August 7, 2004 Magic...who's going?

[wendym]

We are lucky and usually don't get more than a foot at a time - and it clears quite quickly.
Those thoughts are keeping me going too!

 

[musicalSaranader]

Originally posted by gometros
The only way I'm going to survive this winter is by dreaming of the crystal blue water and white beaches at Castaway Cay.

I'm with you, dad!!!

 

[eye R.N.]

Amy great news!!!!

Just back from the trip and for you Clay fans, I was five feet away from him on Saturday Morning. Depending on which take they us, look for my smiling face in the crowd to his left as he finishes his song.

The trip was the dreamchild of a friend of a friend who owns a plane. My job was basically upaid tour guide. (Did you know you can hire Disney tour guides for $75/hour 8 hour min.?) We managed to get out before the storm and just got back, so I'll have details later.

Right now I want a shower. . . badly.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by eye R.N.
Just back from the trip and for you Clay fans, I was five feet away from him on Saturday Morning. Depending on which take they us, look for my smiling face in the crowd to his left as he finishes his song.

Denise - was Clay in the world for some special event?

Great, now Elana will give me heck for not going to WDW when Clay was there.

 

[jeanneg]

Denise: sounds like you may have been there for the taping of the Christmas special, right? You must have had a double dose of Clay since I recall he was in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade as well. I don't know if i remembered to tell you this, but when I was in DL, they were taping the Christmas special for that park. George Lopez was the host and I hung around for a little bit, but after watching him do the same take about 10 times, it just got boring! I wasn't that close, but if the camera does a pan, I'm also on the left with a bright red 7-Dwarf sweatshirt! They also filmed the Christmas parade but it was only in the area of the castle and there wasn't any sound! Each float had the music playing very low and the performers were going through all these exaggerated lip-sync motions......it was actually quite funny! I gather they need to have totally pure sound and so they overlay the footage with a clean track. One other amusing note.....I got there before the park actually opened and they were inviting people to film a holiday greeting which they might use during the show. So you had all these families getting filmed saying "we're the such'n'such family from wherever". I really wanted to get filmed, but it was one of the days when I went alone and wasn't going to say "Hi, I'm Jeanne from Raleigh and can't get anyone to go to the park with me!!!!!"

 

[eye R.N.]

They were taping in all four parks, you couldn't move without running into a film crew. So depending on how they cut the film, I get to be two places at one time on Christmas Day. Clay did about five takes, we watched three before we needed to leave for the keys to the kingdom tour.

The quick trip report: We left in the middle of the snow storm, from a small airport on the Eastern Shore. Fortunately, we were on the right side of the rain snow line.

Small planes are. . . .interesting. It is a whole different experience, you need to wear headphone in order to communicate and to drown out the noise of the plane. While it is a whole lot faster than driving, you still have to stop for gas. Small airports are intersting too, some of these places are downright plush. When we stopped in N.C. they let us use the "loaner Mercedes" to go get some lunch.

The highlights of the trip for me, was mostly reconnecting with friends. While the rest of the crew went to La Neuba, Andy &I got together with Deb Willis (all ears) at a reception and met up with one of my TDS friends who is now working Big Thunder. I also connected with Chelsea's friends at Innovations. All I had to say was I was Chelsea's Mom.

Most of our time was spent in tourguiding. I now have a new appreciation for all of the kids who are stuck with a parents agenda. It does get tiring after a while, six adults who are not used to waiting around for other people get lost fairly easily

I have a new secret pleasure. The hot tub at Port Orleans early in the morning. Blissfully empty, heaven on muscles that had spent too much time cramped in a plane then walking all over the kingdom. If there is a better way to start a day of touring, I've yet to find it.

We did try some things we don't normally do. Ohana among them. The fireworks from Ohana are very nice, although they didn't have the new soundtrack to go with the fireworks.

The rest of the group really weren't MK fans so Andy and I did the Very Merry Christmas Party by ourselves Sunday night. It was great fun. They kept everyone who was already in the park at six pm in future world. It was great riding Buzz with no line, but I am disappointed that they have added a photo opt and a gift shop to the ride. We saw some great shows, rode everything we wanted to without waiting. Wishes, the new firework show is awesome!!!! The Christmas parade was really cute, they even had "snow" on main street. Too bad if felt cold enough to have real snow on the ground. I think I need to have my eyes checked because parts of the 3-D Mickey Philharmagic seemed out of focus to me. It is a cute show though and worth a visit.

 

[jeanneg]

Denise: sounds like you had a great time! How long was the plane ride and how many passengers could fit in the aircraft? I'm so jealous that you've done MVMCP....we've been there around Thanksgiving many times so we've done most of the Christmas stuff but they don't begin Mickey's Christmas Party until the first week in December and so we always just miss it! Did you get to do Mission Space?

 

[eye R.N.]

The plane sat six. In fact I had to tell them my REAL weight, because we were getting close to the limit for the plane.
The ride down was about five hours with the gas stop.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by eye R.N.
The ride down was about five hours with the gas stop.

Somehow that line made me chuckle. I mean, we're only talking Maryland to Orlando, not some cross-Atllantic trip. I can just see the pilot asking for contributions to pay for the gas

Sounds like you had a good time. It's so call that you met Deb Wills. I've corresponded with her for years, but have never had a chance to meet her.

 

[sbennett]

Denise,
Sounds like you and Andy really know how to enjoy things. I love small planes myself, Jay would never go in one. I flew from LI to Pittsburgh in a 2 seater, and because the pilot was a lefty I sat in the pilots seat , sliding canopy over head so when we got up to cruising altitude he opened the canopy....it was soooo cool. Saw Eagles flying around really neat.

Jeanne: So Johnny Depp was named Entertainer of the Year!! by E- Entertainment..we're sure you're thrilled.

Shelley

 

[sbennett]

Come On Folks....no postings since 12/12!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and a safe and happy new year's eve.

We pray for all to have a good 2004.

 

[wendym]

Happy New Year to all!
Mum and I are just back from New Year in Amsterdam - took in New Year with 25000 other people in Dam Square. They don't quite have the same safety regulations there and there were fireworks going off everywhere! We had fun though.
Best news though is our new great granddaughter/ great niece was born yesterday. She is called Rylee (Irish for valiant seemingly) - so 2 girls both with boy's names! Her older sister is Cameron.
All the very best for 2004 to you all.
Wendy and Doreen

 

[sbennett]

Great news for you both. Is she as pretty as her name?
I really like the name Rylee.
Jay & I were in Amsterdam back in 1985, on a singing tour with the Choral Society we used to sing with...before children and marriage! We went to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Bruges, Heidelberg and Cologne. We weren't even dating each other at that time (didn't really know who each other were) My girlfriend and I made a mistake while walking around Amsterdam and ended up in the "red light" district! That was certainly an eye-opening experience.

 

[gometros]

Congralatulations to you and Doreen, Wendy! Rylee is a pretty name.

I remember the one time I was in Amsterdam. I was 15 at the time and on the way to ISrael with a group tour. We had a stop over in Amsterdam. While we didn't get to leave the airport, I was quite surprised at some of the reading material on display in the airport stores. It was my introduction to the more liberal attitudes of Amsterdam.

So here it is January with eight months to go. Is it time to start getting excited about the cruise yet? It's been fairly warm here in New York, so I haven't been as motivated. But, we're looking at colder temperatures by the end of this week, so I know I'll be thinking of St. Johns by then.

Judy and I read an article about the Queen Mary and decided that's something we'd like to do in the future. I reminded Judy that she would have to fly one way (she thought it was like the Magic, you end up where you start). Maybe if Sara follows through with her plans to spend a semester in England next year, we'll take a trip to see her and catch the Queen Mary back to New York.

I forgot to add. My trip report is up on our one day trip to WDW. Check it out at http://www.canettifamily.com/122203.htm

 

[wendym]

Yes Rylee is as pretty as her name but then we are biased!
The Red Light District is certainly different! Been twice before and never went but this time the guide offered to take a group of us so we went to see what it was like. Well we can we have been. The rest of europe is not like this. If you ever go don't go into coffee houses as it isn't coffee but drugs they sell - the brown pubs are far better.
Sandy, you and Judy would love the Queen Mary 2 - we have stayed on the original at Long Beach and it is is gorgeous. Thanks for the trip report - very jealous!
And it is never too soon to think about the cruise!!
Wendy

 

[sbennett]

great report Sandy....so are you going to share the recipe for the pumpkin bread....Grilled Salmon on Pumpkin Bread....sounds wonderful...we get salmon from BJ's all the time.

 

[gometros]

Yeah, I can type it up. It's a pretty easy recipe. Elana already made it for a NYE party she went to.

 

[jeanneg]

Happy new year everyone!

Wendy: congratulations on the arrival of your newest family member! I love both names.

Sandy: sounds like you had a great trip....you really managed to pack alot into such a short visit. I loved all the photos!

Denise: where you been,girlfriend? John and I got invited to one of his referring doc's Christmas party and we met a former co-worker of yours (I think I got the name right: Kathy Coventry). She used to work for the company that recruited John to NC (and then closed down 3 years later!), but she left before my husband started so this was the first time meeting her. Just goes to show you what a small world we all live in!

This is my busy, busy time at work......setting up the new year and closing out the old one, preparing W-2s, 1099s, calculating profit sharing, and then getting all our personal stuff in order. I've been trying to get the house back to normal after the holidays. Everytime I think I finally have all the decorations put away, I spy something else that has to be taken down and put away. Jay finished the last of his college applications over the break, so that's one thing we don't have to worry about. Now we just have to wait for the replies.

Don't know about everybody else, but I was a piggie over the holidays! Plus, I've already broken my new years diet resolutions about a dozen times! I just realized we'll be sailing 7 months from today and I don't want to have to buy all new cruisewear, so it's time to get motivated. If anyone has some effective inspiration, please pass it on!

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

Where have I been? Tough question, with long complicated answers. I have been helping out my old manager of Disney Store at her new store (40 minutes drive) so most of my holiday weekends where spent folding t shirts and making lots of folks unhappy by the amount they were going to get for the items they were returning.

Taylor and I did take the few days right before new year to visit my sister's family in Cincinnati. Her husband is recovering from his third retinal detachment surgery. The zoo there is amazing and I enjoyed seeing her new house and playing with the nephews.

Did you liked Katie? she is a real sweetie, I hope everything is going better for her. Are you still coming to Annapolis in Feb?

Congratulate yourself, I haven't even started undecorating the house.

Wendy, congrats on the new addition, great name. You two and just too adventerous.

Sandy, great report. Wow what a great use of limited time.

Now as for the poundage issue. My plan is to weigh in at the Discovery Store this Saturday and take their 12 week challenge. In addition this semister I am taking weight training at the college. It is the only course that will fit in with Andy's teaching schedule. I figure if my GPA is involved I won't "blow it off" like I would if I joined a gym.

My boss is finally starting to come through with some information about Purtero Rico. He gave me the name of the best rum. He will also scope out the names of the good eatery's near the fort when he goes to a meeting in March.

 

[gometros]

Denise - can you tell me more about this Discovery Store challenge? (At first I read it as the Disney Store and wondered what they had to do with weight loss

Ah, the advantage of my faith. I don't have all that clean up work to do after the holidays!

Thanks on the comments about the trip. We accomplished what we set out to do, and more. The pictures btw (and I have lots more, the advantage of digital - no film and processing costs), were taken with my new toy.