Not In My Twenties Anymore

September 21, 2022September 20, 20221 Comment

We’re back from our Disney vacation!

And poor again.

This will probably be our last trip to the most magical place on earth because MORE THAN ONCE I suffered a panic attack caused by my own—and others—decisions. I also threw up multiple times, but I blame that on my weakening constitution. (Batman has a strong constitution. He can go on any ride. I hate him for it.)

Let’s start with the beginning at Disney Springs—a lovely placed filled with all the overpriced tourist shops you could want. After enjoying a meal at the Edison (themed as you might imagine) Batman and I got our tickets activated for easy entrance into the park the following day, and then went about our walk through Disney Springs. At some point, I realized I didn’t have my phone. It wasn’t in my purse or in Batman’s pockets or anywhere. It was gone.

This has never happened to me. I’ve NEVER left my phone somewhere and not been able to find it (besides my house which happens literally once a day) so pure panic filled me because I’ve heard too many stories of people losing their phone and never finding it again. AND ON THE FIRST DAY OF VACATION. (Not to mention, it had all our ticket information on it). Thankfully, Batman remembered that I took it out when we were getting our tickets activated and THANKFULLY, they had it there when I ran back across Disney Springs to get it. (In the rain, but the way. Did I mention that? It was lightly raining the whole time).

Here I am post-phone-finding, obviously happy that life can now go on.

Epcot was the first park we visited which was really exciting because they had their International Food & Wine Festival going on, and we never visited at the same time. Unlike previous years, you pay the individual vendor so we indulged at an Australian market and a Korean market. I’d show you a picture, but that’d mean I remembered to take one, so we’re just going to move on.

We visited Mexico and they actually had a little boat ride that took you through the restaurant. When our boat arrived, it was the handicapped one which just meant we wouldn’t have a bench seat—that it’d be separated. They asked us if we were okay with that and I said…yeah. I’m not a weirdo. Why wouldn’t I be okay with that? Apparently, everyone behind us had a problem with it because literally no one else got on our boat:

They all got on the next normal one. I’m really trying to believe it was the boat and not us, but that remains to be unclear.

The rest of Epcot was lovely, especially riding the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. It was amazing…up until the very end, when we slowed down and all the cart-turning finally caught up with me and I had to rush off the ride to run to the closest bathroom to get sick. It sucks. The ride was sooo much fun, but I know I probably can’t ride it again because of my weakening constitution. Getting older sucks. I can’t eat ice-cream anymore and now this? LAME.

A couple more pictures from Epcot:

Friday, we went to Hollywood Studios. Overall, the day was awesome. We spent a majority of it at Galaxy’s Edge (surprise, surprise). We flew in the Millennium Falcon, built lightsabers, and I ordered this:

Some sort of futuristic parfait while Batman kept to green milk and a space wrap that resembled earth egg and sausage on a pita. Unfortunately, the Rise of the Resistance ride was down for the entire day which was a bummer since we weren’t able to do it on our honeymoon in 2020. But, that’s how it goes. We got to fly the Falcon which is by far one of the best rides, and we even went on the Rocking Rollercoaster, which is another classic at Hollywood Studios. Honestly, the day was absolutely awesome—until it was time for lunch.

I booked us reservations at the Drive-in Diner Restaurant (one of the best, apparently). The reservation was at 1:35, and we checked in at 1:20. I guess they were running behind because we were sat at 1:55. Okay, a little unusual for Disney since we’ve eaten at their restaurants before and have been seated promptly with a reservation, but, whatever, it happens. When we did finally sit, the atmosphere was absolutely incredible. Each table was a car, and it fit three rows (or parties) of people. The whole room was made to look like we were outside at night, with all the tables/cars facing a giant screen playing old cartoons and newsreels. Again, the ambiance was on point. The food…was not. I mean, it was okay. I guess I thought it would be better than par since it took FORTY FIVE MINUTES to be brought out. And it was just the two of us. And we each ordered a burger. Medium rare. With fries. I’m still wrapping my hand around this especially since the people who came after us got their food first, and the people who came before us got their food last.

Whatever.

By the time we finished our pretty-average food, Batman paid with my debit card (to our checking account) and our server walked away. Somehow, between accepting the payment and walking to the back—SHE LOST THE CARD.

SHE. LOST. THE. CARD.

How…how…how does that happen?

I know accidents occur, but I’m still wrapping my brain around this one. Since it was dark in the restaurant, a group of us spent twenty minutes using our phone flashlights trying to find my card in a space of about five feet.

I was disappointed before—now I was livid.

By some miracle, someone found my card on a plate in the kitchen so thankfully Batman didn’t have to murder anyone, because he was about to. It was my second panic attack of my birthday vacation and I think if I had actually cried, Batman would’ve snapped. (I’m very glad this didn’t happen. It’s scary when he does). But thankfully we got my card back and with all the frustration over the whole ordeal, Disney gave us a whopping five dollars off our bill. No apology from management about any of it. Never eating there again and honestly, I’m not sure we’re giving Disney any more of our money in the future.

The day got better though since I was able to meet the BEST mamabear in the world (mine) for a wonderful dinner. It turned the day around, so thank you again for coming to meet us, mamabear!

Saturday was our last day, and we went to the Magic Kingdom. We actually had a great day at the park, so there’s not much I can say. There’re also not many pictures I took so I’ll have to borrow some of Batman’s. I did get a little sick after Space Mountain again (stupid weak constitution) and the boat ride at Pirates of the Caribbean didn’t help. I just have to get used to the fact that I’m not in my twenties anymore, but that’s not a bad thing. As of Tuesday, I’ll have lasted thirty-seven years. Actually, I think that’s pretty dope. I was certain something would’ve taken me out by now.

If you’re still reading this, wow. This is a long post so thanks for sticking with me. I appreciate the support and love and think I’m going to end it here.

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? Have you told your book-loving friends? If not, I’m going to leave this lovely little link:

Lovely little link

Think of it as a birthday present.

Until next week…

~ LC

Won This Round

September 29, 20213 Comments

I figured I’d miss this week too, but I need to be a better example for myself. (Someone has to).

Fair warning: this is going to be a short post. Mostly because I’m writing it the night before, so who knows what’s going to come out? But, in my defense, it was my birthday recently, so I’ve been busy with all the usual parades and carnivals, and all free writing time has been devoted to TCATC (as it should be).

Flash update:

Birthday was great! Officially circled the sun for 36 years. Batman and family stepped up to make it a truly special celebration. I’m beyond blessed.

I’m still employed—week three!—and so far, so good. Really keeping my fingers crossed for this one.

Watching and loving Ted Lasso. Yes, we added AppleTV, but so worth it.

Writing (and nearing the end of) draft 2 of TCATC. Which is again why this is being written the night before. Sorry-not-sorry.

There. That’s it. My teeny-tiny, itty-bitty post, because the fewer the words, the less typos and mistakes you’re likely to find. But this counts so MUAHAHA two-week-off routine that I’ve fallen into. NOT TODAY. I’ve won this round. We’ll see how next week goes.

~ Lady Caitlin

Batman’s On Board With This

September 25, 20192 Comments

I’m officially 34.

I made it, guys. I made it. I know a lot of you thought I might’ve walked in front of something or off of something or between two somethings by now but BWHAHAHA in your face! I haven’t. Not yet. It’s coming, but I’m 34 going strong! It feels a lot like 33 and 32 and even 31… NOT 30. At 30, I felt shitty. I felt all the guilt of reaching a milestone-age and not reaching any major milestones (still kinda do). Also, the Firehouse guy gave my sandwich to the wrong person on the big day ☹

Now I’m in my “mid-thirties” and still feel pretty much the same. I have no clue what I’m doing with my life (yay!) but at least Batman and I are making this thing legal, so my non-directional dayjobness will be his problem too. So will my student debt. Haha, sucka! But that’s on him. He asked. I said yes. It’s a done deal. The dress has been purchased, and there’s no going back now, especially since we’ve spent the last twelve years together. We’re here. We’ve made it. We’re doing this thing. Plus, he’s deadest on the honeymoon. Now that he’s knows we’re seeing the USS Arizona and USS Missouri, there’s no way this wedding is *not* happening (we’re honeymooning in Ohau…not some weird ship graveyard…just want that clarified.)

I will say, Batman (like so many of you) has been a champion of mine. Occasionally, when I’m lurking in Facebook writing groups, I come across a rant that someone’s family or partner doesn’t support their writing, or makes them feel like their passion is their hobby. It sucks reading those. It makes me want to jump through their screen and hug them because it IS important and their writing DOES matter. But I never feel like that. Batman has never made me feel low for living the dayjob—writing-night lifestyle, especially since the latter generates zero revenue. But it’s okay. It’s what I want to do with my life. Plus, it’s this or the lottery to get us into our fancy castle-mansion, and we don’t even play. So, maybe if I could get smart with marketing my books and doing this whole indie author thing, I might become a self-made billionaire. It could totally happen, so Batman’s on board with this plan too. We could get to our castle-mansion via my writing. It’s possible.

Just need my big break, guys. 😊

(or a little break. I’ll take what I can get)

But until then, it’s the non-directional dayjobness until I figure something out. Or win the lottery. Or discover a royal relative in Genovia. I’m sure I must be related to someone famous… Come on, I’m 34…they should’ve found me by now. Well, maybe 35 is my lucky year. Guess we’ll see. Either way, Batman is along for the ride, so at least we’ll figure it out together. (Insert sappy music)

Oh, and before I forget…

What does a caped crusader get his blushing 34 year old fiancé for her birthday:

YES. A Giant plush smiling vagina. Compliments of iheartguts. No, this isn’t derogatory or rude or anything like that. This is something we both chuckled over and something I’d said I wanted. This is love. (Insert Sweet music)

Birthday Buttons Work

April 10, 20192 Comments

Somehow, I not only forgot that it was Wednesday (last week) but I also COMPLETELY FORGOT it was the first Wednesday of the month which means I missed the IWSG post. ☹

It’s okay. As long as I don’t miss two in a row, I won’t get kicked out of the club. I’ve earned my spot in the top 100 by never missing more than two consecutive posts. So, at least I’m not out of the game yet. But still. What was I thinking? How did I miss posting my weekly blog? I’ve only been (successfully keeping up/) doing this Wednesday posting-thing since Octoberish 2017. I don’t know. I guess time got away last week.

Also: it was Batman’s birthday. 😊 That might have something to do with it.

He’s 33, which is the age Jesus was when he died, and I’ve been reminding Batman of it constantly. It’s not my fault. HE’s always rubbing in the fact that I’m six months older, which means I’m a cradle-robber, apparently? Whatever. I still claim dying first so I win. Anyway, he turned 33 and since we live in Florida, we traveled back down to Orlando because we’re adults and we can.

Destination: MGM & Magic Kingdom

Ever hear of a birthday button? It’s an actual button you where that makes cast members wish you happy birthday while “sprinkling all kinds of magic fairy dust your way.” Sounds cool, right? WELL IT IS. 😊 😊 Batman’s birthday button scored ultimate fairy dust. Like, ultimate-ultimate. So much that we are pretty much only going back when it’s one of our birthdays. (Seriously. These things are awesome).

Since Batman was turning the big 3-3, he picked MGM and the Magic Kingdom as the two parks we’d visit. The first day we did MGM and wanted to ride 1) the Rocking Roller Coast and 2) the new Slinky Dog Coaster in the new Toy Story land. Both lines were consistently at over an hour wait. The estimated standby entrance showed 75 minutes. 90 minutes. 110 minutes. Every single time we checked, (and we looped the park probably five times), it was ALWAYS A WAIT and there was no way we were standing in the heat for over an hour to ride a three-minute ride. No way. And Batman and I, being smart adults, agreed it wasn’t worth it. We’d checked both rides around 4-5 times throughout the day, but it just wasn’t meant to happen.

Enter: Guest Relations

As we were leaving, we stopped by Guest Relations because apparently, I don’t know how to buy us Disney tickets. The lady who admitted us into the park said we grossly overpaid and should see GR about getting it taken care of. We did, and everything turned out fine, but because Batman was sporting that truly magical birthday button, the lady helping us asked if there was any ride we didn’t get to do. We mentioned the Rocking Roller coaster along with the Slinky Dog Coaster, and she typed something into her system. When she gave us back our park tickets, she said we had fast passes to go on BOTH rides to be used at ANY TIME WE WANT for the rest of the day.

Uh, can I say pretty fucking magical?

We booked it to one end of the park, rode the Rocking Roller Coaster in less than five minutes, then we hightailed it to Toy Story land and rode the Slinky Dog Coaster. Ten minutes. All day long we checked and were disappointed, and we did both in the last half an hour.

Birthday buttons work. I’m just saying. 😉

Anyway, I’m going to blame missing last week’s post on Batman. It makes me feel better and he’s not here to defend himself. But seriously: if you’re considering visiting Disney for your birthday (I assume they work in CA too) do yourself a favor and get a birthday button. You’ll thank me later.

And because I remembered to take a few photos throughout the days, here are the best ones: