Hatrack River Forum: Christy and I will be in Orlando in early November.

This is topic Christy and I will be in Orlando in early November. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Really. We will.
I'm headed to the Hyatt Grand Regency as part of a tech conference, from the 1st through the 8th, and she's coming along to keep me company (although I imagine the relatively balmy weather in central Florida that time of year may have been a factor in her decision, as much as she naturally adores me.) *grin*

While my days are going to be fairly packed -- I'll be stuck in work-type stuff every day 'til at least 4PM, and will probably have to do some "networking" off and on -- we'll be looking for things to do in the evenings, on Fridays, and the like.

Any suggestions? I haven't been to Orlando since I was about three feet high, so I have no idea. [Smile]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Any chance of meeting up with the central Florida clump? We're an attraction all by ourselves...

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

We'd be overjoyed, actually. [Smile]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

You say that now, but wait til we show up with the giant Goofy head and the velveeta...

[ August 21, 2003, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

Hyatt Grand Regency? Is that the Grand Cypress hotel out at Buena Vista? If so, can I stay with you guys that week?

If we have a CFC get-together, I'll try to come. I should have a 6-week old at that point, so I can't guarantee anything at this point, but keep me in the loop.

If you are into Halloween at all, you might want to check out Halloween Horror Nights out at Universal. This year they will have one haunted house that you have to be 18 and sign a waiver to enter. It usually runs a few days past Halloween.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

Why do you have to sign a waiver?

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

Because it's so spooooooky! If you have a heart attack, they don't want to be liable. Probably means nothing, but it's great marketing.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

Oh, well that makes more sense. I was trying to figure out what they'd be doing that would require a waiver. Signing the waiver is part of the fear factor.

We need a lightbulb flashing over the head smilie.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Yep, it's the Grand Cypress. I hear it's a pretty nice place, actually -- especially when you're not paying for the room. [Smile]

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

They don't let us locals near that place. They think we might scare off the fancy shmancy tourists.

Pleasure Island is right down the road from where you're staying. You'll have to check that out one night. You might also like Disney Quest.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

Is Disney Quest fun? We thought about it while we were there, but just didn't have time to check it out.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

One problem I'm going to have is that, as a grotesquely fat man, I'm going to be rather limited in my amusement ride options. [Frown]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

But if you wear very colorful clothes and hang out in the right parks, little kids will run up and hug you all day long, a good way to decide if you really, really want to have a kid right now.

Posted by Emperor Palpatine (Member # 3544) on :

DisneyQuest was awesome. It's a multi-floor building with free-play video games (no quarters) an express Cheesecake Factory at the top, "virtual reality" games (The Pirates game is especially fun) and a Roller Coaster sim where you design your own and then ride it.

And at around 20 bucks, I figure it was pretty fun for the price.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Also keep in mind since _I_ will be car-less and "stuck" *grin* at the resort all day, I wouldn't mind some visitors. We do have a few relatives to squeeze in (Tom's mom and my aunt) but I was really hoping to see the CFC.

Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :

With the exception of Zan, none of us CFCers are exactly svelte . . . I doubt you'd have a problem with the local rides, since we don't.

I'd love to get together with y'all, by the way. [Smile]

Will you guys have any days before or after the conference?

Sadly, you will probably miss Bob. [Frown]

It'll be a hollow, empty CFC that you will meet. [Angst]

Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :

Guess I shouldn't have pointed out that Bob was leaving . . . suddenly the thread's dead . . .

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Itinerary:
Arriving in Orlando at 10:30AM on the 1st.
Departing Orlando at 5:00PM on the 8th.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Tom's training goes from the 2nd through the 7th, so we'll have free days the first and the eighth. I'm not sure yet when we'll be seeing family, but we'd have the whole day both those days and the evenings Sunday through Thursday.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

*bump*

The only day we have booked so far is Friday the 7th with my aunt. We'll talk to Tom's mom again tonight and see what day she wants to see us.

So, what do you think? Are we still on for a get together of sorts?

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Ahem.

Before Christy goes off to visit new charming Hatrackers in the southern climes, I'd like to point out that I am a very good friend, that Madison is a beautiful city, and that I am offering free babysitting/pediatrician duties for any Hatracklets in my city.

(That is, you can't keep her. [Mad]

)

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

I definitely want to get together, but I don't know enough yet about what our own plans are and when you all are available (and what your plans are). Lemme talk to Cor when I see her tonight, and then I'll post again.

-Icarus

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

I want to get together too, but my plans lately have to be tentative. It all depends on whether Ryan has decided to be a good boy that day or a little terror and Kristine needs the relief.

The best times for me otherwise are during the week after work since my office is in south Orlando.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

I'd need weekend time, it's a bit of a drive for me. But I don't want to miss the chance, so even a driveby "Hello!" would be good...

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Do you guys have anything planned for Sunday?

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Sunday is a bad day for me, because I'm actually in conference from 9AM to around 8PM. (Eeeew.) On the other hand, Christy will most likely be remarkably BORED on Sunday, for much the same reasons.

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

I am so bummed that I won't be there to meet with you all.

I'm going to admit something that I said I wouldn't ever on this website. I miss you all terribly!

I'm feeling sorry for myself because I've been on the road so much and I haven't been making any new friends in my new neighborhood -- I just haven't been there.

It's very lonely.

And this vacation trip home was probably not a good idea in retrospect. I had a great time seeing my friends and family and all. But really, there's that bittersweet homecoming feeling. The one that says "you can never go back" and I've been confronted daily with reminders of my youthful innocence. This was not the trip for a recently divorced guy to take.

Seriously. What was I thinking?

Melancholy...

Oh well.

I did have a great time though. I'm so proud of my nephews and they are giving me lots of stuff to live vicariously about/through. My brother and sister-in-law are just a lot of fun to be around. My mom is great and her boyfriend is one of the better people I've ever met.

Oh well.. Sorry to intrude on this thread. I hope you all have a wonderful time. The CFC is my "home clump" and you never forget your first!

[Big Grin]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

We have missed you too, Bob.

[Group Hug]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

How about the Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

You'd have to pay for admission into the park, but this is a reall cool experience that a lot of people who aren't locals never even know about . . . and, coincidentally, it's happening right now!

Basically, they set up booths all around the lake at the international showcase, for scores of counries, including many that do not have pavilions. Each booth sells some small version of a typical food of that country, and also glasses of wine from that country. The prices are reasonable--tapas level. If you find a wine you like, you can also buy it. Many times, Cor and I have "eaten around the world" in lieu of a meal. [Smile]

I would not be able to afford this until I get payed on the fifth, but it would be a great outing, I think!

In any case, when are you all leaving? If you are serious about getting together, you might want to think about e-mailing somebody with a cell phone number or something. You have a secret AIM nick that you never use, right? I can go on AIM when I get home tonight if you want to make plans. I'd be happy to give you my number there or to e-mail it to you.

Joe
(Pepe Icaro on AIM)

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Then again, I suppose I could always leave a message at the hotel . . . . but I also want to know how serious you are and when you're leaning to.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

*grin* We'll be checking E-mail the whole time, and will have our cell phone: 608-835-1556. We're definitely serious -- and I think the Food & Wine Festival is actually a great idea. How much is admission to the park, on average?

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

You put your cel number out there?

*suspicious* Hey...isn't that the number for the Hilary Duff fan club?

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

You recognized that number right off, eh Kat?

Here is some general info on the Food and Wine Festival.

A single day park ticket is $52. If you purchase multi-day passes, you can save some money. If you purchase your tickets through me (i.e., meet me outside the gate and I buy them) I *might* be able to save you $5 or so per ticket, but I'm not positive what discounts they are currently offering. If you go on a work day, though, Cor and I won't be able to join you until after work. In that case, you probably don't want to spend $100 for only half of a day, so you could start without us and we could meet you later. Alternatively, depending on how unethical you guys and Cor will let me be, I could probably sneak you in for free. (Cor tends to be a stick in the mud about this, though, so don't get your hopes up. [Wink]

)

What about the rest of the Florida clump? Any other takers on the Food and Wine Festival?

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Um!!! That's not our cell phone number!!! It is our home number, though, where you would reach Sara who is house sitting for us. *smile*

Our cell is 608-212-8968

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Tom won't get out till 4pm most days, so if we're going to do a park together, we won't be able to until the late afternoons/evenings anyways. My aim nick is clmartyn and your more likely to catch me on than Tom. I think that festival sounds really cool. Could we do it Wednesday or Thursday evening then? As I said, we're booked up on Friday. Saturday we don't leave till 5, so we could potentially do a short get together Saturday as well. Chris, Zan, would Wednesday or Thursday night be possible?

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Anything is possible. I once nailed jello to a tree.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

What had the Jello done to displease you?

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

I'm afraid I can't talk about for oh... about five years and three months yet. You understand.

You said you're checking e-mail. Can we track your whereabouts via Hatrack?

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Yup, here we are arrived at the Grand Cypress and stunned by its beauty. We're not even sure what we'll do today. [Smile]

What luxury!

I'm sure we'll check email/Hatrack at least once a day.

Edit: We're in room 1038 in case you want to call us and leave a message there.

[ November 01, 2003, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: Christy ]

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

[Cry]

Have fun y'all!!!

I'm doing laundry in preparation for ANOTHER trip.

Are you jealous?

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Heck, yes! I wish someone would do MY laundry!

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

However, I'd want to bring Teres along and $100 for a few hours of food and wine may be a bit much. Can we meet for dinner whichever night you don't do the F&W thing?

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Hyatt Grand Cypress Hotel = 407-239-1234

You need to ask for Tom Davidson in room 1038.

(go, Tom and Christy! Debauched by luxury!)

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

We're open for dinner any night except Sunday. We'd love to do dinner as well. Went to Rainforest Cafe tonight. [Smile]

We're still on for the food and wine festival because Epcot is the only park currently open till 9pm and we'd like to see at least one park, so it looks like we'd end up there anyways. Besides, the new space ride is supposed to be very cool.

Thanks, CT for the phone number. I was too lazy to look it up online. We have to use wireless in the lobby, so no phone to check the number.

Did I mention that I really like this hotel? *grin*

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

The latter half of the week is going to be better for us for anything, both because we don't get paid until Wednesday, and because Mango seems to be coming down with the cold Banana just got over. [Frown]

How's about Friday for the Food and Wine festival?

We'd love to do dinner some other night as well, if things work out, but later in the week is still better for us.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Well, the only concern I might have is that it sounds like some people don't want to actually do the Food and Wine thing, mainly for cost reasons. And Friday's bad, given that it's the one day our family's visiting. Suggestions?

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Hold your own food & wine festival at the hotel. [Big Grin]

(but avoid those margaritas, eh?)

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

How about Thursday?

Are you up for the Food and Wine Festival one day and maybe a Hatrack dinner somewhere another day? Or is that more outings than you will have time for?

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

That could work. Take Wednesday and Thursday, Food and Wine one night and dinner the other. Thursday would work better for me for dinner, I have to work til 7 in Daytona Wednesday night.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Sounds great, actually. Hopefully, Christy will pop down and check the forum. [Smile]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Give her a hug for me, Tom. [Smile]

Cat is doing well. We are going to watch Moulin Rouge together today, in my ongoing campaign to win his trust without him noticing.

The bait: tinned cat food, fuzzy blanket, and warm legs. (So far, I'm 1 for 1. [Big Grin]

)

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Yaay the broadband is almost working again.

Wednesday and Thursday would be great. Tom gets out about 4:30, so we're free anytime after then. Where would we like to go for dinner? Keep in mind that we'll have to take a taxi, so someplace miles from the Hyatt wouldn't be very good for us unless someone wants to come pick us up.

*hugs CT* Have fun watching Moulin Rouge with cat!

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Are there any particular kinds of food you guys like or don't like? Steak? Seafood? Italian? Barbecue? etc?

Incidentally, you have the town's biggest concentration of restaurants right by you, without any need for a cab. Disney and the Hotel Plaza have dozens of nice full service restaurants that don't involve entering any parks and that are served by bus transportation from where you are.

[Smile]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Quick n easy would be the House of Blues restaurant at Downtown Disney, an exit or so away from you. Big free mall area, with lots of addictive stores like a huge Virgin Superstore and a Lego outlet (mmm, legos...).

I would suggest King Henry's Feast (medieval dinner show) but I've heard it shut down. Feh.

I'm not big on Thai, Indian or Vietnamese cuisine (low threshold for spices) but just about anything else is fine. And almost everybody has a few menu items for us gringo wusses.

[ November 03, 2003, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

Let me know which day you're going to have dinner. I won't be able to do EPCOT, but maybe dinner.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Icarus,

I don't really do seafood, but other than that we're pretty open and I can find things to eat if everyone else wants seafood. We frequent many different restaurants -- thai, indian, mexican, italian (both traditional and american), really pretty much anything. Pick a favorite restaurant. We'll trust you.

Hm...we haven't seen any bus service. There's a free shuttle at the hotel to on-site locations and to Disney on a very limited schedule. If you know of a nearby bus stop, please let us know. We've been taking the $7 minimum taxis the hotel provides to get to Downtown Disney.

Are we still on for Epcot on Wednesday, or do we want to scrap that idea? Sounds like Thursday is just better for everyone.

Posted by amira tharani (Member # 182) on :

Meh.
Come to London!

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Actually, I was just about to suggest Wednesday for Epcot and Thursday for dinner, unless everyone's against that. Wednesday works better for me (for Epcot) because my father will already be coming to meet the bus, which brings Mango home before we are able to get home. So it's not that big a hardship for him to stay and watch the girls for us, which is good because the F&WF is really not their speed. [Wink]

Regarding transportation: if you take the free shuttle to pretty much any Disney property, but most especially the Ticket and Transportation Center (en route to the Magic Kingdom), you can transfer over to another free bus, and get to any location on property, including Pleasure Island, for free.

[Smile]

Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :

Gee, too bad my work schedule and the distance are not conducive to my sneaking up there to meet you. [Frown]

Hope ya'll get together and have fun.

We expect a FULL report. [Smile]

**Ela**

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Of course, the cab is probably faster.

[Smile]

Two dinner suggestions, one pretty expensive and one more reasonably priced.

(Our own attendance will depend on how well the girls have gotten over their colds.) (Of course, I'm assuming here . . . does anybody object to us bringing our girls to dinner?)

More Expensive: The Hoop-Dee-Doo Review is a tongue-in-cheek musical vaudeville type show themed after the old west. Audience participation is encouraged. Food is all-you-can-eat salad, fried chicken, ribs, succotash, baked beans, and rolls, all you can drink soda, beer, or sangria, and huge helpings of strawberry short cake. Price is about $50 per person, and I might possibly be able to swing a discount, but no promises. Shows book up quickly, so if this is what people want to do, tell me as quickly as possible and I'll make the reservations. This restaurant is at the Fort Wilderness campground, which in my mind is one of the most beautiful settings at Disney World, but transportation to it, while free, is a pain in the neck. I'd love to give you a ride, but we'd have the girls with us, so unless you wanted to ride in the trunk . . .

Less expensive:'Ohana is a family style (i.e., all-you-can-eat, set menu, alcoholic drinks a la carte) restaurant featuring polynesian-themed but Westerner-friendly food. Salad, veggies, chicken, pork, shrimp, beef, and pineapple wedges with a caramel dipping sauce, and non-alcoholic drink. If you want dessert beyond that, it is a la carte. Price is $23.99 per adult plus tax and tip, but I can get a 20% discount here as well.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Oh, and on whatever day we do Epcot we could give you a ride to the park, if you guys aren't going until afternoon. Of couse, given that you will be paying for a full day at the park, you probably won't want to wait that late, unless your conference schedule gives you no choice. We work until 3:45, but we will try to sneak out early if it's Wednesday, since Wednesday afternoon we have meetings.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Thursday for dinner works great for me. I'd vote for the second dinner option. Bad time of the year for expensive dinners, and frankly I'd rather not meet you guys the first time at a place where there's no real chance to talk. Dinner theater would be overkill and, probably, not as entertaining [Smile]

That said, I'll try and manage whatever wins the toss.

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

I'll plan on Thursday for dinner.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Really, these types of gregarious love fests are just asking for trouble.

Someone should nuke FL just to keep you all from annoying the rest of us with your friendliness.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

[Taunt]

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

If you nuked FL, where would you people come for vacations?

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

I was actually just thinking about something....

It's fifty bucks just to get into the Food & Wine thing, and the food and wine in there won't be free, either -- meaning that we're probably saying at least $100 per person for the evening. That's a bit steep for my blood, especially since Christy and I were already considering checking out the Cirque de Soleil show (which is $76 a pop).

Considering that we're the kind of people who walked to Pizza Hut last night to avoid spending $25 per person for dinner downtown, there's a part of me that congenitally cringes at the thought of, you know, INDULGING in stuff.

On the other hand, Matrix: Revolutions opens tomorrow. And I can think of few shared events that more traditionally bind all Hatrackers together than the release of a major geek movie.

Assuming you guys aren't already taking Wednesday off work to catch the very first opening or something, what would you say to dinner on Thursday followed up by a movie?

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

How about movie Wednesday and dinner Thursday? I hate to just see a movie with Hatrackers, because then you lose most of the fun chat time.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

I have some cast member friends . . . what if I could score some free passes?

(No promises . . . )

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Given that free passes -- assuming they're legally obtained -- would save us $100 if we were to do the Epcot thing, I would have to be very stupid indeed to say no to that kind of offer, if available. [Smile]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Yeah, this would be legal. I am putting out feelers among my cast-worker friends, but I don't know if I can find something this quickly.

I can definitely sneak two people in quasi-legally, but I know not everybody is as ethically challenged as I am. [Smile]

The other possibility is that I might be able to get tickets not free but at a substantial discount . . .

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Again, a nuclear device detonated near this little gathering would not be amiss.

Not at all.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Okay, sorry guys. We've been a bit confused. We are going to go to Epcot Food and Wine fest tomorrow night. You are welcome to join us if you're able. Otherwise dinner Thursday is still good.

I think Icarus is posting much the same... *smile*

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

So dinner on Thursday? Sound off (Zan and Chris, this means YOU) and . . . if we're doing 'Ohana . . . I'll be happy to make the priority seating.

How many?

What time?

(Am I monopolizing? Sorry if I am . . . there's a fine line between filling a leadership void and being bossy. If people want to do something else, just say so!)

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Thursday works. Where? Earliest I could get there, depending on where "where" is, is probably around 7.

Scott - won't work. Hatrackers can't be killed by conventional weapons.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

'Ohana is at the polynesian resort (at Disney World . . . on the Magic Kingdom loop).

Tom and Christy: if you don't feel like riding in the trunk of our Aztek, and if nobody else offers you a ride, take your hotel's transportation toward the Magic Kingdom to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). From there you can walk (it's the big quasi-polynesian looking place just to the west), take another bus, or take the monorail.

-o-

Eek! Seven!

[ November 04, 2003, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: Megachirops ]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Tell me about it.

I'm working late tonight to cover elections so I can probably shave some time off my usual end-of-day (6pm), but I'll be coming from Daytona and picking up Teres along the way. 7 is a rough estimate.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

What's the verdict on children? We almost certainly cannot get babysitting on Thursday, but I don't want to inflict my children on any unwilling people . . .

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Children don't bug me. I have duct tape.

Besides, Bob spoke well of your parenting, and that's good enough for me (covertly checks duct tape supply).

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

We don't mind children [Wink]

We like children...Yum!

Sadly, as alluded to, the hotel transportation ends around 3pm to the parks, so unless we're going to get there REALLY early, we'll be begging for a ride, but we can take a taxi if there are no volunteers.

[ November 04, 2003, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Christy ]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

quote:
Bob spoke well of your parenting . . .

Yeah, but I don't know if I have enough money to pay all of you guys off like I did with Bob . . .

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Stay tuned for an update tomorrow, I'm thinking of just taking a half day so I can get to Orlando before the restaurant closes. I'll let you know what the verdict is.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Nuclear weapons are not considered 'conventional.'

Boom.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

True enough, but they still won't help. When the nuclear holocaust comes and goes, Hatrackers will still be here, arguing about homosexuality with the cockroaches.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

[Frown]

I wants me Christy & Tom back.

[Frown]

(Stupid resort paradise. [Grumble]

)

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Give in to the anger, CT.

Bitterness is your only salvation.

Join me, and together, we will nuke FL!

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Psst. Next on my list of areas to devastate-- the Pacific coast.

Gonna be a blast.

Guaranteed.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

I'm all about the bitter, Scott. Just say the word, and I'll be the first to help you flatten that hedonistic pleasure-den of iniquity.

Ratfink stupidheads got my Christy, and they ain't given her back. Only recourse is a thorough burnination on their stinkin' bums, methinks.

Arrrrrr. [Grumble]

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Awwwriiiiggght!

CT said burnination!

Whatever else happens, FL is SOOOO toasted.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

(Putting on extra sunscreen, just in case)

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

*cross-eyed hex-look

Aye be settin me sights on yer lilywhite parts, aye do. Prepares for the burnination, ye scurvy dogs.

[Mad]

Give 'er back, or ye'll be sorry.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

My lily-white parts are where I put the most sunscreen.

We'll give her back when we're through with her, in her original upright position, even.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Hmmmm. You better.

And none of that cloning thing, neither. I can tell. [No No]

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

It's a trick, CT.

You know they'll never give her back.

They never do.

She'll be forever looking southward, toward that Kingdom of Magic and Chaos.

Cut your losses.

Nuke them.

Now.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

(Alas, Scott, I have no big, beefy arm of my very own. I can only envy the destruction I could have wrought. [Big Grin]

I do, however, have a kickin' outfit of black leather pants, high-heeled black leather boots, black cashmere sweater, and black leather jacket. I can be Ennui, your neo-cafe-jazzcat sidekick with that annoying superpower of irritating everyone. [Wink]

)

[ November 05, 2003, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Hey, we let Bob go! Eventually.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

He escaped on his own, foul demon. And who knows how long his thoughts will linger on those sandy days of his youth. Who knows how long before the Big Mouse calls him back?

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

And you sent him to Texas-- poorer was he when you finished with him than when he started out.

[Big Grin]

And CT-- I don't go in for leather (more of a flannel guy myself) but whatever floats your boat.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

It's necessary for the whole annoying thing.

Flannel brings out the mellow, tuna-sandwich-on-toast, watching-old-movies under a quilt on a rainy day part of me. Pretty much the only superpower that gives you is bad breath, and while effective, it isn't exactly stylish.

Sidekicks gotta have style. My favorite sidekick ever was a chick called Lightning Bug, whose butt glowed when she used her electrical power. She grew up into bigger and better things, and she divorced the dude who named her.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

quote:
Who knows how long before the Big Mouse calls him back?

*sigh*

Hopefully not very.

[Frown]

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

quote:
We'll give her back when we're through with her, in her original upright position, even.

*is very disturbed*

*is drawn back by the beach, a hammock and a book* The mouse might not keep me here, but the sun sure will.

Although, fear not. Tom has been melting since he got here. I think he'll drag me back home by my hair before we'd live/stay here. And he hasn't even been out during the day. *giggle*

Me, I'm hoping to store up enough solar energy to keep me warm all through the gray midwest winter. *giggle* I really miss the sun in winter. I'm so solar powered.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Psst. Next on my list of areas to devastate-- the Pacific coast.

Hey! What'd we do? [Dont Know]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

PacNW get-together. [Mad]

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

psssst, CT, are you there?

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

But . . . but . . . I'm totally jealous of the PNW get-together! And they're WAAAAY up there, and y'all seem to be threatening the entire West Coast.

Fires and mudslides aren't enough? We're gonna get nuked too? [Angst]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Christy, emailing in between am chores.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

No, you won't be nuked, rivka.

I don't know yet how I will take out the PacNW cluster; but rest assured, you WILL be devastated.

Maybe an influx of fat Floridians. . .

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

O_O

fat?!?!

*sniff*

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

*pat pat*

icky, jexx uses awful qualifiers. I was showing her how the waistband of my current jeans is loose and she said "Wow, you aren't as fat."

me. "AS FAT?!"

Yeah, it stuck with me. o_O

Dang jexx and her qualifiers. She kept taking it back the whole weekend.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Yeah, FAT.

Get out while you still can, Porky McFatterson.

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

Scott is Evil.

Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :

Taking a vacation vicariously through Christy.
Did the movie project work on their cat CT?

Have fun down there for me!

AJ

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Wait 'til you see what I've got in store for Utah.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

What a poor, sad little Virginian.

*pat pat*

Don't burn yourself playing with explosives.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Don't worry-- I'll be fine.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Did Mommy lock the plutonium away?

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Is this where I'm supposed to come back with some witty comment, and we engage in a companionable tete-a-tete that will ultimately result in everyone smiling and hugging each other?

Sorry-- I don't go in for that.

The fact that your doom is assured is enough for me.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Did you guys bring this weather?

o_o

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

It's a side effect of the burnination.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

*laugh* I had to come in to the lobby! I'm so glad I avoided the torrent.

You evil jealous people! Don't ruin my vacation or you'll surely feel my wrath and it PALES in comparison to burnination. *evil cackle*

What do you think Icarus, is it supposed to last? I am pretty reluctant to buy any tickets at this point. *laugh*

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Oooooh ... I was talking about the heat wave, Christy. [Frown]

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Hopefully it will clear up soon. Although I am a bit worried about the lingering grayness throughout the sky. Everything I've heard from anyone about Florida storms, though, suggests that they blow through pretty quickly and this should too.

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

Sorry Christy, but those are summer storms. Winter rains are slow drizzles that last all day. Since we are between seasons (yes, we have seasons), it's a toss up.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

We have seasons?

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

I tired of figuring advantageous traffic times and just asked for tomorrow off. Easier that way.
My scheduled vacation is for the last week of November - coinciding with both my wife's birthday and the last week of NaNoWriMo - so I'll only need four vacation days, leaving me one to play with. And I am.

So we'll be heading over in the early afternoon, before the traffic gets too bad (an extremely relative thing). It also means we could offer a ride if you don't mind the back of a Tercel with sand in the floorboards.

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

I'm still going to try to make it tomorrow. Let me know what the plan is. I'm agreeable to almost anything as long as it won't keep me out too late.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

Rain? RAIN?!!!

I didn't want no friggin' rain!

I wanted storms of friggin' brimstone and atomic ash!

Razzum, frazzum. . .friggum. . .

You will all pay for my bitterness.

It's really all your fault.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

So? Plan? Times? Places? Anybody?

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

YOU CAN'T HAVE THEM BACK!!!!

WE NEED THEM!!!!

THEY ARE STAYING!!!!!

::looks around fiercely::

We chickened out of the food and wine festival on account of the monsoon. Predictably, it didn't rain again. *sigh*

So we went to Melting Pot and had fondue instead, and did some shopping at Downtown Disney. Currently, Tom and Christy are watching The Matrix: Revolutions; we had to poop out early because we do work tomorrow.

I thought we clicked right away. After the first five or ten minutes, there was never a lull in the conversation. We are profoundly jealous of all of you Wisconsin people.

We will miss them when they're gone!

*pout*

If they ever make it back!
If we ever let them leave!
::tents fingers and cackles gleefully::

-o-

So . . . dinner around five-thirty? How many people? Will Mrs. Bates be joining us?

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Teres and I can be in town by then and could probably get to their hotel by 4:30, he said optimistically. Would that work?

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Die, foul bastard. [Mad]

I burninate you, and your puny little state, too.

_________
|Wisconsin|----------\\
|_________|-----------\\
.............................\\------\\
(flames o' burnination).\\------\\
.........................................\\
..........................................\\
........................................-------
........................................\...../
.........................................\.../
..........................................\./
...........................................V

.............................. ______________
..............................| Stupid Florida|
..............................|...................|
..........................................|.......|
..........................................\___/

[Mad]

[ November 05, 2003, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Wow . . . a CT double-post.

We really must have shaken her!

[Big Grin]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Pah. I spit on you.

I'm busy working on the burnination map. Hold still for a minute, I've almost got it. [Grumble]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Use the [ code ] attribute tags.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Vile Beast. I know not this [ code ] of what you speak. But forsooth! Know that the mighty flames of my burnination are yet making their way to you, albeit through a rather erratic course. But they will get there ...

... unless you release the damsel from your fiendish clutches.

WI--------------------->Stupid Florida

(a simplified map of the burnination that is coming)

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

CT, check your email, or I will burninate YOU. [Mad]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

mac, I have nothing in my email account pending from you. ??? Should I?

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

(I'm still going to fry Florida, though. And griddle the panhandle, roast the hosts, flambe the Floridians, and crisp their slavering whiskers.)

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Nyah, nyah! You don't frighten us, English pig-dog! Go and boil your bottoms, son of a silly person. I blow my nose on you, so-called CeeTee, you and your silly burminghamination!

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

code:

 
 § § § § §  (waves o' stink)
 _________
|Wisconsin|----------\\
|in flames|-----------\\
|_________| <==        \\------\\
              \\        \\------\\ (flames o' burnination)
               \\                \\
                \\                \\ 
                 \\------\\     -------
 {flames o'       \\------\\    \     /
  Old Guy Poop™)           \\    \   /
                            \\    \ / 
                             \\    V
                            ___________________
  (Flames reflect off of   | Beautiful Florida |
   protective shield made  \__________         |
   from the used Depends              |        |
   of retirees.)                       \   o o |
                                        \   O  |   <===== (Tom and Christy)
                                          \    |          (Who are with US and
                                           \__/            not you!)

[ November 05, 2003, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: Megachirops ]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Little boy-man, I've already crisped your whiskers. Your beard, too.

[Evil]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Florida. Sucks. Ants.

For money.

And eats elderberries.

You and your stupid diaper jokes. Just you wait. I have plans. *evil laughter

*retreats, moping ... "you can't have them" ... [Frown]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

*quickly crafts decoy TomD and Christy from palm fronds and leaves them out where Wisconsin Hatrackers can see them*

<ahem, cough, cough> Help! Save us! We've been kidnapped by the wily and handsome Floridians who are much slimmer than photos would have you believe! Please rush down here without thinking logically and save us!

*wiggles the fake Davidsons convincingly, waits*

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

You SHOULD.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

*giggle*

I think we clicked right away as well! Heck, we even stood and chatted until the very last moment outside the theater. *grin*

*just heard the word snow from family members*
*thinks of sending a stunt double back to Wisconsin*
*or better yet, hires a posse to kidnap CT and drag her down to FL*

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Problem: I waited and waited for a response from each Central Florida Hatracker, and now find myself unable to make a priority seating for 10 (4 of us, 2 Davidsons, 2 Bridgeses, and an indeterminate number of Bateses). We could show up anyway, and wait until they create a table for us, or we could go somewhere else. Since nobody else is with me--I am using my cell phone to post this--I made a unilateral decision, which is by no means binding. I don't want anyone to think I'm taking over, but I didn't want us to find ourselves with fewer options later on. We can always scrap or change this.

I made a priority seating for 6 pm at Jeko (sp?), the African-inspired restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They did NOT guarantee me a single table, but I figured we could get there early and tell them this is what we want, and just socialize while we wait. Jeko (sp?) has delicious and unusual food, in a beautiful setting. After dinner, it is possible to see into the AK preserve, where some animals graze.

Jeko (sp?) is pricier than 'Ohana. I do get a 20% discount there as well, though.

What should I/we do?

[Dont Know]

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

I'm so hungry. I want food at Jeke's. [Frown]

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

Sorry I haven't responded but I been somewhat in limbo. Mrs.B won't be showing as she will be home with Ryan.

I am currently waiting to see if I will need to drive to Wildwood today to hold a contractor's hand that is working on a FDOT project. [Grumble]

He doesn't actually need to have his hand held, but he is screaming that the work can't be done even though he's been doing this same type of work for years. He's hoping to get a nice change order to increase his profits and DOT won't call his bluff. [Grumble]

I should know soon after lunch.

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

No worries, we'll go with whatever works. Um, what's served at an African-themed restaurant, anyway?

Unless we get told otherwise, I'm planning on heading to T&C's hotel by 4:30 - 5 or thereabouts. Does that suit?

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

We're game for whatever as well and Jeko did sound really neat, albeit pricey. 4:30-5 sounds good to us. You need our hotel room number to get into the complex: 1038, and I think we know where to meet you now after missing Icarus and Cor who were led to a guest parking lot we didn't know about.

*excited*

Edit: English is good. [Wink]

And tut, tut looks like rain again. [Razz]

[ November 06, 2003, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: Christy ]

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

:gives up:

Pfeh.

I'm bored.

Bitterness is difficult for me to sustain.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Come down to Florida, Scott!

We find it to be the perfect cure for bitterness!

[Big Grin]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

quote:
Um, what's served at an African-themed restaurant, anyway?

Sample Menu for Jiko

Man, it's nice to be back at a real computer!

Most of the entrees are actually pretty normal at heart, although possibly presented with odd combinations. When I ate there, I think I had some sort of steak, but it was served over some sort of unusual caviar. As far as steak goes, it was wonderful. I think the appetizers are where you really get the most creative exposure.

[Smile]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

quote:
*quickly crafts decoy TomD and Christy from palm fronds and leaves them out where Wisconsin Hatrackers can see them*

<ahem, cough, cough> Help! Save us! We've been kidnapped by the wily and handsome Floridians who are much slimmer than photos would have you believe! Please rush down here without thinking logically and save us!

*wiggles the fake Davidsons convincingly, waits*

Hmmm. Well, the fake frondy things are convincing, and the wiggling was exquisitely done. Excellent content to the argument as well.

However, Mr. Bridges, that is obviously far too many words for Tom to spout in just one post. And Christy would never exhort someone not to think logically! She is a veritable Vulcan, if you hadn't noticed.

Aha, you tricksy little beastie. I caught you, you and your wily Floridian ways. (Good knack with the photos, though. Can you make me much slimmer than I appear in pics, too? [Big Grin]

)

[ November 06, 2003, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

quote:
Can you make me much slimmer than I appear in pics, too?

Yes.

Come down here and we'll show you.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

[Smile]

But I'd have to leave behind all my hulking parkas and insulated boots. Whatever would I do?

Posted by TomDavedson (Member # 5884) on :

Yes, CT. Come to Florida.

We love it here.

We are not leaving.

We didn't realize how much we would like it, but now we are staying.

It's much better than Wisconsin.

At least come visit.

Just for a day or two.

COME NOW, DAM--I mean, we think you'll like it.

And we're nuking Wisconsin next week. j/k [Smile]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

[Smile]

I'd like anyplace you guys are. Ic and Chris and the whole shebang would be an incredible treat. Unfortunately, I work tonight, and when I'm not working this weekend, I have to be ready at a moment's notice covering backup call.

However, I am trying to get free for Shakespeare on the 13th or 14th, if the tickets are still available. I should know tomorrow. *fingers crossed

[notice how clever I am about remarking on prior engagements in order to guilt you two into coming back]

[ November 06, 2003, 01:20 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

Posted by Cristy (Member # 5885) on :

Come here and we'll put on our own Shakespeare!

Come soon!

::wiggles convincingly::

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

I am most likely out. I'm on my way to a meeting which they are at least having in Deland. I doubt it will be over soon enough for me to make it down to Disney.

I'm sorry. I was looking forward to meeting Tom and Christy and Chris and Teres, but I can't get out of this.

Crap, this is twice now I've missed out-of-town jatraqueros.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Why don't you call my cell when you're done? We might still be at it . . .

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

We'll be sorry to miss you Zan. Do call, though, because if last night was any judge, we'll be chatting for quite a while. We'd love to see you even if you can't make it for dinner.

Chris has just called to let me know he's leaving. [Wink]

Hopefully traffic won't be TOO bad for him.

Ooooh, where are you seeing Shakespeare, CT? *turns eye to the north* The only place I know of is the players theater and that's outdoors. *shivers*

*is incredibly bored today and all attempts at knitting indoors have been very pathetic*

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Four pages . . . talk about your ego threads!

[Eek!]

Why don't you guys give me a call when Chris gets to your hotel, and then we'll head out to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. (Let me know if you read this; otherwise, I'll call you with the same message.)

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Hi folks!

I really like Jiko's wine list. Mostly S. African and Australian vintages, but really, really good.

I'm sort of surprised you opted for there (the upscale place) versus Boma's (which is a buffet with lots of choices, including some standard fare for those who can't imagine a meal of "weird foods."

Oh well. Now I REALLY wish I was going.

[Grumble]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Actually, my impression of Boma was that it had less standard fare, except for Mac&Cheese at the kids' station.

I don't remember caring for it much.

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

The temperature dropped thirty degrees in the last 24 hours. I'd do almost ANYTHING to be where y'all are.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Well, the reservations are for ten people . . . we have room for you!

[Big Grin]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

Wow, we had the farthest to drive and no one's posted? I knew it, we traumatized all of you...

Well, we did attempt to kidnap the Davidsons by luring them to IHOP on the way back to their hotel with Belgian waffles and strawberries, but it only lasted an hour or so and then they overpowered the waitress and broke free. Curses!

And now here is why you should never buy the cheapest digital camera you can find, as we did. First, they actually snap the picture a second or so after you click the button so you get lots of pictures of people dropping their poses and looking down. Also if it's dark the LED screen shows you nothing, so you have to approximate (i.e. guess) where everyone is, which means you get lots of pictures of half-people.
So out of the shots we took tonight, here's two manageable ones.

http://www.chrisbridges.com/photos/tomnchristy.jpg
Tom and Christy after dinner at Jiko's at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where we marveled at the carvings and amazing architecture and the fact that the gift shop wanted $3 for a tiny charm bracelet.

http://www.chrisbridges.com/photos/hatrackers.jpg
Here we see the Megachiropses, the Davidsons, and me. Teres volunteered to take all the pictures so she wouldn't be in them, and I cropped the kids out because I've gotten into the journalistic habit of never posting pictures of utterly adorable little girls on the Web without parental OKs. You'll have to take my word for it, they were incredibly cute.
The lighting effect is due to us stnading underneath a wall display, and not because of any messianistic properties I may or may not possess.

A good time and excellent dinner was had by all, and this time it was our little foursome that couldn't stop talking and hung around the lobby for another twenty minutes after the definite goodbye hugs, no kidding this time, for sure. They're not even out of the state yet and I miss 'em. Sigh.

So, who's next? Florida's a big place, we've got enough rain for all of you!

[ November 06, 2003, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Wow Chris! After looking at that second picture all I can say is you are positively GLOWING!!!

Cheap camera indeed! It was just overwhelmed by your luminance!

Great shots of everyone else though.

STILL JEALOUS!

[Wave]

Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :

You were there in spirit, as were a lot of other Hatrackers that got talked about and cherished.

Say, did you know that when you walk around outside the Animal Kingdom Lodge and look at the animals at night, while they're sleeping, it's okay to use flash photography but a real bad idea to sneak up and poke them for a better picture? Important safety tip, just wanted to share.

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

There's a name for people who poke animals at night.

[Eek!]

Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :

quote:
while they're sleeping, it's okay to use flash photography but a real bad idea to sneak up and poke them for a better picture?

I've heard the same thing goes for Bob.

[Grumble]

I didn't see the message to call you guys til this morning, but I didn't have the # with me anyway. I wish I could've been there. Strangely, it sounds like it was more fun than my meeting was.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

What a good time. The food was excellent, although we did pass on the wine and dessert. Banana and Mango were absolutely adorable. Tom was thinking they are twins? (If so, that was the first thing he remembered that I didn't. *grin*)

Tom and I are funny. [Smile]

We like weird food. This was a good place for us. Great food, great company. We had fun. So much fun, in fact, that Tom didn't want to go to sleep last night and chatted with me as I pulled the pillow over my head and attempted sleep. I woke up startled at 3am because I didn't remember actually ever going to sleep.

It was great to chat with Chris and Teres, although Teres and I actually did very little chatting because the boys were being all technical. [Wink]

We missed Bob and Zan, but perhaps another visit, then? You are all welcome if ever you are in yonder Wisconsin as well.

Chris!! I must protest! What an awful picture of the two of us!!! *laugh* And I notice no belly shot accompanies it [Razz]

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Two things:

1) Hatrackers are fantastic people. And they have fantastic children. [Smile]

2) Chris may have the worst digital camera I've ever seen, but he has the best reason for having one that I've ever heard.

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

[Smile]

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Teres is one of my favorite people in the whole world.

What's this about belly shots??? You guys did belly shots at a Disney restaurant??? [Eek!]

I thought I felt a disturbance in the force!

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Okay, so where are those decoys we're going to send back on our flight to Ohare? Its 30 degrees up there! *shocked* I don't think I can deal with that.

Thanks so much guys. We had a lot of fun! And we did make it out to see Cirque last night with my aunt. What a show!!!

Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :

It has been trying to snow all day up here but not quite suceeding more than spitting a couple of flakes.

Time to pull out the long underwear!

AJ