It's All About the Face

Last week on America’s Next Top Model: The girls learned how to walk a runway from Ms. J and then tried to make themselves appear taller in the pictures. Kara and Nicole blow the judges away but Brittany and Lulu fall short. Literally. In the end, though, Lulu is sent home, leaving only Ashley to be the house bitch. Who goes home tonight?

Wanna be on top?

LA! Kara admires her picture. Brittany talks about being in the bottom two. Erin thinks it humbles her. Ashley gets a letter from Lulu and talks about wanting to win. Bianca celebrates not being in the bottom two and her progress.

TYRA MAIL! “Sometimes you only have a minute to make a second impression.” I’m stumped. The girls meet Sam Fine, make up artist. He teaches them to do their own make up, like smoky eyes. Fine says they only need concealer, bronzer, mascara and lip gloss to make a good impression.

Wal-Mart! The Barkers meet the girls. The girls will race through the store to create a basic look for a go-see. Mrs. Barker shills for CoverGirl AND Wal-Mart. The girls have to hit clothes, shoes, make-up and photos. BUT there will be fewer items at each station than the one previous. If you have no shoes—you’re out. The Barkers will only judge the first 3 girls to cross the finish line. Laura is one of the first out—8 girls proceed. Erin practically pulls down Sundai and pushes through the other girls. Sundai gets her shoes though. Nicole and Jennifer are out. Rae and Brittany are eliminated at the make-up section, after the girls nearly run over Mrs. Barker. The remaining four can’t find the photos. Ashley gets knocked out when Erin throws her pictures out to get her own.

Wal-Mart! Erin, Sundai and Bianca cross the finish line. Ashley is upset. Sundai needs more gloss, Erin is bland, Bianca has a tad too much make up. Sundai wins the challenge—she gets a picture on Wal-Mart’s website AND a gift card.

The girls go home to rest their sore bodies and bitch about Erin. Especially Ashley, now the only house bitch. Erin is unremorsefully, thinking the other girls are sore losers.

TYRA MAIL! “Tomorrow you will have to wrap your head around the competition.” Girls figure they will wear headdresses. The girls complain about their injuries in the limo. Erin cries because everyone is complaining. She says she pushed through people, not pushed people. That’s how it’s done in a race. Actually, in the races I ran, you were disqualified if you touched another runner.

Tyra photographs the girls. It will be beauty shots. Most petite models excel at these. The girls will be wrapped in a scarf. The strongest girl will be picked that day and will be safe from elimination. Nice.

Bianca feels the stress as Tyra mentions another prize. They match girls up with colored scarves. Laura is first. Tyra loves her eyes but not the lips. They turn on the wind and she excels. Sundai follows. Tyra tells her to relax her lips to stun. Jennifer is third. She tries screaming. Brittany is next. She’s nervous after last week. She gets wind too. Tyra loves Brittany. Bianca is up next. Mr. Jay reminds Bianca to think of Jesus to be softer. Still needs to work the eyes. Tyra likes her movement. Why is Tyra is holding a scarf in a confession? Tyra reminds Rae to think of her daughter and calls the picture “angelic.” Kyra is next. Tyra loves Kara’s face, but not that she does nothing on set. Erin impresses Tyra except personality-wise. Tyra compares Laura’s arms to Gollum but loves everything else. Tyra doesn’t like Ashley’s scarf and makes her change. Tyra then keeps changing it up, wondering if it might be Ashley.

Winner time! Brittany has the best photo! Yes! She is safe. She gets to do a photo shoot for Tyra Banks.com with 2 male models. The girls look at Brittany like “I will set aflame.” Erin thinks Brittany should not win anymore. Now who is the sore loser?

TYRA MAIL! Someone’s going home! But not Brittany. Bianca and Ashley worry about their performs. Anvil?

LA! We arrive at panel. There are prizes, there are judges, there is Ms. J’s sleeves and the guest judge China Chow—a petite model. Brittany is up first. She gets her picture immediately. Erin is next. She reminds me of someone. Can’t put my finger on it, though. Tyra tells her to connect with the photographer. Kara is third and gets the dreaded “dead eyes.” Ashley needs to be made over. She needed to smize. Tyra explains the clothing changes as Ashley “falling short.” The judges love Wanda Sue, Laura’s clothing-making grandmother. China compares Laura to a Renaissance painting but can’t rely on wind. Nigel calls Bianca an athlete. Tyra tells her to relax the face. China loves Rae’s picture. Nicole looks like a butterfly. China also compares Nicole to Gollum. Nigel wants a new position. Sundai is next. She is called simple and beautiful. Jennifer is last. Nigel and Ms. J loves the shot. Tyra loved Jennifer on set.

Top Models in Action! Cycle 8’s Samantha is up this week. Uh…I don’t remember her. She was on the show?

The judge deliberate. China doesn’t like Kara but loves Erin. Nigel says she was aggressive and not charming. Ashley needs to love the camera. People want to work with Laura. Nigel is fed up with Bianca. China calls Jennifer kick-ass. ELIMINATION! Brittany takes her place. Safe: Jennifer, Rae, Nicole, Erin, Laura, Sundai, and Kara. Bianca and Ashley are in the bottom two. Chances of the bitch going home? Bianca: Beautiful and soft in person, but goes hard in front of a camera. Ashley: Very difficult to shoot. Who stays? Ashley. Duh. Sorry, Bianca. Tyra tells Ashley to stay focus. Tyra tells her to bring her in-person beauty to a picture. Bianca says she’s disappointed and wishes she could’ve been softer but regrets nothing else.

Could Be America’s Next Top Model:

Ashley
Sundai
Bianca
Rae
Brittany
Rachel
Courtney
Nicole
Erin
Lulu
Jennifer
Lisa
Kara
Laura

Next week: Lil’ Mama and the Jabberwockies! ABDC meets ANTM! Las Vegas!

Does anyone else think Erin reminds you of someone? And if so, could you help me figure out who it is? And do you think she’s the stealth bitch?

New Meaning to Ghosting

Last time on "How I Met Your Mother": Ted had a rough start to his teaching career while Lily locked Robin and Barney in a room to determine their relationship.

Future!Ted tells us about two blind dates—one in 2009 and one in 2002. We see clean-shaven Ted in 2009 and goateed Ted in 2002. He goes to meet his date—and it’s the same girl. Played by Lindsay Sloan, who played Val on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. But neither remembers the other.

Credits.

At MacLaren’s, Barney says he has tickets to the Origins of Chewbacca exhibit. Robin and Lily decline but Marshall is like a dog on a car ride. However, Barney tells him the exhibit is somewhere else and it is revealed he did the same thing to Ted. Barney takes Marshall to a strip joint to tell Marshall his relationship is completely controlled by Lily.

At Ted’s date, he and Val have similar awkward conversations seven years apart. At the strip joint, Marshall tells Barney his lengthy fantasy about the busty blonde delivery girl that involves Lily dying from some rare but totally medically relevant hiccupping disease and telling him to move on (in an appropriate number of years) with said busty blonde delivery girl. Barney’s likewise depressed. He tells Marshall to forget Lily but the next stripper looks exactly like Lily. Marshall and Barney flip out. Ted wants a picture.

At that point, Ted reuses a joke from 2002. At that point, Val and Ted realize they are on the same date.

Val and Ted decide to remember their last date so they can avoid the same first date mistakes.

Barney and Marshall go back to MacLaren’s to say they found the third doppelganger. They found Lesbian Robin and Mustache Marshall. Future!Ted says they will find the final two doppelgangers the following summer. Robin is skived that the men went to a strip joint while Lily is excited to find out about her doppelganger. She is not excited that Marshall kills her in his fantasies, even after a sappily sweet talk where he admits he even feels like he is cheating on her even in his dreams.

After Ted learns to avoid coming off as a snob and Val learns to tone down the cat talk, they end up at MacLaren’s. They slowly learn that they enjoy each other’s company. After a flash back to Mustache Marshall, the two finish on the rooftop. Val reveals why it went south back then: Ted promises to call her in 2002. 2009? “I’ve been really busy,” he excuses. She’s upset.

Lily drags everyone back to the strip joint. She’s excited to see her doppelganger. Robin can’t believe she’s in there. They learn Barney is a regular at the joint—the waitress knows him by name and brings over his usual. The announcer even stops his introduction to say hi to Barney. He’s sufficiently embarrassed to being caught by Robin. Doppelganger Lily comes out and Lily enjoys every minute of it! Barney goes on about how wonderful it is that they are at a strip joint and Robin doesn’t care. She keeps shouting that she does. Marshall and Lily book Doppelganger Lily in the backroom.

On the rooftop, Ted apologizes to Val. But they realize they shouldn’t change but wait for the person who will accept their idiosyncrasies. Val agrees. Future!Ted tells his children that when he met their mother and told her one of his bad jokes, she laughed. And he was pretty certainly only 30% of it was pity.

Tag: Marshall talks to Lily, who suddenly has a Russian accent, while Doppelganger Lily struggles on the pole. Marshall realizes real Lily is on the pole and goes to help his wife after she falls off the pole.

Quote of the Episode: “What about Catwoman?”
“Yeah, that would make sense.”—Lily and Val (2002) talking about Val’s cats.

So, what did you think of the premise? How did you enjoy seeing 2002 Ted and Val as 2009 them learned from their mistakes? Wish you could do the same? And what do you think Doppelganger Ted and Doppelganger Barney look like?

Magical Times in the Kingdom

Everyone has the one thing they do on their first day in Disney World. Most people head straight to the Magic Kingdom. My family is no different.

Nothing screams “DISNEY!” more than walking down Main Street, USA and watching Cinderella’s castle get closer and closer. We turned off to get to Tomorrowland, coming out close to Monsters, Inc. After fastpassing Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, we decided to go get lunch at Cosmic Ray’s. Unfortunately, everyone else was in Cosmic Ray’s as well. My father and I scoured the main room for seats but we ended up on a side room, away from the alien entertainment.

We finished and started our rounds around Tomorrowland, eventually ending up on the Carousel of Progress. As we made our way through the 20th century, our tour of human progress was constantly interrupted. A cast member’s voice kept telling us to remain seated for our own safety. As the warnings kept going into the 1920s, I pondered something: If the cast members could tell someone was standing, couldn’t they go into the theater and remove the guilty party? We slid into the 40s, but the theater didn’t lock all the way and the lights came on. When the scene ended, the theater didn’t move and we ended up hearing about the “Fabulous Forties” ALL over again. By the third go around, a cast member came to rescue us. As we poured out of the theater, we were handed “good any time” fast passes. The vacation was off to a sweet start, even if it was raining.

The day progressed and night had fallen. We started to wind down in the Magic Kingdom and rode Splash Mountain. We boarded our log and headed for the hill that would drop us into the first scene. And we hit what I call a “boat backup.” This is a common occurrence in Disney World, particularly as you approach the load/unload section. However, this boat backup occurred just before the drop into the first scene. One this early usually means that they’ve stopped the load in process in order to get a wheelchair-bound person into the log. The minutes ticked by. Eventually a cast member came up and counted the logs before disappearing behind an entryway. Another cast member arrived to start entertaining us. A guy in another log gave him drink orders, including “beers and milk for the children.”

Twenty minutes of sitting later, the ride began moving again. We finished the ride and as we disembarked, we got another set of “good any time” fast passes! Our vacation was off to a good start!

REVIEW TIME!

As always, Disney is constantly changing. Both the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents went through some overhauls. They changed the hall of portraits in the Haunted Mansion; the eyes now longer follow you but turn into eerie incarnations as lightning flashes. Another room, as you climb the stairs, has been turned into Escher’s staircase. The bride with the beating heart in the attic has been given a back story. She is a woman who has married at least five times and been widowed all times—her husbands meet tragic ends. The other new additions are in the graveyard scene, where more ghouls romp around to the tune of “Grin Grinning Ghosts.”

The Hall of Presidents was not only altered to add Barack Obama in the final scene, but Disney also changed the preceding movie. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, they recount how George Washington (voiced by David Morse) refused to be king and then set the most important precedent—he left office. Next moves onto Andrew Jackson, a man who rose to the presidency and wasn’t an aristocrat like the six preceding presidents. His wild inauguration in which the populace stormed the White House is recalled before the movie moves on to Abraham Lincoln. Naturally, the Civil War is discussed and the audio-animatronic figure of Lincoln comes out to recite the Gettysburg Address (in Royal Dano’s voice).

In the past, the movie usually ended with Lincoln and talked about the 20th century in vague terms. Now, though, they discuss Teddy Roosevelt and how he just called the presidential mansion “The White House.” He is followed by his cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and how he overcame polio. Disney plays some of his fireside chats as well as reads excerpts from letters written to the president by American citizens. John F. Kennedy finishes the individual retrospections, the film mentions the different movements in the 60s—Women’s Lib, the Civil Rights, etc. The movie shows clips of the presidential speeches given at times of tragedy: Johnson’s address to Congress after Kennedy’s assassination, Reagan’s address to the nation after the Challenger explosion, Clinton’s address to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and Dubya’s address to the first responders and workers at Ground Zero after September 11th.

After the roll call of presidents, Washington stands and says a few words before Obama takes the Oath of Office. He gives a speech about liberty and the future before the show ends with a rousing chorus of “America the Beautiful.”

I prefer this new version of the Hall of Presidents. I never understood why the old film ended with Abraham Lincoln and didn’t go past. If I was a foreigner watching this video, I would think the last great American president was in 1865! The presidents they focus on were great leaders—both Roosevelts and Kennedy. If you don’t leave the Hall of Presidents wanting to wave a flag and hum “Stars and Stripes Forever,” check your pulse. You might be dead.

RING THE DINNER BELL!

Our first night there, we ate at the Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square. The menu is preset. The first course is a salad covered in a strawberry vinaigrette dressing. As my mother is allergic to strawberries, we were given a salad with just oil and vinegar. There is also my favorite part of the meal—the bread and butter. I do not know what type of butter they use at the Liberty Tree Tavern but it is the most delicious I have ever eaten. I often have to stop myself or else I’d fill up on bread and butter alone!

The next course is the main one. Ham, turkey and London broil are placed before you to choose which you want. It is accompanied by steamed carrots, string beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Seconds can be requested if you haven’t eaten your fill. This time, I found the turkey to be a bit dry, but gravy fixed that up. The potatoes and stuffing were delicious.

The last course is dessert—a delicious apple crisp, complete with ice cream. No matter how much you’ve loaded on the other courses, there is always room for this sweet treat.

This is a definite place to put on your reservation list.

A note of warning about the Magic Kingdom: It is always the most crowded park, so go in prepared to deal with crowds and toddlers. Learn to avoid the stroller brigade and how to weave effectively.

The Superbowl Shuffle

“Single Ladies” play while Kurt dances with back up dancers. He imitates Beyonce’s music video. He has a sequined glove. Mike O’Malley is his dad? Awesome. He asks what his son is playing and Kurt lies that it is what the jocks wear to practice. Tina and…Britt…lie that he is on the football team. The kicker. Dad buys it. And asks to get a ticket.

Will helps Terri through Lamaze. Kendra, her sister, berates him. Calls him too nice. Terri tries to avoid Will touching her stomach and pretends to have a craving. She confesses to her sister that she’s not pregnant. Kendra convinces her sister to remain deceptive. It’ll help the marriage, she claims.

Will spots Emma and Coach eating together, tries to avoid them but they are the best option in the teacher’s room. Emma talks about the evening news. We zoom to the news where they introduce Jane, who has her own segment. She talks about how caning works. She wants to bring it back. Will is surprised that she got her own segment. Jane says it’s because she’s a local celebrity. And says the overnights were through the roof about her segment. She insults Emma, Coach and Will before leaving for an interview.

Glee time! Will surprises Rachel by giving “Tonight” to Tina. She reminds him that she claimed anything from “West Side Story” at the age of one, talking about Natalie Wood. Umm, Rachel, you do know that Natalie Wood didn’t sing Maria in the movie right? That it was Marni Nixon, singing voice to the famous? When Will says that others need their time to shine and that Tina is keeping the role, Rachel storms out. Glee is apparently used to her diva tantrums.

Meanwhile, Kurt asks Finn for help.

Football practice. Finn gets Kurt a try out. Jock mocks Finn. Coach yells at his kicker and demotes him to water boy. Ouch. Kurt runs up and says that he is “audition for the part of kicker.” Coach allows him and Kurt dances on the field to “Single Ladies.” He kicks and scores. Everyone is surprised. Coach is thrilled. Meanwhile, Jane gets hate mail about her pro-littering stance. The station manager reminds Sue she is famous because she’s a champion. And he’s heard that her cheerleaders are defecting to show choir. Jane needs to win another championship to keep her status.

In other news, Prissy is pregnant. Apparently, Finn’s driving trauma isn’t working on calming little Finn down. He learns this in Prissy’s hot tub, even as she yells, “Think of the mail! Think of the mail!” And apparently, she’s now pregnant. And Finn’s stupid enough to believe he could impregnate her in the hot tub. He probably also believes you can get herpes from a public toilet.

Jane goes to visit Sandy, who has a doll collection. Creepy. He serves her tea and bemoans his life. Jane offers him control of the arts program. Turns out, she has blackmail on Principal Figgins. They focus on Glee and Rachel. They tempt her with Cabaret and Celine Dion. She performs “Taking Chances” and Sandy gives her Sally. She’s excited. Rachel, you do know that Sally is supposed to be a B-rate singer, right?

Will flips out and goes to tell Rachel he needs her. She thinks Will hates her. He tells her he is trying to make everyone work as hard as her. It’s Sandy v. Will while Rachel asks why he hurts her to make other feel good. He asks her to come to Glee rehearsal before she leaves.

Tina sings “Tonight.” She’s very good. Tina needed a spotlight song. Tina critiques herself but Will gives her a pep talk. She offers the song to Rachel. Finn cries into Will’s shoulder. They go for food and discuss Prissy’s pregnancy. He doesn’t like the future he sees now. Finn says he needs a football scholarship. But the team sucks. So he wants Will to teach the football team how to dance. It’ll help the team win while recruiting new guys to Glee.

Will tells Terri about Prissy. She gets an idea. You know where this is going if you’ve ever watched a soap opera.

Nigel Barker in a camera commercial with Peyton Manning and Justin Timberlake!

Jock is not happy with learning how to dance. Coach supports it. Pride was lost when they lost to the school for the deaf. Will and Kurt lead the guys through the choreography. Coach ends practice. When Jock says Finn is in love with Kurt, Finn spills about Prissy. Turns out Prissy and Jock slept together. Still can’t believe Finn believed the “I got pregnant because of your sperm in the hot tub” myth. Prissy runs crying in the rain to her car, where Terri is waiting. She gives Prissy neo-natal vitamins. Prissy is confused.

Football game. Emma cleans a seat before Will takes it. The school needs a new version of the National Anthem. Jock uses “gay” a lot and the team is unsure of the dancing. They get creamed. Mike O’Malley shows up. Kurt’s excited. Fourth quarter. Finn calls a time out. He tells the team to do the dancing. Jock agrees after silencing a heckler from the opposing team with the information he had sex with the player’s mother. “Single Ladies” plays, throwing off the defense. Offense starts to dance. Mike can’t believe what he’s seeing. Finn makes his play. Touchdown! Emma and Will have a Moment. Game is tied, Kurt needs to kick the conversion to win. The crowd is hushed. He dances, he kicks and scores! Go Kurt! He’s a hero. Prissy kisses Finn while Jock looks downtrodden.

Mike tells Kurt he’s proud of him. Looks like Mom is dead. Poor Kurt. Kurt comes out to his father, who says he’s known since Kurt was three. And yay, supportive dad. That’s refreshing and sweet.

At school, Finn gives Prissy his old baby blanket. He promises to be a good father. Jock mocks Prissy’s weight, Finn stands up for her and Jock backs down. Three football players (including Jock) join Glee. Will lets Tina keep “Tonight.” Rachel quits Glee for Cabaret full time. Jane tells everyone to act like they are being cheered.

Next week: CHENO!

Quote of the episode: “If I was out to get you, I’d have you pickled in a mason jar on my shelf by now.” –Jane to Will

Enjoy the Kurt/football/dancing storyline? Seeing how the Terri/Prissy’s pregnancy storyline will play out already?

Casualty Count: 1

The first casualty of the 2009-2010 television season has been announced. CW has yanked new show "The Beautiful Life: TBL" after only two episodes. The show focused on a group of models and their struggles in the modeling world. I'll admit I didn't watch it--it's on against Glee. I always thought it was stupid that they included the initials of the show in the title. Why?

Anyway, I guess we'll never know if any former/current Top Model Wannabes will end up on the show.

Nicole and the Bitchly Duo!

Last week on America’s Next Top Model: After a visit to Wilhelmina Models, Rachel was sent home in a surprise elimination. Meanwhile, Tyra got tired of saying “smiling with your eyes” and shortened it to “smize.” The girls posed semi-nude on horses. Nicole, Brittany and Laura wowed the judges, including guest Lauren Conrad, while Bianca and Courtney ended up in the bottom two. In the end, Courtney was sent home for giving up. Which model goes home tonight? Find out!

Wanna be on top?

LA! Bianca talks about being in the bottom two for a second week. Ashley worries that her dancing may be a hindrance. Then she and Lulu bitch about Bianca, which annoys Nicole.

TYRA MAIL! “How old were you when you learned to walk?” The model wannabes figure this one out: RUNWAY! Ms. J has a Mini-Jay. Kara is impressed. Mini-Jay is 9 years-old Diva Davanna. She is good. She sends the girls back to change while Brittany talks about showing her sexy side. Sundai bores Ms. J. Lul thinks she has a signature walk. Ms. J doesn’t like it. Ms. J sees Brittany’s sexiness. Bianca’s walk is salvageable. Dancing almost works in Ashley’s favor. They practice walking in tandem. Ms. J releases them to practice.

Bianca misses Courtney…till Sundai tells her Courtney talked about her. Then Ashley tells her to put her eyebrows down. Just yells it at her. I think the girls (namely, Lulu and Ashley) think that Bianca is getting the bitch edit…but Ashley is the bitch and Lulu is her sidekick.

TYRA MAIL! “If you don’t walk tall, you’ll come up short.” The girls worry about another surprise elimination. Ashley and Lulu continue their bitch streak on Brittany’s walk.

MALIBU! Ms. J introduces Kevan Hall as their designer. The girls will walk in tandem with tall models. The girls go to hair and make-up. Ann Shoket appearance! The winner of the runway challenge will get an editorial in Seventeen. As the models eat, Lulu talks about Bianca. The girls freak out about their bigger companions. The show begins! Brittany impresses. More about Lulu’s signature walk! Bianca hoped the tranquility of the scene helped her look calm. Laura loved the runway. Critique time. Laura and Brittany get praised. Lulu had no energy. Dance hinders Ashley. And the winner is Brittany! Yay! Take that, Lulu and Ashley! Brittany picks Laura and Kara to share her prize. Laura’s so happy, it’s adorable.

The girls model prom dresses.

Nicole and Brittany try to help Bianca to bring out her soft side. She admits to being in an abusive relationship. Strength helped her leave and God is helping her heal. Ashley and Lulu think Bianca is playing Nicole, calling her naïve. Nicole calls Ashley a mean girl. Bianca prays as the Bitchy duo tries to convince Nicole that Bianca is bad.

TYRA MAIL! “Objects in mirror may be shorter than they appear.” Model wannabes be stumped.

Mr. Jay meets the girls to challenge them to work their proportions to look tall. He sends the girls to hair and make up. Wait. Where’s Sutan? What happened to Sutan? Lulu keeps talking trash. Brittany is surprised that the girls can watch her shoot. She struggles. Kara has potential. Laura rocks it. Mr. Jay struggles with Lulu. Uses “ish” a lot. Jennifer is fabulous. Nicole nails it. Ashley tries to lose the dance. Mr. Jay likes her shoot. Sundai tries to watch her pout. Rae is okay while Erin is gorgeous. Jesus brings out Bianca’s softer side.

Tomorrow someone goes home. The Bitchy Duo gossip while Brittany and Nicole talk about them, particularly their comments to Brittany while she was practicing her walk.

TYRA! PANEL! There are judges, there are prizes, there are Ms. J’s sleeves and there is Jaime Rishar. She’s a petite model and was on the cover of Italian Vogue twice in a row! Erin is first. She can look taller. Nigel likes her looks, Jaime likes her legs. Nigel likes Bianca’s soft face. Tyra praises the back of Bianca’s neck. Brittany looks her height. Tyra and Jaime give her tips. Sundai gets outfit advice. They love her confidence. Laura looks smaller. Tyra praises Jennifer’s photo. Nicole boggles and wows the judges. They let Lulu have it. Kara is strong. Tyra likes how she used the set to her advantage. Rae doesn’t look taller. Nigel tells her about angles. Judges are “eh” on Ashley.

Top Models in Action! Mumbles has been working steadily since winning and finishing her “My Life as a Cover Girl” spots. Speaking of which, anyone else glad we aren’t subjected to Teyona’s spots?

Think any Top Model Wannabes will end up on the CW’s new show The Beautiful Life?

The judges deliberate. Everyone loves Erin. Sundai’s photo impresses Nigel. They like Jennifer’s photo. Lulu is still just average. ELIMINATION! The first girl called is: Kara. Huh. I’d think Nicole. She’s second, followed by: Erin, Sundai, Jennifer, Bianca, Laura, Ashley and Rae. Lulu and Brittany are in the bottom two. Lulu: Striking in person but not in photos. Brittany: Good last week, not so much this week. Was it a fluke? But she stays. Thank goodness. I still like her. Tyra tells her to remember her shoulders. She tells Lulu to study tensions, power and force. What’s Ashley going to do without her sidekick?

Lulu’s exit speech was short, boring and forgettable.

America’s Next Top Model:

Ashley
Sundai
Bianca
Rae
Brittany
Rachel
Courtney
Nicole
Erin
Lulu
Jennifer
Lisa
Kara
Laura

Next week: Wal-Mart challenge! Tyra photographs!

"The Talks"

Last time on “How I Met Your Mother”: Ted got left at the altar, lost his job and was attacked by a goat on his birthday. Marshall got his first job as a lawyer, even if it wasn’t his dream job, while he and Lily moved in to a new apartment. Robin quit her job, moved to Japan, moved back, got a new job and moved in with Ted. Barney spent the entire season pining for Robin yet being awesome. As Marshall finally made the leap from Ted’s apartment building to the next, Ted decided to give teaching a go while Robin and Barney decided to give a relationship a go.

We start on Ted’s first day of school. Future!Ted tells his kids that their mom was in the class but before he continues, he flashes to last June. Lily celebrates Robin and Barney, who say they aren’t a couple. Lily is bummed out and mourns the loss of couple activities over a giant container of ice cream. Marshall gives Ted an Indiana Jones hat and whip to celebrate his new job. Barney has a whip guide. Anyone surprised? After Robin and Barney excuse themselves to go on dates, the others go to whip stuff in the alley behind McLaren’s. However, Marshall gets whipped, leading to them discovering Robin and Barney making out on the couch.

Credits!

Lily celebrates but the duo tells her they aren’t boyfriend/girlfriend. Apparently, they tried to have “The Talk,” kept getting distracted and decided not to have “The Talk.” Lily tells them to. They make out instead. Meanwhile, Ted gets caught in a nightmare classic—including the “no pants” part. Barney wakes him but just wants condoms. At the bar, the gang helps him with his dream—including Barney telling him he should’ve tapped the blonde questioning him and Marshall reminding him to wear the Indy get-up. Lily is still focused on Barney and Robin. Barney says he’s happy and tells Lily to back off. Until Brad invites Robin to a hockey game. Then Barney has a reason.

Robin apologizes for being quiet (Zoom: Robin shouting at a play). Robin tires to talk to Brad, who thinks Robin is going to have “The Talk” with him. But she tells him about Barney. Brad encourages her to have “The Talk” with Barney. Meanwhile, Marshall is doing the same with Barney. Ted disagrees with him…because of Barney’s rules about girlfriends—also the same rules for owning a Gremlin. Zoom: Ted and Barney at McLaren’s in tuxedos. Barney’s rules:

Never get them wet—IE Don’t let them use the shower
Never expose them to sunlight—IE Don’t see them in the day time
Never feed them after midnight—IE Don’t let them stay for breakfast

Barney has done all of these with Robin, ergo, she is his girlfriend. At the game, Brad and Robin get on Kiss-Cam, so he tells her to kiss him and see if she feels guilty. Robin decides this is a good test but Barney interrupts. He punches Brad, reels in pain and then the two play their denial game again. Lily gets frustrated.

On his first day, Ted forgets how to spell “Professor” and spazzes.

At the apartment, Barney and Robin wake up to realize they are locked in. Lily won’t let them out until they have “The Talk.”

Lily won’t budge. Robin says she and Barney will just have sex rather than “The Talk.” Barney is game. However, Lily expected this. She brought Marshall along to do the same. He awkwardly says hi to his trapped friends.

Ted has an awkward start, plus images of Barney floating around a blonde co-ed on a cloud. Ted refuses to take a question—or else he would’ve found out he was in the wrong class. Though Future!Ted tells us the kids’ mom was in that class. As Lily refuses each of Barney and Robin’s answers, Ted ignores every hint the class drops that he’s not in Architecture 101. My question is: Where is the professor? Oh, there he is! And Ted finally realizes the truth. As the Indiana Jones theme plays (and John Williams gets another royalty check), Ted races across the campus. Twenty minutes and the kids were still there? At my college, we’d have left after ten. Fifteen for adjuncts. But now, Ted doesn’t have to worry about his introduction.

Everyone congratulates Ted—including Barney through the door. After Marshall wafts the smell of pancakes into Robin’s room, she and Barney have “The Talk” (with a cue from Lily). Their choice: Lie to Lily. However, I don’t think they’re doing much lying there. They decide to go to brunch as Ted reveals to Lily they were lying. But Lily thinks like me.

Tag: Marshall wears a tuxedo to the bar as payback for not being invited to Ted and Barney’s tuxedo night.

So, first episode of the season. Thumbs up, thumbs down? Who do you think the mother is? I’m still hoping that Victoria is taking some economics courses to help her bakery business. And how do you feel about Robin and Barney?

Quote of the episode: "We're Bar-Man and Robin." --One of Barney and Robin's answers

Little Note

With the television season fully starting this week, I just want to take the time to remind you of the shows I will be recapping this season:

-How I Met Your Mother
-America's Next Top Model Cycle 13 (Already in Progress)
-Glee (Already in Progress)
-CSI: NY

Depending on how I like it, I may also start recapping the ABC show "Flash Forward."

I have decided that yes, five years is a good life for a laptop and will be getting a new one. However, I am waiting for next month because there should be some good discounts on Dell laptops coming my way at that time. I do not think I can wait for Windows 7 so I should have the new laptop sometime by mid-October. Because of the situation with my laptop, the recaps may be delayed a few days and because of how loaded my Wednesdays are, I am putting a temporary hold on CSI: NY. I am currently writing all my recaps the old fashioned way--pen and paper--and by the time Glee ends, my hand hurts.

So, happy watching!

I Have Confidence!

Last week on Glee: Terri learns she isn’t pregnant but doesn’t tell Will. Glee performs a raunchy song at a school assembly. Emma begins dating Coach while Finn and Rachel share a passionate kiss. Prissy Cheerleader and her friends join Glee in hopes of getting Finn back and destroying Glee.

Will’s parents come over for—holy crap, Will’s dad is Victor Garber! And his mom is Debra Monk! Will spills about the non-baby, scaring Terri. She shows mom-in-law the nursery while Dad apologizes for being a lousy dad. He talks about being a lawyer—nod to Eli Stone?—but went into insurance instead. He tells Will to find some courage. Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s theme!

At school, Glee doesn’t like Will’s choreography. Prissy and Friend trick Rachel into mentioning a professional choreographer. Prissy asks Will if he ever performed again after school. And we’re back to Will’s courage question as he blathers on in Emma’s office. He asks about her date with Coach. She says great rather quickly. They flash to the teachers’ lounge to celebrate shop teacher Henri’s birthday. Henri is depressed because his dependency on OTC drugs caused him to lose his thumbs. After a lovely round of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” Will gets an idea.

He forms the Acafellas. Will, Henri, Coach and Howard (Terri’s coworker) sing hip hop acapella. Meanwhile, Terri increases her marriage’s sex life but fails to get pregnant. Will thinks it’s about his new confidence and being in a boy band—a nod to LMNT?

Will begins missing Glee practices. Rachel makes him cookies to apologize about her comments. He says they can hire Dakota Stanley and thanks her. Rachel and Finn worry about Will while Prissy gets Dakota. Rachel and Finn talk about their kiss and relationship status. Rachel flips out on him and Finn is so confused.

Prissy and Friend report to Jane. She’s happy to hear about Will’s distraction. Prissy thinks Dakota will cause the Glee kids to quit. Mercedes and Kurt talk about kissing. He tells her of Glee’s standing then invites her to the mall. Prissy and Friend try to help Mercedes “get” Kurt. Wrong first victim, girls. Mercedes can break you.

Acafellas perform “Poison.” They get applause and Emma remembers to cheer for Coach. Debra and Victor are there, selling CDs. Principal Figgins invites Will to perform at the PTA to keep the parents happy after the announcement the children will be eating prison food. Sandy, though, wants in and dangles Josh Groban in front of the Acafellas.

Glee visits a rival squad and are warned away from Dakota. The group performs “Mercy.” Dakota turns Glee down, saying he works for $8,000.

Hey was that Ben in the Audi commercial?

Will and Coach work on dance moves. Howard quits while Coach worries about Emma possibly breaking up with him. She says Henri downed 6 bottles of cough syrup and now is going to rehab. Emma encourages Will. Finn says he is quitting Glee too. Will says he hasn’t quit and encourages Finn to stay. He also asks about Acafellas. Finn’s football buddy offers to join the group—for the cougars. Coach threatens him and then welcomes him.

Will works with Finn and Jock. He tells them to work the hips and swing bats. It works. Rachel and Tina give Mercendes a “gayvention.” She is still in denial and bemoans their social status. Mercedes is happy with Kurt. The cheerleaders help Glee with their car wash fundraiser. Jane and Emma banter while Kurt tells Mercedes he is in love with someone else. He means Finn, but Mercedes sees Rachel. Finn lies that that’s who he meant. Mercedes breaks Kurt’s window and performs with the cheerleaders. She is AMAZING! Kurt flips but feels bad when Mercedes tells him he broke her heart.

Glee gets Dakota, who gives them personalized menus. He then kicks Mercedes and Artie out, tells Rachel to get a nose job and calls Finn “Frankenteen.” The original Glee quits before Rachel reminds them of people who were different but succeeded (like Barbara Streisand. Come on, they had to mention her at least once). She rallies Glee and fires Dakota. At the performance, Finn thanks Will as Sandy says Josh Groban is in the audience. Acafellas perform. Terri loves watching Will, even if they are singing Color Me Badd. They get a standing ovation. Wow, they got Josh Groban. He brings his security and gives Sandy a restraining order. He loved the show anyway.

Terri apologizes to Will and praises him and Acafellas. Victor asks if anyone has seen Debra. Turns out Josh likes cougars as well. He liquors Debra up. Seems Acafellas are over, but Will still has his confidence. Victor is going to go to law school—shout out to Legally Blonde as well? Mercedes apologizes to Kurt, who admits he’s gay. Anyone surprised? Course not. He’s a walking stereotype, writers. She tells him to be himself but he doesn’t have confidence. Dakota’s gone, Will’s back and Jane tells Prissy and Friend they smell of failure. She revokes their tanning privileges.

All’s well in Glee.

The Legend of Super Smize!

Last week on America’s Next Top Model: I missed the episode.

Wanna be on top?

LA! Biana was almost eliminated last week due to her big mouth on set. But she promises she’ll remain silent now. Let’s see how long that lasts. Rachel talks about going from Wal-Mart cashier to model. She’ll fit in during the Wal-Mart challenge then. Meanwhile, Courtney decides to take off her boot and work through the pain of her broken foot from cheerleading. Ouch.

TYRA MAIL! (That vault is scary). “Your career will be short if you don’t measure up.” Ha, ha, because they are all short models. I get it.

The model-wannabes go to Wilhelmina Models and meet Nigel, who introduces the president—Sean Patterson. They will be interviewed by Sean. Lulu is asked her favorite photograph and confesses she doesn’t know one—while Nigel Barker is sitting RIGHT THERE! Courtney is praised for doing her walk in pain. Jennifer is said to have a lazy eye but actually has no control over it. Rachel is just blah. Sundai is the shortest of the short models. Sean is worried about Bianca’s hair do.

Nigel and Sean return. SURPRISE ELIMINATION! The girl who did the worse in interviews will go home. The girls are shocked as we go to commercials.

Next cycle: Tall models!

SURPRISE ELIMINATION! Say good-bye to Rachel. Hope she can get her job back at Wal-Mart. Nigel says models need charisma and Sean says she flat-lined. Rachel cries and confesses she was hoping someone would say “Psyche.” The girls reel but de-stress in the pool.

America’s Next Top Model:

Ashley
Sundai
Bianca
Rae
Brittany
Rachel
Courtney
Nicole
Erin
Lulu
Jennifer
Lisa
Kara
Laura

TYRA MAIL! Something about separating the super models from the near models. The girls meet a rude French photographer who is clearly overacting. He asks if anyone can give him the perfect photo in one take and dismisses the girls. Tyra, all geekified, runs in, gets mad and goes all Hulk on us. Except instead of turning green, she turns into Super Smize, whose super ability is the power to smile with her eyes. Which she shortens to smize. The rude French photog is defeated (while still overacting) and Super Smize teaches the girls how to smile with her eyes.

Tyra White? Snow Tyra? Either way, she and Prince Couture still win over this.

Brittany purrs to help smile with her eyes. Jennifer can lift her eyebrows. Sundai is made to slurp. Tyra worries about Nicole’s brows and Lulu loves Tyra’s eyes. Courtney is just weirded out. Tyra puts the girls into ridiculous latex outfits for her challenge in the Fortitude of Fierceness. The winners will have a dinner date with Sean Patterson. The challenge: Who can smize best? Courtney beats Erin, Lulu beats Rae, Laura beats Sundai, Kara beats Nicole, Brittany beats Ashley, and Bianca beats Jennifer. The winners get beautiful dresses. The losers get waitress uniforms.

The girls go to Bazaar. Sean sends the losers to the kitchens where they attack dirty dishes. The winners have a Q-and-A with Sean. He jokes that dessert will be another surprise elimination. Bianca mutters, “Don’t even joke.”

TYRA MAIL! “In some professions, being small is an advantage.” Bianca puts a dirty dish in a washer full of clean ones. She says there are other dirty dishes in there and flips out.

The models wake up, get ready and leave…for a racetrack! Mr. Jay tells the girls about Seabiscuit. The girls will be posing on a horse, with a jockey…nude. And they have to smile with their eyes. Rae is up first and meets Norm. They make the photographer say “smize.” The poor man. Jennifer mentions her condition and has a less-than-stellar shoot. Brittany follows and is very vogue. The jockey tells Nicole to relax but it doesn’t work. Ashley doesn’t do well. Erin rocks the shoot. Laura has a horse and loves nudity. This is her ideal shoot! Lulu doesn’t do well. Courtney is forced back into her boot and her anger over that shows. Bianca doesn’t like her hair but keeps her mouth shut. She looks mannish. Kara had to relax into a pose. Sundai rocks it.

TYRA MAIL! Someone else is going home. Courtney complains while Brittany tries to tell her to stop making excuses. Courtney snaps she has the right to complain.

HOLLYWOOD! PANEL! There are prizes (contract with Wilhelmina Models, Cover and spread in Seventeen Magazine), there are judges, there are Ms. J’s sleeves, and there is Lauren Conrad. Ms. J smizes. Run, LC! Kara sees her best “jock.” Nigel wanted more fun, LC wants more expression. Ashley overposes and Tyra used a test shot with a crew member airbrushed out. Jennifer is given tips to work her weak eye. They like Lulu’s picture. Nigel loves Brittany’s shot, Tyra loves her modeling. Nigel likes Bianca’s bottom better than her top. Lauren loves Laura’s photo. Tyra focuses on the eyes and tension in the lips. Rae reminds Tyra of Madonna. Lauren’s favorite is Nicole. Nigel likes Erin’s pose. Tyra has the voice that indicates she doesn’t approve of Courtney’s decision re: her boot. She talks about say boot and Tyra pretty much tells her to stop making excuses.

HOLLYWOOD! The judges deliberate. I love Brittany. Ashley is sunk by her test shot. Laura needs to not smile and smize. After Brittany, I like Laura. And Sundai. Does anyone else think that Erin looks like Celia from last cycle? Nigel tries to shoot Tyra (with a camera, not a gun) but falls. It’s sad when they make me like LC. ELIMINATION! First photo goes to Erin. She is followed by: Brittany, Laura, Nicole, Kara, Jennifer, Sundai, Rae, Lulu and Ashley. Courtney and Bianca land in the bottom two. Bianca: Last week, she didn’t like the make-up. This week, she doesn’t like the hair. Courtney: ANTM can’t be a quitter. Who stays? Not the quitter. Tyra tells Bianca to work with whatever make-up and hair gives her. Tyra goes to Courtney and tells her not to give up.

Courtney still goes on about the foot but says she won’t give up.

Next week: Runway! Ashley and Lulu v. Bianca.

America’s Next Top Model:

Ashley
Sundai
Bianca
Rae
Brittany
Rachel
Courtney
Nicole
Erin
Lulu
Jennifer
Lisa
Kara
Laura

So, my favorite models so far are Brittany and Laura. How about you? Are you missing Paulina as much as me?

Let's Talk About Sex

Welcome to the world of “Glee”! For those of you who missed the premiere episode last May, here’s a recap: Teacher Will Schuster decides to rejuvenate the school’s glee club and bring back the heyday from his time in the club. He gains a few new recruits: diva Mercedes, leading-lady-in-training Rachel, the stereotypical musical nerd Kurt, wheelchair-bound Artie, and shy Tina. Will eventually recruits football star Finn and gains support from smitten school counselor Emma. Standing in the club’s way is the school cheerleading squad, nationally known and the queen bees of the school, and their domineering coach.

The second episode opens as Will pulls into the lot to be attacked by Rachel, wielding song choices. He spots the other members of Glee with Kurt ending up in the dumpster once Will’s gone. Will runs into Emma as a prissy cheerleader tells him to go see her coach—the awesome Jane Lynch. She wants the program to fail and has even done her research. Turns out, the current roster falls six short of the requirement to make Regionals (Okay, according to Jane, it would be six-and-a-half as she counts the wheelchair kid as a half). She tells him to kill the club and work as her assistant. He politely declines.

Meanwhile, Rachel overhears Finn and Prissy Cheerleader (AKA Quinn) argue about him being in Glee. She tries to persuade him with a promise of second base but fails. She warns Rachel to stay away from her man. Rachel tells her she has other suitors and this point is accentuated by…facefulls of slushies. This cuts to a half-hearted rendition of “Le Freak Chic.” The gang protests the song choice but Will says they’ll be performing Friday and can’t get something new. With groans, Glee continues.

In the world outside of school, Will and Terri try to find a new house now they have a baby on the way. Her sister encourages the couple to buy a new house in her subdivision as her unruly kids run amok. Will knows he they can barely afford but he caves, voicing over he knows he needs extra income now.

But first—more Glee! He gives the gang a new song—Kayne’s “Gold Digger.” Will and Mercedes rock the song. Later, though, Emma finds Rachel trying to throw up. She brings Rachel back to her office where Rachel swears off bulimia but confesses she likes someone. She asks Emma if ever loved someone so much she locked herself in somewhere and just listened to sad music. With a glance to Will and a curt “no,” we zoom to Emma locked in her car, pouring rain pounding on the windows, mascara running down her face as she sings “All by Myself.” She counsels Rachel to find some common ground with her crush and a connection will follow.

We next see Rachel with Finn, Will and Jane in Principal Figgins’ office. Jane caught them doing something horrible—they were making copies of a Glee flyer ON THE CHEERLEADERS’ COPIER! The horror! Will offers to have them pay the cheerleaders back for the 17 copies they made. Principal Figgins likes this idea. Finn and Rachel get a warning while Jane gets clean up duty. Will tells the two not to put up the flyers and to suck it up regarding the song choice. Rachel tries to get closer to Finn, but he says he has Celibacy Club. Terri and Will take a bath but Terri flips out about their financial situation and wanting her dream home. This prompts Will to offer to be the janitor in wake of school cut backs.

Rachel joins the Celibacy Club, which Finn joined to get Prissy Cheerleader to break her vow. The guys talk about coming too soon and we see Finn’s traumatic driver’s ed experience. As they make out using balloons, Rachel flips out. She drops a bombshell: Girls want sex just as much as guys. The guys are floored and I’m sure Lea Michele feels like she’s back in “Spring Awakening.” After school, Emma discovers Will’s new side job. She promises to keep his secret and offers to help. Will asks Emma about her impulsive need to clean everything. She admits it is from a childhood experience at a dairy farm when her brother pushed her into a pile of manure. Will tries to help her but they have A Moment, so she leaves.

Rachel calls a meeting of Glee Club sans Will and says they will give the students what they want: Sex.

Cue the assembly where the gang performs Salt-n-Pepa’s “Push It.” The cheerleaders are scandalized but Principal Figgins taps along. Will’s stunned but the students love it. Jane drags Principal Figgins and Will into his office. Jane wants Will to resign and Glee Club to be disbanded. Principal Figgins refuses, saying Glee is talented. But he does have a list of approved songs. He also cuts Jane’s budget for new costumes for Glee. Will scolds Rachel for her tactics. Lea Michele’s teary face brings us to commercials.

Emma polishes off each grape before she eats it as she tries to dissuade the coach, who is smitten with her. He warns her away from married men and tells her she can’t do better than him. In other romance news, Rachel runs scales with Finn. They stop for food and Finn confesses he wants to be as good as her. They have several Moments before she gives him permission to kiss her. He does but as he gets excited, his traumatic driving experience pops up. He flees.

Terri goes to get a baby check-up. Except there’s no baby. The doctor thinks she wants a baby so much, she’s mimicking the symptoms.

The cheerleaders try out for Glee, Prissy wanting to be near Finn. Jane is surprised but Prissy explains why. Jane makes them her spies, charging them to bring Glee down. Across the school, Emma cleans the water fountain while Will offers antibacterial wipes. Emma says she has a date while sad music plays. At home, Terri surprised Will with dinner and candlelight. He says he is doing this for her and the “little guy or gal.” Terri lies that it’s a “little guy.” She agrees to give up the dream home and tells Will to drop the side job.

Rachel is brokenhearted to learn Prissy is getting her solo. Will apologizes for his behavior and says he forgot that Glee Club is about having fun. Rachel lets this pass before asking to use the gym. Lea Michele then delivers an amazing rendition of Rihanna’s “Take a Bow,” saying good-bye to her relationship with Finn. They will be releasing a soundtrack, right?

Yes, it’s on iTunes! Laptop, don’t fail me now!

Tune in next week! 

Adventures in Arriving

So, in my last entry, I wrote about how we found out the day before we left for our vacation that our flight had been bumped up an hour. So, we were all up and ready by 5:30 am Wednesday morning. That is a full hour before I even wake up for work on a regular day! We were all ready but the car wasn’t. We had to give them a call since they are usually prompt and they had a car to us within fifteen minutes.

Our driver got us to Newark and my mom arranged for a car to pick us up when we returned in fifteen days. We raced through the terminal to the Continental domestic flight check-in area and discovered the first line of our Disney trip. Fortunately, the people at Continental moved us along. Baggage check-in was automated and everything moved quickly. We got our gate and eventually made it there with ten minutes to spare before they started boarding our plane.

We were unable to get four seats next to each other, so we were separated into pairs. My sister and I boarded the plane first and quickly found our seats. I was slightly disappointed to see I was sitting on the aisle—I ALWAYS get a window seat. Even when I went to London, I still managed to swing a window seat. We were settling in when a commotion was raised by another passenger. He demanded to sit next to his two small children. The Continental flight attendants were accommodating and people began to shift their seats around. In the shuffle, I ended up sitting in a window seat next to my mom because the passenger assigned to that seat needed to sit on the aisle due to a broken arm.

My mom later teased me because I ended up sleeping the entire flight, so she didn’t see the point for me to have a window seat. As for the passenger who wanted to sit next to his children, turns out he only had ONE child and was trying to angle a seat for his wife. The flight attendant managed to get him next to his child but refused to do anything else after discovering his dishonesty.

We arrived in Orlando and thus began the Quest for the Boarding Pass. Our boarding passes held our baggage claim numbers and mine had disappeared. I swore my mom had taken it when I moved to my new seat. She swore she didn’t have it. I checked my bag but it seemed lost to the ages. So I now had to get a lecture in responsibility while we dashed for the monorail.

In the end, the Quest for the Boarding Pass was in vain because we didn’t need our claim numbers. We had signed up for Disney’s Magical Express. A cast member would collect our baggage, signified by a yellow tag, and deliver it to our rooms for us. We just needed to find our bus to Pop Century and begin to relax.

Check-in was a breeze, though our rooms weren’t ready yet. However, Disney promised to send us a text message with our room numbers when they were. So, we dropped off our carry on items at baggage assistance. They would bring them to our room with our luggage.

We were free to begin our adventure in the park.

Disney pampering is the best pampering in the whole world.

PS: My missing boarding pass was found that night. My mother DID have it the entire time. She just put it away separately from the others.