Like Going Home

Most of you may already know that I grew up in Orange County, in a town called Garden Grove, CA. So anytime I go back to visit – especially a Disney trip – it’s like going home for me. The hotel we stayed at – the Hilton Garden Inn on Harbor Blvd – was literally a 10 minute walk to my mom’s last place she lived in on Chapman Ave. [which is just a two minute walk to the Hi-Crest Liquor store].

As we drove into the hotel parking lot, I had some memories come back as I saw the Toys R Us that I used to go to a lot as a kid – but instead of the familiar view of the logo, I saw this:

What’s left of the Toys R Us sign

Just a shell of the Toys R Us I used to shop for toys

Sad, huh. Not sure what they are going to do with this building, but a part of my childhood is gone.

Disney

What?? No Roger Rabbit ride this trip? I guess I can deal with that

Ok, wipe away the tears of sadness and let’s move onto something awesome… Disneyland!

This was one of those family trips, with my wife, my daughter, my step daughter, her daughter and boyfriend and her boyfriend’s niece… oh, and myself. And now, without further delays, enjoy the photos from our time at Disney.

Look at that excitement!

That smile says Disney magic!

Two excited girls waiting to go ride the rides

Me and the girls in front of Mickey Pumpkin

Space Mountain taken over by ghosts (I wasn’t frightened)

Star Tours reopens in 2011 – I can’t wait!!

First Time Rider

First time rider smile

One moment to celebrate on this trip was my daughter’s first time riding Space Mountain. Yes, even at the age of 19, she had never been on this ride, either being too young/not tall enough [she made several trips as a child] or when she was tall enough to ride, it was down for refurbishment. And yes, she loved the ride.

Do you think we’re having fun? I think so.

Everyone.. raise your hands.. c’mon Reba and Marty…

Mickey is the leader of the band on Main Street

Damn Hooter for eating that map

elecTRONica comes to California Adventure

All Good Things Must Come To An End

And we ended it all with shopping at Downtown Disney, including a visit to the LEGO store [I had to make it here since missing the one in Sacramento]

I so wish I had one of these near my house

And on that note, in the classic Disney words spoken, “See you real soon…“

A place I call home

It’s been over 4 years since I’ve been there, which for me seems like a lifetime. I grew up a couple of miles from Disneyland for most of the 24 years I lived in California. Since my mom died in 2006, my frequent travels to Southern California came to an abrupt halt. So I’m excited to go “home” for four days and have fun with family.

Let the countdown begin….

My wife asked what it was. “Oh, just some mail. I’ll open it later.” I honestly didn’t even look at it all that closely to see who it was even from. I just assumed it was some sort of insurance offer.

Fast forward to tonight. I’m outside on the patio, checking my Facebook and reading through my notifications and see something from a Lynn Levick. I know who she is, so I take a look at her note:

“Have any of you received your reunion invitation?“

Invitation? What invitation? I look at the top part of the Facebook screen and see:

“1981, 1982, 1983 Garden Grove High – Combined Reunion”

** LIGHT GOES OFF IN HEAD **

I put my iPad down, run into the house and look on the counter.

Next year – 2011 – will be 30 years since I left high school. I went to my five year reunion, which was pretty much “nothing has changed except I work now” I’ve not been to any of the other ones. I thought about going to my 25th four years ago, but never did. Not sure why I didn’t go.

And now my 30th is coming up in less than a year and I simply shrugged off the invite.

Goddamn, I feel old now.

I also feel motivated to get in shape, look good, spruce up my resume, grow a beard… lots to do before next August.

This is exciting. No really. It’s exciting. Not that I’ll remember half the people that will be there. I spent my first two years of high school stoned, lit up, drunk and wasted. But then again, I spent my last two years busting my ass so I could graduate. Ying and Yang. But enough of that. That was 29 years ago. Now I’m excited to attend this shindig and that I even know at least 10 people on the list of those that said they would be there. That counts for something.

Now to get busy filling out the forms and questionnaires. Stay tuned.

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My favorite age: 28. I had a lot of positives going on in my life at the time, namely the birth of my daughter.

My best friend: Boy, this one could get me in trouble. I have several friends I call “best”, but there’s not a single person that stands out.

My celebrity crush: It’s always been Cindy Crawford. There’s some current A and B listers out there now that I can crush on, but Cindy has stayed at the top. I mean, c’mon…. look at the following pic… she looks damn fine for her age.

I’d still do her [if her husband, Randy Gerber, wouldn't kick my ass and if I were not married]
photo copied without permission from Denimblog.com

My defining characteristic: I love to make people laugh.

My most evil moment: I think I’ve had a few and they have all revolved around revenge when someone REALLY PISSED ME OFF.

My favorite food: shrimp scampi over angel hair pasta. I also like to make it at home.

My grossest injury: Grinding my face into gravel after falling off my bike (1983).

My biggest hatred: Treating anyone (human or creatures) unkind in any way (including voting away their rights… see my previous post on No on Prop 8)

My most illegal activity: Getting arrested for shoplifting a Ted Nugent cassette when I was 15. Yes, this beats all of the drugs I’ve ingested over the years.

My need for justice: The lack of separation of church vs. state in many of our rules and laws. Keep them separate, please.

My most knowledgeable field: Email administration. It’s the one thing in IT that I still enjoy after 23 years. In 3 years, I hope I can give a different answer for this.

My life’s goal: To be a published novelist, to have a screenplay made into a movie (doesn’t have to be a major motion picture) and to still be able to walk when I’m 80.

My mother’s influence: She taught me how to be a responsible person in life. I hope that she knew I have very much appreciated this in life.

My nerdiest point: Too many to choose from. I get nerdy most days.

My oldest memory: I think I was 5 (1968). Riding my bike in front of our house on 5th Street in Garden Grove, CA on Christmas morning. I’ve been extra nostalgic over the last couple of years, which has brought back many cool and fun memories.

My perfect date: Oh wow… this question would have to be here. To be honest, I’ve not had too many perfect dates, but a date I think that would be perfect: before dinner drinks, a nice dinner, talking open about any subject, walk in a park, being relaxed and comfortable with the person I was on the date with.

My unanswered question: Who killed JFK? Seriously. Cause it wasn’t Oswald.

My random fact: I interviewed Bill Gates in 1993. It was only 5 minutes, but pretty cool. He’s pretty short.

My stupidest decision: Not taking a job opportunity over 7 years ago. I still wonder what would have happened.

My favorite television show: All time? That would be Get Smart. Currently? South Park is pretty close, but I don’t watch it that much anymore. Family Guy has me laughing a lot. The Simpsons is still pretty good. Can’t decide.

My style of underwear: Boxers. Mostly from Old Navy, but I like the ones from American Eagle the best.

My favorite vegetable: Brussel sprouts. Yes, I do like them. Asparagus is a close second even if it makes my pee smell weird after I eat it [Jester has already informed me that this doesn't happen to everyone].

My weakest trait: I get distracted very easil…. uh.. what’s that? Oh.. let me check my email… who’s on Twitter?… uh.. what was it I was doing again? oh yeah… posting a new blog post.

My X-men power: Bending into any shape. Oh wait… that’s Fantastic 4.

My strongest yearning: to finish these stories I have started but not yet completed [can you tell I want to be a writer?].

My moment of Zen: Sunday morning, don’t need to be anywhere, it’s nice and warm outside, I am reading the newspaper and thinking of an idea for one of my stories, feeling content, no pressure… no worries.