As I wrote this morning, we got to spend some time in our new hotel – well, our old hotel. And Steph was able to join us around noon. We decided to head off to the Magic Kingdom so Judi could wear her Minnie Mouse ears and get her photo taken with the REAL love of her life (more than Paul McGann, more than Takeshi Kaga) — Mickey Mouse! Well, by the time we’d arrived, there were already over 60,000 people in da ‘dom. So we were turned away. We decided to go to Disney’s Animal Kingdom since only Steph had been there before.

We got in the line for the Kilamanjaro Safari almost immediately. The line was at the 2 hour long bit and was going to stop at 4:30pm (due to the early setting sun) so we figured, what the hell. The Safari’s the most important bit of the Animal Kingdom and we hadn’t talked with Steph in ages. So we spent 2 hours slowly walking around lots of turns with lots of people (some of them almost becoming fast friends by the end of the trip) talking with each other. It was a very pleasant 2 hours. Lovely balmy weather, great conversation, and good friends. Can’t ask for much more.

Once we finally got in our tour jeep, we found ourselves in the front row. Our tour guide was very friendly and energetic and often spoke to us off the mic. And the animals – geez, you’d’ve thought they were paid to come out at each showing. We got to see all of the animals and everyone was showing off, except the cheetah, who was sleeping. And they had Lions! No black lions, like my Leo, but a lion and his lioness (or is that backwards?) The lioness was staring down a gazelle (or something antelopish) but couldn’t get to it thanks to the moat between them.

We left the safari and to (a) celebrate our successful capture of poachers on our safar and (b) to spend some of the birthday money that the ‘rents gave me, I bought an Aussie-style Bush hat, with several pins in front. Alas, I didn’t check the size before grabbing one eagerly and ended up with an XL. But it still looks cool and I’ll probably not wear it a lot. But I have some teddy bears at home that would look very stylish with that hat on. So, thanks mom & dad for my new hat! Maybe tomorrow I can upload the photos of me in my new hat!

On our way to see the Bug movie, we went to Flights of Wonder, a bird demonstration show. And we saw some pretty well trained birds. They flew over the audience, talked to us, stole money from some lady in the audience, and other cool things. The two “actors” on stage were very entertaining. They even brought out a bald eagle (no longer on the endangered species list – woohoo!) I was quite impressed with the whole production.

We headed off to see The Hard Life of Bugs or whatever that 3D (4D?) movie is called. I was impressed that I didn’t get ill with the 3D glasses. And damn, if there weren’t some impressive shocks in the production. Watch out for stinging insects! Steph and I were bad girls and kept our 3D glasses. They make great Physics demos!

So we wandered around Animal Kingdom for awhile, looking at the dinos and whatnot, and then we figured that, as it was 6pm, we should head back to Epcot to get on the freebie shuttle back to the hotel. This we did, and by 7pm we were on the bus on our way back to the hotel. Ours was the second stop, and we got in and rested up just a bit before we headed to Angels seafood buffet. Why this place you ask? Well, our cabby who took us from the airport to our hotel told us about the place. He said they had lobster and steak and crab legs on the buffet and that the food was very good.

Well, we had the front desk call Mario and ask for transport. Then we sat outside and waited. Eventually a Liberty Transit cab pulled up. But Mario’s company doesn’t have cabs, just unmarked cars. The driver in the cab was there to pick up someone who wanted to go to Econo Lodge. Not us. But then he said he could take us to our destination. He tried to prove that he knew Mario and that Mario was busy and said he could do that job. So we eventually acquiesced and went along. Now, the restaurant isn’t very far – we could probably walk it if we hadn’t walked all day. And the asshole tried to charge us $8. We talked him down to $6 and got in.

We had a further 20 minutes to go before we could be seated (we called ahead and got our name on the waiting list) so Judi and I played a game of air hockey in the hotel arcade. When the score was 2 to 5 (with me in the lead) Judi passed off to Steph. Steph then held her own until it was 6 to 6. But in a lucky break, I got the puck in under her superb defenses. Go me!

They soon seated us in the restaurant and Adam, our waiter, explained the rules of the game. We once again got in line, this time NOT a 2 hour wait, and got lots of food. Sushi, which I ate while in line, rolls, baked scallops, shrimp scampi pasta, breaded fried shrimp, fried clams, hushpuppies, steak and prime rib, crab legs, and lobster. And that’s just what I got. We ate and ate and Adam showed us how to crack lobster (and promptly sprayed Steph with the juices from Judi’s lobster) and then we ate some more. And when we were done with the real food, we had dessert. Pecan pie (nowhere near as good as mom’s), chocolate chip and sugar cookies, chocolate & vanilla soft serve and others. The vanilla soft serve and the cookies were the best of the desserts. Good eats all around. And the final tally after coupons, taxes, and tip (for Adam, whom we also recommended for employee of the month) was $30 a person. After not eating since breakfast some 11 hours earlier, this was indeed a meal and a half.

We called for another transport from Mario only to have our friendly neighborhood charlatan arrive. And soon another transport arrived – it was either one of the charlatan’s friends, or Mario really did send him. He also charged $6.

So we got back to our room and have been vegging ever since. Elsa upgraded Judi’s computer memory, I downloaded photos from all 3 cameras, and we all vegged. Now everyone’s waiting for me to get off and go to bed. So that’s what I’ll do.

I know what you’re thinking… Surely you’ve had a room since yesterday. But, alas, that was not the case. Let me tell y’all a story. Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin.

Yesterday around 11am, Judi, Elsa, and myself arrived at the Rennaissance Worldgate Hotel in Kissimee. We were informed that our room wasn’t ready since check in wasn’t until 4pm. No problem, we thought, we just had lunch in the hotel restaurant (with a very accomodating barmaid/waitress/bon vivant) then we’ll catch Return of the King at Downtown Disney.

Return of the King was, as many have said and/or intimated, fantastic. Even Judi, who wasn’t looking forward to seeing the movie, enjoyed it as much as Elsa and I. Once again, I see the purchase of 6 DVDs in my future, just as I had with the first two flicks.

After the show, we wandered around Downtown looking for a place to eat. When the crab place had a 2 hour waiting list, we decided it was time to call for our cab to get back.

Now, lemme explain the cab situation. This hotel has a deal with a local transport company to take people to various places for a set fee. The hotel gets some of the money, the transport people the other money. And sometimes it works out cheaper than a real taxi. So we’d paid our “downpayment” for our trip there and back again. Only when our driver said he’d be there to pick us up in front of the McDonald’s clock tower (spooky, I know), he wasn’t. So we opted on a real cab. What with traffic as it was, the cost was more than we’d’ve had to pay with the original travel service. Alas, one learns often at the expense of, well, expense.

So we finally get to the hotel to find out there’s been an “explosion.” Thankfully, not an Orange Alert explosion, but a waterpipe bursting and ruining 3 floors. And so those of us who checked in late got screwed, er, got sent to the Marriott World Something, one humongous hotel with very soft beds, but $10 T1 connection and $15 and HOUR wireless. That sucked. (But the beds were nice). Of course, it took them over 35 minutes to get a transport over to take us *to* the Marriott.

This morning, we called our proper hotel about whether they can take us or not. They said yes and to take a cab and they’d reimburse us. Hmmm, I still have yet to see my $16 back.

So we got here and once again, were shooed aside. (And they had the biggest problem finding my name in the computer. Um, we prepaid, you lousy sons of… well… You know.) But we got a free breakfast today and tokens for a free breakfast tomorrow, so that pacified us, some. (My first time having cream of wheat – not too shabby. Very good for the alaying of trina’s frayed nerves.)

While Judi and Elsa talked at the breakfast table, I went back to the desk and this time finally got us a room. Yay! We’re on the 3rd floor with a view overlooking the fountains and parking lot. Not too shabby. Alas, no T1 line connection in the room! So I didn’t need to bring my laptop. Bugger. I wish they’d update their website. The *only* reason I bothered with the laptop was because it said T1 connections in the room. There’s Wireless, instead. Elsa & Judi have wireless NICs. I, alas, do not. So I’m typing this on Judi’s computer while she listens to my Christmas present (coincidentally, from her) on the Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack on my computer.

We’ve heard from Steph that she’s here in Orlando and slowly making her way to the hotel. And when she arrives, hopefully we can go to the Disney campus!

Thanks to the Big Finish audio Zagreus, I shall never be able to think of Walt Disney and or his “offspring” without thinking of Uncle Winky. But anyhoo, tomorrow the girls and I will be going doon sooth to see Walt Disney World and other fun theme parks. Should be a delightful time! And the weather’s looking nice.

I’m currently in the transition between Christmas time and the bit that comes after. So I still have my Sylv & Sophie desktop wallpaper and Christmas theme going, but I’m now listening to nonChristmas music on MusicMatch. (Started back to listening to all of my stuff from start to finish. As you can see from the “current music” listing below, I’m up to the M’s.)

One thing I really won’t get done before my trip is updating my website. I do have an idea of what to do on the main page, but I’ll wait until next Sunday to work on it.

ElsaF will be driving down later today to join me. And tomorrow morning (oily, oily in the morning) mom will drive us to the airport. (Elsa found it cheaper to drive to Dayton and fly out with me than to get a flight from Detroit.) Judiang will also be flying down from the Windy City and we’ll meet her at the airport. Then it’s onto our hotel and time for fun, fun, fun! And just to make things even more fun. Steph will be joining us the next day to spend some time with us. Looking forward to seeing her again.

We’re going to be rather geeky cuz each of us will be bringing her laptop (and I wouldn’t be surprised if Steph brings hers either). I wasn’t going to, but hey, if you’re a geek, you might as well prove it! 🙂

So, if the hotel didn’t lie about there being T1 lines available, I ought to be able to keep the journal up to date. (Hopefully more up to date than I have recently. Still, I’m doing a lot better than I suspected that I would!)

Hope y’all have as fun this New Years time as I intend to be having. And if you lot at home have even half as much fun as the girls and I have, then we’ll have had twice as much fun as you. 😉

Hooray for Christmas! “Merry Christmas, Gimme Presents!” as Animal is wont to say.

Today was a great day. Amy spent the night with me (as per a tradition we’ve had since we separated into our own bedrooms as kids). And last night we watched A Muppet Family Christmas. This morning, I woke up early in order to call a friend in England. We opened presents over the phone and it turns out Dave got me the “Songs from the Street” collection (35 years of Sesame Street music). Woohoo! Also winging its way to the US is seasons 4&5 of The Tomorrow People DVDs. A lovely start to the day! (For him it was nearing lunch time and he and his housemates were cooking the turkey – doncha just love time zones!)

By the time I was done, Amy was moving and ready to head next door. But I’d yet to have my bath. So she had to wait a bit. But soon I was ready and she grabbed her stuff and my sack o’ presents and I grabbed Leo. He protested some, but once he got to mom & dad’s (next door) he was ready to explore. And they have STAIRS! (The only stairs I have are to the basement and I don’t let him there. I’m afraid he’d collect all the dust bunnies down there and weigh 400lbs.)

Once we were there, Amy and I got to check out our stockings. Santa brought us a number of nice things – including a tire pressure gauge! (Long story…) We then had breakfast – sour dough coffee cake, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Everyone else had coffee (one of many beverages that I just don’t understand… Tea and alcohol are two others…)

After breakfast, it was time to open presents! It was the bestest Christmas ever! Lots of cool things. From Amy, I got a framed poster of Eric Idle’s Greedy Bastard Tour (which she “liberated” for me) and two pairs of socks (one smiley face, one with cards). I also a pair of photos of Amy & Rachel from the two of ’em – and was so touched, I cried. (They’re really cool photos – they used ’em on their engagement announcements.) Rachel had sent along a set of hot cocoa mixes from Starbucks (and with the staff discount she gets, they were “thrifty” presents! Yay!)

From the parents, I received quite a few lovely gifts. Not sure I’ll remember ’em all, but I’ll get as many out as I can. Several nice outfits for school and two casual shirts. A Santa Claus nutcracker (I have a nice collection of nutcrackers). A 2-quart Calphalon chef’s pan w/ lid. Pretzels (we’re talking LOTS of ’em) and two types of cool pretzel dip (one was raspberry, wasabi, and mustard). A 14-in-1 wooden game set. The latest Terry Pratchett novel. A cookbook on recipes for 1 person (woohoo!).

The gifts I got for people were also well-received. Amy got a $30 gift certificate to the Guthrie Theatre and some MrBeer bottles and a MrBeer funnel & strainer (which were shipped to her apartment) – I’d made fake labels and stuck ’em on an empty bottle and wrapped that in lieu of the actual bottles & funnel. Mom got Cooking Thin with Chef Kathleen (Kathleen Daelemans) and Nocturnal Admissions (from the Sunday Night Sex Show). And dad got two Blue Man Group CDs and the Stomp Out Loud DVD. Mom & Dad both got things that I want to borrow from them. 🙂 Leo, meanwhile, got a new toy (fun thing where he can get frustrated trying to catch a mouse that moves away from him) and a window perch.

After the presents, it was time for lunch. Mom made chicken casserole and we had it with cottage cheese, green beans, and “real” cranberry sauce (you know, the kind from the can). Leo ate some casserole and cottage cheese. It was very delicious! And everyone gets leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

The rest of the day was just time for conversations, games (we played the Pachisi and Mancala games from my 14-in-one pack) and another Star Wars movie (Return of the Jedi). Supper was an assortment of cheeses & cheese spreads, ham & summer sausage, wine (or Sierra Mist for trinas), and other cold finger foods. We toasted to family and later to the new year. Mom got to use her new wine glasses (and the wine glass markers I’d bought for her birthday).

The final adventure for the evening was another hand massage and waxing and helping Amy pack up her luggage. She’d packed a duffel bag in with her luggage cuz she knew she’d be bringing more stuff home than she brought. And that was indeed the case. So she’ll leave with 2 checked pieces. And tomorrow morning dad & I will take her to the airport – and soon she & Rachel will be together again! Yay! (*sniff* for us, however – no more Amy in person!)

So all in all, a lovely day! Hope everyone who celebrated Christmas today had one even half as lovely as we did!

I know, for some folks right now, it is Christmas day. For others, it shall soon be. Currently, my sister’s talking to Rachel (probably with some good Starbucks’ customer stories from the laughs I’ve heard), so I had a chance to come and write.

We went off to Granny’s tonight for the Short gathering. Alas, Bill & his crew (which includes Brandi) couldn’t attend tonight. So it was Granny, Becky, Deanna (Becky’s youngest), Dean (Deanna’s dad), Mick (Becky’s oldest), Joy (his wife), Taylor & Sydney (their little ones), and us. It was fun conversationally, as to be expected. And both Mick & Joy congratulated Amy on her engagement – yay!

In the gift exchange, Becky had my name and since I’d included toys in my list, that’s what I got. Some Harry Potter Lego and some K’nex (the little kids version – with cool eyeballs!) Poor mom got a lovely sweater – which Cali (the little calico kitten) promptly peed on. And also a Rubick’s Cube. However, she’d asked for Rummikub… (I’d *wondered* why Deanna had asked me where she could find a Rubick’s Cube…) They’ll get that all sorted out soon, I’m sure. 🙂

Amy got the gift I am most envious for – Muppet Monopoly! She hadn’t gotten a wish list out to folks, so Joy had found that and figured she’d enjoy it. And I know she and her friends will love it. But how will I find a way to keep it here instead? Hmmmm… I’m sure Pepe would have a plan!

So it will soon be Christmas morning! Joy joy! I hope everyone loves the pressies I got them! (The good news it that I like them, at least, so if they don’t I’ll make sure they don’t go to waste!) Perhaps tomorrow night I’ll have an update on everything.

Still no White Christmas, but hey, I’ll have fun no matter the weather! *hugs* to everyone who wants one and HAPPY CHRISTMAS and MERRY NEW YEAR!

Mom, Amy & I had something of a girly night tonight. I’m not terribly experienced with girly nights, but I had fun tonight. Firstly, mother queried Amy on wedding details (many of them that Amy & Rachel have yet to decide), but it was fun supposing. The topper of the evening, however, were the hand massages and paraffin dip.

Mom got a paraffin dipper last year for Christmas, but I never got a chance to use it before it blew up. So when dad got mom a replacement one for her birthday this year, I showed my enthusiasm for trying such a thing. So tonight we got to do it.

First, mom massaged our hands and used oil & hand cream while she did so. (My hands were so dry, it nearly “sucked” up all the oil.) Then I dipped my hand in the warm wax 4 times. She then put my hand in a long plastic bag, then stuck an oven mitt over it. We repeated this for the other hand. Amy was treated next (using towels instead of oven mitts, as mom only had a pair). Then mom did herself.

With our hands now thoroughly warm and relaxed, we went into mom’s TV room to watch Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. This was only the second time I’ve seen the show. It’s fun, but I’ve yet to commit to finding out when and where it airs. After awhile, mom peeled herself out of the bags, then did me and then did Amy.

My hands feel so soft and still are warm, even an hour later. I see now why people get manicures and things. (No fingernail polish for me, however. I chew my nails and don’t wish to stop.) So a pleasant evening spent with the girls. 🙂

TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS EVE! Alas, it’s not yet snowing…

Mom, Amy, and I love to play card games. Dad, OTOH, was raised by militant card players and thus hates all forms of games and competitions. (Oddly enough, his sister, Becky, loves card games as much as the three of us do.) However, when we were kids and would go on vacation, the four of us would play euchre. The only card game that dad can even barely stand to play. Mom always refused to be his partner because he does things like trump his partner’s ace and call it on a Jack and a 9. So I’ve always been his partner.

Well, after years of this, and after years of playing Stick the Dealer (which my family had never heard of until tonight), I’ve gotten a little bolder with my plays. And tonight mom convinced dad that we could play another game of euchre. So dad and I sat across from each other and KICKED ASS! There was even a time when dad was actually enjoying the game cuz I’d call it on an ace and a nine and we’d still get our 3 tricks. He even was once dealt a loner, but played it out normally cuz he doesn’t like to play alone and prefers to socialize.

He was happy, however, when Rachel called toward the end of the game, which meant that we’d probably not be playing a second game. So after our 10:6 win, Amy called Rachel back for an hour’s phone call and dad and I watched Monster Garage.

All in all, a lovely evening.

Oh, and did I say we KICKED ASS at euchre?

(As an aside, I’ve since found I prefer bid euchre to regular euchre, which is what my family plays. On Friday, our last day of school before Christmas break, that’s all I did was play euchre. Had the most impressive loss of my euchre-playing with a -44 to 7. But I think we’d’ve caught up if we’d not run out of time!)

I am currently listening to song #766 on my Xmas MP3 playlist. That is, the last of the songs. Wow – I got through them all before Christmas!

Guess I can shuffle the playlist and begin again. 🙂

Today we had the Andersons over for the family Christmas celebration. Mom made Gramma’s noodles and some smashed taters (with sour cream added), plus had earlier made pickled eggs (another Gramma recipe). Amy and mom made banana salad (one of Aunt Mary’s recipes). Dad came over to my place (next door, see) to bake the ham. I made dezert and cheeseball (the type like I made at Thanksgiving). And at 2pm, we sat to await the family.

There are some things one can count on when the Andersons come. Uncle Bob & Aunt Madeline usually arrive early. Uncle Doug & Aunt Charlene always arrive late. Cousin Patty and Cousin Gregg (Doug’s kids) are usually even later than Doug. Cousin Shelly (Bob’s girl) & Brett have the two little ones (Mallory & Brooke) in tow, so it really matters on the kids on when they’ll get there.

Well, the gathering was scheduled for 2pm. And since no one had yet arrived, we began to fear that maybe folks thought it was Sunday. (Well, no one really thought that, but we did joke about it.) And shortly after 2, the first guests arrived. And to the shock of everyone, including himself, Uncle Doug was first! He and Charlene were astounded that they were first. Lots of hugs were shared and we heated up the bean greens that Charlene had brought. Plus she had Chex Mix – yum!

Turns out Shelly & co had arrived at Bob’s earlier that day and everyone was going to head over after that. And they were there by 2:30. Mallory & Brooke had asked before hand to get clear on who was who (we usually see them once, sometimes twice, a year). And they got my name right, at least. It was lovely to see them all again. Madeline brought a decadent chocolate cake and some crackers for Patty’s radish dip (that had yet to arrive).

Patty was there shortly afterwards, with said dip. She’d hollowed out a red cabbage for the dip and that was a hit for the day. Dad said the prayer (amidst arguments on whether God was watching us or not – long story) and we all ate. And sure enough, by the time we were all seated (in the dining room, kitchen, and living room) Gregg arrived.

The food was wonderful and I ate far too much. Then we sat and talked for hours. Eventually, I passed out presents wearing the Santa cap & reindeer cap that the girls had brought. (I like to be thorough.) Once things were winding down, I escorted people next door to see my newly (well, before last Christmas, actually) remodeled kitchen. Folks seemed to like it. Then everyone headed home and by 6:30, we were just the four of us again.

The day was very fun, but unfortunately, that was tempered by the fact that no one commented to Amy about her engagement. Normally when someone in the family is engaged, that’s the main talk of the next family gathering (at least, that’s what I always thought was the case). Alas, that was not this case. In fact, in the Anderson family, the only one who really seems pleased is mom’s Cousin Lynelle. When she got Amy’s pre-announcement (to get the news and general date out to folks) she cried. And every time, she says, that she thinks about it, she gets teary eyed. She’s truly happy for Amy getting married. She is, however, a shut-in and won’t be able to attend. 🙁

Although the lack of discussion bummed (or angered) us (poor Amy cried) out, we figure that for most of the folks, they probably just don’t know what to think about it, let alone say. I, for one, am thrilled at Amy and Rachel getting hitched. Heck, I’ll even go to Minnesota in August, that’s how happy I am about it. 🙂 But for us, Amy being Lesbian is normal. I think for many of the Andersons, it’s still something alien. So we’re disappointed in the lack of “congratulations” or wedding discussions, but we do understand why there was none of it.

It’ll be interesting to see if this is echoed at the Short gathering this Christmas Eve. I’d like to think that it won’t be, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough!

I love my local auto service shop. First, they’re just 2 blocks away from my house (convenient). Second, they’re very knowledgeable (loads of certification in just about anything auto related, including hybrids). Third, they’re no more expensive than anyone else around (and the Newton Spirit Card has a $5 off oil change coupon – woohoo!) Fourth, they’re darned nice (they offer to drive me into school when I drop my car off in the morning on the way to work – unless it’s raining, I usually thank them and refuse). Fifth, if they find something majorly wrong during a routine check, they’ll let me know and what the cost will be, and why I might want (or not want) to go through with it.

Well, today, I got one of those calls, alas. Turns out her cooling system’s been leaking. She’s a 10 year old Shadow and still had her original tubes etc. Plus the battery was low and might have trouble starting in cold weather. (Hmmm, it’s winter.) So, I told them to go ahead with the (gah) $480 worth of fixes. The good news is that, in the 10 years I’ve had her, this year has been the first with any real maintenance costs. Earlier this year was a $600+ charge for some other fixes (she still had her original spark plugs too!) Actually, I don’t think $1000 will be too much of an investment (probably not the best word there) if this keeps her going for another 10 years. They assured me that this really ought to be the last big charge she’ll cost me for awhile. And as the boys know their stuff, I’ll believe ’em.

But the good news is that, if poor Miriam (yes, I name my cars) does eventually pass on and I need to buy a new car, they’ll be able to take care of her, too. Especially as I’m most probably going to get a hybrid when I next purchase a car.

So, it’s the Christmas season and I’ve spent money on presents (which I love doing). And I’m waiting on my car insurance bill to arrive. And I recently had a roof replaced on my house and garage and paid that on an interest free credit card. And now I have this car repair to pay for. Damn, I’m glad I’ve (a) got credit cards and (b) have money in savings. Of course, that money in savings is going bye-bye. But I suppose that’s what savings is for – when things pop up like a tree falling on your roof or your car needing new tubing.

On the more plus side of things, I’ve wrapped most of the presents I’m giving out this Christmas. I still have things to do WRT the family cookbook. I promised updates at last year’s Christmas gatherings, but I’ve been putting it off. I’ll come up with *something* for Saturday, I’m sure.

And on the very plus side of things – tomorrow Amy’s coming home! YAY! We pick her up at the airport at 8:30pm. She’ll be in town until December 26th. So it’s a short visit, but we’ll get the most out of it as we can. The Anderson Christmas gathering is this Saturday. The Short’s always gather on Christmas Eve. And of course, we open presents on Christmas Day. 🙂 (Even *Leo* gets to come over to the folks’ house on Christmas Day.)