The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[StarWarsGirl]

But are ferrets as deadly as bears?

If you're a mouse.

 

[MinnieM123]

Yikes! 70-90 minutes! Do you do a lot of reading on the commute?

Actually, no, I don't. I use it for catching up on my brain dead time. Many people are on their phones, or tablets, laptops, or reading a book or newspaper. I prefer nothing cerebral during the commutes. Blank staring at nothing is good, and I kinda look like this; I also prefer the seat to myself, please --

 

[MOXOMUMD]

 

[MinnieM123]

@MinnieM123 I have a Boston question for you. Hubby and I are trying to decide on a non-Disney trip for next summer. I know it is early but his summers fill up fast with church youth activities, weddings, etc....Anyway, Boston (and vicinity) is on our short list and we were thinking it would be cool to be out there for the 4th of July and go to the Boston Pops Spectacular. Have you or anyone you know ever gone to that? It looks like the gates open at 8-something in the morning but the show isn't until later at night, do you have any idea if it is super crazy to go to that or necessary to go so early? Is it like a big tailgate kind of thing, where people just hang out all day?

I think it would be fun to got out east, especially since I haven't ever been to Boston but I don't know if I want to be in a crowd. Yellowstone and some western national parks are on the list too and when we went out that way before it wasn't crowded and fairly peaceful. Decisions, decisions...

Oh dear--where can I start with this one? Lived in this state my entire life, and yes, I've been to the Pops concerts on the 4th--but quite a few years ago. Oh, I know how I can explain this to you--

Think of the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day . . . CROWDS, crowds and more crowds, for the 4th of July concert on the Boston Esplanade. Seriously, I'd advise against it. And it's worse now since 2001, with the extra security screening, etc. And if you watch the concert on tv (I'm not sure what network carries it out in your state), the people in the front area would get there well before 8:00 AM, and line up for security screening to get in. Then they'd set up their blankets on the ground, food coolers, etc. and stay there ALL DAY up until the time of the concert, which is around 8:00 PM. The 4th of July in Boston is extremely HOT and HUMID; and because the Hatch Shell (where the Boston Pops perform) is on the Esplanade, that is adjacent to the river--zillions of mosquitoes, etc. NO thanks.

You see, years ago when I'd go there, it was prior to 2001, and we could just free-range all over the place. (No security screening, no "pens" to corral people in, etc.) We'd get there maybe 1-2 hours ahead of the concert, and not have a great viewing area, but they would have giant speakers up and down the Esplanade, so you could still hear the music quite well. The fireworks following the concert were fun, too. Hubs and I have zero desire to ever go to the 4th of July concert there again though.

 

[Goofyernmost]

That sounds like such a wonderful way to spend the 4th. I haven't been in Boston for it since I was a kid and that was only once Last time I was there I did a walking tour of the historic area and it was worth every penny we got a great guide. I'm sure a self guided one would also be great.

One of the things I kick myself about was in the late 90's. My wife was pursuing her Doctorate at UMass in Boston. We had an apartment right next door to it. She came home to Vermont for the summer and it never occurred to us to go to Boston for the big 4th show. We still had the apartment fully furnished, and it was empty all summer long. The day after the light went on when I was watching a news report on the celebration. What an idiot, what a missed opportunity. Oh, well... can't turn back time, I guess!

 

[Goofyernmost]

My aunts and parents did 17-21years in catholic schools

In my opinion after that long, the forever impression will be deeply routed and folks are not able to ever see beyond it. But, that's just my opinion and not to be thought of as my attempting to criticize anyone elses choices in life.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

View attachment 208138

Alesund from atop the Aksla Viewpoint. Very pretty but the picture is actually wrong. It is this way round.

 

[BAChicagoGal]

Home Depot refunded my money today with no problem. They even refunded the shipping charges that I paid. Normally, I don't return stuff, but I just could not figure out how to put that storage cart together that I bought a few weeks ago online. While I was at Home Depot, with my wagon, I checked out the garden center. It was bursting with so many plants in bloom. I found two yellow rose bushes, that I am going to plant in the middle of my garden. Good day. I got some exercise as well.

 

[donaldtoo]

Rabbit's eyes are killing me in this scene

He looks like he lives in the "100 Acre Weed"...!!!!!


OK, I'll stop...

 

[donaldtoo]

Having just been there this week, I really noticed the increase in food prices. All I eat at the parks is QS and it was very difficult to get lunch, for example, under $17.00 (with the tax, etc.). Also, just a freaking plain bottle of WATER is $3.00!!!

That last part is why I don't buy anything to drink at Disney, except alcohol. I drink water from the fountains, or get the complimentary cups of water.

 

[donaldtoo]

Duuuuuuuude.....

 

[StarWarsGirl]

View attachment 207885View attachment 207879

Happy National Donut Day.

We had donuts at work yesterday.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

That last part is why I don't buy anything to drink at Disney, except alcohol. I drink water from the fountains, or get the complimentary cups of water.

It would be so nice to do that, but FL water + my stomach = . I have to buy drinks or buy bottled water down there.

California water is better, so I had a Brita bottle for water there. Also what I use here, but as I found out the hard way, for well water that doesn't taste good, it doesn't help that much.

 

[donaldtoo]

Whew! Just got caught up!! There was so much going on here in chit chat over the past 4 days that I can't remember it all, but will try to add a few comments.

@BuddyThomas , that was a snazzy suit you bought!! You have good taste in clothing.

@MOXOMUMD , I'm glad I came back to the Donut countdown event! I love donuts!



Missed all my pals here, too!



I pack the night before, and always hope for the best! (It's a lot of work for people with families though--a lot more to think about, and I understand that.)



Yes, it is. Luckily, I was able to enjoy the Great Movie Ride, for probably the last time. Went on Tower of Terror and Star Tours (for once, I was chosen as the rebel spy!). Went over to Walt Disney's One Man's Dream, and did the walk through (that's always nice), but they didn't have the nice film they used to have. Instead, they were giving a 10 minute preview of the new Pirates movie, in that theater inside. I saw the preview and thought they'd have the Walt Disney movie afterwards, but they didn't.



Actually, I did miss my visits to WDWMagic while I was away. And as for basking in warmth--basking maybe at WDW, but no to the hot weather!!



Went to Blizzard Beach one morning, but regretted it (no snow . . .) . Actually, it was mobbed because I think that Typhoon Lagoon was still under renovation. Oh, they have these new lockers now that I wasn't pleased with. Instead of going to the swim shop and purchasing the key for the day, they now have you go to stupid kiosk machines that don't work well. The first one wouldn't take my cash. Plus, I wanted to use my gift card which had about 6 dollars on it and pay the rest in cash, but the machine won't let you do a split transaction. You have to remember the number of your locker and you key in a 4 digit code for the lock. So there I was, panicking that I'd forget the number of the locker, or my 4 digit code?!! With the old system, you wore the key on a wrist thing, and the number of the locker was on the key. It USED to be EASY.

Mixed like.

That last part is yet another example of Disney P&R complicating things in the way of making them simpler...if it ain't broke, don't fix it, ya' dimwits...!
As far as the Pirates preview at the end of OMD goes...that's just yet another shameless pile of a travesty that Disney is becoming more and more famous/infamous for.

 

[Cesar R M]

Alesund from atop the Aksla Viewpoint. Very pretty but the picture is actually wrong. It is this way round.

View attachment 208142

is this norway?

*edit* its gorgeous regardless.. somehow reminds me of ketchikan in alaska.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Commute was about the same--long. And the traffic is always heavy, in and around the city for miles. Waaaayyy too many vehicles on the roads here. Depending upon what route I take (bus to train, or just the express bus only, up the highway), it always takes me anywhere from 70 - 90 minutes.

It takes me 15 minutes to get to work. 10 if I'm lucky. 20 if I'm not. It took me 30 one day to get home. I was very annoyed.

Of course, I don't work anywhere near the city. Can't imagine what that commute would be like.

 

[Cesar R M]

It takes me 15 minutes to get to work. 10 if I'm lucky. 20 if I'm not. It took me 30 one day to get home. I was very annoyed.

Of course, I don't work anywhere near the city. Can't imagine what that commute would be like.

lucky you. I have to make the insane effort of waking up.. walking 3 paces, and be infront of my computer to "get to work"

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Hi there! I live in the Boston area, and it can be very crazy seeing the Pops on the 4th of July. People do get there right when the gates open to get a good spot, and then they hang out with their lawn chairs and coolers all day until the concert. The Pops actually do a dress rehearsal the night before, so that may be a little less insane. I hope that helps!

Thanks for the info. Something to keep in mind!

 

[donaldtoo]

It would be so nice to do that, but FL water + my stomach = . I have to buy drinks or buy bottled water down there.

California water is better, so I had a Brita bottle for water there. Also what I use here, but as I found out the hard way, for well water that doesn't taste good, it doesn't help that much.

Yea, the water in WDW sometimes (from fountains) tastes a bit different, but, it's free, wet, and hydrates...and, fortunately, gives me no tummy troubles.
Sorry it does for you.

The last time we were at DL in the summer of '10 for the one day, I think I only had water once for lunch/dinner at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port.
It just dosen't get that crazy-hot and humid in So Cal as it tends to do in Cen Flo...!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Actually, no, I don't. I use it for catching up on my brain dead time. Many people are on their phones, or tablets, laptops, or reading a book or newspaper. I prefer nothing cerebral during the commutes. Blank staring at nothing is good, and I kinda look like this; I also prefer the seat to myself, please --

I can understand that, when I had to drive a distance (only 20 minutes) to and from work I used that as my decompression time. Obviously I was driving so I couldn't blank stare, but once I got home I had already processed what I needed to for the day and the next day so my mind felt a little freer than it does now. Now I get home in about 3 minutes so now my walks with Kapono are my decompression time.