TheAnts visit San Francisco

TheAnts once again flew on Southwest Airlines…

They also took a nap while on the flight…

Rules to live by…

TheAnts assist the flight attendant by demonstrating where the emergency door bar is…

Sometimes it’s nice to look out the window when you’re flying in a plane…

Snack time.

Oh no! PurpleAnt ate some peanuts that had been processed in a facility where peanuts are processed!

How An Ant flies.

Looking out at the wing.

In traffic, heading toward the city.

BlueAnt decides he wants a sugary snack

BlueAnt says, “Bottoms up!”

A nice dinner is their welcome to the city.

TheAnts with Coit Tower in the background

TheAnts and the Golden Gate Bridge

TheAnts and their shadows.

TheAnts and Alcatraz Island in the background.

Warped Ant Tourists.

TheAnts did make it home from their trip, of course, but the pictures of TheAnts ended abruptly, so you’ll have to take Owner’s word for it.

The Pool Room.

TheAnts were over at the community pool when the pool guy arrived one morning. While he was busy vacuuming the pool, he asked TheAnts to help him out with some of his other chores.

TheAnts are always excited to go to places that are normally forbidden!

PinkAnt shows the way…

PurpleAnt and BlueAnt help out checking and setting a couple of the timers…

BlueAnt helps mix the chemicals and PurpleAnt reaches for a glove before he realized he could adjust the pool’s temperature! Hotter baby!

Then they went out and helped clear the filter basket of debris…

And then helped the pool guy wheel his contraption out of there and back to his truck!

Thanks Pool Guy, TheAnts loved helping you out!

Something Happened.

We’re not sure exactly WHAT happened, but something did.

PinkAnt is embarrassed, which is why she’s been holding up the show…errr, blog. She either got into a fight with PurpleAnt, or with a cactus, or with someone. We waited for her bruises to heal, or to go away on their own, but apparently they’re here to stay. A forever testament of strange goings-ons when TheAnts aren’t in the camera’s view.

So, we’re coming out. PinkAnt is marked by purple bruises. She’ll always have them. Nothing makes them go away.

The blog must go on. Vanity be damned.

Mountains and Snow!

TheAnts recently headed up to the local mountains. They spent time relaxing and eating. That’s what TheAnts like to do, you know.

In fact, they had so much fun doing nothing that they almost forgot to document their trip with pictures. Thank goodness, they remembered at just the last moment, just as they were leaving.

Brrr, the snow is cold!

TheAnts found this strange “snowman” in the backyard of their cabin…

They think it looks more like a “snowseal,” don’t you?

TheAnts believe that you should visit the mountains and see the snow, too. It’s fun and cheap. TheAnts do like to entertain themselves cheaply!

Dinner!

Finishing up our series of posts about TheAnts’ trip to Northern California, here we find that they went out to dinner…

Classy joints always have candles on the table. Everyone knows TheAnts look better in the glow of candlelight.

All the ladies in the restaurant were given a white rose. PinkAnt was delighted!

Apparently, so were PurpleAnt and BlueAnt. They were hogging the wine glass, and PinkAnt was not terribly pleased. What happened to Ant Teamwork? Hmph.

PinkAnt does have a knack for getting what she wants! She beat the BoyAnts to the top of the bottle.

You snooze you lose, and PinkAnt is saving her snoozing for later.

TheAnts declare that “dinner” was very good. At least what they remember of it.

Winchester House.

While TheAnts were in Northern California, they also managed to fit in a visit to the Winchester House!

Surely you’ve heard of the heiress to the Winchester rifles? How she spent the latter part of her years instructing construction workers to continuously build rooms and hallways and stairways on her home?

Sadly, pictures weren’t allowed to be taken inside the house, so TheAnts were only able to take these outside.

If you ever get the chance and are in San Jose, California, TheAnts highly recommend touring the Winchester House and taking both the regular tour and the behind the scenes tour. It’s worth the time and money!

Meeting a Celebrity!

TheAnts recently trekked to Northern California to meet up with the creator of SquidRowComics.com and to take a tour of the Cartoonery, where the genius of funny is inked. They were excited to walk through downtown Salinas, where old buildings abound and John Steinbeck once lived. This here is the building that houses the studio of Squid Row Comics.

TheAnts are pretty sure they’re getting close. Should they call first or just go on up? BlueAnt persuaded everyone to just go on up.

The building is pretty unique, with storage that’s only reached by a ladder. Although that was never something to stop BlueAnt from trying to reach it.

Aha! Here we are! Let’s go in!

Oooohhh! It’s a bug… a bug that’s just TheAnt’s size (sort of)!

And the squid! TheAnts were excited to make a new friend!

Then, over there! It’s a bigger-than-life Randie! TheAnts ran over to inspect it…

Except BlueAnt got a little rude when he smelled coffee on Randie’s breath. BlueAnt has a thing for coffee, and Owner never lets him have any because he usually ends up spilling more than he drinks.

PinkAnt found a model (oohhh, a model of studliness!) just hanging around on the shelves, waiting just for her, apparently. She immediately hopped in his lap and cried, “Hold me! I just need to be held!” And he did. Really, though, who can resist PinkAnt’s ambitions?

Then BlueAnt and PurpleAnt found the Guide to Randie, just how does a cartoonist keep a character’s facial strutcture true? Why, by a guide, of course! (PinkAnt is pretty sure there’s a technically correct name for the guide, but YOU know what she means.)

And then PinkAnt found The Guide for Ryan…

Then the cartoonist found TheAnts giving themselves a self guided tour of her studio! AAAaaahhhh!

Think fast, think fast! PinkAnt knows they say flattery will get you everywhere, so she blurted, “We love your studio, you are a very talented artist!” Except it wasn’t flattery, it was truth, but born out of desperation. Bridgett Spicer (see her name above her? That’s how we knew it was really her…) knew it, too, but let them off the hook.

Phew! TheAnts had a great day, a productive day, but next time, maybe they’ll call first.

TheAnts & 2010 Rose Parade!

TheAnts were given the amazing opportunity to attend a VIP event and help decorate Honda’s “Ship of Dreams” which won the Tournament Special Trophy in the 2010 Rose Parade.

This here is the “barn” where many floats are being decorated inside. TheAnts were allowed to view the actual float from a catwalk up above. Pretty cool! (Don’t mind the car in the picture that has bull horns, TheAnts had nothing to do with that. Pinky swear.)

They were served In-N-Out for their VIP lunch. You know how TheAnts love their food. This VIP thing is pretty snazzy.

Then TheAnts decided to participate in the decorating. They started with this anchor, but felt like it was a fake decoration. Nowhere had they seen an anchor in the drawing of the float. FAKERS!!

They found the Honda logo, which they were pretty sure they’d seen in the float drawings and started helping to add seeds on it.

“Add seeds, not hump it, PinkAnt.” BlueAnt caustically whispered to PinkAnt. PinkAnt rolled her eyes in response.

A view of everyone decorating the float ornaments.

A zoomed in picture of the 2010 Rose Court, queens and princesses.

They debated getting into the official pace car of the 2010 Rose Parade, but wimped out. In no small part to PinkAnt’s voice of reason (fear). Wimps!!

Awww, now this, THIS they know how to drive!

Until Big Scary Michael gets in and starts reaching for them! GAH!! Why does everyone want to touch TheAnts??

All’s well that ends well, though, and TheAnts would like to take this opportunity to thank Honda America for the opportunity of participating in the VIP decorating event on 12/27.

TheAnts in front of the model of the float. TheAnts would have been happy to ride on it, it was just their size!

Holiday Sport!

With all the holiday socializing and whatnot, PinkAnt pointed out that activity is good. You don’t want an Ant with a paunch. PaunchAnt is just not good. She solicited BoyAnts and they said they wanted to race. Go Karts are the hottest activity for Ants these days, you know.

Soooo, in a fiercely competitive event, here’s PurpleAnt. “Keep it down, no cheering necessary!” He says.

BlueAnt had no such directives. “The more shouts the merrier!” He proclaimed.

PinkAnt’s all, “Let’s hear it for the girls! Pink Power, baby!! Woohoo!”

Santa’s all, “HO HO HOOOOO!”

TheAnt’s let their honorary guest start off the race. “Line ‘em up!”

And they’re off, with Santa in the lead!

Whoa! BlueAnt’s taking the inside track, could this get any more exciting?

Apparently, the Gingerbread man driving Santa’s kart needs a little instruction from Rudolph and the other reindeers… you know, like Donner and Blitzen, et al.? Cuz dude’s at the back of the pack. This can’t be good.

BlueAnt and PurpleAnt make the turn and circle back to complete the lap!

It’s getting tight between the BoyAnts and PinkAnt is taking up the slack… whoa, hey, what’s that? Santa’s down? Uh oh!

Course yellow! Santa’s down!

Everyone pitched in and helped Santa up. They decided that maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to race with Santa, so they posed for a group photo.

Gingerbread drivers and TheAnts and stretchy Santa say, “Hope you had a great holiday season!”

TheAnts Fly Southwest!

TheAnts recently took to the skies!

Waiting patiently for the cabin door to close so they can get on their way…

They were reminded to buckle up.

Dutifully, they complied. TheAnts don’t want to get in trouble with federal authorities! TheAnts’ seatmate was a little startled when he looked over to place his magazine in TheAnts’ seat and realized there were bodies in the seat. TheAnts had a good laugh over that one!

Once they were in the skies, they were allowed to look out the window at the passing landscape below.

Soon, the landscape turned white. TheAnts have never seen snow before! Owner assured them that it was fun! TheAnts love fun!

TheAnts had a smooth flight, arrived safely and TheAnts now love Southwest Airlines!

Bath Time!

TheAnts have been so many places and into so many things, TheAnts decided to escape to have a bath. Not just ANY bath, mind you, but a bath in a hotel room. Everyone should have their first bath in a hotel room.

How many Ants does it take to open a hotel room door? This is not a trick question.

If you guess three, you were right! Ding, ding, let you into the room!

It’s always good to check out your surroundings, make sure you’re safe!

All good! Let’s go in!

TheAnts decided that none of the linens would be leaving the room at any time. Even BlueAnt respected that sign.

Rub a dub dub, three Ants in a tub. Or sink. Whatever.

Time to dry off.

…and then go to sleep for the night.

SLEEP, BlueAnt! Go to sleep! Sheez!

Thanksgiving Break.

What TheAnts did on their Thanksgiving vacation:

They read Twilight:

—— Time Lapse ——

Then they read New Moon:

—— Time Lapse ——

Then they read Eclipse:

—— Time Lapse ——

They found Breaking Dawn online, downloaded and read that:

This was also interspersed with commands: “Scroll now, Blue…”

—— Time Lapse ——

Then they read Midnight Sun, found on the author’s website and read that:

TheAnts now need to get their circadian rhythm back to normal. 3 AM bedtimes do not a normal Ant make.

Voice Changer.

TheAnts made another excursion to the local Carl’s Jr., where they ordered the kid’s meal. TheAnts hope they can rescue their friends who come as the “toy” in the the kid’s meal bag.

For the record, they’ve never ordered the Big Carl, although someday they might like to.

This week in their kid’s meal, they saved their friend, One Eyed Voice Changer!

Owner’s husband immediately grabbed OEVC and demonstrated to TheAnts’ their new friend’s talent:

PurpleAnt got behind OEVC and yelled…

THAT didn’t work, so PurpleAnt crawled on top and BlueAnt held him there. PinkAnt started laughing because she realized that the whole thing looked pretty absurd!

Then, all TheAnts decided to give it a go, so they gathered round and yelled as loud as they could… and YAY! It worked! Their friend changed their voices!

PinkAnt thanked OEVC for his help…

Then a photo op, since they’d been so close!

More Possibilities?

TheAnts think they’ve noticed an increase in possible Day Home opportunities for Owner.

In an effort to help things along, TheAnts have taken it upon themselves to put their mad AntSkillz to use.

Folding Owner’s resume…

PinkAnt addresses the envelopes with a genuine calligraphy pen, with an ink cartridge and everything…

Then they’re off to mail it.

… and they cross all their AntParts in hope for a call!

Court!

TheAnts had the opportunity to go to Court recently.

As it happened, Owner was the recipient of a traffic ticket. Be ye advised that you do not want to be the recipient of ANYTHING from the State of California these days. It likely won’t be good news.

Oh, TheAnts know what you’re thinking… that Owner was speeding in her little red car. You would be wrong. She, ummm, well, she had to make a right turn and moved over into the bicycle lane about 10 feet before she should have. Owner paid the Clerk of Court $262 for her 10 foot ride (this includes the fee for traffic school), courtesy of the wonderful motorcycle officer.

Moral of the story: Be ye not so stupid.

TheAnts Check Out Hooters!

TheAnts heard that a new Hooters had recently opened near them. Their excitement knew no bounds! The chicken wings, the yummy food and it’s family friendly!

Why, look! It’s that Little Human! She has a Hooters balloon! TheAnts love balloons, but they’re still just enough afraid of the Little Human to admire the balloon from afar.

Mmmmm, chicken wings (preferably with no hair, thank you very much!)

BlueAnt and PurpleAnt pose happily beside their bottle of Hooters hot sauce!

PinkAnt gives them the hairy eyeball (as best she can using body language). She thinks they’re having just a wee bit too much fun. It’s just hot sauce, BoyAnts.

Then they got down to business with their order of “training burgers.”

Burgers are GONE!

While BoyAnts were eating, PinkAnt was looking around the restaurant and she saw this sign on the wall. Remember, PinkAnt is susceptible to things “they” say, and the sign… well, it IS in writing. So, she looked away, looked back, looked away, then looked back *really* fast… huh.

Uh oh! Busted! So much for PinkAnt being the look out! You know, you’re not supposed share your training burgers when they’re part of the “All You Can Eat” special!

Strangely, BlueAnt and PurpleAnt don’t look all that concerned about getting caught. Hmmmm… makes you wonder if TheAnts planned it all, doesn’t it?

Job For TheAnts?

While driving around, TheAnts happened to notice a “Now Hiring” sign.

Look at those smiles! Look how HAPPY they are about it!
(Please disregard the fact that those are perma-smiles. Thank you.)

The sign’s ad really appears to be tailored just for them…

“Now Hiring… Ants” at Truly Nolan! How perfect!

This Is It!

In all the excitement of Owner’s birthday hoopla (yes, Owner is trolling for Happy Birthday wishes — it’s still her birthday month, so wishes still count!), TheAnts forgot to tell you that they went to see the movie This Is It!

Of course, Owner’s husband got popcorn. You can’t go to the movies and NOT get popcorn, is what he says about it.

TheAnts agree.

If not for Owner’s sharp eye in a darkened theater, her husband might still be picking BlueAnt from between his teeth!

One of the theater workers handed out movie souvenirs. TheAnts were excited! A souvenir, just for them!

After the movie, TheAnts took a photo op and posed with the life size movie cardboard.

TheAnts demonstrate the Michael Jackson pose in front of their special movie necklaces. What ARE those things called, anyway? Anyone know?

Why is it that Michael’s pose looks like a dance move, and TheAnts’ pose looks like someone said, “Stick ‘em up!!”?

TheAnts can’t wait to get the DVD so they can learn how to do the MJ dance moves. Or really, just so they can learn how to dance. They have A LOT to learn and who better to teach them than the master of all dancers, right? Until they get the proper training, they’ve decided to hang up their dance moves…

Oh, and the movie? This Is It? TheAnts enjoyed it and if you’re the type of person (or Ant) who enjoys seeing the process that it takes to get a major concert ready for showtime, then they think you’d enjoy it, too.

Owner’s Birthday!

TheAnts were excited to go back to Disneyland so soon. Oh yes, they know it’s a bit of a dichotomy, how they were just at a scary Halloween store and now they’re at wholesome, family fun Disneyland. A place they were JUST AT.

TheAnts’ life is just that way. A life of opposites and yet a life of predictability.

So, on your birthday (Owner’s was on the 1st) you get free admittance to Disneyland. If you already have an annual pass, then it’s best just get a Disneyland gift card for the regular entrance cost. TheAnts say, “Yippee and giddy-up!”

They assisted Owner in putting her Birthday pin on her tank top and putting the gift card in her puirse.

Then off they went, heading first to Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Round Up.

My, oh my, look at all the artwork carved on those pumpkins!

TheAnts were enthralled for a few minutes, watching the pumpkin artist at work. Seemiingly effortlessly she shaved and carved patterns on the pumpkin skin.

They met a pretty pumpkin lady and BoyAnts tried to steal a peek at her “pumpkins.”

PinkAnt was mortified, such BoyAnts are they. She coaxed them into posing on the old piano.

Then they went over to check out what the two Cowboy Pumpkins were cooking up in their big pot.

Then a passionate card game ensued, TheAnts straddled their chair to be a part of the action!

One of the cowboys laughed uproariously at his own joke, BoyAnts seized the opportunity to take a look at his hand. What? Cheating, you say? Only if you get caught, TheAnts retort. Oh, very well, that’s cheating… let’s move along before we got shot!

Ahhhhhh! He’s got us! He’s got us! Don’t eat us, man! We’ll be GoodAnts next time and promise not to cheat!

Phew! That was a close one! After being released, TheAnts wandered over and looked at TheCow. Recouping a bit of their peace, TheAnts happily watched TheCow chew her cud. Have YOU ever watched a cow chew cud? It’s very relaxing. It is!!

Then they headed over to ride on the Thunder Mountain roller coaster!

… while TheAnts waited in line…

… the train went by overhead…

… still waiting in line…

They had a momentary concern about the height restriction. There is no way that TheAnts are 40″ tall. Owner assured them they could ride in her purse, zippered and secure. No problem. Just don’t let any Disney cast members see you!

Then they got in their seats… right behind the engine! Chug, chugga, chug!

They made it back to Main Street after their crazy train ride and took their picture with The Great Pumpkin!

They *almost* made it out of the park, but then realized they haven’t ridden the Disney Rail Road train in a long, long time. So… they waited…

Then boarded…

Ohh, do you see the deer?

TheAnts, having a good ride…

And then they were home, with the Disney Birthday Bucks card.

TheAnts and owner declared it was a good day to have a birthday at Disneyland!

Another Halloween Store!

The first store just wasn’t much of a scare for TheAnts.

Soooooooo, they found another one, a better one, a BIGGER ONE! Muwahahahahaaaaa!

If you’re in the market for a nice coffin, or a scary zombie (or “Muncher”, as Bart Simpson calls them), then this is the place for you! A mere $999.00 will buy you this lovely bullet coffin looking thing. A pittance, a drop in the bucket. So to speak. I’ll bet they even “throw in” the purple lights if you’re real nice.

That coffin not your thing? How about a killer sofa for $325.00? No? Maybe just the skeleton for $149.99?

TheAnts took a break on top of a pumpkin mushroom looking thing. Phew!

Then PurpleAnt spotted a PurpleWig! “Ohhh, how do I look?” He said. PinkAnt rolled her eyes, and BlueAnt called him a sissy.

BlueAnt demonstrates what BoyAnts should be posing in front of. A scary dracula is just the thing to scare!

PinkAnt informed them that they were both off, there clearly needs to be some angelic influence in this place.

PinkAnt displayed some compassion for the poor Pirate Skeleton. Or maybe she just thought it might have once been Johnny Depp.

PinkAnt and PurpleAnt think about trying on these wedding outfits.

But then they were shooed out of the store by a giant scary demon thing. Eep! Definitely time to go!!