There And Back Again

And bust it was,, our trip to Ny has been cancelled, due to money and other family obligations on my sister and brothers part, Thats too bad too, I’ve never been to NY and I was looking forward to it. I stilled tried to push mom and dad into going with just the 3 of us, but they werent having that,,I guess I’m not good enough. But Dad promised to treat me to Vegas instead, so Celine i’m on my way,,!!!! I love her, and want to see her show before she moves on,, stay tuned for details to that trip,.,,, Namarie Max

ps I’ve been real sick with a bad mouth infection all week, so maybe this is for the best,,.

Plans for France and Paris are in full swing. All reservations have been made. $ days will be spent in Paris. We are trying to nail an itinerary down, so that we can optimize our time. So far, it looks like Eiffel tower, napoleons tomb, nap, seine river night time river cruise for our First day. Then second day, Notre Dame, St Chappelle and the louvre and surrounding area. Too many churches and places to name here, yet. Third day Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees and Sacred Coeur in Montmartre. Our fourth and last day is our day trip to Versaille. { I actually watched Marie Antoinette-to see this chateau, terrible movie!}. Then we move on to Mount St Michel, which should be the highlight of the Trip, its an old abbey constructed out in the water. Very cool. From there we are staying 2 nights in a castle. The Chateau de Noizay. A real French Castle !!! Now thats Cool!!! And then our last day is still undecided, we want to play it by ear, either stay another night in the chateau or go back to Paris and see whatever we missed. Our itinerary is much more detailed then written out here. There are about 10 more churches that have history older Than The US! I want to see them all. Tuesday the 10 April, Sue and I have our first French class,, we want to learn as much of the language as we can. I am using this oppurtunity to really motivate myself to learning French, I’ve always to. So who knows. Farewell Max

I miss it. I left my heart there. I haven’t been the same, since returning. Something has changed. I’m becoming haunted by my memories.I still think about it every day. And my desire to return is just as strong today as it was, my first day home. I think it was like lightning in a bottle. I now know what that truely means. Every element, every aspect was exactly how I dreamed it would be. You know, I haven’t watched the movie once, since the return. I normally watched one of the three films religously at least once a week before then, or listened to the music to and from work in my car. But no more. It’s almost like, I’m afraid to face it. The Trip is over! And My life has changed. There is a scene at the end of ROTK, where the hobbits are having a pint at the Green Dragon, everyone around them is, dancing and singing, and making merry and the hobbits look at each other, and know that life for them has changed. The Twins and I re-anacted that scene, when we got home! Life imitating Art!! I think I know why my life is different, and I’ll share my thoughts.

 THE. TOUR. WAS. PERFECT. Finally I was with a group of people of all ages, who loved and were obsessed with LOTR, like me. I could be myself and not stand out, like I normally do. People from all over the World joined with me on a quest and an adventure that changed our lives forever.Different people from all walks of life, all ages, and different countries. Coming together to enjoy a common bond.  Unknown to us,and especially to me,  our journey echoed in some small ways, the journey the fellowship took. We had adventures climbing, snowy mountains, crossing freezing streams, meeting great characters along the way.  Funny thing is, all of us mirrored that Fellowship too. We met Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. We had our own Aragorn and Borimir. Faramir and Eowyn traveled with us. Also Two Hobbits on a quest and of course, Gandalf was there guiding them. We were very far from home, but we had worked so hard to get there and to accomplish this task was monumental and very rewarding.

Also My Boys were with me.  At a time were they still thought I was the coolest person in the whole wide world. I so wanted them to be proud of me. And to learn that no goal or dream is out of reach. Sometimes I would look into their eyes and see a gleam or a smile would break on their faces and I knew, This was everything! And everything was worth it. They are everything to me! 

I know every journey has a profound effect on the people making it. This one did! And someday I will go back. I so much want to see the lakes, and streams and mountains of Middle Earth again.   And someday we will.. Namarie Max

Hello There,,

This july the entire family is meeting up in Buffalo New York, for my Dads birthday. We are going on an aircraft Carrier there, the USS Sullivan, which was named in honor of the Sullivan Brothers, all of whom lost there lives in a naval battle in WW1. The Fighting Sullivans is my Mothers all time favorite movie,, Its a family tradition to watch this movie with her, as we were growing up. Because of these brothers, the US enacted a law, which doesn’t allow brothers to serve in the same branch of the service. Thank God, I would hate to think I had to be stuck with my brothers in a War! Kidding. Anyway, it’s only going to be 4 days, hopefully we won’t kill each other.  Max

And just like that, it’s all over.  Our 4 day florida weekend is done. We had a great time. The Twins conquered the park, especially Tom, who not only went on the Drakken in SeaWorld, but both dragons in Universal Sturiso-Islands of Adventure. Neither went on the Hulk, But Shelly, Rob and I did. It was a blast. I’m happy I got to have my picture taken with, not only Spiderman, but Wolverine and Captain America. Definitely, my highlight of the trip !!! I was a little disappointed with the Mummy ride, too fast, it’s over so quick.  Bring back Kong, boy was that ride missed! We also had a chance to visit Vivian. A lady the twins and I, met in New Zealand. She lives in kissimmee. We treated her to dinner and had a lovely time, She looks great, and it was funny to see her reaction, to see how big the boys got, in only 6 months, We all miss NZ. It was a nice, fun weekend, but over way too quick,,, Until next time Namarie Max

Hello There,,

  Tomorrow we leave for Orlando. Michelle is so excited, she has called me every night this week, I think she is more excited, than me and the boys. But then again, she hasn’t been away in a long time.  Our first day is going to be a day of relaxation, Only thing to do is meet with with Vivian, and have dinner with her. We met her in New Zealand, on the Tour.  Friday and Saturday, we are going to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, from 09:00 am till closing. Sunday is Seaworld, until around 5:00, then we have a plan to catch at 07:30. Not much time down there, but it’s action packed. We haven’t been in Orlando in 8 yrs, The twins were really little,, so this should be fun. They promised to go on all THE BIG RIDES, including rollercoasters.  I wonder which one is going to crack first!!!!  Max

Hello There,,

  Ok this months trip is Orlando. The whole crew is going, Me , Michelle, Robbie. Timmy and Tommy.  Just for 4 days, on Memorial Weekend, but we are still excited. Its been a long time, since we’ve been down there.  Our first day, we are visiting with a friend , whom we’ve met in New Zealand, Vivian. She is sooo excited, she claims she has prayed for this day, because she misses us. How nice. we miss her too.  Then the next 2 days, we are going to be at the 2 Universal Studios Theme Parks. I love them. Our last day is going to be at Seaworld. And then back home, actionpacked 4 days, but I know it will be fun. Pics will be posted soon… Namarie Max

Unbelieveable Day for Fans!!!! Battlestar Galactica, Harry Potter, Star Trek and Silver Surfer I met them all!!! What a wonderful weekend, I look like Hell,, with all the running around back and forth, getting this autograph and that picture! Wow. Jamie Bamber, Lee Adama (Apollo) and Katee Sackhoff -Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica. I had her laughing, I used the ol Gyrion Charm on her, and it worked, we had a nice chat, I think he was afraid of me. But he’s so handsome in real life, seriously , but short. After a pic and an autograph, I had to run back into the auditorium to meet Doug Jones, he plays the Silver Surfer in the new Fantastic Four movie this summer. He was also Pan from Pan Labrynth. Very nice man, had very kind words about the Twins, because I got his autograph for them. shh don’t tell them. Then from there back into the auditorium to hear The Weasley Twins and Viktor Krum talk about the new Harry Potter movie, unfortunately I didn’t stay the whole time, becuase Chief O’brien from DS9 and TNG was at the photo op booth. Plus My friends who are fans of Harry Potter will be disappointed with me also, I didn’t get a pic or an autograph from them. I didn’t have the money, it adds up people !!!!But my mojo worked for them too. At 1000 pm. I was walking my friend john to his car and whom do I run into in the ELEVATOR, but the Twins,,, John had no idea who they were,,, it was hysterical. But alas I didn’t have my camera on me. Sue, Laura and all Harry Potter fans that I know,, don’t be hate’n. hahaha. At least I spoke to them,, very nice Boys. Check out my pics,, I look awful, dark rings under my eyes, I don’t think California agrees with me, I cant sleep at night, Maybe I’m just wound up from all this excitement, I dunno. Sadly I leave in the morning,,namarie for now Max

Star Trek extravaganza!!!! Stars, Stars and more stars!!! I met and took pics with 3 of my favorite Stars from the Star Trek series. Na Na Visitor, Robert Duncan Mcneill and Connor Trinneer. I was in Heaven. Except for bad scheduling on the handlers of This convention, It was a great day. These people were extremely gracious, funny and kind. They were very pacient with all these crazy and weird Trekkers. AndI consider myself one, but i’m not half as weird as these people. Unbelieveable. I had some very nice conversations with the stars and it was fantastic, A real Dream come true. I alslo meet with Wayne Pygram. He played Scorpius from another show I love, Farscape. John took me to Santa Monica Pier and there I meet with 1/2 of the Hippies , winners of last years Amazing Race. He was very funny and was nice enough to pse for a pic,, esp since he busted me sneaking a pic,, it was really funny, I think I embarrassed john,, He is not used to me Stalking famous people. ButI wasn’t done there,,, We drove down the beach to Famous Venice Beach. walked along the boardwalk and who do I see there? none other than Bill Paxton, of Aliens, frailty and Twister fame,, My camera was out of power at this time so I couldn’t get a pic. John was truely amazed, I told him i always meet famous people and now he believes me.
Don’t forget to check out the pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/max-tim-tom

Now this what i’m talking about!! Much better day. After a very restless night. I got up early, and went to sign up for the Weekend pass, The weekend pass allows me to come and go as I please, I get a reserved seat. And what a seat! i’m 10 rows back but center aisle, I’m very happy. I set up my tripod and have an unobstructed view of whomever is on stage. Today there really wasn’t an stars I wanted to meet, so i decided to get my seat and try out my camera. And boy i’m glad i did, I tried everything and every setting, to try and firgure out the lighting. I think I got it right now, hopefully,, Tomorrow and Sunday is when my favorites hit the stage. Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica. But I did have a pleasant surprise today, I wandered into another room, and turned around a found myself face to face with Virginia Hey. She played Zhaan on Farscape. One of my favorite shows. I was very nervous to speak to her, but she was as gracious as she is beautiful. Then I ran into Walter Koenig who played Checkhov and George Takei and introduced myself, can you beleive it!!!! they were very nice,, I couldn’t take a pic, because its against the rules, I’m going to wait outside and try and snap pics there,,. john is going to take me out to dinner tonight, bust I have to be up early for Connor Trineer , Trip from Enterprise,,, How exciting !!!!! Namarie Max