Most Expensive / Moist Exhausting Continued - Final thoughts and wrap-up
- Thread starter glennbo123
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CreightonsMomma
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The picture turned out great! And go Marlene! I bet she was rockin' that play!
Stringbean&Wingnut
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Love the wallpaper border...I mean...photo. And Swiffer is too cute! (Even though he/she looks slightly less than impressed with your photographic effort. Doesn't Swiffer realize how much "stand 1/8th of an inch to the right and turn slightly NO TOO FAR" was involved there?) 
KatMark
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Nice picture, Glen...good job.
But I have to say my favorite photo is of Swiffer--what a cutie pie. Reminds me of Cookie when she was younger (she's getting old very quickly on us).
And great job by your daughter in Aladdin...she makes a great harem girl.
But I have to say my favorite photo is of Swiffer--what a cutie pie. Reminds me of Cookie when she was younger (she's getting old very quickly on us).
And great job by your daughter in Aladdin...she makes a great harem girl.
Flossbolna
Sea days are just so relaxing!
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It does look very impressive, but I can get your point - it would be even more spectacular if you had it even bigger! Of course the frame for a print of the size you got would be way more expensive than the print even...
You are welcome! I am glad that we could at least a bit of an surprise factor for you.
We originally had planned to get a postcard of the real Paris for Marlene, but thought that this version was pretty good as well.
You are welcome! I am glad that we could at least a bit of an surprise factor for you.
We originally had planned to get a postcard of the real Paris for Marlene, but thought that this version was pretty good as well.
glennbo123
DIS Legend
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I will jump in with Zero Judy's and 1 swiffer.
That is correct! I wasn't even thinking that this post was Judy-contest-eligible until Rosie mentioned it. But I should expect it by now, right?You can win with a zero answer, you just have to be first, and correct. Come back in about a half an hour for another chance to win!
Thanks! Yes, I think she does.
Thanks, me too.
You haven't seen Swiffer before? He's made it into some updates. Maybe the last time was the PTR, when we had tons of snow.
It'd have to be custom framed. Unfortunately, it will probably stay in its mailing tube most of the time.
It was really something, especially for a junior high school. The backdrop reminds me of that one spot in Morocco that has a city-scape painted on the wall. James and Marlene had a couple of pictures in front of it in my last chapter.
If you had put on Romeo and Juliet at an all-girls school, which part would you have played?
Don't let it happen again.
Don't let it happen again.
Thank you. Marlene loved being in the play...she had a ball!
Thank you. It would make a fantastic border.
And Swiffer is too cute! (Even though he/she looks slightly less than impressed with your photographic effort. Doesn't Swiffer realize how much "stand 1/8th of an inch to the right and turn slightly NO TOO FAR" was involved there?)
He has no clue. He's just interested in sitting as close to you as he can possibly get.
Thanks Kathy.
You have a soft spot for the doggies. It is sad when they get older and can't be the playful pups they once were.
Thank you. She loved it!
The bigger it's printed, the more detail you can see....but less money you have in your wallet. I just really wanted to see what it would look like on paper, rather than scrolling across a computer screen.
You are welcome! I am glad that we could at least a bit of an surprise factor for you.
Well, like I said, it was a really nice thing to do. And you surprised me almost as much as Marlene, and I knew it was coming!
The card you sent her was fine...she really liked it. Actually, her new French pen-pal sent her a letter about a week ago with a few postcards in it. One was of the Eiffel Tower. So, you sending a Disney Paris one was good -- it was different than what she received from her pen-pal. 
Less than half an hour until the next chapter gets posted!
glennbo123
DIS Legend
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Day 8 - Part 4
Continuing on our counter-clockwise trek through the World Showcase, we next headed to the Japanese pavilion.
For this next picture, I had to do a little research to find out what it is, exactly. (But you guys are so smart, you probably already know.) I took the picture because it is an iconic object in the pavilion, but as I sit here to write the trip report, I realize that I don’t even know what to call it. So thanks to the wonder of the internet, here’s the answer: it is a vermilion torii. “Vermilion” refers to the reddish-orange color. And a torii, according to Wikipedia, is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred.
Good thing I wrote this trip report or I would have never known!
Once again, the ladies in my traveling party steered us immediately into the gift shop. It’s like a sixth sense they have.
Okay,…of course I know all about “pick a pearl” because I’m on the DIS. I’m the planner for our crew. But do I tell my female family members? Heck no! It’s completely unnecessary. They can smell-out a purchasing opportunity like this a mile away. Within a minute of entering that store, Marlene was expressing her desire to use up some more of her spending money on a pearl. (We had passed by Japan the day before, so this was the first she had seen it.) We approved and asked Lauren if she wanted to also. She thought for a second and declined. She was still looking for that perfect souvenir, I guess.
The cast member, Rei, took Marlene through the process. Rei was as sweet as could be, and threw a “sank you” in with every other sentence.
First, Marlene had to pick an oyster. I told her that I’d read on here that you should pick an ugly one. Here, you can see Marlene making her selection.
Out it comes.
Rei paused for a photo before the big moment. I guess the oyster paused too, but where was it gonna go?
Did somebody sneeze? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) What I meant to say was, that pearl must be in there somewhere.
Rei located it with her knife.
Then, with every pearl that is harvested, the cast members beat on this drum. Believe me, this gets the attention of the whole store.
Then we decided to get the pearl mounted on a ring. It was cheaper than getting it put on a necklace where you’d have to buy a setting and a necklace. We thought about waiting until we got home, but figured we’d probably never get it done. Marlene picked out a ring and they said that it would be ready after a short wait…I forget the amount of time exactly, maybe 20 minutes or a half an hour.
We walked out into the courtyard and checked out the koi pond.
I looked at my entertainment times and realized that a good use of our time would be to catch Voices of Liberty while we waited for Marlene’s ring, and then come back to pick it up. So, we booked it over to the American pavilion.
We got there just in time, so our viewing location wasn’t quite as good as what Marlene and I had the day before. But I was excited because I knew that Judy would absolutely love this.
Probably not this guy’s best look.
They had this little girl come up for one of the singers to sing to her. She was so cute. It’s wonderful to watch a magical moment, even when they’re happening to other families.
As the singing came to a conclusion, the kids looked over and saw Judy getting a little teary-eyed and started to make fun of her. I was thinking “mission accomplished”! I was right -- she loved it. I may have had a speck of dust in my eye also. It’s so easy for that to happen when I see other people with dust issues.
On the way back to the Japanese gift shop, we saw these lady drummers getting all percussive at the pagoda. Even though we didn’t stop to watch, I sure took enough pictures. I must have taken a picture, walked a few steps, taken another picture, and so on.
On the walk back, Lauren said to Judy that she’d like to pick a pearl. <Glennbo smacks head> After seeing Marlene’s experience, she’d changed her mind. We took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, thinking of the additional wait we’d have, but said “okay”. When else could she do this? And, we had nowhere that we had to be for a while.
I found Marlene’s pearl in the display case. A 7¼ mm’er. You say that like this: “A seven and a quarter millimeter-er”.
Lauren layin’ down the cash.
It’s so hard to pick. “That one has a cute dimple, so ‘no’ to that one. This one was voted ‘best looking’ by its graduating class, so it’s definitely out.”
“Ah, here’s the one. The one that’s saying ‘Look away, I’m hideous’.”
Quite a few people had gathered around to watch. It’s highly entertaining, and a lot cheaper when somebody else is buying.
Oh yes, a reverential bow is necessary before the shucking.
Here we go.
Continued in next post
Link to next post
Continuing on our counter-clockwise trek through the World Showcase, we next headed to the Japanese pavilion.
For this next picture, I had to do a little research to find out what it is, exactly. (But you guys are so smart, you probably already know.) I took the picture because it is an iconic object in the pavilion, but as I sit here to write the trip report, I realize that I don’t even know what to call it. So thanks to the wonder of the internet, here’s the answer: it is a vermilion torii. “Vermilion” refers to the reddish-orange color. And a torii, according to Wikipedia, is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred.
Good thing I wrote this trip report or I would have never known!
Once again, the ladies in my traveling party steered us immediately into the gift shop. It’s like a sixth sense they have.
Okay,…of course I know all about “pick a pearl” because I’m on the DIS. I’m the planner for our crew. But do I tell my female family members? Heck no! It’s completely unnecessary. They can smell-out a purchasing opportunity like this a mile away. Within a minute of entering that store, Marlene was expressing her desire to use up some more of her spending money on a pearl. (We had passed by Japan the day before, so this was the first she had seen it.) We approved and asked Lauren if she wanted to also. She thought for a second and declined. She was still looking for that perfect souvenir, I guess.
The cast member, Rei, took Marlene through the process. Rei was as sweet as could be, and threw a “sank you” in with every other sentence.
First, Marlene had to pick an oyster. I told her that I’d read on here that you should pick an ugly one. Here, you can see Marlene making her selection.
Out it comes.
Rei paused for a photo before the big moment. I guess the oyster paused too, but where was it gonna go?
Did somebody sneeze? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) What I meant to say was, that pearl must be in there somewhere.
Rei located it with her knife.
Then, with every pearl that is harvested, the cast members beat on this drum. Believe me, this gets the attention of the whole store.
Then we decided to get the pearl mounted on a ring. It was cheaper than getting it put on a necklace where you’d have to buy a setting and a necklace. We thought about waiting until we got home, but figured we’d probably never get it done. Marlene picked out a ring and they said that it would be ready after a short wait…I forget the amount of time exactly, maybe 20 minutes or a half an hour.
We walked out into the courtyard and checked out the koi pond.
I looked at my entertainment times and realized that a good use of our time would be to catch Voices of Liberty while we waited for Marlene’s ring, and then come back to pick it up. So, we booked it over to the American pavilion.
We got there just in time, so our viewing location wasn’t quite as good as what Marlene and I had the day before. But I was excited because I knew that Judy would absolutely love this.
Probably not this guy’s best look.
They had this little girl come up for one of the singers to sing to her. She was so cute. It’s wonderful to watch a magical moment, even when they’re happening to other families.
As the singing came to a conclusion, the kids looked over and saw Judy getting a little teary-eyed and started to make fun of her. I was thinking “mission accomplished”! I was right -- she loved it. I may have had a speck of dust in my eye also. It’s so easy for that to happen when I see other people with dust issues.
On the way back to the Japanese gift shop, we saw these lady drummers getting all percussive at the pagoda. Even though we didn’t stop to watch, I sure took enough pictures. I must have taken a picture, walked a few steps, taken another picture, and so on.
On the walk back, Lauren said to Judy that she’d like to pick a pearl. <Glennbo smacks head> After seeing Marlene’s experience, she’d changed her mind. We took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, thinking of the additional wait we’d have, but said “okay”. When else could she do this? And, we had nowhere that we had to be for a while.
I found Marlene’s pearl in the display case. A 7¼ mm’er. You say that like this: “A seven and a quarter millimeter-er”.
Lauren layin’ down the cash.
It’s so hard to pick. “That one has a cute dimple, so ‘no’ to that one. This one was voted ‘best looking’ by its graduating class, so it’s definitely out.”
“Ah, here’s the one. The one that’s saying ‘Look away, I’m hideous’.”
Quite a few people had gathered around to watch. It’s highly entertaining, and a lot cheaper when somebody else is buying.
Oh yes, a reverential bow is necessary before the shucking.
Here we go.
Continued in next post
Link to next post
glennbo123
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 10, 2008
- Messages
- 10,236
Continued from previous post
I see it in there amongst the goo.
The beat goes on.
I think this is where the expression drum up some business got started. And it works. The whole store wants to know whats going on, and soon other people are getting in line with cash in their sweaty, Epcot-touring, little fists.
I found this one-pager showing the birds-and-bees of the pearl world.
Here, Rei is about to drill a hole in Laurens pearl.
Here goes.
And now shes putting it onto the ring.
Here, castmember Yuka practices to be a Price is Right model while Marlene tries to contain her excitement.
We wandered around the shop some more. Heres Marlene with some parasols, fans, and masks.
Then I went outside to check on James, who had wanted to watch the storyteller. I walked out to see this:
No, this was not some horrible scooter accident this was the storyteller. I have no idea what the story was, but when she jumped up I heard her say, Okay, you got me that time. Best out of 3! (Just kidding. I really have no idea what was going on.)
James was mesmerized by her antics, so I went back inside.
Laurens pearl. 7½ mm.
Lauren getting her pearl.
Cast member Yuka wrote Laurens name on the box in Japanese.
Now, I need to give you a little setup for this next story. For some reason, shortly before this trip I was thinking about the miniseries Shogun. I had watched some of it when I was a kid. Its about an english sea captain in the 1600s who wrecks in Japan. Long story short, he assimilates into Japanese culture, while his crew does not. One neat thing about the miniseries (and the book apparently, although I didnt read it), is that as you went along there were more and more Japanese phrases used, and as they were repeated, they stopped translating them for you, so you began to actually learn some Japanese. So, I was thinking about the phrases I remembered, and there was one phrase that I simply couldnt remember what it meant. While we stood at the pearl counter waiting for Laurens ring to be ready, I decided this was a great opportunity to ask about this phrase. (I can hear you out there, going oh no! Dont worry, its not that bad.)
So, I said to Yuka, theres one Japanese phrase that Ive heard, that I dont know the meaning of. (I didnt go into the whole Shogun backstory.) What is it? she asked. I said, it sounds something like racadimasen?. (I pronounced it like rah-coddy-ma-sen) She thought for a minute, and had no idea what it could be. Then the light bulb went on for her
you mean wakarimasen! It means I dont understand. She put her demure hand in front of her mouth as both she and Judy had a good laugh. She must have imagined a very unproductive and confusing interaction I apparently had with a Japanese person at some point in the past, if all I remembered from it was wakarimasen!
They got a good laugh, and I stood there looking like this --->
Then, as we waited a little longer, Yuka, asked, Wheres the guy? Judy waved toward me and said, Hes right here. And she said, No, the little guy. Then she showed Judy that she had something for James.
I went out to where James was watching the storyteller and told him that they had something for him inside. Back inside, Yuka gave him a card.
Heres a closeup of the card. It shows all the pick a pearl castmembers names and where their hometowns are.
As I look at it now, after the earthquake and tsunami, Im hoping that most of them were spared hardship. Fumi, whose hometown appears northeast of Tokyo, may have been affected. I sincerely hope not.
Outside of the gift shop, the girls posed with their boxes, which bore their names written Japanese, and held their new pearl rings.
They loved doing pick a pearl and had a hard time waiting 24 hours for the glue to set, before they could wear their rings.
Up next: The land of the rising sun = squinty pictures
Link to next update
I see it in there amongst the goo.
The beat goes on.
I think this is where the expression drum up some business got started. And it works. The whole store wants to know whats going on, and soon other people are getting in line with cash in their sweaty, Epcot-touring, little fists.
I found this one-pager showing the birds-and-bees of the pearl world.
Here, Rei is about to drill a hole in Laurens pearl.
Here goes.
And now shes putting it onto the ring.
Here, castmember Yuka practices to be a Price is Right model while Marlene tries to contain her excitement.
We wandered around the shop some more. Heres Marlene with some parasols, fans, and masks.
Then I went outside to check on James, who had wanted to watch the storyteller. I walked out to see this:
No, this was not some horrible scooter accident this was the storyteller. I have no idea what the story was, but when she jumped up I heard her say, Okay, you got me that time. Best out of 3! (Just kidding. I really have no idea what was going on.)
James was mesmerized by her antics, so I went back inside.
Laurens pearl. 7½ mm.
Lauren getting her pearl.
Cast member Yuka wrote Laurens name on the box in Japanese.
Now, I need to give you a little setup for this next story. For some reason, shortly before this trip I was thinking about the miniseries Shogun. I had watched some of it when I was a kid. Its about an english sea captain in the 1600s who wrecks in Japan. Long story short, he assimilates into Japanese culture, while his crew does not. One neat thing about the miniseries (and the book apparently, although I didnt read it), is that as you went along there were more and more Japanese phrases used, and as they were repeated, they stopped translating them for you, so you began to actually learn some Japanese. So, I was thinking about the phrases I remembered, and there was one phrase that I simply couldnt remember what it meant. While we stood at the pearl counter waiting for Laurens ring to be ready, I decided this was a great opportunity to ask about this phrase. (I can hear you out there, going oh no! Dont worry, its not that bad.)
So, I said to Yuka, theres one Japanese phrase that Ive heard, that I dont know the meaning of. (I didnt go into the whole Shogun backstory.) What is it? she asked. I said, it sounds something like racadimasen?. (I pronounced it like rah-coddy-ma-sen) She thought for a minute, and had no idea what it could be. Then the light bulb went on for her
you mean wakarimasen! It means I dont understand. She put her demure hand in front of her mouth as both she and Judy had a good laugh. She must have imagined a very unproductive and confusing interaction I apparently had with a Japanese person at some point in the past, if all I remembered from it was wakarimasen!They got a good laugh, and I stood there looking like this --->
Then, as we waited a little longer, Yuka, asked, Wheres the guy? Judy waved toward me and said, Hes right here. And she said, No, the little guy. Then she showed Judy that she had something for James.
I went out to where James was watching the storyteller and told him that they had something for him inside. Back inside, Yuka gave him a card.
Heres a closeup of the card. It shows all the pick a pearl castmembers names and where their hometowns are.
As I look at it now, after the earthquake and tsunami, Im hoping that most of them were spared hardship. Fumi, whose hometown appears northeast of Tokyo, may have been affected. I sincerely hope not.
Outside of the gift shop, the girls posed with their boxes, which bore their names written Japanese, and held their new pearl rings.
They loved doing pick a pearl and had a hard time waiting 24 hours for the glue to set, before they could wear their rings.
Up next: The land of the rising sun = squinty pictures
Link to next update
thegreggersmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2009
- Messages
- 282
15?! 15 Judys?!
glennbo123
DIS Legend
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- May 10, 2008
- Messages
- 10,236
A valiant effort, but no, that is incorrect.
Wow! Correct answer! thegreggersmom gets on the board during the speed round!
Which one, in your opinion, was the toughest to spot, that Poolrat perhaps missed?
thegreggersmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2009
- Messages
- 282
Yep, I am sticking with 15. I see a Judy nose in one of the shots so I hope that counts (new player here). And on getting the pearls mounted the same day. I have a stray pearl from Dec 09 just rolling around in my dresser drawer. Guess I'll try to find a friend for it this trip so it has some company.
on getting the pearls mounted the same day. I have a stray pearl from Dec 09 just rolling around in my dresser drawer. Guess I'll try to find a friend for it this trip so it has some company.3prettyprincesses
"These pretzels are making me thirsty!"
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2008
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- 5,309
17 Judys.
thegreggersmom
Mouseketeer
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- Mar 9, 2009
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- 282
A valiant effort, but no, that is incorrect.
Wow! Correct answer! thegreggersmom gets on the board during the speed round!
Which one, in your opinion, was the toughest to spot, that Poolrat perhaps missed?
Must have just crossed posts...the nose was definitely the trickiest to spot. Guess I am just extremely talented...at wasting time at work.
Loving your report, though!
glennbo123
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 10, 2008
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- 10,236
Good thing. While you were reading, I ninja-posted and said that was correct.
Oh yeah, noses count.
And
Yep, that's what we were afraid of. Hey, I've seen on the DIS where other people have gotten a Cinderella Coach thingee that holds the pearl and you string it onto a necklace. It looks really nice. So, there's an idea for you.
Sorry PJ. Yeah, you have to post your answer and go back to read or you'll get shut-out.
You're right -- I should have known!
17 Judys.
Now where on earth are you seeing 2 extras??
glennbo123
DIS Legend
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- May 10, 2008
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- 10,236
Must have just crossed posts...the nose was definitely the trickiest to spot. Guess I am just extremely talented...at wasting time at work.
Well you should get a raise, as far as I'm concerned.
Thank you!
Captain_Oblivious
DIS Dad #257, Galactic Salad Dodger
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 13,441
Hey Glenn,
Been traveling in New England for a few days and now I'm hopelessly behind on everyone's threads. So I'll just say that your big WS print looks cool, I'm glad the girls found the right oysters, and it's great that Judy enjoyed the Voices of Liberty! (even if there was too much dust in the air)
Been traveling in New England for a few days and now I'm hopelessly behind on everyone's threads. So I'll just say that your big WS print looks cool, I'm glad the girls found the right oysters, and it's great that Judy enjoyed the Voices of Liberty! (even if there was too much dust in the air)
3prettyprincesses
"These pretzels are making me thirsty!"
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2008
- Messages
- 5,309
This one
Judy's head in the bottom left.
And this one
Judy's head in the bottom right of the pic.
ETA: Shoot, is that James' head??
glennbo123
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 10, 2008
- Messages
- 10,236
Hey, traveling in New England sounds like fun. I'm glad you were able to catch the latest updates. Did you like the storyteller comments? For some reason, I thought of you when I wrote them. I still crack up every time I read through it.
Yep, that's James' head, both times. It's our fault -- if we'd been able to get him a haircut before the trip, you would have never made that mistake.
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