Penguins, Pot & Other Stuff

Yes, you read that right.  Thank goodness Cousin Jan had his cell phone with him.  He grabbed a picture of the giant pig that came out flying during the Pink Floyd Experience.  This guy was pretty big and quite maneuverable.  It was remote-controlled so that it could fly all over the theater.  Huge, pink & full of hot air.  For second, I thought Dickhead had taken flight!

 

Check out the Picture

The long-awaited night finally arrived.  Cousin Jan showed up first and relaxed with a couple of cold ones.  I relaxed too but my tool of relaxation was slightly different.  Somehow, considering it was a Pink Floyd night, I felt my form of relaxation was also much more appropriate!  Not long after Cousin Jan arrived, the ladies appeared.  Sister Dianne brought her lovely girls Nicole & Danielle.  As usual, Dianne also brought a bevy of delicious goodies for yours truly.  I’ll be eating well for the next week or so.

 

Eventually Dianne & Danielle left.  Cousin Jan loaded us up in the van and we headed off to Hamilton Place where we met Brother Joseph.  Nicole had a treat in store for her.  She fell in love with the Pink Floyd poster I have hanging in my apartment.  Well, I bought one and had it mounted for her.  Brought it along to the concert.  Earlier I had e-mailed the guys in the band and told them about Nicole.  When I asked, they said they would be happy to autograph it for her.  So, during intermission, Joe took Nicole up to the stage and one of the stagehands took it out back where the boys did their thing.  To say the least, Nicole was impressed!

 

Now, the concert.  Joe, Jan and myself all said the same thing: good, but to hard-core Pink Floyd boys like us, not quite Floyd.  The band is made up of some very good artists but they all seemed to take a little too much artistic liberty with the music.  Still, we did enjoy ourselves.  And the look on Nicole’s face more than made up for things!  The concert itself was long-almost 3 hours with the intermission.  Cousin Jan & I drove Nicole home as soon as the show was over. After all, it was a school night. A night to remember!

 

Took a few pictures from my apartment.  Check them out!

Yes, a big fat juicy delicious rabbit.  Couple of weeks ago I asked Paulo’s mother if she would cook a rabbit for me.  This is all because of the delicious rabbit I had to eat at the Wild Orchid Restaurant a while ago.  Paulo’s mother works there and she was the one who cooked it up.  Well, she said no problem!

 

So, off to the market to buy a fat bunny rabbit.  Today, Sunday, Mrs. Sarabando dropped it off.  Looks delicious lying there in a tray full of vegetables & potatoes.  Paulo is going to share and brother Joseph said he might drop in.  Surprisingly, both Jeannine & Kaleb turned down my offer!

 

I’ll let you know just how delicious the meal was!

Well, things have changed again for my trip.  I have been looking to buy a new vehicle and speaking with a guy who lives in Nova Scotia.  His business is selling wheelchair accessible vans that people trade-in when they move up to newer vehicles.  Happened to mention I was going on a vacation to Mexico and he told me about a place called Freedom Shores.  He is in a wheelchair himself and has spent many weeks vacationing at this spot.

 

It is near Isla Aguada which is on the Yucatán Peninsula.  Quick now, can anyone tell me what happened there 65 million years ago?  Anyway, here is a link for the site http://www.freedom-shores.com/

 

The nice thing about this site is that it is owned by a guy in a wheelchair and is 100% accessible.  The rooms, the beach-they even have a boat which I can get on to and use to watch the Dolphins or sea turtles or even go fishing!  They have a nurse there 24/7 and also have access to a doctor who can get there within 15 minutes if necessary.  The place is tiny; they only have 9 units.  It’s not a huge resort with thousands of guests.  Quiet, tranquil and surrounded by so many beautiful things to visit & experience.

 

The only drawback: we have to fly to Mexico City, wait 4 hours and then catch a connecting flight to the resort.  Big deal!  We leave on March 16 and stay for a week.  Fly out of Toronto.  I will have quite the entourage accompanying me: Beverly (who works for the March of Dimes and will be providing my care), the lovely Trish who asked if she could come along and join the fun and my friend Sandra who has never even flown before!

 

I’m sure we will all have a great time.  Hopefully, I won’t be getting sick before this one!

Yes, those Cubans just didn’t want to get back about the accessibility of their showers.  Didn’t want to take any chances so I had Bob find something else.  This is it http://www.riu.com:80/en/hotel-riu-vallarta-mexico.html

 

Looks very nice and has all the amenities I need for accessibility.  I can even rent a wheelchair accessible van or a special wheelchair/lounger made for the beach!  The only drawback: when we arrived back in Toronto are plane lands around 1 a.m..  Sleepy time!

Just got off the phone with Sister June.  Told me she slipped on the ice at school and broke her left ankle on Tuesday.  Wouldn’t you know what; she & Herb had booked a trip to Cuba and were leaving on March 6.  Isn’t happening now because of the swelling.  Hopefully they can rearrange to a better time because they didn’t buy cancellation insurance!

 

Breaking of ankle is bad enough but losing out cash is really rubbing salt into the wound.  Hopefully they can work something out.  There is a definite travel bug in the Aquilina clan.  My trip to Cuba, June & Herb heading there and now I just found out that Dianne and the family are off to Mexico again in early March!  Talk about collecting air miles.

What about those Montreal Canadiens!  Battling for first place in the conference.  I have to say that the players they brought up from the Hamilton Bulldogs have greatly improved the team.  And that bum Kovalev is finally starting to wake up on the ice!

 

Really looking forward to the game in Toronto on March 29.  Brother Joe, Brother Mike & Paulo will be accompanying me to the game.  Who knows, maybe this is the year.  Montréal has won a Stanley Cup in every decade.  We need one for the 2000s!

The Hamilton Tiger Cats announced their schedule today.  Looking forward to the start of what will hopefully be a much better season.  One unfortunate thing: 2 of the home games are on Thursday night which is bad for me.  I will have to do some changing around in order to attend.

 

With Casey Printers at quarterback, the season has to get better.  Season-ticket prices have gone up and there is grumbling in the stands.  Go Cats Go!

As you know, I didn’t have much luck getting to that Cuba trip.  A bad cold & flu canceled that one.  Definitely wanted to rebook but unfortunately my friend Linnie could not make it.  After some searching, one of the women who works in the building I live in said she could make it.  Beverly to the rescue!

 

We’ll be leaving on March 16 and heading to http://www.royalhideawayensenachos.com/index.html

 

At least that’s the plan.  Bob, my travel agent, is still checking out all the details.  Not 100% sure if the shower is wheelchair accessible but he is in contact with the resort to find out.  I certainly hope so!  I need the break; this weather is killing me!

Last week, headed out to the casino at Flamborough Downs with Trish & Dickhead.  It was something to do on an otherwise boring evening.  As usual, I settled down at the video poker terminal when one was available.  Never have much luck but at least with video poker you can make your money last a little longer.

 

Trish tried several slot machines without much luck.  Dickhead combined video poker with slot machines and needless to say, did about as well as Trish & I. a couple of hours of gambling cost me $60 which wasn’t too bad.  One side note, I think one of the beverage servers really likes me.  Maybe the next time I’m there I’ll have to investigate further!