It came to my attention that the comments were busted on the site. Whoops. Just a minor database problem from the switch to the VPS. For some reason all the tables with auto_increment fields forgot that they were supposed to auto increment. It’s fixed now, and commenting can now continue.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll probably say it again - yes, i’m a slacker. But i’ve been busy since I got back. Oh, and I know I promised a huge NSFD post with pictures from Kennedy, but I decided against it, and instead setup a photo gallery. The link is over there to the right, or you can just pop in gallery.ferretman.com. It only has some of the Florida pictures on it so far, but the gallery will grow as I get around to adding stuff. All of my Kennedy pics are in there, so go take a look.
So here was the last few days of the trip - Friday was Epcot, and that has some fun stuff in it. Disney’s rather amazing at creating total immersion in a ride, where other parks are just about thrills. The only really bad line I was in was for “Soarin’” which is like a flying chair in front of an Imax screen, giving the feeling of flying. Well, sort of. Now, total immersion was good, as every time they changed environments, a new scent would fill the air, whether it was salt water or pine trees. Everyone raved about it, but I thought it was a let down. But I think my bar is too high, cause if I want to be on a ride that immerses you in flying, I want to have the camera strapped to an F-22, going about 500 knots, and then have it start pulling barrel rolls. I think my favorite thing at Epcot was the GM test track, where they simulate you in a car going through testing, and fake crash you onto a wall that then gives way to a banked curve at 65 MPH. It was an interesting experience.
Epcot is a unique park, as it’s only half rides and games, and the other half is all different countries. What I mean is, there are a number of countries represented there, and each is done in authentic architecture, with restaurants and shops to match the culture. This is how we had dinner in Morocco that friday night. It was one amazing meal, some of the best food i’ve ever had - especially the lamb. The park also had a food and wine festival going on, which added kiosks from 10 more countries so that you could try their unique foods and wines. I think if that’s in place the next time I’m down there, I’m just going to gnosh my way around the world, and not do a full dinner.
On to Saturday. Exieso and I didn’t plan to meet up until that evening, so the day was all clear. So we hopped into the rental, and headed out to the Kennedy Space Center. I’m not sure what analogy I want here, so I’ll use both - I was a kid in candy store, and on my own little pilgrimage to Mecca. Well, my Mecca anyway. I ended up learning quite a bit, as we were on a great tour that took us close to all sorts of sights - you’ll see what I mean in the photo Gallery. So know I’ve physically been to places I’ve always wanted to see, and haven’t just seen it on TV. Sure, I would have liked to been on an even closer tour, but then I think I’d have to befriend a congressman (but not in that way) to pull that off. I want to see inside the VAB, and the orbiter processing facilities. They probably wouldn’t let me take pictures, however.
Oh, the one fact that totally blew me away. During a launch, they douse the pad in over 400,000 gallons of water. It’s not how much that surprised me, but why. I had always thought it was heat dissipation so that pad didn’t melt. Apparently, it’s for sound dampening. They reduce the sound energy bouncing back to the shuttle - if they didn’t, the energy would be enough to shake the orbiter apart as it launched. As it is, the launch hits 142 Db during a launch. I can’t imagine it being much louder (I heard it very well from 7-8 miles away.) Oh, and the shockwave the launch creates? It creates a zone of about 3.5 miles all around it that will have to be clear - the energy produced will stop fluids from moving in generators, or people.
Saturday night I met up with Exieso at Universal Studios for their Halloween Horror Nights. That was very impressive. The immersion and attempts to scare the shit out of people were top notch. There’s also some pretty cool rides down there, and the lines were too bad, considering the number of people that were there. Even the haunted houses they had set up were pretty creepy. If you know me, i’m not one to scare. Maybe a little startled, but I tend to laugh at horror movies instead of scream. Yes, I did my fair share of laughing - but mostly at the stoners what were very baked and about to crap themselves. At one point, one turned to me, saw the size guy I am and just said “Stay Close.” I would have liked to see that guy in a different section of the park - where they had guys in plain clothes getting into groups of people and starting off chainsaws. You’ve never seen a group of people disperse in terror more quickly. As I said, I laughed the entire way through it. It was a nice, grown up change compared to the kid-ishness of Epcot. The rides reflected it too. One ride I have to mention - the Mummy. Not too crazy on the G’s and twists, but a nifty use of effects throughout. Nothing like fire crawling above the ceiling above you. My only regret about that night was the short time I had to catch up with Exieso.
If you recall, Sunday was still up in the air - the choice between Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios. The coin came down and stood on its edge, so we did both. Animal Kingdom was actually more than a big Disney-fied zoo, and I got a kick out of most of the park. It’s split into continents, and has animals and exhibits that match. There’s a couple of pictures from there in the new gallery. Unfortunately, most of the animal pictures came out blurry, just cause the tour never really stops, just slows down near stuff. You’d think an animal park was an odd place for a thrill ride, but Animal Kingdom has a doozy, and its name is Everest. Nice short line with the Fast Pass, and quite a ride. Most of it whips you around in the dark. Backwards. My dad was a little wary at first, but said he was somehow oddly calmed by my nearly constant maniacal laughter.
Sunday afternoon we hoofed on over to MGM studios, which had some fun rides as well - the Rockin’ Roller coaster was a pretty nifty one - totally indoors, with nice twists, turns, even a loop. Oh, and it was Linear Induction Motors - that means it goes from zero to really freaking fast uphill in a matter of seconds. The other rather nifty ride was the Tower of Terror - all done in the theme of the Twilight Zone. I thought it was nifty that they composited video of Rod Serling, and just dubbed a new voice, but one that sounded pretty authentic. It was basically a pull up and drop kind of ride, but with repetition, and with some freaking cool engineering and scenery behind it. Oh, and while you’re falling? The elevator doors open to show that you’re 10 or so stories up, looking out onto the world. It’s fun strange feeling to be weightless like that.
The other killer thing at MGM was the night show - Fantasmics. It’s a live action show, that’s also part video and part pyrotechnics, and part boats. Video projected onto sprays of water, each showing different villain clips trying to get Mickey. Of course, while they’re showing, the stage, if it can be called that, is changing hidden behind into lavish and large things - from a settlement for pilgrims, to a huge, huge dragon. I don’t think I’m going to be able to convey it well enough, so let’s just say it was quite a spectacle. It was also the only time I saw most of the Disney Characters - I only saw Goofy and the Genie at Epcot. At the end of the show, they all come out on this mockup a steamboat. Well, actually, it was a steamboat, just one on a track. Of course, Mickey was at the helm. And if you just chuckled at the symbolism, pat yourself on the back.
Monday was the drive back to Jacksonville, and the flight home after having lunch my aunt there once again. The flight back was uneventful, as was the drive. Actually, the drive was my favorite part, just cause it was nice to be back in my car. The rental in Florida, a Jeep Liberty, I hated. It was small on the inside despite its outward size, and drove worse than my 85 volvo did - the one with the randomly slipping transmission.
As for the time since - more Odyssey stuff, new tires for Nighthawk ($700. Ouch) and, of course, back to work. Right out of the gate. But that hasn’t been too bad. Oh, there’s been some Halloween prep, since a costume will be needed twice - once in Harrisonburg this weekend, and then at the office on the actual day - there’ll be pictures of that later. I don’t want to give too much away.
As I mentioned, I’m heading to Harrisonburg for a long weekend. The only things I know for sure is that it’s going to be cold and rainy, and i’ve really been looking forward to it. However, don’t expect much of a report on what happens there - what happens in Harrisonburg stays in Harrisonburg.
Home now, but gotta get up and go to work in the morning. The last few days in FL after my last post were action packed. Epcot, Universal, Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios. Oh, and I got to Kennedy Space Center too. Once I get my hands on those pics, I’m most likely gonna have the most NSFD post in FMC history. Hell, of any site in the little FMC family.
Also on tap when I have time is the long list of gripes about our rental, and just how much I love my car. Also, maybe a word or two about driving with parents.
But all that will have to wait. So stay tuned.
In case you’re wondering where I’ve been since my last post, half of it was lack of anything interesting to say, and the other half was the fact I’ve been in Florida on Vacation since last Friday. I didn’t expect to make any posts while I was down here, and just wanted to let the anticipation build. However, The coolness of things today is preventing my staying quiet.
I should catch you up on the timeline to this point. Friday afternoon we flew into Jacksonville from Philly. Uneventful trip to the airport, other than Economy parking being full. Security at the airport was normal, but fast. Now, the Florida trip was sliced into three sections. The first leg was a stay with family in Jacksonville. Next was a stint on the Gulf Coast in Tampa/Clearwater/St. Pete. Then Thursday is was east to Orlando. The actual basis of the trip was the fall Odyssey meeting for state directors, so we just expanded it to be a really long vacation.
The stay in Jax had the important 3 F’s - Family, Food, and Football. My cousin’s partner is a UF Alum, and scored 4 tickets to the Florida/Alabama game on Saturday. UF is a pretty school, and they do love their football. It’s probably the second loudest crowd i’ve ever heard - which shouldn’t be surprising considering the stadium there holds 91000 people. (For the record, embedded in the Student section at a JMU game was the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard. Sadly, they were playing Delaware at the time.) The game was quite good, with lots of suspense and beautiful plays. Sunday was the Washington/Jacksonville game. While we Redskins fans were greatly outnumbered, it was also a really, really good game. No one expected it to be tied 30-30 at the end of the 4th quarter. Our overtime victory was a nice cap off, but it was such a good game I would have been ok with Jacksonville winning too. All throughout this weekend was hanging out with family, some of whom I don’t think I’ve seen since Liz and James’ wedding. Sunday night turned into a sit around and drink night - which I did well, clearing out the bottle of Vodka my Aunt wanted emptied. The fact that it was an inch and a half of a handle of 100 proof Smirnoff didn’t phase me. The last time I was drunk around my parents was my 21st Birthday party - and I didn’t even hang out for the fun after effects of that one. Not to worry, as those that have seen me intoxicated know, I’m a happy funny drunk.
Monday was a travel day to Tampa - with a stop over at Homasassas Springs - which is a Florida State Park and Wild Life sancturary. It’s the first time I’d seen a Manatee up close and in person. Also, I can’t recall when the last time I saw a Hippo was. (There’s a story behind why there is a Hippo in Florida State Park, but maybe later.) Lots of beautiful birds, a few otters, a few foxes (the furry kind, not the kind in bikinis (yet)), a bear or two, a panther… well, you get the idea. It’s quite a little park. On to Tampa. Tuesday we headed north to Tarpon Springs - the most productive sponge harvesting town in the US. It’s also a very, very Greek town, so we did lunch there. Some of the best Greek Food i’ve ever had - and it’s one of my favorite cuisines. Wednesday was the Museum of Science and Industry. It was a pretty good museum, with some nifty stuff in it. As always, I learned a few things, which is what a good museum does. The day at the museum was supposed to be half of what it was - but with an IMAX show and a Planetarium show included with admission, it turned into an all day affair. There was another museum slated for that day, but we changed plans - we went and played mini golf. What vacation is complete without mini golf? I had a hole in one (was dumb luck) but ended up losing by 2 strokes. On our way out, we borrowed a page from the book of Rachel Ray, and found a nifty restaurant to sit on the deck, have some drinks, and watch the sunset on the gulf. Being an Atlantic Coast boy, sunrise over the water is nothing new - sunset however was a new and different experience. It was also quite beautiful, even with the cloud cover.
That leads to today. The second museum slated for Yesterday was the Salvador Dali Museum. It’s a small collection of his works, and artwork. I knew a little of his work, but the only work of his I’d seen in person was the rather famous “Persistence of Memory” (You know, pocket watch melted over tree branch? Sure ya do.) Well, he’s got other similar works, and some utterly amazing paintings. There’s a room, of his Masterworks, 3 of them, that are probably 12-15 feet high and 6-8 feet wide. Dali crammed something into ever square inch of those canvases. They’re also giant optical illusions - from the back of the room, you see one thing, and then get up close and see another. In one work, he hides a Matador in a painting of the Venus de Milo. It’s quite amazing.
After Dali, it was on to Orlando. The drive was uneventful, other than a few Mickey shaped power poles. The hotel is nice, and its nice to have a room to myself here. Now on to what made me want to jot all this down. We went and saw La Nouba tonight, which is the Cirque du Soleil show that plays here at the Disney Marketplace. It’s a solid hour and a half of acrobats, stunt people, clowns, trampolines, trapezes, bikes, flying, high wires - well, again you get the idea. Being an Odyssey volunteer I get amazed every year at what people can accomplish with their minds. Tonight my jaw dropped at what people can accomplish with their bodies. At times you thought for sure they had to be breaking the laws of physics - when it turns out they were just using them to their full advantage. The show also never lets up. It’s almost a constant barrage of jaw dropping and eye popping feats. You sit there so impressed you completely forget to clap. You also sit there amazed at how amazingly in shape these people are, and just how strong they are. Being a non physical kind of guy, I was completely blown away. But then, I’m not sure I know anyone that can fall off 12 foot platform (designed like a building) hit a trampoline, and then go into a window in that building shape. Or walk a tightrope with someone completely balancing on your head. It was pretty wild. If you’re ever down here, or in Vegas, go see one of their shows. You’ll thank me later.
As for the rest of the week, tomorrow we have Tickets to Epcot, which should be fun since I haven’t been there in a really long time. Saturday I’m meeting up with Exieso, whom i’ve not seen since I was in Florida for the Shuttle launch years ago. Sunday is also very up in the air, as we can’t decide what park we want to do, however I think it’s going to come down to MGM Studios, or the Animal Kingdom.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, it’s been 85 and sunny here every day. Or warmer. I realize that sounds nice to a lot of people, but I think I’d prefer the 50s I’m seeing in the weather reports from home. It is October after all.