Science Mmm Mmmmm

FRIDAY: I seriously can't remember what we did. Obviously nothing too terribly exciting.

SATURDAY: I finally got to use my new yoga mat! Once I came home and showered, Dustin and I bummed around the house and caught the last half of 'Game Change' on HBO about McCain/Palin. It was very interesting! And who knew how much Julianne Moore could resemble Sarah Palin?

Later in the day we met up with Pat and Sam at the Olive garden in celebration of Pat's 27th birthday! Woo. Party!

All week I have been asking Sam what Pat wants to do for his birthday. His response: "I don't know. But I don't want to NOT do something." So while he was being indecisive, Sam was plotting planning a surprise trip to the Orlando Science Center. She wanted to KEEP it a surprise but he started guessing and finally he said "So, I think it's the Orlando Mmm Mmm". And we were all like WTF? What's the Orlando Mmm Mmm? We tried to play it off the best we could but then he said the whole name. Dustin said "YES!" with the biggest smile across his face. Sam and I gave him the you-ruined-your-own-surprise-look. I hate when Dustin does that. Some boys can't just enjoy a surprise to save their life.

I know the whole country is whining about a damn heat wave but it's ALWAYS hot in Florida. Saturday it was just especially hot. Like whoa.

 

What else are you supposed to do at a red light but have an imaginary war with bows and arrows, machine guns, rocket launchers, and the occasional grenade.

We got to the Science Center right at 6PM when all the fun happens (and the admission is way cheaper!). We explored all the levels and activities. We got to "fly" a jet, roll around giant musical balls,  check out dinosaurs, play weathermen (watch out Danny Treanor!), stepped inside a hurricane simulator (as if us Floridians don't know what that feels like) and saw a lot of cool animals.

   

We all were thirsty so we went to the cafe which is basically just a Subway within the Science Center. Pat got a coffee but there was barely any coffee coming out. He was convinced that was the last of it. He kept trying without any luck, looking pretty bummed. He didn't want to ask anyone which I'm used to being married to Dustin. I'm always asking employees for help wherever we are. No shame! So I asked one of the nice young gentlemen employees if he could make some more coffee. He said sure, but first he came over to check the coffee that was already out. He pressed the button and it came out perfectly. I just started cracking up. Oh, only Pat.

We got to see one show of our choosing in the CineDome with the purchase of regular admission. So we obviously all chose The Beatles laser light show. The CineDome is just so cool even without anything playing. I remember seeing some kind of animal or under the sea movie on it during a field trip as a kid. However, the laser light show was a completely new experience and totally awesome. It reminded me of that episode on Freaks and Geeks. Basically a bunch of laser images came flying at our faces while a lovely selection of Beatles song played very loudly for 30 minutes straight. I sang my heart out the entire time. It was almost like being at a concert - just without the band. They played my absolute favorite - Revolution along with Help!, Yesterday, A Hard Days Night, etc. It was definitely the highlight of the night.

The only thing left to do after the laser light show was go up to the 6th floor observatory to look at Saturn through the telescope. The only problem was it just wasn't dark enough yet. So while we waited for the sun to go down, we all looked out at the Orlando skyline. We talked about downtown Orlando and how small it is compared to other cities. But I personally like it that way. We watched random fireworks and tried to guess which buildings were what.

We finally got in line for the telescope. The doors and the top of the science center observatory were open so it was miserably hot inside, even without the sun. We all complained, talked and laughed and complained some more. After about an hour wait it was finally our turn to climb the spiral staircase to take a look in the giant telescope that would help us see a mother fucking planet! Sam saw it. Pat saw it. Dustin saw it. Then it was my turn and I couldn't see anything. I tried again without my glasses but nothing. Just black. Before I knew it my turn was up and I left really disappointed. Everyone else got to see Saturn except me. Dustin said it looked exactly like it does in science books. I mean, I KNOW what it looks like from a picture. But I've never gotten to see what it looks like in outerspace with my own eye. I still don't know. So it was great waiting in a line, sweating, for an hour to NOT see Saturn. Oh well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT! Welcome to the twenty seven club.

SUNDAY: Nothing. Just the way we like it.