Nicki Elson's Blog, page 44
October 17, 2011
Two Spooky Blogfests
Just wanted to give you a heads up on two cool blogfests coming up for Halloween.They're easy and fun and give us an opportunity to flex our writing muscle, Halloween style.
This Friday, Brenda Drake is hosting the Can you Leave Us Breathless Blogfest Contest. On October 21 post an excerpt---up to 300 words---from your novel or other writings to your blog. If you want, you can write something new for the contest. It can be scary, romance, a thrill ride, a twist. It can be any genre. All you have to do is leave readers breathless.
On Halloween, Tara Tyler is hosting the Haunted Drabble. Write a spooky 100 word story & post on Halloween. Post your link in comments at Tara's on 10/31. She might be giving out a treat to her favorite Haunted Drabble.
This Friday, Brenda Drake is hosting the Can you Leave Us Breathless Blogfest Contest. On October 21 post an excerpt---up to 300 words---from your novel or other writings to your blog. If you want, you can write something new for the contest. It can be scary, romance, a thrill ride, a twist. It can be any genre. All you have to do is leave readers breathless.
On Halloween, Tara Tyler is hosting the Haunted Drabble. Write a spooky 100 word story & post on Halloween. Post your link in comments at Tara's on 10/31. She might be giving out a treat to her favorite Haunted Drabble.
October 15, 2011
Disney Post-Game
In my Things to Look Forward to Upon Returning Home, I left out read comments on blog. I wasn't sure there would be any---but there were! Thank you, thank you, thank you for adding some sparkle to my transition back to real life. Now that I'm fairly settled back in, I look forward to bopping around the blogosphere to catch up with y'all.
Yes, Jennifer, it was hot down there---but I much preferred the steamy days to the soggy ones. We exited the Haunted Mansion Friday evening and were met by ominous skies. The clouds burst and the rain didn't let up until Sunday afternoon. Let's see, here's a photo of a wet Caribbean Beach.
Still pretty, and I must admit there was something fun about seeing 95% of the mass of humanity at the parks donning their Mickey Mouse ponchos. My favorite was the guy in his Viking hat with a souvenir beer stein capping each horn. (Gee, thanks, Michael, for informing me of the "breathtaking" weather I left behind in Chicago, haha.)
I rode Toy Story Mania for ya, Tara! Here's a picture of Mr. Potato Head entertaining us as we wound through the waiting maze. I was shocked by how mobbed this ride was. The guy at the Fast Pass said it was the most popular attraction in all four parks---that means Fast Passes are gone before noon and the wait time can get up to 2 hours. The best bet is to arrive at Hollywood Studios before opening and then join the herd of vacationers as they sweep through the streets to the ride.
For Suze I have a picture of the Grand Floridian balcony. So peaceful there. A drink and chat with my sister on this balcony plus the ferry ride back to the Magic Kingdom made for a relaxing respite from the madness. I did avoid the Tea Cups afterward---thanks for the tip, Alex.
[image error]
For Star Wars fans, here's a picture of Tatooine Traders---the souvenir shop riders funnel into after Star Tours. The new and improved Star Tours is great! And thanks to Toy Story Mania, wait times aren't bad at all. I was ever so proud when my daughter was identified as the rebel spy on one of the missions.
Okay Suze, I'm officially asking about your "interesting" experience on Star Tours---spill it!
The vacation came complete with a genuine Clark Griswold moment. After keeping fairly dry & happy by building-hopping in Future World, I trudged my family to the World Showcase in the steady rain, where I led them past six countries and through several deep puddles. This ill advised move ruined us---shoes and socks became hopelessly soaked; rain found its way in streams through gaps in our ponchos. Ah, but there was a great reward awaiting us---the Yakitori House.
As I watched drops fall from the rim of my baseball hat, so saturated it could no longer hold the moisture, I dreamed of warm teriyaki chicken skewers, spicy sushi rolls, and a tall glass of Kirin beer. As the children whined, I promised, "You're going to love it. We'll be dry and happy there."
Just as the rain began to pound on us at its greatest level of violence, we arrived in Japan, where we were met by this (photo taken on a less torrential day):
Note the temporary surround wall. The Yakitori House was CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS! Seriously. In that moment, as the very sweet girl in the gift shop informed us of the development, I knew exactly how Clark felt. I channeled him, I became him as I stumbled back into the rain and loudly lamented with decidedly unDisney-friendly language "Who the *bleep* closes a *bleeping* restaurant during a food and *bleeping* wine festival?" (And says nothing about it on their website? I now add.)
Rather than holding an employee at Buzz Lighyear Space Blaster-point and forcing him over the wall to whip up Japanese cuisine, we sought refuge in nearby America and let the magic crawl gradually back into our souls with the help of Sam Adams and Glory Hallelujah. The whole thing seems funny now, and one day I'm sure I'll dine in the refurbished digs...yet the place shall forever more be known to my family as the Yaki*bleeping*tori House.
One more fun little note before I release you from my vacation diary. At Hollywood Studios we took a "Which Disney Character Are You?" quiz. Everyone, meet me:
Maleficent
Computer must've witnessed the Yaki incident, hehe
My magical vacation may be over, but now we get to go vicariously back to Disney World in November through Tara Tyler and again in December through Susan Oloier---please share pictures & stories, ladies! Also, we'll cyber travel to another part of Orlando with Michael Di Gesu and Jen Daiker, who plan to meet up in a few weeks at Wizarding World! Now that's going to be nuts (in the very best of ways).
Yes, Jennifer, it was hot down there---but I much preferred the steamy days to the soggy ones. We exited the Haunted Mansion Friday evening and were met by ominous skies. The clouds burst and the rain didn't let up until Sunday afternoon. Let's see, here's a photo of a wet Caribbean Beach.
Still pretty, and I must admit there was something fun about seeing 95% of the mass of humanity at the parks donning their Mickey Mouse ponchos. My favorite was the guy in his Viking hat with a souvenir beer stein capping each horn. (Gee, thanks, Michael, for informing me of the "breathtaking" weather I left behind in Chicago, haha.)
I rode Toy Story Mania for ya, Tara! Here's a picture of Mr. Potato Head entertaining us as we wound through the waiting maze. I was shocked by how mobbed this ride was. The guy at the Fast Pass said it was the most popular attraction in all four parks---that means Fast Passes are gone before noon and the wait time can get up to 2 hours. The best bet is to arrive at Hollywood Studios before opening and then join the herd of vacationers as they sweep through the streets to the ride.
For Suze I have a picture of the Grand Floridian balcony. So peaceful there. A drink and chat with my sister on this balcony plus the ferry ride back to the Magic Kingdom made for a relaxing respite from the madness. I did avoid the Tea Cups afterward---thanks for the tip, Alex.
[image error]
For Star Wars fans, here's a picture of Tatooine Traders---the souvenir shop riders funnel into after Star Tours. The new and improved Star Tours is great! And thanks to Toy Story Mania, wait times aren't bad at all. I was ever so proud when my daughter was identified as the rebel spy on one of the missions.
Okay Suze, I'm officially asking about your "interesting" experience on Star Tours---spill it!
The vacation came complete with a genuine Clark Griswold moment. After keeping fairly dry & happy by building-hopping in Future World, I trudged my family to the World Showcase in the steady rain, where I led them past six countries and through several deep puddles. This ill advised move ruined us---shoes and socks became hopelessly soaked; rain found its way in streams through gaps in our ponchos. Ah, but there was a great reward awaiting us---the Yakitori House.
As I watched drops fall from the rim of my baseball hat, so saturated it could no longer hold the moisture, I dreamed of warm teriyaki chicken skewers, spicy sushi rolls, and a tall glass of Kirin beer. As the children whined, I promised, "You're going to love it. We'll be dry and happy there."
Just as the rain began to pound on us at its greatest level of violence, we arrived in Japan, where we were met by this (photo taken on a less torrential day):
Note the temporary surround wall. The Yakitori House was CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS! Seriously. In that moment, as the very sweet girl in the gift shop informed us of the development, I knew exactly how Clark felt. I channeled him, I became him as I stumbled back into the rain and loudly lamented with decidedly unDisney-friendly language "Who the *bleep* closes a *bleeping* restaurant during a food and *bleeping* wine festival?" (And says nothing about it on their website? I now add.)
Rather than holding an employee at Buzz Lighyear Space Blaster-point and forcing him over the wall to whip up Japanese cuisine, we sought refuge in nearby America and let the magic crawl gradually back into our souls with the help of Sam Adams and Glory Hallelujah. The whole thing seems funny now, and one day I'm sure I'll dine in the refurbished digs...yet the place shall forever more be known to my family as the Yaki*bleeping*tori House.
One more fun little note before I release you from my vacation diary. At Hollywood Studios we took a "Which Disney Character Are You?" quiz. Everyone, meet me:
MaleficentComputer must've witnessed the Yaki incident, hehe
My magical vacation may be over, but now we get to go vicariously back to Disney World in November through Tara Tyler and again in December through Susan Oloier---please share pictures & stories, ladies! Also, we'll cyber travel to another part of Orlando with Michael Di Gesu and Jen Daiker, who plan to meet up in a few weeks at Wizarding World! Now that's going to be nuts (in the very best of ways).
October 12, 2011
Disney World Day 7: The Happily Ever After
*sigh* By now I suppose we'll all be tired of living out of a suitcase, but it'll still be sad to say goodbye to this trip we've been dreaming of w/ family for over two years. Ah, but there's yet one thing to look forward to---when we step into home sweet home, we'll be greeted by this fuzzy little hunk o' burnin' love...
He always makes homecomings happy.
What's the one thing you most look forward to when returning home from a trip?
He always makes homecomings happy.
What's the one thing you most look forward to when returning home from a trip?
October 11, 2011
DisneyWorld Day 6: Bonus!
A couple weeks before the trip, American Airlines decided to cancel our originally scheduled direct flight to one w/ a layover in Miami. I said "Nuh uh" and switched to a direct flight the following day, which means...extra day at Disney World!
"The plan" is to hit Hollywood Studios with a proper plan of attack. Therefore, thing #1 that I look most forward to today is...Star Tours! No worries if I've already ridden it a couple times by now: "You never know where the Force might take you. Many different Star Tours adventures await you—including multiple storylines and locations. Riding once is not enough!"
I imagine by afternoon we'll want to head back to the Magic Kingdom. Can't leave the World without bidding Walt & Minnie adieu.
The Peoplemover seems like a nice way to tie up a visit as it winds throughout Tomorrow Land. Second best ride ever. (Told you I've got a thing for transportation.)
So, what's your favorite mode of transportation and why?
"The plan" is to hit Hollywood Studios with a proper plan of attack. Therefore, thing #1 that I look most forward to today is...Star Tours! No worries if I've already ridden it a couple times by now: "You never know where the Force might take you. Many different Star Tours adventures await you—including multiple storylines and locations. Riding once is not enough!"
I imagine by afternoon we'll want to head back to the Magic Kingdom. Can't leave the World without bidding Walt & Minnie adieu.
The Peoplemover seems like a nice way to tie up a visit as it winds throughout Tomorrow Land. Second best ride ever. (Told you I've got a thing for transportation.)
So, what's your favorite mode of transportation and why?
October 10, 2011
DisneyWorld Day 5: Day of Rest
I think by now we've earned a morning to sleep in, don't you? So for day five, here are the three things I'm most looking forward to:
Grabbing a coffee and digging my toes into the morning sand of the Aruba beach.
(Even if that sand is cold, wet & soggy with T-storms raging all around, by God.)
If we feel like it, we'll head to Hollywood Studios by early afternoon, if for no other reason than to catch the ferry that runs between there and Epcot. What excites me about that is that the boat drops us off at the World Showcase entrance.
Why go to Epcot again? you ask---to have dinner at Teppan Edo in Japan, where the chefs will prepare our meal on the table in front of us.
So, where's your favorite place to dig your toes into the sand?
Grabbing a coffee and digging my toes into the morning sand of the Aruba beach.
(Even if that sand is cold, wet & soggy with T-storms raging all around, by God.)
If we feel like it, we'll head to Hollywood Studios by early afternoon, if for no other reason than to catch the ferry that runs between there and Epcot. What excites me about that is that the boat drops us off at the World Showcase entrance.
Why go to Epcot again? you ask---to have dinner at Teppan Edo in Japan, where the chefs will prepare our meal on the table in front of us.
So, where's your favorite place to dig your toes into the sand?
October 9, 2011
DisneyWorld Day 4: Animal Kingdom/Hollywood Studios
If you haven't seen the prior three posts, here's the deal: I'm at Disney World RIGHT NOW and have pre-scheduled posts each day to chronicle the things I'm most looking forward to. I suppose when I get home I can compare reality with expectations. Could be interesting. Or maybe not.
At any rate, here are the three things I'm most looking forward to today:
Our travel agent scored us FREE dining (!) so I giddily made this reservation as soon as we got the news. Today, assuming God's plans sync with mine, after spending the morning at Animal Kingdom, we'll take a bus to the Animal Kingdom Villas for a late lunch at Sanaa, which has floor to ceiling views of this:
After a possible pitstop back at Caribbean Beach, we'll meet up with my brother & his family and some friends (who's vacation coincidentally overlaps with ours) at Hollywood Studios. Kiddos will once again run rampant for a few hours, during which I plan to gently guide the adults (they won't even realize it's happening) to Star Tours. *Ahem* all-freaking-NEW Star Tours!
We'll end the evening with Fantasmic. Last time we saw the show, high winds put the dragon out of commission, so I've got fingers crossed we get to see her in action this time. (Not looking good---as of post time rain, rain, and more rain is predicted.)
Here's what I want to know: In your best estimation, how many times have you seen A New Hope?
(Just a reminder: I didn't bring my laptop, and you know how I feel about iPhones, but I promise to repay your visits in the days following my return.)
At any rate, here are the three things I'm most looking forward to today:
Our travel agent scored us FREE dining (!) so I giddily made this reservation as soon as we got the news. Today, assuming God's plans sync with mine, after spending the morning at Animal Kingdom, we'll take a bus to the Animal Kingdom Villas for a late lunch at Sanaa, which has floor to ceiling views of this:
After a possible pitstop back at Caribbean Beach, we'll meet up with my brother & his family and some friends (who's vacation coincidentally overlaps with ours) at Hollywood Studios. Kiddos will once again run rampant for a few hours, during which I plan to gently guide the adults (they won't even realize it's happening) to Star Tours. *Ahem* all-freaking-NEW Star Tours!
We'll end the evening with Fantasmic. Last time we saw the show, high winds put the dragon out of commission, so I've got fingers crossed we get to see her in action this time. (Not looking good---as of post time rain, rain, and more rain is predicted.)
Here's what I want to know: In your best estimation, how many times have you seen A New Hope?
(Just a reminder: I didn't bring my laptop, and you know how I feel about iPhones, but I promise to repay your visits in the days following my return.)
October 8, 2011
DisneyWorld Day 3: Epcot
Today we plan to hit Epcot. I do so love the rides in Future World, like Soarin' and Test Track and yes, even Ellen's Universe of Energy, but I've limited myself to three top picks, and these are what win w/ me:
Lunch at the Yakitori House. I've never been here before, but the location looks serene and it's got teriyaki chicken and sushi rolls, so can't lose.
Dinner in Italy at Via Napoli with the whole gang---all 19 of us!
(This is the day in which my mum is making us all wear matching T-shirts. I'm still trying to come to terms with that.)
There are no fireworks at the Magic Kingdom on Friday, so Saturday we plan to monorail over from Epcot for the show. Just to be clear---the monorail is what's made my top three, not the fireworks. I've got a thing for transportation
...and food, apparently.
What's your "thing" when you're traveling?
Lunch at the Yakitori House. I've never been here before, but the location looks serene and it's got teriyaki chicken and sushi rolls, so can't lose.
Dinner in Italy at Via Napoli with the whole gang---all 19 of us!
(This is the day in which my mum is making us all wear matching T-shirts. I'm still trying to come to terms with that.)
There are no fireworks at the Magic Kingdom on Friday, so Saturday we plan to monorail over from Epcot for the show. Just to be clear---the monorail is what's made my top three, not the fireworks. I've got a thing for transportation
...and food, apparently.
What's your "thing" when you're traveling?
October 7, 2011
DisneyWorld Day 2: Magic Kingdom
I just can't start out the Disney parks visits anywhere but The Magic Kingdom. After amazing my family with my super-crowd-slithering expertise as I shimmy us all right up to the entry rope, here are the three things I'm most looking forward to today:
Getting all vaklempsch at this site as we make our way down Main Street
(hoping, hoping, hoping the sky's that blue---rain is in the forecast)
After lunch, el kiddos have plans to run rampant through the park with their cousins---sans parents. Ergo, parents have plans to monorail over to the pool bar at the Grand Floridian. The best part? Monkey will be joining us!
To be followed by the best ride ever when we reunite with the children. I can only imagine how fun this is going to be after a couple top shelf Bloody Mary's:
Tell me---what's your drink of choice at a pool bar?
Getting all vaklempsch at this site as we make our way down Main Street
(hoping, hoping, hoping the sky's that blue---rain is in the forecast)
After lunch, el kiddos have plans to run rampant through the park with their cousins---sans parents. Ergo, parents have plans to monorail over to the pool bar at the Grand Floridian. The best part? Monkey will be joining us!
To be followed by the best ride ever when we reunite with the children. I can only imagine how fun this is going to be after a couple top shelf Bloody Mary's:
Tell me---what's your drink of choice at a pool bar?
October 6, 2011
DisneyWorld Day 1: Caribbean Beach
If all has gone as planned, I'm at Disney World today. While I was busy pre-living the vacation (planning...daydreaming) I put together a series of short posts on the three things I'm most looking forward to each day. So if you'd like to do a little Disney dreaming yourself, come on in...
Here are the three things I'm most looking forward to on arrival day:
Chillaxing at the refurbished pool at Caribbean Beach Resort.
If we tire of chillaxing, we'll catch a bus to Hollywood Studios and then a boat to Disney's Boardwalk. My son and I are intrigued by something called the "Pizza Window." It's a place along the boardwalk where you order a pizza at one window, pick it up at the next, and then you keep on walkin'.
The plan is to be back at Caribbean Beach in time to watch the top of the Epcot fireworks from the Banana Cabana.
How about you---on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "Throw a dart in the map and let's go! " and 10 being "I'm going to pre-schedule blog posts about what I'll do each day," where do you fall when it comes to pre-planning a vacation?
(I'm not bringing my laptop and you know how I feel about iPhones but I promise to repay your visits in the days following my return.)
Here are the three things I'm most looking forward to on arrival day:
Chillaxing at the refurbished pool at Caribbean Beach Resort.
If we tire of chillaxing, we'll catch a bus to Hollywood Studios and then a boat to Disney's Boardwalk. My son and I are intrigued by something called the "Pizza Window." It's a place along the boardwalk where you order a pizza at one window, pick it up at the next, and then you keep on walkin'.
The plan is to be back at Caribbean Beach in time to watch the top of the Epcot fireworks from the Banana Cabana.
How about you---on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "Throw a dart in the map and let's go! " and 10 being "I'm going to pre-schedule blog posts about what I'll do each day," where do you fall when it comes to pre-planning a vacation?
(I'm not bringing my laptop and you know how I feel about iPhones but I promise to repay your visits in the days following my return.)
October 5, 2011
Writus Interruptus
Thank you Dr. Cavanaugh for facilitating these monthly therapy sessions just for writers. If you're a writer and you're insecure---a redundancy if I've ever heard one---join the club! Here's my sad, sad story for October: these last couple of months I've been making great progress on my current WIP. I estimate I'm two-thirds of the way through the first draft at a current count 57,000+ words. I know it'll need lots of polish and some reworking when I get to draft two, but I'm pleased with how it's coming along. I'm in a groove. And tomorrow . . . I leave on vacation.
More accurately, it's a quest for fun. That's right, three generations of blood and in-laws---nineteen of us in all---are gathering at the real life Wally World for what certainly won't be relaxing, but most definitely will be fun. :) The thing is, with my focus interrupted for seven whole days, not to mention readjustment time once we return home, will I lose my mojo?
It took me over a year to recover from the first book being published before I revved up the whatever-it's-called to go at this next manuscript in earnest. (See? I'm already losing my ability to summon a fitting noun on command!) Will this trip of the century---during which there will be no time to scribble anything on a notepad---throw me into another tailspin from which it'll take me far too long to recover?
Tell me, what do you do to rekindle the magic when your writus has been interrupted?
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