Canadian Buffoon's Back to Front Vacation - Update! 05/18 - Falling Down

[pkondz]

I will attempt to reply better(multi quote) when I'm at a pc, but am I seeing correctly...you wore the same shirt both times you met Carrie & Joe?

It’s my DISmeet shirt.
I try to wear it when
I meet DISers first time.

Unless it’s dirty, which
is why I didn’t wear it
when I met you.

Too many meets in
too short a span.

That’s also the only
time I wear it.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Mostly audiobooks.
(One such, Aurora,
by Kim Stanly Robinson,
is science fiction and if you
enjoy that, I highly
recommend it.)

Ooh, I'll put it on my list. Even if it's not my thing, it would probably be Nathan's.

We listened to quite a few audiobooks over the spring/summer. My favourites were Born a Crime, A Higher Loyalty (perhaps my political bias is beginning to show with this list!), and for fiction (sci-fi), Lock In.

Tickets to the Hall are $26.
Not including parking.
I was going to arrive
around 3:30 - 4:00pm.
People have posted that
they've easily spent
four to five hours there.

And it closes at 5:30pm.
So... $26 for an hour or so
of very rushed, unsatisfying
touring?


Nope.
I decided to skip it.

Sounds like a good call! Just a good excuse to go back someday

Seriously. Watch it.
Well... maybe not now,
but when you're in a Christmas
kinda mood.
Maybe next month, some time.

I keep meaning to watch it, but I never have! All I really know about it is the leg lamp reference. This may be a polarizing topic, but I'm already in the Christmas kinda mood fairly early! (I understand and respect both sides, but I'm of the opinion that I can respect Remembrance Day and still get in the Christmas spirit at the same time, that the two don't need to be mutually exclusive...plus I just like LOTS of Christmas. Wearing my poppy and reflecting on the veterans' sacrifices makes me all the more grateful to be able to sit at home with my loved ones with a cup of cocoa and a Christmas movie.) We've watched 3 Christmas movies so far, so I'll put this one on the list for this year for sure.

The outdoor winter scenes
at the school were shot
in St. Catharines, Canada.

Cool! That's where we stayed with friends of Nathan's family when he had work in Ontario over the summer.

I hate being late.
I really do.
I think it's completely unfair
to the people whom you
are making wait for you.

I couldn't agree more.

So of course I ordered both.
But the coleslaw...

It was cabbage and carrots
and pepper....
And nothing else.
No dressing whatsoever.


It was awful.


It was basically a bowl
of raw cabbage (with a hint
of carrots thrown in.)
I took a bite or two
(the second, because I
couldn't believe what
I was tasting with
the first bite)
and shoved it away.

Um...ew! What a tragedy.

 

[Chrystmasangel]

I completely forgot I told you I would post a link to the Christmas Museum I was telling you about in Medina, Ohio. I had the name wrong. It's called Castle Noel.
This is the one we talked about that has the refurbished window displays. They are NEW YORK CITY Christmas windows from Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s

 

[QueenJen]

I lovingly placed it in
the trunk of my car,
careful not to damage it

FRAGILE....must be Italian. This movie is a must in our house every year. One of the cable stations plays it back to back 24 hours Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.....

The afternoon's drive:

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[pkondz]

That's me too. It's about the only way I get to read any more, just too busy. So I listen to audiobooks on my commute.

My commute is really
too short for that.
(about half an hour)
Otherwise I'd do it
more often.

Love Sci Fi, I've added this one to my long list of books I want to get to someday.

Think you'll enjoy it.

Definitely on my bucket list. Sad thing is, we lived in Erie so right next door for about 6 years and we never made it over there.

I get that.
I've lived within
5 minutes of one of
only two coin manufacturing
facilities in Canada.
(The Royal Canadian Mint
in Winnipeg produces all coins
in circulation for all of Canada.
The original Mint, in Ottawa,
makes collector coins only.)
The RCM also produces coins
for up to 70 other countries.

And I've never visited.

Ditto on this one, would be a neat place to see.

It's fun to visit.
Also a museum which
has props from the movie
and the inevitable gift shop.

I have to admit, I always find the facts you include in your TRs fascinating. But I'm a trivia buff so accumulating information I will never need in my daily life is a bit of a hobby.

pkondz's TRs...
Your source for useless trivia.

Grrrr, hate when this happens.

Luckily, it doesn't happen
very often.
Pretty rare, actually.

Awwww, sweet they spent it with you. I think my worse anniversary was the one where my MIL was visiting and the three of us went out to dinner together.

I bet Carrie and Joe's worst
anniversary dinner was their
last one.

Yep, but it took me twice through. Marvin was certainly sneaky this time!

 

[pkondz]

Ooh, I'll put it on my list. Even if it's not my thing, it would probably be Nathan's.

You might like it too.
Yes, it's in space...
But it's more a human interest
and relationship story.

We listened to quite a few audiobooks over the spring/summer. My favourites were Born a Crime, A Higher Loyalty (perhaps my political bias is beginning to show with this list!), and for fiction (sci-fi), Lock In.

This is so weird!
I just read an article about
locked in syndrome.

Book sounds very interesting.
Gotta look into that one.

Sounds like a good call! Just a good excuse to go back someday

I keep meaning to watch it, but I never have!

What?!?!?!?
Shame on you!

All I really know about it is the leg lamp reference.

And that's really just a small
part of if.
Iconic, yes... but there's
so much more.

This may be a polarizing topic, but I'm already in the Christmas kinda mood fairly early! (I understand and respect both sides, but I'm of the opinion that I can respect Remembrance Day and still get in the Christmas spirit at the same time, that the two don't need to be mutually exclusive...plus I just like LOTS of Christmas. Wearing my poppy and reflecting on the veterans' sacrifices makes me all the more grateful to be able to sit at home with my loved ones with a cup of cocoa and a Christmas movie.)

Polarizing... yep.
I just put up our exterior lights.
(Because I don't wanna die
by crawling around the roof
when it's covered in snow.)
But I won't turn them on
until December 1st.

We've watched 3 Christmas movies so far,

Too soon!

Okay, I really don't mind
if you get in the spirit "early".

Makes you happy?
Then I'm okay with it!

But for me, personally?
Yeah, it's too soon.

(But I can't wait to start! )

so I'll put this one on the list for this year for sure.

Good! Do that!
Then tell me what you thought.

Cool! That's where we stayed with friends of Nathan's family when he had work in Ontario over the summer.

I've never been.
Wouldn't mind, some day.

Um...ew! What a tragedy.

Wasn't the best I've had.
Was the worst.

But the sammie was delish!

 

[pkondz]

I completely forgot I told you I would post a link to the Christmas Museum I was telling you about in Medina, Ohio.

I've been waiting.
Checking my watch...
Tapping my foot...



Or then again,
maybe I forgot.



Nah. Been waiting.

I had the name wrong. It's called Castle Noel.
This is the one we talked about that has the refurbished window displays. They are NEW YORK CITY Christmas windows from Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s

That place looks amazing!
And...

They have this????

 

[pkondz]

FRAGILE....must be Italian.

It's a major award!
Or it could be a bowling alley!

This movie is a must in our house every year.

This is merely right and just.

I have to watch it every year.

Have to.

. One of the cable stations plays it back to back 24 hours Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.....

I've heard that.
And I'm totally okay with that.

 

[pkondz]

Yay, saw them both! (although of course I am behind)

Atta girl!

About finding them.
Not about being behind.
That just happens.

Life, ya know.

I am going to be the trouble maker - I have not seen A Christmas Story,

Not everyone has.
But... you should.

and if that guy had enough room in his luggage to pack a robe, then by all means enjoy sir...

Huh. Never thought of it that way.

But you are definitely in
the minority here, Donna!

Also, if you are up that early, kudos to you all

Places to go!
People to meet!

Socks - trouble with back issues and shoulder issues, I feel your pain!

 

[MeghanEmily]

Polarizing... yep.
I just put up our exterior lights.
(Because I don't wanna die
by crawling around the roof
when it's covered in snow.)
But I won't turn them on
until December 1st.

If you live in Manitoba, then this is 100% a legitimate concern!!

If/when we have our own home to decorate, this will probably also be my approach (though the risk of death is lower in Nova Scotia.) I try to at least keep all of my Christmas low-key and behind closed doors until at least after the 11th.

 

[pkondz]

If you live in Manitoba, then this is 100% a legitimate concern!!

Maybe I shouldn't laugh...


Nah!

If/when we have our own home to decorate, this will probably also be my approach (though the risk of death is lower in Nova Scotia.) I try to at least keep all of my Christmas low-key and behind closed doors until at least after the 11th.

So... no carols belting
out from outdoor speakers?

 

[MeghanEmily]

This is so weird!
I just read an article about
locked in syndrome.

Book sounds very interesting.
Gotta look into that one.

Realized I forgot to quote this, too.

But yes, I found it really interesting and entertaining. It also helps that the audiobook we listened to was narrated by Wil Wheaton, who Nathan absolutely loves, and who I at least find relatively amusing and intelligent. But what I thought was interesting was that it was actually recorded by two narrators, Wheaton, and also Amber Benson. I hadn't really realized it listening to the book the first time, but the author strategically doesn't use any kind of gendered language to refer to the main character (who's also the first-person narrator of the story.) So you can feel free to interpret them as a man, or a woman, or neither. Whatever floats your boat. Kinda cool

 

[pkondz]

Realized I forgot to quote this, too.

But yes, I found it really interesting and entertaining. It also helps that the audiobook we listened to was narrated by Wil Wheaton, who Nathan absolutely loves, and who I at least find relatively amusing and intelligent. But what I thought was interesting was that it was actually recorded by two narrators, Wheaton, and also Amber Benson. I hadn't really realized it listening to the book the first time, but the author strategically doesn't use any kind of gendered language to refer to the main character (who's also the first-person narrator of the story.) So you can feel free to interpret them as a man, or a woman, or neither. Whatever floats your boat. Kinda cool

I saw that!
However... I've listened to enough books
where a male has voiced females
and vice versa that it wouldn't even
occur to me to assign a gender
based on the voice reading.

Every time I hear of Wil Wheaton,
I have mixed thoughts.
I hated his character on Star Trek...
but find him fairly amusing
on Big Bang Theory.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Every time I hear of Wil Wheaton,
I have mixed thoughts.
I hated his character on Star Trek...
but find him fairly amusing
on Big Bang Theory.

I'm not a Trekkie (unlike Nathan) so I don't really have much of an opinion there, but I also enjoy his bits on BBT. And he's been pretty vocal about his mental health, and destigmatizing depression/anxiety, which I think is also cool.

 

[Pluto0809]

My commute is really
too short for that.
(about half an hour)
Otherwise I'd do it
more often.

That's actually the length of my commute. It does take me a while to get through each book.

pkondz's TRs...
Your source for useless trivia.

Well if it ever helps me to win a game on HQ (a trivia app) then it definitely won't be useless! They give away cash prizes on there but it's extremely hard. My brother and his wife are trivia masters (they play in local leagues and have won many times) and haven't managed to win on HQ yet.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I drove on toward Cleveland.

Ohio. Ew.

I usually listen either to
tunes on my iPhone,
random radio stations,
or to audiobooks.

If I'm going to listen to anything, it will most likely be an audiobook. But 90% of the time I don't have anything at all playing.

I usually say that the voices in my head keep me entertained enough.

It's mostly a joke.

So... $26 for an hour or so
of very rushed, unsatisfying
touring?


Nope.
I decided to skip it.

I don't blame you.

If you haven't watched
A Christmas Story...

Why haven't you!?!?!?

Well......I don't know?
I know I've seen bits and pieces of it here and there, but I've never actually seen the whole thing start to finish. I've seen enough to get the major references.

To pick up one of
these beauties.

So, obviously, I'm guessing here, but if I check on my phone and it isn't a leg lamp I'm going to be sorely disappointed.

I hate being late.
I really do.
I think it's completely unfair
to the people whom you
are making wait for you.

Yes! Those inconsiderate people who can't bother to show up on time.....the jerks.

I made sure to tell future
DISers that I met that I
couldn't get iMessages
and to just use straight texts.

Won't ever be a problem with me. I have an Android.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

(One such, Aurora,
by Kim Stanly Robinson,
is science fiction and if you
enjoy that, I highly
recommend it.)

Thanks for the tip! I'm always looking for my next favorite book.

Well, in Cleveland, one must
visit the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, no?

Uh...sure, I guess? I don't know what else is there.

So... $26 for an hour or so
of very rushed, unsatisfying
touring?


Nope.
I decided to skip it.

Good call.

Well, in Cleveland, one must
visit the Christmas Story House.

Now we're talking!

If you haven't watched
A Christmas Story...

Why haven't you!?!?!?

That's a great question.

And wash out your mouth
with a bar of Lifebuoy
for not having seen it.

Though my personal preference is for Lux, I find that Palmolive has a nice, piquant after-dinner flavor - heavy, but with a touch of mellow smoothness.

But I've been there before.
You can read about it here:
Christmas in July
(If you haven't already. If you wish.)

Thanks for the link! I don't think I'd read about your trip there before.

You'll notice that the truck
says Chippawa on it.
It was parked
(in the next frame)
so as to obscure
the name.

I love reading about movie tricks like this.

It's indescribably beautiful!

Looks fragile. It must be Italian.

A 1919 Harley with...
A covered side car????
It looks a little ratty...
but it is almost a hundred
years old.

Cool!

Owned at one time by
Elvis Presley.
I find it interesting
that with the passage
of time, this may be
less cool than it once
would have been.

Probably for the best. I've always thought celebrity-worship gets way out of control.

Now if it was a
Taylor Swift bike!

Yeah...
Who cares.

So.... here's the thing about Betty.
I've noticed that there are times,
when the road is straight and true,
and as we're coming up to an exit,
she'll start telling me to
"Keep left, on I-90 to Chicago"
for example.
Well... yeah.
She didn't tell me to take the exit,
so why would I?

She doesn't do it at every exit,
thank goodness.
But often enough that it's noticeable.

This happens with my GPS, too. I think it may have to do with EXIT ONLY lanes. If it's dropping a lane at the exit they reinforce the message to stay on the highway.

I hate being late.
I really do.
I think it's completely unfair
to the people whom you
are making wait for you.

I feel the same way. I'd much rather be early.

Okay... in another mile or so,
I need to make a right turn.
I approached a long ramp,
on the right.
I started to wonder if I
should take it... but Betty
made no comment as I approached.
Okay, obviously a ramp leading
elsewhere and I'd have that right
turn come up real soon.
I passed the ramp and Betty
cheerfully and smugly chirped:
"Recalculating".
(Usually Betty says that
in an accusing/exasperated tone.)

What???

The ETA went from one minute
to ten more minutes.
With a (more or less)
U turn up ahead.

Reminds me of an old Simpsons episode.

"The preceding episode contained scenes of extreme violence and should not have been viewed by young children."

Yep. Room.
Bed.
TV.
Rejoice that I posted that.

I eventually arrived at
Melt Bar & Grilled.

Ooh! I think I've heard about this before. Saw it on a food show on TV somewhere.

It was nice meeting
Carrie and Joe again, but....
It was their wedding anniversary!
I asked them why they were
spending their anniversary with me,
but they assured me that they were
going to begin their celebration
the next day as they were
leaving for Disney in the morning.

Well, that's a pretty good answer to the question.

Honey ham, mojo glazed pulled pork,
fried pickle spears, honey mustard
and Swiss cheese.

Looks yummy! Except for the pickles. I have a feeling I'd like this place.

In retrospect, I suspect
that perhaps the server
scooped some out of an
unfinished batch of cold prep?
And you may wonder
why I didn't send it back?
By then I was full and
didn't want any more.
I should have mentioned
it though.
Just to save someone else
the ignominy of an incomplete
helping of disappointing coleslaw.

The lesson, as always: never order coleslaw.

I drove back to the hotel.
When I logged on to the wifi,
I suddenly got a bunch of
iMessages from Carrie.
"We're here."
"Okay, we're inside."
"We're just around the corner."

Oh.

I made sure to tell future
DISers that I met that I
couldn't get iMessages
and to just use straight texts.


Oops!

I remember receiving just that sort of a message...

Did you see it in this chapter?

Why so shy?

 

[Tracy161]

What!?!??!
I thought you were going!!

I was... But then I came up with this crazy idea to double up on my Spring semester and graduate early - in May! The weekend after this trip. In Ohio. Too much all at once... including $$$ But the good news... I will soon have no pesky inconveniences of semesters to juggle when planning future trips!

Patently unfair.
I've decided that when
the number of kids
drops below 50...


I'm moving.

I approve. Halloween shall not be messed with.

(not a typo)

I do love meeting new
friends that until then
were friends-I'd-yet-to-meet.

Yes! Me, too

Luckily, I avoided making
like Dorothy.

Thank goodness! That was a long walk home...

But first...
Well, in Cleveland, one must
visit the Christmas Story House.

I love this movie!!!!!!

In case you didn't see it:

I saw it!

Did you see it in this chapter?

I didn't see it!

 

[pkondz]

I'm not a Trekkie (unlike Nathan) so I don't really have much of an opinion there, but I also enjoy his bits on BBT. And he's been pretty vocal about his mental health, and destigmatizing depression/anxiety, which I think is also cool.

Oh? I hadn't heard the latter.
But... that is good to hear.