Lent xx - 5:30am Days - Week 2, Day 1 - Anthony Bourdain helps me find a Reuben

After sleeping in late for two days, today first day of full week of 5:30am days. Got less sleep last night (distracted by Horizons), so tired today. Saw plans for Mouse Gear store redo. Assigned to Bubble. Kids being redone, things being moved around store. Disrupted some of my list. Had to ask Manager Ginny about open space where hoodies were. Pulled down into tunnel to talk to stockers about what was in stock to put up. Kept trying to keep up. Got pulled away from Bubble (again) to help put out fancy (expensive) purses. Had to hunt down Manager Ginny, find key, see how to organize, then unwrap and tag purses. Took up lots of time. Could only get the essentials for Bubble. Met couple looking for sweat pants for one of their grandkids. Offered to look around store for them when we didn't have the correct size. Said they'd be back after lunch and took note of my name. Didn't take break until 10:38am. Didn't feel well after food. Busy day. Food and Beverage 20% coupon is in effect. Morning was messy/nuts. Asked permission (sigh) to work on shoes. Got half done before offering to help Manager Sandra with a project. Wanted Jack Skellington hats hung up. Had to hunt around for tag gun (wha?). Found wrong one, as it didn't have a needle. Found the right one and proper hooks. Watched her do it. Tried myself. Hope I did it right. Woman Cast Member remarked that she was watching one of the dressing rooms. Been occupied for an hour. Thought it might be a guy and a girl. Finished hats. Decided to fill up a hole or two, put shoes back in proper stock room place, and be done with it. Encountered Guests all the while. Got a really cool id badge pin. Said it was for Imagineering and featured Figment. Got traded away about 45 minutes before my shift ended. Finally finished and got out of there. Hadn't taken my second break. Decided to go to Beaches and Cream for mint chocolate chip shake, since McDonalds around here don't seem to have them. Tried to park at Boardwalk. Missed parking lot and had to go around again. Explored Boardwalk tiny bit before heading onward. Knees and calves hurting. Shake was good, little foamy, but I got the whipped cream and sprinkles that I wanted, not to mention a cherry and delicious mint and chocolate.

Computer just turned off (needed to plug it in). Blogspot saved draft. Woo hoo!!

Wanted reubin because of St. Patrick's Day. Thought Earl of Sandwich might have it. Debated taking Disney bus. Decided to drive. Parked by Cirque. Thought I could catch a boat. Missed. Walked. Pain. Got to Earl. NO REUBIN!! WTF? Couldn't find boat dock by Rainforest Cafe. Took the boat by Paradiso 37. Back to Marketplace, then to West Side. Boat Captain named Tom. Looked very much like an older Anthony Bourdain. Similar build, hair color, facial shape. Boat ride peaceful. Good suggestion on behalf of family. Thought maybe Panera had sandwich, but Mom said no. Got back to apartment (stairs x.x) and had Lean Cuisine. Managed to edit which professional internships I wanted to apply for, but missed the job in Batavia that my Mom had sent me. Drats. Soyoung listening to music, some of which was covers of songs I'd heard, or was nice music in general. Did have a Stevie Wonder song though. Good choice. Shalom came home and made pizza. Smells good. Said that one of the "single ladies" in the Beyonce video is a guy - and dances the best of the three. Soyoung showed video of two guys at Chatham dancing to song. Off to sleep and a lovely long day of work tomorrow. Gotta figure out what to do next. Need to rest though. Definitely a good idea.

Lent xx - A quick update with less than two months to go

Last two 5:30am days kind of blew by. Sorry about not updating x.x Went to Church today, then to Vista to return biography movie about Walt, then to Magic Kingdom where I hoped to have gotten a hair cut. No good, they were booked. Went to Magic Kingdom, got cinnamon almonds (delcious, but expensive), rode train. Held up by parade at Toontown Station. Wandered a bit, very busy all around. Got on People Mover with annoying teen boys behind me. "I'm on the blue line!" "Where the ladies at?" "I'm scared of the dark!" "Someone touched my butt, I feel violated!". Long journey. Gave me a bit of a headache. Walmart after, and then a pleasant walk around the complex. Dinner, ST: TNG/NCIS, and a shower.

Trying to work things out for my future. Need to update resume, apply for jobs, figure out next step. Unfortunately, seems like my trip back home for Easter isn't going to happen. Costs somewhere between $244 and mid-$300s for a ticket. I understand, but am not happy at all about it. Much to do. Gotta get to bed though. More 5:30am days ahead.

Walt was really like us...really normal...wasn't he? Crazy to think like that, but watching that movie, well, wow. What a life.

Oh, and it's officially less than two months until my program's over.

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.

The Sherman Brothers receive window on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland

A Window to Remember

They've written some of the most memorable songs in Disney theme park—and motion picture—history, and on March 11, 2010, the Academy Award®-winning composers of the music from it's a small world and Enchanted Tiki Room attractions, as well as the film Mary Poppins, will receive the highest honor that the Disneyland Resort bestows. The Sherman brothers, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, will receive a tribute window on Main Street, U.S.A.

Among the Shermans' more than 150 Disney songs are such familiar Disney theme park compositions as "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" (theme from the Enchanted Tiki Room), "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" (theme from Carousel of Progress) and "It's a Small World," one of the most translated and performed songs on Earth. All three are still performed in their attractions at Disney theme parks around the world, making the music as contemporary today as when it was composed.

"Richard and Robert Sherman's contribution to Disney spans 50 years and has touched virtually every aspect of our company," Robert A. Iger, president and CEO, says. "By dedicating a window on Main Street, U.S.A. inside Disneyland we are pleased to recognize them with one of the highest honors our company bestows."

"The music of the Sherman brothers has left an indelible mark on the Walt Disney Company and still resonates in Disney parks around the world," Tom Staggs, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman, says. "Their songs—particularly 'It's a Small World' and the score of Mary Poppins—are not just touchstones of Disney but of American culture as a whole. The whole world sang these songs when they were new and they still sing them today almost five decades later. Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman are honored members of the Disney family."

The tradition of honoring individuals with a personalized decorative window was started on Main Street, U.S.A. by Walt Disney and has continued at Disney parks worldwide. A Disneyland window is considered the ultimate honor anyone can receive from "The Happiest Place on Earth."

The careers of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman span almost 50 years and include two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins—Best Score, and Best Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee." The Sherman brothers gained recognition in popular music with several Top Ten hits, among them "Let's Get Together," sung in The Parent Trap by Hayley Mills; "Tall Paul," Annette Funicello's first Top 10 single; and "You're Sixteen," which made the Top Ten twice: sung by Johnny Burnette in 1960 and by Ringo Starr in 1974. In 1960, they began a phenomenal 10-year association with Walt Disney, during which time they composed more than 150 songs for Disneyland Park, other Disney parks, and Disney films and television shows.

Their Disney credits include The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Sword in the Stone, The Aristocats, The Happiest Millionaire, the Winnie the Pooh series and, of course, Mary Poppins. The theatrical version of Mary Poppins is consistently among Broadway's top-grossing shows and is in its fourth highly successful year at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The North America tour continues to be a hit, and the show's popularity is growing around the globe with international productions opening in Australia and Holland later this year.

The Sherman brothers went on to compose other song scores for Snoopy Come Home, Charlotte's Web, the Broadway musical Over Here, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (later brought to the stage in London and New York), Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, The Slipper and the Rose, The Magic of Lassie (which earned their ninth Academy Award nomination for Best Song), The Tigger Movie, the stage musical Busker Alley and Beverly Hills Cop 3.

Among the Sherman brothers' honors are three Grammy Awards, 24 gold and platinum albums and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They have also been named Disney Legends, a designation that acknowledges the many individuals whose imagination, talents and dreams have created the Disney magic.




Copyright Disney (yeah, yeah)

Lent xx - 5:30am Days - Day One - 5:30am - 4:00pm

First day of 5:30 weeks. Woke Soyoung so she could catch bus. Brian offered ride since we both worked same hours. He was at front of Patterson 3 minutes early. Asked me if I wanted to see Alice In Wonderland tonight. Had to see how I felt after work and also cash. Arrived at Epcot. and parked very near front. Met guy we work with. Guy wants to transfer to cruise line. Used to do professional lighting. Girl friend in China. First time 5:30am. Hung out in breakroom watching news. Brian went back to car to get ipod. Little boy hid with sister and called police when house got broken into. Asked for lots of cops and soldiers. Thieves found him. Called him "fool". But ran off. Everyone safe. Whoa. Brave and very smart kid. Got assigned to Kids Clothing. Briefly met girl who's been on a month of 5:30am. Met stocker by the name of Linda. Infants area being reworked. Worked on boys instead. In girls, started getting really tired. Was suprised to see people in park at 8:00am. Realized it was for Princess breakfast. Managed to get through most of girls before meeting. Meeting in bubble. 20% off f&b coupon returning. Crap. Entrance countdown began while still chatting. Managed to get a glove and wave to people for a few minutes. Back to girls to finish up a couple of things. Happily went on 45 break. Rain started early. Not bad. Kept coming and going and was cloudy all day. Tried to work on clothing in center. Was told of new stocker policy. After 10:30am (first break?), no more stocking. Be out for Guest assistance and straightening. Mostly Guests. Began lots of Guest greeting. Got two requests for size "3" - between 2 and 4. We don't have, do we? Rain brought in more people. Store began to get busy. Had been asked earlier for Mad Hatter Hat from new Alice In Wonderland movie. Been out of it for a while. Went to check. Turns out we just got some in. Asked Manager Rob to make sure I could bring them out. Did so, Guest waiting was very happy, I was happy. Went to go tag others. Was informed by Rob that tag needed to go through stitching, not through hat material (not best part of day), but opened them from plastic, tagged them, and got them ready to go out. Also met a seamstress. Neat!

Best part of day - two parents and young boy (9/10/11ish?) came in looking for Mad Hatter Hat. Ran to other side of store to get it. Brought it back. Family was absolutely thrilled. They'd been looking everywhere for it. Was told I just made boy's first trip. Mom gave me rainy half-hug.

Awesome.

Got super busy with people coming in and hiding from rain. Got to go home ^-^

Met Brian in breakroom. He wanted to wait out rain a bit, see if it slowed. Didn't have a rain poncho or a jacket or anything. Waited five or ten minutes. Watching weather on tv. Said tornado warning for Orange County and showed more rain coming. Brian asked if I wanted to hit up a park on my day off. Decided to head up to see how rain was. Coming down, and heavy at that. Stayed in breezeway with Guests for a little bit. Saw some of them take a chance and run. Decided to do the same. Got to pretzel cart. Then to Test Track. By this point, my pants and shoes were absolutely soaked. Little bit of lightning. Little bit of wind. Tried to make it to back of Test Track, maybe dry under track? Rain lightened a bit. Under tracks not dry. Got to Cast Services. Realized we could've tried for the bus. Oops. Met Custodial guy named Matt from Washington. He had fun smacking Brian's wet clothes, first with hand, then a bit with broom. He and Brian displayed their Stitch voices. Matt was very amused. Asked Brian and I to be facebook friends. Matt took random picture of me (not very good one). Told him he should've gotten a picture of my soaked pants. He proceeded to pat my lower leg, as he'd done with Brian. Uh? Kind of laughed. Told him I felt like horse. Off to the stable! Matt told me I'd be a filly. Neat nickname? Brian and I headed to Costuming to check about a rain coat for him. He passed and we headed to car. Thankfully he'd parked so close this morning. Apologized about wet pants on seat. Decided against movie, due to rain. Slight traffic jam on way back to apartments. Got dropped off and headed instead. Pants and socks hung up. Toweled off. Paper toweled shoes. No laundry today I guess. Made garlic shrimp skillet on spinach leaves. Delicious! Watched about extreme roller coaster and water park drops. Indiana Beach, Orlando, and Wisconsin Dells featured! Fell asleep a couple of times. Woke up to The Incredibles and stayed awake to watch. Just as good as I remembered. No school like the old school. Prepped for tomorrow. Misako met Dan Cockrel today as he was walking the park. Said he was gorgeous! Soyoung opened little bag of Famous Amos cookies possibly left by the people from our inspection. Passed, btw. Been nibbling. So good to have some cookies. Need to sleep.

Decided after the new changes and talking to some of the people that've been here awhile that maybe it's best I work for a smaller company, so my work and contributions will be recognized. Either that or a small department. And need to be really good at whatever it is that I do. Just want recognition? Mom said I need to figure out the type of work I want to do first.

Why do I still have the tv on the Lifetime Movie Network?

Lent ::coughmuttermuffle::

Got up late. Went to Church. Felt more familiar and like a place I'd want to be. Wendy's. Got called "Miss" by guy at drive-through window. Ate Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger. Caribbean Beach. Tried to eat Ceaser Side Salad. Top popped off. Then lost hold. Managed to pin top against door. Lost about 3/4 of salad in door, on floor. Spent next 10-15 min cleaning. Ate rest. Visited Customs House. Took internal resort bus. Port Royal/Royale. Driver told me people turning to food for comfort. Also 400+ calories in Double Cheeseburger. Mentioned Guests say Beaches and Cream has the best milk shakes. Decided to go there. Explored Port Royale. Wandered around outside. Caribbean Cay has need hidden alcoves, hammocks, places to sit. Wandered around rest of resort. Explored Aruba. Nice that parts are pavement, parts are boardwalks. Went to southern end. Saw bowling pins from Pop. Neat. Decided to go for milkshake. Next park bus that comes, I'll take it. Epcot. Had to transfer to Hollywood Studios bus once arrived. At Hollywood, decided to walk on pathway instead of taking Friendship. Visited pool area of Boardwalk. Saw Keister Coaster. Cute ^-^ Yacht Club looks sterile from outisde. Pool for Yacht and Beach Clubs in full swing. Bunch of life guards doing Cupid Shuffle. Thought B&C (like BC = Beach Club?) had a wait to sit down. Had To-Go area. Asked what flavors there were. Didn't notice they were posted on sign x.x Apologized to CM. Heard my name called. Misako sitting with some women from work. Small world after all o.o. Got Chocolate Mint Shake, complete with whipped cream, cherry, sprinkles. Woo!! Sat outside and drank. People-watched. Watched guy at seating table. Drank ice cream and ate chocolate. Heard Spice Girls song and thought of Rebecca. Chatted via text. Headed inside to explore. Cold ice cream + lack of sun = not the smartest. A little chilly. Determined I like lobbies and outdoor theming more than hallway theming. Beach Club, Yacht Club. Walked to Dolphin. Higher-class hotel. Fancier. Running water in many places. Went up central elevators. Crazy fast. Guy off before me. Thought I saw light from window. Got off floor 17. No window. Went to another level. Window! BEAUTIFUL view of North/West Walt Disney World. Spotted Contemporary, Castle, Space Mountain, peaks of Grand Floridian, World Center Drive, and, really cool too, Expedition Everest, Cell Tree, and Tree of Life. Could see far and wide. Absolutely need pictures. Went all the way up, came all way down. Explored east elevators. Discovered they were connected to west elevators. No views, sadly. Decided to visit Downtown Disney. Missed bus. Wandered by basketball court and pools while waiting. Pool is beautiful o.o Headed back to bus stop. WDW Promo video playing. Focus on Swan and Dolphin, but mixed in with much WDW. Kept saying "You will remember". Made me think about what it'll be like when I leave. Another Downtown Disney bus. Bit of alternative route. By Boardwalk. Eventually arrived. Checked depature bus. Visited Shalom and made plans to buy some Christmas ornaments. Stopped in a couple of stores. Seeing if what I told Guests at Mouse Gear was accurate. Chocolate at Ghiradelli. Back to bus. Bit of wait. Arrived pretty soon and headed back to resort, with brief stop at West Side. Jeez = Jews for Rebecca's phone? Bus passed by Custom House. Got off and waited for internal resort bus. Driver having to announce stops. Reached Custom House and car. Headed to Vista to rent movies. Much debating. Decided on The Three Caballeros and The Rescuers Down Under. Walmart visit. Back at apartment, found leftover chicken and onions in skillet. There go my original plans for dinner. Finished chicken nugget anytizers instead. Watched tv. Roseanne episodes powerful ones - Darlene married and Dan not feeling well followed by Darlene having baby. TV's going in and out from static now. Maybe better. Aiming to catch end of ST:TNG.

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