Rides, Slides, Eats & Meets Oct DISmeet Trip. 5/6-Ch 14 Closing Thoughts

[marvali]

While Marv is away.....

Something tells me all this rain will cancel a soccer game- better watch out!!!

Someone might have some time on his hands tonight.

Normally the rain won't stop a soccer game, unless there is lightning in the area also. However, the fields were just inundated so it actually did cause some of the later games to be postponed, including Drew's! (Were you stalking me knowing that???)

We have a whole new schedule starting today. Not sure yet how much tomorrow will be impacted, but we do start a little later our first game tomorrow I know and tonight's game is later too, so it will be a very long day at the soccer fields. At least it is supposed to be a little warmer and sunnier! Wasn't overly disappointed they didn't have to play yesterday while it was raining and 39!!!

Uh oh....

It would be too bad if they get rained out though - especially the first game. It's pouring buckets here too. Took Rosie out in the backyard (Maltese Rosie, not Dis Rosie! ) - we were both drenched within minutes. Thank goodness she is fast in the rain. We do not let her go out alone as we have hawks in the area and she is little. My friend was sitting on her deck with her Maltese in her lap when a hawk swooped down to grab the pup!

I saw the weather map on the late news last night. We were cleared up by then, but I did notice you were still in the Southern edge of the rain still............

What SHE said!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Yes, a few updates before you make an appearance! Just remember, Jonathan was taking pictures the whole time in the Lego Store, so he caught some really great expressions..............

I can hardly wait!!!

Maybe I can get that update posted while you are on your trip..........so plenty of people can comment before you have a chance to defend yourself!

Not to worry...I'll be here, Rosie!!

I was hoping the difference was just how much more I had chatted on the DIS with Magdalene than Katharina, but I guess we will all have to wait to find out...........

Patiently waiting...
Can't think of any ride Jonathan has EVER been afraid of riding. I can think of at least two he was very upset when they measured him and said he wasn't tall enough yet.............

My Toby was the same...and it appears Sophia is quite the daredevil when it comes to rides!

I only meet one of the requirements? How about one of the Little League baseball teams I played on we wore "cardinal" red............does that count as a second one. I did have the cap.

Okay, okay...two Pope requirements met for Mr. Marv Elous. Geesh...some people are so picky!!

Wow, you leave your TR unprotected for just a few hours and look how everything spins out of control............

Not sure where Rosie got the idea that hijacking someone's thread while they are away is an okay thing to do...........

Oh! Then next time we'll give fair warning!

 

[nodnol]

I’m very impressed Marv – did you take notes during the trip? You seem to remember so many details!

Regarding the “hugging”
First of all: You definitely did not offend me – I would remember that. Fact is, if you would have asked me before you posted your update where we met and how we greeted, I couldn’t have told you. If it had upset me, I would have remembered it! (I hope that's the right if-clause, it's a long time since we did those at school) I do hug family and friends, it’s not that I don’t “do” hugs.

So I can’t really give you a definite reason, why I reacted as I did. I am sometimes moody and sometimes shy (was a VERY shy kid), two possible reasons that seem most likely to me. But you are right that there are also cultural differences. You wouldn’t hug someone you have never met in person before quite so easily. On the other hand, my parents in law hugged me the first time they met me – and they didn’t even know I existed before we met… So there are no real rules. Observing teenagers on the underground or other public places, I see friends hugging each other when one of them joins or leaves them, others just shake hands although from their conversation it is obvious that they are very close.

Looking forward to your next installments, wondering about other unexpected observations!

 

[englishrose47]

Yes, a few updates before you make an appearance! Just remember, Jonathan was taking pictures the whole time in the Lego Store, so he caught some really great expressions..............

Maybe I can get that update posted while you are on your trip..........so plenty of people can comment before you have a chance to defend yourself!

I like that description! So very accurate!

I was hoping the difference was just how much more I had chatted on the DIS with Magdalene than Katharina, but I guess we will all have to wait to find out...........

Can't think of any ride Jonathan has EVER been afraid of riding. I can think of at least two he was very upset when they measured him and said he wasn't tall enough yet.............

I only meet one of the requirements? How about one of the Little League baseball teams I played on we wore "cardinal" red............does that count as a second one. I did have the cap.


Okay you two, this trip was about DISMeets, not Food and Wine. That wasn't even on my radar so what little I did was just an add on......... Planning to go specifically for F&W would be a whole lot different for sure!



Wow, you leave your TR unprotected for just a few hours and look how everything spins out of control............

Not sure where Rosie got the idea that hijacking someone's thread while they are away is an okay thing to do...........

I can't imagine where I got the idea fromSeems I recal going to Disney and ALL you boys had a Field Day on my thread!!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hey Marv,

Just checking in. I haven't had much DIS time this week and saw that you had started your next phase of the report...just haven't been able to take the time to comment like usual. I'm just thrilled that you got to meet up with Magdalene and Katharina! I'm sure they're as sweet and wonderful in person as they are here on the boards.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

I think we need to teach him how to do Food and Wine right!!!!!


It is careful and calculated plan to eat and drink around the world with stops in Ellens Energy Adventure to take a nap.

yep but minus the ellens energy...real champs dont hit up the nap ride, they power through till it is time to close down. just kidding i know marvis getting old so a nap is most likely in order for him.

Okay you two, this trip was about DISMeets, not Food and Wine. That wasn't even on my radar so what little I did was just an add on......... Planning to go specifically for F&W would be a whole lot different for sure!

well if you would have come to disney when i was there it could have been about dismeets AND food and wine.

but im sure you were busy.

 

[Flossbolna]

The good thing about this Comfort Suites is that they had a complimentary "hot" breakfast that was quick and easy. Not only did they have the typical continental breakfast fare, but you could make your own waffle, and they also had the serving pans with different items depending on the day of the week. Typically they might have bacon or sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, or other assorted items. Although the "hot" parts of the offerings are of your typical quick and easy hotel variety, most of it isn't too bad and at least you have choices.

Sounds like a great free breakfast! I like the convenience of breakfast being included at your hotel, it just makes the start of the day much easier!

It is nice not to have to pay for parking at the parks when you have an AP and we were quickly through the booths and parking the car. We made the short walk to the gate area, passed through bag check and headed for the turnstiles. So did we make it in time? Well, if the previous picture didn't clue you in, maybe these will

Great!!! Isn't there something fantastic about being at the parks early in slow season?

I had been discussing plans with Magdalene. She and Katharina were staying at BWV and they planned to come in through the International Gateway and we would all head directly to Soarin' and meet out in front of the entrance to the ride. There was no way I was going to be late and have Magdalene kid me about it on the DIS, so rope drop was a given and I made sure we had plenty of time to not even cut it close. Mission accomplished!

You really think I would have been that cruel??????

On the way in I hadn't seen anyone coming from the direction of the IG yet, so I knew we would be waiting when Magdalene and Katharina arrived.

Yes, they did not let us through the gate until 9am - it used to be that people got to go through earlier and then were hold at the fountain. Since they stopped doing that they did open the gates in the front and at the International Gateway at the same time, so coming from the Epcot resorts does give you a disadvantage... I was not at all happy about this when I found out about it just before our trip. I have no idea whether things have changed again since then...

Shortly after he made it back to my location I saw M and K coming through the glass doors on the second level. The crowd wasn't bad yet so it was easy to pick them out. They looked like they were enjoying their morning already, walking along, deep in sisterly conversation. I got a picture of them as they were headed my way. Of course someone walked in front of me just as I took the picture............

Yes, that's us!! And I have no idea what we were talking about!! Maybe our strategy that Katharina would head to the FP machines first?

As they started towards us Magdalene spotted Jonathan and I and headed our way while Katharina went to get them FPs. As happens so often with DISmeets it doesn't feel like strangers finally meeting, but seeing an old friend again instead. Being a "hugger" I instinctively gave Magdalene a friendly hug, then proceeded to introduce Jonathan and we had started to chat casually when Katharina joined us with their FPs.

I think it is so fascinating to meet people you know from the DIS in person, especially those you have read TR from. One recognizes the face, their language, their humour. But it is still so different to have a three dimensional person instead of a picture, to hear the voice and the accent.

I think Magdalene may have wanted to get one of the F&W Passports that you can get stamped at the different locations you visit, but I believe she also got one of the bands you can wear on your wrist and put money "on" that they simply swipe when you purchase items at the different booths, like a preloaded debit card???

Yes, Katharina and I collected lots of stamps in our passport during that trip! It was a fun activity! And I did get a wristband gift card. But I must admit that besides that first day, I did not wear it, but put it into my purse. Not a fan of wristbands (also can't see myself ever wearing one of those MagicBands that Disney is planning to introduce).

We worked our way around but nothing really interested us. I really think that Magdalene was interested in trying the Germany offerings all along, just to see how they compared to authentic&&&&&like she would know! Lol The item I believe we both got was listed as Nüernberger Sausage in Pretzel Roll. I remember Magdalene being upset with the spelling they used on the sign as being incorrect. Hopefully Magdalene wont get upset with my plagiarism but I found where she discussed this in her Trip Report and copied/pasted it here.

You are welcome to cite my TR as much as you want!! And yes, Katharina and I both really wanted to try the German offerings to find out how authentic they were. It is quite interesting that there seem to be quite a few German and Austrian chefs working at WDW (they sometimes appear in articles on the Disney Parks Blog - I remember that just before our trip there was one interview with the chef responsible for the F&W Festival and he had a heavy German accent, you can see it here). I am all excited about trying the new offerings they have at the Flower & Garden festival this year. However, Katharina and I are a bit non-plussed by the "savoury bread pudding" as such a thing is not known to us - we think it might be a variation of the "bread dumpling", but baked instead of steamed. So I guess I will need to try that. The other two dishes (a German meatloaf in a crusty roll and potato pancakes with apple sauce) sound like very typical fair food.

There was a Cheese booth that either Katharina or Magdalene ordered from. This is the Cheese Fondue with Sourdough Bread which I believe they let me taste.

The cheese fondue was very good! And I got that - Katharina does not do to well with dairy... But I seem to think that Jonathan did get one, too?

Magdalene really wanted a group picture while we were in the Germany Pavilion. Once again Jonathan played the role of photographer.

The picture with your camera turned out so much better than the one with mine! In mine all three of us look surprised and confused...

Magdalene had a friend from South Florida in town during this time also. Her friend wasnt interested in early morning trips to the parks so we had already arranged for us to share the mornings, and then she and Katharina would share the afternoons with her friend so Jonathan and I had time to do some things on our own also.

It was a bit unfortunate that you and my friend Michael ended up picking the exact same days to be in Orlando. Made things a little bit complicated. But I would not have wanted to miss spending time with the various friends I met during this trip! It did add so much to the trip!

It was at this point that we were going to part ways for the day, but before they headed off Magdalene had a surprise for me. She had selected this location especially to present me with some gifts she had brought with her from Germany.
[...]
The bag shows a scene of the city, with what looks like maybe a castle in the background. I was hoping the bag would say exactly what was depicted but I dont see it anywhere. I'm sure Magdalene can tell us when she reads this update. These were all wonderful items and I appreciated them very much and I'm still enjoying them where possible. I think they were made more special by their being tied to Magdalene's home town.

Katharina and I had planned that all along that we wanted to make sure to end up at the Germany pavilion to hand over our gifts there! The picture on the bag ought to be the Nuremberg castle (if I remember correctly). Does it look like this:

Since it is a real medieval castle and not a romanticised version built in the 19th century (like Neuschwanstein) it looks much more stark - it was meant to be a place of refuge in the case of an attack.

I really loved your update and can't wait to read more about our morning at AK! I still have great memories of that morning - especially our little tea break next to the river!

 

[englishrose47]

I remember the trip well and my meet with Mr SecurityYou kept the secret well!!And by the way Magdalena speaks English with a British accent

 

[marvali]

I can hardly wait!!!

It will be a few updates before we get to that part of the trip.

Not to worry...I'll be here, Rosie!!

Yeah, THAT should help...........

Patiently waiting...

It will be even longer for that one.

Okay, okay...two Pope requirements met for Mr. Marv Elous. Geesh...some people are so picky!!

Hey, give credit where credit is due!

Oh! Then next time we'll give fair warning!

Suuuure you will..............

I’m very impressed Marv – did you take notes during the trip? You seem to remember so many details!

Regarding the “hugging”
First of all: You definitely did not offend me – I would remember that. Fact is, if you would have asked me before you posted your update where we met and how we greeted, I couldn’t have told you. If it had upset me, I would have remembered it! (I hope that's the right if-clause, it's a long time since we did those at school) I do hug family and friends, it’s not that I don’t “do” hugs.

So I can’t really give you a definite reason, why I reacted as I did. I am sometimes moody and sometimes shy (was a VERY shy kid), two possible reasons that seem most likely to me. But you are right that there are also cultural differences. You wouldn’t hug someone you have never met in person before quite so easily. On the other hand, my parents in law hugged me the first time they met me – and they didn’t even know I existed before we met… So there are no real rules. Observing teenagers on the underground or other public places, I see friends hugging each other when one of them joins or leaves them, others just shake hands although from their conversation it is obvious that they are very close.

Looking forward to your next installments, wondering about other unexpected observations!

Sometimes we all have to remember that not everyone is the same I guess! I think I had the hug reaction figured out, but I had to tell that story so I can recount the conclusion at the end of the story. I didn't want to give away the ending TOO soon!

I can't imagine where I got the idea fromSeems I recal going to Disney and ALL you boys had a Field Day on my thread!!!

Oh Rosie, that is horrible! I can't believe some of the guys around here would DO such a thing to a sweet person!!!

Hey Marv,

Just checking in. I haven't had much DIS time this week and saw that you had started your next phase of the report...just haven't been able to take the time to comment like usual. I'm just thrilled that you got to meet up with Magdalene and Katharina! I'm sure they're as sweet and wonderful in person as they are here on the boards.

Hey Mark! Thanks for dropping by when you can! I know how busy life can be for everyone at times!

Sweet and wonderful huh? Well, most of the time at least............

 

[englishrose47]

Oh Rosie, that is horrible! I can't believe some of the guys around here would DO such a thing to a sweet person!!!

Sweet and wonderful huh? Well, most of the time at least............

As I recall you were the RING Leader , Kathy said
Glad you at least got my description right finally

 

[marvali]

yep but minus the ellens energy...real champs dont hit up the nap ride, they power through till it is time to close down. just kidding i know marvis getting old so a nap is most likely in order for him.

At my age I can't afford to take naps..........I might not wake back up.........

well if you would have come to disney when i was there it could have been about dismeets AND food and wine.

but im sure you were busy.

I'm sure I had SOME good excuse not to head down while you were there...........I mean, besides just the fact you were there!!!

Sounds like a great free breakfast! I like the convenience of breakfast being included at your hotel, it just makes the start of the day much easier!

Certainly comes in handy when you are trying to get off to a fast start.

Great!!! Isn't there something fantastic about being at the parks early in slow season?

It is fantastic during the slow season, AND the busy season!!!

Yes, they did not let us through the gate until 9am - it used to be that people got to go through earlier and then were hold at the fountain. Since they stopped doing that they did open the gates in the front and at the International Gateway at the same time, so coming from the Epcot resorts does give you a disadvantage... I was not at all happy about this when I found out about it just before our trip. I have no idea whether things have changed again since then...



Yes, that's us!! And I have no idea what we were talking about!! Maybe our strategy that Katharina would head to the FP machines first?

I had other pictures that showed you two deep in conversation when you walked in, but sadly they weren't the greatest pictures so I decided not to post them.


I think it is so fascinating to meet people you know from the DIS in person, especially those you have read TR from. One recognizes the face, their language, their humour. But it is still so different to have a three dimensional person instead of a picture, to hear the voice and the accent.

I agree..........familiar in some ways, revealing in others!

Yes, Katharina and I collected lots of stamps in our passport during that trip! It was a fun activity! And I did get a wristband gift card. But I must admit that besides that first day, I did not wear it, but put it into my purse. Not a fan of wristbands (also can't see myself ever wearing one of those MagicBands that Disney is planning to introduce).



You are welcome to cite my TR as much as you want!! And yes, Katharina and I both really wanted to try the German offerings to find out how authentic they were. It is quite interesting that there seem to be quite a few German and Austrian chefs working at WDW (they sometimes appear in articles on the Disney Parks Blog - I remember that just before our trip there was one interview with the chef responsible for the F&W Festival and he had a heavy German accent, you can see it here). I am all excited about trying the new offerings they have at the Flower & Garden festival this year. However, Katharina and I are a bit non-plussed by the "savoury bread pudding" as such a thing is not known to us - we think it might be a variation of the "bread dumpling", but baked instead of steamed. So I guess I will need to try that. The other two dishes (a German meatloaf in a crusty roll and potato pancakes with apple sauce) sound like very typical fair food.

Authentic or not, they all sound good.........including the savoury bread pudding!


The cheese fondue was very good! And I got that - Katharina does not do to well with dairy... But I seem to think that Jonathan did get one, too?

I guess that is possible. Hard to tell from the one picture I had.

The picture with your camera turned out so much better than the one with mine! In mine all three of us look surprised and confused...

Sadly mine all have that one dark spot. I guess something was on the lens, even though I tried cleaning it after I finally saw it and it didn't help.

It was a bit unfortunate that you and my friend Michael ended up picking the exact same days to be in Orlando. Made things a little bit complicated. But I would not have wanted to miss spending time with the various friends I met during this trip! It did add so much to the trip!

I guess we just have to celebrate the time we had, and look forward to the next chance we get to do it again! I certainly enjoyed all of our time together greatly!

Katharina and I had planned that all along that we wanted to make sure to end up at the Germany pavilion to hand over our gifts there! The picture on the bag ought to be the Nuremberg castle (if I remember correctly). Does it look like this:

Since it is a real medieval castle and not a romanticised version built in the 19th century (like Neuschwanstein) it looks much more stark - it was meant to be a place of refuge in the case of an attack.

That would be it! I actually took some pictures of the items today and will try to get them uploaded to Photobucket so I can post them!

I really loved your update and can't wait to read more about our morning at AK! I still have great memories of that morning - especially our little tea break next to the river!

That is one of my favorite memories also!

I remember the trip well and my meet with Mr SecurityYou kept the secret well!!And by the way Magdalena speaks English with a British accent

Yes, but soon it will be time to completely reveal that secret!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Yes, but soon it will be time to completely reveal that secret!!!

I can't wait

 

[mommy2mrb]

looks like a fun time! getting to Epcot early and meeting up with the ladies! nice they brought you some gifts of home and got a history lesson along with trying out the food in Germany!
great photos of you all! looks like Jonathan had fun on the sum of all thrills!

 

[glennbo123]

Finally getting caught up. That's awesome that you got to meet Magdalene and Katharina and spend some time with them around the World Showcase. Leave it to you to start an international incident with a hug. (I had the same reaction when we hosted a student from France last year.)

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

I'm sure I had SOME good excuse not to head down while you were there...........I mean, besides just the fact you were there!!!

yeah im sure you did...

 

[Minnie&Nana]

So sad....did you hear about Annette - probably the most beloved Mouseketeer?

(Not that you are old enough to have watched her...)

 

[marvali]

I can't wait

Probably at least be a few days..........

looks like a fun time! getting to Epcot early and meeting up with the ladies! nice they brought you some gifts of home and got a history lesson along with trying out the food in Germany!
great photos of you all! looks like Jonathan had fun on the sum of all thrills!

Thanks, it was a great first day with Magdalene and Katharina. Jonathan created quite a roller coaster it appeared, and he really enjoyed it!

Finally getting caught up. That's awesome that you got to meet Magdalene and Katharina and spend some time with them around the World Showcase. Leave it to you to start an international incident with a hug. (I had the same reaction when we hosted a student from France last year.)

I guess if you have to start an international incident, you might as well at least get a hug from pretty women!

Of course, you hugging some way too young for you girl IS a little bit different, even if she WAS French!!!

yeah im sure you did...

I think I was out of town or something.............

So sad....did you hear about Annette - probably the most beloved Mouseketeer?

(Not that you are old enough to have watched her...)

Actually, until you posted about it on the Grannie thread I hadn't heard. Like I said there, I definitely remember watching the MMC and the intros where they each said their name, and Annette was definitely one of them!!!

 

[marvali]

Chapter 3  Rockin the House of Blues



After Jonathan finished Sum of All Thrills, we headed out of Epcot and headed back to our hotel. Since we had a few hours until our dinner ADR we grabbed something quick to eat to hold us over until dinner. We knew we didn't have long before we had to be ready to go and I wanted to arrive early at DTD because I knew on a Friday evening it would get busy, and parking would be tough to find. We arrived at DTD around 5:00 and quickly found a parking space.

We had plenty of time to make our ADR so Jonathan and I took our time along the way. As we walked along we explored some of the shops along the way I hadn't been in before, which really isn't difficult since I hadn't spent a whole lot of time at DTD.

Since we still had plenty of time I had something I still needed to take care of. We planned to go to the MNSSHP with Magdalene and Katharina on our final night. It was too close to time for the trip before we got everything settled, so I still hadn't gotten tickets. They couldn't send them to me in time before we left, but I figured it wouldn't be that crowded where they would sell out on a Sunday night, so I decided to wait until I arrived to get them.

I called DVC so I could purchase the tickets at the DVC discounted price. I was hoping to pick them up at the park the night of the party (Will Call), but they told me I couldn't do that and I would have to purchase them in person, maybe at Guest Services? I mentioned being in DTD and asked her where the closest GS was, but when she found out we were near Disney Quest, she told me that I could get the tickets there.

While Jonathan and I were in line, we talked about doing DisneyQuest one day. We discussed that they should have a half-day ticket that people could purchase after maybe 4:00p for those who visit DTD late in the day. I bet they would make a lot more money that way since so many people seem to spend their evenings at DTD after being in the parks throughout the day. The full price tickets are definitely cost prohibitive for just a short amount of time, but maybe that is how long most people stay at DQ anyway???

MNSSHP tickets in hand, we still had a little more time before our dinner ADR, so we decided to explore DTD some more. I took the opportunity to get some pictures

One day I just might work up the courage to check out the view from here.

I had made our ADR for 7:30 so we would be seated and at least eating by the time the concert started. We were on the way here for dinner...........

It was getting darker out so I was able to get some pictures as the lights had started to come on.

For a Friday night, the crowds weren't too bad...........at least not yet.

We arrived at House of Blues and checked in early. Most of the DISers who were attending the "concert" were already there, waiting inside the entryway. After checking in I saw Lisa (mommy2mrb) and introduced myself and Jonathan to her and Megan, and then met Judy (blessedmom4) and her family, including her little Lisa who was on her Wish Trip, and of course Rachel who was to be the star of the evening performing on the House of Blues stage (along with Judy's DH Pete).

Jonathan and I were seated shortly after meeting everyone and ordered our food. I think I had the Jambalaya for my main course. I don't remember what Jonathan had but I do know that we ordered an appetizer to share........the Voodoo Shrimp. When the Voodoo Shrimp arrived at the table, Jonathan and I started sharing it, but once we tasted it we were both hooked, and wished we had each ordered one for our actual meal! This was fantastic and we both agreed that the next time we ate at House of Blues we would each indeed make the Voodoo Shrimp our meal.

**********************************************************

SIDE NOTE: Jonathan, Matthew and I returned at New Year's for a quick trip to watch THE University of South Carolina defeat Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. So where do you think I got reservations to eat the evening we arrived??? That's right, the House of Blues. Jonathan and I had Voodoo Shrimp on the brain from the moment we planned the trip and I booked the ADR. Now some of you will remember an earlier update about our ADR at Tutto Italia, and my Stuffed Pork Chop that I looked forward to so much. Some of you may also remember me saying that it wouldn't be the last time it occurred that something I really looked forward to having again at Disney would no longer be available.

When we arrived at House of Blues we found that not only had they totally changed their menu (influence of some new "name" chef that they were so proud to be associated with) but the Voodoo Shrimp was no longer offered, and even though they still had the Jambalaya that was so good before, it no longer included shrimp! If there had been time and another option available, I would have walked out in protest due to mine and Jonathan's disappointment. Suffice it to say I had the opportunity to fill out a less than positive survey about our subsequent visit to HoB, and unless I have some otherwise important reason to return (like another concert by Rachel) it will probably be at least a long time before I make another ADR there!

**********************************************************

We had already ordered our food when the rest of the DISers there for the concert walked by us and were seated. After they got settled, Judy told me they had a couple of extra seats at their table if Jonathan and I wanted to join them, but since we were already waiting on our food I told her we would go ahead and eat where we were and then join their table for the concert. Judy took a picture from their table of Jonathan and I that I am reposting here from here TR.

Jonathan and I finished our meal as Rachel and Pete were getting ready for the concert. I got a couple of pictures before we moved down to join everyone at the table in front of the stage.

I hope this picture doesn't violate Judy's rule about posting pictures of her, but I really like this picture and the expression on Judy's face. In spite of the nerves I'm sure she was experiencing as a Mom wanting everything to go well for her child, and all the pre-show chaos going on around her, Judy was still playing the gracious host and making sure everyone was taken care of and feeling a part of the event.

Almost time for the show, Rachel and Pete were making sure they were in tune and going through what was supposed to be sound checks.

Finally the time arrived, and Rachel and Pete began their performance as they rocked the House of Blues!!

The drummer for the band that was headlining that evening (or so they thought as Rachel was the real headliner here) joined Rachel and Pete on stage for the final two songs.

So what did I think of Rachel's (and Pete's) performance that night? Well, I already shared my thoughts on that when Judy posted about it on her TR, so I will be lazy and just copy and paste those comments here.


**********************************************************

I wasn't totally aware of some of the details you gave in this latest update. When the guy was walking around in front of Pete and Rachel during the show checking the sound, I just assumed it was purely troubleshooting due to the difficulty in hearing Pete. I guess since I wasn't looking at it from the same standpoint as a worried Mom I focused on something completely different. Jonathan and I were looking at each other while all of this was going on, and the thing that stuck out to us was that Rachel was watching the guy walk around in front of her, with no noticeable change in expression (at least to me) and never once missed a beat, a chord......nothing!! I was so impressed by how talented she had to be to continue to play so skillfully with what appeared to be no focus whatsoever on what her fingers were doing!!!

Sitting at the other end of the table, and not completely focused on the stage since I wasn't trying to video the show (although I did capture a short one on my cell phone) I took the opportunity to look around the room at some of the other tables while they played. There was no shortage of people watching intently, and many of the ones I looked at were obviously enjoying the performance and you could tell were amazed at Rachel's talent.

I also noticed quite a few people, who appeared to be waiting at the front to be seated, come to the railing behind Judy and watch in utter amazement that what they were hearing was coming from a guitar in the hands of such a young lady! I watched one particular man stand there with his mouth open, then smiling and shaking his head in disbelief before he disappeared back to the front door area. Very quickly he returned with two ladies he was apparently there with, pointing at Rachel and commenting to them as they smile and nodded in agreement to what he was saying.

And finally, the one thing that probably more than anything told me what a wonderful job Rachel was doing (well, outside of my personal ability to evaluate such musical talent) was when the drummer for the band joined them during the final two songs. I know that so much of blues has to do with the musicians "feeling" the music, which allows them to come together, start playing, and just create as they go along. As Rachel was playing I watched the drummer, eyes closed, bobbing his head back and forth to the music, really feeling it and into it! For a guy who does this professionally, that was a true testament to Rachel's ability to me!

So Judy, even though you and the other's may have been distracted at times by all the things that went awry, I can promise you that Rachel's talent and ability shined through all of that and there were many, many people (and not just your DIS family there to support her) who were very impressed in what they had the pleasure to experience that night!

After the show you could tell that Rachel was thrilled by the opportunity and the reception she got, in spite of all the glitches! We had such a wonderful time and were so glad we got to be a part! Thanks to Lisa for keeping me in the loop!!!

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If anyone wants to read about the distractions I mentioned above, Judy posted a very good synopsis of that here. There is also a list of the songs that Rachel and Pete performed on stage, which will show you the versatility of Rachel's talent.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43973382&postcount=1341

After the concert we all gathered around and congratulated Rachel. House of Blues had printed a stack of tickets with Rachels name on them as a souvenir and Judy gave Jonathan and I each one of the tickets. I got Rachel to sign the back so when she is famous one day I will have a special memory of that night.

Of course everyone knows if you dont get a picture, it didnt happen so before the band took the stage we all gathered for a group photo. Jonathan did the honors taking the picture with my camera. There were a couple of other DISers there also who were sitting on the other side of the stage from Judy, Lisa and their families that also joined us.

In the picture down the left side is Judys family (David, Christian, Pete, Judy, Rachel and Lisa), in the center beside me is Lisa and beside Rachel her daughter Megan, to my left is Crissy (smileycrissy) and in front of her is Michelle (lovethattink) and her son in front Anakin. Michelles husband was also there, but apparently taking pictures at this time as he shows up in some of the group pictures that Judy posted.

After we finished taking pictures, Jonathan and I left to head back to the hotel. We had another early morning the next day with Magdalene and Katharina. On the way out I stopped to get a couple more pictures.

So would Jonathan and I make rope drop for the second straight day???


Coming up Chapter 4  Animal Kingdom Morning

 

[KatMark]

What a wonderful update, Marv. I know I read it on Judy's TR, but delighted to read about it all over again. Great group shot!

 

[Poolrat]

Sounds like a really special night!!!

I hear you about places changing the menu. I know you were disappointed that night. I was sleeping off the peas from WPE chicken alfredo.