Trip Report The Dry Heat Expedition (Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Disneyland)--UPDATE 6/12 (KSC and DTD)

[Captain_Oblivious]

Of course both your updates happened while I was on work trip! LOL!

And here I thought I was updating really slowly!

UGH!

Yep, that about sums it up.

YAY! That's a perfect way to ease a little bit of the pain of leaving. Love the aftermath.

Thanks for the suggestion! It was a great spot for breakfast.

Oh my word on those burgers! I'd not heard of that place, will need to keep it in mind. Can't go wrong with CL! BLEH on the car pick up keys fiasco but really, no cell phone? Um the point would be to be able to call each other? Impressive that you can manage with only one.

I loved Slater's! Your mileage may vary.

I'd love to have a cell phone, but right now I just can't afford it. We pour every extra cent we have into these trips. Such is the fun of trying to live on one government salary!

Ok I know you are planning ot stay in Jackson for the night but if you are willing to drive one more hour closer to Yellowstone, the Colter Bay tent cabins are pretty cool and fun in a off the beaten path kind of way. We did a reverse road trip (Seattle, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, CO, NM, AZ, OR) to get us to Yellowstone, Denver, Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon and stayed at these one night. It was fun!

http://www.gtlc.com/lodging/colter-bay-village-tents.aspx

Fun sounding trip!!!!!!!!!!!

Those look very cool! I did already make a reservation in Jackson so I don't think we'll be able to do it for this trip, but I love the idea of being in the park there. I think it would have been cheaper than Jackson, too!

On the other hand, Jackson is a neat cowboy town. So there's that.

That sounds like quite the trip you had!

Totally agree with this! I find it so strange to talk to people who don't "get" why someone would travel. I have a co-worker who has no interest in going anywhere and a radio DJ was talking the same way the other day and I was just like . If I didn't have to work, I'd pretty much just drive around and see cool things all the time.

Yeah, I don't understand that, either. Like I said earlier, I think people start to value comfort over everything else.

Great thing to remember. I know that we never expected to do so much traveling with a little one, but we have and it's gone really well. And I like to think it's teaching her to appreciate travel and new experiences, even at a young age.

Definitely! I think at the very least it's stimulating her growth--new sights, sounds, smells, etc. Hopefully giving her a sense of curiosity too!

So glad you are planning on this one! Back in college, over my month-long winter break, I took a 2-3 week (I think?) road trip out west and fit it in the budget by staying on as many couches as I possibly could (seriously, I studied the map and planned my route around where I knew people - I think I spent just two nights in hotels). So, one of those couches was in Grand Junction. The people I knew recommended I go see the Monument while they had classes. I didn't know what to expect, but ended up just loving the drive and the views. I had no idea something like that was even there.

Good luck with your promotion!

I'm glad it was a big hit! You don't hear much about it with all of the bigger parks around, but it sounds like we shouldn't miss it.

Thanks! I need it!

 

[pkondz]

I should have looked back before I posted that comment.

Are you kidding???? Without your posting that comment, it wouldn't have spurred me to get off my butt and check for this TR in the first place!

So don't apologize when I'm thanking you!

Anyway, I remember exactly what the reference to Captain Oblivious was. You were talking about your um... dislike for the elevator drop in ToT. Mark is a chicken too.

Yeah, after I posted it, I found that comment.
Close enough. It got me here.

I'm not afraid of the drop, I just don't really enjoy it.
Brussels sprouts. Those I'm afraid of.

 

[franandaj]

Yeah, I don't understand that, either. Like I said earlier, I think people start to value comfort over everything else.

I don't think it's comfort, it's fear of leaving their comfort zone. I'm totally comfortable in most of the places we stay, they just sometimes require adjustment like the food you eat, the amount of amenties vs what you have at home. I love getting away and exploring! I think most of us here share that and it's why we continue to read each other's TRs so we gey new ideas to go out and adventure as well as gey the Disney fix when we can't always get there!

 

[eandesmom]

And here I thought I was updating really slowly!

Yes well, this is me we are talking about. I'm posting slowly. I will read on my phone and then forget I never actually posted. All.the.time!

Super annoying.

My whole family has started to go "where in the world is mom/Cynthia?"

Including me. I have all my days messed up and am not sure where I am and am never unpacked.

Yep, that about sums it up.

Thanks for the suggestion! It was a great spot for breakfast.


I loved Slater's! Your mileage may vary.

I would love to try it someday, so would all my boys for sure!

I'd love to have a cell phone, but right now I just can't afford it. We pour every extra cent we have into these trips. Such is the fun of trying to live on one government salary!

Get your PE, we always need more civils

LOL.

Those look very cool! I did already make a reservation in Jackson so I don't think we'll be able to do it for this trip, but I love the idea of being in the park there. I think it would have been cheaper than Jackson, too!

On the other hand, Jackson is a neat cowboy town. So there's that.

That sounds like quite the trip you had!

It was a great trip! We actually hauled all our camping stuff and camped at the GC for 3 nights.

Which was amazing. However I cannot advise arriving in the dark, barely avoiding hitting a giant Elk (who would have taken out my minivan) and then setting up camp in the pitch dark with 4 kids who had no idea how the tent worked and were completely toast. Oh yeah and ranged in ages from 7-14. Your car packing stories remind me a LOT of of that trip.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Where's that rim shot smiley?

There ya' go. you may need to stow that one away somewhere.
It seems to come up fairly often 'round here.

Well, I hope so. Otherwise I did all this for nothing.

you mean there was actual reasoning behind all of this?

No real trick to it, just studying the amenities offered and customer ratings of the places listed. Then going to the Express Deals page and seeing how many of those line up for the "mystery hotels".

Never really worked with the blind bidding part of it.
I'll have to give that a test run in the near.

You might not have seen it through all the rim shots and fart jokes.

Yah... I can be pretty dense.

Now we need a Groucho smiley. I like the old school reference, though.

And your welcome.

As for old school...
I do believe that I resemble that remark.

And here I thought I was updating really slowly!

Not near as slowly as my updates



Although, I may have gone and done something foolish in relation to that.
but I've recommended that no one should be reading it, and actually you really shouldn't do so
(there's a bit of background on the Indy/Dinosaur attractions that will only dredge up bad memories)

 

[KatMark]

Thank you for once again sharing your family adventures with us, Mark. I adore your family and love reading about your trips. Your recap was awesome and we hope to experiences some of those better DL attractions in a couple of years. Yay for another family trip out west and I gather you will get to see Jill during your travels. Our youngest son visited Pike's Peak about six years ago and the photos were stunning.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I guess you really know your vacay is over when you hit the home airport and the stress sets in. Sorry about that. I'm amazed at your ability to give your kids the varied experiences and learning opportunities you have. Looking forward to your next adventure

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

It is. But I like the outdoors scenes a little bit better at WDW. And it is just a little tiny bit longer. And if something is awesome, more of it is better.

This is very true. I'm sure most of us would not turn down a ride on BTMRR in either place. Maybe we should do some more comparison work.

Still hoping you get some good news.

Well...um...

Good luck.

I'm going to have to find a way to sneak the taser on board.

So I'm either on Andy's Tr, or he's on mine... whichever. Doesn't matter.
And he says something like. "Just like Captain Oblivious."

pkondz! I am honored to have you here. I've seen you around as well.

Usually being compared to Captain Oblivious is a sign of greatness. I make everybody else look good!

Sure, I got that (whatever "that" was).
I mean, I've seen you around on a few TRs we follow in common.

And then I wondered... and, stupid of me really, I have no idea why I never wondered this before.
I mean it's obvious, right?

Does Captain Oblivious have a TR?

Does the Pope poo in the woods?

Don't answer that.

So I guess I need to confess...I may have lurked a little on your TR's. Especially when Andy tagged me there. I think I read your Hawaii TR when I was trying to plan my own trip there as well. And I loved them! Thought they were hilarious. But never bothered to say hello. Which makes me a horrible, horrible person and bad DIS'er. So I'm sorry about that. I will have to start joining in and making things right.

I think every time I find your TR's, they're always pretty far along, so I feel like I'm late to the party and missed the fun. I'll try to do better.

Please don't ask why I never thought to ask this before.
I don't know.
Any way, I thought it now, and I clicked the link in your siggie....

And it's over!

DANG IT!!!!!!!

Hopefully the above confessional made you feel better. Besides, reading it this way is a lot like binge-watching a TV show. You don't have to wait a week between episodes like all of the other poor schmuck--uh, readers.

Ah well.
But I read the entire thing over two days.
Well, I read the first chapter or three yesterday and the rest today.

Loved it!

So many times I was kicking myself because I wanted to comment on this or that.
Too late.

It's never too late! The comments are the most fun part of a TR. But thank you for taking the time to read all of that dreck!

But I will say this.

I really want to go to Utah now.
Beautiful! Wonderful pictures!

I'm ready to go back! Utah is absolutely stunning.

I admire your fortitude at taking on this trip with baby Drew in tow.
I remember those sleepless nights.
(Our first was up every three hours. You could set your watch by her.)

We had thought we'd left those sleepless nights far behind. D'oh!

This had me in stitches: "Be Happy For Vague Reasons Parade"

Also the picture of Drew in the Ranger hat.

Hat pictures never get old! Just ask Kathy.

So many other highlights that I can't list them all.

But thank you for a thoroughly entertaining TR!

Thank you again for reading it all! I promise I will return the favor.

(ps. Thought I should mention that you're missing a link in the chapters post between... ummm... I think between 20 + 21?)

D'oh! I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the heads-up.

See, there's a big divide amongst North Carolinians...those who frequent the Northern OBX claim Duck donuts are the best, and those of us who travel to the south claim Britt's Donuts. I'm a Britt's gal through and through. They only have glazed (unlike Duck, where you can get almost any flavor you want) but oh my word are they worth the 3 hour drive!

I have never tried Britt's. Obviously my research in the matter is incomplete, and this situation needs to be rectified.

We (it's a group of about 25 travel agents) fly into Lucerne where we'll spend a couple of days, then down to Venice, up to Hopfgarten Austria, and we end in Munich. Highlights include a bike tour in Austria, a visit to the Swarovski museum, and a stop at Dachau.

Sounds fantastic! Switzerland, Austria, and Germany are bucket-list destinations for me and my wife.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

You know... as many TR's as I follow, I always have a hard time keeping track of who the other followers are. I know I follow several TR's that each of you 2 follow and for some reason I really thought you both already followed each other. I guess I was wrong. But you both have similar senses of humor so it just seemed like it was completely obvious that you must already read each others' writing. I should have looked back before I posted that comment.

Anyway, I remember exactly what the reference to Captain Oblivious was. You were talking about your um... dislike for the elevator drop in ToT. Mark is a chicken too.

You'd think I would have joined in on his TR's before! I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'll fix that.

Anyway, I went back and found the link to the earlier TR where I described my one experience on ToT. @pkondz , this should prove that we are kindred spirits:

My Tower of Terror Experience

What a way to end your visit at Disneyland!!! I once witnessed my father doing the same thing with his favorite leather jacket. He was nearly in tears, while my mother was restraining herself to not show her happiness over this jacket's end.

This sounds like quite the story!

They look delicious!!

Can't go wrong with fried dough and sugar.

Somehow, in this picture Scotty looks like a younger version of yourself!

Do I really look that deranged? Wait, don't answer that.

This sounds delicious! And I can tell you that I found something similar in Orlando on my last trip... But you will have to wait until my last lunch of that trip!

Oooh, you've got me hooked! Looking forward to it.

Sound choice! I like the idea of the bacon-pretzel roll (being the resident self-proclaimed pretzel expert on this thread). And we already agreed on pineapple on a burger being one of the best things ever!

I'm so glad we are on exactly the same page here! It's hard to go wrong with a pretzel roll for just about anything.

So, yes, this seems the appropriate rating!

Those might be Joshua trees, but there are prettier ones inside the park! I have seen them with my own eyes and took pictures of them - ok, and now that I uploaded them I realize that those are pictures of cacti, not Joshua trees. I guess they are not really that spectacular... There is a tiny one behind me though. So, I guess you are right about them. I will leave the pictures in the post, just because I made myself laugh out loud and maybe you can find it funny as well!

Well, they sure are nice cacti!

I am glad that you noticed it in time!! Otherwise this would not only have been three scary guys...

I'm actually surprised the lack of sleep and exhaustion didn't catch up with me before then. Better safe than sorry.

Sounds delicious. I will need to see whether they are anywhere where we might be on our next California trip!

I'd head for Slater's first. This trip to Claim Jumper didn't make us think we needed to rush back.

I do that, too. I once spent half a flight totally annoyed that I forgot to bring my favorite watch until I found it in my handbag. I had been so organized to put it in there the evening before to not have to bother taking it off for the security check.

I think I've done that before, too! I just hate trying to handle all that stuff in the middle of the security line.

I am so sorry that the trip ended on such a low note. I am sure being all tired out from the long day in Disneyland contributed to that to some degree. But you really managed to collect a lot of bad luck there...

On the plus side, it makes for a good story!

Here in Germany we have a very flexible system for parents to take time off from work when they have a baby. A lot of families choose to have both mother and father take off two months at the same time (while still receiving a certain percentage of their salary) and go and travel. I have the impression that this has led to more and more people being more adventures with their travel with small children as there are more examples of others doing it, too.

I really think American workplaces could learn a lot from the European model of vacation time. Many times we get recognized for our "work ethic", which upper management defines as "long hours in the office". What they fail to realize is that sometimes "long hours in the office" just equates to "poor time management".

No one ever lay on their deathbed and said, "If only I'd spent more time at the office..."

We have used priceline quite a bit for hotel rooms, but mainly the bidding side. Michael has used it lots and introduced me to it. We managed to get a 4 star hotel in Paris for under 100 € per night that way. Do you know www.betterbidding.com? They have a hotwire and a priceline section where they help you identify the hotel that is being offered and collect historic data of which hotel is described which way.

I have not seen that site, but thank you for the tip! I'll have to start doing my homework.

I think that sounds like a great adventure!!

I hope it turns out that way!

Yes, with vegan bacon!!

I tried turkey "bacon" once. The word "bacon" needs to be permanently removed from any description of that item.

Thank you very much for that wonderful trip report! Not only are your trip reports always entertaining, filled with beautiful pictures and informative (I love all the links you provide in your text!), this one especially was really inspiring me to get back into more sightseeing based travels! My next trip with Michael will be a road trip through California, not another cruise!

Thank you for reading my dreck! I will look forward to reading about all of your upcoming sightseeing adventures, whether they be a road trip in California (with a stop at the Imagineering store, of course) or maybe someday a meet-up in Washington D.C.!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Are you kidding???? Without your posting that comment, it wouldn't have spurred me to get off my butt and check for this TR in the first place!

So don't apologize when I'm thanking you!

He led you to my TR. Not so sure you should be thanking him for that.

Yeah, after I posted it, I found that comment.
Close enough. It got me here.

I'm not afraid of the drop, I just don't really enjoy it.
Brussels sprouts. Those I'm afraid of.

He can't call us chicken. We both rode it. A chicken would never have ridden it.

I think we can all agree on Brussels sprouts, though.

I don't think it's comfort, it's fear of leaving their comfort zone. I'm totally comfortable in most of the places we stay, they just sometimes require adjustment like the food you eat, the amount of amenties vs what you have at home. I love getting away and exploring! I think most of us here share that and it's why we continue to read each other's TRs so we gey new ideas to go out and adventure as well as gey the Disney fix when we can't always get there!

I agree! Lots of common interests and like-minded people here!

Yes well, this is me we are talking about. I'm posting slowly. I will read on my phone and then forget I never actually posted. All.the.time!

Super annoying.

My whole family has started to go "where in the world is mom/Cynthia?"

Including me. I have all my days messed up and am not sure where I am and am never unpacked.

I hope you get to stay home for an extended period soon!

Oh, wait, you're going to Aulani for spring break, right? Never mind.

I would love to try it someday, so would all my boys for sure!

I will anxiously await the report! And then the blame for giving you a blocked artery.

Get your PE, we always need more civils

LOL.

I have a PE! Been licensed since 2002. I don't think it's doing me any favors anymore.

It was a great trip! We actually hauled all our camping stuff and camped at the GC for 3 nights.

Which was amazing. However I cannot advise arriving in the dark, barely avoiding hitting a giant Elk (who would have taken out my minivan) and then setting up camp in the pitch dark with 4 kids who had no idea how the tent worked and were completely toast. Oh yeah and ranged in ages from 7-14. Your car packing stories remind me a LOT of of that trip.

And I thought we were struggling just with the baby! I'm just glad you all didn't end up eaten by bears.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

There ya' go. you may need to stow that one away somewhere.
It seems to come up fairly often 'round here.

Stored for future reference. Thank you, sir.

you mean there was actual reasoning behind all of this?

Uh...I'll get back to you on that one.

Never really worked with the blind bidding part of it.
I'll have to give that a test run in the near.

I have actually never tried to bid. I have used the "Express Deals" link and been pretty happy with some of the prices I find there.

Yah... I can be pretty dense.

So can the fart jokes.

And your welcome.

As for old school...
I do believe that I resemble that remark.

No school like the old school!

Not near as slowly as my updates



Although, I may have gone and done something foolish in relation to that.
but I've recommended that no one should be reading it, and actually you really shouldn't do so
(there's a bit of background on the Indy/Dinosaur attractions that will only dredge up bad memories)

Nonsense, I will have to head over there when I get a chance! Glad it's back up and running again.

Thank you for once again sharing your family adventures with us, Mark. I adore your family and love reading about your trips. Your recap was awesome and we hope to experiences some of those better DL attractions in a couple of years. Yay for another family trip out west and I gather you will get to see Jill during your travels. Our youngest son visited Pike's Peak about six years ago and the photos were stunning.

Thanks for being a faithful reader, Kathy! I hope you had a great time in Phoenix.

We're definitely hoping to catch up with Jill out there. Haven't firmed up plans yet but we'll get there. And I can't wait to scale Pikes Peak!

I guess you really know your vacay is over when you hit the home airport and the stress sets in. Sorry about that. I'm amazed at your ability to give your kids the varied experiences and learning opportunities you have. Looking forward to your next adventure

Thank you! Sometimes it's a struggle figuring all of this out. We're doing our best. Thanks for reading along!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Short life update: Thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes regarding my interview last week. I got the word yesterday that I was not selected for either position. I guess it wasn't totally unexpected, given my history with these opportunities, but it still stings every time I get rejected. From all accounts, I interview very well, I have been productive and shown leadership skills (and have the performance evaluations to prove it) and yet every interview ends up being something like this:

At some point, you feel stupid for even trying. Worse, one of the people chosen actually left engineering for 7 years to sell insurance. I'm stunned at that one. What kind of message does that send to the people who have poured their souls into this place?

Anyway, I'm contemplating all of my options. I typically give myself a 24-hour pity party after losing out on one of these, so I apologize for making you listen to me vent while I'm in the middle of it. I'll get back on the horse soon and we'll see where it goes from there. It doesn't take much to look around and find someone in a much worse situation, so I will try and remember to keep things in perspective. Thanks again for cheering me on.

 

[pkondz]

Usually being compared to Captain Oblivious is a sign of greatness. I make everybody else look good!

But I hardly think so. I really enjoyed your writing style.
Probably because it's similar (but superior, I'm sad to admit) to my own.

Does the Pope poo in the woods?

Don't answer that.

Well, okay.
But I have an old favourite joke of mine that would fit right in there.

Maybe not. You kind of have to see it, not just hear it.

So I guess I need to confess...

Well, you did mention the Pope just now... so I guess that fits.

I may have lurked a little on your TR's. Especially when Andy tagged me there. I think I read your Hawaii TR when I was trying to plan my own trip there as well. And I loved them! Thought they were hilarious.

Thanks! Glad you liked 'em!

But never bothered to say hello. Which makes me a horrible, horrible person and bad DIS'er.

Yes. This is true. Sorry, there's just no softening that blow.

So I'm sorry about that. I will have to start joining in and making things right.

Well I would absolutely love that.

I think every time I find your TR's, they're always pretty far along, so I feel like I'm late to the party and missed the fun. I'll try to do better.

Then you're in luck.
The current one has really only just started.
I've only written about day one so far.
Plus, if you post in the next day or so, you should be able to get in on the contest.

Hopefully the above confessional made you feel better.

Nah. Not really.
But I'm a jerk. Ask anyone!

Andy, back me up here.

Besides, reading it this way is a lot like binge-watching a TV show. You don't have to wait a week between episodes like all of the other poor schmuck--uh, readers.

True!
Actually, one of my more interesting TR related events happened after I'd sent a TR to the cesspool of finished reports.
I got a PM (remember those?) from someone I'd never heard of, saying how he enjoyed the TR.
"Uh, okay.... where were you before?"
He replied that there's so many unfinished TRs out there that he only reads them after they've been relegated to the scrap heap.

I guess I can see his point, but doesn't it take away from the fun of participating???

It's never too late! The comments are the most fun part of a TR. But thank you for taking the time to read all of that dreck!

Certainly no dreck!
(Drivel, perhaps. But not dreck. )

I'm ready to go back! Utah is absolutely stunning.

I'm planning on showing your pictures to DW.
We're heading down to Vegas in September for her work.
I'm going to see if I can't convince her to stay a few extra days so we can see some of those sights.

Hat pictures never get old! Just ask Kathy.

Thank you again for reading it all! I promise I will return the favor.

You're welcome, and that would be terrific!

My Tower of Terror Experience

Yes, I can totally see that we have that in common!
But take heart! I discovered a way to lessen the torture!
I'll not only tell you, but show you how later on in my TR if you follow along.
(Now there's an incentive!)

He led you to my TR. Not so sure you should be thanking him for that.

Oh, yes. Yes I should.

He can't call us chicken. We both rode it. A chicken would never have ridden it.

So what you're saying here... and correct me if I'm wrong...
A chicken is more intelligent than either one of us.

Yeah, I'll buy that.

I think we can all agree on Brussels sprouts, though.

I tell people that if they don't believe in God and the Devil, to just look at Brussels sprouts.
Obviously the Devil made them.

 

[pkondz]

At some point, you feel stupid for even trying. Worse, one of the people chosen actually left engineering for 7 years to sell insurance. I'm stunned at that one. What kind of message does that send to the people who have poured their souls into this place?

Wow... Just.... Wow.
Seriously?

I typically give myself a 24-hour pity party after losing out on one of these, so I apologize for making you listen to me vent while I'm in the middle of it.

Have some cake at your pity party.
Cake helps everything.

Still.... sucks.

 

[franandaj]

Sounds delicious. I will need to see whether they are anywhere where we might be on our next California trip!

There is Claim Jumper very close to my house in Long Beach, but even more important there is a Slater's in Huntington Beach. That's very close to both Anaheim and Long Beach. It could be a perfect spot for an off campus DISmeet! (in addition to an on campus one)

I'd head for Slater's first. This trip to Claim Jumper didn't make us think we needed to rush back.

What he said!

I tried turkey "bacon" once. The word "bacon" needs to be permanently removed from any description of that item.

Amen to that!

I hope you get to stay home for an extended period soon!

Oh, wait, you're going to Aulani for spring break, right? Never mind.

And a weekend at the VGC with girls from the DIS and a bunch of other crazy people!

 

[Flossbolna]

There is Claim Jumper very close to my house in Long Beach, but even more important there is a Slater's in Huntington Beach. That's very close to both Anaheim and Long Beach. It could be a perfect spot for an off campus DISmeet! (in addition to an on campus one)

Great idea! Slaters was of course already on my list if possible restaurants after reading Marks update, I just forgot to mention it! I just realised that you live where the Queen Mary is! I am seriously considering touring her for one of our non Disney days.

 

[Flossbolna]

Mark, I am very sorry that you were not promoted. I am afraid you need to consider selling insurance for 6 years!?!?!

I wish I could give any valuable advice, but I am afraid that the sad truth is that a lot of those decisions are just down to luck. I hope your luck will change soon!

 

[glennbo123]

Mark, so sorry to hear about not being selected for the new position. Believe me, I know how that feels. Remember what your real motivations are in life, and hang in there.

 

[KatMark]

I expressed my regrets on FB, but will here too. That sucks big time!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Short life update: Thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes regarding my interview last week. I got the word yesterday that I was not selected for either position. I guess it wasn't totally unexpected, given my history with these opportunities, but it still stings every time I get rejected. From all accounts, I interview very well, I have been productive and shown leadership skills (and have the performance evaluations to prove it) and yet every interview ends up being something like this:

Yep, doesn't sound any better the second time I hear it.

Is it possible that there is a faction which sees you as too valuable in your current post to allow you to move regardless of direction? I have both seen this done to folks and had it done. Not a good spot to be in.