8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC #9

[got2travel]

Wow, he must be into it, that's great. I'd love to send the boys to spcase camp when they are old enough.



That is terrible. Which was botched? The hysterectomy or the tummy tuck?
Is she OK now?

I had to wait for Space Camp too, but as soon as DS was old enough I sent him. Then again the next year. Sure was a wake up call when the 3rd summer came around and he didn't get to go again. He thought it was a summer ritual by that point. He'll go back in a few year and do the high school program.

The hysterectomy was botched. They nicked her colon, hence the bag. Was a horrible wake up from anestesia thinking that your uterus would be gone, only to find out it's still there and now you've got to pee in a bag. She never got the tummy tuck, by the time she was all healed she didn't want any more surgeries.

That was a tough summer. Three days after one of my sister's surgeries, my mom had surgery (had one of the same surgeons) for colon cancer. My sister got sent home the next day but was back in the ER before my mom got released. My nights were spent going back and forth between their hospital rooms.

Thankfully everyone is all okay now. No more cancer and no more colon problems.

 

[allshookup]

Happy Birthday Jay (DH poomomof5)!!!

 

[disfreaks]

Have been having a look, and Lauren would like to share with her guiding family. This is what she has in mind as it seems to fit the bill, but would need to know how many GSs we have taking part

http://www.guidingessentials.org.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/GirlGuiding/148/24166

Celestine

Celestine, that looks awesome! Count on 1 for us!

 

[sk8ingmom]

So here is something…most of you will know exactly which family belongs to the hockey stick bag that the porters will be loading onto the ship. Others may wonder.

We had DS9’s team meeting and dry-land training this weekend. No official practices until mid-August, but the kids have 30 minutes of ‘hockey homework’ a day all summer – stick handling drills and whatnot. They even have a spreadsheet to keep track. Well, coach said vacations for a week or so are OK, but they should really try to bring a stick and training ball with them if they can. You guessed it, DS is now determined to practice on TOAL. So, it looks like we will be buying a cheap hockey stick in LA and tossing it in Orlando - unless someone who isn’t flying home wants a kid-size hockey stick for free.

Disclaimer: Coach is a reasonable person – if we tell him it is a 2 week cruise, he’d be fine with DS not practicing onboard, but since DS is so determined to practice we’ll go with it. DS is worried because practices start the day we leave for LA, so everyone will have 2 weeks on him when we get back.

Thus is the cult of hockey.

M aren't you eligible for military discounts? According to mousesavers:

Military Discounts

There are always military discounts on Disneyland admission -- ranging from 8-30%, depending on the time of year. Check with your base MWR for info. Military ID may be required at the gate, though many readers report buying military tickets for friends and relatives who used them without problems.

If not...how about AAA?

Hmm, we don't have AAA, but MIL & FIL do. Are those tickets transferable?
Could they buy them and send them to us?

Our base only has hoppers for about $5 off ($87/$80), but there is a processing fee, so no real savings. Plus with only one day, we don't plan to hop because it would be an extra $80 bucks so for the 4 of us - not worth it for one day. Disneyland 1 day no hop is $66/$56, so still a lot cheaper than "discounted" hoppers.

 

[got2travel]

Had anyone found a deal on one-day non-hopper DL tickets?

I'm looking, but haven't found anything so far.

I don't think I've ever seen a deal on one day non hoppers.

 

[pdarrah]

Originally Posted by rillsung
That's what a CM said yesterday.

Is there a Pirate Palo Brunch that we can join in on? What is Palo Tea anyway?

The Pirate Palo Brunch was just being booked individually around 10:30am on 8/24, and we were going to request to be near each other. Problem is, not too many people could get that time, but maybe once on board?

We have a few pirates that managed to get brunch ressies for the 24th - the time doesn't matter that much (I think they are just to stagger the arrivals so not everyone hits the buffet at the same time). I was thinking of putting a sign-up list on my door when we get onto the ship - since most people trying for brunch will be doing it right away, we should know who managed to get it by the next morning. I can then take that list to Palo and ask about getting us all seated together. I assume that as we arrive at Palo, we will need to tell them we are with the "Pirate Brunch" I've never tried anything "special" like this with Palo, but from all I've heard they will try and make it work for us....

Pamela

 

[ga9497]

I have an almost complete set of Navigators from the WB - They were mailed to me by a kind client of mine - The only day I don't have is the first day

If someone is handy with getting them posted to the site I will gladly fax them over - I am computer challenged when it comes to things like this

 

[allshookup]

Happy Birthday Lorri!!!

 

[goofyforlife]

We were very upset about Palo... It's a 15 day cruise and we couldn't get Palo

Terri....if you do find a time to go and can't get the nursery... I'd be willing to play Auntie Kris for a couple hours....

Let me know once on-board...if you might need help...

I'm up for a challenge...

 

[allshookup]

So here is something…most of you will know exactly which family belongs to the hockey stick bag that the porters will be loading onto the ship. Others may wonder.

We had DS9’s team meeting and dry-land training this weekend. No official practices until mid-August, but the kids have 30 minutes of ‘hockey homework’ a day all summer – stick handling drills and whatnot. They even have a spreadsheet to keep track. Well, coach said vacations for a week or so are OK, but they should really try to bring a stick and training ball with them if they can. You guessed it, DS is now determined to practice on TOAL. So, it looks like we will be buying a cheap hockey stick in LA and tossing it in Orlando - unless someone who isn’t flying home wants a kid-size hockey stick for free.

Disclaimer: Coach is a reasonable person – if we tell him it is a 2 week cruise, he’d be fine with DS not practicing onboard, but since DS is so determined to practice we’ll go with it. DS is worried because practices start the day we leave for LA, so everyone will have 2 weeks on him when we get back.

Thus is the cult of hockey.




Hmm, we don't have AAA, but MIL & FIL do. Are those tickets transferable?
Could they buy them and send them to us?

Our base only has hoppers for about $5 off ($87/$80), but there is a processing fee, so no real savings. Plus with only one day, we don't plan to hop because it would be an extra $80 bucks so for the 4 of us - not worth it for one day. Disneyland 1 day no hop is $66/$56, so still a lot cheaper than "discounted" hoppers.

We've purchased AAA tickets for WDW, but not sure if they were hoppers or not & honestly they are only discounted about a $1 or $2 & probably not worth the hassle.

We have a few pirates that managed to get brunch ressies for the 24th - the time doesn't matter that much (I think they are just to stagger the arrivals so not everyone hits the buffet at the same time). I was thinking of putting a sign-up list on my door when we get onto the ship - since most people trying for brunch will be doing it right away, we should know who managed to get it by the next morning. I can then take that list to Palo and ask about getting us all seated together. I assume that as we arrive at Palo, we will need to tell them we are with the "Pirate Brunch" I've never tried anything "special" like this with Palo, but from all I've heard they will try and make it work for us....

Pamela

That would be great Pamela! Thanks!

 

[goofyforlife]

DH and i only need one two day pass and we'll each use it one day...

For the other person that day...We'll use one day off our non-expiration DW hoppers. i think...

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone!

Unfortunately, I'm at home DISing this morning - the reason it is "unfortunate" is that DS9 hurt his shoulder at school this morning and had to come home. We aren't sure yet what the problem is - he didn't actually fall or bang into anything (may be a first - he is constantly doing stuff like that!) he was just swinging and suddenly his shoulder was really, really hurting him. He went to the nurse who called me at work. My chiropractor doesn't have office hours on Tuesday (though he did call me when I left a message for him) so DH decided I better take him into the MD. We have an appointment this afternoon. My guess is a pinched nerve - or he slighly dislocated it and it popped back into place (which still can really hurt!)

He was on track for perfect attendance this year (a first for us!) which will probably never happen again - We know he won't next year since he'll miss the 1st 5 days. Oh well, I don't think I ever had perfect attendance when I was a kid.

Pamela

 

[GatheringNoMoss]

I was reading some Olympic info today and jotted down the dates for anybody who loves the olympicgames (like me!) and needs to pack any "go team USA" stuff!

Opening Ceremonies Aug 8 - closing ceremonies Aug 24 (sea day prior to PC)
I don't remember hearing that the Olympics were starting on the infamous 08-08-08!

I think it is not only 08-08-08, but that plus 08h08m08s on the clock. Eight is lucky in Chinese, when said in Mandarin it sounds like fortune.

Hope some of the games are on the Dumbotron.

 

[captaincrash]

I was reading some Olympic info today and jotted down the dates for anybody who loves the olympicgames (like me!) and needs to pack any "go team USA" stuff!

Opening Ceremonies Aug 8 - closing ceremonies Aug 24 (sea day prior to PC)
I don't remember hearing that the Olympics were starting on the infamous 08-08-08!

There's simply NEVER a dull moment eh?

As the Olympic torch travels across the globe

amid protests about China’s human rights record

and the recent crackdown in Tibet, one

quick-service giant and other companies upon

which the industry relies for products and

services are finding themselves caught up in the controversy.



McDonald’s Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company,

and Visa, among others, have shelled out millions

to attach their names to this year’s Summer

Games, slated to run from August 8–24 in Beijing.

As The Olympic Partner (TOP) sponsors, the

companies have exclusive marketing rights to this

year’s events, affording them use of Olympic

imagery for products, preferential access to

Olympic broadcast advertising, on-site concession

opportunities, acknowledgement of their

sponsorship through a recognition program, and

other benefits. Essentially, they have a window

to the billions of people in more than 200

countries worldwide that follow the games,

according to the International Olympic Committee’s web site.

What a BEAUTIFUL Stadium, eh?​

But this year, in addition to that access, the

sponsors are also taking heat from human rights

organizations and others who say they should be

doing more to denounce China’s treatment of

Tibetans; the country’s close ties to Sudan,

where government soldiers have carried out the

widespread killing of civilians in the Darfur

region since 2004; and its dismal human rights record in general.

Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based organization

that conducts fact-finding investigations into

human rights abuses around the world, has had

meetings with Coca-Cola in attempts to convince

the company to use its stage as an Olympic

sponsor to address the human rights situation in

China, says Minky Worden, the group’s media

director. She says Human Rights Watch had hoped

the company would speak out against the limited

press freedom, forced evictions of Chinese

citizens prior to the Olympics, and crackdowns on

civil society in Tibet and the rest of China.

Even so, the company has thus far refused to take

a stand publicly on the issue.

Beijing Olympic Swim Stadium - not sure if this was actually built though.

In lieu of an interview for this story, Coca-Cola

provided the following statement:



“The Coca-Cola Company joins others in expressing

deep concern for the situation on the ground in

Tibet. We know that all parties involved hope for a peaceful resolution.



“While it would be an inappropriate role for

sponsors to comment on the political situation of

individual nations, as the longest-standing

sponsor of the Olympic Movement, we firmly

believe that the Olympics are a force for good.

Since 1928, we have supported the Olympic Games

wherever they’ve been held, and have witnessed

first-hand the cultural, economic and social

benefits they bring to the host city and country.

Yeah... looks like they buiilt it!

“We remain committed to supporting the Torch

Relay, which provides a unique opportunity to

share the Olympic values of unity, pride,

optimism and inspiration with people all over the world.”



Worden acknowledged that Coca-Cola made a point

of engaging Human Rights Watch in discussions

about the company’s stance but says the group is

ultimately disappointed with Coca-Cola’s decision not to speak out.



“In its corporate social responsibility policies,

Coca-Cola seems to be willing to take up these

issues, but in the face of abuses in China,

they’re proving to be less willing to act when

given the opportunity,” she says.



Human Rights Watch has sent letters to all of the

Olympic sponsors, including McDonald’s and Visa,

since September 2007 in attempts to convince them

to speak out about human rights abuses in China.

So far, the group says, none have acted on their

recommendations, though a meeting is scheduled

with Visa, which did not return calls or e-mails for this story.

I thought this was "charming" - and nothing more... however, this might give rise to interesting considerations for some...

When contacted for comment, McDonald’s issued the following statement:



“McDonald’s is proud of our long-time sponsorship

of the Olympic Games. We believe in the spirit of

the Games and their unique ability to engage the

world in a way that is constructive, positive and

inspirational. Our focus has been and will

continue to be on supporting the athletes, their

teams, and the power of the Olympic Games to

reinforce excellence, unity and achievement among people the world over.



“Concerning political issues, these need to be

resolved by governments and international bodies

such as the United Nations where they can most

effectively drive discussions, diplomacy and help speed solutions.

Dream for Darfur: “The window is closing when the

Olympics are over. We’re asking sponsors to raise

their voices about this genocide.”

“Regarding Tibet, our focus continues to remain

on the Games and the athletes, and we hope that a

peaceful resolution can be reached for all parties concerned.”



Dream for Darfur is another advocacy campaign

targeting Olympic sponsors to speak out against

China’s policies. The group seeks to use the

Olympic Games as a point of leverage to encourage

the Chinese government to convince the Sudanese

government to allow United Nations peacekeeping

troops to enter the war-torn Darfur region. China

has been accused of continuing to support the

Sudanese regime even as civilians are killed in

the western part of the country.



“We have this one small window of opportunity in

which we can make a difference and get our

message across,” says Ellen Freudenheim,

corporate outreach director for the organization.

“That window is closing when the games are over.

We’re asking them to raise their voices about this genocide.”

Last year, Dream for Darfur issued a report card

grading each of the corporate sponsors on their

corporate responsibility responses to China’s

support of Sudan. McDonald’s received a C,

Coca-Cola was given a D, and Visa got an F.



Freudenheim says if the sponsors continue to

remain silent, she anticipates demonstrations at

their company headquarters. A separate campaign,

Turn Off for Darfur, is encouraging Olympic

viewers to turn off their advertisements during

the games if the sponsors take no action.



But Peter Shankman, founder of Shankman

Consulting, a marketing, public relations, and

crisis management firm based in New York City,

says despite the criticism they are receiving,

the sponsors are handling the situation as best they can.

Bush lends legitimacy to the plight of the Dalai Lama in his recent vist with him - the 1st sitting US President to do so...

“It’s the only thing they can do,” he says. “They

have put a fortune into this already. I guarantee

they’re not too happy about their sponsorship

right now, but at this point, to pull out,

there’s no way they could save face.”



The sponsors also have a vested interest in playing nice with China, he says.



“The Olympics will blow over in a few months,”

Shankman says. “What’s not going to blow over is

that China has billions of consumers.”



Moreover, Shankman says he doubts that the

sponsors will be significantly hurt by the protests and criticism.



“So far, nothing about these protests has shown

me anything that would make me think anybody is

going to be hurt at all,” he says.



So what does this have to do with quick-service restaurants themselves?



“I would imagine there’s going to be some promo

programs in some of those outlets leading up to

the Olympics,” says David Chapman, CEO of 919

Marketing, a North Carolina–based marketing

agency. “Fast-food restaurants are big on tying

into topical events, and they’re going to have to

think about that very carefully.”



He says pulling out promotions could be costly,

and sponsors and restaurants should have contingency plans in place.



But Paul Sickmon, president of Knox Sports

Marketing, a sports sponsorship management and

negotiation company based in Tampa, Florida, says

there’s no telling what could happen between now and the Games this summer.



“It’s too early to determine whether the sponsors

are going to react or should react,” he says. “We have to wait and see.”

Respectfully,

... I have no great love for the communist government over there. My family just barely escaped permanent indoctrination (and incarceration) in the late 40s and early 50s. To this day my father reminds me of how he stepped out of the immigration office (Ellis Island) and looked out at all the clean new cars, and 2nd he noticed there were NO soldiers on the streets with rifles or machine guns - and his 1st thoughts were - I've finally escaped the war and we can start rebuilding. So we hold an unusual appreciation for what we have in America - the good and not so good ... is still better then what exisits in many parts of the world.

I would also like to say - it's NOT the Olympics (which we otherwise LOVE!) and it's not the vast VAST Majority of the Chinese People - it is those in power there who perpetuate the communist government and the darker aspects of it.

Sorry - I had something to say here.... and I went and said it.

Of course - in thier defense - they would cite the lost plight of the American Indians who were wiped out by American Soldiers. And many other IMPERIALISTIC occassions in our countries' past.

SO let the first INNOCENT MAN or WOMAN cast the first stone ... (the silence is perfect in intensity).... so perhaps there are few easy answers in this crazy world of ours, eh?

 

[micmse2003]

Hi Everyone!

Unfortunately, I'm at home DISing this morning - the reason it is "unfortunate" is that DS9 hurt his shoulder at school this morning and had to come home. We aren't sure yet what the problem is - he didn't actually fall or bang into anything (may be a first - he is constantly doing stuff like that!) he was just swinging and suddenly his shoulder was really, really hurting him. He went to the nurse who called me at work. My chiropractor doesn't have office hours on Tuesday (though he did call me when I left a message for him) so DH decided I better take him into the MD. We have an appointment this afternoon. My guess is a pinched nerve - or he slighly dislocated it and it popped back into place (which still can really hurt!)

He was on track for perfect attendance this year (a first for us!) which will probably never happen again - We know he won't next year since he'll miss the 1st 5 days. Oh well, I don't think I ever had perfect attendance when I was a kid.

Pamela

I hope everything is okay.

 

[pdarrah]

Did anyone notice that Disney has hours for the shows/parades out for DL in August?! On Saturday the 16th, there are 2 Fantasmics - 1 at 9:00 and 1 at 10:30. Fireworks at 9:25pm

Pamela

 

[Joel110]

Thus is the cult of hockey.

...paying for it myself for staying up and watching the 3OT game last night...

We're planning to drive to Philly the last weekend in June to watch nephew (9) in a tourney. We already have independence hall tour tickets booked on Friday, June 27th. His schedule is busy, the games are in Aston, but we welcome suggestions of things to do around Philly that weekend.

 

[PBader]

Happy Birthday Jay (DH poomomof5)!!!

ing the wishes! Sorry you had to go out of town

 

[PBader]

Hi Everyone!

Unfortunately, I'm at home DISing this morning - the reason it is "unfortunate" is that DS9 hurt his shoulder at school this morning and had to come home. We aren't sure yet what the problem is - he didn't actually fall or bang into anything (may be a first - he is constantly doing stuff like that!) he was just swinging and suddenly his shoulder was really, really hurting him. He went to the nurse who called me at work. My chiropractor doesn't have office hours on Tuesday (though he did call me when I left a message for him) so DH decided I better take him into the MD. We have an appointment this afternoon. My guess is a pinched nerve - or he slighly dislocated it and it popped back into place (which still can really hurt!)

He was on track for perfect attendance this year (a first for us!) which will probably never happen again - We know he won't next year since he'll miss the 1st 5 days. Oh well, I don't think I ever had perfect attendance when I was a kid.

Pamela

Pamela, I sure hope he is okay. that is a bummer about the perfect attendance.

 

[Grandma x3]

Happy Birthday Lorri!!!

'ing - Hope you have a Magical B'day!!!!