Gary-Summer

Monday, October 6, 2025

October 6, 2025 - Jeopardy

Title: October 6, 2025 - Jeopardy
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Jeopardy

Description:

I woke up at 5am, a bit earlier than I wanted to get up, so I did not rise. I just laid in bed until 6. Then I got up and had breakfast . By the time I finished, the others were getting up. The car is all packed, trash taken out and the towels have been put into the washing machine. By 7:45, we are ready to leave. Not bad for this family.

Sherri goes with Rachel-Rachel brought her new car down Saturday-to the Sony Studios. This was a happy circumstance as she was able to use the car pool lanes, particularly when traffic was backed up. Steven has to deal with me in the car-he drove. We actually made it to Sony only a few minutes after Rachel’s car.

Rachel

You might be asking, what are we doing at Sony Studios? Steven noticed that there were morning tickets to Jeopardy available and was able to procure them. So the four of us are able to see a taping of the show.

We were lined up according to contestants, contestant guests and then the rest of us. We were then brought into the gift shop/visitor center a little after 10. We milled around and then about half an hour later we all filed onto the lot and waited by the Jeopardy studio to be let in. This was timed to have the taping start at 11. Jimmie MC’d the crowd, couching us when to applaud, to make sure there was enough energy in the room to be exciting. Jimmie started as somebody who would go on-site to places to tape aspects of a location. He has been there now 25 years. Johnnie Gilbert was not present, but lent his voice to the opening while the producer provided contestant information.

Sherri

Several years ago we saw a taping of the NPR show Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me! There were a lot of similarities between that show and Jeopardy. Also there were some differences. Some of the similarities is that when it is noted that the main person muffed a line, later on, it was retaped. But the show essentially went through the entire taping. The obvious difference is that one is radio and the other is TV. Appearances do matter on Jeopardy.

One of those appearances is to make sure everything was right. One of the contestants answered correctly, but too slow. They stopped the taping, had the contestants turn away from the main stage and face the back. Then the judges went through and examined what happened. They then retaped that sequence without the confusion, showing the late answer. It was interesting that they took so much effort to get the results right.

Gary

One of the things which I was surprised at was that the commercial breaks are used to give the contestants a break as well as to make sure they are doing well. During the first commercial break, Ken Jennings comes and answers questions from the audience. Steven got to ask a question about Jennings' college roommate, Brandon Sanderson, who is now a notable author. I think that Jennings liked to reminisce.

On other commercial breaks, Jimmie was MC’ing us and using the time to give background to the show. Also to get some audience involvement. That involvement was to pick people out of the crowd and note something about them. I was the first, which he called me Mr Letterman-that is a first for me. I am usually Mr Muir or Mr Ansel Adams. It was fun.

We got to see two tapings. Our shows will be shown on Nov 3rd and 4th. Having seen how the show is made, I am interested in seeing the final results. Each taping took about 45 minutes with 10-15 minute break in-between. After each taping, Jennings talks with the contestants in a mini-debriefing about how they felt about the taping. By the time we got out of there, it was after 1pm.

Sherri at Dewar's

Steven, Sherri and I have a House Church Potluck at 6pm in Fresno, but it looks like we will not be making it. Before going back to Fresno, we have lunch in Culver City at Mendocino Farms. Very good. I have a chicken park dip. Rachel says this is one of her go to places-there are others closer to where she used to lived. I think we are a bit reluctant to part as we do not leave until 2:15. She will be staying down in LA until Saturday with some friends.

The 2:15 start time and then LA traffic makes it definite that we will not make House Church tonight. I drive over the Grapevine to Bakersfield, where we pick up gas at Costco. Since we are not making House Church, we will do the next best thing: stop at DeWar’s for sundaes. Sherri and I share one and Steven has his own. Contentment.

Steven drives the rest of the way home, getting us back about 7. Even though we have not been away very long, it feels good to be back. Korra also welcomes us.

Extra Photo's

Sunday, October 5, 2025

October 5, 2025 - Disneyland

Title: October 5, 2025 - Disneyland
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

By the fire fightng plane

Hike Info:

Type: Theme Park

Description:

First and foremost today is Rachel’s birthday. Happy Birthday! I must have been rested. I sort of heard everybody come in last night, just not sure what time. I was mostly asleep when that happened and was fully asleep when Sherri came to bed. At 6 this morning, I woke up and was ready to go.

Andrea and the River Bear

By the time everyone got ready to go, it was about 8:30. Andrea and I walked over to the Park while Rachel drove the rest of them. Andrea and I get through security, through Downtown Disney and into California Adventure before the rest of them leave the parking garage. We wander down the main street and into the Grizzly Peak section. The first thing we come to is the Mt Muir Lookout. There are no stairs on the bottom floor, so no climbing into the tower. But we do get a few pictures. We wandered some more and found the Grizzly River Run, not that I am going to go on it. I spotted a couple good observation points.

Then we move on. We observed the opening of the Redwood Creek Trail for the day with some kids being able to broadcast a warning that they are coming in. Then we made our way back to Main Street. Andrea notes that you can get on the River ride almost immediately now, but Sherri would like pictures taken before they get soaked.

Daughter and Father having fun

So we waited in line for a Mickey Mouse picture. Then go over and have our picture taken with Mickey’s father-at least his statue. Then more pictures by the Lookout then then an old fire fighting plane. By the time we get to the River ride, there is a 9 minute wait-not bad at all. I get several shots of them on the ride, but nothing which will win me any awards.

Fire Lookout Couple

Then it is off to other rides. They are interested in going on some rides which I have no interest in. So I stayed by one of the sculptures which is representative of the town center. I read some of the True Riches book and then a chapter out of a book Rachel got me of the HP Lovecraft, Selected Weird Tales. I do not think I have read anything by him-a deficiency in my reading selection as I have certainly heard about him and am interested in how well he will hold my attention. This is more enjoyable to me than the rides, I hate to say. I wish I could say something else, since my children, especially Steven likes Disneyland.

Gary

Rachel brought me a churro-I think they all were in on it. A couple maintenance people came by. Harold who swept around and then disposed of the churro plate for me. A little later, Paolo did a quick mop of the seats near where I was sitting-so I moved so he could do a better job. That is when my family caught up with me. I could read it in their eyes, who is Dad talking with now and how embarrassing is it going to be for them? Not embarrassing at all.

Rafting Disney Style

Andrea and Rachel took me on my ride of the day-the Little Mermaid ride.This is my style of ride. When we get back, it is time for lunch. We go and find a table in front of Ghiradelli's. But we decided to order lunch instead of sundaes. What ever happened to life is short-have dessert before lunch? Anyway, we had a good meal and were content. Lawrence, Rachel and I decided to return back to the house and rest. Andrea and Sherri come back after an hour and Steven does a ride or two more.

We all rest up in various ways. Steven and Rachel spend some time in the spa. Sherri joins them outside in a chair. Andrea and Lawrence take a bit more active relaxation by playing foosball. I also joined in on a couple of rounds. The foosball table has seen better times. First, the men seem to have a mind of their own and are not held tightly on the rod. Then some of the rods will detach from the holes they are in. Andrea is pretty good at this; Lawrence and I do not compare. Still, it is fun.

Andrea all wet

At 6, we start to get hungry. Rachel has been to a place called the Packing House on Anaheim St. So we go there. It reminds me of the food court we went to in Atlanta on Krog Street. There is a sampling of food styles, something which all of us can suscitate our tastes. I share a grilled cheese sandwich with Rachel-I guess my taste buds are more plebeian, I know Rachel’s is much more sophisticated, so I think she is just trying to take care of her Dad. We talk about various things like bicycles, their security and some accessories. At 7:40, we leave. Rachel takes Andrea and Lawrence back to the John Wayne Airport to catch their flight to Portland. I dropped Steven and Sherri off for some last moments of fun at Disneyland.

Iced Tea

Gary, doing what he enjoys

I spent some time writing up my blog entries for this trip and last week's trip up north. When Rachel comes back, I take my shower. Then we watched a couple of episodes of Jeopardy. Both episodes had Ken Jennings in it and the evening;s programming could be called “Now and Then.” The first was last Friday’s time. The second was when Jennings was a second time contestant-the first time as a champ. After the second time, I go to bed.

Gary talking with Paolo

Just a bit of musing: Disneyland uses the phrase The Happiest Place on Earth. I like to watch people’s faces both at Disneyland and other places. I would say that with my unscientific sampling, only about 20% of the people have smiles on their faces-Andrea thinks it is about 40%. I am thinking many of these smiles are on children. A lot of people seem to look more driven. I am thinking that at my local Costco’s, it might be closer to 50%.

Extra Photo's

Us, Mickey Mouse, and the mouse's father

Sherri, Steven, Andrea, and Rachel with the River Bear

Rachel and Mickey

Lawrence and Andrea

Gary and Sherri at the Mt Muir Lookout

Gary at the Mt Muir Lookout

Andrea and the River Bear

Gary by the Mill

Gary has a new friend

Gary trying to start the plane

Coming down the falls

Spray at reaching the bottom

After the river ride

Churro time

Gary and his new friend Paolo

Redwood Creek

Halloween with the Skeleton's

Lighting McQueen

Foosball

Disney Fireworks

Saturday, October 4, 2025

October 4, 2025 - Disneyland

Title: October 4, 2025 - Disneyland

Lawrence doing a Taskmaster task

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Theme Park

Description:

This blog entry will not try to give a blow-by-blow account of our time at DisneyLand. Rather a more general feeling.

I must have been tired as I am the last one up, getting up about 7:20. We have our breakfast. Then walked over to Disneyland, getting into the Park around 9. We went through security and walked through DisneyTown. Even in the daylight this is not the DisneyLand I remember.

I should say here, as a young kid, I remember camping at a campground close to Disneyland in some orange groves. I do not think my family ever stayed in a hotel here. Maybe we visited it on the way down to San Diego to visit my aunt and her family. We never went on the E rides in those days. Being a young kid, going to Disneyland was fun. I do remember coming down here in college and visiting a friend who would eventually sing at our wedding. Sherri and several other people were here. I do not remember the rides, just being with people I enjoyed.

Gary's favorite part of Disneyland

Later on our family came here. Evidently the kids remember it. Sherri would take those who wanted to on the rides which were more “interesting”, I was content and much happier to go on the basic rides like the Pirates of the Caribbean. This would eventually lead me to reading my way through DisneyLand.

Lawrence guarding tthe drinks

And that is how I will be today, being content to go on the lamer rides and read which everybody else enjoys the better rides. But Steven has other ideas to get me involved. We go on a couple of the Star Ware themed rides. They are more bumpy than thrill rides. Most of the attraction is the visual, which DisneyLand is a master at creating the illusion of travel rather than actuality.

Lawrence has a friend

Someplace in here, I finished the book I am reading, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. Not sure how I will rate this book. It may need a second going through, We meet Rachel inside the park-good to see her feeling better. We do a couple more rides such as the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise, complete with the puns and sly references which I enjoy. While not terribly hot by Fresno standards, being in the direct sunlight has taken a toll on us. First we stop by the DoleWhip places. Then we decided that since it is approaching 3, maybe we should have lunch/dinner. We decided that pizza would be good to eat at Naples. We share three different individual pizzas among the six of us.

At this point, Sherri, Andrea and I decide to return to the house to rest. We walked back. I laid down, and started to rest. But about 6:45 I woke up to find that Andrea and Sherri have returned to Disneyland, I decided to stay put and take a shower. Lawrence comes back about 8. I mostly lounge around the rest of the night, before going to bed about 10:30.