Canadian Buffoon European Vacation - 30/03 - Endings and Silver Linings

[lisaviolet]

You just know it's gotta be food, right?




.

I forgot to say that this is a great photograph.

 

[lisaviolet]

.
The pathway is bordered with dark coloured brick.
Kay begins to walk on just those bricks.
She wants to know if I'll make a bet with her that she can't continue without 'falling off'.
I bet her $2 that she can't make it up to a billboard that's about thirty yards ahead.
She takes the bet.
This keeps her occupied for the next several minutes and happy when she wins.

I sink gratefully into the chair and the speed of our progress greatly improves.

Progress!

So of course I did something that I don't normally do.

I made a kind of swooshing/buzzing sound and pretended to draw...
a lightsaber.

I hearby question the validity of such a statement. :

Okay. That's weird enough, right? It gets weirder.
The parents encouraged their son to pretend to fight me with his own imagined lightsaber!

I really wonder how many people out there would encourage their pre-school child to play with a complete stranger?
I'm almost positive it's because I was in a wheelchair.
I look pretty non-threatening, right?
Plus we're always telling our kids, "Don't stare at the person in the wheelchair. Just act normal."
Which of course means that you act as abnormaly as possible.
Perhaps they over-compensate?

I'll never know.

You'll never know.

Wow, late night commentating - riveting.

There's a gift shop, and if I'm surprised to see some nice shirts.
I buy one.
Actually, as I'm typing this... I'm wearing it!

That's funny.

It was getting closer to boarding time, when Ruby suggested that I might want to visit a restroom now.
Better now than trying to move around on the plane, right?

OMG, can you imagine? Being in pain and getting in and out of that! Well, I guess you could so you listened to your wife.

Hey! Are you going all American with your use of restroom or do you use it regularly - the word I mean. Smiling.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for all your patience.
We're all set to go now and we'll get you cooled off as quickly as possible."

Yeah!

And then there was the sound of a bang and all the lights went out.

Oh no - is the horror that you will be stuck in Toronto?

 

[pkondz]

I can almost feel your pain as you describe just getting up to stand and getting into the taxi. You were a trooper. Or a Mountie, I don't know. if this translates to Canada Speak.

We use trooper. But not super trouper, unless you are an extreme ABBA fan.

I'm glad you got a wheelchair for the airport. It does make things easier if you can't move at a regular pace, but if you need to get off the plane, forget it. We have been through this with Jim's mom before. How is your back now? I hope you are doing okay.

I'll be talking about getting off the plane in the next chapter... and getting back to my back with a back update too.

I forgot to say that this is a great photograph.

Thanks. But you can imagine their disappointment when they found out it was only people food.

I hearby question the validity of such a statement.

Motion denied.
The veracity of statements made by the author of the TR are not to be questioned
no matter how stupid, idiotic or just plain dumb they happen to be.

You'll never know.

Wow, late night commentating - riveting.

OMG, can you imagine? Being in pain and getting in and out of that! Well, I guess you could so you listened to your wife.

I don't have to imagine it... well... you'll see.

And I always listen to my wife.
I have no free will of my own.

Hey! Are you going all American with your use of restroom or do you use it regularly - the word I mean. Smiling.

No. I usually use can, loo, biffy, commode, potty, lav, facilities, john or throne.
But I'm trying to keep this TR professional, so I don't use them.


<snort> professional. Nope. Couldn't do it with a straight face.

Oh no - is the horror that you will be stuck in Toronto?

All will be revealed... next chapter.

Or at the rate I'm going, in about eighteen more chapters...

 

[pkondz]

It's back on!
The road trip is back on!

More number crunching plus...
One of Elle's dance team members family is going through a bit of a rough time lately.
She's a good friend of Elle, so... she's coming with us.

Me: "Does she like road trips?"
Her mom: "Yes."
Me: woot!

So I may be meeting up with OC2 if she can come out to (probably) Cedar Point.
And hopefully I can meet up with Nebo & Smidgy too!

I still have tons of details to figure out. But two nights in Chicago is in the plans.

 

[lisaviolet]

We use trooper. But not super trouper, unless you are an extreme ABBA fan.

Perfect.

I smiled thinking how you found such a photo!

I don't have to imagine it... well... you'll see.

And I always listen to my wife.

Oh no on the first. Smart man on the second.

No. I usually use can, loo, biffy, commode, potty, lav, facilities, john or throne.
But I'm trying to keep this TR professional, so I don't use them.

No. I wanted a serious answer. I'm curious. Do you really use the word restroom in your region/province? I do want to know. I never use it, ever - again, the word - and find that I get stared at a lot in the States.

It's back on!
The road trip is back on!

More number crunching plus...
One of Elle's dance team members family is going through a bit of a rough time lately.
She's a good friend of Elle, so... she's coming with us.

Me: "Does she like road trips?"
Her mom: "Yes."
Me: woot!

So I may be meeting up with OC2 if she can come out to (probably) Cedar Point.
And hopefully I can meet up with Nebo & Smidgy too!

I still have tons of details to figure out. But two nights in Chicago is in the plans.

Fantastic! Yeah. I just LOVE road trips. And yeah for OC2 and Smidgy and Nebo!

 

[pkondz]

I smiled thinking how you found such a photo!

First I had to find an obsolete aircraft fuselage.
Then I had to hire two models and rent a hangar.
Lighting was particularly difficult.
He's holding two pieces of wood, nailed together and painted silver.
She's holding an old microphone with duct tape around the business end.


You're not buying all this, are you?

No. I wanted a serious answer. I'm curious. Do you really use the word restroom in your region/province? I do want to know. I never use it, ever - again, the word - and find that I get stared at a lot in the States.

hmmmm.... I'm pretty sure I've used 'restroom' on occasion, but I typically use 'bathroom' or 'washroom'.

I know I asked an attendant in Hawaii where the washroom was and she looked at me like I had two heads.
I think she said, "Do you mean the restroom?"

Fantastic! Yeah. I just LOVE road trips. And yeah for OC2 and Smidgy and Nebo!

Smidgy and Nebo don't know yet. (Unless Smidgy read this and hasn't commented yet)
You think they'll run and hide?

 

[bankr63]

So you guys are right on the money, so to speak!

The top five Girl Scout cookies, in terms of sales are:

5 - Shortbread/Trefoils

4 - Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do Si Dos

3 - Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs

2 - Caramel Delites/Samoas

1 - Thin Mints

I should note that this information may vary, but this is what was presented to us at our kickoff cookie rally.

Pkondz, I'm going to see what I can do about getting you a few US cootie coated boxes of cookies at DD's next Daisy meeting this coming Sunday. We're getting more cookies then.

I'm just catching up on this thread after our March excursion to Myrtle Beach. After reading a ton of comments on the cookies, I thought I would point out to the 'Mericuns that us Canucks don't get to share this bounty. There are two cookie drives here each year; one with the "classic" chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies (like oreos), and one for the chocolate covered mint cookies. These are the only two options those of us unfortunate enough to live north of the 49th are allowed to partake of.

I did see some girl scouts selling their wares outside the Bi-Lo in MB last week, but we were SOOOO full from all the excess eating already that the thought of cookies made me feel a bit green.

 

[pkondz]

I'm just catching up on this thread after our March excursion to Myrtle Beach.

How was it?

After reading a ton of comments on the cookies, I thought I would point out to the 'Mericuns that us Canucks don't get to share this bounty. There are two cookie drives here each year; one with the "classic" chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies (like oreos), and one for the chocolate covered mint cookies.

And I'll point out that, in my neck of the woods at least, that's two more drives than we get.
But I do vaguely remember seeing the chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies.
Years ago, though.

I did see some girl scouts selling their wares outside the Bi-Lo in MB last week, but we were SOOOO full from all the excess eating already that the thought of cookies made me feel a bit green.

Ladies and gentlemen... may I present... M Ross.

 

[bankr63]

Congratulations Elle!!

Wow, Platinum Thunder!! That is some distinction!

I know you work hard and it's so nice when all that hard work pays off......with platinum thunder no less!!!

Platinum Thunder. Isn't that the name of the hockey team from Flin-Flon MB?

All jest aside, a stellar accomplishment! My congratulations too!

And Man Card aside, you, sir, have a Platinum Dad Card in your wallet.

 

[bankr63]

How was it?

It was a really nice trip, just DW and I for a 10 day getaway. First time driving south; about 16 hours each way plus many side trips. We managed to bring the Buzzes some nice weather for most of the week, and even managed a couple of pleasant afternoons lying by the pool. Drove Skyline Drive through Shanendoah Park on the way home. Rated one of the best drives in America, it's 105 miles hugging the top of the Shanendoah mountains; great views.

The best news is that we had snow well into VA on the way down (and Skyline was closed due to snow and ice), but on the way home we didn't see snow until about 100mi into PA. That's a HUGE change in 10 days, so that can only mean that it's coming soon. Of course we had another 6" of snow here this weekend, and we still have 4-5 feet of snow pack on the ground. Family was taking bets this evening over dinner; concensus is that snow will still be in our yard well into May.

And I'll point out that, in my neck of the woods at least, that's two more drives than we get.
But I do vaguely remember seeing the chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies.
Years ago, though.

Actually, they are getting harder to find here too for the last couple of years; but prior to that I a young girl from a couple of doors down who knew of my addiction. I was a good customer, but her last year in guiding, I came home from work one day to find her sitting at the end of my driveway waiting to spring! I might have bought a half dozen boxes.

Ladies and gentlemen... may I present... M Ross.

Well, if I'd eaten the cookies, I would have looked more like this....

(warning, not for the weak of stomach!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biT1JGJTBAc

 

[bankr63]

Oh, and forget the Girl Scout cookies, have Buzz send you a case of Blenheim's Ginger Ale (get the pink top ones). Brought home a dozen that we grabbed at the Piggly Wiggly; OMG this stuff is incredible!!

I would seriously trade large quantities of Wunderbars as our stock is running low already...

 

[Queenofallthings]

Can't wait for this weather to warm up so we can get over and see you guys!! Shanleigh was so excited that you thought of her when you were in Venice!! She wanted me to send you a quick Thank You!!! She of course will thank you in person when/if Mother Nature decides to bring on spring!

 

[bankr63]

These last two winters have been crazy strange. Downtown Toronto rarely even gets any snow - just a snow line deal. And we usually hover around 26-36 F most winter days. No huge deal. I wear clogs without socks most days. Rarely that Winterpeg like. But these last two winters!!! So strange and awful.

I'll say it's crazy strange. This photo was snapped on December 27th 2013 in the heart of Toronto.



That's some scary sh**...

 

[bankr63]

No. I usually use can, loo, biffy, commode, potty, lav, facilities, john or throne.

But I'm trying to keep this TR professional, so I don't use them.

In our household, we only use biffy when camping. You can use the whiffy biffy, but only if you can use it in a jiffy (holding one's breath). Otherwise you will want to make your way up to the spiffy biffies (flush toilets). What? TMI?

I don't understand how you not using them keeps this TR professional? Doesn't that simply cause you to explode after sufficient time has passed? Please don't explode until AFTER you post the final chapter; I'm so glad to finally be caught up in time to catch the final episode!

 

[pkondz]

Platinum Thunder. Isn't that the name of the hockey team from Flin-Flon MB?

Maybe. I'm not at liberty to say.

All jest aside, a stellar accomplishment! My congratulations too!

I'll pass that on to Elle!

And Man Card aside, you, sir, have a Platinum Dad Card in your wallet.

Holy cow! You just made my day!
Hear that tag fairy? (if you're out there) I've got a Platinum Dad Card!

It was a really nice trip, just DW and I for a 10 day getaway. First time driving south; about 16 hours each way plus many side trips.

Sounds great!

Drove Skyline Drive through Shanendoah Park on the way home. Rated one of the best drives in America, it's 105 miles hugging the top of the Shanendoah mountains; great views.

I'm going to have to check that one out.
I've already got Route 66 and the west coast hwy 101 on my bucket list.

Of course we had another 6" of snow here this weekend, and we still have 4-5 feet of snow pack on the ground. Family was taking bets this evening over dinner; concensus is that snow will still be in our yard well into May.

4-5 feet? That's close to what we have.
I wonder who'll be rid of it first? You or us?

Actually, they are getting harder to find here too for the last couple of years; but prior to that I a young girl from a couple of doors down who knew of my addiction. I was a good customer, but her last year in guiding, I came home from work one day to find her sitting at the end of my driveway waiting to spring! I might have bought a half dozen boxes.

It's probably a good thing there isn't anyone around here selling 'em.
I'd be broke.

Well, more broke than I am now.

Well, if I'd eaten the cookies, I would have looked more like this....

(warning, not for the weak of stomach!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biT1JGJTBAc

Drat! I'm at work. It's going to have to wait until I get home...
Unless it's wafer thin?

Oh, and forget the Girl Scout cookies, have Buzz send you a case of Blenheim's Ginger Ale (get the pink top ones). Brought home a dozen that we grabbed at the Piggly Wiggly; OMG this stuff is incredible!!

Really? I'll have to keep a look out for it when I'm south of the border... or is it only available in the deep south?
Never mind. Just Googled it. Not available too many places, but maybe I can grab some in Chicago.

I would seriously trade large quantities of Wunderbars as our stock is running low already...

Hear that Buzz?

Can't wait for this weather to warm up so we can get over and see you guys!! Shanleigh was so excited that you thought of her when you were in Venice!! She wanted me to send you a quick Thank You!!! She of course will thank you in person when/if Mother Nature decides to bring on spring!

Tell her she's more than welcome... but it's really not much.
I wanted to get her something really nice, but... well... you know what happened so I was a tad limited in my selection.

As for warmer weather and pool days? I figure right around the time you guys get back from your trip, it should've warmed up a bit.

In our household, we only use biffy when camping. You can use the whiffy biffy, but only if you can use it in a jiffy (holding one's breath). Otherwise you will want to make your way up to the spiffy biffies (flush toilets). What? TMI?

No. It just sounds kind of iffy.

I don't understand how you not using them keeps this TR professional? Doesn't that simply cause you to explode after sufficient time has passed? Please don't explode until AFTER you post the final chapter; I'm so glad to finally be caught up in time to catch the final episode!

Nah. I just go on the neighbor's lawn. That way it's not my problem anymore.

 

[lisaviolet]

That's some scary sh**...

And apparently that crazy strange/scary ______ took a hit. Oh no.



( I had no clue about the street of Santas. )

 

[lisaviolet]

First I had to find an obsolete aircraft fuselage.
Then I had to hire two models and rent a hangar.
Lighting was particularly difficult.
He's holding two pieces of wood, nailed together and painted silver.
She's holding an old microphone with duct tape around the business end.


You're not buying all this, are you?

I think every word you say is the truth.

I know I asked an attendant in Hawaii where the washroom was and she looked at me like I had two heads.
I think she said, "Do you mean the restroom?"

All the time.

Smidgy and Nebo don't know yet. (Unless Smidgy read this and hasn't commented yet)
You think they'll run and hide?

Nope. I think they'll cheer.

 

[Thumper_Man]

So what do you want first?
The good news? Or the bad news?

The good news is Elle's team qualified for Niagara Falls.

The bad news...

After crunching some numbers, it looks like we'll probably be flying.
Which means no meets with Nebo & Smidgy in Chi town and no meet with OC2 in Cleveland.

Of course, if anyone wants to come up to Niagara Falls...

You know, if we weren't going to Cancun this year, and Vegas in a couple of weeks, we would probably try to go. We're shooting for WDW though. Hopefully we can go around the time you're going. Take it Lady H and I have a job at the beginning of next year.

 

[pkondz]

And apparently that crazy strange/scary ______ took a hit. Oh no.

)

Santa's down! Santa's down!

I think every word you say is the truth.

Good girl. You can always trust everything I say.

Always.


(Now to think of a way to abuse this power I have.... )

Nope. I think they'll cheer.

Time will tell.

You know, if we weren't going to Cancun this year, and Vegas in a couple of weeks, we would probably try to go. We're shooting for WDW though. Hopefully we can go around the time you're going. Take it Lady H and I have a job at the beginning of next year.

Too bad. I could probably use the company.
Usually at these things it's me and a horde of rabid dance moms.

Not a pretty sight.

 

[bankr63]

Nah. I just go on the neighbor's lawn. That way it's not my problem anymore.

Santa's down! Santa's down!

Coincidence?