DIS Dads DDC XXXIV: The Original Home Of The DISDads!!!

[AirGoofy]

From yesterday at DHS.



Will add one from MK today. I'm too old for 5 consecutive park days.

 

[declansdad]

From yesterday at DHS.

View attachment 160871

Will add one from MK today. I'm too old for 5 consecutive park days.

Nice pic.

Time to suck it up buttercup, we expected you to be at a park everyday from open to close!

 

[RMColosimo]

I like to wait them out to get their best price and then walk out the door saying I'll think about it.

You guys are way better than me. I hate buying cars. I get the 'price' off the internet, and then see how close I can get to it. I usually will threaten to leave, but very rarely do, as I just want to get the silly car. I like to send the wife to do the initial talking, and then we both go back later. If the salesman treated her well, we will both go, if he was a jerk and did the she is a woman so doesn't know anything(she is a chemist, so she knows more than I do.) then we don't go back.

 

[cj9200]

Happy Friday Gents,

The Brit arrived on Wednesday and today we are headed to the lovely Florida Keys. Diving today and maybe tomorrow. If I get any good pics, i'll post them.

Chris-Sorry to hear about the situation. I may go to the Everglades next week so I can pick up a few scorpions and a python or two. Just send me the address where you want them shipped and I will take care of the rest. Gators may be a bit hard to ship though.

Norm-Looks like fun and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. I forgot if you are heading to the beach or not but if you are weather should be fantastic.

The rest of you blokes, have a good weekend...

 

[MarbleBob]

Happy Friday Gents

Happy Friday Indeed!

 

[AirGoofy]

Aloha from the Magic Kingdom. Buttercup reporting for duty.
No beach this trip - only October.

 

[mm1971]

Checking in on a Friday. Hey to all! Enjoy the weekend. Kind of quiet in here, very quiet. What are you guys up to?

It's been cold the early part of the week but warmed up to around 50F today but now we get the rain.

DS has school volleyball going on and this Sunday is the first of 3 Sundays he has to try out for the U15 provincial basketball team. If he makes that team, it will be a busy spring and summer.

Wish Declan luck on the try outs. We don't have anything like that here. If you have a thousand dollars and the time, you get to pretend your kid is an all star playing AAU. Used to be that to play on an AAU team you had to try out and there was one or two. Now everyone plays. Just a way to make money for most programs. We are lucky that DD has a great coach and a good group of kids to play with. Our team is a try out based team and only 9 players made it so lots of playing time.

From yesterday at DHS.

View attachment 160871

Will add one from MK today. I'm too old for 5 consecutive park days.

Nice pic. Stop complaining. You could have to work 5 straight days like me.

Happy Friday Gents,

The Brit arrived on Wednesday and today we are headed to the lovely Florida Keys. Diving today and maybe tomorrow. If I get any good pics, i'll post them.

Chris-Sorry to hear about the situation. I may go to the Everglades next week so I can pick up a few scorpions and a python or two. Just send me the address where you want them shipped and I will take care of the rest. Gators may be a bit hard to ship though.

Norm-Looks like fun and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. I forgot if you are heading to the beach or not but if you are weather should be fantastic.

The rest of you blokes, have a good weekend...

Hope the weather is nice and the seas calm for you this weekend. Well, at least for your company. Remember "fish are friends, not food".

View attachment 160909

Aloha from the Magic Kingdom. Buttercup reporting for duty.
No beach this trip - only October.

Good morning Buttercup. How are the crowds today? I heard it's pretty busy there this week. The beach is a few miles away at the Beach and Yacht clubs. Feel free to indulge. Tell them I said it was OK.

 

[declansdad]

Wish Declan luck on the try outs. We don't have anything like that here. If you have a thousand dollars and the time, you get to pretend your kid is an all star playing AAU. Used to be that to play on an AAU team you had to try out and there was one or two. Now everyone plays. Just a way to make money for most programs. We are lucky that DD has a great coach and a good group of kids to play with. Our team is a try out based team and only 9 players made it so lots of playing time.

Will do, thanks.

I have looked at the AAU model before when looking at various systems used for long term athlete development throughout the world and it is a model that I have some issues with. It does seem to be about the money and when you create travel teams at too young an age, you move away from the premise of teaching skills and start to emphasize competition. In the end that model does more harm than good.

 

[RMColosimo]

View attachment 160909

Aloha from the Magic Kingdom. Buttercup reporting for duty.
No beach this trip - only October.

What are those walls up for? I thought that area was all construction complete? Or is there still some stuff they are doing around the castle?

 

[mm1971]

What are those walls up for? I thought that area was all construction complete? Or is there still some stuff they are doing around the castle?

Good question. Our last trip was August last year and while there were many walls, I don't remember those ones. Must be something newer. I did hear at some point that they were planning to rehab the MK stage area. Maybe that is what they are doing? Norm?.......Norm?......Stop that vacationing and having fun and answer our questions.

 

[afwdwfan]

Killing time at the Honda dealership. Every dealer's the same "tactic" of 'make them wait'. So dumb. They've got wifi so I can wait all day.

I always like to make sure my phone is laying out so that they can see the pictures of the vehicles at their competition's place that I'm looking at on my phone when they come back.

 

[pkondz]

I like to wait them out to get their best price and then walk out the door saying I'll think about it.

I was going to... honest.
But instead I bought the car.

I always like to make sure my phone is laying out so that they can see the pictures of the vehicles at their competition's place that I'm looking at on my phone when they come back.

I sort of did that.
I had an actual appointment to see three cars at a competitors dealership.
She came with an offer that was lower than any of their cars...
I didn't want to commit so I made an offer that was semi-reasonable but on the very low side.
I was kinda shocked when she came back and said "You own the car."

 

[afwdwfan]

I sort of did that.
I had an actual appointment to see three cars at a competitors dealership.
She came with an offer that was lower than any of their cars...
I didn't want to commit so I made an offer that was semi-reasonable but on the very low side.
I was kinda shocked when she came back and said "You own the car."

Awesome!

I had a similar situation a few years ago, only not as successful. We were shopping and found a car that we kind of liked. It was still early in the process, DW wasn't crazy about the color, but aside from that it was close to what we wanted. I'd done some research and knew that there was plenty of what we wanted available and I had every intention of shopping around and visiting 2 other dealerships that day.

They made us an offer and I told them no. Like I said, we weren't absolutely crazy about that particular one to begin with and had others we wanted to look at.

I wrote another number down and told them that we plan to shop around and I know this is a lowball offer, and I don't expect you to take it, but the only way we buy this car today is at this price.

He then counters me.

I repeated to him that it was take it or leave it and I was ready to leave... they still had our keys from checking out our trade in.

He then brought his manager over to explain "how the car sales market works" and tell me there is no way they could make the deal for that price... which I assumed they wouldn't anyway. That is why I shot a too good to turn down number for a car that we didn't necessarily need to buy anyway.

He then recommended looking at a vehicle the same age as the one we were trading, but with more miles on it, because he felt it was more in the price range we could afford.

Needless to say we didn't buy from them.

 

[pkondz]

they still had our keys from checking out our trade in.

So stupid. Oldest trick in the book... and everyone knows it.

Needless to say we didn't buy from them.

Darn. I was hoping for a better ending.
"He finally caved and sold us the car at the lowball price."

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Remember "fish are friends, not food".

Yes they are.

 

[dvczerfs]

So stupid. Oldest trick in the book... and everyone knows it.



Darn. I was hoping for a better ending.
"He finally caved and sold us the car at the lowball price."

I always bring my spare key. I ask one time and you have 30 seconds to bring it too me. If not, I'll be back with the what ever local police department and he will get my keys back. TOUCH DOWN, your keys are back in 15 seconds. Lol
I just bought a new van, they gave me almost 9k off sticker, mostly rebates. My Benz had 24k on it and not a scratch inside or out.
Kbb said highest wast 24,700. This little DH came back at 22k w/2k down. He starts whining what a great deal I got that I should give him something. Lol I got 24k, they made money.
I told this clown I'll walk out, I have a nice car and there is a car dealer on every street corner and I'll find the " prostitute " lol that will give me what I want.lol
I also gave him the three dealers I walked out of over the last few years names. Lol
I hate to be a donkey but you got to treat those dirt bags the way they treat you.
It's great looking at there face when you hold up your spare key.lol I told this last bottom crawler, " I'm not a rookie" lol

 

[cj9200]

Aloha from the Magic Kingdom. Buttercup reporting for duty.
No beach this trip - only October.

Plenty of pools to visit though.

Hope the weather is nice and the seas calm for you this weekend. Well, at least for your company. Remember "fish are friends, not food".

Weather was perfect. No seas, good viability but there was a little current blowing through. Two great dives. The second own we saw two good sized (6 footers?) Caribbean Reef Sharks. First time I saw them in the Keys. Once circled is for about 10 minutes. Menacing looking buggers. If we had any pics, I'll post them.

I was going to... honest.
But instead I bought the car

Well, at least it is over with. Enjoy the new ride.

 

[budamacdvcr]

Top O the Mornin Dads and have a good weekend! Been a nonstop week here in Orlando setting up our exhibit booth. Between that and trying to keep up with regular job stuff long days and no time to check in here. All caught up for the week now and gonna head to Disney Springs today with some of my team as we actually finished our exhibit set up a day early.
On the family front, just got message from DS that he took 1st place at TSA regional competition for the house rehab he designed and 3D model he 3D printed. The roof panels come off to view the inside rooms as well. We has been working on this project since last fall and great to see the hard work pay off.

And now for the exciting conclusion (Now with farting unicorns!!)

Up until Oct 8, everything had been status quo. I had to see that guy every day, but my boss was happy with me so no big deal. Then on Oct 8 I get a call from someone who said he had some questions that he needed my help with. "No problem", I say. "I'll be right down". Then I realize who it was on the phone. It was the head of Loss Prevention. Hmm... Not someone people like getting phone calls from (although he's a nice guy). When I get there we do the little chit chat thing for a few minutes and he starts asking me about Disney. I assume that this is because I have a reputation, as you all probably do as well, as a bit of an expert on putting together trips. I happily answer a few questions about WDW and then he starts asking about my side business, SAT/ACT prep. I answer a question or two about that and realize there's something weird going on. He says that it has been brought to his attention that I may be in violation of our Conflict of Interest policy and he needed to investigate. Two hours later I'm walking back to my desk wondering how all this is going to play out. Every day in October sucked after that.

Now for a little background on something that was happening at the same time. In Spring of 2015, I was informed that my company was getting out of my line of business. At the same time, my boss says "Don't worry. You're safe. You're going to work for those guys over there." I liked that plan. In August, I begin the process of winding down my two areas and expected to be done in early November.

Here's where the story comes to it's crappy conclusion. On Oct 27, I get called in to a VP's office with a director of HR in the office. (I think you can all see where this is going). First, he gives my the results of the investigation. They weren't pleased with me helping a friend plan a trip and doing some of that on company time. Fair enough. But then, they say that since my area had been phased out, my position had been eliminated and that I didn't need to show up to work the next day. I say, "my boss said I was going to work for this other team". VP says that position was never approved. My last day for the company was Nov 2. 12 years and I get sent out the door just like that. Officially, the reason is that my role was eliminated. I give the background of the investigation because some of my old colleagues speculated that I was just collateral damage in the feud between my boss and VP. VP couldn't touch my boss so instead he went after his favorite employee. My boss wound up retiring 3 weeks after I left.

So there you go. No unicorns farting rainbows, just a crappy way to kick off the holiday season. On the upside, they gave me 6 months of severance pay.

The family is good. November and December were rough emotionally for me but the job hunt picked up in Jan/Feb. There was a job with the state I was pursuing but didn't get. I'm still chasing it though. They'll hire for it again in a few months and I offered to intern for them to gain the experience I was lacking the first time. They agreed to it and I start April 18. 42 is probably not the typical age for an intern, but I can afford to go without a paycheck for a while. DW and I are very frugal with our money and we can stretch the emergency fund out for another year if we have to.

Alright, I'm tired of typing. I need to eat something and go tutor some kids.

Sorry to hear Chris and all the best for you.

Morning Dads! Hope everyone is well. Since I was here last week, the COO of the world has stepped down, many vacations have been ruined by a delay in the Rivers of Light and now it appears the Osbourne lights are not gone and forgotten(just now a hard ticket show). Boy, it's been a crazy week for Disney news. Pixie dust to all and prayers where needed.

DD had her first hoop tourney of the spring. Lost in final, but it was a good weekend and they played well for being the first games of the year. DS is on the JV baseball team for the high school with expected calls up to the show to pitch. They felt (and I agree) that playing every game and getting the at bats at the JV level is better than the bragging rights of sittign onthe varsity bench. Season was supposed to start tonight, but with snow on the field it has been pushed off

Congrats to both of the kids

From yesterday at DHS.

View attachment 160871

Will add one from MK today. I'm too old for 5 consecutive park days.

Looks like you are have a blast and make sure to suck it up with the 5 days.

 

[AirGoofy]

Getting ready for the drive home. Or, I could just drive to CJ's house. Hmmmm.....

Good morning Buttercup. How are the crowds today? I heard it's pretty busy there this week. The beach is a few miles away at the Beach and Yacht clubs. Feel free to indulge. Tell them I said it was OK.

Those aren't bad. I like the beach at Wilderness Lodge the best. It is a really big beach, great view if Bay Lake, and we can still see the castle.

What are those walls up for? I thought that area was all construction complete? Or is there still some stuff they are doing around the castle?

Just walls in the front of the stage and no where else. Maybe working of the appearance of the front area?

Good question. Our last trip was August last year and while there were many walls, I don't remember those ones. Must be something newer. I did hear at some point that they were planning to rehab the MK stage area. Maybe that is what they are doing? Norm?.......Norm?......Stop that vacationing and having fun and answer our questions.

That's all I know. I'll ask a bus driver on the way out.

Looks like you are have a blast and make sure to suck it up with the 5 days.

We are leaving shortly. I'll wave to you.

 

[pkondz]

I always bring my spare key. I ask one time and you have 30 seconds to bring it too me. If not, I'll be back with the what ever local police department and he will get my keys back. TOUCH DOWN, your keys are back in 15 seconds. Lol

Good plan. I'll have to remember that.

It's great looking at there face when you hold up your spare key.lol I told this last bottom crawler, " I'm not a rookie" lol

Well, at least it is over with. Enjoy the new ride.

Not quite, they have to fix a minor thing on it first.
But should be ready by Monday/Tuesday.
I'm not in a rush, so don't really care one way or the other.

On the family front, just got message from DS that he took 1st place at TSA regional competition for the house rehab he designed and 3D model he 3D printed. The roof panels come off to view the inside rooms as well. We has been working on this project since last fall and great to see the hard work pay off.

Congrats to your DS.
That looks pretty cool.

Or, I could just drive to CJ's house. Hmmmm.....

Go right ahead. Key's under the mat.
If it's not there, just bust a window.
Help yourself to whatever's in the fridge.