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September 30, 2004
Welcome Home
It really has only just begun.
This morning we started bright and early in two different groups leaving from NYC. Dwayne, Josh, Travis and Tom on one flight, Nicole, Jen and Curtis on the next.
Not knowing such joys even existed, Curtis, Jen and I upgraded to business class on Spirit. Oh, when the fine just gets finer.
We arrived in Orlando and joined up with the group @ our fabulous "condo" @ the Saratoga Springs Resort (and Spa). We tore off our traveling closed and tore on our park clothes and jetted out to meet Jeff (the man who makes this trip possible). After a near-miss run in with a security guard after pretending to be his co-worker's daughter (long story), we headed to The Magic Kingdom where the, well, magic began.
Everyone know's the age old saying "Please keep the magic of the Magic Kingdom inside the Magic Kingdom 'cause it's magic. Thank you!" (ok, some of us do). It became clear that, as Tom put it, we were not taking any magic out, we were putting magic in, by Jove. When 7 grown adults are happy and they know it and they clap their hands, I'll be the first to tell you that it's contagious. Anything joy-worthy inspired applause, and more than a few times everyone around us joined in - because they couldn't help it! That's really the key to world peace, group clapping.
Tonight we went to dinner at the House of Blues, and while it was good, all we could think of was SLEEP. Callista arrived tonight, and we're headed to bed to be ready to spread more joy tomorrow.
ps - the significance of the title of this entry is that all of the "cast members" here at Saratoga Springs begin and end every encounter with "Welcome Home" (b/c it's a time share - no, none of us own any time or plan to buy any - we have our limits). Though in the evenings they switch the departing greeting to "have a magical evening."
Posted by nikl at 10:25 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2004
8 Grown Folks
Eight grown adults are heading to Disney World for three days, and do not fool yourself, madness will ensue. Check here for daily craziness updates...
Posted by nikl at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)
September 28, 2004
Monday Madness, Indeed
It's strange how even a Monday night can become a scheduling frenzy. The monthly Monday Madness was last night. First time at our new location, Fez Uptown. We're thinkin' we like it. I've always loved that place, and it's so dead on Monday nights that we can really take over. We had some new faces (Robin, Josh, Nancy Anne+Hubbie and a couple people I never even met), as well as the usual posse.
As uncooth as it is, I had to sneak out of my own party to head downtown to the Blue Note to catch Allan Harris. He does so many things, which is why he rocks, but his "Jazz thing" is always sooo good. In addition, I got to hop up onstage with him and the fabulous Matt Smith and the awesome new violinist. Much fun.
Posted by nikl at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2004
King of The Universe
My grandfather, btw, is the King of the Universe. For those of you who don't know, he has bladder cancer. They determined this summer that he should have it removed. He was scheduled for surgery on Sept 2. On August 30 he had some pre-op tests and they noticed some weirdness with his heart. On the 31st, they did a dye test and discovered 85% to 95% blockage in 3 arteries. "um, Mr. Johnson, you need a triple bypass tomorrow." Mind you, this was before Clinton had is - country before country was cool, indeed.
Here are some of my grandfather's choice quotes about the entire experience.
On Nurses, the 2nd day out of the ICU: "You know they get excited when they see an old man. She asked me what I was doing tonight, but I had to give her a rain check."
On needing to rest: "I got no problem whatsoever sittin' on my ass."
On recovery: "I'm doin' ok, but if someone come up and punch me in the chest, I'd die."
Variation on recovery: "I feel good. But if someone came up and hit me in the chest, I'd shit all over myself."
On Cigarettes: "We got a deal. I told them, I don't bother you, you leave me the &*$% alone. I'm through messin' with that shit. You tell this old man somethin's gonna kill him, and I'm through with it!" (Note: Kira has been telling him that smoking is going to kill him since she could talk. He's been smoking since age 10.)
On how good he looked in a picture from the 70's: "I was the man's threat, and the women's pet."
King of the Universe I tell you, King.
Posted by nikl at 09:25 PM | Comments (2)
Sunday Night
A. Love American Dreams. Cheesy or no, no one can stop me. Love it.
B. Barbie in the Prince and the Pauper?
C. I'm late, b/c I'm watching on DVR, but would that many people really survive a plane crash of that magnitude? Really?
D. So glad I am watching this after my flight today.
E. Monster? I don't know that I'll buy that.
F. Why are we not mentioning that J.J. Abrams was also a creator on Felicty...?
Posted by nikl at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2004
PUNKED
Message to Ashton: Black folks + cops = not funny.
Posted by nikl at 11:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2004
My New Hoodie
Posted by nikl at 10:04 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2004
The Power of Showtunes
Posted by nikl at 10:23 PM | Comments (0)
How Much Does It Suck
...for the guys when the girls win on Survivor. I mean, most of us, every day, are in a situation where it's proven that the "battle of the sexes" is a nuanced thing. But it never fails that when the guys get together all alone, that they are convinced that the women are an easy target.
Ha. Ha.
Posted by nikl at 02:08 PM | Comments (0)
Keeping Up With South Park
Have we all been keeping up with South Park? I fell off like, oh, I don't know, 6 years ago. When I got DVR in the Spring, the first thing I did was set it to tape every episode of South Patk that came on. I'm just getting around to watching them, and every one is more wrong. So. Very. Wrong.
Brilliant.
Posted by nikl at 02:46 AM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2004
Dance with my Father Video
Have we all seen the video to Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father"? It's a montage of black artists (and Celine Dion) with their fathers. This made me laugh, but this also strangely made me cry. Mostly b/c it's hard for the concept of a father dying not to be sad, but clearly. My favorite part was Stevie Wonder, not only putting a 2 yr old on his head (attempting to get him on his shoulders), but walking around the room at the same time. Should this be a concern? And then when Celine suddenly showed up it almost killed me. Hi, honorary.
I also watched the "Lean Back" video for the first time. No.
Both on iTunes if you have access.
Posted by nikl at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2004
A Few Things
1. Crazy Senior Photos. This is especially funny to me, b/c back in the day of the Dud Escapes, posing for your senior photo was one of them. I think I might try to remember all the Dud Escapes someday soon.
2. I wore perfume today. I am allergic to perfume. I am making myself ill. All day.
3. I've ordered two new items from Neighborhoodies and I CANNOT WAIT.
4. I'm still holding out for the mass Punked. I'm more and more sure that on Nov 2, Ashton is going to take over all television sets and let us know that in fact, yes, Bush was indeed a 4 year joke. B/c clearly.
Posted by nikl at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2004
I Kinda Lose
So, I kinda lose because I've lived in this neighborhood for two years and today was the first day that I ventured, well, anywhere.
Inwood Hill Park (yes, where that girl was murdured), is moments from my door. There are ball fields and a dog run and ball fields and a view of the Hudson. There are paths that are out in the open, but there are also paths that go all up in the woods. I can't see ever (ever) going on those alone - even in the daylight. It's just like hiking in the middle of nowhere, only you're in manhattan.
Bakers Field (the Columbia University stadium) is also moments from my house.
And there's a greenmarket up here on Saturdays.
Who knew?
Posted by nikl at 02:41 PM | Comments (0)