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

[nebo]

Ok, got the brace off, lets give the wrist a shot and see if it can take it/////////


Hi Pon,,, ow ow ouch ouch ow , owey, ouch ouchy , ow ow, ouchy wow wow.

All righty now, that turned out better than expected,,,, ya, at least no swear words.

Yes,, I missed ykou little buddy, and I'm really, sincerely lookeing forward to reading all that you have written.

And no,,, i hacvent read a thing since June,,, including emails, quails, or snails. I also need to get over to Self Rescuing Princess's report,,,,, all I can say is I'm sorry to both of you,, been a bad internet friend. Scratch that,,,, I hate that Phrase,,,,,, a bad friend. But I'ce typed this much and I'm not screaming yet,,, so things are looking up.

One lasst thing and I'll quit hijacking kyour report, and I say this only cuz hyou know them,,,,,,,, Mike and Heather are two of the nicest , greatest people I've ever met, after spending extended time with them,,,,, I wish I could have been in the same category with them,,,, unfortunately I was stilll whining and mopein about the deterioration of my eyes,,,, and why my wrist had to become a target. They truly deserved better than being stuck with me.

With that,,,, I' m finally going to get started on the second best trip report writer in the Dis. ( and yes,,, I am going to leave that blank)

 

[pkondz]

Ok,

He lives!!!!

got the brace off, lets give the wrist a shot and see if it can take it/////////

So far, you've got the slashes down really good.

Hi Pon,,, ow ow ouch ouch ow , owey, ouch ouchy , ow ow, ouchy wow wow.

All righty now, that turned out better than expected,,,, ya, at least no swear words.

I noticed that.
Really, I'm quite impressed.

Really.

Yes,, I missed ykou little buddy,

Gee! Thanks Skipper!

and I'm really, sincerely lookeing forward to reading all that you have written.

I even used some big words, every now and then.


I don't know what they mean....
but I used 'em.

And no,,, i hacvent read a thing since June,,,

That's true, 'cause you really can't call looking at girlie magazines "reading".


Do they still make those?

including emails, quails, or snails.

There was that passenger pigeon, though.


Yes. He's that old.

all I can say is I'm sorry to both of you,, been a bad internet friend. Scratch that,,,, I hate that Phrase,,,,,, a bad friend.

Oh, stop beating yourself up, ya big lug!
We love ya and knew you'd show up when you were semi-healthy enough.

But I'ce typed this much and I'm not screaming yet,,, so things are looking up.

Ceiling.

When you look up, you see the ceiling, right?


Unless, of course, you're in Rusty's room.
Who, of course, grew up to be Sheldon's roommate.


Did anyone get that?

One lasst thing and I'll quit hijacking kyour report,

Aww....

Do you have to quit hijacking?

Mike and Heather are two of the nicest , greatest people I've ever met,

I believe you.
And I'm not surprised, either.

And I'm jealous that you all were able to meet and spend time together.

Well... Happy for you all, too.
But I sure wish I could've been there too!

They truly deserved better than being stuck with me.

I believe you.

:

With that,,,, I' m finally going to get started on the second best trip report writer in the Dis. ( and yes,,, I am going to leave that blank)

You better! Or Ol' St. Nick's gonna leave you nuttin' but coal in your stocking!


Again.

 

[nebo]

You do know that ky9ou are not going to get off easy with me, correct?

I just read ykour fly in itinerary, with Paris, Venice, London, Milan, Bavaria,,, ( where the heck is Bavaria?), Sydney, Copenhagen and Milwaukee all listed.
And to be honest,, I have no idea what you were talking about. I do say this in a most loving manner though.

But never having been over by dere, I can't wait to read more about how it went. Is it true that the German girls are, so, so,,, um,,,,, Oh, that's right, you already said Marita is one of them,,, never mind.

WhaT?

 

[pkondz]

You do know that ky9ou are not going to get off easy with me, correct?

I hope not!
Where would the fun in that be??

I just read ykour fly in itinerary, with Paris, Venice, London, Milan, Bavaria,,, ( where the heck is Bavaria?),

It's near Bulgaria, but it's a grey area...

Sydney, Copenhagen and Milwaukee all listed.

You forgot Albuquerque....

And to be honest,, I have no idea what you were talking about. I do say this in a most loving manner though.

He's cute when he's confused, isn't he folks?

Is it true that the German girls are, so, so,,, um,,,,, Oh, that's right, you already said Marita is one of them,,, never mind.

WhaT?

You bet! Absolutely!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

But never having been over by dere, I can't wait to read more about how it went. Is it true that the German girls are, so, so,,, um,,,,, Oh, that's right, you already said Marita is one of them,,, never mind.

WhaT?

I'm sure you meant that in the most flattering way, right? RIGHT??????????

YAY, Nebo's finally back!

 

[buzz1121]

NEBO!!!!

What a terrific surprise!

And Pkondz, really, really great chapter! I did not need to google MOTN, I love that song. It's so haunting and powerful.

The pictures are wonderful! I loved seeing the inside of the Opera. All I can say is amazing!!!

More later.....

 

[pkondz]

NEBO!!!!

What a terrific surprise!

This makes me laugh.
I remember when I posted a picture on Nebo's TR and a bunch of people commented on it.
Nebo lamented that he wrote a big chapter and didn't get as much of a reaction, while I come along and post one crummy picture...


So turn about's fair play, no?

And Pkondz, really, really great chapter! I did not need to google MOTN, I love that song. It's so haunting and powerful.

Yup.
Love that song.

The pictures are wonderful! I loved seeing the inside of the Opera. All I can say is amazing!!!

It was an experience that I won't soon forget!
Now I really want to see Phantom... again... for the third time...

More later.....

I'll hold ya to that!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Ponz! I am all caught up finally! I'm loving every minute of your TR - thanks so much for sharing! It seems so surreal to look at your pics of all the famous places and see your family in them - I guess just to think that Paris actually exists outside of Epcot!

It's great that you chose to take the girls to see the sights and do the shopping and eating, but also to get the appreciation for history and culture and the education in - I'm very impressed! Being in Canada, do you speak French, so you could order in French, ask for directions, etc. or did you have to resort to English like most of us down here would?

Good move letting Kay rest up a bit and do the day on her terms - you just have to let them "do their thing" at that age - makes for a much better day for everyone. She did miss out on some beautiful sights, though.

I love how the sketches came out - very beautiful and soulful. Nice how you could surprise your artist with a tip. I'm looking forward to your next activity - hopefully the clouds will stay away.

 

[smidgy]

I DID miss the part about you guys possibly driving throught chitown! (we are actually about 45 miles NW of it). it would be great to see you!

the opera house looks beautiful. but my favorite part is the paintings. I love to look at a painting and watch the way the lines and "movement" pulls your eye through it. The Art Institute in Chicago is wonderful!

back in 92 I think it was, Todd was sunburned from River country, and tired and grumpy. nebo and Jeremy and I went to MK that night. Todd just didn't want to go. I kept thinking he might regret it, but nebo said let him stay back, so we did. (this was back in the pre cell phone days, so there was no "meet up with us later" option).

hmm, now that I think of it, knowing Todd, I wouldn't be surprised if he met up with some girl after we left. ... nah.. he was only 13. hhmmm...

anyway sometimes it's best to let them make their own choices.

 

[pkondz]

Hi Ponz! I am all caught up finally! I'm loving every minute of your TR - thanks so much for sharing!

Hi Tammie! <wave backatcha>

Glad you're still here and caught up.
I'll be working on the next chapter starting today
(pics cropped, chopped and photobucketed.... it's a word.... it's my TR, so it's a word)

It seems so surreal to look at your pics of all the famous places and see your family in them

It feels surreal to me! And I was there!
I find myself looking at the pics and thinking, "Did it really happen?"


Maybe I just photoshopped the whole thing!


Maybe....

- I guess just to think that Paris actually exists outside of Epcot!

It does?

Nah....

It's great that you chose to take the girls to see the sights and do the shopping and eating, but also to get the appreciation for history and culture and the education in - I'm very impressed!

Don't be too impressed.
While I did a ton of research and would mention some things to the girls, I knew enough not to push it too much.

(Although it is kinda fun to watch their bright eyes slowly glaze over from information overload)

Plus, being them and me being me... they usually just ignore me.
It's a survival trait.... and it's served them well.

Protects them from the countless lame jokes and horrible puns that I subject them to.

Being in Canada, do you speak French, so you could order in French, ask for directions, etc. or did you have to resort to English like most of us down here would?

Actually, that was something that I found quite interesting.

Outside of the province of Quebec, the vast majority of Canadians do not or cannot speak French.

Of course Quebec represents aproximately one quarter of the population of Canada, and 95% of Quebecers can speak french; either as a first or second language.

However, I do and can speak french.

Oh, it's pretty rusty, but I can get by.


But no matter where I tried to use it, the waiter/salesperson/whatever would immediately switch to English.

I didn't mind, since their command of English was usually better then my command of French...

But still....

How did they know that English was my first language?
I get that they could tell that French wasn't, the same way you can tell if someone's first language isn't English.

But what if I was from a non-english-speaking country?
Or is English so pervasive that even if I couldn't speak French that well, my English would certainly be better, no matter where I was from?


(Or did they just know I was Canadian from my constant apologizing and overt politeness?? )

So, yes... I always ordered in French and the conversation went like this:
waiter: "Bonjour! Vous êtes-vous prêt à commander?" (ready to order?)
me: "Bonjour. J'aimerai un Croque Monsieur, s'il vous plait." (I'd like a croque monsieur, please.)
waiter: "Of course, and what would you like to drink?"

<d'oh!>
Maybe it was the 'please' that gave me away.

Good move letting Kay rest up a bit and do the day on her terms - you just have to let them "do their thing" at that age - makes for a much better day for everyone. She did miss out on some beautiful sights, though.

I did that chapter and was marvelling (again) at the pictures from the Opera.
And there was a part of me that kept feeling sad that she missed it...

but I know it was the right move.

Still....


Well, maybe she'll go back someday (which was the goal; give 'em a taste of Europe and see if the travel bug would bite) and want to see it for herself.

I love how the sketches came out - very beautiful and soulful. Nice how you could surprise your artist with a tip.

I really thought he did a good job on the sketches, and deserved the tip.

Still makes me smile when I think about it, so in a way, I guess I tipped myself, too!

I'm looking forward to your next activity - hopefully the clouds will stay away.

You'll find out (hopefully) in a day or three.

I DID miss the part about you guys possibly driving throught chitown! (we are actually about 45 miles NW of it). it would be great to see you!

It would be fun, wouldn't it? I'll keep you guys posted.

the opera house looks beautiful. but my favorite part is the paintings. I love to look at a painting and watch the way the lines and "movement" pulls your eye through it. The Art Institute in Chicago is wonderful!

I'm afraid it's mostly wasted on me.
I'm more into photography then painting, but I can appreciate the skill and talent required.

back in 92 I think it was, Todd was sunburned from River country,

What part of the body is 'river country'?
Is that a Chicago way of saying he burnt his tushy?

hmm, now that I think of it, knowing Todd, I wouldn't be surprised if he met up with some girl after we left. ... nah.. he was only 13. hhmmm...

You should ask him!

anyway sometimes it's best to let them make their own choices.

Yeah... but (as you know) it gets pretty tough sometimes to not overly 'parent'.

 

[lisaviolet]

So, yes... I always ordered in French and the conversation went like this:
waiter: "Bonjour! Vous êtes-vous prêt à commander?" (ready to order?)
me: "Bonjour. J'aimerai un Croque Monsieur, s'il vous plait." (I'd like a croque monsieur, please.)
waiter: "Of course, and what would you like to drink?"

So made me laugh.

It's your accent, no matter how wonderful we think it is. I had this same type of conversation over and over and over in Quebec - I went to university there in an attempt to become bilingual.

Or sometimes it ended in my personal favourite end to my quest - *I speak English you know*.

However, I was just down in the same area that I went to school and now the exact opposite was happening. I would have merchants trying to force me into French. Subtle things going on.


I'm like "okay, you asked for it - ENJOY IT - it's atrocious".

 

[pkondz]

Or sometimes it ended in my personal favourite end to my quest - *I speak English you know*.

"Ah, oui? Vraiment? Félicitations. Moi, vous savez, je parle français."



(translation: "Oh, yeah? Really? Congratulations. I, as you know, speak french.")

I'm like "okay, you asked for it - ENJOY IT - it's atrocious".

 

[smidgy]

you do know that River country was a water park, by Fort wilderness, connected to bay lake, right? (I know you were just joking)

anyhow, one time at six flags great america, we bought the "twicket" for $2 ea. (to come back the next day)
the next morning todd didn't want to get up I said "are you sure about 5 times.
about 5 minutes before we elft, he sprang out of bed, bounded down the stairs screaming "wait! wait for me! I changed my mind!" ( he was about 11 or 12 I think)
since than I am always afraid about the kids regretting their choices. mama bear wants to protect

the 2nd tme we took the boys, in 94, they were 12 and 15. they each still have a day left on their super duper passes, cause the last day they didn't want to go to the parks. they had each met a girl at the resort (dixie landings) and wanted to stay back with the girls and yuse the pool and arcade. (yes, we let the girls parents know we would be at the parks...)

 

[mmeb144]

the 2nd tme we took the boys, in 94, they were 12 and 15. they each still have a day left on their super duper passes, cause the last day they didn't want to go to the parks. they had each met a girl at the resort (dixie landings) and wanted to stay back with the girls and yuse the pool and arcade. (yes, we let the girls parents know we would be at the parks...)

Sounds like a story here. How did it go?

 

[smidgy]

well, todd and his new friend didn't keep in touch. but jeremy was 12, met a blond from california who was 16. he told her he was 15 (maybe she lied, too? ) he actually got a letter from her a couple weeks later. I think he sent one back. end of story.

I could ask them now, but, you know what, sometimes we dont' want to know too much years later, ya know?

 

[Thumper_Man]

Ok. Don't remember exactly where I left off, so I'll start here. Think Ponzi was running from a monkey and/or giant lizard.

Only 1 worker died during its construction. Compare that to the Empire State building where 5 workers died during construction.

Now compare this to the 96 who died making the Hoover Dam.

 

[lisaviolet]

Now compare this to the 96 who died making the Hoover Dam.

Wow.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Hmm. Turns out I was only 2 chapters behind (or one really long chapter). Either way, I'm all caught up now. I'll try to keep up now. Try being the key word. I have some work to catch up on before my next vacation in 2 weeks. Hunting season is upon us again.

 

[pkondz]

you do know that River country was a water park, by Fort wilderness, connected to bay lake, right? (I know you were just joking)

Never went when it was open... didn't know it existed then. Now I know it was there, but...

about 5 minutes before we left, he sprang out of bed, bounded down the stairs screaming "wait! wait for me! I changed my mind!"

Been there, done that....

since than I am always afraid about the kids regretting their choices. mama bear wants to protect

Yup. That's pretty much how I felt.

well, todd and his new friend didn't keep in touch. but jeremy was 12, met a blond from california who was 16. he told her he was 15 (maybe she lied, too? ) he actually got a letter from her a couple weeks later. I think he sent one back. end of story.

He met a California blond and just let her go?!?!?!?

I could ask them now, but, you know what, sometimes we dont' want to know too much years later, ya know?

Now compare this to the 96 who died making the Hoover Dam.

Want to be really depressed? Google Panama canal. Either before or during US involvement.

Hunting season is upon us again.

My girls have been playing some game... I think it's called Dumb Ways to Die.
It's not as bad as it sounds, cartoon blobs doing stuff like sticking a knife in a toaster...

Nope. Still sounds bad.

Take my word for it, it's all tongue in cheek and is pretty innocent.

Anyway, one of the dumb ways to die is dressing up as a moose during hunting season.

 

[lisaviolet]

I forgot to say so many things about the last update. And I can't find them all but this one is exquisite. Why? It just quietly speaks. Nice memory captured.