Last month when I decided to talk about my renewed board game obsession to distract myself from getting depressed over another 9/11 anniversary, I showed where some of my games were stored in my home. What I didn't show was above where my Marvel United collection is stored.
There I was unboxing some books and games I had in my garage. There were two old atlases I liked, but one of them had a bunch of ratty post-it notes sticking out. I went to remove them... and found out they were bookmarks of places my mom wanted to visit (and some of the places we had been)...
Apparently she started a wishlist after I started taking her on trips. So of course there's no way I could remove them. They mean more than the book. So now they're sticking out, just as she left them...
How cool is that?
Corsica (Ajaccio) is a place we stopped on a cruise I took her on back in 2010.
No idea why that place got a bookmark when all the other places on that map spread were not. Could be she put it there before the trip so she remembered to research it or something. I'll never know.
But I will always know that we explored the place together and it was a fantastic trip that she enjoyed a lot. And that's all that really matters.
I used to travel a lot. And I mean a lot a lot. I was traveling a third of the year. Sometimes for work. Sometimes for vacation. Much of the time for the charity I volunteered with. Now-a-days, I don't travel much at all. A few times a year. And while I miss seeing new places and meeting new people and all that, I don't really miss the travel part of travel. It was a difficult thing... being away from friends and family, living out of suitcases, and spending so much time trapped on planes and stuck in airports. But it was my life at the time and I tried to make the best of it.
Oh. Another difficult thing? More often than you'd ever think, it was my fellow travelers.
And I've seen it all.
Most of the time, the reason there's a problem is because the traveler in question is drunk or high and unable to handle the amount of alcohol and/or drugs they have in their system.
Situations like this one (the ride to the police station at the end is CLASSIC)...
When I first saw this video, it was a "reacts" video and they didn't tell you where it was happening. As the madness unfolded, I was like... "I wonder what airport this is at?" And then when they are dragging her off the plane and I can see the concourse better, I was all "Ooh! It's Tampa! That's such a nice airport!" and then I'm all "Yep. Yep. Florida... this makes total sense now!"
In all my decades of constant travel, I've only had direct conflict with another traveler twice.
The first was when somebody was in my seat and wouldn't even entertain the idea that he was wrong and he started getting verbally abusive. A flight attendant showed up and asked me for my ticket. Then asked him for his ticket. He was wrong. He had to move while mumbling about thinking he was on a different flight. The end.
The second was more irritating.
I got on the plane, found my seat, and started to put my carry-on bag in the overhead. From behind me I heard "STOP! DON'T DO THAT!!" I turned around and a woman was leaping from her seat. "MY JACKET IS UP THERE AND I DON'T WANT YOU WRINKLING IT." And I was like okay. Then I backed up so she could move her jacket. But that's not what she did. She was looking for a different place for me to put my bag! Once I understood what was happening, I said "Um. The overhead is not a coat closet, that's where bags go." and she came unglued. She was berating me because SHE GOT THERE FIRST! and I DON'T GET TO TALK TO HER LIKE THAT!
So here comes the flight attendant who explains to her that the overhead storage is for bags, and she is not happy.
Eventually a compromise is reached. The rude woman turns her suitcase sideways and puts her folded jacket on top of it. Which makes her unhappy because it's going to get wrinkled being folded.
You'd think this would have been the end of it.
BUT NOOOOOOOO.
She was sitting across the aisle from me and decided to keep going off about me, but was smart enough to not direct her comments to me. Which is why I put my headphones on the minute we left the runway.
And when we landed?
That's when she decided it was safe to direct her comments to me. And the more I yawned and pretended that she didn't exist, the more upset she got with me. I most definitely didn't want her behind me, so I was sure to wait until she had gotten up and got her stuff before I got up.
Behind her.
At which time I grabbed a hunk of the fabric from the bottom of her jacket she was holding over her arm and twisted the ever-loving shit out of it.
She must have felt something happening, because she turned around and gave me the stank-eye, but she didn't realize what had actually happened.
I really, really wish that I could have been there when she saw the nice wrinkles at the bottom of her jacket.
Childish? Yes. But she deserved it. Had she just been a decent person and asked if I could watch for her jacket, I would have gladly done my best to do exactly that. But she was an entitled beyotch who thought it was her personal plane and that she had the right to unload on me for daring to defy her, even though I was just trying to put my bag in the overhead.
Sorry I don't have a better travel conflict story to share. You'd think that I would, given the odds.
But I do have plenty of stories about weird behavior, violent outbursts, crazy happenings, and other travel-related madness that I wasn't directly involved in. I also have a story about an oven catching on fire in the galley of a flight I was on.
But I'm tired and want to go to bed.
Today was a sad day because I had to turn the heat on in my home because my cats were always curled up like they were freezing, but I'm putting on a happy face... because an all new Bullet Sunday starts...now...
• Incredible! Michel Gagné spent 14 years animating a feature film. Here's the trailer...
Looks amazing. Those fourteen years don't seem wasted, that's for sure.
• Tomb Raider! Footage from the reimagining of Tomb Raider is burning up the internet, and it looks more like a film than a game...
By way of comparison, here's what I was playing with on my PlayStation 1 back in 1996...
And, keep in mind, that was cutting-edge back in the day. It was the best graphics yet seen at the time and I couldn't believe how crazy-good it looked.
• DOOM! Every time they release a new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday they add just a little bit more of what's going on. This latest trailer adds more than a little bit, and the film looks phenomenal...
December seems so far away.
• Scrabbled! Well this is more than a little mind-blowing...
There are people whose brains just work different. And sometimes those people make the rest of us look less than smart. And speaking of less than smart...
• The Stupid, It Burns! Pretty much...
Nobody, including scientists, are saying that science gets it right every time. But there is a scientific method that, when followed, is an authentic method of understanding the world... and medicine. Those who deny it and buy into the misinformation bullshit without knowing what the fuck they're talking about are literally responsible for harming society. We've got thousands dying from measles worldwide now. Measles!
• Stay Seated! I keep hearing these stories of airline passengers losing their shit because they asked somebody to swap seats with them and that person refused. It's insane. People book the seats they want. Sometimes they pay extra money to book the seats they want. If there's a seat you want, then book that fucking seat! I don't care if you want to sit next to your husband or grandmother or child. I want the seat that I paid for! I have swapped seats when asked a couple times... but only to an equivalent seat. I have twice asked somebody to switch seats with me... but they were military personnel flying home, and I was asking to swap my First Class seat with their Economy seat because they had already been on a very long flight from their deployment and I wanted to thank them for their service by letting them have a seat they could rest on before they get home to people who were excited to see them and not letting them rest. But otherwise? STOP EXPECTING PEOPLE TO GIVE UP THEIR SEAT!!!
• Super! "Artificial" means that something is "not naturally occurring." AI is not naturally occurring, and the only thing super about it is that real human intelligence made it possible. That's about as accurate as it gets.
This is just an attempt by billionaires to rebrand their tech to try and spin it from a negatively-perceived technology to a positively-perceived technology. You can call me "the enemy" all you want, but it's not going to change facts.
• Going Out on a High Note! I had never seen this before. It's wonderful...
Fuck anybody who thinks that public programming like this deserves to be defunded. Every other fucking thing on television is built to sell things to kids... not educate them. We need more education.
And now I'll go back to eating ramen because my cats like heat.
Clearly... clearly... I was born into the wrong class.
I was looking through what was suggested for me on YouTube and a 12-year-old video popped up which I feel to my very soul is the lifestyle I should be accustomed to. Not because of the luxury, but because it isolates you from other people.
First Class is for peasants...
Can you imagine?
The closest thing to flying private that you can get.
Which I also feel is a suitable accommodation for me. I was just trying to lower my carbon footprint.
While I was in Disneyland for the Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure, I did what I always do when I'm at any Disney park, ship, or event... I eat! I love the food options at all the Disney properties (with Epcot being the top destination for me). I thought I'd run through my culinary adventures (mostly for myself so I know what to get the next time).
BEST OF THE BUNCH AWARD: Neutron Nachos in Avengers Campus at California Adventure.
I gotta tell you, this came completely out of left field for me. I usually avoid the quick service restaurants because so many times the food is "less than" compared to table service restaurants. But I wanted to try the Pym Tasting Lab alcoholic drinks. When it came to food, the "plant-based" offering was Neutron Nachos, which is described thusly:
Neutron Nachos — Blue and Red Corn Tortilla Chips, Impossible™ Taco Meat, Seasoned Black Beans, Cheese Sauce (vegan), Pico De Gallo, Sour Cream (vegan), and Pickled Jalapeños
This TikTok pretty much sums up the experience (here's a link in case TikTok is being a dick)...
@point5pastlightspeed x Absolutely LOVED the Neutron Nachos from Pym's Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure 👌 Blue and Red Corn Tortilla Chips, Impossible Taco Meat, Seasoned Black Beans, Cheese Sauce, Pico De Gallo, Sour Cream and Pickled Jalapeños #neutronnachos #pymstestkitchen #avengerscampus #disneycaliforniaadventure #nachos ♬ Avengers Infinity War (From "The Avengers") - Just Kids
They were incredible. So ridiculously tasty. So tasty that I bought all the ingredients and have made them three times since I've gotten back home! Highest possible recommendation.
CONSISTENTLY GREAT AWARD: Impossible Burger from Lamplight Lounge in Pixar Pier at California Adventure.
Hands-down my favorite restaurant at the resort, Lamplight Lounge pairs a fantastic drink menu with great food and service. I got the vegan burger my first time and have repeated it every time I visit the park:
Impossible™ Burger — Impossible™ Beef, American Cheese (vegan), House Spread (vegan), Grilled Onions, Lettuce and Tomato on a Potato Bun, served with Seasoned Fries
I always get it without the grilled onions and extra sauce and it's fantastic.
A GOOD EATS AWARD: Hearty Veggie Burger from Carnation Cafe in Main Street at Disneyland.
This is an easy staple that's different enough from the Impossible Burger at Lamplight Lounge that I can eat the two back to back without getting bored:
Hearty Veggie Burger — House-made Bean Patty, Vine-ripened Tomato, Chipotle Mayo (vegan), Slaw and Crispy Onions on an Artisan Bun, served with Fresh Fruit
They are happy to replace the slaw with lettuce, which is how I like to order it.
FUCK YOU, DISNEY AWARD: Three Cheese Monte Cristo from Carnation Cafe from Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square at Disneyland.
A Monte Cristo sandwich has Turkey, Ham, and Swiss that's battered and deep-fried... then dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam. It's a famous eat at Disneyland that a lot of people must have while visiting. When my friends took me there a while ago, I thought I'd end up with a plate of fries or something since I don't eat meat... but was shocked to find that they had a Three-Cheese Monte Cristo for non-meat-eaters like me! And it was fantastic! Featuring Swiss, Mozzarella, and Double Crème Brie, it was deep fried, dusted, and served with jam just like the regular version! Heaven! And it became a must-have for me when at Disneyland. EXCEPT THE FUCKERS AT DISNEYLAND REMOVED IT FROM THE DAMN MENU! I WAITED A HALF HOUR FOR A TABLE FOLLOWED BY FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR A WAITER ONLY TO BE TOLD THE SANDWICH WAS REMOVED! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!? INSTEAD OF HAM AND TURKEY, YOU JUST SLAP ON TWO CHEESES! JUST TWO ADDITIONAL ITEMS IN YOUR FUCKING REFRIGERATOR TO MAKE VEGETARIANS HAPPY... BUT NOOOOOOOOO! CAN'T DO THAT! LET'S GIVE THEM A FUCKING SALAD IF THEY WANT TO EAT AT OUR FAMOUS MONTE CRISTO RESTAURANT! What a damn shame. I just don't get it at all.
And there you have it. Three awesome meals and a big FUCK YOU! Or rather, fuck me, because I'm the one who left the happiest place on earth without my Three Cheese Monte Cristo... meaning I was not so happy.
The flight home was uneventful. And not just because there wasn't an annoying asshole screaming about Jesus or anything like that. It probably had more to do with the fact that I was in First Class. To be fair though, for all I know there actually was an asshole screaming about Jesus in the back. I was having a drink while listening to a movie so I wouldn't know.
On a related note... it's people screaming about Jesus on airplanes which has me thinking that being allowed to bring a loaded weapon onboard might be a good idea after all. Sure you risk a gun going off mid-flight and depressurizing the cabin and killing everybody... but, well... assholes screaming about Jesus.
If anything, you'd think that God would approve of gun violence against assholes screaming about Jesus given Matthew 6:5-6 and all that.
And, to be honest, the people who should most approve of gun violence against assholes screaming about Jesus would be the assholes screaming about Jesus themselves. Absolutely nobody wants to be persecuted more than some asshole who is screaming about Jesus. It's practically their entire identity. Probably because they refuse to follow His teachings, so this is the only way they can be Christ-like.
But please don't think that this post is in any way an endorsement of gun violence against assholes screaming about Jesus. I don't advocate gun violence against anyone.
A nice slap across the face would be fine.
Because it would be a shame to fly all the way to Los Angeles for one day, I hung around to visit the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween celebration at Disney's California Adventure.
Even though Disney has done a lot to improve the place since they dropped a steaming, cheap-ass turd across from Disneyland, it's still not exactly the height of theme park design. Maybe once Coco Land and Avatar Land open up, there will be something more than one great ride (Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout) and one very good one (Toy Story: Midway Mania).
That being said, Cars Land has the best decorations in the park...
The event has a lot of rare and semi-rare characters making appearances. Some of them you can take photos with, but none of them are signing autographs, which is kinda shitty for an event which ain't cheap.
Here's Pain and Panic from Hercules...
And their boss, Hades, who is the most hilarious thing I've seen in a minute. Whomever they got to play him made a flawless casting choice...
Hercules wasn't there, but his girlfriend Megara was...
Judge Doom from Who Framed Roger Rabbit...
And, look, it's Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb...
Texture mapping is getting seriously good...
One of my all-time favorites, Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove...
Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty who is not rare, but very cool...
And the Evil Queen from Snow White...
Good night, Mr. Oogie Boogie...
And good night to California Adventure...
So long and thanks for all the candy!
The reason I'm in L.A. is a quick diversion to see the 25th Anniversary of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland. I saw it the second year that they had it, then never made it back. Given my love of The Nightmare Before Christmas, in general (and Zero, specifically) I was interested in seeing how it had changed over the decades.
Turns out it's much the same, but there's also some things which are very different. Like they've been slowly upgrading it year over year. Ultimately it's a lot of fun, even though there are people who are pissed off it gets changed at all...
Halloween is probably my favorite holiday of the year, and Disneyland does a darn good job decorating up the place. Especially for nighttime spookiness...
Doesn't matter that it's two months until All Hallow's Eve, it's a good time to be in the Happiest Place on Earth.
After nearly two weeks of eye trauma spoiling my plans, I decided to head over the mountains to hang out with friends and forget about the day-to-day grind for a while.
The drive over was mostly a good one.
I still can't wrap my head around three things...
All that being said... it could have been worse. I could have been going East instead of West. The traffic heading East was insane. Just a massive line for miles and miles. If I were in the middle of that, I'd have to ask myself if the weekender trip was even worth it.
Maybe it's because I am a homebody at heart now-a-days... but for me the answer would be "no."
When I was in Miami Beach a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but think back to the time I took my mom for a visit. I wanted to stay in a nice place, so I booked a room in the legendary Fontainebleau hotel. When we arrived, I was met by a woman who took me to a desk for check-in. The first words out of her mouth after welcoming us were "And what are you wanting from your Fontainebleau experience this visit?" This puzzled me, so I answered with "Um... a place to sleep while I'm showing my mom around one of my favorite cities?" Which got me an instant look of disdain. She put us in a room that was under a patio room so we could listen to chairs scraping above us all morning. It was a shitty experience, and there was nothing "five star" about my stay. I would have had a far better time staying at a number of hotels which were half the price.
Back when I was traveling to Vegas a few times a year when I was volunteering with a charity, I saw that a new Fontainebleau property was being built in the city. Every time I visited, it looked further along until it just kinda... stopped.
I never knew what happened. I just assumed that financing was paused or whatever. On my last trip to Sin City before the pandemic hit, the property was no closer to opening and my guess was it had been abandoned. The actual story was a little more complicated than that, which I found out when this video popped up in my feed...
The place finally opened at the tail-end of 2023.
But has apparently had a tough go of it. Las Vegas has lapsed into a massive disappointment where prices have skyrocketed as the experience has cratered. Especially when it comes to food and drink because in addition to being incredibly expensive, meals are small portions with poor quality even at celebrated restaurants. Drinks are watered-down. Add on those fucking "resort fees" which mandatorily charge you for bullshit that should be included with the room price, and I'm very glad I don't have to go there 2 or 3 times a year. Because even though I wasn't paying for my visits, I would still be mad to see charity money being wasted like this. Assuming that the charity would still be going to Vegas given how the city has calmed down considerably, and most of the reasons I was working there have evaporated.
Odds are that eventually I would have been put up at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Which has me wondering if they're still asking people "And what are you wanting from your Fontainebleau experience this visit?" Because I know exactly how I'd answer this time... "I am wanting a clean, comfortable, QUIET room where it might be possible to sleep in after a very long night." Which you'd think would be a given in Las Vegas, but likely not at the Fontainebleau hotel, where you can assume nothing.
Atom Entries Feed Comments Feed
