I know that drinking induces schizophrenic-type symptoms such as grandiosity, unsolicited flirting and profound declarations.
So as Kory is sipping and I'm slamming, we mosey around the walkway, taking in the sights and breathing in Disney air. Very expensive air, can't-pay-the-mortgage-this-month air, but nice nonetheless. It's a gorgeous day.
Gorgeous I tell ya!
Kory and I were discussing the fall of Eastern Europe and the economic impact of Western aid and investment when I heard someone call my name. The voice was vaguely familiar, but what were the chances we'd run into someone we knew? I mean, we
just got here.
As I turn, I recognize our dear friends. "Oh honey, look! It's Velma and Nadine. You know, Dexter and Leroy's better halves!"
"Well hello to you, too, ladies! What? Yes, the weather is just splendid. Oh, we've heard
lots of great things about Soarin'. The roof? A great place to sun? Good to know. Yes, the people over here
are much nicer than the guests at the GF. I've heard they are stingy, as well. Well, it's been nice chatting with you. Take care and we'll see you around! And watch out for those crazy surrey drivers!"
Aflac!
What nice gals. Evidently, the guys were harassing some old lady by the Boardwalk Bakery. She just wasn't giving up her bear claw. Greedy ol' bat.
It's past 4 o'clock so I make a quick call to the BCV to check our room readiness. It's clean, so I down my drink and we head inside to bell services.
"Excuse me, here is our luggage ticket.
*hiccup* Wow, that's a very pretteee jacket you have on. Look, isn't that pretteee? Prit-teeeeee. That's a funny word. Say it. Prit-teeeeeee."
Kory grabs my arm and leads me upstairs to our room on the 5th floor. Our room looked just like this, so I'll steal a couple pictures from
Mouseplanet: The magic... made easy!
I step out on the balcony and delight in the fact that we have a great frontal view of...
Wishful thinking. The frontal view was more like half-dead treetops and a boring concrete walkway. But
practically the same thing! Although our view to the left was Epcot, so all in all, I'm pretty pleased with our locale.
After our luggage arrives and we unpack, I send Dennis a text message to make sure he is at the ESPN Zone and he's scored us (ha! it never gets old) a seat to watch the Philadelphia Eagles play the KC Chiefs. He replies that he has gotten a table for four with a great view of the game. Lucky me. I put a little extra vodka in my already strong drink and we head on out.
We arrive at the Zone in no time, but see there is quite a line. We bob and weave to the front and Kory gets the hostess' attention. He explains that we have friends inside and they are holding us a spot at their table.
"Sorry, but you can't go inside. We are full."
"Yes, I realize that, but our friends have a table and saved us a spot. They are waiting on us."
"No, you CANNOT go inside. We are FULL!"
So I jump in, "Ma'm, can
I just run in and find them? They will show you the table they saved. We just talked to them on the phone..." I pat down my clothes looking for my phone and realize I left it in the room. Crap.
"No, I CAN'T help you." And the heifer walks off.
Now Kory is one of the nicest people you'll ever know, but don't be tellin' him what he can and can't do. I can see his face contorting into his freak-out look. That means I have exactly 20 seconds to calm him down or it won't be good for anyone. Especially if you are wearing a red polo shirt.
Instead he walks off and says some choice cuss words and starts back to the hotel. We feel defeated and rather pissy. Literally! Those drinks have gone right through me.
Oh snap! I grab his arm and pull him over to the arcade. I remember there being a cut-through and maybe we can get in that way. Well there
is a cut-through, only it's gated from ceiling to floor. Well I'm always happy to see football fans corralled and locked up away from the general public, but this does not help my case. And neither does Heifer #2 guarding it. "Please be nicer, please be nicer," I chant under my breath.
I clear my throat, straighten my shirt and put on my sad, pathetic face, saved exclusively for moments when I've missed last call or been pulled over doing 82 in a 35. "Excuse me, we are meeting our friends here and they have saved us a table. Can I sneak in and find them and it'll only take a second....oh wait I see them...Dennis! Jenine! Hey you guys!" I jump up and down, thrust my arm through the gate and start waving like an idiot.
Fortunately, Heifer #2 isn't that at all, but Great CM #1 and she lets us through. I love her.
Dennis sees me and greets me with a hug and hello. This meet has been over one year in the making and we can't believe we're finally here. I hug Jenine since I feel like I know her already. See, Den has a disorder I like to call DIMBMA (Disney Internet Message Board and Meet Addiction). He's got more meets planned each vacation than Paris Hilton has boyfriends. And poor Jenine is dragged from one meet to the next. I'm excited to meet her and hope some of her patience, generosity and good nature rubs off on me. So I introduce Kory and we sit down with our backs to the Eagles game. Fine by me!
We have a great time talking with them. We talk everything from deadbeat renters, to the cultural differences between yankees and rednecks and the accentual differences between North and South Joiseyans. From how Kory and I are good luck because the Eagles starting winning when we show up to how long it takes Kory to drink two pitchers of beer (ok, it was one and a half pitchers and it took 3 football quarters). That's m'boy!
Hours passed, the sun had set, the Eagles had won thanks to us and we decided to call it an evening. Dennis and Jenine had big plans at Epcot that night so before we parted ways, we took a few pictures.
I think we can all agree he got super lucky with her. Sure he's funny, but looks aren't everything.
And in case you wonder about me, that I might be some crazy person, well I am. BUT, I'm also officially endorsed by Dennis. This excerpt was taken from his email after I arrived home:
"It was great to finally meet you guys! I had a great time and ya'll didnt disappoint!! I can't wait to read your trip report."
Although, he also said,
"Just make sure you give ME plenty of 'plug time'!!"
Oh well.
As we leave, I turn to Kory with my utterly shocked face, saved exclusively for when people compliment my cooking or when I actually get that speeding ticket, "I think I'm a li'l drunk!"
"Ya think? Let's go back to the hotel and get in the hot tub."
So, we righetti out of the Zone and stroll down the Boardwalk with hot water on our brain and alcohol in our belly.
ETA: part 3, page 12
Anxiously awaiting the next installment.
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