DDA Chapter 17

[KristineN]

I looked at it....but I am not 100% sure I understand it

Work was slow tonight, which I had expected. I still have a scratchy throat so I was happy to come home early. I'm also watching for the $1 hotel deal though I won't stay up any later than normal waiting. Some people have been refreshing their screens since midnight last night. I'm not that into it.

 

[bear74]

Work was slow tonight, which I had expected. I still have a scratchy throat so I was happy to come home early. I'm also watching for the $1 hotel deal though I won't stay up any later than normal waiting. Some people have been refreshing their screens since midnight last night. I'm not that into it.

i have been refreshing off and on all day. I am about to give up.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't need a hotel for $1. Now AIRFARE for $1, that would be a promo worth watching for!

 

[my3princes]

I looked at it....but I am not 100% sure I understand it

As I understand it it is an advertising campaign for that website. For two weeks and this is the second week, they will offer all of their available rooms at $1. You must book within that timeframe to get the deal. Some people are reporting that they are getting them free too as an additional bonus. Their are people that don't believe it and apparently the company's bank account is in Isreal

Now you know everything that I know. The website will have a countdown ticker pop up when the 15 minutes is available for the day.

 

[UP Disney]

Not a bad idea!

Thanks, Kristine.

Hi Vicki. I take it you made it to Lansing safely?

No, I used my blackberry when I stopped to get gas.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

So you have to pay with a credit card? Ehhh, I am not liking the sound of that. The amount of the transaction will be too low to be covered by Reg. CC for credit card purchases. I wonder if it is a scam to steal credit card info?

 

[KristineN]

I don't think I have the mental endurance for that

As I understand it it is an advertising campaign for that website. For two weeks and this is the second week, they will offer all of their available rooms at $1. You must book within that timeframe to get the deal. Some people are reporting that they are getting them free too as an additional bonus. Their are people that don't believe it and apparently the company's bank account is in Isreal

Now you know everything that I know. The website will have a countdown ticker pop up when the 15 minutes is available for the day.

 

[tmfranlk]

Becky - I'm glad that your mom's procedure went well and she's home. I hope that's all that caused the off readings. Good thing she's being so proactive though.

Elizabeth - I'd do the same thing. They can fit in where they can with some of your plans.

Beth - I think I'm with you on the calendar. It just sounds like an iffy idea at that age, especially since they don't really have plans for it. It would be one thing if it was a college-age team, but for 14yos and up?

 

[PNO4TE]

Good night, DDA!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

All of the synchro parents are going to have to sign waivers for their kids' images to be used in a calendar. I had to sign one for DS's theater class. He is actually in the registration brochure, and the productions they have done air on public access TV. Are they going to sell the calendar, or just keep it as a souvenir for the team?

Tia - I hope Phil made it home safely!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Night everyone-

I have a sub for my class the next two days--tomorrow i have a workshop in which I have to give a 12 min presentation (ugh) and wednesday is kindergarten registration. So sleep time for me!

Goodnight all!

 

[Tammi67]

Deb and Robyn - I hope you are feeling better this evening.

 

[Tammi67]

Congrats on all the weight loss, sounds like everyone is off to a great start.

DD just called and the Doctor has moved her C section from the 20th to the 17th, and told her he wasn't sure she would make it that long, she has started to drop and is dialated 2cm's, I told her to have a talk with the baby and tell her to stay put until the 20th as I had already scheduled my vacation for then.

Here's hoping that Baby decides to wait. You might have told us, but I'm not sure, does Baby have a name yet?

 

[bear74]

night all If you make it to 250 tomorrow remember to leave a forwarding address as i work tomorrow and not sure if I will get on tomorrow night or wed.

 

[my3princes]

Deb and Robyn - I hope you are feeling better this evening.

I've still got the scratchy throat only it seems to be getting more sore. I took Advil PM for pain and hopefully it will dry my throat some and I'll take some tussinex before I go to bed. Hopefully that will give me some relief and some sleep.

 

[Tammi67]

What an exhausting and stressful day. I was on my way to a meeting in the afternoon and stopped by my credit union to deposit a check. On my way back to my van I hear PPppppppsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. Dread is cast upon me like a heavy coat. My tire is going flat. Thank goodness it was in a parking lot, though, and not along side of the road. So I start getting everything out to change it (spare, jack, etc.) and while I'm in the midst of jacking it along comes a coworker, who happily assists. The downside is that my spare is very low on air. Another blessing is that he has a portable air compressor in his trunk, which gets the tire filled. So I'm 20 minutes late for my meeting, but that's okay due to my difficulties. After that I head home, pick up the kids, go home and change and then hightail it over to NTB to get new tires. I needed 4 new ones desperately, as well as an alignment, so I just got it all done instead of having the tire plugged. Alyssa wasn't too disappointed that she wouldn't make it to ballet. We hit the Taco Bell drive thru on the way to NTB, and got there at about 5:15. I set the kids up to eat their dinner in the waiting area and started filling out the paperwork. I called my girlfriend, Kristy, who is also my co-teacher at Religion. Tonight was Religion, at 6:30. She agrees to swing by NTB and pick up my kids and take them to Church for class, so they didn't get stuck hanging out all night waiting for the van to be done. So after they ate they finished their homework, just in time for Kristy to get them. I got out of there about 45 minutes and $535 later. I was only about a 1/2 hour late for class. I'm just glad it's all done, and now I have nice, new tires on a van that drives much smoother. But today sure wore me out!

 

[babytrees]

Tammi-sounds like a very interesting day. Glad it all turned out okay.

 

[KMH1]

This is Kevin's "essay" about his AI experience. I did not proofread it.

Sorry, no pictures uploaded to Photobucket yet, but there are a couple in my recent WDW album on Facebook.

Want to know what it’s like to be a contestant on the American Idol Experience? Well, I had the good fortune to take the big stage yesterday for the 2:00 performance. And the whole experience was simply awesome. If you are heading to DHS, it’s a pretty good bet you’re going to get a chance to audition and or watch this new show. This was their third straight day of operation. It’s not advertised, but there are CMs throughout the park inviting folks to audition and to watch. If you are chosen to perform, you can expect to spend at least 2 ½ hours of park time engaged in the auditioning and performing process (another 2 hours if you win your preliminary round). I’ll post some pictures when we return from WDW. My DW (who was stuck with the three children for most of that 2 ½ hours – thanks Amy) took quite a few flash-less pictures during the performance show. So, for those interested, here’s what happens …

As we entered DHS, CMs were on Hollywood Boulevard asking if anybody sang. I volunteered and she offered me a FP type card to use for auditioning. She asked where we were headed and gave me a later time so that I could the family could go do that first. At 9:30, I reported to the audition area which is across from the Sci-Fi Dine In restaurant. Walked right in. Although, when it opens for real there’s likely to be a line for this opening part of the process. An interviewer and camera person are taking some footage of people in line to audition. You get to bring one supporter with you. My 2 y.o. DS went with me. They tried to get him to talk on the camera but he was not cooperating. We then entered into the audition building and were greeted by a Ryan Seacrest video. I then was taken to a small room to audition for the first CM.

Before going in, they will show you the song list to choose from. But, for the first audition, you sing a cappella almost anything you choose (no original material). I decided to sing “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan. It’s also on the available song list. The reason: it’s the lullaby I’ve been singing to my kids for bedtime for years. In the audition room, the CM asks a few questions about your singing experience, where you’re from, what you’re going to sing, why, etc. And then I sang. He apparently liked what he heard. I was given a numbered card and would be moving on to see the producer. However, they had a backlog of potential singers and he offered me the opportunity to come back in about an hour rather than wait for an additional 45 minutes. So, I left to return with my card at about 10:45.

I was then greeted by more CMs and taken to the red room. Here they have some nice red chairs and several Ipods. The Ipods are programmed with the lyrics and tracks of the about 100 songs you can sing from. The CMs instruct you to pick two songs to perform for the producer. You can listen to them before you decide. I chose “You’ll Be in My Heart” and “Go the Distance.” I then waited for a few minutes while another guest auditioned for the producer. When he came out, he was also chosen to perform. He ended up performing with me at the 2:00 show.

This is another small room but this time there is a microphone, a TV that will show your lyrics and a stationary camera to record your audition. I sang both songs and was then asked what the family’s plans were for the rest of the day. The TV then changed to Ryan Seacrest declaring that “I’m going to Hollywood.” I was then given instructions for what to do next.

Greeting me at the exit to the audition room was a camera person and interviewer. So, I gave my best “I’m going to Hollywood” excitement. We then did some interviewing outside the audition rooms at a blue American Idol backdrop. I was then to return at 12:50 for preparations for the 2:00 show.

At 12:50, I showed up at the backstage door entrance. I was welcomed by an extremely enthusiastic and nice CM. I met up with the other two contestants and was told about the rest of the process. The first room you enter into is a sitting room. There are I-Pods where you can listen to your music, chairs to sit down in, and cubicles to stash some of your belongings. From here there is another door that leads to make-up and the vocal coaching area. A third door leads to the backstage of the theatre. Us three guys take turns in the make-up chair and spend about ten minutes with a vocal coach. Not much to do with my hair except freshing it up a little. The vocal coach gives you tips on your performance and you get to sing through your song a few times. I was having some difficulty with the end of the song and he gave some suggestions that worked out great! I was in make-up while one of my competitors was in with the vocal coach. These walls are not soundproof. I could hear what a great job he was doing with his song.

About 1/2 hour before showtime, we are taken backstage and then ultimately on-stage. We met our stage manager. Another very enthusiastic and helpful CM. She walked us through the entire show. Where we would stand on the stage, what the host would be doing, and where we would go first before performing. And then, each of us got to run through our songs with lights on the stage itself. They started letting people into the theatre during this process. My family made it to hear the tail end of my run through. It was quite awesome to be on the stage for the first time. And the look is really like being on American Idol.

At this point, there is about ten minutes before showtime. We hang out backstage where there is a monitor where you can watch what is going on on-stage. You will be able to see all your competitors’ performances on that screen and hear all the judge’s comments. It goes by really fast, at least while you are waiting to perform yourself.

The performance is great. There were about 400 people in the theatre for our performance. The theatre holds slightly over 1000. I was the second to perform. Overall, got good comments from the judges. I gave the “Simon” judge a great line by sharing in my lead up interviews that I picked my song as I sang it to my kid’s for bedtime. There has been a lot of chatter about “ringers” being used in the shows. I can say that was not the case in our show. The first guy was a CM – but not in entertainment. He basically came over to play in his lunch break. They were being encouraged to take part during the soft openings. The third guy and eventual winner was there with his family from southern Florida. He was excellent and well-deserving of the audience vote. He sang “Superstitious” without flaw.

It was a fabulous experience. And I really look forward to getting a chance to do it again. I just wish they would either give or offer a chance to buy a recording of the show. I would think it could be a gold mine for Disney if they did. I know that we would buy it. Questions, just ask.

 

[MrsHeg]

Here's hoping that Baby decides to wait. You might have told us, but I'm not sure, does Baby have a name yet?

Thanks, sounds like you had a rough but productive day, for new tires.

Her name is Aubrey Marie

 

[KMH1]

My little girl is so sick.

All three kiddos seemed to be on the upswing, thanks to the Amoxicillin, though Alyssa did still have her lingering runny congestion and cough. We took it easy over the weekend, but we did venture out to a few places. At dinner last night, Alyssa said she was cold, and when I took her temp it was 104!

She went to bed at 6:30 p.m. and this morning her temp was 100.8. I had lost my voice last night, but thanks to some Mucinex, I woke up just hoarse (typical sinus issues). Kevin decided to stay home to take care of us, and good thing he did, because as I buckled Alyssa up for her doctor's appt., she threw up all over the van! Ugh!

Her temp was back up to 102 when we finally made it to the doctor's office. He prescribed a stronger antibiotic, since her ears are still raging. Her chest is clear and he did an oxygen test too, since there are some cases of whooping cough in the area. He suspects she has something viral on top of her double ear infection. I can hear her coughing as I'm typing. I just want her to feel better!!!

Please take care DDA!