Canadian Buffoon's Disney With a Teen Vacation - 08/13 - The Wrap

[pkondz]

Was this not the PTR you were expecting?

My, my. Getting kinda dullsville around here. What to do... what to do...


Oxygen masks tumbled from the ceiling,
people frantically grabbed for the swaying masks.
It wasn't easy.
The plane rocked violently through all of its axes.
Forgetting the safety briefing,
panicked parents tried to fit the masks over their children's faces first.
Overhead bins flew open scattering their contents
on the unwary heads of the passengers below.
Every loose item became a missile with deadly force.
The pandemonium muted the alarms blaring from the cockpit.
Flight attendants clawed frantically at seatbacks
as they tried to shout over the noise.
"Brace! Brace! Brace!"

Is this how it ends?

Wow. Pretty macabre.
Probably not the type of TV show you want to watch
when you're flying over the Pacific on the way to Hawaii.
(Although I did once watch a Mayday episode mid-flight.)
Kinda makes you want to take a boat, no?
At least, that's what the passengers on the Titanic thought.

Well, okay. Maybe they weren't thinking of flying,
at least not in a realistic sense... for another 24 years.
And given the state of navigation in 1936,
I think I'd take a boat anyway.

Then again... not as many icebergs in the sky.
Oh, sure. On occasion one does encounter "cumulo granite"
and it just ruins one's day.

On the bright side, if anything should happen
(knock on wood, rub lucky rabbit's foot, squeeze four leaf clover)
I'm going to look like a freaking seer!

"Hey! Do you remember when the Oracle pkondz was on the DIS?"
"Why yes, I do! He was amazing! And so handsome and charming too!"


So... Maui.

Less than two weeks away.
And I can firmly say that I am in no way shape or form
remotely ready.
Let's see... what do I need to do still....
Hmmm... only everything!

Bah. It'll either work out or it won't.
What do I care?
The way I see it, I've been working almost non-stop since January 6th.
Let's see.... 30 shifts in the past 30 days.
(I took one day for a family matter and had to call in sick for two days.
Oh. And before you tell me my math's off and that's not possible,
we can work 16hours straight in a day)
I get Saturday off (so far!) then back for 10 more days, or 8 shifts
(two (non-consecutive) days off! Woot!)
and then we're off!

Hang on... Gotta check if I closed all my parentheses...
Okay. I'm good.


The joys of being short staffed.
Don't feel too sorry for me.
We get well compensated for our labours.

But I am looking forward to A WHOLE SIX DAYS OFF!!!!


So write about now (see what I did there?) is where
the PTR portion of the TR happens.
You know:
Where are we staying, what are we doing, what will we be eating.
The usual.


I hate that.


For me PTR stands for Pain in The Rear.



Don't get me wrong.
If you're writing a PTR right now, that's fine.
It's just that I prefer not to.
Plus it's impossible to run a contest
if I've already given you the answers.

Well, okay. It's quite possible, but I just prefer not to.
(This in no way should be interpreted to mean
that I am running another contest.
I don't know yet.)

So I'm basically telling you... nothing.


Oh, I will tell you that we're leaving on the 17th,
and returning on the 22nd.
I mean you have to know when to start
harassing me for the new TR, right?

Well... maybe not.
I will tell you this, too.
Don't expect too much.
I've mentioned how our Canadian dollar
is tanking against the US greenback.
So those already exorbitant excursions have just gone from
ridiculously expensive to Bill Gates-would-think-twice expensive.
Will we do any? At this moment right now... I don't know.
Honest. I really don't.


Oh. I can tell you this, too.
I don't think I've ever gone on vacation less prepared
than I am for this one.

I do know a couple of things.
Like what the top Maui attractions are.
But that's about it.

I just can't get into the whole "planning" thing.
I'm too burned out.
I pick up my overly priced tour book that I bought and...
put it down again and binge watch Netflix instead.

I think my brain is telling me it wants to stop thinking.
I agree with my brain.
This is important.
This is a first.


Speaking of Netflix.
Which happens to be a very new development
for the pkondz clan.
How new? January 21st new.

Anyway... Speaking of Netflix,
I just finished watching Tomorrowland.
I know, I know.
Not the greatest movie ever.
Only three stars on IMDB.
Heck, I've basically heard... it sucks.

Well, to those of you who've said as much.

I really liked it!
Well, the ending was a bit anti-climactic I thought.
But it's Disney and geared to a younger audience.
Overall though... it made me smile.
And really, you can't ask too much more from a movie
than that, can you?
I went in not really expecting much,
then all of a sudden I found myself thinking:
"Hey! I like this!"
So if you haven't seen it because you heard it wasn't so hot,
give it a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised.
I can see, however, that if you went in with high expectations,
that you might be disappointed.
ET, it ain't. (Whoops! Wrong theme park!)


So that's it.
There's your PTR.
Awesome, was it not?


Sorry.

But I can promise you an extremely dull account of our days
sitting on a plane and not freezing our collective butts off.


And yes. Axes is the plural of axis.

IRL 1.1​

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[orangecats2]

I liked tomorrowland too. I want a pin!

So our Disney trip that was planned for this year is definitely off. Our tax return is way less than we thought it would be. After car repairs and catching up on bills I think we'll have enough for a night away. Landoll's Mohican Castle is having a $99/night special on Sundays in February. Plus 15% off in their restaurant. So we might do that in two weeks. It's possible we may go to Vegas in September but we will have to wait and see. I'm hoping to get to Disney next year for sure!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

I just finished watching Tomorrowland.
I know, I know.
Not the greatest movie ever.
Only three stars on IMDB.
Heck, I've basically heard... it sucks.

Well, to those of you who've said as much.

I really liked it!
Well, the ending was a bit anti-climactic I thought.
But it's Disney and geared to a younger audience.
Overall though... it made me smile.

I was one who said "it sucks" the first time I watched. But I wanted to like it, so I watched a second time and I did enjoy it more. I think the first time I expected a "Saving Mr. Banks" documentary type of film. I wasn't prepared for the Tomorrowland story line. But I understood it better the second time around. I do agree that the ending was a little weak.

Good luck on the Maui trip planning...or lack thereof...

 

[pkondz]

Um, yeah, to say the least! 30 shifts in 30 days - that is the type of workload that I now like to leave to folks younger than I!

With age comes wisdom.
I'm still waiting for the wisdom... and I'm still working far too many shifts.

There really are no words.

Albatross.

There's a word.

I know this might be sacrilegious on the Dis, but sometimes a wonderful component of vacations is based on the theory of relaxation. There is actually no requirement that you see or do everything and utilize every moment of the vacation to see and do things. The real requirements are food, oxygen, and enjoyment. Nothing wrong with enjoying family time in some good weather!

I've never been the type to just sit on a beach.
Actually tried it once.
Almost 20 years ago, Ruby and I visited the Big Island of Hawaii.
I read that there was one beach that was listed as one of the world's best.
So we drove out to it.
It was really nice.

At least for the 5-10 minutes we stayed there.

And, it also had George Clooney, might I add. Sigh. Just saw it on Netflix too. And the little actress who played Athena - wow!

That girl was terrific. She was easily the best part of the show.

I liked tomorrowland too. I want a pin!

Who wouldn't!

So our Disney trip that was planned for this year is definitely off. Our tax return is way less than we thought it would be. After car repairs and catching up on bills I think we'll have enough for a night away. Landoll's Mohican Castle is having a $99/night special on Sundays in February. Plus 15% off in their restaurant. So we might do that in two weeks. It's possible we may go to Vegas in September but we will have to wait and see. I'm hoping to get to Disney next year for sure!

Oh, that's too bad!

I took a quick look at Landoll's Mohican Castle and it looks nice.
And pretty close to you, too. Ever been there before?

I was one who said "it sucks" the first time I watched. But I wanted to like it, so I watched a second time and I did enjoy it more. I think the first time I expected a "Saving Mr. Banks" documentary type of film. I wasn't prepared for the Tomorrowland story line. But I understood it better the second time around. I do agree that the ending was a little weak.

I get the documentary thinking.
Other than the title, there wasn't a lot of lead up to it, if I remember correctly.
I didn't know much about it either, but by the time I'd watched it
I already knew what it wasn't.

Good luck on the Maui trip planning...or lack thereof...

Thanks!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Wow. Pretty macabre.
Probably not the type of TV show you want to watch
when you're flying over the Pacific on the way to Hawaii.

So yeah, don't watch LOST on the plane. Pick a different movie instead, like Alive, or Fearless, Flight, Cast Away, The Grey...

On the bright side, if anything should happen
(knock on wood, rub lucky rabbit's foot, squeeze four leaf clover)
I'm going to look like a freaking seer!

So you have that going for you, which is nice.

So... Maui.

Less than two weeks away.
And I can firmly say that I am in no way shape or form
remotely ready.
Let's see... what do I need to do still....
Hmmm... only everything!

Eh. Throw some clothes and a toothbrush in a bag. Include your bathing suit. You're good.

I get Saturday off (so far!) then back for 10 more days, or 8 shifts
(two (non-consecutive) days off! Woot!)
and then we're off!

Yay?

So write about now (see what I did there?) is where
the PTR portion of the TR happens.
You know:
Where are we staying, what are we doing, what will we be eating.
The usual.


I hate that.


For me PTR stands for Pain in The Rear.

I never could get much mileage out of writing a PTR either.

Don't get me wrong.
If you're writing a PTR right now, that's fine.
It's just that I prefer not to.

I find it more interesting (and easier) to write about the experience rather than the plan. So I tend to go with the Poor Man's PTR at the end of my TR as well. "Hey, here's the next trip! See ya on the flip side!"

I've mentioned how our Canadian dollar
is tanking against the US greenback.
So those already exorbitant excursions have just gone from
ridiculously expensive to Bill Gates-would-think-twice expensive.
Will we do any? At this moment right now... I don't know.

I think you can do really well just exploring on your own.

Oh. I can tell you this, too.
I don't think I've ever gone on vacation less prepared
than I am for this one.

Well, it's an island. So there's a limited amount of ground to cover.

I just can't get into the whole "planning" thing.
I'm too burned out.
I pick up my overly priced tour book that I bought and...
put it down again and binge watch Netflix instead.

Sounds like you need some rest. On a beach.

I think my brain is telling me it wants to stop thinking.
I agree with my brain.
This is important.
This is a first.

Wait, you mean at some point you started thinking?? I had no idea.

Anyway... Speaking of Netflix,
I just finished watching Tomorrowland.
I know, I know.
Not the greatest movie ever.
Only three stars on IMDB.
Heck, I've basically heard... it sucks.

That's a little harsh. Brad Bird is a director always worth paying attention to.

I really liked it!
Well, the ending was a bit anti-climactic I thought.
But it's Disney and geared to a younger audience.
Overall though... it made me smile.
And really, you can't ask too much more from a movie
than that, can you?

Not at all. I thought it was a lot of neat, fun ideas in search of a cohesive story.

So that's it.
There's your PTR.
Awesome, was it not?

Works for me!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So, I finished reading your European TR. Loved it! Thanks for giving me a glimpse of so many incredible destinations.

So many great photos, I can't list them all. I'm grateful to now know how to date stained glass windows as either pre-or post-war, how to get fastpasses for castle tours in Germany and famous buildings in Venice, where to get Chinese pizza, and to never, ever bring my iPod into the bathroom.

I really enjoyed the read, laughed the whole way through, and appreciated the amazing sights.

 

[jandlinz]

Ok... Now I'm not sure I can hop on a plane without that visual. I'm already a little nervous about flying. You should have put a reader discretion before writing that!!!! I've only flown 5 times. One time being on our honeymoon in December after September 11th. Talk about being a nervous wreck!!!!
Anyways, that's all we get? How is that suppose to satisfy us for two weeks before you leave? The troops may riot!!!!
Really though, get some rest!

 

[ursalita]

Just read the last installment. All good things must come to an end.

But I am looking forward to A WHOLE SIX DAYS OFF!!!!

6 days? To go to Maui? That's not enough.

I don't think I've ever gone on vacation less prepared
than I am for this one.

It will probably be refreshing after all the planning that goes into a Disney trip.

Speaking of Netflix.
Which happens to be a very new development
for the pkondz clan.
How new? January 21st new.

So much good stuff to watch!! Will this be you soon?



Enjoy Maui.

 

[irene_dsc]

I also started wading through your European TR, since it's been quiet here lately. Man, that thing is long! It's weird, because I spent my junior year of college in Versailles (my school had a really awesome study abroad program - the only place with an architecture study abroad program in France at the time. Our classes were actually in the old stables!) So, Paris is pretty familiar territory for me, even though it has been a pretty long time. For perspective, I also got to visit the Berlin Wall with friends while it was getting torn down. We rented hammers so we could chip off our own little pieces as souvenirs - the literal triumph of capitalism over communism!

But, anyhow, comments on the old TR:

I can't believe the last use of the guillotine was in 1977. But - it *was* designed as a much more humane way to execute people. One big ouch, and it's done. So, bloody, but not nearly as bad as some of the alternatives! (It also didn't need a skilled executioner.)

I'm jealous that you got inside Saint Chapelle. That's one place I never quite got around to visiting.

Bertillon ice cream is heaven. Especially framboise. Yum.

I also love the Garnier Opera. We had a tour, and later, I got to watch Swan Lake there. I also love the Chagall ceiling (even if you don't).

 

[pkondz]

So yeah, don't watch LOST on the plane.

Note to self. Don't watch LOST.

I never did watch that series. Never got into it.
And then the hype went through the roof... and then crashed and burned.


pun intended.

Pick a different movie instead, like Alive, or Fearless, Flight, Cast Away, The Grey...

So those are uplifiting, inspiring type movies?
I'll make sure to bring them along for the whole family!!


Actually, have you seen Fearless?
I'll never forget the scene with the tool box.
Don't want to say more.

Wait. If you've seen it or don't care,
click here:

Spoiler

When he decides to show that woman it wasn't her fault
that she let her baby go when the plane crashed
by telling her to hold onto the tool box then drives into that brick wall.
You could tell (in the movie anyway) that she was desperately trying to hold that box
like it was her child... and then it goes flying through the front windshield
and smashes in to the wall. Just... wow.

So you have that going for you, which is nice.

Eh. Throw some clothes and a toothbrush in a bag. Include your bathing suit. You're good.

Uh, huh.
clothes
toothbrush...
Maybe Passports? US cash? Car rental agreement? Car rental insurance? Hotel info?
Sunglasses? GPS? Camera? Camera charger? iPod? iPod charger?

I think the rest I can buy, but... I got a whole long list of stuff that I should bring...

Hey!!!! I HAVE A LIST!!! I'm more prepared than I thought!

Yay?

Let's go with "yay-ish".

I never could get much mileage out of writing a PTR either.

Yep.

I find it more interesting (and easier) to write about the experience rather than the plan. So I tend to go with the Poor Man's PTR at the end of my TR as well. "Hey, here's the next trip! See ya on the flip side!"

Pretty much. I'm writing this so I can keep people somewhat
engaged until the real show starts.

Probably won't work.

I think you can do really well just exploring on your own.

That's pretty much my entire TR right there!
Thanks for ruining it for everyone!

Mark, everyone. TR ruiner. Blame it on him if the TR sucks!


Wow! That was great! Takes the pressure right off.

Well, it's an island. So there's a limited amount of ground to cover.

Just like when our DDs went off on their own in Venice.
Ruby was pretty worried.
"Relax. It's an island. If they hit water, they'll turn around."

Sounds like you need some rest. On a beach.

What a wonderful idea.

Wait, you mean at some point you started thinking?? I had no idea.

Well.... okay.
I fibbed.
Ruby was the one who said I agreed with my brain.
But that's only because I was just sitting there slack jawed
with drool running out of the corner of my mouth.

That's a little harsh. Brad Bird is a director always worth paying attention to.

I took a look at his filmography. Seen a couple of those.

Not at all. I thought it was a lot of neat, fun ideas in search of a cohesive story.

Well said.
I was thinking, Great premise! And about 3/4 of the way through
they ran out of ideas and someone said "I dunno. Just end it."

Works for me!

So, I finished reading your European TR. Loved it!

Thanks!

Thanks for giving me a glimpse of so many incredible destinations.

Glad you enjoyed it. It was a great trip.

So many great photos, I can't list them all.

Thanks! Again!

I'm grateful to now know how to date stained glass windows as either pre-or post-war, how to get fastpasses for castle tours in Germany and famous buildings in Venice, where to get Chinese pizza, and to never, ever bring my iPod into the bathroom.

That last one is key.

I really enjoyed the read, laughed the whole way through, and appreciated the amazing sights.

 

[pkondz]

Ok... Now I'm not sure I can hop on a plane without that visual.

You're welcome!
Just think, every time you go on a plane, you'll think of me!

I'm already a little nervous about flying. You should have put a reader discretion before writing that!!!!

Uh, huh.
You know what happens when people put "DON'T READ THIS!!"
at the start of .... anything?
Everyone reads it! It's like crack!


You know. Crack magazine? Everyone's read at least one.

I've only flown 5 times. One time being on our honeymoon in December after September 11th. Talk about being a nervous wreck!!!!

You say I'm bad?
You're the one who said "wreck"!

I'm pretty sure you weren't the only one who was nervous in the days/months after 9/11.

Anyways, that's all we get? How is that suppose to satisfy us for two weeks before you leave? The troops may riot!!!!

Oh, I might post another something or other before I go.
You know. To keep the natives from becoming restless.

Really though, get some rest!

What is this "rest" you speak of?

 

[pkondz]

Just read the last installment. All good things must come to an end.

The bad things too.
Like this TR!

6 days? To go to Maui? That's not enough.

There's a reason.
I thought I mentioned it... maybe I didn't.
Hey! Guess what'll be in the TR!

It will probably be refreshing after all the planning that goes into a Disney trip.

Oh, you have no idea...

So much good stuff to watch!! Will this be you soon?

No! Ha, ha! Of course not!




yes.

Enjoy Maui.

I will! And you should!

 

[jandlinz]

You're welcome!
Just think, every time you go on a plane, you'll think of me!

Aw! Warm fuzzies all over!!

Uh, huh.
You know what happens when people put "DON'T READ THIS!!"
at the start of .... anything?
Everyone reads it! It's like crack!


You know. Crack magazine? Everyone's read at least one.

You're absolutely right. I most definitely would have kept reading. Although, I've honestly never heard of Crack Magazine????

You say I'm bad?
You're the one who said "wreck"!

I'm pretty sure you weren't the only one who was nervous in the days/months after 9/11.

You're right I did say "wreck". You know that would have been funnier if I did that on purpose. Can we pretend I did?

Oh, I might post another something or other before I go.
You know. To keep the natives from becoming restless.

Us natives can get really wild at times!

What is this "rest" you speak of?

Take a nap!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So those are uplifiting, inspiring type movies?
I'll make sure to bring them along for the whole family!!


Actually, have you seen Fearless?
I'll never forget the scene with the tool box.
Don't want to say more.

Wait. If you've seen it or don't care,
click here:

Yes, I have seen it. And that scene--yes. Particularly affecting.

Maybe Passports? US cash? Car rental agreement? Car rental insurance? Hotel info?
Sunglasses? GPS? Camera? Camera charger? iPod? iPod charger?

I think the rest I can buy, but... I got a whole long list of stuff that I should bring...

Hey!!!! I HAVE A LIST!!! I'm more prepared than I thought!

Well, look at that! This will be a snap!

Pretty much. I'm writing this so I can keep people somewhat
engaged until the real show starts.

Probably won't work.

ZZZZZzzzzzz...huh? What'd you say?

That's pretty much my entire TR right there!
Thanks for ruining it for everyone!

Mark, everyone. TR ruiner. Blame it on him if the TR sucks!

Well, I've already ruined my own. I have my own special stink I bring with me.

Just like when our DDs went off on their own in Venice.
Ruby was pretty worried.
"Relax. It's an island. If they hit water, they'll turn around."

She's not wrong!

Well said.
I was thinking, Great premise! And about 3/4 of the way through
they ran out of ideas and someone said "I dunno. Just end it."

Spoiler: Tomorrowland comment

I would have liked to have spent more than 10 minutes in, you know, Tomorrowland.

Oddly, this is similar to LOST. I don't regret having watched the show. They just failed to stick the landing. But there was a lot of good character writing and great moments in there.

 

[orangecats2]

[QUOTE="pkondz, post: 55116414, member: 142037"

I took a quick look at Landoll's Mohican Castle and it looks nice.
And pretty close to you, too. Ever been there before?[/QUOTE]
No, never. A friend went and said it's nice.

I'm pretty bummed about no Disney this year.

 

[cinderkelly]

So... Maui.

Yea!

Oh wait....wrong hula!

There we go

The way I see it, I've been working almost non-stop since January 6th.
Let's see.... 30 shifts in the past 30 days.

Wow, that's a lot of work hours!

But I am looking forward to A WHOLE SIX DAYS OFF!!!

Woo hoo! Isn't it amazing when 6 whole days off feels like you've hit the jackpot after working so much?

Don't get me wrong.
If you're writing a PTR right now, that's fine.
It's just that I prefer not to.
Plus it's impossible to run a contest
if I've already given you the answers.

I actually admire that you don't do PTR's. The main reason I'm doing one is because I drive my family totally bonkers with the a Disney talk and I have nobody else to commiserate with. Here I have a support group for my Disnerdiness!

Anyway... Speaking of Netflix,
I just finished watching Tomorrowland.

I actually quite liked it. I loved the part where they went thru the secret passage of IASW. Would make the ride much more tolerable for you, don't you think?

So that's it.
There's your PTR.
Awesome, was it n

Best PTR ever!!!

 

[franandaj]

Is this how it ends?

Wow. Pretty macabre.

That was kind of bizarre, but since you really didn't give us much to go on, I just picked some random quotes and decided to go with them. We'll see how that works. I've already finished the bottle of wine that goes with dinner so maybe I better go open another to finish off this quoting session.

((((Hic))))

"Hey! Do you remember when the Oracle pkondz was on the DIS?"

Well, I'm not sure how much wine I'd had.....maybe....

So... Maui.

Less than two weeks away.

Well, that's good.

And I can firmly say that I am in no way shape or form
remotely ready.
Let's see... what do I need to do still....
Hmmm... only everything!

Yikes! I'm not exactly sure what you figure into a non-Disney vacation, with kids, I'm guessing you aren't planning on fine dining, plus with the CDN dollar vs US dollar you aren't figuring fine dining....that's usually my first go to. Next is usually shopping, where is the local Costco? Is there one on Maui, I know there is one on Oahu....Oh yeah, you're not into shopping. Dude, I can't help you, neither have I been to Maui since I was like seven, so I have no planning skilz!

What do I care?
The way I see it, I've been working almost non-stop since January 6th.
Let's see.... 30 shifts in the past 30 days.

I've been sort of retired for the last 15 or so years, unless you count dealing with invalid insane inlaws for about 7 years, but that was before I was on the DIS so I can't point you in any insane TRs or anything, nor would anyone EVER want to read about THAT!

But I am looking forward to A WHOLE SIX DAYS OFF!!!!

You know:
Where are we staying, what are we doing, what will we be eating.
The usual.


I hate that.

I love hearing about all that.

For me PTR stands for Pain in The Rear.

Another

Don't get me wrong.
If you're writing a PTR right now, that's fine.
It's just that I prefer not to.
Plus it's impossible to run a contest
if I've already given you the answers.

I can understand that, and even though I've given a couple things on my TR about my new TR, there are still a lot of things I can ask that I or no one knows like, "How many alligators do we see on our swamp tour?" "Does our little verandah turn out to be private, or is it party central?" "Are we the life or the parties, or just the only ones young enough to party?"

Oh, I will tell you that we're leaving on the 17th,
and returning on the 22nd.

That is a quick trip considering how far you are going!

I mean you have to know when to start
harassing me for the new TR, right?

Oh and we will, I'm putting an alarm in my phone!

Don't expect too much.

Why not? You can make a trip to the grocery store exciting, why would Maui not be 10 times as good?

So those already exorbitant excursions have just gone from
ridiculously expensive to Bill Gates-would-think-twice expensive.
Will we do any? At this moment right now... I don't know.
Honest. I really don't.

Why do you need exorbitant excursions to make a great vacation. I was married to a deatbeat back in the day and I remember how we would find free stuff to do in our home town (and this was pre-internet!!!! so you should easily be able to find exciting stuff to do for free!) without too much trouble. Well it was trouble for him because he had to get his stoned butt off the couch and go somewhere, but other than that!!!!

Oh. I can tell you this, too.
I don't think I've ever gone on vacation less prepared than I am for this one.

Well there's always a first time, just ask Foreigner!

I do know a couple of things.
Like what the top Maui attractions are.
But that's about it.

Well Haleakala at Sunrise is free if you have a rental car!

I just can't get into the whole "planning" thing.
I'm too burned out.
I pick up my overly priced tour book that I bought and...
put it down again and binge watch Netflix instead.

How is Orange is the New Black? I keep meaning to watch that.

I think my brain is telling me it wants to stop thinking.
I agree with my brain.
This is important.
This is a first.

Hmm.....Very Interesting.....

Speaking of Netflix.
Which happens to be a very new development
for the pkondz clan.
How new? January 21st new.

OK, we've been on board for about a year now. Found it quite useful, but not every month and don't like that not everything is available for streaming. Much of what we want you have to get DVD service, not totally happy.

Anyway... Speaking of Netflix,
I just finished watching Tomorrowland.

We saw it in the "right after Clooney saw it premiere". But we didn't stalk him like some other folks did. I think the drinks and food that they plied us with prior made it hard for me to understand the lack of plot. Both Fran and I kept asking each other throughout the movie, "do you understand what's going on?" She didn't have nearly as many of the "drinks" as I did. Our screening included pins as well.

So that's it.
There's your PTR.
Awesome, was it not?

I think I understood it as much as I did Tommorowland.

But I can promise you an extremely dull account of our days
sitting on a plane and not freezing our collective butts off.

I'm sure I will enjoy that more than I did this. Although I have not really heard much about what it is like freezing your butts off in normal life as you think people in Cleveland don't have cold weather. For me anyone who has to put on a jacket to go outside lives in cold weather. I have not worn a jacket since January 24th when we went to Disneyland and planned to be outside watching the Parade and Fireworks at night.

 

[pkondz]

I also started wading through your European TR, since it's been quiet here lately.

<cricket><cricket><cricket>

Man, that thing is long!

I am legally and immorally obligated to say at this time:
"That's what she said!"


However....
The exigencies of an adoring public.
Or perhaps I'm long winded.

Probably the latter.

It's weird,

I didn't think it was that bad!
Ah well. Perhaps you're right.

I spent my junior year of college in Versailles (my school had a really awesome study abroad program - the only place with an architecture study abroad program in France at the time. Our classes were actually in the old stables!)

Wow. I don't know if "really awesome" quite covers that.
That is impressively cool.

So, Paris is pretty familiar territory for me, even though it has been a pretty long time. For perspective, I also got to visit the Berlin Wall with friends while it was getting torn down.

How is that possible?
That would've been before you were born, right?

We rented hammers so we could chip off our own little pieces as souvenirs - the literal triumph of capitalism over communism!

No. Way! That is... incredible!
You both managed to chip off a piece of history...
and be a part of it!

I'm really blown away by that.

Just last night I sat down and watched
"The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window"
with Kay.
She didn't know what the Berlin Wall was.
(My God. What are they teaching kids these days?)
So I explained it to her.

But, anyhow, comments on the old TR:

No! I want to hear more about your time in Europe!

I can't believe the last use of the guillotine was in 1977. But - it *was* designed as a much more humane way to execute people. One big ouch, and it's done. So, bloody, but not nearly as bad as some of the alternatives!

But I still don't want to be on the receiving end.

(It also didn't need a skilled executioner.)

Hmmm... Maybe not "skilled"...
But could you pull the trigger?

I'm jealous that you got inside Saint Chapelle. That's one place I never quite got around to visiting.

It was beautiful.
But there's probably tons of stuff you did that we didn't.

Bertillon ice cream is heaven. Especially framboise. Yum.

Oh, sure. Rub it in!

I also love the Garnier Opera. We had a tour, and later, I got to watch Swan Lake there. I also love the Chagall ceiling (even if you don't).

It just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the opera.
At least, not to me.

 

[pkondz]

Aw! Warm fuzzies all over!!

You're absolutely right. I most definitely would have kept reading.

Toldja!

Although, I've honestly never heard of Crack Magazine????

It was a poor attempt at a joke.
It's actually Cracked magazine.
If you haven't heard of that one,
It ran from 1958 - 2007
(I was surprised it didn't start in the 60s, but whatever)
and was a knock off of Mad magazine. (1952(!)- present)

You're right I did say "wreck". You know that would have been funnier if I did that on purpose. Can we pretend I did?

Of course you did!
Wow! That was extremely clever!
You're brilliant!

Us natives can get really wild at times!

Oh?
Hang on... lemme get comfy...

Okay. Go.

Take a nap!

I did! (Sort of.)
I passed out last night around 10pm
(early for me)
and didn't budge til after 9am.
Finally got up around 9:45am.

They didn't call! I gotz a day off!!
Woot!

And with all that.... I'm still tired.
Oh, well. I get another day off on Friday.