I have to say that American TV, with fifty squillion 'commercials' is generally cack. Apart from the shows I like of course like Lost, Depserate Housewives, 30 Rock and 24. Local rea news is the best with so many stupid stories about odd people's lives. I just saw a recaptured escaped convict crying for his mom on the box - pitiful.
There is a very MINOR chance of a tornado tonight. I said VERY MINOR mum / dad / in laws. We'll be fine and will sleep in the cupboard. Maybe we can just watch a little more news about 'ordinary' American lives, jeeeez. I would detail the stuff they have on but fear I will just glaze over. Oh look, I already have..... ZZzzzzz
Thursday, 2 April 2009
E.R.
A long time ago we used to watch ER but it got so miserable we had to stop. But today we are watching the very lasy episode ever and lots of old characters are appearing - we're still looking out for George Clooney's Doug Ross though. We want Doug, we want Doug.
Rejoice! The Blog Is Back,, Days 5,6 and 7
Thank the sweet wifi Lord for letting me blog once more!
It seems the internet powers that be didn't like me downloading copyrighted material "30 Rock / Lost" so they cut me off the other night. I thought it was the machine so I did all sorts of reinstalling but I got through to the right people today and it seems for now.... I am BACK.
Does anyone care? I'm not sure but I do enjoy talking about our (my) time here and all the 'exotic' foods I am eating. So here it is, one blog entryfor 3 days of missed blogging.
Return To The Magic Kingdom (March 31st) was one of those varied days by which we spent the first half by the pool then made a top toasted turkey and cheese salad mega sandwich in the kitchen of our villa followed by a 4pm arrival at the Magic Kingdom. By this time and due to going to the parks on the 4 previous days / staying up late to blog I was totally worn out. However we spent a great few hours in Fantasyland seeing the best of the Disney 3D movies, Mickey's Philharmagic followed by the rides of Winnie the Pooh, Tomorrowland Speedway, Dumbo, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, It's a Small World (we had to really!) and ended the day waiting (for 45 minutes) with huge crowds for the 8.15 'Spectromagic' show. The crowds were huge and during the wait Freya needed the loo and Mrs Rose was a star managing to fight her way through, take Freya then come back with food supplies for the children. It was worth the wait and the crowds - an amazing show comprising of lots of floats all lit up with coloured lights featuring all the usual characters and great orchestral music. We all agreed that this was excellent but decided to leave just before the fireworks - and it was good that we did as not only did we see them from the monorail but we were able to ride with the driver at the very front! Talk about your awesome train driving fantasy! We went pretty fast (or so it seemed at 40mph) and going through the hotel was an experience followed by the kids receiving a co-driver's licence at the end from the very kind driver. Those of you with kids will know how happy a little piece of card can make one's offspring.
We got back to the hotel around 9.45, put the kids to bed and then the grown ups shared some noodles from the previous night's Chinese food - we were tired and it was late! Then I had to have more of that ice cream - and in case I haven't mentioned it before the flavour was vanilla with chocolate brownies and fudge, lush.
STEAK day!
April 1st - we chilled at the pool for half the day with some friends of some friends, and their kids who ours got on well with - and later on went again to the massive outlet mall (Premium Outlets). I bought a cardigan (are they back in vogue?) for $11.99 and a shirt in Gap. Wifey and kids got some stuf too and we made it to the last day of the Ralph Lauren sale - phew. Whilst Gabby did some shopping I took the kids for some sweet treats in... The Fudgery. Muffled teenage guffaws.
I hope the G20 hippies in London didnt cause too much disruption and that they were waved away with the promise of a pot noodle.
OK - so we went to a local eaterie called "Fishbones" with our new friends and their children. The service in this regular restaurant is just unheard of in England unless you pay bloody loads! Our waitress couldn't do enough for us as I gorged on a 17oz New York strip steak. I even sneaked in a few "holiday shrimps" which I shielded the children's religious eyes from. The steak was cooked medium rare and was sublime. Pink in the middle but with no juices running from it at all. Obviously once I had consumed my one lovely cold beer I had about 4 Diet Cokes but as this is the land of the free it was one Diet Coke with 3 free refills. The kids had a top time with our friends' children and their parents were very nice too. We all went to bed about 10pm (not with the parents) and this was maybe a bit too late for the kids as transpired today.
OK - so we went to a local eaterie called "Fishbones" with our new friends and their children. The service in this regular restaurant is just unheard of in England unless you pay bloody loads! Our waitress couldn't do enough for us as I gorged on a 17oz New York strip steak. I even sneaked in a few "holiday shrimps" which I shielded the children's religious eyes from. The steak was cooked medium rare and was sublime. Pink in the middle but with no juices running from it at all. Obviously once I had consumed my one lovely cold beer I had about 4 Diet Cokes but as this is the land of the free it was one Diet Coke with 3 free refills. The kids had a top time with our friends' children and their parents were very nice too. We all went to bed about 10pm (not with the parents) and this was maybe a bit too late for the kids as transpired today.
I BELIEVE - in Shamu! (April 2nd)
Today we went to Seaworld which is only 5 mins from here as opposed to 20mins+ for Disney Parks. At this watery wonderland saw the amazing Shamu(s) in a very patriotic and shmaltzy show called Believe (feel free to YouTube it but I'll try to upload a photo or a vid) . It was very enjoyable and we all got wet in the 'soak zone'. We also walked through the "Shark Encounter" which was very cool and then saw a fun pirate show featuring Sea Lions and an otter! As we left we got our tickets stamped so we can pop back for free and at the same time asked Guest Services where a recommended ice cream place was. It just so happened that the "Coldstone Creamery" was very near where a man lived who had lost his keys on a rollercoaster! His nice wife asked if I could take him home, I hesitated for a second then realised these people may not actually kill me, so we took the guy home to get his spare keys etc. He showed me where this slice of ice cream heaven was. What an amazing place - you choose your bits and pieces (oreos, chocolate, nuts, twix, sweets etc) and your ice cream then they hand mix it all on an icy slab and it was yummmmmmy!
We are chilling in the room tonight and eating relatively healthy pasta with fresh garlic bread and parmesan bread crispy things.
Both the kids have a bit of a cold so we're having an early night as tomorrow we're going to the Kennedy Space Centerrr - for a fun full day including our lunch with a real astronaut (I may have mentioned this before to some of you)
I hope the internet people don't ban me again!
Tata for now.
I hope the internet people don't ban me again!
Tata for now.
Monday, 30 March 2009
May Day 4 Be With You
After a late night last night we all managed to be up and out by 8.30am which wasn't bad really - and into Disney's Hollywood Studios by 9.05am - good going Rosey! We began by doing the studio backlot tour which is pretty standard fare for any 'studios' with the obligatory burning tanker truck and 100 billion gallons of water washing over you. This isn't to say it wasn't fun, because it was! This park seemed to be a lot about shows and performance so we saw The Little Mermaid where I got really bastard soaked for some reason with the rest of us being less affected by the inside theater (sorry, USA spelling) rain. Muppetvision 3D reminded me of how funny the muppets was always written with loads of belly laughs (from me anywayshow) and then the impressive Indiana Jones spectacular. I only had a salad for lunch which is shocking considering all the crap I could have had! This southwestern leafy affair really was most delish, especially for Disney fodder. Apart from what was mentioned previously we all thought the High School Musical show was great (not just cos of he pretty girls!) and Toy Story Mania seemed to combine a fun ride coupled wih amazing interactive computer generated blasting fun.
Whilst at the park I also took Freya on Star Tours which was a simulator ride based on a cetain sextet of films I love (well, maybe not Episode 1). Beyond this ride was an emporium full of related goodies where they had even more Disney / Star Wars crossover fodder. I was 'forced' to buy a dubious looking (in my wife's eyes) T Shirt. I informed her nobody would ever see it, well, apart from you that is. I cant see a problem with it's jovial X Wing pilot Mouse, can you? Next door to Star Tours was a Jedi Academy where they call up kids to train with a lightsaber on stage - my shy duo declined to try to get picked (Freya?shy?). This ended with a bit of Vader and stirring music with typical Disney acoustics and was very good indeed,
We ended on the parade which was full of Pixar favourites and then came back to the hotel for a swim. But not before we went to the supermarket to stock up on fooooooood! I don't think I have mentioned this before but we agan bought some, ahem, "beef bacon" which (to a bad Jewish boy like me) smelled and tasted like bacon but was all beef (and water and chemicals and dust)
Which part of the beef I do not know nor want to find out (lips and ar*eholes anyone?).
This evening we ordered a Chinese to be delivered to the room (more like an apartment really). It's always a worry to a fat bast like me as to the quality of such foods when tried from a new place but luckily we were not diappointed. Half a duck, egg flied lice, chow mein and szechuan beef were very much enjoyed along with spring rolls and chicken skewers - brurrrp.
Mrs Rose appears to be asleep already and it's only 9.49pm - I may be able to polish off more ice cream this time - woo hoo.
Tomorrow.... we might not go to any parks at all.... nooooooooooooooo. Yes.
Then after that its going to be stormy allll week - this is my punishment for posting weather reports on facebook, gutted.
Still to come on this holiday / blog: RETURN To The Magic Kingdom, Epcot 2, Universal, Sea World AND Kennedy Space Center (I'm doing that bad spelling again) featuring lunch with a real astronaut, ooooh. Oh, and back to more malls to satisfy any shopping cravings. All of this subject to change and the inclusion of a water park - but no bikini shots of me will be forthcoming as I haven't been deforested. Does my back being Veeted count?
I know what you're (probably not) asking - "will they make it to the ice cream emporium that is The Coldstone Creamery?" and the ever present "when will Paul report back on his first US steak in 8 years?". All this and more will be answered, if the storms don't wash us away and if we go to that ice cream place and if I have a steak (yeah right, cos I wont be doing that... much)
And here are the video parts - sorry to any parents / in laws as I don't have any grandchild footage here: (one for now, will add more in the morning)
Whilst at the park I also took Freya on Star Tours which was a simulator ride based on a cetain sextet of films I love (well, maybe not Episode 1). Beyond this ride was an emporium full of related goodies where they had even more Disney / Star Wars crossover fodder. I was 'forced' to buy a dubious looking (in my wife's eyes) T Shirt. I informed her nobody would ever see it, well, apart from you that is. I cant see a problem with it's jovial X Wing pilot Mouse, can you? Next door to Star Tours was a Jedi Academy where they call up kids to train with a lightsaber on stage - my shy duo declined to try to get picked (Freya?shy?). This ended with a bit of Vader and stirring music with typical Disney acoustics and was very good indeed,
We ended on the parade which was full of Pixar favourites and then came back to the hotel for a swim. But not before we went to the supermarket to stock up on fooooooood! I don't think I have mentioned this before but we agan bought some, ahem, "beef bacon" which (to a bad Jewish boy like me) smelled and tasted like bacon but was all beef (and water and chemicals and dust)
Which part of the beef I do not know nor want to find out (lips and ar*eholes anyone?).
This evening we ordered a Chinese to be delivered to the room (more like an apartment really). It's always a worry to a fat bast like me as to the quality of such foods when tried from a new place but luckily we were not diappointed. Half a duck, egg flied lice, chow mein and szechuan beef were very much enjoyed along with spring rolls and chicken skewers - brurrrp.
Mrs Rose appears to be asleep already and it's only 9.49pm - I may be able to polish off more ice cream this time - woo hoo.
Tomorrow.... we might not go to any parks at all.... nooooooooooooooo. Yes.
Then after that its going to be stormy allll week - this is my punishment for posting weather reports on facebook, gutted.
Still to come on this holiday / blog: RETURN To The Magic Kingdom, Epcot 2, Universal, Sea World AND Kennedy Space Center (I'm doing that bad spelling again) featuring lunch with a real astronaut, ooooh. Oh, and back to more malls to satisfy any shopping cravings. All of this subject to change and the inclusion of a water park - but no bikini shots of me will be forthcoming as I haven't been deforested. Does my back being Veeted count?
I know what you're (probably not) asking - "will they make it to the ice cream emporium that is The Coldstone Creamery?" and the ever present "when will Paul report back on his first US steak in 8 years?". All this and more will be answered, if the storms don't wash us away and if we go to that ice cream place and if I have a steak (yeah right, cos I wont be doing that... much)
And here are the video parts - sorry to any parents / in laws as I don't have any grandchild footage here: (one for now, will add more in the morning)
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Thunder, Outlets and Epcot - Day 3...
The fact of the matter is that even though we had the loudest thunder ever at 5am and more rain than you could shake a stick at - today was the best day so far, and here is how this all transpired...
The wife and I got up around 6am after the sounds of the storm scared the bejesus out of us.
Once the children were up (7 ish) and ready I attempted, in vain, to escort Jacob who wanted to go to the pool. For a swim. In the p*ssing rain. The weather got the better of us both and we retreated back to the room to chill out and for me to post those extra pics and vids from the day before. At around 10am we left the room, into the jam jar and went off in the rain to go to.... Premium Outlets. If only the pound was as strong as it was a year or so ago - but we still managed to bag some bargains in Ralph Lauren, Converse (pink for Freya and Rubik's cube boots for Jacob)and Reebok (two pairs of great trainers for about £48). We also managed to consume a couple of pretzels at "Aunt Annies" - with the cinnamon and sugar concoction being one of the nicest sweet snacks tasted in a long time. It wasn't as emotional as last night's Olive Garden but hey, that was nearing perfection (!).
After we had put the kids through a few hours of torment at this ENORMOUS airport sized mall (with touch screen interactive store directory) the weather was improving for the better - so we happily treated the kids to something called 'fast food' at a little known place the Americans nickname "The Golden Arches"..... which seemed to taste better in the land of the free(fat).
After this luxury luncheon we headed, in the sunshine, for Epcot. We all had a great time here with the kids meeting some of the characters again with some nice snaps (again), with us all loving The Seas (with Nemo and friends), Spaceship Earth and a trip across the lake to the middle of the world showcase.
As we had only arrived around 3.30pm by the time our 5min trip across the lake ended it was 6.30pm and time for our reservation at Teppan Edo in Japan.
Epcot seems to create a very special kind of atmosphere and even though some of our peers had steered us away for a long visit to Epcot with children they really loved it and so did we. Nobody does it like uncle Walt and 'his' powers of organisation, acoustics and all round entertainment will never cease to amaze.
We probably will go back again later in the trip just to go on a lot more rides that we missed today. The show ended at about 9.30pm and the younglings were in bed by 10.15 so not bad really, and they were surpisingly spritely for the time of day. This bodes well for future evening shows of this kind.
THE best day so far, and that was even with the rain.
Tomorrow we'll attack Hollywood Studios and our trusty Fodor's guide has told us which rides to go on first. As the weather forecast is good we may just make it there before 3.30pm! It's now 12.40am and all are asleep apart from me - raiding the giant tub of ice cream (again) and waiting for the blog videos to upload....
The wife and I got up around 6am after the sounds of the storm scared the bejesus out of us.
Once the children were up (7 ish) and ready I attempted, in vain, to escort Jacob who wanted to go to the pool. For a swim. In the p*ssing rain. The weather got the better of us both and we retreated back to the room to chill out and for me to post those extra pics and vids from the day before. At around 10am we left the room, into the jam jar and went off in the rain to go to.... Premium Outlets. If only the pound was as strong as it was a year or so ago - but we still managed to bag some bargains in Ralph Lauren, Converse (pink for Freya and Rubik's cube boots for Jacob)and Reebok (two pairs of great trainers for about £48). We also managed to consume a couple of pretzels at "Aunt Annies" - with the cinnamon and sugar concoction being one of the nicest sweet snacks tasted in a long time. It wasn't as emotional as last night's Olive Garden but hey, that was nearing perfection (!).
After this luxury luncheon we headed, in the sunshine, for Epcot. We all had a great time here with the kids meeting some of the characters again with some nice snaps (again), with us all loving The Seas (with Nemo and friends), Spaceship Earth and a trip across the lake to the middle of the world showcase.
As we had only arrived around 3.30pm by the time our 5min trip across the lake ended it was 6.30pm and time for our reservation at Teppan Edo in Japan.
What a top meal - a nice authentic chef person cooked the meal in front of us on one of those Teppanyaki style hot plates (500 degrees something (C/F) apparently). We all started with some sushi followed by hot fresh sizzling steak and chicken, mmm mmm. By the time this Japanese feast ended it was around 8pm and we headed to the bridge between 'France' and 'The United Kingdom' to secure our place for the best view of "Illuminations: Reflections Of Earth". This was the best firework and light display I have ever seen (since the last time I saw it in 2001). It utterly took my and all our breaths away.
The kids' eyes were so wide and they clapped more at the end than I have seen so far for any show. "That was amazing / can we come back tomorrow night?" one or the other of them said. The spectacle, like a number of things this holiday, brought a lump to my throat and tears in my eyes (is this hormonal / signs of early male menopause?)
Epcot seems to create a very special kind of atmosphere and even though some of our peers had steered us away for a long visit to Epcot with children they really loved it and so did we. Nobody does it like uncle Walt and 'his' powers of organisation, acoustics and all round entertainment will never cease to amaze.
We probably will go back again later in the trip just to go on a lot more rides that we missed today. The show ended at about 9.30pm and the younglings were in bed by 10.15 so not bad really, and they were surpisingly spritely for the time of day. This bodes well for future evening shows of this kind.
THE best day so far, and that was even with the rain.
Tomorrow we'll attack Hollywood Studios and our trusty Fodor's guide has told us which rides to go on first. As the weather forecast is good we may just make it there before 3.30pm! It's now 12.40am and all are asleep apart from me - raiding the giant tub of ice cream (again) and waiting for the blog videos to upload....
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