On The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I didn't read any of the Harry Potter books.  And I think I only watched about 10 minutes of the first movie.  The fantasy/sorcery/wizardry genre is not my thing.  Give me a good love story or a good murder mystery to read and as far as movies, I want comedy.  I want to be entertained.

But on our trip to Florida, and more specifically, Universal Studios, I felt compelled to check out the Harry Potter ride.  I could have spent that hour and a half in so many more productive ways.  Like cleaning.  And I don't like to clean.

We hit the ride pretty early in the day.  There are no "fast passes" in Universal.  There's an "Express Pass" - an expensive alternative to the entrance fee that allows you to go the special line of any attraction with out fighting your way to a ride to get a timed pass like Disney.  We didn't choose this option, and in reality, with the exception of the Harry Potter ride, we really didn't find it necessary.  I think it's a much better idea than Disney as you pay a premium to eliminate the line rather than run around the park like mad men trying to collect that one "Fast Pass" that you are allowed and then hoping that you won't miss your time standing in line for another attraction.  Kind of like pay to play. I digress.

Any way, even early in the morning, the line was listed as a 90 minute wait.  So we got in line.  It moved.  Not quickly, but we didn't stand in one place for more than two or three minutes.  And to the credit of Universal, a the majority of the time we were in the shade.  And there were even fans to keep the air moving. On a lighter side, we did find "Waldo" in line - the picture I took didn't come out well enough, but there was a guy in line wearing an assortment of stripes in about ten different colors.  Once we got into the "castle," the line continued.  There were displays that referenced the story - I'm assuming, since I don't know much about it.  They were entertaining as far as the technology used.  But I didn't get most of it.  Fortunately, the cell phone reception inside the building was good and I could read e-mail and play some games.

Finally it was our turn to "experience" Harry Potter.  We were strapped into our seats and the adventure began.  For most of those in our group, it was the beginning of our turn to "experience" motion sickness.  And this has happened to me only one other time in my life - on the Road to Hana in Maui.  The ride is jerky and screens simulate things flying at your face.  For most of the ride, I closed my eyes to try to calm the nausea building in my stomach.  I couldn't wait for it to end.  And after about seven minutes it did.  And I was never so happy to get off of a ride in my life.

Will I ever ride this again - no stinking way.  It was worse than than the three hours I stood in line for Soarin'.  But that's a story for another day.

That sure is a "NAS CAR!"

Last week, we were on vacation in Florida.  In Orlando.  So we did the usual things one does while vacationing in Orlando.  A day (from hell) in Epcot - that will be a separate ranting post, two days at Universal - where I almost threw up after the infamous Harry Potter ride, and a day at Kennedy Space Center.  And then there were the final two days of vacation.  At Daytona.  The speedway, not the beach.

Our friends Nurse Nancy, Fly Boy and Junior Bird Man were on vacation with us.  Junior Bird Man used to go to school with the son of a NASCAR executive.  When we went to Florida three years ago, Mr. NASCAR provided the guys with tickets to the Daytona 500.  They really liked it.  And this year, Mr. NASCAR gave us all, including my brother and his wife who joined us on the trip, the NASCAR experience of a life time.

We checked in on Wednesday morning before heading to Kennedy Space Center.  We received "Hot" passes which allowed us access to the garages and the pits.  Of course, not being a NASCAR fan, I had no idea what to expect.  

Thursday morning, early, we headed to Daytona and our experience began.  We walked into the pits and I knew that this was going to be fun.  With access to the garages, we saw all the cars being worked on and my brother, who is an avid autograph collector, showed us how to chase autographs.    It was like learning at the foot of the master.  He came armed with photos and other memorabilia to have signed by the drivers and other car guys.  We attended the driver's pre-race meeting and got to watch the Dual 120 race - one race in the stand and one in the pits.  It was awesome.

On Friday, we returned and all the guys took a pace car ride around the track.  We collected more autographs and left the track exhausted and ready to go home the next day.

Here are some highlights of our trip to Daytona:

 Photo op with Rutledge Wood from the American version of "Top Gear."  He was by far, the sweetest celeb ever.  

Glancing down the row of garages.

 NASCAR legend Richard Petty perched high upon his team's trailer.

We followed tradition and signed our names on the start/finish line.  Our "John Hancock's" are at the top of the block.

Abbey Who???

I was, as I am often, late to the game and only discovered Downton Abbey after the second season.  I had often thought about watching it, but by the time I got around to it, it was no longer being shown either as re-runs or available in the "On Demand" section from my cable provider.  Fortunately, a friend had been loaned the first two seasons on DVD and was kind enough to let me borrow it.  Needless to say, I was hooked.  And after I finished watching those first two seasons, the third season couldn't come on tv fast enough.  But that was several months away.

When the new season finally arrived, I was thrilled that my husband was also interested in watching it too.  So Sunday nights we watch.  Probably for different reasons.  While I think he enjoys the story, I know he loves the house and would love to have one like it.  He's a bit of a History buff and loves old houses with paneled studies and lots of rooms.

So if you are a fan, here's a quiz that I found on a favorite blog,  Beyond the Picket Fence.  I took it, and found that I am Sir Robert.  I can't figure that one out, since I am a pretty compassionate person and no where as cold as he is.  But it was fun taking the quiz.

Robert, Earl of Grantham

You are Robert, Earl of Grantham. Honest and old-fashioned, you’re primarily motivated by honor and duty. You’re so honorable, you’re actually willing to let a virtual stranger inherit all your worldly goods rather than risk breaking up your family’s legacy. Some people might call you a stick in the mud, but you can be extremely generous and forgiving toward those you feel have earned your loyalty.

Birthday Girl

Happy 84th birthday to my beautiful mom.  I am so lucky to have you for my mother.  I love you!

Auld Lang Syne

Time to say "buh bye" to 2012 and hello to 2013.

2012 was a year filled with lots of ups and a few downs.  On the up side, John and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  I can't believe that we've been married that long.  It seems like only a short time ago, we were newlyweds, living in a condo and making plans for the future.  And here we are, 25 years later, our only child grown, out of college and living on his own and we are empty nesters.

We celebrated my parent's 62nd anniversary and my dad's 90th birthday.  I am so blessed to still have my parents.  At 90 and almost 84, they are in pretty good health with the usual problems associated with aging.  My mom a bit more so, having had several hip replacements and back surgeries and a few other assorted problems, but she is doing well and my dad is amazing at 90. Sometimes he wears me out!

John is settled into a new job and loving it.   And our son is doing well at his job too.  And for that I am thankful.

I have spent quite a bit of time with my parents, something that I always enjoy.  And I am thankful that I do not have to work outside of our home and have the flexibility to be able to help them.

One of my nephews and my niece have moved back to the area.  My nephew almost a year ago and my niece just a few weeks ago.  I have missed them so much and am glad to be able to see them.

As far as the downs, I don't want to dwell on them.  Suffice it to say that they are over and I am glad that they are.

My goal for 2013 is to blog more often.  So to my few readers, I wish you all the best for 2013.

Happy New Year.

Silver

Twenty five years ago, we looked like this:

 And twenty five years (well, 24 actually, but it's the latest photo I have of just the two of us), we look like this:

Happy 25th Anniversary to the most wonderful husband in the world.  I love you more today and I'll love you more tomorrow.  Thanks for the best 25 years of my life.

My Sweet Ride

My regular ride is a 2006 blue Toyota Highlander.   I love my car.  It sits up higher that a sedan, but not as high as a truck frame SUV.  It holds lots of stuff.  It has a GPS built in and a 6 disc CD changer.  It has 121,000 miles on it.  I consider that just getting broken in.  Today it was just broken.

I took it into the Toyota dealership for regular service - oil change, tire rotation, etc. - and I anticipated that it would probably need new brakes and maybe new tires (which I get free for the life of the car as long as I have it serviced at the dealership).  So I knew that I would be spending some money - maybe $500 or $600 or so.  

So I am waiting at the dealership when the service writer comes out to tell me about the anticipated brakes and tires.  And then she hits me with torn shoes and leaking struts.  Ugh!  That part of the service will cost over $1,200 big ones.  That's in addition to the brakes, new air filters, new wiper blades all around, tire balancing and mounting (only the tires are no cost, but that would have added another $800 to $1,000).

They offer me a loaner since the repair will not be finished until tomorrow.  And this is what they give me:

Now if you know me, you know that I am not exactly a small person.  I'm short enough, but  unfortunately a bit on the round side.  Add to that three knee surgeries and claustrophobia and you've got me driving in a sardine can.  But I was assured that this Scion iQ is bigger than a Smart Car.  Boy, was I relieved that I while I would be driving a sardine can, it would be the "bonus" sized one.  Rest assured, I appreciate the loaner and not being without a car at my disposal, but I will limit my driving to the four or five miles from the dealership to my home and back to the dealership when my car is finished.  It was just too small for my comfort - and my first car was a '74 VW bug!

To be fair, the car isn't that bad.  Perfect for city driving on small, narrow streets where you don't exceed 25 MPH.  The ride is okay and it is pretty peppy considering that it is probably powered by a family of hamsters running on a wheel.  Oops, that's the Kia Soul.  Well, for a 1.3  liter engine.  It has a radio and a CD player and power windows - both of them!  My biggest problem, besides the small size, is that the head rests for the rear seat - yes, there is one - obstruct the view in the rear view mirror.  

So, until tomorrow, this is my ride.  My Sweet Ride. Hm My Ride.  I really want to return you ride and take back my own ride.