Lent xx - 5:30 days - Day 2 - 5:30am - 2:00pm

Raining this morning. Little thunder and lightning too. Shoes still wet from yesterday. Parked closer to front to try to avoid more rain. Saw bus and wanted to get on it. Driver said it was going west. Met Kim, who was waiting for east bus. Dropped shirts off at costuming while waiting. Determined maybe east bus didn't run so early in morning. Walked to Mouse Gear. Tried drying inside of my shoes with paper towels before clocking in. Not much help, but a little better. Got assigned to Bubble. Spent morning stocking and watching lots of rain fall. Were supposed to have meeting a little earlier. Rope was going to be dropped a little earlier so Guests could get in and out of the rain. Helped Kim stock "Mine" toothpick holders in Breezeway while the meeting went on. Helped her move mugs she'd replaced and rest of holders into stockroom and tried to move my clothing rack into stockroom too so it wouldn't be out on floor when Guests came in. Made it to the wave, just a moment or two behind schedule. Something like 10 people passed us by the whole time we were out there. Went on break a little late, trying to gather remaining shirts I needed. On break, Kim worried a great deal about not checking what time she was supposed to take break and how long she was supposed to be on it. People kept asking for closed shoes. Felt bad we really didn't have anything to offer. Had Manager Brad explain the new stocking procedures. We can stock until first break/10:30am. Then it's out to help Guests. If something really needs to be stocked (not just like two pairs of socks missing), stockers have to call a manager, have them come, explain what needs to be done, and have manager decide on whether to let the stocker stock. Right... Guest asked for a white hat with a pink Mickey silhouette on it. Didn't have any in stock. Called Brad. He said it was ok to take one down from the display...if I could reach it. Thought about stepstool. Then thought about grabbers that managers usually have. Apparently Food and Beverage and outdoor managers get them, but maybe not in Merchandise? Woman named Frances had a hook, however. She came over to the hat wall and managed to knock the desired hat off one of the stands at the top of the display. A little dusty, but ok. Brad found me when I was chatting with a couple of teen girls. Looked like he wanted to talk to me, but became involved in the conversation with the Guests. Managed to sneak off and straighten. Eventually found me again. Had little project for me. Some of the large Vinylmation out on shelf were supposed to come out next Friday. Wanted me to put them back and bring back the ones originally there. Did so. Midway through, he came around and said that some of the ones going back that looked like bowling pins were ok to stay out. Apologized for giving me more work to do. Said it wasn't a problem, I'm a CP and here to serve. He replied I'm not just a CP, I'm a Cast Member. Said, ok, I'm a Cast Member, and here to serve, wasn't a problem. Told me that I shouldn't let anyone say I'm JUST a CP. Thought that was pretty cool., sort of inspiring. Told him so. Told him that's why he gets to wear the normal clothes. He laughed. I finished project. Became a coat-hanger for a couple of Guests trying on wind breakers. Ponchos maybe not working so well? Were out of a lot of sizes on wind breakers, but the couple finally found ones that worked for them. This was in Breezeway. Manager Rob saw me in Breezeway, asked me to get him the Breezeway rings. I had no idea what he was talking about, which he was surprised (and not in a good way) at. Told him I don't often stock Breezeway. Was told it's a ring with pictures on it showing how things should be stocked. Knew what he wanted and got it. After he used it, was told to put it back and find him. He had another project for me, but when he found out I was in Bubble, sent me on my way. Met a guy from Schaumburg (neat) and two ladies who LOVE Kenny Chesney. One had some lovely photos of him on her phone. The other had encountered a stroller and her KC poncho had ripped under the arm. Had asked someone on register to staple it closed. Took Cast bus to go back to Cast Services. Had to wait a bit, but sort of peaceful. Only person waiting for bus. Only person taking bus back. Found a five-pointed star on Spaceship Earth as we pulled away. Shoes still got a little wet during walk to car. Maria was home when I got home. Spent afternoon hanging out in room, eating food, watching tv. Got phone call from Brian, which I didn't pick up. Voicemail said to call him when I got the message. Called back. He and a girl from Ireland named Karen had been in an accident. Rear-ended someone. Both were fine, her hand was bleeding though, so she'd gone to hospital. Brian needed ride. Said I could help him out. He said he'd call with address of Toyota dealship his car would be towed to. Time passed a bit, still no call. Managed to get to Vista to return Saludios Amigos/The Three Caballeros and The Rescuers Down Under. Picked up documentary on Walt. Apopka/Vineland super crowded. Brian called back once I was driving back. Told him I'd call back. Got to apartment to Mapquest. Off Colonial Drive. Heard of, never visited. Wrote directions. Said it'd be about a half hour. Tried taking International Drive to avoid Apopka/Vineland traffic. Some how ended up on Osceloa parkway. Got onto John Young and followed it north to Colonial. North-South streets connect with East-West streets - Amazing! Passed by the dealership, had to turn around to reach it. Once arrived (with bad parking job - sorry), tried calling Brian a couple of times. No answer. Called Mom to be sure signal worked, then, accidentally rejecting his phone call, tried again. Eventually met up. He set up his GPS as a backup, and back we went. Apparently had to wait for cop for over two hours. Firetruck and ambulance had arrived quickly. Couldn't get ahold of Karen. Turns out, other person, who only had a dented bumper as opposed to bit of a crunch and air bag deployment of Brian's car, works on Illuminations. Said he could get Brian and Karen good seats for the show. Crazy. Dropped off Brian and headed back to apartment. Called Mom and chatted for a little bit. Decided sleep might be good. Had a cup of cereal once I got things a little more organized. Hope Karen's ok. Said she hadn't been feeling well earlier. Hope Brian's doing ok too. Weather's supposed to be better tomorrow too.

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.

Cordele or bust

Time for another postcard post!

Last one up this morning. Went to Waffle House. OMG happiness. Started driving around 9:50am. Sky cloudy with humid shades of white, grey, blue. Drive through Nashville and just keep going. Attempted to find Bug Scuffle this time around. Still no luck. Maybe too far south? Hit the mountains in Tennessee. Rest stop had bug-infested tables, but beautiful lake/mountain view. Had a sweet tea and a salad from Wendy's. Stopped by a Truett's and learned the origins of Chick-Fil-A. Baptism by fire into Atlanta's rush hour traffic. Nothing but driving after that, with more-than-occassional construction. Saw signs for Orlando Discount Tickets right along with Adult Superstores. Finally made it to Cordele. Ate at Captain D's. Sweet employee gave my sister and I some food. At hotel, trying to finish Disney on-boarding paperwork. Dad was watching show about baboons, now we're on to the space program.


As with yesterday's post, I'll write more later. I do have another question that needs answering. While my family and I were eating dinner, we began to wonder how it is that Disney gets all of its Guests out of the park at the end of a long day. Another thing to learn!

Bowling Green or bust

It's late. 12:40am Central to be exact, which is kind of funny since we were in Eastern for a while. Guess Days Inn offers many of the amenities of home, ne?

Anyway, since there is a leftover KFC biscuit to be had and some stretching out to do, I'll give the shortened version of today. Call it a postcard post:


Left late. Came home from last night's wedding and fell asleep instead of packing. Left at 11:43pm. Went to library, post office, then friend's house. Had to pick up shoes left there from yesterday. Pair of sneakers, really needed, Disney not foot friendly. Great amounts of driving. Great amounts of construction. Drove through/around big city for first time. Lunch at McDonalds, dinner at KFC in Kentucky. Reached Bowling Green after 9:30pm. Family and car taking a well-deserved rest.


When I have a little more time, I'll write a more complete post about the day. Or at least as much as one can write about a ten hour day consisting mostly of driving.

But there's one more thing before I go.

A month ago I had wondered where I would be today at 8:04pm. Although I was on Eastern time (so it sorta counts), at 8:04pm today I was just minutes south from the boundaries of Louisville and had run into yet another section of road construction. The shoulder of the road had become the left lane, and as we sped over the safety ridges, the resulting noise could only be equated to a rather large dog in an empty, echoing house, barking through a window. The safety barks carried through the frame of my car, immersing me in surround sound, and for a split second I was convinced there was a Doberman outside my door.

Yes, a dog outside my car at 70mph. That makes sense :P

But it was pitch perfect, which was pretty impressive. And interestingly enough, I Dream Of Jeanne's on right now, and it's an episode featuring dogs. Perhaps we've reached the Dog Days of summer?

Boo.

As for 8:04pm Central time? Unfortunately, my phone was in my pocket at the time, so I didn't quite note where I was, but I'm very sure I was driving, and possibly singing along with the radio.

And on that note, I'm off to finish that KFC biscuit and to go stretch out.