I will NOT be posting pictures of my colon here.
Sorry.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Disneyland January 2007
Before I begin this post, I first must inflict upon you what I consider the worst picture ever taken of me. The fact that I made this face on purpose doesn't make it any better, in fact I suppose it could even make it worse. The only other photo I can think of that rivals this one in sheer awfulness is one taken several hours after giving birth to Ivy, shortly after I awakened from my c-section. And no, I won't post that picture. As far as I know, every copy of it was destroyed.
So now-behold and admire:
So now-behold and admire:
This little beauty was taken on Saturday January 21 2007. This photo is so awesome that other passengers on board purchased it just because I look so amazingly hideous. Our family delights in making our ride photos really ridiculous and I think I exceeded that goal this time.
So, the trip: Ivy, my mom and I spent the last three days at Disneyland, having quite a nice time despite that fact that midway through my mom got word that her cat, Peewee, had died. That put a bit of a damper on things :(
Other than that sad news, it was an almost perfect trip to the D-place. On Friday the park had maybe 20 people in attendance. Unfortunately for us, one of those people (a man who claimed to be recovering from encephalitis) sat next to us on a bench prior to the fireworks display and asked a series of really inappropriate questions ("So, when your husband had cancer, did he have trouble urinating?" "How much are you paying for your hotel room?") To make matters worse, we suffered through this inquisition only to find out the display was cancelled, supposedly due to high winds....it seemed to be a completely calm evening to us. The next night there WAS a bit of wind, but the show went on as scheduled...hmmm....what's up with that?
The purpose of this trip was mostly just to hang out with my mom, who was in LA attending a mediation meeting for her lawsuit against the Los Angeles Transportation Authority. Originally, Eric and Olivia were to attend also. Then Olivia's rehearsal schedule for "Bye Bye Birdie" conflicted in a big way and she decided to stay home. Which of course meant that a parent had to stay home also and Eric kindly volunteered. Before you get all "awww, that Eric-what a guy" on me, Eric only volunteered once he found out we weren't staying at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. If that had been the case, then you bet I would've had to stay home because that hotel is one of Eric's favorite spots on the planet. Since we were merely staying at the Paradise Pier, he gracefully opted out.
Then I almost had to opt out too, because my work rescheduled a City Council/staff retreat and I was strongly encouraged to cancel my trip. I played the pity card and told my boss that we were planning to scatter Doug's ashes at Disneyland. I told her this in front of the whole staff, so that if she denied me she'd look really bad. After a spirited debate as to whether it was legal to spread someones ashes at Disneyland (duh, of course not) and a somewhat scary discussion about what would happen to someone who did such a thing, (legally I mean. Could one be arrested as a potential terrorist? Suppose the ashes were mistake for anthrax or something?) Spiritually, well, there were some who felt that perhaps this was not the most respectful thing to do. Although I understood their point, the bottom line is that these people have no idea how insane my family is.
How insane? Insane enough that we took Doug onto several of his favorite rides (Pirates, Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion) and we even saved a seat for him. What other people thought of this, I have no idea. I myself might've been a little alarmed to see three women get onto Pirates of the Caribbean, debating whether an apparently invisible person should sit on the end, or in the middle. On the Haunted Mansion, my mom and Doug had their own "Doom Buggy" and so no one in my family gets arrested or anything I'll just give you a hint and say that a little bit of Doug will always be in the Haunted Mansion.
Memorable moments of the trip: the aforementioned fireworks - Incredible. Disney fireworks are always cool, but the tribute to the "e-ticket" rides takes it to a whole new level. If you're a die hard Disney fan you will LOVE these fireworks.
As for my required food checklist, I hit them all: frozen banana, Bengal BBQ skewer, mint julep, Dole Whip.
Due to lack of attendees and general good vibes at the park, we didn't find any Disney villains. This was somewhat disappointing but there's always next time.
Ivy and I got hysterical one night trying to change a light bulb in our hotel room. There is no possible way to tell the story and have it be funny to anyone else, so I'll just send this one out to Ivy: it's like waking up to a clown.
Upon our arrival home I announced my plans to build a somewhat scaled-down version of the Storybook Boats in our future home, whenever we buy one, that is. The response was underwhelming, but I'm serious about it.
All in all a good time for the three of us "older girls." It would've been more fun if Oli and Eric could've joined us. We will do a more dignified scattering of ashes here at the Marine Reserve when the whole family can be there.
Next time you go to Disneyland, take a little visit to the Walt and Mickey statue at the center of Main Street USA and say hi to Doug. Because there just might be a little bit of him there too.
So, the trip: Ivy, my mom and I spent the last three days at Disneyland, having quite a nice time despite that fact that midway through my mom got word that her cat, Peewee, had died. That put a bit of a damper on things :(
Other than that sad news, it was an almost perfect trip to the D-place. On Friday the park had maybe 20 people in attendance. Unfortunately for us, one of those people (a man who claimed to be recovering from encephalitis) sat next to us on a bench prior to the fireworks display and asked a series of really inappropriate questions ("So, when your husband had cancer, did he have trouble urinating?" "How much are you paying for your hotel room?") To make matters worse, we suffered through this inquisition only to find out the display was cancelled, supposedly due to high winds....it seemed to be a completely calm evening to us. The next night there WAS a bit of wind, but the show went on as scheduled...hmmm....what's up with that?
The purpose of this trip was mostly just to hang out with my mom, who was in LA attending a mediation meeting for her lawsuit against the Los Angeles Transportation Authority. Originally, Eric and Olivia were to attend also. Then Olivia's rehearsal schedule for "Bye Bye Birdie" conflicted in a big way and she decided to stay home. Which of course meant that a parent had to stay home also and Eric kindly volunteered. Before you get all "awww, that Eric-what a guy" on me, Eric only volunteered once he found out we weren't staying at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. If that had been the case, then you bet I would've had to stay home because that hotel is one of Eric's favorite spots on the planet. Since we were merely staying at the Paradise Pier, he gracefully opted out.
Then I almost had to opt out too, because my work rescheduled a City Council/staff retreat and I was strongly encouraged to cancel my trip. I played the pity card and told my boss that we were planning to scatter Doug's ashes at Disneyland. I told her this in front of the whole staff, so that if she denied me she'd look really bad. After a spirited debate as to whether it was legal to spread someones ashes at Disneyland (duh, of course not) and a somewhat scary discussion about what would happen to someone who did such a thing, (legally I mean. Could one be arrested as a potential terrorist? Suppose the ashes were mistake for anthrax or something?) Spiritually, well, there were some who felt that perhaps this was not the most respectful thing to do. Although I understood their point, the bottom line is that these people have no idea how insane my family is.
How insane? Insane enough that we took Doug onto several of his favorite rides (Pirates, Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion) and we even saved a seat for him. What other people thought of this, I have no idea. I myself might've been a little alarmed to see three women get onto Pirates of the Caribbean, debating whether an apparently invisible person should sit on the end, or in the middle. On the Haunted Mansion, my mom and Doug had their own "Doom Buggy" and so no one in my family gets arrested or anything I'll just give you a hint and say that a little bit of Doug will always be in the Haunted Mansion.
Memorable moments of the trip: the aforementioned fireworks - Incredible. Disney fireworks are always cool, but the tribute to the "e-ticket" rides takes it to a whole new level. If you're a die hard Disney fan you will LOVE these fireworks.
As for my required food checklist, I hit them all: frozen banana, Bengal BBQ skewer, mint julep, Dole Whip.
Due to lack of attendees and general good vibes at the park, we didn't find any Disney villains. This was somewhat disappointing but there's always next time.
Ivy and I got hysterical one night trying to change a light bulb in our hotel room. There is no possible way to tell the story and have it be funny to anyone else, so I'll just send this one out to Ivy: it's like waking up to a clown.
Upon our arrival home I announced my plans to build a somewhat scaled-down version of the Storybook Boats in our future home, whenever we buy one, that is. The response was underwhelming, but I'm serious about it.
All in all a good time for the three of us "older girls." It would've been more fun if Oli and Eric could've joined us. We will do a more dignified scattering of ashes here at the Marine Reserve when the whole family can be there.
Next time you go to Disneyland, take a little visit to the Walt and Mickey statue at the center of Main Street USA and say hi to Doug. Because there just might be a little bit of him there too.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Ivy's Latest Acting Gig
Once upon a time, Ivy couldn't shake her cutesy image in theatre. She has over the years played parts such as Shirley Temple, Peter Pan, and Duffy the spunky orphan in "Annie".
But a strange thing happened when she hit (appropriately enough I suppose) 18. Suddenly she was playing roles like Abigail Williams in "The Crucible", and Eponine in "Les Mis." (okay technically I guess you could call Eponine spunky, but she IS a tragic character who dies in the arms of her unrequited love.)
Now we have Ivy, the college years. As previously discussed, Ivy has taken on a number of unusual roles in college. She's appeared on stage in a dog collar and a burka. She's played a topless butch lesbian, a rebel opposed to plastic surgery. In short, she has taken on some really challenging parts in the last few years, and I believe has now completely shed her "good girl" image.
I believe this based upon the following casting news. Today, Ivy calls and excitedly tells me she has been cast in another show at UCSC. The show?
"The Vagina Monologues."
But a strange thing happened when she hit (appropriately enough I suppose) 18. Suddenly she was playing roles like Abigail Williams in "The Crucible", and Eponine in "Les Mis." (okay technically I guess you could call Eponine spunky, but she IS a tragic character who dies in the arms of her unrequited love.)
Now we have Ivy, the college years. As previously discussed, Ivy has taken on a number of unusual roles in college. She's appeared on stage in a dog collar and a burka. She's played a topless butch lesbian, a rebel opposed to plastic surgery. In short, she has taken on some really challenging parts in the last few years, and I believe has now completely shed her "good girl" image.
I believe this based upon the following casting news. Today, Ivy calls and excitedly tells me she has been cast in another show at UCSC. The show?
"The Vagina Monologues."
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