The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[StarWarsGirl]

Actually, I didn't know he was from your area. That's nice to hear that he was gracious about the interview request for the high school's newspaper.

Yup, he's from here. We have local news coverage for him on a regular basis. I also once saw him at an Orioles game.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

After reading about bag check at the Magic Kingdom, I really don't think I want to leave the park, and take a midday break. The entire process is too involved, and takes way too much time. It's easier to just build in some rest time for myself in the Magic Kingdom.

I was just ther at the end of June and early July and the bag checks weren't really that big of a deal. No worse than they had been before the Orlando shooting. The times when they were most contested was early in the morning, late afternoon/evening it was much less crowded. When I was there only the MK made everyone in the morning go through the metal detector. And that was only a problem one morning when they had only one on one side working. People including us just got out of the detector line and went to the ticket area. If they want everyone to go through the detector they need to add more machines.

But I wouldn't have given up my afternoon relax time just to avoid this. I don't think I spent more than two minutes ever going through security.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I love when I find "found" money. It makes all the cleaning fun. I sometimes put away money, as I know I will forget about it, and it's so fun to find it once again. I do this to keep up the cleaning. It goes for something fun....a meal out, or movie, or a trip on light rail....to downtown. This keep's our life interesting.

I hide money on myself too, but sometimes I do find something I legitimately lost or forgot I put somewhere. I was cleaning out a drawer once and found $1000 in a bank envelope. I don't know how I forgot about that. I think it was money I had set aside for Disney or something (that is where it ended up).

I also used to put a $10 or $20 in my winter or spring coats when I put them away for the season. So I would "find" a little bonus next season. I didn't do that this year though.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Hey all. Sorry I've not been on in a while. Sheesh, this new job is a lot of work. But I've seen a few shows here in NYC, and here is a brief pictorial before I collapse in bed before another 6AM wakeup - argghhhh.

A few weeks ago, I actually paid for a ticket to see CATS. Naturally Phil refused so I was on my own. In this case, Phil may have been correct. I went to a Mexican restaurant before the show, and the waiter saw me looking at my ticket and then brought me a free margarita and said "You'll need it if you're going to sit through that."

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Then onto the show:

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A week later, I went to see Matilda, which was a lot of fun:

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And tonight I saw The Color Purple which was absolutely amazing in every way.
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I still haven't booked a trip to the world, but I hope to do so soon. I hope all of you are doing very well. Back to you soon.

It's great to hear that you have been enjoying some shows. Hopefully the new job isn't just busy but a little fun too. What is the next show going to be? Any more news on any of your plays?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I love soup. Very few I don't care for. I can eat it year round. I know they have cold soups, not a big fan. Last week I made a pot of Minestrone Soup with all fresh veggies. Awesome.

I've owned my own business for many years and have received many unique gifts over the years. Boudin was one of them. (as was a crate of Vidalia onions every year.) I love the bread too and laughed at you eating the entire loaf. I would do the same. Decades ago Ohare use to sell the Sourdough bread.

http://store.boudinbakery.com/sourdough-bread-clubs-c10.aspx

http://store.boudinbakery.com/all-gifts-c29.aspx

I'm going to have you mail ordering all your food so you don't have to go grocery shopping soon.

I agree about cold soups, those are just plain weird. And I wish I could do my grocery shopping all online. I'm feeling like a big homebody right now and don't feeling like leaving the house but we really need groceries. Good thing a friend called to see about lunch today otherwise I probably would have put off shopping another day. The grocery store is right across the street from where we're having lunch so if I avoid it but I'm just really too lazy.

 

[MouseDreaming]

Dare I say this? I'm sick of the heat it's been over 90 for so many days, I've lost count.....no rain...even though it was predicted. My allergies are out of bounds. Woke up last night with a coughing fit. Had to use my inhaler again, I used it at bedtime. We need rain now! I'm doing an old Indian rain dance. Hope it helps! For those who were not on here, my grandmother, dad's side was Native American.

Sympathy like.

 

[MouseDreaming]

If you have a stainless steel sink in your kitchen and rub your fingers over it for a few seconds, it will counter affect the watery eyes you can get from slicing onions. Seriously. I saw that on a cooking show one time, and I've done that many times since. So apparently, it's the same remedy whether you're working with onions or garlic. (Onions -- steel sink method for soothing watery eyes, and garlic -- steel sink method to remove the smell from your hands.)

I will have to try this. My eyes are terribly watery when I chop an onion. Oh, the things I learn on here!

 

[Gabe1]

Yes, I agree. (I was trying to soften the words in my post using using the phrase, personal issues, assuming most people could read between the lines. ) At 31, I hope that both his athletic and private life move forward in a positive manner.

I see. You do soften things nicely.

We all have pet peeves, athletes and celebrities that live in their own little bubble tend to annoy me.

My first funeral I attended as a young kid was for my Mom's brother. Died at the scene after being in a head on DUI crash. I was young and didn't get the circumstances but remember being with my relatives in a strange place (funeral home) full of crying sad people, that stuck with me, I didn't have any grasp on death at that point. My Gran a very religious person refused to press charges as the man had a family and children and believed it would do nothing and harm his wife and children. She forgave him. Unique lady.

 

[MouseDreaming]

I think we are there for the middle class anyhow, especially those who have children. It was almost a decade ago that it was $7500 without including spending money. That was a semester of college tuition. We bit the bullet and chose college. We did so many long trips throughout their childhood and it was expensive but doable. I'm glad we did it, it was great family time and with my kids being so far spread apart in age it was a destination that worked for everyone. No regrets. Still, I've never added up what my bank account has given Disney in return. I'd likely have a stroke.

And as I embark on "the college years", trips to WDW seem like they will be a distant memory. Hate to tell you what we are paying for a semester of college, even with all of the scholarship money.

Still, much like you, with kids 5 years apart, it has been a something for everyone kind of place. And we always had a great time.

And until I can go back, someday, I will just rely on all of your wonderful pictures and stories.

 

[MouseDreaming]

Japanese Olympic gymnast Kohei Uchimura a record 6x world champion may not be remembered for his skills as a gymnast at the Olympics in Rio.

The Gold medalist had run up a $4954 cell phone bill while in Rio-How? Playing Pokemon Go.

ooops.

With all of the pictures and stories already coming out of Rio, I would want to escape my real surroundings, too.

 

[Gabe1]

Cirque's du soleil "Toruk" (Avatar) live show is getting some real bad reviews @BuddyThomas Critics say it is pretty but impossible to follow not being spoken in a language understood and a narrator that jumped in and out, also missing the normal Cirque's theatrics. Disappointing to hear. Saying the sets are awesome but too many projections and it was designed to be interactive with a smartphone so patrons were playing with their phones throughout the show. Wonder what they were thinking? Will you see it?

 

[MouseDreaming]

.
Sometimes it goes well.....

and sometimes......

Yep, I saw quite a few bad ones at Ravinia last night.

 

[Gabe1]

And as I embark on "the college years", trips to WDW seem like they will be a distant memory. Hate to tell you what we are paying for a semester of college, even with all of the scholarship money.

Still, much like you, with kids 5 years apart, it has been a something for everyone kind of place. And we always had a great time.

And until I can go back, someday, I will just rely on all of your wonderful pictures and stories.

It has only been a couple of years since my DD graduated from college so I genuinely feel your pain with the cost of college tuition. It is beyond insane. Maybe one of yours will take a semester and attend the Disney College Program. My DS had a blast and oddly grew up from a kid in my mind to a young man. He came away from the program a more rounded person and with less money than he went in with lol.
The perk was I got a few trips in heavily discounted, free tickets etc. The downside I still had to send him money 'cause their pay scale was awful.

 

[Gabe1]

Yep, I saw quite a few bad ones at Ravinia last night.

Hmpf. I never noticed that at Ravinia but it does sit in the middle of Face Lift territory. Thanks, now you gave me something else to watch for while people watching.

 

[MouseDreaming]

Yeah both have been making a great deal of noise this week.

Kinda knew something would eventually come to a head with the GMR given the move away from the park being themed to a studio. I'll be sad to see it go even if an excellent attraction replaces it. It is such a unique attraction.

Tower-well I just keep hoping it really doesn't happen. It is that gnawing feeling of poor decision making and short cut low budget enhancements that leads me to believe it is still possible.

Wait, what! Ok, I have some reading to do.

 

[MouseDreaming]

Hey all. Sorry I've not been on in a while. Sheesh, this new job is a lot of work. But I've seen a few shows here in NYC, and here is a brief pictorial before I collapse in bed before another 6AM wakeup - argghhhh.

A few weeks ago, I actually paid for a ticket to see CATS. Naturally Phil refused so I was on my own. In this case, Phil may have been correct. I went to a Mexican restaurant before the show, and the waiter saw me looking at my ticket and then brought me a free margarita and said "You'll need it if you're going to sit through that."

View attachment 154493
Then onto the show:

View attachment 154494 View attachment 154495
A week later, I went to see Matilda, which was a lot of fun:

View attachment 154496 View attachment 154498
And tonight I saw The Color Purple which was absolutely amazing in every way.
View attachment 154499 View attachment 154500

I still haven't booked a trip to the world, but I hope to do so soon. I hope all of you are doing very well. Back to you soon.

How dare they make you work so hard!

Thanks for the Broadway vacation. I have only been to one Broadway show (Peter Pan when I was maybe 9?) I went with my mom, a friend and her mom. I still remember it. Great memories of time with mom.

 

[MouseDreaming]

I can't disagree. When I saw the Star Wars experience for $500 today and you still had to have park admission and a Disney Resort room to qualify I'd be crazy to disagree with you. But if you add in the 3 qualifiers that is a boatload of money for the return.

Ok, even more reading to do.

 

[MouseDreaming]

Alright arm chair travelers, buckle up! Last night, we went to a little outdoor music venue in the North Shore (of Lake Michigan) area of Chicagoland. I haven't been in many years, but the Chicago Symphony Orchestra had "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Selections from West Side Story" on the program. And, my DS and his friend were meeting up with some other friends.

First off, what a bargain! DD was free (kids under 15), DS was free (people with Student ID), and an adult lawn ticket $10. We also paid $10 to park, because we didn't feel like trying to figure out the off site parking, and lugging all of our picnic stuff on and off a bus. So, $30 for 5 people. Less than a movie for beautiful live music. The lawn is where it is at, at Ravinia. Bring in your own picnic. Some people go all out with tables, table cloth, silver candlesticks, china and crystal. Others, just pick up subs, or such. Jersey Mike's did a fine job preparing our sandwiches, plus a lovely sharp cheddar, crackers, and raspberry bellavitano. (Great cheese for the cheese lovers).

DD's friends had come earlier to secure a prime spot under the trees, and picnicing commenced.

Cookies and chips were also shared. While many enjoy a fine bottle of wine, or a nice beer, DH and I decided it was for the best if we didn't imbibe this evening, as we needed to drive back (and we were hanging out with a bunch of teens.)

The music was wonderful, although I wish they left off "Symphonic Dances". The breeze in the evening air was magnificent. Just a real gem in the area.

 

[Cesar R M]

I once found $27,437.48 cleaning out the console of my old car!!!!!
I wish...!

HAH!, that reminds me an online joke that floated on tumblr and facebook.
about finding a old console (a SNES or similar) with money on it, then they keep opening parts of it.. and they keep "finding" outrageous stuff (like a bigger console inside, when its clear it wouldn't fit)

 

[StarWarsGirl]

After reading about bag check at the Magic Kingdom, I really don't think I want to leave the park, and take a midday break. The entire process is too involved, and takes way too much time. It's easier to just build in some rest time for myself in the Magic Kingdom.

That's what we do. In the summer, we spend the morning by the pool and go to the parks in the afternoon and evening. This also works out because we go in and shower when the thunderstorms start and many times avoid the thunderstorms. In the winter, when we get there, we're in for the day.