Magical Express from Hell - The Vacation Story, Part 1

As my previous post mentioned, The Thomas Family vacation never fails to be entertaining and full of excitement. This reigns true to form with this last vacation, one that will not make the top 10 list, but also will never be forgotten either.

Vacation began as normal. I was packed and ready to go when my parents and Mason pulled up at 9 am on Friday, July 16th. First to be dropped off was Pecker, the bird. He had learned a new trick and was whistling his way into the boarders, as was Mason all the way to the vets. He was placed next to a bird who's favorite line was, "Oh crap." We were sure that Pecker would be returning with this precious new vocabulary, at this point it was our only worry. The three Musketeers: Jake, Daisy and Max were the next to be dropped off. They were heading to Doc's for the week, they are always spoiled and adored the entire time they are there. Max was whining and barking from the back. Daisy sat and shook and Jake sat proudly on his spot on the console of the car. With all the animals dropped off, we were headed to the airport and made it by 10 am, which is exactly how dad likes it. We had our bags checked in and we were heading to security by 10:15. Did I mention the surprise of the $100 fee we were charged by American Airlines for our luggage. $25 a bag + 4 bags = $100. Seriously? What is up with that? We already paid $500 for airfare for a weeks vacation. You have to bring luggage and we don't want to be the douchebags that try and carry on all our luggage and take up all the overhead bin space! We pay for meals, snacks, movies and taking up air on a plane, now we have to pay to bring luggage too! AMAZING! Anyway. We made it to our gate by 11 am. We were seating and eating our meal of Burger King and Cinnabon happily (it's vacation, we love to eat!). As a true believer in signs, I should have taken the next few events as hints to the upcoming doom and we should have turned around and left.

Now, the next part of this story is not meant to be racist or stereotypical, but just part of the story. No offense is intended. While waiting, Mom is doing what she does best, people watching. Every few seconds she nudges me to point out another fashion victim, an idiot with a giant wedgie, a nose picker, etc. I usually acknowledge her find and then continue on with whatever I am doing, in this case I was engrossed in my newest book. She soon points out a man sitting about 4 seats away from us. She says, "I hope he isn't next to me on the plane." I look over and at first glance I don't really notice anything off. He is wearing jeans, a polo shirt, and ball cap. He matched, he looked clean, so I continued on with just a nod. Mom kept up. "No, seriously. I do not want that man next to me." What in the world? Look closer she tells me, specifically, look at what he is reading. I do, and it happens to be a book about one of the top leaders in a middle east terrorist group. Seriously? I look closer at the man, and he is middle eastern. Now, I understand that people read books, and that just because the man was middle eastern and reading a terrorist book doesn't mean that he is one. However, in defense of America and what we have gone through...I might have rethought this action. Well, now I am obsessed with this. I know it's bad, but I was watching his every move. By about 11:45 he'd gotten up and left. Now, I can't tell you if he boarded a plane or if he moved places, but he was gone. The next thing I hear was an announcement over the intercom, "All boarding and departure of planes are stopped because of a security breech." What? Are you kidding me? I look over at my parents, and they are calm. I'm freaking out, but they are just sitting there like it's no big deal. Maybe I'm overreacting, it's unusual, but it happens.

Dad insists that it's time to go stand by the gate, it was close to 12:15. Of course, I had heard the announcement 2 more times by this time, so I was having a hard time understanding why we had to go stand when we were seated just fine, but I wasn't going to argue. Needless to say, after standing for a good 10 minutes, I asked them if they had heard the announcement? My parents, deaf, hear nothing. So, I shouldn't be surprised that they had not heard. Dad blows it off and Mom, like me, immediately looked around for the man observed earlier. I guess that apple didn't fall too far from the tree. Our 12:50 flight departure turned into a 2:00 flight departure. A small red flag has appeared. Next stop Dallas Ft.Worth Airport.

Landing was rough, take off was rough. We are late getting into Dallas, but it shouldn't be a problem because we aren't changing planes. Wrong! After all the people get off the plane, we all take this chance to stretch our legs and change seats. We aren't sitting together. Dad and I will be sitting several seats away from one another and 10 rows up from where Mom and Mason are sitting. Not ideal, but it's only a 2 hour flight, so we will be okay. We landed at 5:45 and we were supposed to take off again at 6:30. Hmmmwatch a complimentary movie. Well, considering most of us don't leave without our own headsets for our IPhone, etc, it's not quite the same...but, I'll take it.

The flight does go on without too many hitches. We are going to be late, very late getting into Orlando, but we will get there. It's just after midnight when we land. We are able to get our luggage quickly, with the plane switch I am almost positive ours is on top. My bag comes back with a tag that reads, heavy...that's rude, but it's time to go to the hotel. We have been to Florida almost every single year for the past 13 years. We have used the Magical Express for the past 5 years, yet, we get lost trying to find it. Why did I pack so much? I am regretting this as I drag a 50 pound bag around the airport. Oh, yeah and I'm sweating again. After 3 attempts, we finally make it to the bus. And again, we wait. We wait for 4 more people to arrive, and we are able to finally leave. It is well after 1 am by the time we arrive at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House. We go to check in and they don't have a reservation for us? It takes 15 minutes to figure this out, and another 15 minutes to actually get to our hotel room...longest hallway ever! By 3:00 am we are in our room, and finally getting to bed. We are excited for the next day and are planning on heading to Epcot first. We figure our biggest excitement will be our dinner for the next night and possibly seeing Mickey Mouse. So wrong...

National Lampoon's Thomas Family Vacation

Mark Twain said it best, "There is no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." And I think we can all agree that this is even true when it is time for a FAMILY vacation. Every year the Thomas family will go on one big trip. Lately we are stuck on Walt Disney World...aka...hotter than hell humid! We always have a good time, laugh, and truly enjoy being with one another. However, my family is so different that the trip is usually humorous because of our own reactions. I can't help but think that keeping a daily journal of our adventures would be quite comical. So here goes....

The Thomas Family

Vacation

Let's get to know our key players ....

Dad, Big Daddy, or The larger obnoxious one. He begins planning and putting a lot of work into our vacations in January. He is always good about making this the easiest trip for us and that we have fun. He is also a Virgo and although we do not leave until Friday, his suitcase is already out and it will be fully packed before the end of the day on Tuesday. His books, IPAD, Computers will be stacked neatly in order of usage in his favorite man purse. He will now begin letting us know each day, "In just ____ days we will be having dinner with Mickey Mouse. At this time next week, we will be eating sugar cookies while watching fireworks." This is when we say that Dad is officially in Vacation Mode. There are times when we wait for him to sprout Mickey ears and start whistling zippa-doda-zippa -de-day out his rear end. 

Mason, aka little one, Dad's Mini Me, and Bubba, or the little obnoxious one. He does nothing to help in preparation. He has no clue what goes into his suitcase, if he has enough underpants and we are sure he doesn't really care about it. Oh, make sure that fluff butt gets packed and he will oversee the packing of his carry ons. As the carry on will need to include all of his DS games, extra sticks. chargers, yugio cards, coloring books, IPOD music and movies, a blanket, and his pillow...crucial items for an airplane trip. By Thursday night he will be running around like a mad man, getting the dogs riled up, but he will not contribute in anyway. 

Mom, Mama T, or Mommy: she tries to hard to refrain from packing all her favorite outfits, and matching flippy flops. She gets a large bag and tries to make it all fit into one, but then she starts sneaking her stuff into our bags. Of course, all of this is done the night before we are scheduled to leave. During packing, she will call me multiple times to check and double check and verify all the outfits, underpants, hair dryers, and hair products are accounted for.

Brandi or Andi: the procrastinator, the one that defies all the rules and doesn't care. I am only allowed one suitcase, that is OK I have the Big Foot of all suitcases. Only 3 pairs of shoes? Really, because I will hide 3 more pairs of flip flops. Of course, I play around with clothes and outfits with shoes for several hours, pack everything I own and then whine when I can get my suitcase shut and when it nearly drags me down the stairs in a rush to my death! Of course, I would get so much more done if mom would stop calling me every few minutes....

These are just our preparations prior to departure. Just wait until those updates come....there is nothing quite like the Thomas Family on the loose...It tends to be a little like The Beverly Hill Billies. Good Luck Florida....See you Friday....

Manservations

Are they really as different as we think?

Men. An interesting topic to observe...aka my manservations. As a young female who has been running the dating scene for 19 years (ugh, seriously that is almost 2 full decades) I still fall under the same spells as I did when I waited by the phone for my 16 year old boyfriend to call me for the first time. What is that? I hate not being able to figure something unknown out. So, I've decided to begin making observations...specifically manservations. I figure that if I observe enough of their behavior, I'll eventually have an epiphany and I will hold the secrets of what we, woman, need to know in order to continue co existing with these creatures.

My hypothesis...they are not any different than we are. In fact, we are very much a like, which is why we haven't figured each other out. We expect to find some hidden treasure double locked with the male secrets and vice versa.

Here is what I do know:

I know the female species pretty well, considering I have been one for 28 years. We really aren't these complicated creatures that we seem to be portrayed as. On Saturday, sitting around a pool, drinking margaritas with my best girlfriends reminded me of this. There were 5 woman together, all of different size, different personality, and all from a different background. 6 hours by the pool says a lot about the type of people we are. Did we talk about getting pedicures, when our next hair appointment was, what we wore on our last night out, losing weight, you know the typical "girly" stuff? Of course, we are girls after all. After that, just about every topic was a go. We gossiped, we discussed the "boys" in our lives in detail to the point of embarrassment (had we been with anyone else but each other), techniques, bodily functions, the "what not to do" series, basically anything under the sun was up for discussion, jokes, and of course ammunition. At some points, I thought to myself if we are talking about these things, could the male species be doing the same? What happens during their own male bonding time? I don't know, but I'm willing to do some research to find out. 

Manservation 1:

The above group of subjects are the youngest in our observation. They range from the youngest at 9 with the oldest at 10. These could be your all American good boys. They come from good homes, make good grades, have been best friends since they were 5, and are your athletes. Subjects have been viewed in many different situation, however, best observations comes from being trapped in the small confines of a moving vehicle. Well, the road trip was blessed with discussions of who picks their nose in class, who has a girlfriend, if the girlfriend picks their nose in class, is there gas passed, if so, what kind was it, did it smell, can you smell mine, etc. It was disgusting. Then it slowed down after all the giggling subsided and some real conversation began. They talked about their friend that kissed so and so, their dad that hit another man at Red Robin once, their favorite school subjects, movies, songs. They talked about everything and actually never stopped talking until each of the boys were dropped off at their front door...of course, not without a fart to think about them with.

Although, on a much more subdued level, these little male creatures weren't too different from my own girlfriends. Hmmmm...we may be on to something here.

Manservation 2

Middle School Aged Boys will become my manservation 2. These are truly a complicated group of species. They certainly look older and bigger than the first manservation, but are they any different? Let's see. I'm not sure if it's considered a privilege or it is considered punishment, but I've been stuck in locker rooms and small confinements of buses with this group of subjects. What occurs: gas passing, towel swatting, your mama insults, and a long line of profanity. Of course, when I observed the one on one situations their conversations were getting scarily close to my own types of conversations. Getting something here....

So, keeping with the grouping, review the next 2 manservations, high school graduates and a grown man.

Manservation 3

Girl talk - check, discussion of gas - check,  jokes about inappropriate things - check, gossip about friends - check, taking forever to get ready - check.

Manservation 4

These species, called grown men are still unknown to me. I have been around many, but have yet to figure this out. Still need time to research. Will get back to you on this one!

What I did learn? "Boys" aren't much different than females. Breaking it down helped me realize that the only reason we feel they are complicated comes from the unknown. Now, girls can rest assured, that they aren't doing anything wrong! Nice!

The Road Not Traveled

About a year ago I began writing for fun. It started as a way to encourage my students. If they saw me writing and going through the process they went through; they bought the concepts. As much I love to write, sharing is scary. I like my words, but what if others don't? So, I'm facing my fears and posting the first few pages of a story called, "The Road Not Traveled." Please be honest and tell me what you think.

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This is a historical romance based on the true accounts of my very own grandmother, Ethel (Polly) Elizabeth. She lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She worked at Tinker Airfields on the base where she met many young military men heading in and out of Germany during WWII. Polly kept her end of the bargain and did what she could to help "Our boys" overseas and that included spending many nights participating in the Bob Hope USO activities. Polly was gorgeous, young, and in love with the all American Dream.

She met many men, fell in love many times, had her heart broken, and then found the true love of her life. This story takes place in Oklahoma, during war time, and has the most romantic ending of all.

Enjoy my interpretations as I take on the role of my grandmother and describe one of the most important moments in her life.

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The Road Not Traveled

By Brandi L. Thomas

April 15, 2009

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,  
And sorry I could not travel both  
And be one traveler, long I stood  
And looked down one as far as I could  
To where it bent in the undergrowth;          
  
Then took the other, as just as fair,  
And having perhaps the better claim  
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;  
Though as for that, the passing there  
Had worn them really about the same,   
  
And both that morning equally lay  
In leaves no step had trodden black.  
Oh, I marked the first for another day!  
Yet knowing how way leads on to way  
I doubted if I should ever come back.  
  
I shall be telling this with a sigh  
Somewhere ages and ages hence:  
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,  
I took the one less traveled by,  
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Preface

    “Oh, Polly, you didn’t!”

    His voice kept running through my head, the same words over and over again. The look of hurt and betrayal that bore into me will haunt me for the rest of my existence. This moment has imbedded into my soul so deeply that I don’t think it will ever leave me. I don’t know how long I had been leaned against the closed front door; I don’t know how long I had allowed the tears to fall from my eyes. I was grateful of the very empty house and lonely evening which awaited me. I could not allow Fred to see me this way. He must never know the events of today. With shaky legs I managed to stumble my way to the kitchen to poor a tumbler of Vodka into a class. There is no time to add the orange juice; I just need the warmth of the alcohol to make this pain go away. I glanced down in surprise when my full glass was too empty too soon. With wobbly hands I poured another glass; I wasn’t sure this was going to calm my nerves. Although the burn rolling down my throat did seem to exstinguish the fire tearing my heart apart. A few more sips would provide me exactly what I need right now…a chance to become unconscious and forget about the events of this afternoon. I couldn’t think about the fact that the love of my life, the one man I longed to complete me walked into my life nearly a year after I thought he was killed and 3 months after I had chosen to marry another man. I filled my glass once more while I thought about the slow crumble of my heart as he took one step after another from me pulling my soul along with him.. I drained the vodka savoring the bitterness of the flavor while I trudged the 28 wooden steps to the bedroom I shared with my new husband. As I met my desired location, I knew I had far too much on my mind to sleep.

As I sank back into the mountain of pillows on the king sized bed my husband’s family gave us as a wedding gift my head began to spin. Physically my red swollen eyes may be staring into the blackness of the night, but my mind and heart where in a completely different place. I felt the hot stream of tears begin, and the edges of my heart begin to burn once again. I closed my eyes and let the darkness fully take me. My body ached for this time.


Chapter 1

1940, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

        I hesitated for just an instant as I heard the familiar chime of the clock in the living room announcing it was 7:30 PM. I knew I only had a moment before Ailene would be here; I had just enough time for one more check in the mirror. The reflection did not disappointment. Gone were the confines of my work clothes, and replaced with a dress I was hoping would give the soldiers something to want to come home to.

    Glancing sideways, I checked my hair first. Perfectly in place with my mohageny hair pinned back with the delicate butterfly comb my father gave me for my last birthday. The curls fell thickly around my shoulders. I carefully puckered my lips to apply the new shade of red lipstick. I couldn’t help but smile wickedly as I rubbed my lips together thinking of the boys who passed by me this afternoon. The base was bustling with the soldiers just coming back from their last deployment. Their eyes displayed their eagerness for a good time. The soft burgundy fabric of my dress smoothed out against my body hitting just below my knees. I carefully slipped into my favorite black patent leather peep toed heels. My freshly painted toes matched the red on my lips. The butterflies of anticipation fluttered in my stomach just as I heard the familiar sound of Ailene’s car pull into the driveway. I quickly added a few essentials to my favorite black patent leather clutch and closed the front door behind me.

    As I made my way towards the car the excitement built up in me further. I waited all week for Friday nights, for a few hours where I could be the center of the universe for our nations heroes. Ailene is leaning forward using the rearview mirror to check her reflection.  Her brand new pearl colored 1940 Chevy purred in my driveway. I couldn't help myself. I allowed my hand to run along side passenger side touch the acrylic which felt like smooth silk. I settled into the the soft fabric in the front as Ailene abruptly placed the car in reverse as we headed down the street . By the time we were down at the stop sign we were both giggling and talking about the prospects from this afternoons officer return.

Continue or Not???

   

SuMmEr TiMe

"Summer is where the girls go barefoot and their hearts are just as free as their toes."

Summer. The time of year where the days are longest and the nights are shortest. 3 months every child looks forward to and every teacher counts down to. I love summer. It is my favorite time of year, and not just because I get the months June, July, and August off. It helps, but it's not the sole reason. I have worked summer months, taken a full load of classes to complete a degree or 2, and had times where I never felt the warm sunshine on my face, being trapped in an office building. As a result, I appreciate these months, and take full advantage of this job perk! 

When I was young, I used to hate Las Vegas in the summer. There are times, in the midst of the blazing heat, that I wish I was somewhere else. The place I imagined to be the perfect summer place, a creation made by too many Lifetime movies, romance novels, and daydreaming during the months of January, February, and March.

In my head, I dreamed of sunsets, 

long walks on the beach...

a country porch, a hammock...

 sunflower fields, 

watermelon, 

lemonade...

a perfect setting...

The reality...I've never seen a summer like the one I described. The amazing thing is, I wouldn't change it for anything. It doesn't matter where your summer occurs, what matters is who your summer is with, that you made memories to last forever. What makes it special for me? Easy....

1. Freedom: how often as a grown up (ironically enough) do you have a time where you don't have to report to work on Monday, make sure the groceries are bought, the laundry finished, etc? We are constrained by "REAL LIFE"! 

2. Staying up late and sleeping in! My best memories are of late night summer. Mom and I used to stay up until all hours of the night, her on her couch and me on my couch. We would turn on Nick at Night and watch I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, Bewitched, etc, etc. There was the summer of reality shows...Fear Factor, I'm a Celebrity Get Me The Hell Out of Here, The Bachelor...the list was endless. We would giggle until my dad came out and separated us, sending us to bed. Slumber parties with my favorite friends were always the best. Pillow fights, prank calls, deciding each other's future with a good game of MASH, swimming until the neighbors complained, laughing until Dad had to come back in and yell at us. And of course, you can't forget the late nights with someone special. Lying side by side, holding hands, talking about anything/everything, kissing until your dizzy and allowing the summer to do it's important job...sparking love. 

3. The Vegas Heat! I'll eventually complain about it because it's what I do best, but when it comes down to it...I LOVE THE HEAT! Secretly, I love the fact that you have to make a mad dash from the lawn chair to the pool because the "cool" deck is like standing on hot coals, not leaving your house from 11 am until 6 pm because it is 110 degrees, and the 'not touch the seat belt' game...classic. 

4. Relaxation! Being lazy is something that we can't get away with all the time. But, I don't think that anyone can debate the feeling of complete and total relaxation. Summer allows you to leave your inhibitions behind. You don't have to worry about getting the dinner on the table at 5 pm...taking your time is key.


...I can see this list getting long...


5. A day at the pool, a cool shower, and a nap under the ceiling fan
6. A summer thunderstorm, getting caught in the rain
7. Sweet Tea
8. Sonic drive thru
9. Family time, vacation time, and learning to play again. 
10. Friends, hanging out by the pool, having a cold drink, laughing and lounging
11. Getting lost in a book, staying up all night because you have to finish that next chapter. 


Long story made short...I LOVE SUMMER. 

Choosing a Path, Making Decisions

Robert Frost is one of my favorite poets. A particular poem called, "The Road Not Taken" has words and a message that always pulls at my heart, resulting in thinking about the future.

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,   
And sorry I could not travel both   
And be one traveler, long I stood   
And looked down one as far as I could   
To where it bent in the undergrowth;            

Then took the other, as just as fair,   
And having perhaps the better claim,   
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;   
Though as for that the passing there   
Had worn them really about the same,           
And both that morning equally lay   
In leaves no step had trodden black.   
Oh, I kept the first for another day!   
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,   
I doubted if I should ever come back.           

I shall be telling this with a sigh   
Somewhere ages and ages hence:   
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—   
I took the one less traveled by,   
And that has made all the difference.

 During the last 2 weeks, I have had the privilege to participate in 2 graduations. Of course, seeing hundreds of young people heading into a new adventure has reminded me of my own road. What would I do when the 2 roads approach me again? Would I take the one less traveled? The one that causes the least amount of certainty? I'm not so sure. I do know that some very important people in my life are headed into the direction of their future. Certainly, I am going to be thinking about my next step, my next path to enter. The one thing I hope is that I have been able to pass along to my nieces and friends is to hold onto the important things in life that keep up young. Remember the things that make us smile and that remind us where we came from. Never lose sight of those things. Build your own path and create your own adventure. 

Congratulations Class of 2010, Moapa Valley High School and Las Vegas High School

A change to my blog

I have decided to make an important change to my blog. I cannot just focus on only photography. I have stories to tell, and even though my photos do a great job in telling my stories, it just isn't enough. So, this blog will be about my life: the good, the bad, and the important. As followers, I want you to experience both sides of my passion: written expression and photographic expression. I hope you enjoy the changes. 

Love, B