Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[Self_resqing_princz]

Can we please talk about the map you posted on page 31? In the middle of it, it says "Seven Sisters falls"... if you had 7 sisters and you saw they were all falling... don't you think you'd try to save at least 1? Maybe it wasn't simultaneously... maybe they fell in quick succession- in which case, you see the first one, MAYBE two fall- shouldn't you have helped and/or stopped the rest?! Seriously. Seven sisters would drive ANYONE crazy- but then having them all fall- you'd be hearing about how you let it happen for like the next year.

 

[pkondz]

Well it certainly won't be that hoity toity.

I dunno... I read their qualifications...

Jill is flying in and we'll be going to Jenny's new house. They don't have a kitchen yet so it will be all things that can be cooked on then grill or reheated in a microwave.

Grilled Pineapple Ice Cream Sundae. ...
Grilled Peach and Berry Dessert Pizza. ...
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Rhubarb Sauce...
And Alison's Rice Krispie Squares.

Jenny's daughter and Jill are awesome bakers while I am more of a cook. Her husband is practically a master chef.

Holy cow.
That has the makings
of an excellent evening!

Nah. She's just not so interested in stuff I show her. She has to find it herself.
[/QUOTE]
Hmmm...
What if I friend her on Facebook
and then post a link "accidentally"...

She was not so much worried, well about her cats. She was actually down in San Diego when it happened, so she missed all the shaking. I don't remember if they tore her building down or not. The stairway that everyone was using was barely attached to the wall, there was a huge crack. I remember it shaking as huge burly guys ran up and down with couches and other heavy furniture.

It was more like bouncing up and down. Violently.

Well, that can be fun sometimes...
I suspect this wasn't one of those times...

You're telling me! It was like a war zone for a while and so many roads were impassable

I may never experience that.
I'm okay with that.

The ones I showed you were things that directly affected me, but I took pictures up and down my street. There was a parking structure at Cal State Northridge where I went to school it was like 4-5 stories and it just fell backwards like a slinky. I have pictures of all that kind of stuff, plus some condos on my street that were not so lucky. The 2nd story just crushed the garage. It didnt happen the first day, but after all the aftershocks it eventually pancaked.

I seriously can't imaging going through that.
I've seen photos of earthquakes but...
I don't think I can really grasp it without
living through it.

 

[pkondz]

Looks like a great getaway with DD.

It was!

It’s nice that she enjoys getting outdoors, and that she asked to do it with you. None of the ladies in my family are outdoorsy. They see a spider and run for the house.

It actually took me by surprise.
I really didn't think that'd be
something that she'd want to do.

I like camping myself but don’t get as much time to do it these days.

I do very little.
Just... too busy.
Or away on a trip
where there isn't the opportunity.

 

[pkondz]

That picture of your two girls when they were younger is SO.DARN. CUTE!

Thanks, Rebecca!

 

[pkondz]

Can we please talk about the map you posted on page 31? In the middle of it, it says "Seven Sisters falls"... if you had 7 sisters and you saw they were all falling... don't you think you'd try to save at least 1? Maybe it wasn't simultaneously... maybe they fell in quick succession- in which case, you see the first one, MAYBE two fall- shouldn't you have helped and/or stopped the rest?! Seriously. Seven sisters would drive ANYONE crazy- but then having them all fall- you'd be hearing about how you let it happen for like the next year.

Okay, so...
First of all, they used to tickle
me until I cried. (They were older.)
So, no. No saving.
Secondly, it's easy for them all
to fall when you've tied their
shoelaces together.

And if they all fall...
there's no one to tell you about
it for the next year. Or ever.

 

[franandaj]

Grilled Pineapple Ice Cream Sundae. ...
Grilled Peach and Berry Dessert Pizza. ...
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Rhubarb Sauce...
And Alison's Rice Krispie Squares.

You have a very active imagination!

Holy cow.
That has the makings
of an excellent evening!

It usually is! I bring the wine, and Michael usually makes the mains, but we'll see how it works out. They may have counters and a sink by the time this rolls around.

Hmmm...
What if I friend her on Facebook
and then post a link "accidentally"..

I thought you two were already friends on FB?

Well, that can be fun sometimes...
I suspect this wasn't one of those times...

No, that one wasn't. However, for me the one on the 4th of July was kind of cool. It had been a long time since we'd felt one. I think only the second one in this new house. At first I thought Fran was thrashing around in the bed, but she was completely still. Then I saw the fan on the other side of the room swaying and figured out what it was. It felt kinda cool.

But it turns out that between the two quakes, they actually did structural damage to a building at CSULB (which is just on the other side of the street behind my backyard.) It was an old building that was slated to be torn down this Fall, it was one of the original buildings from the campus and somehow got knocked off it's foundation even with that mild shaking.

I seriously can't imaging going through that.
I've seen photos of earthquakes but...
I don't think I can really grasp it without
living through it.

Just like I don't think I'll ever be able to imagine puking in a helicopter taking off from a massive forest fire.

You really can't imagine how it is until you live through it. The thing that gets you is the days and week afterwards while you are recovering. Housing was on short order, the college was badly damaged and portable classrooms were brought in, just like the trailers that we worked out of in the parking lot at my job. Driving past buildings on either side of the street and seeing the red and yellow tags, issued by the building inspectors, was depressing. I took a picture of the green tag on our building, I was so happy!

Lots of businesses closed for a variety of reasons. Because a lot of people live far away (20 or more miles north) and commuted into the valley, some couldn't get to work without a many hour drive. One of the freeway overpasses collapsed and it took almost a year to rebuild it. That was the main artery from Los Angeles to Northern California, or Santa Clarita (a bedroom community for LA). And it collapsed just north of LA. There were detours, but they involved a lot of extra driving. At rush hour it added TONS of time onto people's commutes.

Pretty soon everyone adapted to the new normal and living in a damaged zone just seemed normal then. And those darned aftershocks. They tapered off after a month or so, but especially when we were in the trailers, those things rattled and we felt like we might go toppling over. At least they were only two or three feet off the ground!

But just seeing the chain link fences going up around the buildings that were going to be demolished. I don't think there was many options. Our office building was repairable, but many of the apartments and condos were just too far gone. In the place where the building crushed 50 some people on the ground floor, they didn't even rebuild there and just put in a park as a memorial.

 

[pkondz]

You have a very active imagination!

Moi?

Nah...

It usually is! I bring the wine, and Michael usually makes the mains, but we'll see how it works out. They may have counters and a sink by the time this rolls around.

Who needs counters?
You already said "wine".

I thought you two were already friends on FB?

I double checked... we are!
I take it she doesn't post often?
(Probably as often as I check it.)

No, that one wasn't. However, for me the one on the 4th of July was kind of cool. It had been a long time since we'd felt one. I think only the second one in this new house. At first I thought Fran was thrashing around in the bed, but she was completely still. Then I saw the fan on the other side of the room swaying and figured out what it was. It felt kinda cool.

Don't know if I'd classify
an earthquake as "cool".

Maybe once it was over and
if there wasn't any damage...

But it turns out that between the two quakes, they actually did structural damage to a building at CSULB (which is just on the other side of the street behind my backyard.) It was an old building that was slated to be torn down this Fall, it was one of the original buildings from the campus and somehow got knocked off it's foundation even with that mild shaking.

Ha!
Earthquake doing someone's
job for them.

Just like I don't think I'll ever be able to imagine puking in a helicopter taking off from a massive forest fire.

Float plane, but yes.

You really can't imagine how it is until you live through it. The thing that gets you is the days and week afterwards while you are recovering. Housing was on short order, the college was badly damaged and portable classrooms were brought in, just like the trailers that we worked out of in the parking lot at my job. Driving past buildings on either side of the street and seeing the red and yellow tags, issued by the building inspectors, was depressing. I took a picture of the green tag on our building, I was so happy!

Okay, I presume red is for
condemned... but what was
yellow for?

Lots of businesses closed for a variety of reasons

Like... the building is missing?

One of the freeway overpasses collapsed and it took almost a year to rebuild it.

Oh! That earthquake.
Yes, I remember that one.

Pretty soon everyone adapted to the new normal and living in a damaged zone just seemed normal then. And those darned aftershocks. They tapered off after a month or so, but especially when we were in the trailers, those things rattled and we felt like we might go toppling over. At least they were only two or three feet off the ground!

How often do you feel more
safe in a trailer??

But just seeing the chain link fences going up around the buildings that were going to be demolished. I don't think there was many options. Our office building was repairable, but many of the apartments and condos were just too far gone. In the place where the building crushed 50 some people on the ground floor, they didn't even rebuild there and just put in a park as a memorial.

 

[pkondz]

Gonna Be Epic

Just a quick recap before
we dive into today's story.

I mentioned in a previous
update that we were able to
catch the Blue Angels doing
a flyby at Epcot.

I mentioned elsewhere that
even though we weren't
particularly well placed to view
(or photograph) the event,
it was still better than the last
time I'd taken Elle to see planes.

About 18 years ago, there was going
to be an airshow in Winnipeg.
(There was going to be? There was!)
I was really stoked because a B2 bomber...
(similar to the one in this photo)

...would be doing a fly-over.
It was a big deal as these planes
were still shrouded in mystery.
So much so that it wouldn't be
permitted to even land.
(US rules, not ours.)

Elle wanted to go see the show
and I was more than happy to
bring her along.
We spent an hour or more, before
the show began, looking at all the
different planes that were parked
on display.

Finally, the show was about to start.
I was really stoked! I hadn't been to
an airshow in quite a while.
Oh boy!
The show began with a bang!
An F-5 fighter jet came roaring
out of nowhere and passed
right over our heads!!!!

SO. COOL!!!!!!!

And Elle cried out and started
saying over and over...
"I want to go home! I want to go home!"



Well. I'm certainly not going to
make her stay.
I picked her up and hustled back
to the car. (Parking paid for.)

And as I drove away, in my rear-view
mirror... I caught a glimpse of the B2
as it flew manoeuvres in front of
the (presumably) spell-bound audience.

Still haven't forgiven her for that one.


**************************************************


Okay. Back to Disney!
(And an older and less frightened daughter.)

Today I had a few DISmeets lined up.
And they were all going to happen
in the best possible place, Magic Kingdom.

For the first time in my life,
for whatever reason, I had trouble
sleeping at Disney that night.
I woke up at 5:30am and got ready.
While Elle got herself up and ready
(around 6:30am), I had a nice breakfast
of bacon and OJ.

We arrived at the bus stop at 7:05am.
By 7:10am, there was still no bus.
I checked. Yes, my VIP bus card was charged.
I waved it in the air and a bus
promptly arrived one minute later.
Six minutes is inexcusable.
I expect no more than five.

In short order, we were at the park
and fighting our way through bag check.

At least it's not Epcot bag check.
While the crowd looks intimidating,
it's actually not all that bad.
I did have a moment, though.
I'd brought something along that
Doc had requested.
It came in a glass container.

They don't allow glass in the park.

I stood there mutely for a second,
trying to figure out what to do
when the... what are they?
Not CMs, are they?
Rent-a-cops?
Security, anyways.
When the security officer said
"I'll let it go this time."
I was both surprised and happy
to hear that!

We went through the metal
detector and a friendly face
suddenly appeared at my side
and said "Hi!"
Ariana (@Pluto0809) with
Jackie (@missjackiemcg) in tow,
had spotted us in the crowd.
We said our hellos and said
we'd meet again later on.
(We had a planned DISmeet for later.)


We grabbed a locker to stow
our illegal contraband
and Elle took the opportunity
to mail off some postcards.

She's weird like that.
Who sends postcards?
Old people and my kid
apparently.

Once we were inside the park proper,
I asked some CMs to pose by their car.
Actually... I was going to take a photo
of their car and they were standing nearby.
They started to hurry out of the frame and
apologized and I told them to pose instead.
They were super nice and asked if I was sure.

I was.

Immediately after, one of them
asked. "Want a ride?"
I'd never taken a Main St. conveyance!
Sure!!

And you know what?
It was fun!
They kept having to beep the horn
at people who were wandering
in the street, which was pretty funny.
It was all very relaxed, however,
and a very nice way to get from A
(A=train station) to B (B=hub).
We were let off in the hub
and headed towards Tomorrowland
where the rope hadn't been dropped yet.

Look at all those people who
were forced to walk (gasp!)
all that way!

Just as we strolled up, the rope dropped
and we joined the throng as they surged forward.
Up ahead, I saw a familiar head of hair.
We caught up and it was my turn
to say "Hi!" to Ariana.
It turned out the four of us were all
heading in the same direction;
Space Mountain!
While Elle had finally ridden it,
we wanted to ride it twice.

We walked on with zero wait
and Jackie and Ariana were
in the car just in front of us.

You can practically hear them, no?
"We're in front of you! Nyah, nyah!"
Just missing the classic thumbing of the nose.



I was hoping this time I would
be more successful in throttling Elle,
but she was wise to my shenanigans now
and insisted, for her own safety,
that I sit in front of her.

I pouted.

She seemed happy, though.

I will say this.
While the previous ride in the FP
line was smooth and fun,
the standby line side was much rougher.
I did not enjoy it nearly as much.
(And not just because I couldn't
get my hands around her neck.)


After the ride, we parted company
with Ariana and Jackie.
We were heading to 7DMT, while
Ariana and Jackie were heading elsewhere.

We still had a meet planned for later.


Elle and I got in line for 7DMT around 8:25am
and were on about 20-25 minutes later.

Okay! Let's get this coaster, coastin'!

One of the biggest benefits I immediately
noticed about having an AP was that
I could get all of the photopass and ride
photos that I could ever want... for "free"!
And I also knew that 7DMT, unlike most
other rides, gives you not one, but two photos.

Okay! Let's see how they...

Geez, Elle! Don't put your hand
in front of my face! Sheesh!
I told her to please be more careful,
and that we'd have only one more
chance of getting a good photo
before the ride ended.
Okay... photo coming up in 3...2...1...

Oh, COME ON!!!
Well... I suppose it both spares
you from having to look at me,
and also keeps the camera lens
from cracking.
So... win/win?


Elle wanted to ride Winnie the Pooh,
so we got in line right at 9:00am.
I mean... if they're going to go to
the trouble of naming a ride after
your home town, you feel obligated
to ride it... don't you think?

This lady wasn't overly sure if
she agreed with that assessment.

We were in line for only
eleven minutes.
(I timed it.)
And after experiencing what
is arguably the weirdest ride
in MK, we headed for the
front of the park.
Along the way, we stopped
and enjoyed the Trolley Show.

Elle decided that this is what
she wanted to do for a living.
I asked her why she was getting
an Education degree then?
She wisely replied that this would
be her summer job.

Of course. Silly me.


We had our first official DISmeet
coming up, but I wasn't
in a rush since Kari (@Malia78)
had said she was running late.
Imagine my surprise when the
next text I got was from her
saying she was already at
our designated meeting area!

Oops!!!
Time to skedaddle!




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

And...
Did you see it in this chapter?



Coming up... Epic meets!

Real Life Update. Start Your Engines​

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

We grabbed a locker to stow
our illegal contraband
and Elle took the opportunity
to mail off some postcards.

She's weird like that.
Who sends postcards?
Old people and my kid
apparently.

Once we were inside the park proper,
I asked some CMs to pose by their car.
Actually... I was going to take a photo
of their car and they were standing nearby.
They started to hurry out of the frame and
apologized and I told them to pose instead.
They were super nice and asked if I was sure.

So glad I FINALLY found him. You are getting sneaky!
I send postcards... sometimes... and I'm not "old".
Also- you got to travel by main street transport?! That's cool. I've never ridden on that either!

 

[Malia78]

Oops!!!
Time to skedaddle!

Didn't mean to make you scurry! Not nearly as classy as the sashay

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I was really stoked because a B2 bomber...
(similar to the one in this photo)

...would be doing a fly-over.

Awesome! I'd love that!

An F-5 fighter jet came roaring
out of nowhere and passed
right over our heads!!!!

SO. COOL!!!!!!!

That sounds amazing!

And Elle cried out and started
saying over and over...
"I want to go home! I want to go home!"

And as I drove away, in my rear-view
mirror... I caught a glimpse of the B2
as it flew manoeuvres in front of
the (presumably) spell-bound audience.

Still haven't forgiven her for that one.

Oh, no way. You'll be telling that story for the rest of your life. It's only fair.

Okay. Back to Disney!
(And an older and less frightened daughter.)

Thank goodness!

I checked. Yes, my VIP bus card was charged.
I waved it in the air and a bus
promptly arrived one minute later.
Six minutes is inexcusable.
I expect no more than five.

I really have to get me one of those.

They don't allow glass in the park.

Huh. Didn't know that.

We went through the metal
detector and a friendly face
suddenly appeared at my side
and said "Hi!"
Ariana (@Pluto0809) with
Jackie (@missjackiemcg) in tow,
had spotted us in the crowd.
We said our hellos and said
we'd meet again later on.

Aw, you guys all got frisked together. How sweet!

She's weird like that.
Who sends postcards?
Old people and my kid
apparently.

We used to. I think social media has taken over that function now.

Immediately after, one of them
asked. "Want a ride?"
I'd never taken a Main St. conveyance!

Then the answer is yes!

They kept having to beep the horn
at people who were wandering
in the street, which was pretty funny.

Good grief. Don't they know they're supposed to use the sidewalks? Some people.

Keep that photo. Apparently that gateway sign is gone now.

Look at all those people who
were forced to walk (gasp!)
all that way!

Suckers!

We caught up and it was my turn
to say "Hi!" to Ariana.
It turned out the four of us were all
heading in the same direction;
Space Mountain!

Well, great minds and all that. Or a blind squirrel finding a nut. One of those.

You can practically hear them, no?
"We're in front of you! Nyah, nyah!"
Just missing the classic thumbing of the nose.

That's ok. They didn't see your gesture, either.

I pouted.

Ah, serves you right.

I will say this.
While the previous ride in the FP
line was smooth and fun,
the standby line side was much rougher.

Really? Interesting. I haven't been on that ride without a FP in years.

We still had a meet planned for later.

Uh huh. Sure you did.

One of the biggest benefits I immediately
noticed about having an AP was that
I could get all of the photopass and ride
photos that I could ever want... for "free"!

And if you have a friend with an AP...whoops, I've said too much already.

Oh, COME ON!!!
Well... I suppose it both spares
you from having to look at me,
and also keeps the camera lens
from cracking.
So... win/win?

Welcome to the Mike Wazowski Club! Those are some precious memories you captured.

And after experiencing what
is arguably the weirdest ride
in MK, we headed for the
front of the park.

Winnie the Pooh Drops Acid With Friends.

Did you see it in this chapter?

Doesn't matter where you come from, you still need to go through bag check.

 

[MinnieWebster]

I was hoping this time I would
be more successful in throttling Elle,
but she was wise to my shenanigans now
and insisted, for her own safety,
that I sit in front of her.

I pouted.

Geez, Elle! Don't put your hand
in front of my face! Sheesh!

Oh, COME ON!!!

Looks like so many of my ride photos from this ride!

​

​

She wisely replied that this would
be her summer job.

Good plan!

Did you see it in this chapter?

Yep!

 

[pkondz]

So glad I FINALLY found him. You are getting sneaky!

They can't all be easy.

I send postcards... sometimes... and I'm not "old".

No, you certainly are not.
So old people, Elle and Rebecca.

Got it!

Also- you got to travel by main street transport?! That's cool. I've never ridden on that either!

I didn't even know it
was something you could do!

 

[pkondz]

Didn't mean to make you scurry! Not nearly as classy as the sashay

Okay, so.... two things.
I checked to see if I still
had our texts... and I do!

So...
1. You asked for our photo and...

I only noticed now that it says:
"Not Delivered"


I'm so sorry!
You have it now of course, but...

Really sorry about that Kari.


2. Here's a transcript of the texts
(slightly abbreviated):
K: "I am still going to hustle and try for 0930"
(our meeting time)
P: "Don't worry."
K: "On the bus!"
P: "Ok! "
K: "Yay... made it"
P: Take your time."
"Where are you now?"
K: "Entering adventure land"
PP: (!!! I figured you'd still be at bag check!)
"Coming up Main st "

 

[pkondz]

Awesome! I'd love that!

I would have too!

That sounds amazing!

Love when they do that.
Remind me to tell you my F5 story
when we meet up again.
(I'm sure we will at some point.

Oh, no way. You'll be telling that story for the rest of your life. It's only fair.

I really have to get me one of those.

They're quite indispensible.

Huh. Didn't know that.

Now you do.
No more bringing in
bottles of Scotch.

Aw, you guys all got frisked together. How sweet!

I always giggle when that happens.

We used to. I think social media has taken over that function now.

Then the answer is yes!

I think more like: "D'uh!"

Good grief. Don't they know they're supposed to use the sidewalks? Some people.

"Get out of the way!
Important people coming through!
And me and Elle, too."

Keep that photo. Apparently that gateway sign is gone now.

WHAT?????????????

Well, great minds and all that. Or a blind squirrel finding a nut. One of those.

What if the squirrel has a great mind?

That's ok. They didn't see your gesture, either.

<thinks about that for a second...>

Ah, serves you right.

Fair point.

Really? Interesting. I haven't been on that ride without a FP in years.

I don't ride it very often.
Usually when I'm with a kid.
Otherwise I pass.
Usually.

Uh huh. Sure you did.

You'll see.
Next update.

And if you have a friend with an AP...whoops, I've said too much already.

Welcome to the Mike Wazowski Club! Those are some precious memories you captured.

Suitable for framing.

Winnie the Pooh Drops Acid With Friends.

Accurate description.

Doesn't matter where you come from, you still need to go through bag check.

 

[pkondz]

Looks like so many of my ride photos from this ride!

Looks like we're in the
same boat, then.

Or mine train...

Good plan!

I'm sure they'd hire her.

Sure of it.

Yep!

 

[Malia78]

P: Take your time."
"Where are you now?"
K: "Entering adventure land"
PP: (!!! I figured you'd still be at bag check!)
"Coming up Main st "

You have VIP bus pass....I have VIP bag check pass

 

[Lesley Wake]

Ok, so now I'm finally up to date! Your TR has been sitting in my "unread watched threads" tab for months!

I'll do quotes for future updates!

 

[vamassey1]

And Elle cried out and started
saying over and over...
"I want to go home! I want to go home!"

Oh noooooo!

Still haven't forgiven her for that one.

Nope, she'll never live that down.

I had a nice breakfast
of bacon and OJ.

What did Elle have?

You did feed her?

Right?

Six minutes is inexcusable.
I expect no more than five.

That is just outrageous.

They don't allow glass in the park.

You're such a rule breaker.

She's weird like that.
Who sends postcards?
Old people and my kid
apparently.

I've done it before. There's just something about getting mail from Disney World.

I was.

Much better picture with the CMs.

Elle looks like she is enjoying it too.
I've never done this and now I want to even more.

Look at all those people who
were forced to walk (gasp!)
all that way!

Those poor unfortunate souls.

You can practically hear them, no?
"We're in front of you! Nyah, nyah!"
Just missing the classic thumbing of the nose.

I can hear it.

Elle and I got in line for 7DMT around 8:25am
and were on about 20-25 minutes later.

Not bad. Was this EMHs?

The guy in back looks like he's poising for you.

Oh, COME ON!!!
Well... I suppose it both spares
you from having to look at me,
and also keeps the camera lens
from cracking.
So... win/win?

This lady wasn't overly sure if
she agreed with that assessment.

Man, she's giving you the eye. What did you do to her?

Along the way, we stopped
and enjoyed the Trolley Show.

I LOVE the trolley show.

Elle decided that this is what
she wanted to do for a living.
I asked her why she was getting
an Education degree then?
She wisely replied that this would
be her summer job.

Of course. Silly me.

Excellent idea!

And...
Did you see it in this chapter?

Yes I did. He looks apprehensive.

 

[suse66]

Today I had a few DISmeets lined up.
And they were all going to happen
in the best possible place, Magic Kingdom.

That's the best!!

We went through the metal
detector and a friendly face
suddenly appeared at my side
and said "Hi!"
Ariana (@Pluto0809) with
Jackie (@missjackiemcg) in tow,
had spotted us in the crowd.
We said our hellos and said
we'd meet again later on.
(We had a planned DISmeet for later.)

Nice!

And after experiencing what
is arguably the weirdest ride
in MK, we headed for the
front of the park.
Along the way, we stopped
and enjoyed the Trolley Show.

Always my favourite!