Nothing to See Here...

[azdisneylover]

One day maybe I will go ahead and send a letter to Bret's assistant (though I doubt she would ever let it reach him), but SOOOOOO much time has passed since I had any dealings with him that it would have to be more just a letter of, "Wow! You have come a long way since the days when you were eating spaghetti sauce out of a can because you couldn't afford dinner!" and then thank him for the fun times, maybe include a photo or two from the old days and let it go. (Though I would love to ask what in the heck he could possibly see in 90% of the women on Rock of Love!!) The letter would probably never reach him anyway, and if it did, he would be instantly suspicious in that 'what does this person want from me' sort of way, and he would probably put the letter down and forget about it - because that is what happens in that world. These famous musician types (and probably actors too) have other folks handling their lives for them most of the time. If there is a letter received, it is someone else's duty to answer it. If there is an interview for a magazine to be done, it is someone else's job to make sure the celebrity gets to that interview. And there are so many people coming at them from every side, telling them what needs to be done, that they put little things aside (like letters) and forget about them. So IF I ever do that, I can't expect any kind of response from it. Frankly, so much time has passed now that I would have to spend a good deal of the letter reminding Bret who I am and how he knew me!!!

Sherry,
sounds like a great idea! If I were in your shoes, I would send the pic of him jumpin around the cars on the ride at Disneyland, and say something like, "if you ever want to go to DL and have a great time like years before, call me". I watch the show on VHI. I think one of the requirements on the show is you must be or have been a stripper.
I must say, I am enjoying reading your report. I hope you are able to get back to DL soon with a new camera and some friends who want to have a great time, and who will show their appreciation.

 

[azdisneylover]

Thanks, Sherry,
My behind hurts from sitting here reading every post!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very addicting reading each post. I kept telling myself, just one more then I am off the computer. I like the exclamation points too! When I was reading this thread, I felt like I was peaking into your past. Thank you for sharing. When I was looking at all the wonderful pictures, I was searching the background people in the pics too, to see if there was anyone I knew (or me for that matter). I am an older person on the boards. Born in 1961.
I hope you are able to go to DL this year and have a blast. How is your back feeling today?
As for the photos for Bret Michaels....my thought is, if Bret wanted them for his book, and web site, why hasn't he taken a few minutes and called you for the photos after reminiscing about the good ol' times?
As for how old should a person be before they go to Disneyland? For ME and our house, I think 5 or 6 years old is great; kids are old enough and tall enough to ride most rides and I can have fun with them.( Being an older mom of triplets, I would have worried about all the crowds, the weather(too sunny, rain, etc), too crowded, all the germs and last, but certainly not least, I was too tired to go to Disneyland).
Anyhoo,
Sherry, thank you for sharing so much of yourself here. I love all the photos and insight to the people in them!

now back to my lurking position.

 

[kaoden39]

Thanks, Sherry,
My behind hurts from sitting here reading every post!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very addicting reading each post. I kept telling myself, just one more then I am off the computer. I like the exclamation points too! When I was reading this thread, I felt like I was peaking into your past. Thank you for sharing. When I was looking at all the wonderful pictures, I was searching the background people in the pics too, to see if there was anyone I knew (or me for that matter). I am an older person on the boards. Born in 1961.
I hope you are able to go to DL this year and have a blast. How is your back feeling today?
As for the photos for Bret Michaels....my thought is, if Bret wanted them for his book, and web site, why hasn't he taken a few minutes and called you for the photos after reminiscing about the good ol' times?
As for how old should a person be before they go to Disneyland? For ME and our house, I think 5 or 6 years old is great; kids are old enough and tall enough to ride most rides and I can have fun with them.( Being an older mom of triplets, I would have worried about all the crowds, the weather(too sunny, rain, etc), too crowded, all the germs and last, but certainly not least, I was too tired to go to Disneyland).
Anyhoo,
Sherry, thank you for sharing so much of yourself here. I love all the photos and insight to the people in them!

now back to my lurking position.

Um as a person only one year younger, 1962 for me, you are not old!

 

[Sherry E]

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[kaoden39]

Not quite that old yet.

 

[Sherry E]

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[kaoden39]

Me too!

 

[azdisneylover]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Sherry.
After reading your TR thread, I feel like I know you! I do hope you will be able to make it to DL a few times this year, especially for your birthday. I am so sad we had to cancel our surprise birthday trip for the triplets, but we have make sure our needs are met before our wants. I am planning for next year (April 5). Yes it is the day after Easter, but the plus is it will be a Monday so maybe the crowds will go home. LOL
I was hoping to read another update about calling you. Hint Hint Hint...
Take it easy!

 

[Sherry E]

N/A

 

[azdisneylover]

Tried posting this 3 times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You said you had to cancel the surprise b-day trip for the triplets - but they had absolutely no clue that there was a trip in the works? Yes, they do not have a clue! I am so thankful we were planning to surprise them and not spill the beans.To keep me from crying and pouting about not going, I am throwing myself into planning it for next year instead! Easter is always at our home here in AZ; we celebrate birthdays for the months of March, April, May and Easter. So, when we tell the triplets, instead of Easter here, we will go to one of their Aunts' house for Easter. When we are loading up to go home, we will instead head for Disneyland and they will know when they see the big Disneyland sign!

I was telling one of my freelance clients the other day (the one who occasionally gives me free DLR tickets, which I then give to friends)If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living? I think a writer. If not, I sure hope you are writing a book on the side because you do have a way of making a person want to read just one more paragraph and before you know it, you are finished sitting there hoping there will be more! This is coming from someone who isn't a big reader. I am an artist and dh is a wallpaper hanger.

that more and more people are getting Annual Passes and going to DLR in lieu of going somewhere more expensive, and also because Disneyland is a happy place and they need to kind of 'escape' for a while. She scoffed because she thinks places like Disneyland are indulgent and unnecessary and greedy in these tough financial times, and she assumed that no one would be paying the expensive ticket prices to go in this recession. She buys tickets in bulk because she gives them to sick kids through her charities and things, and the kids - bless their little hearts - are SO happy to go. I mean, they are so beaten down and ill and weak, but they have a chance to go to Disneyland and they light up. So I told my client that it is very similar with adults. Sure, many of us are not terminally ill like the kids my client gives DLR tickets to, but we have our money problems and we lose jobs and face health issues, and we are still happy when we get to go to DLR! Yes, it is expensive, and yes, Disney charges an arm and a leg for the whole experience, and yes, it is not always possible to go when you have lost your job and have no money, but when you DO finally get there, the joy and happiness it brings is unsurpassed! It can't even be put into words, I don't think. People either 'get it' about DLR or they don't, and my client is one who does NOT get it, though she knows the DLR tickets make the sick kids happy. And they make ME happy too!
You are so right, either you get it or you don't. Walt created Disneyland for everyone, not just kids (or for the kids in all of us)


Anyway, I do hope nothing goes wrong with your trip next year and that you are able to make it. The triplets will be so excited!!!
I am saving every penny I can get my grubbly little hand on and scouring the internet for any and all tips for a very fun, cheap way to go! I am even thinking of a way to get annual passes! HHHHmmmm I know, such a lofty goal, but hey, it is for a lofty reward...Disneyland. Some how, some way, we will be celebrating my babies turning 8 at Disneyland. Wanted to have them there to turn 7 and get those birthday gift cards, but it just wasn't meant to be I guess.



I am still debating on whether or not to go to DLR on my birthday and battle the heat in July, but we will see. Otherwise, I really hope I will be able to go there around the holidays - that is my favorite season and my favorite weather to go to DLR! Nice and cold!! But I want that Birthday Gift Card! Hmm....Well, you know everyone here is yelling GO! It's your birthday! Maybe some people from the boards will be there and would like to celebrate your big day with you? You might just be pleasantly surprised! As for battlling the heat, a Disneyland master as you, it (the heat) should be but a small diversion, like a mom with a stroller with a bad wheel, irritating, but fairly easy to manuver around!


If you feel tempted, run to your computer and go directly to the disboards and start a new thread about anything! LOL We can get you distracted long enough for the urge to call passes.

 

[Sherry E]

N/A

 

[azdisneylover]

You asked what I do for a living. In the '80s and early '90s, I did everything from work on those 976 telephone 'chat' lines (not the naughty ones; just straight talking) to working for Poison and working in-house at some of the temporary agencies I applied with, as well as out in the field. I dont think I could ever work for a naughty chat line. Now don't get me wrong, I can talk with the best of them, but I think I would, no, I know I would be laughing so hard at what the person on the other end was saying/doing.

But what if I HAD met Ryan again? The first time was so uncomfortable, but if I had met him for date number 2, would things have sparked? Maybe he would have been the love of my life and I just never knew it and missed my chance forever? Who knows? By the time my boyfriend and I broke up, I couldn't track Ryan down anymore (he left Jim Henson Productions), so I will never know what path my life might have taken if I had decided to meet him for that second 'date.' Do you ever ponder things like that? Like 'what if I had done X instead of Y, or gone here instead of there?' How would things have changed?? It is kind of fascinating to ponder where things could have gone - both positively and negatively - if you just done a particular thing on a specific day.
Once in a great while I do think about the what ifs.

People just stopped hiring. So I had to find other means of income and began freelancing at home - typing, proofreading, Internet research, that kind of thing. So that is what I am doing - freelancing at home until things pick up and I can find a good job in a reputable company. Freelancing means that sometimes you may make $70 dollars in a month or $1500 in a month - there is no pattern to it, and it is a struggle. Very similar to dh and wallpaper hanging. Never know what or when the next job will be. Dh is in the painters and allied trades union, and that is a joke. My husband has drum up more work than the union has! Ugh. Anyhoo, I sure hope you find work soon. Have you heard of the web site www.likedin.com. It's a professional networking site that is suppose to help people find work.

Perhaps I should write a book or write stories - people have told me that before. I don't know if I necessarily have the creative well from which to draw, or the patience to tap into to write a fiction book, and I don't think anything I have to say is interesting enough for a non-fiction book. I may say a LOT, but that doesn't mean it's interesting!! I think it would be great to work in some sort of creative company because that would keep me interested. The academic planning place was just not for me!! But at this stage of the game, beggars can't be choosers!
I think you have a style of writing that compells people to read what you have to say. Maybe a manuscript if not a book?? Your honesty and compassion comes thru your style of writing. It makes the reader feel the mood you are feeling; (something very hard to achieve, I might add).

Anyway, as for whether or not I will go to DLR on my birthday - chances are, I probably WILL get down there at some point, even just to get the gift card. I just don't know if I will make a day of it. The heat actually makes me sick. I get ill (nauseous and feel faint) in the heat, not to mention VERY, VERY sunburnt (fair, Irish skin, you know!), so it's a little worse than just being annoying. Not ot mention that I literally have sweat driping down my face all summer long! Ick! I understand the heat and the sun. I am half caucasion and half pacific islander, which I have more characteristics of pacific islander. I do get sunburned/sun poisoning in my lip! There have been a few times where after a day in the sun and not taking the time to re apply sunscreen on my lip, I could look down and see my bottom lip. NOT FUN. It looked like someone glued a hot dog where my bottom lop should be. I am a person that sweats, I do not glow..especially when the glow is running down by buttcheeks. LOL Anyhoo, I am rooting for you to get to DL for your birthday!


I am glad I have held your interest! Although I also caused you to have butt discomfort from sitting too long, if I recall! Maybe that should be my new Tag on here - "Read Sherry's ongoing Trip Report - she will cause your butt to hurt!" That is a ringing endorsement if ever I heard one!!! [/QUOTE]
Very funny tag!

 

[Sherry E]

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[Sherry E]

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[azdisneylover]

Is the Painters and Allied Trades Union that your DH belongs to similar to the unions which send workers out to set up for conventions and trade shows? I know there are two primary unions that send people out to set up for shows - one is like the decorators and riggers union and the other is like the carpenters and something or other union. It could be. The Painter's Union is part of the IBAT or something like that. The Teamsters union, the Carpenters union and a few others broke apart from this org, and started up a different one. The carpenters union in particular are trying to convince union workers to leave the Painters union and join the carpenters union. Right now, we are waiting to hear if dh will be getting on another commercial job here in the valley instead of out of town.. It is hard when dh is working out of town. The kids miss him terribly, cry a bit at night and end up sneaking into my bed so I end up not getting a good night sleep! The big plus with him landing this commercial job would mean would be able to swing the surprise DL birthday trip! I so hate this waiting and constant changing. You think I would be used to it by now (25+ years)

 

[azdisneylover]

A) Take ALL 6 of them and use them - as money - towards the renewal of my AP in or before October. As long as DLR accepts the unused tickets as trade-in for RENEWAL of the AP as they did for the initial purchase of the AP, then the whole AP price would be covered just with those tickets. ,
I know you are not asking for my opinion, but here it is anyway:happyt I know I am bossy, Please use at least some if not most of the tickets to insure you will have an AP for next year. This will keep your options over for many trips. You never know if there will be someone from the boards here that would jump at the chance to hang at the park with a fellow board person....(maybe there is a guy out there right now working up his courage to ask you to the park. Another thing to think of, you might want to go to the ladies only trip and having that AP would really come in handy.

I tend to think that I would be a fool for not using the unused tickets towards renewing my AP for FREE. I have been very generous in the past to my friends, but that AP helps a lot. Still, if I put all 6 tickets towards AP renewal, then a situation might come up like last year - when Shawn's truck's transmission blew - where whoever I invite has no money to plunk down towards a 2 or 3-day Hopper, and the discount by way of the unused ticket trade-in would be valluable!
You are right, you have been very generous in the past to your friends. I think if you keep one ticket aside for just in case Shawn can't afford a whole ticket, and apply the rest to your AP, this way, you can still go with Shawn, only getting into one park, or SHE can upgrade the ticket to get into both parks. Please don't feel guilty about taking care of your AP first.
Oh, I am so confused!

In any case, this has all gotten me thinking again about when to go to DLR next. I can't put too much thought into it yet because I still have these other issues to deal with, but part of me thinks, "Well, heck, I have my AP and I have these tickets. Shawn and I could go to DLR for a day in the near future and upgrade ONE ticket to a one-day hopper for her, and then meet up with Jackie (who has her own AP)." But then I think, "Well, if I were going to do that one-day plan at all, I would rather wait until later in the year, after I have gotten a camera, to see the Halloween stuff - just in case we can't go for a full weekend." I would rather have one day around Halloween and/or Christmas with no hotel stay if necessary than one day earlier in the year. But I see these tickets and am tempted...even though I have no working camera at the moment!!
How about not upgrading the ticket and go twice to one park, or have SHAWN upgrade HER ticket and go both times! Who knows, your friend Jackie might swing a few days at the park with you too.... and then there are people from here that like to meet up with others from the board.
Sure hope you can get a working camera soon. Have you checked local pawn shops?
Hmmm....decisions, decisions...

I also feel like digging up more DLR pictures to post. Of course, most of them are similar or from the same trips as all the ones I have already posted here, but I feel the need to post pictures again. I am going through picture-posting withdrawals! I just saw the Bret Michaels E! True Hollywood Story again on E! and it inspired me to dig up the Poison tacky party pictures and 4th of July luau pictures from 1986![/QUOTE]
I watched that too and thought wow, he is a dirty little skank! LOL cute but very, very, naughty. If he was a female, his name would be mud! LOL Anyhoo, sorry it took me so long to post a reply. DH came home from out of town, and we have been taking care of things around here. He must go out of town first thing tomorrow morning whether or or not that phone call he is waiting for happens. He is supposed to meet the owner of a contracting co. about the job in town. Ugh. sometimes, our days change every hour! NO LIE, so for me to plan a year in advance for anything is dreaming.[/B

 

[mariezp]

Hi Sherry! I haven't forgotten you! These darn people around here keep me busy. You would think they would know I really NEED to spend some time on the Disboard!

Have you made any decision on a new camera? I got a new Panasonic for our trip last year. While I love the size of the new camera it just does not have the same picture quality as my old Canon. So, I would also recommend a Canon.

You asked if our oldest DD was a good photographer... well, I think so. I think she has the potential to be professional. Check out some of her photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyspivey/


I've not watched any of the shows Bret has been on but I would have to say that I think it is rather tacky of his assistant to ask you for pictures for free. I think you have been more than generous sending the ones you already
have.


Speaking of men from your past, I had a friend like your S. We kept up with each other for a long time. I haven't heard from him in several years now but for years we just couldn't shake loose from each other. Some people are just that way and share a special connection. I guess that's how it is with you and S. I imagine he really cares but for some reason he just can't keep himself from being a horse's rear. What's so funny about my "S" is that he actually stood me up on our very first date! You would have thought that would have been a good clue that he was trouble! But no! After I raked him over the coals for treating me that way and we finally made it to a first date we actually became best friends and even more. Unfortunately, I met him too soon after he had split up with his wife. Bad timing. He wasn't ready for a serious relationship and I was. So life went on. I wouldn't be surprised to hear from him again someday. And even though he didn't always treat me the best I would still be happy to hear from him. I don't think my "S" had quite as many issues as yours. It is very generous of you to still try to be there if he needs you but you may be even wiser to avoid those calls....like a plague!



Thanks for plugging my report yet again! I've not added anything new so my report has probably slipped off into the archives of no return! I am glad you got to know me and my family. I've missed my Disboard family while I have been busy!



I've got news which helps to explain why I have been scarce on the board as of late. We are going to WDW next year! This will be the first time we have ever been to Florida so I have been obsessed with research for WDW the past month or so. I am excited but at the same time gonna miss my Disneyland. I feel like such a traitor!
Anyway, my DS has several friends in Florida. He has been hoping for the last several years to somehow meet up with them so DH and I decided it would be a nice parent thing to do to give WDW a shot. DS is really excited which is exciting in itself. Ya know, it's sometimes hard to get teens to show any emotion....especially a male. Anyway, the other day he and I actually sat down together at the computer and did a ride tour in all the parks. He's pretty stoked about all the new stuff to do and in awe of just how huge the park is gonna be.
DD on the other hand is simply impressed by the fact that we are gonna have our own private pool. Here's the house where we will be staying. http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p219739 How cool is that? It's even got our name! I started out trying to save money since we don't know how the economy may affect us but after I got our airfare really cheap by leaving out on Wednesday, instead of the weekend, I went ahead and splurged a bit on lodging. It was still much cheaper than out room at DL! So now you know what I have been up to! We will be in WDW December 2-16.

Now for you..... How cool to have a client that gives you free DL tickets. I would imagine that helps go a long way to help ease the fact that she's a pain in the behind. Anyway, if I were you, I would take the tickets and put them towards MY AP. Then I would seriously consider planning a solo trip so I could spend several days at my own leisurely pace enjoying the park. I know you have had some great times with friends but on the other hand they sometimes sound like they take some of the joy out of your trip. If you did not have to pay their way you would be able to put that money towards an extra night or two for you to have fun yourself. I know there is the issue of transportation. However, it might be worth it to just take a cab and experience the park on your own terms for once. I would say you have footed (is that a word?) the bill plenty times for others. It's time to splurge on yourself! I think azdisneylover is right that you may even run across one of the DSers who would appreciate your company too.


You are so right about Disneyland being a place to lift people's spirits! It gives me something exciting to look forward to all year long. From the beginning of our marriage, family vacations have held a pretty high priority in our agenda. So I guess some would call it an indulgance and some of us just want it to be a part of our life. I know my family gets so much joy from our time spent on vacation. Just how do you put a price on that?

I would love to be like you and your grandmother when I am in my 70's! Yep..... kids just wheel me to Disneyland and I will be happy!

Oh yeah, kaoden39... I'm a 1962 year model myself! Good year, right?

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Sherry! I have a question (or two) about Goofy's Kitchen.

I called about 10 minutes ago to make our PS's for when we go. I made a 9:10am PS for Thursday April 30th. Does that sound like a good time? The park opens at 10am that day. Earlier than 9 would have been to hard for us to get up (we like to sleep in). I asked the CM what the price was and she said $37.16/person.

I called last month and asked and was told $32.something. I know the prices change and get higher/lower depending on the season. So is the price the CM gave me today the current price? As in Spring Break peak season pice? When we go the Spring Break crowds will be gone and the park will have shortened hours. So should the price be lowered back to $32.something?

 

[kaoden39]

[
Oh yeah, kaoden39... I'm a 1962 year model myself! Good year, right?

It was a very good year!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry! I have a question (or two) about Goofy's Kitchen.

I called about 10 minutes ago to make our PS's for when we go. I made a 9:10am PS for Thursday April 30th. Does that sound like a good time? The park opens at 10am that day. Earlier than 9 would have been to hard for us to get up (we like to sleep in). I asked the CM what the price was and she said $37.16/person.

I called last month and asked and was told $32.something. I know the prices change and get higher/lower depending on the season. So is the price the CM gave me today the current price? As in Spring Break peak season pice? When we go the Spring Break crowds will be gone and the park will have shortened hours. So should the price be lowered back to $32.something?

Oh boy! People have been posting here on this thread and I've missed it all! I have been doing work for the pain- in-the-butt client this week, and then in my off hours I have been involved in a massive scanning & uploading photo endeavor over on MySpace for the last few days (I posted a bunch of pictures of Catalina trips and other stuff so my friends could easily go through them, comment on them and copy them), so I have not been on here as much, and when I have been, I went straight to the main DIS forum for a minute and not to the Trip Report section! I see that not only have you guys posted over here but I also have to get caught up on the other TR's I have subscribed to! I haven't been getting all of my e-mail alerts to let me know anything was here, I guess!

Anyway, let me answer Courtney first and then I will backtrack to everyone else...

About Goofy's Kitchen...yes, I think that time sounds good because that should be at the peak of the character arrivals, and everyone should be there, furry and face characters included. When I have been there early in the morning, sometimes we have to wait a bit before anyone other than Goofy and Baloo shows up (though there are fewer people eating at that time too, so it's less crowded), so you would be getting there like right in the middle of the breakfast period, and I think that should be good. Now, the only drawback I see for that time as opposed to an earlier PS is that it may be quite crowded then, because people will be scrambling to eat to get in the park by 10:00 a.m. Are you and Jesus planning on getting to the park at 10:00 a.m. too, or will you hang out at Goofy's until 10:30 or so?

I wonder if DLR is now considering the 'summer' (peak) season as beginning in early May and extending all the way to mid-September. I thought that they looked at 'summer' as beginning with Memorial Day and lasting until September, but maybe they have stretched out their peak season by a few weeks this year. The other option is that maybe they raised their rates overall - like aside from the seasonal fluctuations in prices, maybe they did a general, overall price hike (which they skipped last year because of the economy, I think). They do that every couple of years or so and I think they are due for another one. When you called last month and asked the price and they told you $32.21, was that the price they quoted for April 30th or was that just the price for February? If someone told you $32.21 for 4/30 and now they are saying it's $37 for 4/30, then it makes me think they did an overall price hike. It wouldn't surprise me - I was shocked to hear that Ariel's had suddenly become more $$$ than all the other character meals. Well, you will get a good chunk off the price with the Premium AP discount (that 15% comes in handy), but I know first hand that any little extra money added on here or there adds up fast! I just hope you enjoy it! You are being so open-minded to give Goofy's another try when you were not 100% satisfied last time, so I hope you have a better time and don't come back here saying "Sherry! What in the h*** do you like about Goofy's? It was terrible! You're crazy!!"