Niko and I: Universal Studios

I kept promising my little brother that I would take him to Universal Studios all throughout the year and it wasn’t until I noticed that our season passes were about to expire that I jumped on the opportunity. I was initially supposed to go out to the beach with my Courier buddies, but I felt bad about ditching my little brother back at home. I asked if he wanted to tag along, but he guilt tripped me into taking him to Universal Studios. I complied.

When I go out with my little brother, it’s rare that my parents aren’t tagging along. From what I can recall, the only time my parents weren’t with us was when we went bowling.

Let me just say that it’s amazing what types of conversation my little brother and I have. I’ve told everyone this before, but he knows exactly how to make me laugh and he’s practically a shoe-in with my friends if I’m not there. He’s quick with wit and if he’s with the right crowd, he executes perfect, awkward inappropriate jokes – a nod to how not-so naive he is. The only thing is, Niko is terribly shy. Kinda like how I was back… actually, I think I’m still shy.

Anyway, here are some shots that I took at Universal Studios. He’s not one to take pictures, but I made him promise that if I wanted to snap a photo, he was just going to have to let me.

All in all, a great day and a great way to spend time with my little bro. He’s growing up, ya’ll. He really is.

: “Well, that works.”

: With The Mummy right in front of House of Horror – his favorite attraction.

: “Just pretend you’re broadening your horizons or some shit. Like your life has changed.”

: It’s weird how good that actress was at imitating Lucille Ball’s voice.

: I was kinda scared that the shark was going to collapse with him in there, but then I remembered. Oh yeah, Niko’s skinny.

: Spitters are quitters!

: My camera survived that.

: Just in case you haven’t been to Universal Studios in a while, they put Norman Bates outside.

: A real Boeing 787 on the War of the Worlds set.

: Apparently the shipping and handling cost a lot more than buying the jet itself.

: Does anybody remember this awesome scene though?

: Another shot of the seats just to let ya’ll know it’s real.

: The tram operator said that they had to paint the tail of the plane because planes passing by would radio in for a downed plane.

: For once, Niko looks really excited to be taking a picture with SpongeBob.

: Duck face? It’s all about the monkey face.

: We had to take so many shots to nail this one.

: Personally, I think the construction of The Simpsons Ride and its facade, Krustyland is a nod to the creative genius that that is Universal Studios.