MY ADVENTURES N WALT DISNEY WORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & OTHER ASSORTED SILLINESS TRIP REPRT; APRL '16

[knewton64]

congrats on the 22 lbs you lost.
you'll be in fine shape to tackle universal in
april.

but Chris, the pictures you have shown here doesn't make it look like you need to lose anymore weight!

I am slight embarrased to admit this but -

In July 2013, Ladybug
used to weigh 31.6 pounds!!

- she will be 5 yrs old in August this year -



(in my opinion, the neck area on a Dog is the equivalent of us Human's stomach areas......in another words, it can visually tell just how fat a Dog is......)



To see her at 24.4lbs is remarkably so much fun to see and behold. She is on Pedigree weigh management dry food but keep in mind that I do sometimes reward her with 'regular' Pedigree wet food depending upon her weight and well......some of the things she acomplishes - like the other day when she finally mastered the word, "Roll-over."


We luv watching Joel Silverman on our local tv station as his segments teach both her and I new things (how to go to your mark, etc).
And whenever I see this tv commercail, I always think back to the day both she & i FINALLY figured out how to do that elusive thing called 'Rolling Over:"

and me??


In July 2013,
I was tipping the scales at 304 pounds!!

and yes, you will see my weight loss journey blog on my "My adventures n San Fran, Rose Bowl" trip report.....starts on about page 9........


Since that time, my weigh usually fluctuates around 206 to 220 area but I was beginning to see that in late October of last year, my weight was beginning to creep up and I targeted Jan 4 of this year to begin to address it along with Ladybug's. It's kinda like a spring cleaning of both our weight if ya will.

Long story short,
I feel comfortable in or around the 210 to 216 area and with Ladybug at or around 24 to 26 lbs range as well but......


here is some rather silly but true weight loss stories from Yours Truely:

January 2009: DCL 4 day land / 4 day cruise..... I dropped 14 lbs in 4 days at WDW only to see me gain 17 lbs while on DCL!!


September 2015 while at DISneyland (Anaheim): I ate all the no-no foods IN THE WORLD and only gained 2 lbs. Of course I was up on my feet approx 15 hours a day and us DISney Fans have been known to average walking 1 mile and hour......


ANYWHO -


There is a method to my madness I promise and OOOHHHHH YYEEAAAHHH!!!!, & ........


We are gonna be having a ton of fun enjoyiing different kinds of food, wine, chocolates, fudge, cinamon rolls.....ya know - all those 'healthy foods' while at WDW..



in 769 more hours......
but whose countin??



Enjoy it for about week when I get back to my home country of 'Reality Land"
then crank it up again - except this time


I gotta get ready for
(CLUE #! for my next adventure)


to enter the land of margaritas, enchiladas.........
which will be taking place November 2016 -


TR will be up and running on this one shortly I promise.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

What a strange and wacky last few days it has been!!


Rain, rain & more rain!!
rrrrrrrrr!!!


I am sooooo over it!!
On a lighter side of things,


Spolied Ladybug rotten last week with a bubblebath, mani, pedi and a full body massage.
Did a lot of home improvements around the hosue last week as well and for about 2 days , did absolutely NOTHING but just sat in a chair in the backyard sipping on some tea while throwing a half full soda bottle with water(I call it a 'bumper) for Ladybug to chase. Was very relaxing to do this and not be soooooooooo task or time oriented/constrained.

Was very nice to be off work all last week.


- T-minus 769 more hours and this adventure begins -



T.TF.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

I'M BRINING BACK THE 'TR MOOD MUSIC' (yes, even tho it's from my recent adventure n2 DISneyland) CUZ.........

(with a wee bit of some mood music to help set the tone)
pppssstttt!!! Just double right click w/yer computer mouse over the above video & it will play 4 u
and as an extra bonus......
how about some music from Downtown Disney(land) and David Wayne??

The reason why I am doing this is
.....I'm seeing that you can listen to it while reading this TR.
(its only good for that page that u r on)
and besides -
It's catchy!!





and -

Some Tiki Tiki Tiki room 'mood music' to keep ya n the DISney mood until next time -

**JUST DOUBLE RIGHT CLICK W/YER COMPUTER MOUSE OVER THE ABOVE VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY 4 U **




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

wow, that is a lot to lose and you should pat yourself on the back.

i can tell you are excited for your next vacation.
769 hours and counting down!

 

[knewton64]

wow, that is a lot to lose and you should pat yourself on the back.

i can tell you are excited for your next vacation.
769 hours and counting down!

and
Here is where it gets interesting.........


My "Day One" on this adventure just got modified at the last second.
Why??


Well, it all has to do with that phrase that Walt is famous for believing in -


That no good idea gets shelved for good -
it may just sit on a shelf for a bit before it gets revisited at a later date.


Next posting explains more>>





- T-MINUS 648 MORE HOURS AND THIS ADVENUTE BEGINS -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

The story goes like this -


In
August 2017 I really really RREEAALLYY need to buy a new car (I want a Honda Civic EX with a moon roof, etc) as my current Toyota Corolla has 146K on her.....

and
I wanna celebrate my 'Un'- birthday in style as well.....
it isn't every day that I buy a new car.


BUT WHERE AND WHEN??


Then, I thought of Ladybug
as for some crazy reason, I literally erased all these
ideas in my head

and I said outloud a phrase that that cartoon character named Charlie Brown is famous for saying, "RATS."


And....
for the life of me, my mind flashed back to a picture I remembered seeing on the Disney Cruise adventure I took in January 2012.....went to page three of that blog and my eyes grew real wide & there was my answer -


I musta just looked at that picture for the longest of time b4 I snapped out of it, sent Jennifer a quick email & VILOA!



YUP!


Yours Truly has a vacation slated for August 2017 for Paris......
NOPE!! NOT PARIS TEXAS


BUT....
Paris, France!

(I chose to cancel my upcoming DCL Dec '17 vacation and opt for this; which yes, will include DL Paris)
WHICH MEANS.......
now my DAY ONE for my April '17 WDW adventure has been modified a wee bit as I will be literally camped out in the France's section of Epcot's World Showcase.....

As I will be coming in from the Germany section of it with a bag of sweets from that "Karmel" shop (spelling??)

Yes, I do plan on shopping heavily while at France -
Looking forward to the eclairs and macaroons, etc.....

While nibbling on some much needed wine
while watching the 'Illuminations' Fireworks for the 1st time.



I know just enough of broken French to get into a lot of rated G for Disney trouble while over in France (WDW) and Paris, France.


AND the fun begins in approx. 646 more hours.



Now in relation to this WDW vacation,
there are so many 1sts I haven't seen -
Even
been reading up on the history of Epcot
("Epcot: The First Thirty Years" An Unoffical Retrospective by Jeff Lange and Kevin Yee)
IMHO, a pretty neat book given to me by surprise by Marysa Hill a few years ago



ANYWHO -
Never been to HP World and can't wait to see her - including those dang cobblestone streets.....
(To explain, while over in Scotland 2 yrs ago, the cobblestone streets of Edingburgh were not kind to my tenny-shoed feet = OUCH!!)


On a different topic

and yes,
there is an outside shot that I can see the beaches of Normandy while over in Paris.....
Lunch in the Eiffel Tower.....

Chocolate and wine tasting there as well.........



Trip report for my France adventure will be up and running n a few weeks I promise..




P.S.S. I took 18 , yes, 18 gigs of film while at Disneyland in September 2015 so this
adventure oughta be a blast as well.



Starting this same time next week, I plan on 'officially' being n vacation mode as I am starting to really bump up against this vacation & I gotta really turn my attention to her.....but that France vacation = WOWZERS!!



UP NEXT:
The "Ground Rules" & just how much stuff can I cram n2 just O-n-E 26 inch suitcase??




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

i agree as

 

[knewton64]

Thought I would bop n real quick and say -



Received my Magic Band in the mail the other day -
Very easy to use and I like the color (blue).


Going to be rceiving my travel documents now any day -


and
I am now beginning to break out my suitcase and get it ready cuz.......



**I AM NOW 'OFFICIALLY' IN VACATION MODE**





** T-MINUS 408 MORE HOURS 2 GO & THIS ADVENTURE BEGINS**





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

***** 360 more hours 2 go*****



Busy getting last minute plans addressed -
gotta begin packing my suitcase....





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

An exciting time for you !

You soon will be on your way

 

[knewton64]

An exciting time for you !

You soon will be on your way

Thank you -
Ahhhhh, the timing couldn't have been better -
Very busy I can tell for these next few days b4 POOF!!


-TIME TO DAWN ON MY MICKEY EARS-



ANYWHO -
Just found out about those Grey Goose's and Grand Mariner drinks at Epcot...
ok......gonna have to 'try' one (for the very first time) one of each on my Day one while nibbling on some sweets from all around the World at World Showcase; espcially the France area.


and speaking of that, I have just been handed a
Château Petit FreylonCuvee Leah Grande 2012 bottle of FRENCH wine -
(the timing couldnt have been better)


that I pledge NOT to open until just right before I leave for DISneyland Paris in August of next year.
SOME early updates on her: It will be a split stay between DL Paris Hotel and a hotel in Dwntwn Paris.

And -
I just ordered a Rick Steves guide to Paris and France dvd recently, Rick Steves guidebook to Paris, etc.


Recently, some
Have been informed me to NOT converse with the local children during your visit to the Eiffel Tower as they are in reality pick-pocketers.

More updates on this as the weeks roll by I promise.



LASTLY, ya can't ferget about my best Friend -
just got Ladybug's
'hotel stay' all pre-paid (her boarding) - she will be well taken care of while there as she will get a mani/pedi and a bath while we are apart. I hate that cuz she means a lot to me but hey, ya know what they say about "absense makes the heart grow fonder".....or somethign like that.


oh and yes, I almost forgot to add -



-THE 'GROUND RULES' TO THIS GIG -



Yes, I WILL be bringing my laptop so expect some "Tweet-like" live updates while I am at WDW /Universal and also expect some limited pics/video to post as well. Then, when I get back to my Home Country of "Reality-land,"

YES, I will then expand out on this wonderful adventure.
(I will even letcha in on how many times I was told, "Sir, You've been rendomly selcted to....." while entering the Parks)



Gonna b a busy week I can tell -



CYA FRIDAY 'ish' -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

looking forward to your pics once you are back home.

i don't keep up with tweets so i'll miss that portion

 

[knewton64]

looking forward to your pics once you are back home.

i don't keep up with tweets so i'll miss that portion

No worries
cuz I plan on blogging on DISboards while at WDW and posting a few (not all) pics & or video while there.......


it's just that the style of the posts will be short -
kinda like a Tweet. Few sentences , mabey a paragraph or two but nothing major.

Highlight the major events of the day - things like that.
(I stumbled into this style of writing when I was at DL Sept 2015)



Then, when I get back into Texas,
yes - I plan on elongating out the TR and post more pics, video & what not .




Hope that makes better sense.







ANWHO -
PSSSSTT!!!!!!



GUESS WHO 'JOINED THE REAL WORLD' AND GOT A CELL PHONE??????



.....for the very first time!!





Details coming up.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

So recently through the power of the DISboards......
( and the thread, "Going Watchless")


I made a remark in that thread and was
well -


surprised by all the reaction my remark got.



This got me to thinking -
and one thing lead to another

and as of just yesterday,
I am now the proud owner of the Apple 6S 128 gb cell phne

Getting more used to it as it sure feels FREAKIN Great to FINALLY dump my residentual landline.


Here is a screenshot of what she looks like -

and 'H' no, I do NOT plan on taking her any ANY roller coaster rides while visiting WDW.





Now
onto about that pesky topic of packing the suitcase for this little ditty.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

- (my "Day Three" part of this adventure) -



Broke out my suitcase this evening
and
began to pack a few things with my trusty Sidekick
there every step of the way sniffing
everything to 'make sure' they meet her approval.


ANYWHO -
Just found out I will be playing Putt-putt gold while out a WDW
which is good. Luv playing golf.

and just recently learned NOT to trust the Bus times at the Pop Century Bus waiting areas.


Oh well - no issue here as it's starting to hit me......
This is for real!!!
got my Magic band all ready....




cuz the fun is


about to begin


**T-MINUS 192 MORE HOURS AND THIS ADVENTURE BEGINS**






T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

I have the iPhone 6s and really enjoy it too

You will love having it!

 

[knewton64]

I have the iPhone 6s and really enjoy it too

You will love having it!

Quick funny for the day -
I actually had to ask someone the other day, "What's a "text" and how do you send and receive one?'




and with that -



Been having fun recently backing up and watching some old school dvd's about all things Walt Disney -

1) 'Frank and Ollie'
(very insightfull into the mindsets of these two people)

2) "Waking Sleeping Beauty'
(yes, IMHO - this is EXACTLY what's going to play out when Robert Iger retires & a successor is named)......meaning, the process ....the internal fighting w/only one person emerging.


next up is "Walt & El Grupo"




ANYWHO -


Suitcase is now all packed........
Ladybug's 'Hotel Ressies' are all set as well.....

-We are now down to T-MINUS 48 MORE HOURS AND THIS ADVENTURE BEGINS-



UP NEXT -
HEADIN 4 THE AIRPORT




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

and you are off about to reach the airport......

 

[knewton64]

and you are off about to reach the airport......

(ppsssttt!!!! thanks for coming along 4 the ride)




.....with thoughts of......

(pic from my trip n2 the House of Mouse; Jan '09)



...combined with -
2 Week Extended Forecast in Orlando, Florida, USA
Mon
Apr 11

60 / 81 °F Scattered clouds. 80 °F 12 mph ↑ 41% 24% - 7 (High) 7:04 AM 7:49 PM
Tue
Apr 12

63 / 86 °F More sun than clouds. 83 °F 6 mph ↑ 39% 14% - 7 (High) 7:03 AM 7:50 PM
Wed
Apr 13

67 / 87 °F Scattered clouds. 85 °F 8 mph ↑ 45% 32% - 7 (High) 7:02 AM 7:51 PM
Thu
Apr 14

65 / 82 °F Widely scattered tstorms. Decreasing cloudiness. 81 °F 10 mph ↑ 57% 55% 0.30" 5 (Moderate) 7:01 AM 7:51 PM
Fri
Apr 15

62 / 77 °F Sprinkles early. Scattered clouds. 78 °F 17 mph ↑ 54% 25% 0.00" 7 (High) 7:00 AM 7:52 PM
Sat
Apr 16

63 / 78 °F Mostly sunny. 80 °F 17 mph ↑ 57% 10% - 7 (High) 6:59 AM 7:52 PM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Got my brooch pins from Germany ready to 'pin trade' with the CM's n the Germany section on World Showcase.........

and who knows......
I just may have to meet up with Joy and Sadness on my 'Day One' as well -


cuz after all -
remember...........
one plus one equals two.

but while in the rhealm of all things DISney,
one plus one equals eleven.......


and that's a good thing.



****T-MINUS 24 MORE HOURS AND THIS ADVENTURE BEGINS****





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

I love the Germany pavilion

I will be looking over your shoulder whe you do your pics there