May 22–May 28, 2011

Yes, it was softball Sunday again!  It was a tight game but we pulled it off in the end – our last regular season game!  With this win, team Fantastical ended in 2nd place in the standings! Woot!  We have next week off and then it’s playoff time!  I can’t wait!

Monday, I spent the day with Harry.  I had finished book 6 late Sunday night and jumped right in to book 7.  And all day, while laundry was washing, I joined Harry on his final adventures.  Seriously – all day, from wake up until just about 6pm when I got ready to attend Danielle’s going away karaoke party.  I hadn’t quite finished with Harry (but was very close) but I couldn’t miss seeing Danielle off!

It was a great time at the karaoke bar.  I got to spend some time catching up with Danielle and some mutual friends. Harry (a real life man!) and Sammie were there, along with Sammie’s son Travis and his wife Vilma.  I declined on the singing, and the bar was better for it, but the others all got up and did at least a number. I realized how much I missed hanging out with this group and seeing them on a regular basis.  But my crazy schedule and the 30 miles between us really makes it difficult to keep up with them. 

After several hours of singing and good conversation, I headed home and back to Harry (the fictional one).  I ended the night by ending my adventures with him.  I am super excited and ready for the final movie now!  Just so long as they don’t change too many things, I will be very happy!

Tuesday saw me finally experiencing the movie Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides in its entirety.  I’d been seeing the same one scene for weeks on end with Join Jack’s Crew and now got to see how it all fit together.  I enjoyed the movie though I may have been partial to it.  I thought it was right up there with the first one. 

On Thursday, my cousin Cheryl, her husband Scott, baby Westin, and cousin Barbara arrived in town from Utah.  I met up with them late in the morning to sign them in to Disneyland.  As I had Grad Nite that night, I couldn’t play with them but they got a good many hours in the park.  Thankfully I knew we had the big family BBQ on Saturday when I could really catch up with them.

Friday I started my refresh on the summer fireworks spectacular, Magical.  It is a much faster paced show for us stage managers.  In addition to the two fairy flights, we also have a pachyderm flight.  We are constantly doing something during this show – not a lot of time to sit and enjoy the pyrotechnics. 

I continued my Magical refresh on Saturday but not before I experienced the famous Pickett Summer BBQ.  We usually saved the big BBQ for 4th of July but as we weren’t sure about the state of the house sale, we moved it to Memorial Day.  The kids got a bounce house, BINGO is played at the end of the night and all evening, my mom’s fabulous BBQ and spread is feasted upon by all.  There were probably 50+ people, family and friends, all hanging out in the family’s backyard.  It is such a fun time.  And I finally got to catch up with my cousins!  I was a little bummed to leave early (missing BINGO – with prizes!) and head in to work (especially as we ended up cancelling due to high winds!). 

Another family filled fun week in the books!

May 15–May 21, 2011

No softball games scheduled this week, so no softball fix.  The week was plenty full of fun regardless!  So much so that for the most part I’m going to skip most of “work” for this week.  Not to say that I didn’t work or spend any time at work – quite the opposite really.  But enough babbling, to the point – the only work related item of consequence was my 5 Year Service Celebration on Wednesday.  Technically, I’ve been with Disney for over 6 years but since I started as uber part time, the first 18 months ‘didn’t count’.  The company was a bit late with the celebration for April (me) so they combined it with May.  Sarah & I share service birthdays – she’s been with the company even a bit longer than me.  I love that we can share our milestones together.  The Entertainment service celebration is held in one of our rehearsal halls with cake and lemonade.  The ceremony is for those service celebrations of the month in 5 year increments starting with the 5 years.  It was lovely to share the moment with many of my friends. 

On Thursday, before Grad Nite, the Osgans and I spent the day playing at Disneyland.  I had tickets for the Cast Preview of the new Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.  We met up not too early (I did still have to work ALL night) and enjoyed the day.  We started with Indiana Jones as Shane really wanted to ride it – he’d heard his friends talk about it and was finally tall enough.  Brandon was quite skeptical but since little brother was willing, he could try it.  Needless to say, neither quite enjoyed it.  Shane sat calmly with his hands gripping the sides with his eye firmly shut.  Brandon wouldn’t let me let go of him as he held tight to the ‘steering wheel’.  Good thing we took pictures before the ride started!  I don’t think we’ll be trying it again for a few years. 

The rest of the day was a typical day in the park until 3pm.  Enjoy the various pictures… 

We decided to see if they were letting us go in early (the tickets were from 4-8 p.m.) and they were so we jumped in line.  It was a relatively short wait and seeing all the new material made the line go even faster.  Before we knew it, we were sitting in the Starspeeder 1000 ready for our first flight.  It was AMAZING!  The combination (1 of 54) we got was Darth Vader stopping us then escaping through a space battle, down to Hoth weaving through AT-AT’s and over cliffs, with Princess Lea imploring us “Star Tours, you’re my only hope” and to head to Naboo, where we headed into the ocean and Jar-Jar’s world before emerging at our final landing at the Queen’s palace.  SOOO much fun!  We wanted to do it again right then but technically we only got one ride with my ticket and the line had quadrupled since we’d gone in the attraction.  Alas, I can’t wait to ride again!  Then we spent some more time in the park before I had to go to work…

Friday, after a short sleep (Grad Nite really gets in the way of sleep and socializing), I headed in to meet my folks at the park because today was their day to ride the Cast Preview of the new Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction.  I had a couple of meetings so I ditched them after lunch only to find the meetings cancelled and re-scheduled.  Boo!  I met back up with them in line for the ride.  We waited longer than for Star Tours (that’s what happens when you pick the final preview day for ST and the first preview day for LM) – about an hour!  But we got to catch up and enjoy each other’s company, which is never a bad thing!  Eventually we got to the ride, which for what it is – a dark ride (similar to Haunted Mansion or Winnie the Pooh), is really good!  The advances in technology really bring the audioanimatronics to life.  Then it was back to work for me – Join Jack’s Crew.

But the day was not done for me, no, I met back up with the folks for dinner at Big Thunder Ranch (as it is literally attached to the arena where JJC performed).  BTR has excellent food – a bit overpriced – but what isn’t at Disneyland.  And of course, I knew the entertainment (a guitar playing singing cowboy) so he came over and interacted with the family.  And one of the pirates, on his way out to the trail, tried to “lift” my mom’s purse.  It was a fantastic dinner.  Later, my Mom took my Dad to see The Magic, The Memories, and You! for the first time.   :)  Then they came over and became the only family members to experience Join Jack’s Crew.  After the show, I let them stay in the arena and interact with a few of the pirates!  My mom has those pictures (they didn’t transfer very well from her phone to my computer).

It was a great week!  Truly a family week and chock full of memories.  Life is made for week’s like this (even if not a lot of sleep was experienced!).  I am truly blessed with an amazing family and love them very much!

Apr 24–Apr 30, 2011

So I totally forgot to mention on my last post, my Saturday night activity!  I got to see my theater mentor and his wife, Kevin & Kathi Cook, in the OCHSA (Orange County High School of the Arts) Faculty Follies!  They were super fantastic!  My friend Gemma was also in the show.  To top it off, sitting next to me was Joseph Mulroy, whom I last worked with on his show Born to Ride the Waves.  It was a terrific night out and the show was pretty good too!

On to the current week, I can’t believe how busy I was over this 7 day stretch.  I began the week with Easter Sunday.  I got tickets for the Angels game – so I started my day at Angel Stadium.  Thankfully the rain quit just before the first pitch.  It was a great game – I even had a bordering-on-creepy old man ask me to dance during the 7th inning stretch.  I declined but he was a hoot (and a bit intoxicated)! 

After the game, I headed down to the family for a lovely Easter dinner.  It’s always nice to celebrate a holiday with the family and good food – nothing fancy but definitely tasty.  It was a relaxing afternoon and evening.

On Monday, Sarah and I finally found some time to hang out.  We decided to lunch at Rutabagorz in Old Town Orange.  I had a lovely Thai wrap but the best part was catching up with Sarah.  We talked and talked and talked.  I noticed the people around us were dissipating but I got quite the shock when I looked at my watch – we’d been talking for 4 hours!  Boy, time sure flies when in good company.  She and I really needed the afternoon to delve back into each other’s lives.  We just don’t get to see near enough of each other since we “work” in different parks.  Yes, we both work in the same department for the same company but ‘technically’ I am statused in Disneyland and she in Disney California Adventure.   She’s a fantastic friend!  This is one of my favorite photos of us (from a vacation in NYC that overlapped a few years ago – I suppose I need a new current favorite photo!).

Tuesday was Mom’s birthday!  The local family gathered at Ruby’s Diner at the Laguna Hills Mall for dinner.  It’s one of our family’s favorite places to eat out (Karen and I love the grilled cheese on parmesan sourdough – she adds the Cajon fries) and something for everyone!  The boys got to play with a cut out play neighborhood while the grown-ups enjoyed pleasant conversation. After dinner it was back to the house for cake & presents quickly before the boys went to bed. 

My visiting teachers stopped in for a visit this week as well.  I am really enjoying getting to know them.  And Stacie continues to ‘stalk’ me and make sure I have all the mid-singles information.  One of these days, I might actually have a day/night off when there is an activity.  Until then, I continue to hear about them but have to work.

Speaking of work, this week was quite varied for me.  I got to giggle the night away with my JJC pirates one night, cancel fireworks due to wind one night, spend two days prepping for Grad Nite Explosion, and spend one day & night working a special event at the Grand Californian Hotel.  The event was fun because I got to spend a little bit of time with my former roommate Marcie!  All in all, a week filled with life.  :)

Apr 17–Apr 23, 2011

I finally got to play my first softball game with Fantastical – the coed Disney team I play with in the spring!  It was four weeks in the making and it was epic.  We lost, but it was a close game.  I played second base & got beat up – took a couple of line drives/hard hit grounders off my body.  I made a couple of plays, even almost turned a double play!  I went 2 for 4 at the plate – not my best night but not my worst.  I just need to work on not hitting the ball right at the opposing players.  We don’t play again for two weeks, due to the Easter holiday, so I get a bit for my bruises to heal :)  I can’t wait for our next game. 

Monday was Shane’s actual 5th birthday.  I headed down to the house for dinner, gifts, and cake.  We enjoyed a lovely BBQ and conversation before Shane wanted to open his gifts and eat some cake.  I got the huge Batman fan a Batman action figure with some accessories.  Here are a couple of photos from his party on Saturday and the family celebration on his birthday.

The rest of the week was filled with work – all kinds of it.  I had a couple of fireworks shifts, a Pirate shift, and a Grad Nite prep shift.  I very much enjoyed my one day with my Join Jack’s Crew this week.  There is just something about the pirates and the shift that is just plain fun.  Yes, we have plenty of things to do and make sure happen, but we sure have a great time doing it!  I just wish I had more of these shifts.  After all, this is a temporary gig – only through Memorial Day – and after May 1st we are back to weekends only. 

Also this week, I finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!  I am so loving re-reading the series.  There are so many details I’d forgotten about and it’s just plain fun sharing his adventures again.  I’ve jumped right in to Order of the Phoenix now.  It only gets better and better from here! 

Even though we still have several shows left in our season subscription for SCFTA (formerly OCPAC), it was time to renew for the 2011-2012 season.  Since my sister is moving out of state and her best friend is having a baby, I invited 2 new girlfriends the seats.  It’s not the best season ever but there are a couple of shows worth seeing – Les Miserables being the one I’m most looking forward to seeing.  I haven’t seen it in many, many years.  And keeping my seats through an okay season will allow me to renew again for a hopefully better season for 2012-2013!

My sister has been touting How I Met Your Mother as an amazing show for years and trying to get me to watch it.  She enjoys it so much I started buying the season DVDs for her on various holidays & birthdays.  Well, I finally borrowed season 1 from her and watched the first disc.  It is quite a funny show.  I’m going to have to catch up on all the seasons she has on DVD before she moves away now!