30

So today basically marks the 1/2 point of 2009


I'm still amazed I've made it this far and still am loving it- On to the rest of 2009 (and may it be better than the first half)

29

Guess where this was taken ?!?













and if you guessed 'Top of the World' you'd be right- I was lucky enough to go visit the newest addition to the DVC world (and the Contemp) Bay Lake Tower (or simply BLT) it was nice and the views from the 16th floor are amazing (but it is crazy how the 4th floor of the Contemp Tower connects to the 5th floor of BLT with no incline..)

28

Some days are just all about hanging in there...

27

Okay I have a feeling this will only be funny to those at work today- but I will *try* to explain but if you don't get it- It's not your fault and just enjoy the picture...

So when there are outdoor convention events they always schedule a back up location in case of weather (cause well you know Orlando..) and today one of our groups had an event at the MK whose backup location was at the Contemp. The title we had for the event in our paperwork was simply "Rain Backup location for Parade" which we all found hilariously funny with the thought of the MK parade being paraded though our ballroom simply so no one got wet...

Yes it was a really quiet day at work so we found the little things rather funny (and no the weather held so they didn't move the parade over to us..)

26

Growing up in a state that primarily uses numbers for roads instead of names (its 2075 south or 500 north) I still get a kick of road names here, some fit the destination (Victory Way leads to Wide World of Sports or Epcot Center Drive leads to well Epcot) others are just cute (Timberline Drive goes to Wilderness Lodge etc) and then you can tell when they just needed a name and the creative juices ran dry... If you can not tell what the purpose of *this* road is, you need more help than I can give...

It does make me laugh every day on my way home so I guess it serves it's purpose...

(and if you want to know where this road is it runs between Old Key West and Epcot's Cast Parking as the overpass across Epcot Center Drive)

25

It seemed all I did today was fix menu card issues for both today and tomorrows events... Its NOT a complicated job but yet it seems that way.. All you need is a) the correct date b) same color of ink on the page c) correct words capitalized d) correct margins and e) the correct food listed

sigh- least its job security :P

24

For some reason I suddenly want to go camping... good thing I live in Orlando where that pretty much doesn't happen though I may need to go visit the Fort this week :)

23

Sometimes you wonder if what you are experiencing is reality or just a dream...

22

Seasons are not something Florida generally does, but for once you can tell its summer this week... Yes all of you can laugh at us with it being 100 degrees + almost 100% humidity its okay we'll laugh in 6 months... I am very thankful I work inside alas happy first day of Summer yesterday- I would salute you with a Mickey bar but I think it'd melt before I ate it...

21

Happy Father's Day!

20

So I decided it had been too long since I had hit the parks and needed to grab the Tarzan pin that came out this week- So I lasted a whole 30 min at the Studios tonight and most of that was taking pics in the shops... Its too hot outside (record breaking heat I hear!) to function let alone do anything. Anyways, I do think its a tad depressing when at 5 o'clock on a SATURDAY, GMR is an absolute walk-on- Not even a pause from entrance to sitting in the ride vehicle. I do have to say though I do not remember ever seeing the flames in the western scene... Don't know if I've just repressed it (since I really dislike GMR) or its new/fixed. It did help to liven the otherwise dull show up and the air conditioning helped...

19

So is it a bad thing when my drive home has so many similarities to Test Track?!? I had the bumps & potholes, sudden stops, turns, surprises and heat... All I think I was missing was the hill climb and the rust- Welcome to tourist and rainy season!

18

What looks *really* good right now... (almost enough to drive back to property- which would make it *really* expensive cheesecake)

17

One of my favorite things: My Mickey Ice cube tray. Despite not really being an ice kinda person (It seems to melt in a nano second here) I always keep the tray filled in the freezer for guests and those random times I need ice

16

15

Happy 50th Birthday (Yesterday) to the Monorails (Thats what I get for not looking at the calendar!) Alas the 'rails are in the top 5 of all time favorite Disney experiences! From the old Mark Vs of Disneyland, to the Mark VIs of WDW and the new gorgeous (can we *please* get them at WDW!) Mark VIIs I always love to just watch, ride and photograph the 'rails (though I do miss driving them from time to time) and never fail to say the colors (aka BLUE! or GOLD!) as they fly by...

Trivia Time.. Name the 4 colors of the Mark Vs, the 12 colors of the Mark VI and the 3 colors of the Mark VII...

14

I know its not a traditional flag day picture but well I decided to be non-traditional today

13

I am still amazed how one little red ribbon made a group today so very happy... I have never worn the ribbon myself (oddly enough) but somehow had a bunch so when it was brought up by our group how envious they were over the ribbons I brought a few today... Simple pleasures

12

With every ending comes a new beginning- two worlds, one family

It does not seem like its been 10 years since Tarzan hit the theatres but I do have to say its one of my most favorite movies ever (and favorite soundtrack and favorite (though its gone) show)

11

So apparently its written in the rules that since I live in Orlando I have to be a Magic fan...

So... Go Magic!


can't you just feel the enthusiasm (but it did get me to the MK to see the castle lit in honor of the Orlando Magic)

10

Went to see UP today.. It was cute but not my favorite (Cars is) but will purchase it when it comes to DVD and I loved the short!

9

I *knew* Walt had the power...

8

It's been 3 years today I have driven under the entrance as a WDW Cast Member. Its been a good, a bad, and a crazy 3 years where I have learned a lot about this company, myself and life in general.

Do I regret this journey? In some ways yes, in others no. However if I hadn't come I would have always seen this as the "golden ticket", when I now know that it really just is a "shiny ticket." That beneath the "Magical Pixie Dust" is a company, one that when push comes to shove doesn't often make the magical decisions, and bad things that run in other companies runs here just as deep. I could've been so much more than I currently am, making a living wage, moving forward in life instead of just treading water, being able to use my skills, experiences and knowledge somewhere I was wanted, needed and appreciated.

But I did come, and I have meet some of the most amazing people I've ever meet, and am able to call most of them my friends. I have had some great experiences here including; Driving a huge truck with air brakes (plus two other smaller non lethal trucks), watching fireworks from the roof of the Emporium, working with a great team to maintain the Wilderness Lodge's domination when it came to Easter Basket sales (which sadly they have now lost) and working a 24 hour shift to see it happen, watching my cast meet and cremate the "Dream Ear Hat" contest when they knew I would be fried for not making them wear the (&% ears if they didn't win- our goal was 9- they sold almost 50 and watching the joy it brought to their faces, seeing my cast's expressions change when my "axe murder" Internet friends showed up day after day from concern to welcoming, to the story times and team days, to the "cultural experience" of introducing Acini de Pepe salad to the cast, having thanksgiving dinner overlooking the Indy Speedway, to being brutally attacked by a cheap christmas tree to relight it for my team, helping every cast member in the convention center strike, turn and set a room in under 30 minutes, working with the best concierge team to "Be Awesome!", simply being able to spend so much time in the World, to a million more I don't have space to mention...

Do I love going to work each day? Usually.
Do I still smile when I drive underneath the entrance? Mostly.
Do I still see myself working here forever? No.
Do I wish that wasn't the case? More than you would ever know.

But for now I will still enjoy the journey, despite it not being the one I wanted, because I know in the end, it will be worth it.

7

Dedicated today I am not... I had great plans to hit the MK after work to see (and photograph) the Castle in its "Magic" colors... but it was raining and I really didn't want to spend 5 hours at the Kingdom when its blah and wet.. So instead took a picture of some of the new signage thats appeared since BLT is almost done...

6

I miss the Pirate and Princess parties... Especially the fireworks, best firework show at the MK I've seen (though New Year's Eve and Fourth of July are also good)

5

Hang on to them hats and glasses cause this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness!

Tomorrow is gonna be interesting.. I have not seen a group that has wound the cast up like this (and not in a good way) in a long time... When the group doesn't care about unbendable rules (like liquor, safety etc) you know its going to be bad...

4

It always amazes me that the more 'expensive' and 'fancy' the food gets the less tasty and filling it becomes.. Make a pile of grilled cheese they'll disappear, make a pile of mini finger sandwiches made out of stuff I can't (and prob don't want to) pronounce, no one touches them...

See these desserts *look* pretty but in reality... I'd rather have a cookie

3

Happy Birthday Michelle!

2

I know I am semi cheating today (but its my blog and I'll cheat if I want to) as while the picture is 100% Disney (Living Seas), my destination is so not 100% Disney... I'm off to Sea World to see the new (at least to me) shows and ride MANTA. For living so close to Sea World this is only my 3rd time visiting (01/06/09)

1

I do read books other than Potter and Twilight.. See!

Just a few of my fav Disney books from my battered (and autographed!) 2nd edition of Disney A-Z to the Ub Iwerks bio they all have been loved a bit much over the years...