Nothing to See Here...

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi everyone,

If you noticed a bunch of posts missing, it's because I deleted them in cleaning up the thread. So, carry on & enjoy Sherry's adventures as she takes us along on them.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm going to attempt to crank out another couple of TR installments over this holiday weekend. I do hope that at least a few folks will be around to check in!

Scotty worries when I get quiet mad. He knows then that it means there is an imminent blow up or I am so mad I am stewing over it.

Michele -

Yep. It's always a bad sign when a woman gets quiet, isn't it!

Sherry - you made me laugh this morning - thank you! You said "stifle" which immediately makes me picture Archie Bunker and crack up

I'm just sitting at my desk waiting for my students to wake up and make it into my office and I needed that this morning.

Thank you! Have a great holiday weekend!

Dawn -

"Stifle" was just the word that popped into my to mind when I was thinking about holding in a possible outburst. I'm glad it gave you a chuckle! I hadn't even thought of Archie Bunker.

Hey Sherry...just posted some pics in the Halloween thread and now I'm here to do a bit of catching up! Looks like I missed some interestingness based on the comments I skimmed above. I'll be back in a bit to comment.

deej -

Yes, I saw the wonderful photos you posted in the Halloween thread! Thank you. "Treats & Treasures" is always a fun theme, no matter which holiday we are celebrating in a thread! In fact, I was hinting at you to pop over to the Christmas thread and post some Main Street photos before we switch themes on Monday! I know you have some good ones.

One more thing...chocolate-covered strawberries are definitely better than chocolate-covered pineapple spears. To me, that is.

PS... "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" was the perfect background music while looking at your window display pictures.

deej -

Yep - the Halloween candy has finally started to hit the shelves at CVS and probably at the grocery store too. There is a peculiar White Chocolate Candy Corn M&M's thing that's already out, but it's a symbol of Fall and of Halloween so I am fine with it (even if it is 3 candies in one)!

I know that "M" doesn't like to wake up even remotely close to early on a regular day. I guess I just thought she would try a little harder when she was at DLR - not anything crazy like waking up at 5 a.m., but at least just be getting ready to get in the shower when I was done getting myself together in the 8 a.m. hour. They didn't end up making it into the park until after noon, so they were just not in any rush at all. No matter what I told them about Fantasyland filling up with people early on, it made no difference.

I'm not really sure what the controversy was over "R's" clothes! I kind of tend to think that "B" really just didn't want "M" to leave them for a night and stay with me - and at this rate, I wish I'd had the room to myself! Maybe "R" was fussing, or maybe there was some mix-up with the clothes, and "B" felt "M" should have been there to fix it. Who knows? I was losing my patience with them by that point.

You got a similar photo of the 2 gingerbread men cookies, didn't you (from what I can recall)? That was one of those pictures that I chuckled at because you and I both got similar shots without knowing we were each going to be getting them!

I actually laughed aloud at the thought of your little brother going to DLR and listening to his sister get excited about a sewing machine display! I can't wait to hear about that one when your trip happens. One minute you're a Space Mountain fanatic; the next minute you're eagerly peering at window displays featuring sewing machines and fake candy cane arrangements!! Your brother may think you've gone mad!

It's been so hot and icky lately that I have been craving some of those delicious pineapple spears from DL. The last time I was at the grocery store I was sizing up the pineapple - if it's juicy and fresh, it can be one of the best summertime treats! But...for some reason...it just doesn't tempt me as much at the store as it does at Disneyland, straight out of the cart on Main Street. Those little spears are expensive - probably more expensive than a whole pineapple at my local Ralphs - but they sure hit the spot on a hot day, don't they?

I'm afraid that the chocolate-covered spears at DL just wouldn't be as refreshing and juicy.

 

[tksbaskets]

I'll be around all weekend! Looking forward to meeting Aunt Betty!

 

[azdisneylover]

I will be popping in throughout the weekend too, hoping to find out about 'Aunt Betty'!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, TK and Linda – here’s an installment for you!

Aunt Betty's Weepy, Wacky, Wonderful Christmas Trip to Disneyland

(12/4/11 - 12/8/11)



Day 3 - Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - Part 7 ​

I'll be home for Christmas;
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.





In the last thrilling Trip Report installment, “M” and family finally made it into Disneyland – after 12 p.m. – and I introduced them to PhotoPass. While at the Mad Hatter shop (to get a pair of ears for “R”) I began to let my simmering frustration rise to the surface, as it quickly became clear that “M” was convincing herself that they treated me to Goofy’s Kitchen the night before, even though they hadn’t. We also began to slowly make our way along Main Street, with at least a couple of stops to buy things along the way. However, after I brought up the Goofy’s Kitchen fiasco to her, my AP was never used for her discounts again!

What next?



Since I had left “M” in the Paradise Pier Hotel room and gone ahead to Disneyland by myself that morning, I knew that “M” would have packed up and cleared out her things from the room before moving back to the Disneyland Hotel (and she did – which is why she recruited someone to take her in a golf cart from the PPH to the DLH).

But, to be honest, before I actually met up with “M” and family in Disneyland, I wasn’t sure how long it would take her to finish up in the room at the rate she was going. Plus, I wasn’t sure how early Laurie and Molly would end up arriving, as their flights were due to land within a short time of each other and from the airport they were taking a shuttle to the PPH together (Laurie was coming in from Oregon and Molly was coming from Washington).

So, for a little while, I’d actually envisioned a comical scenario in which Laurie (DizNee Luver) and Molly (bumbershoot) – who were going to be the next roommates to move into my room that day –could possibly arrive at the PPH before “M” had vacated. Of course, both Laurie and Molly knew that I had another friend stay with me the previous night, so if they had come into the room and somehow crossed paths with “M” it wouldn’t have been a total shock…but it would have been kind of odd because Laurie and Molly hadn’t even met me in person at that point, let alone any of my friends! I just thought it would have been kind of crazy if they had ended up meeting “M” before meeting me. But “M” managed to get herself out of the room before Laurie and Molly arrived, so there were no kooky, awkward sitcom-esque moments like something out of a “Three’s Company” or “I Love Lucy” episode.

Anyway, back on Main Street…“M’s” family and I walked towards the Partners statue, which was going to be the next PhotoPass spot I brought them to.

As we walked, I asked “M” if she had made sure to collect everything I left for her in the PPH room – the buttons, the Mickey ears bath stuff, the little holiday ‘cookie’ gifts, etc. She said that she had, indeed, gotten everything out of the drawer and taken it with her. This was another chance for her to say something about the little magnet and ornament…but she didn’t.

At that point I was thinking, “I should have just given one of the holiday knick-knacks to Molly and one to Laurie.” I think the only things “M” really cared about were the bath stuff and the “We’re Celebrating” buttons.

When we got to the Hub, I instantly recognized the PhotoPass photographer on the scene. I’ve encountered him before – in both DL and in DCA – and he is an interesting character. I wouldn’t exactly say that he is ‘nice’ in the traditional sense. At the same time, he is not unpleasant at all. He has a sense of humor and says funny things – but never with a laugh or a smile, so you have to kind of ‘get’ that he is being funny and just roll with it. He is also very precise about the way he wants things done. Personally, I appreciate the PP photographers who take their jobs seriously and try to help the guests get the best photos they can possibly get. Some of the photographers do not do that. Some of them don’t seem to care what the pictures look like and they just zoom you along. This guy cares. He will take time with you to make sure you get at least a couple of good shots. He will make sure your hand is in the right spot on your hip and that you are exactly X number of inches away from the person next to you. He will make sure that everyone is standing in his or her correct location/position.

This time was no different. As soon as it was our turn to step up to our mark, the bossy photographer instructed me to stand back and let “M,” “B” and “R” get some photos together, as a family. I was okay with that – I figured they would want some family photos without me horning in, but I did want to get in a few pictures at some point.

The photographer also instructed me to start taking pictures of them with my own camera, and he began making sure I was standing in the right spot so I had the right vantage point!

After much fussing about where exactly “M” and her family should stand in the photo, where exactly I should stand when taking photos of them with my own camera, and the exact timing and placement of “M’s” hand on her hip when she was told to “pose like a supermodel,” some pictures were finally taken. I realized that this whole ‘session’ was taking up a lot of time and that the people waiting in line for their turn were probably shooting invisible daggers at us with their eyes.

The happy family (minus “S,” who sat this one out)…

This is the version of the same photo that I made with Photobucket’s Disney Parks Effects…

And here are the PhotoPass pictures…

Two versions that I cropped/edited from the photo above…

The cropped/edited version…

Wave hello!

At long last, after what seemed like 10 minutes (though I’m sure it wasn’t), the drill instructor of a PhotoPass photographer – who I still found to be quite funny – gave me my cue to step into the frame. He looked me over, sizing me up, and said, “Are you part of their family?”

I said, “No. I’m just an innocent pawn in this whole crazy game.”

PhotoPass Guy said, “So you’re a friend, or a neighbor…or who are you?”

I said, “A friend.”

He said, “Well, you can be a distant cousin for the picture. It will be a family photo. You can be…Cousin Sue. No. Cousin Mary. Cousin Betty. That’s it – Cousin Betty!”

I said, “Uh…okay. Cousin Betty? Not sure how I feel about that, but…”

At that point “M” mentioned that “B” had a relative of some kind named Betty and that everyone loved her, so I should be flattered to be called “Betty.”

PhotoPass Guy heard “M” tell me this, and promptly barked out his next instruction. “Okay, Aunt Betty, you get in next to him.” He pointed at “B.”

I said “Aunt Betty? I thought I was just Cousin Betty a second ago? How did I become an Aunt so quickly?” No one answered.

I muttered to myself, “Aunt Betty must be the universal term for ‘The person who looks like they don’t belong in the picture.’ There’s always someone who looks like they don’t belong in a group picture.”




And there you have it folks. I told you long ago that the origin of “Aunt Betty” was very anticlimactic, and that you’d be saying to yourselves “Is that all there is to it?” when you finally learned where “Aunt Betty” came from, or what it meant. That’s why I warned not to ponder it too much or it would surely be a letdown! It’s not an exciting mystery or anything particularly riveting that created “Aunt Betty.” In actuality, I guess you could say that the drill instructor PhotoPass Guy invented “Aunt Betty. He probably sees a lot of Aunt Betty’s in his line of work.




BUT, lackluster though the story behind “Aunt Betty” may be, the idea of “Aunt Betty” is more symbolic than anything else. Yes, in this particular scenario I was the “Aunt Betty.” However, I am looking at it on a bigger scale. I think that “Aunt Betty” symbolizes that person in a group shot who either looks like they don’t fit in with the other people (for example, maybe everyone is looking at the camera except for that one person, who is looking off in the distance); or looks like they don’t want to be there; or looks like they are having a miserable time, etc. There is always one in every group shot. I think that ALL of us probably have at least one “Aunt Betty” (male or female!) in our group pictures.

The next time you take a picture with a few other people at DLR or wherever you go, look carefully at the finished product and you will probably see that at least one person in the photo is playing the “Aunt Betty” role!!!

Finally, “Aunt Betty” was allowed to get in a photo…

The PhotoPass pictures…

Cropped from the above shot…

Cropped from above shot…

“M” loves Tiana…

Wave goodbye, everyone, as this is the very last photo of “M” you will see in this particular trip report…

As we all finally said goodbye to the bossy PhotoPass photographer, “M” and “B” were joking about “Aunt Betty.” I didn’t catch the whole sentence, but “B” referred to me as “him” in passing.

“M” said, “‘B,’ Sherry is a girl…not a him.”

I said, “Oh, that’s great. First I am labeled ‘Aunt Betty’ because I’m not actually part of the family, and now I’m a dude? That’s nice!”

It was funny and I was definitely giggling, but I didn’t know how much more my ego could take!

And that was probably the last laugh I had with them, because, as I’ve been saying for a while now, it was all downhill from there.




“B” announced, “Okay, ‘Dad’ has decided that there will be no more pictures until we get on some rides.”

I realized that “B” was referring to himself as “Dad,” and deciding for all of us what the group was going to do.

Silently I thought, “Whose dad? You’re not my dad. I’m a grown woman. I’m not part of this wacky family. I’m Aunt Betty. You don’t get to decide what I am taking pictures of and what I’m not.”

But, as it turned out, no more photos were taken with “M” and family that day…or during the rest of the trip. I lost interest. So I guess that when “Dad” made the decision, it stuck.

What I did say aloud was, “Well, then if there are no more pictures I also hope there will be no more shopping until we get on some rides.”



Then I realized that they truly were just operating as they normally do as a family, and not taking me into consideration at all. This was their trip and I was just a part of it, as far as they were concerned. Even though I would have gone to DLR at that time of year anyway for my annual holiday trip, and I would have been at the Paradise Pier Hotel last year anyway, and even though “M” was trying to coordinate their dates at Disneyland with when I was going to be there (though that was a fiasco in and of itself), they still ultimately viewed it as ‘their’ trip, on which I was tagging along. Whereas I was trying to look at it more as a merging of their trip and my trip – while trying to compromise and come to some sort of agreement on what we all wanted to do – that would allow me to show my childhood friend all the new and exciting things around DLR that she had not seen.

I was trying to take into account that “M” and her family are used to going places together as a group, and I am used to being totally by myself 95% of the time. At most, I am accustomed to being with Shawn, Jackie and Bob at Disneyland – and things are not nearly as complicated with that bunch while we are in the parks because they don’t have to stop every five minutes for shopping, and we just get into a different groove. It’s a different dynamic; a different energy. There’s not so much stop/go and push/pull with Jackie-Bob-Shawn in the parks as there is with “M” and company.




The first ride of the day was Pirates of the Caribbean. This was another ride which I had looked forward to showing “M” for years – ever since Jack Sparrow was added to it. I planned to point out to her the places to look for him, and for Barbossa.

“M” was under the mistaken impression that her dad being in a scooter would grant us front-of-the-line riding privileges. I knew this wasn’t true, and I didn’t want to be embarrassed while she debated with Cast Members about it, so I kind of stood back and distanced myself as one particular CM told “M” that being in a wheelchair or scooter would not get us on the ride faster, but merely would allow us to enter a “different” way than the regular route. I looked off towards the Rivers of America and pretended I didn’t know “M” while she discussed it with the CM. “M” is one of those types who doesn’t want to have to wait like the rest of us have to wait, so if she can find a way around it she will. And she thought that her dad’s scooter would be the way around it. She was less than pleased when she found out she was wrong!

Once in the queue for POTC and inside the building, there was a whole debate about who was going to be sitting with whom in the boat. I assumed that what would happen was that “S” would sit with “B” and “R,” while “M” and I sat together in a different row. This way I could point out to her where Jack Sparrow was.

But…I should have known…things were not going to go that smoothly. “B” insisted that “M” had to sit with “R.” Actually, “B” asked “R” if he wanted Mommy to sit with him and I guess “R” nodded yes. “B” said that both parents should ride with “R” on his first POTC trip.

I said, “But if I sit with ‘M,’ she is going to be behind ‘R’ or right in front of him. We’ll all be there in the same boat. She’ll be right there.”

“M” turned and said to me, “‘R’ wants me to sit with him, so I have to. You can sit with my dad.”

I said, “But I wanted to point out certain things to you on the ride. This is my trip too, and yet I seem to have no say in what’s happening.”

“M” said, “Yeah, I know, but…” She never finished her sentence.

So I continued, “Your dad wants to sit with ‘R,’ too – that’s the reason he came on this trip. He isn’t interested in sitting with me on POTC. He wants to watch ‘R’ experience everything too. Someone is going to have to cave in and sit in the row ahead of ‘R’ or behind ‘R.’ You can’t all be in the same row.”



Somehow or another, they decided that “S” would sit on one side of “R” and “M” would sit on the other side of “R.” “B” sat in the row with me, which was in front of them. “B” was not happy about having to sit in the row in front of “R” instead of sitting next to him. Even though “R” was totally fine – not scared or anything, and not the least bit affected by the darkness, or the pirates or the drops – I could see that “B” had a scowl on his face for having to sit with me.

Meanwhile, if I wanted to point out anything to “M” on the ride at all, I had to turn around and talk over my shoulder to her, which was a huge pain in the rear.

Pirates is a ride that I love so much on any given day – but not on this day. It was just a nuisance to me because everything had to be so complicated before boarding.

I have another friend who has kids, and if we were all going on POTC together and I wanted to sit next to her and point things out, she would have had no problem letting her husband sit one row ahead with the kids, while she stayed next to me. I know it. It would not have been an ordeal like it was with “M” and her family.


Anyway, after POTC was over we exited the ride and – right on cue – “M” and “R” headed straight for a shop.

Sigh.

As I waited with “B” and “S” for “M” and “R” to get done with their shopping, I asked “B” if he still planned to get “M” in front of the Castle later that night, and if he still needed my help to do it. I noticed that his answer seemed to be kind of vague – almost like he’d forgotten that he asked me for help the night before and was now put on the spot. He said he still had the plan to surprise “M” with something (it was a gift), but I could tell that I caught him off guard and that he was tap dancing around giving a direct answer. I had a feeling there was more to the story.

I asked “B” if “M” had told him about the VIP seats I got for the Christmas Fantasy Parade later that night, and he said she had. I reminded him that we had to be at the train station in Town Square at 5 p.m. to claim our seats. He said that would be no problem, and that “R” would love it. I said that maybe we could get “M” over to the Castle after the parade.

“B” said, “Yeah…” Still, there was a very non-committal tone there and I just knew something had changed since the previous night.

I then asked “B” if “M” had told him about the VIP ‘viewing’ for World of Color that I got for all of us for the following night (which would be Wednesday). I told him that “M” didn’t seem too interested in it – in fact, she told me she didn’t “want to stand up for 20 minutes” to see WoC. “B,” on the other hand, said he did want to see it, and that maybe he would come anyway, even if “M” didn’t want to.

When “M” came out of whatever shop she and “R” were in, she somehow misplaced us and there was a whole confusing exchange on the cell phone while trying to figure out where she was.

When we all finally regrouped, “B” said that there should be no more shopping for a while. He reminded “M” that they would be there for 3 days and that she could shop another day. Now, this was a decision I agreed with! Finally, he was talking some sense! Lol.

I said, “Yes, I have to agree with ‘B’ on that one, ‘M.’ It seems like you could just save all your shopping for your last park day, or at least set aside a block of time and do all the shopping in one lump. It’s taking up too much time right now and we aren’t getting anything done.”

“M” tried to tell “B” that it was “R” who wanted to go in the shops – and that may or may not have been true (I think it was partially true), but like I said earlier in this TR, isn’t it up to the parents to say NO at some point when the child keeps wanting to go into shops?

In front of “M” I mentioned the VIP seats for the parade later that night and the World of Color VIP viewing for the following night. The parade was already pre-determined and decided, and the whole reason I got the VIP seats for it was because “M” said that “R” would definitely want to see the parade. She was still hemming and hawing about WoC, though.

I said, “‘M,’ I told ‘B’ that you said you don’t want to stand for 20 minutes to see World of Color…but ‘B’ said he’d like to see the show, so…”

“B” looked at “M” as they walked along and said, “Yeah, what is that about…not wanting to stand for 20 minutes?” He looked confused.

“M” looked sharply at him, as if to try to make eye contact, and very firmly said, “Yeah, I can’t stand for that long.”

At that moment I knew exactly what she was doing. She was trying to get “B” to look at her so that he would know to ‘go along with’ her story of not wanting to stand for 20 minutes and leave it alone. I could tell that he had no clue what was happening or what she had told me and why, but for some reason she wanted me to think that she couldn’t stand for 20 minutes to see World of Color on Wednesday night, and she wanted “B” to back her up on it. Never mind the fact that I had VIP viewing for it – she couldn’t be bothered.

I wasn’t too forlorn about that because it was never decided with 100% certainty that “M” would see World of Color with me. I knew we’d be spending Wednesday together, but there was no guarantee that she would go for WoC.

Still, I wanted to be sure that “B” knew that even if “M” bowed out, the invitation and VIP viewing would still be open to him, to “S” and to little “R” – because they might actually want to see the show even if “M” did not!

I felt like there was more to it, though. I got the feeling that “M” did not want “B” and the family to see World of Color if she didn’t want to see it, like maybe she had something else in the works for Wednesday night.


The next ride we went on was Haunted Mansion Holiday. “S” was concerned that “M” was bringing “R” on a ride that was too scary for him, so they had some words about it while we were in the stretching room.

I wasn’t even going to bother trying to sit with “M” on this ride after the ridiculousness of the POTC seating situation, so I said, “You know what? I’ll sit by myself. You guys pair off in twos.”

At that point, I figured that “M” could find the hidden snowdrift Mickey on the floor of the ballroom scene by herself. Why was I even bothering? And she did find it – because I told her where to look for it before we boarded! She sat with “R,” and “B” sat with “S.”

“R” came out of that ride like a little champ too. He was not in the least bit bothered by POTC or HMH.

The ride that “R” was not thrilled about riding, however, was the Pooh ride, of all things! We walked to Critter Country and I mentioned that there was usually no line at all for the Pooh ride, so we headed straight to it. “M” and I got in the queue, but “R” started crying or getting upset about it before we made it to the vehicles and “B” stopped to talk to him.

To be honest, I don’t even recall if “R” and “B” got on the ride or not. Somehow I managed to actually get “M” on it and sit next to her, which was shocking, but I don’t know if “B” and “R” were on the ride too, or if they waited for us to be done. I lost sight of them.

When “M” and I got off the ride and met up with her family, she asked “R” if he wanted to get in photos with Pooh and Tigger, who were at their usual picture spot nearby. He shook his head and pouted. So that meant no photos for any of us, of course.

“M” asked “R” if he wanted to go into the gift shop a few feet away (Pooh Corner) and he shook his head and said “No.”

As we started to walk away from Pooh Corner, “R” got upset and started crying because he wanted to go in the shop after all!

Ahhh, to be 4 years old again and not have to make a firm decision on anything…

“M” and “B” established that “R” was getting cranky because he needed a nap, so after she took him into this shop he would have to be taken back to their DLH room to rest.

I figured, “Great! This will be when I can finally have some time alone with ‘M’ and bring her over to California Adventure.” She and I had already discussed it several times before the trip ever started – that when it was time for a midday break or for “R” to take a nap, she would stay with me and we would go off and do whatever we wanted…on both Tuesday and Wednesday. We could go into DCA. We could take a lot of PhotoPass pictures. We could go get a drink at the Cove Bar. I could point out things to her in the hotels. Whatever. It was predetermined that “R’s” nap times or the midday break times would be our time together.

After “M” and “R” finally got done in Pooh Corner - which took a while – we all began heading towards Tomorrowland so “B,” “S” and “R” could get on the Monorail to bring “R” back to the DLH for a catnap.

We passed by the Buzz Lightyear ride and it was decided that “R” wanted to go on it. As we got in the line to access the ‘alternate entrance’ for people in wheelchairs or other vehicles, I started to explain to “R” what this ride was like and what he could expect to see.

“R” told me - in garbled 4-year-old speak - that he already knew what it was about because he saw it on TV in their hotel room. “B” confirmed that a little snippet about Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters had, indeed, been shown on their Disneyland Hotel room TV and “R” remembered it. He is a smart kid!

Again, I opted to sit by myself on the ride while the other 4 paired up in 2 buggies.

And again, I did not get to e-mail my ride photo to myself at the end of it all because they all started walking off without me after they found their own photos, and I thought they were going to the Monorail.

I chased after “M” and company and said, “It would have been nice if someone waited for me…just one person…or at least told me where you were headed.”

She said, “You can go back and get your picture now. Go! Go get it!”

I said, “Never mind. The lines were already building when I was in the line. I lost my place when I got out to come after you guys. I don’t feel like getting back in the line again now.”

(By the way, my scores were expectedly bad on that ride too, as they always are. In fact, I think “R’s” score was higher than mine, from what I heard! Lol! I was beaten by a 4-year-old!!)

I don’t know why I thought “M” and company were heading towards the Monorail when there was a gift shop right there in Tomorrowland at the exit of the BLAB ride. Of course they had to stop and shop.

Sigh.

As I waited outside for the shopping to be over with. “S” – who was also waiting outside – bought us all churros, which was very sweet of him to do. I didn’t know he was doing it. I would have never even wanted a churro. But he handed one to me, so I thanked him for the kind gesture and I ate it. I hadn’t eaten a churro in 100 years. It’s tasty enough, but not something I would crave on every trip to Disneyland. I like sweet things, but I have to be in the mood for them and even then, I only like certain sweet things. I had already eaten a gingerbread cookie earlier in the day, so I think I was out of the mood at that moment.

Still, it was a very nice thing for “S” to do, and I was grateful that he included me in his churro-buying efforts. It was thoughtful.

Finally, “M” and “S” exited the gift shop and we walked to the Monorail. I expected that “M” would hand over to “B” whatever stuff she didn’t need to keep with her and have him bring it back to the DLH for her. Then she and I would go off to hang out together.

Instead, when we got to the line for the Monorail, “M” turned to me and said, “So I’m gonna go with them back to the hotel and rest.”

Caught off guard, I said, “What? You told me that you would stay with me when they went back to the hotel. We already discussed it.”

“M” said, “I know, but ‘B’ wants me to go with them so I have to go.” And she just started walking away as if she was too busy to talk it over with me.

I yelled after them, “You DO realize that we have to be at the train station in Town Square for the parade at 5 p.m., don’t you? I told you that before. It’s now almost 4 o’clock. There’s no way you’ll make it back on time.” (It was actually about 3:50 p.m.) They stopped, looked at their watches, looked doubtful and then thought about it.

“M” said, “Well, one way or the other, someone will be back to meet you at 5 o’clock. One of us, or all of us – we’ll have to see. I’ll call you when we’re ready to meet.”

They all walked off together and I didn’t know what to think. I had only been with them in Disneyland for a total of 3.5 hours (and only 4 rides), and half of that time was spent waiting for “M” and “R” to shop, and yet they were already leaving.

Something – call it a hunch; call it intuition – told me that “M” had this planned all along. Something told me that she knew all along that she would be going back to the hotel with them when they took “R” for a nap. I think she wanted to blame it on “B” or on “R,” but I actually think it was her idea. There was some reason why she wanted to get back to the hotel and away from me. (Of course, it all became clear in time.)

I think it is evident that “M” didn’t want to mention it earlier to me (that she’d be going back with her family to the DLH) – just like she didn’t want to tell me that they wouldn’t be treating me for Goofy’s before we got to Goofy’s – because she knew she would have to be backing out on doing something she TOLD me she would do, and she didn’t have the courage to actually bring it up to me. So she waited until they were just about to get on the Monorail to tell me she was not staying with me – when “B” was there to back her up and there wouldn’t be any real time for me to protest.

At that moment, putting two and two together based on “M’s” sudden announcement that she was going with the menfolk to the DLH and on “B’s” odd response earlier when I asked if he still needed me to help him get “M” in front of the Castle, I realized that they must be planning something else…something without me. I just didn’t know if they were going to blow me off that night and then reconvene with me on Wednesday, or meet up with me later that night and blow me off on Wednesday. I knew that something had shifted in the plans – and I had no say in it. Apparently my feelings and opinions didn’t matter – but I hoped that “M” and family would be decent enough to clue me in.

What I assumed was that they were going to take that time back at the DLH to discuss what they were doing, where I fit in to all of it and what to tell me. “M” knew that I was saving my time on Tuesday and Wednesday for her/them – I was very clear about that – so it would be common courtesy to let me know in advance if changes were on the horizon.

I was hurt that the plans seemed to be unraveling, but I hoped that somehow, some way, something could be salvaged. I wanted to believe that this was not the “M” of the old days and that she would handle things better in 2011.

But, I have to admit…Aunt Betty was pretty bummed out.



Coming up next, in Part 8 of Day 3: 1) I finally meet up with Laurie & Molly; 2) I have the first of TWO celebrity encounters during this very strange DLR holiday trip; 3) The Christmas Fantasy Parade begins with half of “M’s” family in attendance; and… 4) The day comes to an end as I recognize the telltale signs of a virus coming on (which turned into a 2-1/2 month-long illness)! Fun times ahead, folks!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Happy September! Soon to be Bon Voyage Summer!

Just finished a couple more installments. It's interesting that we captured some very similar photos! Yes, I remember my gingerbread men photos that are very similar to yours. I really like some of the angles you got during your photo fest on Main Street. The buildings...the plate of candy canes (one of my very first photo display pics )...etc. Loved that picture with the Indian in the foreground. I don't think I've ever seen a photo similar to that one before.

Well, catching up slowly but surely.

 

[tksbaskets]

I had to start tracking my comments in a word doc – so much to talk about Aunt Betty!

I think I know the PP drill instructor you were talking about. He had our whole family moving ‘steps to the left, steps to the right’ in a big block of humanity to get the proper lighting in front to the castle. I too appreciated that he takes time with his craft. We even waited a few minutes for non PP families to get the heck out of our picture! No Aunt Betty our Uncle Herbert in our family photo!

I about coughed diet Pepsi out my nose when I read your comment ‘now I’m a dude?’ At least you could laugh. B obviously has no 'filter'.

Oh I don’t like when friends/family make a ‘fuss’ like M did at POTC. I too would have tried to disappear. Yo HO! Did that come out right? (you can use any inflection you want there. Such a versatile phrase )

My next favorite in your commentary has got to be “Ahhh, to be 4 years old again and not have to make a firm decision on anything…”

BLAB always gets me. I think any 4 yo could dust me on that ride too. I’ve had my sons look at me on the ride and say ‘are you aiming at the targets’. At least I've never retorted 'Oh thank you wise son, I didn't even think of aiming at the TARGETS'. Poor Bret would probably say the same thing but without the eye roll I get from Donald and Grumpy. I hold my own on TSMM though.

I can’t believe M ditched you with no warning to go to DLH when your plans had been set and you’d whiled away half a day at DL shopping. In retrospect Aunt Betty should have replied ‘oh, it seems our plans have changed again. Well, you and your band of merry misfits have a wonderful vacation and I’m sure we’ll be in touch soon. I will go forth and have fun solo and when ____ arrive. This changing of plans just doesn't work with my vacation plans. I'm sure you understand'. Why is it I always think of the perfect thing to say way after the situation has occurred?

Can't wait to see what happens next. I'm inserting this person because it looks like they are bashing themselves in the face with pixie dust which it seems like being friends with M you'd need to do - repeatedly!

 

[PHXscuba]

Hoo boy.

I can't imagine how frustrated I would have been in this situation. A spoiled child, parents using him as an excuse for anything, not being upfront about their plans ... train wreck waiting to happen.

With eight months to reflect, I'm sure it's all clearer now how it happened, but I'm sure at the time it was bizarre and trying to piece together the clues was difficult. I think you hit it on the head when you realized it was "their trip" with you as a tag-along/AP discount, instead of a joint trip.

I prefer it when the Photopass photographer takes the time to get the poses right. I'd rather have that extreme than a quick snap that cuts off the castle spire, or puts Walt's hand somewhere odd. I will be watching for Aunt Bettys in my photos. Maybe she can be your alter ego when you get grumpy?

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

Hmm, well spoiled child. One thing that I have noticed and must question is does "R" ever smile? That bothers me, kids smile. Especially at Disneyland. Three and half hours and then a nap? You pay that much money for the trip and you want to nap? You're spending time with a friend you haven't seen for years and you want to nap. Poor Aunt Betty, I think in this case it is a compliment. You do not want to be a part of that mess.

 

[Sherry E]

Happy September! Soon to be Bon Voyage Summer!

Just finished a couple more installments. It's interesting that we captured some very similar photos! Yes, I remember my gingerbread men photos that are very similar to yours. I really like some of the angles you got during your photo fest on Main Street. The buildings...the plate of candy canes (one of my very first photo display pics )...etc. Loved that picture with the Indian in the foreground. I don't think I've ever seen a photo similar to that one before.

Well, catching up slowly but surely.

Deej -

Bon Voyage, Summer is right! Actually, what pops into my mind is a show that I watch - "Breaking Bad" (a very un-Disney type of show). On the show there is an extermination company called Vamonos Pest. That's what I think of when I think of Summer - Vamonos Pest!!

While I was fortunate and grateful enough to be able to have the chance to see Cars Land/Buena Vista Street in June and have a nice free day trip to Catalina in July, those were flukes. We all know I am not a Summer type of gal. Autumn and Winter are more the seasons for me! Summer is merely the gateway to Fall for me.

I'm glad you liked the pictures. I thought it was too funny when I saw your photos after the fact (after I returned) and noticed that you had a gingerbread cookie picture like mine (the real cookies, not the fake ones), as well as a couple of window display photos (like of the fake cookies) that looked like they were taken from the exact same spot on the sidewalk where I took mine.

Even the decorations in Blue Ribbon Bakery - last December was the first time I ever took pictures of decorations inside BRB, and I don't recall you having taken photos inside BRB before last year either? Maybe you did and I have forgotten, but my thought was, "How funny that we would both decide to get Blue Ribbon Bakery pictures in the same holiday season!" Of course, I can never look at the plate o' candy canes without thinking of your photo! It's because of you that I sought out that plate o' canes in the first place!

I wanted to get the picture of the Indian in the foreground and the decorations in the background because I didn't think I had seen anything like it before. But after I got home and settled in I think I saw a similar photo in someone else's TR - I can't remember whose TR it was (because there were several holiday TR's happening at once), but I remember seeing something that was not too different from mine.

The interesting thing was that when I took the pictures of the Indian, no one was really around me at that point. The crowds were moving up and down Main Street and not in my immediate vicinity. But then an elderly couple approached me and asked me to move out of the way because they wanted to get photos with/of the Indian! There I was, thinking that I was standing in a fairly 'people-free' zone, and yet I was still in someone's way!

I had to start tracking my comments in a word doc – so much to talk about Aunt Betty!

I think I know the PP drill instructor you were talking about. He had our whole family moving ‘steps to the left, steps to the right’ in a big block of humanity to get the proper lighting in front to the castle. I too appreciated that he takes time with his craft. We even waited a few minutes for non PP families to get the heck out of our picture! No Aunt Betty our Uncle Herbert in our family photo!

I about coughed diet Pepsi out my nose when I read your comment ‘now I’m a dude?’ At least you could laugh. B obviously has no 'filter'.

Oh I don’t like when friends/family make a ‘fuss’ like M did at POTC. I too would have tried to disappear. Yo HO! Did that come out right? (you can use any inflection you want there. Such a versatile phrase )

My next favorite in your commentary has got to be “Ahhh, to be 4 years old again and not have to make a firm decision on anything…”

BLAB always gets me. I think any 4 yo could dust me on that ride too. I’ve had my sons look at me on the ride and say ‘are you aiming at the targets’. At least I've never retorted 'Oh thank you wise son, I didn't even think of aiming at the TARGETS'. Poor Bret would probably say the same thing but without the eye roll I get from Donald and Grumpy. I hold my own on TSMM though.

I can’t believe M ditched you with no warning to go to DLH when your plans had been set and you’d whiled away half a day at DL shopping. In retrospect Aunt Betty should have replied ‘oh, it seems our plans have changed again. Well, you and your band of merry misfits have a wonderful vacation and I’m sure we’ll be in touch soon. I will go forth and have fun solo and when ____ arrive. This changing of plans just doesn't work with my vacation plans. I'm sure you understand'. Why is it I always think of the perfect thing to say way after the situation has occurred?

Can't wait to see what happens next. I'm inserting this person because it looks like they are bashing themselves in the face with pixie dust which it seems like being friends with M you'd need to do - repeatedly!

TK -

(I'm laughing at the person bashing themselves in the face with pixie dust!)

I, too, have had to compose and save replies in Word at certain points. I really appreciate your taking the time to do that. I'm glad to have provided a couple of chuckles along the way!

Yep - I'll bet that the PhotoPass guy is the same one you've encountered! He's a character! He will definitely take some time with people - which I'm sure does not sit well with other folks standing in line, waiting their turn. It comes in handy, though, if he is the one in charge of taking a nighttime photo (like in front of the Castle, for instance) because he will do his best to get a photo that is clear and non-blurry. I've dealt with other PP photographers who get blurry nighttime shots and send us on our merry way. That could partially be due to their lack of expertise with the DSLR cameras, and/or it could be due to not taking enough time to try to get a good night shot. At least this guy tries.

You know, in hindsight I can look back and think of all these great things I should have said or done when faced with "M's" flaky, thoughtless behavior at DL. Now that time has passed, I can put things in perspective and see the whole situation more clearly. That doesn't mean I 'excuse' some of what she did - because there was simply no excuse for the way she handled certain things and she seemed to be totally unconcerned with or just oblivious to the fact that she could have handled things better.

Also, I have no intentions of ever dealing with "M" at DLR again, unless it's for one lone meal or something (and not a meal where my AP discount is involved, or where I have to deal with them for any kind of cash issues) - and even that is a stretch right now. I hadn't seen her in 10 years. I thought things would be different and more 'evolved.' I thought she would be a bit more considerate. I discovered that not much had changed. So I learned my lesson.

However, in the moment, at that time, I was so bummed out and sad about the way things appeared to be headed in the DL agenda that I couldn't just snap out of it. I was still holding out hope that some part of the trip could be salvaged and formed into a nice memory - a memory that was free of conflict and frustration! But, alas, it was not to be! We'll get to the icing on the cake (or the last straw, I guess we could say) when Day 4 hits...but the rest of Day 3 won't be much better!

Hoo boy.

I can't imagine how frustrated I would have been in this situation. A spoiled child, parents using him as an excuse for anything, not being upfront about their plans ... train wreck waiting to happen.

With eight months to reflect, I'm sure it's all clearer now how it happened, but I'm sure at the time it was bizarre and trying to piece together the clues was difficult. I think you hit it on the head when you realized it was "their trip" with you as a tag-along/AP discount, instead of a joint trip.

I prefer it when the Photopass photographer takes the time to get the poses right. I'd rather have that extreme than a quick snap that cuts off the castle spire, or puts Walt's hand somewhere odd. I will be watching for Aunt Bettys in my photos. Maybe she can be your alter ego when you get grumpy?

PHXscuba

PHX -

Aunt Betty will be my Mr. Hyde, I suppose? I think we all have an occasional Aunt Betty person in our photos - there is always someone looking one direction while everyone else is looking another, or someone who looks like they don't want to be there at all, or someone who just looks out of place - the one person who hates posing for pictures, maybe.

Yes, it was a frustrating situation, indeed. I really think that the main issues were just that "M" has not changed much (at least with me), and that she and her family have a dynamic that they are used to. They deal with "R" in a certain way. They deal with her dad, "S," in a certain way. They interact with each other in a certain way. "B" tries to get "M" to be a little more responsible, a little more focused and less selfish - so that she puts her needs last and lets "R" do whatever he wants - which is all well and good when they are only dealing with each other. BUT, when they have someone else with them who is not used to dealing with all of that madness and mess (me!), instead of kind of trying to change how they would normally handle things to compromise with me, they behaved as if it was just their trip and I was a part of it.

After a while it became hard to determine which decisions were actually "M's" and which ones were "B's." She tried to use him as the scapegoat a couple of times but I couldn't always tell when she was just blaming him for something she really wanted to do, and when he was really pulling rank. Whatever the case, I knew that "M" was not leveling with me about what exactly the plans were going to be (or were not going to be). So she felt it was better to just kind of spring things on me at the last minute, instead of giving me fair warning.

Hmm, well spoiled child. One thing that I have noticed and must question is does "R" ever smile? That bothers me, kids smile. Especially at Disneyland. Three and half hours and then a nap? You pay that much money for the trip and you want to nap? You're spending time with a friend you haven't seen for years and you want to nap. Poor Aunt Betty, I think in this case it is a compliment. You do not want to be a part of that mess.

Michele -

I think Bret mentioned that a while ago too, that "R" never looks like he is having a great time. I couldn't quite get a connection going with "R" - I tried, but he never really seemed to want to talk to me.

I can say that when I got together with my other friend several years ago - from the G Family, who I have mentioned in the past - her son was a joy to be around. Oh sure, he was doing 'kid things' like crawling under the table at the restaurant, but he was very chatty with me. He was very friendly and interactive - he would come up to me and grab my hand, pulling me over to the pie case so I could identify the different pies for him. He would ask me to play Tic Tac Toe with him. He would talk to me about Toy Story Midway Mania. He would show me the toy he got at DLR, etc.

"R" was just not very interactive with me. He seemed to be a smart child, and he didn't seem to be terribly unhappy...but I don't really think he wanted anything to do with me. Maybe that's why he was never smiling in photos! Maybe once I left he was all smiles!

Yep - they were inside Disneyland for 3-1/2 hours and then they ALL had to go back to the DLH so that "R" could nap! I think that "M" was actually making other plans and maybe wanted to call some people when I wasn't around, but still...after only 3.5 hours?? She knew that she had told me she would stay with me when the men went back to the DLH, and yet she totally backed out on that. She could not have cared less about me at that point.

You're right - I don't want to be a part of that mess!

 

[Chereya]

Wow, Sherry. What a disappointment to look forward to seeing your friend after 10 years and be treated like you're the 5th wheel. I can sympathize with you. I've been in situations before where everyone acts like it's completely normal to be a which makes me doubt if *I'm* the crazy one to expect a certain baseline of manners and respectful behavior.

I feel bad for that poor kid "R" though. No wonder he is not smiling in most of the pics. Imagine having all that drama for a daily family life? Mom is the center of the universe in that family. He probably does not know how to respond and relate to another female figure. If he's 4 he has not started Kindergarten yet and been exposed to other rules of behavior outside of the family and other (female) authority figures.

Sorry that this trip turned out so crummy but it makes for great reading. Thanks again for taking the time to tell us all about it. Here's some more pixie dust to smash in your face while you continue the rest of it.

 

[kaoden39]

They are going to have their hands full when school starts. But then she might decide to home school and well........good luck with that. So speaks the voice of experience.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Sherry, I have been gone all week due to a convention that I was working this weekend and I just got to read your latest update.

I thought that this latest update to your TR isn't that bad as you have said it in advance. But after reading your latest update from yesterday, I was surprised and I can't believe a nice person like you would get that kind of treatment from them. The biggest surprise for me during your update is that when "B" and "S" were about to take "R" back to the hotel for a nap at the TL Monorail station, "M" went with them back. I was kind of shock that "M" deserted you and said that she will be with you after those three went back to the hotel.

That was not great when they were deciding on who would sit and where on POTC.

You did mention before your trip last year that you got VIP viewing section for WoC. I would have guess it was in the VIP area and you have to stand up for the show unless you get lucky and get park benches. But for them to say that they aren't willing to stand or wait for the show is surprising. It is not that long of a wait to stand up for the show or wait for it. I have waited as long as 1+ hours for the show and I have no problem doing it over again as long as I get a good spot to watch WoC. I would have loved to watch WoC from the VIP viewing area.

TK, I would never say that to you on BLAB like your sons.

Just for only 3 1/2 hours in the park and they want to go back to the hotel for a nap. You could have done a lot of different things that day in the parks like your picture taking of the Christmas decorations. I did read that "M" and "R" went to the stores each time they had a chance and only got to ride 4 rides in that time was not that much. I always thought when I go to the parks and don't go on too many rides.

I did say that in some of the pics that "R" didn't looked that happy in those photos. I thought that "R" would want to interact with you during the day at the park, but it looks like I was wrong.

I felt really bad for you that day with them and hope that your day with Laurie and Molly would turn out better. Once again, thank you for taking to write up your trip report.

 

[deejdigsdis]

My goodness. Well, I'm all caught up now, but where do I begin?

The Round-Up...Very fun pictures! I love the rustic, old-fashioned charm back there. I noticed the reindeer didn't have any Christmas decor on their butts like the Main Street horses do.

So M and Family finally arrive. Ugh...that would drive me nuts getting in that late. Imagine if you had waited behind and moseyed in post-lunchtime.

The realization that you were considered a 5th wheel would not be fun. I'm sorry that the images you conjured up of reuniting with M at Disneyland/DCA after 10 years, showing her all the things she hasn't seen before, having some alone time with her, etc. didn't come to pass. What a disappointment. I'm curious to hear what M was up to.

Can I also just say it bugs me when she says, "R said I have to, so I have to" or "B said I have to, so I have to." That totally sounds like she is using them as an excuse.

Hurry baaaaack...hurry baaaaack...

 

[tksbaskets]

TK, I would never say that to you on BLAB like your sons.

I know you wouldn't Bret My sons realize Zurg has some mystical power over me on that ride. Some day I'll break 100K on it.

 

[azdisneylover]

Hmmm,
Where do I begin! I guess, I will start by saying 'good morning, Aunt Betty', or should I say, 'good morning Mr Aunt Betty' I did get a good chuckle when I read this (glad you can look back and get a chuckle too). I know it had to sting a bit when it happened. The 5th wheel aspect your 'friend' put you in isn't a place anyone should be in. Shame on her. I would have been embarrassed being around her at POTC. I bet her dad felt like a 5th wheel too.

The way 'M' treated you at the monorail was shameful. Her way of treating a friend and your way of treating a friend are different. I bet the definition of the word friend is different too. Reading the last installment, I was shaking my head, saying 'oh no she didn't' and 'how can Sherry keep her cool and not rip her a new one'?

I think you have overlooked 'M's major flaws because you are a good friend to her, and she has abused the friendship and taken it for granted. It is a shame because true friends are so hard to find and when you are fortunate to obtain one, you should treat that friendship like gold.

I can only imagine what could get you to the point of sitting on a bench at DL and cry sad tears.

I have said it once, and I am going to say it again, you need a Christmas Do Over trip big time, to replace this one, or at least the parts with 'M' and her group.

I am sipping my coffee waiting for the next installation of the report.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Oops...can't believe I forgot to mention Aunt Betty! The mystery is solved! Not really solved, I guess...just revealed. So you came to be known as Aunt Betty through the PP photographer. Didn't see that one coming at all.

 

[Sherry E]

I had a rude awakening early this morning when a stupid earthquake jarred me out of a deep slumber after 3 a.m. It also woke up people in my building and in the building next door (I heard several people open their doors and go outside). It was a small quake as far as the seismograph goes, but because it was centered right underneath my area of town, it felt much larger and very, very sharp....and the shaking lasted a while. If a 3.3 quake can feel like that when the epicenter is right here, I cannot imagine what a larger quake would feel like in this location and I don't want to imagine it! The larger quakes that are located far away are bad enough.

Anyway, I've been in a state of grogginess ever since then. I'm probably not completely coherent because I need to go back to sleep, but I managed to get the second theme week going in the Christmas Superthread - although I'm so tired that who even knows what I elected as the new theme for the week in the Christmas thread? I may have picked "Laundromat Week" or 'Washing Machine Week" or something crazy.

While my eyes are still open I figured I would come over here to let you all know that I've read your posts and give a few quick replies. Thanks, everyone, for the support!

Wow, Sherry. What a disappointment to look forward to seeing your friend after 10 years and be treated like you're the 5th wheel. I can sympathize with you. I've been in situations before where everyone acts like it's completely normal to be a which makes me doubt if *I'm* the crazy one to expect a certain baseline of manners and respectful behavior.

I feel bad for that poor kid "R" though. No wonder he is not smiling in most of the pics. Imagine having all that drama for a daily family life? Mom is the center of the universe in that family. He probably does not know how to respond and relate to another female figure. If he's 4 he has not started Kindergarten yet and been exposed to other rules of behavior outside of the family and other (female) authority figures.

Sorry that this trip turned out so crummy but it makes for great reading. Thanks again for taking the time to tell us all about it. Here's some more pixie dust to smash in your face while you continue the rest of it.

Chereya -

Thank you. I'm glad that at least the story is good! You're totally right - "M" is definitely the center of the universe in the family. She will keep people waiting for hours if need be, but heaven forbid that she has to stand up for World of Color or wait in line for a ride.

"R" turned 5 this year and I think he just began Kindergarten a few days ago.

They are going to have their hands full when school starts. But then she might decide to home school and well........good luck with that. So speaks the voice of experience.

Michele -

"M" is definitely not the home schooling type. I think she enjoys having time to herself when "R" is out of the house. I don't think she could commit to devoting the necessary time to home schooling, either. She'd have to be somewhat reliable and structured about it. "R" will get the actual school experience, thankfully.

Hi Sherry, I have been gone all week due to a convention that I was working this weekend and I just got to read your latest update.

I thought that this latest update to your TR isn't that bad as you have said it in advance. But after reading your latest update from yesterday, I was surprised and I can't believe a nice person like you would get that kind of treatment from them. The biggest surprise for me during your update is that when "B" and "S" were about to take "R" back to the hotel for a nap at the TL Monorail station, "M" went with them back. I was kind of shock that "M" deserted you and said that she will be with you after those three went back to the hotel.

That was not great when they were deciding on who would sit and where on POTC.

You did mention before your trip last year that you got VIP viewing section for WoC. I would have guess it was in the VIP area and you have to stand up for the show unless you get lucky and get park benches. But for them to say that they aren't willing to stand or wait for the show is surprising. It is not that long of a wait to stand up for the show or wait for it. I have waited as long as 1+ hours for the show and I have no problem doing it over again as long as I get a good spot to watch WoC. I would have loved to watch WoC from the VIP viewing area.

TK, I would never say that to you on BLAB like your sons.

Just for only 3 1/2 hours in the park and they want to go back to the hotel for a nap. You could have done a lot of different things that day in the parks like your picture taking of the Christmas decorations. I did read that "M" and "R" went to the stores each time they had a chance and only got to ride 4 rides in that time was not that much. I always thought when I go to the parks and don't go on too many rides.

I did say that in some of the pics that "R" didn't looked that happy in those photos. I thought that "R" would want to interact with you during the day at the park, but it looks like I was wrong.

I felt really bad for you that day with them and hope that your day with Laurie and Molly would turn out better. Once again, thank you for taking to write up your trip report.

Bret -

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, it was all pretty much a frustrating day in many ways. I feel like the 3.5 hours spent with "M" and family were probably just wasted time in which I could have been doing other things. I don't even mind not making it on a lot of rides in a day, but I just felt like they weren't even really trying to accomplish anything. They were thinking that they'd be in the parks for 3 days and would have all kinds of time. And it didn't seem to matter what I wanted in any of it.

Well, a 'normal' person or group might make the most of their 3 park days, but when you are part of "M's" group, 3 days isn't a lot of time! They waste too much time.

I can understand if "M" didn't want to see World of Color herself, but I'm not sure if she was actually thinking of her son in that case, or her dad, or her husband, or whatever. If I were in her shoes I would have been grateful that someone used their limited VIP viewing privileges on me to be able to see WoC.

I don't know. The whole thing was a mess!

My goodness. Well, I'm all caught up now, but where do I begin?

The Round-Up...Very fun pictures! I love the rustic, old-fashioned charm back there. I noticed the reindeer didn't have any Christmas decor on their butts like the Main Street horses do.

So M and Family finally arrive. Ugh...that would drive me nuts getting in that late. Imagine if you had waited behind and moseyed in post-lunchtime.

The realization that you were considered a 5th wheel would not be fun. I'm sorry that the images you conjured up of reuniting with M at Disneyland/DCA after 10 years, showing her all the things she hasn't seen before, having some alone time with her, etc. didn't come to pass. What a disappointment. I'm curious to hear what M was up to.

Can I also just say it bugs me when she says, "R said I have to, so I have to" or "B said I have to, so I have to." That totally sounds like she is using them as an excuse.

Hurry baaaaack...hurry baaaaack...

Deej -

Yes, "M" is good at using "B" or "R" as excuses to do something or not to do it. That's why I said it became hard for me after a while to determine when she was doing something because it was what she wanted to or because it was what "B" or "R" wanted.

I totally know what you meant but I don't know if "conjured up" would be the right term when it comes to what I thought the plan would be. That kind of makes it sound like I had unrealistic, dreamy ideas in my mind of how I thought things would go (I know you didn't intend to imply that, though). In actuality, it was all discussed with "M" beforehand, and clarified, and discussed again - she had told me what she would and would not be able to do (and staying with me when the men went back to the hotel was something she suggested herself); she told me what she was interested in (like the parade was a definite yes, for example); she told me that she would have Tuesday and Wednesday for me, and then on Thursday she would be with other friends; etc.

So the images that I conjured up were all based on what "M" told me her limitations and possibilities were and what we discussed that we'd do. And she ended up backing out on most of what she had told me - without any further discussion or real concern for me - so it's hard to figure out if that was all "M's" doing, or if "B" had a hand in changing her mind about her plans.

All in all, it was pretty much a disaster!

Hmmm,
Where do I begin! I guess, I will start by saying 'good morning, Aunt Betty', or should I say, 'good morning Mr Aunt Betty' I did get a good chuckle when I read this (glad you can look back and get a chuckle too). I know it had to sting a bit when it happened. The 5th wheel aspect your 'friend' put you in isn't a place anyone should be in. Shame on her. I would have been embarrassed being around her at POTC. I bet her dad felt like a 5th wheel too.

The way 'M' treated you at the monorail was shameful. Her way of treating a friend and your way of treating a friend are different. I bet the definition of the word friend is different too. Reading the last installment, I was shaking my head, saying 'oh no she didn't' and 'how can Sherry keep her cool and not rip her a new one'?

I think you have overlooked 'M's major flaws because you are a good friend to her, and she has abused the friendship and taken it for granted. It is a shame because true friends are so hard to find and when you are fortunate to obtain one, you should treat that friendship like gold.

I can only imagine what could get you to the point of sitting on a bench at DL and cry sad tears.

I have said it once, and I am going to say it again, you need a Christmas Do Over trip big time, to replace this one, or at least the parts with 'M' and her group.

I am sipping my coffee waiting for the next installation of the report.

Linda -

Thank you for the kind words, as always. Yow know, one thing that has always driven me nuts about "M" is that she can act wonderful and generous and fun to other people, but when it comes to me I get the short end of the stick! I think that her cousin - the one she was involved in a feud with during her time out here last December - sees the same "M" that I see, and he has had enough of it. But she is not like that with everyone.

No, I definitely have not overlooked "M's" major flaws! As I've said before, if I told you guys some of the antics that have transpired over the years due to her, you would continually say, "She did WHAT?" And in the past I have been very vocal to her about what I thought of those antics. I have not held back.

However, this past December, I was trying to be more mature and not get too angry because I hadn't seen "M" in 10 years and wasn't sure when I would see her again. I was trying to hope that she had changed a bit and that things wouldn't be the way they used to be, and that the same conflicts wouldn't arise again. I told myself that I wouldn't be with her long enough for the 'old stuff' to resurface, but it was pretty much business as usual, sadly.

I definitely need a do-over trip. I don't know when I will ever get a rate at the PPH like that again, so I don't know when I would have another trip for that may days/nights. But I always get to DLR for the holiday season in one way or the other - even if it's just for one day. This year there will probably be Cars-theme decorations and vintage decorations on Buena Vista Street so I am not going to miss that!

Oops...can't believe I forgot to mention Aunt Betty! The mystery is solved! Not really solved, I guess...just revealed. So you came to be known as Aunt Betty through the PP photographer. Didn't see that one coming at all.

Deej -


I'm sure you've had the occasional "Aunt Betty" in your photos, too (I'm talking in the symbolic way that I explained earlier)! And if you haven't, I'm sure that someone on your upcoming group trip to DLR will take on the Aunt Betty role!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, it’s time to finally wrap up Day 3 and say goodbye to it forever!! Be gone, Day 3!

Aunt Betty's Weepy, Wacky, Wonderful Christmas Trip to Disneyland

(12/4/11 - 12/8/11)



Day 3 - Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - Part 8 ​

Hark! How the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold…





(I threw that ^^^ song into the rotation because deejdigsdis had been listening to it while reading one of my previous TR installments! Why not add it into the mix?)

In the last Trip Report segment: a bossy (but amusing) PhotoPass photographer dubbed me “Aunt Betty,” while I decided to make “Aunt Betty” a more symbolic, universal sort of thing; “M’s” family and I made it on exactly 4 rides, with lots of shopping, stopping and starting and other confusion taking place in between; I began to detect that something was a-brewin’ while observing “B’s” and “M’s” odd responses to certain things I brought up; after 3.5 hours in Disneyland, “M” suddenly changed the plan on me and left with her husband, dad and son to take a break at the Disneyland Hotel (when it had been discussed ahead of time that she would stay with me); and M” vowed to me that someone would be back to meet me at 5 p.m. for the Christmas Fantasy Parade, for which I’d gotten VIP seats for her son, “R.”

​

I was taken aback by “M’s” sudden switching of the plans and how she seemed to not even be the least bit concerned that she was totally backing out on what we had discussed several times. This would have been something that I expected of “M” years ago, but not now, at this age. I felt as though I had stepped back in time 10 or 20 or 30 years.

I figured, “Okay, maybe ‘B’ didn’t want ‘M’ to stay with me today because this is their first day in the park, and who knows how ‘R’ will respond to her being gone. By tomorrow, hopefully everyone will have gotten used to everything and it will be okay for ‘M’ to stay with me when they take their break.”

Given the time of day (almost 4 p.m.), I knew that there were going to be some problems with “M” and crew meeting back up with me at the train station for the parade at 5 p.m. “M” knew that the only reason I got the VIP seats was because she said that “R” would want to see Belle and The Beast (and so would “M,” who is a Beast fan from way back when). Her dad is not – as I stated earlier – as accepting of Christmasy things, so I knew the parade would be of no interest to him. Still, I included him in the VIP seats too, just so he wouldn’t be left out.

I assumed that, ultimately, only “M” and “R” would end up coming to meet me, or that maybe “B” would have to escort “M” and “R” back to where I was (because she wouldn’t want to travel from the DLH to Disneyland without adult accompaniment) and then go back to stay with her dad. If worse came to worst, I thought that maybe “B” would have to bring “M” back to me and leave “R” in the room with grandpa if he was too tired.

Whatever the case, I knew that all four of them would not make it to the parade, which meant that I asked the Special Activities office to give me extra seats that would end up going to waste.

​

I was thirsty. I always bring a bottle of water with me, so I sat down at a table in Tomorrowland and drank it, trying to figure out what to do next in the rather short period of time that I had until I needed to be in Town Square.

I checked Facebook from my cell phone while I sat there. I noticed that one of “M’s” friends (we’ll call her “V”) – who lives somewhere in Southern California and had been bugging “M” to come to Disneyland with her repeatedly – had been posting on “M’s” page a lot that day and the day prior, asking if she was at Disneyland at that moment, what hotel she was staying at and if she was doing a character meal, etc. I had noticed “V” making lots of statements to “M” on Facebook in the past year or two – things like, “Can’t wait to show you around Disneyland” and “When are you coming out here so I know when we can go to Disneyland?”

In my opinion, I always thought that “V” was being rather persistent – and rather forward in assuming that “M” might not have any other people to go to DLR with when she was in town. She had known “M” for maybe 10 years or so, at most, but there were friends and family out here that “M” had known for decades. Furthermore, she could see that I had posted old pictures (on Facebook) of “M” and me at DLR from years and years prior.

I always told “M” to blame it all on me and tell “V” something like, “My childhood friend Sherry – who I haven’t seen in 10 years, and who I used to go to Disneyland with a lot – is really bugging me to let her show me around California Adventure.” All “M” had to do was totally blame it on me and act as though I was roping her into it. Most people would not question the plan if she said that “Sherry is being pushy and I have no choice. Sherry made the plan.”

All the way up to this trip I’d been checking and double checking with “M,” and she never mentioned that “V” was involved in her plan, so I figured that “M” had finally taken my advice and told her that I was insisting she spend time with me in the parks for the first couple of days. In fact, “V” even asked what “M’s” Disneyland dates were at one point, and I noticed that “M” specifically did NOT mention the dates she would be with ME. She mentioned the dates that she would not be with me, as a matter of fact, so I thought that “M” was making a concerted effort to keep “V” out of the time she’d be with me and have “V” instead show up on December 8th. I was pleased that “M” seemed to be trying to keep “V” out of my dates and my time with her, even though she didn’t seem to have the nerve to tell her that I had been bugging her for years about going to Disneyland (way longer than “V” had been).

My antenna began to go up a little when I checked Facebook from my phone and saw that “V” was chomping at the bit to get details on “M’s” DLR whereabouts and plans, but, again, I figured that this would not intrude on my plans with “M” and would not be an issue until 12/8, when I was done with “M.” So I put it out of my mind for the time being.

​

I realized that fellow DIS’ers and Paradise Pier Hotel roommates Laurie (DizNee Luver) and Molly (bumbershoot) must be in one of the parks at that moment, so I decided to text message Laurie and find out where she was so I could meet up with her. I included Laurie and Molly in the VIP seats for the parade as well, even though Laurie was going to be doing the holiday tour the next day, and that tour provides parade seats.

This was Laurie’s very first taste of the holidays at Disneyland Resort (she is trying to get her first WDW holiday trip together for this year, but it is coming down to the wire and it may or may not happen). Molly had experienced the season at DLR in the past. So this was a very big deal for Laurie, as she is a huge Christmas fanatic like I am (in fact, when I was doing my Christmas countdown on Facebook last year, she was doing her own countdown as well!). It’s a very special time of year to her, as it is to me. She loves all the same things about the season that I love – the lights, the colors, the music, Santa, snowmen, gingerbread men, toy soldiers, the decorations, the goodies, the aromas, TV specials, etc. If I recall, Laurie had 3 Christmas trees set up in her house last year!

Also, it’s always a bit difficult for Laurie to take trips – even short ones like this – away from her family. Anyone who has followed Laurie’s TR’s in the past knows that she is a devoted, loving mom (of many kids) and wife, and they all enjoy being together. She doesn’t travel without them too often, and if she does (like if she goes on one of the DIS Diva trips to DLR), she will usually meet up with her family after a couple of days, or bring one of them with her.

So this brief holiday trip that Laurie made to DLR last December was a rarity because she would be totally without family for the entire time. I felt bad (guilty) that I couldn’t spend more time with her to be able to show her some of the Christmasy things she may have missed seeing (the window displays and the gingerbread house at Storytellers Café were some things that she missed), but I had been clear up front about what my plans were with “M,” and that I hadn’t seen “M” in 10 years – so it was like reuniting with family for me. I was a bit relieved that Molly would be there to keep Laurie company, as she would also be solo and without her family.

However, when I text messaged Laurie and finally met up with her, I discovered that after she and Molly had arrived together at the PPH and collected their room keys (the ones I’d left at the front desk with the man who looked at me as though I’d asked for a dancing wombat with a pizza to be sent to my room), they went their separate ways and Laurie was on her own! There were a couple of other DIS’ers in the parks around that time who Laurie planned to meet up with sooner or later, but she had been on her own, wandering around in the holiday magic, until I texted.

I met Laurie over by the giant Christmas tree on Main Street and greeted her with a hug. It’s always interesting when you meet someone for the first time in person, and yet you feel like you’ve already known them before. I don’t see some of my established, longtime friends more than once or twice a year as it is, and others I don’t see more than every few years, so most of my communication with them happens in e-mail or on Facebook.

In that regard, because I don’t see a lot of people a lot of the time, meeting Laurie just seemed like I was reuniting with yet another friend I hadn’t seen in person in a while, if that makes sense! It didn’t feel like I was meeting a stranger. I suppose if I saw other people in person all the time and then met someone I had never met before, it would seem different. In this case, it just felt like Laurie was another one of my friends who I never see!

I realized that my throat was starting to get a bit scratchy – which can often be attributed to the fact that I simply do not talk most of the time. I know that sounds very weird to most of you – because you all live with families or you go to jobs where you have to interact with people on a daily basis. Since my work situation has changed in the last couple of years, I do not use my voice a lot anymore. I am quiet (which I thoroughly enjoy) much of the time. I am fine with that because I spent years and years in assorted jobs that involved a lot of phone work, and I am tired of talking on the phone…and talking in general!

The only trouble is that, when I do have to talk here and there, my throat gets scratchy and dry and I will sometimes even start to lose my voice a little bit! I had been talking up a storm for the previous couple of days at DLR, and it was starting to catch up with me.

I told Laurie I was thirsty (again) and we headed to Coke Corner so I could get one of their large (overpriced) Cokes. I should have drunk juice, but I didn’t want to pay almost $4 for a small bottle of juice – I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I also ate the other gingerbread cookie with ears that I had stashed in my bag.

​

Laurie and I chatted for a bit and then made our way back towards Town Square. At some point we got caught up in a crowd and had to change direction a bit, and I noticed a familiar face and blonde head of hair coming towards me.

This would be my FIRST of TWO celebrity sightings during this bizarre trip (the second sighting was on Day 4)…and you know what’s funny? Both of the famous faces that I encountered at DLR were celebrities that “M” really likes! “M” would be the person I would first want to tell about these sightings because she would be particularly interested, more so than other friends of mine would be.

In fact, on the previous day – when “M” and I were in Vault 28 in Downtown Disney – we had been talking about this first celebrity (who I am about to identify) and how much “M” likes her and envies her collection of Disney items.




So who did I see? Who was Celebrity #1?

It was well-known Disney/Disneyland fanatic and former star of “The Girls Next Door” on E!... Holly Madison (who is also the former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner and Criss Angel!)!

I found a picture of Holly from that exact day on MouseWait. See link below. Scroll down to see this picture posted by CaPrincess, of Holly (standing with a girl in a pink sweater) in DCA on December 6, 2011 – just a few hours before I saw her in Disneyland, apparently!

http://www.mousewait.com/disneyland/tag/Celebrities?pageno=6


By the time I saw Holly on Main Street, I think that her hair may have been out of the ponytail or at least about to come out of it. I remember the black sweatshirt, too! She passed right by me – and when I say right by me, I mean that we touched arms.

In face, as we passed each other, I said (in a quiet voice), “Holly!” I was starting to mouth the word “Hello” when she heard me say her name. She looked up, made eye contact with me to determine whether or not I was someone she knew, smiled briefly and then nodded as if to acknowledge, “Yep, that’s me!”

I wasn’t about to try to stop Holly – she was headed towards the exit, I think, or maybe she was going to turn and head down Main Street. In any case, I lost sight of her. If - and only if - Holly had stopped to get photos with other people, I may have jumped in to get a picture as well, only because I knew that “M” loved Holly and would have loved to see her. But Holly didn’t stop and no one else stopped her, so I wasn’t about to bother her.


I think Kobe Bryant (another Disneyland regular) was somewhere in the parks on that same day (December 6th). I never saw him, though. My next celebrity sighting would be the following day.

I turned to Laurie and said, “That was Holly Madison!” Laurie turned around in time to catch a glimpse of the blonde hair moving into the crowd, so at least I knew that someone could verify that I wasn’t imagining or making up that I saw her! Laurie said, “Oh yeah! It is!”

​

Laurie and I walked up to the steps at the train station to claim our VIP seats for the Christmas Fantasy Parade.

Now, let me explain VIP seats/viewing – just in case any of you ever have the opportunity to get VIP seats/viewing and you think you will be getting a great view.

If you recall, I told you a while back that the Special Activities office at DLR handles celebrities and their in-park activities as well as their tours, their hotel rooms, their “Plaid” escorts, etc. Special Activities also just happens to handle the guests who get the “invitations” to return to hotels at which they previously had trouble (like I did, at the PPH).

The “VIP seats” for certain events like the parades, or Aladdin, or anything where there are seats (except for the Candlelight Processional), and “VIP viewing” for World of Color, does not mean that the people who get VIP privileges will get the best ‘views’ of the shows they are seeing. Far from it.

In fact, because they often deal with celebrities and their needs, the seats and viewing that Special Activities arranges are out of the way of the main flow of the crowds. If Special Activities were to assign VIP seats in the same location where, for example, the holiday tour people are sitting to watch the parade, the celebrities would be in the middle of the ‘regular folks’ and would likely be bothered. I suppose that some celebrities opt for the seats that the tour people get, but they are running the risk of being recognized.

So the way it works is that the reserved seats you get with the holiday tour are right there on the front line and the views are great, while the VIP seats are up the stairs at the train station in Town Square – away from curious onlookers. The VIP seats do not offer the best views – not by a longshot.

In other words, if Kobe Bryant or Holly Madison had wanted to see the parade that day, they probably would have been sitting exactly where we were sitting – in the VIP section. If Tom Cruise wanted to bring Suri to Disneyland to see the parade, he’d probably be sitting in the VIP section (although if Tom Cruise were sitting there, I’m sure that no one else would be allowed to sit in the VIP section at the same time).

Special Activities had to “check the schedule” to be sure that there was “room” for us in the VIP section that night - which, I think, meant that they had to be sure that no major celebrities were going to be sitting in VIP at the same time, because they don’t want their A-listers to be bothered. I think that’s understandable.

Anyway, I think Laurie was under the impression that VIP seats meant that we’d have the best view of the parade, even though I’d told her that we had to go up the steps and sit in front of the train station. It was a surprise to her to discover that the view of the parade was not great.


Laurie and I were instructed by a CM where to sit. I think that Laurie must have text messaged Molly while I was text messaging “M.” Molly joined us shortly and sat next to Laurie. Meeting Molly was just like meeting Laurie – I just felt like I was seeing a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, not meeting a stranger!

I said to “M” in the message, “Holly M. is here! We were just talking about her yesterday and she is here – I just spoke to her!”

“M” didn’t reply, which I thought was odd, given how much she likes Holly. Maybe she is on her way over, I thought.

​

I can’t recall the exact time, but it seems like it was close to 5:30 p.m. and right before the Christmas Fantasy Parade began, I saw a call coming through on my cell phone with “M’s” area code. It was not “M’s” number, though. I thought that maybe she was calling me from “B’s” phone inside the park.

It was “B” calling me – and by the way, “M” had previously given me his number to store in my phone, but she mixed up the digits because that was not the number he was calling me from, and I checked the number she gave me twice!

“B” said, “We’re here. Where do we meet you?”

I explained to “B” where to find us, but he spotted me before I was done talking. I was still on the phone with him and I said, “Who’s here?” I couldn’t see anyone else.

He said, “I’m with ‘S.’”


I watched “B” help “S” up the steps to our seats, and I quickly realized that “M” and “R” – the exact two people I got the VIP seats for in the first place – were not with them.

So what they (“B” and “S”) basically did was show up out of courtesy. Out of the four people in “M’s” family, “B” and “S” were the two who had the least interest in seeing a Christmas parade! They had no interest in it whatsoever. Her father is pretty much very unwelcoming of most Christmas things, and his health is not good, and yet he came with “B” to see a parade that he had no interest in seeing because they knew I got the VIP seats and felt obligated.

Not only could “M” not be bothered to come to the parade and sit in the seats I got for her and her son, but she also never called me. She never made contact. She didn’t even reply to my message about seeing Holly Madison! “M” never called and said, “I’m sorry, Sherry – I can’t make it. I know you got the seats for ‘R’ and me. I had intended to come but I just can’t.” She didn’t even try to talk to me and make an excuse. She couldn’t be bothered to make a phone call to me at all. She is the one who is my friend – not “B” – and yet she stuck him and her father with being the ones to ‘represent’ the family, knowing that they had no interest in this parade.

I said to “B” something along the lines of, “So…’M’ just couldn’t get ready in time, or what happened?”

“B” replied (and I am paraphrasing, but this was the basic idea), “Yeah, when we got back to the room they were down for the count. ‘R’ was out like a light.”

I knew that “B” was covering up for “M,” and her utter lack of courtesy in not calling me herself, or even sending a text message. She probably talked him in to meeting me at the train station and he didn’t want to come alone, so her dad – who was trying to be polite – came too.

The bottom line is that I had no desire to see the Christmas Fantasy Parade at that time. I’ve seen it before – both in the daytime and at night – and I could easily go for another couple of years without seeing it again. The only reason I got VIP seats for it was because “M” said to get them, because she and “R” would want to see it.


I introduced “B” and “S” to Laurie and Molly, and the CM who seated Laurie and me put “S” next to Molly, and put “B” on some bench way behind us. It was an odd set-up. I asked “B” if he wanted to sit next to “S,” in which case I would move to “B’s” spot in the other bench and sit by myself. He said no, so we all stayed put.


The parade began and as it carried on, my throat began to bother me more and more. The air was very dry and increasingly cold. My coat was back at the hotel. I could tell that my budding sore throat was not just due to talking a lot. It was the telltale sign of a cold coming on.

I have had many a cold and bad flu upon returning home from Disneyland trips – but I’ve never actually gotten sick while at Disneyland. This was a first. I guess that all of that frolicking in the cold air a couple of days earlier had caught up with me! Not to mention the fact that Laurie, Molly and “M” had all been intermittently sick before coming to Disneyland. It was bound to hit me sooner or later.

I have a history of nasty respiratory illnesses (chronic tonsillitis, pneumonia, ongoing sinus problems, all sorts of other infections), so I know that I have to take it easy when I even get a cold, to be sure that it doesn’t take a bad turn. Even though I wasn’t at the worst possible stage yet, I knew that at the very least I needed to get back to the PPH room and grab my coat, if not stay in the room for the rest of the night. (Little did I know that this mild sore throat would turn into a 2-1/2 month long illness!)

I looked over my shoulder and saw that “B” had a bad nosebleed. That dry air was awful for both of us, I guess. He said that when he used to live in California he always had nosebleeds.

​

When the parade ended, I was feeling pretty lousy and wanted to get out of there. Plus, I was just so annoyed and upset with “M” for being so inconsiderate as to not even contact me herself to let me know she wasn’t coming to the parade. I needed a moment by myself.

Laurie wanted to get a picture of the 3 of us DIS girls together. She said that I should ask “B” to take it for us, but I didn’t want to do that. I was sick, and disgusted with the whole situation at that point. I just wanted to get back to the room, where it was quiet, and figure out what to do next.

“B” and “S” stood together and chatted about something (out of my earshot). Then, somehow, they just drifted away. They never said goodbye. They never said, “We’ll call you later.” They just disappeared into the crowds. I had no clue if they were heading back to the hotel, but I assumed that if “M” was going to come into the parks at all, she wouldn’t walk over with just “R,” so “B” would have to go get her.

Laurie asked the CM who seated us to take this photo – this is Laurie’s picture, taken with her camera.

That’s Molly on the left, and Laurie in the middle…

​

Laurie and Molly went off to do other things, and I headed back to the Paradise Pier Hotel room. I pondered whether or not to change into a sweater, grab my coat and go back out, or just stay in and play it safe (knowing my potential for getting very sick). I decided to stay in. For a brief moment I thought that maybe “M” might text or call and ask me to meet them in the park, but she didn’t. Maybe the next day would be better, and I would be able to spend more time with “M,” I thought. I wasn’t feeling well, but maybe… We had planned to hang out together on Wednesday, after all.

I think I watched TV for a while. Occasionally I checked my cell phone to see if “M” had made contact (she didn’t). I was mad. I was hurt. I was upset. I was trying to keep my cool and not haul off and yell at “M” on the phone. I could have easily called her and said, “Why are you doing this? Why are you backing out on everything we had plans to do, and why do you not seem to care if you inconvenience me? How could you not show up for something that you know I arranged for you, and not even call me yourself to tell me?”

But I didn’t. I figured that I had only one more day to deal with her – and it probably wouldn’t even be a full day – so I just wasn’t going to let her know that she bothered me that much. In fact, I suspected that the reason for her lack of communication was because she was afraid I would yell at her. I was going to prove that I was more mature than that, and that I was not going to do what she expected. I would sleep on it and be in a better mood in the morning.

Laurie and Molly came in at some point, and eventually I went to sleep.

​

Just so this post is not totally lacking in pictures (minus the one picture from Laurie), I will show you the “bonus” shots that PhotoPass included on the CD I ordered (this is a new thing they began doing as of last year) – apparently, depending on where you get your PhotoPass pictures taken in the parks, they will throw in some bonus shots taken in the same areas.

I love this one…I used it as part of my Valentine’s Day countdown on Facebook (except I made a separate version of it on Photobucket, which I softened up to make it more ‘dreamlike’)!

​

Coming up next, in Part 1 of Day 4, I drag myself out of my sickbed to get some photos and wait to hear from “M.”

AND…coming up after that, in Part 2 of Day 4 – the moment you have all been waiting for!! You will find out what led to my sobbing on a bench in California Adventure as my day spirals rapidly downhill, and you will find out the identity of my second celebrity sighting. Stay tuned!!

 

[kaoden39]

I am going to be totally rude. I think that "M" should be "B" for obvious reasons.