Canadian Buffoon's Disney With a Teen Vacation - 08/13 - The Wrap

[Steppesister]

(free to interpret that however you feel fit.)

 

[pkondz]

(free to interpret that however you feel fit.)

Not to worry. I have that affect on people.

 

[afwdwfan]

you're going to want to skip this one.

And I was stupid enough to keep reading.

It wasn't obvious,
but for that one question,
you were supposed to push somewhere else.
I don't remember details,
but I do know that it was really odd.
Whatever.
YES! Confirm the ridiculously gouging $12!
The machine spat out a ticket.
Wonderful.

Well, look at the bright side. As I was reading the story I fully expected your card to have been charged $12 approximately 20 times.

Are. You. Frickin'. Kidding. Me?????

All that effort... for nothin. Should have drove 4 hours to a Harley Dealership instead.

And about half way there,
I stopped being really annoyed
and became only mildly annoyed.
Until I reached for my iced lemonade.
The one that I'd had maybe a quarter of.
The one that I left on top of the #$&^#* ticket machine!!!

I'm laughing with you, not at you.

That is, assuming you can laugh about it now. If not, then I guess I really am laughing at you.

Maybe it's because I'm from a relatively small city.
Maybe it's like this everywhere.
But at least three times, the same thing happened.
I'm driving in my lane...
The car beside me is either in a lane that ends,
or just wants to be in my lane.
Well, it's simple in Montreal.
You just... go.
It's a lateral game of chicken.
The other car that wants your lane just moves into it.
And if you happen to be in the way,
you can do one of two things.
Brake and give way,
or crash.

Oh gosh!!! I've noticed this driving in Indianapolis going to the hospital every day. People just like to fly up next to you and creep over thinking you'll give way rather than finding an opening and getting into the lane they need in advance. A total pet peeve of mine.

And driving an 8500 pound truck with fully paid insurance I usually just smile and say try it.

We walked over to The Keg.

Mmmm... beer.

But... dang...
What is with this dog and cones/collars/leashes?

Like a furry Houdini.

Gives me more time to research it, anyway.
And... <puts on flame suit> maybe a Disney cruise
isn't the best option for us.
Maybe it is... maybe it isn't.

No flames from here. I get that. Disney is more expensive and it does some things better, but other lines will give a different experience that might be better for your personal preferences at a lower cost. Definitely worth exploring.

I fly out on September 14th, arriving that afternoon.
Spend a few days in Disney.
Fly home on the 18th.
It's all booked.

Cool!!! I'm glad you were able to work something out!

I know! You're happy now, aren't you!
Yay! Pictures! And touristy ones, too!
Yippee!!!!

Pictures are much easier to play catch up with.

Ruby's great.
Very understanding.
Very tolerant.
She has yet to hit me upside the head
when I do this.

I have no idea how she can resist.

It's Thé Mon café.
That translates to "Tea, my café"
or better still, "My tea café"

Thanks for the French lesson.

And why shouldn't you trust me?
Have I ever lied to you?

Never, Keanu.

(pkondz does not do coffee... or tea.)

I'll do tea. But nothing fancy... plain black tea with sugar.

This old neon sign caught my eye.
For two reasons.
One... old neon, so... cool
(And no, it's not burned out in sections.
Various parts would light up at different times.)
Two... It's bilingual.
Photo Service works in both French and English.

I thought maybe it caught your eye because you like taking pictures and wanted to check out some new equipment. Maybe not.

These are from a Christmas store.

Ok, that thing that looks like a mannequin with a display in the bottom half looks like something from the wardrobe department of the Hunger Games.

Well this is embarrassing.
That's from The Blues Brothers.
It didn't happen.

But if you were in Universal Studios, it would be a totally believable and legit story.

Wrong.
It was boring.
There was almost nothing inside.
There were a couple of tables
with T-shirts and cheap crap for sale.

But they have good "sucker" windows!

Please don't ask me what constitutes good art.
Okay, go ahead and ask.
"Good art" is any art that I like.
I don't care if an "expert" agrees or not.

I'm not much of an art collector or critic, but I'm on board with that logic.

Which might be why I'm not much of an art collector or critic.

But we were fortunate.
It looked like we got the last open table.
After we were seated, we saw several people
come and be turned away.

Wow, that was lucky! I'm glad you got in there.

Our "French fries" arrived.

Um... maybe French Canadians have a different description of what a French fry is.

And just before I sign off on this chapter,
a little update on Luna.
Her stitches came out last Monday
and we were finally able to
(temporarily)
put the cone of shame away.
She's much happier without it.
The vet-tech we saw said the wound looked good.
We go for x-rays on Tuesday to see
how she's healing.

I'm glad that she's doing well!

Head's up.
Last and final update to this TR coming
late tonight/early tomorrow morning.

It will be blessedly short.
Let the rejoicing commence.

Please keep it short. I've finally just caught up here after reading bits and pieces over a few days.

 

[pkondz]

And I was stupid enough to keep reading.

Well that was stupid of you.
Don't you have better things to do???

Well, look at the bright side. As I was reading the story I fully expected your card to have been charged $12 approximately 20 times.

You're not the first person to mention that.
Luckily, this was not the case.
I guess they didn't want to add
insult to injury.

All that effort... for nothin. Should have drove 4 hours to a Harley Dealership instead.

Than again, it at least gave me something
to write about.

I'm laughing with you, not at you.

That is, assuming you can laugh about it now. If not, then I guess I really am laughing at you.

Oh, it's okay.
I'm over it now.
Plus, now I know that if I go again,
to pack a sledge hammer.

Oh gosh!!! I've noticed this driving in Indianapolis going to the hospital every day. People just like to fly up next to you and creep over thinking you'll give way rather than finding an opening and getting into the lane they need in advance. A total pet peeve of mine.

So you feel my pain.
I wonder if it's a result of jerks
who refuse to let people in,
or jerks who can't wait to get in.

And driving an 8500 pound truck with fully paid insurance I usually just smile and say try it.

But do you want your shiny truck dinged?

Mmmm... beer.

Like a furry Houdini.

I like that!
I think I'm going to start calling her
Furry Houdini.

She got away from Kay the other night.
At least she was inside and we caught
her pretty quickly.

No flames from here. I get that. Disney is more expensive and it does some things better, but other lines will give a different experience that might be better for your personal preferences at a lower cost. Definitely worth exploring.

I keep hearing really good things about Norwegian.
Think I'll look into them.

Cool!!! I'm glad you were able to work something out!

Pictures are much easier to play catch up with.

I hear that!

I have no idea how she can resist.

Resist?
I'm just very good at ducking.

Thanks for the French lesson.

Actually @MarieLightning pointed out that
it's also a French pun.
It's "You're my café".
Don't know how I missed that.
It was so obvious.

Never, Keanu.

Another good ol' Canadian boy.

I'll do tea. But nothing fancy... plain black tea with sugar.

I only do it if it's sweet and cold.

I thought maybe it caught your eye because you like taking pictures and wanted to check out some new equipment. Maybe not.

Oh. I suppose it could.
But I wasn't in the market for anything.

Although my very first camera
was bought while on holiday in Toronto.

Ok, that thing that looks like a mannequin with a display in the bottom half looks like something from the wardrobe department of the Hunger Games.

It does!
Never thought of that.

But if you were in Universal Studios, it would be a totally believable and legit story.

And would make a great stunt show.

But they have good "sucker" windows!

I'm not much of an art collector or critic, but I'm on board with that logic.

Which might be why I'm not much of an art collector or critic.

You and me both.

Wow, that was lucky! I'm glad you got in there.

We seem to do that a fair bit, actually.

Weird.

Um... maybe French Canadians have a different description of what a French fry is.

I think it was just a translation error on the menu.

I'm glad that she's doing well!

Seems to be!
I'm hoping another week or two
and we can let her run free again.

Please keep it short. I've finally just caught up here after reading bits and pieces over a few days.

Not to worry.
It's not long... and it's coming right up.

 

[pkondz]

The wrap


Does everyone know what time it is????
It's time to end this bloated,
overly long trip report!

It started honestly enough
with Kay's and my trip to Disney.
It then morphed into our family trip to Maui
and wound up in Montreal with just the grownups.
Well... Ruby's grown up.
I'm just a big baby.

But you knew that already.

You people must be bored out of your minds!
It's definitely time to put this puppy to bed.

Past time, I think.

So let's wrap things up
and move onto better things.



Which would be just about anything else, no?


Speaking of anything else,
anyone following the Olympics?

Every four years, the planet comes
to a standstill to watch sports
that we otherwise would never watch.
It's a remarkable thing, isn't it?

Did anyone see Bill Murray's tweet?

Makes perfect sense doesn't it?
Or does it?
On the surface, I like the idea.
"Wow! Look how much faster Usain Bolt is
than that old dude wearing flip flops.
He finished before the old guy found a spot
to put down his TV remote."
Seriously, I see them interviewing Bolt
while the "average" person is still running.

But then again, do I really want to watch
a premiere sporting event,
showcasing the best in the world,
and then throw this in the mix?

Hmmmm.... then again....
Anyone remember Greg Louganis?
He did basically the same thing
and won a gold medal.


Anyway.
I'd much prefer to watch skilled athletes
I think.


I suppose I can't show you a bad example
and not give you a good one.
So.... here. Synchronized diving at its very best:

Whoops!
Here I say this report is bloated,
and what do I do?
Bloat! Bloat! Bloat!

Enough!
Time to finish 'er off.



Friday
Last day.
Ruby still had to go in to work that morning,
which meant that I still had some free time
before leaving for the airport.

Since I didn't take notes,
I have no idea what time we had to leave by.
But I'm pretty sure it was around 11:30am or so.

Which means two things.
1. She has to get up and go to work
while I get to schlep around; and
2. I can get those darned eggs benedict
that I wanted so much!

I don't recall exactly what time I got up.
Heck I don't even remember if I got up
on my own, or if the alarm woke me.
But I do know that Ruby was already gone.


As a side note, allow me to provide some
relationship enlightenment.
We've been married 25 years now,
we must be doing something right.

Or not.

Every day I wake up thinking
that today will be the day she
figures out that she could do
so much better.


Year one:
You wake in each other’s arms.
You make love like sea otters.

Year two:
You occasionally wake in each other’s arms.
You make love... or not.
Who cares! We'll always have tomorrow!

Year three - five:
You might wake in each other’s arms...
but only because you somehow got
tangled up after a weird dream.
You find it difficult to decide
between love or coffee.
You flip a coin.

Year six - ten:
You wake up because he/she has
stolen all the covers.
You decide between love or coffee.
Coffee wins.

Year eleven - fifteen:
You wake up when your
partner wakes...
then roll over and go back to sleep.
You'll make love tomorrow.
Or the day after that.
Or next week.

Year sixteen - twenty:
You wake up late.
Crap! You overslept!
No time to make love!
I gotta go!

Year twenty one - ???:
You wake up because you
have to pee.
You make love when you're not too tired
or when things don't hurt.
You're always tired.
Things always hurt.


Maybe that's why I'm getting crotchety.
Tired, hurting and no.... well...
Give me a few more years and this'll be me:

One thing I didn't mention
in the last update.
When I was sashaying down
Rue Notre-Dame,
I spotted a restaurant called
Eggspectation.
And there was a picture of
eggs Benedict right in the window.

This was my one and only goal
for the morning.
Getting me some of that.


I got myself ready and packed up
most of my stuff.
Ruby had already packed up
and left while I was sleeping,
so she was ready to go.
And apparently, quite Ninja like.

Should I be worried?


I set out, once again,
for Old Montreal.

Twenty minutes later,
I arrived.

I was seated without delay
and promptly placed my order.

Not long after...

Behold! The one photo I took this day!!

Bonus, it was pretty good.

And those may look like
pan fried potatoes...
But ohhhh no! Not even close!
Nope. Those are Lyonnaise-style potatoes!
It said so right on the menu.
Which, I presume, is a fancy way
of saying "pan fried potatoes".
They were fine.
Not as good as mine, of course, but...

The next time you go to your local
grub shack, you're not having pan fries
with your two eggs over easy.
You're having Lyonnaise-style potatoes.
Tell the cook! He'll appreciate it!


After breakfast, I headed back to our room.
Shortly afterwards, Ruby arrived
and I made a quick sweep of the room.

I seldom find anything on these sweeps,
but once in a while...
Me: "Ha! Look! You forgot this!
It's a good thing I checked!
You owe me!"

Ruby: "You realize that's garbage you're holding, right?"


We checked out of the hotel, grabbed a cab
and were back at the airport about half an hour later.
Checking in was a breeze, security was a pain.
It always is at Montreal.
At least every time I've flown out of there.
Given a choice, I'd much rather fly out of Ottawa.
I didn't have a choice.

It wasn't horrible, just long.
Eventually we got through
and Ruby miraculously did not
set off the metal detector.
We were free! Free! Free!!!!!
So we sat and waited for boarding.

The plane boarded and departed on time.
I didn't take notes.
I'm going to say the flight was uneventful.
Pretty sure we didn't crash.

Pretty sure.

In any event,
soon we were back home.

Back to work and responsibilities.
Back to reality.

Blech. Give me holidays any day.

How about.... September?


THe ENd




A big shout out and thank you
to all my readers.
Yes, that includes you Mr./Mrs./Ms. lurky-loo!
I see the "viewed" count.
Without you guys, well, there really wouldn't
be a point, would there?

And an even bigger shout out to
everyone who posted comments,
whether a brief hello
or multiple line comments
on multiple posts.
Each and every one is read with delight.
I'm always thrilled that you took the time
to chat with me.
(and others!)

A quick reminder to @franandaj,
Alison, still need to get an address for your prize.
PM me when you get a chance.
If you'd rather not send the address,
maybe we can work it out some other way?
Lemme know.


As for September....
I think I'll do a TR.

Pretty sure.

I must admit that it's getting tougher
and tougher.
I'm following so many TRs that finding
the time for my own ain't easy.

And yet... and yet...
I'm already thinking of a few things
that I'd like to see/do/whatever for the next TR.

And if this DISmeet happens
(and it looks like at least some can make it)
I definitely want to write about it.

Hopefully, after a little break
(and WDW withdrawal in full steam ahead mode)
I'll catch my second wind.

Stay tuned here for a link if/when that happens.

Love ya all.
Thanks for listening.

 

[rndmr2]

Great Wrap Up! Glad you finally got your Eggs Benedict.

Hope you do write about your September trip I, along with most of us, I'm sure would really love to hear all about it.

 

[Princess Leia]

Wow the never-ending trip report has ended! Seriously congratulations and you achieved it within a year of taking the trip with Kay - get up on that podium and we'll play the Canadian National Anthem. I do like the Canadian national anthem!

Yes, I am watching the Olympics - I am pleased we are currently third in the medal table.

As for September....
I think I'll do a TR.

Pretty sure.

I'm pretty sure you will - it will be such a great trip you will just have to share it! Looking forward to reading it. Hope you have a good trip!

Yay! I've managed to reply before Disboards goes down at 9am. It's alright when I'm at work but during the holidays and weekends it is very frustrating.

Bye for now!

 

[pkondz]

Great Wrap Up!

Thanks!

Glad you finally got your Eggs Benedict.

I was not going to be denied!

Hope you do write about your September trip I, along with most of us, I'm sure would really love to hear all about it.

I'm pretty sure I will.
Right now, I'm swamped...
But come the fall, things
will probably slow down a bit.

Wow the never-ending trip report has ended!

All mediocre things must come to an end.

Seriously congratulations and you achieved it within a year of taking the trip with Kay - get up on that podium and we'll play the Canadian National Anthem. I do like the Canadian national anthem!

I noticed the timeline too!
And... I like our anthem too.

Yes, I am watching the Olympics - I am pleased we are currently third in the medal table.

You guys are doing good!
I'm pretty pleased with our medal count,
but... I can't help but wonder what
everyone's count would be if Russia was there.

Did you catch Katie Ledecky's 800m freestyle swim last night?
Holy crap! She finished over 11 seconds ahead of 2nd place!
11 Seconds!

I'm pretty sure you will - it will be such a great trip you will just have to share it!

I'm pretty sure too.
And for the same reasons.

Looking forward to reading it. Hope you have a good trip!

Thanks!

Yay! I've managed to reply before Disboards goes down at 9am. It's alright when I'm at work but during the holidays and weekends it is very frustrating.

Funny you should say that.
I forgot about the daily down time
and was happily posting and editing right around then.

Bye for now!

Bye!

 

[juniorbugman]

Yup hope you write a trip report for your September vacation as I do enjoy reading them. You tell a good story and Go Canada Go.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[Princess Leia]

You guys are doing good!

24 medals is pretty good particularly given 8 are gold!

I'm pretty pleased with our medal count,
but... I can't help but wonder what
everyone's count would be if Russia was there.

You can hold your head high and you've got gold ones. Well Russia still has 22 medals but yes there is a lot less competing with the track and field athletes not being there. A very different story, however, for their Paralympians where the whole team has been banned.

Did you catch Katie Ledecky's 800m freestyle swim last night?

She was really dominant - what a swim!

 

[pkondz]

Yup hope you write a trip report for your September vacation as I do enjoy reading them. You tell a good story and Go Canada Go.

Thanks! I'm pretty sure I will.
Not feeling it right now, but I doubt
I'll be able to go and not think:
"Ooh, that's going in the TR!"

 

[pkondz]

24 medals is pretty good particularly given 8 are gold!

You can hold your head high and you've got gold ones.

Always great to get medals
to add to the count.
But there's nothing like gold.

Well Russia still has 22 medals but yes there is a lot less competing with the track and field athletes not being there. A very different story, however, for their Paralympians where the whole team has been banned.

Aren't they banned in other events too?
I know it was up to the individual events.

She was really dominant - what a swim!

That was nuts! Bronze and silver are
two tenths of a second out.
And she's 11 seconds ahead???

 

[jandlinz]

I'm sorry to see it end, but enjoyed it. I'm hoping you do another report.
We've been watching the Olympics non stop around here. We get the Canadian channel (CBC?) so it's interesting to here the comments vs. USA commentators.
Big hugs Ponzi! Your witty charm will be missed!

 

[cinderkelly]

ALWAYS enjoy your TR's!

Eggs Benedict are my absolute favorite! Yum! But I'm super picky about the perfect poached egg. The yolk must ooze or all is lost.

I'm super excited for you and your September trip! I really hope you do a TR and that the DISmeet works out.

All three gif's in the last update..... I'm cracking up at work and our clients think I've lost it. (Edited to add, all 4 gif's, I really can count!)

 

[Princess Leia]

Aren't they banned in other events too?
I know it was up to the individual events.

You are right it was up to individual federations to decide. Yes athletes were banned in lots of watery pursuits too - rowing, canoeing, swimming and sailing.

That was nuts! Bronze and silver are
two tenths of a second out.
And she's 11 seconds ahead???

In that time she would be able to get out, take off your googles and cap and sit nonchalantly on the diving block waiting for the others!

Lots going on this evening - currently watching cycling and an exciting tennis match!

 

[cindianne320]

Thanks for the wrap-up! It's been fun following along!
I hope you do a Sept. report!

 

[pkondz]

I'm sorry to see it end, but enjoyed it.

Glad you liked it!

I'm hoping you do another report.

I probably will, TBH.
Just right now, a break is looking pretty good.

We've been watching the Olympics non stop around here. We get the Canadian channel (CBC?) so it's interesting to here the comments vs. USA commentators.

Interesting.
I do the same, just in reverse.
I'll pick one of a couple of CDN channels
and if nothing grabs me, then I'll switch to US.

Big hugs Ponzi! Your witty charm will be missed!

Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

ALWAYS enjoy your TR's!

Thanks Kelly!

Eggs Benedict are my absolute favorite! Yum! But I'm super picky about the perfect poached egg. The yolk must ooze or all is lost.

Oh, absolutely!
I agree 100%.
If the yolks are hard,
it's going back to the kitchen!

I'm super excited for you and your September trip!

That's so weird!
I'm excited too!

I really hope you do a TR and that the DISmeet works out.

The DISmeet has at least three people
pretty much confirmed.
And I know that a couple others
at least know about it.
Keeping fingers crossed.

As for writing another TR.
I'm pretty sure I'll do one.
Right now, though,
I'm so swamped that I just need a break.

All three gif's in the last update..... I'm cracking up at work and our clients think I've lost it.

I can just see your co-workers
thinking you're nuts.

(Edited to add, all 4 gif's, I really can count!)

I'm glad both of you can count.

 

[pkondz]

In that time she would be able to get out, take off your googles and cap and sit nonchalantly on the diving block waiting for the others!

How embarrassing is it for the other
competitors, do you think?
"I came in second... by 2 tenths!"
"Wow! How far out of 1st were you?"


"Nevermind."

Lots going on this evening - currently watching cycling and an exciting tennis match!

Haven't seen anything today.
Been busy working on the deck.
Almost done for the day.

Just taking a break before going back at it.