people talk with nothing to say, no cap

people talk with nothing to say, no cap

Although the word “groovy” was popular into the 70’s, I don’t remember ever using it myself. I still use the word “cool” and it’s been around since the 1930’s. So old now that I guess I’m not aware of all the words that are currently in fashion, I didn’t know what it meant to say, “no cap.” Do you?

My 11 year-old granddaughter let me know that “no cap” is the same as saying “no lie.” How about that? She also let me know that it’s ok not to use it because people that do are just talking with nothing really to say anyway.

And then she hit me up for cake pops at Starbucks. At least she let me get something too. No cap! 🙂

starbucks drink

I read an article that you’ve GOT to read too. This WSJ article entitled “Millennials Are the Silencing Generation” (<—CLICK THE LINK and thank me later) could’ve been written by me — but it wasn’t. In the words of a fellow Baby Boomer to Millennials…

We offended people. You are perpetually offended. We were John Belushi’s Bluto; you are Dean Wormer. 

generational birth years

And finally, if you’re wondering why so many vaccinated people are still getting sick with COVID, here’s a great article from the Associated Press that will answer the question for you.

TIL (Today I Learned): Gerald Ford had the distinction of being the only person to serve as POTUS without being elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency. He was voted by Congress to be vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned, then filled the presidency after Nixon resigned.

where is the nearest Starbucks

where is the nearest Starbucks

Alexa Show’s default settings provide rotating “tips” (actually ads). This morning, when it suggested I ask for the location of the nearest Starbucks, I’d had enough. A home device — a virtual assistant — should be smart enough to figure out that if you’re at your own residence you know where the nearest Starbucks is. (It should also not suggest a lethal challenge to a child.)

I even know the locations of both Starbucks in Columbus. Matter of fact, I visited one of them yesterday with Ben and Coco after having pho for lunch at Pho Shiki. 🙂

family headed to starbucks

Although cold, it was a beautiful day… peep all the blue!

sunny day

Since I’m talking about Starbucks… they say its US workers must be fully vaccinated by 2/9/22 or be tested weekly at their own expense. YOUCH! Employees must disclose their vaccination status by 1/9/22.

And finally, remember that friend I mentioned yesterday that was unvaccinated and unplugged from everything COVID that’s sick? He’s decided that when he gets past this, he will get vaccinated after all. Maybe he’ll share his experience with others that are determined not to get vaccinated. I have my fingers crossed for the domino effect.

TIL (Today I Learned): There was a study in 2011 that analyzed the decisions made by a panel of judges who spent several days reviewing parole applications. It turned out that the likelihood of a prisoner getting parole was mostly determined by how hungry the judges were at different times in the day.

the very (nah… just barely) merry party

the very (nah… just barely) merry party

Party tickets for Very Merriest After Hours are just over $100 bucks each. Thinking it would be like the after hours events we’d done before, we jumped at the chance to purchase tickets before the party sold out.

Very merry and more stuff to buy

I’m not sure if we weren’t thrilled with the event because it was held at Magic Kingdom, (we’d always done Animal Kingdom before where the rides we love are), or if there were more people, or because a couple of the rides broke down, or exactly what it was we didn’t like so much. It was probably a combination of all those things. But whatever it was… the party was barely merry. I even skipped riding Test Track and Space Mountain…

Space Mountain

A comparison…

  1. AK (Animal Kingdom) after hours we rode our favorite rides multiple times.
    1. VM (Very Merry) we rode a few rides that we didn’t care if we rode again.
  2. AK had a very limited number of people and there was ZERO wait to ride even the most desirable ones.
    1. VM was shoulder to shoulder until around 11:30 PM and there were still waits to ride anything.
  3. AK had an awesome light show and lighted floats on the water in Pandora.
    1. VM had a nice Christmas parade.
    2. VM had snow.

snow in Florida

We had a good time, but not an amazing time. The Disney magic wasn’t even close to what we experienced before. Not a total disappointment, but absolutely disappointing. I’m thrilled we got to go — so were Ben and Coco. I loved spending extra time with my son and granddaughter celebrating the upcoming holiday — I hope they felt the same about the extra time with me.

Magic Kingdom guests

My biggest complaint is that even the premium, paid experience didn’t feel like Disney. Why?

  • Not one cast member referred to Coco as a “princess” as they’ve always done in the past.
  • None went out of their way to smile except for the robot wavers as you exit the park.
  • Workers in shops would just walk right in front of shoppers (GUESTS!) without saying “excuse me.”
  • And even though you expect Disney prices, it doesn’t feel magical to get gouged at every corner for more and more money.

sivaco!

sivaco!

This is starting to feel like the 12-days of Christmas Disney. Hate to tell y’all, but we’re planning to be there again in early March. 😉

Sivaco means “rise to the challenge” in Na’vi. We rose to the challenge four times this past trip and the thrill is the same no matter how many times you straddle the banshee for a breathtaking ride. Heck, the great–winged Ikran (as the Na’vis call them) are even flying in the skies over Pandora!

flying banshees

Before I say anything else about Pandora, I want to share that I mentioned to Ben I was thinking about getting a tattoo. I currently have ZERO but thought I’d get “Sivaco” in a cool script written on the inside of my wrist. He laughed and told me I was bat shit crazy.

So anyway… you begin by entering an abandoned laboratory that’s been partially restored with scientific experiments in progress.

Pandorian experiments

You next enter the genetic matching room where you’re scanned and matched to personal avatars in preparation for flight. Once matched, you straddle a single-seat simulator, (like a crotch rocket motorcycle) and put on your flight visors. The state-of-the-art theater delivers a realistic sensation of riding a living creature. You’ll dive and weave with the swift and graceful movements of flight and even feel the banshee breathing.

For 4 1/2 minutes you soar through the alien world of Pandora. No matter how long the wait is — do it! This is the BEST RIDE EXPERIENCE ON THE PLANET EARTH.

We also love Expedition Everest — just not nearly as much as The Flight of Passage in Pandora. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain — is a steel roller coaster that takes you on a perilous journey aboard a runaway train through the Himalayan mountains. With an 80-foot plummet and twists around the mountain (sometimes backwards), it’s a thrill.

(Again, it’s ok if you feel sorry for me because I’m riding alone.)

Expedition Everest

There are tons of other rides and attractions at Animal Kingdom… too many to mention them all. Most notable are The Kilimanjaro Safaris (slow ride through “Africa” with real animal sightings), the Na’vi River Journey (boat ride through Pandora’s wildlife and people) the water ride Kali River Rapids in “Asia,” Dinosaur (a BACK BREAKING experience we’re skipping for now until forever), and the very awesome It’s Tough to Be a Bug attraction.

In tomorrow’s post… we’re going to the Very Merry Christmas party hosted by Mickey Mouse!

TIL (Today I Learned): The music track played during the Flight of Passage was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.

our trip to Japan… and Canada… and 9 more countries…

our trip to Japan… and Canada… and 9 more countries…

Epcot (my 2nd favorite park) is home to the World Showcase where you’ll find lots of shops and eateries. There are 11 pavilions that represent 11 countries positioned around a reflective lagoon. They are: UK, US, France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, China, Norway, Mexico, Germany and Canada.

Canada is where you can find my favorite restaurant on the planet — Le Cellier. Best. Steak. Ever. (Sorry Dad.) My more adventurous traveling partners love the Japan pavilion — both for food and for shopping. Even when we visit Japanese restaurants close to home, I’m the only one at the table with a fork. I’m no fan of sushi.

sushi from World Showcase

There’s not been one visit to Disney that we’ve left the Japanese pavilion unscathed. Who knew blue crocks are the perfect compliment to a kimono? 😉

We’ve gotten counter food at every pavilion at one point or another with the exception of Morocco. Not sure why, but we pass it up every single time. We typically have one sit-down meal in the China pavilion — Nine Dragons. It was closed due to COVID for over a year and just reopened a couple months ago. There was not a reservation to be had almost a month in advance. 🙁

While Epcot has around 40 attractions, there are only 10 rides — including the new one where you get to be a rat — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Currently, there’s a virtual queue to ride it. Our assigned group was projected to board at 1:00 PM, but that got pushed to 4:30 PM – and then to after 5:00 PM. Good thing the “in line” wait was short. It’s a cute ride but not one I would wait over 40 minutes in line to ride.

Ratatouille adventure

Directly after the ride, we stood in line FOREVER to get crepes from La Creperie de Paris because they’re said to be amazing. People who claim that lied. Blech!

Mission: Space is a good ride, and I still love Soarin’ even though it was a bajillion times better before they upgraded the visuals. Although Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is coming in 2022, it’s going to take more than that to pop Epcot to the top again in my book.

Good bye for now, Epcot…

bye Epcot

Only “one more” for the nice list – sure hope it’s me!

Santa's list from Epcot

Tomorrow’s post will be… drum roll please… Animal Kingdom. While Epcot has my favorite restaurant, Animal Kingdom is home to the best ride on the planet. Period. No room for negotiation!