Sunday, January 25, 2009

Chapter Ten: Full

There were several moments during our trip, either planned or unplanned, which made our vacation feel complete. One afternoon, after ZZUBY and I finished riding rides in the Magic Kingdom, we decided to take some pictures and shoot some video. Just her and I. As we were strolling up Main Street, we hung a left in this little alley. I know this alley in my mind, having stared at pictures of it so many afternoons ago. It is the Magic Kingdom to me.

ZZUBY didn't know why I wanted to go hang out in there. "There's nothing to do there," she whined. "But there is," I assured her. "You see, in this window, someone is taking voice lessons. Listen," I exhorted her.


The level of detail in this little corner of the world is worth taking the time to look at.


Either ZZUBY caught my enthusiasm or she was looking for a way to amuse herself. But she asked if she could take pictures while I shot video. Sure enough. Here's one of her pictures of Dad's alley.


My friend from Montana, himself a Disney Fan, once wrote that when you leave Disney World, you should be ready to leave. That is how you know your vacation was the right length. I thought he was all wet when I read that. And he had it backwards. Because I was of the mindset that you should leave wanting more.

I think because we’d always left wanting more. But this trip, we left feeling full. Finished. Not necessarily ready to leave, but at least satisfied. I think part of the reason was the length of our stay, having been there nine days. Part of the reason most certainly was because of where we stayed. But a big part of the reason we left feeling satisfied was because we took time. We went at a different pace. Did new things. Revisited old favorites again. We followed a schedule but didn't cling to it either. We chewed on the experience. Savored it. We wrote the chapter as we were living it.

On one of our EPCOT days, we went to visit an old friend, so long ago abandoned. There is a section of the Imagination Pavilion which has the upside down waterfall and the shooting fountains. On one of my trips here with my Dad so many years ago, these fountains seemed so cool. In my memory they were more centrally located, too. But now you have to really go out of your way to find them. And virtually no one else was there when we walked up to them. I watched for a bit as ZZUBY and Baby Z tried to catch the water. Baby Z was reaching desperately over the side of the wall trying to touch the water. It reminded me so much of me when I was her age. At Stone Mountain State Park. With a different fountain. But the same frustration. Too young to touch the water.

The upside down fountain seems almost an afterthought in EPCOT now. Maybe if Journey Into Your Imagination was more enjoyable, more people would find their way over here.


I've become a big fan of Innoventions lately. Maybe it's the nerd in me. Maybe it's the air conditioning. Or maybe it's the proximity to the free refills at Electric Umbrella. Probably a combination of things. But we have a great time in there. Where's the Fire is one of my favorite games. This year we also tried out the Velcro deal, What's Your Problem and the new Waste Management exhibit. You get to push your own garbage truck. That's just a good time right there. Plus, when you back the thing up, it beeps. Just like a real garbage truck. Or those ladies at Wal*Mart riding around on the jumbo people scooters.


One of the perks of holding a Disney Visa card is the free picture deal. Bear in mind, the picture itself isn't such a perk. But having two or three characters to yourself for a few minutes (without a plate of chicken in front of you) is well worth the few minutes you'll stand in line. We've been fortunate over the last few years to have Mickey and Pluto or Mickey, Pluto and Donald. I've heard of people who only got one character, but we've not had that experience.

One thing I did this year, I asked them to let me go in first to get the camcorder trained on the curtain so I could catch my girls running in to hug their friends. I'm so glad I did. We have the best video of Baby ZZUB and ZZUBY running in and wrapping their little arms around Mickey and Pluto. That is some of the best video I've ever captured. Both on my camcorder and in my mind.

We also had a really good time walking through the World Showcase. In Canada, we found a piece of wall and listened to Off Kilter for a few minutes. I've heard a few tracks of theirs on Live365. Sadly, the first few songs they played weren't at all familiar and the Family ZZUB was un-enthused, unamused and so refused. To sit any longer. We moved on.

In France, we came dangerously close to sampling the pastries in the little bakery. ZZUBY wanted to color, so we hung out at the Kidcot deal while she colored and Baby Z slept in her stroller. Mrs. Z and I met a family sitting there and we enjoyed getting to hear their stories. I surveyed the little gift shop, stunned by the large collection of white hankies, shirts and flags. A Cast Member from France was demonstrating the proper way to surrender while still maintaining an air of snootiness.

I said we almost partook of the French pastries. That is until I remembered how close we were to America and the blessed Funnel Cake Stand. Also known as the reason I make certain to carry sufficient cash while in Disney World.

Just before the American Pavilion, I bought us a nice funnel cake and we sat in the shade and covered ourselves in powdered sugar and laughed about everything and nothing. We had some time before the Voices of Liberty sang and the next AA show, so we walked through Japan. You'll recall we had some friends visit there last summer (and punish us with 2000 or so pictures). They brought us back some really good Japanese snacks, some of which we found in the Japan store. We picked them up a few things and then took a picture in front of Japan. To mock them. Like good friends do.

I've written before about my love the American Adventure. So I won't repeat that here. I'll only add these few thoughts. At the encouragement of a friend of ours, we made a point to catch the Voices of Liberty.

We no longer like that friend.

Either the Voices were off the day we heard them or the ZZUBS just aren't down with a capella singing. Or our "friend" is a sadistic harpie. NOAnnCoulter. Fortunately, we had found a nice bench by the wall. So we didn't get the full on assault the way the people sitting in the rotunda did. Poor idiots.



Inside the theater, they did this deal where they picked out a family to start the show or somethinornuther. It was some kind of magic moment which was neither magical nor a moment. But I recognized the couple they picked. Earlier that day, while Mrs. Z and ZZUBY were on Soarin and I was playing with Baby Z, this lady sitting next to me on the bench asked me a question or two about EPCOT. She got more than she bargained for. Not unlike the American people who thought they were voting for change. One of my recommendations was the American Adventure. Just so happened this lady showed up at the same show we did. And she and her husband got picked to be the first family or whatever it was they called them. She seemed all excited when they announced her and she waved big to the crowd. When the show was over, she saw me and recognized me from earlier. She thanked me for the tip on American Adventure.

She did not, however, thank me for her so-called Magical Moment.

I can't say that I blame her.

On our last night in Disney World, after we'd watched Wishes! from our balcony for the last time, we headed down to the 4th floor to let the girls run around and burn off some energy. Wishes! was early that night so it was about 9:20 when we got to the 4th floor. Mrs. Z and I sat on a bench and let them run around. There's a round bench between BVG and Fantasia on the Concourse. And my girls, who had spent a week enjoying Space Mountain and Small World, were having the time of their lives running and bouncing on the round cushioned bench. Arguably, they could have this kind of fun anywhere I suppose. Only I can't think of many places we'd let them run around with this much abandon.

The Concourse is Disney World. The cavernous atrium. The Big Mickey Ears which form the entrance to Fantasia. The music from Chef Mickey's. The Monorail whizzing through just above you. And the memories of hundreds of times you've walked through there on your way to someplace else.

My girls had fun.

Which is exactly what I work hard for 50 weeks out of the year.

But as my wife and I sat and watched them play, being mindful of their surroundings and frequently reminding them to be careful, we did what we do on the last night of our trip. We talked about what worked and what didn't. What we'd do differently and whether we really weren't coming back next year. We talked about whether to try to squeeze in another park day before we left. Our plan called for it.

But we decided not to.

We were done.

Not in a bad way. We weren't over done. Just finished. Full. Not Thanksgiving full. But satisfied.

So our last day I secured a late check out and we slept in. And enjoyed the view while we packed. But as we finished up our packing and did our double and triple checking of drawers and closets, I noticed my oldest daughter who is too much her father's daughter.

Sitting on the floor, staring out the glass doors of our balcony. Crying. She was not ready to leave her Disney World.


She'd heard me say we weren't coming back next year. So she didn't want to leave. I got down next to her and tried to assure her. "Even if we don't come back next year, honey, we'll be back soon enough. We're the ZZUBS! We'll always come back."

But if next year is a long time to a six year old, two years is even longer.

We schlepped all our bags to the lobby and loaded up the rental car and as we drove out of the Contemporary Parking lot, I shouted, "everyone say goodbye Contemporary." We had a few counter service credits left to use and Mrs. Z and I had figured out the perfect way to spend them.

We drove over to the Wilderness Lodge and had lunch at our old friend Roaring Fork. ZZUBY's face lit up when she realized we weren't leaving Disney World just yet. She loves her some Lodge, too.

We walked into the lobby and headed down the familiar ramp to the Fork. The Lodge felt like coming home and knowing we were headed for a good burger made us all happy. Lunch was good and relaxing. A CM came over and invited ZZUBY to join in a cookie decorating deal. ZZUBY heard "cookies" and was out of her seat faster than President Obama could abandon the thin veneer of centrism he wore during the transition. We had plenty of time to kill before we had to head to my sister's house. So kill time we did.

We walked around the Lodge and visited the Merc. And then we hung out on those couches in front of Whispering Canyon for a spell. Listening to the music. Smelling the air. Savoring. Digesting. ZZUBY ran up to play with the Lincoln Logs and because she was there, she got picked to open Whispering Canyon for dinner. That's right, we weren't guests of the Lodge, nor diners at Whispering Canyon, but ZZUBY rang the dinner bell and helped shout, "COME AND GET IT!"

She even scored her a certificate.

It was all pretty magical to her.

And so that's it. That's all there is to say about this, our most recent trip to Disney World. Perhaps it is our last trip for a while. In the current economy, it seems somewhat frivolous to be spending the kind of coin a Disney vacation requires when uncertainty lingers heavy in the air. Especially when we've done it six years in a row.

We love Disney World, it's true. We love so much about the experience. And because we've gotten to experience it so much, and so fully, I have the sense that if it'll be ok if we don't go back there this year or even the next.

We've come full circle. From the trip in August 2001 when we were praying for a baby and found out only after we got home that we were expecting ZZUBY. Her first trip to Disney World in 2003, a three day trip at All Star Movies. Back again in April 2004 to celebrate her 2nd birthday, the trip that spawned the Battle For My Wallet. September 2005 was our first foray into Free Dining and a relaxing week at PORiverside. The trip in 2006 was the trip we weren't supposed to take. The trip that came after the summer of our discontent. And a night in the emergency room made us wonder whether it was all happening again. But we got to go back in 2007 and introduce Baby ZZUB to our Disney World. And so finally this year, when we stayed in the Contemporary with a view of the Magic Kingdom, it felt like we were completing something.

Something that started with me and my Dad 36 years ago.

Now I've carried it on with my children. I've got years of pictures and video, souvenirs and Trip Reports to remind us of the great vacations we've enjoyed as a family. And even if I didn't have those tangible things, I have the memories and images burned in my mind. And there's nothing uncertain about that.

40 comments:

  1. Zzub,the end of another great trip thanks for sharing.

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  2. Longtime lurker coming out of hiding once again to tell you how much I love reading your trip reports. I do hope you change your mind about returning this year! It won't be the same not having another ZZUB TR to read come fall '09.

    ~ Blue_River ~

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  3. Thank you for another amazing trip report! I had tears in my eyes seeing ZZUBY on the floor crying because she wasn't ready to leave Disney. Have fun wherever your vacation takes you this year!

    We are heading to the Contemporary in September and I hope our trip is as fullfilling as yours.

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  4. Inspiring, as always. Humorous, of course. And tunes! Digging the tunes.

    Perfect ending: closure, but regret that the story is finished and we have to say goodbye to our friends. And may not see them again for a long time. I hope you go back again before too long, Zzub. And that you'll be willing to share again with us. Thank you.

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  5. Well done my good and faithful Dis-er. I loved this TR as I have loved them all. I'm sorry to see it coming to an end. Thanks so much so sharing not only the trip, but the also the journey. Believe it or not, your musings have helped me through some rough days and reminded me of God's faithfulness. They have served as a reminder to me of what we are to be truly thankful for. Though you are done with this topic, I do hope you continue to find things to comment on here in your new Blogorific digs. (I imagine the "American Poet" from the inauguration would warrant a comment of two.) If I could post a farting moped emoticon, I'd fire it up in your honor. But as I can't, let me just say God bless you and your wonderful family.

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  6. Zzub - wonderful end to a wonderful report!

    And the music!! Very nice touch, indeed! At first I thought I was losing my mind - Disney music playing from my computer first thing in the morning. Same feeling I had while watching ABC on inaugural morning - ABC decided Illunimations and inaugural were a good fit.

    Whatever

    This made me spit all over my keyboard and monitor:

    "this lady sitting next to me on the bench asked me a question or two about EPCOT. She got more than she bargained for. Not unlike the American people who thought they were voting for change."

    Once I read that, I thought this might be the TR that would never end! More than she barganed for....bahahahaha

    I love your final picture! So very sweet! And the picture of Zzuby ready to go, but not wanting to leave. Reminds me of the night we were walking out of Epcot, early so as to beat the Illuminations crowds and DS (8 at the time) started to cry. All I could do not to join him. And I basically said the same thing you did to Zzuby.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Awwww! Another great report! Thanks, ZZUB!

    preschoolmom

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  8. Thanks for taking us along on your journey. they're fun to read, even if your political jabs are a bit hard to swallow. I hope we won't have to wait 2 years for another. Now that our DD is in college, our trips are becoming less frequent and while still fun have taken on a different feel; not having the childlike wonder of the past.

    BTW the music is an unexpected treat!

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  9. Nice Job, Z. Like YAK, I LOVE the pics of both of the girls. That last shot just killed me. So flippin' cute! (The baby, not you.) ZZUBY looks so big in that sad farewell picture. But you're never too big to cry when leaving WDW. I know many adults who do the same!

    How nice it must be to head out feeling like you are done. Has yet to happen to me, but I can see how a 9 day trip could do that. We've got 8 nights in April. Don't know if that will work, but I am hopeful!

    I am also hopeful that you will keep posting here even though the TR is done. I'm thinking you will. Oh, and thanks bunches for the music! I'm lovin' it.

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  10. Zzub...If the picture of Zzuby doesn't make you return to WDW sooner than later than you are made of stronger stuff than I! The music is awesome and as soon as it started my girls came running. The picture of baby Zzub was on the screen...my 2 year old looked and said "cute baby!"...she's smart...what can I say! Thanks for another awesome report!

    Bedillamouse

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  11. ZZUB.

    ZZUB.

    What can I possibly say?

    Thank you so much for letting us share these memories with you. Vacations are so special, so unique to each family. I feel like it's a privilege to read about them, and with such an eloquent writer as yourself (regardless of number four references) I come away feeling like Anton Ego at the end of Ratatouille.

    Hungry for more.

    I hope the ZZUBs do take on the World again. I'd love to read more about your adventures. The picture of you and your sweet baby girl at the end is worth more than a thousand words. That sentiment, that wonderful feeling can carry a parent through those 50 weeks per year. Thank you for letting us be a part of your vacation magic. God bless.

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  12. I sit here, staring at my screen, crying, much like Zzuby did looking out the window. Thinking that it's over, and you're not going back next year. Two years to a Zzubaddict is as long as two years is to a six year old.
    I feel trip report closure (NOMel) But I am not Thanksgiving full, I want more darn it!! But I guess I will have to make do for the next two years by revisiting this blog.
    Thank You Zzub, for a wonderful report, and for reminding me why I love WDW and look to go back so often. No I need to plan a trip because I need to get me some 'Ohana dessert to ease the pain.

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  13. One thing I really miss about the Disboards: the ability to multi-quote. It made responding easier.

    First of all: I'm very thankful that the following people have NOT posted a comment on this update: Mel, NicoleMarie, La2, Sher and Harry Reid.

    GB: I just saw what you posted on your TR on the Disboards. Dude, I'm sorry to hear that a layoff might affect your trip. I would comment over there but I was afraid that would be so off topic that you'd come back from lunch to find your TR is on the Community Board. It seems like you've got the right attitude about it, however. And if it doesn't work out for you to take the little biscuits this summer, then head on to Schlitterbahn. That place looks like a good ol hootenanny.

    Is that Blue River I see? Get the heck out of here! Blue River is in the house?! Good to see you again Blue!

    Yak: thanks for coming along for the ride. I'm glad I could make you spit.

    Ashclan: 8 days in April ought to make you feel full as well. Maybe not. I'm not saying we're done forever, just if we don't go for a few years, I won't be miserable.

    I'm loving this music player. I'm listening to "If You Had Wings" right now.

    I'm glad y'all enjoyed those pictures. I'm found of the one of me and Li'l ZZUB walking. I actually have another one of me and both girls but there was no way to edit it without revealing more than we're comfortable sharing. It hangs up over my desk in my study.

    What happens to this blog now that my TR is finished? Any thoughts?

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  14. DUDE!!! So lovin' the music playing. LOVE IT! I've already stood through Illuminations, (complete with the clapping at the faux ending), watched Mickey's Philharmagic, teared up at my favorite music score ever - Spectromagic, and walked up the never ending ramp to Space Mountain, bypassing, of course, all the clueless idiots waiting 90 minutes in the standby line.

    Yes, I've had this blog open most all day. Good times.

    Well, ZZUB, I would be really sad that this is ending. But I'm full. Full of your TR AND your crap. Heh heh. I can't even joke about that. I don't want to consider the possibility of never reading another ZZUB tr. For about three years now, I have enjoyed waiting on a new installment, and living Disney again through your tales. What a great writer you are.

    Thanks so much for sharing your stories with us, and allowing us to get to know you through them. I really feel like I've made a friend in the ZZUB family, and I do hope you'll continue this blog as a place to keep us posted on your life.

    And...the pictures were great! Now that I've copy/pasted them all onto my hard drive, and Photoshopped them together, I'm pretty sure I know what you look like.

    George Costanza.

    Best wishes to the ZZUBS. Thanks again for your funny, for your testimony, for your encouragement and your willingness to share it all with us. Don't be a stranger.

    NM

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  15. NM wrote, "teared up at my favorite music score ever - Spectromagic," Really? Spectromagic? I would have thought Wishes was more your thing.

    Don't get me wrong, I like me some Spectromagic, it's just the lyrics are a little creepy, "on this magic night, we've cast a spell that won't be broken. Let this night forever live in our dreams." Dude, creepy magical stalker in your dreams! That aint right. Not at all.

    I'll let the Costanza crack slip right bye. Seen as how you're with child and all.

    Z

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  16. Hey Sportsfans:

    I've addded several additional tracks to the music player. You'll find some songs which play before Illuminations and others which are played in the Lobby of the Wilderness Lodge. You may also find a track or two which features prominently in a ZZUB TR.

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  17. I can't say anymore than beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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  18. We chewed on the experience. Savored it.

    Yet another reason the LaLas will always be packin' the anti-bacterial gel when we go to Disneyworld. You don't know where it's been.

    Well, well, well. So this is it, huh?

    Although I can't say that I'm full of your TRs, or that I could ever be, I think you found a way to end this one quite beautifully. There were many thoughts that struck me as I read along. Like how I'm glad I don't really know you because you jank all your real friends mercilessly in your writing. And how cool that first picture was, aside from the completely BOT Family Fun Day Parade. Shudder. And how much your oldest daughter look likes you. Although it's not so much in the eyes as it is in the forearms and the digits. I think. But what struck me the most as I read along and took in the pictures of your gorgeous daughters, ZZUBY on the floor not quite ready to leave yet and little ZZUB toddling down the walkway holding hands with her dad (I could eat her up she's so darn cute) is how one day in the not so distant future, your girls will be recalling these "magical" times together with you and your wife as well. With every bit as much fondness as you do when you share your stories with us.

    And maybe even more.

    If that's possible.

    So just know that when you leave them for fifty hours each week, that's what you're building. Irreplaceable childhood memories. You have come full circle, ZZUB. And I, for one, want to thank you for taking us along for the ride. From the invisible stroller to your love affair with BGPC, I've enjoyed every single word of it, ZZUB. Some more than others. Think: #4. Thanks for all the laughs and the tears and for sharing your beautiful family and journey with us. It's been a blast.

    I'd be remis (one consonant or two, Z?) if I failed to mention how much I LOVE the music player. That was a very smart and extremely crafty addition to your last chapter, Bagel Boy. Talk about a grand finale! I'm so glad you thought of it. And although I'm straight up loving me some Disney toons, it's been a weird week so far and I particularly appreciated hearing Number 32 tonight.

    And if you don't run with that one, I will have lost ALL faith in your "so called" sense of humor. We already know you have no sense of decency. You lost that, if you ever had it to begin with, somewhere around Canada.

    On a completely unrelated note, I'm DED over NM's stalker photo joke. But I think that one's played at this point, NM.

    Puh-LAYED.

    Could this post BE any longer? But I think I hit on everything I wanted to say for now. And if not, I'm hopeful you'll still be around from time to time. Here and there. Not a stranger and all. And that this is one last chapter that isn't really a last chapter.

    If you know what I mean.

    And I think that you do.

    Peace to you, my friend. It's been real. It's been fun. It's been real fun.

    God bless,

    LaLa

    PS. You misspelled full, fool.

    PSS. Made ya look.

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  19. Great report. If only I could be like you. I love the love that you have for your family. It rivals your love of cake apparently. I do pray that you go back to WDW next year because I enjoy hearing about them and seeing the half of a person pictures that you post!

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  20. What can I say that hasn't already been said? I enjoy reading your TRs so much. They help me through tough times at work and times when I just want to be in DW.

    I love the music you've added! Great touch.

    The pictures of your beautiful babies are wonderful! I can so relate to Zzuby being sad to leave. So far, I've never left DW full. Tired, broke and with blisters, yes. But full no.

    We're not sure we'll get there this year either due to the economy. It will be hard not going but as you said--if we don't get there this year, there is always next year.

    But I'm hoping we'll be able to go and get our fix of Disney Magic! If not, I'll just keep watching my West Wing dvds and thinking of you when they say something witty!

    I hope you'll continue to share your musings on your blog. I know I enjoy reading your tripe (NOMel) when you go OT. LOL!

    Keep the blog going Zzub!

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  21. Zzub, thanks for inviting us to share in your musings and memories. Thanks also for the tunes ;-) We will all wait patiently because if there is a trip, a tripe of sorts must follow. Just the way it is. Peace and love to you and yours!

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  22. Zzub, another gem, and I will be selfishly sorry if we dont have another TR to comment on for some time, perhaps you could write a TR here of whatever you do next. Perhaps take us through a weekend of lounging and TV watching at home? Your daily personal hygiene tasks, a trip to the groery store, anything! If not, your previous TR's will be revisited many, many times. To you and yours, all the best and thanks for sharing the view into the Zzubs world!

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  23. Very nice installment bud and the sweetness oooozed from those precious pictures of you and your family. I loved it. While I read it, I got the greatest visual of me and my brothers as kids, chasing those 'water snakes' jumping from circle to circle in EPCOT and slapping at the little balls of water. We are sure to visit that very same spot with our kids because they love it as well.

    Now, why is everyone telling you bye and wishing you well? You going somewhere? You shuttin this juke joint down? I feel like we're signing yearbooks again. But, I am not ready to sign a yearbook and give you a send off. You have got to keep this place going. Where else on the internet am I going to go and get a good laugh from the word 'turd'?

    I don't see 2 Legit on the playlist. What's up with that?

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  24. I don't see 2 Legit on the playlist. What's up with that?

    Hey Hey.

    As long as we're requesting songs, how 'bout you put a little Mississippi Girl in the mix?

    Where the heck IS DJ ZZUB anyway?! Watching GMA and writing down the recipe for Bacon Explosion?

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  25. "writing down the recipe for Bacon Explosion?"

    ZZUB don't eat ANYTHING with the word "explosion" in it. For the obvious reasons.

    I'm glad to see Sneezi and Frick, Steph, Angelmav and Scrap. Thanks for the comments.

    I enjoy reading how other people respond to what I've posted.

    I'm not sure what the plan is now that this TR is done. I've got some thoughts and ideas. For the immediate future, I'll probably keep posting nonsense here even if it's not Disney World related.

    We'll see what happens from there.

    In the meantime, how scared am I that Sneezie thinks I love my family almost as much as I love cake?

    What does that say about how much I love cake?

    Z

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  26. Ok, I'm considerably late to the party. But I made it! (if you must know, which you probably don't care but I'm gonna tell you anyway, I was in Florida when you posted this. NODisney. But a fantastic surprise party for my dad). WOW, this comment just got OT enough to land it right off Blogger and onto the Community Boards of the DIS! ;)

    If I didn't read English and didn't have a clue what was going on in this little report, your last picture says it all. It's the perfect ending. Or beginning, in a way. That's a precious little blessing holding her daddy's hand...But you know that.

    I hope this isn't the end of The Battle for Zzub's Wallet!!! Even if there's no trip in the works this year, come on back and post us a howdy once in a while. We're full, for now, but that hunger for more will creep back in before you can say Funnel Cake Stand!

    Great job, Zzub - thanks!

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  27. Thanks for a great ending. I have truly enjoyed the TR as well as the political commentary!
    I hope you keep the blog going in some capacity.

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  28. Hey Zzub.

    I was going to make it through the leaving chapter without crying. I was doing great. Until you sucker punched me with the Wishes music. That was sneaky.

    I think this last chapter is my favorite. Just a sweet picture into a loving family.

    It amazes me what unopened presents people can be. If I was walking behind you and baby Zzub in that last picture, I would notice how sweet she looks.

    I would never know that her father's heart could be poured on a page for us all to read. I would never know that he could take so many people to Disney World, piggybacking on his words. It was a great trip Zzub.

    Thanks. ~Mrs. The King

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  29. Zzub, I didn't know that you like Cusco?! I don't think that I have ever bumped into anyone that listened to them, for that matter.

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  30. Legomom, Anonymous and MTK, thank you for the props. I'm glad that this last chapter and my Trip Report (which wasn't a Trip Report) was well received.

    Steph: I like Cusco only b/c it's pre-Illuminations music. If I heard it anywhere else I'd hate it b/c it sounds weird. But as a result of the Disney Effect, hearing something there first naturally made me like it.

    Frankly, I think the 30 minutes before Illuminations is about my favorite time in any Disney park.

    How 'bout that Super Bowl? Best game I've watched since Bama beat the ever loving crap out of Auburn way back in November.

    Z

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  31. Zzub said: "I was afraid that would be so off topic that you'd come back from lunch to find your TR is on the Community Board"

    That gave me an involuntary throat snort! Good stuff Zzub - I had to come back and listen to the updated audio as well. Rich Mullens - Peace...just what I needed to hear today.

    God Bless, my cake loving friend and yes, the 'Bowl was a nifty little game there. Foturnately, I don't have Comcast so my version remained family friendly. (NO_WARDROBE_MALFUNCTION)

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  32. Yeah my hubby thought it was typical when I knew the music they were playing. I first heard them on a late night talk radio progam that I used to listen to, years ago. I liked the music, so I bought the cassette. I had to chuckle when I heard it at Epcot.

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  33. I was doing some maintenance on here and I noticed that some people posted comments to older posts. So I read them. And came across this little gem, posted (not-surprisingly) by an anonymous user:

    The term white trash is rude because it implies that people of color are already trash, hence the need to specify the "white" part.

    I certainly support your right to say it or anything else for that matter, but I just thought I'd add my perspective.


    To which I reply:

    Thank you for acknowledging that even in this age of group-think I maintain my God given right to my own opinion and to use words.

    But I humbly disagree with your assessment of the term "white trash." It does not imply that people of color are trash at all and the only way to get there is to assume that everyone is a racist. Everyone is not a racist. And neither am I. Just b/c I call someone white trash doesn't mean I think black people or brown people or red peopel are per se trash.

    "White trash" is a derogatory insult for white people. There are several in common usage for people of color, none of which I will dignify to repeat here.

    There is no coded message when someone like me uses the term "white trash." We are not attempting to secretly call all minority groups trash. If that was truly our intention, then our hearts would be hard indeed and one imagines, we'd have no difficulty using the appropriate racial epithet to slur our neighbors of color.

    It troubles me that what is intended as a playful insult of WHITE people is somehow misconstrued as an insult to Black, Brown or Red people.

    In the words of the late, great, fat and Jewish Nell Carter, Gimme a Break.*


    *No insult was intended to people who are here, average, thin, gentile and apparently not a lesbian.

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  34. If the last sentence doesn't make sense, it is because I was posting under the effects of Ambien. Good freaking night it made me loopier than I can even begin to tell you. Like Brittney Spears post baby/pre big Daddy loopy.

    Let me decode the last sentence: Don't let it bother you.

    Now I am off to see what other crazy stuff I did, besides halfway ripping off our t.p. holder, while under the influence....

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  35. Frick wrote,Now I am off to see what other crazy stuff I did, besides halfway ripping off our t.p. holder, while under the influence....

    Dude, I wanna party with you. I can't imagine what kind of hootenanny you bring with you wherever you go.

    Also: I have to announce with some regret that I, too, will have to withdraw my name from consideration in the Obama Administration. It turns out I also "forgot" to pay about $140,000 worth of taxes. I can be so forgetful.

    Z

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  36. Its OK to "forget" to pay taxes as long as you are 1. A Democrat and 2. You say you are sorry.

    Apparently all of the people who have gone to jail for not paying their taxes forgot those two things.

    If all else fails, you can come to my state and try to buy a senate seat...oh wait I forgot its no longer for sale.

    Thanks again for the great non-TR.

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  37. Frick, I can tell you what else you did while you were on that little Ambien induced stupor of yours...

    For other uses, see LaLa and Jerry Springer.

    ...you gave me a tater to chunk!

    Whaddup widdat?!

    It's allright. I still love ya and miss your crazy butt. And if I could, I'd wrap my lobster claws around you and give you a big hug. Even though you just called me a lower social class white person with poor prospects and/or low levels of education.

    Dude. So harsh.

    I'm taking you off Ambien and puttin' your butt on some Cymbalta. NOTatianafromIdol. Just don't mix them. Ever. Good things do NOT come of that.

    ZZUB, BLESS YOU for including Cusco in your little lineup of fun. Everytime I hear Montezuma, my hands involuntarily form the stroller grip and I'm bobbing and weaving in the dark with the best of them. Giddily making my way around World Showcase Lagoon in anticipation of the best fireworks show in all of Disneyworld.

    And that's good times.

    So thanks for that. Of all the crummy stuff you've ever done (and there's a lot!), that's not one of them.

    Keep bringing the stories, ZZUB. Your blog rocks. Even though you're clearly the VERY DEFINITION of white trash.

    And then some.

    NOMel.

    Whoever SHE is.

    La2

    PS. But where's the Skynrd, dude? Turn it up!

    PSS. Frick: you also drank the fat. Unfortunately that memory should be hitting you right...about...now.

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  38. Outstanding story and I loved the pictures, I mean it.

    LYMI

    Robin

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  39. WOW, Robin's in da house!! I am impressed. I follow two blogs. This is one of 'em. Hers is the other. Worlds colliding and all. In the words of ZZUB (from the last post)...Cool.

    Now....I think it's time to turn the page, no? Do we have a schedule??

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