Smells Like Team Spirit

You can’t be married for 21 years without knowing your partner pretty well, but you can still learn new things. We’ve been spending a few days at Universal Orlando and I’ve realized Ginnie’s spirit animal is spirit itself.

Shortly after we checked in at Universal’s Cabana Bay, we were hanging out in the lobby and saw Lucy Ricardo. Perky, sassy, wisecracking Lucy Ricardo. Ginnie’s mouth immediately qwirked to her “porkchops and applesauce” grin and her energy level powered through the roof. Did she have to meet Lucy Ricardo? Hoo boy, she had to show Lucy who was perkier, sassier, wisecrackier. Pictures ensued.

Day two; she and Zoe met a couple who told them how to be part of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras parade. You had to wait at a secret bench two hours before the parade started and you could be in the parade. Not just in the parade, but on a float tossing out beads to a pumped up crowd. You could be a literal team spirit dispenser.

Did this appeal? Hoo boy. She and our perky, sassy, redhead headed out early to shiver on a bench waiting for their chance at stardom. Reports came in. They were on a float wearing purple robes. The float featured a giant fire-breathing bird. Can’t miss it, except for the fact that the rest of the floats were equally crazy.

The rest of us barely made it to the show, but most importantly we did make it. The energy level was high. Glitter soared and beads flew. At last we saw the float. It showcased a maniacally cackling redhead Monkey (introvert #winning because the show was all atmosphere, she had something to do and people weren’t directly focused on her). And Ginnie, spirit glowing, happily hucking beads at the dispossessed and spirit-less.