Letter Fodder and other Obscure Observations

We are home from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and it feels good to return to Muggle status. We had a great vacation at Universal Studios and Cocoa Beach. Of the two I preferred Cocoa Beach. Perhaps I have outgrown theme parks, or more likely as it is with movies, I simply prefer books over cinematic interpretations of a book. While I thoroughly enjoyed our vacation, I found that I kept running list of the bothersome--a mental eye tic of sorts, one that I feel compelled to share. An affectation of my personality that manifests itself in the form of letter writer. I am evolving into that person, that letter person that makes mental notes and fires off the unsolicited letter to business establishments, manufacturers of odd products and hotel management. Is it that I truly believe that these entities want and value my opinion? Or that I have some point of view so unique that it has not yet been vetted through focus groups that conduct consumer research for these mega corporations--not likely. Do I have some David and Goliath, Erin Brockovich need to be the little voice that could--hardly. It is more that I believe that feedback is a good thing, that without the giving and receiving of feedback nothing ever changes. It is merely my fear of utter stagnation that fuels my need to elucidate my point of view. I write letters in response to extremes, good and bad. I write snarky letters when fired up; and heartfelt letters of gratitude in response to a kind turn. I am not naive--I know most of these letters end up in recycle bins. Every now and then I do get a response other than the polite form letter--sometimes a small action. I am okay with that. That ticker gene of mine, the one that counts on fingers and simultaneously rolls eyes--the one that is not equipped with an off button--no matter how hard I try---took notes this weekend in Florida.


Artifacts of a noisey brain so to speak.


1. All rides end in a souvenir shop

2. Where were the healthy food choices (are the calories a fairy tale too?)

3. How many people, people and more people can you fit into a small wizard village? Inquiring minds want to know.

4. Why do parents bring children under 2 to theme parks (they are too small to ride and they won't remember--quit using your children to gain admittance--fess up-admit that you love HP and hire a babysitter)

5. Prevalence of mediocre customer service. (Does knowing this is a once in a life-time experience negate the need for service that might bring you back)

6. Hotels that do not provide complimentary coffee before the restaurant opens up and 3.00 a cup Folgers after the restaurant opens.

7. Door to Door shuttle services that stop at 5 hotels between start and end point.

8. Hotel Guest Services desk and information kiosks where service/information are contingent on a 1.5 hour time share sales pitch.

9. The unavailability of women's souvenir shirts larger than an XL. Honestly this fat girl is living proof that a mans 2XL is not a flattering cut on a women of size.

10. Why no where inside Universal Studios can you buy a Ogre Fiona Doll. I found it untenable that the quintessential anti-princess movie--one which celebrates the non-traditional hero and heroine--would not sell a Ogre Fiona. When asked if they were simply sold out of Ogre Fiona---I was told that little girls only liked the "Beautiful Princess Fiona"--and that they quit selling the Ogre Fiona dolls, even those dolls that were both Ogre Fiona and Princess Fiona. I did point out to the sales clerk, that both Fiona's were infact Princesses.

11. Families that wear Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3 and Thing 4 t-shirts.

I am still working on my letters--one to Universal for that Ogre Fiona snub and one to Holiday Inn for that customer service Thing 1 through Thing....


The photo of me and my Michael, one I just love. No bearing on the post what-so-ever.