Random Thoughts 15: Crystal Clear 2021 Edition

[ImJustKCClone]

Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but I struggle with the idea of "destination" weddings, unless the happy couple and/or their parents are footing the bill for the trip for everyone.

One son was getting shamed into being one of five groomsmen in the Carribbean when he was struggling to make ends meet. He finally told his friend that he loved him like a brother, but he simply couldn't afford a week on an island, with or without his two kids. Turns out there were several that turned the groom down.

Expecting people to give up their vacation time and a large amount of money (for someone who is a single parent) for the "honor" of standing next to you for 20 minutes is a little selfish, IMO.

Eh. I'm a grinch.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

New neighbors moved in last month a few houses down. They are turning the their garage into a Hawkeye bar and plan to have gamewatch parties every saturday during football season. yuck.

 

[BCClone]

Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but I struggle with the idea of "destination" weddings, unless the happy couple and/or their parents are footing the bill for the trip for everyone.

One son was getting shamed into being one of five groomsmen in the Carribbean when he was struggling to make ends meet. He finally told his friend that he loved him like a brother, but he simply couldn't afford a week on an island, with or without his two kids. Turns out there were several that turned the groom down.

Expecting people to give up their vacation time and a large amount of money (for someone who is a single parent) for the "honor" of standing next to you for 20 minutes is a little selfish, IMO.

Eh. I'm a grinch.

With people rolling out 10-20k on a wedding, it is pretty easy to pay for the wedding party (just have 1-2 for each) to go and have a small destination wedding. It is selfish to have one and force others to pay. Then again, some of these bachelor parties have gotten nuts also, IMO.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

We are doing the one day quick trip. May not give us the whole deal (8 hours of driving will limit it also) but at least say I’ve been there and see something outside of Phx.

Yeah, we kept saying we were going to do that.

The Grand Canyon would have been the first park on our western state swing we were planning to make last June. I think we all know what happened to THAT idea.

Also, it would have involved the hassle of car rental. And we were still working for a living at that time, so we were only there for about 5 days each time.

 

[BCClone]

Yeah, we kept saying we were going to do that.

The Grand Canyon would have been the first park on our western state swing we were planning to make last June. I think we all know what happened to THAT idea.

Also, it would have involved the hassle of car rental. And we were still working for a living at that time, so we were only there for about 5 days each time.

I was hoping to do more, since the wife’s family thinks getting drunk is the essence of fun and I don’t really drink (definitely not for a few more weeks with the Mono thing still slightly hanging out there). I can tell you exactly what I drank last year. 2 crown 7s, a beer and 1.5 glasses of wine. Thought we were in the clear until the itinerary email hit the other day. I/we don’t have anything in common with the rest of her family so it becomes a long bore fest. They are totally indecisive and the wife’s brothers wife is demanding so it turns out being whatever she wants and she wants to be the center of attention and nearly worshipped.

I dread these situations. My oldest isn’t going due to classes, and usually it’s me and my kids just huddling up and hanging out, so without him it will be even worse

 

[BoxsterCy]

Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but I struggle with the idea of "destination" weddings, unless the happy couple and/or their parents are footing the bill for the trip for everyone.

One son was getting shamed into being one of five groomsmen in the Carribbean when he was struggling to make ends meet. He finally told his friend that he loved him like a brother, but he simply couldn't afford a week on an island, with or without his two kids. Turns out there were several that turned the groom down.

Expecting people to give up their vacation time and a large amount of money (for someone who is a single parent) for the "honor" of standing next to you for 20 minutes is a little selfish, IMO.

Eh. I'm a grinch.

Niece had a courthouse wedding and than a vacation ceremony one at a fancy small resort in Mexico. Pretty small wedding party, mostly just family and a few close friends, sisters were bridesmaids, groom dudes were grooms brothers. They didn't invite and expect a bunch of cousins and random friends to fly down, so you can do it like a really small local wedding. Believe they sent out "announcements" and not invites except to the small party. Montana and Iowa families used it as their winter vacation.

 

[cyclonpediaJoe]

Is chewing tobacco in the current criteria with smoking?

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

We are doing the one day quick trip. May not give us the whole deal (8 hours of driving will limit it also) but at least say I’ve been there and see something outside of Phx.

If you don't plan on doing the whole terrifying burro ride down into the canyon then I think a day trip is good enough. I would have liked to stayed for sunset as they say that is the best part. Outside of that I saw all I needed to in a couple of hours. Of course I like to show up check things out and then move on.
I had a free 4 day weekend and rode out to Yellowstone to see Old Faithful erupt.

 

[NWICY]

New neighbors moved in last month a few houses down. They are turning the their garage into a Hawkeye bar and plan to have gamewatch parties every saturday during football season. yuck.

Welp your property values are declining . Hope they are good neighbors other than that flaw.

 

[do4CY]

Outside of knowing my destination, I pretty much just wing it when I road trip. I rode up 64 from the interstate and parked near the Grand Canyon village. Then you just follow the trails. The tower view is the circled area on the right. That is probably the grandest view. There are a few roads in between the two that lead to viewing points.
Most of the viewing areas have minimal guard rails. It's easy to understand why people fall as you can get right to the edge.

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I find it amazing that my parents took me to places like the grand canyon and the badlands when I was a kid because I would run right up to the edge to look over. I'll see if that comes full circle since we are taking our kids to the badlands/black hills this summer.

The grand canyon is definitely worth a side trip. Its pretty awesome from the air as well.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I find it amazing that my parents took me to places like the grand canyon and the badlands when I was a kid because I would run right up to the edge to look over. I'll see if that comes full circle since we are taking our kids to the badlands/black hills this summer.

The grand canyon is definitely worth a side trip. Its pretty awesome from the air as well.

A lot of the places you can climb up at the Badlands wouldn't kill you to fall off, but it sure would hurt bouncing down.

 

[BCClone]

Suppose to meet a person tomorrow but have been given no time or location yet.

 

[BuffettClone]

Suppose to meet a person tomorrow but have been given no time or location yet.

Random hookup you met on Tinder?

 

[BCClone]

Random hookup you met on Tinder?

I wish. Dude trying to sell me something.

Btw, I prefer grinder. Might as well be open about your intentions.

 

[BuffettClone]

I wish. Dude trying to sell me something.

Btw, I prefer grinder. Might as well be open about your intentions.

You do what makes you happy, I'm not here to judge.

 

[BCClone]

Latest news I saw is saying Covid vaccines are 90% effective. That is solid numbers but was hoping for that 95% that trials were saying. Looks like it will probably require a second wave of shots with those numbers to get a comfortable level.

 

[ScottyP]

Latest news I saw is saying Covid vaccines are 90% effective. That is solid numbers but was hoping for that 95% that trials were saying. Looks like it will probably require a second wave of shots with those numbers to get a comfortable level.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccine phase 3 trials began when numbers were still relatively low in a lot of areas, which might have made the results look better than they were. Still fairly good news.

 

[SCyclone]

Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but I struggle with the idea of "destination" weddings, unless the happy couple and/or their parents are footing the bill for the trip for everyone.

One son was getting shamed into being one of five groomsmen in the Carribbean when he was struggling to make ends meet. He finally told his friend that he loved him like a brother, but he simply couldn't afford a week on an island, with or without his two kids. Turns out there were several that turned the groom down.

Expecting people to give up their vacation time and a large amount of money (for someone who is a single parent) for the "honor" of standing next to you for 20 minutes is a little selfish, IMO.

Eh. I'm a grinch.

No you're not. The son of a wealthy local businessman decided to get married in the Napa Valley. Plane fare, (expensive) hotel rates, tux rent, etc was too much for my co-worker's son, who was asked to be a groomsman. I would've begged off, too. Sometimes people just assume way too much.

 

[SCyclone]

I was hoping to do more, since the wife’s family thinks getting drunk is the essence of fun and I don’t really drink (definitely not for a few more weeks with the Mono thing still slightly hanging out there). I can tell you exactly what I drank last year. 2 crown 7s, a beer and 1.5 glasses of wine. Thought we were in the clear until the itinerary email hit the other day. I/we don’t have anything in common with the rest of her family so it becomes a long bore fest. They are totally indecisive and the wife’s brothers wife is demanding so it turns out being whatever she wants and she wants to be the center of attention and nearly worshipped.

I dread these situations. My oldest isn’t going due to classes, and usually it’s me and my kids just huddling up and hanging out, so without him it will be even worse

That's a short lunch hour for some.

 

[SCyclone]

Latest news I saw is saying Covid vaccines are 90% effective. That is solid numbers but was hoping for that 95% that trials were saying. Looks like it will probably require a second wave of shots with those numbers to get a comfortable level.

From what I've seen, Pfizer and Moderna are 90%+, J & J is only about 75%. The vixen was gonna hold out if we were getting the J & J vaccine. Luckily they gave us Moderna.