Canadian Buffoon's Hi Low Vacation - South Central Musings

[MAGICFOR2]

So sorry you had to wake up and go home. Ruby probably wasn't. Nice you actually slept in.

Whew! Good thing you are a sprint walker.
I feel good about my standings in the contest. I managed to stay in the game, (thanks to your kindness and the patience of my fellow guests) and I am solidly in The Middle. Who watches that show? It really cracks me up.

My answers:
1. The shorts stay red. You should mail them to NM and see if Lady H can live up to her Stain Queen title!
2. Toothbrush
3. Poutine, definitely Canadian
4. Calgary
5. Early by a few minutes
6. Purple Hearts , which no one has seen. Or An Officer and a Gentleman. (Chick flicks) Excited for the new Pirates movie this Spring!

My choice for the plate:
1TOGO
That is so perfect, considering your frequent visits to the Harley store. (I will be praying for Ruby, BTW is she a worrier? Okay, I will pray for you too, because I am a worrier) When do you take delivery and hit the road?

We just did something crazy and bought a car online . We got sick of dealing with dealers and the bait and switch. So we used Carvana. Not sure if you have heard of it, but used cars with warranties and return guarantee. Rated well, so why not? The TV commercial says, "In my kimono bought a car" Well, it was just about like that. They will bring the car here to our apartment and pick up our old van for trade in. I will keep you posted.

 

[afwdwfan]

It's my bike. I have to live with it!

Fair enough.

But... well, I don't necessarily want to be
associated with ponzi schemes and have people
throwing rocks or feces at me.

Or rocks covered in feces.
That would probably be worse.

Where does fossilized feces fall in that spectrum?

999HH (999 happy haunts)

4U2NV (for you to envy)

Ok, I only voted for 2. Those stood out to me since I couldn't vote for myself. I like the 999HH one. It is definitely something that seems random and most people wouldn't get it, but it would have that secret meaning to you and the true Disney fan.

Remember back in the Cretinous period
of this TR when I had to get
a new credit card?
Well, apparently Disney didn't have that info.

I seriously considered just skipping town,
but then I thought if I did that....
they might not let me back in town.


Still..... verrrrry tempting.

Tough call. You probably did the right thing... but man, that's a tough one.

I headed over to the front desk...
which was spitting distance from my room
(Okay, the farthest spit on record is
nineteen and a half feet...
but the farthest cherry stone spit
is ninety three feet, so totally true.)
and cleared up the bill.

Look at you! I never knew you were the expert on spitting!

"I don't wanna go!"
"I wanna stay here!"
"Waaahhh!!!"

Eventually someone told me to shut up
and I did and it was quiet again
and the kids could nap.

Big baby.

She wouldn't open her till and serve all
the customers because she had to count
some crap that she could count anytime of day?
Baaaaahhhhh.....


I dumped my stuff where I was standing and left.
That one dumb clerk had cost her boss some business.
Probably others went elsewhere too.

Well that's some impressive customer service.

I ran.

Well, okay. Full disclosure.
I didn't exactly run.
But pkondz's fast walk
is a lot faster than a lot
of people can run.

People... I move.

In other words, when you aren't sashaying, you don't waste any time?

I wandered over to the WestJet desk
and asked what my chances were
of making my connecting flight.
They assured me that I had time.


I wonder if they always lie like that,
so that you won't bother them?

(Oh, come on... just one time!)
but it did show up within
the first 10 bags or so. Score!

That's a win in my book.

My gate is at #2, and this is the B area,
so it will be the second gate! Yes!
So... walk up to B1... except it's not.

It's B23.

Except there's an elderly couple
standing in front of it,
trying to figure out where
the stairs are coming from.

I have zero time to waste
So I sprint up the stairs instead.

Well, I give you credit for not leaving shoe prints on their foreheads.

Halfway down I hear:
"Your attention please.
This is a final boarding call
for WestJet flight 529 for Winnipeg.
All passengers should now be on board."

I got on the plane
and collapsed in my seat.
Made it!

Whew! That was close!

1. I do laundry
(please, keep your gasps of astonishment to yourselves.)
Those shorts salveagable or red for good?

Um... red

2. What critical item did I leave in Florida?

Your new credit card

3. What snack, that is worth coming to Canada for
do we get?

Timmy's

4. Flight. Calgary, AB or Edmonton, AB?

Eeenie meenie, I don't know... Calgary

5. Flight. Early, on time, or late?

On time

6. What's your favourite movie?

Jurassic Park

 

[afwdwfan]

Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I almost went with that one.

Also, bonus points for the license plate question: I'm not actually going to answer because I think vanity plates are silly. And I do judge people who have them. Sorry.

I like this answer. Let's be honest, we're all judging him.

 

[MarieLightning]

Hang an ice cube in front of a fan.
It's practically the same thing.

That's very true. And once the ice melt, we can just get the cat to drain the puddle off the floor.

So you're corruptible then?

I'll look for you at rope drop!
Should be easy, right?
There's hardly anyone there.

Nope, completely empty!

But if you're having trouble, I'm probably right behind the family of four who got in line while the rest of her party (seven more people including two EVCs) was still going through security, only to let them join them in front of me.

Sounds about right.

Still... waking up around 7:30am
while I'm in Disney is pretty rare.
And pretty sweet.

I started my Disney days with the motto of No Sleep At Disney.

It's since gone out of the door. Last month we slept in until about 9. It was glorious.

I seriously considered just skipping town,
but then I thought if I did that....
they might not let me back in town.

That pay off just doesn't seem worth it, does it?

There really ought to be some sort
of prize, or reward for boarding that bus.
It's so demoralizing and depressing.

"Welcome aboard! Here's $1,000!"

I'd take a Mickey bar!

Arriving at MCO, I made the long,
forty two mile long trek
to the WestJet counter.
It wouldn't open for another 10 minutes.


Thank goodness we left four hours early!!

Good lord I hate that. Like, don't get me somewhere if I can't go anywhere from there, geez.

And really, there is no logic to the extra hour. I just don't get it.

That morning, all you could hear was
constant screaming and yelling.

"I don't wanna go!"
"I wanna stay here!"
"Waaahhh!!!"

Eventually someone told me to shut up
and I did and it was quiet again
and the kids could nap.

That's rough. People should have more compassion

Then I snagged a muffin from Starbucks.
Neither place had anyone in line.

Now that's a surprise

I passed the time munching,
drinking, and watching Big Hero 6.
Cute movie.

Amber and I cry every time we watch it.

Sometimes, if you catch her at the right time, Amber will cry at the sole mention of Tadashi.

"He never got to see Baymax help people "

Except... My connecting flight was
at 6:15pm...

Yep, that sounds familiar

I wandered over to the WestJet desk
and asked what my chances were
of making my connecting flight.
They assured me that I had time.

I mean... technically. You *have* time. What state you make it on the plane in is no concern of theirs.

I got on the plane
and collapsed in my seat.
Made it!

Phew! That was a run!

I know when Amber still lived in Michigan and Air Canada still offered flights into Grand Rapids, that was always a trek.

I can't remember what gate the flight from Montreal would land in, but the departure was at the very, very end of gate F. You actually had to walk outside to get to your plane.

I honestly don't know why
they allow that connection
to be booked.

Because someone at Toronto Pearson decided that the legal connecting time in Toronto is 1 hour and 10 minutes.

In Montreal, it's 40 minutes actually.

They cray.

 

[franandaj]

Hello!



Hello





Hello


Is there anybody IN there?





Just nod if you can hear me.....






Is there anyone home?

 

[DisneyLeafsFan2015]

Hey Pkondz. Long time fan. Awesome report. Look forward to your continuing adventures

 

[Terra Nova guy]

(If I missed yours, let me know
and I'll add it in.)

Well, about that...not that it matters too much now, but I did suggest THNDR vv

Another simple but effective one would be MARVN.
Going with a Disney theme, I though of things like DREAM and MAGIC but they are a bit too obvious and not exactly "cool". How about something clever hinting at a ride? I like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, so what about THNDR -hints at the ride, plus it's a Harley so you've got that thunderous rumble going on, so I guess you could say it is kind of cool?

For my picks, for a Disney related one I do like 999HH.
I also would pick MVOVR or OPNRD

(Okay, the farthest spit on record is
nineteen and a half feet...
but the farthest cherry stone spit
is ninety three feet, so totally true.)

See, here I thought it was 92 feet. I'm glad you cleared that up.

There really ought to be some sort
of prize, or reward for boarding that bus.
It's so demoralizing and depressing.

Agreed, but I fear Magical/Tragical Express will soon become one of the ever growing list of up-sells and extra fees.

I eventually went through the nude scanner
(sorry security, your eyes will eventually heal
if you haven't plucked them out.)

I've gone though those before. I feel bad for the person on the other end. I'm sure when you first think of that job, it sounds like sitting there getting paid to look at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazines all day, but the reality is far from that.

(Yes. Four. International flights
get the added bonus hour
even though it takes the same
amount of time to check in and
go through security as a domestic flight.)

I've always thought that Canada really shouldn't be considered International.

I was sipping my drink and
felt a bit dribble down my chin.
I don't normally have a drinking problem.

I'm usually very deep into an interesting Friday night before I have a dribbling problem.

1. I do laundry
(please, keep your gasps of astonishment to yourselves.)
Those shorts salveagable or red for good?

2. What critical item did I leave in Florida?

3. What snack, that is worth coming to Canada for
do we get?

4. Flight. Calgary, AB or Edmonton, AB?

5. Flight. Early, on time, or late?

6. What's your favourite movie?

1. shorts are done, never get the red out.
2. something for your camera. battery?
3. Coffee Crisp
4. Edmonton
5. Late
6. I'll say Star Wars, but I have a hard time picking favourites. I have a pretty wide taste in movies. I could have just as easily said The Sound of Music.

 

[pkondz]

Hello.

I owe you all an apology.
I've been absent for a bit.
I'm sorry about that. Really I am.


For the last few weeks,
Ruby and I have been preparing MIL's
house for her to move to an apartment.
She hasn't been well, and taking care
of an entire house by herself is difficult.

I don't think she really wanted to move,
but I suppose it was a decision she felt
she had to make.

So in the days leading up to February 7,
Ruby and I (mostly Ruby) have been busy
getting all her worldly goods boxed up
and ready for the movers.

Those days were stressful for MIL.
On at least one occasion,
Ruby came up to me and said
"That's it for today."
"Huh? But we still have lots to do."
"I know, but I can tell she's upset."


And so it went.


On the 7th, Elle came and took her to our house.
That way she didn't have to watch as her stuff was moved
and wouldn't have to worry about helping or... whatever.

She actually had a really good day.
She got to spend it with her granddaughter.
Elle made her French toast for breakfast
and soup for lunch.
Then when the move was over,
She got to spend the evening with
the four of us
and I made her three different kinds
of sausages, pan fried potatoes and corn.
She lapped it up.
She then spent the night watching a movie
with Elle and slept at our house.

Much better than being alone, no?
In an empty house or a strange apartment
surrounded by boxes?


The next morning, the 8th, I heard her calling
for Ruby about 5:30am.
I told Ruby who jumped up to see what she wanted.
I wasn't surprised, she gets up early as a lot
of elderly people do.

But I jumped too when I hear Ruby say
she was going to call 911.

I won't bore you with details
(frankly, I don't want to share them, anyway. Sorry.)
but they took her to the hospital by ambulance.

You know what?
This is harder to write than I thought.
I'm going to just stop here, okay?

She passed away about 11:30am.
Funeral's Wednesday.

I hope you'll forgive me if I don't feel
like replying or posting much for a bit.

 

[pooh'smate]

I lurk here but just wanted to send my condolences.

 

[orangecats2]

So sorry for your loss. Let me know if I can do anything.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Sending hugs and condolences to you all.
Sounds like she had a wonderful day/evening with those she loved. And a blessing she was with you all and not alone.
I hope you all can find some peace with her passing. It may not come in a day, week, or even a year, but the peace will eventually come at some point. HUGS AND PRAYERS

 

[irene_dsc]

So sorry for your loss. Glad she had a good last day with her family. Hugs to all of you...

 

[Thumper_Man]

We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our condolences go out to you and your family. Take all the time you need. We'll all be here when you're ready to post again.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Apologies for your absence are not required. As much as we all enjoy this place, there are far more important things in life that take priority. Spend the time you need with your family. We aren't going anywhere.

 

[MommyTaraLee]

I'm so sorry for your loss! You and your family are in my thoughts!

 

[Susan R]

Hugs to you and your family. I'm so sorry.

- Susan

 

[Mac Brew]

I am sorry for your loss You and your family are in my thoughts at this difficult time. There is no need to apologise for not being on the board at this time. Only come back when you are ready we will all still be here.

Stuart.

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Thoughts and prayers sent!