Canadian Buffoon's Sweet 16 Celebration - Update 01/28 - The End

Man, what a great place for an animal lover. Love Love Love those pics!

She was in absolute heaven.
I think you can see that
from the expressions
on her face. :goodvibes


now for my guesses:

6:30 am
security was average
flight was ontime
Harley Davidson shirt and chip
the beach is a tough one, thinking santa monica
I think you saw Thor and it goes with my previous post
5 seconds looking at the Hollywood sign
you're in LA ya gotta have real Mexican food (el Tiipiac's I hope)
thinking she picked books (my kids have done that and so have I especially at D23)

All noted!
(But you missed #7, burger place.)
Got your PM, too!
 
I concur with your fascination. Actually, I have never seen a cactus (outside of the little ones you can buy in a pot at the Walmart). To see one "in real life" would be cool.

First ones I can recall seeing.
At least up that close.
I remember seeing some
from the bus outside
of Vegas.

Doesn't count, though.


I don't know that I've seen a real gun (well, outside of a hunting rifle - I don't hunt, but have seen them). I don't recall seeing many handguns actually on a person. I remember many years ago being in Houston (for work training) and going to a Walmart. Just for giggles I went to the outdoor/sports department. Needless to say the display case with the massive selection of handguns made an impression...

And doesn't that just boggle the mind?
Walmart????


I don't remember the exact details but I do recall commercials - I think it was Nike - with Bo. Didn't he play both baseball and football or something?

Good memory.
Right on all counts.


I can imagine me trying to ride like that. Well, in reality I'm sure it would be a picture of me slowly sliding off the saddle into a Teddy Bear cactus.

:laughing:

And... ouch!

You know, despite having a geology degree, I would have to use google for that too. I didn't say I was a good geologist. I just have the paper to hang on the wall.

:lmao:

As much as I enjoy bacon, I don't know if I would have tried it. I haven't tried the candied bacon or bacon in cupcakes that seems to be popular now. I guess I just prefer bacon with eggs.

Dude.
Do yourself a favour.
Try the candied bacon.

It'll change your life.


1. 5:20am
2. fast
3. on time
4. poker chip
5. Hermosa (no idea really, just a guess)
6. Wolverine
7. Slater's 50/50
8. 1-5 seconds
9. Chinese
10. clothes

All noted!
Got your PM, too!
 
Ah yes, Ally wanted to do that because I want to go but I wanted to spend 7 days there as I haven't been to WDW in about 10 years. Hopefully, we will go just before or after Galaxy's Edge opens.

Okay, good to know
I'm not going nuts.

Well.... not about that
anyways.


They have a farm about 3 hours from Vancouver that has some as well! They also have those baby kangaroo things...ummmm nope not coming to me. Just want to call them budgies but I know thats a bird.

Wallabies?

And...
You mean I didn't have
to go to Phoenix to see them?????

:faint:
 


Not as of yet; interesting plot line though.

I'm reading it (again) right now.

But I do know enough actual history to confidently say that no one’s good ol’ days were the panacea their selective memories make them out to be.

Always looks better
through a window of time.


And I appreciate the sentiment.

There are many levels of Friend, and I find the word to be lacking in clarity.
There are folks you know, folks that you work with, folks that you hang around with, folks that you trust, folks that you know would defy their own self-interest if they though you needed their help…

Close friends are hard to come by and I don’t give out that distinction easily or quickly. Truth is I’m probably closer to a few folks around here (that I only speak to via the typed word) than any of the folks that are near me. I’ve had a couple close friends in my life, but have lost all of them through relocation or their passing. Of the people around me that might at one time have come close to that distinction (apart from some family and my wife of course) I don’t know that I could actually trust any of them. Certainly not any more.

I would say that I haven't had
a close friend since.... school.
And even then...

But!
I have met some wonderful
people through this forum
and for that I am very grateful.

Would I run to your house
if you skin your knee?
Well... No. You're a tad far.

But I will think about you,
pray for you, if you prefer,
or simply offer a word of
encouragement.

And I will be genuinely concerned.

Case in point,
there are a few DISers
whom I've followed
or have followed me
over the years.
Every time one disappears
(it happens)
I am worried.

Every. Time.


There’s always a ballot.
There may only be one candidate on it, or the process may be rigged to ensure a specific outcome…
but there’s always a ballot to add that gilded illusion of legitimacy.

What if the ballot
is at the end of a bayonet?


Why not…
Calling it Polenta hasn’t works yet, let’s go with French to “class it up” a bit.
Or maybe Russian for the exotic
Any one up for a nice bole of Kukuruza?

Mmmmm.... popcorn...

ch01-jpg.277447

Ah yes. That does ring a bell.

Give it time.

(assuming that neither a volcanic nor a nuclear winter pops up to “cool” things back down, of course)

You saw the latest
on Yellowstone?


I’d have been compelled to ask.
Can’t say as I’ve ever come across that moniker under any other context.

I think I was going to,
then we just moved on
and I eventually forgot
to ask about it.

But... what else could it stand for???


Wonder how many of the pups out there following along have a clue as to what we’re on about here?

Oh, tons!
Almost all of them!

Well, some of them.


A few, at least.


Okay, none.


Were I him (lord, that’s a monumentally improbably thought)…
I’d have stuck to only one and taken the diamond over the gridiron.
He’d have made near as much per annum and probably played for years.

::yes:: I remember thinking exactly that.
Play football...
Maybe last 2-3 years.
Or play baseball...
for 10-15.


Sarge knew that she out ranked him and figured he’d best follow orders.
Of course, being a Bilko, he should’a come up with some kind of scam to get around it.

:laughing: ::yes::

The one we visited was actually in Colorado, but I’ll take the blame for it
(as I’m blamed for most mishaps in the first place, it’s just simpler that way)).

Makes it easier that way.

Much to the delight of true comedy fans.

(nice cross-reference there, by the way)

Try the veal.

Also makes me think of George Carlin’s take on the commandments.

Dang it!
I know that I've heard that.
I must have!

But just can't remember it.

So I Googled the transcript.
That's funny.

And totally inappropriate here!


One of the better ivory ticklers of the era…

Story?
Do tell.

I was visiting my sister in Toronto.
We were out somewhere, doing something
(details forgotten and unimportant)
when we walked by a bookstore.
I asked if she'd mind if we popped in for a bit.
We walked in and... it was a big store. Two stories.
(I love that a book store can have stories for its stories.)
We were upstairs when we noticed that people
were crowding around the railings and lining the stairs.

What was going on?

We looked over the parapet to the floor below
and saw nothing but a grand piano.
Odd, but…
Moments later, a man walked up to the microphone
beside the piano and announced.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Oscar Peterson!”
(He probably said more, but who cares?)

Oscar Peterson walks over,
sits at the piano and we are treated to near perfection
for the next several minutes.

After, he took some questions from the audience.
One of those questions was something along the lines of
“Is there anything musically that you wish for.”



Know what he said? “I wish I could play the piano.”



Of course everyone politely laughed.
But then he went on to explain
that every piano has its own character.
Its own timber, touch, feel.
He wished that he could walk up to a piano
and know that piano immediately.





Wow. Now that’s a man who has talent… and knows he’s not God.



Actually (assuming we can avert becoming post-apocalyptic), the trick will be figuring out a better battery. Sus that one out and we solve a myriad of problems.

Agreed.

As it happens, The Queen May is a hotel in Long Beach.
Just sayin’…

Queen Mary.
And funny you should mention
that here.
 
you asked...
I'll give 'em up.

A few pictures from the "Chinese Lantern Festival" at the Danial Stowe Botanical Garden.

I won't quote all the photos.
But suffice to say,
I was impressed!

And thank you so much
for sharing them with us!!!



This one, the first photo,
was even more than I expected.
Let alone all the rest that followed.

I was pretty blown away.


(also, please forgive the less then perfect images, I'm not quite up to your standards)

pffft.
Photos were awesome.



I saw this one and
stopped dead in my tracks.

I think I might have exclaimed
"Holy crap!"



Like 'em all,
but this one.

Wow!


Here's a shot of the orchid house (just 'cause I like the way it turned out)

a09-jpg.277459

::yes:: Me too!

when I get back up there, I'll try to do the place more justice then I've accomplished here.

When is that?
You mean next year?
Or??

This may have just gone on
my bucket list.
Just incredible!
 
Would have been too much money and we were saving up for Vegas

As someone recently said to me...

Excuses!


No but he has a Harley and wears their clothes. His bike is Daytona Blue.

Ah!

If it's not obvious I'm opting out of the contest this time. Just want to read without stressing. I'll participate if you do one for your upcoming WDW trip. Where are you staying?

Yup. Kinda figured that out. :)

If I told you where I was staying,
you'd have an advantage
on the next contest.

Oh! That's what you're trying to do!!!
 


Some kind of sports guy hawking sports gear. No idea past that.

Pretty much.
A bit more, but...

Pretty much.


Who doesn't know Duke?

Too many.

LOVED that song

Which version?
Elton John's or The Who's?
(Or both.)


My answers
5 am
Fast security
Flight on time
Chip and shirt
Venice Beach
Wolverine
In N Out
1-5 seconds
Mexican
Book

All noted!


Got it!
 
I'm still waiting for my shout out. :-(

*ETA -- nevermind -- I see you responded already.. Not sure why it didn't alert me. Move along...I'll be sitting in the corner with my dunce cap.
 
Last edited:
side note -- next week I will be attempting the WDW46 challenge (splash will be closed for refurb, so I can't do 47) -- the parks will only be open 13 hours while I attempt this feat. How many rides do you think I will be able to complete?
 
I'm still waiting for my shout out. :-(

*ETA -- nevermind -- I see you responded already.. Not sure why it didn't alert me. Move along...I'll be sitting in the corner with my dunce cap.
:laughing:

I read the first line and was
"Oh crap! How'd I miss.... oh."


side note -- next week I will be attempting the WDW46 challenge (splash will be closed for refurb, so I can't do 47) -- the parks will only be open 13 hours while I attempt this feat. How many rides do you think I will be able to complete?

At least two.
Hmm.... All but three.



Got it.
 
There was something that
I was interested in seeing, though.

The Desert Botanical Garden.

Hey, I've been there! Good choice!

I mentioned it to Kay
who said exactly
what I suspect most
teens would say.

"No."

:sad2:

I pulled over for this next shot.
Like I said. I like cacti.
I guess, being from the North,
I'm not used to seeing them,
so there's a certain... fascination.

I can't blame you there. The saguaro doesn't grow in very many places.

Apparently, this used to be where it was,
but they'd relocated.
She wasn't impressed that
the brochure I had from the airport
(A current one, not an old one)
was less than accurate.

I can see where it might be a problem if your potential guests are going to the wrong address. Just a hunch.

Either that,
or those are the strangest
cows I've ever seen.

I would NOT want to eat those burgers.

After signing the inevitable waivers,
we moseyed over to the barn.
(It's a western. You mosey in westerns.
Sashaying is for them city-folk.)

Makes sense to me.

Kay's horse was called Bilko,
while I rode Beau Soleil,
(French for beautiful sun.
I think they thought it
was spelled "Beautiful Son".)
or Bo for short.

And here I was hoping they'd give you Pale Moon.

Bo knows horse riding.
(Bonus if you get the reference.
Or not. Just let me know.)

Ah, yes. Bo Jackson. Remember when Reebok tried to make Dan and Dave a thing, and it all backfired because one of them didn't make the Olympic team?

I was impressed with how
she rode side saddle so she
could talk to us.

Very impressive!

Eventually, she got tired of riding
side saddle... so she just turned
around... and rode backwards!

:eek:

She made sure that we knew
not to touch anything.
Or in her words,
"Everything in the desert will...
Stick you, prick you, slice you or bite you."

Sounds like Australia. I read a book about it by Bill Bryson once and he basically concluded that everything over there could kill you.

This tourist decided that
'Teddy Bear' sounded nice.
So she petted a branch.

It took Tammy over an hour
to get all the needles out.

:scared1:

Apparently, one time,
when things were mostly brown,
one woman (whom Tammy would only
refer to as "from the East Coast")
told her that they should
fire their landscaper.

:rolleyes:

Those East Coast people. Morons, all of them. :sad2:

We stopped for a bit
and Tammy asked if anyone
wanted their photo taken.
I happily handed her my camera.
Unhappily for you,
you have to look at a photo of moi.

Nice to get a shot of both of you on horseback!:thumbsup2

After we had tamed
(and rode!)
our savage beasts
and stopped walking funny...

silly-walk_zpsf2csgsah.gif

Classic skit. :rotfl2:

So we went to Goldfield,
an honest to goodness
Old West Ghost Town!

Yay!

There wasn't a whole
heck of a lot to see.
A few buildings.
A few shops selling
mostly tourist crap...
And that was about it.

Oh.

That's right...
Fix your shorts.
You don't want them
around your ankles.
You're not a rapper,
for Pete's sakes.

:rotfl2::rotfl2:

Hmmm... Mostly men in that photo.
Odd.

Pure coincidence, I'm sure.


Seems legit.

But for whatever reason,
didn't get one.

Stupid, I know.

I mean....
Bacon? And pop???
How could I not???

They're really testing that whole "bacon makes everything better" deal now. This one feels a little shaky.

We stopped at a Harley Davidson
so I could grab a poker chip
and possibly a T-shirt.

And....

It was closed.

Hmmmm....


Open Sunday until 4pm.
It's... 4:15.


Dang it! Goldfield cost me a chip!

Curse you, stupid tourist trap!

Sure, they have pizza
and other stuff
that's decidedly bad for you
(but oh, so good to eat!)

My kinda place.

But the real star of the show
is the organ.

And what an organ!
The organ sits in a large hall.
The entire hall is one big
musical instrument.

Take a look at the photo below.
Lower center you can see
a fairly elaborate organ
(and organist.)

But look around.
There's a player piano to the right,
Several xylophones on the ceiling.
Drums along the wall.
And pipes, well, everywhere.

Wow. I had no idea this even existed. That certainly is a unique experience.

He started with the national anthems
for both USA and Canada
(which surprised me a little.
But then again, there are so
many Canadians who flee
the cold to Arizona...)

No national anthem jokes....no national anthem jokes...

He told an interesting story
of when he was a sophomore
(That's grade ten apparently,
for my non US readers.)
he met and had lunch with...
Duke Ellington!
Holy crap!
I was pretty impressed.

Extremely impressive!

After a few more songs
and a few more stories,
he played a medley of
Star Wars tunes
and, as the organ spun,
it slowly descended
out of sight.

One of the most bizarre,
yet entertaining,
meals I've had in a while.

That all sounds so weirdly fascinating. Definitely memorable. Also, I'm glad the pizza was good.

A few minutes later,
Kay: 841,440
pkondz: 1,583,000

Nice! In your face, offspring!

Poop. I forgot to fill the tank.
They charged me $15 for five gallons.

:headache:

The end of a very full
and very satisfying day.

Sure sounds like it! I'm glad your daughter was so thrilled with her gift.

Well... except for the poker chip.
And the gas.

Well, you did have pizza and onion rings.

Score
Captain_Oblivious - 260

:eek:

And here I thought I had a crappy round of guesses. Eh, I'm sure it won't last.

1. We have an early flight.
So.... what time do we get up?

6:00 a.m.

2. Security.
Fast? Slow? Average?

Slow.

3. Flight.
On time? Delayed?

On time.

4. LA. Harley Davidson attempt #2.
Nothing? Poker chip? Chip & T-shirt?

You have to get at least one poker chip.

5. Which way to the beach?
We go to one.
Santa Monica? Venice? Hermosa?

Santa Monica seems like the most famous with the pier and whatnot, so I'll go with that.

6. Which Marvel character
(that Kay's in love with)
do we see?
Iron man? Thor? Wolverine?

I dunno. Let me throw a dart at the wall.

The dart says Thor.

7. We go for burgers. Where?
In-N-Out? Shake shack? Slater's 50/50?

Here's a vote for Slater's 50/50, probably more out of nostalgia than anything intelligent.

8. We see the Hollywood sign.
How long do we spend looking?
about: (pick the closest)
1-5 seconds? 1-5 minutes? 1-5 hours?

1-5 seconds. I'm guessing you planned enough to be able to find it.

10. We told Kay we'd pay for
one souvenir. What does she get?
Clothes? Books? Candy?

Clothes.

Bonus: Did you see it?
PM your guess.
Posting will result in deductions.

PM is on the way! I need to get back to you, anyway.
 
Hey, I've been there! Good choice!

I may never know.

Oh, well. The ride was fun.


I can't blame you there. The saguaro doesn't grow in very many places.

Exactly!

I can see where it might be a problem if your potential guests are going to the wrong address. Just a hunch.

Nah. Apparently they'll just call
and make a reservation
for you right on the spot.


I would NOT want to eat those burgers.

I seem to recall reading an article
about some places adding in
horse meat and no one noticed.


And here I was hoping they'd give you Pale Moon.

Hmmmm....
You're going to have to
explain that one.


Ah, yes. Bo Jackson. Remember when Reebok tried to make Dan and Dave a thing, and it all backfired because one of them didn't make the Olympic team?

Nope!
Maybe that was
in the States, only.


Sounds like Australia. I read a book about it by Bill Bryson once and he basically concluded that everything over there could kill you.

::yes::

Those East Coast people. Morons, all of them. :sad2:

I know this one guy.
You wouldn't believe
the stuff he does.

Goes riding in 100 degree heat!


Nice to get a shot of both of you on horseback!:thumbsup2

I believe I said basically
the same thing about you
just a few seconds ago.


Classic skit. :rotfl2:

::yes::

Pure coincidence, I'm sure.

Oh, sure.
And I didn't go up
there myself.

At all.



:rolleyes1

Seems legit.

Succinct.

They're really testing that whole "bacon makes everything better" deal now. This one feels a little shaky.

To be honest,
the reason I didn't get it
was I was afraid I'd hate it
and then still be thirsty...
With nothing to drink.


Curse you, stupid tourist trap!

Foiled again!

My kinda place.

Me too.

Wow. I had no idea this even existed. That certainly is a unique experience.

It was pretty cool
and pretty surprising.


No national anthem jokes....no national anthem jokes...

Go ahead.
I'm curious to see
what you come up with.


Extremely impressive!

Yes!

That all sounds so weirdly fascinating. Definitely memorable. Also, I'm glad the pizza was good.

Pizza was good.
But the show was better.


Nice! In your face, offspring!

Never cut 'em a break.

Sure sounds like it! I'm glad your daughter was so thrilled with her gift.

:goodvibes
I really think she was!

Well, you did have pizza and onion rings.

Good point.


pffffftttttt.....

Sorry.


And here I thought I had a crappy round of guesses. Eh, I'm sure it won't last.

Guess you'll find out...
Next round.


6:00 a.m.

Slow.

On time.

You have to get at least one poker chip.

Santa Monica seems like the most famous with the pier and whatnot, so I'll go with that.

I dunno. Let me throw a dart at the wall.

The dart says Thor.

Here's a vote for Slater's 50/50, probably more out of nostalgia than anything intelligent.

1-5 seconds. I'm guessing you planned enough to be able to find it.

Clothes.

All noted.

PM is on the way! I need to get back to you, anyway.

Standing by...
 

Case in point,
there are a few DISers
whom I've followed
or have followed me
over the years.
Every time one disappears
(it happens)
I am worried.

Every. Time.
I’ve noticed that.
One of the reasons I’m willing to speak up at all ‘round here.
Most places, I just assume I’m not welcome and keep more to myself.


So it’s all your own fault.
I’d start being a mite more selective about who you let in here if I were you.


What if the ballot
is at the end of a bayonet?
Tokens of legitimacy don’t have to be realistic (or even factual) to be accepted.


Ah yes. That does ring a bell.
And getting a bell rung was fairly regular occurrence.


You saw the latest
on Yellowstone?
Yup, I’ve seen a number of pieces on that research.
But all they’re saying is that things, once started, could progress quicker than first thought.
What they not saying is that there’s anything specifically going on right now.

Sooner or later… yes, but not a cause for immediate concern.
(and we couldn’t do anything about it anyway).


I’ve got more of an eye on the fault lines on the Pacific Rim, given the recent activity in Mexico.


Makes it easier that way.
Scapegoats…
They’re what make the world go ‘round.


That's funny.

And totally inappropriate here!
Oh, most certainly
(which is why I only alluded to it).


George was one of my favorite observers.
…Miss him.


Wow. Now that’s a man who has talent… and knows he’s not God.
The actual definition of Role Model.

Great little story, by the way.


Queen Mary.
Yeah, dropped the “r” there and didn’t catch it while editing my work.


And funny you should mention
that here.
Well…
It’s not often that folks specifically mention that they’re planning to stay in Long Beach.

I’d say there’s a goodly percentage who don’t know of the place.
And far more that don’t know what all might be found there.

Me…
I’m not one to miss many opportunities to get aboard a ship.


When is that?
You mean next year?
Or??

This may have just gone on
my bucket list.
Just incredible!
They have different things going on depending on the season and have done similar displays in the fall for a few years now but I’d never got around to checking the place out before now.
I mean, the description belies the experience…

I do want to go back and see the gardens just in their natural state and I’m thinking that this spring might be a good time for it. But then again, they also put on a bit of a soiree for the winter holidays as well. Might be that I ought to go back sooner.
 
She was in absolute heaven.
I think you can see that
from the expressions
on her face. :goodvibes




All noted!
(But you missed #7, burger place.)
Got your PM, too!
For burgers I say (this is tough famous Tommy burgers or in and out)
Hhhmmm I will play it safe and say in and out. (Tommy is amazing tho)
 
I wish you would have had more time out here. A while back I was in Beautiful Downtown Burbank picking up a prize I had won from a radio station and there were folks out front with photographers, hoping it might be a celebrity of some sort went to check it out. Found an amazing young woman with the most beautiful wolf. Yep a real four legged wolf. She ran a wolf rescue in the hills up there. And yes it opens to the public a few days a week. This wolf was posing for pics with folks and Lil miss scarlett was all giggles when it gave us kisses. Amazing since she is usually afraid of just about everything. I bet Kayak would have enjoyed the place
 

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