How Do You Spell That? tag:www.woogieworld.org,2010://2 2010-07-10T04:12:23Z The Life and Times of Brian Wohlgemuth Movable Type 3.33 I Hope Those Parents Sleep Well Tonight….(but I know some of them won't) tag:www.woogieworld.org,2010://2.2382 2010-07-10T04:11:55Z 2010-07-10T04:12:23Z Nathan is on what is "officially" the worst team in his age group. They won one game during the entire regular season. They had a hard time pitching, catching, hitting…pretty much everything across the board. But as the season went on, the bats started hitting. The fielding got much better. And they honestly became a better TEAM. So, double elimination playoffs begin. Being the worst team, they got the tough draw. They played their hearts out on Tuesday and beat Rotary. It was a tough game, but they won it fairly. Kids were excited to go up against Fredericks (the "best team in the league"). After the game was rained out on Thursday, we met Friday up in Roanoke. Game started off slow, and after a few errors and good hitting on Fredericks part, we were down 10-6. But these kids fought back. Nathan's team got some timely hitting and a few walks to pull ahead 12-10. That's when the fun begins….this is the team where the coach chewed out the entire group of seven and eight year olds LOUDLY for watching the ball while they ran to base, or looked at their mom in the stands. Our last kid gets up to pitch and he gets a quick out. Two more to go. Then one kid on the bench starts saying "Pitcher look at me, I'm a monkey in a tree". That throws him and the entire team jumps in. This goes one for four batters and over five minutes. Finally our kid was in tears as these kids ripped into him while 20 parents and three coaches stood by and LET IT HAPPEN. Our kid tried to pitch through but eventually the last run was walked in and we lost 13-12. I had a chat with the board member who was at the game and he said there's nothing wrong with it. The coaches on Fredericks seemed fine with it "A win is a win". And in the end, the parents, coaches, and kids won the game because they got into a eight years olds head and made him cry.... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Nathan is on what is "officially" the worst team in his age group. They won one game during the entire regular season. They had a hard time pitching, catching, hitting…pretty much everything across the board. But as the season went on, the bats started hitting. The fielding got much better. And they honestly became a better TEAM.

So, double elimination playoffs begin. Being the worst team, they got the tough draw. They played their hearts out on Tuesday and beat Rotary. It was a tough game, but they won it fairly. Kids were excited to go up against Fredericks (the "best team in the league").

After the game was rained out on Thursday, we met Friday up in Roanoke. Game started off slow, and after a few errors and good hitting on Fredericks part, we were down 10-6. But these kids fought back. Nathan's team got some timely hitting and a few walks to pull ahead 12-10.

That's when the fun begins….this is the team where the coach chewed out the entire group of seven and eight year olds LOUDLY for watching the ball while they ran to base, or looked at their mom in the stands.

Our last kid gets up to pitch and he gets a quick out. Two more to go. Then one kid on the bench starts saying "Pitcher look at me, I'm a monkey in a tree". That throws him and the entire team jumps in. This goes one for four batters and over five minutes. Finally our kid was in tears as these kids ripped into him while 20 parents and three coaches stood by and LET IT HAPPEN. Our kid tried to pitch through but eventually the last run was walked in and we lost 13-12.

I had a chat with the board member who was at the game and he said there's nothing wrong with it. The coaches on Fredericks seemed fine with it "A win is a win".

And in the end, the parents, coaches, and kids won the game because they got into a eight years olds head and made him cry.

]]> Oh Yeah, I Still Have This Thing.... tag:www.woogieworld.org,2010://2.2381 2010-02-12T15:27:37Z 2010-02-12T15:31:28Z So I haven't blogged since....eww....September.... I guess that's what happens with Social Media taking over my day to day life. :-) Now that we're well into 2010 (and awaiting the Doom of 2012, which will eventually pass to the Doom of 2017, 2029, 2134...you get the idea), what should I do with this space? I think it's worthwhile keeping this rolling, but not as a personal site. More of a semi-professional griping space about movements in the world. Or should I just fill up the space with pics of my kids?... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org So I haven't blogged since....eww....September.... I guess that's what happens with Social Media taking over my day to day life. :-)

Now that we're well into 2010 (and awaiting the Doom of 2012, which will eventually pass to the Doom of 2017, 2029, 2134...you get the idea), what should I do with this space? I think it's worthwhile keeping this rolling, but not as a personal site. More of a semi-professional griping space about movements in the world.

Or should I just fill up the space with pics of my kids?

]]> Day Three - At Sea tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2380 2009-09-16T17:40:42Z 2009-09-16T17:44:18Z I'm paying for those beers I had last night. Woke up at seven again and couldn't go back to sleep. Having breakfast at the grill while trying to blog away. Signed up for Internet access to see what was going on at $0.37/minute. House hasn't burned down and the kids aren't minions of Satan, so life at home looks better than normal. Played for a bit in the casino. Broke my cardinal rule of keeping my winning away and lost $20 playing blackjack. Need to go down when it's a bit busier. Tonight is the formal night so I'll upload pictures of us in all of our splendor later tonight. Not much to do on the ship right now. Spent part of the afternoon on the balcony enjoying the view. More tomorrow. -- Post From My iPhone... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org



I'm paying for those beers I had last night. Woke up at seven again and couldn't go back to sleep. Having breakfast at the grill while trying to blog away. Signed up for Internet access to see what was going on at $0.37/minute. House hasn't burned down and the kids aren't minions of Satan, so life at home looks better than normal.

Played for a bit in the casino. Broke my cardinal rule of keeping my winning away and lost $20 playing blackjack. Need to go down when it's a bit busier. Tonight is the formal night so I'll upload pictures of us in all of our splendor later tonight.

Not much to do on the ship right now. Spent part of the afternoon on the balcony enjoying the view. More tomorrow.


-- Post From My iPhone

]]> Day Four - Barbados tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2379 2009-09-16T17:38:55Z 2009-09-16T17:42:32Z Got up much earlier than expected today. DeAnn and I were ready to go at 7 surprisingly and saw people were getting off the boat quickly and off to Barbados we went. The tour guides say that Barbados has a flavor of Britain in it since it was under Beitish Rule until 1966. And they are right, if you are just looking at the way the people drive and discussions of cricket matches on the radio. Other than that, it's a small Caribbean island with the same trinket shops mixed in between massive wealth and abject poverty. Flipped for the (exceptionally expensive but not unexpected) $60 cab ride to the airport to catch the "Concorde Experience" which has a parked Concorde for your viewing pleasure. Learned more about Barbados as our driver took us on his errand run through the island. After winding through the streets which mirror any Caribbean island, we travelled through the sugar cane and sweet potato fields to get to the airport and today's -- Post From My iPhone... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Got up much earlier than expected today. DeAnn and I were ready to go at 7 surprisingly and saw people were getting off the boat quickly and off to Barbados we went.

The tour guides say that Barbados has a flavor of Britain in it since it was under Beitish Rule until 1966. And they are right, if you are just looking at the way the people drive and discussions of cricket matches on the radio. Other than that, it's a small Caribbean island with the same trinket shops mixed in between massive wealth and abject poverty.

Flipped for the (exceptionally expensive but not unexpected) $60 cab ride to the airport to catch the "Concorde Experience" which has a parked Concorde for your viewing pleasure. Learned more about Barbados as our driver took us on his errand run through the island. After winding through the streets which mirror any Caribbean island, we travelled through the sugar cane and sweet potato fields to get to the airport and today's


-- Post From My iPhone

]]> Day Two - On The Boat tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2378 2009-09-14T18:52:53Z 2009-09-14T18:52:56Z OK, they really get offended when you call it a boat. It's a ship. So the boat is really nice. We woke up late and I did a quick run to McDs to avoid the $50 breakfast downstairs. Walked through some nice streets of Old San Juan but the city does have a homeless problem. There's a book somewhere to find out why these touristy areas have such a high homeless rate (besides the obvious, that's where the tourists/suckers are). Hopped on the free trolley/bus ride of doom around old San Juan. Found out we might be able to get on the boat earlier, so we got off the trolley and on shared taxi ride later (with a couple from near Roanoke VA) and we got into the line you saw on FB. Met the group in Kenn's suite and we all headed down for the muster drill. Nothing like being crammed together with 100 of your closest friends in 90+ weather. I probably could have rang out my shirt.... We were quite lucky to walk right into Dennis and Lisa on the way back from the drill and Scott and Dawn as well when we headed up to eat. The line was quite large and after some debate it was decided to raid Johnny Rockets. Of course the food was great and out waiter pulled out every trick he could think of to get a nice tip. Got out of dinner and headed down to the bar to watch the game. We missed most of the first quarter due to Royal Caribbean not carrying NBC but apparently there were enough people screaming and the game was on soon enough. Kenn and Tina joined us and a few adult beverages later we were all having a great time as usual. While the Bears game didn't turn out how it should have, everyone had at least fun. At the end ifthey game we all headed to bed to call it a night from day one on the boat. -- Post From My iPhone... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org OK, they really get offended when you call it a boat. It's a ship.




So the boat is really nice. We woke up late and I did a quick run to McDs to avoid the $50 breakfast downstairs. Walked through some nice streets of Old San Juan but the city does have a homeless problem. There's a book somewhere to find out why these touristy areas have such a high homeless rate (besides the obvious, that's where the tourists/suckers are).

Hopped on the free trolley/bus ride of doom around old San Juan. Found out we might be able to get on the boat earlier, so we got off the trolley and on shared taxi ride later (with a couple from near Roanoke VA) and we got into the line you saw on FB.

Met the group in Kenn's suite and we all headed down for the muster drill. Nothing like being crammed together with 100 of your closest friends in 90+ weather. I probably could have rang out my shirt....

We were quite lucky to walk right into Dennis and Lisa on the way back from the drill and Scott and Dawn as well when we headed up to eat. The line was quite large and after some debate it was decided to raid Johnny Rockets.

Of course the food was great and out waiter pulled out every trick he could think of to get a nice tip. Got out of dinner and headed down to the bar to watch the game. We missed most of the first quarter due to Royal Caribbean not carrying NBC but apparently there were enough people screaming and the game was on soon enough.

Kenn and Tina joined us and a few adult beverages later we were all having a great time as usual. While the Bears game didn't turn out how it should have, everyone had at least fun. At the end ifthey game we all headed to bed to call it a night from day one on the boat.


-- Post From My iPhone

]]> Day One: Heading to San Juan tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2377 2009-09-12T14:48:21Z 2009-09-12T15:48:31Z AirTran 825 - MDW to MCO. Deceptively full flight, nice to have wireless Internet for the entire hop. Full of overtired and wound kids heading to see "the big rat" in Orlando while their parents work feverishly to keep them entertained and quiet while questioning their sanity for even thinking of doing something like this. Bringing back lots of memories of the dozen plus times we've dragged the little ones down on the same pilgrimiage. The benefit here is I get to give nodding glances to the dads acting as pack mules who are carrying a stroller, three carry ons, and possibly a kid or two. Kids start to whine as we get closer to our stopover. Parents are just wanting to get out of the sardine can with some sanity (and all their bags). Internet on the flight makes it completely bearable. Service on the flight is meh, but for cheap tickets and such, it's worth the money. The gate area we are in has an Outback Steakhouse, so we'll hit that during our three hour layover in MCO. More later. -- Posted From My iPhone... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org AirTran 825 - MDW to MCO.



Deceptively full flight, nice to have wireless Internet for the entire hop. Full of overtired and wound kids heading to see "the big rat" in Orlando while their parents work feverishly to keep them entertained and quiet while questioning their sanity for even thinking of doing something like this.

Bringing back lots of memories of the dozen plus times we've dragged the little ones down on the same pilgrimiage. The benefit here is I get to give nodding glances to the dads acting as pack mules who are carrying a stroller, three carry ons, and possibly a kid or two.

Kids start to whine as we get closer to our stopover. Parents are just wanting to get out of the sardine can with some sanity (and all their bags). Internet on the flight makes it completely bearable. Service on the flight is meh, but for cheap tickets and such, it's worth the money.

The gate area we are in has an Outback Steakhouse, so we'll hit that during our three hour layover in MCO. More later.

-- Posted From My iPhone

]]> Iran BBC Video tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2376 2009-06-15T16:59:19Z 2009-06-15T17:00:08Z BBC has apparently been booted out of the country...incredible video.... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org BBC has apparently been booted out of the country...incredible video.

]]> My Kids Can Now Breathe A Sigh Of Relief tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2375 2009-06-07T17:19:24Z 2009-06-07T17:26:42Z Because I somehow talked myself into cooking breakfast this morning. For those of you that know, I am a terrible cook. I can boil water, follow box directions, and can cook on the grill. But in the kitchen, it's a completely different type of disaster. In the past I've made liquid pizza, squishy goop and cheese, flat cakes, and a variety of other culinary disasters that have taught my kids to avoid my cooking at all costs. But for some reason I decided (was urged) to give it another go. There were plans for French Toast and I found myself breaking eggs, scurrying for the other materials, and running around trying to piece together something that would resemble French Toast. And I think I was doing well, until DeAnn came along and saved the day and got everything on the right path. I don't think the kids would have necessarily died from food poisoning, but I probably would have ruined breakfast once again and had not heard the end of it for a while... One of these days maybe I'll get it together (or take some cooking lessons). But for now it's takeout and Hamburger Helper until that happens.... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Because I somehow talked myself into cooking breakfast this morning.

For those of you that know, I am a terrible cook. I can boil water, follow box directions, and can cook on the grill. But in the kitchen, it's a completely different type of disaster. In the past I've made liquid pizza, squishy goop and cheese, flat cakes, and a variety of other culinary disasters that have taught my kids to avoid my cooking at all costs.

But for some reason I decided (was urged) to give it another go. There were plans for French Toast and I found myself breaking eggs, scurrying for the other materials, and running around trying to piece together something that would resemble French Toast. And I think I was doing well, until DeAnn came along and saved the day and got everything on the right path. I don't think the kids would have necessarily died from food poisoning, but I probably would have ruined breakfast once again and had not heard the end of it for a while...

One of these days maybe I'll get it together (or take some cooking lessons). But for now it's takeout and Hamburger Helper until that happens.

]]> On Call tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2374 2009-06-05T19:36:20Z 2009-06-05T23:45:37Z It's Friday and from the looks of it, it's going to be a long weekend. I'm backing up a couple of my colleagues as they walk for Breast Cancer research this weekend. The walk is literally all weekend, so I expect they will be pretty worn out by Monday. There was a request made for a chaser vehicle stocked with "Wine and Ibuprofen" but alas I will be behind the screens ensuring a lack of chaos on the global network.... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org It's Friday and from the looks of it, it's going to be a long weekend.

I'm backing up a couple of my colleagues as they walk for Breast Cancer research this weekend. The walk is literally all weekend, so I expect they will be pretty worn out by Monday. There was a request made for a chaser vehicle stocked with "Wine and Ibuprofen" but alas I will be behind the screens ensuring a lack of chaos on the global network.

]]> Tyler Weekend tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2373 2009-05-16T00:59:50Z 2009-05-16T00:59:52Z Just picked Tyler up for the weekend. I want to be happy, but after the last few weekends it's tough to be optimistic. Idle hands may be the devils playthings but when Tuler is idle all hell breaks loose. Going to keep him busy with a variety of activities and he probably won't have enough time to act up when I'm done. I hate doing this but I see it as the only viable option. -- Posted From My iPhone... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Just picked Tyler up for the weekend. I want to be happy, but after the last few weekends it's tough to be optimistic. Idle hands may be the devils playthings but when Tuler is idle all hell breaks loose. Going to keep him busy with a variety of activities and he probably won't have enough time to act up when I'm done. I hate doing this but I see it as the only viable option.

-- Posted From My iPhone

]]> Postless in Hoosierville tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2372 2009-05-13T03:35:47Z 2009-05-13T03:40:10Z Realized it has been a while since I put something up on the Woogieworld site. I need to start doing this more often (mostly for my devoted fan base of three....you know who you are!). :-) There's so much going on these days. DeAnn is working part time for the Census Bureau, the kids are getting antsy for summer vacation, and I'm looking forward to another summer at home with the kids and work and everything else that goes with it. Tyler should be back home in a few weeks. This is pretty damn nerve-racking for all of us, but we have the pieces in place if/when things go south again. A summer of camps and groups and school await all of the Wohlgemuth clan. We'll squeeze in some fun at some point, but as I said before "No Big Trips". We're all wiped from travel and I am damn well looking forward to the "adults only" cruise in a few short months. I'll start my weekly complaining tomorrow and try to keep this relevant. :-)... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Realized it has been a while since I put something up on the Woogieworld site. I need to start doing this more often (mostly for my devoted fan base of three....you know who you are!). :-)

There's so much going on these days. DeAnn is working part time for the Census Bureau, the kids are getting antsy for summer vacation, and I'm looking forward to another summer at home with the kids and work and everything else that goes with it.

Tyler should be back home in a few weeks. This is pretty damn nerve-racking for all of us, but we have the pieces in place if/when things go south again. A summer of camps and groups and school await all of the Wohlgemuth clan. We'll squeeze in some fun at some point, but as I said before "No Big Trips". We're all wiped from travel and I am damn well looking forward to the "adults only" cruise in a few short months.

I'll start my weekly complaining tomorrow and try to keep this relevant. :-)

]]> Back to Woogieworld tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2371 2009-04-12T23:44:24Z 2009-04-12T23:48:36Z I don't think I've ever been happier to be home. Ten days with the kids off in some foreign land requires tons of patience (and probably some prescription mood stabilizers) but we did it. We've both decided that was the last big trip for the kids for the foreseeable future. The kids did great on the long haul trips, but the same petty fights and jealousies are quite evident whether we're walking down Hawk Spring Hill or around Sydney Harbour. It was fun, memorable, and will be the last (as a family) for a while. DeAnn is off to grocery shop, I'm off to unpack, and the kids are off to be themselves on their last night of Spring Break 2009.... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org I don't think I've ever been happier to be home. Ten days with the kids off in some foreign land requires tons of patience (and probably some prescription mood stabilizers) but we did it. We've both decided that was the last big trip for the kids for the foreseeable future. The kids did great on the long haul trips, but the same petty fights and jealousies are quite evident whether we're walking down Hawk Spring Hill or around Sydney Harbour.

It was fun, memorable, and will be the last (as a family) for a while.

DeAnn is off to grocery shop, I'm off to unpack, and the kids are off to be themselves on their last night of Spring Break 2009.

]]> Day Four, Five, Six, and the Rest tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2370 2009-04-10T13:11:15Z 2009-04-10T13:22:13Z Well, vacationing finally beat out blogging. First chance I've had to sit down and do some writing... Just got back from the Roosters/Broncos Rugby match with Emily. Fun times, good to watch in real life what I can only glimpse on Setanta Sports. Day four was great, Nelson Bay is always a winner even if it rains. Saw lots of dolphins and took the kids sandboarding (like sledding, except on sand dunes). Will try that one of these days. Day five had us galvanting across Sydney. Opera House tour is well worth the money, Manly Beach is well worth the ferry ride (even if it's 68 degree water). Ended up at Darling Harbour for a quick meal and souvenirs and crashed at the hotel. Day six, we hit the museum circuit. Lots of interesting birds, dead animals, and a surprising list of things that will kill you in this country. I think the only safe place to swim right now is in the toilet of the bathroom.... DeAnn and I still love this place, but maybe the sheen has worn a bit. We are all homesick, ready to get on the next flight and put this behind us. It hasn't been an easy trip, the kids have had their various neuroses about being away from friends and fun. But it was something I think we had to do. This will probably be the last "big" trip for a while. DeAnn and I still love Nelson Bay, and I would move there in a heartbeat except for the distance. Maybe in the future that will change. Most pics are uploaded, and I'll get the rest tomorrow morning. It's going to be a long day tomorrow and we've got plenty to do before we get on the plane less than 24 hours from now.... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Well, vacationing finally beat out blogging. First chance I've had to sit down and do some writing...

Just got back from the Roosters/Broncos Rugby match with Emily. Fun times, good to watch in real life what I can only glimpse on Setanta Sports.

Day four was great, Nelson Bay is always a winner even if it rains. Saw lots of dolphins and took the kids sandboarding (like sledding, except on sand dunes). Will try that one of these days.

Day five had us galvanting across Sydney. Opera House tour is well worth the money, Manly Beach is well worth the ferry ride (even if it's 68 degree water). Ended up at Darling Harbour for a quick meal and souvenirs and crashed at the hotel.

Day six, we hit the museum circuit. Lots of interesting birds, dead animals, and a surprising list of things that will kill you in this country. I think the only safe place to swim right now is in the toilet of the bathroom....

DeAnn and I still love this place, but maybe the sheen has worn a bit. We are all homesick, ready to get on the next flight and put this behind us. It hasn't been an easy trip, the kids have had their various neuroses about being away from friends and fun. But it was something I think we had to do. This will probably be the last "big" trip for a while. DeAnn and I still love Nelson Bay, and I would move there in a heartbeat except for the distance. Maybe in the future that will change.

Most pics are uploaded, and I'll get the rest tomorrow morning. It's going to be a long day tomorrow and we've got plenty to do before we get on the plane less than 24 hours from now.

]]> Day Four - Leisure Departs In Twenty Minutes tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2369 2009-04-08T21:52:57Z 2009-04-08T21:54:55Z Well, if you have read my day three notes about our day four plans, it involved sitting poolside with Nathan while we leisurely waltzed through Sydney's finer establishments on a carefree Wednesday. That didn't happen.... I was poolside with Nathan and Hannah, watching Nathan do his best underwater karate/ninja impersonation when the hotel manager came to the pool. I had thirty different ideas why he was out there... "you are too loud...one of your daughters is tapdancing on the flagpole..." but DIDN'T expect "a tour company has called and was concerned that you missed your shuttle". I looked at my phone, 7:30. Bus leaves at 8:00. Nathan is in the pool and Hannah is in la-la land. DeAnn was just getting ready to have a bowl of cereal and Emily was in that land that most 17 year olds find themselves...comatose. There was no possible way we were going to get to the place in time to catch the bus. Hell, the "bus" wasn't supposed to be there until Thursday. What the hell were these people talking about? I thanked the hotel manager and went upstairs to see what we could do. There was no way we were going to get the entire clan out the door (let alone out of the pool) and to the bus in less than thirty minutes. When I got into the room I saw DeAnn literally throwing things into our backpack and Emily awake, dressed, and ready to go. DeAnn gave me that look of "you better get your crap together now" and I rushed back down to collect Nathan and Hannah to get them out the door. Back up the elevator with a soggy kid and a grumpy teenager who was pining for her boyfriend; we get into the room, get Nathan dried and changed and out the door we went. 7:38. No way we are going to make it... A minute later we're in the lobby and the manager had called and told the tour company we were on our way. Dashing with the kids out the door, our hotel finds a taxi that will "grudgingly" take us to where we want to go. Star City, on the other side of Darling Harbour. Normally a seven minute ride on if there's no traffic, people, etc. But we're heading down in rush hour...not going to happen. Aussies love us Americans. We tip for everything, it's like a load of free money fairies descend every morning from the airport and dump cash wherever we go. I am no exception to the rule. I tell the driver our story and said I tip very well if we get there in time. He tells me he'll do his best and high tails it down Pitt Street. 7:43, we're in the bus terminal at Star City. I give the driver a $20 for the $9 cab ride and we blaze into the terminal. And there's no bus. No one. Not even a person from AAT Kings to... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Well, if you have read my day three notes about our day four plans, it involved sitting poolside with Nathan while we leisurely waltzed through Sydney's finer establishments on a carefree Wednesday.

That didn't happen....

I was poolside with Nathan and Hannah, watching Nathan do his best underwater karate/ninja impersonation when the hotel manager came to the pool. I had thirty different ideas why he was out there... "you are too loud...one of your daughters is tapdancing on the flagpole..." but DIDN'T expect "a tour company has called and was concerned that you missed your shuttle".

I looked at my phone, 7:30. Bus leaves at 8:00. Nathan is in the pool and Hannah is in la-la land. DeAnn was just getting ready to have a bowl of cereal and Emily was in that land that most 17 year olds find themselves...comatose. There was no possible way we were going to get to the place in time to catch the bus. Hell, the "bus" wasn't supposed to be there until Thursday. What the hell were these people talking about?

I thanked the hotel manager and went upstairs to see what we could do. There was no way we were going to get the entire clan out the door (let alone out of the pool) and to the bus in less than thirty minutes. When I got into the room I saw DeAnn literally throwing things into our backpack and Emily awake, dressed, and ready to go. DeAnn gave me that look of "you better get your crap together now" and I rushed back down to collect Nathan and Hannah to get them out the door.

Back up the elevator with a soggy kid and a grumpy teenager who was pining for her boyfriend; we get into the room, get Nathan dried and changed and out the door we went. 7:38. No way we are going to make it...

A minute later we're in the lobby and the manager had called and told the tour company we were on our way. Dashing with the kids out the door, our hotel finds a taxi that will "grudgingly" take us to where we want to go. Star City, on the other side of Darling Harbour. Normally a seven minute ride on if there's no traffic, people, etc. But we're heading down in rush hour...not going to happen.

Aussies love us Americans. We tip for everything, it's like a load of free money fairies descend every morning from the airport and dump cash wherever we go. I am no exception to the rule. I tell the driver our story and said I tip very well if we get there in time. He tells me he'll do his best and high tails it down Pitt Street.

7:43, we're in the bus terminal at Star City. I give the driver a $20 for the $9 cab ride and we blaze into the terminal.

And there's no bus. No one. Not even a person from AAT Kings to console us and try to upgrade us a package of scuba diving and parasailing/kickboxing. No bus, no trip, grumpy family. Yeah, can I rewind at this point where I was blissfully unaware at pool side only fifteen minutes earlier? A frantic phone call to AAT Kings, and then to our hotel to make sure the manager told AAT we were coming and in the distance a bus pulls up smothered in adverts about "Australia, the Movie" with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman almost sucking face. And yes, that's our bus...7:51. We went from poolside to frantic packing and taxi rides to seeing Hugh gets it on with Nicole. Not sure if this was a good thing at this point...

More about Day Four later. Sandboarding, Dolphins, and a whole slew of other crap that I'll get into after I'm done getting ready for Day Five.

]]> Day Three Redux - Kids, Kangaroos, and Koalas tag:www.woogieworld.org,2009://2.2368 2009-04-07T21:55:46Z 2009-04-07T22:05:19Z Day Three pics can be found here. Apologies for the poor quality, my lovely new HD camcorder took a dive and may not come back from the murky depths of "not holding a charge" hell. I'm shooting from my iPhone which as you can see does not make a great camera. Long day yesterday (it's 07:00 Wednesday here in Aussieland) and we're getting around so that Nathan can swim and the others can sleep. Took a long train ride (~ two hours) to the Blue Mountains which are quite beautiful. The kids ran around a bit and we rushed through all the sites before we hopped back on the train for an hour ride to the Featherdale Wildlife Refuge. Featherdale is a great park buried in the depths of Sydney suburbia (literally...house...house...Wildlife park....house) and has a great selection of rescued Australian wildlife. The kids all got to pets Wallabies and Kangaroos and Koala which run wild around the place. Nathan had a run in with a big kangaroo which tried to escape from the enclosure and deicded to use his face as a launch pad. No major injuries, just some hurt pride and such. Long train ride home, but we made it in one piece and crashed in the room. Plans for today include a museum, possibly a beach, and some other things. Better pics with a different camera later!... Brian http://www.woogieworld.org Day Three pics can be found here. Apologies for the poor quality, my lovely new HD camcorder took a dive and may not come back from the murky depths of "not holding a charge" hell. I'm shooting from my iPhone which as you can see does not make a great camera.

Long day yesterday (it's 07:00 Wednesday here in Aussieland) and we're getting around so that Nathan can swim and the others can sleep. Took a long train ride (~ two hours) to the Blue Mountains which are quite beautiful. The kids ran around a bit and we rushed through all the sites before we hopped back on the train for an hour ride to the Featherdale Wildlife Refuge.

Featherdale is a great park buried in the depths of Sydney suburbia (literally...house...house...Wildlife park....house) and has a great selection of rescued Australian wildlife. The kids all got to pets Wallabies and Kangaroos and Koala which run wild around the place. Nathan had a run in with a big kangaroo which tried to escape from the enclosure and deicded to use his face as a launch pad. No major injuries, just some hurt pride and such. Long train ride home, but we made it in one piece and crashed in the room.

Plans for today include a museum, possibly a beach, and some other things. Better pics with a different camera later!

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