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

[mmeb144]

I'm glad to hear the suitcase of doom went to the landfill. Why risk injuring another human being by sending it to Goodwill?

I'm glad you decided to finish your trip report. Best Trip To Europe Ever! Your photos really made the trip come alive. Well, the pics plus the prose.

Thanks for the fun! Let's do it again sometime.

 

[mmeb144]

but who wants to read about an old fart driving across the country with two teen girls?

I do!

Can I get an "AYE" from the floor?

I would like to come along for that trip. Maybe even meet up at Niagara Falls...

 

[My2Girls66]

I really enjoyed your trip report! Excellent job. Thank you

 

[lisaviolet]

I do!

Can I get an "AYE" from the floor?

 

[AbbyMarie]

Oh? Care to share?
Only if you want.
Oh, it's just your run of the mill downtimes that life seems to take now and again. I wouldn't want to depress anybody here - this is supposed to be a happy place! Although, I have to say the WDW side of the boards is kind of dark and scary....


I'm sorry. That just struck me as funny.
I feel your pain. Truly I do. It was the whole reason for our European trip. I know, right? What red blooded American teenager would ever turn down a free vacation from their parents to WDW? They actually had the nerve to say "Hawaii might be fun too"....







I do (see above) but who wants to read about an old fart driving across the country with two teen girls? Um, count me in. I for one would love to read about that adventure!

 

[orangecats2]

I do! Can I get an "AYE" from the floor?

Of course I do!!! Especially since I might be in it!

 

[Pluplo and The Duck]

So pleased that you are feeling better. Your trip report was very inspiring, and did make me seriouly consider Europe. Two 12 hour flights with a 5 year old made me think that your girls were a much better age to see Europe and may we should just stick with CA . I did like your logic on how close were to Europe . I look forward to reading about your next adventure.

 

[pkondz]

Wow.
(said in a good way. not the sarcastic way that Kay likes to use so much)

I'm a little verklempt.
So many nice comments.
Thank you all. You'll never know just how much it's appreciated.

I saw it and tried hard to go into wonderful denial.

That right there is a pretty nice compliment!

Give the wolves some fresh baked cookies or a strong drink.

Not necessarily in that order.

Your most courageous moment and question - husband to wife. I love how men never learn. It's both amusing and entertaining. Plays out like a show.

Oh, you're absolutely right. We never learn.
We just go on stumbling through life hoping for the best with a silly grin plastered on our mugs.

Come on. She didn't hiss.

Oh.
Oh, yes.
She absolutely did.

Stupendously terrifying my wife can be.

Oh you ARE smart.

Beat a monkey over the head long enough and he learns not to grab the banana every now and then.

We gave you the Junos. What more do you want?

Warmer weather.

Well... you asked.

Who are all these people who want to go to WINNIPEG? THE BEST CITY IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!!

Considering our winter?

Masochists, one and all.

Is this a curling reference?

Although I'm pretty sure Moses didn't do it in a wheelchair.

No. He had an Egyptian chariot.

Okay, I'll refrain.

Boo!

I tried. I swear.

Good try!

So close.... so close.

Absolutely. What a gift to them. Sighing. Good on you both.

I thought so too.
And the nice part is that if they don't appreciate it, I can always cut them out of my will and recoup the loss.

I still remain in travel insurance he!!, almost two months out.

Ugh. That sucks.

Here's to you continuing to be well. Yeah.

I'll drink to that!

No, thank you. We did! I want to thank you profusely for this TR. I can't even explain what a godsend it's been for me. It has distracted me, in a tough time, in such a lovely way. Beyond grateful. Thank you for all the time you put into this wonderful adventure.

Thanks Lisa, that's really nice of you to say.
And I'm particularly pleased that it's helped, even just a little, during a tough him.

Okay, this wouldn't be complete without me looking like a nutcase on my last post.

Yeah.
'Cause it was only on the last post that we thought that. :

But here's the free shot.

Too late. Already took it.

My colours are all over the place because it's not even April Fools Day and someone went and switched dark orchid with purple. I know my colours! I swear they did. I tried to fix it and made it worse, so I give up. I would ask you to confirm if I'm right and ask if I'm going crazy. But I'm much too intelligent for such questions.

No. I don't see anything amiss with the colours. Looks fine from here. That's why I type everything in bright yellow.

The best TR. Fine work! F.I.N.E. fine.

Thanks again, Lisa!

This was such a wonderful report! I had gotten way behind, so I spent most of the day today starting from the beginning (it was really slow at work today). I think I want to recreate your trip. Everywhere you went just sounded so amazing. Great job!!!

It's really gratifying when someone says that they want to go based on what I've said or shown.

POWER! I HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S THOUGHTS!!!!

Too much?

Seriously, it really is gratifying.
Although, I must say, I don't know how you could stomach so much of my writing in a single day!

I finally got caught up just in time for it to end I'm sad that it's over as I really enjoyed your report. Such beautiful pictures, rekindles my desire to tour Europe. Well done sir

Thanks! At least you caught up, though, right?.... Right?.... right?

Like I mentioned to Riles_and_Gabe, it makes me smile when I read that people are considering Europe after reading my TR.


Wait.


Is this in response to a desire to get as far away from me as possible?


hmmmmm......

I do!

Can I get an "AYE" from the floor?

You there! Settle down!
Nobody in their right mind is going to support you!

Aye!!

Okay. Maybe one person will.... but that's it!

I'm glad to hear the suitcase of doom went to the landfill. Why risk injuring another human being by sending it to Goodwill?

See? She gets it!
I'm doing a public service!

I'm glad you decided to finish your trip report. Best Trip To Europe Ever! Your photos really made the trip come alive. Well, the pics plus the prose.

Thanks Marie! "pics plus prose"... How prosaic of you.

Thanks for the fun! Let's do it again sometime.

Sweet! Marie's going to fund me to go on another European tour!
Thanks!!

(so exited!!!)

I would like to come along for that trip. Maybe even meet up at Niagara Falls...

That's do-able. Or you could meet up with us in Chicago. Only two hours away from you, right?

I really enjoyed your trip report! Excellent job. Thank you

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

There ya go. I told you that nobody in their right mind would support it.

Oh, it's just your run of the mill downtimes that life seems to take now and again. I wouldn't want to depress anybody here - this is supposed to be a happy place! Although, I have to say the WDW side of the boards is kind of dark and scary....

Well, I hope things start looking up for you.
And I know what you mean about the dark side.
I've followed a few threads here and there where I've thought, "I should post something."
Then I stop and realize that there's just no mileage in it.

I know, right? What red blooded American teenager would ever turn down a free vacation from their parents to WDW? They actually had the nerve to say "Hawaii might be fun too"....

I for one would've jumped at any chance for a trip.
Anywhere.

But I sure wouldn't have the nerve to dictate where they took me!

Um, count me in. I for one would love to read about that adventure!

Of course I do!!! Especially since I might be in it!

Geez! You people are suckers for punishment, aren't you!

So pleased that you are feeling better.

You're pleased!

Your trip report was very inspiring, and did make me seriouly consider Europe.

Yay! Another convert!

Dang, I'm good.

Two 12 hour flights with a 5 year old made me think that your girls were a much better age to see Europe and may we should just stick with CA.

When we went to Hawaii a few years ago, Kay was just starting to come down with a cold.
Her ears were causing her quite a bit of discomfort, but she mostly just suffered in silence.
Can't imagine a 5 year old in the same situation.

Oh, wait. I can.

Back a few more years, my Dad and I were coming home from Chicago and a little kid SCREAMED the entire flight.

Nails on chalkboard fun.

Felt bad for the parents, they must've been totally frazzled by the time we landed.

I did like your logic on how close were to Europe.

Call me Spock

I look forward to reading about your next adventure.

You too????

 

[dgthree]

I threw that damned suitcase in the trash.

I think I might have tortured it a little more than that - maybe with a flame thrower?

Also, the thought of you & your daughter's race through YYZ along with the sound effects was truly priceless.

Thank you for sharing your trip with us all.

 

[bankr63]

I hope so... Guess I'll find out soon enough.
It will (barring unforeseen circumcisions) be up tomorrow.
Almost finished, just have a few more lines, then edit and twerk.

circumstances

tweek

(Now don't you want it to be over????)

Well I am so glad that unforeseen circumcisions still allowed you to get it up. But I would think that twerking would be out of the question. I've been there and couldn't do either for a while. What? Too much information??

But seriously NOOOOOO we don't want it to be over!!!!

You sir are engaging enough that if you were to write about painting the living room walls, I'm pretty sure you would have a rapt audience. Really enjoyed the ride, and hope there are more adventures to come.

Now over to the Thumpies to live vicariously through them. Just 11 more months until we return to the House of Mouse.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Well, Ponzi, I think there were enough votes in favor of posting your cross-country trip with 2 teen girls.

Anxiously awaiting the link!

PS: Plus Dismeets, you MUST do a report!

 

[Thumper_Man]

Endings and Silver Linings

What are things found in a book? Anonymous things for $1,000 Alex.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for all your patience.

I think you were the only patient here.

We're all set to go now and we'll get you cooled off as quickly as possible."

Or ticked off, whichever comes first.

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

Forgot to pay the light bill huh.

Pretty sure that's where I left off.

That or you were just trying to pull one over on us.

Considering I copied and pasted it from the last three lines of the last chapter...
Yup. Pretty sure...

Are you sure sure?

After a brief pause... it might've been ten seconds... felt a lot longer,
our captain comes back on the PA and announces:
"The lights going out is normal as we switch from the auxiliary power unit to the starter unit.
Just sit tight and we'll be started up in a moment."

We’ll get it started up,
We’ll get it started up and never stop

We’ll get it started up,
We’ll get it started up and never stop

A moment goes by.
Then another.
Then half a minute.

The pilot comes back on.
"Ladies and gentlemen. It's a comedy of errors today (he really said that).
But the Venice airport starter isn't working.

The starter is working not,
I think Ponzi’s gonna blow his top.
They’ll get it started up.

(Groans... and possibly a shriek or two... are overheard... may have been coming from the flight deck)
They have another one and they'll have it here in seven minutes."

They made a grown man cry.
It’s leaking oil and gasoline
Will we ever leave in this darn air machine.
Start it up.

Those of you keeping up will know that meant the starter arrived about fifteen minutes later.

They’re gonna start it up.
Kick on the starter give it all you got, you got, you got

So for the next fifteen minutes, a planeful of hot, sweaty passengers sat helplessly in the dark.
I thought I heard a wolf howl, far off in the distance.
Turns out it was one of the first class passengers losing his mind.

Can’t stand the heat. Neither can the passengers in their seats.
It’s getting rough,
But the pilot says we have to suck it up, suck it up.

The plane is eventually started (hooray!), pushed back, taxied and airborne...
One and a half hours late.

They made a grown man cry.
Departing late, hold onto your seat
We’re finally leaving
In this darn air machine
They started it up.

Still working on the rest of the breakdown. This chapter is longer than what I expected, but thought I would at least start posting.

 

[pkondz]

I think I might have tortured it a little more than that - maybe with a flame thrower?

Oh, sure. Now you tell me!
I am so annoyed with myself for not thinking about that myself.

I let it off far too easy.

Also, the thought of you & your daughter's race through YYZ along with the sound effects was truly priceless.

Thank you for sharing your trip with us all.

I couldn't believe she was doing that.
And I had a front row seat!

And you're welcome!

Well I am so glad that unforeseen circumcisions still allowed you to get it up. But I would think that twerking would be out of the question.

I've been there and couldn't do either for a while. What? Too much information??

Nope. But if you'd taken your telephoto lens and posted a picture.
Then, yes.

But seriously NOOOOOO we don't want it to be over!!!!

Sorry.... but yes. yes it is.

You sir are engaging enough that if you were to write about painting the living room walls, I'm pretty sure you would have a rapt audience.

Funny you should mention that!
I was just going to start a brand new thread on the merits and pitfalls of rollers vs brushes

Rivetting stuff.

Or ribetting... since anyone reading it would croak.

Really enjoyed the ride, and hope there are more adventures to come.

Glad you liked it.
I'm starting to think I'm being railroaded into another TR, here.

Now over to the Thumpies to live vicariously through them. Just 11 more months until we return to the House of Mouse.

Less than a year? Not too shabby.
Have you started the countdown? Where's your ticker?

Well, Ponzi, I think there were enough votes in favor of posting your cross-country trip with 2 teen girls.

Anxiously awaiting the link!

PS: Plus Dismeets, you MUST do a report!

Well.... I dunno.
Although it would be fun if I can get together with some folks and let you know what they're really like...
While continuing to lie shamelessly about myself.

What are things found in a book? Anonymous things for $1,000 Alex.

Doc Holliday, Smokey the Bear, binky

I think you were the only patient here.

No, she Sister, me doctor, you Mr. Bertenshaw.

Or ticked off, whichever comes first.

Others maybe... but me?
Nah. I was just glad that I was able to get vertical and get on the durned thing!

Forgot to pay the light bill huh.

That is correct.
It was Venice's last crack at squeezing every last penny out of us before we left.

Are you sure sure?

Well, now that you mention it....

yes.

We’ll get it started up,
We’ll get it started up and never stop

We’ll get it started up,
We’ll get it started up and never stop




The starter is working not,
I think Ponzi’s gonna blow his top.
They’ll get it started up.



They made a grown man cry.
It’s leaking oil and gasoline
Will we ever leave in this darn air machine.
Start it up.



They’re gonna start it up.
Kick on the starter give it all you got, you got, you got



Can’t stand the heat. Neither can the passengers in their seats.
It’s getting rough,
But the pilot says we have to suck it up, suck it up.



They made a grown man cry.
Departing late, hold onto your seat
We’re finally leaving
In this darn air machine
They started it up.

Very good! Hadn't thought of that one!

Still working on the rest of the breakdown. This chapter is longer than what I expected, but thought I would at least start posting.

Slacker!

 

[orangecats2]

In second thought, maybe I don't want you to do a TR of this summer trip. Everyone will know how crazy I really am!!!

 

[pkondz]

In second thought, maybe I don't want you to do a TR of this summer trip. Everyone will know how crazy I really am!!!

Too late!!

 

[ougrad86]

Awesome last chapter....so sad to see it end

Loved your descriptions! Beeping while running through the terminal

Glad you got rid of the suitcase of death! Once we got our first suitcase with wheels, we got the rest with wheels as well!

Thanks for the guidance on planning our vacation!! I have been taking notes. Unfortunately we won't make Venice, but ready to start thinking about Germany...just need to wait 4 years. He did get into his first choice though!! Now to start thinking tuition...WDW is going to be on hold after this trip, planning a Spring Break at the Grand Canyon next year (probably save some money), and then start saving for Europe.

Glad your back is feeling better as well. I understand the fear of hurting yourself again, but that is probably helping to protect you as well. Moving gingerly for awhile...

I myself would not mind reading about your cross country trip - I think it would be great!!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Too late!!

YAY!! Another Ponzi report coming up

 

[buzz1121]

AYE, AYE!!!

Did you notice that? I sound like a pirate!

Okay, so just to catch you up, the Buzz family was invaded by an evil viral sore throat/fever/fatigue that lasted for 24 hours for each member of the family. DH was our index case and he was sick on Friday. This is where a family of more than one person is not a good idea, as the dropping like flies is prolonged and endless. Enough of that!

I loved the last chapter, as much as you can love something that you hoped would never, ever end. It had all the elements of a great Pkondz chapter, a little stress, suspense, and then the triumph. I love the image of Elle speeding you through the airport. I cringed at Ruby's bladder being thwarted and took a pee break on her behalf(sister solidarity ). I can not believe the crazy woman on the plan during landing. What a NUT!!

And I agree wholeheartedly with Dgthree about burning/torching the suitcase of evil. Simply throwing the sucker out wasn't enough, it needed to feel your pain!

Thanks for an absolutely terrific trip report Pkondz!

And to add to the good news, guess who is planning to go to WDW in late May/early June? Dare I mention the two word phrase that is simultaneously music and torment to your ears? And Marita, maybe a meet up?

 

[Thumper_Man]

I missed this post.

I'm kind of sad this report is over No Nebo report, no Pkondz report, total bummer! I guess we'll have to harrass TMan and Mrs. TMan now.

Harass? What did we do that we need to be harassed? Them fighting words. Ponzi take care of my light work for me.

I never thought I would enjoy a trip report so much when it didn't involve Disney, but I was wrong..... your pictures where amazing and of course your storytelling skills are entertaining as always Thank you for taking the time to write it!

Eh, it was ok.

Just kidding. It was almost as good as ours.

Alright, alright. It was really good.

I do agree, Ponzi has some good storytelling abilities. Imagine when he takes a real vacation and quits taking pictures off the internet and inserting them here. That would be exciting. I guess I'll have to wait for his biography to read about his real adventures.

I would say good job, but I'm not done commenting yet. Hoping to have all my comments done tomorrow.

See you over on the Thumper's report (now we just need to get them to update)!

Are you trying to tell us something here? Have you checked our TR lately? You will notice a new update.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Unrelated to anything, the horrible toe fungus pic is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!