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Dear, sweet, some times nastily funny .... Leslie Jordan has passed away. Age 67. Known for "Will & Grace" and recently in "Call Me Kat."

Let's see here. Think I've got one for the Boo Season....

I had always been around the 200 lb. mark, these past few years. And although I am not an Alcoholic, I did tend to do my at-home drinking too much. Which resulted in a few "black out periods," meaning there are times (hours) I cannot remember how the evening (or some times the day) went. But - after an especially nasty night (I was told by David) at the end of July, that of course, I can't remember, I decided to stop all my at-home drinking.....period. Drinking socially (at bars, events etc.) I can still handle. During these times, I wasn't much into public drinking, anyway. And - after not drinking at home since the beginning of August, I found that I have (steadily) lost over 10 lbs! And it's still off me. I actually hit 189 this morning which was a nice surprise to me. Not exactly a "weight loss program", but it sure proved to me that booze doesn't have to be a part of my home life. And I got rewarded for it!

^ ...... or ..... is it a Messy Jessie .....?

^ Wow Bert, that's awesome they're still giving you, your wine sampler glasses as souvenirs! I still have mine from 2008, AND I actually have that other small (I called it a) juice glass with Tripsdrill characters on it. Very cool to see those souvenirs still exist at the Park. Here's my pair from there. A bit dusty, but still useful, when cleaned up.

Enjoying all of your TPR-Euro TRs, Bert. Lots of my own TPR Euro-Memories from earlier TPR tours, in these parks you visited. And those random (sometimes moving) figures in Tripsdrill park were awesome! And some of them are scary-creepy at the same time. Eep. Hugs for the share.

I say it goes BOUNCY, BOUNCY! OW! OW! OMG! OUCH! OHHhhhhhhhhhcrap.

Love all the big "Pumpkin" Sculptures, especially when lit in the evening! Thanks for sharing your visit there.

^ She was a wonderful actress. Chilling as the mother in "The Manchurian Candidate". And we had awesome fortune to see her LIVE on stage, in New York, in Sondheim's masterpiece, "Sweeney Todd ~ The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." It was in mid October of 1979, and the production had already won a good # of TONYs, including Best Musical, Director (Harold Prince), Best Score for Steve (natch). and for Angela (as Mrs. Lovett) and Len Cariou (as Sweeney), lead role TONYs for their parts. We were in the front row, against the orchestra pit, and got to see her in action, from about 20 feet away (from us to them in their 'box set'). After that thrilling time, I found out her birthday was indeed a few days away (back then). So I found a funny pop-up card and mailed it to her care of the show/theatre. A month later, I got a surprise hand written Thank You Note from her and how she loved the card, etc. And she would give my "Canadian Regards" to Len, originally from Winnipeg, Canada. Best memory ever of seeing Ms. Lansbury in person and on stage. "Sweeney Todd" 1979

For those in the U.S. who absolutely have to have a Happy Meal, even at their 'elder age'.... here .... Not available in Canada. Or the rest of The World. Boo.

^ Great update Marcus! Thanks for posting your recent trip there.

^ About that last paragraph.... Disney was quoted (some time long ago, I remember) that the Original Pirates ride was an "action attraction", and as such, the public would make repeat visits to it, because there was "so much going on at once", one ride through was not enough. And after his passing, the original Haunted Mansion was essentially the same in design, with lots to see, again and again. I still can't remember all of what happens in that graveyard, heh. And .... they did make tons of repeat visits to both attractions, lol. And I expect that this will happen with Rewind. People will miss stuff and want to ride it all again.

Scram-BLUR ...... ha! Like that name. Great TRs, both old and new.

"Nurse Ratchet has left the ...... ahem ..... psychiatric hospital." Louise Fletcher was great in that role, but she did so many other great films as well as "Cuckoo's Nest". Gone at age 88. A great actress she was.

^ I laughed because when you named that roll.... I instantly thought ....... SUSHI!

^ Hey hey! How you doing? We're fine, here. Summer still meant staying close to home, etc. Got back into seeing live theatre, YES! And being able to do lunch at a fave burger place on The Drive,..... Vera's! Awesome burgers with equally great sides, too. http://www.verasburgershack.com/

^ I would have gone with the Brat and the Tri Tip On A Stick. And a stein included, too? Easy Win. Great tour of The New Coaster, there. Hope more ... uh .... foliage grows in, eventually.

Happy International CHOCOLATE DAY! and all that goes with it! In Canada, Purdys has their Birthday Cake chocolates available. Yum!

I just found a page posted, (all written in Mandarin I believe?), that shows one of the new animatronic figures in the Zootopia ride.... Officer Clawhauser! Here's the link to the page with the video of him speaking, etc. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/hfzvmvOXB6U0POGwKuGf0g Very cool to see and hear, even if I don't understand the language, lol. But they do have an English translation, bottom of the vid screen. Isn't he cute?

^ Actually, the construction in front of that massive "warehouse" as you put it, is where the attraction is located. That said, they (the D23 weekend) released a lot of concept art for (I think) most of the ride vehicles designed for the new Disney attractions, world-wide. And I must say, the design for the ZOOTOPIA ride vehicle looks more like it would run like Test Track in EPCOT, or Journey in DisneySea. Giant slot cars, lol. Of course, the wheels on the vehicle could be totally fake, and it could still be a trackless vehicle. But reading that there might be a "car chase" in the attraction's route, the slot car track design makes more sense, to me. Trackless vehicles, so far, just amble along w/o much high speed involved. IMhO.

^ Thanks for this. I rode SkyBender on July 31st, which is 'normally' our Pride Parade Day. Was a fun ride to ride. Coaster was GRRRRR down that day. We're going to the PNE tomorrow (Thurs). They've re-opened the front way to the Fair, calling it Red Gate (Purple is Playland gate). And, have put the Marketplace back in the first building there at the front, The Forum. Lots of eat places/trucks from there, on. And we're interested in seeing The Stars of the Peking Acrobats. Done the dogs show. Still probably good, but already been seen, a few years' running. And ... planning to sample the Deep Fried Oreos; 2 Brisket Pho Tacos; a Squid Ink Corn Dog; and our two RIBS places in Revel District. We do both of them.... Oink. The new ride, "in action." Taken on Sunday, July 31st.

^ Great name, Chuck! You add that evil smelling rat/mouse/whatever inside coaster, and that Toad Hill Shoot the Chute (kinda), and it's a whole different side of London, LOL! The Ultimate's lift hill to .........? TPR 2010 UK Tour. Nope. Once was enough, thankeuuuuuuuuuuuuu. What it was named, on the TPR 2006 UK Tour. That other .... uh .... ride. Mmmm green water. 2006 UK Tour.

^4 ~ Great "I Am Groot" outfit on your son! Love it.

On my way home from my one and only Playland visit this year (to be posted soon), I stopped at a local A&W for take out. Then, while waiting for my order, I saw this..... Made me smile.

^ I think it's a mozzarella "patty" there. Circular in shape. So it, and the chicken patty practically look the same.