Lent 08 - Do you work here?

This'll be quick. Not feeling well. Test Track broke down as I was walking to work. Saw people in curve right before they go back into building, yelling "Help!" Waved to them. Heard spiel that Track Technician would be by to assist, or something like that. That was new. Heard it officially when going by line at front. Cast Member making announcement; said all Fast Passes would be honored for the rest of the day. Spotted star in Spaceship Earth. Heard my name called. Misako hanging out in park. Was headed to Test Track with friends. Warned her it had broken down. Got to work Runner for second time tonight. Learned a little more about paperwork. Did "Last Call" all on my own. Maybe started to get the hang of it. Slow pace helped. Saw Misako again briefly while on a hanger run. Rainy weather during the early afternoon. Rainly again, apparently, later at night. Tried to stock adult ponchos and wound up behind on hangers. Was supposed to take break at 8:00pm. Finally got around to it at 9:21pm. Didn't take full break. Wrote note to post to 2nd floor board asking someone to take my Easter shift. Only six-and-a-half hour shift. Not bad. Kim told me I should give her my schedule so we could work out my talking with her brother. Ironically, remembered about that while sitting in car before work today. Crazy. At end of night, Sandra told me I did a good job. I told her wait and see until I was done, but thank you. With a little under 30 minutes to go, ran into guy named Brian. Asked if I needed any help. Had seen some backpacks on floor that needed restocking. Explained where backpacks were located. Explained they needed to be tagged (should've said ink tag; he thought I meant price tag at first). Said it was easy. He said no. Sounded complicated and he might poke himself.

...

Managed to get some backpacks out there AND put home delivery forms at register one AND pop a roll of giami (spelling? that stuff we use to wrap things to make them look sort of like recycled paper pineapples) into one of the kids areas. First time too! Started not feeling well at end of the night. Had planned to drop costumes off at Animal Kingdom. Decided to go to McDonalds instead. Less rain, more wind. Buffalo Wild Wings sounded busy as I drove by. Got a medium Coke and a cheeseburger. Had said double cheeseburger. Guy didn't hear me. Ah well. Drove up International Drive, over by Barnes and Noble, and back. Coke helped a little. Cheeseburger was good. Missed a text from my Dad around 1:30am. Apparently there's powder snow back home? Want to talk tomorrow. Still not feeling all that great. Going to read for a little while.

In book, Guest asked fully-costumed + name tag Cast Member if they worked there. I've had people ask me that too O.O

Also, thought up an equation:

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln + it's a small world = Pirates of the Caribbean

Lent 07 - A journey or two on a day of beautiful weather

Second day off. Decided to celebrate by sleeping in until nearly eleven. Tired from last night's tears. Got to work finishing Valentine's Day cards and package. Misako found my card from Ralph. Asked if it was for her. Misako/Miyako = oops. Asked what he'd written in there, wanted to know if it was in Japanese. Said he said I have a cute butt. Drew Dad a sucky Bob Ross-esque picture in his card. In Sharpie. Yeah... Took photo. Cards finished, proceeded to wrap and scotch tape the heck out of the package. Weather seemed absolutely gorgeous. Decided it was a day to bring my cds. Misako had some stuff to be mailed too. Finally got out to car, just to have Mom call. Found out Kristi's involved with intramural volleyball and made Busia an 85th birthday card she loved so much she framed it. I need a career. And some talent. Demonstratable talent. Headed out to Crossroads, where I know I've seen a sign for the post office. Found the sign. Found the Comfort Inn my family and I stayed in in 2006. Found where Palm Parkway meets Lake Street. Did not find Post Office. Kept looking. Had listened to Lake Shore Drive on the way to Crossroads. Enjoyed the song, but got a little teary with thoughts of missing home. Driving and searching meant more music from Darjeeling Limited Soundtrack. Typewriter song sounds like something to hear in queue for Jungle Cruise. Eventually found post office in small grouping of stores. Found out I should not use scotch tape on packages as it shreds in the machines. Got packages, cards, and Misako's stuff sent out. Decided to celebrate by going to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Finally got to have African Stew. Yum. VERY filling. Visited "Mental Health Services" by eating stew (in a breadbowl!) and watching old Disney cartoons. "Saw" (couldn't hear sound) Mickey's trailer. Finally got to see almost all of Steamboat Willie all the way through. Very cool. Very happy. Introduced Mom to "lmao". Wandered around Lodge. Went out into savannah area. Cast Members standing around in groups unnerved me. Got to see feeding time. Animals just knew and started following the truck. Guy tried to load branches into feeder in a tree. Giraffe was hungry and started pulling and nibbling from the truck pile and the guy's hands. Other guy tried to push Giraffe away. I think Giraffe's called Miles. Saw an Ankola Cattle with head tilted to one side. Big horn way too heavy? Other Guests said that was cruel and something should be done. One Guest (with Perry the Platypus shirt) said horns have blood flow in them, couldn't be cut. Cattle has better chance of surviving in preserve than in nature. True, but said. "That's nature", as one Guest said. Back into Lodge to explore a little. Found an overlook with rocking chairs. No one else there. Sat for a while, enjoying the view of the savannah, early risen moon, listening to other Guests and kids on hotel room balconies. "Mas Que Nada" from MJJ popped into head. Thought I could go see parade. Turns out, DAK closed at 5:00pm today. Had arrived about 20 minutes beforehand. Decided to go to Epcot. Gas stop first. Pumps all very busy! Went in front way of Epcot. Found a 5-pointed star on Spaceship Earth as I did! Topiary giraffes, Rafiki lifting Simba/Mufasa/Sarabi, and Zazu in the back. Also spotted Timon and Pumbaa. VERY cool! Went into Mouse Gear. Ran into a manager who recognized me. Asked for Sandra and told to go upstairs. Found her and explained Easter situation. Told (bluntly) that there's certain amount of slots for people to take off. Am going to have to do the legwork to see if someone will take my shift. Placed my name on a list telling people my shift could be taken. Need to make a note to put up there as well. Occurred to me later on that I don't know what shift I'll be working. How am I to have someone take it then? Got out and just sat near Universe of Energy. Finally got up and took a walk. Flowers along lakes are really pretty! Decided maybe to visit American Adventure pavillion. Aladdin in Morocco was hot. Passed by America, since next show was 30 minutes away. Tried Italy for Italian Soda. No luck. Apparently there's World Showcase performers there? Heard them "casually talking" about benches. In woman's country, I think she said there's no sitting? Then they were announced. Went to Outpost. Checked prices on ice cream. Debated float. Started heading back. Aladdin still hot. Headache. Realized there were dolphins in the lake flower designs. Checked prices at Fountainview Ice Cream. Reasonable. Went and got free little cup of China Coke instead. Naturally went on Spaceship Earth. Reviewed Hidden Mickeys. Missed more theming and storytelling as opposed to interactive screen ending. Decided to take a monorail ride. Monorail waiting for a while, even after I got on. This was after I saw one passing overhead on loop around park. Got to Magic Kingdom and decided to try to see Spectro. Got in and found out Spectro wasn't happening tonight. My timing really rocked today. Decided to take boat back. Watched Castle as I left. Mom told two children (boy and girl) to say goodbye to Magic Kingdom. They waved. That, and the beauty of the Castle at night from across the lake sparked some magic in me. I don't want to miss that feeling. Got off the boat just in time to see fireworks. Boat driver kept telling people to move towards exit. Easy to ignore ^-^; Fireworks beautiful from across the lake. Understand lighting at boat entrance is necessary, but a pity at that moment. Hopped monorail back. Had texted Anthony earlier in the day about Block Party at Commons. Had gotten back to me much later saying he'd be free after 10pm. Had some time to eat some cocoa mochi, chocolate, and green apple. Misako trying to apply for flight attendant at a company based in Dubai. Found out I have 5:30am-4:00pm shift next week x.x Time just about up. Debated about wearing earrings (went with green) and jacket (went with black knit - uncertain about having shirt hang below its length). Arrived to go with Anthony and Clay. Clay taking a shot of something in memory of an old roommate. Met by two other girls in apartment, fancy club dressed. Had seen other people dressed in that style. Wondered what I was getting into. They were coming too. Both work in Adventureland/Liberty Square. One was full time. Awkwardly walked with, listening to them chat and Clay and Anthony chat. Anthony told me I had his sunglasses. So THAT'S who those belong to. Thought they were Soyoung's. Wasn't feeling well. Think it was combination awkwardness and apple perhaps. African Stew? Hope not. Got to Commons. Block Party? This is a rave! People all crowded into one area. Loud music. Glow items. People all carrying drinks. Granted, they were soda, but still. Girls got stuck trying to get past Guard because of the full timer. Needed someone to sign her in. Clay, Anthony, and I went in. Anthony remarked this was the stuff he tried to stay away from. Clay disappeared into crowd. I followed Anthony through it, followed him past soda, around to the back of the building. Felt like a set up. Said I was ready to go (didn't see food anywhere, bummer). Left together. Anthony apologized for awkwardness with two girls and for not being in a great mood. Considering leaving program. Said he commuted in college. Wanted to live life. Said this wasn't living life. Taking $3 less an hour to work Jungle Cruise. In debt back at home too? Did say that he knew as soon as he left, he would miss Disney like crazy. Also said two girls appeared very nice, but mess with your mind. Apparently he's been txt flirting with one. Other txted, saying girl was freaked out. Txting girl said it was all right, keep going. Anthony wondered why they play mind games. Also said they need instant text response. Had gotten a couple of texts while sleeping, one of which was "why are you ignoring me?" Thought to myself about my feelings of lack of response from him earlier. As we walked, Katelyn (?) texted asking where he was. Replied that he'd left. She replied "Why? You could dance with me". "Maybe later" was his response (I think). Interesting. Walked back to his apartment. Said he was tired. Got up early to work and then hang out with Val. Said she'd been really flirty and that nothing had happened between them. Yet. Headed on my own back to my apartment. Called Mom and told her of situation. Caregiver in me wanted to help, but what to do? Determined, eventually, to return glasses, and see if he wanted to talk. Anthony said I could return glasses and that Kim was over. Walking over, saw Clay and two girls coming back. Yeah, my timing was awesome today. Waited a little, then arrived at apartment. Door was not shut completely. Knocked anyway and heard "Come in, come in". Anthony got the glasses...and that was it. Headed back to apartment for cup of squash soup and some Olympic watching. Thought tonight would make a good set up to a "screw you over without even knowing it" plot. Was paranoid and wary, especially with alcohol. Girl had asked Anthony if he'd wanted a cigarette. He'd said no, but it made me wonder. Did just the briefest of research on sound recording. Need to know electronics and how to work things/set things up. Maybe? Need to think about it some more. Need to do some research too. Also Facebook stalked a bit. Nick Blasucci might have jail time?? Also (re)learned how to search names in friends. Still getting used to new Facebook layout. Time to get some sleep. Work tomorrow. Imagination just started playing.

The weather really was beautiful today.

What about being a part-time sound recorder?

Lent 06 - Watchin' and Waitin'

First day off today. Happily woke up late. Lazed around for a bit. Watched ST:TNG. Kirk as a Romulan? Flipped through 5 in 10 cookbook. Took a walk and called Mom. Was reminded I needed to do tax forms. Went to computer lab to print out pages. To fax, cost $3. Asked if I had a package. No. Decided to make food. Went to Walmart. Realized on the way I still need to send Valentine's Day stuff, d'oh x.x Wandered around Walmart. Cart veered to right constantly. Couldn't find frozen squash. Only frozen squash I found was cut into slices. Not what I needed. Couldn't find pine nuts. Couldn't find zucchini or avocados. Egg plants didn't look so good. Found pine nuts. They're really pricey o.o Had a cashier who bagged my groceries so they were very organized. Cool. Went to Publix. Found zucchini. Organic, individually wrapped, and pricey. Found good egg plant. Debated over ripeness of avocado. Also found correct frozen squash. Hooray! After phone discussion with Mom, decided on a "I think it's ripe" avocado. Paid and headed out. Helicopter hanging low over building. Saw car with "Just Married" written on it. Going back, near shrine, saw a lot of emergency vehicles and cars pulled over by side of I-4. Saw car, flipped over and smashed, in ditch. Hope everything's ok. Got back and prepared to make food. Phone rang. I have a package. Also reminded the front desk closes at 5:00pm. Went to get package. Broke into big smile when saw "from" label reading "3:00". Decided to wait on opening package. Designated avocodo's ripeness as a ticking time bomb. Making "Baked Stuffed Avocados". Rice not hard. Wondered why receipe didn't mention to take it off flame. Opened avocado ok. Little "juicy", but I did it. Got the pit out nicely too. Mashing avocado different story. Slippery. Fork didn't work. Tried spoon. Not much more successful. Eventually ok. Piled insides of avocado skins high. Cleaned while baking. Got some avocado on book x.x Final dinner verdict once they cooled - delicious! Opened package: tootsie Roll Pop pjs, sweet and funny card, and, my favorite, Cunis chocolate in a heart box with TIGER striped fur on the top. Right up my alley! And so nice to taste home. Left Ralph a voicemail of thanks. Forgot today's Monday and he's in class. Decided to tackle "Almond Squash Soup" next. Had a sample cup once finished - delicious! Txted Dan to announce my eating of real food. Happily have leftovers - we'll see how the soup is tomorrow. Then came dishes. Lots to do. Had Sweeney Todd songs in my head while doing them. Left Dan a voicemail to express my thanks. He called back. Chatted for a bit. Afterwards, peaked outside at sound of fireworks. Despite rain, Magic Kingdom still had Wishes. Awesome. Still more dishes. Dan called back. Talked a little more. Dishes finally done, time for internet. Ralph called back. Chatted for bit. Mindful of Stacy and Maria out in main room. Decided better to talk online. Opened window once the rain had stopped. Had intended to sort music, write Valentine's Day cards, get organized. Instead, had mind opened and blown away by two videos David sent. [See previous post]. Cried, honestly. Emotional reaction, yes, but made some good sense too. Made me feel like it's better if the creative work isn't all me, a bit of a relief actually, but at the same time, felt bad that it wouldn't be me that could take the credit, wouldn't be me who was, well, the genius. Chatted with Ralph, Dan, David. Told Ralph I'm a toon fan. Pondered Anthony's night. Bird chirping this late at night?? Looked up little bit of Phineas and Ferb music on YouTube. Found steampunk group thanks to LiveJournal, and from there, found steampunk merchandise. Facebook stalked a little bit too. Still find it...weird...that Kristi speaks of having a boyfriend. She seems to be doing really well. Creative things with shirts and pins? Have Ralph's package almost done. Need to finish card, wrap, and label it. Need to work on family's cards too, but am tired. Emotionally overwhelmed. Plus it's nearly 2am. Annoyed by Facebook. Friend chat feature blocks new drop down menu to log off.

Have Watchin' and Waitin' song stuck in my head.

Learned a lot today. Didn't do tons, but am proud of the things I did manage to do.

Oh my God - It's Genius!

http://vimeo.com/9401903

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Lent 05 - Prepped for running

First day back at Mouse Gear today. Got to sleep in. Then shower. Then decided to go for a walk. Weather was beautiful. 70s I think. Wandered around apartment complex, talking to Mom about yesterday and enjoying the outdoors. Mom had said she'd thought Epcot would've been my park. Now thinks maybe it's Animal Kingdom. I want Epcot to be my park. And Animal Kingdom. Also talked about Church yesterday. I was insulted. Priest was talking about confession and said "Please, get to the point". Said priests aren't counselors and don't have degrees. Confession supposed to be about absolving of sins. Terrible. People go to priests for advice and counseling too. Makes me miss St. Lukes. All too soon, had to go to work. Saw big bee drift across my windshield. Had had window open. Decided time for ac. Accidentally took road that would've lead me to Animal Kingdom. Adjusted course and took Overpass Road to Epcot. Visited Costuming. Met Kim coming off a shift that started at 5:30am. Kept wondering if I was in the right costume. No skirt draft. Weird. Decided, after Kim's comment in Costuming, to finally take "Earning My Ears" off my nametag. Kept meeting people celebrating return to Mouse Gear from Animal Kingdom. Thought I was going to be on register. CDS told me to pick up Floorstock 8. Turns out, I was assigned to be a runner. First time. Manager Brad asked me how deployment was. Actually remembered I've only got Magic Kingdom to go before I've worked all parks. I'm impressed. Or at least a little touched a manager remembered something. Suggested I pick up a shift there at some point. I may have to. Had to hunt for a woman named Lorna, who I would be helping. Eventually found her getting hangers behind main bank. Begin lots of learning about running: package pick up, filling out forms, package placement, ink tags, hanger pick up, hanger organization part 1 (the sorting!), hanger organization part two (the placing!), register supplies, store supplies, lots of learning. Hangers absolutely crazy. Morning woman has specific organization for different sizes (S/M/L, 2T/3T, 2/4/6/8) and styles (extra wide, thick, combo shirt and pants). Hangers overflowing holder because of slowness. Definitely lots to learn for hangers. Stock meeting + slow day = bunch of ERs. Not me. Lorna went on break. I got a call I didn't notice asking runner to stock PWPs in kids. Had to figure out where things were. Also overheard conversation containing "have the runner do it". Then got contacted to take over for someone's break. Didn't catch name. Said I would after kids PWP. Checked other PWP too. Needed more throws and more backpacks. Found out break was for one of the "prep" people - people who stay in stockroom, opening boxes and organizing, and answering stock question calls. Never done prep before. Prep girl said she could wait. Got a break. Had little more time, then Lorna left. On my own, tried my best. Busy, even though we were slow. Because of ERs, we were shorthanded. First prep girl left. Second, girl who I've worked with in spider and was deployed to Animal Kingdom too (Stephanie?), wanted me to take over her break. Got a crash course in prep. Thank goodness no one called while it was my turn. My work was delayed by a half hour though. Had to get ponchos and umbrellas out. 40 - 60% chance of rain tomorrow. She came back, went on cardboard run. Still no one called (thank goodness). Spent rest of night rushing around, trying to finish. Everyone else bored, nothing to do. Guy named Allen got roped into helping me by Meag. He did ink tags, I did practically everything else. Found there were some packages still needing to be recorded and placed. Hangers were tangled, numerous, and a falling, clattering, time-consuming pain in the butt. Out of child ponchos, pile I thought were all children's was mostly adult. Somehow, with Stephanie wrapping home delivery packages and Allen taking care of the basketful of ink tags, I finished. Found one more hanger right before I left e.e Came home to Johnny Depp. As Captain Jack. Soyoung had turned on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Been watching on and off while writing this. Listening for music they play outside of Pirates ride. Pen burst too. Have black splotches on my hands. USA just totally turned to static. So much for watching movie e.e Tomorrow first day off. So very, very happy. Still trying to get rid of "cold". Now have dryness in back of nose/throat that causes me to cough. Have to tilt my head back far and swallow just to reach it. Definitely time for sleep. Not sure what I'm doing tomorrow, but had a taste for a salad, and now have taste for baked beans, so should probably go shopping soon. Managed to come away from work today with lots more knowledge, relief over not having to be on register (especially with cough), and purple post-its which were going to be used to write down stock requests. Purple post-it notes. Sweet.

Why is TBS still out?

Cool to think that the movie I was watching is made by the Company I'm a part of.

Lent 04 - Last day at DAK

Had to look to see what Lent entry I'm on. Today was last day at Animal Kingdom. Got up with enough time to eat breakfast and make lunch. Somehow ended up leaving 15 minutes late. Not sure how. Weather was cool, but definitely improving. Hung out with Brian in the screened breakroom for a little bit before work. Watched some characters come and go. Worked at Island today. Signed retirement frame and card before clocking in. Clocked in a minute late. Hope they changed it like they said they would x.x Headed to Creature Comforts. Hung out with part-time Cast Member/former Math teacher/traveler to 49-states-but-Oklahoma/cruise fan. Really tired, still tried to keep the energy up. Had $5 exchanged for change for a just-in-case Coke. Got on 30 minute break. Met Brian again. Got just-in-case Coke. Back to work. A little tasking too. CDS was having issues. People kept getting assigned to Creature 102. Was held up in back office for a little bit, as they tried to find out where to put me. Heard coordinator and manager mulling over amount of people. Eventually concluded Katie should get an ER. A four-hour-early ER! Manager said it was a pleasure working with me (I think. Might've been joke reference when to went I said I was deployed and thus there for their pleasure). Woman, name begins with an M, was there at the time. Said I was nice. Or good. Complemented me with a smile. Said they don't like everybody. Tasked a bit to round up time to 2:45pm. Then clocked out. Headed back to breakroom. Girl there with J name. Wanted a KitKat, but vending machine wasn't taking her credit card. Gave her my blueberry-flavored applesauce. Sat and waited for Villiage Beatnicks to end their set. Said hi to the "I'm sorry" guy I spoke to. Told him I got an ER and was considering coming back into the park. He said that would be masicism. Realized I wouldn't be seeing the parade. Bummer. Walked to front of park, acutely aware that it was mid-afternoon and I and my plastic bag were very visible. Went to go through gate, but characters were gathered there. Daisy getting adjusted. Baloo had chest flap open. Meeko's head hanging out on a pole, Other Island girl joined me while we waited for them to prep and go. Girl came in with Rafiki body. Cool look. Characters left. Girl and I left. Weird, but cool, to see characters out on stage acting, well, like characters after seeing them offstage. Turns out Island girl had just finished training and was put on a cart for her first day. Told me about a Guest encounter. Little girl had wanted Pocahontas shoes in next size. Couldn't exchnage without receipt. Girl had to call managers twice and wait for them to walk. Little girl throwing tantrum. Mom and Grandma were pissed. Also snippy. Wanted to know when Pocahontas would show up again. "Why don't you get on that phone and find out?" Amazingly, teenagers with family told family to calm down, girl was doing best she could. Go teenagers! I'm surprised o.o Found out girl drove too (both of us were going to offer rides) lives in Patterson, building 4, level 2. Maybe I'll see her around again? Don't even know her name. Called Mom. Found out there's been another shooting at NIU. Scary. Got back to apartment. Misako arrived, and I asked her to take a picture of me in costume. Skyped with family. Got to show them costume and jacket. Got to see family and snow!! Went to Church. (Re)Learned about Confession and sins. Hung out in parking lot for half hour afterwards, waiting for cars to go. Was going to get a shake, but ended up not. Had pineapple slices and, eventually, udon for dinner. Both very good. Watched Olympics. Yay Apollo!! Finished off King Cake. Got txt from Anthony asking if we were still going to hang out tonight. Said not for entire movie, but maybe a short visit. Also found out he got another Guest Service Fanatic card. That makes five since he started at Jungle Cruise. About 30 minutes later there was a knock at our door o.o I had thought I was going by him, not him coming here. Surprise! Even more surprising, he had Mardi Gras beads! No idea where he'd gotten them, but his hat was full. Ended up hanging out in my room for a little bit, awkwardly sitting on my bed, chatting and watching Olympics. Managed to throw a few of the necklaces over my head. Found out he's going on a date Monday. Dinner and a movie. About 15 minutes later time to go. Gave him a hug. Was told I give good hugs, like the one on New Years. Walked him back to his apartment. Had to toss recycling anyway. Came back and had a cookie. Soyoung was back. Gave me little bag of Lays. We watched ladies speed skating. Soyoung is now slightly more aware of the words "bitch", "jerk", and "asshole". Last two thanks to my description of House. Talked to Mike on Facebook. He's coming back to Illinois!! Parents really didn't want house and missed family and friends. Mike tried to make things work with Chrissy, but she didn't have much time for him, even as friends. Also felt friendless and jobless. Hooray for returning!! Tomorrow's 3:30pm - 12:00am at Mouse Gear. Happy to be going back. Despite not knowing things, am going to miss DAK.

Lent 03 - Getting to know you

Today was short shift - 9am-3pm. Yay early release, boo having to get up early. Got into park before Guests. Thought it was cool to see areas open and peaceful. Cold still. Got assigned to tasking. Then got assigned a Magical Moment. Asked Cast Member for help. Got two kids to sign Mickey's Autograph Book. Sweet. Sent to Creature Comforts. Must've been downwind of Safari. Certain "animal smell" was in the air and breezing in through the open doors. Was only register for a little while. Encountered woman who was mad because she was told sweet things couldn't be on her snack plan. Was going to go to Guest Relations. This was about 10:30am. Got some cotton candy, which I knew counted as a snack. Found out one of the big suckers has nine servings. Nine?! Only a fifteen minute break. Two of the Village Beatnicks acknowledged me. One told me Tiger Woods told him to tell me that he's "sorry". Tiger Woods big "breaking news" on tv. Break too short. Weather much better. Assigned to center of Island. Was asked a bunch of "Where is...?" questions I didn't quite have the answer to. Pulled away for a stock meeting. DAK seemes to be becoming bigger on The Basics. Back to center. Met a girl who was supposed to leave at 2:30pm, originally 2:00pm, and then still got delayed for an extra 30 minutes. Her Dad played for The Cubs? Got bump out ten minutes early. Officially bumped out eight minutes early. Back to breakroom to gather my stuff. Eeyore hanging out, waiting to go on. Was looking through far-side screen door. Waved when I glanced over while talking to girl named Karen. Beatnicks playing. If stayed until three, probably would've seen them. Wanted to talk to Eeyore, but he was going on. Just waved big to him. Happy to leave, although had to swim through crowds to reach exit. Toni (security guard) wasn't there at the gate. Bummed. She's nice to talk to. Out to car, over to costuming. Changed to normal clothes. Opened car door, heard songs I gathered to be from Princess and the Frog. New stage show perhaps? Testing speakers and mics while I gathered my costumes. Two people at two check-in stations, both with many costumes. Started to have coughing jag. Ducked outside. Back in when I felt better, before another Cast Member could come in. Got one shirt. Back in car, called Mom. Played guessing game with her. Found out she and Dad were at southside shrimp place visited by Anthony Bourdain. Lucky. Decided to go to Magic Kingdom to attempt to see Anthony's spiel. Went to Magic Kingdom in the proper way. A little depressing, being on Main Street, seeing where my family was on their last day there. New paint job for Confectionary? Wandered down Main Street, over into Adventureland. Looked at bare Splash Mountain. Pretty cool to see without water. Seagulls everywhere in Frontierland. Decided to go back to Adventureland. Got into Pirates with a 20 minute wait. Stuck behind group of 6 teen girls and one Mom. Taking pictures, gabbing, throwing out slang like "off the hook". Sigh. At dock, was going to be fourth in a row with three of them. The three didn't understand, didn't make space. Ended up going on next boat. Pirates storytelling still amazing ^-^ Needed food, but what to have? Debated about little pretzels, milkshake/smoothy, Dole Whip. Or could've eaten food in car. Wandered. Not impressed with prices. Got cream cheese pretzel ^-^ Hopped on Carousel of Progress. Enjoyed show, hunted for hidden Mickeys that I could remember. Fun, and I found some! Anthony got back to my text, saying he was on a fifteen minute break. Headed to Jungle Cruise. Got in line. Spotted him by cds. Haircut? He found me in line. Asked if "we" were in line. Just me. That's how I do the parks :P Got to front of line. Told Skipper I was waiting for Anthony's boat. Waited about 10 minutes more. Got on, but let couple go ahead of me. They ended up close by Anthony. Rode Jungle Cruise. Blown away by Anthony's performance. I now understand why he has gsf cards. Now I know what it looks like when someone's just awesome at their job. Es bueno. Informed Anthony of such at end of ride. Planned to leave. Had an urge to see parade. No MJJ today :( Spectro's at 9:00pm and Wishes at 8:00pm?!?! Since when? Decided to go on PeopleMover. Very pleasant. Space Mountain very cool in the dark ^-^

Had a random thought: Is not the concept of conquering a people, something like war, is it not very comparible to sex? Males are about invading, invading, invading, while women are always welcoming and embracing?

This was thought right before going on TTA. Random.

Fireworks started as I tried to leave. Tinkerbell flew over me ^-^ Trapped on Tomorrowland bridge. So many people, where do they all come from? After a while, managed to squeeze my way through. Saw fireworks while waiting for monorail. Magical. I don't want to leave that...at least that feeling. Tram speaker (what's the name for this role?) was named Pat. "M-i-n n-i-e M-o-u-s-e" He's really good at what he does. Drove around back of Epcot resorts, then accidentally ended up almost leaving property. Need to pay attention to driving. But was ok. Explored little bit of Western Way and back of DAK. Nice to see another side of Expedition Everest and Tree of Life from road. Headed back. Called Dan and left vm while watching Epcot fireworks. Eventually called back again. Conversed about many things, from food and roommates to...bat missionary position? Inside for food and putting off of things I should be doing. Olympic skating has something that looks like dance? COOL!! Surprisingly o.o Ten minutes to ST:TNG. I'm such a dork ^-^

Question - do I know myself, more than just having a good guess at knowing myself?

I need to hang out with me more.

I have one of the songs from Outfitters stuck in my head. Why? I don't know.

Lent 02 - Tigger

Just got rid of a bug. At least, hope I got rid of the bug. Long thin body, six long legs. Stay outside. Today was another day of deployment at Animal Kingdom. Tried Walmart-brand cinnamon cereal on the way there. Better. Thought I was at Island. Found out it was Outfitters. Oops. First time at Beastly. Had to leave to break someone at Tree of Life cart. Had to leave to go to stock meeting. Eventually was there for a while. Met a woman who had gone with her husband (and family) on a real safari in Africa. Had their Hummer attacked by a lion. Chewed tires. Claws on glass and paint in the back. UK guy with them was beside himself, she said. That kind of beats out our safari. Loved Everest though. Woman who was working with me left. Had a one-on-one with a coordinator or leader or someone. Got break. Went to check for sure. Woman who had left was there. Told me I was doing well and had told someone that I was. Went on break at 3:00pm. Sat in outdoor screened area.

While I was eating my sandwich, I heard a rhythmic clicking noise, sort of like the one made by the tounge when a person's coaxing a squirrel or other small animal, only in tune to my eating. "What is that?" I wondered, and turned my head, still chewing, to find myself face-to-screened-face with Tigger! "Oh my gosh!" I said with a beaming smile. He turned to leave, he had a set, and I called out "No, no, don't go. You're so cool!" He turned and waved at me and headed out.

Finished eating. Talked a bit to one of the Villiage Beatnicks about Tiger Woods. Talked to girl named Amy from Mouse Gear. Just about finished with my break, saw Tigger come back. Bounced/ran quickly towards breakroom. While opening door, looked through, possibly at me who was staring at him. Returned to work. Did not get to see the parade, did get to hear it go past. Got a man's three kids "First Time" buttons. They were happy to have them, as their resort had run out and they were only wearing "I'm Celebrating" buttons. Told by one of the other Cast Members to move out from behind registers, that Cheryl (?) was around. Took care of Guests, and noticed near the end of one transaction, some woman watching and holding a clipboard. Took next Guest and continued on. Second break, only a fifteen. Met Brian and Kimberly in breakroom. Kim says Beastly Bazaar is beastly. Headed back in. Met woman who was writing. Mentioned that I did a good job. Showed Chase Tree of Life cart and went back to Beastly Bazaar. Met two guys who work at Epcot - one at Spaceship Earth and one at Soarin'. Ran out of quarters. Nearly ran out of dimes. Tried to get more from other register. Still didn't do much good. People kept coming in and out as park closed. Things slowed down. Thought it was done. No, still more people came in! Finally, FINALLY they left. Rang up a pack of nuts for co-worker, who rang up a unicorn sucker for me. Back to Outfitters to help organize and stock for 20 minutes. Clocked out. Headed back to apartment to catch end of Women's Snowboarding on the Olympics. Got to watch ST:TNG ep titled "The Perfect Mate". Patrick Stewart is cute when he smiles and lets some emotion show o.o Bright, engaging eyes. Informed Soyoung about the word "nerdy" (thought she said "naughty" at first...oops) and discussed whether or not men and women can be friends. She just discovered Family Guy and seems to like it. Need to get to sleep. Work at 9am tomorrow. Weather was nice today too. Still cold, but sunnier and not as breezy. Also, looked up a little bit about platypuses and Perry from Phineas and Ferb. Ferb's VA was in Love Actually?? Perry's so cool.

Lent 01 - Ash Wednesday

Got up in time to get to Church today. Ash Wednesday, and also Mass since I couldn't go on Sunday. Not feeling well. Felt bad I had to wipe the ashes from my forehead. Church and then off to work. Ate Life cereal, really didn't feel well afterwards. New side of Discovery Island today - Island Mercantile and Creature Comforts. Had no idea where to go backstage. Just went and hoped for the best. Learned a little about painted Ostrich eggs and Vinylmation while waiting to work. Relieved to see Kim and Brian from Buffalo, NY working today too. Brian asked for a ride, even though he got out at 9:00pm and I got done at 9:15pm. Placed on register 13. Found out it's on the pin porch outside. Numbers didn't work. Had to get them reset twice. Turns out, wasn' t in system to work the location. Cold. Windy. Wind kept knocking pins down. Ran out of quarters and called for more, but no one came. Had to fill up a bubble gun. Got more soap on the ground than in the holder. Break. Sat outside, but in screened area. At least out of wind. Back to work and placed on Creature Cart. Card swiper not working. Trainer and trainees leaving. Stocker stayed, helped me figure things out. Called what turned out to be security when trying to reach managers for more change. Out of quarters here too. Cold and windy. Got to see parade. Songs stuck in my head. Called for dimes and pennies too. George (coordinator/manager?) came, gave me a roll of quarters. Came back later, asked my last name, called and said he had a Cast Member out on Creature Cart for way too long. Put my job in for next in queue. Thanks George ^-^ Eventually over to Creature Comforts. Busy and not quite sure where everything was. George came around looking for extentions. Asked if I could stay until 11;15. Not that late, said was feeling under the weather. Offered to stay an hour later until 10:15. Despite extention, no extra break, other than my other half hour. Told Brian I had extended and apologized. Found out after break that Creature closes earlier than other stores on EMH nights. Balzac guy showed me way towards breakroom sorta. Saw and complimented on his Deathnote bag. Thought I'd be put back on pins. Got to stay inside Island. Awarded the task of finding home of plush fairy and plush firefly. Found it when others couldn't. Met guy from DAK Africa helping out for the night. Named Josh. At Creature Comforts with me second time I was there. Now he had a red plastic miner's helmet on. Holding up musical snowglobe attempting to sell it. Must've worked: girl asked me if we sold snow globes. Listened to guy named Timmy tell a Guest all about Disneyana pins, Eisner and his dislike of Dreamfinder and micromanagement techniques. Wonder what hotels we've got planned according to him. Girl came to bump me at 10:08pm, but went to bathroom. Didn't get back until my time to leave. Ah well. Chatted with Toni the Cast gate security guard about stuffed artic fox, 2008 Spectacle of Lights glow mug, her two dogs. Warmed up in car. Was going to make shrimp skillet, but pan was in water. Kid Cuisine instead! Mac and Cheese, followed by coconut rice and a slice of king cake. Also had a hot chocolate. Delicious.

February 11, 2010

I had a magical moment today. And no, it wasn't one of those assigned by cds and planned out in advance. It was something unexpected, surprising, and something I don't think I'll ever forget.

To begin, for the first hour or so of my shift today, I was given the gracious honor of stocking the outer kids wall. I was excited over this and happily took to my task. As I was heading into the first floor stockroom to try and find some "It's A Girl!" photo albums, an "Excuse me" caught my attention, and I turned to find a young man about my age holding a grey jacket covered with black Mickey images. He explained that he'd found the jacket, but couldn't find any others, and wanted to know if there was one in his size. Now, I was paying attention to what he was saying, but while he spoke, a part of me kept thinking "This guy looks a LOT like David" . That's when I realized that he was more than just a familiar doppleganger face.

"Lesandro?" I asked, pretty much out of the blue. It took him a second, since my question really had been rather random, and then he recognized who I was. We had met only a few days earlier when my friend Anthony and his roommate Clay (who are both Skippers on Jungle Cruise) accompanied me to Magic Kingdom, where Anthony taped Lesandro's boat since he would be leaving within the next couple of days. Recognition out of the way, I set about trying to find the brethren of the jacket he was holding. He asked why I still had the "Earning My Ears" tag on my nametag, and I explained it was because I was being deployed and figured it would help people realize I didn't know things about an area. It was also, as I told him shortly later, because I was still learning things at Mouse Gear.

This was plainly obvious, for even though I led him around for a good minute or two, I couldn't find the jackets. I managed to find a girl to ask, and she told me they'd be back in Bubble, the men's section. That was where he and I had met x.x So back we went, and after a moment, and right after I told him to hang out in an area while I took a super fast look around, he found another one of the jackets.

That was it: sadly, there were no others. And both of them were XL, which was too big for him. Not to worry, however, as I pulled out my radio, and called the stockroom, hoping we'd have more in the basement. No such luck. I reported the news back to him, and gave him my old stand-by about trying World of Disney, or if he was going that way, Gateway Gifts.

Now, to make matters a little more complicated, today was cold, and poor Lesandro was only wearing the "Por Favor" monorail t-shirt and a vest. Florida-wear, but this (hopefully) isn't typical Florida weather. He mentioned that he'd also been considering a 2010 jacket, but that he'd been looking all over the World since his program began to find a jacket like the grey one he had. All the others, in his opinion, seemed a little childish when taken out of the context of Disney. And he'd had a really nice Levi jacket, but somehow it'd gotten lost.

I tried to be helpful, telling him that maybe he could get the 2010 one and then swap it if he found another one of jackets, since we are allowed to do that in the return policy. He even tried on the XL jacket, just to see if maybe it would be ok. Nope. Too big. I apologized quite a few times, feeling bad especially because of the above factors, not to mention that he was one of Anthony's friends, and again suggested World of Disney, despite the fact that he hadn't seen the jacket anywhere else.

Finally, in a random act, I went back to the area where the jackets were, saying sometimes they fall off the hangers. I didn't see any empty hangers sitting between the XL jackets, but I looked anyway, digging between the heavy folds of fabric. And then, I found one. A random jacket, sitting at the bottom of the others.

I couldn't believe it, just for the simple fact that there was an honest-to-goodness jacket that had fallen off the hanger in this very small selection of stock. I lifted it up to show him, and he said that it looked smaller, but that it was probably still an XL.

I peeked inside the top of the jacket, to see what size it was.

The lettering had faded off, leaving everything else but the crucial size.

I looked down and located the tag hanging off the arm.

It read "L".

I couldn't believe it. Quickly I handed it over to him and he put it on in an instant.

It was the right fit.

I can't quite describe the thrill that this gave me. But I got one. I was excited, and more importantly, so was he. I pointed out a mirror to him, just so he could see how it looked, and he returned a moment later and gave me a big hug.

It was just the right jacket.

I told him that he'd have to take pictures of the jacket all over South America and send them to me. In response, he said he wanted a picture, and took one of us, with me holding up the jacket. After that, he thanked me, and then he went to go pay, and I went back to stocking.

But boy did I think that was the neatest thing.


Although, in my awesomeness, after I had tried calling the stockroom to no avail, Lesandro had said he could write me a GSF, since I had gone "Above and Beyond". Above and beyond for radioing a stockroom that didn't have what he needed? Psh. I told him he didn't need to. And now, well, had I said yes, I would've finally, finally had a GSF to my name.

But thinking about what happened today, in that one moment, that one instant, from the simple action of checking which I've had had to do late at night when straightening, I'm just amused. Amused and amazed.

There were plenty of other things that happened today too, such as my learning where Animal Kingdom's costuming building is located. That was a little hoot and a holler. Or how about Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato having a concert right outside of Mouse Gear? And trying to find parking in the Cast parking lot thanks to the event they were singing at; that was something else too. But I think the event between Lesandro and I was one of the big things of today, and as it's late, and I'm tired, and have much, much more to do over the next couple of days, I update with this. A something that could be described and classified as many things, but that I am happy to title for now a "Magical Moment".

I had a Magical Moment today. I shared a Magical Moment today.

It was awesome.

3.8-Magnitude Quake Strikes 45 Miles Outside of Chicago

(Feb. 10) -- A small pre-dawn earthquake has hit northern Illinois, startling residents as far away as Michigan and Iowa, but no damage or injuries were immediately reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 3.8-magnitude earthquake hit about 45 miles northwest of Chicago at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Scientists say the epicenter was southwest of the village of Gilberts in Kane County.

The USGS initially reported the magnitude as 4.3 but later downgraded it. USGS geophysicist Amy Vaughan says such quakes are rare in northern Illinois.

She says residents in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan also reported feeling the quake.

In Kane County, sheriff's dispatchers were overwhelmed with calls, and several residential and business alarms were triggered. But spokesman Lt. Pat Gengler says no injuries or damage have been reported.