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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Vacation in Joisey

So here I am, with my younger son, spending a month with my family on the east coast. I'm not sure which is worse - the oppressive humidity here, or the record-breaking heat they're expecting in Vegas this weekend.

I have to admit, that's my only complaint. I've missed trees and squirrels and water... okay, so I didn't need to get soaked to the skin trying to leave Six Flags Great Adventure when a t-storm decided to dump a sudden downpour on us. The parking lot flooded so fast there were puddles up to our ankles. It took two days for our shoes to dry out. But I digress.

Great Adventure (the Six Flags came later) opened in 1974. I remember the old entrance that ran straight into the Merry-Go-Round. I also remember working at that Merry-Go-Round one summer in the early 80s. That calliope music haunted me in my dreams for months after the season ended. The two summers I spent there, though, were some of the best of my life.

There was a diving show featuring the Acapulco Cliff Divers. One of them was Bruce Boccia. He and I played "Phoenix" in the employee break room a couple of times. Really nice guy. Another one of the divers was Dana Kunze, high dive world record holder at 172 ft. We had Lynn Fuchs, Jeff Kucera, and Doug Gandel. It was a great show, lots of fun. I wish I could remember the rest of the team's names, there were certainly more than five of them.

The show started with the "Aquamaniacs", a clown diving show. Doug Gandel would pretend to be an audience member interrupting a diving demonstration. For one summer, I spent every show I could sitting in the bleachers, saving a seat for Doug. He'd bum a cigarette, some soda, whatever. It made him look like more of an audience member and I had a blast. When he jumped up to run down to the pool, I'd sink down in my seat and try to look embarrassed. It never failed that there would be some sweet little old lady sitting in the row in front of me, who would invariably turn around and say to me "You poor thing! Is he your boyfriend?" By the end of the summer I was an unofficial member of the show.

Anyway... back to the present. My older son is now working there, and my sister, my younger son and I all went to spend a day at the park with him. We started with the revamped safari tour. It's now part of the amusement park, and you simply have to hop on a truck and enjoy the ride. Here's a quick pic from just before we got on the truck:


 
This is Sean, my younger (yet taller) son, at the "camp" they drop us off at in the middle of the safari tour. 
 
 
 
Finally, here's  my boys on the Ferris Wheel. Aren't they handsome?
 
Still on the agenda; a trip to DE to see my in-laws, a trip or two into NYC for "Phantom" on Broadway and the new World Trade Center site, and a trip to Pennsylvania to visit my favorite aunt (and maybe do a little genealogy research while I'm there). WOOT!  
 
 

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Feelin' old again...

... I just can't wait to stop feelin' old again... (with apologies to Willie Nelson)

Nothing says you're getting old like your physical therapist suggesting that you might want to try walking with a CANE. Good gawd. He gave me a few exercises to do, said to keep up the glucosamine and Naprosyn, and then suggested the cane.

So okay, I got one. Kinda pretty, nice blackish/bluish/swirly colors. I have to admit, it is definitely easier to get around with it. It's also making that total hip replacement surgery look good. You know I'm in trouble if I'm seriously considering major surgery, what with my normal complications (long story - ask at your own risk).

The good news is that I may have won tickets to see "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway! I'll be in the NYC/PA/NJ/DE area for three weeks from late June into early July. Any old friends want to get together, don't hesitate to send an email. I'd love to catch up with you all.

Oh, and I just might be in the NY Times today. Look for an article by Peter Eavis on the housing market. Not only was I one of the people he interviewed, they sent a photographer out to the house too! My fifteen minutes of fame await me...

My Sunday is going to consist of NASCAR, more NASCAR, laundry, and the Tony Awards. Exciting, I know. I'll need to take a chill pill just to handle all of the thrills and chills. Especially the laundry (that spin cycle can be a real bitch...).

Take care, have fun, be safe. Don't drink and drive. Don't text while driving. Watch out for motorcyclists. Wear sunscreen. Give out hugs freely to all who'd like one. Ditto for smiles. Heck, give out smiles anyway - can't hurt, right? Remember to play with your pets, those loyal, loving little (or not so little) balls of fur. Take a nap (but NOT while driving). Go ahead and have some ice cream, even if you have to spend a little more on sugar-free and/or fat-free. There are some really good ones out there. Really.

May you benefit from my font of wisdom and have a fantastic summer. Don't worry, I'll be checking in, and you're always welcome to check on me first if you really want to know what's going on.

Meanwhile, it's back to my rocking (reclining) chair and my crochet work for me. Latest blankie here(bright yellow, deep purple, light yellow, lilac):