pkondz
Brace yourself for immediate disintegration
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2007
Home and Away
A big thank you to all of you who
suggested Motorcycle Licence plates.
Everyone who did got bonus points.
Bonus-palooza!
I'm going to list all the suggestions
and you guys vote for your fave.
Anyone who votes will receive bonus points.
No voting for your own plate idea!
(This will result in a deduction, so beware!)
The winner will receive more bonus points.
The one I pick will receive bonus points too.
And the one I pick may not necessarily
be the majority pick.
It's my bike. I have to live with it!
And... just an FYI.
While PONZI does seem to be the logical choice,
I am not known outside this forum.
(I must admit that there is
a certain amount of appeal.
If I were riding in your neck of the woods
and you spotted me, you'd know
immediately who it was.)
But... well, I don't necessarily want to be
associated with ponzi schemes and have people
throwing rocks or feces at me.
Or rocks covered in feces.
That would probably be worse.
Plates:
PONZI
PKONZ
CRI6 (crisis)
GRMPS (gramps)
MOUSE
MICKE (Mickey)
TINK
P PAN (Peter Pan)
CRISE (crisis)
BOON
MINE
MLCRS (mid life crisis)
CDBFN (Canadian buffoon)
CRISI (crisis)
U4EA (euphoria)
BADAZ (bad azz)
CRAZY
PHASE
DREAM
MAGIC
OLDUN (old-un)
BFOON (buffoon)
DWHIP (Dole whip)
MDLI4 (midlifer)
PDUST (pixie dust)
ODEAR
999HH (999 happy haunts)
LTOON (looney toon)
FREDM (freedom)
1TOGO (one to go)
WANDR (wander)
RDDEN (ridden)
SCORE
ESCPE (escape)
OPNRD (open road)
W84IT (wait for it)
MERMN (merman)
And some of mine:
4U2NV (for you to envy)
IRIDE (I ride)
MVOVR (move over)
L8TER (later)
(If I missed yours, let me know
and I'll add it in.)
You have until the next update
to make your pick.
Feel free to pick up to three,
if you wish.
Also apologies in advance,
this update will be noticably
bereft of photos.
----------------------------------------------
I love sleeping in.... it happens so seldom.
And yet... I'd prefer to sleep in on a day
when I'm not leaving Disneyworld.
Still... waking up around 7:30am
while I'm in Disney is pretty rare.
And pretty sweet.
But not sweet enough.
I woke up at seven thirty...
and then I rolled over and went
back to sleep until the alarm
woke me up for good at eight a.m.
I spent the next little while
just taking my time, packing
and getting ready to go.
No rush. Tons of time.
I noticed a light blinking on my phone.
Hmmm... hadn't noticed that last night.
I listened to the message and...
Remember back in the Cretinous period
of this TR when I had to get
a new credit card?
Well, apparently Disney didn't have that info.
I seriously considered just skipping town,
but then I thought if I did that....
they might not let me back in town.
Still..... verrrrry tempting.
(A few days later...
"Hello Mr. Pkondz?
This is Disney calling.
There appears to be an issue
with your account?
Me: "Pardon? Je m'excuse, mais
j'ne parle pas l'Anglais.")
Yeah... better not.
Dang.
I headed over to the front desk...
which was spitting distance from my room
(Okay, the farthest spit on record is
nineteen and a half feet...
but the farthest cherry stone spit
is ninety three feet, so totally true.)
and cleared up the bill.
Beaucoup hesitation though.
As I sashayed back to my room
to gather up my belongings,
I saw the DUD bus arrive.
It was about 9:51am... four minutes early.
Well it would have to wait.
I returned to the bus stop on time
at 9:55 and, with much hesitation,
and with not a little bit of regret...
boarded.
There really ought to be some sort
of prize, or reward for boarding that bus.
It's so demoralizing and depressing.
"Welcome aboard! Here's $1,000!"
Yeah okay. That wouldn't do it.
But I very much doubt even Disney
could afford to pay me enough
to make boarding DUD sting a little less.
Arriving at MCO, I made the long,
forty two mile long trek
to the WestJet counter.
It wouldn't open for another 10 minutes.
Thank goodness we left four hours early!!
It was a long 10 minutes.
As you can imagine, there are a lot
of kids on these flights.
That morning, all you could hear was
constant screaming and yelling.
"I don't wanna go!"
"I wanna stay here!"
"Waaahhh!!!"
Eventually someone told me to shut up
and I did and it was quiet again
and the kids could nap.
I got myself checked in and headed over
to security.
(The days when I get myself checked out
are long behind me.)
Ever notice that there's always someone
(or someones) who can't follow simple directions?
Come on people.
Take your shoes off, take your crap out of your pockets
and take your laptops out.
But no. Every time.
Thanks for holding everyone up.
I eventually went through the nude scanner
(sorry security, your eyes will eventually heal
if you haven't plucked them out.)
collected my crap and headed over
to the fake-O-rail.
I hate taking that thing back.
It's the bees knees on the way in...
But out?.... Just... no.
I was a bit hungry and a bit thirsty
so I decided to grab a snack.
I grabbed a magazine too for the flight,
(gotta feed the mind too) but...
While I was grabbing my snack and mag,
the rest of Orlando decided to get in line
at the cashier.
I stood there for a second and....
I always tell my kids not to be sheep.
Don't just dumbly follow the herd.
Sometimes there are better ways.
I was standing by the cash
when I witnessed this exchange.
Clerk 1: "Can you open up your till?"
Clerk 2: "No, I can't."
Clerk 1: "Why not? We've got the entire
population of Orlando in line."
Clerk 2: "Because the boss said to count
these doodads, so I have to do that."
She wouldn't open her till and serve all
the customers because she had to count
some crap that she could count anytime of day?
Baaaaahhhhh.....
I dumped my stuff where I was standing and left.
That one dumb clerk had cost her boss some business.
Probably others went elsewhere too.
I walked a few feet across the hall
to a Mexican quick serve and grabbed a Coke.
Then I snagged a muffin from Starbucks.
Neither place had anyone in line.
Done in less than two minutes.
With snack in hand, I sashayed down to
the mysterious gate 13.
The sign saying 'gates 10-15 ahead'
was still there just a few feet past it.
I sat and surfed and munched.
I had tons of time due to the
ridiculous four hours Disney insists
it takes to get to the airport.
(Yes. Four. International flights
get the added bonus hour
even though it takes the same
amount of time to check in and
go through security as a domestic flight.)
The plane arrived a bit late
and seemed to take a long time
to unload and load.
But I got onboard and took my seat
in row one.
Pretty sure we got airborne not too late.
Late... but not excessively so.
I was hungry again, and since it's included,
I scarfed down a roast beef sandwich on
marble rye with a side fruit salad.
I also decided to sip on a Caesar.
I was on a plane.
When we land it will be five pm.
I passed the time munching,
drinking, and watching Big Hero 6.
Cute movie.
We landed in Toronto just 10 minutes
late at 5:05pm. See? After 5!
Caesar justified!
Except... My connecting flight was
at 6:15pm...
And I had to clear Customs,
retrieve and check my bag,
go through security
and find my gate.
Want to follow along?
I'll even provide a handy dandy map.
I can't say for sure, exactly which gate
we arrived at, but it was probably C34.
See it?
It's at the bottom left of the lower arm on the map.
I had to walk from there to customs.
Customs is the little man with his hand up.
If you can't find him, he's at the end of the arm.
The armpit of the Terminal, if you will.
The distance from the gate to customs
is about one thousand feet.
That might seem like a fair distance to walk,
and it might be... I wouldn't know.
I ran.
Well, okay. Full disclosure.
I didn't exactly run.
But pkondz's fast walk
is a lot faster than a lot
of people can run.
People... I move.
I know that it's a pretty rare
individual that can keep up
with me when I put it in that gear.
Arriving at customs,
I encountered a long line
of refugees from sunnier climes
and faraway places.
Luckily the line moved
quickly and efficiently
and I set out once again
to retrieve my bag.
I wondered if my bringing
my costume
(necessitating a suitcase)
would cause me to miss my flight?
At the carousel of hope and despair,
I spy several bags, valises and
beat up boxes littering the floor.
Yes! The bags are already here!
Okay. So I was naïve.
Leave me alone.
These parcels were all from London.
Not my flight.
I wandered over to the WestJet desk
and asked what my chances were
of making my connecting flight.
They assured me that I had time.
I wonder if they always lie like that,
so that you won't bother them?
Probably.
People began showing up
and I hated each and every one of them.
I should have had my bag and been gone.
No offense... but I didn't want to see them again.
The bags started to be barfed onto
the conveyor belt and I was not pleased
to see that it wasn't first
(Oh, come on... just one time!)
but it did show up within
the first 10 bags or so. Score!
I didn't pause to celebrate.
I quick/walked to the bag drop off,
and set out in search of the
departure gates.
I saw a sign with an arrow pointing up.
"Departure gates B C D E F G"
I have no idea which one I need.
My boarding pass didn't list it
and I didn't see a departure board
anywhere near by.
But I did see someone who looked
like a WestJet attendant and asked.
I was told that all gates were here.
The line at security was long and slow.
I was fortunate enough to be directed
to what appeared to be the longest line.
Yay.
Okay... Now I really have to move!
Luckily, once I figured out which gate I needed,
I knew my gate would be close.
Okay. Just look at the signs here...
My gate is at #2, and this is the B area,
so it will be the second gate! Yes!
So... walk up to B1... except it's not.
It's B23.
ohhhh......
You thought I was moving fast before?
I have to get to the other end!
As I'm more running than walking now,
I almost miss it.
Between gates 19 - 20 is a set of stairs
with a sign pointing down that says
"Gates A1, A2 - A6"
That's me!!
There's a mom with a small child
trying to get on the escalator.
I run... not walk, down the stairs.
There is an extraordinarily long
hallway that must be traversed.
I'm puffing pretty good
by the time I traverse it.
At the end of the hall...
Thank goodness. An escalator.
Except there's an elderly couple
standing in front of it,
trying to figure out where
the stairs are coming from.
I have zero time to waste
So I sprint up the stairs instead.
I know myself fairly well.
I estimate that my heartrate
was somewhere between 170 - 180bpm.
I look to my right, A6
I look to my left...
Another loooong hallway.
Cardiac arrest be darned.
Gotta move!
There are moving slidewalks,
but they're full of people standing,
not walking.
I ain't got time for that.
I start down the hall.
Halfway down I hear:
"Your attention please.
This is a final boarding call
for WestJet flight 529 for Winnipeg.
All passengers should now be on board."
Now I start to run.
A moment later, Gate A2 hoves into sight.
An attendant looks up and says:
"Winnipeg?"
I couldn't speak so I just nodded.
Probably just as well.
If I could've spoken
I probably would've said.
"Nope! Just out for a jog!
I always jog in airports!"
I got on the plane
and collapsed in my seat.
Made it!
I honestly don't know why
they allow that connection
to be booked.
Maybe they think only
Olympic sprinters will.
The flight was mercifully dull.
I watched Wolverine Origins I think.
I don't even remember.
Guess it wasn't that good.
I ate some snacks from their Tapas box.
Pretzels, fruit snacks, things like that.
Ginger ale to wash it down.
Or wash myself.
I was sipping my drink and
felt a bit dribble down my chin.
I don't normally have a drinking problem.
Another sip. More dribbling. Geez!
I let the glass sit for a bit and...
there's a puddle on my tray.
The glass had an invisible crack in it.
Sure. As if it wasn't enough
that I have to leave Disney!!
Now this! Oh, the ignominy!
The flight arrived a bit early
at 8:33pm and... no Ruby in sight.
Did she forget?
Nope! There she is.
Just a little late.
About 30 minutes later,
I'm home.
But not for long.
We have another flight to catch
on the morrow.
This trip (and hence this TR)
is only halfway done!
Contest
My Big Fat Canadian Bonus:
I ride Disney transportation
nineteen times this trip.
What is my total time spent waiting
for Disney Transportation?
Guesses:
(Final tally: 103 minutes)
Gracefulskinny - 60
Thumper_Man - 72
queenbetsey - 78
Mrs T 2009 - 86
MAGICFOR2 - 94
jandlinz - 96
DaisyDuck001 - 103 We have a winnah! +20 points!
franandaj - 111
Terra Nova guy - 116
afwdwfan - 123
juniorbugman - 124
Mac Brew - 127
Heluvsme - 128
Thumper_Man's Wife - 130
chookie94 - 132
Steppesister - 135
kaileighbug - 137
SnowWhiteOz - 138
irene_dsc - 139
tashers - 144
rndmr2 - 146
fallonkendra - 150
Captain_Oblivious - 153
Chrystmasangel - 158
bankr63 - 165
DonnaBeeGood - 167
cinderkelly - 175
Curiouser&curiouser! - 177
orangecats2 - 180
vrajewski10513 - 182
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 184
chillitsanne - 196
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 234
Answers to previous questions:
Did you see them?
Snow removal services provided by pkondz
Marvin looks on and prepares to obliterate us.
1. What time does the infernal alarm go off?
Answer: 8:00 Nailed it 15 points. +-15, 10 points. +- 30, 5 points. +- 60, 2 points.
2. How long do I wait for DUD (Disney's Un-magical Depress)?
Answer: 0 minutes. Nailed it 10 points. +- 5, 4 points. +- 10, 1 point.
3. I watch a Disney animated movie on the flight. Which?
Answer: Big Hero 6. 10 points.
4. Connecting flight. Do I make it?
Answer: Barely! 4 points.
5. How do you take your coffee?
Answer: 4 points.
DonnaBeeGood - 2:15, 8, Zootopia, yes, coffee, saw one, plate - 17 points.
afwdwfan - 3:45, 20, Big Hero 6, yes, coffee, plate - 22 points.
mustinjourney - 2:00, 5, Finding Dory, yes, coffee, saw one - 22 points.
Curiouser&curiouser! - 3:45, 13, Wreck it Ralph, yes, coffee - 8 points.
Gracefulskinny - asked for points, 4:00, 5, Inside Out, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 22 points.
Mrs T 2009 - 5:45, 6, BFG, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 21 points.
rndmr2 - 5:00, 5, Big Hero 6, yes, coffee, saw both - 30 points.
orangecats2 - asked for points, 2:00, 15, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 22 points.
irene_dsc - 3:15, 36(!), Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 16 points.
DaisyDuck001 - 5:20, 10, Up, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 17 points.
fallonkendra - 2:00, 7, Zootopia, yes, coffee, saw both - 17 points.
Captain_Oblivious - asked for points, 8:00, 13, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 37 points. High score!
Heluvsme - plate - 4 points.
franandaj - asked for points, 2:15, 8, Frozen, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 23 points.
Terra Nova guy - 2:30, 13, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 16 points.
Mac Brew - 6:45, 15, Finding Dory, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 20 points.
juniorbugman - 2:30, 21, Muppets, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 20 points.
cinderkelly - asked for points, 3:30, 10, Frozen, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 23 points.
Steppesister - 1:30, 10, Finding Dory, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 21 points.
MAGICFOR2 - 2:45, 5, Toy Story 3, yes, coffee, saw one - 16 points.
Chrystmasangel - 2:00, 8, Wreck it Ralph, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 21 points.
Princess Leia - saw both - 8 points.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 2:00, 38, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 20 points.
As usual, if I've made any mistakes,
either above or below, let me know.
Bonus points
afwdwfan - Loss for words. 2 points. Thieving birds. 2 points.
mustinjourney - Particularly punny person perhaps. 2 points.
Curiouser&curiouser! - Cleans up well. 2 points.
Gracefulskinny - Takes out the rubbish. - 2 points.
orangecats2 - Knows I send 'em packing. - 2 points.
Captain_Oblivious - Push/pull - 3 points.
Heluvsme - Fonzi. 2 points.
irene_dsc, - Knows who's cool - 3 points.
franandaj - Plate holder. - 8 points. Knows a good ending. - 2 points.
Terra Nova guy - Knows a good shirt when he sees it. - 2 points.
Mac Brew - In hibernation. - 2 points.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - Always on her mind. - 2 points.
cinderkelly - Tries not to be mortified. - 2 points.
Steppesister - Thinks I'm warped. - 2 points. Loyalty points. - 4 points.
MHSweb79 - Hopefully felt less pulley. - 2 points.
MAGICFOR2 - 'Cause she kneeds it. - 2 points.
Chrystmasangel - Points for asking for points. - 2 points. For being ignored. - 4 points.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - Sounds like a mom. - 2 points.
Score
Steppesister - 263 points
franandaj - 252 points
orangecats2 - 251 points
DISNEYMOON10121991 -228 points
Captain_Oblivious - 223 points
DonnaBeeGood - 190 points
irene_dsc - 188 points
juniorbugman - 181 points
Thumper_Man - 179 points
Thumper_Man's Wife - 177 points
Mac Brew - 173 points
Gracefulskinny - 172 points
Terra Nova guy - 168 points
Chrystmasangel - 165 points
rndmr2 - 165 points
MAGICFOR2 - 153 points
Mrs T 2009 - 153 points
fallonkendra - 147 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 143 points
jandlinz - 140 points
cinderkelly - 136 points
queenbetsey - 135 points
mustinjourney - 134 points
DaisyDuck001 - 132 points
Curiouser&curiouser! - 126 points
chookie94 - 122 points
afwdwfan - 121 points
Heluvsme - 96 points
bankr63 - 87 points
tashers - 84 points
chillitsanne - 57 points
Princess Leia - 44 points
natebenma - 39 points
SnowWhiteOz - 30 points
SoccerDogWithEars - 30 points
vrajewski10513 - 30 points
kaileighbug - 28 points
krnelson65 - 22 points
lisaviolet - 18 points
MHSweb79 - 13 points
QueenJen - 10 points
cindianne320 - 4 points
Ladyfish77 - 4 points
KathyM2 - 3 points
MarieLightning - 2 points
Self_resqing_princz - 2 points
Questions, next round:
1. I do laundry
(please, keep your gasps of astonishment to yourselves.)
Those shorts salveagable or red for good?
2. What critical item did I leave in Florida?
3. What snack, that is worth coming to Canada for
do we get?
4. Flight. Calgary, AB or Edmonton, AB?
5. Flight. Early, on time, or late?
6. What's your favourite movie?
Coming up: Off to Alberta!
A big thank you to all of you who
suggested Motorcycle Licence plates.
Everyone who did got bonus points.
Bonus-palooza!
I'm going to list all the suggestions
and you guys vote for your fave.
Anyone who votes will receive bonus points.
No voting for your own plate idea!
(This will result in a deduction, so beware!)
The winner will receive more bonus points.
The one I pick will receive bonus points too.
And the one I pick may not necessarily
be the majority pick.
It's my bike. I have to live with it!
And... just an FYI.
While PONZI does seem to be the logical choice,
I am not known outside this forum.
(I must admit that there is
a certain amount of appeal.
If I were riding in your neck of the woods
and you spotted me, you'd know
immediately who it was.)
But... well, I don't necessarily want to be
associated with ponzi schemes and have people
throwing rocks or feces at me.
Or rocks covered in feces.
That would probably be worse.
Plates:
PONZI
PKONZ
CRI6 (crisis)
GRMPS (gramps)
MOUSE
MICKE (Mickey)
TINK
P PAN (Peter Pan)
CRISE (crisis)
BOON
MINE
MLCRS (mid life crisis)
CDBFN (Canadian buffoon)
CRISI (crisis)
U4EA (euphoria)
BADAZ (bad azz)
CRAZY
PHASE
DREAM
MAGIC
OLDUN (old-un)
BFOON (buffoon)
DWHIP (Dole whip)
MDLI4 (midlifer)
PDUST (pixie dust)
ODEAR
999HH (999 happy haunts)
LTOON (looney toon)
FREDM (freedom)
1TOGO (one to go)
WANDR (wander)
RDDEN (ridden)
SCORE
ESCPE (escape)
OPNRD (open road)
W84IT (wait for it)
MERMN (merman)
And some of mine:
4U2NV (for you to envy)
IRIDE (I ride)
MVOVR (move over)
L8TER (later)
(If I missed yours, let me know
and I'll add it in.)
You have until the next update
to make your pick.
Feel free to pick up to three,
if you wish.
Also apologies in advance,
this update will be noticably
bereft of photos.
----------------------------------------------
I love sleeping in.... it happens so seldom.
And yet... I'd prefer to sleep in on a day
when I'm not leaving Disneyworld.
Still... waking up around 7:30am
while I'm in Disney is pretty rare.
And pretty sweet.
But not sweet enough.
I woke up at seven thirty...
and then I rolled over and went
back to sleep until the alarm
woke me up for good at eight a.m.
I spent the next little while
just taking my time, packing
and getting ready to go.
No rush. Tons of time.
I noticed a light blinking on my phone.
Hmmm... hadn't noticed that last night.
I listened to the message and...
Remember back in the Cretinous period
of this TR when I had to get
a new credit card?
Well, apparently Disney didn't have that info.
I seriously considered just skipping town,
but then I thought if I did that....
they might not let me back in town.
Still..... verrrrry tempting.
(A few days later...
"Hello Mr. Pkondz?
This is Disney calling.
There appears to be an issue
with your account?
Me: "Pardon? Je m'excuse, mais
j'ne parle pas l'Anglais.")
Yeah... better not.
Dang.
I headed over to the front desk...
which was spitting distance from my room
(Okay, the farthest spit on record is
nineteen and a half feet...
but the farthest cherry stone spit
is ninety three feet, so totally true.)
and cleared up the bill.
Beaucoup hesitation though.
As I sashayed back to my room
to gather up my belongings,
I saw the DUD bus arrive.
It was about 9:51am... four minutes early.
Well it would have to wait.
I returned to the bus stop on time
at 9:55 and, with much hesitation,
and with not a little bit of regret...
boarded.
There really ought to be some sort
of prize, or reward for boarding that bus.
It's so demoralizing and depressing.
"Welcome aboard! Here's $1,000!"
Yeah okay. That wouldn't do it.
But I very much doubt even Disney
could afford to pay me enough
to make boarding DUD sting a little less.
Arriving at MCO, I made the long,
forty two mile long trek
to the WestJet counter.
It wouldn't open for another 10 minutes.
Thank goodness we left four hours early!!
It was a long 10 minutes.
As you can imagine, there are a lot
of kids on these flights.
That morning, all you could hear was
constant screaming and yelling.
"I don't wanna go!"
"I wanna stay here!"
"Waaahhh!!!"
Eventually someone told me to shut up
and I did and it was quiet again
and the kids could nap.
I got myself checked in and headed over
to security.
(The days when I get myself checked out
are long behind me.)
Ever notice that there's always someone
(or someones) who can't follow simple directions?
Come on people.
Take your shoes off, take your crap out of your pockets
and take your laptops out.
But no. Every time.
Thanks for holding everyone up.
I eventually went through the nude scanner
(sorry security, your eyes will eventually heal
if you haven't plucked them out.)
collected my crap and headed over
to the fake-O-rail.
I hate taking that thing back.
It's the bees knees on the way in...
But out?.... Just... no.
I was a bit hungry and a bit thirsty
so I decided to grab a snack.
I grabbed a magazine too for the flight,
(gotta feed the mind too) but...
While I was grabbing my snack and mag,
the rest of Orlando decided to get in line
at the cashier.
I stood there for a second and....
I always tell my kids not to be sheep.
Don't just dumbly follow the herd.
Sometimes there are better ways.
I was standing by the cash
when I witnessed this exchange.
Clerk 1: "Can you open up your till?"
Clerk 2: "No, I can't."
Clerk 1: "Why not? We've got the entire
population of Orlando in line."
Clerk 2: "Because the boss said to count
these doodads, so I have to do that."
She wouldn't open her till and serve all
the customers because she had to count
some crap that she could count anytime of day?
Baaaaahhhhh.....
I dumped my stuff where I was standing and left.
That one dumb clerk had cost her boss some business.
Probably others went elsewhere too.
I walked a few feet across the hall
to a Mexican quick serve and grabbed a Coke.
Then I snagged a muffin from Starbucks.
Neither place had anyone in line.
Done in less than two minutes.
With snack in hand, I sashayed down to
the mysterious gate 13.
The sign saying 'gates 10-15 ahead'
was still there just a few feet past it.
I sat and surfed and munched.
I had tons of time due to the
ridiculous four hours Disney insists
it takes to get to the airport.
(Yes. Four. International flights
get the added bonus hour
even though it takes the same
amount of time to check in and
go through security as a domestic flight.)
The plane arrived a bit late
and seemed to take a long time
to unload and load.
But I got onboard and took my seat
in row one.
Pretty sure we got airborne not too late.
Late... but not excessively so.
I was hungry again, and since it's included,
I scarfed down a roast beef sandwich on
marble rye with a side fruit salad.
I also decided to sip on a Caesar.
I was on a plane.
When we land it will be five pm.
I passed the time munching,
drinking, and watching Big Hero 6.
Cute movie.
We landed in Toronto just 10 minutes
late at 5:05pm. See? After 5!
Caesar justified!
Except... My connecting flight was
at 6:15pm...
And I had to clear Customs,
retrieve and check my bag,
go through security
and find my gate.
Want to follow along?
I'll even provide a handy dandy map.
I can't say for sure, exactly which gate
we arrived at, but it was probably C34.
See it?
It's at the bottom left of the lower arm on the map.
I had to walk from there to customs.
Customs is the little man with his hand up.
If you can't find him, he's at the end of the arm.
The armpit of the Terminal, if you will.
The distance from the gate to customs
is about one thousand feet.
That might seem like a fair distance to walk,
and it might be... I wouldn't know.
I ran.
Well, okay. Full disclosure.
I didn't exactly run.
But pkondz's fast walk
is a lot faster than a lot
of people can run.
People... I move.
I know that it's a pretty rare
individual that can keep up
with me when I put it in that gear.
Arriving at customs,
I encountered a long line
of refugees from sunnier climes
and faraway places.
Luckily the line moved
quickly and efficiently
and I set out once again
to retrieve my bag.
I wondered if my bringing
my costume
(necessitating a suitcase)
would cause me to miss my flight?
At the carousel of hope and despair,
I spy several bags, valises and
beat up boxes littering the floor.
Yes! The bags are already here!
Okay. So I was naïve.
Leave me alone.
These parcels were all from London.
Not my flight.
I wandered over to the WestJet desk
and asked what my chances were
of making my connecting flight.
They assured me that I had time.
I wonder if they always lie like that,
so that you won't bother them?
Probably.
People began showing up
and I hated each and every one of them.
I should have had my bag and been gone.
No offense... but I didn't want to see them again.
The bags started to be barfed onto
the conveyor belt and I was not pleased
to see that it wasn't first
(Oh, come on... just one time!)
but it did show up within
the first 10 bags or so. Score!
I didn't pause to celebrate.
I quick/walked to the bag drop off,
and set out in search of the
departure gates.
I saw a sign with an arrow pointing up.
"Departure gates B C D E F G"
I have no idea which one I need.
My boarding pass didn't list it
and I didn't see a departure board
anywhere near by.
But I did see someone who looked
like a WestJet attendant and asked.
I was told that all gates were here.
The line at security was long and slow.
I was fortunate enough to be directed
to what appeared to be the longest line.
Yay.
Okay... Now I really have to move!
Luckily, once I figured out which gate I needed,
I knew my gate would be close.
Okay. Just look at the signs here...
My gate is at #2, and this is the B area,
so it will be the second gate! Yes!
So... walk up to B1... except it's not.
It's B23.
ohhhh......
You thought I was moving fast before?
I have to get to the other end!
As I'm more running than walking now,
I almost miss it.
Between gates 19 - 20 is a set of stairs
with a sign pointing down that says
"Gates A1, A2 - A6"
That's me!!
There's a mom with a small child
trying to get on the escalator.
I run... not walk, down the stairs.
There is an extraordinarily long
hallway that must be traversed.
I'm puffing pretty good
by the time I traverse it.
At the end of the hall...
Thank goodness. An escalator.
Except there's an elderly couple
standing in front of it,
trying to figure out where
the stairs are coming from.
I have zero time to waste
So I sprint up the stairs instead.
I know myself fairly well.
I estimate that my heartrate
was somewhere between 170 - 180bpm.
I look to my right, A6
I look to my left...
Another loooong hallway.
Cardiac arrest be darned.
Gotta move!
There are moving slidewalks,
but they're full of people standing,
not walking.
I ain't got time for that.
I start down the hall.
Halfway down I hear:
"Your attention please.
This is a final boarding call
for WestJet flight 529 for Winnipeg.
All passengers should now be on board."
Now I start to run.
A moment later, Gate A2 hoves into sight.
An attendant looks up and says:
"Winnipeg?"
I couldn't speak so I just nodded.
Probably just as well.
If I could've spoken
I probably would've said.
"Nope! Just out for a jog!
I always jog in airports!"
I got on the plane
and collapsed in my seat.
Made it!
I honestly don't know why
they allow that connection
to be booked.
Maybe they think only
Olympic sprinters will.
The flight was mercifully dull.
I watched Wolverine Origins I think.
I don't even remember.
Guess it wasn't that good.
I ate some snacks from their Tapas box.
Pretzels, fruit snacks, things like that.
Ginger ale to wash it down.
Or wash myself.
I was sipping my drink and
felt a bit dribble down my chin.
I don't normally have a drinking problem.
Another sip. More dribbling. Geez!
I let the glass sit for a bit and...
there's a puddle on my tray.
The glass had an invisible crack in it.
Sure. As if it wasn't enough
that I have to leave Disney!!
Now this! Oh, the ignominy!
The flight arrived a bit early
at 8:33pm and... no Ruby in sight.
Did she forget?
Nope! There she is.
Just a little late.
About 30 minutes later,
I'm home.
But not for long.
We have another flight to catch
on the morrow.
This trip (and hence this TR)
is only halfway done!
Contest
My Big Fat Canadian Bonus:
I ride Disney transportation
nineteen times this trip.
What is my total time spent waiting
for Disney Transportation?
Guesses:
(Final tally: 103 minutes)
Gracefulskinny - 60
Thumper_Man - 72
queenbetsey - 78
Mrs T 2009 - 86
MAGICFOR2 - 94
jandlinz - 96
DaisyDuck001 - 103 We have a winnah! +20 points!
franandaj - 111
Terra Nova guy - 116
afwdwfan - 123
juniorbugman - 124
Mac Brew - 127
Heluvsme - 128
Thumper_Man's Wife - 130
chookie94 - 132
Steppesister - 135
kaileighbug - 137
SnowWhiteOz - 138
irene_dsc - 139
tashers - 144
rndmr2 - 146
fallonkendra - 150
Captain_Oblivious - 153
Chrystmasangel - 158
bankr63 - 165
DonnaBeeGood - 167
cinderkelly - 175
Curiouser&curiouser! - 177
orangecats2 - 180
vrajewski10513 - 182
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 184
chillitsanne - 196
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 234
Answers to previous questions:
Did you see them?
Snow removal services provided by pkondz
Marvin looks on and prepares to obliterate us.
1. What time does the infernal alarm go off?
Answer: 8:00 Nailed it 15 points. +-15, 10 points. +- 30, 5 points. +- 60, 2 points.
2. How long do I wait for DUD (Disney's Un-magical Depress)?
Answer: 0 minutes. Nailed it 10 points. +- 5, 4 points. +- 10, 1 point.
3. I watch a Disney animated movie on the flight. Which?
Answer: Big Hero 6. 10 points.
4. Connecting flight. Do I make it?
Answer: Barely! 4 points.
5. How do you take your coffee?
Answer: 4 points.
DonnaBeeGood - 2:15, 8, Zootopia, yes, coffee, saw one, plate - 17 points.
afwdwfan - 3:45, 20, Big Hero 6, yes, coffee, plate - 22 points.
mustinjourney - 2:00, 5, Finding Dory, yes, coffee, saw one - 22 points.
Curiouser&curiouser! - 3:45, 13, Wreck it Ralph, yes, coffee - 8 points.
Gracefulskinny - asked for points, 4:00, 5, Inside Out, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 22 points.
Mrs T 2009 - 5:45, 6, BFG, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 21 points.
rndmr2 - 5:00, 5, Big Hero 6, yes, coffee, saw both - 30 points.
orangecats2 - asked for points, 2:00, 15, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 22 points.
irene_dsc - 3:15, 36(!), Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 16 points.
DaisyDuck001 - 5:20, 10, Up, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 17 points.
fallonkendra - 2:00, 7, Zootopia, yes, coffee, saw both - 17 points.
Captain_Oblivious - asked for points, 8:00, 13, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 37 points. High score!
Heluvsme - plate - 4 points.
franandaj - asked for points, 2:15, 8, Frozen, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 23 points.
Terra Nova guy - 2:30, 13, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw one - 16 points.
Mac Brew - 6:45, 15, Finding Dory, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 20 points.
juniorbugman - 2:30, 21, Muppets, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 20 points.
cinderkelly - asked for points, 3:30, 10, Frozen, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 23 points.
Steppesister - 1:30, 10, Finding Dory, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 21 points.
MAGICFOR2 - 2:45, 5, Toy Story 3, yes, coffee, saw one - 16 points.
Chrystmasangel - 2:00, 8, Wreck it Ralph, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 21 points.
Princess Leia - saw both - 8 points.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 2:00, 38, Zootopia, yes, coffee, plate, saw both - 20 points.
As usual, if I've made any mistakes,
either above or below, let me know.
Bonus points
afwdwfan - Loss for words. 2 points. Thieving birds. 2 points.
mustinjourney - Particularly punny person perhaps. 2 points.
Curiouser&curiouser! - Cleans up well. 2 points.
Gracefulskinny - Takes out the rubbish. - 2 points.
orangecats2 - Knows I send 'em packing. - 2 points.
Captain_Oblivious - Push/pull - 3 points.
Heluvsme - Fonzi. 2 points.
irene_dsc, - Knows who's cool - 3 points.
franandaj - Plate holder. - 8 points. Knows a good ending. - 2 points.
Terra Nova guy - Knows a good shirt when he sees it. - 2 points.
Mac Brew - In hibernation. - 2 points.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - Always on her mind. - 2 points.
cinderkelly - Tries not to be mortified. - 2 points.
Steppesister - Thinks I'm warped. - 2 points. Loyalty points. - 4 points.
MHSweb79 - Hopefully felt less pulley. - 2 points.
MAGICFOR2 - 'Cause she kneeds it. - 2 points.
Chrystmasangel - Points for asking for points. - 2 points. For being ignored. - 4 points.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - Sounds like a mom. - 2 points.
Score
Steppesister - 263 points
franandaj - 252 points
orangecats2 - 251 points
DISNEYMOON10121991 -228 points
Captain_Oblivious - 223 points
DonnaBeeGood - 190 points
irene_dsc - 188 points
juniorbugman - 181 points
Thumper_Man - 179 points
Thumper_Man's Wife - 177 points
Mac Brew - 173 points
Gracefulskinny - 172 points
Terra Nova guy - 168 points
Chrystmasangel - 165 points
rndmr2 - 165 points
MAGICFOR2 - 153 points
Mrs T 2009 - 153 points
fallonkendra - 147 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 143 points
jandlinz - 140 points
cinderkelly - 136 points
queenbetsey - 135 points
mustinjourney - 134 points
DaisyDuck001 - 132 points
Curiouser&curiouser! - 126 points
chookie94 - 122 points
afwdwfan - 121 points
Heluvsme - 96 points
bankr63 - 87 points
tashers - 84 points
chillitsanne - 57 points
Princess Leia - 44 points
natebenma - 39 points
SnowWhiteOz - 30 points
SoccerDogWithEars - 30 points
vrajewski10513 - 30 points
kaileighbug - 28 points
krnelson65 - 22 points
lisaviolet - 18 points
MHSweb79 - 13 points
QueenJen - 10 points
cindianne320 - 4 points
Ladyfish77 - 4 points
KathyM2 - 3 points
MarieLightning - 2 points
Self_resqing_princz - 2 points
Questions, next round:
1. I do laundry
(please, keep your gasps of astonishment to yourselves.)
Those shorts salveagable or red for good?
2. What critical item did I leave in Florida?
3. What snack, that is worth coming to Canada for
do we get?
4. Flight. Calgary, AB or Edmonton, AB?
5. Flight. Early, on time, or late?
6. What's your favourite movie?
Coming up: Off to Alberta!
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