Satisfied

Puerto Rico Trip

Day 2

January 19, 2019

I woke up first this morning, got dressed, and went downstairs to explore a little bit.  I got some coffee from the hotel lobby and went outside to the pool area to take in the wonderful weather.  Ah, what a nice, balmy day!

Good Morning!

Bro joined me for a bit, then we asked the hotel clerk for a Do Not Disturb sign for our door, because we didn't have one.  She said she'd send someone over.  So they're going to knock on our door and disturb us so we could have a Do Not Disturb sign?  OK.

Meanwhile, V made me feel better by creating a makeshift Bananaman.

When V was up and ready to go, we went to breakfast at Bebo's Cafe.  The crosswalk leading to the restaurant had a really cool pattern.  See?

Food is this way!

We didn't know if they would seat us, but we seated ourselves anyway at a table by the window.  While we waited, we saw a dog walk by.  Maybe we saw the same dog twice.  We mused that perhaps this was the only dog in Puerto Rico, and he was their dog mascot.  We later saw more dogs, and we started counting them.  I asked V to count the dogs en espanol, just like Linda did when we went to San Francisco.  We ended up seeing 17 dogs.  I took no pictures of them.  V ordered what she thought was a smoothie, and was given orange juice.  When she told the server what she ordered, the server denied it, and said they didn't have any kind of orange juice-and-milk drink.  I didn't think the combination sounded very good, but I was never a creamsicle fan.  We never did see anyone getting a smoothie, but I know V was watching to see if the drink actually existed.  I ordered Tostadas Francesas con Tocineta (French Toast and a side of bacon), y Arandano (cranberry juice).  The French Toast came with some fruit and some kind of whipped cream, but it was much creamier than the whipped cream to which I'm accustomed, and it was quite yummy.  

Due to the slow pace of the service, I decided to walk up to the front area and ask for syrup instead of waiting for the server to ask how we were doing.  She insisted on bringing the syrup to the table.  We enjoyed our food, but it took forever for us to get the check, so Bro went to the register to pay.  She had the nerve to ask which table.  Um, the one you've been serving really slowly this entire time?

We then walked to the beach, which was only a couple of blocks away.  The grains of sand were fine, not coarse, and the water was a gorgeous blue with mild waves.  Oh, you want to see a picture?  Oh, all right.

Hey, Bro, you're in my shot!

We enjoyed the beach for a little while, and watched a dog really enjoy himself/herself by running to get in the waves, then running onto the shore and rolling around in the sand, rinse, repeat.  We also saw a kite surfer travel around really quickly.

The kite is the black arc in the upper left

We wondered why there were parts of the ocean that were darker blue than the others.  I remembered that when I was on the Rockapella cruise, the water was a darker blue when we were at sea.  So I deduced that the water was deeper in those areas.  Bro said, "But it's moving."  He said it was due to the cloud coverage.  I think I resolved the whole mystery of the Bermuda Triangle because of my new theory that the depth of the ocean is mobile, and that's how things disappear in the sea.  SCIENCE!  

When we got back to the hotel, Bro and V checked out the hammock while I sat in the sun to dry off a little bit.  V was really looking forward to the hammock thing.  See how happy they are? 

Don't fall off!  I would have.

After more relaxation time, we got an Uber to take us to the San Sebastian Street Festival in Old San Juan, recommended by the nice flight attendant.  We were a bit disappointed that the hotel clerk didn't have a gift bag of stuff for us, which the other clerk had told us to ask about when we talked to her at check-in.  Our driver, Johnnie, was very friendly, and he told us to eat mofongo and drink pina coladas at the place where they made the first one, Barrachina.  (The origin is actually prior to that, but that's OK.)  I asked how his house fared after the hurricane, and he said that they were doing OK.  He also told us that no matter what happens, Puerto Ricans are OK.  He asked what we thought was the first thing Puerto Ricans get when they hear that a hurricane is coming.  V guessed "water?"  I guessed "beer?".  I was correct.  We like Johnnie.

Johnnie wasn't able to get us very far into Old San Juan, if at all, so we walked about a mile and a half to get to the festival.   On our way, we heard roosters crow. 

Not this one.

Then I saw this iguana and asked it to smile for me.  He/she responded by nodding his head up and down.  He did not do this for V when I asked him to smile for her, so I figured that he had been wishing me Feliz Cumpleanos.

Muchas Gracias!

 Since this is a huge festival that goes on for four days, it is known as the Puerto Rican equivalent of Mardi Gras.  Lots and lots of people were in attendance, filling many of the cobblestone, hilly streets of Old San Juan.  I easily reached my 10,000-step goal in flip flops, which is why I now have ouchy feet.  I didn't feel like walking in the sun all the way to the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, but we got kind of close.  

There is no shade on the way, nor was there a shuttle

We walked through one of the areas where vendors were selling their wares.  V and I bought candy: I got Pasta de Mango, Dulce de Leche, and 3 flavors of lollipops: pina colada, strawberry, and pistachio.  The Pasta de Mango tasted kind of like a fruit roll-up, but the shape was like a little brick instead of a flat circle.  The Dulce de Leche was in a smaller brick form, and I preferred that one.  I have not yet tried the lollipops.  

While we were walking around, we saw various groups with instruments, ready to lead people through the streets, chanting and singing.  I got my birthday wish and got to hear live Puerto Rican music, and saw a huge group of people dancing along with the same steps.  It was fun to watch! 

We were going to get food and drinks from one of the outdoor vendors, but saw a bar advertising yards of sangria for $7.00, Los Cuatro Vientos de Maria.  We sat down and saw that mofongo was on the menu, too!  I liked that the sangria is called "Sangriiia" in the ads.  I ordered my yard of Sangriiia, V had a pina colada, and Bro ordered a mojito.  We all enjoyed our drinks, even though the server wasn't sure if V wanted rum in hers.  I mean, why wouldn't she?  V also asked for a can of Coca-Cola because they had special cans just for the festival. 

Skinny 12-oz Coke with yard of Sangriiia

V and I ordered Mofonguitos de camarones (mashed plantains with shrimp) to share, and Bro ordered anchovies.  While we waited for our food, we were served bread with a delicious garlic herb butter spread. 

Bread with garlic herb butter

I ordered mashed plantains

Anchovies served on cilantro and parsley
marinated in a citrus-flavored sauce

All of our food was delicious!  Our server asked if we would like to order dessert, even though she didn't have any candles to put in it.  Our choice was cheese or homemade flan.  I opted for the flan, which was an excellent choice because it was very creamy.  Bro, V, and our server sang "Feliz Cumpleanos" to me.  Muchas gracias a todos!

Homemade Flan on Chocolate Sauce

 Bro decided to eat it until it was in the shape of Puerto Rico.  Actually, he ate more after he made it into this shape, because it was goooooood.

Phone pictured for accuracy

Bro had another mojito before he left (BTW, all of the drinks were very good), and I was allowed to take my yard of sangriiia with me.  We decided to get an Uber back to town because I was not able to walk another mile with my achy feet.  I ended up dumping out about a half cup of sangriiia because I didn't know how long it would be until we could get to another real bathroom.  I also didn't know if I was allowed to drink alcohol past the festival boundaries.  I almost lost my straw when I tripped and it flew out of my cup, but V rescued it for me.  Sorry, but I was distracted by the lady nearby that was saying "Sangria!" (because I needed more?!?) and didn't step around the big hole in the street.  Our driver, Edgar, passed us on his way to pick us up, and had to go through more traffic to get over to us and make a u-turn.  

Flag on Stilts

When we got back to the hotel, we changed and went to the whirlpool.  Bro went into the pool a couple of times to cool off, but V and I stayed in the whirlpool to stay warm.  I let the bubbly water from the jets massage my achy feet.  

We lounged for a little bit before going back up to our room and going to bed.

It was a wonderful birthday with wonderful weather and my wonderful brother and sister-in-law!

Thank you to everyone who made it special, including y'all on social media.  I feel truly blessed to be living this fortunate life.

Enjoying my 51st

What Comes Next? HAMILTON!!!!!!

Let The Party Begin!

Puerto Rico Trip

Day 1

Friday, January 18, 2019

It's birthday vacation time!

I realized that I forgot Bananaman and was sad that he would be alone on my birthday, but then he would have been another thing to pack and I'm pretty sure I had enough to worry about, what with all of the different kinds of outfits  I brought since I didn't know what we'd be doing outside of the main event.  I plan to make up for the lack of Bananaman pictures by taking pictures of other bananas and plantains.  Somehow, I"ll make up for this to Bananaman when I get home.

I stayed at Bro's house the night before so that we could wake up in the wee early hours of the morning to get to LAX for our 7:45 a.m. flight.  V belongs to the Admirals Club, so we enjoyed our free breakfast there while we waited to board the plane.  

Before Dawn

Good morning, Tower!

We had individual video screens at our seats, so all 3 of us watched movies instead of sleeping.  I watched "BlacKkKlansman" and "Tag", both of which I wasn't able to catch while they were in theaters.  It really helped pass the time for an approximately 5-hour flight.  If only the flight attendants had been a little bit friendly to make it even more pleasant, then it would have been a wonderful flight. I think that maybe with everyone looking at their screens, the attendants don't feel like they need to be personable with the people on the plane.  There I go with my psychological theories again.

Window View

Good Afternoon, Miami!

We landed in Miami and had snacks at the Admirals Club.  I like this Admirals Club thing!  I enjoyed their carrot soup and the roasted red pepper hummus.  We didn't get to spend as much time there as we did at LAX because we were between flights, but it was nice to get some free food.  None of us splurged on the menu items that were not complimentary.

View from AC

While waiting for our flight, I thought of getting empanadas at a Cuban place adjacent to our gate, but decided against it.  It's a good thing, too, because we were seated next to the bulkhead, which meant that we didn't have any space in front of us where we could put our smaller carry-on items.  This flight, although we didn't have individual screens, was still enjoyable because we were able to chat with the flight attendant whom sat down in the aisle next to V during takeoff and landing.  She asked if we were going on a cruise, and we told her the reason for our trip.  She got really excited for us, and told us about other people whom had made the journey in the last week or so.  She also told us that they were holding an annual fiesta in town, which lasts until Sunday, so we picked the perfect weekend to go to PR.  V told her that it was my birthday the next day, and she sweetly wished me a Happy Birthday when we deplaned.  She told V, "Let the party begin!"

The baggage carousel was sponsored by a casino and looked like a roulette wheel.  Bro said that we should bet on whatever number we found my bag, which ended up being MY number!  

Are they trying to tell me that the chances of my bag
 getting here is like a roulette game?

After I got my bag
V moved the other one so I could take this pic

We tried to catch an Uber or Lyft, but that is not available here, so we got in line for a taxi.  We told the taxi company rep how many people were riding, where we were going, and how many bags.  This helps her determine the fare, which she checked off on a sheet of paper so that we would know what to pay once we arrived.  I tried to give the taxi driver a $4 tip, but he didn't have the appropriate change, so he ended up with $3.  Oh well.

We checked in and I ate my free cookie, then we went to dinner downstairs at Cafe Pierre.  I enjoyed my Old Harbor Stout, which had a seasonal flavor of white chocolate.  We also enjoyed our food: Ceviche and Plantain Chips, The Havana (Cuban sandwich), and Churrasco wrap.

The Havana

Ceviche and Plantain Chips

After dinner, we returned to our room and unpacked.  My bed is a Murphy bed, and the bathroom is too intimate for my liking.  (The door is glass and opaque, and the wall between the shower and the room is glass blocks).  While you can't really see anything, there is a lot of echo and you can hear everything that's going on in there.  Maybe if there was more buffer space between the bathroom and the beds, I would mind less, but the bathroom door opens from beside the bed. They couldn't have the door open to the little hallway?  Anyway, that's the worst part of the room for me so far.  

We Skyped with the kids and went to sleep a little bit after midnight, so Bro and V wished me a Happy Birthday.  Thank you!!!

Cheers to Puerto Rico!

Next up:  Birthday in San Juan

Don't You Forget About Bee

There's been so much going on in the last month or so that I wasn't sure I'd get to see "Bumblebee" while it was still in theaters.  But I did!

• AllSpark Productions!  Cool.
• Love the soundtrack!  Of course I do: I'm a child of the '80s.
• Oh, THAT'S how he lost his voice!  Origin story!
• WHY am I crying?  Isn't this a Transformers movie?  And why did I cry three times?
• Hailee Steinfeld is adorable. That shot of her cheek to cheek with Bumblebee should be framed and on her dresser.
• Hey, that tunnel looks really familiar.
• Otis kinda looks like what I imagine a young Tom Hiddleston looked like, with curly hair.
• "They literally said they were 'Decepticons'.  That doesn't raise any red flags for you at all?" 
• "I like the way they pop."
• "The darkest nights provide the brightest stars."
• I like that his screen is made of up of a honeycomb pattern.
• Why are bees making a hive on the car?  Do they do that in real life?
• "You mean you could have been a Camaro this whole time?!?"
• Love the Breakfast Club fist pump in response to the salute.
• Nice 'Vette, Charlie!

I really enjoyed this movie.  It's got heart, it's got action, and it's got '80s music!

Power Play

Today, I decided to see Christian Bale in "Vice".  I had been looking forward to seeing this movie since I saw the trailer, and based on his Golden Globes acceptance speech, what's better to see after a very inspirational hour of church?  

• So it's Batman from one universe, and Lois Lane from another universe, and I'm wondering if Superman from any universe is happy about this pairing.
• I do, however, like Adams and Bale together.  It reminded me of seeing them together in "American Hustle".
• My new theory is that the world might have been a better place if Lynne had dumped Dick and married someone else.
• Steve Carell had that Rumsfeld smile perfect.  It was kind of scary.
• I don't know enough history.  I had no idea that Cheney started as an intern at the NIxon White House.
• "So, what do we believe?"
• Bale, as usual, is outstanding in his portrayal of Cheney.  I wish he would stop doing such crazy things to his body, though, and let the makeup people do their work.  I know, I know:  METHOD.
• "We WEAR our bras!"
• I love the mid-film credits with the happily ever after...almost.
• "I need to go to the hospital."
• The scene with Alfred Molina as the waiter describing the menu was genius.
• Also genius: the Shakespeare scene.  That's right: SHAKESPEARE.
• That last scene, with Cheney breaking the fourth wall:  <shudder>  Dude, I did not choose you!

I really enjoyed this movie and its dark humor.  Great performances, and I liked the way the story was told.  Also, I learned stuff!

Street Smarts Rule

My friend Lori and I were having some girl time after church last week (she lives with 3 guys, so she welcomes this a LOT).  After brunch, we decided to see "Second Act".

• I don't know about that rainbow knit dress, JLo.
• Push it, push it good!  Wait, why did that scene happen?
• Figured out a major plot point and hit Lori before the actual reveal.  I don't usually do that, but I guess I was having an "aha!" moment and felt like sharing it.  (Not the group that performs "Take On Me").
• I wish JLo and Milo had more scenes together, because they were cute.
• "Our mistakes don't limit us; our fears do."
• I like Leah Remini, but I think there was a little too much botox going on here.
• "What did you mean by 'kinky'?"
• Do companies actually use that plant in their products?  Does the plant actually exist?
• Vanessa Hudgens is too pretty, like, for this world.

Cute movie, but not a must-see in my book.

DLR LotD 01/01/2019

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

"You should have this; you have the maid outfit." -- Cindy, to Glenn, at Catal

Happy New Year, everyone!

DLR LotD 12/31/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Monday, December 31, 2018

Special New Year's Eve at Catal Edition

First Course
"Spicy Squid Ink.  That's Sherry's jam." -- Cindy

Beef Carpaccio
Dungeness crab, caper creme fraiche, crispy potato

Second Course
"They made more girl dough than boy dough." -- Cindy

Dungeness Crab Cannelloni
stewed clams, ocean herbal broth, shaved fennel salad

Third Course
"That's where Tim's been this whole time: making bread." -- Sherry

Filet Mignon
roasted wild mushrooms, slow roasted onions,
green peppercorn sauce

Fourth Course
"Wait, make sure I don't have claw hand!" -- Sherry

Butterscotch Pot de Creme
buttermilk whipped cream, crushed amaretti

Trip A Little Light Fantastic

Today I wore my "Step In Time" shirt from The Academy's Mary Poppins-themed show for "Mary Poppins Returns".  I don't know what was going on with me today, but I then proceeded to stop paying attention to the drink machine and spilled all over the place, ice and all.  Embarrassing.  Then the mustard wasn't dispensing correctly and I worried that I would get it all over my shirt.  It didn't happen, thank goodness, and I made my way to the top row in the Dolby theater, which I had all to myself!  Nice!  I should have put something on each chair just because I could, but then I'd have to pick it all up later, so never mind.

New trailers to me today:  Avengers 4 (no, I did not watch it when it was first released online), and The Lion King. Oh, and Find Bernadette.  I wasn't paying attention to that one, so I don't know yet if I want to see it, but I am looking forward to the other two.  The Lion King already had me teary, as it always does with that opening music.

On to the Poppins!

• Nice castle logo set in London.
• I'm going to blame TLK for getting me prepped for all of the emotion, because I almost started crying at just the first song.
• And then Michael sang his song, and I reached for a tissue because I didn't want to look like a mess after this movie since I had other stuff to do.  
• Then he threw away the snowglobe (with the Votes for Women sash on the kite!) and that did not help my sadness.
• I liked all of the music, and I really liked how they interspersed elements of the score from the original film. I almost lost it completely when I heard "Feed the Birds".
• Oh, that lady asking for directions was the original Jane?!?!
• "One thing you should know about Mary Poppins: she never explains anything."
• I figured the books in "A Cover is Not the Book" must have had something to do with P.L. Travers.  It turns out that they were chapters in "Mary Poppins".
• I beamed when I saw that Jack was calling his fellow leeries because I knew that meant a "Step in Time"-like segment was coming.  I was not disappointed!  Loved seeing some of the SiT choreography in there, too!
• Emily Blunt was practically perfect in every way as MP.  I loved all of her little looks and her fake denials of the ridiculous things the children claimed to happen.
• Nice detail during the segment on the cup, and I loved how the clothes looked like they were drawn instead of sewn.
• I would like to have a copy of Mary Poppins' shoes, please.
• I think I need to play Topsy's song on Topsy Turvy Day in a couple of weeks.
• "When the world turns upside down, the best thing is to turn right along with it."
• The original set paintings!  Still gorgeous, especially that last shot as she flies away.
• Oh, that "The Place Where Lost Things Go" song put me over the edge and soaked my tissue, especially when the kids sang it to Michael.
• "Nothing's gone forever, only out of place."
• It's just not Mary Poppins without Nackvid Keyed, and I'm glad he was there and dancing!

What a beautiful movie!  I need to get that soundtrack so I can keep on crying.

Permission to Come Aboard?

I stayed at Bro's house last night after Tita and Me day with Miss O, and forgot to pack my Wonder Woman paraphernalia to support her Justice League buddy, "Aquaman" today.  I did, however, remember my "Shape of Water" shirt, so I wore that and my Little Mermaid shoes.  Still in theme!

• Love the logo and the comics being underwater.
• Helloooo, Jason Momoa! (to be recited in Dot's voice)  I remember being in the same room as him at Dallas Comic Con.  He is a sight to behold.
• "It's Fish MAN.  What do you want?"
• "I am Arthur.  Of Lighthouse."
• Hey, I know that newscaster guy!  He's from KTLA.
• Mera reminds me of Ariel because of her hair, and the green outfit, and the whole sea thing.
• Ooh, Mera's gown was so pretty!  Nice effect with the jellyfish!
• Atlantis is beautiful and I love all of the bioluminescence!
• "Something something trident."
• Oh, THAT'S why his eyes glow like that.  I love origin stories.
• "I already got one of those."
• I love that Mera and Atlanna are so kickass.
• I would like to ride on a giant seahorse, please.
• "I got this from 'Pinocchio'."
• I don't understand why those guys in the red armor needed to breathe in water, but the others didn't.
• The slide in the desert reminded me of The Goonies.
• Yes!  Octopus playing the drums!  That makes for awesome drum solos!
• Oh!  The rightful King.  King Arthur. Excalibur Trident.  I GET IT!!

That was fun.  Maybe I'll get an Atlantean insignia now.

DLR LotD 12/20/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Thursday, December 20, 2018

"I didn't used to like this ride, but I think I like it now because now I know how to swim." -- Miss O, on It's a Small World Holiday

Happy 9th Birthday, Miss O!

As You Wish, Deadpool

It's a Marvel Movie weekend!  I saw "Once Upon a Deadpool" on Sunday..

• "The only f-bomb we're using around here is 'Fred Savage'."
• "Where are my pants?!"
• Say it!  "Is this a kissing book?"
• "No, you've been involuntary relocated."
• "Whoa, you fridged Vanessa?"
• Deadpool in button-down shirt, putting velcro labels on food!
• "How did you get Brad Pitt?!"  "Same way we got you."
• "I love after-credits scenes!  It feels so private! You know something. You stayed."
• Aw, Stan.  You did write some good stories.  Thank you.

Merry Christmas, Fred and Deadpool!

He's Got Radioactive Blood

Yay!  It's finally opening weekend for "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse"!!!

• Nice pixelated Columbia logo!
• "Let's start at the beginning one last time..."
• I love how the film plays with the different renditions of Spidey through the parallel universes.
• "I don't think you know what puberty is."
• "The costume always fits...eventually."
• "Child dressed in a Spider-man costume, dragging dead hobo through the streets..."
• "...I'm going to grab a bagel..."
• I don't know why Spider-Ham didn't sing the Homer Simpson Spider-Pig song, because that would have been awesome.
• "Where is that wind coming from?  We're in a basement."
• "Blue? Purple."  "NO!"
• I love the way Miles designed his suit using spray paint.
• I really liked all of the comic book-style imagery.
• This Aunt May is soooo cool!  Yay, Lily Tomlin!
• Fun seeing Peter B Parker and Miles walking up and down the sides of the buildings.
• "Can he say that?  Legally?"
• "What's 'Comic Con'?"
• "Take that off, show some respect.  Spider-man does NOT wear a cape."
• Excellent throwback to the 1967 show.

This film did not disappoint.  I hope it sticks around in the theaters for a while so I can see it again on the big screen.  He is, after all, my favorite Stan Lee creation.  

Thank you for bringing Spider-man to the world, Stan.  Excelsior!

This Is A Story About A Thief

I saw "Robin Hood" this weekend.  Not the animated film which I think I've never seen in its entirety, not the musical, and not Russell Crowe's film, which I've never seen and might not ever see, but I don't know.  The one with Taron Egerton.

• Why do I love seeing archery fights so much?  I guess because they require more skill than guns.  Awesome arrow work, especially during the training session.
• Always enjoy seeing Ben Mendelsohn as a baddie.
• What I love about Marian is that she's not stupid.  "Well, it fooled everybody else!"
• OK, so I get that Jamie Foxx is John, but when do they start calling him "Little John"? Because he doesn't seem shorter than Robin.
• I don't remember Little John having only one hand in the other stories.
• I really liked Tim Minchin as Friar Tuck, mostly because of his humor.
• Oh, that's how I know Jamie Dornan!  He was the Huntsman in Once Upon A Time.  
• All of the people wearing the hoods reminded me of the scene in "The Three Amigos".
• Hmmm...looks like this is set up to be the first of a series.  I guess it makes sense that someone needed to become the new Sheriff of Nottingham.  I can go with that.  Origin story!

I'm glad I got to see this in the theater, because I really did enjoy the action scenes.  

Doing It For Themselves

I was looking forward to seeing "Widows" when I saw the trailers, and was happy to get a chance to see it last week.

• Oh, Viola Davis.  You are the best at expressing raw emotion.  That primal scream that you needed to let out just told it all.
• So this whole gangsters-and-politicians thing.  Is that in every big city?  Does it happen in small towns, too?  Yes, I already knew about Chicago gangsters.
• Dude was going to get my forever hate if he had killed the dog.
• Robert Duvall can still play a real a$$hole at his advanced age.  I wanted to trip him.
• Hey, I know that lady!  She can SAING!
• Daniel Kaluuya's character frightened me and made me want to hypnotize him back to being a good guy.  Would you like a cup of tea?
• Movies teach me things.  Next time I want to have a private conversation in a sauna, I'm going to add lots of water to the hot rocks.
• Me:  "Wait.  What is HE doing there?"
• Me later: "Ohhhhh...."
• Love what Veronica did with her share of the money.

That was quite a ride!

DLR LotD 12/09/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, December 9, 2018

"He's in Heaven Jail." -- Cindy, to Sherry, at It's a Small World Holiday

Wreck It 2: The Internet Bugaloo

I saw "Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph " on opening weekend with Linda and Glenndy.  Glenndy had already seen it, and wanted to see it again so they decided to accompany us.  There was a man in the audience dressed as Ralph, and his daughter was dressed as Vanellope.  At first, I didn't recognize the outfit, and was, like, "What the?"  Linda told me he was dressed as Ralph, and not Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies.

• Love that opening castle logo!  I wish it had digital rain like on my Disney Emoji Blitz game.
• Funny seeing Felix and Calhoun with all of their new Sugar Rush kids.
• Wonder Woman leads a gang and is an awesome street car driver.
• My favorite scene, of course, involves Ariel.  I bought pajamas of the outfit she was wearing as soon as I got paid.  I also already have the little Funko figurine because I saw it when I was in the movie theater today.
• Those princesses, I love them.
• "Are you guys okay? Should I call the police?"
• "We can't understand her."  "She's from the other studio."
• "The reason I came to your neck of the face..."
• The build-up to "A Place Called Slaughter Race" is hilarious!
• That's a lot of Jethros.
• Being Rick Rolled was much better than seeing a sneak of Frozen 2.
• Pancake, Milkshake, Pancake, Pancake, Pancake

Oh, no!  Another movie I want to see again before it leaves theaters.  When am I going to find all of this time?

Wands Ready

I wore my Hogwarts sweatshirt when I went to the theater to see "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald".  I also wore my Oreoboros shirt because I'm Slytherin house, and the shirt not only has a snake on it, it's green!

• I don't know why anyone thinks they can just transport Grindelwald without someone using polyjuice potion.
• Let me open my dress so you can enter the Wizarding World.
• I really like the beasts in this series, and in this film my favorites are the Scottish Kelpie and the Chinese Zouwu.  Their movements must have been really difficult to create.
• The other reason for the shirt: the reveal of Nagini, which I already knew about because I saw a spoiler.
• "Her eyes are like a salamander's."
• I love the casting of Jude Law as young Dumbledore!  
• Aw, Leta.  Interesting that she's so different from Bellatrix and doesn't seem prejudiced against those whom aren't purebloods.
• There has always been a storyline about purebloods versus muggles since the Potter series, but in this series, it's much more pronounced.  I find the issue of this brand of racism even more interesting given today's political environment.  
• I'm looking forward to seeing how Dumbledore and Grindelwald came to the point of being "closer than brothers".  
• That last reveal, though: it BLEW MY MIND.  The next film can't come soon enough!  

Great movie.  I hope I can see it again before it leaves theaters.

Everything

I saw "Beautiful Boy" a couple of weeks ago.

• Timothee Chalamet slays me, man.  How is he so brilliant?
• I know parents would do anything for their kids, even going out into the pouring rain to find them all drugged out in alleys.  Steve Carell does a great job of portraying one of those parents.  
• I think that what really got to me was the flashbacks to Nic as a child.  I mean, you really don't know when a kid is so small that they're going to end up this way, and all a parent can think sometimes is "What happened to that kid?"  How do you deal with that huge change?  
• It's Steve and Amy, together again!  Aw, I miss "The Office".
• I kind of wish we had seen more of Maura Tierney's character's struggle.  What would she have said if she had caught up with Nic when she was following him in the minivan?  I don't really know.
• I had no idea that this was based on books written by father and son David and Nic Scheff until I saw the credits.  Very interesting how they were able to put both sides together.
• "Let it Enfold You" was the poem recited during the credits.  I need to read that because I don't think he had enough time to read the whole thing.
• "Do you know how much I love you?  I love you more than everything."  Oh, dammit, I'm crying again.

So, well, yes, I cried buckets of tears.  I really liked this movie, although I think it would be too painful for me to watch several times.  

DLR LotD 12/01/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, December 1, 2018

"...and a baby was consumed...no, not consumed...CONCEIVED in the womb of his mother, Mary." -- Chris Pratt, at Candlelight

Candleholder

Pratt Pratt Pratt

Lantern holders

Candelight Choir

Candlelight Orchestra

The awesome ASL interpreter

Dapper Dan/m-pact member Drew,
singing "Silent Night"

DLR LotD 11/27/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Wednesday, November 27, 2018

"What is it about this ride that gives me such satisfaction?" -- Jennifer, at AstroBlasters

DLR LotD 11/11/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, November 11, 2018

"I don't like the word master ... macerate." -- Cindy, at Catal

Somebody to Love

I was going to attend "Day of Days" today at Universal CityWalk, but needed to run an errand in the morning, so I wasn't able to do so.  Instead, I saw "Bohemian Rhapsody" in Dolby while it was still available in that format.

• Nice instrumentation of the Fox Fanfare!  I was all smiles while it played.
• I didn't know that Freddie Mercury was a designer until today.  Well, that explains the outfits.
• Rami Malek's portrayal of Mercury was incredible.  Loved it.
• I tried to figure out who was playing Deacon for the entire movie, because I recognized his face.  Then I saw his name in the credits and realized it was because I know his face as a child.  Joseph Mazzello of "Jurassic Park", you are all grown up now!
• The scene with Mike Myers was great.  I loved the reference to kids not wanting to sit in their cars, banging their heads to "Bohemian Rhapsody".  Dude, that's WAYNE saying that!  Party on, Wayne.
• Oh, Mary, I feel your pain.  I cried through that whole scene, probably because it hit too close to home.  
• I cried a lot during this film. The first time was when the audience was singing "Love of My Life".  I'm glad the band talked about how that felt, because I have always wondered what it must feel like to hear thousands of people singing your song back to you.  I've always been amazed by anyone that can write an original song.  That is the height of creativity to me.
• I absolutely enjoyed the making of "Bohemian Rhapsody", especially the editing with the rooster crowing.
• "Who even is Galileo?"
• "It's America.  They're prudes in public and perverts in private."
• "You look like an angry lizard."
• "I am the lead singer, not the leader of the band."

I'm glad I saw the movie in Dolby.  The drum beats made my chair shake.  I really enjoyed the film and will probably see it a lot when it gets aired on TV.  Now I need to get some Queen CDs.  How is it that I don't have any yet?!?!

Still Scary After 40 Years

My friends and I decided to see "Halloween".  I wanted to see it in the daytime because I don't like walking out of a scary movie into darkness.  I brought Gloomy Bear to have something to squeeze when I got scared.  I learned this technique from Cindy, whom brought her tauntaun.  Linda brought Frankenweenie to keep within the holiday theme.

Our Protectors

• Dude, I don't know why people feel the need to antagonize serial killers.  Because they don't have enough reason to just up and kill you?
• Just because someone is paranoid doesn't mean that nobody is chasing after them.  I mean, did Karen not think that everything actually happened?  I'm glad she got her training, though.
• Why did he feel the need to drop all of the teeth in front of her in the bathroom?  I mean, were they a gift?  Eeewww.
• I think that it would be perfectly reasonable in Haddonfield to cancel Hallowe'en if their serial killer was on the loose again.  
• "No. He was not her brother, that's something that people made up."
• "Send Dave first!"
• So doctors just carry scalpels with them everywhere?  Even psychiatrists?  Hmmm...Maybe it's for protection during the therapy sessions.
• Michael is still alive, you know. They didn't shoot him to death, lop off his head, stake him through the heart, AND burn him.  So he ain't dead.

...and now I'm wondering if I'll be able to sleep soundly tonight.

Man And Symbiote Combined

Last night, I finally got a chance to see "Venom" while it is still in theaters.

• I like seeing Tom Hardy do humor.  I also like knowing that it's him before the ending credits roll.
• I really enjoyed the scene in the restaurant.  "That's dead."
• I don't think any kind of lawyer should give their laptop password to anyone else.  There is too much confidential material they use for their jobs.  So what I'm saying is that it's her fault that he saw the files.
• "I'm really sorry about your friends."
• Wouldn't the LIFE foundation have a ton of security cameras around?  How do they not know that it was Eddie who had the symbiote?
• "Mask!" "Copy!"
• So, when Venom eats a person, does Eddie taste that?  Because yuck.
• "Outstanding! Now, let’s bite off all their heads and pile them up in the corner."

That was fun.  I don't know who Woody Harrelson is playing in that credits scene, but he reminds me of The Simpsons' Sideshow Bob.  I'm looking forward to "Into the Spider-verse" even more than I already was due to that sneak peek!