Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Ah, but the quality justifies the price.>> Agreed. I would charge VBDAD triple what I paid.(CHEAP SHOT ALERT) He'll believe any cock and bull story, he's a DVCer after all! <<As for that service, tiaras are used on one of the other tours. Umbrellas and tiaras are hardly every linked together.>> Getting a woman to give me/buy me a tiara was a cruise goal of mine. <<They are reserved for the non cultural events, like a trip to the MK.>> I think it's time I visited the local MK. Denise's 974 construction fence and facade pictures a week have got me all hot and bothered!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'll go...one day. >> You say that about many things and I hope it's true. There's a whole world out there for you and it really is worth exploring and experiencing. And I firmly believe when it comes to travel that one shouldn't put off for next year (or beyond) that which they can do now! <<I don't want to be pampered on vacation. I want to explore. >> You can do both on a cruise. Or any vacation really. And I love to be pampered, but only after a good spanking (wait, there's no way I wrote that at 2 a.m. on a Disney forum is there? hell yeah!)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<we have an agreement that if I get to the UK--( and we are working on an 'anniversary tour there- placing my last high scgool aged child in private school put a 4 year hold on that - now 1/2 way thru) - I will definitely look up that service and give plenty of advance warning....>> You don't need advance warning with this service. Heck, I booked it mere weeks in advance and still got first class treatment (although the pickup at my 4-star hotel was a bit weak ... no uniform and hat ... and then you should have seen the production just getting out of the car park -- that's what they call parking lots in the Mothers Country)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> So, if I have some good-natured bantering with you about say why Rubio is a slime, someone could use that as an excuse to ... well, you get the idea. So, no more politics for now. << <<I'm curious. Next time We have a private conversation fill me in.>> Sure will. I do think I have 2-3 other topics I owe you emails on first as well. It's tough ... I'm simply working or planning trips ... or planning trips while working or watching 24 online when I'm supposed to be working (hey, gimmee a break, I missed three hours of Jack Bauer's terrible eighth day while traveling).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I just heard about the merger last night, but I didn't here who it was with. I am way behind on my reading with baseball season here. Continental is a really good airline. I would hate to see that change.>> They are the BEST US carrier by far, although Delta is stepping up its game now too. But United just sucks. And after Continental worked so hard (and did things right) to go from worst to first and stay there, I just see no upside in being eaten up by United (even if Continental's solid exec team runs the new company). And if it happens, watch how hard your hometown will get hammered as HQ will be in Chicago.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> We may be facing an ecological disaster the likes of which we never have. Something that could easily dwarf the Exxon Valdez. << <<We shall certainly see how it turns out over time. I would say British Petroleum will be tied up in court for a very long time.>> Yes. And they appear to be more proactive/responsible than Exxon, which was reprehensible in Alaska. But money can't replace ecosystems ruined, dead creatures and ruined livelyhoods ... not to mention the dozen or so men who were killed when the rig 'sploded. Nothing is foolproof, so they say. But the chances for catestrophic incidents like this need to be made so tiny as to be thisclosetoimpossible and I don't believe we're close to it. The fact they don't even seem to have a clue how to stop this thing from spewing oil for weeks or months tells anyone with common sense that they shouldn't have been allowed to drill or use the technology they were using. You need to always have an answer for 'what if the worst case scenario' comes into play. >> It is sickening. And we need to get off the oil addiction. Whether it's evil Arab nations selling it to us or just us pumping it out of our own ground in sensitive areas. << <<Much easier said then done. We've been failing to do that for a long time now. In the mean time, we can not compromise our National security by going into panic mode.>> Because no one has the balls to do so. Simply put, we love our cars. We love the open road. At least until gas starts going over the $3 a gallon threshold as we've seen. Until then, it's like we're all junkies snorting another line. >> Amazing how backward we are in the USA compared to Europe when it comes to mass transit ... like trains ... you know like the ones Walt loved, only way kewler. << <<I'm hoping we will develope our rail system here in the US to accomodate human freight at a reasonable rate. And I certainly hope it's without all the Government subsudies that are linked to travel by rail world wide.. Now can you name another way Europe beats us out in mass transportation>> Well, their buses are a whole lot less scarier than ours (or Disney's)! Speaking of which, does anyone know the name of the driver who killed the child in FW recently (not looking it up at 2 a.m.) ... someone mentioned to me they thought he was on my cruise and the cynic in me couldn't help but think that Disney may have sent him away for a while to avoid any depositions or other proceedings. >> Of course, Europe also has us beat in many other areas ... like quality of healthcare for the masses, Magic Kingdoms, McDonald's and variety of potato chips/crisps! << <<We can debate health care, and quality of health care all day, and all night. I have to admit I like the looks of the Castle, and Park, in general, at DLP. I saw a program on the McDonalds from around the world, and I was least impressed with ours compared to others. I still love Big Macs, and Quarter Pounders with Cheese no matter where they are made. By far the best potatoe chip in the world is made by Planters. That is if you can find them or if they are even still making them. >> I honestly can say that EVERY country I've ever visited has better McDonald's BY FAR than the USA. I chalk that up to them being allowed (both by government and rube consumers) to put out a crappier product. It's almost like day and night ... or like the way the OLC manages a Disney park and the way Disney manages one. I can now cross off Portugal on my McDonald's worldwide list and the UK on my BK list. I also tried out my first Quick in Spain and found the chicken sandwiches to be pretty tasty. As to chips, I just don't get why we have so few varieties in the USA. And I absolutely intend on trying Lay's Blueberry Tater Chips when I head back to China.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>>My mother is a saint. <<< >> Well she is certainly lovely. << <<But she lacks cooking skills.>> Hey, only I can rip her lousy cooking!!!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Hmmmm, maybe sarcastic humour does not come across as well in the written word. Most of my comments on this thread were just that (not necessarily meant in seriousness - just a little hint).>> Sarcasm is an art form and you must understand that very few people are great artists! And even though I now use them, I do despise smileys. People need to be able to know the author and get when someone is totally serious, partly serious or just screwing around without having all of these annoying ;-) because they make me :-( ... and mad (is there a mad smiley?) <<There are some things on the right wing that are ok, and indeed even in Fla ;-)>> That is mostly correct! <<I don't hate the US or indeed the right wing (well not all of them anyway), just like Spirit does not fully mean it when he calls me a godless pinko commie (though there are some hints of truth in there too).>> No, I just mostly mean it. Just like I was mostly lying when I said I liked your socks. <<Yes, Bush did do some excellent work in funding HIV research. But I still stand that teaching abstinence is going to fail.>> Because there is one fundamental point missing for all those 'keep it in your pants' and 'keep those legs crossed' brigades of Bible-thumpers and that's the fact people like SEX! And that's a good thing. The USA needs to get off this puritanical religious POV about getting off and let people have knowledge and the ability to protect themselves against disease and unwanted pregnancies. Period. If you have a moral issue, that's between you and your family and your church. But in NO WAY should affect/shape public policy.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I don't think anybody has. It's just especially hopeless in third world countries because of the rampant corruption in governments. People often critsize the US. Sometimes justly, and sometimes unjustly. But people flock here because they know if they try hard enough they can make it. >> Not touching this one at this late hour ... nope, not now ... another day, perhaps. But now I'd rather discuss coloring with Aurora as a major new MK attraction.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Knowing me, would you have expected any less? ;-) BTW ... conversation between Spirited Mom and Spirit today: Spirited Mom: I just love Dave. He is such a wonderful guy. Me: If you love him so much, why don't you adopt him THEN?!?!? Spirited Mom: Maybe I WILL!!! Me: THEN GO RIGHT AHEAD ... YOU KNOW HE IS ON THE LAM FROM US OFFICIALS SO YOU CAN SHARE A CELL!??!? BWAHHA HAHHAHAHA And it went on from there ...<<< ROTFLMAO! Honestly. Give her a hug and kiss from me.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Well, I do agree that using one's IMAGINATION is always a good thing ... (damn that song is playing in my head now).<<< The Sherman Bros have that effect, every time.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Funny, I'm just a good old boy Redneck conservative, and I don't hate or despise anybody on the left. I may disagree with them, but I am not filled with hatred for them, and I would never let political differences with the governing body at the time influence where I lived.<<< I'm a liberal nutjob, (sorta) but I can say the same, only visa versa.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Now, now, Dave ... dude, you're dissing my home state. It wasn't always THIS bad. And it still has a lot to offer, even if I love to bash it.<<< I know. Went to Key Largo yesterday. Woooo. This was my view for a good few hours. <a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/94200339.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1272809411&Signature=lRym%2B6KOn5tV90BGCEPYeu%2FDpEo%3D" target="_blank">http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpi...FDpEo%3D</a> Places like this, Disney, Kennedy, and Saint Auggie really reaffirm my love for our kooky state.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer <a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/94204556.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1272809418&Signature=nLgiaSW6uimOp910XzzFYcAJeeU%3D" target="_blank">http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpi...AJeeU%3D</a>
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>And I firmly believe when it comes to travel that one shouldn't put off for next year (or beyond) that which they can do now!<<<< BOSTON. Pretty sure, it might be happening.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I know. Went to Key Largo yesterday. Woooo. This was my view for a good few hours. <a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpi...FDpEo%3D" target="_blank">http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpi...FDpEo%3D</a> Places like this, Disney, Kennedy, and Saint Auggie really reaffirm my love for our kooky state. << Lucky you. One of my favorite things to do is snorkeling in the Keys. It's even a little better than snorkeling in the Living Seas. But not quite as good as taking a leak at the Magic Kingdom.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<BTW ... conversation between Spirited Mom and Spirit today: Spirited Mom: I just love Dave. He is such a wonderful guy. Me: If you love him so much, why don't you adopt him THEN?!?!? Spirited Mom: Maybe I WILL!!! Me: THEN GO RIGHT AHEAD ... YOU KNOW HE IS ON THE LAM FROM US OFFICIALS SO YOU CAN SHARE A CELL!??!? BWAHHA HAHHAHAHA And it went on from there ...>> This proves it. You are George Costanza.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> When I was in Cadiz some of my shipmates called the Spanish 'lazy' because they dared close up for 2-4 hours in the afternoon for 'siesta' before re-opening and all I could think was 'you folks are way off' ... Too bad in the USA we need to be a 24/7 society (including holidays) because Wall Street demands it and our kitty (that's supposed to be a similar word) politicians allow it. << Wouldn't work here. It's not our style nor our custom. Never has been, and I hope it never will be. Naps or for old people. Which reminds me I haven't taken mine today yet. Are you saying our politicians are a bunch of kit heads?
Originally Posted By MPierce After speaking with you, reading the daily papers and watching both the BBC and Sky (FOX in the UK), I am convinced that the conservatives in the UK would be simply called Democrats here. << Their Parliment is much more exciting in their debates than our Congress. It would appear you have to have very thick skin to serve in either the House of Lords or House of Commons.
