Canadian Buffoon's Vacation - update 28/06 - Coffee? It's on me!

[lisaviolet]

Beauty out of pain

“Strength, hope, courage.
Once in a while you meet someone who gives meaning to these powerful words.
Who inspires you, keeps fighting, doesn’t give up
and who you hope you’ll be like when you grow up.
I have such a wonderful person in my life.”
And then she said, "This is for you, Emme."

I heard a gasp come from Emme as Elle began to dance.




[/B][/COLOR]

Lovely. All of it. You've raised a lovely daughter, pkondz.

 

[pkondz]

Remember, what happens in Vegas; does not stay in Vegas. It lands up on Youtube. Make sure and take plenty of video to share with us.

Lovely. All of it. You've raised a lovely daughter, pkondz.

Thanks. And I know she is.

If I'm not mistaken.... did you change your avatar?

 

[queenbetsey]

Happy Victoria Day to all my Canadian friends. not too sure what it is saw it on my calendar tho

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks. And I know she is.

If I'm not mistaken.... did you change your avatar?

What?

So funny. It's 10:21 EST and I just changed my avatar. And then immediately came to catch up here.

So are you time travelling? Or is someone screwing with my account.

This has been the weirdest day, ever.

So no, when you posted I had not changed my avatar.

And good with your knowing on Elle! The story still makes me smile.

 

[lisaviolet]

Happy Victoria Day to all my Canadian friends. not too sure what it is saw it on my calendar tho

Well we're so full of class that many call it the May two four weekend. A la a case of beer.

We hardly celebrate our ties to England - Queen Victoria. But in my youth it was about backyard fireworks, people opening up their cottages/camps (pkondz, do you use camp in your area?) and just having a good time with family and friends.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I could videotape. We will be there 10 days so I am sure I can get some good content.

My husband, daughter, and son all love Vegas Vacation so all I here lately is "You know, I put a dollar in, I got a car. I put a dollar in, I got a car. I put a dollar in, I got a car. I put a dollar in, I got a car."

So I am getting T-shirts made.

 

[pkondz]

Happy Victoria Day to all my Canadian friends. not too sure what it is saw it on my calendar tho

Lisa's already mentioned this, but...
Queen Victoria was the longest reigning British monarch (63 years).
Although it's looking like Queen Elizabeth (62 years and counting) will surpass her.
She was Queen during Canada's confederation.
Victoria day was passed into law after the Queen died.

While most people think of "May two four" as being about beer,
its original meaning was because the Queen's birthday was May 24.

Point of interest, if you've ever heard the term "We are not amused",
it's atributed to her.

Also, if you ever watch a show about antiques or have heard the expression
"The Victorian Era" or "Victorian architechture", it's named after her.

All that aside, if you were to ask almost any Canadian about Victoria day,
they'd say, "I don't know! Who cares! It's a holiday! Let's drink beer!"

I guess you could compare it to Lincoln's Birthday holiday.

What?

So funny. It's 10:21 EST and I just changed my avatar. And then immediately came to catch up here.

So are you time travelling? Or is someone screwing with my account.

This has been the weirdest day, ever.

So no, when you posted I had not changed my avatar.

And good with your knowing on Elle! The story still makes me smile.

Wait... But you just said you changed it and it's back to your picture again...

I'm too confused, I'm going to go lie down now... my head hurts.

But in my youth it was about backyard fireworks, people opening up their cottages/camps (pkondz, do you use camp in your area?) and just having a good time with family and friends.

Queen who? It's summer now! Time to open up the cottages (I don't think anyone says camp... some say "Going out to the lake").
Used to be fireworks, but now that's only on Canada Day and New Years Eve.

I could videotape. We will be there 10 days so I am sure I can get some good content.

I'm sure you could.
But the DIS might frown on video posted here taken from the strip clubs.

Fair warning.

My husband, daughter, and son all love Vegas Vacation so all I here lately is "You know, I put a dollar in, I got a car. I put a dollar in, I got a car. I put a dollar in, I got a car. I put a dollar in, I got a car."

So I am getting T-shirts made.

I wonder how many people will approach you wanting to know where to go play the slots.

 

[bankr63]

In Cornwall, Ontario.


Well, I've been there before (heck I've spent almost two years of my life there!)
so it's not a big deal, but...

Yeah, I spent almost two years in Cornwall one week too!

I sure hope it was AFTER Dupont closed down.

Why two separate airlines?
Air Canada was the only one with a direct flight Thursday evening that I could catch.
They both had direct flights on the Monday morning, but any sane Canadian
will pick Westjet over Air Canada if given the choice.

And yet our taxpayers keep propping up the "National" airline...

About an hour later, we arrive at our destination in Cornwall.

And it's insanely laid out.
It was previously owned, and built, by the Canadian government.
The architect was obviously roaring drunk when he designed it.
Somebody who knew absolutely nothing about building design approved it.
And the builders didn't question the stupidity of the design since they were
being paid an obscene amount of money to build it.

I get my room number from the front desk.
"Red 622".
I've been here before... but it's been a few years.
I do know that there are probably only two rooms numbered 622.
Why?
Because only two wings are six floors high.
The other two wings only have four floors.
And if you just guessed that there are four rooms numbered 418...
You would be correct.

Speaking of the ramps, the lobby is located between the first and second floors.
When you walk in, you pass the reception and can do one of five things.

Turn left and climb a half flight of stairs,
or descend a half flight of stairs, both of which will take you to the offices and training rooms.
Turn right and go up the ramp to the second floor or down a half flight of stairs to the first.
Or continue straight ahead, which will take you back outside to a courtyard.

So if you're in a wheelchair and enter the building
and want to go to the restaurant on the main floor...
You have to go up the ramp to the second floor, then take the elevator back down to the first.

However, if you're smart, when you pass the pub on the second floor,
before coming to the elevators,
you'll give up and just stop there.

Heck. Even if you're not in a wheelchair... just stop at the pub.
You're going to need the hydration anyway before starting out on the
never-ending trek to find your room.

Since I've been here before, I know enough not to look for any old room 622
but for Red622.

They've really improved the signage around here.
People must've complained that they'd been wandering around forever, lost.
I'm pretty sure I saw Moses with a group of people following.
They were all crying out, "Are we there yet???"
"No! This is the wrong room 418!"
"Again?!?!?"

Before this, there were no signs, and you just "had to know" how to get around.
Now there are signs which, at first glance, look like Egyptian hieroglyphics,
but are in fact completely indecipherable.

Now the thing to understand here is that the building is the NAV Canada Centre. NAVCan is roughly the Canadian equivalent of the FAA. They train Air Traffic Controllers. My theory is that if you can't navigate your way to your room or your class without direction, then you are not suitable ATC material...

One thing that was a bit of a surprise was the restaurant.
Before, it was just a cafeteria.
You, know. Line up. Grab a tray. Get your slop. Fight for a table.
Eat.
Gag.

Further in my theory, this is to prepare future ATC's for a lifetime of eating Airport food.

Wouldn't you think that if you have a two hour drive in front of you,
that you'd gas up first?
Apparently, not so much.

Nah, it's Cornwall. He spent 45 minutes in the lineup at Tim's (wasting gas) before coming to meet you and didn't have time for the gas. Gotta have your priorities straight; coffee before gasoline...

Now I just have to wait for my bag to go through show and tell.
Lucky for me though, I had an audience
as others were also waiting to see if their bag was good enough to pass muster.

There's a real camaraderie that develops when people gather to look inside other peoples bags and ogle their underwear.

Eventually I get my bag back.
I could be wrong, but I think the lady behind me snickered.

Just because some of my underwear is as old as I am doesn't mean it isn't functional.

I have no time to stare at her lingerie.
I bet that underwire would glow like a neon sign.

Dude, you're in Montreal! Stick around and watch; there's a huge difference in what is normal for undergarments between Montreal and Winterpeg (actually, I'd be surprised if many bags had undergarments in them at all...)

And that's it for this chapter.
Nighty night, folks.

Thanks for the segue (say-goo). Looking forward to you getting the real trip underway!

 

[bankr63]

Well we're so full of class that many call it the May two four weekend. A la a case of beer.

We hardly celebrate our ties to England - Queen Victoria. But in my youth it was about backyard fireworks, people opening up their cottages/camps (pkondz, do you use camp in your area?) and just having a good time with family and friends.

All that aside, if you were to ask almost any Canadian about Victoria day,
they'd say, "I don't know! Who cares! It's a holiday! Let's drink beer!"

I guess you could compare it to Lincoln's Birthday holiday.

And we're just back from camping to celebrate the May 2-4 weekend. Except in Ontario Provincial Parks, alcohol is banned on the week up to and including this weekend. Too much rowdyism. (hmmm, spell check says that isn't a word; rowdiness? yup, that's okay). So this weekend we celebrated the May "decaffeinated coffee" weekend.

Temperatures on Saturday night dipped down to 4C, 0C with the wind-chill. Who thought that they still reported wind-chill in May? Drank a lot of the Molson's Decaf Coffee, and burned a whole lot of firewood!

 

[lisaviolet]

Lisa's already mentioned this, but...
Queen Victoria was the longest reigning British monarch (63 years).
Although it's looking like Queen Elizabeth (62 years and counting) will surpass her.
She was Queen during Canada's confederation.
Victoria day was passed into law after the Queen died.

While most people think of "May two four" as being about beer,
its original meaning was because the Queen's birthday was May 24.

Point of interest, if you've ever heard the term "We are not amused",
it's atributed to her.

Also, if you ever watch a show about antiques or have heard the expression
"The Victorian Era" or "Victorian architechture", it's named after her.

All that aside, if you were to ask almost any Canadian about Victoria day,
they'd say, "I don't know! Who cares! It's a holiday! Let's drink beer!"

I guess you could compare it to Lincoln's Birthday holiday.



Wait... But you just said you changed it and it's back to your picture again...

I'm too confused, I'm going to go lie down now... my head hurts.





Queen who? It's summer now! Time to open up the cottages (I don't think anyone says camp... some say "Going out to the lake").
Used to be fireworks, but now that's only on Canada Day and New Years Eve.


[/B][/COLOR]

I wondered about the use of *camp* for a cottage for you. It's common in Northern Ontario to use that instead of cottage a la I'm going to my camp.

I guess it stops at your border and turns around. \

We all use cottage in this area or like you said "going to the lake".

__________________________________________



It's my job to make people's head hurt. Simple. You said "did you change your avatar?" I hadn't when you wrote it, I've had the same one of the trees in Virginia for months, and did when you asked. Nor did I see your post ahead of time.

Then last night, late, I changed it and two minutes later I found your question already there. It was beyond strange to be *pre-asked*. Strange. Yes, I know - I am as well. Oh well, I guess I'm supposed to care, but I don't.

 

[lisaviolet]

And we're just back from camping to celebrate the May 2-4 weekend. Except in Ontario Provincial Parks, alcohol is banned on the week up to and including this weekend. Too much rowdyism. (hmmm, spell check says that isn't a word; rowdiness? yup, that's okay). So this weekend we celebrated the May "decaffeinated coffee" weekend.

Wow, I had no idea about alcohol ban. Totally jealous of the camping though.

Temperatures on Saturday night dipped down to 4C, 0C with the wind-chill. Who thought that they still reported wind-chill in May? Drank a lot of the Molson's Decaf Coffee, and burned a whole lot of firewood!

Holy crap on the temperature.

Molson's Decaf Coffee.

 

[buzz1121]

PKONDZ!!!!

Okay, so I know I've been a slacker but I have a good reason, three of them to be precise!

I am so looking forward to summer break, well all of about two to three weeks worth before I wish the kids had some homework to do to keep them busy!

Anyway, on to the relevant comments.

I loved the segue about Elle's dedication in assisting Emme in her stroke recovery. As a parent, nothing makes you prouder than when you glimpse that your child gets what life is about, that service to others matters. I haven't had the opportunity to meet Elle, but I was so proud of her. You and Ruby have done very well Pkondz!

It's so funny that you mention The Book Thief. I just ordered the book with a Barnes and Noble gift card I received for Mother's Day. I'll let you know my thoughts once I read the book.

And last but not least, we are headed back to WDW......on FRIDAY!!!

And you know what that means right......?

I'll be back tomorrow evening, but I have to be at work early, early in the morning to help facilitate health risk assessments for employees so I need a little shut eye. Sounds fun right?

 

[bankr63]

And last but not least, we are headed back to WDW......on FRIDAY!!!

And you know what that means right......?

Buzz is gonna write a trip report? Trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report.....!!!!

What, you thought I would mention ZD's on Pkondzi's TR?

 

[pkondz]

Yeah, I spent almost two years in Cornwall one week too!

I sure hope it was AFTER Dupont closed down.

Unfortunately.... no.
We didn't need a wind vane to know when the wind was blowing from the west.

I swear, there were times....

And yet our taxpayers keep propping up the "National" airline...

Which lends to a certain... arrogance, don't you think?

Now the thing to understand here is that the building is the NAV Canada Centre. NAVCan is roughly the Canadian equivalent of the FAA. They train Air Traffic Controllers. My theory is that if you can't navigate your way to your room or your class without direction, then you are not suitable ATC material...

Geez..... I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention that theory before.

But it makes perfect sense.

Further in my theory, this is to prepare future ATC's for a lifetime of eating Airport food.

The food is better now.

Back then? I would've killed for airport food.
We used to play a game when the meal of the day was chicken pot pie.
We'd all wait until everyone had their food.
Then we'd all dig in.
Not to eat, of course.
It was a competition.
Who could find a piece of chicken in their "chicken" pot pie first.

Then we'd go out for pizza.

Nah, it's Cornwall. He spent 45 minutes in the lineup at Tim's (wasting gas) before coming to meet you and didn't have time for the gas. Gotta have your priorities straight; coffee before gasoline...

Okay, I'll give you that one.

Dude, you're in Montreal! Stick around and watch; there's a huge difference in what is normal for undergarments between Montreal and Winterpeg (actually, I'd be surprised if many bags had undergarments in them at all...)

I think you've just invented a new spectator sport.

Thanks for the segue (say-goo). Looking forward to you getting the real trip underway!

Glad you liked it... announcement coming up.

And we're just back from camping to celebrate the May 2-4 weekend. Except in Ontario Provincial Parks, alcohol is banned on the week up to and including this weekend. Too much rowdyism. (hmmm, spell check says that isn't a word; rowdiness? yup, that's okay). So this weekend we celebrated the May "decaffeinated coffee" weekend.

Temperatures on Saturday night dipped down to 4C, 0C with the wind-chill. Who thought that they still reported wind-chill in May? Drank a lot of the Molson's Decaf Coffee, and burned a whole lot of firewood!

"Molson's Decaf Coffee"

Parks are dry here too on May long.
Same reason.

I wondered about the use of *camp* for a cottage for you. It's common in Northern Ontario to use that instead of cottage a la I'm going to my camp.

I guess it stops at your border and turns around. \

We all use cottage in this area or like you said "going to the lake".

As far as I can remember, I've never heard it called camp here.

Unless of course you're talking about "American Pie".
Then you here 'camp' as in 'band camp'. :

It's my job to make people's head hurt.

You've succeeded beyond your wildest imaginings.

Simple. You said "did you change your avatar?" I hadn't when you wrote it, I've had the same one of the trees in Virginia for months,

"months"???

Wow, Glad to know I'm so observant.

Strange. Yes, I know - I am as well. Oh well, I guess I'm supposed to care, but I don't.

I prefer to think of myself as "odd".

PKONDZ!!!!

BUZZ!!!!

Okay, so I know I've been a slacker but I have a good reason, three of them to be precise!

I dunno.... This better be good.

Okay. Go ahead. I'm listening.

I am so looking forward to summer break, well all of about two to three weeks worth before I wish the kids had some homework to do to keep them busy!

It gets better.

Anyway, on to the relevant comments.

What?
What happened to you listing your three reasons?

Oh. You meant.... oh.

Nevermind.

I loved the segue about Elle's dedication in assisting Emme in her stroke recovery. As a parent, nothing makes you prouder than when you glimpse that your child gets what life is about, that service to others matters. I haven't had the opportunity to meet Elle, but I was so proud of her. You and Ruby have done very well Pkondz!

We're very proud of her too.
She gets it from her mother.
If I have any, I get it from Ruby too.

It's so funny that you mention The Book Thief. I just ordered the book with a Barnes and Noble gift card I received for Mother's Day. I'll let you know my thoughts once I read the book.

I look forward to your thoughts.

And last but not least, we are headed back to WDW......on FRIDAY!!!

NO WAY!
So jealous.
Just today, Elle and I were driving down the highway
and Elle asked if we could take the exit that (eventually) takes you to WDW.

And you know what that means right......?

I can't think of that.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.
If I did, my head would probably explode.

I'll be back tomorrow evening,

Wait. That's now.
Where'd you go??

but I have to be at work early, early in the morning to help facilitate health risk assessments for employees so I need a little shut eye. Sounds fun right?

ummm.....


no.


But it sure is nice hearing from you again!

Buzz is gonna write a trip report? Trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report, trip report.....!!!!

What, you thought I would mention ZD's on Pkondzi's TR?

trip report! trip report! trip re...

ZDs............

Oh Gawd...........

No.

Will
not

mmm
no

I'm signing off now before mm bef... mmm...
bye.

 

[pkondz]

A mini-PTR for a mini-TR, pre-TR

Confused?
Me too!

A little while ago, Ruby comes home and tells me that she has to go to Ottawa.

"Okay." Sez I, sez I. "When?"
"First week of June."


Right away, my mind starts racing...

No... hang on... that's not accurate.

Right away, my mind starts tortoising.

Ruby's allergic to seafood. I'll make fish & chips.
I'll make scallops.
I'll have time to clean out the garage. (<snicker>... just kidding)
We'll go to a seafood restaurant.
I'll go to bed late and sleep in.
I'll buy a Porsche.
I'll stay in my pajamas all day long.
I won't shave.


Then she says, "Why don't you come with me?"

But.. but.. but.. We can't go!

What about the CHILDREN??????


We've gone away before, in the past, for a few days,
but my parents or her mom were younger then.

It's a bit much to ask my folks or her mum to watch the kids now.


"Elle's seventeen." Says the wise one. "We can leave them alone for a bit."

I look at Ruby like she's got two heads.

Ruby patiently sits and gazes back at me.
She knows if given enough time, I'll come around to her way of thinking.


It's really quite amazing how wives can get their husbands to come around.
Even when the husbands are convinced that they know best.

Silly husbands.


Anyway, the tortoise in my mind slowly eases off the rock upon which he'd been sunning.
"So... you want me to go with you?"
See? I'm starting to figure it out already!
And only after a few minutes!

"And.... uh..."
"The kids..." She prompts.
"Um... the kids..." I stammer. "Stay... home?"
"Yes." She replies.
"Alone?" I ask.
"Alone." She firmly says.

Several minutes pass.

"We could go to Ottawa and leave the kids alone." I explain.
"Elle's seventeen now." I lecture. "She's old enough, you know."

Ruby nods at my wisdom.
I think I've got her convinced... or something like that.

She says, "And our neighbors are right across the street if they need anything."
I ponder this.
"They could just go across the street, right?" I say.
"And if anything comes up, we have our phones. They could just call." She says.
"We have phones." I proudly pronounce.


I'm so glad I have this all figured out.


So with the home front logistics for the most part figured out...
We now have to see if I can get the time off work and get a flight, using Airmiles.

As it turns out, I can get the time off.
And the flight?
Yup. I have the points and the airline has the seat.


So we're flying out to Ottawa on Monday June 2nd and returning on Thursday, June 5th.


I'm not positive where we're staying.
Ruby's job puts her (us) up at a hotel downtown.

Ruby will be working during the day, so I plan on flying solo then.
Some of the things we (or I) hope to possibly see/do.

Dinner at The Works. Great burger place.
The ByWard Market. Cafés, specialty food shops, boutiques, etc. in a four block area.
Canadian War Museum.
Maybe Parliament Hill, the seat of our government.
NOT cooking.
NOT cleaning.
NOT refereeing our kids!!!

We won't have a car, so we can't venture too far.
We'll see if anything else crops up.


Anyone in the area who wants to meet, drop me a line.
Ruby's a very private person, but I think I could talk her into a DISmeet.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

YAY for a childless getaway trip, Ponzi, and another mini-TR for us!

But you left off your list of things to do in Ottawa to go have lunch at a seafood place!

Looking forward to hearing about it.

 

[pkondz]

YAY for a childless getaway trip, Ponzi, and another mini-TR for us!

But you left off your list of things to do in Ottawa to go have lunch at a seafood place!

Looking forward to hearing about it.

Yup. Just us grown up types.
I don't know what I'll be doing for lunch yet... But I like your thinking.
Depends on a few things, still.

 

[buzz1121]

Pkondz,

I have not forgotten about you. I just saw you have a trip coming up with Ruby. Is there a time prior to your trip that would allow you to take a drive to Pembina?

I'm ready on my end, I brought a great shipping container and box with me. All that's left is to buy the goods and the 57 million pounds of dry ice and we have success!

Interestingly enough, I have ADRs at Boma for breakfast and Sanaa for lunch.

Send me a PM.

I would not jest about so serious a matter as ZEBRA DOMES!!!!

 

[pkondz]

Pkondz,

I have not forgotten about you. I just saw you have a trip coming up with Ruby. Is there a time prior to your trip that would allow you to take a drive to Pembina?

I could Thursday or Friday... but you can't get it there by then, I'm sure.
After that... We leave Monday morning and don't come back 'til Thursday.

I'm ready on my end, I brought a great shipping container and box with me. All that's left is to buy the goods and the 57 million pounds of dry ice and we have success!

Geez, that sounds like so much trouble.
You really don't have to do this, ya know.
I've survived this long without.... you know what.... "that which shall not be mentioned."

Interestingly enough, I have ADRs at Boma for breakfast and Sanaa for lunch.

Ya know.... you can get a certain somethin' somethin' there.... :

Send me a PM.

Wilco

I would not jest about so serious a matter as ZEBRA DOMES!!!!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You SAID IT!!!!!!!


mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....................

zzzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeebbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
ddddddddddddddddddddooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

yummyyummyyummyyummyyummyyummyyummyyummyyummy


mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


gasp..... pant pant pant.... gulp...

whoo!

okay....
think I'mmmmmmmmmmm done.

not quite.

mmmmmmm

almmmmmost.

hang on.

mm

mmm


mm



okay.

mm




phew

all done.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Guess who showed up on the Disboards out of the blue? Sorry, not Nebo. Would be nice though. At least Smidgy still posts on their behalf.

Guess again. Well I'm sure you've already noticed I posted the link to her NEW TR right below. She wanted me to round up the troops. See you all there.

Laura74 NEW TR.

I posted this over on our (Lady H and myself) TR as well.