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

[vamassey1]

I mean if that doesn't scream
"We love Disney!" I don't know
what does!

This is so cute! It had to have been coordinated before the meet.

I really didn't have reservations
about the location since these
were parked outside already:

So cute!

I noticed that while most of the
attendees were not in costume,
there were a few that were.

It wouldn't be a meet if someone wasn't dressed in Disney wear.

I like this!

Outside, in the hallway, were displays
set up for our perusal.

I liked this one of Coco:

Very well done. Love the "no touchy" sign.

And this little diorama of
Cars Land.

Very cute!

So how long did it take you
to notice (if you did at all)
that Chewie was wearing
mouse ears?

Saw it right away!

I can tell you it took me
two hundred and sixty-one days.
I took the photo that day and only
noticed it when I was uploading
them for you to view!

You're slipping.

Sorry, I didn't get them from the front.
I'm still a little shy about asking
people to take their photos.
Probably stems from the last
comic-con I went to back home.
I asked a bunch of people and
they were all very happy to pose.
Until I met up with a woman who
flatly said "No".
Um... then why are you all
costumed up?

My youngest dresses up for cons and loves the attention. The more people ask her for pictures the better.

This is really good.

Kari took one last opportunity
to give Baymax a squeeze.

AWWWW!

Okay... I had to take a photo
of this sign post.

This is perfect!

(I like the guy photobombing us. Way to join in, dude. )

He's actually posing for your picture.

I know you saw it in this chapter...
But did you see both of them?
All three of them?

I saw the first 2 right away but had to go look for the third one.

 

[docsoliday1]

PNWMM

Hello peeps!
Rise and shine!

Which, admittedly,
is going to sound pretty
silly if you're reading
this in the middle of the day...
wait... did you just have a nap?
Then rise and shine!

Works...


Yuss.



In any event,
no matter the time you
read this, the events
surrounding this chapter
starts early in the morning
of July 14th.

One of the main reasons,
if not the main reason
I found myself in Seattle
this fine day, was because
this weekend was the PNWMM
or Pacific NorthWest Mouse Meet.

I read with interest when Liesa
(@Steppesister ) and Kari
(@Malia78 ) went the previous
year and thought it was a good
excuse to head out that way.
As you've already seen, I managed
to squeeze a few fun...

Well... fun for me at least.
YMMV.

...to squeeze a few fun things
into the trip over and above
the Mouse Meet.

Nevertheless, I was looking forward
to re-meeting Liesa and making
Kari's acquaintance as well.

As is my wont, I arrived fairly early.
Rope drop, people. It's not just
for Disney.
And considering this kinda was
Disney... I figured I wouldn't be
the only one exercising that...
er...

exercise.

When I arrived, the parking lot was
mostly empty, but for a small handful
of automobiles.
Within minutes of my arrival, however,
the lot began to fill and any doubts
I might have had that I was in the
wrong place were quickly quashed.

I mean if that doesn't scream
"We love Disney!" I don't know
what does!


Okay... People actually screaming
"I love Disney" would.


I really didn't have reservations
about the location since these
were parked outside already:

Can you even say that when
writing a Disney TR?
That may have had reservations?
Or do you have to say that
you may have had ADRs?


And even though I was one of the first to arrive,
I let my place in line be taken by others
so I could snap a few photos.
I really didn't need to be in the first
half dozen or so inside, so I was
fine with letting others stand while I sat
and took a few snaps of the line forming.

I noticed that while most of the
attendees were not in costume,
there were a few that were.

They ranged from the modest...

To the amusing...

To the elaborate...

It was around now that I finally
got in line... oh, about 20 deep or so.
Not long after, I was joined by
Liesa and Kari.
I hadn't met Kari before, but soon
enough we got to know each other
a little bit and we got along fine.

Liesa and I on the other hand
fought like cats and dogs.

I still have the scars.
If we meet, ask me to show you.


She fights dirty.


Kari's my witness.
She'll back me up.


Eventually, the doors opened
and we trooped inside.
We all got a loot bag with a few treats.
(Sorry. Non-edible. Tragic, I know.)

I spotted this on the wall by the
table where we signed in
and got our schtuff.

I don't recall exactly why,
but Kari was a bit behind us.
I'm pretty sure she came with
Liesa, so not sure why she
wasn't with us.

I suspect it was to stay out
of range of Liesa and her
flying claws of death.

I could be wrong.


But I'm probably right.

Once we had our packages,
we trooped down the hall.
I paused to snap this photo.

Hint: I'll do that a few more times.

The hallway took a 90 degree
turn to the left and entered
into another, wider hallway.
That hallway had doors leading
into the large room where the
Mouse Meet presenters/speakers
would speak as well as the
various venders and silent auction
tables.
Outside, in the hallway, were displays
set up for our perusal.

I liked this one of Coco:

And this little diorama of
Cars Land.

There were also people that you might
recognize, posing for photos.

So how long did it take you
to notice (if you did at all)
that Chewie was wearing
mouse ears?

I can tell you it took me
two hundred and sixty-one days.
I took the photo that day and only
noticed it when I was uploading
them for you to view!

After wandering out in the hall
for a bit... we wandered inside.

Well, Liesa sauntered (an inferior
method of locomotion, to be sure),
I sashayed (far, far superior),
and Kari swept into the room.
(Far more elegant.)
Or perhaps she breezed.
I wasn't taking notes, remember?

I saw more attendees in costume.
I especially liked these bell hops
from TOT.

Sorry, I didn't get them from the front.
I'm still a little shy about asking
people to take their photos.
Probably stems from the last
comic-con I went to back home.
I asked a bunch of people and
they were all very happy to pose.
Until I met up with a woman who
flatly said "No".
Um... then why are you all
costumed up?

Shy, I guess.

But then... so am I.

This woman dressed as a
Pizza Planet delivery truck
was pretty creative.

And this guy!
I was very impressed.
Yes, the arms moved.

There were lots of venders
hawking their wares.
I only bought one item...
A book about HM.
(Signed by the author. )

We listened to a few presentations/speeches.
The most interesting (IMHO)
was the one by this one guy (or were there two?
No notes!) who made props/figurines
for Disney.
Eventually he/they branched out,
starting his/their own company.

They had the draws for the silent
auction, and if you read her TRs,
you'll already know that Liesa won
a really nice poster of all of Disney's
transportation/ride vehicles.
It was pretty cool.
I didn't bid on anything,
but if I had... it would've been that.
I was very happy (jealous) for her.
I didn't try to steal it from her.

Remember the claws?


The day wound down and
we started to head out.
Kari took one last opportunity
to give Baymax a squeeze.

And then just before we left...
Some little guy tugged on
my sleeve and pointed up.
I looked up and started to laugh.
Okay... I had to take a photo
of this sign post.

We left the show and
headed out in search
of sustenance.
Being the only foreigner
in the threesome, it fell
to me to find a suitable
locale.
I suggested The Keg.

I believe we carpooled,
and I left my car behind.
Pretty sure.
Or maybe one of us
navigated and the other
followed.
I seem to have a memory
of going back to the place
where the PNWMM was, later.

Anyways, in one way or
another, we went to The Keg.


It's always good back home, so...

And it was... pretty good.
It wasn't as good as back home
(No, not bragging. Maybe slightly
different ingredients?) but still
good enough.

(I like the guy photobombing us. Way to join in, dude. )

You'll notice Liesa's menu
overlapping mine.
That meant I couldn't
read everything.
I wasn't going to mention it.

Remember the claws?


We had a nice dinner.
We chatted about this
that and the other thing.
And then we called it
a night and went our
separate ways.

I wasn't quite done with
Seattle, though.

But I'll leave that
for the next update.



In case you didn't see it
in the last chapter:

I know you saw it in this chapter...
But did you see both of them?
All three of them?

Coming up: Seattle, the wrap up.


Oh. One last thing.

Liesa was wonderful and I
consider her a good friend now.
I highly doubt she has claws,
and even if she did, she wouldn't
use them.







much.

Yep, noticed Chewie's ears right away. I thought it was cool they had a Solo in Carbonite. Bet he's going to have trouble seeing when they thaw him out.

Ummm...you were not the ONLY foreigner...pretty sure Marvin has you beat there AND that also makes it a foursome. Surprised he wasn't mad when you left him out if the dinner picture or was he the photographer?

Note to self...
Watch out for Liesa's claws (and teeth) in May.

 

[natebenma]

As of this writing, we leave in
just under two months.
(See ticker for deets.)

This just happens to coincide
with a group of you who happen
to be going about that same time.

So...

If any of you wish to meet,
please send me a PM.

This.Is.AWESOME!!!

I am also very envious!

Wishing you a most excellent trip!

 

[pkondz]

I'm already several miles behind on your latest report.

What the heck, Dee! Keep up!

Sheesh!

That was a pretty impressive and eventful first day of your trip!

Managed to get one or two
things done/seen.

The RCMP museum is really well done. Beautiful tributes to fallen officers, gorgeous building and what seemed to be informative and interactive displays.

It was actually better than
I thought it would be.
I went in with pretty low
expectations.

Did they have any exhibits about Mounties in popular culture- Dudley DoRight and Due South come to mind. Or did they totally gloss over any parodies?

I don't think so?
At least I don't remember
seeing any.

Doesn't mean they weren't
there... just didn't see them.
(or remember them)

Loved your visit to Moose Jaw and that you shared Stephen Colbert's hilarious observations. That's pretty rude of Norway to horn in on Moose Jaw's big draw, makes your visit somewhat antler-climatic.

The tunnel tour sounds incredible, pictures or not.

It was fun!
Got to see a little of something
that I was only peripherally aware of.

I'm no expert, but I will go out on a limb and say that driving under a funnel cloud must have been terrifying!!!

It was... pretty nerve-wracking.
Not gonna lie.

The campground looked nice, for a campground.

I usually tell people that DW's
idea of "roughing it" is only having
one Jacuzzi in the room.

 

[pkondz]

Had to pull up the laptop REAL quick before heading to work. Yep, saw all three.

How long to see them all?

All those cars with the same sun shade, that's kinda cool, but also kinda creepy. Was that row reserved for only people with cars eyes sun shades?

They're staring at you, Doc...
Deep into your soul...


Reserved? I don't think so, but...
it would stand to reason that
the earliest attendees took the
closest spots (I took one closer to the exit)
and those would be either hardcore
fans or organizers/volunteers.

 

[pkondz]

Oh, and my Pepere (dad's dad) refused to eat onions so Memere had to tell him they were celery pieces.

Oh, man... you're bringing
back a ton of memories.

I called my maternal
grandparents mémère
and pépère.

Cool update!

No, seriously, thanks for sharing. This festival looks awesome.

Thanks! It was a fun
little break.

Also the catch phrase of The Ramones.

Dang! I wish I'd thought
of that!

That's perfect!!

Cutest guard ever! Great picture.

Fun!!!

She loved it!
Bucket item list knocked off!

Sweet!

 

[pkondz]

I actually noticed it immediately!! I love when I notice some detail in my own pictures long after I've actually taken them

Everyone says they notice.

But I wonder if it's because
it's the first thing you see.
(Scrolling from top to bottom.)

The Mouse Meet sounds like such a fun event!!! Glad you got to go, despite Liesa's claws LOL

It was fun.
Glad I went.

The scars were almost
worth it!

See you in one month!

 

[pkondz]

It's Groundhog Day!

Sorry, that's the first thing I think of when I hear "rise and shine".

and don't forget your booties
cause it's cold out there!

Yeah, I'd say you're in the right place.

You know, that's a great question. I think I'd have to go with ADR's.

I dunno, now.
I've been thinking about it
and I'm having ADRs about
using it like that.

Oh, I believe you.

I mean... obviously, right?

You can never be too careful around Liesa. She's vicious.

Everyone says that.
I should've worn armor.

Saw it right away!

Yeah, you and everyone else...
Except me!

Maybe you should borrow my user name.

I'll have to start as a Private, though.

Notice me! Give me attention! But not too much.

Yes! Exactly!

I think that's my favorite. Nice work there.

I liked the humour that
went with it.

I mean, yeah. It's so you.

Man, Liesa is really taking it on the chin in this chapter. Watch out for the retaliation.

I must admit to being...
What's that word, again?

Oh, right.

Terrified.

I caught 2 of 3 the first time through. Had to go back to find the tire salesman.

 

[pkondz]

Not having luck quoting on my phone...

It's possible...
But it's almost impossible
just from the amount of
work that takes.

I would say I got your back but I am sharing a room with Liesa in a few weeks and well...safety first

Oh! Well, in that case,
yes. Of course.


(But just between me and you,
we both know exactly what she's like. )

The reason I was lagging behind is because the two entry lines were separated by the alphabet--the L-Z took FOREVER

Oh! Right!!!

I couldn't remember why
you were taking longer.
Surely I didn't say:
"No. I'm letting Liesa cut
in line, but not you."

I mean she might say that
(remember the claws),
but me? Nahhh.


See you in a month!

 

[pkondz]

Duh-duh, dunnnn....

Hah!
I just won't get in the water.
I'm safe.

 

[pkondz]

I have skilz.
They are few and far between...

But I have some.


Well, one at least.

YIKES!

(and great shot)!

Wasn't too scary.
Far enough away and
(this is key)
not heading right at me.

And... thanks!

Correct.

Outstanding picture.

Outstanding in the field.

Oh, Dee. You were doing
so well with the puns.
And then you resort to this?

You're better than that.

Who knew there were so many Japanese Gardens in the world to tour?

Not I!

But apparently, you.

Don't ya wish you could photoshop people out in real life. Like the woman driving in the passing lane above?

I refuse to answer on the
grounds that I may
incriminate myself.



But, yes.

I hate it when the border gets backed up.

Looks like a neat place. I love the Dudley Moore Doublebill.

Like that do ya?

Beautiful spot.

I thoroughly enjoyed this update!

It was nice.

And thanks!

 

[pkondz]

I think that should be
Da dum
Da dum
Da dum
Da da da da da da da du dum.

How'd we get back to this again??

 

[missjackiemcg]

See you in one month!

Yes!! Ariana and I just did our lunch orders for BoG yesterday

 

[pkondz]

This is so cute! It had to have been coordinated before the meet.

I don't know!
I like to think... not.
Because it's more fun that way.

So cute!

It wouldn't be a meet if someone wasn't dressed in Disney wear.

This is true.
I wonder if anyone will for that
epic girls' meet?

I like this!

At first I thought it was a copy
of the one at DL, but...

Yeah, I like it too.

Very well done. Love the "no touchy" sign.

That was my favourite part.

Very cute!

Saw it right away!

Ugh! You and everyone but me!

You're slipping.

You only noticed this now?

My youngest dresses up for cons and loves the attention. The more people ask her for pictures the better.

Hmmm... Have I asked you
to post photos of her before?
If not, please do!
If you have...
post them again because
my memory is like a sieve.

This is really good.

I loved the humour in it.

AWWWW!

Yeah!

This is perfect!

I know!
It's like they knew I was coming.

He's actually posing for your picture.

I saw the first 2 right away but had to go look for the third one.

 

[pkondz]

Yep, noticed Chewie's ears right away.

It appears I'm the only one.
I'm going with because
everyone is scrolling from
the top so it's the first thing
you notice.


Yeah... let's go with that.

I thought it was cool they had a Solo in Carbonite. Bet he's going to have trouble seeing when they thaw him out.

That's what you get when
you try to sneak into a
Mouse Meet.

Ummm...you were not the ONLY foreigner...pretty sure Marvin has you beat there AND that also makes it a foursome. Surprised he wasn't mad when you left him out if the dinner picture or was he the photographer?

He took the photo.
And he doesn't get a say.

Note to self...
Watch out for Liesa's claws (and teeth) in May.

You would be wise to heed that.

 

[pkondz]

This.Is.AWESOME!!!

I am also very envious!

Wishing you a most excellent trip!

Thanks, Dee!
I'm meeting five people
at last count.

 

[pkondz]

Yes!! Ariana and I just did our lunch orders for BoG yesterday

I'll be doing mine (and Elle's)
probably tomorrow.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

wait... did you just have a nap?

Not yet but it’s just after supper and I’ll be “watching” the news shortly. Zzzzz.......

I mean if that doesn't scream
"We love Disney!" I don't know
what does!

That’s awesome. I think you’re in the right place. I’ve never seen them with Cars eyes before. I would love to have one for my car.

Liesa and I on the other hand
fought like cats and dogs.

I still have the scars.
If we meet, ask me to show you.


She fights dirty.

I had a feeling. I’ll have to keep my eye on that one if we ever meet

So how long did it take you
to notice (if you did at all)
that Chewie was wearing
mouse ears?

Right away. The Star Wars costumes are very good. I wonder what they cost? Probably more than I’d ever spend on a costume, no matter how much I like Star Wars

only bought one item...
A book about HM.
(Signed by the author. )

Good purchase though. Nice that you met the author.

I was very happy (jealous) for her.
I didn't try to steal it from her.

Remember the claws?

I wouldn’t trust her. Vicious as an alley cat that one.
It does sound like a nice poster though.

Anyways, in one way or
another, we went to The Keg.

Always a solid choice in my experience. Glad you enjoyed it, even if not quite up to the usual standards.

 

[docsoliday1]

How'd we get back to this again??

View attachment 392696

I told you....

Sumtimes sum people just don't know when to quit.

 

[pkondz]

Not yet but it’s just after supper and I’ll be “watching” the news shortly. Zzzzz.......

Always a worthwhile goal.

That’s awesome. I think you’re in the right place. I’ve never seen them with Cars eyes before. I would love to have one for my car.

Too bad I didn't know that
ahead of time.
I could've asked several people!

I had a feeling. I’ll have to keep my eye on that one if we ever meet

Be vewwy, vewwy careful.

Right away.

Look. When I took the photo,
it wasn't well lit.
I didn't look at him from the
top down, okay?


Sheesh!

The Star Wars costumes are very good. I wonder what they cost? Probably more than I’d ever spend on a costume, no matter how much I like Star Wars

Ditto.
If I'm going to spend a lot of
money on a costume...
I want it to be... unique.

Good purchase though. Nice that you met the author.

I wouldn’t trust her. Vicious as an alley cat that one.

It does sound like a nice poster though.

it was really interesting.

Always a solid choice in my experience. Glad you enjoyed it, even if not quite up to the usual standards.

Next few times I had it
(in Canada)
were much better.