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Vacations 2010

Fman99 Jan 01 2010 06:54 PM

Doing a week mid-February in Florida, on the Gulf Coast. Renting a vacation house that sleeps 8 and staying with one of my wife's college friends and her family (her kids are 6 and 4). Just six weeks away, very much looking forward to it.

SteveJRogers Jan 05 2010 08:22 PM Re: Vacations 2010

MLK Weekend, or next weekend, here: On the island of St. Thomas!

soupcan Jan 05 2010 08:39 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Going to hang out with Andy and Red in Zihuatanejo for a week mid-February.

sharpie Jan 06 2010 07:16 AM Re: Vacations 2010

A week in Guatemala in February.

TransMonk Jan 06 2010 07:21 AM Re: Vacations 2010

It looks like this place may be dead in February. I'll be in Jamaica from the 4th thru the 10th.

HahnSolo Jan 06 2010 09:14 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Gran Melia, PR. Feb 16-20. No kids!!!

Willets Point Jan 06 2010 02:00 PM Re: Vacations 2010

8 days in Amsterdam in May.

themetfairy Jan 06 2010 02:08 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Nothing big - a lot of quick hitters, though - A weekend of running in Bermuda coming up. A weekend at spring training with a friend of mine. A night away at an undisclosed location with D-Dad to celebrate our anniversary ;) A weekend in Minneapolis to see the Twinkies' new digs. Three days at the beach in August.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 06 2010 02:30 PM Re: Vacations 2010

themetfairy wrote: A night away at an undisclosed location with D-Dad to celebrate our anniversary ;) When you get there, be sure to say hello to Dick Cheney!

themetfairy Jan 06 2010 02:39 PM Re: Vacations 2010

A different undisclosed location - Cheney isn't going to be a part of our anniversary getaway

soupcan Jan 06 2010 03:22 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Willets Point wrote: 8 days in Amsterdam in May. [soupcan circa 1985-1992]Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.[/soupcan circa 1985-1992]

Willets Point Jan 07 2010 10:45 AM Re: Vacations 2010

soupcan wrote: Willets Point wrote: 8 days in Amsterdam in May. [soupcan circa 1985-1992]Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.[/soupcan circa 1985-1992] [traveling with 2-year old]We're not doing anything soupcan circa 1985-1992 wants to do in Amsterdam[/traveling with a 2-year old].

Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2010 11:23 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Good for you, taking a two-year-old to Europe! We did the same thing (Spain in 1999) and everyone thought we were crazy, but it worked out great. (Here's a tip, though: if you're planning to buy diapers there, be sure to know your kid's weight in kilograms.)

Edgy DC Jan 07 2010 11:29 AM Re: Vacations 2010

And make sure you include self-congratulatory updates about your baby like "Cricket loved the frescos at San Paolo da Reggio. She stood transfixed and cried when we made her leave. It's like they spoke to her in a way." I can't get enough of that stuff.

Willets Point Jan 07 2010 02:06 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Grimm, thanks for the tip. Edgy, am I that guy on Facebook?

TransMonk Jan 11 2010 10:03 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Just decided to book a trip to NYC at the end of August because airfare is so cheap. I'll be taking in a Mets/Astros game at some point that weekend .

metirish Jan 12 2010 01:53 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The worst thing about vacations is the flight home and all that BS....We had a great time in Puerto Rico , it really opened our eyes to see Lorcan enjoying being outside all day playing. It's making us think about things and reevaluating NYC. I'll put up a few pix later......... Oh and Delta sucks monkey balls and their customer service should be called " we fuck you" service....

A Boy Named Seo Jan 12 2010 06:54 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Welcome back, dude. Look forward to seein' some pix with the fancy camera. Reevaluating NYC?? Anything in mind already?

Fman99 Jan 12 2010 08:42 PM Re: Vacations 2010

metirish wrote: The worst thing about vacations is the flight home and all that BS....We had a great time in Puerto Rico , it really opened our eyes to see Lorcan enjoying being outside all day playing. It's making us think about things and reevaluating NYC. I'll put up a few pix later......... Oh and Delta sucks monkey balls and their customer service should be called " we fuck you" service.... My parents, both born and raised in Queens, NY, moved upstate before my brother and I were born with the specific intent of giving us a chance to grow up in an environment where we could play outside all day, up and down the block, without them worrying about us. I had a very happy childhood, too, though I now feel at times like I missed out on the "NYC" experience that my parents and their siblings grew up in. Take that for what it's worth.

Edgy DC Jan 12 2010 08:48 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Puerto Rico picturas NOW!!!!

metirish Jan 13 2010 04:59 AM Re: Vacations 2010

A few here Old San Juan Lorcan making friends in Old San Juan Cabo Rojo lighthouse from the trail driving in....a beautiful place

themetfairy Jan 13 2010 05:17 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Very nice Irish! Now that we've seen some pictures, I'm looking forward to the descriptions and accounts of the trip :)

Kong76 Jan 13 2010 06:39 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Funny, I don't picture Puerto Rico like the last picture. If I saw that out of the blue I'd think Cape Cod or somewhere in RI.

Edgy DC Jan 13 2010 07:18 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Shark in the foreground.

metirish Jan 13 2010 07:32 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Funny, I don't picture Puerto Rico like the last picture. If I saw that out of the blue I'd think Cape Cod or somewhere in RI. I'm taking that as a compliment.....:)....that day was overcast which kind of cucked as we drove 2 plus hours to get there... here's the info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Morrillos_Lighthouse Now , pick out the Irish one here pool at Jessica's moms house.

Edgy DC Jan 13 2010 07:37 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The terra cotta donkey looks kind of Irish. I want to party with Jessica's Mom --- what with the pool and the 648 oz. beer and whatnot.

A Boy Named Seo Jan 26 2010 09:42 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Australia in, like, 3 weeks. Alright.

themetfairy Jan 27 2010 05:20 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Very nice Seo - I'm envious! Have a great time :)

metirish Jan 27 2010 06:39 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Very nice Seo.........meeting the girls family?

HahnSolo Jan 27 2010 06:45 AM Re: Vacations 2010

metirish wrote: I'm taking that as a compliment.....:)....that day was overcast which kind of cucked as we drove 2 plus hours to get there... How did you find the driving there? I think we are renting a car when we go in February, though it's primary use will be to get from the airport to the resort and back. We did the sightseeing/visiting family thing last time. This is R&R, sun & fun.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 27 2010 06:57 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I've driven in Puerto Rico, and it didn't strike me as different from driving anywhere else.

metirish Jan 27 2010 07:00 AM Re: Vacations 2010

For us it was not a problem , then again my wife is from there. Driving there to me was not much different than in the States , or Ireland actually. Traffic in to San Juan work mornings is apparently terrible and you will see a system in place there where the highway crews can change lanes to North Bound or South Bound depending on the need. They use a big truck type machine to move the dividing columns . Try and avoid the town of Bayamón during rush hour , it's part of the San Juan Metro area....the main roads there are fine though, we drove around most of the island with ease. Have fun.

A Boy Named Seo Jan 27 2010 09:35 AM Re: Vacations 2010

metirish wrote: Very nice Seo.........meeting the girls family? Yup. Real excited. I put a shout out to Triple D, too. Hope I can meet up with him again.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 27 2010 10:20 AM Re: Vacations 2010 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 27 2010 10:29 AM

Irish/Hahn: Get a chance to check out El Yunque at all? When we last went, we ended up staying in a little mountainside bed-and-breakfast-type "Eco-lodge" there near Naguabo (far side of the entrance to the national park)... with rainforest hiking just below the place. Also, on a lark, we did the bioluminescence tour thing in Fajardo on our last night there. It's like being in Avatar, minus the furry penis tail!

metirish Jan 27 2010 10:27 AM Re: Vacations 2010

We didn't go to El Yunque this time but I have been there twice before , took the stone steps down to the waterfall , an amazing place. We did go to the bioluminescence bay in La Paraguera but it was during the day and we would have needed to wait around to rent a boat so we ditched it and drove on to Cabo Rojo.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 27 2010 12:31 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Anyone who wants to know the awesome backstory of Seo's impending visit to Australia needs to read the Nora Ephron novella about halfway down this page: [url]http://cranepoolforum.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7641&start=220 A overlooked cpf kclasskc.

metirish Jan 27 2010 12:46 PM Re: Vacations 2010

fair dinkum mate . Seo you going to Sydney?. Spud a lad I grew up with lives there , he'd be a good fella to meet, if you not busy of course. Great reading over that story again.

cooby Jan 27 2010 01:50 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Longwood Gardens again over Valentine's Day, for the orchid show. http://www.longwoodgardens.org/ A friend's wedding in Watkin's Glen over Memorial Day weekend. Hoping to hit the beach this year if we can afford it.

A Boy Named Seo Jan 27 2010 02:33 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Anyone who wants to know the awesome backstory of Seo's impending visit to Australia needs to read the Nora Ephron novella about halfway down this page: [url]http://cranepoolforum.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7641&start=220 A overlooked cpf kclasskc. Damn, meeting her was fun. That whole summer was so fun. I think I worked like 4 days from April to July and we just went everywhere together, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Yosemite, Big Sur, camping, beaches, hiking, you name it, and went to every rock concert we could find from Hollywood to Telluride. Such a blast. She came back for a month in December and now it's my turn to go that way. We've broken up and gotten back together like 50 times, so we're both clearly gluttons for torture and pain. But I suppose that's living. She doesn't live in Sydney anymore, but I'll be there for parts of a couple days, at least. I'll be loose on the town for a bit while she'll be at school *ahem*, so yah irish, maybe email me your dude's contact info, and I'll hunt him down if time permits and the big kids can get a beer or something.

Fman99 Jan 27 2010 06:44 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Anyone who wants to know the awesome backstory of Seo's impending visit to Australia needs to read the Nora Ephron novella about halfway down this page: [url]http://cranepoolforum.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7641&start=220 A overlooked cpf kclasskc. Damn, meeting her was fun. That whole summer was so fun. I think I worked like 4 days from April to July and we just went everywhere together, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Yosemite, Big Sur, camping, beaches, hiking, you name it, and went to every rock concert we could find from Hollywood to Telluride. Such a blast. She came back for a month in December and now it's my turn to go that way. We've broken up and gotten back together like 50 times, so we're both clearly gluttons for torture and pain. But I suppose that's living. She doesn't live in Sydney anymore, but I'll be there for parts of a couple days, at least. I'll be loose on the town for a bit while she'll be at school *ahem*, so yah irish, maybe email me your dude's contact info, and I'll hunt him down if time permits and the big kids can get a beer or something. Those accents will make a man do some dumb shit. I've been that guy, many times in fact.

Fman99 Jan 27 2010 06:46 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Countdown is T-19 days till I depart for sunny Gulf Coast Florida. In the interim I'm heading to El Segundo the week prior for work and will try to meet up with ABNS for beers somewhere. See the world on the company coin? Yes please.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 27 2010 11:12 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Anyone who wants to know the awesome backstory of Seo's impending visit to Australia needs to read the Nora Ephron novella about halfway down this page: [url]http://cranepoolforum.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7641&start=220 A overlooked cpf kclasskc. Damn, meeting her was fun. That whole summer was so fun. I think I worked like 4 days from April to July and we just went everywhere together, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Yosemite, Big Sur, camping, beaches, hiking, you name it, and went to every rock concert we could find from Hollywood to Telluride. Such a blast. She came back for a month in December and now it's my turn to go that way. We've broken up and gotten back together like 50 times, so we're both clearly gluttons for torture and pain. But I suppose that's living. She doesn't live in Sydney anymore, but I'll be there for parts of a couple days, at least. I'll be loose on the town for a bit while she'll be at school *ahem*, so yah irish, maybe email me your dude's contact info, and I'll hunt him down if time permits and the big kids can get a beer or something. Those accents will make a man do some dumb shit. I've been that guy, many times in fact. Can't believe I didn't read Seo's ladyfriend story until now. Pussy. (Of whom I'm envious.) FMAN: Kiwi accents will fuck you up FAR worse. Ye Gods.

A Boy Named Seo Jan 28 2010 11:54 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Kiwi accents, huh. I'm a big fan of a chick with any accent, to be honest. My life's sole purpose is to land a chick with a French accent, I think. I have work yet to do.

TransMonk Feb 03 2010 08:25 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Off to Jamaica tomorrow. I'll try to post CPF-exclusive pics next week.

soupcan Feb 03 2010 09:02 AM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: My life's sole purpose is to land a chick with a French accent, I think. I have work yet to do. I was able to accomplish that - it didn't end well.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 03 2010 09:05 AM Re: Vacations 2010

soupcan wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: My life's sole purpose is to land a chick with a French accent, I think. I have work yet to do. I was able to accomplish that - it didn't end well. You know all there is to know about the Crying Game, huh?

Edgy DC Feb 03 2010 09:15 AM Re: Vacations 2010

soupcan wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: My life's sole purpose is to land a chick with a French accent, I think. I have work yet to do. I was able to accomplish that - it didn't end well. A promise of a dramatically bad ending almost comes with the territory, doesn't it? "You knew all all along I could not be a ca-jed bird!! Mon Dieu! You suffocate me!"

Edgy DC Feb 03 2010 09:20 AM Re: Vacations 2010

"Stop weeping! I don't hate you, I'm merely indifferent! I am FRAHNCH!"

A Boy Named Seo Feb 03 2010 09:29 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Edgy DC wrote: soupcan wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: My life's sole purpose is to land a chick with a French accent, I think. I have work yet to do. I was able to accomplish that - it didn't end well. A promise of a dramatically bad ending almost comes with the territory, doesn't it? "You knew all all along I could not be a ca-jed bird!! Mon Dieu! You suffocate me!" Makes me want her even more.

soupcan Feb 03 2010 09:32 AM Re: Vacations 2010

A lot of the relationship consisted of 'Neek, Ah am bored, Neek I wahnt to do zumsing else...'. It was fun for a while but when I say it ended badly what I mean is that it ended with her going back to France and me cozying up to a bottle of penicillin. A ca-jed bird she wasn't.

Edgy DC Feb 03 2010 09:43 AM Re: Vacations 2010

About time I got a new sig line.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 03 2010 02:42 PM Re: Vacations 2010

soupcan wrote: A lot of the relationship consisted of 'Neek, Ah am bored, Neek I wahnt to do zumsing else...'. And how were things outside of the bedroom?

soupcan Feb 03 2010 05:24 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Oh, you're just on freakin' fire today aren't you?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 03 2010 07:53 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I'll be here all week. Next week too. Then, vacation.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 04 2010 06:53 AM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Kiwi accents, huh. I'm a big fan of a chick with any accent, to be honest. My life's sole purpose is to land a chick with a French accent, I think. I have work yet to do. How many nationality's you been with?

metirish Feb 04 2010 07:27 AM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: Kiwi accents, huh. I'm a big fan of a chick with any accent, to be honest. My life's sole purpose is to land a chick with a French accent, I think. I have work yet to do. How many nationality's you been with? An oldie but it still works......is that thread archived, I am sure it is as it comes up every few years.

Edgy DC Feb 04 2010 07:50 AM Re: Vacations 2010

http://thecranepoolforum.yuku.com/topic ... -with.html

Willets Point Feb 04 2010 08:26 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Looking at the old EZBoard is like going back to your old neighborhood and seeing all the stores abandoned and houses gutted. What a mess!

themetfairy Feb 04 2010 08:54 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Edgy DC wrote: http://thecranepoolforum.yuku.com/topic/9667/t/With-how-many-different-nationality-s-have-you-been-with.html Thanks Edgy. That always makes me laugh :)

cooby Feb 06 2010 02:53 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Next weekend is the weekend we are going to Longwood Gardens. I am glad it wasn't this week, because for some reason today they opened way late, at noon.

Edgy DC Feb 06 2010 03:24 PM Re: Vacations 2010

By the way, for future references, I don't want to know about any of y'all's VD ever again.

soupcan Feb 08 2010 08:36 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Noted.

cooby Feb 08 2010 05:30 PM Re: Vacations 2010

cooby wrote: Next weekend is the weekend we are going to Longwood Gardens. I am glad it wasn't this week, because for some reason today they opened way late, at noon. Hmmm....maybe another foot there this week?

TransMonk Feb 12 2010 06:33 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Found a Jamaican Mets cap: See the full vacation album here.

metirish Feb 12 2010 06:53 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Love the cap , great photo album.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 12 2010 07:15 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Want that hat... where'd you find it? We are headed to Jamaica in a few weeks... Terrific shots too.

TransMonk Feb 12 2010 07:23 AM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Want that hat... where'd you find it? We are headed to Jamaica in a few weeks... It was in a touristy gift shop in Negril. I believe it was called the Times Square Shoppes or some such. I was looking for a hat to cover my bald head and found it in the middle of a tourist store. Only $15 too! I did not know it while I was there, but upon leaving, we stumbled upon a Major League Baseball store at the Montego Bay airport. Everything they had was Jamaica themed MLB stuff. You could get t-shirts with any MLB logo and phrases like "Respect Mon" and "One Love, One Heart". They did not have this style hat, though.

Edgy DC Feb 12 2010 07:42 AM Re: Vacations 2010

metsguy has been down that road: http://metsguyinmichigan.blogspot.com/2 ... -mean.html

sharpie Feb 12 2010 07:46 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Leave for Guatemala tomorry morning. I'll see if I find any Guatemalan-themed Mets hats. Unlikely.

Fman99 Feb 12 2010 10:36 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Countdown T-48 hours till Florida. A week of fun and (some) sun with the family in the Sunshine state, cannot wait to get the hell out of Dodge.

A Boy Named Seo Feb 12 2010 02:02 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Wow, nice pics, Monk. Looked like you were at a little condo or something, not a resort? Beautiful there...

metirish Feb 12 2010 02:05 PM Re: Vacations 2010

TransMonk wrote: Dennis Cook anyone?

TransMonk Feb 12 2010 02:58 PM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Wow, nice pics, Monk. Looked like you were at a little condo or something, not a resort? Beautiful there... We were staying at Catcha Falling Star. They offer several cottages as well as a six-suite building. They have a bar and restaurant and they are guarded by a gate, but certainly not all-inclusive, which was fine for us because we like finding our own food. We spent 3 days there after 3 days on the beach which is a little dirtier and more touristy, but you can also just wade out into the water, which you can't do on the cliffs. metirish wrote: Dennis Cook anyone? Ha!

Edgy DC Feb 12 2010 03:02 PM Re: Vacations 2010

TransMonk wrote: We were staying at Catcha Falling Star Which, coincidentally, made the last cut on possible slogans for the 2009 Mets! Whoah!

Edgy DC Feb 12 2010 03:03 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Edgy DC wrote: TransMonk wrote: We were staying at Catcha Falling Star. Which, coincidentally, also made the last cut on possible slogans for the 2009 Mets! Whoah!

SteveJRogers Feb 14 2010 06:47 PM Re: Vacations 2010

San Diego in late July for Comic Con. Was going to Houston in August to see the Mets, but buddy in Houston got transferred to Calgary!

A Boy Named Seo Feb 19 2010 06:50 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Walk-about. See you blokes when I see ya.

metirish Feb 19 2010 07:07 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Fair dinkum mate...have fun Jake......

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 19 2010 08:07 PM Re: Vacations 2010

(smiles and hands him a vegemite sandwich)

Fman99 Feb 20 2010 07:43 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Back after a week in Florida. Could've been better (Fboy was feverish for three days, and the weather was seasonably cool in the high 50s most of the week) but we managed to squeeze in some fun with visits to the Museum of Science and Industry (with interactive kids' exhibit), a manatee viewing center, Busch Gardens, Sea World, and time with my grandmother in Tampa and my father in law in Orlando. And the kids did great on travel. Pics to come... got some gems of them on the beach (combing for shells, too cold to swim).

themetfairy Feb 20 2010 08:14 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Welcome back Fman. The place hasn't been the same without you

Fman99 Feb 21 2010 10:09 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Thanks :)

themetfairy Feb 25 2010 01:50 PM Re: Vacations 2010

With any luck I'm heading to spring training in the morning. My friend and I are spending the night at the airport so we don't have to worry about schlepping there bright and early in the snow. Wish me luck!

sharpie Feb 25 2010 02:36 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Good luck. Got back from Guatemala on Sunday. Loved it. Most inexpensive vacation I've ever had and spent some time in maybe the nicest hotel I've ever been. Swam in a beautiful lake, did a lot of hiking, visited the largest of the Mayan ruins. No fake Met baseball hats though.

TransMonk Feb 25 2010 02:46 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Where did you stay in Guatemala?

sharpie Feb 25 2010 04:16 PM Re: Vacations 2010

One night in Antigua, four nights on Lake Atitlan, two nights in Flores (near Tikal) and one night in Guatemala City (which is kind of a pit). The place on Lake Atitlan was the amazing place ($75 a night for three people): http://lacasadelmundo.com/

themetfairy Feb 27 2010 11:49 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Hi from Port St. Lucie!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 27 2010 01:24 PM Re: Vacations 2010

You made it. Rad. You'll want to get a picture with Ike Davis. Say you knew him back when.

themetfairy Feb 27 2010 02:44 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I got a picture of him, but not with him.

themetfairy Feb 27 2010 09:13 PM Re: Vacations 2010

themetfairy wrote: I got a picture of him, but not with him.

themetfairy Feb 28 2010 07:39 PM Re: Vacations 2010

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: You made it. Rad. You'll want to get a picture with Ike Davis. Say you knew him back when. Will a picture with Bobby Ojeda suffice? Or how about Darryl Strawberry?

Edgy DC Mar 01 2010 08:18 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Darryl Strawberry: a wee bit taller than fairy. I'm back in from San Francisco.

Kong76 Mar 02 2010 05:02 AM Re: Vacations 2010

How to place a male athletes hand on a female shoulder is covered on page 38 of The Fans and You.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 02 2010 09:08 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Leaving for Jamaica in the morning.

metirish Mar 03 2010 03:59 AM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Leaving for Jamaica in the morning. Have fun mon

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 03 2010 08:47 AM Re: Vacations 2010

One love, JCClan.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 04 2010 05:38 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Have fun, bucket. Come back with one of them Rasta Met hats now. Australia was amazing. Will pop a couple pics up here & on FB when I wake up.

themetfairy Mar 04 2010 05:42 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Welcome back Seo!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 09 2010 09:00 AM Re: Vacations 2010

We're back from Jamaica. We were more or less stuck at the resort for our stay but it was a nice place for the Lunchpail to hang out, lots of kids, waterslides, etc. Our room was super and we had service, food & frozen cocktails out the wingwang. Weather was overcast for a couple days and combined with a strong wind off the water we had to bundle up a few evenings but eventually got nuclear sun and that Carribean breeze, wonderful. I'm sorry we didn't see more of the country, as third-worldy as it could be. We did one day trip by bus to Ocho Rios which provided us lame shopping and a fun guided hike up the Dunn's River Falls, also a touristy thing but lots of fun. Lousy flight back to NY with lots of all-inclusive abusers boarding drunk and loud. Now here's my son's butt:

metirish Mar 09 2010 09:04 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Ivan couldn't be more white if he tried....seriously , our kids will kills us when they get older.....good to have you back ya bollox.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 09 2010 03:04 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Sounds great, man. Right on the water, too. The resort then was all-inclusive? Sounds like it worked out really well then, yeah?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 09 2010 09:15 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Yeah, we wavered on the All-inclusive but went with it at the end because it's hard to do the resort lifestyle without it. This was the first time we'd done that, not to mention vacay at at a resort. In a matter of taste I think we'd prefer to travel old-skool, but this arrangement worked pretty well with the fam and the resort (Rose Hall) was nice. Our exposure to a new culture, beyond tourism industry workers, was meeting a good number of Canadians.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 11 2010 06:38 PM Re: Vacations 2010

2 questions - how was the food at your joint? And drinks are not included in most all-inclusives, right?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2010 06:59 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Mixed bag on the food. There were 5 restaurants where we stayed; 2 were good; 2 were casual-good (outdoor beachside and poolside), and 1 was a cafeteria that was buffet all the time. They sort of arrange it so that it's unlikely you'd dine at the best places every night (you need to make reservations and be flexible). They also had tiered pricing on certain entrees (like, if you wanted the lobster on the AIP, it was $20 xtra to your bill but "free" for the chicken, etc). The buffet was most convenient and most foodservice-y, though they had some good omelet guys working it in the morning. Yes, booze was free, but with Brand X spirits (good stuff was an extra charge, but you aren't gonna whip out a credit card at the swim-up bar). Beer choices were Red Stripe or Red Stripe lite.

metirish Mar 11 2010 07:02 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Can't believe our hippy asked two questions about a Jamaican vacation and one of them wasn't " how was the weed?"

A Boy Named Seo Mar 11 2010 07:10 PM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Mixed bag on the food. There were 5 restaurants where we stayed; 2 were good; 2 were casual-good (outdoor beachside and poolside), and 1 was a cafeteria that was buffet all the time. They sort of arrange it so that it's unlikely you'd dine at the best places every night (you need to make reservations and be flexible). They also had tiered pricing on certain entrees (like, if you wanted the lobster on the AIP, it was $20 xtra to your bill but "free" for the chicken, etc). The buffet was most convenient and most foodservice-y, though they had some good omelet guys working it in the morning. Yes, booze was free, but with Brand X spirits (good stuff was an extra charge, but you aren't gonna whip out a credit card at the swim-up bar). Beer choices were Red Stripe or Red Stripe lite. Red Stripe Lite??!? I could certainly rough it on Red Stripe and well whiskey for a few days. Sounds cool. metirish wrote: Can't believe our hippy asked two questions about a Jamaican vacation and one of them wasn't " how was the weed?" Educated guess, but I bet it's all pretty decent there. If you were into that sorta thing, I mean.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2010 07:12 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I got a contact high from a couple employees doobing it up in a maintenence shack.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 11 2010 07:15 PM Re: Vacations 2010

You head straight for the buffet after that, Potsie?

themetfairy Mar 13 2010 09:09 AM Re: Vacations 2010

We're seeing the Twins in their new ballpark on Memorial Day Weekend. D-Dad and I will get back to having seen games in every current major league ballpark.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 13 2010 11:14 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Shitload of Australia pics up on FB for those interested. PS - I met up with the CPF's own Triple D for the first ever (?) southern hemisphere CPF 2-man round table. He was an A+ tour guide, taking me to several hot spots in Sydney. We drank Aussie rum, a few Aussie beers, and talked about the Mets and cricket in the same conversation. A first for me. Great dude, awesome to see him again.

Fman99 Mar 14 2010 07:14 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Nice pics buddy.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 14 2010 10:24 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Thank ya, thank ya.

themetfairy Mar 14 2010 10:25 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Yes Seo - some gorgeous stuff! I'm envious - Australia is the one place I truly want to visit one day :)

A Boy Named Seo Mar 14 2010 10:31 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I highly, highly recommend it. Kinda wanted to leave all my shit in California and just not come home. Ever.

themetfairy Mar 14 2010 11:17 AM Re: Vacations 2010

We always said that would be the trip we take when all the kids are out of the house and we can just go away for a couple of weeks. Maybe we'll be able to manage that when MK is done with college (which is only about 8 years away....).

Ashie62 Mar 14 2010 11:28 AM Re: Vacations 2010

themetfairy wrote: We're seeing the Twins in their new ballpark on Memorial Day Weekend. D-Dad and I will get back to having seen games in every current major league ballpark. You're going to have a great time. The Twin Cities are terrific...It really is like Mary Tyler Moore skipping down the street.

themetfairy Mar 14 2010 03:04 PM Re: Vacations 2010

We were there in 2002. Part of our whirlwind trip where we saw baseball in Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Detroit. It was indeed quite lovely. Last time we stayed near Mall of America - this time we'll be downtown, closer to the ballpark.

Benjamin Grimm Mar 16 2010 07:37 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Spain and Portugal in August.

Chad Ochoseis Mar 16 2010 08:07 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Punta Cana in three weeks. A friend of my girlfriend's is having a "destination wedding" there. An all-inclusive in the Caribbean isn't my first choice for a vacation. But one can do worse than four days on the beach, a nice comfy hotel room, all the food you can eat (that would be a lot, in my case), and the odd drink here and there. So I'll struggle along somehow.

themetfairy Mar 16 2010 08:23 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Chad Ochoseis wrote: Punta Cana in three weeks. A friend of my girlfriend's is having a "destination wedding" there. An all-inclusive in the Caribbean isn't my first choice for a vacation. But one can do worse than four days on the beach, a nice comfy hotel room, all the food you can eat (that would be a lot, in my case), and the odd drink here and there. So I'll struggle along somehow. Pobrecito - I feel so sorry for you.... ;)

Frayed Knot Mar 16 2010 08:53 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Spain and Portugal in August. Grimm's going into summertime Ibernation

Benjamin Grimm Mar 16 2010 09:41 AM Re: Vacations 2010

And I'm putting the Mets on notice: When I come back around Labor Day, they'd better have an insurmountable lead in the N.L. East!

metirish Mar 16 2010 09:44 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Grim , how do you go about choosing where to go?, are the kids involved in the decision making...

Benjamin Grimm Mar 16 2010 10:46 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The kids are involved. My son is a very enthusiastic traveler. Another factor is airfares. The main reason we went to Switzerland last year was because the airfares to Zurich were especially cheap. So I used Zurich as a starting point and then mapped out a circle starting and ending in Zurich that we could cover in the allotted time.

Chad Ochoseis Jun 04 2010 09:32 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Whatever happened to this thread? Employer's annual get-together in Las Vegas in about ten days. I don't go to Vegas voluntarily. However, I'm softening the blow with three days of hiking in Zion National Park before the meeting (Zion is only about 2 1/2 hours from Vegas), starting a week from tomorrow.

themetfairy Jun 04 2010 09:49 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Have fun Chad!

Rockin' Doc Jun 09 2010 06:43 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Four days in Myrtle Beach, Sc last weekend for a conference, but the family had a lot of fun laying aropund the pool and on the beach. Three day weekend in Baltimore this weekend. Taking in the Mets at Camden Yard on Sunday afternoon. The following weekend it is off to Orlando, Florida for a four day conference. I will spend most of my days in meetings and classes, but my wife and daughter will enjoy soaking up the rays as they lounge around the pool and catch up on some reading. Hopefully, the following weekend I can simply relax at home. I think I'll be plenty road weary by then and all this fine dining on the road is wreaking havoc with my training schedule. I really need to get back to the gym.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 09 2010 07:01 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Doc check your PMs.

Rockin' Doc Jun 09 2010 07:48 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I got your PM and hopefully my reply gets to you. I still have some trouble with the forums PM system.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 09 2010 08:54 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Got it! Hopefully I will see you there. Anyone else be in Balto this weekend? Doc & I will be at Sunday's game.

A Boy Named Seo Jul 08 2010 09:38 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Was supposed to be in all y'alls neck of the woods in a couple weeks, but now going to Alaska instead. Anyone been before?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 08 2010 09:40 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Yes. I was there in 2006. Flew in to Anchorage, rented a car. Drove down to Prince William Sound where we took a glacier cruise, and up to Denali, where we took an interminable bus ride.

Ceetar Jul 08 2010 09:44 AM Re: Vacations 2010

We've decided on Hawaii in October, although it's not official as we haven't booked anything. however, this means the two JetBlue free flights I have to book by 10/13/2010 need to be used for something else.

A Boy Named Seo Jul 08 2010 09:46 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Yes. I was there in 2006. Flew in to Anchorage, rented a car. Drove down to Prince William Sound where we took a glacier cruise, and up to Denali, where we took an interminable bus ride. Denali's on the shortlist of destinations. How was that, minus the bus ride?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 08 2010 10:17 AM Re: Vacations 2010

It's beautiful there. We took some nice hikes there. You have to take the bus to get into the heart of the park (at least, that was the case in 2006) and I'm not sure it was worth the time and effort.

Fman99 Jul 08 2010 10:21 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I'm just getting ready to book a couple of days at Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA (outside Philly) for the kids. Waterpark, too, which is fun for me. Going on a Monday/Tuesday to hopefully beat some of the weekend madness. Anyone with little kids done that place, any advice?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 08 2010 10:27 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Sesame Place? You probably don 't need two days there, one would be enough! Spend the other in Philly, the Franklin Institute museum is a fun place for kids.

themetfairy Jul 08 2010 10:29 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Fman99 wrote: I'm just getting ready to book a couple of days at Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA (outside Philly) for the kids. Waterpark, too, which is fun for me. Going on a Monday/Tuesday to hopefully beat some of the weekend madness. Anyone with little kids done that place, any advice? We used to have season passes - we used to go there ALL the time! And yes - it's smart to go midweek rather than during a summer weekend. Get there early. Do the rides/activities before the lines get huge. Then catch a couple of the shows. Take a break from the park during the heat of the day. Go back after 4:00 when the crowds start thinning out again. There are lockers there, and you are allowed to bring in coolers with food and drinks (at least you were back when my kids were small - double check that!), so you don't have to rely on concession stands. IIRC, the gift shop prices were not ungodly expensive, so you can pick up some cute souvenirs without going broke. D-Dad and I were talking about Sesame Place the other day - we had some really nice times there with the kids :)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 08 2010 10:41 AM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Sesame Place? You probably don 't need two days there, one would be enough! Spend the other in Philly, the Franklin Institute museum is a fun place for kids. So's the Mutter Museum. Wait, do Fboy and Fgirl like misshapen skulls and two-headed fetuses in jars?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 08 2010 10:49 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The giant colon is a must-see. Fman99 is waiting for the special penis exhibit.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 08 2010 10:55 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Isn't that a replica colon? It's not the real super-embalmed deal, is it?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 08 2010 11:02 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I think it was the real colon, but I can't say I'm absolutely sure. It was the one from the teenage boy who had eight bucketloads of poop in him when he died, right?

A Boy Named Seo Jul 08 2010 11:05 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Benjamin Grimm wrote: It's beautiful there. We took some nice hikes there. You have to take the bus to get into the heart of the park (at least, that was the case in 2006) and I'm not sure it was worth the time and effort. Thx, BG.

Willets Point Jul 08 2010 11:09 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Fman99 is waiting for the special penis exhibit. According the website, they have a Wood Institute.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 08 2010 11:36 AM Re: Vacations 2010

There was a nice trail (I think it was called Moose Lake) near the visitor center. There were a few others that we did too. The bus ride was eight hours round trip, on a school-bus-quality bus, with only brief stops for photos and peeing. I kept waiting for it to get good, and it never really did. No time for hiking or exploring. If you like big sloppy sandwiches, check out Bub's Subs, which is in a small shopping center across from the Denali entrance. Delicious. I hope it's still there. When we were there, the Subway a few doors down was getting all the business. Everyone was waiting in a long line for the familiar and bland, and ignoring the local and tasty.

A Boy Named Seo Jul 08 2010 12:25 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Benjamin Grimm wrote: There was a nice trail (I think it was called Moose Lake) near the visitor center. There were a few others that we did too. The bus ride was eight hours round trip, on a school-bus-quality bus, with only brief stops for photos and peeing. I kept waiting for it to get good, and it never really did. No time for hiking or exploring. If you like big sloppy sandwiches, check out Bub's Subs, which is in a small shopping center across from the Denali entrance. Delicious. I hope it's still there. When we were there, the Subway a few doors down was getting all the business. Everyone was waiting in a long line for the familiar and bland, and ignoring the local and tasty. An hour on a school bussy bus sounds brutal, let alone 8. We're renting a car in Anchorage, too. Will have to do some quick looking in to park access. Bub's Subs. Will look for it. Thanks again.

The Second Spitter Jul 18 2010 11:06 PM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: We're renting a car in Anchorage, too. Will have to do some quick looking in to park access. Bub's Subs. Will look for it. Thanks again. Who's "we"?

metirish Jul 19 2010 07:04 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: We're renting a car in Anchorage, too. Will have to do some quick looking in to park access. Bub's Subs. Will look for it. Thanks again. Who's "we"? Fair dinkum mate , he's moved on form the Aussie sheilas and now is experimenting with an Ecuadoran version of a sheila, she could be Honduran though , not Latvian for sure.

Edgy DC Jul 19 2010 08:07 AM Re: Vacations 2010

You people are lucky. I resort to vacationing in my mind.

MFS62 Jul 19 2010 08:57 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Wifey and daughter are flying down to Myrtle Beach this week. Work preventes me from going. But Wifey and I will probably be doing some weekend jaunts later in the year. Later

metirish Jul 19 2010 09:02 AM Re: Vacations 2010

We are flying to West Palm Beach Thursday night through Tuesday , spending a few days there to see Jessica's first cousin, her Mom is coming from Puerto Rico Wednesday and as a surprise to her we are going to FLA.

Edgy DC Jul 19 2010 09:04 AM Re: Vacations 2010

We'll be breaking into Mom's compound in PR and staying there. Wait, madre-in-law is flying into New York only to turn around a fly back down to Florida?

metirish Jul 19 2010 09:31 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Edgy DC wrote: We'll be breaking into Mom's compound in PR and staying there. Wait, madre-in-law is flying into New York only to turn around a fly back down to Florida? Basically yeah, kinda crazy I agree. It's just the way things worked out.

MFS62 Jul 19 2010 09:33 AM Re: Vacations 2010

metirish wrote: Edgy DC wrote: We'll be breaking into Mom's compound in PR and staying there. Wait, madre-in-law is flying into New York only to turn around a fly back down to Florida? Basically yeah, kinda crazy I agree. It's just the way things worked out. If anyone could write a book explaining things mothers-in-law do, they would make a fortune. Later

A Boy Named Seo Jul 19 2010 01:25 PM Re: Vacations 2010

metirish wrote: The Second Spitter wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: We're renting a car in Anchorage, too. Will have to do some quick looking in to park access. Bub's Subs. Will look for it. Thanks again. Who's "we"? Fair dinkum mate , he's moved on form the Aussie sheilas and now is experimenting with an Ecuadoran version of a sheila, she could be Honduran though , not Latvian for sure. How did I miss all this... "We" is my buddy Paul from NJ. I was supposed to be at his wedding in NJ right NOW!!!! but he & his would've-been missus both got gold feet & called it off 11th hour. I was the would-be best man, so I got the "lets-go-do-some-crazy-shit" phone call and Alaska was it. And the new international sheila is Honduran by geography only. Honduran [via Manhattan Beach], but I won't let that destroy the allure in any way.

metirish Jul 19 2010 01:27 PM Re: Vacations 2010

WOW......no way those two can get married now right?

A Boy Named Seo Jul 19 2010 01:39 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Right. It was actually just a 'postponement' at first, but then it all crumbled after that & they're not even together now. 3 weeks ago I didn't suspect a thing. It was crazy.

The Second Spitter Jul 19 2010 08:37 PM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: How did I miss all this... "We" is my buddy Paul from NJ. I was supposed to be at his wedding in NJ right NOW!!!! but he & his would've-been missus both got gold feet & called it off 11th hour. I was the would-be best man, so I got the "lets-go-do-some-crazy-shit" phone call and Alaska was it. Well, I found out that the David Wright Facebook chick recently got married (at 20 years old!) and then divorced after two months. A Boy Named Seo wrote: ] And the new international sheila is Honduran by geography only. Honduran [via Manhattan Beach], but I won't let that destroy the allure in any way. All the best with that bro. I sincerely hope nobody on CPF puts a hex on the relationship again by saying you two are gonna get hitched.

A Boy Named Seo Jul 19 2010 10:35 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: How did I miss all this... "We" is my buddy Paul from NJ. I was supposed to be at his wedding in NJ right NOW!!!! but he & his would've-been missus both got gold feet & called it off 11th hour. I was the would-be best man, so I got the "lets-go-do-some-crazy-shit" phone call and Alaska was it. Well, I found out that the David Wright Facebook chick recently got married (at 20 years old!) and then divorced after two months. A Boy Named Seo wrote: ] And the new international sheila is Honduran by geography only. Honduran [via Manhattan Beach], but I won't let that destroy the allure in any way. All the best with that bro. I sincerely hope nobody on CPF puts a hex on the relationship again by saying you two are gonna get hitched. Who's DWFB chick again? And married at 20 and it didn't work out?? I'm so shocked over here. And yeah, who do I blame for that hex again??? I would love to blame somebody. Really a lot. BTW- didn't mention it before, but have a great time in FLA, irish.

The Second Spitter Jul 20 2010 07:41 AM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Who's DWFB chick again? And married at 20 and it didn't work out?? I'm so shocked over here. That would be the chick I was seeing in Greece last year, who managed to friend David Wright on Facebook. A Boy Named Seo wrote: And yeah, who do I blame for that hex again??? I would love to blame somebody. Really a lot. I'd be happy to tell you, but it may cost me by CPF membership. But I was kinda rooting for ya to get hitched with that Aussie bird, so you'd move over here and we'd open that Mexican Restaurant we discussed and surf all day. That reminds me, a chick from my gym is coming over your way -- if you got nothing better to do, take her out for a drink or something.

A Boy Named Seo Jul 20 2010 09:59 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: Who's DWFB chick again? And married at 20 and it didn't work out?? I'm so shocked over here. That would be the chick I was seeing in Greece last year, who managed to friend David Wright on Facebook. Oh, jeez, I remember now. And she got married? We have to rap, dude. The Second Spitter wrote: And yeah, who do I blame for that hex again??? I would love to blame somebody. Really a lot. I'd be happy to tell you, but it may cost me by CPF membership. But I was kinda rooting for ya to get hitched with that Aussie bird, so you'd move over here and we'd open that Mexican Restaurant we discussed and surf all day. That reminds me, a chick from my gym is coming over your way -- if you got nothing better to do, take her out for a drink or something. Yes, authentic cheap Mexican food in Australia was the perfect idea. Cuz no Mexicans and all. I woulda been OK going there, too. Ain't life a sonofabitch? So about the chickie from your gym... yes. Just lemme know when.

metirish Jul 27 2010 03:21 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Just got back from Florida, flew in to beautiful LGA , that's how the Jetblue boarding person described it, several times in fact. Is it beautiful?, me thinks he was taking the piss. The good, it was great seeing Jessica's cousin and her family, Lorcan and Edwin are a week apart in age and they had a fun time. It was great for all of them to spend time together as it had been four years. The bad, you couldn't pay me to live in FLA,, granted we weren't on South Beach or staying at a fancy hotel and I am sure the Keys are great but I found West Palm Beach and the Boca Raton area quite horrible and devoid of any charm. Mile afte mile each street and town looks the same, every five to ten miles is Malls, Wall Marts and the odd very expensive gated community here and there. The beach at Boca Raton was great and that town looks a good place for the well healed. Glad to be back in NYC.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 27 2010 03:25 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I'm totally of your mind about Florida. (Miami's marginally more interesting in spots.)

Ceetar Jul 27 2010 03:28 PM Re: Vacations 2010

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I'm totally of your mind about Florida. (Miami's marginally more interesting in spots.) Can't sell me on the crappy weather/humidity down there either. Florida would probably rank near the bottom, if not the bottom, of all the states I've visited.

themetfairy Jul 27 2010 04:11 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I've always preferred the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area.

The Second Spitter Jul 28 2010 04:28 AM Re: Vacations 2010

metirish wrote: Just got back from Florida, flew in to beautiful LGA , that's how the Jetblue boarding person described it, several times in fact. Is it beautiful?, me thinks he was taking the piss. The beach at Boca Raton was great and that town looks a good place for the well healed. My pop lived his last years in BR - it's a good place for the long toothed. I was thinking about going to Miami - but now I'm not so sure after your less than stellar review. What are the beaches like? Can I ask somebody who's been to Dallas, whether there's anything to see there other than Dealey Plaza? Going to Victoria on the weekend (Australia's answer to Canada) to see the 12 Apostles (there are only 9 left now) and to freeze to death and bore myself shitless in Melbourne.

Chad Ochoseis Jul 28 2010 07:50 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: Can I ask somebody who's been to Dallas, whether there's anything to see there other than Dealey Plaza? I go there once or twice a year on business - in fact, I'll be there 8/11 - and the short answer is no, although the fact that I'm there to work and not play may be coloring my answer. Last time I was there, I checked out the M Streets neighborhood, which is supposed to be one of the more interesting sections of Dallas. That may very well be true. However, it's still a lot less interesting than your typical suburb in New Jersey. Dealey Plaza is worth seeing just to see it. They do have a museum there - I didn't have a chance to see it (they had a bomb scare, of all things, just as I was getting ready to go in) - but I've heard it's not bad. I did like the Dallas Zoo. People tell me that Fort Worth is much more interesting, and is a very cheap 1 hour or so train ride from Dallas. Haven't had a chance to see it yet.

themetfairy Jul 28 2010 08:42 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Yes - Fort Worth is not your run of the mill kind of town. It's worth a visit. And, of course, there's a baseball stadium smack between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 28 2010 08:57 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I echo the above. I've been to Dallas a few times, and Dealey Plaza (along with the Sixth Floor Museum) is definitely the main attraction. Fort Worth is worth a visit too. Other than that, Dallas just has all the same stuff that other cities have, museums, zoos, theme parks, etc.

The Second Spitter Jul 29 2010 04:10 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Chad Ochoseis wrote: The Second Spitter wrote: Can I ask somebody who's been to Dallas, whether there's anything to see there other than Dealey Plaza? I go there once or twice a year on business - in fact, I'll be there 8/11 - and the short answer is no, although the fact that I'm there to work and not play may be coloring my answer. Thank you all for your answers. I'm a huge JFK buff, so I think I'll pencil it in.... Do you know of a good steakhouse..... Which hotel do you stay at when you're there?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 29 2010 04:38 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I stay at my mother-in-law's house.

DocTee Jul 29 2010 08:34 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Does she grill a good steak?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 29 2010 08:41 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I don't know! But she does cook a nice meal.

The Second Spitter Jul 29 2010 07:29 PM Re: Vacations 2010

DocTee wrote: Does she grill a good steak? Hahahahaha-- that's what I was gonna say.... I'm spending a week in Houston (Miss D is from there) -- is that too long? Apart from LBJ Space Center what else is there?

themetfairy Jul 29 2010 08:47 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: DocTee wrote: Does she grill a good steak? Hahahahaha-- that's what I was gonna say.... I'm spending a week in Houston (Miss D is from there) -- is that too long? Apart from LBJ Space Center what else is there? Not much. Sadly. But the NASA tour is indeed cool. Try to catch an Astros game if they're in town.

The Second Spitter Jul 30 2010 03:53 AM Re: Vacations 2010

themetfairy wrote: Does she grill a good steak? Hahahahaha-- that's what I was gonna say.... I'm spending a week in Houston (Miss D is from there) -- is that too long? Apart from LBJ Space Center what else is there? Not much. Sadly. But the NASA tour is indeed cool. Great. themetfairy wrote: Try to catch an Astros game if they're in town. Maybe I can catch an Oswalt start......oh, right... Ta, tmf.

Chad Ochoseis Jul 30 2010 08:08 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: Do you know of a good steakhouse..... Which hotel do you stay at when you're there? Missed this before - the client I work with is in the burbs, so the hotels I've stayed at aren't worth mention, and I can't even think of them off the top of my head. When I've gone into the city, it's just to see, not to eat, but I've never seen anything that made me think "gee, I really wish I were staying downtown." So I'd probably recommend Grimm's mother-in-law's.

MFS62 Jul 30 2010 09:17 AM Re: Vacations 2010

themetfairy wrote: I've always preferred the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area. Did you eat at Crabby Bill's in Indian Point Beach (just South of Clearwater)? Family style, long tables (you never know who you'll be sitting across from or next to), great seafood, lots of it. There's always a line outside the place. A fun place to dine. And, on the food theme, I read a few years ago that Houston has more restaurants-per-capita than any other large city in the US. I was there on business, and when we parked downtown, the aromas made us want to forget the meeting and go right to lunch. Later

Rockin' Doc Jul 30 2010 10:47 AM Re: Vacations 2010

During my one trip to the Dallas area I stayed at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX. The JKF exhibit at the Sixth Floor Museum in the old Book Depositroy is very interesting and well worth a visit. My wife and I were very fortunate that there was an outdoor music festival going on a few blocks from the Dealey Plaza when we visited so there was a lot to do for a day in the city.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 30 2010 10:54 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I think I mentioned this here once before but the one time I visited the 6th floor museum it was ridiculously crowded. We finally got in read a plaque and it hit me: It was 35 years to the day since Lee Harvey Oswald had been there last. They actually had re-enactments (replica cars making the same route, ect) and stuff happening that day. To get the view LHO did on that day was a disturbing kind of thrill, knowing that hitting the target had to be a real sick pleasure for him, because it. is. there. Other than that Dallas to be seemed like a dreadful place to be, lots of highways, ugly glass buildings, very hot in the summer. Not my cup of meat.

The Second Spitter Jul 30 2010 10:25 PM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I get the view LHO did on that day was a disturbing kind of thrill, knowing that hitting the target had to be a real sick pleasure for him, because it. is. there. Is it true that you can only look out the window from the sniper's nest through a webcam?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 31 2010 05:02 AM Re: Vacations 2010

You can't go into the room and get right up to the window, but you can look into the room. If I remember correctly, it's like looking over Oswald's shoulder from about ten feet back. Dealey Plaza itself is kind of surreal. The city decided that they'd keep the area as it was (other than tree growth) so you get a real sense of place. All the familiar landmarks are just as they were... the grassy knoll, the triple underpass, the ugly pavilion behind the knoll... It's almost like being on the set of a familiar TV show or movie.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 31 2010 06:50 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Right. The corner window he used was plexiglassed off, however you see through it from behind or go to the window just to the right and appreciate the view he had.

The Second Spitter Jul 31 2010 07:22 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Is there a reason for that (like to discourage another prospective crackpot)?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 31 2010 07:37 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I believe the idea was to preserve the actual scene -- desk, books, etc -- just as they found them.

The Second Spitter Aug 01 2010 05:32 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Melbourne sucks - freezing weather, fugly city, and people use the word "grouse" to describe something good. Ech. The helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles was the only highlight. Went to watch a game of Aussie Rules --- had forgotten how much I hate that sport -- we bailed before full-time. The food and shopping, allegedly better than Sydney, was grossly overrated.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 02 2010 11:02 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Sorry to hear it, man. Go to Alaska instead next time. Best goddamn vacation of all time. I'm still buzzing from it.

The Second Spitter Aug 02 2010 03:37 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Welcome back dude - glad to hear you had a great time, anchored down in Anchorage. Tell me, how long does it take to drive from your hood to Yosemite?

A Boy Named Seo Aug 02 2010 04:40 PM Re: Vacations 2010

About 8 hours. Camping inside the park is really hard to score in the summer, but is so worth it if you can. Beautiful place. Best to get out of the village and up in the mountains. The crowds there can be thick.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 02 2010 07:12 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Pics.

Edgy DC Aug 02 2010 08:27 PM Re: Vacations 2010

And pics up that Scrabble game you left unfinished.

Willets Point Aug 02 2010 08:40 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Heading down to North Carolina in a few weeks (yes, NC in August, what fun!) for my father-in-law's 70th birthday. My wife's family will all be there so it will be fun to watch my son play with his slightly older cousin. In September, we're heading to Martha's Vineyard for a long weekend to celebrate five years of marriage. MV was my family's favorite vacation spot growing up, but this will be the first visit for my wife and son.

The Second Spitter Aug 03 2010 03:51 AM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Pics. Preferably the one's where you're clothed, dude.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 03 2010 11:24 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Oops, sorry on the Scrabble. Just sent a move. Sorting thru pics now. Peeps said take a lot of pics and I took exactly 1 billion. Trying to whittle down to a cool 100 or so. SS, when u coming thru CA again?

The Second Spitter Aug 03 2010 05:49 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Probably mid-to-late Sept......will stay longer this time. Organize a game of bocce at Billy's place!

A Boy Named Seo Aug 04 2010 12:05 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Ha. I totally will. Def hit me up when you figure out some sorta solid dates. Alaska pix up on me FB page. Went a little nutso, but I was thorough anyway.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 04 2010 12:50 PM Re: Vacations 2010

They're awesome, man. Looks like a good time

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 04 2010 01:05 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I want your vacation, Seo.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 04 2010 01:11 PM Re: Vacations 2010 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Aug 04 2010 01:18 PM

Best vacay of my life. Denali was unreal. Not "6 pack of beer" camping, but real survival camping. They make you register and give you a bear-proof storage container for your food, watch a bear safety vid, they tell you have a map & compass and know how to use it, and then they drop you in the middle of nowhere telling you, "don't do anything stupid because we won't send a search party for you." The park is so huge (bigger than the state of Massachusetts), so if you get lost or fall down crossing a river, you can be in some serious shit. There's no trails in the heart of Denali, and if you find one, it's probably forged by animals and they tell you to stay off it or watch your back. You run out of water, you have to find some to filter and/or treat (can be a challenge cause the glacial runoff is so silty; we had to do this) and if you run out of food, you've got to find some to eat (we ate wild berries & edible flowers). Saw so much wildlife, but walking literally up on 3 grizzlies was insane. I was about 10 feet in front of my friend and we were coming up on the left side of a hill. I heard, "Dude, dude, hold up..." and when I looked up, there they were. About 20-25 yards away. Mama & 2 cubs and she stood up on her back legs and I backpedalled right into my friend who was waving and yelling at them. I did the same and she watched us for a minute then sat back down and let us be. We watched em the next several hours. They wandered down the hill towards the river as we wandered up towards our camp. After dinner, we saw them cruising back up the hill and it was cold and wet and getting late (around 10pm) and they just kept getting closer and closer to our camp. I clanged my steel water bottles and mom got up on her back legs and looked at me again, and my friend laughed and said, "dude, they know we're here," and he was totally right. The next thing he said, funnier now than it was then, was "Man, I'm tired. I'm cold. I'm just gonna go to bed and hope for the best," and that's what we both did. Zipping your tent up and climbing in your sleeping back and knowing there's grizzlies cruising outside your tent is crazy shit, but after I realized there was not a damn thing in the world I could do and if they wanted to rip us apart, well they just would, I slept like a baby. Scary, exhilarating stuff. Definitely the highlight, but every place we went was so great. No chicks anywhere. Saw more moose, I think.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 04 2010 01:14 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I dumped in my pants just reading that.

Edgy DC Aug 04 2010 01:15 PM Re: Vacations 2010

i'm going to guess my wife won't do that with me.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 04 2010 01:27 PM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I dumped in my pants just reading that. I just about did, too. Funny/horrible side-story. I journaled the whole trip and was writing the last bit @ the airport in Anchorage. Some guy at the bar next to me asks me if I'm on a working vacay, I tell him no and start going into all of it. He asks more, I tell him more, about the places, the animals, and of course the bear thing. I'm speaking excitedly because I guess coming that close to something that dangerous and getting away with it kind of invigorates a dude a little bit. He listening to me with a straight face but isn't talking anymore, so I ask him, "Sorry, what about you? Where are you from?" He says, "Colorado Springs. I'm here because my brother just got eaten by a bear." I say, "Jesus, I'm sorry," and he says nothing and we sip uncomfortably from our beers in silence until a few long minutes later he pays, says, "I hope you have many more adventures," and gets up and leaves. Perspective right in my hot-shot face. I still tell every girl about it and it works and I'm going to keep doing it forever.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 04 2010 01:40 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Yikes! I guess that's why I don't strike up conversations with strangers. When we were on the plane to Anchorage back in 2006, the woman next to me on the plane complimented me on my well-behaved children, and then told me to be careful of bears. She said, "More people die in Alaska of bear attacks than from heart disease." And I thought, "Whoa! Am I nuts bringing my kids here?" And then an instant later, I thought, "That can't possibly be true." One day we were hiking in Denali on a day that was threatening rain, so the trail was kind of deserted. We came across a big pile of grizzly poop, still steaming and fragrant. It certainly gave my wife and I a scare; we didn't want to round a bend and come across a startled grizzly, especially not with the two kids. (They were 5 and 9 at the time.) So we decided to have a hiking singalong. We continued on the trail, all four of us loudly singing "Meet the Mets" and "Can't Buy Me Love." There was no way we were going to startle a bear with that racket. The kids didn't know why we were singing, though. We kept the fact that we were singing for our lives a little secret. On the plane ride home, I was sitting with a couple who were flying to Florida so the husband could have a hopefully life-saving operation. They told me a story about some teenagers who were throwing snowballs at a moose who was in an area near a shopping center. The moose tolerated it for a while, but then got angry. Just as an old guy was coming out of a Chinese restaurant with his food, the moose charged. And he didn't charge the kids, he charged the old guy with the Chinese food and killed him instantly. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! What an awful story.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 04 2010 01:58 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Funny, the guy I was with is a huge Met fan, too, and we also had a "Meet the Mets" singalong after running across a pile of steaming, hot bear poo. Sounds stupid, but they say to make a lot of noise so you don't surprise them, so we did. Horrible about the moose thing. They warned us about them charging as well. We saw a bunch up in Chena (they would walk right through camp), but I can't imagine doing anything to provoke one. Poor guy (the dead guy & the moose).

themetfairy Aug 04 2010 02:11 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Sheesh - that's scary stuff!

Benjamin Grimm Aug 04 2010 02:21 PM Re: Vacations 2010

We'll never know how many lives have been saved because hikers in Denali were savvy enough to sing "Meet the Mets."

metirish Aug 04 2010 02:33 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I wanna come back as Seo in my next life....at least for a few weeks.

Fman99 Aug 04 2010 07:49 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Seriously, I'll take the beach and fruity rum drinks and you can have your maulings and dead Chinese guys. WIN!

The Second Spitter Aug 04 2010 07:58 PM Re: Vacations 2010

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I dumped in my pants just reading that. Were they the same pants you creamed last night? A Boy Named Seo wrote: Saw so much wildlife, but walking literally up on 3 grizzlies was insane. I was about 10 feet in front of my friend and we were coming up on the left side of a hill. I heard, "Dude, dude, hold up..." and when I looked up, there they were. About 20-25 yards away. Mama & 2 cubs and she stood up on her back legs and I backpedalled right into my friend who was waving and yelling at them. I did the same and she watched us for a minute then sat back down and let us be. Dude! A Boy Named Seo wrote: Alaska pix up on me FB page. Went a little nutso, but I was thorough anyway. For the benefit of the one person on CPF who doesn't use fb, can you post the 3 best ones here or in the Cheese thread.Ta.

themetfairy Aug 04 2010 08:24 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Fman99 wrote: Seriously, I'll take the beach and fruity rum drinks and you can have your maulings and dead Chinese guys. WIN! I'm with you Fman!

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2010 10:30 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: Alaska pix up on me FB page. Went a little nutso, but I was thorough anyway. For the benefit of the one person on CPF who doesn't use fb, can you post the 3 best ones here or in the Cheese thread.Ta. You're not the only one SS. Seo please post 3 or 4 additional ones for me as well.

themetfairy Aug 06 2010 03:50 PM Re: Vacations 2010

This is what vacation means to me -

The Second Spitter Aug 06 2010 11:52 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Nice pic! Where are you?

themetfairy Aug 07 2010 05:42 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Right now I'm back home. But yesterday morning, when the photo was taken, we were in Ocean City, Maryland.

The Second Spitter Aug 09 2010 04:14 AM Re: Vacations 2010

themetfairy wrote: But yesterday morning, when the photo was taken, we were in Ocean City, Maryland. I'm like you, I train like crazy when I go on holidays --I collect 10km runs in different cities around the world....I'll post them one-day. Hey can somebody be kind enough to post, pm or email my NYC cell-phone number, if you still have it in your phone.....Cheers. on edit: Got it.

Rockin' Doc Aug 13 2010 08:47 AM Re: Vacations 2010

In the final days of 8 peaceful days at Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida. The weather has been great the entire week thus far. We will be heading home tomorrow morning so we can have Sunday to rest up before going back to the grind on Monday.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 13 2010 08:53 AM Re: Vacations 2010

You need to rest up after eight days of relaxing?

Fman99 Aug 13 2010 09:05 AM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: I'm like you, I train like crazy when I go on holidays --I collect 10km runs in different cities around the world....I'll post them one-day. I actually thought about something like this when I ran that 5k in Virginia. It'd be neat to run a 5k in all 50 states... it'd make a neat little goal.

themetfairy Aug 13 2010 10:06 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I've heard of people who run marathons in every state, but that's way beyond what I'd ever want to do. But back to 5Ks - I ran the distance in 35:10 this morning. Not impressive, I know, but it was my best time for the distance in weeks. Better yet is the fact that I felt really strong while doing it. After yesterday's crap treadmill run, that's reassuring.

metirish Aug 16 2010 08:12 PM Re: Vacations 2010

We are talking about getting away for Labor day weekend(can't believe it's soon), I mentioned taking Amtrak to Montreal and spending a few days up there. Anyone ever take the train there.....thoughts on the city?

Benjamin Grimm Aug 16 2010 08:17 PM Re: Vacations 2010

If you go to Montreal, consider a side-trip to Quebec City. (If you have the time.)

themetfairy Aug 16 2010 08:29 PM Re: Vacations 2010

MK took the train to Montreal (with a side trip to Quebec) back in June. He had a great time.

metirish Aug 16 2010 08:31 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Is that like a bus ride away , I've heard it's beautiful. I want to track down the guy who used to be at every Expos/Mets game in the front row shouting all the time.

TransMonk Aug 25 2010 11:01 AM Re: Vacations 2010

I'm headed to NYC for a four day weekend on Friday. We'll be catching the Mets game and staying in Queens on Friday night. Then on to Manhattan for sightseeing on Saturday and Sunday before flying back on Monday evening.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 25 2010 11:35 AM Re: Vacations 2010

TransMonk wrote: I'm headed to NYC for a four day weekend on Friday. We'll be catching the Mets game and staying in Queens on Friday night. Then on to Manhattan for sightseeing on Saturday and Sunday before flying back on Monday evening. Road's rising up to meet you-- the storm system that's been clogging our skies for the past four days is shipping out tonight, to be replaced with nice mid-80s last-gasp-of-summer temps.

Ceetar Aug 25 2010 11:39 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Hawaii! Kaua'i and the Big Island from October 11th through the 23rd. Hoping I don't wear out my camera.

themetfairy Aug 25 2010 11:50 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Ceetar wrote: Hawaii! Kaua'i and the Big Island from October 11th through the 23rd. Hoping I don't wear out my camera. It's your honeymoon. You'll have other things to do than shoot pictures ;)

metsmarathon Aug 25 2010 12:05 PM Re: Vacations 2010

like video.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 25 2010 04:11 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Hello from Spain!

Ceetar Aug 25 2010 04:14 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Hello from Spain! What do Mets games start at over there? midnight? 1am?

Chad Ochoseis Aug 25 2010 04:42 PM Re: Vacations 2010

metirish wrote: We are talking about getting away for Labor day weekend(can't believe it's soon), I mentioned taking Amtrak to Montreal and spending a few days up there. Anyone ever take the train there.....thoughts on the city? I'm catching up on my CPF reading and just found this. My girlfriend and I were going to do the exact same thing for Labor Day, but we're putting it off until Xmas/New Year's to have a little more time for planning. I took the train ride there a few times, all in the 1980s, but in the winter and spring. Amazing trip as far as scenery. Count on 12 hours, no matter what the schedule says, but it goes quickly. Montreal's a great city. If I could get a job there, I'd probably live there. It's half French, half Jewish. What's not to love? Touristy stuff that's worth it includes: - Mount Royal Park - nice walk up the mountain, great views of the city. Tobogganing in wintertime, but probably not in early September. - Schwartz's deli for a smoked meat sandwich - The botanical gardens. The wife will love you for it. Also, it's right next to Olympic Stadium (which I think is still standing, though I don't know what they're doing with it). Non-touristy things to do: - St. Viateur's for bagels. They're open close to 24 hours. The bagels are the best I've had anywhere (yes, better than NYC). - St. Lawrence St. had a lot of good ethnic restaurants. I went to an Ethiopian place called "Le Nil Bleu" about eight years ago, and it was great. - Acoustic music - I think there was a lot of it around rue St. Denis and rue Beaubien. Or maybe it was St. Lawrence and Beaubien. Anyway, that whole neighborhood is great. And, as Grimm said, take a side trip to Quebec City if you've got the time. Three hours away by train.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 25 2010 07:15 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Gotta post some bear pix still, but i just lined up a sweet, little vacación next month con mi nuevo chica favorita. ¡Voy a... Panama! Los Archipiélago de las Perlas (the pearl islands). Beyond stoked. http://youtu.be/_Zm5c7mKjrQ

metirish Aug 25 2010 08:09 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Chad, great info man. We won't be going that weekend after all, the guy I work with had in for thaty Friday off. All that means is we go another time. Sounds like a great trip Seo, that's where Tejada is from?

A Boy Named Seo Aug 25 2010 11:56 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Yah, Tejada's from there! I didn't know that. His spot's in the middle of Panama, I guess. We're going to this chain of islands of the coast that looks like this, sez google images: Supposed to be 100 or so islands, most uninhabited & unnamed & you just cruise around em in a boat & chill and [hopefully] make love in hammocks the whole time. i <3 vacations.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 26 2010 12:27 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Ceetar wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Hello from Spain! What do Mets games start at over there? midnight? 1am? A 7 p.m start in New York would be 1 a.m. here. I've been very out of touch from the Mets, though. Until I logged in last night, five games had been played without me knowing the results. They've been pretty far from my thoughts for the most part. Weather here is pretty hot, but the sun is brilliant. Great for outdoor photography.

The Second Spitter Aug 27 2010 08:53 PM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Gotta post some bear pix still, but i just lined up a sweet, little vacación next month con mi nuevo chica favorita. Have you told the gang that you're going to Australia for Xmas?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 27 2010 10:10 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Not that I mind being off for a week with the fam on a beach (which I'll be in the morning) but how can you not be a little envious of a guy traveling the globe so as to bang exotic young chix like my boy Seo.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 27 2010 10:49 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: Gotta post some bear pix still, but i just lined up a sweet, little vacación next month con mi nuevo chica favorita. Have you told the gang that you're going to Australia for Xmas? Suck it, Spitter. Heh, heh. Nah, was a 'nice' invite on her part, but no way in the effing world that's gonna happen. i'm now gonna go listen to the mix cd she just sent me, how sweet huh? do me a solid, god, and kill me now. pretty please with vegemite on top? John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Not that I mind being off for a week with the fam on a beach (which I'll be in the morning) but how can you not be a little envious of a guy traveling the globe so as to bang exotic young chix like my boy Seo. I've had a helluva 2k10, but my work sked is changing next month, i've blown thru almost all my vacay time, and my checking acct nowadays looks like Ruben Tejada's BA. So this Panama trip I do intend to go out with a bang, pun very very very much intended. Have a nice beachy vacay yourself. I'll be living vicariously thru all of you too soon. And Grimm, have fun in Espana! Always wanted to check that place out.

The Second Spitter Aug 28 2010 01:51 AM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: A Boy Named Seo wrote: Gotta post some bear pix still, but i just lined up a sweet, little vacación next month con mi nuevo chica favorita. Have you told the gang that you're going to Australia for Xmas? Suck it, Spitter. Heh, heh. Nah, was a 'nice' invite on her part, but no way in the effing world that's gonna happen. i'm now gonna go listen to the mix cd she just sent me, how sweet huh? do me a solid, god, and kill me now. pretty please with vegemite on top? Too late already told my mom to take my tuxedo to the dry cleaners....... Is her cd filled with soppy shit, say like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MiQzAo6 ... re=related Btw, have you made any in-roads into improving Mets-Rockies relations? (Or even relations with the Anaheim Ducks)?

A Boy Named Seo Aug 28 2010 12:12 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Nah, she's a hep cat, so it's a cool disc chock full of relevant indie buzzbands. Moving on to volume II of the compilation this morning!

The Second Spitter Aug 29 2010 09:40 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Hello from Spain! What do Mets games start at over there? midnight? 1am? A 7 p.m start in New York would be 1 a.m. here. Perfect. You can catch the conclusion of the Mets game just as you get home from clubbing.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 29 2010 02:52 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: Perfect. You can catch the conclusion of the Mets game just as you get home from clubbing. You really don't know me very well! Anyway, even if I were inclined to go clubbing, the fact that I'm traveling with two children would cramp my style. (If I had a style to cramp, that is.)

The Second Spitter Aug 29 2010 03:00 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Piss take ---> WHOOOOOOSH.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 29 2010 03:25 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I'm too dehydrated to pee!

The Second Spitter Aug 29 2010 04:17 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Did you eat Angulas (fried baby eels)? Goes well with an icy cold Cruzcampo.

Vic Sage Aug 30 2010 12:02 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Sage family drove up to Niagara Falls for a vacation last week. 7.5 hours in the car, from Westchester to the Canadian side of the Falls. Not bad. The kids were surprisingly cool with it. We saw those waters from every conceivable angle and elevation: Maid of the mist - very cool boatride past the American falls right into the bosom of the Canadian horseshoe falls [4*] Journey behind the falls - walk in a tunnel behind the horseshoe, where you can look out through 2 cut-out sections directly into the back of the falls, and stand on a platform below and just to the right of the falls, with torrential wind and water coming at you. The tunnel is nothing much, but the platform is cool [3*] Cave of the winds - There is no cave! You walk on scaffolding built alongside and below the American falls, up to the "hurricane deck", which sits right under the "bridal veil" (a secondary falls next to the main one), a bit of a shlep but with huge soakage [3.5*] Niagara Helicopter - 10 minute copter ride up the river and over the falls. Copters are cool! [4*] White Water Walk - a boardwalk stroll alongside the river below the falls, which has class 6 rapids (i.e., deadly and illegal) - pretty neat [3*] Aero Car - a cable car ride over the "whirlpool" area below the rapids, where the river swirls in a great big hole before making a sharp right toward Lake Ontario - Feh [2*] Jet Boat - a 45-minute jetboat tour of the lower river, below the whirlpool, shooting class 5 rapids (i.e., wet and barely legal, like a horny college coed) - way coolest thing we did! [5*] Skylon Tower - an observation tower over the falls, with restaurants and other stuff [1.5*] -pass While we were in the area, we went to a Bisons game in Buffalo last wednesday night. We got lost driving there ("oh, you'll see it, it's right off the highway", said the concierge. "Fuck you, concierge" says I, driving around desolate downtown Buffalo, getting conflicting directions from various inbred goobers), so we didn't get there til the top of the 3rd, and they were alreadly losing 3-0 to Pawtucket Red Sox. But, on the other hand, it was "Fernando Martinez bobblehead night", and we had great seats, so that took the sting away. Of course, the sting came back when we learned that Martinez was out on the DL (quel supriz!). Also, there was some drizzle soon after we sat in our nice box seats, so we ended up retreating to the rear under the overhang. As for the game, our old friend Raul Valdez was pitching, and not doing too badly despite the score. key hits from Nick Evans and Andy Green put us within striking distance by the 8th, 3-2. Then i got to see big Val Pascucci launch one into the net above the LF wall at lovely Coca Cola Field, to tie the score going into the 9th. Then Sean Green blew it in the 10th, and some miscellaneous reliever followed him and gave up a grand salami to a good Sox prospect, the CFer, whose name i forget. Impressions: - Nick Evans is playing well, and should be up with the big boys; - They had Andy Green in the OF and he had a couple of big hits; - Captain Kirk Nieuwenhuis hasn't hit in AAA yet, but he made a great HR-robbing catch in CF; - Val Pascucci is built like Paul Bunyan; - Lucas Duda did nothing against LHed curve-baller Rich Hill. There's no reason to think he won't get eaten up by LHers with a decent breaking ball in the majors, so lets not rush him; - the concession stand sold fried bologna sandwiches; - when we got the Fernando bobbleheads home, we found one of them to be broken, which made it an incredible likeness! Despite the weather, directions and outcome, fun was had by all. I love minor league ball. We also took a day trip up to Toronto, where we took the ferry to Toronto Island, and rented bikes to ride along the island. Beautiful day. Other things we did in Niagara: - Clifton Hill is the street where the restaurants, some rides, and other touristy stuff is. We did some of that, eating at Rainforest and Hardrock cafes, playing mini-golf, winning tickets for crappy stuff at the arcades, etc - Victoria Street is the older, cheesier version of Clifton Hill, with various wax museums, motels, cheap restaurants, and souvinir stands - Butterfly observatory at the Botanical Gardens (up near the white water walk) is lovely. We drove home on Friday, exhausted and damp, but with surprisingly few fights or moments that will crystalize for our children as fundamental to their future disfunctionality. What more can you expect from a family vacation?

DocTee Aug 30 2010 12:09 PM Re: Vacations 2010

So you are OK with getting soaked on your vacation, but retreated to an overhang when it started to drizzle?

Vic Sage Aug 30 2010 12:37 PM Re: Vacations 2010

i was appropriately dressed for the soaking, not for the drizzle.

The Second Spitter Sep 04 2010 04:11 PM Re: Vacations 2010

There's too many fucking tourists in this city.

seawolf17 Sep 05 2010 06:26 AM Re: Vacations 2010

In Buffalo today for Ms. Wolf's grandmother's 100th birthday party. We're excited; Nanny is awesome. Three great facts about Nanny: 1) She still has dual citizenship in Canada; she still sorta considers herself loyal to the Queen, and has pictures of the late Princess Di all over her house. 2) She still drives; not badly, but her "younger" friends (read: in their 70s and 80s) drive her around most of the time. 3) She only stopped mowing her lawn a few years ago, when her son (Ms. Wolf's dad) caught her paying off the neighbor's kid to NOT mow her lawn. (My wife's dad was paying the kid to mow Nanny's lawn, and when the kid got there, Nanny would give him more money to go away so she could do it herself.)

A Boy Named Seo Sep 06 2010 12:43 AM Re: Vacations 2010

And I'm putting the Mets on notice: When I come back around Labor Day, they'd better have an insurmountable lead in the N.L. East! Mets clearly not intimidated by BG's mid-March threat.

Ceetar Sep 24 2010 03:30 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Just got a letter in the mail that the Sheraton in Kauai is going to call me to discuss things like weather, what to pack, and dining recommendations. My real question will be "Can you give me a room upgrade for our honeymoon?"

A Boy Named Seo Sep 27 2010 02:43 PM Re: Vacations 2010

a taste of Panama... awesome time. we were only burgled once, too. View from the hostel in Panama City: Moon over San Blas Islands: Our hut on Isla Ina in San Blas: Me & my traveling partner: She cooks, too:

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 27 2010 02:52 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Hotcakes. Take that, Sheila.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 27 2010 03:13 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I'm making and maintaining eye contact. I swear.

themetfairy Sep 27 2010 03:20 PM Re: Vacations 2010

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I'm making and maintaining eye contact. I swear. I'm not. And I'm totally straight. In all seriousness, it looks like you had an awesome time!

metirish Sep 27 2010 04:27 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Holy knockers!.......

The Second Spitter Sep 27 2010 06:47 PM Re: Vacations 2010 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 10 2010 08:15 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Take that, Sheila. Anybody who hates Sheila, hates America. Anybody who hates America, supports Al-Qaeda. QED.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 28 2010 01:12 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Now, now, let's play nice, and leave the names of the innocent of out this.

Fman99 Sep 28 2010 01:15 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I have too much respect for my friend ABNS to say all of the awful, awful things that are in my head. (Well, almost. BOYOYOYONG!)

A Boy Named Seo Sep 28 2010 01:18 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Fman99 wrote: I have too much respect for my friend ABNS to say all of the awful, awful things that are in my head. (Well, almost. BOYOYOYONG!) I'd a lost respect for you if you didn't say what you were thinking. And 'boyyoyoing' indeed.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 28 2010 01:28 PM Re: Vacations 2010 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 28 2010 03:39 PM

The Second Spitter wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Take that, Sheila. Anybody who hates [REDACTED], hates America. Anybody who hates America, supports Al-Qaeda. QED. Conversely, anyone who loves America hates [REDACTED]'s restrictive support. /I have to stop

Benjamin Grimm Sep 28 2010 01:35 PM Re: Vacations 2010

I'll have to post some of my vacation photos in this thread. Only they won't really be at all bodacious.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 28 2010 04:08 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Would love to see some sweet pics of Barthelona.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 28 2010 05:01 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Me too! But Barcelona wasn't on the itinerary. Flew into Lisbon, then headed to Andalucia, with a stop in Trujillo in Extremadura. Visited Cordoba, Granada, the Costa del Sol, Ronda, Sevilla, and Cadiz, with side trips to Gibraltar and Morocco.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 28 2010 05:04 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Oops. Those places then! You said earlier you were in Spain years ago, yes? All new places this go around, or hit some favorites again?

DocTee Sep 28 2010 05:37 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Sheesh. I'd be posting this in the Member Promotion Forum if I were you.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 28 2010 07:02 PM Re: Vacations 2010

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Oops. Those places then! You said earlier you were in Spain years ago, yes? All new places this go around, or hit some favorites again? Yes, we were in Spain in 1999. We revisited some places from then, didn't revisit others, and some of the stops on this trip were new to us. I'll try to cull some of the better photos and share them here.

The Second Spitter Oct 04 2010 01:17 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Has anybody been to GTS Vineyards? Im thinking about driving up there tomorrow, but not sure they accept visitors. (Can't access their website from my phone or find a phone number).

themetfairy Oct 04 2010 05:32 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Go, and give us a full report!

The Second Spitter Oct 04 2010 02:36 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Lets hope tomorrow's newspaper headline doesn't read: "Australian tourist mauled to death at pitching great's vineyard"

metirish Oct 04 2010 02:39 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Lets hope tomorrow's newspaper headline doesn't read: "Australian tourist mauled to death at pitching great's vineyard" TOM TERRIFIC WITH SOME CHIN MUSIC Aussie tourist doesn't rule in Tom's Cabin

A Boy Named Seo Oct 05 2010 11:02 AM Re: Vacations 2010

"because GTS is a private vineyard and residence, we are not open for tours, tastings, or to the public." sounds a little vague to me. i'd drive over and knock and just ask. heard seaver's super nice anyway.

The Second Spitter Oct 10 2010 08:06 PM Re: Vacations 2010

themetfairy wrote: Go, and give us a full report! I have brought shame and disgrace to Crane Pool Forum.

themetfairy Oct 10 2010 08:34 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: themetfairy wrote: Go, and give us a full report! I have brought shame and disgrace to Crane Pool Forum. Details?

Fman99 Oct 10 2010 08:51 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The Second Spitter wrote: themetfairy wrote: Go, and give us a full report! I have brought shame and disgrace to Crane Pool Forum. Perfect! I think shame is the official emote of the CPF anyway. Besides, short of you posting vacation pics with a buxom companion I think anything you have to say is just going to pale in comparison. But I'm a [crossout]leg ass face foot neck elbow tonsil[/crossout] breast guy.

cooby Oct 17 2010 11:29 AM Re: Vacations 2010

Went to Gettysburg yesterday. We had a good time! Left at 8 am and got home around 1 this morning. Packed a lot in between. Highlights: Walked around a battlefields that (although I have been there before) I had no idea were so huge. And there are actually several of them surrounding Gettysburg. This poor little town was really caught in the middle. Not only that but they were hilly and rocky. Thinking of how many men died there while you are walking there is very humbling. There are houses and farms right on the battlefields that were there then and you can imagine being overcome by the fighting, Hundreds of monuments. Have a little map of hidden monuments but we just didn’t get a chance to hunt them down. Toured a rustic Military museum. Didn’t look like much from the outside, or from the gift shop, but it had a very impressive collection of uniform and military stuff from both the US military and our enemies from Civil War forward. Hall of Presidents and First Ladies was a neat wax museum that you went in and sat down and each president was in period clothing and gave a little synopsis of his term in office. They were pretty authentic looking too. The First Ladies part was little miniature ballgown replicas on adorable little First Lady figurines. Surprisingly I did not run screaming from the room, as stuff like that usually creeps me out. Climbed a fire tower and looked out over a gorgeous late afternoon October landscape in the country. FINALLY we spotted Big and Little Roundtop. From there we drove over to them and climbed to the top of Big Roundtop (huff, puff, huff, puff) and spent some quiet time up there. The monuments up there assured us that soldiers spent the night of July 2 up there waiting for what would happen next. Very peaceful yesterday though and hard to imagine anything bad ever happening. I kept hearing this tapping noise so before we left I just had to investigate and tracked it down to a certain tree. Putting my head against it I could feel the tapping and it wasn’t long until we saw a woodpecker fly out of it! Rounded up the day with a ghost walk at the Lutheran Seminary at 8:30 pm. Led by a charismatic fellow in a Union uniform (he says he was not a ghost), we saw no ghosts but heard some stories. There was a certain building there that was obviously bothering some of the people in our group. Kinda creepy…. Had two good and fast meals in town restaurants. They obviously know people are wanting to be in and out! A good day. Go there!

themetfairy Oct 17 2010 02:25 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Very nice cooby! MK was able to camp out there with the Boy Scouts a couple of years ago - he found the experience to be awesome!

cooby Oct 17 2010 03:21 PM Re: Vacations 2010

Yowch! bet that was hard on the back!

themetfairy Oct 17 2010 04:06 PM Re: Vacations 2010

The kid is tough!