Now that I have email access access again I am playing catct up on the posts.. This one is from May 23rd

We are about to embark on 16 nights of city hopping starting in Seattle and visiting many places including London, Barcelona, Rome and Monaco. This adventure actually began 24 hours ago when the realization hit that I should actually start packing for this trip. In a mad frenzy of laundry and checking weather.com against the weather channel – who coincidentally don’t seem to agree on if it will be 70 or 79 in Rome …  I found myself confronted with the sad truth that I was about to break my own cardinal rule.  “Never travel with more the one checked bag.” 

It’s amazing how you begin to negotiate with yourself, when faced with such a dilemma of packing for 16 days and for almost any occasion.  “This will be good for the shore excursions, this will be good for the sail away party and I can wash this in the sink if needed… and this will be ok for formal night since I don’t actually know anyone, let alone actually own a beaded gown myself. Then come the doubts…  but what do I do if it rains?  Better take this shirt …  but what happens if the polar ice caps melt…  better take this life preserver… oh right… plenty of those on board. Finally just when you think you have managed to get both what you need and want you want in one tidy suitcase, you realize its definitely over 50 pounds.  Dang! Break out the 2nd bag.  I felt better when Chris told me he also decided to break out bag 2. 

We are on the way to Sea Tac airport in a few hours. It’s a mid morning flight that will take us from Seattle, connecting in Chicago to London where we change planes yet again on the way to Barcelona. The best thing about this part of the trip is we have saved, and saved, and saved air miles to fly in first class. I am one of those people who cannot manage to sleep on a plane in a sitting position so am hoping the flat beds offer at least a few hours sleep to help avoid jet lag. 

Now that I have email access access again I am playing catct up on the posts.. This one is from May 23rd

We are about to embark on 16 nights of city hopping starting in Seattle and visiting many places including London, Barcelona, Rome and Monaco. < more... >

7:05 Chicago time. One step closer to Barcelona. We have no free wireless here, so no actual post. I’ll just stick this one in the hopper and post it when we get Wifi access again. Perhaps in London, perhaps not until the hotel in Barcelona. The security lines in Chicago have been traumatic. We landed here, and had to change to the international terminal and go back thru security.

Going thru Security at O’Hare (as it turns out) is not your friend. It took us about 60 minutes to get thru the line, and then just as we made it to the head of the line we got stopped while an entire 747 crew was ushered thru right in front of us. Another 10 minute delay. Finally we got thru and into the British Airways first class lounge (didn’t I mention that we spent every mile we’ve ever earned to go first class this flight?).

So the first thing I get to do in the BA first class lounge is make Beci a cup of coffee. So just to watch the “little kid sucking on a lemon” face she would make I didn’t put any sugar in her cappuccino.

Now I’m up against the time limit again. Our 777 is just pulling up to the gate and Beci is going to start pushing me to pack up so we can go stand in line (we’ve got seats… I’m not sure why we need to be the first people on board). More from London and the spa I hear they have there.

7:05 Chicago time. One step closer to Barcelona. We have no free wireless here, so no actual post. I’ll just stick this one in the hopper and post it when we get Wifi access again. Perhaps in London, perhaps not until the hotel in Barcelona. The security lines in Chicago have been traumatic. < more... >

Ah, the airport. My wife loves to get us here early, and now we’re running late. We’re at the airport, but we’ve got just 7 minutes until boarding. She’s tapping her foot while I post this. Next stop Chicago, then London, then Barcelona, then the Disney Magic!

Next post from Barcelona.

See you there!

Ah, the airport. My wife loves to get us here early, and now we’re running late. We’re at the airport, but we’ve got just 7 minutes until boarding. She’s tapping her foot while I post this. Next stop Chicago, then London, then Barcelona, then the < more... >

Pity me. I’m going on an 11 day Disney Mediterranean Cruise.

The cruise will be fantastic with great food, great friends, and great sights to see. But…

Pity me. I’m going on an 11 day Disney Mediterranean Cruise.

The cruise will be fantastic with great food, great friends, and great sights to see. But…

Friday, we’ll finally be able to see the final installment of Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate adventures, or at least some people will be able to. Beci and I will be in Barcelona getting ready to board the Disney Magic the next day. We’re hoping to see the movie on board the ship.

I’m looking forward to seeing Kieth Richards play Jack Sparrow’s father, Captain Teague…

”He was one of the people I admired for what he’s done and how he’s handled it,” the 43-year-old actor tells Rolling Stone magazine in its new issue, on newsstands today. ”Forty-whatever years of being this god. And he’s just cool.”

The Rolling Stones guitarist agreed to play Sparrow’s father, Captain Teague, in ”Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” the third installment of the franchise.

Depp’s in awe of ‘this god’ Richards :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: People.

Friday, we’ll finally be able to see the final installment of Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate adventures, or at least some people will be able to. Beci and I will be in Barcelona getting ready to board the Disney Magic the next day. We’re hoping to see the movie on board the ship. < more... >

So you think you are a true Jedi Lightsaber master?  Think again !  I got a chance to visit Disneyland this week and see the Jedi Training Academy which was tons of fun.  Its located in what used to be the Pepsi stage, but is now called Tomorrowland Terrace at Disneyland.   Back in the 70s I used to watch Disco bands and others performing on this stage.  Anyway, kids line up on the stage patio and wait to be one of the 25-30 kids chosen to learn how to use the Force and a lightsaber.  Once the show starts, the Jedi Master and his Padawan look-a-lik e apprentices march out and the Master begins selecting kids.  There is no order to do this although, kid who jumped alot, had Mickey ears on or just showed enthusiasm seemed more likely to be chosen for the show.

 After the kids are chosen (about 8 get to be up on stage while the others are on the cement floor in front of the Jedi Master) the are given a brown Padawan robe and plastic lightsaber.  They all have to say a Jedi oath then are told the 3 rules:  Remember your training position, be mindful of your lightsaber, and NO failling off the stage!  The little 4 year old like in my picture kept getting his sword tangled in his robe but mastered the moves no problem.  He kept trying to tell the Jedi Master how to do it.  The Jedi Master also makes Adult sized "jests" throughout to keep us entertained which we all found "very funny". 

The kids are taught a basic routine and then suddenly down the ramp come storm troopers while the floor of the stage starts rising and out come Darth Vader and Darth Mal who bounces around doing his own lightsaber acrobatic show.  All the kids are moved to the side of the stage and Darth Vader asks them to all come to the Dark Side.  The kids then single file in front of either Darth Vader or Darth Mal and get to duel them one-on-one with the routine they have just mastered.  Of course there is lightsaber sound effects, mist and lights which add to the effect.

 All of the kids defeat the 2 evil one’s who then descend back down in the stage, the kids cheer and they have proven themselves to be great Padawans and all return their sabers and robes and are given a certificate.  THe nice thing is they have shows throughout the day 10:30am, 11:35am, 12:40pm, 2:25pm, 3:30pm and 4:35pm so if you miss the chance at one show, you could come back later on.

The terrace also serves food and has tables that overlook the stage for viewing.  Salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken, fries and a cute kids meal in a Star Wars box are all offered.

From there of course I went to a few of my favorite rides both inside Disneyland like the Disneyland Railroad, Star Wars and at CA Adventure Park I had to go hear the Red Hot Chili Peppers on CA Screamin’ as well as go to Soarin’ which I really enjoyed.  Much different to go without kids and just be one yourself!  Weather was 73 and perfect and crowds were light, perfect time of year to go!


 

So you think you are a true Jedi Lightsaber master?  Think again !  I got a chance to visit Disneyland this week and see the Jedi Training Academy which was tons of fun.  Its located in what used to be the Pepsi stage, but is now called Tomorrowland Terrace at Disneyland. < more... >