Canadian Buffoon's Solo Disney Vacation - Update 07/08! pp99 - Here today gone tomorrow

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

To the Center of the Universe

You’re going to Wallace, Idaho?
The town’s mayor proved that’s where it was beyond the shadow of a doubt when he declared:
"Wallace MUST be the Center of the Universe because you can't PROVE otherwise."

grab a nice mug of vodka,

I’ll have something with rum in it if you please…
Or a good porter, that’d be nice as well.

But first a word of warning.

Warning? What, is this MTR carcinogenic or something?

some pics might be... a little fuzzy.
Just like me!

Oh, is that all, Pbffffft… like that’s an issue.
Besides, we already know you’re out of focus and I done went and scrolled down a bit to get a glimpse of these fuzzy pictures. I do believe the warning is just a bit overwrought, here.

Why the Center of the Universe in the title?
Toronto is the largest city in Canada.
People living elsewhere tend to see Torontonians as smug or self-absorbed.

So it’s the same thing as Charlotte from my local perspective…
or either New York or Hollywood from a general US perspective…

So Toronto is mockingly (jealously?) referred to as "the center of the Universe".

And… I’ll be sure to say that often to the folks that live there the next time I get up that way.
Thanks for the insider tip!

How many Torontonians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one.

He holds the bulb and waits for the world to revolve around him.

This also describes a fair number of teenagers (oh, and Donald Trump)

But I grab the first row which is a bulkhead row (no seats in front of us),
so there's plenty of legroom.

Those and the escape hatch seats are generally good bets…
makes the rest of the miserable flight a bit more bearable.

I really didn't get anything much myself.
Just some chips (crisps Katie! Crisps!) and a Coke.

When I get to the UK, I’ll call ‘em crisps.
While we’re on this side of the Atlantic, I prefer the more correct description:
Junk Food.

Everything was going along tickety boo

Not heard that one before.
Whimsical…

Shortly before landing I remembered what I forgot to do.
Normally, when I rent a car, I go to our local insurance broker
and arrange for rental car insurance.

That’s gonn’a cost Ya’

"No problem, Mr. Stupid. Just send us a fax…

Ok, let’s stop right there. Fax?
Someone actually still uses faxes?

Just once, wouldn't you like to ride along with the bags, just to see how it all works?

I see the airlines moving to this model in the future anyway.

I quickly scribble out the note and hand it back to the clerk for faxing.
I tell him the number to dial and....
"Uh." He says.
That's never a good sign.

Nope; a common overheard utterance when dealing with counter staff, but never a good one.

Do you look cool in a SUV?

Depends… do you believe everything that you see and hear in commercials?

Sheesh! And they say I'm losing my mind.

That’s all right, we can just send Igor down to the depositary and have him pick a new one.
I know there’s a specimen down there from…
Now what was that name?

Oh yeah, Abby Someone.

What was I saying?

Something about being Old I do believe.

As we steam out of the lot

"Okay, that'll be $500"(ish. I don't remember the exact number. I know it was over $500.)
"What? That can't be right!"

Yep… that “shouldn’t” be right, but I’m not surprised.
But I am sorry; so, so sorry…

Now I don't know who to be more mad at.
Me, for forgetting to get insurance ahead of time.
Or the rental company for gouging the heck out of me!

You made a mistake.
They behaved in the purely ethical manner of all big business.
I believe we can all agree on where the anger ought to be focused.

Well, her name isn't actually "Itchin" Betty. But it rhymes with her real name.
Besides, I like alliterations.

And I like your name for the device.

Oh well. I brought an umbrella. I won't melt.

Nope. as we say down here: sugar melts, S*** floats
But we say it with that oh so charming south’rn drawl, don’t you know.

I might discorporate. But I won't melt.
(Anyone get that reference? I'll be impressed if anyone does.

I believe that I grok the concept here.

Programming Itchin' Betty ahead of time = smart.
Programming her with the wrong street number = not so smart.

Whoops.

"Hey!" She says. "According to the agenda, we have to check in after 3pm... Tomorrow!
So we can spend the whole day together!"

Sweet!

Yes… yes it is.

Sorry, no food porn pics, or even much of a description of what we had.
I wasn't planning on doing this mini-TR at the time.
I think I had lamb and/or beef and Ruby had Chicken.
I do recall that this was the first halal restaurant either of us had ever been to.
So no pork on the menu.

Sounds interesting though.
If I ever travel up that’a way, I may ask you where abouts in the city it was.

As we walk in to the theater, we realize right away that something's not quite right.
We don't recognize a single movie title on the marquee.
We glance toward the ticket booth and there are signs on it.
I don't remember exactly what they were but,
I think one sign had "Hindi" with an arrow pointing right
and "Urdu" with an arrow pointing left.

Good idea. That's what we did. We left.

Not a big fan of Bollywood flicks either.
I never liked Glee, and I certainly don’t want to watch it with sub-titles.
Truth be told, I don’t go see very many moves at all these days. Only three this year, I think.
The industry seems to turn out more and of them, but the story lines seem to be less and less.

We easily find the theater and watch Pitch Perfect 2.
Meh. It was okay.

Yeah, I’ll be missing that one too

Afterwards, we do what anyone visiting a vibrant, fascinating, new (to us) city would do.
We went to bed and promptly fell asleep.

You’re a wild ‘n crazy couple…

For those of you who don't know, that's the CN Tower.
It used to be the world's tallest free standing structure,
but now it's number six on the list.
It's still the tallest structure in North America though, so pretty high.

Kong approves…

But at $35/person, I'm kinda glad she declined.

T’is a bit “steep”
(although I may have paid more to go up only 700 feet when we docked in St Thomas)

Just to the right of the tower is this interesting building.

That is brilliant! Well done sir.
Not sure whether it’s the dragon of the sled team that tickled me more.

(Note to self. See Atlanta, Georgia's aquarium. World's largest.)

And worth the stop.
The one in Baltimore and the smaller one in Charleston are nice as well.

There was a bit of a line-up to get tickets and it didn't seem to be moving much, or at all.
I hesitated and noticed some unused kiosks to our left.
We wandered over and.... you could get tickets at them!
I swiped my credit card and in less than a minute had our tickets.
We walked into the aquarium, passing by the still unmoving line-up.
Baaaah-bye!

Breaking away from the herd counts as a major win.

I did take some snaps, so feel free to look around.
(Saves on my incessant typing, too.)

And some dang fine pictures they are too.
Thanks for the “blurry” images

Anyone for a swim?

Only if you send Mick Fanning in there first.

Hi Mr. Ray!

Oooh,
let's name the zones,
the zones,
the zones.
Let's name the zones of the open sea:

mesopolagic,
bathyal,
abyssalpelagic.
All the rest are too deep for you and me to see.

Puffer fish. I love those guys.
Super dangerous to eat, though.

“Fugu me!”

There was an area where, if your child was misbehaving,
you could shove him in a small tunnel and traumatize him
by having him surrounded by reef sharks.

I mean if that doesn't calm the little hellion down, what will?

Sound parenting advice if ever I’ve heard it.

On the way out to the inevitable gift shop…

Are you telling me it’s not just a Disney thing!

Unfortunately, Betty couldn't tell us how to get there since for some odd reason
she wasn't able to pick up any satellites from underneath tons of concrete.

What's with that???

Useless electronic devises…

Kensington Market is the name for a neighborhood covering a few city blocks.
It's chockablock full of cafes, produce and other markets, thrift stores and the like.
It's quite colourful and there's lots for the senses to experience.
And no. I didn't take that many pictures.

We’ll just have to go there ourselves then.
Sounds like a good spot to grab a snack though.

I did take one, though.

Wait… does that constitute false advertising?

What the heck is French Caribbean cuisine?

Good question…
Haitian? Or originating from Martinique or Guadeloupe perhaps?
Just something they made up… I’m going with that one.

We came to a corner and I spotted this place.

I like pie…

She ordered a Key Lime pie while I asked for a raspberry rhubarb slice.

Oooooo… raspberry rhubarb… Mmmmmmmmmmmm…
And Key pie, and molasses cookies!
Quite the haul.

Well... sustain a slight injury for one.
Perhaps an Indian rope burn... or a noogie.

Better choices there.

Good pie, though.
I sure wouldn't mind going back some day for more!
(The cookie was good too.)

To me: pie = good. Really…
My favorite type of desert (or diner for that matter)
I’ll keep this spot in mind as well.

Food was... well it was Moxie's food.
I guess you could compare it to a slightly more upscale TGI Fridays.

Don’t have those down this way, but I grok.

We did not check out the Hindi/Urdu theater again.

Awwwww…

But we did watch The Imitation Game on Pay Per View.

Now that one is a winner.
One of only a hand full of films I’ve seen this year.
I knew the story up front, but even still…

Tomorrow is another day and I'm on my own in the Center of the Universe.

An unstoppable force striking an immovable object.
This could be entertaining.

 

[ougrad86]

Was this something that always needed doing? Or the result of an accident or injury?
I would think he must've lost weight during that time as well.

This was something we knew was coming - planning for 5 years, waiting for him to stop growing. He had an underbite, and having trouble chewing since he was about 9, but the dentist assured me everything was fine. I finally took him to my dentist and we started with braces, culminating in this operation. The planning is fine, the actual doing ...but he got through it fine, and is healing wonderfully. Finally is starting to work up to normal food again, slowly but surely.


Ah. At least you managed to get some relief.
Were you able to enjoy the trip?

Loved the trip, it was a way to forget everything except our threesome and the beautiful scenery. We did GC, went on the Skywalk, Meteor Crater and Zion Park...now I want to go back to see what we missed (you know, those things you hear about AFTER the trip) .


I of course don't know what your situation is, but if you can, take your time.
Give yourself the opportunity to be okay.


At 57, it is hard to get motivated to look for work (and update the resume) when the original plan was to stop at about 60, once he got through college. His being here this summer, and really needing me, has made me feel better...once we sell the Wisconsin house, his tuition is paid for, so I just need to take a close look and talk with Doug and decide what to do.


Good for you!

It came out of the blue, she just looked at flights and then we talked about when the kids are off and it just snowballed from there . That was how our first trip with them started, when we were sitting talking one Halloween and discussing MNSSHP, and knowing the kids didn't really want to trick or treat anymore after that year...by the time they came back from trick or treating, we had a rough draft already laid out! Only bad thing is Doug can't go with us, so me and my crazy friend and our crazy kids! They have been best friends since Kindergarten, and we became friends as well, so we are like one big happy family when we go, and we actually get along!

I hope I was able to let you forget your troubles for a bit and bring a smile to your face.

Totally smiling, and laughing and really enjoying it .

Good choice. I really, really liked it.
I'm hoping Kay and I will be able to go.

Hope you do too - they say to keep checking back. We were at the computer literally at 6 am our time when they opened it up. She got in right away (I didn't realized it needed my password again, it said Welcome Carol at the top but my 180+ would not open up!), so she made all the reservations. Now waiting on possible discounts and our FP+ date. Although going in January, I am hoping it'll be like your trip, with low attendance.


Now I don't even know if we're doing it at all!
She's now got a Calgary work trip scheduled for September.

I know the feeling. Any my husband is the homebody - I just plan the trip and give him the dates. He would rather stay at home and relax. But like her, he has job interference with this next trip.


All of it??? Not at once, surely. Your head would explode!

It did take some time to get through it, and was determined not to post until I had caught up...


I would say that all the good stuff is in the banter.
It's better than the chapter, that's for sure!

Again, for you. Hope everything is starting to be better, and sorry for everything you've been through.

Thanks !

 

[ougrad86]

Well, I certainly messed up that above post - will need to learn how to do quotes with this new set up - I think you told someone awhile back, I have to quote each section to respond to individual sections.... At least you can click on it and read my replies, and I will need to practice!

 

[pkondz]

Following along for your TO mini TR!

The few, the strong, the brave...

I haven't been to Toronto in a few years, but I don't remember the aquarium. I guess it's fairly new?

It opened in October of 2013.
It wasn't there when I was there last either.
I didn't even know about it until shortly before we left.

I hadn't heard of Kensington Market before, but it looks like a good place to go.

That's been around for a while. Good place just to stroll around.

I've actually been thinking about making a trip to the centre of the universe this summer. I need get away from the dismal weather we've had in Newfoundland. I think old man winter forgot to upgrade some software and summer hasn't loaded yet

Oh, that sucks. I've got a co-worker who's from there and is spending almost all of July back on the Rock.
I'm sure he's really happy about that.

Thanks for the ideas!

No probs. But word of warning, I've been to TO several times,
so this trip may not be typical of a tourist visit.

 

[pkondz]

But wait, isn't it? I couldn't resist.

Well, depending on your view of the Universe... technically everything is.

Loving reading a TR about my own home town...It's fun to see how others experience the place where you live your life every day.

Just a note.
Like I just mentioned. I've been several times so this won't be a typical "tourist" viewpoint.
I have no need to see the ROM for instance... already been.

You got it!

Changed a few light bulbs in your day, eh Kathy?

Totally. I'd want to come down the ramp too...or up the ramp at Pearson lol

Oh, absolutely. You need the full experience.

I really thought that movie was a lot of fun Elizabeth Banks is quite hilarious and there's some good 80's tunes.

I'd heard from the rest of the family that it was good.

Where the heck were you staying? Why so far from downtown?

Markham. I think (if memory serves... and it usually doesn't. It volleys.) it was near 407 and 404.
And that's where Ruby's conference was.

Yeah...way to rip off the tourists as usual. We're good at that here.

So don't let people tell you you're good for nothing!

Love this place. We had a membership the year it opened and went like 50 times. Haven't been back since - only because of the exorbitant prices to go for one day.

You haven't been back after going 50 times?
Gee... I wonder why not?
"Hey kids! Guess what! We're going to the aquarium! We'll see sharks and rays and all kinds of wonderful things!"
"Awwwww..... again????"

Try being a chaperone on a school field trip...ugh.. Talk about stress. Keeping track of your assigned 6 kids in the semidark insanity of that place is no easy task, let me tell you.

No thank you.
I volunteered as a student leader in training at a community club when I was 13? 15?

Never again.

It is pretty cool. Other than the prices. But sometimes they have deals online.

Oh, sure. Now you tell me!


It was kind of a last minute thing, so I didn't really research it.

Ahhhh street meat...yum.

You should have walked from the CN Tower area. Next time, call me.

Nope! If we'd left the car at the world's most expensive parking garage,
we would've had to cancel the rest of the trip!
Plus we didn't have the time to walk there and back.

Plus, plus, we didn't really know where it was until Betty brought us there.

Yum. Love that place.

Sooooo goooooood.

Again, next time, call me

If you're serious, I will.
I'm not in TO every year, but...

Ohhhh so that's why you stayed up in the 'burbs. Or the 905 as we centre of the universe people like to call that area.

Definitely on my list.

It's really very good.

 

[pkondz]

Woohoo! Drunken commentary!

The best kind.

But not the "crying drunk" kind.
Nobody wants that.

Nice! I'm assuming we can just substitute "New York" or "California" here.

Oh, sure. It's a totally non-judgmental, multi-denominational insult.

You should at least get to drive a Rolls Royce for that or something.

How about shares in the company.
At those rates, you'd make a killing!

Sounds like she has the right to do some itchin'.

Meh. I punched in the right number and she settled down.
Plus I keep a hammer nearby for emergencies.

Is King Kong always hanging out there, or just on certain weekends?

Sorry, I don't get what you mean by that.

Wow, that worked much better than at Kennedy Space Center.

True story. When we got to the aquarium, I looked and saw those machines and immediately thought of KSC.
So I assumed they weren't working, but....

Can you buy permanent seats?

Nope. Not nearly enough to go around.

It's just like regular Caribbean cuisine, but you're not good enough to eat it.

Nothing better than pretentious food.

Yeah, coconut would be a problem for me too.

The world would be better off without coconut.
You can quote me on that.

 

[pkondz]

You’re going to Wallace, Idaho?
The town’s mayor proved that’s where it was beyond the shadow of a doubt when he declared:
"Wallace MUST be the Center of the Universe because you can't PROVE otherwise."

But, not to burst the Mayor's bubble,
I'm pretty sure any competent astronomer could prove him wrong.

I’ll have something with rum in it if you please…
Or a good porter, that’d be nice as well.

I'm sure you meant to say "port" but let's leave the porter in there.
Why should we have to go get our own drinks!
"Garçôn!"

Warning? What, is this MTR carcinogenic or something?

It will however destroy valuable brain cells.

Oh, is that all, Pbffffft… like that’s an issue.
Besides, we already know you’re out of focus and I done went and scrolled down a bit to get a glimpse of these fuzzy pictures. I do believe the warning is just a bit overwrought, here.

Well, I for one am not happy with them.
I cleaned them up best I could (well, without spending hours on them) but...

So it’s the same thing as Charlotte from my local perspective…
or either New York or Hollywood from a general US perspective…

Sure. Denigrate whichever demographic you like!

And… I’ll be sure to say that often to the folks that live there the next time I get up that way.
Thanks for the insider tip!

Feel free. They'll only laugh.
(At you. And make you feel small.)

This also describes a fair number of teenagers (oh, and Donald Trump)

Please. Let's not bring "The Donald" into this.
Next thing you know, he'll be flashing our phone numbers to the media.

Those and the escape hatch seats are generally good bets…
makes the rest of the miserable flight a bit more bearable.

Unless of course you actually have to operate one of those hatches.

When I get to the UK, I’ll call ‘em crisps.
While we’re on this side of the Atlantic, I prefer the more correct description:
Junk Food.

Not heard that one before.
Whimsical…

It's used from time to time up here.
Maybe just by me.

That’s gonn’a cost Ya’

Yep.

Ok, let’s stop right there. Fax?
Someone actually still uses faxes?

Well, apparently... no.
Oddly enough. I work in a fairly high tech industry... and we still get faxes.

I see the airlines moving to this model in the future anyway.

Actually, that's not a bad idea.
Why not have capsules laying around the departure lounge.
You stroll up to one and grab a seat.
Eventually, an agent will come by, make sure everyone's buckled up...
then the entire capsule moves or is moved into the plane, along with all the others.
Might save time.

Might not.

Depends… do you believe everything that you see and hear in commercials?

Of course!
Wait.
You mean... you don't???

That’s all right, we can just send Igor down to the depositary and have him pick a new one.
I know there’s a specimen down there from…
Now what was that name?

Oh yeah, Abby Someone.

Seems like a fairly normal occurrence.

Something about being Old I do believe.

Huh?

I'm glad someone caught that!

Yep… that “shouldn’t” be right, but I’m not surprised.
But I am sorry; so, so sorry…

Well, I'll have more to say on that subject at the start of the next post.

You made a mistake.
They behaved in the purely ethical manner of all big business.
I believe we can all agree on where the anger ought to be focused.

When did it become the norm for businesses to treat customers like the plague?

And I like your name for the device.

It's actually the voice prompt.
"'Itchin' Betty wake up!" and she comes on, ready and willing to be yelled at.

Nope. as we say down here: sugar melts, S*** floats
But we say it with that oh so charming south’rn drawl, don’t you know.

I like that.
And I'm getting more familiar with your south'rn drawl.
The DIS is where I learned that "bless your heart" is not a good thing to hear.

I believe that I grok the concept here.

Ding! We have a winnah!

Sounds interesting though.
If I ever travel up that’a way, I may ask you where abouts in the city it was.

Sure.

You’re a wild ‘n crazy couple…

We party like we're teens!!
Well, pre-teens.
Well, small children... who need naps.

Kong approves…

Sorry, I don't know what you're getting at there.

T’is a bit “steep”
(although I may have paid more to go up only 700 feet when we docked in St Thomas)

That is brilliant! Well done sir.
Not sure whether it’s the dragon of the sled team that tickled me more.

Glad you liked it!
The idea was hatched like this.
I'll tell them the aquarium is beside the tower.
And then I'll show them the picture.
Maybe I'll add an arrow to it.
Some smart guy will question "which building beside the tower?"
So I'll point out all the buildings it ain't.
And I'll point out the tower too.
What the heck. Let's add in a dragon.
Hmmm.... and a dog sled. Let's see how many readers focus on the dragon and totally miss that.

So far... no one else has mentioned any of it!

And worth the stop.
The one in Baltimore and the smaller one in Charleston are nice as well.

Noted. But the picture I keep seeing of a whale shark blows me away.

Breaking away from the herd counts as a major win.

My #1 mantra to my kids.
"Don't be a sheep!"

And some dang fine pictures they are too.
Thanks for the “blurry” images

Thanks!

Only if you send Mick Fanning in there first.

I had to Google the name.
I had already seen the footage (Which, BTW, wasn't that incredible???)
but hadn't caught the name.

Oooh,
let's name the zones,
the zones,
the zones.
Let's name the zones of the open sea:

mesopolagic,
bathyal,
abyssalpelagic.
All the rest are too deep for you and me to see.

Tell that to James Cameron.

“Fugu me!”

Sound parenting advice if ever I’ve heard it.

Well, it's what I would do.

Are you telling me it’s not just a Disney thing!

I wonder if Disney isn't the model for that sort of behaviour.
Who came up with it first? Barnum?

We’ll just have to go there ourselves then.
Sounds like a good spot to grab a snack though.

Wait… does that constitute false advertising?

So sue me. I'll give Trump my number and he can find me a good lawyer.

Good question…
Haitian? Or originating from Martinique or Guadeloupe perhaps?
Just something they made up… I’m going with that one.

My guess is the latter as well.

I like pie…

mmmmmm.... pie.....

Oooooo… raspberry rhubarb… Mmmmmmmmmmmm…
And Key pie, and molasses cookies!
Quite the haul.

Is there anything better than a delicious haul?

I thought not.

To me: pie = good. Really…
My favorite type of desert (or diner for that matter)
I’ll keep this spot in mind as well.

Do! I dream about the place now.

Don’t have those down this way, but I grok.

I was just going to leave it at Moxie's... everyone knows what a Moxie's is right?
Hmmm.... let's just Google.... oh. Only in Canada.

Now that one is a winner.
One of only a hand full of films I’ve seen this year.
I knew the story up front, but even still…

An unstoppable force striking an immovable object.
This could be entertaining.

Hope I don't disappoint.
But this won't be a typical tourist TR.
I've been to Toronto too many times.

 

[pkondz]

This was something we knew was coming - planning for 5 years, waiting for him to stop growing. He had an underbite, and having trouble chewing since he was about 9, but the dentist assured me everything was fine. I finally took him to my dentist and we started with braces, culminating in this operation. The planning is fine, the actual doing ...but he got through it fine, and is healing wonderfully. Finally is starting to work up to normal food again, slowly but surely.

Don't you love it when a "professional" tells you one thing... and you just know he's wrong... a
nd then another one says so?

Loved the trip, it was a way to forget everything except our threesome and the beautiful scenery. We did GC, went on the Skywalk, Meteor Crater and Zion Park...now I want to go back to see what we missed (you know, those things you hear about AFTER the trip) .

Sounds like a good trip! Never been out that way.
Well, flew into and stayed in Vegas, so not far away, but that's it.

At 57, it is hard to get motivated to look for work (and update the resume) when the original plan was to stop at about 60, once he got through college. His being here this summer, and really needing me, has made me feel better...once we sell the Wisconsin house, his tuition is paid for, so I just need to take a close look and talk with Doug and decide what to do.

Tough call. I don't know what I'd do if I had to start over now.
I'm very good at what I do... but it's so specialized that I couldn't apply it to anything else.

It came out of the blue, she just looked at flights and then we talked about when the kids are off and it just snowballed from there . That was how our first trip with them started, when we were sitting talking one Halloween and discussing MNSSHP, and knowing the kids didn't really want to trick or treat anymore after that year...by the time they came back from trick or treating, we had a rough draft already laid out! Only bad thing is Doug can't go with us, so me and my crazy friend and our crazy kids! They have been best friends since Kindergarten, and we became friends as well, so we are like one big happy family when we go, and we actually get along!

Sounds like a good time!
I hated when my youngest stopped trick or treating.
Well, when she stopped wanting me along, which wasn't much before the end anyway.
I really liked going out with the kids and seeing the decorations and the costumes.

<sigh>

Hope you do too - they say to keep checking back. We were at the computer literally at 6 am our time when they opened it up. She got in right away (I didn't realized it needed my password again, it said Welcome Carol at the top but my 180+ would not open up!), so she made all the reservations. Now waiting on possible discounts and our FP+ date. Although going in January, I am hoping it'll be like your trip, with low attendance.

The low attendance was so nice.
And no extreme heat, too.
No problem staying outside all day long.

I know the feeling. Any my husband is the homebody - I just plan the trip and give him the dates. He would rather stay at home and relax. But like her, he has job interference with this next trip.

Ah. So you feel my pain!

 

[pkondz]

Well, I certainly messed up that above post - will need to learn how to do quotes with this new set up - I think you told someone awhile back, I have to quote each section to respond to individual sections.... At least you can click on it and read my replies, and I will need to practice!

No worries! I don't demand perfect quotes from my readers.

But for the next TR?
I will demand it!!!!


Not.

 

[DisneyAndrew]

I don't know a lot of people from here in West Virginia that have ever visited Toronto, but I did as an 8th grade trip, and I still vividly remember 3 things:

1 - Being in the CN Tower doing a push-up on the glass floor (somebody dared me to)
2 - Seeing quite a few "ladies of the night" on street corners (maybe we were in a rough part of town?)
3 - Touring the Casa Loma

 

[KathyM2]

If you're serious, I will. I'm not in TO every year, but...

Totally. That would be really fun to meet a DIS'er here!!!

What the heck. Let's add in a dragon.
Hmmm.... and a dog sled. Let's see how many readers focus on the dragon and totally miss that.

That would be me lol. But you have some mad skillz

But this won't be a typical tourist TR.
I've been to Toronto too many times.

Yeah I guess it is a bit different if you've already hit a lot of the highlights...but that's what makes it fun - you have time to explore all the things a first time visitor wouldn't. Like Kensington...a lot of people don't get there on a first trip because there are so many other "tier 1" attractions lol but Kensington is so much fun to walk around and take in if you aren't rushed!

 

[pkondz]

I don't know a lot of people from here in West Virginia that have ever visited Toronto, but I did as an 8th grade trip, and I still vividly remember 3 things:

1 - Being in the CN Tower doing a push-up on the glass floor (somebody dared me to)
2 - Seeing quite a few "ladies of the night" on street corners (maybe we were in a rough part of town?)
3 - Touring the Casa Loma

I had both DDs stand on that glass floor.
I'm pretty sure one of them even sat down on it while I took a picture.

I don't think I've ever seen any of those ladies in Toronto.
I'm positive they're there but I guess I haven't been to the places you've been!

I'd driven (or been driven) by Casa Loma more times than I can count.
And never went in.

I wonder if that will be rectified on this trip???

 

[pkondz]

Totally. That would be really fun to meet a DIS'er here!!!

Ok Kathy, I'll keep that in mind.
Whether or not I remember that the next time I go remains to be seen!

That would be me lol. But you have some mad skillz

Thanks, Kathy!

Yeah I guess it is a bit different if you've already hit a lot of the highlights...but that's what makes it fun - you have time to explore all the things a first time visitor wouldn't. Like Kensington...a lot of people don't get there on a first trip because there are so many other "tier 1" attractions lol but Kensington is so much fun to walk around and take in if you aren't rushed!

You could say that I had an eclectic group of "attractions" this trip.
That first day I just left up to Ruby.
She is definitely not into commando style touring!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Looks like a nice start to your trip. It's fun that Ruby had time to tour with you!

Nice aquarium! Maybe some day you can dive in that one. That neighborhood looks like fun to stroll around in. Thanks for reporting in!

 

[Steppesister]

Well, I'm obviously about 40 pages behind with no hope of catching up really. This summer turned out to be far busier than I'd ever thought at the beginning of it. And work is so much more taxing than I'd hoped. But yours is the first that I'll read some of tomorrow afternoon after a mandatory Seminar.

 

[IadoreWDW]

Hello, I am a lurker! Yes I shall admit it and I am only coming out of lurkerdom because you asked.
Typing this before I read the next instalment.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your TR and I am going to read it again(!) I really loved it.

Settling in for the mini TR as I have a great love for Canada, although I have never been, but I do have family over there, who do huff when I end up in WDW instead of Canada (however I do send them a wee message from the Canadian pavilion in Epcot to let them know I think of them when I am at WDW!)

Anyhoo,
Comfy chair - check
I have my comforter, much needed during summer in Scotland
Nice mug of um, not vodka, but green tea, that makes a good substitute? No? Okay moving on…

Right, ready to enjoy!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I'm sure you meant to say "port" but let's leave the porter in there.
Why should we have to go get our own drinks!
"Garçôn!"

I like port as well, so that would be quite acceptable.
Garçôn… make it two.

It will however destroy valuable brain cells.

Heck, the 24 hour news cycle and television in general kill off far more.

Please. Let's not bring "The Donald" into this.
Next thing you know, he'll be flashing our phone numbers to the media.

He’s – shall we say – entertaining…
Bless his heart.

But then again, he’s also the logical result of the direction things have been going for the last thirty-ish years.

Unless of course you actually have to operate one of those hatches.

If I do, or even if you do, then we’ve all got bigger problems.

Actually, that's not a bad idea.
Why not have capsules laying around the departure lounge.
You stroll up to one and grab a seat.
Eventually, an agent will come by, make sure everyone's buckled up...
then the entire capsule moves or is moved into the plane, along with all the others.
Might save time.

I doubt they’ll guarantee that you get loaded on the correct plane though.

I'm glad someone caught that!

I rather liked the line.
It reminded me of a description that has made its way into my general vocabulary.

Seems a while back, there was an impromptu contest held on an “automotive oriented” radio program that I’ve enjoyed for many years (Specifically: NPR’s: “Car Talk”). Back when Ford first introduced their “Expedition” model SUV, the ridiculous size of the thing prompted the hosts to ask what might have been an even better name for the bloated mastodon of a vehicle. The winner (or at least the one I like best) was to call it the “Ford Valdez”.

Just thinking about it still tickles me.

When did it become the norm for businesses to treat customers like the plague?

A good ways… there are biblical references to such things.
More recently, the age of the Robber Barons was predicated on the concept, and we’ve been doing everything in our power down here to return back to these ignominious day of yore


May be too much actual history for a TR?
Oh look…

Squirrel!

It's actually the voice prompt.
"'Itchin' Betty wake up!" and she comes on, ready and willing to be yelled at.

That… is most excellent.

I like that.
And I'm getting more familiar with your south'rn drawl.
The DIS is where I learned that "bless your heart" is not a good thing to hear.

Well, I’m sure, that I have no idea as to just what you may be insinuating.
I mean, really; speaking ill of others…
Why, it’s just not done.

Bless their hearts.

Could I have the help bring you some more tea?

So far... no one else has mentioned any of it!

In the last few chapters especially, I’ve seen some “mad skilz” displayed in your ability to enhance a photograph.

Highly entertaining.

Noted. But the picture I keep seeing of a whale shark blows me away.

Good point… you won’t find one of those anywhere else that I’m aware of.

Tell that to James Cameron.

He’s got more than enough money and lawyers to never hear any of my commentary.

I wonder if Disney isn't the model for that sort of behaviour.
Who came up with it first? Barnum?

Goes back at least as far as the middle ages.
All the major religious pilgrimage sites were chock full of such things…


Too much Again?

Squirrel!

So sue me. I'll give Trump my number and he can find me a good lawyer.

Don’t think he knows any.
The laws of mere mortals don’t apply to him.

Hope I don't disappoint.
But this won't be a typical tourist TR.
I've been to Toronto too many times.

Having never been to the GTA…
Its’ all new to me.

 

[DisneyAndrew]

I don't think I've ever seen any of those ladies in Toronto.
I'm positive they're there but I guess I haven't been to the places you've been!

Hahaha! I was just an innocent 8th grader (although are any 8th grade boys really that innocent - at least in their heads?)

I wonder if that will be rectified on this trip???

I'm hoping that may be some foreshadowing. It's been 16 years since I was there, so I would love to see some pics

 

[pkondz]

Looks like a nice start to your trip. It's fun that Ruby had time to tour with you!

It was such a nice surprise.
She thought she'd have to start at 8am but it didn't really start until the next day.

Nice aquarium! Maybe some day you can dive in that one.

Ummmm.... No.
Did you not see the size (and number) of sharks????
The Disney ones are polite and stay on the bottom.
These ones were all over the place!

Probably looking for divers to eat.

That neighborhood looks like fun to stroll around in.

And it has pie!

Thanks for reporting in!

Thanks for reading, Tammie!

Well, I'm obviously about 40 pages behind with no hope of catching up really.

There's always hope. I'm not posting that fast!

This summer turned out to be far busier than I'd ever thought at the beginning of it.

And hotter... with fewer amenities.

And work is so much more taxing than I'd hoped.

But... would you rather have failed your course and not have the job?

I didn't think so.

But yours is the first that I'll read some of tomorrow afternoon after a mandatory Seminar.

The first? I'm honoured!
Happy reading!

 

[pkondz]

Hello, I am a lurker!

Hello lurker and to the TR!
And another reader from across the pond! I'm glad you're here!

Yes I shall admit it and I am only coming out of lurkerdom because you asked.

And I thank you for that!
It makes it a little bit easier and/or more fun to write when I know people are actually reading!

Typing this before I read the next instalment.

Uh, oh. So if the next update is lousy you're outta here?

Bye lurker!

I have thoroughly enjoyed your TR and I am going to read it again(!) I really loved it.

You're going to read it again?!?!?
Really???
You enjoyed it that much???


Holy cow! That just... just... I don't know what to say!
Wow! Thanks for that amazing compliment!

Settling in for the mini TR as I have a great love for Canada,

That's weird! So do I!
We have so much in common!

although I have never been, but I do have family over there,

Where abouts?

who do huff when I end up in WDW instead of Canada

Well, given a choice I'd go to WDW instead of staying here too, so...

(however I do send them a wee message from the Canadian pavilion in Epcot to let them know I think of them when I am at WDW!)

See? It's like you were there.

Anyhoo,
Comfy chair - check
I have my comforter, much needed during summer in Scotland
Nice mug of um, not vodka, but green tea, that makes a good substitute? No? Okay moving on…

Green tea, regular tea, coffee, coke... whatever makes you happy and cozy.

Right, ready to enjoy!

Happy reading!