Keep Moving Forward.

I can't believe that it has been nearly two months or so since my last blog entry. Every time I try to write something down I find myself at a loss for words and forget so many important details. I'd just say "oh well", and move on to doing something else. I prefer not to write at all if I'm not accurate. Even when I talk to people who ask me 'what's new?' it ends up being so awkward. But here is a bit of my life in Disney World.

In the past few months alone there have been some interesting changes. Friends have come and gone. A very good friend of mine moved back home to Long Island, New York for her own reasons. Not entirely sure what those reasons were but I won't go blabbing about her personal life. I've met some new interns who have recently come out of training, all of them from Brazil. I love meeting new people, trying to find a connection but eventually (as it is with most cases) we run out of things to talk about. For instance I have very little else to say to my roommates except for how much I disdain them and everything they are about. Parties, sex, slang, underage drinking, and tollerance of underage drinking. I should have expected something like this when I signed up to merge my life among the other nameless college students. What a generation I am in. (Takes a moment to sigh) Not just the American students but all students of my age group seem to make absolutely all the wrong choices. Why can't we just go a day without smoking? Why can't we just go to the party without knocking back a few? Is it wise to light up a joint during your break with still a full six hours of work left? The answer to all of these questions is incredibly simple. 'No'. But if my roommates were asked these "opposite of difficult" questions they would quickly respond in the predictably wrong way. I am utterly tired of their ingnorance.

Now what awaits me is only 3 more weeks of this and I will be back home in frigid Iowa. Missing Christmas with the family like I did with Thanksgiving and my other favorie holidays. Parents sent me a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and I think I'm going to keep it forever. My paycheck sustains me. I can't seem to save much money, but the way I see it...now is the time for living to the fullest and doing whatever I feel like doing. In the near future there may not be enough time. I will have to live for others. The bulk of my paycheck has gone to buy suveniers for myself. Does that make me selfish? Ofcourse it does. But when will I get another chance like this? I don't want to dump all these Mickey-shaped gifts and knick-knacks on family and friends. I'm afraid it will seem like I'm gloating. But I want to get something special for each. I think I've managed to find a few things for a few special people. Even considered getting something for a couple of my pirate friends. I never thougth about getting too close to these great people because it would make separation easier. There are so many places to visit now because of this program. Long Island, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; 'Somewhere', North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; London, England; Nice and Paris, France (the final three I am most anxious to visit).

Well I've officially run out of things to talk about. Will return later with a renewed passion for blogging.

In Your Dreams, Kid.

Okay. I found that I have atleast one reader out there (it felt like I was talking to myself for a while). :-) Wouldn't be any different from the norm, meaning having no one to talk to. I figured that with the much appreciated time off I'd update my blog as I wait for my lunch of mac 'n cheese to finish cooking. I've found quite a few 'quick foods' that I'm rather fond of, which are all relatively cheap and easy enough to find. I fell in love wish "Nissen Chow Mein" boxes. It takes 5 minutes to cook and tastes great, plus it's stored dry at room temperature so I've stockpiled over 20 of them in my shared kitchen easily. Every day I go to work I grab one from off the counter before leaving the apartment and I've got lunch for the day. Of course there's the tride-and-true Easy Mac and Ramen noodles that every college student has heard about. I've got those. I've found that anything microwavable is best to have around the apartment, so there's really nothing of a 'home cooked' variety here.

I'm excited about this year's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. I have Halloween off and it would be the first in many years that I get to enjoy may favorite holiday. 80% of the reason why I joined this program was to be a part of Disney's Halloween celebration. 10% would probably be the sheer joy of spending every day at the Magic Kingdom for 6 months, and the other 10% is for the high marks on my resume and achieving a 'rehire' status on my Disney employment record. Once this program is completed, if I obtain a rehire status at the programs completion it should be much much easier to once again rejoin the company should I ever need/want to. It's a very tough job I've got but I have no choice. I must say it's not all bad. The guests tend to get quite angry with me and shout obscenities towards me and the other pirates when the ride breaks down and we have to evacuate the building (trust me it's usually never EVER as serious at it may seem). People are quick to judge us humble pirates. I had a woman come up to me once and say that I needed to tell higher management 'what I shitty ride I'm working at', through her minimal set of teeth while puffing a cigarette. Meanwhile, other disgruntled guests are shouting in the streets of Adventure Land saying, "This ride is broken, stay away from it! You better not go on, it's a waste of time!" How little we care for the likes of them. I laugh thinking of how badly they behaved and all the while hoping I will never return as a guest to the Magic Kingdom. (I'm almost willing to believe that visiting this place lowers your I.Q. by 20 points.) Think of it, Disney has made it so there is little thinking done on your part. We take care of you from the moment you embark on that magical road trip to Orlando or Anaheim. We provide a great deal of the transportation. And half the day is spend worrying about how you'll fit everything into the day's schedule (or fighting with the kids against their schedule).

Yes, five dollars is a bit much for a bottle of soda pop but what the heck, I'm on vacation.

I think it's apparent that I will never be back unless it's to work again for the Disney Company. One brilliant aspect of working here is the cast benefits that go on for the whole year. During the Christmas season we will all have a 50% discount on merchandise. For those who are considering joining the Disney College Program, please take full advantage of all benefits while you can.

When You Wish...

It's been two months since my arrival at Walt Disney World and I feel comfortable at home. But I feel pretty lonley. Sure, I made a few friends but we never see each other. Although we see each other occasionally and manage to make plans, those plans just don't seem to follow through. I think lately things have slowed down for me. Days go by quick but nothing really gets accomplished besides the occasional bit of housework. I love living on the second floor of my appartment. After a day of work it almost seems rewarding to climb up the stairs to my front door almost completely exhausted and ready to collapse by the time I reach my bed. Recently I bought a T.V. because the one we were sharing in the living room suddenly vanished. I took it as a sign that we as a house would not be sharing anymore. Things got confusing. Were we buying food only to share with everyone or just for ourselves. Who decided to buy garbage bags? Who keeps grabbing toilet paper from my personall stock?

I find myself thinking about how displeased I am with my roommate. He sometimes keeps me up at night clicking away at his computer and texting to half of New Jersey where he happens to be from (Not even thinking of turning down the volume on his allert). His alarm wakes me up in the morning while he remains sleeping blissfully. He leaves notes rather than telling someone about his problems to their face. Some of those notes are definitely targetted at me. But there doesn't seem to be anyone in the house he has a problem with exept me. Dozens of Highschool Musical posters and photos litter his side of the wall while mine are blank as the house regulations say they should be. Sure I'm probably not the best roommate in the world either, but I've always considered myself to be a friendly person. And this 'living on my own' thing is new to me.

Celebrate A Dream Come True.

Anything is possible according to the late Walt Disney. He passed on shortly before seeing his second theme park 'Walt Disney World Resort' open on October 1, 1971. But since his passing his company has flourished and thrived, building three new theme parks, and two ocean liners (with talk of a third). But that's just in Florida. There are more Disney parks spread out around the globe. Newer ones are being considered as well.

I work in The Magic Kingdom in Orlando at Pirates of the Caribbean. Although the name is familiar to almost everyone. Guests still come up to me and ask..."What is this? Is this a ride?" I always ask if they've seen the movie. They always say 'yes'. I explain that the movie was based on the original ride from Disneyland. The guests file in and ocasionally come out complaining that it was nothing like the movie. I just roll my eyes and smile.

Since I moved myself down here to Central Florida, I've been getting used to a list of things. Bus schedules, roommates, 24/7 humidity, and outrageous prices for park food.

Hello Orlando!

One flight later and I arrive in Orlando, Florida. The air is incredibly humid as expected, but I'm sure in time I'll adjust. I rode a cab to my hotel room at the Holiday Inn just minutes from Disney World where I encountered friendly service and a spacious room meant for a whole family on vacation. I decided not to playfully go for one of the bunk beds and chose to retire on the queen sized matress instead. I'm stitting with my computer on my lap and watching some T.V. My wake up call is at 8 o'clock tomorrow. After that is breakfast and hopefully one simple trip to my appartment. Hopefully things will become smoother thereafter.

Disney Adventure Part 2.

After waiting 6 weeks to hear about the results of my interview, I have finally been accepted into the program and will be working in Attractions.  There are dozens upon dozens of rides in one of the many parks so there's no telling where I'll be working just yet.  My goal is to be working at The Haunted Mansion, of course but even if I don't meet that goal I won't be a bit disappointed.  Not much to say right now except how excited I am.  All I have to do is fill out some more forms and it'll be official.  I'll be flying down to Orlando, Florida this May.  

Disney Adventure Part 1.

Two years ago I found out about the Disney College Recruit Program.  College students have an opportunity to be chosen for a paid internship at one of the two Disney theme parks in the U.S. or at their many resorts.  They work full time earning credit hours and money for a place to stay on location.  Sure, some may think that working tirelessly for an entire week would be hell, but for me this experience is one I look forward to.  I've worked under similar conditions before and I think I'm somewhat prepared.  So to join this program I had to go through a pretty selective interview process (and though it's not over yet) here's what I've had to do thus far.

First, I went online and filled out page after page after page of questions and personal information.  I picked from a long list of jobs, what I'd be most interested in doing if/when I'm selected.  I chose half the list.  

Second, I was required to attend what they called an "E Presentation" where they basically talked about all the benefits of this program, flashed a lot of clips from various Disney movies such as; Fantasia, The Little Mermaid, Lion King, etc., and footage from their parks (It was like they were selling us timeshare).  We attendees were able to speak with some graduates of the program.  

Third, was to schedule an interview with a Disney rep. on the phone.  It was a very short interview, but I was literally breathless and incredibly excited to be speaking to this person.  I was asked the usual "how would you benefit from this?" along with discussing my experience in performing and other previous work experience.  The enthused woman who interviewed me wished me luck and hung up.  I'm not yet sure how well things went.  I was told via email that I would be sure in about 3-4 weeks.  

During the second part of the process when I had to attend an E Presentation, I knew there were two possible locations.  One of them was 20 miles from home in Ames, but I was a day off and a day late.  The night I was supposed to attend, I was filling out the paperwork.  So it was off to Kirkwood College in Iowa City.  Traffic was terrible and people weren't exactly courteous.  When I got there the folks working behind the main office desk of the college told me the presentation was at another Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids.  So after traveling 126 miles east I had to back-track another 30 miles north.

More to follow.

Legally Blonde.

I'm incredibly excited to be seeing Legally Blonde at the Civic Center this week.  I saw the T.V. show when they were looking for a new Elle on Broadway and I soon began purchasing the music on iTunes.  After watching everything from the movie to bits of the show on YouTube, I now officially believe that this will be another great night of entertainment.  For me, Broadway shows are my escape.  Since 'Grease' my sophomore year in high school, I've discovered that there isn't a musical I haven't met that I didn't like.  Well a few of them aren't my favorite, but I still enjoy watching it.  The songs get me more interested that the often cliché story line and plot.  Boy's down on his luck (a loser or a lonely tough guy) who finds a girl that matches him in an awkward way (often she is the opposite of the main guy and naturally completes him).  He pursues her, he struggles to show her how he feels, nearly misses his chance and finally unite at the end.  *fake tear*  So touching.  But no matter what, there's a certain tradition to it.  They've produced shows on Broadway for years and that street in NYC is practically the holy grail for writers like me.  I hope things turn out well so that I can also see Hairspray this March.  For anyone who's watching and reading, I'll update soon.  

Belsen: Chapter 2.

What a night!  This was the first day in front of an actual audience.  Four total performances the first being at 10:10 a.m. the last at 7:20 p.m. and I'm beat.  My last show at DMACC was nearly two years ago, but all the sights, smells, sounds, and familiar attitudes were there.  A group of actors driven to put on a great show have proven their metal tonight.  Yours truly was included in a poll that shows the audience's favorite actor or actress.  I came in second, but it was to a very worthy fellow thespian.  All they guys I work with are fully awesome.  During our two hour break today I basically sat around watching youtube vids and suddenly realizing there's hardly a soul out there as funny as Gilbert Gottfried.  Any-who, I'm looking forward to the cast party tomorrow and the Civic Center performance next week.

Belsen Vos A Gassa.

A few months ago I auditioned for the play written and directed by my former Theater 101 professor, called Belsen Vos A Gasa. My character is Mason, a manic waiter, surviving a boring high class lifestyle serving coffee in a goofy uniform while invaders from space destroy the world. The show will be tons of fun. You should be there opening night, closing night, and all shows in between.

'Hairspray' I Barely Knew Ye.

A sad sad day for me.  This is my first blog of the new year and I am sad to deliver this bit of news for all Broadway lovers who may not have heard.  "HAIRSPRAY" the show that was the eight time 2003 Tony award winning musical lowered its curtain at the Neil Simon theater for the final time on January 4th, 2009.  I myself never had the pleasure of seeing the original cast performance when it opened in 2002.  And it was especially excruciating to learn that my two favorite cast members Harvey Fierstein (as Edna) and Marrisa Jaret Winokur (as Tracey) where on stage for the final performance.  

In my life there have been many opportunities.  I am always too late.  Because I'm always choosing to 'be patient and wait until later', I missed out on several vacations, auditions for zombie movies, and holiday events.  So I have decided that from now on, all things are for today.  That's right.  No matter what my financial situation I will buy that darn ticket to New York, I will audition for that play despite the hectic work schedule, and go to see my favorite comedian while he's in town.