Disney World Is Never Too Far From My Thoughts-Always Entertaining And Fun

It is amazing how certain smells and sounds can evoke memories. It is a sense similar to deja vu, but not as haunting. Deja vu is a sensation that a present experience you are undergoing has genuinely happened in the past, but the exact circumstances of the prior encounter are uncertain and were perhaps an illusion. It's the "I've been here before" syndrome. I have personally experienced such feelings, but I assure you it had nothing to do with having seen the future. Some things appear familiar because they remind us of a similar event or happening that resides deep in our memories and overtime became vague, but not forgotten.

There was a film, perhaps you have seen it, bearing the title "Deja Vu" that featured Denzel Washington in the lead role. In the movie he worked as an ATF agent, Doug Carlin, who was investingating a horrific bombing of a ferry in New Orleans. While investigating, a woman's body was found near the site of the bombing and he makes a connection between that and the ferry incident, even though the timming of the two incidents didn't corralate. Soon after, he is approached by a man, played by Val Kilmer, who was involved in a secret government project and asked if he would be interested in assisting the group in their investigation. The project experimented with folding time over itself through the use of worm holes, so they could view the past, and by such a method, solve the crime.

At first, Carlin thought he was just watching videos from cameras and satelites. He suggested they follow the woman's everyday past activities. He had a hunch it would lead them to the bomber. Then, he realized it wasn't just video tapes he was watching, but was the actual past. To make the long story short, he gets sent back in time, prevents the bombing, saves the girl, but he himself gets blown up in the process, that is, his future self. Then, his past self is called to the bombing scene and meets for the first time the woman his future self just saved, in the past. He experiences a moment of deja vu and ends the movie with the word, "Naw."

Well, that's deja vu. The feeling I am refering to is more likely a deja entendu. A response to a scent or sound that triggers a memory of a real past experience or place. You may wonder where am I going with this, and rightly so.

I get this overwhelming urge to travel, and more recently, I have been contemplating on taking a trip that is long over due. So, I have been preoccupied with thoughts of places I have been and those I would like to return to. Today, I had one of those captivating moments. I was at Starbucks and just put in an order for my usual green tea frappuccino. While I waited at the end of the counter for it to be blended, the store atmosphere and chatter of the patrons evoked a memory. For a brief interim of time I was transported to the dining facilities in the French Quarter of Port Orleans, Disney World Orlando. I think it was the sweet smell of the pastries more than anything else that summoned the recollection.

Then there was the other day, I was watching "Braveheart." The clansmen were playing the outlawed bagpipes in a tribute to William Wallace's father who was murdered by the henchmen of Longshanks. Suddenly, I found my myself, not literally but figuratively mind you, whisked away to Disney Worlds Epcot World Showcase area. I was sitting in the cantina by the water in Mexico, sipping on a margarita, listening to the legato sounds of Scottish bagpipes drifting over the water from across the way in Canada. The Celtic band, Off Kilter, were performing one of their nightly sets.

Disney World is never too far from my thoughts. I have traveled there often through the years and have built up quite a repertoire of fond memories with the family. The most memorable being the year I was in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney Hollywood Studios and also chosen to participate in the Studio Backlot Tour. Time marches on and all things change, even Disney.

All my kids are on their own now. That is good thing. As a parent, it is what you sacrifice for, to finally see them make their way in the world and succeed at it. I am now an empty nester and a senior citizen. It is strange to say that because I am truly a kid at heart and always will be. I am anxiously waiting for my grandchildren to become of age, so I can take them to "The Happiest Place on Earth."

Disney has long positioned itself as "The Happiest Place on Earth", and it goes to great lengths to maintain that illusion. I have watched and experienced its growth through the years with great enthusiasm. As the technologies advance, Disney embraces them with a ummatched passion dedicated to the idea, "If you can imagine it, you can do it." And 2012 is no exception.

Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland is undergoing a transformation and guests may get their first glimpse of the changes by summer. Star Tours re-opened May 20 to rave reviews. Its experience has been enhanced and now provides over 50 ride combinations, so riders will likely see something new every time they ride. Rapunzel, along with Flynn Rider from the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature "Tangled," are now greeting guests of all ages in a new interactive "play and greet." Two new eateries opened this past fall in Epcot's World Showcase Italy and Mexico pavilions. For the runners, there is Disney's Princess Half-Marathon Weekend-February 24-26, 2012.

Enough talk, enough dreaming, I'm ready to go. I just need someone to go with. Say the magic word and we are off. And when you do finally see me there, be sure to say hello.
Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
All Disney World accommodations

Take A Trip To Where "The Birds" Ruled The Skies

 

"It's the end of the world," said the man sitting at the end of the bar with a capricious smile and a drink in his hand. The place was Tides Wharf Restaurant located in Bodega Bay, CA. It was a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock classic thriller "The Birds." Bodega Bay was the place where Melanie Daniels(Tippi Hedron) was unexplainably attacked by a lone seagull while heading towards a dock in an outboard motor boat where her love interest, Mitch Brenner(Rod Taylor), awaited her arrival. The Tides Wharf Restaurant was where Mitch took Melanie to care for her bleeding head. Later, at the same restaurant, a debate ensued between some of the patrons as to the strange behavior of the birds. "Not likely," said a bird lover and amateur ornithologist concerning the likelihood of a bird exhibiting violent tendencies towards humans.

Birds have been known to swoop down on cats, and even people, if they consider them a threat to their nests. I have been a witness to such curious behavior. There have been times when I have observed a little bird menacing another bigger bird for some reason unknown to me, but to attack a human without provocation, that would be out of character in the world of birds. On one occasion, I was dive bombed by some seagulls while eating at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, but the birds were more interested in the food I was holding than taking out some anonymous vendetta against me. The family owned parakeets when I was just a toddler. I don't particularly recall any malevolent behavior on their part. Although, when it sat on my shoulder, it would peck my ear. It was somewhat bossy at times. Always told me to take out the garbage. Should I have been concerned?

The schoolhouse today

As the movie progressed the attacks from our fine feathered friends become more frequent and vicious. If you dare to watch the movie at some point in time you may want to close your eyes when Mitch's mother visits a neighbor friend. It isn't a pretty sight. Then there was the scene after the crows attacked the children as they left the schoolhouse. Mitch finds the school teacher(played by Suzanne Pleshette) laying on the ground outside her home. Let's just say the birds have a thing about eyes.

They seemed to defy the idea that birds of a feather flock together only. These were no mere random acts or isolated incidents. Their manuevers gave the appearance of being coordinated with one prime objective, punish man. The movie doesn't come right out and say that, Hitchcock leaves that up to us to figure out. At the climax of the movie, when Mitch and his family along with Melanie are forced to leave their battered home, one of the birds takes a parting shot with a peck to Mitch's hand as if to say, "It isn't over. It's only the beginning."

Scene from movie inside Tides Wharf Restaurant

  
Thus was the premace of Hitchcock's first horror/fantasy film that scared audiences back in the early sixties. Bodega Bay was the setting he chose. It is a real place just north of San Francisco in the Sonoma Coast region. Hitchcock chose it because of its foggy weather and skyline, which at that time was subdued and open. It has been about fifty years since the movies release and the Visitor Center in Bodega Bay receives thousands of Hitchcock fans every year.

You can visit the Tides Wharf Restaurant, it is a real place also, although it has been remodeled several times since and has expanded into a complex including an inn. The ranch and the dock where Mitch lived all burned down in the late 60's. The old Potter schoolhouse is the only original building used in the movie that stands to this day and you won't find it in Bodega Bay. It is located some six miles inland in the town of Bodega. The schoolhouse was an abandoned building when it was first discovered by Hitchcock and rebuilt for the movie. Years later, it became a bed and breakfast, but now is a private residence. You can take pictures of it, but no longer able to tour it. You could politely ask the present owner, but the response may not be as polite. I read that in a review. The school teacher's house next to the schoolhouse was only a facade built for the movie.

Some suspicous looking gulls in Charleston, SC

I was just a young man entering my teens in 1963 when "The Birds" made its debut. The movie has since been a favorite. My mother owned a copy on VHS, along with other Hitchcock classics, which were part of a collection. It came up missing quite frequently, but everyone in the house knew where it likely disappeared to. Hitchcock's spellbinding masterpiece has had an effect on my psyche. Whenever I see birds massing together I wonder, "Could this be it." There is a passage from the book of Revelation in the Bible that speaks of the birds being called to a great evening meal of God where they will eat the flesh of men. I wonder if Alfred had this text in mind when he was first inspired to write the script and storyboards?

One last parting thought. The ending we have become accustomed to seeing in the movie was not part the original script. The ending that was supposed to be was scraped due to costs. Picture in your mind the great Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco covered with birds. "It's the end of the world."

Restaurant Week In Charleston-Make a Date With The Cities Top Chefs And Restaurants

It is that time of the year again food lovers in Charleston. It is Restaurant Week, and not just in Chartleston, but all over South Carolina. So, if you are feeling adventurous or romantic and want to spend a night away from homebase, let's say in Myrtle Beach, you have a whole list of participating establishments to choose from for your stay. But for this article I am going to focus on the capital of what has become known as Lowcountry Cuisine, Charleston.

Lowcountry Cuisine is closely associated with the cuisine of another popular southern city, New Orleans. The cultural influences found in New Orleans are very much similar to those of Charleston, which include the English, French, Spanish, Irish, Italians, Africans, and Caribbean Islanders who settled here over three centuries ago. They all brought with them the tastes from their native lands and over these passing centuries have blended their distinctive recipes together using Charleston's geography as the food palate because its geography is a critical factor in distinguishing the region's culinary identity.

Charleston's rich estuary system provides an abundance of shrimp, fish, crabs, and oysters captured daily aong with locally grown squash, green beans, broccoli, spinach, okra, collards, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, a number of different lettuces and a variety of herbs that are the prime ingredients used to capture this flavor of Charleston. Some Lowcountry signature dishes are she-crab soup, Huguenot torte, benne wafers, fried green tomatoes, sweet potato pone, crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and frogmore stew.

Today, it is much more than just the Lowcountry Cuisine. American, French, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cajun, Creole, and about anything else food experts crave can be found in the Holy City. Charleston is home to many internationally known chefs. Some of the better known are Chef Jason Houser of the Muse, Chef Jon Cropf of Blu Restaurant and Bar, Chef John O'Brien of Bocci's Italian Restaurant, Chef Jude Wagner of The Library at Vendue Inn, Chef Steven J. Lusby of 82 Queen, Chef Marc Collins of Circa 1886, and Chef Sean Brock of McCrady's to name a few. Charleston has more fine dining establishments per capita than any other city in the South.

My first dining experience in Charleston, some eight years ago, was at Hymans Seafood. It became a favorite during those early years of vacationing here before deciding to make Charleston my home. On those occasions I looked forward to seeing what celebrity previously sat at the very same table I was now seated. The restaurant had a custom of putting the names of notable people that visited their establishment on the tables. An unfortunate circumstance, my camera was stolen by one of its employees, changed all that, and I never returned.

My most notable dining experience was at the Woodlands Inn in Summerville. The staff treated us like royalty. They were hospitable, gracious, and attentive from beginning to end. The setting of the table, the care taken in clearing it for each course of the meal, and the presentation of each dish was professional. What I really appreciated was the opportunity they gave us to sample various dishes that were not a part of our selection. It most likely was a plus that a nephew of mine worked in the kitchen.

So, go ahead, pick one from the long list of participating restaurants. Now is the opportunity to check out the one restaurant you have been wanting to experience. May I suggest Bocci's, one of my favorite. High Cotton, whether it be breakfast or dinner is always an excellent choice. Make it a family affair or a romantic evening out. All are ready to cater to your taste buds with their own personal blend of herbs and spices perfectly matched to the offering sprinkled with a pleasing ambience and southern hospitality.

Some available hotel romance packages. Woodlands Inn specials and packages.

Charleston Parrotheads-The Jimmy Buffet Party Is Coming To Town

It is somewhere between the Port of Indecision and southwest of Disorder, but no parallels of latitude and longitude mark the spot exactly. You don't have to be a navigator to get there. Palm trees provide the camouflage. Ocean breezes bring the seaplanes and sailboats, tourists, and travelers. Passports are not required. This is where it is, but what is it? It is Margaritaville, and the exact physical location can be anywhere you want it to be, for the reason that Margaritaville is purely a state of mind.

This coming February 2nd, a Thursday, that state of mind will be transformed into the North Charleston Coliseum. The Kahoona of the Parrotheads, Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band, will breeze into town for a one night party starting at 8 PM. Passports are not required, but a ticket will be essential.

You know when Buffet is around it's going to be a party. His music is catchy and lyrics easy to remember. His songs portray a laid-back, easy going lifestyle with a humorous, carefree outlook towards setbacks and problems. Nothing some booze from a blender, likely a frozen concoction made from tequila, couldn't solve. An "island escapism" kind of state of mind outfitted with flip-flops, shorts, and tank tops. Margaritaville is his signature song and a crowd favorite. Why, you may even see me singing it while on a cruise in the Caribbean. Other crowd pleasers are Cheeseburger in Paradise, Bama Breeze, Fins, Come Monday, A Pirate Looks at Forty, and Volcano.

If you want to get the true feel of Margaritaville, book a stay at Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola Beach, Florida. The hotel sits on over 800 feet of gulf-front property. An additional 800 feet overlooks the bay. The new beachfront hotel features 'barefoot elegance' with 162 newly appointed guest rooms. It has a poolside tiki bar, LandShark Landing with live entertainment, snacks, beverages and an array of activities including beach ping pong, volleyball, hammocks under the palm trees, and Frank and Lola Love Pensacola Cafe named after "Frank and Lola," a 1982 Jimmy Buffett song. Room prices range from $129-$199. Check out the special packages.

If you are in or plan to visit Myrtle Beach, put Margaritaville Cafe located in Broadway at the Beach on your restaurants to visit list. Great seafood or just try their famous Cheeseburger in Paradise along with the concoction most likely to be offered while your are in Margaritaville. The last time I was there the Stiltwalkers were out entertaining the young ones with their tricks and balloon figure-making skills. Click here for the complete schedule of the Stiltwalkers. After dinner, the restaurant transitions into a swinging nightclub where dancing is a must and live bands perform every night of the week.

There are no hotels or cafes in Charleston, but there is a Margaritaville Store for all the Parrotheads to buy the latest goods. It's located at 282 King Street. To access a complete list of Margaritaville's click destinations.

Where does tequila come from? It is made from the Blue Agave plant. It takes 8-12 years for the plant to reach maturity and ready for harvesting. Tequila is a small town in the valley of Jalisco, Mexico. Who is the largest consumer of tequila? The United States consumes more than Mexico.

NASA says, "Don't Worry"-So Charleston Be Happy And Let's Golf

The fireworks have been exploded, the bottles of bubbly have been popped, and the resolutions have been made. Out with the old and in with the new, 2011 has run its course and it is now 2012 according to our Gregorian calendar. A leap year, an election year, a year of unknowns yet to be written, and the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar. We all know what a leap year is and we are mercilessly reminded of the coming election daily, but what is the Mayan Long Count calendar? For those who don't know, it consists of a 144,000 day cycle of which there have been a total of 12 thus far and the 13th will end this year, totaling almost 5,200 years in the Mayan cycle of creation. Still don't understand it, don't fret, it's of little consequence.

Much has been said about the Mayan calendar and much speculation as to what it means ranging from the preposterous to the ridiculous. Some fear and believe since the calendar is ending, the world will end with it. So, if the doomsdayers are to have their way you will need to keep your eyes on the skies. There is one belief a planet called Nibiru is going to collide with earth. Other scenarios include cosmic alignments, solar storms, a flip-flopping Earth, and other cosmic impacts the likes of which was depicted in the movie "Armageddon."

The last real world catastrophe recorded for posterity, according to Biblical chronology in 2370 B.C.E., was the Deluge, but the rainbow's appearance from time to time is God's assurance to all living things a world flood would never happen again. Why should the animals suffer because of man's failures. Besides, there is always the rapture, but I am not going there. People already had a field day on that one in the spring of this past year, which then became October, and nobody flew the coop.

NASA has assured us that nothing out of the ordinary is going to happen December 21, 2012 other than the winter soltice. Now, does that give you a warm fuzzy feeling and calm your fears? With the countries budget crisis moving into 2012, can NASA even assure us they will still be around after all is said and done? My theory on the whole matter of the Mayan calendar is the Mayan's never got a chance to carve out the next calendar because their civilization went extinct. So, there you have it.

Today, January 2, 2012, the sun is shining upon Charleston in more ways than one. "If you build it they will come." Charleston has built a superior reputation for being the most hospitable and appealing city in the country, at least with the folks at Conde Nast Traveler. It was voted the number place of choice to visit going into 2012. The top events are already set in place on the calendar.

This August 9-12 the strongest field in major championship golf will descend upon the Charleston area for the 94th PGA Championship. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort will host the championship with its famed Ocean Course center stage. The 2012 Championship has seen the most successful presale in PGA history, which is both a testament to the popularity of golf in South Carolina and the level of excitement people have throughout the state. It is estimated the 2012 PGA Championship will bring more than 50,000 visitors to South Carolina with an economic impact of more than $92 million.

If you would like to purchase grounds tickets there are some available for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so purchase them now here. If you would like to volunteer there are a limited amount of positions left, 75 per cent have already been filled, volunteer here.

I am going to make a prediction. When December of this year finally does arrive, that is if the world doesn't end before then, there will more than likely be a slew of Mayan calendar doomsday parties. After all, it tis the season to be jolly. Wow, just imagine, if the Earth should flip-flop that means the North Pole will become the South Pole and vica versa. We would then be in the Southern Hemisphere. Well, it's all relative anyway.