The Battle For My Wallet IV: Return of the ZZUBs (Addendum, p.85; 07/12)

[lexmelinda]

Well said, my friend. I enjoyed your trip down memory lane. I can relate to a lot of your story. My parents divorced when I was 8 and neither of them live in a house I ever lived in. But strangley Disney was the place my mom took us after the divorce. Maybe she was ready for some fun.

Anyway I enjoyed this installment. Your ability to write is truly a gift and I hope you are using it in other ways...besides writing trip reports and legal documents.

And that bit about the fart bubbles...really paints a picture, if ya know what I mean.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Thank you for making me weep so early in the morning. (I think.) You've described a feeling many of us can relate to, why Disney can sell everything from ravioli to weddings. Everyday, right around now, when I'm in my empty classroom waiting the next 5-10 minutes for my "tutoree" (I will think of a better word) to arrive, I look at the sky and imagine I'm sitting on Main Street, watching the people go by.

 

[alldiz]

You do it every time....

ya have me laughing....love that fart bubble motor
then you get sentimental...
Beautiful story....so true for a lot of us....
Thanks for sharing.
Kerri

 

[JKMJ441724]

The “speed” boats at Disney World are SINOboats. I could have gotten in the water behind my boat and moved it quicker with fart bubbles.

 

[nicolemarie]

Well...you know I love a good fart story.

Not.

Anywho.

Growing up, we went to Disney World every year. Most years we went more than once. We lived a few hours away and it was something my family did a lot. My best memories of childhood are in Walt Disney World.

I hope my daughter and son are one day saying the same thing about their childhood trips to Disney. I think our family creates our best memories there, too. And I know that all of us are more relaxed.

In a park commando kind of way.

And although I never went to Disney as a child, I look forward to sharing it with my parents next week. I'm pretty sure they are as excited as me and the kids.

In winter time, when I’ve got a fire going in the fireplace, I like to walk outside my house to smell the smoke coming from my chimney. Watch it rise above our house. Smell the pleasing aroma of burning wood. And know it’s mine.

There isn't a much better smell than that. It's a cozy, homey smell. It always prompts me to be thankful for a warm home in cold weather. And a family to share it with. Great mental picture.

Well as long as I could before the oppressive heat made me want to move again.

Why oh why did you have to go and say that? I was livin' your beautiful moment, then BAM!

I have to go and get stressed out again about the September heat.

*********************

ZZUB, that was a sweet chapter. For a brief moment I was a little sad for you - for what you lost when your parents split - but I think I know something about you from these reports. You aren't living life sad. We all travel back in our minds to some unhappy memories here and there. They shape who we are in lots of ways.

And they also challenge us to work hard at our own marriages and families. So that 27 years from now, our children can sit back and remember their parents being happy together. But those happy times together won't be distant memories. They'll be a current example.

Peace to you, friend.

NM

 

[Frickles]

[The “speed” boats at Disney World are SINOboats. I could have gotten in the water behind my boat and moved it quicker with fart bubbles.

Yet another good reason to hide your true identity Wilson.

Oh Zzub, sadly we are borg. My parents are divorced but fortunately they held it together until I was 24. Going back through the gates at Disney brings back the most overwhelming flood of happy memories that my family had there. Feelings of a time that we will never get back. I can remember so many little details about our trips. It is like my brother says, going back through the gates at Disney is like stepping back into your past. True dat. It is. But, along with the old memories, I sure do like making new ones with my husband and my children. I enjoyed this chapter friend. And thanks for clearing out that visual of you taking a massive one in Canada.

 

[ukwildcat]

What I didn’t realize until years later was that when I was looking at those pictures, trying to remember what it felt like to be there, I was trying to remember what it felt like to be in a happy family. At home.

I’ve written about this some before, but after my parents split up, we moved around a lot. Allow me to illustrate this point for you: between 1979 and 1985 I lived in nine different places. Nine.

When I was away in Alabama, both my parents continued their quasi-nomadic lifestyles, although both settled down after that. But neither parent lives in a home that I ever lived in.

So when I say home for me is Walt Disney World. I’m saying something.

Well, I was going to say something witty, or at least what I thought was witty. Then I read this. All I can say is I hear you. I hear you. This is why I've stopped trying to explain to people why we keep going back over and over again. Thanks for the memories.

 

[CampbellScot]

wow...snort laughing to crying in a span of 60 seconds...love those visuals!!

divorce sucks. It ruins things on so many levels. My husband is currently fighting his ex to keep her from changing the custody from 50/50 to four days a month b/c she "has always wanted to live at the beach..." *SIGH* don't get it.

you'll do better by your girls. you'll be an even better father than you might have just b/c you know what it feels like to lose...so goodness rises out of yuckness...yup yuckness is a word!

you're a good man Charlie Brown! Keep up the good fathering!

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

There’s a remorse I feel every time I leave Disney World. A fear that we won’t be back. Because there was a time in my life when we didn’t go back. So I’m always wanting to savor it.


I had promises to keep.

If that isn't a reason to buy DVC, I really don't know of any.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Z ~
beautiful. 'nuff said. Thank you.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I'm all verklempt.....thanks for bringing back some of my childhood memories as well.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Z ~
beautiful. 'nuff said. Thank you.

Ya, what she said.

And my parents took us to WDW for their 20th Anniversary.

Their 50th is coming up next year.

You gave me an idea. I think it's time to take them back.
It's all about the families and memories!

Thanks Zzub!

 

[ncseric]

Great post, as usual.

 

[disney junky]

Chapter Twenty Two: Miles To Go Before I Sleep



When my parents split up we lost a lot of things. One of the things we lost was Walt Disney World. Maybe it was because they were now supporting two households with the same income or maybe it was because they didn’t feel like going anymore or maybe it was for reasons I don’t understand. But we stopped going.

What I didn’t realize until years later was that when I was looking at those pictures, trying to remember what it felt like to be there, I was trying to remember what it felt like to be in a happy family. At home.

I’ve written about this some before, but after my parents split up, we moved around a lot. Allow me to illustrate this point for you: between 1979 and 1985 I lived in nine different places. Nine.

When I was away in Alabama, both my parents continued their quasi-nomadic lifestyles, although both settled down after that. But neither parent lives in a home that I ever lived in.

So when I say home for me is Walt Disney World. I’m saying something.

Save for my grandparents’ condominium, it is the only familiar place from my childhood that I ever get to visit. When I go to Walt Disney World, I go home. I am reminded of the happiest times and I am reminded of long afternoons studying pictures in a guide book and wishing so much that I could be back there.

There’s a remorse I feel every time I leave Disney World. A fear that we won’t be back. Because there was a time in my life when we didn’t go back. So I’m always wanting to savor it. And getting to park a small boat in front of the Magic Kingdom for a few minutes and just look at it. Well that was something for me.

I have always wondered why I have this insatiable love of WDW and I, like you, attribute it to the demise of my family.

Our first trip was November of 1971, months after the opening. My older brother and sister were away at college, so the family was mom, dad, my younger sis and me. I had no idea that 18 month later we would no longer be a family.

We stayed at the Contemporary, listened to Johnie Ray sing Clouds at the Top of the World, and it was the first time I beat my dad in tennis.

Dad left in March of 1973, and we never vacationed there again, but after my kids were born, I determined that WDW would be our vacation destination.

Our first real week long trip was the year MGM opened, and I remember tears welling up in my eyes while we waited for the rope drop-I could share this with my family.

Thanks for the latest Zzub. You rock!

 

[LaLa]

And no, I'm not talking about cutting the cheese in your secretary's office and blaming it on someone else. Although I'm certain you've done that. At least twice.

What I'm talking about is the fact that you made me laugh a little. And then cry a little. And apparently I'm not the only one. This chapter was both heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time, and my heart literally ached for that little boy flipping through a guide book, longing for happier times with his family. But like NM has already said much more eloquently than I ever could, our life experiences, both good and bad, help shape who we are today. You're a devoted husband and father. Not to mention a reckless as all get out speedboat driver. And I have no doubt you will be adding to your collection of happy family memories in your childhood home with your wife and children by your side for many, many years to come, ZZUB.

Thank you for sharing that history with us. You really are a gifted writer, my friend. And it's hard to bring any funny after that moving chapter, but this...

Out in the open water I did a few 360s and a Figure 8. But what won me Olympic Gold was the 420 I did right before I did the Figure 21.5. I would have also done Script Ohio but I’m a Bama fan and we in the SEC enjoy beating the hapless Buckeyes too much to want to dot the i.

This was freakin' hilarious, I don't care who you are. Your writing really paints a picture. I guess turnabout's fair play because for a little while, it felt like I was in that boat with you. Which might explain why I'm feeling a little nauseous right now. Well, it's either that or the mental picture of the post Teppanyaki fart bubble propulsion deal.

Where the heck do you come up with this stuff?

Fart bubbles. It's the new DED.

 

[samc]

About 27 years ago, my Dad, me, my uncle and cousin rented what were then speed boats and cruised the waters of Walt Disney World. In the movie in my mind, that day lasted for hours and my Dad and I had a blast on the water. It was so cool to be in that little boat, so close to the water, moving at a decent speed, cruising around in front of the Polynesian, in front of the Contemporary and in front of the Magic Kingdom.

zzub..thanks for that...l loved your story! It always amazes me how some events, no matter how small stand out in our memories!!....things that I remember so vividly from childhood, my parents can barely recall. I frequently look at my son and wonder which experiences are making an impact on him.

For some reason, the "Speed"boat Olympics are a men-only sport. Like curling. Assuming curling is a sport. And is for men only. I don't know. Or care. The point is: the women didn't go out on the boats.

is this a challenge????.........where's Lala

 

[LaLa]

Originally posted by ZZUB:
For some reason, the "Speed"boat Olympics are a men-only sport. Like curling. Assuming curling is a sport. And is for men only. I don't know. Or care. The point is: the women didn't go out on the boats.

is this a challenge????.........where's Lala

Yeah, I caught that. Don't think I didn't. He's trying to cover all his bases beforehand with the whole men only thing. Personally, I think he's runnin' scared. It may not be spelled out but it's definitely implied.

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

Then... again... THEY are fans.

Instead of crying, weeping, sobbing, sniffling or rending my so-called heart... I giggled my tuchis off!!!

Actually, ZZUB, I DID rend something with the force of my laughter. It was my pants. Or trousers. Or britches. Or slacks. Whichever you prefer.

You can pick.

B/C I pictured this whole thing...the faux/lame speedboat (NOrealScarab)...like the intro video for Miami Vice.

You were Crockett. Someone else was Tubbs. TFI.

Both in the little tiny toy speedboat. Like a Shriner boat. Dressed to the hilt in a white linen suit from 1985. A tight pastel blue t-shirt. A nice watch. And the shoes: some kinda canvas cream-coloured deal. Like masculine looking ballet slippers.

Plus the facial scruff. Goin' on.

Anywho... the speedboat was going absurdly slow. Do to the fact that it actually SUCKED. And, also, from the weight of Crockett and Tubbs. But you managed all the moves that you claimed won you the speedboa(s)t gold medal. You did them to these four songs:

1. The original soundtrack theme. Of course.
2. Glen Frey's "You Belong to The City".

(Then you took a short cheesesteak break b/c Tubbs made you.)

3. Laura Branigan's "Self Control".
4. Phil Collins "Take Me Home". For the finale.

It was pretty great stuff. Oh. BTW... Tubbs sat beside you in the speedboat the whole time.

With a big spoon.

Moving on: Then my laughter to turned to anger.

Curling IS a ladies sport. The same type of ladies that play hockey and baseball. That is.

CANADIAN LADIES... errrr...FEMALES!!!

And... there is nothing that makes me feel purrtE-er... than being in a cold rink in the middle of a Canadian deep-freeze winter, throwin' my hammer and yellin' at my sweeps. Also known as my peeps.

That's all just for your information. TFI.

One more thing: Home isn't a house. Home is where your heart is. Right?!

So... maybe you DID move alot. Stayed in plenty of places. None of which really felt like "home". Anymore. Went to a bunch of different schools and had to make new friends all the time. But... reading this chapter it strikes me that you really DID have a home. For your heart. Then. And... it's still pretty much the same. Today.

It just has stupid free dining and it's missing the submarine ride.




P.S. Even tho my poor cat hates Me(l) now. For rubbin' it backwards all weekend... looky what popped up here!!!!

 

[Disfan3]

Z,

Funny how I am always telling my husband how my family ALWAYS went to Disney. To hear me tell it, we went a thousand times. In my mind. According to my loving father...we went to Disney 4 times. Mostly stayed at the beach and drove in to MK or Epcot....but to me...I have been a million times and you just explained why my friend.

I am also borg in the sense that, I too, fear leaving Disney. I shudder at the thought of never getting back there with my own family because of a million bad reasons...BUT...I can only thank God that, if for some reason, we were never able to make it back to the world, my daughters, like you and I, would think those were the happiest of times.

Any time I show our WDW scrapbook to anyone they all say "YOU ALL LOOK SO HAPPY...."

while it is true that we are happy because we are in WDW, at the Poly, at Epicot (our happiest place) and eating a dole whip...the truth is...We ARE happy. We don't just LOOK it.

Those moments are fleeting and I know it. I realize it. I lock it in my brain and tuck it in between high school prom and Milli Vanilli and my wedding and the birth of my babes. WDW is that special to me...and to us.


Thanks for sharing Z. I loved this chapter. Really. Even if you let one rip. It was still good.

NUMB

 

[Angelrose]

Loved the boat story. Something similar happened to my DS. He was about 12 when he first went by himself on those little boats that we rented at the Polynesian. He was so happy about going so fast. We rented the boats every year for him after that. When he was about 16 he couldn't wait to get on the boat again. This time it was different. He said the boat was sooooo slow. Well, the difference was he was now all grown up (and a tad heavier) and he had been soloing in a plane going over 300 miles an hour at home. It kind of took away a bit of the magic of the boats.