Friday the 13th Traditions

So every Friday the 13th there is a tradition at the Disney Reservation Centre to wear your ears. I do not know how it got started but I really like the idea. Before my cast members came in I had stopped by Company D and purchased 20 sets of ears, 10 Gold and 10 TieDyed. Each time one of my team showed up for their shift I would have them close their eyes and reach in the bag.

I do not normally work on Friday but because of Dani's track meets I have been working some strange times. Come to find out that only five of my team members work on Fridays so it was a very small group indeed! I took pictures of them all together and will have to email it home so I can post it because it was a lot of fun.

They actually requested that I save July 13th for them... now I have to come up with something cool to do. Any suggestions?

Disney Legends

I work in a place where legends are made. They do phenomenal things that no one ever thought would be possible. They were laughed at for the ideas and were told that they were "follies". People waited for us to fail, time and again we were told we would with complete conviction.


There are times when my position as a cast member simply becomes "a job" and I hate it when that happens. People come in without pixie dust and stupid things get in the way. I don't want to ever feel like what I do is "a job" because I know that no matter what happens in the future ~ I will never find "a job" that I love as much as this one.


All of my life I wanted to work at Walt Disney World. I used to joke around and tell my friends that I wanted to be Dopey when I grew up. People laughed at me and said that it wouldn't happen, at least not the way I was thinking. They said that I would never get to work at Disney because things like that just don't happen. Guess what, they do!


So the next time you watch one of my spots, or see one of my billboards, or hear one of my songs you can bet the I am pretty much swelled up with pride. Our Year of a Million Dreams celebration ad spots make me want to cry. They touch me and not just because they are really good but because I am a part of that magic.


I try to get on the phone every day so that I can continue to make magic. Do Leaders normally get on the phone ~ shoot no!! They avoid it all costs. I could probably count the number of Leaders (and Leaders of Leaders for that matter) who can still book a reservation on one hand and still do the Disney Point. They lose the Guest feel and excitement because they don't interact with them. When I go to the parks I always say hello to the princesses I pass (calling them by the name of the princess costume they are wearing), I give directions if I see a group huddled into a map, I take pictures for couples and families so at least one shot will have everyone in it, and I celebrate whatever button they have on that day.


Do they know I am a cast member ~ nope. Do they care that I am a cast member ~ probably not. Do they appreciate what I have done for them ~ yeah... Because I am the magic of Disney.

Johnny and the Sprites

Perks of being a Cast Member

We cast members have a site that we can log into from home to get to our work email and stay in touch with what is going on all over property. We also use it at work because it is just a great source of information regarding anything you could possibly want to know regarding us. It's called The Hub.

This magical, mystical website is only available to cast members and one of the other things we get is called The Disney Newsreel. It is a really cool online newspaper that is put out for us to see what is going on all over property (US, Hong Kong, Japan, Paris, etc).

Here are some of the really cool images that I was able to capture from different volumes of "the reel" and once you see them, you'll understand why I had to use some of my "magic" to keep them forever.

Be good poppets until next time.

Color Spash - David Bromstad

Okay, this man may be gay (not sure) but he is very hot and I have a slight crush on him. His eyes are beautiful, he dresses smart, his body is solid and he smiles like a child. Uh, how could you not want to just run up and squeeze him?

David came to fame from an HGTV show called HGTV DesignStar where he won and earned his own television show, Color Splash. He has a lot of interesting ideas, some are things you could use and others are way out there ~ makes you turn your head to the side like a puppy who heard the word "cookie".

One of the things that the Home and Garden Television website has is a Color Code! It describes your color personality. All you to do is mouse over your favorite color and it tells you all about your personality.

Mine is pink, right. So I moused over it and it says that "Pink is playful, innocent, flirty and fun. Romantics love pale pink hues while dynamic personalities go for shock value with hotter shades." I think that is a bit like me, what do you think? Either way, go here and try it.

Dulldrums

Do you ever go through a spell where you don't want to go to work? No matter how much you love your job, you would rather spend your time doing other things. Perhaps cooking, writing, reading, knitting or playing with your kids.


Take today for example. I ran up here to get cleaned up for work and do my daily post. I can hear Sami downstairs yelling at Mickey Mouse on the television. She really gets into her morning Playhouse Disney! MMCH is like her little soap opera... she laughes, she cries, it becomes a part of her. Who would want to leave that and go to work?

My mom is sitting downstairs with a beautiful new quilt that she is working on covering her lap. It is actually for me!! I'll post a picture when she is done but who would want to leave that when you could sit down with her and work on your knitting?


Dani will come home after school today with her "egg baby" to take care of, sharing stories of the days events before bounding off to her room to draw. Later on she will emerge to play with her sister... a 14 year old who actually plays with her 2 year old sister. Who would want to miss that and go to work?


I know when we move I will have enough time to sit and ponder all these things... the posts then will be probably about how I could never be a stay-at-home mother because it would drive me insane. Oh well, we always want we can't have I guess. All this rain has given me the dulldrums... sorry to share.



Off to get cleaned up and leave all this... for work.

Happy Monday

I think we should all grasp Mondays like my little Sami. Most people grumble and roll over, not wanting to get out of bed. Little Samantha wakes up, rolls over and then hollers at the top of her lungs "Mama, I wake". This of course is my queue to get out of bed and go fetch her so she can start her day.

On the way down the stairs she starts her morning salutations. "Hello, Nana", "Hello, Sissy", "Hello, PopPop" and of course "Hello, Abby oh so sweet". All of these are uttered in this order until each of the people have been seen, hugged and properly helloed for the morning.

We then proceed to get dressed and brush our hair to which we are constantly asked if we can "peas wear tutu" and I will always agree. She has about three tutus that are worn on a regular basis. Two just are skirts that can go over our outfit while the third is a full body suit tutu that we can wear when it's warm. Today was too cold but she really wanted to wear it ~ Mama got creative and it was a win-win for both of us.

So I think we should all use Sami's philosophy on how to start the day:

1. Let the world know you are up and ready for business


2. Say hello to everyone you meet and greet them warmly each day


3. Get dressed and neat for the day


4. Always wear the appropriate tutu because you never know when you may need to dance.

Don'tDateThisGuy.Com

I remember this site being used on a show once and I was curious if it even existed ~ IT DOES!! So all of you who know me know that I must warn the rest of the women in the world about the evil monster that I dated... and I did. I am waiting for the approval email from the site and I will post the link for all to see. Yeppers, picture and all.

You should go and check out the Don't Date This Guy.com site, it's interesting. And guys, they have one about the girls too so don't get all upset... y'all are warning each other about the "women" you date. I posted this picture because it is a great "PSA" spot for the post, don't you agree?

Be good poppets until I return. Hugs and kisses to all because you know I love you buckets!!

Happiness Fairy

Brandon and Katie

As many of you may know, my best friend's son and daughter-in-law are over in Iraq right now. They have been gone for almost three months and it has not been a fun three months. We can't watch the news, read the reports or pages - nothing - because it's just too scary.

Jacque sent me an email today saying that Katie had updated her photos on her MySpace account. I pulled these off of hers and Brand's because they were too cute and I wanted to share... miss you little buggers!

Yeah to my Friday...

Thank God this week is over. I must say that I have felt like I was at a dog fighting contest wearing milkbone underware all week!! I think I am going to curl up in my bed and read a good book - not one of those stupid ones for work either. Enjoy my little "Cast Only" happy and I will see you all on the other side. Be good poppets while I'm gone.

I Love Saab!

No, not the car but the designer. I just finished reading an article on him over on Yahoo. It was about how he says that a woman's beauty is in her curves!! Thank the Lord above that people are finally realizing that woman are not, as Elie said, hangers for their clothes. We have curves and a shape that is beautiful and should not be subjected to becoming walking bones with legs.


The most beautiful women in the world, at least in my humble opinion, are all built like women! Kate Winslet, Mariska Hargitay, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway ~ I could go on and on but not once when I was watching something with them in it did I feel the need to go out and buy them a cheeseburger. Not once did I wonder why these poor starved women didn't go out and buy some groceries... but I did relate to them and want to be like them, real and character inspired, because on either side of the script they were just themselves. There were no pretenses and dishonesty to work around. These are normal healthy everyday women and their job is to entertain us.

You just have to read this article! Check it out and let me know what you think ~ hangers or figures.

MySpace - The Crossover Album

Hey all - couldn't sleep last night so I tinkered with my account over on MySpace. I had been ignoring it for a while but since Brandon and Katie (Jacq's son and d-i-l) I have been checking it to keep up with them... and Boo writes me daily.. LOL.

Anywho, here's the link if you'd like to check it out and toddle over sometime... you'll love my friends, they're the coolest!!

Oh, and Happy Monday!

Interesting Aspects of Life

So I was bored and wandering around MySpace when I stumbled on a person that I figured (or perhaps hoped) had fallen off the face of the earth. To say I was dumbfounded would have been an understatement as I would never figure this person to be on a site such as this in a million years.


The posting is as arrogant and self-righteous as this person is, at least in my own humble opinion. You must admire the honesty and agree that it is refreshing ~ obnoxiously pompous in delivery but refreshing none the less.


Here is the odd part... I wanted to talk to the person. To call and say hi, what's up... to see their face and if they had changed over the years... to hug them... to slap them. I go around hoping to never be found and still small pieces want to reach out from time to time to... to what, really? To make sure THEY haven't forgetten me... to see if they occassionally cry at night too... to see if my hopes of them feeling like shit for all they have done come to pass?


Try to push it all away, bury it in a box, forget about the bruises (both emotional and physical) to ultimately forgive them for being who or what they are... and ultimately you can't... or is it ultimately you won't?

My Version of Helping Too...

Happy Saturday!

Pictures from Dani's Track Meet

1st meet - Held at Hudson High School - came in 2nd place
2nd meet - Held at Mitchell High School - came in 1st place
Dani bested her times by 30 seconds in both her events, 110 mtr hurdles and 800 mtr race.
My little speed racer!!

Dani and Macy talking during the Track and Field Events
Dani and Macy doing "I'm a Little Tea Pot" in the middle of the field
Dani is in the middle lane - game face on!
Dani is at the end of the frame during the first lap of the 800 meter race
Dani is behind the third girl in purple during the first lap of the 800 meter race


Getting ready to stretch out - Hudson Middle School track team
Dani is talking to a team member with her science teacher - Coach Nero - not far away
Look at the size of this team!! Dan is on the right side, second over from Coach Nero
This is our "Game Face"
Jump Dani!!

My Little Track Star!

This was Dani's first week of track meets and I must say that I am so proud of her! She was chosen for the 110 mtr hurdles and the 800 mtr race. Not only has done a great job of working through these items - she has improved her time each race!!

I will have pictures up soon - too tired now to upload them - but you can see my little "cougar" in action.

Vinemont, Alabama

Daddy got a job today - and this is where we will eventually end up... See the little star under Decatur - yep, that's it.

I have mixed emotions. I know that I will never find a job that I love as much as working at Disney and it breaks my heart to leave but the reality is that I don't get paid enough to support myself so I will HAVE to move with my family. I think it sucks right now that I will not be a cast member forever. I am also excited to move somewhere else and experience new things along with old things I've missed. I'll see the leaves change again... actual seasons, I'll be closer to my brother and some old friends, I'll get to try new things and move - I've always had a bit of wanderlust but I attribute that to always moving as a child.

So I congratulate my father on getting a new position and I hope he loves it as much as I love my current position. I also cry over the exact same things.

Happy Birthday Dani!

My baby turned 14 this Saturday - can you believe it? She had two lovely little girls and one obnoxious one spend the night on Friday.
Saturday morning they went home, I let one stay a little later since I really like her. She is a sweet and well tempered girl - a joy to have around really - so I called her mother and asked if she could stay until supper. Then we had our family party and rushed out after to spend her B.A.M. gift card because goodness knows it was burning a hole in her pocket!!





Note to others: When having a sleep over with teenagers, limit the guest list to two because any more than that and someone feels left out and then becomes a raging arse to the rest of the group.
Birthday girl/Hostess and two other girls... that is it, trust me.

MAY 25, 2007

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END

WATCH THE TRAILER

Telephone Scam

I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service Technician (could also be Telus) who was conducting a test on the telephone lines.

He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine(9), zero(0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up. Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.

Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number. I

was further i nformed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE. The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERY ONE I KNOW.

After checking with Verizon they also said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone !!!!!

Disney Look

So, our company was built on Heritage, Tradition and Values. It's that simple. There are certain things that we believe and that we follow because - well, we're Disney. That should be enough, right?

We believe these things so strongly that our first day of work is not call "Orientation"... nope... it's called "Traditions" and one of the greatest honors is being a Traditions Assistant... something I am comtemplating but that is another story.

Disney has a cute little red book called "The Disney Look Book" and it houses our dress code. This little beauty is printed and handed to each new Cast Member on their Traditions day. It states what "good show" and "bad show" look like and everything in between.

One single pair of earrings, matching set, in a traditional and subtle style, no larger than a quarter. Those are guidelines for women's jewelry regarding earrings. If you have double piercings or more then you may only wear the one pair located on the bottom of your ear lobe. Sounds simple, right?

I had a cast member today who I noticed did not have her bottom pair in but did have two other pairs in. I was talking to her and said "you forgot your bottom earrings" to which she replied "No, I had to take them out because they were too big and outrageous". This is a sign that she knew what the Disney Look was regarding earrings. I went on to state that she was not in Disney Look because she forgot to take out her other two pairs. I smiled and was very pleasant and conversational in the delivery. No problem, right?

She went off on me!! She said that it was completely unreasonable and she was not going to take them out and if I had to fire over it then so be it. Then my cast member stormed off in a huff. Normally, I would have let it go with a verbal warning and called it done but since she acted like a horses rear I went there. I got a copy of The Book, cleared another Leader's calendar so he could sit in, verified protocol with my leader AND with a member of HR - then I called her into a small counceling room located at the end of the hall.

You would think that the person would have had time (30 minutes actually) to realize that they were being a bit over the top and comply - it's a pair of earrings for the love of Pete. Nope, she went off again and threw in a "I'm completely disappointed in you for bringing this up" to boot. Oh yeah. I kid you not! So I maintained my composure and after it was all said and done I asked if this meant that she was going blatantly disregard policy and is refusing to remove her earrings. She said yes and I responded with that was fine and I was going to have to now bubble it up to HR and will advise her of the next actions that will be taken.

My ultimate question is this - why do people have to find a fight in everything? There are rules and guidelines in place for a reason. We don't create them for fun because we are bored. We create them because they are needed. We don't enforce them because we are wanting to pick on people or be tyrants. Without rules and guidelines things would be out of control.

So please do me one favor, the next time someone states a policy or procedure simply follow it. You'll be much better for it - everyone will.

Tah-Tah T.S.A on St. Patty's Day

Yep, you read it right... I get to say Tah-Tah to my T.S.A. Leader spot... nope, no more Temporary Salaried Assignment for me.

I GOT STATUSED!!

Yeah baby, that's right. I will never be a floor agent again because I rock as a leader!! Normal TSA positions run for 6 months and then get extended by 6 months while the Powers That Be make up their minds on head count and performance. Yeah, I have only been a leader for 6 months!!

Last Wednesday, Rose Mary asked me to fill out a paper that was basically like a one sheet highlight of my performance as a leader. I didn't have that many months to go off of so I started the comparison back in July before I took them over fully in October. It was fabulous. Things looked so much more "wow" factorish when on paper too!!

So yesterday, before the Rally, Rose Mary asked me if a had a second. I popped in and she said "The break room looks really great and I love the way you did the tables. Wanda filled up some of the balloons since they were a little wrinkly when we got in." I said thank you for both items and she stood up and grinned at me and said "Oh yeah, as of today.... you are a statused Part Time Dine Leader". I flipped, I was so happy. I thanked her and was to giddy to sit through a boring meeting but managed to do it. She said that she wanted to announce to the team at our meeting that afternoon so I had to keep quiet for almost three hours... hello, people. Have we met? I can't keep good news in for three hours - so I did what any person would do. I wrote an email on my blackberry to my family and best friend during the Rally telling them about it... then I found people who weren't on my team, and more importantly, don't associate with anyone on my team and I told them!!

So yes, it was a magical day all the way around - some of my cast excluded but that is a different post. Not raining on this parade!!

Be good poppets and I'll see you later on! XOXOXO

Calming Down

Hey there poppets! I know it has been a while but things have been anything but calm around here. I needed to take some time to take care of myself and my family. I will give you a quick update and then I need to get cleaned up for work. I promise that "quick updates" will not be my new format... plus I have pictures!!

1. I am up to become a Statused Leader!! Will explain more in separate posting.


2. Dani made the Track Team and is going to compete in the 100 mtr, 200 mtr and long jump areas. She is really good!


3. Sami is talking up a storm and her favorite thing is to go shopping! Heaven help us.


4. Went to WDW on Feb 23 - 25 and then turned around 3 days later and went back from Mar 1 - 3... it was fun!!

Here are some updated pictures of the past month and a half so I'll be sure to explain more later... must hose off and head out to make magic. Love to all, I've missed you and I will be sure to get to my regular posting routine... I promise!