we have seen this show, it has been a different guy playing Biff, but they each do the same sort of routine, just with their own style of flare. It would definitely be a riot if he did though.

Typical otter prejudice. Everybody remembers sea lion names, but nobody ever remembers the otter. Well otters have feelings too young lady! They have feelings and personalities and names gosh darnit!

Hello, my name is Lady H and I'm an otter snob...

His name is Bob.

You may not remember… but you otter.

Barum bum!

Actually, I kinda like that. Oh, sure I’d want to see the show, but it really illustrates that these are animals after all. And sometimes an animal is not necessarily going to behave like a cartoon character.

Yeah. Just like we as humans have our off days, (Not me, you know I'm always on my game ), animals have their days too. It's refreshing to know that they are given the time and treated well even though.

I know that for Seamore, they tried to coax him into doing his part, but they realized early on that he wasn't going to. Unfortunately Clyde wasn't happy about him not participating so that sort of threw his part off. But the rest of the cast was very professional about it. Did not berate the animals for not doing anything and let them be.

The first three pics are sand tiger sharks. They’re pretty docile. They look mean with those teeth sticking out, but there’ve been very few reports of sand tigers attacking people. The sleeping sharks are nurse sharks. Really, docile. The last couple of pics are what look like Blacktip Reef sharks, also quite timid.

I’ve watched a lot of shark shows in my day.

To me, it's big, it has sharp teeth and it's not an herbivore...so i'm not going to take the time to introduce myself to find out more.

I know you were just kidding (I hope!) but this actually happened fairly recently in China. Several people were injured, not by the sharks but by flying glass. Here’s a link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/27/shark-tank-breaks-china-video_n_2369967.html

I watched that on the news after it happened. That was crazy. I can only imagine what was going through some of the people's minds who were there. I would have been scared out of my mind.

Okay and I’ll try to get my comments in before the time after the end of time! Thanks for the chapter Heather! :

Thanks for the breakdown...and Thanks for coming back

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

Fun pictures. I can hardly wait for Monday, and our San Diego trip. No SW for us, but we'll be staying right next to it.
The sharks give me the creeps. Have you seen Jaws 3 in 3D? Stupid movie, but it does include a giant shark bursting through the glass at an amusement park. I always think of that at SW.

I hope you have a ton of fun while you are there! Send some pixie dust our way would you?

I have not watched Jaws 3...I stopped watching after the first one and to be quite honest, i don't think i have watched the entire movie from start to finish. I just couldn't get into it. but the idea of a shark bursting out of the glass at a park, for that matter, any animal busting out of an enclosure at a park is a big fear of mine, especially around snakes and other creepy crawlies...of course I'm arachnophobic and tend to project that fear into other animals. I know...I'm a strange one.

 

[pkondz]

I don't know how I did this back in college, but running on about 6 hours of sleep total for the last few days is turning me into a zombie now at my age.

Welcome to my world!

But instead of complaining...I'll just go by Cardinal Richard Cushing's words...

I'm Fine
"There's nothing whatever the matter with me,
I'm just as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees,
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin,
But I'm awfully well, for the shape I'm in
I think my liver is out of whack,
And a terrible pain is in my back.
My hearing is poor, my sight is dim,
Most everything seems to be out of trim -
But - I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
I have arch supports for both my feet,
Or I wouldn't be able to go on the street.
Sleeplessness I have, night after night,
And in the morning I'm just a sight!
My memory is failing, my head's in a spin -
I'm peacefully living on aspirin.....
But - I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
The moral is, as this tale we unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old
It's better to say, "I'm fine", with a grin
Then to let them know the shape we're in."

Thanks for that. Loved it.

It will only hurt for a moment...Take it like a man!

Well... okay. But getting hit in the head has made me the way I am. You sure you want me to get hit again?

Yeah, the only people you can dumb stuff on on this ride are the paddle surfers. While it may be fun, it would be too much work to really try to hit them.

Was that a typo? If not, it's very apropos, no?

Fortunately, his sense when it comes to buying a ring is better than to shave or not to shave. There is a whole story that goes along with these rings...

Yeah? Give, lady.

Barum bum!

That reminded me of a joke I once heard a comedian do. Don't know why but I always found it funny.

Picture the scene in Rocky where Rocky (Stallone, of course) is being berated by Mickey (Burgess Meredith)...

Mickey: "You're a bum, Rocky!"
Rock y: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "You're a bum, I tells ya!"
Rocky: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "You're a bum!"
Rocky: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "Yes you are! You're a bum!"
Rocky: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "Awright, but you're a lousy elocutionist!"

<long pause>

Rocky: "I ain't no bum."

 

[nebo]

Ok…So after battling a 3 day migraine, I am finally able to stare at my computer long enough to discern what pictures are what. Gah, I loathe not feeling well. It’s been years since I’ve had a migraine that has lasted this long. I can usually control it once I feel the onset, but not this time. It hit me like a ton of bricks. At least that’s what it felt like the next day when I could barely see while driving to my chiropractor. (By the way, when you have sensitivity to light and sound, the best option is not to go out in the bright sunlight and drive through rush hour traffic to get to a chiropractor, who then proceeds to use what feels like a jack hammer to relieve the tension in your neck!...just a word of advice).

Anyway, so on with the show.

I've bveen lucky lately with migraines,,, been awhile,,,my very first one came when staying at Pop Cent.,,, with a beautiful aura and everything. Not know iing what it was i thought i was dying. Or Scotty was trying to beam up the Hippy Dippy Pool.

.

The ride turned out to be sort of a mix between Kali and Universal’s Bluto’s Barge. At the end of the ride, we were soaked. You could literally ring out our clothes and be left with a puddle under our feet. I was tempted to pay the $5 for the walk in dryer, but decided against it. This is after all the reason you go on a water ride…to get wet right?

the amazing thing is they learned how to make money on getting you wet.

Of course now, my eye is really irritating me, and getting hit in the face with water from the ride hasn’t helped at all. I’m trying really hard not to rub it or mess with it, but it’s begging to be messed with. So naturally I do just that, only to make the problem worse. I feel like I have something in my eye. Mike takes a look to see if he can see anything, but he sees nothing either. He tells me whatever it is, is probably gone by now, but I’ve rubbed it and messed with it so much I’ve probably scratched my eye in the process and that’s what I’m feeling.

I put my sunglasses back on to hide the now red hideous eye.

I cringe everytime I hear about somebody having eye problems,,,, it probably is just scratched a bit though.

This one in particular was doing everything in its power to get onto the sand, but just couldn’t quite shimmy far enough. Eventually all his hard work getting to where he was, got washed away as he slowly slide back into the water.



Can’t you almost hear him saying, “HELP!”

Poor dear.

Reminds me of ME trying to get up the sand dunes at Vero Beach.

I don’t know what expression I was trying to convey here…More than likely, it was the "I’m freezing, and I’m going up in this gondola with no seatbelt or harness, what am I thinking," look…don’t know if it came across that way though.

Of course T-Man looks naturally at ease…

Yes, almost lifelike.



And of course T-Man, taking pics, completely at ease with the fact that we are high up in the air. If you notice, my hand has not moved from the middle bar, you can just make out my ring off to the right of the picture. I’m holding on for dear life.



I dunno,, holding on sounds like a good idea to me.

After getting back on solid ground,

Yes,,, that's so much better than getting back in quicksand,,,
If I remember correctly, this was a fresh water tank viewing area. It was pretty interesting to watch them swim around.

Just keep swimming…


I get the heebeejeebies every time I see these guys. They remind me of the movie Tremors back in the day.


Didn't Tremors take place in New Mexico? HMMM?


.

As people started filing in for the show, the pre-pre show began. A mime came out from backstage and came down to the walk way in front of the stage. As people walked past him, he would make faces at them, make fun of the way they walked, or pretend to be an usher and usher them to a seat in the audience, only to make them get up again, and move a couple times before they got tired of him and he would stick his tongue out at them and go on to the next victim.

We have only been to Sea World in Orlando,, once,, back in '06,,, but without a doubt,, fro me the highlight of the day was watching the guy seat the tourists coming into theh bleacher area to sit,,,,he was a riot! Better than the actual show.


The idea behind the show, is that Clyde and Seamore, the Sealions, and an otter, whom I forget the name of at the moment, are to interact with the main hosts, and act out scenes from famous tv shows, i.e., Dancing with the Stars, CSI, etc. With different hand signals, the sealions will assist in acting out the scene and adding humor, usually making the human host look bad or like an idiot.

The show really is quite hilarious, however, this time around, Clyde was ready and willing to show off his acting skills, while Seamore was willing and ready...to swim.

i love watching the handlers when the animals aren't playing nice.


This happened once before, during the big Shamu show a few years before, where Shamu didn’t wanna, and no one tells Shamu what to do…Of course the thing is, if Momma doesn’t wanna, then the babies won’t wanna, so none of them wanted to partipate in the show that night. It was sad, but it’s understandable. Even animals have days when they just don’t feel well or just don’t wanna.






Looks like some tropical island, but looks are very deceiving, as there are some dangerous creatures in them there waters.



this is what we see:







Shhhh…They’re sleeping!




Great shark pictures.

So, do we make it out? Can we just pass right by these man eaters, without them trying to find a way to bust through the glass and take us prisoners? Only one way to find out. Tune in next time for the next installment…And yes, I will do my best to get the next chapter out before the end of time...

thanks Lady H,,, great reporting

 

[Mom&RN]

Lady H in the picture of you on the gondola your smile says "sure honey I'm having fun" but the death grip you have on the pole says "someone help me!"

 

[nebo]

Ponzi's quote:

Typical otter prejudice. Everybody remembers sea lion names, but nobody ever remembers the otter. Well otters have feelings too young lady! They have feelings and personalities and names gosh darnit!

His name is Bob.

You may not remember… but you otter.


Nice Ponzi:
Thank you, I just had him stuffed!

 

[pkondz]

Ponzi's quote:

Typical otter prejudice. Everybody remembers sea lion names, but nobody ever remembers the otter. Well otters have feelings too young lady! They have feelings and personalities and names gosh darnit!

His name is Bob.

You may not remember… but you otter.


Nice Ponzi:
Thank you, I just had him stuffed!

You did not just have me stuffed!!! Although I made an awesome stew for dinner tonight and I do still feel a little stuffed.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yikes! I don't remember visiting those sharks. Heather, it looks like you were more afraid of riding the gondola than the Manata. You got some great pics from up there, though.

Hey, we will be heading across your state in a couple of weeks - going to Texas. We've decided that AZ isn't right for us so we're going where the kids are and starting over. I'll wave as we drive through!

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

Welcome to my world!

Beam me up scotty!

Thanks for that. Loved it.

You're welcome. I have it printed out and hanging by my computer.

Well... okay. But getting hit in the head has made me the way I am. You sure you want me to get hit again?

Couldn't get worse...could it?

Was that a typo? If not, it's very apropos, no?

Actually it was a typo. In my lack of sleep induced haze I didn't re-read before posting. but it was a very apt typo.

Yeah? Give, lady

<sigh> are you sure you really wanna know?

Picture this...January 2007 give or take a couple of months, T-Man and Lady H find a great jewelry store in downtown Santa Fe, not far from their workplace. After a few trips to look around, we find what we want. The jeweler tried to get me to go bigger with the stone. I was already freaking out on how big this one was, and unless the bigger one came with body guards, there was no way...

we set up a payment plan, and paid once a month. Since the wedding was in August, we figured that would give us plenty of time. And it did. We were able to pay them off a couple of months ahead of time and had made plans to go by a few weeks before the wedding to get sized and pick them up.

About 2 weeks before the wedding, we took our lunch hour to walk down to the store and get sized. As we approached the store, we noticed the lights were off and there was a sign on the door, stating the store was closed. The owner had up and left. I stood there shocked...I wasn't sure what to think.

Next door, the landlord owned another jewelry store, and he saw us standing out front looking beguiled. He told us that the guy just up and left. Took everything with him, and left to Jordan. He even let us into the store to see for ourselves. We found our portfolio, empty, sans our names on the front, and the pocket envelope that should have contained our rings, was empty as well.

With two weeks to go before the wedding, I was at a loss. These were our rings. We had made a point of finding something unique and ours and now they were gone.

So naturally I lost it. I almost fainted and thankfully T-Man just held me and let me cry.

We filed a complaint with our consumer division, and filed with the local police as well. and set out to find new rings.

Other stores in the area had heard about our dilema. We had been in the paper the next day (http://www.abqjournal.com/north/584168north_news08-06-07.htm) and most stores were very accomodating. They were willing to give us discounts to try to make up for our loss, and help us find the rings we wanted. But nothing was the same. It was so hard to find something, when you have your heart set on what was.

Later that week we finally went to Zales, and found a matching set that we agreed on. It was nice, and simple. Just not our rings.

That Friday, now a week and a day before the wedding, I was driving home in the middle of the day. I think i decided to go home early as I wasn't feeling well, and I got a call on my way home. Another jeweler in Santa Fe, was calling to ask me when me and my fiance could go in to get sized.

It was a good thing there weren't many people on the road at that point. I am sure I swerved like a maniac. Here was this guy, acting like nothing had happened, who had our rings and didn't bother to call or anything until now. I was livid.

Turns out, the guy we bought our rings from had given this new guy our rings, along with some other merchandise that others were expecting, for fittings and finishing, while he went on vacation. Never bothering to tell anyone.

I told the guy on the phone everything that had transpired over the last few days, and needless to say he was pissed off at me for filing with the police. I got his phone number and told him to wait for a call from T-Man. I then called T-man to tell him the news.

I believe T-Man called him and got the info from him, he was also able to give the guy our ring sizes and told him he would pick them up next week. In the meantime, the other jeweler had contacted our original jeweler in Jordan and gave him my phone number.

That Saturday, he called from Jordan to explain the mess. Seems he was having issues already with his landlord, and was expecting something, though not as drastic as shutting his store down, while he was away. So he gave the merchandise to his friend to finish up and get to the customers. Only neither of them thought to call anyone to tell them that. So he was having to make a lot of calls from home to stem the situation.

The landlord figured that while he was gone, it would be a great time to shut him down. Told anyone who would listen that the guy was a thief. Took everything with him along with the money and hadn't paid rent in months...blah blah blah...

In the end, we got our rings, sized and ready for us before the wedding...along with a wonderful jeweled globe as a wedding present from our original jeweler.

At the same time, we had to take back the rings we purchased from Zales, and were out our deposit money on that, because they had already been sized.

Not the best start to our lives together, but it worked out in the end. Our rings are very dear to us, needless to say.

That reminded me of a joke I once heard a comedian do. Don't know why but I always found it funny.

Picture the scene in Rocky where Rocky (Stallone, of course) is being berated by Mickey (Burgess Meredith)...

Mickey: "You're a bum, Rocky!"
Rock y: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "You're a bum, I tells ya!"
Rocky: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "You're a bum!"
Rocky: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "Yes you are! You're a bum!"
Rocky: "I ain't no bum."
Mickey: "Awright, but you're a lousy elocutionist!"

<long pause>

Rocky: "I ain't no bum."

I've bveen lucky lately with migraines,,, been awhile,,,my very first one came when staying at Pop Cent.,,, with a beautiful aura and everything. Not know iing what it was i thought i was dying. Or Scotty was trying to beam up the Hippy Dippy Pool.

Well I thought I had been too. I hadn't had one in years, since I started going to the chiropractor. But this one came out of left field and knocked me on my butt.

the amazing thing is they learned how to make money on getting you wet.

I cringe everytime I hear about somebody having eye problems,,,, it probably is just scratched a bit though.

The funny thing is, I have always had an issue with my eyes...nothing major fortunately, but because I wear make up and eyeliner in particular, a lot of that crud gets into my eye, so I'm constantly picking and prodding...Until something like this happens...

This one in particular was doing everything in its power to get onto the sand, but just couldn’t quite shimmy far enough. Eventually all his hard work getting to where he was, got washed away as he slowly slide back into the water.

Reminds me of ME trying to get up the sand dunes at Vero Beach.

Yes, almost lifelike.

I know right? It's amazing what they can do now a days.

I dunno,, holding on sounds like a good idea to me.

At least someone is with me on this.

Yes,,, that's so much better than getting back in quicksand,,,

"...Two, the lightning sand, which you were clever enough to discover what that looks like, so in the future we can avoid that too..."

Didn't Tremors take place in New Mexico? HMMM?

Actually, it took place in Perfection, Nevada...and was filmed in California. So i'm safe for now...although I would beg to differ with that after i've watched the movie...

We have only been to Sea World in Orlando,, once,, back in '06,,, but without a doubt,, fro me the highlight of the day was watching the guy seat the tourists coming into theh bleacher area to sit,,,,he was a riot! Better than the actual show.

I agree. The pre-show entertainment is always great. The mime is one of my favorites. Of course I haven't been a part of his entertainment series, so that may be why.

i love watching the handlers when the animals aren't playing nice.

It is quite entertaining to watch them. They are trying so hard to put on a show for the audience and the poor animal is having none of it. They are really great with the animals but you can see their unease as they try to coax the animal to play nice.

Great shark pictures.

Thanks...I think those are a mixture of pics both of us took. It was difficult to catch them just right. They weren't in the mood to stop and pose.

thanks Lady H,,, great reporting

Thanks Nebo...Hopefully I will get the next chapter up soon. Work is making me work this week so we'll see what happens.

Lady H in the picture of you on the gondola your smile says "sure honey I'm having fun" but the death grip you have on the pole says "someone help me!"

I think you nailed it!

Yikes! I don't remember visiting those sharks. Heather, it looks like you were more afraid of riding the gondola than the Manata. You got some great pics from up there, though.

Hey, we will be heading across your state in a couple of weeks - going to Texas. We've decided that AZ isn't right for us so we're going where the kids are and starting over. I'll wave as we drive through!

I think your right. At least with Manta, there was a seatbelt that I could hold onto and knew I wouldn't fall to my death. The gondola on the other hand was a little spooky as it creaked and swung a little as we headed out over the water.

I'm sorry that AZ didn't work out for you. But I'm glad you are at least going to be closer to your kids. That is a plus. We will be happy to wave back to you!

 

[nebo]

Beam me up scotty!


Sure, as soon as you can tell me what I am doing up at this time Catpain,,, giggle,, I mean Pactain,, giggle,,, oh,, I don't know how much linger the equines can take it!


You're welcome. I have it printed out and hanging by my computer.


Wait,, who we hangin' in effigy by the confusers?


Couldn't get worse...could it?


Absolutely not,, I'm sure of it.
Wish you came with subtitles.


Actually it was a typo. In my lack of sleep induced haze I didn't re-read before posting. but it was a very apt typo.


Thatwas the original name of the Jimi Hendrix song,, but after the market analysis showed it didn't quite work out right,,, well,,,OF COURSE the word PURPLE would work much better. !!

No wonder we all did drugs back then!
They.

No wonder THEY all did drugs back then!

geesh




<sigh> are you sure you really wanna know?

Um,,, I did'nt say a thing,,,
but now that you mention it..


YES

Picture this...January 2007 give or take a couple of months, T-Man and Lady H find a great jewelry store in downtown Santa Fe, not far from their workplace. After a few trips to look around, we find what we want. The jeweler tried to get me to go bigger with the stone. I was already freaking out on how big this one was, and unless the bigger one came with body guards, there was no way...

we set up a payment plan, and paid once a month. Since the wedding was in August, we figured that would give us plenty of time. And it did. We were able to pay them off a couple of months ahead of time and had made plans to go by a few weeks before the wedding to get sized and pick them up.

Ive never really liked it when people try to size me up right away.

About 2 weeks before the wedding, we took our lunch hour to walk down to the store and get sized. As we approached the store, we noticed the lights were off and there was a sign on the door, stating the store was closed. The owner had up and left. I stood there shocked...I wasn't sure what to think.

Next door, the landlord owned another jewelry store, and he saw us standing out front looking beguiled. He told us that the guy just up and left. Took everything with him, and left to Jordan. He even let us into the store to see for ourselves. We found our portfolio, empty, sans our names on the front, and the pocket envelope that should have contained our rings, was empty as well.

With two weeks to go before the wedding, I was at a loss. These were our rings. We had made a point of finding something unique and ours and now they were gone.


Ok, Pause,, I know how this ends,, but htis is just brutal to read,,, my fists are clenching,,, I want to call you up and tell you in all my macho voice that, " Ill get those rings back for you guys,...",,,
So naturally I lost it. I almost fainted and thankfully T-Man just held me and let me cry.

And T-Man, when you are done with her,, can you hold me too?

We filed a complaint with our consumer division, and filed with the local police as well. and set out to find new rings.

Is that when you made them an offer they can't refuse?

Just not our rings.

That Friday, now a week and a day before the wedding, I was driving home in the middle of the day. I think i decided to go home early as I wasn't feeling well, and I got a call on my way home. Another jeweler in Santa Fe, was calling to ask me when me and my fiance could go in to get sized.

It was a good thing there weren't many people on the road at that point. I am sure I swerved like a maniac. Here was this guy, acting like nothing had happened, who had our rings and didn't bother to call or anything until now. I was livid.

Wow, I'll bet! I might have even been a bit angry too.

Turns out, the guy we bought our rings from had given this new guy our rings, along with some other merchandise that others were expecting, for fittings and finishing, while he went on vacation. Never bothering to tell anyone.

I told the guy on the phone everything that had transpired over the last few days, and needless to say he was pissed off at me for filing with the police. I got his phone number and told him to wait for a call from T-Man. I then called T-man to tell him the news.


That Saturday, he called from Jordan to explain the mess.

"And even the Jordan River has, bodies floatin' but you tell,,, MEE,, Over and over again my friends, you don't believe, we're on the Eve of Destruction. "



The landlord figured that while he was gone, it would be a great time to shut him down. Told anyone who would listen that the guy was a thief. Took everything with him along with the money and hadn't paid rent in months...blah blah blah...




Not the best start to our lives together, but it worked out in the end. Our rings are very dear to us, needless to say.

Lady H,, trust me,, our "beginning" wasn't ranked in the top ten either.

Yes,, that I can understand, great storytelling again my dear Lady H.


Well I thought I had been too. I hadn't had one in years, since I started going to the chiropractor. But this one came out of left field and knocked me on my butt.


The ones out of right field are even worse!

The funny thing is, I have always had an issue with my eyes...nothing major fortunately, but because I wear make up and eyeliner in particular, a lot of that crud gets into my eye, so I'm constantly picking and prodding...Until something like this happens...

This one in particular was doing everything in its power to get onto the sand, but just couldn’t quite shimmy far enough. Eventually all his hard work getting to where he was, got washed away as he slowly slide back into the water.


Oh, ok,, um,, are we still talking about your eyes? And how one of them can't quite shimmy good enough to get in the sand,,, and,, uh,,,oh,,, it slides back into the water,,, and,,, uh,,, thanks,, it was nice meeting you a few months ago,,, and maybe we should leave it at that,, ok?

(geesh,, and they say I"M weird!)

I know right? It's amazing what they can do now a days.


With what? Eyes? Bunnies? Turtles?
I'll be over hear if you need me.


At least someone is with me on this.


Can I go back and give myself a second opinion on this? Sometimes I'm better the second time around.


"...Two, the lightning sand, which you were clever enough to discover what that looks like, so in the future we can avoid that too..."

Uh huh,,, "Lightning sand".. Hokay.
And I was CLEVER enough to discover this? uh huh
Is this by the THunder Water? hokay,,, (she doesn't know where I live, does she?)




Actually, it took place in Perfection, Nevada...and was filmed in California. So i'm safe for now...although I would beg to differ with that after i've watched the movie...

Perfection,, yes,, of course it did,, where else could a Fred Ward/Kevin Bacon,, and the guy from Family Ties have their movie take place?

I agree. The pre-show entertainment is always great. The mime is one of my favorites. Of course I haven't been a part of his entertainment series, so that may be why.


Yo know,, I never realized he was trying to be a mime,, but now that you mention it,, yeah,,, that says a lot of how good he was,, when I didn't even realize he was just acting it all out,,,, dang he was good!
Oh wait,,, BACK< BACK<<< see what happened,, you are just trying to distract me right now,,, and then go for the juggler when I'm not looking.
Oh, and don't you just love the juggler in Italy? Sergio I think his name is,, and,,,,,oh,,, come on,, you're doing it again,,,I'm gonna,,,,


It is quite entertaining to watch them. They are trying so hard to put on a show for the audience and the poor animal is having none of it. They are really great with the animals but you can see their unease as they try to coax the animal to play nice.



i remember at the end of Flight's of Wonder once,, watching all the cast members trying to chase down what I think was a bald eagle that decided it didn't want to see the next show, and wanted to see what all the hoopla was about Expediton Everest,,, which he kept hearing was,,,
"So High!"



Thanks Nebo...Hopefully I will get the next chapter up soon. Work is making me work this week so we'll see what happens.




I think you nailed it!



I think your right. At least with Manta, there was a seatbelt that I could hold onto and knew I wouldn't fall to my death. The gondola on the other hand was a little spooky as it creaked and swung a little as we headed out over the water.

Just for the record,, when you can't see well at all,,, you have no idea how many times I have "read/seen" Marita , for Manta.. That 's probably not a good thing, is it? But c'mon,, you slide that "i" into the "r",, you got yourself an "n"!,,, and ok,, I'll shut up now.
\

I'm sorry that AZ didn't work out for you. But I'm glad you are at least going to be closer to your kids. That is a plus. We will be happy to wave back to you!

Met too? Me too? Can I wave too?

uh,, who am I waving at?

 

[Sandy Mouse]

I'm back and trying to catch up. You didn't do anything fun while I was drowning in a sea of work and stuff, did you?

 

[Sandy Mouse]

I'm so glad you liked it! We had so much fun picking out the postcards and then deciding who would get what. They actually had a nice selection to choose from. And how else would you display a DL postcard but with a Mickey magnet?! Sounds like a perfect match to me

Thank you for the postcards! Each granddaughter got one, and they loved them.

 

[Thumper_Man]

I'm back and trying to catch up. You didn't do anything fun while I was drowning in a sea of work and stuff, did you?

Welcome back. Nope. Been busy working to. Or are you referring to the TR? In which case, we're having fun at Sea World currently.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Thank you for the postcards! Each granddaughter got one, and they loved them.

I think you already thanked us for them, but we'll take the extra Thank You. Glad your grand-daughters loved them. We'd be happy to go it again, anytime.

 

[Jaina]

Oh my goodness! I've just popped in here and there, but your wedding ring story about did ME in! So amazing that you didn't lose them forever!

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

The fateful music from Jaws was creeping in as we started to hear the tell tale signs of cracking coming from all around us. No…This couldn’t be happening. These tanks were supposed to be solid. Even with these crazy animals inside, there was no way that it could break right? Just then, water sprang from a corner, spraying out like a fountain, then another, and another. This was really happening.

Turning to Mike, who had the same expression I am sure I had on my face, we grabbed each others hands, holding each other close as the slow moving walkway inched us closer to the exit…Or death as it seemed. This was no way to die. No way to embark on our 5th year as man and wife. Slowly the walkway lurched forward and then stopped all together! What? There was no were to go. We were doomed. As JAWS 8.5 came towards us with what looked to me, an eager smile, and the cracks started working their way across the entire length of the tank, we knew this was it. Water started to come from everywhere, the cracks just barely holding together. We knew it was only a matter of seconds maybe before the whole thing gave way.

Just then, my knight in shinning armor realized that just because the moving walkway wasn’t moving, didn’t mean we couldn’t. Grabbing my hand he took off at a run, just in time as the dam burst, water flew over our heads, glass coming at us, the sharks would not be too far behind, up ahead we could see the light at the end of the tunnel, just a few more feet and we would be home free…

Something hits my foot, almost making me tumble forward. I have to put my hands out to balance myself before smacking head first into the pavement. The walkway has ended. I look up to see the glass tank in perfect condition. The sharks swimming along like they have been since we came in. Other people are slowly making their way in from the other end of the tunnel. Mike is already walking ahead of me, making his way to the exit. Wow…Talk about your crazy daydreams. I shake my head and hurry up to catch up with Mike.

Our next stop on our SW tour brought us to the sea turtles. Now I know we already saw some earlier on, however, those were on land…or at least trying to get on land. I wonder if he ever made it up? Poor little fella.

But these turtles were swimming around; just enjoying life as they munched on lettuce leafs and lazily made their way to the next area of the tank.







At this point, we decided to make our way to the other side of the park so we could hit up Journey to Atlantis. As we strolled along, we noticed that the line to ride the Skytower was no longer a mile long, so since we were here, we figured, might as well.

We walked up the long winding ramp that lead to the entrance. You could see the tower making its way down from the last ride, so it shouldn’t be too much longer until we got on. I was excited.

We hadn’t had a chance to do this the last time we were here. It was cloudy and windy that day and they had shut down the ride due to the weather. This was our chance to do something new.

The ride itself is nothing spectacular. It’s a big round glass enclosure, with a circular bench seat. You sit facing the outside, and once in, you slowly rotate all the way up this big pole, and then rotate all the way down. It’s a very slow, leisurly ride, giving you complete access to the fantastic views of the park. This is one of those moments where you can look around and see what you have missed or what you may want to do next.

Here is a sky view of Manta.





The dolphins being fed during a break in their show


Journey to Atlantis


A view of the water


From here, we decided to stop again for something to drink. It was hot and we were parched. After stopping for our drink we once again made our way towards Journey to Atlantis.

Of course, we got distracted once again by another show. This time it was Blue Horizons. This show is really great. Of course I’m a little bias. I absolutely love dolphins and any show that features them is great in my book.

The show is a mix of stunts and acrobatics blended with dolpins and whales and birds. There is so much to see when watching this.

For this show, the animals were better behaved and were having a great time with the audience.

Say hi to the nice people on land!


Hello people!


This guy was trying to be Superman…


Wanting to interact with the crowd.


Hello Whale


Riding the whale


Showoffs…


Once the show finished you have a choice of exiting stage left or stage right…we chose stage left and ended up at the dolphin play area.

And boy were they playful!







This guy kept creeping in for a peek. I think he was looking for food, as the trainers were on the other side working with a group of people who paid to hang out with the dolphins.


Pretty soon the dolphins got board with the humans and wandered off to the trainers.

We continued our way towards Journey to Atlantis, and saw this guy sniffing around.



We stopped in the market place area once more for a drink and T-Man took a picture of the flags right in front.



Now this is where things get fuzzy. According to T-Man, he says we went on Journey to Atlantis. I remember walking down that way, and my memory says that they were sending down empty cars, which to us made it seem like they were testing the ride. T-Man however, has a more vivid imagination and insists we went on the ride. He even says he was trying to calm down a kid that was scared. I don’t remember this…I blame it on my eye problems. Gotta blame something. I mean it can’t be my fault right?

I do remember towards the end of the day, heading to the Shamu show, “One Ocean”. This was the first time we caught this show after the name had changed. The idea behind the change was to focus more on what we as humans can do to protect the waters for these animals, and why it is so important to take care of our lakes, and oceans.

As we made our way to the theater, we passed the dining with Shamu area. One of these days I would like to do this. It just seems like it would be a fun experience to watch the whales play and roam while you’re eating lunch or dinner.




T-Man finds some seats near the front, in the “splash zone” of course, and we sit and wait for the show to begin.



As you sit and wait, you have the usual employees trying to sell everything from towels and blankets, to hats and bubble guns. Of course all the kids are begging parents to get them one or the other. Bubbles are popping up everywhere around us.

On the jumbo tron you have ways to ask questions or befriend one of the cartoon “buddies” via text. You can even send shout outs to your human friends that will show up on the screen randomly.

They let a couple of the killer whales out to keep the guests entertained. Sort of like letting a runner take a few laps around the track before the big race.



And then the show began!


I’ll leave it here for now, and start working on my next chapter so I can close this day out. I hope I can get it up this weekend! I’m working today, so we’ll see what I can manage to write out while I’m here at the office alone. I mean…I’m so busy with work that I don’t know if I will be able to do any more on this today…yeah…that’s it…