DLR Pirate's Lair

Yesterday Shane, Kellie, Sandy & I went to DLR to check out the new Pirate's Lair attraction. John-George & Devon met us for half the day. We turned in our last VMK Quests (as DLR VMK Central closes for good today), and got to see the new Subs ("Resurfacing June 11") in action as Cast Members sneak a peak. The Pirate's Lair had neat effects and was lots of fun. They have integrated the Pirate's the Caribbean mythos with Tom Sawyer's Island and given Jack Sparrow a new home in Disneyland.

After the island, Shane and I ride the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes. This was his first time ever on the boats. The evening closes with a Monorail trip out to Downtown Disney's ESPN Sport Zone for dinner to watch the Ducks in a Stanely Cup game. Not only was the restaurant busy for the game, but there was a prom going on. In fact, we only got seated "so quickly" (waited an hour) because someone left and gave us their buzzer. The name was Soap. Heh. Shane, Kellie, Sandy & I had a great time eating and chatting. It was good to shoot the bull with friends.

May '07 - Update

It's been a busy couple of weeks since my last blog, so I'll dive right in. Earlier this month, way back on Friday the 11th Sandy and I attended a special Padres game. PetCo gave Sandy's Department access to their Suite at the ballpark. She got tickets for herself, her dad and I. The game was great, and good times were had all 'round. The Padres won over the Cards 7-0 on Retro Night. It was a shutout game that included 11 strike-outs by Padres pitcher Jake Peavy (1st Padre to get 10+ Ks in 4 consecutive starts), a "Star" caliber catch by Giles, and 3 Padre HRs. About 2/3rds through the game, Sandy & her dad were able to sit in the PetCo Dugout section seats for a couple innings.

On Saturday, May 19, 2007 Sandy & I went to Kirt & Karen's daughter Sarah's 2nd Birthday Party. Steve, Fran, Karen's parents, and others were there. Sarah's actual b-day is March 2nd, but life gets in the way sometimes. Heh. Ladybugs were the theme, hence the red and black colors. Pizza, cake, & ice cream were eaten along with personalized M&M candies. Very posh. The kids played games and enjoyed frame making crafts and coloring. Also Kirt & Karen's new van was debuted.

Sandy & I purchased DLR 1Day Parkhoppers for Mom & Dad for Mother's & Father's Day. The announced closing of DLR's VMK Central on June 3rd prompted the early trip without Sandy (who wanted Mom & Dad to get their final Quests) on Dad's day off. So last Tuesday (05/22/07) we three went on up to Disneyland. We had a fantastic time completing the quests and trippin' the park. Some highlights included the Jedi Academy show (1st time I'd ever sat through the full thing, it's cute, and would be cuter still if I knew any of the kids in it), Billy Hill & the Hillbillies, got pictures with Jack Sparrow and I had a "Dreams event" when I was given a pair of Tinkerbell Dreams pins (that I gave to Mom & Dad, of course).

Thanks to Memorial Day I got a four day weekend. It was nice and relaxing. On Sunday (05/27/07) Amy, Sandy, & I went up to Disney's El Capitan Theatre on DLR Annual Passholder Day to see Pirates of the Caribbean III - At World's End. While waiting in line at the El Cap, I took pictures of the theatre and the cast of Pirates that were there to entertain the crowd. Once inside we had time to visit the Prop Room. Prior to the movie we were entertained by a restored 1920s Wurlitzer organ - Amazing! The theatre was decorated and lit to set a Piratey Mood. What a great movie! Lot's of fun, and full of fan-service in-jokes. Sure the story had some unneeded threads, but who cares?! It was a great ride. After El Cap, we cruised on down to DLR on the way home so Amy & Sandy could pick up their final VMK Quests. I scored a 2nd set myself, along with 4 cast-only lanyard pins. We took some time to ride a few rides, and got the VIP Gimp treatment since Amy was in a wheelchair due to her recent foot surgery. The highlight of which was going Up the Haunted Mansion's Stretching Room, watching all the pictures restore their subjects to life. Creepy. Thanks Amy!

I learned last week that my brother Jeff (still stationed in Germany) is being re-deployed to Iraq in August for fourteen months. That was muy no bueno news to be sure. On the upside, I found on Monday (05/28/07) that he and his family are coming here to visit in July! That was grand to hear!!

Finally, a couple links for you surfing pleasure. I had time this last weekend to process and post some pictures from last year including the 4th of July and Halloween '06. Shane posted pictures of his recent Galapagos Trip (Wow!). Lastly, here's a Lost Season 3 Recap that Sandy sent to me, funny stuff.

This Week in Bob - Episode III

Over Memorial Day Weekend I had four days off (05/27/06-05/30/06). It was wonderful! A splendid mini-vacation. I really didn't mind coming back to work on Wednesday, if you can believe it. I spent a lot of time with Sandy playing VMK (see below) and hung out with Kirt, Karen and Family. I helped Kirt finish his patio, a project he's been working on for a few weeks. He did most of the work, but I helped now and again with the brick hauling and laying (something I'd never done before and found easier than I expected in many ways) and "painting" wood oil onto his table and chairs.

Throughout the weekend VMK had several Baseball Quests that started Friday night. Each day a new piece of the Purple Baseball costume was offered. I'd never participated in this sort of event before, and neither had Sandy (who, as you'll remember, was only just "Born" the weekend prior). We spent many many (read: too many - lol) hours playing VMK taking these Quests. I greatly enjoyed this with her. Shane and Kellie join us online for the adventure and that was a hoot too. The four of us would help each other get the answers and capture ghosts or play Pirates, and so forth. Then Sunday (05/28/06) Sandy also completed a number of other in-game Quests to get her Diver Pin, Pink Car and License, and Inner-Space Pin. She's taking the Hidden Mickey II Quest now. She really enjoyed doing the Quests, said it was Good Times.

June 2006 is Pirate month for Disney fans! The new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (IMDb) movie is scheduled to be released at the end of the month. Also the newly refurbished Pirate ride at Disenyland will be opening. I can't wait! Al Lutz over at MiceAge had this to say about the changes. I am especially happy to hear they are removing the lame changes from '97. I really can't wait to see/hear the new lighting/sound effects! Shiver me timbers! VMK is also getting in the act, offering various new items (most of which haven't been released yet, so I don't know what, but it's exciting!).

Links of the Week:
I have created a GoofyBob VMK Site. There is only a little on there now and I do plan to expand on it, but I have already put some useful information in the Blog section.

In the tradition of Ted's Website, his mother Gracie now has one too.

Plans for this weekend include going to see X-Men: The Last Stand (IMDb) tomorrow and then Mom, Dad, Sandy and I (and possibly Amy) are going to Disneyland on Sunday. Mom & Dad (and Amy if she comes) are getting Born in the Park in VMK. We'll be taking the High School Musical Quest, wish us luck!

Well, that's it for this week. Thanks for tuning in, and I'll catch ya next time. Happy Journeys!

This Week in Bob - Episode II

On Friday 05/19/06 I went to Best Buy and purchased a new digital camera. This is *my* first digital camera (any other that I've used was either Sandy's or one from another friend or family member). I bought a Sony DSC-T9. I also bought a 2GB Pro memory card and a spare battery. Awesome camera! I can't believe how small it is (as pictured). It's smaller than a deck of cards! Besides some practice shots, I used it extensively at Disneyland on Sunday and it produced some lovely pictures.

Saturday 05/20/06 was a nice and relaxing day. I enjoyed some time futzing around on my computer while I waited for someone to come and fix our toilet (it had stopped working Friday night - all fixed now). I added The Cars, OMD, Dead Can Dance, and most of my Enya to my iTunes Library. Oh, but wait, I haven't talked about this in TWiB yet. I have over 800 CDs and I am working to rip the songs from those CDs and put in them on my PC and iBob. I am keeping a spreadsheet that includes the number CDs remaining and so forth. Right now I am at 30.5 omplete. Still a long way to go. At some point I'll put a list of my Library online for all to view and envy over. LOL

In the evening I hung out over at Kirt's house. We chatted and shot the bull. Ate Cold Stone ice cream. Played Trivial Pursuit, heads up. And we both sucked. We know nothing.

I also got an e-mail from CJ about this site. Had me laughing my ass off! CJ if you're watching, here's a Shout-Out to you!

As mentioned above, on Sunday 05/21/06 Sandy and I went to Disneyland. The day was cloudy and cool and the park was busy, but only in a medium way - not so crowded really. Sandy joined VMK and I won a couple of rounds of an impromptu VMK Scavenger Hunt. She completed the Tomorrowland and 50th Anniversary Quests (which I did when born back in April with Shane and Kellie) and we both did the Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Frontierland Quests. We got mucho codes!

With the upcoming Pirate movie not too far off, DLR is loaded with all sorts of new merchandise. There were lots of new pirate pins, including several with Goofy which made me happy! Here you can see Sandy and I sporting in our new Pirate Mickey Ears. Very spiffy, these new ears, complete with hoop earring and red scarf. I can't wait for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride to reopen!

And speaking of new rides, there is a new feature in the Haunted Mansion. It's still mostly the same old great ride, but they've completely renovated the attic scene. The new Bride is amazing! You'll have to see it for yourself!

On Monday 05/22/06 I received an e-mail from my brother with another picture of him and Colin:

Tuesday 05/23/06 was a lazy day. I played VMK, of course. I also I updated and added some content to my VMK page including some useful codes. Sandy added a cute story on Ted's Website. Yes, my dog has a website. - sigh - - LOL

Last night (Wednesday 05/24/06) Sandy and I went out with Amy, Michelle and Chris to PF Chang's. It was a good time, food was ok (I'm not really into Chinese, but when it comes to Chinese, Chang's is very good), company was better. This was the first time I'd ever really hung out with Amy's friend Chris. He's a cool guy!

One last little tid-bit, check out this Superman Returns Trailer. The end shot especially is so Money! Thanks for tuning in, see you next week! Until then, Happy Journeys!