Epcot 30: Lurkyloo-king Back on Tomorrow: Celebrating Epcot's REAL Birthday New 11/12

[lurkyloo]

Let’s see those again, shall we?

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Financiers and... brownie bites?

Guava Almond and Apple Turnovers

Minnie Key Lime and Pecan Pies

You can probably guess which dessert was my favorite (the pickins were slim with all that fruit sullying the rest of them!).

Because this is D23 we’re talking about, everyone had gotten there early and the party hit full swing pretty quickly. The Mouse Pack (How’s the name working for ya? Think it’ll stick?) of 2 Jasons + 1 Alex was mobbed pretty much from the moment they walked in.

I dunno about you, but I am waaaaaay not into parties, even when I have Patrick to go with. I’d bought my ticket to this one cuz I was excited about seeing the lounge again and eating dessert, but I’d never really thought about the whole “reception” part. I guess I’d assumed there’d be some kind of entertainment to focus on, but it really was just a cocktail party (with dessert), and I was flying solo.

The folks I’d shared a row with kindly let me alight at their table to eat, and Tim O’Day sat down to regale us with more insider tales designed to thrill Disney nerds. But once I’d gobbled up an unseemly number of peanut butter cupcakes, I noticed that two of my rowmates were sharing one chair, so I thought I’d better move on.

I decided I needed a goal, and that goal would be to meet @ProgressCityUSA in person and thank him for the excellent “Looking Back at Tomorrow” presentation. But it only took me about 3 minutes in that tiny space to determine that he wasn’t at the party. Foiled!

As I lurked in a corner taking my umpteenth overcrowded photo of the Siemens Lounge for lack of anything better to do, I started to feel like I was at a junior high party where everyone knew everyone and I didn’t know anyone and nobody liked me and my bangs weren’t high enough and I was never EVER going to get asked to dance! [stamp!] If this had actually been a junior high party, I would have been armed with my grandmother’s hilarious but still sage advice to “give a good time” in order to have a good time. (I think it was the part where she naively described teaching awkward football players to dance as “giving them a good time behind the bleachers” that used to distract me from the point...). So instead of making new friends and learning something interesting about where they were from and why they joined D23, I went slinking off, the first person to leave the party.

But not before I took this artsy masterpiece!

My lovely parting gift

As I stood at the back of the Pin Station shooting the lounge from the outside, I heard a guest ask a cashier what those windows were and marvel at the idea of a private lounge *inside* Spaceship Earth, which made me feel even MORE ungrateful for what I’d just given up.

You can just make out the silhouettes of the Jason, Jason & Alex, still backed up to the glass by a throng of female admirers demanding more funny stories...

I decided to go get some shots of IllumiNations from one of the new-to-me fireworks viewing spots around the lagoon. I guess Disney Catered Events uses places like China and Mexico all the time, but I’d never heard of them being offered to weddings until recently. I just had to see the view from China for myself because I couldn’t believe it wouldn’t be terrible.

The patio itself would actually be pretty nice for a dessert party because it’s so secluded and spacious. But whooo-boy is that an awful view of the fireworks.

First of all, you’ve got this island directly between you and the show...

 

[lurkyloo]

You get the idea. For a few brief moments, you can see the globe as it makes its way into position....

& But then it ends up behind that dang island, and who even knows what happens in the show after that?

Peek-a-boo!

I decided Id gotten all I was gonna get out of China and maybe, if I moved really fast, I could get to another spot where I needed fireworks shots for my wedding location photo archive. I hoofed it in the direction of France.

So, how many miles is it around World Showcase Lagoon? Like, 10? Cuz it felt like 10... I staggered up to Parisian Pointlungs burning; slingbacks flapping; long, soggy skirt dragging leaves and discarded I just hugged Duffy stickersjust in time to get a single shot:

The Grand Finale

I decided my consolation prize was a trip to BoardWalk Bakery on a Friendship boat for a slice of my all-time favorite and only recently returned peanut butter-chocolate cake. Judging by these photos, I was still half-delirious with exhaustion when I got there...

This one's definitely going in the scrapbook!

Whoa, grab hold of something, there, Lurkyloo!

Oooh, looky! New display cakes!

I was verrrrry excited when the Disney Food Blog reported the return of my beloved peanut butter chocolate cake slice a few months ago. It was almost two years ago that the bakery dumped my most favoritest cake on property for a huge, dry peanut butter-chocolate cupcake with frosting the consistency of cookie dough.(Dont get me wrongI like cookie dough, but not when Im expecting frosting!) Whats so amazing about this cake slice is that the multiple layers of frosting and cake keep it moist, and the chocolate ganache combines with the peanut butter frosting to really deliver that smooth and creamy chocolate-and-peanut-butter flavor, uh, profile, (for lack of a less pretentious word) in a way that peanut butter frosting + chocolate cake cant.

Behold!

By this time my dragging skirt had collected enough detritus to fill a Waste Please can, plus an errant child or two, so I hauled myself back to the Beach Club via Friendship boat. From the dock you could just make out the Magic Kingdoms fireworks show over the Beach Clubs roof.

Up Next: Checking into Art of Animation, plus Epcots Actual BirthdayWith 30% More Fireworks!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh I hate the awkward attempting to mingle at parties or any other sort of gathering but feeling absolutely nothing but awkward! Trust me, that is pretty much how I spend most of my existence!

The China fireworks location does look a bit disappointing in terms of seeing the globe action - but France looks much better! I guess the islands dress up the lagoon during the day, but they really do just become annoying fireworks obstructions at night!

Those new display cakes are really cute! And yay for your peanut butter cake's triumphant return!!!!!

 

[inkedupmomma]

ok, so wait.. was the cake as good as it was before?

I'm glad you posted both the poutine and lobster mac and cheese, i was thinking about trying both.. the fries don't look so hot though... but salty goodness IS salty goodness... torn!

Sorry about the party being less than thrilling, don't feel bad! You do LOTS of hard disney work, you've earned your spot there, even if it was only for a bit, you shared it with all of us! I say job well done!

China = Le suck!

So, if I wanted to sneak Bob into Siemens lounge for our Disneymoon... is that still a possibility? I'm pretty sure my Disney skills are what made him propose, I'd like to keep that fire alive

Am I the only one bothered by the no gluten vegan cake ? Shouldn't it say gluten free? This will haunt my dreams!

Looking forward to AoA pics and your opinions~!

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

I can't believe that you practically walked into Le Cellier and were seated! Unbelievable! The lobster mac and cheese looks good. Thanks for sampling it- it would never dawn on me to try something other than the steak without hearing a good review first.

All those desserts made me hungry! (Though, I may still be coming off of a Halloween Candy sugar high from last week . . . ) Is 10:30 AM too early to eat lunch?

The lounge looks cool, but I agree about the awkward mingling! I hate that.

Was the Peanut Butter Cake up to snuff?

 

[athenna]

I'm wicked late to the party but I love ytour trippies

 

[lurkyloo]

Oh I hate the awkward attempting to mingle at parties or any other sort of gathering but feeling absolutely nothing but awkward! Trust me, that is pretty much how I spend most of my existence!

Oh good! I'm glad it's not just me!

ok, so wait.. was the cake as good as it was before?

Yes, ma'am—identical!

So, if I wanted to sneak Bob into Siemens lounge for our Disneymoon... is that still a possibility? I'm pretty sure my Disney skills are what made him propose, I'd like to keep that fire alive

Am I the only one bothered by the no gluten vegan cake ? Shouldn't it say gluten free? This will haunt my dreams!

I just don't see how sneaking would be possible, what with the code and all. Any chance you know someone who works at Siemens or for one of its contractors?

As to the "no gluten vegan cake", YES! I mean, if they're gonna do it that way at least include a hyphen—what are we, ANIMALS?!!!

Is 10:30 AM too early to eat lunch?

Never! Nor is it too early to eat cake!

Was the Peanut Butter Cake up to snuff?

Definitely! It tasted just like it used to... AWESOME!

I'm wicked late to the party but I love ytour trippies

Hey, thanks for joining in!

 

[jwwi]

I also found the chocolate peanut butter cake at the BW bakery when we were there in September. Our mission was to get a strawberry shortcake cupcake to share, but a piece of the cake came home with me too! Just delicious, no matter how battered it was by the time it made it back to WI. I also have to attend many functions where I don't know anyone, and when I find Disney is a common bond it helps the time pass more quickly.
The lobster mac and cheese looks so good, Yum!

 

[lurkyloo]

Yeah, I dunno why I was so shy—for once I was in a room FILLED with people who understand and share my love of the theme parks!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Climbing aboard and looking forward to some free time this weekend when I can come back and catch up. Always love your adventures!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'm glad you posted an honest review of the Siemans lounge, because initially I was really disappointed that I wasn't able to get tickets. Now I realize that I would have been even more weirded out and awkward, because not only would I not have known anyone, but I don't have any Disney social media cred to fall back on. I'm sorry you had a less than stellar time though!

I can't imagine why they would offer a dessert party in China, there is a reason that it is completely empty during the Illuminations show, because the view is awful!

That peanut butter cake looks heavenly, I'll have to see if I can get over there and try it for myself in April. So many yummy desserts, so little time!

 

[lurkyloo]

Climbing aboard and looking forward to some free time this weekend when I can come back and catch up. Always love your adventures!

Welcome aboard!

I'm glad you posted an honest review of the Siemans lounge, because initially I was really disappointed that I wasn't able to get tickets. Now I realize that I would have been even more weirded out and awkward, because not only would I not have known anyone, but I don't have any Disney social media cred to fall back on. I'm sorry you had a less than stellar time though!

Yeah, you could pretty much just track down a recipe for peanut butter chocolate chip cupcakes, download the Future World music loop, and eat your snack with the music playing in a windowless conference room for a similar experience!

 

[scottny]

The Mac N Cheese looked good.
MMM, Reese’s. My favorite.
That stinks that you did not enjoy the party.
Great pics.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Having a lovely time fighting off the Sunday night dread by reading tales of your trip. Thank you so much for sharing. It sounds like you were able to hear some pretty amazing speakers. for Disney nerds.

I'm pleased to hear that it seems like D23 is getting its act together... at least a little bit. I was SO unimpressed with their event planning skills back at the Sip & Stroll a few years ago. Maybe it's time I give them another chance???

There was more I wanted to comment on but I've forgotten... ... next time!

 

[reelmom]

Just when I thought your life couldn't get any cooler, I read you hang out with Dick Van Dyke. Awesome. I love your trip reports.

 

[lurkyloo]

The Mac N Cheese looked good.
MMM, Reese’s. My favorite.
That stinks that you did not enjoy the party.
Great pics.

Mmm! I think Reese's are my favorite too!

Having a lovely time fighting off the Sunday night dread by reading tales of your trip. Thank you so much for sharing. It sounds like you were able to hear some pretty amazing speakers. for Disney nerds.

I'm pleased to hear that it seems like D23 is getting its act together... at least a little bit. I was SO unimpressed with their event planning skills back at the Sip & Stroll a few years ago. Maybe it's time I give them another chance???

Yes! This was definitely the best Sip & Stroll—way better than staggering around in the blazing heat at Epcot waiting for them to show up at certain spots and throw patches at us the way they did a couple years ago. And don't get me started on their mishandling of the Rocketeer anniversary event. I think they're finally starting to figure out how to plan events, and I like the direction they're going.

Just when I thought your life couldn't get any cooler, I read you hang out with Dick Van Dyke. Awesome. I love your trip reports.

Hey, thanks! I'm so glad you enjoy them!

 

[lurkyloo]

Today was Epcot’s 30th birfday! To celebrate, I slept in.

Actually, I’d better start this with an apology for my general laziness as a blogger that day. The only thing I planned to do that day to celebrate the 30th was spend the day in Epcot seeing all the different countries’ movies and watching the special fireworks. I’d heard about D23’s public anniversary panel presentations, but I assumed they’d be the same ones we saw the previous day and was pretty tired of sitting around in a convention hall all day, so I skipped them. NOW I find out some of the panels were actually different, and, according to Trish, even better than the ones we’d seen. Consarn it! Why do I even pay D23 the big bucks?!

So I’m afraid this installment will not have any of those panels in it. I hear you can read all about them on the Interwebz, though, so if you’re not interested in a bunch of photos with silly captions from World Showcase, I bid you a fond farewell...

Where was I? Oh yes. Asleep! When I woke up, I shoved all my stuff into my suitcase, checked my bags with Bell Services, and moseyed into Epcot.

I was all the way out at the DVC kiosk on the bridge to Future World when I hit the end of the line for Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise at Mouse Gear!

I count myself fortunate to be so picky about the type of Disney merchandise I will buy that I never have to wait in these kinds of lines (which means I have more time to wait in line for whatever D23 tells me to!). I’m not even sure what these people were waiting for, since half the anniversary merchandise had been out for three days already and most of it seemed to also be available on DisneyStore.com. In fact, I’d saved myself shlepping home all 11 of these awesome retro World Showcase T-shirts by ordering them online before I left LA!

Secretly smug about avoiding the merchandise crowd, I continued on toward the Festival Center to pick up a pass for the special Chase cardmember IllumiNations viewing area that night.

I was pretty much instantly smacked by karma when I got to the Chase Lounge and discovered this HUGE line to get in!

Worse, they let all of us stand there 15 minutes before they announced that passes for the IllumiNations viewing area were long gone. Gah! However, the long walk to the Festival Center was all made worth it when I made a bunch of new friends in line. What happened was, I tweeted a pic of the line, and seconds later the girl in front of me turned around and asked if I were Lurkyloo cuz she’d just seen a photo of the back of her own head on Twitter! Hi @MaryAshmore!!! Then, the girl in front of her turned around and asked if I were Lurkyloo cuz she’s a DIS Boards bride too. So at least we all had a fun time waiting in line and chatting together.

After the announcement, I decided the lounge was probably not worth a wait (something I’ll confirm for you later in the trip) and cut my losses with a cup of Ghirardelli drinking chocolate on the way out.

It was pretty dear at $2.75 for a demitasse, but oh BOY was it good. I’m someone who likes her sweets even better if they can be had in liquid form (see: No Way Jose Milkshake), the better to savor all that delicious flavor! I think they don’t even add the milk called for in the directions on the back of the tin you can buy.

I was strolling along thinking maybe my day wasn’t getting off on the wrong foot after all when I ran smack into a bumblebee, who hitched a ride on my neck for, like, I dunno, it felt like 20 minutes but was probably about 20 seconds. I like bugs, but naturally I was concerned about the pointy end of this one, and even after he eventually flew away, I couldn’t figure out if I’d been stung. (Rule of thumb: If you can’t tell if you’ve been stung, you haven’t). And to top it all off, I just missed my Friendship boat to Germany. Oh the agony of my tourist’s problems!!!

I tried to spend my 20-minute wait in the shade enjoying the breeze and being thankful I wasn’t sitting behind a desk somewhere. And eventually, this happened!

Cruising the sparkling waters of World Showcase Lagoon, seeing the colorful buildings of Mexico, Norway and China against the backdrop of a Florida blue sky... no bad mood can withstand that! By the time my feet hit Germany’s scorching pavement I was as relaxed and happy as I’d ever been, ready to start my leisurely tour of World Showcase. The goal was to see every movie—it’s easy to skip them when you’ve seen them before, but in some cases it had been years since I’d seen some of them. By gum, I was even going to sit down for NORWAY’s film instead of breezing by on my way out of Maelstrom!

My second taste of the Food & Wine Festival was Poland’s Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions & Sour Cream, plus, uh, cheese toast with catsup...?

Ah, “Zapiekanki: Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House-Made Ketchup.” Well you can’t fault ‘em for truth in advertising. This tasted exactly like what it said, but with no real melding of the flavors. And boy, oh boy do I hate the pretentious adjective “house-made”... I mean maaaaybe it’s OK at a restaurant, where you have terms like “front of house” and they might actually make some of their condiments on the premises. But to which “house” are the chefs of Epcot’s ginormous industrial kitchens referring....?

The taiko drummers were performing as I strolled into Japan—just like in the free Walt Disney World vacation videos!

I always think about the international cast members with specialized skills like this and wonder what life is like for them out in real Orlando. Going to the grocery store, seeing a movie, getting their cars washed.... No one suspecting that they are master taiko drummers or sugar-animal-makers or mariachi trumpeters...

My first shop of the day was the best shop of any day: Mitsukoshi Department Store.

AfroDomo!

And you thought Hello Kitty couldn’t get any cuter...

The previous day’s lost-fan scare had me thinking about getting a new one, and, as if on cue, the one I’d bought in the Japan pavilion the year before developed a rip just that morning.

Totoro fans: Cute, but not $69 cute!

Which one do you think I picked?

It’s turquoise, it has bunnies—what’s not to like?

After I bought the fan, I put it directly into my little fan holder from Kyoto, and the two clerks kindly pretended to be impressed,

My snack from Japan turned out to be a dud. I thought sushi would be a winner cuz it was so dang hot out, but there was no ahi tuna sashimi like I remembered, and all of their hand rolls were spicy (the California roll is not to be considered on account of the grody cucumber).

I asked if I could get the Karaage Roll without the spicy mayo, and the girls nodded and smiled and said “yes.” My English must be a little rusty, though, cuz the Karaage Roll turned out to be LOADED with spicy mayo.

Not much to look at either!

I did OK at New Zealand’s booth, though, where I finally found a Food & Wine snack that actually looks good in photos!

...Just not this one...

Better?

I took my haul to a table in Tangierine Cafe, which was one degree cooler inside than outside. When I tried to get an ice water, I ran into the perfect storm of Disney ankle hazards:

The lady in the scooter wasn’t even ordering, she was just parked there waiting for the rest of her party to order, and the rest of the aisle was blocked by a stroller. The child inside kept his parents dangling for a good 5 minutes as they tried to cajole a lunch selection outta him. When I did finally make it to the counter, the staff felt so bad about the wait they didn’t even seem to mind that I was mooching a free water!

Things started looking up when I walked into the lobby of Impressions de France and the French cast member at the door complimented my outfit’s “color scheme.” I mean, that’s something, coming from a French guy, right? (What I missed 2 minutes earlier was a lecture delivered by an American manager who told him to stop being so dour and try to make more conversation with guests. “Compliment them on their clothes, or something—that’s easy enough!”)

This shot was not supposed to be in focus, it was just supposed to remind me where I was

I tried to get some shots of the theater because how else do you illustrate the part of your trip report where you watched a movie? Turns out “what you can shoot from your seat” doesn’t always make the best photos.

I dunno... it seemed cool at the time...

Impressions de France has been remastered and looks great! Plus the music is gorgeous and there's air conditioning, and it's one of the few World Showcase films where you get to sit down—this movie has it ALL!

Every time I see the movie, I can’t help but think, “These kids are all grown up now... and the grannies are deceased!"

It seemed like a fitting followup would be standing in a triple-switchbacked line in the sun to order Coq au Vin sur Gratin de Macaroni and Creme Brulee au Chocolat au Lait. Were they purposely perpetuating French stereotypes by keeping registers closed and allowing the cutlery dispensers to go unfilled? And how’m I supposed to eat chicken breast with a spoon?

I am convinced that the chocolate creme brulee was actually vanilla and had been mislabeled. Or perhaps they dropped the “-esque” suffix from “chocolate” in the description.

 

[lurkyloo]

On to postprandial peripatetics in Morocco...

“Don’t even THINK of sitting down at this Kidcot station, old lady!!!”

I made the obligatory pilgrimage to Morocco’s museum to see the water seller’s outfit mentioned in Jason, Jason & Alex’s “Imagineering Epcot: An Extra Perceptive Close-Up of Things” presentation the previous day.

And then I went back to Japan to see now-famous The Melon Box That Jason Grandt Schlepped All Over Tokyo.

The sky suggested a classic Florida afternoon rain shower was on its way.

I risked sogginess to bring you these shots of the dessert party location in Japan!

On my way to see Reflections of China I happened upon the Epcot’s midday “anniversary moment” at America Gardens Theater. By all accounts neither you nor I missed anything here...

Can’t we see these guys multiple times per day, every day of the year in the Mexico pavilion?

Germany’s booth caught my eye...

...As did this amazingly spot-on Snow White. Way to look like Snow White, lady!

At the Germany booth I got the Schinken Nudel, described as “pasta gratin with ham and cheese.” Sign me up!

Ah, the country of Cheese. I hear it’s Mickey’s favorite vacation spot!

Man, I love the temple in China! Almost makes me wanna have a wedding do-over so we can get married in front of it.

You do not get to sit down in “Reflections of China,” but these hat racks are great for leaning against!

I like to bring my own cupholder to the movies

China was as majestic as ever, but I really wish they’d sneak a restoration of the film into Shanghai Disneyland’s budget somehow. It’s looking kinda worn. When I got out into the gift shop, it was pouring outside.

Hmmm... maybe you can see the downpour better in this one...

No... how about this one?

What about this one?

OK, take my word for it: POURING!

There’s no better place to be stuck in the rain than China’s huge gift shop. There’s plenty to see and do and tweet!

“We just can’t understand why no one will adopt this one...”

This cat stole my heart. He was SO rasty and mean-looking among this sea of cute stuffed kitties that I knew nobody was ever gonna buy him, so I got him as a surprise for Patrick. That night on the phone he even mentioned my tweet about the cat and said, “Poor kitty...” so I knew he was going to crack up when I came home with the cat.

OK, steel yourself for my all-time favorite gag in China’s gift shop...

It’s PANDAmonium in here!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

How about a snack?

Pork Potsticker and Mongolian Beef in a Steamed Bun

NOR-VEY!!!

Its a wonder those fisherman catch anything, what with that giant Viking always striding about in the bay scaring all the fish!

I always say Maelstrom is too short, and this time the Spirit of Norway answered my prayers in the form of a 3-minute ride stop.

Plenty of time to take 36 pictures just like this one!

Peekabooooo!

Looky! Theres even time for a zoomed-in, blitzed-out shot of the mural in the next scene!

Ick... are those islands or mildew spots...?

Not to be missed on my tour of World Showcase films was Norway's... because it is always missed. They dont even try to make you stay for it anymore, and its a wonder Disneys legal team doesnt require them to keep the house lights on to prevent injury to the hordes of guests sprinting by the film as they depart Maelstrom.

Well today, folks, youre gonna watch it!

Aw.... I wonder if that little boy grew up to be an actor...

I wonder if that guy ever got down from there...

I wonder if Norways Laziest Man ever woke up, or if those poor kids ever filed a child labor lawsuit...

I wonder if all those outfits have come back in style yet...

I wonder if that teacher ever got a haircut...

As I passed by Kringla Bakery and its stash of fresh school bread, it reminded me that I still hadnt run into @ProgressCityUSA yet despite the fact that on most trips I come across somebody I know from Internets about every 15 minutes. Then this lizard distracted me.

Where were YOU when I had a bee that needed eating?!

It was getting to be time to leave Epcot and go check in at Art of Animation so Id have a chance to freshen up for an evening back at Epcot. I had to pass by Canada without stopping in for the film, but DONT WORRY! I did get to see it eventually. (I know youre worried.)

And then, as I staggered up that last hill by the UK on my way to International Gateway, the crowd parted and there was @ProgressCityUSA! And his brother, @LoveIsTheNewHip (a Twitter handle that I originally thought was Love is in the Whip as a reference to Dole Whip... time for me to step away from the Disney...). Huzzah! I dont know why this had become my goalmaybe because every trip needs a goal to keep things interestingbut I had attained it. So I barged in on whatever conversation they were having and introduced myself before they had a chance to recoil from the melting, flailing woman in a big hat and a magnifique color scheme.

I got to hear a bit about how @ProgressCityUSAsorry, D23s Michael Crawford came to be D23s Michael Crawford, and I met his brother Jeff, who arranged the new-old Sherman Brothers song wed heard the day before at the anniversary event. Its good to see D23 hiring experts who are also fans for this kind of stuff.

OK, I have to stop here or this will never get posted. My last shot of the afternoon is of this magnificent, blasting AC vent that greeted me as I stepped into the Beach Clubs remotest corridor and made my way back to the lobby and my luggage. Enjoy!

Up Next: Checking into Art of Animation + Epcots 30th Anniversary Fireworks!

 

[inkedupmomma]

no food reviews?? Jeesh lady

OK, so, I have to admit, I have never seen all the movies... I blame the kids really. Some days we wanted to, but just didn't have it in u to "make" them sit still! I plan on doing it this next trip though! They are both old enough now that they can sit still, and actually get what they are seeing! We're taking days off of school, so really, it is the least I can do academically speaking!

I'm glad you ran into your friend! I always love when we see a dis tag!~ Lucky for me, Bob just gets it and doesn't say a word! I'm REALLY excited for your review of AoA!