Radiobarry's View Of MiceChat's 4th (you guessed it, with heavy pics)

[Radiobarry]

Uhhh...You did not seriously think...

That just because I haven't posted a real MiceChat meet Trip Report in almost a year...

That'd you'd be able to get by without seeing MiceChat's 4th anniversary through my eyes, did you?

DID YOU?

First - the big bash, Friday night.

I was not there. Real party animal, I am.

That was fast enough.

On to Saturday...

I made a leisurely drive down from Northwest Ventura County, getting into Howard J's at about 11AM.
I loved the room...and I loved the fact that I wasn't far from seeing this -



HoJo's and CalTrans, making this Angel and MiceChat fanatic feel right at home!



So after I got checked in, settled and all that, I made a mad dash (OK, a slow walk) to the DLR entrance plaza.

I must admit that I had to fight every instinct in me, that kept telling me to head to the park on my right.

But I knew that if I wanted to meet my fellow MiceChatters, I had to go to...that other place, first.

Well, I'm all for new things. Funny how I was instantly reminded of my youth...and my days as a thespian at Garden Grove HS...



Now, since I had entered the "dark side" of the entrance plaza, I had a feeling that this meet might be about trying to "score points" with the higher-ups, and "shoot down" anything that got in your way...



Geez, I thought, this "dark side" is even darker than I thought.

But I left "Paradise" in search of my dreams of Hollywood. And as I approached, a lovely lady beckoned me with a siren's song, saying "come toward the light"...



Okay, okay, so she didn't sing a siren's song and all that, but there definitely is "something about Mary..."

And Jody, too for that matter.



A remarkable woman, that one. Ever notice how many lovely, remarkable ladies we have here at MiceChat? Have ya, huh?



The good news is....they ARE California Girls!

And Good old Circarama Charlie is no narcis...no narccisssisss...no narcissitist...oh heck, he doesn't think it's all about HIM.....



Nope, not at all!

That was at the noon meet. At the end we gathered for a picture, you've seen how some guy in a blue costume jumped out at us, then we took a group pic, headed off for lunch, yada yada yada (Disney 1978 - I had one of those California wrap things and I liked it too).

-- Barry

[Dan - Tasmic!]

Very nice, RB!!

*A la Oliver Twist*

Please, sir, may I have some more??

Originally Posted by Radiobarry

Now, since I had entered the "dark side" of the entrance plaza, I had a feeling that this meet might be about trying to "score points" with the higher-ups, and "shoot down" anything that got in your way...



Geez, I thought, this "dark side" is even darker than I thought.

I like this picture, very "artsy!"

[Circarama]

More please!!

[Radiobarry]

For reasons that I will save for later, I had to leave Disney's California Adventure, wrecking any chance I had of setting a new personal record of time spent consecutively on the same day in that place.

Anyway, after the necessary respite I was back California Dreamin' Screamin' and ready for more MiceChattin'...



And that picture was taken before the evening's main event. Even in that state of mind, it looked to me like...part of Mickey's ear was missing...what, did Mike Tyson run wild through there or something?

Guess that's just water under the bridge.



Time for MiceChat's cordial evening wine reception, a "ticketed" event. And those tickets were hard to come by.



After dealing with the MiceChat mob, I suggested that she join me and loosen up a bit.

Before I could explain that I was a happily married man, she slapped me, though, and declined the invite. Imagine.

Still, I was headed in for the social event of the season, and the rest of the resort was green with envy.



Gotta love the face of a lovely smiling, Tigerlily...



Hope you realize, Mr. Circarama Charlie, just how lucky you are!!!

And there's that "something about Mary" person that you've all been Reading about...



And the "Belle" of the ball, and SunnyGirl light up any night....this one in particular...



And moving on through the night, we wanted no one other that dsnylndmom to lead us on



"They wants the blonde"....

[aashee]

You weave a tale so well Barry. Can't wait for the rest!

[Legally Brunette]

Great TR! Can't wait for the rest too!

[Stitchy]

YAY!!! I love the play by play action.

[sunnygirl]

I love it.

[PretzelSouls]

I'm LOVING this trip report!

[pratt55]

More please.

[Wendygirl]

A Barry Trip Report!!!

I love your commentary. You make me smile

[Radiobarry]

Let's pause for a moment to go over some simple guidelines so that you and others might enjoy this thread safely.



And let's all remember to "live responsibly".



So, you're blue because you couldn't make it to the anniversary meet last weekend.



Well, let me tell you that there was love in the air...



As I've stated so many times before, I like to learn by watching the professionals at work. And when it comes to "working" a room ... (or in this case an outdoor patio)



No couple does it better, than the Clinkerbelles do.

Now you might not be able to tell by this picture, but



Lisa WAS happy to see me last weekend. At least I THINK she was.

When it comes to such things as wine receptions, I do have to remember my diabetes, and that kidney failure thing I had last September. So I really have to watch my consumption.



Just kidding. I had a half-glass of Chardonnay, followed by Diet Coke-ay the rest of the evening.

When the recepton was over, Dusty said that it proved how popular MiceChat was, that (paraphrasing) so many of us would even come out to "frickin'" DCA on a Saturday.

"Frickin'" must be the kind of term used only by brilliant leaders of great websites.

After the ball was over, I stopped by for a quick update on Orange County's volatile housing market.



While many of my cohorts trudged off to the Lost Bar in search of furthering their knowledge of alcohol, I went over to that "other" park. It was Saturday night, and was ready to relive the memory of those summer nights of Fantasia ice cream, and Benny Goodman and Count Basie in my ears.



It was "Stompy Jones" and the Jump, Jive and Boogie Swing party...




Their music seemed to me to be a cross between the big band era, and early rock and roll. Fun to listen to!

And those dancers...let's just say that these pictures do not give them adequate credit. They really light up the dance floor, and I hear that there is a regular crowd that comes to the park every week...dancing, at Disneyland!





Just watching was a workout! Penguinsoda and I watched until Stompy finished his last set just before 11PM. Let it be known that I offered Penguinsoda a dance, or at least something resembling one, and she TURNED ME DOWN.

No "Lost Bar" for this cowboy. It was all I could do to trudge my way back to HoJo's, get ready for what Sunday would bring, and just reflect on the excitement of the night.



-- Barry

[dsnylndmom]

What a terrfic trip report!!

[MTNGIRL]

Barry! Amazing! Stupdenous! I can't wait for more!

[brand42]

Radiobarry, it was a pleasure to meet you on Saturday!

We need to have a Micechat meetup at an Angels game one day! (assuming that we don't already)

Thanks for the great trip report!