Be Careful Using the "A-Word"

What did we learn on this trip?
Do not invoke the word "adventure" prior to going on vacation.

Before I elaborate on that, let me state that we had a wonderful time in Disneyland. We spent two 10+ hour days in the park (my daughter was tireless) and both of us enjoyed ourselves immensely. She is a great companion: cheerful, brave, enthusiastic, and considerate.

"But wait -" I hear you say. "Weren't you going to spend three days in the park?"

Why yes. We had a wonderful two days in Disneyland.

Prior to our actual arrival in Disneyland. . .

( What you get when you invoke the A-word )

But things got much better from there. . . .

Disneyland - The Arrival

For a Queen of Swords, I can be an emotional mush-ball. Walking into the plaza between the entrance to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure (more on which later), with the music playing, I got tears in my eyes. I must have teared up five or six times throughout the stay, overcome by memories or just old-fashioned schmaltz, but that was part of the reason we came.

The Daughter was wide-eyed as we went under archways into Main Street USA and saw the horse-drawn trolleys and the completely different world. Sleeping Beauty's castle didn't seem to impress her much (I don't understand that child sometimes), but -- just like I had some thirty years ago -- she went straight for the Teacups. It was early, the line was short, and soon we were spinning around and she was shouting, "I love this!"

Next stop was the Matterhorn, which made her nervous. It's a very big ride. I tried to reassure her by telling her that even I, who didn't usually like big roller coasters, really liked this one, and she took my word for it.

I had forgotten that the ride begins with a climb in darkness, then red eyes appear. I was really worried she was going to freak out. The abominable snowman appeared next, and she shrieked -- but I think that was the last time she expressed anything like alarm during the entire visit. We started to swoop, she started to scream with delight -- and after that there was no holding her back.

A Visit to the Muppet Show

On Day 2 of Actually Being in the Parks, we hit Disney's California Adventure, a first for me.

Wandering through the Hollywood Boulevard area, we almost walked past the "Muppets in 3-D" attraction. I might have continued on by -- although I've always loved the Muppets -- but the guide books all agreed this was a Must-See.

( I have always been able to suspend disbelief at the drop of a hat. )

Seduction Time

Via "The Natural" dancingchaplain

This one definitely fits. . . .

I am the Ideal Lover Most people have dreams in their youth that get shattered or worn down with age. They find themselves disappointed by people, events, reality, which cannot match their youthful ideals. Ideal Lovers thrive on people's broken dreams which become lifelong fantasies. You long for romance? Adventure? Lofty spiritual communion? The Ideal Lover reflects your fantasy. He or she is an artist creating the illusion you require. In a world of disenchantment and baseness, there is limitliess seductive power in following the path of the Ideal Lover. Symbol: The Portrait Painter. Under his eye, all of your physical imperfections disappear. He brings out noble qualities in you, frames you in a myth, makes you godlike, immortalises you. For his ability to create such fantasies, he is rewarded with great power.

What Type of Seducer are You?
created by polite_society

What's interesting is that "those whom I love, I write about" -- and I do idealize them, set them in myth, just as the "portrait painter" in the quiz. It can be very seductive. . . but can also end up a trap for both parties, because it can become very, very difficult to maintain that atmosphere of fantasy fulfillment. Eventually the painter/writer becomes tired, or reality simply breaks through.

I need to find the happy medium between my natural tendency to mythologize and the need to have a relationship which can take in stride the falliable humanity of myself and my partner.