Where Is The Security???

             The heat had contributed to not only drinking more water than normal in order to stay hydrated but also made me somewhat disoriented.  A worker at the Jurassic ride had allowed me to cut through the line in order to get out – I saw two different exit signs and had gone towards the first as that is where I was being sent.  Maybe not.  I saw people sitting like they were tired of standing in an endless non-moving line.  Thus I decided I would go in the direction of the “other exit”. 

       I don’t remember having gone through a door.  Oh, maybe I did to exit.  The doors were marked “employees only” all of except for the last one.  It said “door alarm will sound” I could see it was attached to some electronic device.  I chose the first one before it.  As soon as the door shut I realized that I was no longer in the park and had no way of getting back in. 

       My first thought was, “Where is the security?”

       I had a view of Studio 81.  To the left was the exit from Universal lot, to the right . . . perhaps if I followed the exiting area around?  See where it goes?  Would it lead me back?  Would studio 81 have a bathroom?  Probably not – I mean those things are supposed to be soundproof, right?  I am lost.  I am so lost.  I am no longer in the park and I am somewhere in Universal cyberspace and I don’t know how to get back. 

       I heard a siren – a really loud siren.  Or maybe not the siren.  Just the engine.  I don’t know what it was.  It was loud.  It was the widest fire truck I had ever seen – not like these fire trucks (below) that Jaime took when we were on the tram.  

It was loud and big and . . . surely there would be a person in it, right? 

       I saw some legs through a garage door.  The engine was too loud.  The person (assuming there really was a person on the other end of those legs) could not hear me.  I walked further.  There was nobody in the truck!  Are you kidding me?  Where is the security?  Could I actually have the opportunity to steal a fire truck?  What huge consequences that would provide! 

       Just beyond the fire truck (did I mention it was huge?!?) I saw some stairs.  There were stairs at the park!  Perhaps they would take me back.  I took the gamble and climbed the stairs.  As I rounded the bend I saw two security guards sitting on chairs watching the park.  It’s about time.

       “I am so sorry,” I said.  “I know I’m not supposed to be here.  I am lost.” 

       I think the security guard that assisted me was somewhat amused and asked where I was trying to go.  I said I desperately needed to use a bathroom and she directed me where to go.  The other security guard didn’t seem to even notice me – even when I walked past him.

       It was a haphazard adventure – but hey, I got a good story from it, right?

Universal

          Louisa has a nephew who works at Universal and was able to get us for passes at no cost to us.  That was amazing!  We parked in a VIP area and were able to walk passed the lines of those waiting to get into the park.  I felt like we were getting a royal treatment – something I had never experienced before.  That was pretty awesome.

         Southern California – perhaps the entire state – was experiencing a heat wave.  It was 115 degrees out!  Holy cow!  Universal had set up tons of cooling stations with fans blowing mist over the many patrons in attendance. We had entered the park via Simpsons and so had gone on the Simpson ride to start.  I really did not care about the rides at all.  I was so grateful that Sam had joined us and willingly went on anything or anywhere Jaime would take them to. 

         They were exploring Harry Potter when Richard and I decided that we needed to eat.  I don’t even remember what we had – chicken, I think.  Apple cider, apple pie.  It was good but very crowded.  We met up with the girls a few times, but mostly they did their own thing while Richard and I waited – trying our best to stay out of the heat. 

         Richard did want to go on Jurassic Park – which none of the rest of us even cared about.  It was definitely the longest line – and it wasn’t even packed to overflowing.  But I really didn’t think it was worth the wait.  More important for me that I find a bathroom.  I left the line and headed on a rather unique journey (which I will post tomorrow) and after a while Richard left leaving Sam and Jaime to ride it on their own. 

We had ridden the tram together and I think the girls enjoyed that.  We left the park about three hours before it closed, but took in a stunt show before we left. Except for the heat, I think it was a good experience for all.

Pictures at the Start of Traveling

          As it has been over 50 days since our journey begin I don’t recall all the details.  Jaime took these pictures on the way to Modesto – or at our lodging.  We past lots of olive groves.

Labor Day Deja Vu

I was searching through various posts in search for specific memories of Universal Studios.  I was floored when I came across one labeled Labor Day Weekend in which the first line reads Roland said he wanted to take Jenna to Universal this weekend

The date read September 1 – that is when we left the house this year – when did I write that?  Apparently it was a thought that had existed in 2019 which became a reality this year – only it wasn’t on a Sunday that we left.  It was on a Thursday.  We drove to Modesto, California – which I had believed was a halfway point to Monterey Park.  It wasn’t.  It was so out of the way that it proved my point about why I don’t like making reservations.  We should have just looked for something in Sacramento.  Modesto was such a waste of driving and the pool was closed. 

VERY contaminated pool

We continued our drive to LA – another gamble in industrial area that didn’t appear to be a safe part of town.  The pool was open however – but it would have been nice to have known that Jack and Louisa had something available for us that night.  I will certainly do it differently if ever the opportunity arises again.

So it seems like Richard was gung-ho about getting Jaime to Universal for at least the last three years.  We had watched a YouTube video just right before her graduation.  He still wanted to take her to Universal but neither Jaime nor I wanted to go – at least right then.  We changed our minds when we learned that Disneyland decks out for Halloween just before Labor Day.  It was a late graduation/last-hoorah-before-college excursion. 

We’d taken Jaime’s friend, Sam.  Did Universal on Saturday, spent Sunday with Jack and Louisa and family.  Checked in the Disneyland hotel on Sunday night and went to Disneyland on Monday – Labor Day.  I was hoping to hit San Francisco on the way home as neither Jaime or Richard (or even Sam for that matter) had been there before, 

https://gayldsactor.blogspot.com/search?q=San+francisco

but Richard was quite tired from driving.  We went home early.  Jaime unpacked and repacked and we took her to Ashland on the 9^th (our Wedding anniversary – which we have yet to celebrate) and started emptying out Jaime’s room and the office to make way for Biff and his little family. 

So I need to post the details of that trip – at least three days worth.  And I have some other thoughts that hopefully will come out as my posting has been more sporadic and I think I lost my following – not that it’s important that anyone is following.  I have referred to it a lot for journaling purposes.  It has been an interesting journey.

A Child's Prayer

 Ally said the prayer to bless the food.  Biff started out helping her but she took off with it on her own.  She did a good job. I was impressed.  I was amazed that she actually ate all that was on her plate without complaining.

Introduction to Family Home Evening

 We ate dinner as a family and I asked if it would be okay to do a family home evening each week.  I really would like to know these three extra people who are now a part of our household.  We know OF them but don't feel a connection to them.  And so I introduced Define Your Dash and answered only one question and asked if we could do at least one per week.  

https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/define-your-dash-start-
writing-your-personal-history-with-the-52stories-project

After we each answered the question Ally and Clair started a game of "Never Have I Ever".  We each started out with five fingers but within six questions three of us had only one finger left, Clair had two and Ally had three.  She said she had never been to Disneyland which made the rest of us go out.  

Ally drew with markers while the rest of us played a few rounds of Blokus.  Could be the start of something positive.

Slowly Progressing

 For the first time since they moved in, we sat down last night - all five of us.  We watched "Under the Wraps" which was hilarious.  Ally sat between her parents and watched the entire thing.  No electronics.  It was great.

This morning Roland and I took Bonnie for a walk.  They were leaving as we returned home.  Ally seemed happy to see us.  She commented on the shirt I have on.

Focus on the Positive

 Clean Shower

I suspect cleaner than we moved in

Clair did an excellent job

Biff cleaned the tops of the washer

and dryer

He organized the cupboards

and cleaned the kitchen sink

He makes the best quesadillas

He gives Bonnie baths 

and combs her down

8 out of 34: Not quite 25%

 

I found the above photo on facebook with the caption that the most one might have seen in person from the above list is five.  I have been to eight.  Below I have posted memories and links to those places I have visited.

 

from this post

Statue of Liberty – never been, but I have read countless books on the history of the statue and Ellis Island.

Grand Canyon – went with my family when I was 12 or 13.  I don’t remember a whole lot from that trip.  But I do remember driving to the North Rim with my mom, sister and Grandma.  Some highlights are found in this post. 

Walt Disney World – honestly don’t have the desire.  I’m content with Anaheim’s original Disneyland

Zions – continues with same trip found on this post 

Space Needle – my first time was in June 1982 (see this post) It was probably seven years later when I met up with a friend in Seattle and had gone there with her 

Hollywood Sign – I’m sure I had seen it on one of the many California trips I had taken with my family – I just don’t remember.  Jaime was hoping to see it when we went down there for Labor Day weekend.  Richard and I were even in Hollywood!  But no sign.

Las Vegas – many times.  As a kid the strip wasn’t near the size it is today.  There wasn’t a choice to bypass the town on the freeway.  I relate a story of leaving Corey in LV in this post    Most recent visit was from this post 

 Yellowstone – several times as a youth.  Only a few times as an adult (here) 

Golden Gate Bridge – I was a passenger in the car that took the Oakland Bridge more than Golden Gate, but I believe I had crossed the Golden Gate at some point during my many visits to San Francisco.

Niagara Falls – actually my most recent adventure from this list (here)

 Alcatraz - I'd gone to the island prison only one time; I had gone with a group of theatre students who were completing at Berkley.  1979 probably

my dad in the San Francisco Apt.

 This is quite a long post but does have some amazing pictures of San Francisco (at least in my opinion) written from my brothers point of view, but many of my memories are the same. 

Medford, Ashland and Coos Bay

          In May I was called as secretary to the Relief Society.  Shortly after the new presidency was put in our RS president said she felt inspired to do a monthly temple trip.  We have reserved the second Saturday of each month for the ten o’clock session.  It seems like the most convenient time yet that time slot fills up rather quickly I think the most sisters I saw in attendance was seven and it has tapered off. 

         Yesterday there were only two of us.  I expect it may not kick back up for the next two months as the morning weather has gotten colder and there are many who don’t wish to drive that distance when the weather has turned.

         It was my first time going down without Richard.  I was able to get a ride with the first counselor who was overly thrilled to have the company.  I was also happy for the opportunity as there has always been more comfort in going with another sister than sitting apart from my husband. 

         Jaime had called to ask if we could drop some things off to her and I called the first counselor as we would be down towards that area anyway.  She had been Jaime’s seminary instructor for the first three years that Jaime was in seminary and so was thrilled for the opportunity to see her in her college environment.

         We took Jaime out to lunch to a diner called “Big Al’s”.  It was the first time for all three of us.  The food was delicious and the worker was very personable and friendly. 

 

We enjoyed each other’s company.  Took Jaime back to the campus and went on our way back to Myrtle Creek. I found myself becoming more and more drowsy.  At two o’clock I was in bed and apparently fell asleep sometime between three and four.

         Meanwhile Richard had an adventure of his own as he and our guests headed to the coast.  I don’t think the day lived up to the expectations of what each of them thought.  Biff said he wanted to go swimming but we knew the water would be too cold.  I heard the air was as well. Clair was very tired.  Richard said all three had slept either on the way to Coos Bay or on the return.

         Today I will be conducting RS as our president is currently out of town, our second counselor called in sick and the other agreed to play piano in primary.  We are holding a special fast for a growing ward.  I remember a ward being added to the stake before the pandemic but I fear that perhaps this ward may be in jeopardy of closing and then we will have to drive to Winston to go to Church.

Frustrations and Sirens

 

          Whenever either Jaime or I have financial application or anything that has to do with bank accounts and earnings – well – it brings us to tears.  We are so frustrated trying to answer questions and receiving an email requesting us to fix the errors but neglecting to let us know what the error is – or why it is thought so.  She’s starting her FASFA application for next year.  We have already spent well over an hour with her on the phone and thought we had it all figured out, but both she and Richard received the same email that the info was not complete.

            In order to understand that all were on the same page Jaime called FASFA and made a three way call.  Only shortly after the information had been given we heard a dreadful noise – the sound of sirens squealing in the phone.  Fire drill at the campus in Ashland.  We are in Myrtle Creek.  No idea where the FASFA rep was.

            Unfortunately we were able to hear much of the commotion in Ashland and Richard and the rep were unable to hear each other.  We finally hung up cutting them both off. Jaime was not answering his phone.  Richard did call back and went as far as he could without Jaime.  They are now on a three way call as I write this.  What a royal pain all the way around. Poor quality assurance will experience the same loudness that Jaime did.

            In addition we are having complications with the Alexa app.  Wasn’t there a time when life seemed simple without all the technology?  Still trying to stay focused on our blessings. 

A Constant NEED For Substitutes – Here’s an Idea: COMMUNICATION – What a Thought

               School started about a week before Labor Day weekend.  I still have yet to post the details as we had gone out of town for a belated-graduation-gift/last-hoorah-before-going-off-college fast trip that we took to southern California.  Richard was told that he would NOT be substitute teaching as the school/board/employment office/whatever  had not received all the necessary paperwork – which certainly was NOT the fault of Richard who had submitted multiple times.  So it came as a surprise to both when the phone would ring with information about what districts were looking for subs.

            He’d worked for about two weeks and has actually received a couple of schools directly from schools he had subbed for previously – asking for him personally – but Edustaff has deactivated his account as the paperwork evidently still hasn’t arrived.  Huh??? Get with the program people.  It is no wonder that the districts are hurting for subs if the right hand doesn’t ever know what the left hand is doing.  Too many “so-called” captains and not enough crew.

            I told Richard just forget it.  He wasn’t really happy at it as it wasn’t anything as he had thought.  I think he’s trying to repair things for the sake of the schools.  I understand why the careful selection – but it’s been over four months. Apparently his paperwork is sitting on the desk in some other office - maybe a different state.  IT WAS SENT ELECTONICALLY!!!   Please just get your act in gear.