Thursday, October 8, 2009
Disney 2009: Day 8
Today was an Epcot day and deTag's birthday. The gifts started early. Zach brought him two beautiful Cast Exclusive posters depicting the Animation History of Disney. Steve and Liz had gotten him a set of Disney PVC figures that had some of deTag's Disney favorites: Figment, Big Al and Ezra.
Darrell and I went into the park around 11a. We had been out late the night before and I had to put some last minute touches on deTag's birthday card.
We arrived at Epcot and stopped by the Animation Gallery to look around. One of the Disney Artist Larry Dotson (http://larrydotson.com/Walt%20Disney%20World.htm) was appearing and signing his prints.
What was the first print we see walking in the shop?
...and the second?
After a nice conversation with Larry and his wife, Darrell and I had both of our prints personalized and sent to the front for package pick-up.
The next order of business was to finish the last piece of deTag's birthday card. I stilled needed to get 'Happy Birthday" messages from Morocco, Japan, France and Italy. I started in France, then to Morocco. It was amazing to watch the Cast member write 'Happy Birthday Brain' in Arabic - from right to left. Next was Japan and finally Italy. Darrell finished it up with a drawing of the Spaceship Earth. We called it "Happy Birthday from around the World!" In Italy, we found a corner table in the shade, sat down and wax sealed the envelope.
We called everyone else to let them know we where in the park. We walked around to Norway for a ride on the Maelstrom and then over to Mexico. After a ride on 'Grand Fiesta', we met up with Jesse and deTag. After some window shopping, we walked outside and hooked-up with Steve, Liz and Stuart. Steve and Liz decided to walk over to the UK while the rest of us walked back to over Norway for another Maelstrom ride. We explored China and Stuart showed where to stand so that when you spoke, you could hear yourself. That was kind of neat. Next, we made a stop in Japan to rest and have some pre-dinner sushi.
We took our time and walked around to Canada. Our dinner was going to be at Le Cellier. Unfortunately, it was another long wait - nearly an hour. Luckily, most of us were too tired to care. We found different ways to occupy the time.
Dinner was superb. After the meal we gave deTag his birthday card and Jesse gave him a personalized Haunted mansion print from Larry Dotson. Desert was as good as the meal. DeTag's desert had "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate on the plate and Darrell and I ordered the Chocolate Moose...
With dinner being so late, we were in a practically deserted park when we left Le Cellier. The park had been closed for 45 minutes. We took our time walking to the front and took in all the beauty of Future World without any crowds.
We slowly made our way back to the front of the park and headed back to the resort. deTag had his last birthday surprise waiting in his room. Housekeeping had left a washcloth cake with pipe cleaner candles, some Celebrate buttons and balloons.
Zach came over to the resort to pick up a few things and say good-bye. It was late and we were tired but everyone packed up as much as they could before going to sleep.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Steve Vitale's Birthday and Wontkins
This past Sunday, we celebrated Steve's birthday. It was a grand time. We met at the Vitale abode around 3pm. As with most geek get-togethers, there was much socializing followed by a around of 'check-out the cool, new costume stuff'. Back on Liz's birthday, Steve had surprised her with the beginnings of her Ghostbuster costume. Well, now the proton pack had arrived so Liz modeled it for us.
We watched the Dr. Horrible DVD. Not the normal DVD but the 'musical commentary'. Yeah, we really are that geeky. Next it was time for Steve to open gifts. There was the round of cards; my scrapbook card and deTag's always-so-awesomely-creative card. Liz saved hers for last. It was worth the wait. She had made him a Wontkins puppet! It looked fantastic!
For some background on this little muppet recreation, check out the Muppet Wiki and for more info on Liz and all her puppets, check out her website Puppetoons.
Wontkins was the hit of the party.
..and here is a vintage video of Wilkins and Wontkins in action.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Catch Up: Part 2
I have been crazy busy. There has has been sewing (and a lot more of that to come), pirating, partying (ok, birthday party) and not much trivia - trying to catch up with everything else.
I'm going to try and get some posts up on the Darrell/Alex Birthday party and pirating at the Museum later today...
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Birthday Dinner at Nicola's
Sorry for the delay in Posting but it was a busy weekend and I still haven't caught up on everything!
The dinner at Nicola's was great. There were 17 people there and the food was delicious as always. While most everybody had been to Nicola's before, there were a few newbies and I think we now have them hooked. That always seems to happen when you take people to Nicola's; they always want to go back!
It was a full house on Saturday. There was our group of 17, another group of 20 for a birthday, a group of 25 celebrating an upcoming marriage and the faithful few that wander in just for a good dinner.
I have posted some of the pictures but the video I have is better. I'll have to look into getting that out on the blog next....
Enjoy!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
We all congregated at the Vortex on
We left the Vortex around 10:30pm and headed over to the Regal Hollywood 24. We all just hung out in front of the theatre waiting for Darrell's brother and Mario. Darrell's brother showed just after we did but at 11:30p, Mario was no where to be seen.
Here is the motley crew (minus me and Mario) in front of the Theatre.
D-Tag decided to wait outside for Mario while the rest of us headed inside. Neil and I grabbed a spot in line while everyone else was running around. When we got inside, we staked out 1/2 a row about mid-way up; really good seats.
They started playing low-key previews early while everyone was wandering in and out. Finally, our whole crew made it into the theatre. At midnight, the place was pretty crowded and people really had to search for seats. Then they darkened the theatre for the real previews. The ones I remember were for a movie called 'Blindness' and 'The Clone Wars'.
*****SPOILER ALERT!!!!******
It took me a few minutes to warm up to the movie. The child Hellboy looked odd to me, but it was good to see Father again. The bedtime story in this scene gave The Golden Army background. The visuals were interesting. I wasn't sure about them in the beginning but the more I think about it, the more it liked it.
The treatment of the Elves was done very well. They were very pale and had pointy ears but they were not shown frail in any way. Nor were they portrayed as having an ethereal quality. Their eyes were fantastic.
I loved the tooth-fairies. They were nasty, evil little buggers.
The entire design of the Angel of Death and that scene where Liz has to answer the question was fantastic. I believe it is a more pivotal scene that most people realized.
But my all time favorite, with no exception, it Abe and Red drinking beer and singing “Can’t Smile Without You” by Barry Manilow. By the end of the scene, Abe and Red are both completely trashed. It was hysterical.
I’ll stop now, even though I have told you some of the best parts.
*********SPOILER ALERT OVER!!!!************
It was a good time had by all. I was a little worried about Josh staying awake to get home – he had been up 21 hrs but he assured me everything was fine.
Today is recovery and whatever Darrell wants to do. Today is his actual birthday. Tomorrow night we eat and dance at Nicola’s and I won’t forget the camera!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Tonight starts Darrell's Birthday Celebration.
