RickinNYC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,870
The cast:
Me (37) My name is Rick and I'm addicted to Walt Disney World and Mickey Mouse watches.
Joe (37), my partner of 13 years. He's not-so-much a Disney World fan as I am, but he enjoys himself tremendously.
Vinnie (37), an old childhood friend of Joe's. A professed Disney World fan but after this trip, I doubt it.
Dennis (25, just ask him, he'll tell you), a friend of Vinnie's.
Cameos by:
Jerry (37), Joe's fraternity brother from college who currently resides with his lovely wife
Michelle (30), Jerry's wife
Billy, aka the Prince of Darkness (7), Rick's best friend and evil to the core. Ok, so he's not evil, he's just a cute troublemaker who happens to be covered head to toe in fur, walks on all fours, and has a severe Beggin' Strip addiction. Ok, so he's not really a troublemaker. But trouble seems to find him.
Pre-trip preparations. One day before:
I woke up on Thursday, achy beyond belief, cursing the couch. We had decided it best that Joe have the entire bed so that his back could heal. To tell you the truth, Id have slept on a bed of broken Christmas ornaments if it made things better. I really wanted this trip to happen.
I stumbled into the bedroom, bleary eyed, every hair pointing in a different direction, sweats bunched up in places they didnt belong. What did I find? Joe stretched out on his back, blissfully dreaming, mouth hanging open with little satisfied sleep snorts. Thats not what Im talking about. No. Billy, the Prince of Darkness, also stretched out on his back, paws akimbo, also blissfully dreaming, mouth also hanging open with little sleep snorts ON MY SIDE OF THE BED!
I walked over and poked Joe in the ribs, Hey! Wake up! With a snort and breeze of air coming from a place other than his mouth, What! What!
I cant believe youre back is out so I sleep on the couch so you can get a good night sleep and you let the dog take my spot.
Joe rolled over (He rolled! He rolled!) and looked over at the beast who hadnt moved his position but stared at both of us upside down. Joes reaction? He snickered and poked Bill in the ribs and told him to get out of bed. See what you did? Were busted.
With a grunt, both Bill and Joe hopped out of bed (He hopped! He hopped!) and strolled into the kitchen in search of sustenance.
I watched as Joe got the kibble out of the pantry and bent over to pour (He bent! He bent!) Bills breakfast into his bowl. Bill, of course, did his happy dog paw hop but upon seeing that yet again, we hadnt gotten the memo about steak in the morning, sniffed his meal and laid under the table.
Joe padded over to the cupboard and started getting his morning coffee ready. He stretched for the canister (He stretched! He stretched!) and poured the grains of coffee grounds methodically into the machine. With a self satisfied sigh, he leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, waiting for his caffeine.
Joe? I asked.
Hmmmmm? he muttered sleepily with a yawn.
Did you notice anything?
What?
Your back! I crowed happily.
From where? he asked.
Where what?
Where did I go? he asked with a frown.
Confused, I looked at him, What are you talking about? You didnt go anywhere.
I know! So why did you welcome me back?!
When did I do that? I asked.
Just now! You said youre back!
OH! No, no, no! I mean, Your back!
FROM WHERE?! he demanded.
With a sigh and a shake of the head, I walked over to him and grabbed his cheeks and forced him to stare right into my eyes. Your back NOT you-are-back. And then I waited, his face squished in between my hands, staring with amusement into his eyes. And I waited. And his face was still squished. And I waited. And then I saw it. A little glimmer of an idea shining through. OOOOoooohhhh! My back! Yeah it doesnt hurt anymore. Just a little bit. But it came out, Oooooo,muhbek, yehihdudnthuhtehmo, juzalilbet.
I forgot to let his face go.
The day was shaping up. All was good with the world once again. I wouldnt have to put all the hair junk back in the medicine cabinet.
Later on in the day, we called each other to check up on things. Joes back was fine. It was stiff and achy, but fine under the circumstances. All of his work was caught up. All of his contracts had been signed, sealed and delivered. His assistant was prepped, his boss was coddled. Everything was a go.
Me? Work was a mess. I had to plan and staff one of our largest and most profitable fundraisers of the year, as well as prepare a mass food rescue to collect 30,000lbs. of food. All of which was to happen two days after we returned. Plus, I had an offsite orientation at a major supporters corporate offices; two smaller fundraisers, and three other food rescues in the two weeks after our return. I can do it. I can do it, I muttered to myself.
I wrote job descriptions, I typed up a schedule of events for the auction, I wrote myself talking points for the presentation, I transcribed notes from a recent disaster relief internal meeting, I typed and typed and wrote and typed and all was good with the world and the lights in the office started flickering. What the ?
Save your work! Save your work, someone shouted from down the hall.
What the I dumbly muttered again. I stabbed a few more keys and noticed the time. It was 6:45pm. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Just a couple more things and Im done! And the lights started flashing and flickering. Remember Poltergeist? Like that.
"Save your work! Save your work!" Again with that shouting.
And then the lights went out. My computer went black. I poked at the machine for another minute. I dumbly stared and then it dawned on me. I didnt save any of my work! NNNNNOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!!!
I poked some more. I pushed buttons. Poked and pushed. Pushed and poked. I sat there, numb with horror. All of my work from the day. Gone. In a single electronic dump. I felt a slight tingling in my head that erupted into the mother of all headaches.
I stopped poking and pushing and heard from behind me, Ummmm, I heard you scream. You okay? It was my boss. She was standing behind me, a look of concern, ready to duck.
All my work, my outlines, my talking points, job descriptions, instructions, emails, everything is gone. I said in a half whisper, voice choked with frustration.
Rick, theres nothing you can do. We had a power surge and we wont be able to reboot the system until tomorrow morning at the earliest. All the IT folks have gone home. Just go. You can play catch up the Monday you get back. Otherwise well take care of everything. Youre organized, youre just giving yourself more work than you should.
And I stared at her (I was getting good at that). My mouth agape, hands all jittery wanting to type. But I croaked.
Go to Disney World, Rick. Propose to Joe and call me at home and tell me how it all went.
And I poked a few more keys, pushed a few more buttons. Nothing.
Oh, this was not good.
With a sigh, I grabbed my coat and backpack and slouched off to the subway. I rode home, muttering to myself. I took notes about what I had to do when I got back. I wrote reminders in my Palm about what I had to get my assistant to do in my absence. My anal nature was getting the best of me.
I stepped into the apartment and was attacked by Billy, the Prince of Darkness. He figured he could wipe one out, why not the other. To no avail. "Go away," I growled.
"Vacation time!" Joe chirped.
"Whatever," I grumbled.
I relayed what happened at work. Nothing fazes Joe. "Don't worry about it. I know you. You were probably just fine tuning stuff you had already done and you didn't want to let it go. Youre a perfectionist and this time, youre forced to leave things as they are. Be happy! It's vacation time!"
"Whatever," I grumbled again.
"Rick. Let-it-go! We're going to be in Disney World tomorrow!" And so what did I do? I stared (I told you I was getting good at that.)
But he was right. So I sat in the kitchen and smoked a cigarette, took some more notes and wrote a few more to-dos. Then with a begrudging sigh, I changed into sweats and a t-shirt. I went through my mental check list of items that we needed for the trip.
Check, check, check.
My mood was lifted. I was once again getting excited. I glanced over at Joe and noticed he was moving around even better than this morning. He was still walking and standing up like a robot. He was still moving on the slow side. But he looked better. Hey! Your back! I said with a grin.
From where?
Dont start.
With a chuckle, he came behind me and gave me a hug, Welcome to vacation, honey.
And we called for a car for the next morning, we brought all the bags to the front door, we called our demon dog sitter for the last time, we ordered in pizza and went to bed early.
Oh, this was good.
Me (37) My name is Rick and I'm addicted to Walt Disney World and Mickey Mouse watches.
Joe (37), my partner of 13 years. He's not-so-much a Disney World fan as I am, but he enjoys himself tremendously.
Vinnie (37), an old childhood friend of Joe's. A professed Disney World fan but after this trip, I doubt it.
Dennis (25, just ask him, he'll tell you), a friend of Vinnie's.
Cameos by:
Jerry (37), Joe's fraternity brother from college who currently resides with his lovely wife
Michelle (30), Jerry's wife
Billy, aka the Prince of Darkness (7), Rick's best friend and evil to the core. Ok, so he's not evil, he's just a cute troublemaker who happens to be covered head to toe in fur, walks on all fours, and has a severe Beggin' Strip addiction. Ok, so he's not really a troublemaker. But trouble seems to find him.
Pre-trip preparations. One day before:
I woke up on Thursday, achy beyond belief, cursing the couch. We had decided it best that Joe have the entire bed so that his back could heal. To tell you the truth, Id have slept on a bed of broken Christmas ornaments if it made things better. I really wanted this trip to happen.
I stumbled into the bedroom, bleary eyed, every hair pointing in a different direction, sweats bunched up in places they didnt belong. What did I find? Joe stretched out on his back, blissfully dreaming, mouth hanging open with little satisfied sleep snorts. Thats not what Im talking about. No. Billy, the Prince of Darkness, also stretched out on his back, paws akimbo, also blissfully dreaming, mouth also hanging open with little sleep snorts ON MY SIDE OF THE BED!
I walked over and poked Joe in the ribs, Hey! Wake up! With a snort and breeze of air coming from a place other than his mouth, What! What!
I cant believe youre back is out so I sleep on the couch so you can get a good night sleep and you let the dog take my spot.
Joe rolled over (He rolled! He rolled!) and looked over at the beast who hadnt moved his position but stared at both of us upside down. Joes reaction? He snickered and poked Bill in the ribs and told him to get out of bed. See what you did? Were busted.
With a grunt, both Bill and Joe hopped out of bed (He hopped! He hopped!) and strolled into the kitchen in search of sustenance.
I watched as Joe got the kibble out of the pantry and bent over to pour (He bent! He bent!) Bills breakfast into his bowl. Bill, of course, did his happy dog paw hop but upon seeing that yet again, we hadnt gotten the memo about steak in the morning, sniffed his meal and laid under the table.
Joe padded over to the cupboard and started getting his morning coffee ready. He stretched for the canister (He stretched! He stretched!) and poured the grains of coffee grounds methodically into the machine. With a self satisfied sigh, he leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, waiting for his caffeine.
Joe? I asked.
Hmmmmm? he muttered sleepily with a yawn.
Did you notice anything?
What?
Your back! I crowed happily.
From where? he asked.
Where what?
Where did I go? he asked with a frown.
Confused, I looked at him, What are you talking about? You didnt go anywhere.
I know! So why did you welcome me back?!
When did I do that? I asked.
Just now! You said youre back!
OH! No, no, no! I mean, Your back!
FROM WHERE?! he demanded.
With a sigh and a shake of the head, I walked over to him and grabbed his cheeks and forced him to stare right into my eyes. Your back NOT you-are-back. And then I waited, his face squished in between my hands, staring with amusement into his eyes. And I waited. And his face was still squished. And I waited. And then I saw it. A little glimmer of an idea shining through. OOOOoooohhhh! My back! Yeah it doesnt hurt anymore. Just a little bit. But it came out, Oooooo,muhbek, yehihdudnthuhtehmo, juzalilbet.
I forgot to let his face go.
The day was shaping up. All was good with the world once again. I wouldnt have to put all the hair junk back in the medicine cabinet.
Later on in the day, we called each other to check up on things. Joes back was fine. It was stiff and achy, but fine under the circumstances. All of his work was caught up. All of his contracts had been signed, sealed and delivered. His assistant was prepped, his boss was coddled. Everything was a go.
Me? Work was a mess. I had to plan and staff one of our largest and most profitable fundraisers of the year, as well as prepare a mass food rescue to collect 30,000lbs. of food. All of which was to happen two days after we returned. Plus, I had an offsite orientation at a major supporters corporate offices; two smaller fundraisers, and three other food rescues in the two weeks after our return. I can do it. I can do it, I muttered to myself.
I wrote job descriptions, I typed up a schedule of events for the auction, I wrote myself talking points for the presentation, I transcribed notes from a recent disaster relief internal meeting, I typed and typed and wrote and typed and all was good with the world and the lights in the office started flickering. What the ?
Save your work! Save your work, someone shouted from down the hall.
What the I dumbly muttered again. I stabbed a few more keys and noticed the time. It was 6:45pm. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Just a couple more things and Im done! And the lights started flashing and flickering. Remember Poltergeist? Like that.
"Save your work! Save your work!" Again with that shouting.
And then the lights went out. My computer went black. I poked at the machine for another minute. I dumbly stared and then it dawned on me. I didnt save any of my work! NNNNNOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!!!
I poked some more. I pushed buttons. Poked and pushed. Pushed and poked. I sat there, numb with horror. All of my work from the day. Gone. In a single electronic dump. I felt a slight tingling in my head that erupted into the mother of all headaches.
I stopped poking and pushing and heard from behind me, Ummmm, I heard you scream. You okay? It was my boss. She was standing behind me, a look of concern, ready to duck.
All my work, my outlines, my talking points, job descriptions, instructions, emails, everything is gone. I said in a half whisper, voice choked with frustration.
Rick, theres nothing you can do. We had a power surge and we wont be able to reboot the system until tomorrow morning at the earliest. All the IT folks have gone home. Just go. You can play catch up the Monday you get back. Otherwise well take care of everything. Youre organized, youre just giving yourself more work than you should.
And I stared at her (I was getting good at that). My mouth agape, hands all jittery wanting to type. But I croaked.
Go to Disney World, Rick. Propose to Joe and call me at home and tell me how it all went.
And I poked a few more keys, pushed a few more buttons. Nothing.
Oh, this was not good.
With a sigh, I grabbed my coat and backpack and slouched off to the subway. I rode home, muttering to myself. I took notes about what I had to do when I got back. I wrote reminders in my Palm about what I had to get my assistant to do in my absence. My anal nature was getting the best of me.
I stepped into the apartment and was attacked by Billy, the Prince of Darkness. He figured he could wipe one out, why not the other. To no avail. "Go away," I growled.
"Vacation time!" Joe chirped.
"Whatever," I grumbled.
I relayed what happened at work. Nothing fazes Joe. "Don't worry about it. I know you. You were probably just fine tuning stuff you had already done and you didn't want to let it go. Youre a perfectionist and this time, youre forced to leave things as they are. Be happy! It's vacation time!"
"Whatever," I grumbled again.
"Rick. Let-it-go! We're going to be in Disney World tomorrow!" And so what did I do? I stared (I told you I was getting good at that.)
But he was right. So I sat in the kitchen and smoked a cigarette, took some more notes and wrote a few more to-dos. Then with a begrudging sigh, I changed into sweats and a t-shirt. I went through my mental check list of items that we needed for the trip.
Check, check, check.
My mood was lifted. I was once again getting excited. I glanced over at Joe and noticed he was moving around even better than this morning. He was still walking and standing up like a robot. He was still moving on the slow side. But he looked better. Hey! Your back! I said with a grin.
From where?
Dont start.
With a chuckle, he came behind me and gave me a hug, Welcome to vacation, honey.
And we called for a car for the next morning, we brought all the bags to the front door, we called our demon dog sitter for the last time, we ordered in pizza and went to bed early.
Oh, this was good.
I'll look forward to your next installment!
