It was a very busy month for me! I saw Kathleen Madigan perform, went to a Broncos game with my Dad (they actually won!), watched Monster Trucks with my nephew and went on two trips!
Travel
A rare month of 2 trip travel! I had two business trips to California this month.
The first was a short nearly 24 hour trip to San Francisco. I wish I had time to do more but this was just a down-to-business trip. The next was training in Los Angeles and then taking a few days off for museums and theme parks!
Highlights
- I found out the Getty Villa and Getty Center WILL check luggage for you. So yes, I was that strange person going from museum to museum with all my luggage. And yes, each Uber driver asked if I was heading to the airport. NOPE ONWARD TO MORE MUSEUMS!
- I love getting to museums as they open and being the only one there. So peaceful!
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- I really enjoyed Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar for the 2nd time! I managed to get a Hatbox Ghost Mug this year (last time they were out of nearly every mug, not just the seasonal ones.)
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- Galaxy’s Edge Batuu is really amazing. I like that the characters are in-character and are just wandering around. It felt amazing to be buying credits (a specific metal gift card) and while I’m doing this “deal” see Rey out of the corner of my eye asking to be hidden from the Order! Later ran into Rey playing a red-light-green-light game called X-Wing/B-Wing which was so cute. Then seeing the Stormtroopers and how they interacted, and later Kylo Ren! I enjoyed it so much!
- The Millenium Falcon Ride really is amazing. While I only ever got to be an Engineer (single ride line because the regular line was much too long) it really is magical to be in the cockpit.
- I got to meet Vader! This has been a dream of mine but never got a chance until now!
- I made a purple-black-silver&white R2 unit at the Droid Depot. I call him R2-V2 (Violet)
- By going to Galaxy’s Edge in the afternoon I was able to bypass some of the craziness to get into that part of the park (no idea what they are going to do once Rise of the Resistance is open) and I got to experience that part of the park during daylight and in the dark which was amazing. I’ll need to go back sometime and do simply a day just in that part of the park.
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- I went on an inverted rollercoaster for the first time! (Seeing as its only been what a year or so since my first rollercoaster I’m working my way up.) However, I didn’t know the Incredicoaster went upsidedown until my 3rd and final time. We got stoped/stuck at the first part of the ride, as I was starting to internally freak out, the stranger next to me says “Well at least it didn’t stop when we were upside down!” Yes I freaked out more, yes this time I kept my eyes open to realize it DID go upside down.
- I think I went to Disney at that sweet spot before the craziness of Thanksgiving and other holiday travel. So while it was busy, with Maxpass I was able to do pretty much everything I wanted.
- So many people loved my Dinosaur Christmas Sweater! I love wearing it in the parks (and at Universal) during the holidays!
Challenges
- I had the option of spending more time in San Francisco but opted to just get in/out quickly. I now regret it, especially after learning that the Curse Child Play is now in SF. What a missed opportunity. And I still have not been to Alcatraz. One day (as I keep saying).
- I decided to cheap out on my hotel for Disneyland. I later learned that a popular Disneyland blog called my hotel “Hotel Hell” and was the last hotel they’d review before “You are resigned to bed-bugs and sketchy drug deals.” It was…also in my mind the lowest level of hotel I’d stay in before screaming “I got to get the fuck out of here”. I picked it because it was cheap, walkable (hahah construction meant I needed to Uber) and I “was only there to really sleep” but forgot that part. The bed sucked so bad (like plywood) that I didn’t sleep much and even needed to sleep in on my 2nd Disney day otherwise I’d pass out at the park. While I did save myself about $200 (the cost of my little droid) I really should have gone with my old standby – The Hilton at the convention center.
- I tried to get from the Getty Center to Disneyland during rush hour. It took nearly 3 hours. I was prepared but still felt really bad. Later in the trip, a late night Uber home was with a kind of creepy old man playing a really religious call in show. I made the joke “Who did I anger to be punished with this?” A friend instantly responded “The Uber drive who drove you to Disneyland.” Oh…right.
- The Manet Exhibit at the Getty Center didn’t do much for me. I guess it will help when I see the Monet exhibit and that whole Oceans 11 joke about confusion between the two.
- I did “Rope Drop” meaning I got to the park before it opened (fuck that was early) and they let you into the HUB area. I was trying to get to the Haunted Mansion but the line to Frontierland was insane. I ended up going through Adventureland, and after running to the Mansion looked behind me…no one was there. Everyone else ran to rides in Adventure land. But in the distance I could see the hordes of people running through Frontierland and Fantasyland to Galaxy’s Edge. It was insane how much people were flat out running. I was happy I had read that you should go to Batuu in the afternoon, that was good advice.
- I was…too efficient and had done about 90% of what I wanted to do HOURS before the fireworks were set to go off. Being tired, cold, and slightly bored made me consider NOT staying for the Fireworks. I ended up staying, and had a good time, but going for Rope Drop and trying to make it to closing is starting to be insane for me to try.
- I did not pre-book Olga’s Cantina thinking I could just walk in as a single person…nope. Next time need to book that ahead of time.
- It was hot during the day at Disneyland, but very cool at night. I…really wished I had worn pants and not capris because I got really cold for the fireworks and Fantasmic show. Also didn’t realize you get wet a lot in the fastpass section (or that you must sit on the cold ground) so was extra cold for that.
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- It was my first time to Disney’s California Adventure and I was a bit shocked that it is such a smaller park. I’m glad I saved it for my travel day (late night flight) because it really isn’t a full day park.
Recommended Reading
Podcasts
I’m really enjoying the My Favorite Murder podcast more than I expected and am listening to them randomly.
Watchlist
TV
Between TURN and Victoria I was on a historical period-piece kick. I also started Schitt’s Creek based on co-workers recommendations but I’m slowly going through it.
Movies
I think the only movie I recall this month was The King. I really enjoyed it and it kicked off me watching Victoria and The Crown.
What’s Next
The Holidays! I have one business trip and then a few weekends of Christmas Activites.
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