Forever A Fangirl

Son & Father

I've been pouring over my photographs from our recent southern California vacation and I'm less impressed with the quality as I spend more time with them. I think I was more focused on having a good time then getting a great photograph  and that about sums it up.

I have a bunch of Disney "Remember Dreams Come True Firework Spectacular"  photos but fireworks are never as good in photos or on video as they are up close and in person.

Here's a favourite:

Spouse took the fireworks photos--a very good job I think as it is not easy photographing light.

Okay, you twisted my arm--one more:

Pretty cool, huh?

I tempted fate and got kicked in the head

I tempted fate and got kicked in the head today. I'd stayed up doing what else--fooling with photographs--not even playing--just organizing until 3:30 a.m. and who calls at 6:15 a.m.?--my new employers--the local grammar school district. Could I substitute in a bi-lingual first grade class today? Ugh, sure just remind me who I am. Oh yeah, right, sure I'd love to.

I was running strictly on adrenaline and staying on my toes trying to remember my high school Spanish. Some of these little darlings couldn't speak a word of English! And though there was s'posed to be an assistant in the room--there wasn't. Other than some goofy lesson plan I winged it.
My part went okay though the very last class of the day--music--the little darlings managed to tick off a diva of a music teacher so she kept 6 of them after class for 10 minutes and they all missed their bus home. And they are bussed--as in live far away and this is an "integration" situation. The music teacher was really out of line. Keeping in mind this was only the second time she met with them--and that they don't understand what she's bitching about--she just lost it and if she's losing it already--how ever will she make it through? And will the little guys survive? I hope so. They seem to have an advocate with another bi-lingual teacher who was livid that these little kids were forced to miss their bus. There had to be a better way. But that's the beauty of substitute teaching--it's not my problem now.
Honestly, if ever you want to know how your child's school operates volunteer there or better yet, substitute teach. You will get a ton of information--like today's "assembly" where the principal droned on to these 6 year-old's about earning points and getting food coupons etc. if they behave. Even I couldn't follow the guy. He can't have kids or he would have realized that you've got to tailor your message to your audience. A teacher sitting by me said that he's given the exact same spiel to kindergarten through grade six. Ugh. Fortunately my class sat quietly whilst they were on display on the floor of the multi-purpose room.

So I'm wiped out as my book business has been on fire since I got back from Cali and there's just tons going on with my broken car and the kids (with the oldest not driving he may as well be 15 years old when he needs to get somewhere during the day with no public transportation--I don't indulge him--he walks a lot).

Wish you all well!

--Cyn

Johnny Depp Leaves The Pirates III Set

Johnny Depp leaves the set of Pirates of the Caribbean III Pearl in Redondo Beach, Calif., on Tuesday. (from People)

I am unashamed to say that I'm a Johnny Depp fangirl. I didn't however know the extent of my adoration until I sorta came in close proximity to him.

Depp became part of the original Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean experience as of this summer. Three times-- animatronically(sp) Johnny is featured within the ride. The last "Johnny" actually looked pretty hot (he's in a comfy chair, spread eagle, with tons of sparkling booty everywhere around him and he's flashing an almost as cute as the real thing (when minus the gold caps) smile :sigh:.

Then there was the tucked-away upstairs art gallery in New Orleans Square with everything from Captain Jack Sparrow action figures:

Pirates Of The Carribean Monopoly (Collector's Ed: only $42  :eyeroll:) , to actual set pieces from Pirates II including the throne that Depp (and the dog--if you stayed for the very end of the credits) sat in in a pivotal scene in the film. All I could think was OMG, Johnny Depp sat here.

Only a bit of rope between me and where Johnny planted his cute little bum.

The bamboo throne had the whole many-human skulls thing going (Depp was being held captive by cannibals) and I have multiple shots of that and the t-shirt I would have gotten if they'd had my size. I like the one I have though. It's got a smallish golden Mickey hat/ears on the upper front and some not big script about their 50th anni between the neck & shoulders on the back. It's black with the more form-fitting women's cut-type tee so with the black and gold it all looks good together.

Mmmm. Johnny Depp.

Back From Our California Adventure

Back from Cali: Much to say but since I've hit the ugh, tarmac running, no time right now to do it. So here's some random pictures to fill in for a bit. I did keep a bit of a journal on the laptop and I'll copy some of it here later.
In a nutshell. Really glad we went. Had more highs than lows. Disneyland's 50th fireworks are almost too spectacular to be called just fireworks--just awesome-smile-on-your face beauty with a huge dose of tripping down memory lane. Saved them for our last night where we viewed them from in front of the Main Street train station.
Spouse took  almost all the fireworks photos--which I must give him kudos for as taking good pictures of  moving light is not easy.
I still very much love Disneyland and beachside Orange County and San Diego. Very unpleasant dealings with the people running the Disneyland Californian Resort Hotel. More details later. Suffice now that the Park Vue Hotel directly across the street from the Main entrance where we also stayed was one-fourth the price and four times better than the Disneyland Californian. Bad, bad customer service at the Californian and chintzy or extra-pricey amenities. Learnt a huge expensive lesson there.
Now for a few photos:

Buzz Lightyears's Astro Blasters~ This is a new ride and currently my favourite Disneyland ride. It's just way fun--like being inside an arcade game.

California Screamin' in California Adventure--A photo of the photo they sell for $13.

My son & me on his 14th birthday at California Adventure

And him w/ his dad...

Several photos from the 50th Anniversary show follow...

The castle looked pretty cool as it changed colours throughout the presentation. In addition to the firework there was music and audio bits from many Disney movies and attractions. Very nostalgic but technlogically the mulitmedia show/fireworks were anything but dated.

We had a nice sight line for the castle, though due to squeezing out the very last ride on the Grizzly Bear Rapids next door instead of venturing further into the park with wall-to-wall people getting spots for the show we hopped in front to the Main Street USA train station near the park entrance/exit in order to see the castle and it's pretty colours.

We did a lot of this after the show:

Smoking Room

Thanks to my dear friend "B." in Calgary for sharing this very cool painting speaking volumes.

Which Sports Car Are You?

I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!

You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

California Dreamin'

Trying to pack...not fun. Really no need for a carry-on as it held my contact lenses stuff, cosmetics, & toiletries--all now banned.

Looking forward to Disneyland and my son's 14th birthday and our first time staying in the park.

San Diego will be fun as well. It's looking like kayaking around sea caves then beachy stuff, Balboa Park, and checking out random sights, and Sea World.
Then four days of Disney and one of Universal Studios, then eight days gone, home to stay for a very long time.

Maple Lake; Carnarvon post-tornado(es)

The formerly tree-dotted St. Peter's Anglican Church on Maple Lake

Lost a lot of mature trees in the recent tornado. Completely changed the look of the place.
Mad at myself because I don't think I took any pictures of it "before."
Over the years, it never seemed to change--always the last landmark on our way to Maple Lake.

Must say though the building doesn't  look like it took much of a hit, thank goodness.
One can see the wrought iron gate is twisted and hanging oddly but the rest of it looks good.

Lots more in the photo album:

http://cyncity.typepad.com/photos/fourth_of_july_parade_200/dsc_0042stpetesfinal.html

Talked to my dad today. Their power came back on late Tuesday (yesterday). From August 2 when the tornado(es) struck until late-afternoon on August 8,  my folks, who are in their late seventies were without any electric or running water. I was there for three days of it and I have no idea how they stayed sane.
I do however commend them. I come from some hardy stock (folks on either side of us had generators :/--sounded like power saws going almost constantly).

From the Toronto Star confirmation of  what was hit the hardest:

The biggest problem is still removing trees from downed power lines — some of them huge 50- to 100-year-old maple and pine trees that were either snapped in half or pulled out of the ground by their roots.

Everyone's still talking about the storm in Minden, Reeve Jim McMahon said.

"We were sitting having dinner when what sounded like a freight train went by the front door," said McMahon. "As the old-timers say, if you hear a train whistle and there's no train, you know there's a tornado coming through."

There were trees bigger than this ripped from the ground.
This was one of the few still waiting for final clean-up. Power was off for the third day of what turned out to be seven without water or electric.

Tornadoes in Cottage Country

From an on-line news story:

Farther west in the Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes area, 23,000 people remain without power. Crews have been brought in from neighbouring areas to help cut trees and re-string power lines.

This is Maple Lake country and it is a mess. Power out for almost a week. I got home from there  about 3:30 this a.m. and I tried to contact my folks tonight to see if they've gotten power back but they don't appear to be there. I hope that's so.

My aunt graciously offered to house my folks at her cottage-- which does have power.
I hope they took her up on it. Toughing it out was okay for a couple of days but it  ends up being really difficult when one is not prepared for extended no power or water. Generators are good to a point--if you can find one to buy.

The worst I saw in my less than two days there was that St Peter's Church on Maple Lake has had it's trees ripped right out in front of the church. It's just shocking. It looks as if they were just swept right away. Really old trees that  were part of the loveliness of  the church...it's very sad.

The positive, from what I could see is that most of the cottages look okay--undamaged. But the landscape has most certainly changed.

I'll add pictures tomorrow. I wish I'd taken more "before."

Gone Again

Driving up north to retrieve this guy (the one on the left). He reported tonight that a "small" tornado blew through the Maple Lake area (and I'm sure, other regions in Southern Ontario) and the cottage has been without power since Wednesday. I feel badly for my dad having to cope with it all. At least their phone is functional again.

Thought for the day

Current mood: contemplative Never wear anything that panics the cat. ~ P.J. O'Rourke

Probably one of the best emails I've ever forwarded ~Philosophy of Charles Schultz

The  following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts"  comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read this straight through, and you'll get the point.

1.  Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2.  Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.  

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.   

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. 

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.   

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners. 

How did you  do?


The point  is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their  fields. But the applause dies. Awards  tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried  with their owners.

Here's  another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special. 

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. 

Easier?  The lesson:  The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones  with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the  ones that care .

Share this  with those people who have made a difference in your life.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia."

(Charles  Schultz)