TGIF!

That says it all.

First Kudos to Kevin at Fury.com for making the Yahoo Picks of the year with his AOLiza project. Kevin was also the runner-up on SurvivorBlog. A very popular blog/take-off of the Survivor TV Show.

Second, I want you all (both of you) to think of your three most memorable moments of the year 2000 and email them to me. I'll post them here this weekend.

For me the most memorable moments are (in no particular order): July 16th when Stacey and I finally figured it out and hooked up with a big freeway offramp sign; New Year's Eve 1999 (which is part of the last year chronologically speaking in that it is less than 365 days ago) with the whole world united in peace and celebation and my close family of friends united (mostly) at Disneyland; and the first night I saw 'Believe... There's Magic In the Stars' at Disneyland. Never has a fireworks show been so spectacular, so amazing, etc. and when I saw the giant mickey sillouette in the sky, I nearly cried (I'm such a softy).

Runner up is the whole mess with the presidential election. Came out on the losing end on that one or it would be up there. =)

well, I found out that the parking lots have not been filling up. So there goes that part of the theory...

Have I mentioned that I am in love with Stacey Wright? No. Well I should mention it. Right?

Thoughtful Thursday

It's a short work week with only the new millenium looming ahead. Thoughts of reading and writing have been heavy on my mind. I've been fleshing out my latest Dispatch from Disneyland column, finished a short book in the Star Wars saga (I'll have to go into that in greater depth another day), and picked up From Dawn to Decadence: 500 years of Western Cultural Life by Jacques Barzun again after a month or so of abandonment. (Btw, it's onsale right now at Amazon for an amazing 40% off if you don't have it already.)

If you haven't read FDTD you should consider it. While more than just a primer (it weighs in at almost 800 pages), it does serve as both a tickler for ideas and avenues that excite you, as well as some very specific education on the progress of Western Culture. Plus, it's all written in a very easy to follow, almost conversational, style. That's not to say the book doesn't have its biases. It has a heavy bias by omission, and the authors views tend toward what I would call the conservative. Still, I've been enjoying it emensely and consider it part of the 'canon' of education I never got.

Also in the news is Disneyland's record breaking attendance. The crowds have been amazing and the congestion in the park is very think and miserable even for us park veterans. I don't think the media is quite capturing the whole story here. I have a few theories on this that make better sense to me.

First there is the fact that Disneyland really has a hit on their hands with the new 'Believe' fireworks shows. By itself this accounts for a certain rise in attendance from normal levels. But that should have been countered by people waiting to make that Disneyland trip until the new park has opened. Instead, I think locals are coming in droves to soak up Disneyland one more time before staying away until this new park thing works out.

So that's one factor. The publically accepted one. However three more largely undiscussed factors arise. There is now less parking for the resort than ever before. The old parking lot used to hold 15,000 cars. The new parking lot only holds 10,000. Even with Simba, Timon, and Pumba (and the convention center overflow (which has always been available to Disneyland)) the lots all fill up faster than ever before. I don't know what they're going too when California Adventure opens -- fly people in from Edison Field?

Another factor is Fastpass. Fastpass means it takes fewer people in the park to create as much congestion. Essentially filling the park to capacity faster. An 90 minute wait for it's a small world holiday isn't unheard of... in fact the queue space is much smaller now that 70% of the queue is in fact out shopping, eating, or watching entertainment instead of standing in line. So the park now feels horribly crowded at about 51,000 in park, where it might have been able to handle 60,000 before. This means closing the gates ealier than ever before.

Finally, we have the possible reality of a work slowdown. Cast Members in attractions are about to lose one of their most valued procedures. The 15 minute rotational schedule is about to be bumped to a 45 minute rotation. This means fewer breaks, and longer periods of intense focus on one item, and more unhappy cast members. I think they're unhappy about it and are slowing the work down, creating longer lines, more unhappy guests, more congestion, because of it.

Take all of the above and you have a recipe for disaster. Too bad really. It should be an exciting time for all visitors and cast members, but instead it's just miserable for all.

Woo Hoo Wednesday!

Last night we had a lovely dinner with some of Stacey's cousins. Cheryl, Erin, and Adam (forgive me if I'm mispelling names) were a delight to meet. All three were very bright and polite, not something one can say about everyone in their age groups. Hopefully we'll be seeing more of them as time goes by.

We met at Stacey's mom's house where sumptious food was served. Rhoda went out of her way to make sure all of our strange eating habits were satisfied (including fish for me and vegan food for Adam). We even had a little gift exchange where Rhoda gave me the travel scrabble game I've been hankering for.

Speaking of games... I gave Stacey two card games from Looney Labs -- Fluxx and Chrononauts. We played them this past weekend and had a blast. If you're tired of the same old card games and want something new, these are for you. You'll also be doing a good deed by supporting a small company with good ideas trying to make it in todays market.

Recovery Day

Another slow day at work. Thank the maker. I'm all worn out after a great Holiday weekend. Hope you had one too. It was wonderful making new traditions with Stacey. I look forward to many years of Xmas fun with her. Tonight we're doing a Jewish Holiday dinner at her Mom's house.

Also saw Castaway with Tom Hanks. Here's my review... don't read if you don't want to have the movie 'spoiled' for you.

Spoilers! - Castaway with Tom Hanks

The box office winner this past weekend was, as if there was any doubt, the latest Tom Hanks flick - Castaway. You all know the story already (since the previews gave the whole movie away). All that's left is the scenery, the script, and the ability of one man to carry the premise. Well, two out of the three ain't bad.

The opening minutes of the movie set up the character of Chuck Noland. We are told repeatedly of his quirky traits which allow him to be a great manager for FedEx, a company where time is your enemy and your partner, and an all around nice guy (which we assume any Tom Hanks character to be). We are introduced to a few additional cast members whom we know we won't see again until the end of the movie and a few whom we are left wondering why there were there in the first place.

Then comes a quick series of events where we see the Chuck Noland character make a series of dumb moves that will eventually save his life but also strand him with none of the tools necessary for survival.

The plane crash is as spectacular as you would expect from any blockbuster film, what they can do these days in post production is amazing; and eventually you find yourself washed up on shore alone with a FedEx Manager whom you have just barely gotten to know. Not exactly the last person on earth I'd want to be stranded on an island with... but not among my top choices either.

Since we know he makes it off the island, the script spends most of its time amusing the audience with Chuck's various failures and successes as he attempts to survive. There are a couple of painful moments too, including one where our castaway desparately tries to escape beyond the barrier reef.

Then, without explanation or warning, the script jumps four years into the future and presents us with a totally different man than we left just a few seconds before. We see a man who has been driven insane without knowing what sent him over the edge. What could have been a fascinating study of the descent of an isolated man, asks us to take his insanity for granted.

Even worse, there are important character changing moments that happen totally off screen and are only spoken about. I would much rather have seen those changes for myself even if it made the film a few minutes longer.

Finally, the trade winds of luck smile upon our hapless castaway and he escapes the island. Eventually this brings us back to the mainland and a slightly more plausible series of events. In fact, the last few minutes of the movie are the most believable and understandable in the whole movie.

Robert Zemeckis shoots the film in a dark, almost grayscale at times, tint. While he's obviously chosen the shots, he mostly lets Hanks act, and the audience watch him. Zemeckis, who also worked with Hanks in Forrest Gump, leaves most of his emotional string pulling bag of tricks at home.

Hanks carries the movie quite admirally and his performance and physical transformation is worth seeing. The structural problems I had with the script do not destroy the whole movie, they just left me feeling abused as a viewer. But then again, most Zemeckis films do that to me.

I'd give the movie 3 out of 5 coconuts.

MERRY XMAS


Woke up early this morning to find that Santa had visited Stacey and I. We each got stockings full of great toys and candy. Among other great gifts Stacey got me the 'Olive the other Reindeer' story and plush. Very cute. I managed to find that one piece I was looking for, a Lenox Dumbo. She was very happy. Stacey also got me this marvelous Fantasia 2000 snowglobe and sculpture. It's got Mickey on top and little snow globes with scenes from the movie in them.

Now we're off to PCH Grill to have what's probably our last Holiday Brunch there (at least for a while). It has become something of a tradition that those who don't observe the holiday or have family nearby to observe it with all eat at PCH Grill. This year it's Doobie and Rebekah (as usual) and Chuck Mann joining us. My tummy is awaiting anxiously.

Next year the Grand Californian will be open and will most likely be our new hangout.

Well, I hope you all have a marvelous holiday and a joyous new year's eve. Be safe and have fun.

-Indigo

Holiday Zombies Attack!

People lose their minds this time of year. They forget how to drive, leave garbage lying everywhere, cut in line at the checkout stand.... Target stores seem to be a main front in this battle. The toy aisle looked like a bomb had gone off. The candy aisle was even worse. Things were so bad even the sound track had been turned off and the people hurried about without the background of typical holiday cheer. It was a strange scene.

Hope you have a safe and sane one...

-indigo

Holiday Shopping

No. I'm not just starting. I'm actually down to just two stores to visit. So it shouldn't be too bad today. Yesterday wasn't very bad either, with the exception of this sorry story.

My lovely girlfriend is out of town visiting a new family baby, so it seemed like a good time to pick up some pieces for here that I've been wanting to get all fall. One piece I wanted to pick up sold out just a few hours before I got there. This was a piece that hadn't moved on the shelf for 2 months... and then 'poof' when I want it, it's gone. We even called every sister store in So Cal and none of them had it. Bummer

Was at the park for a few minutes last night. It was incredibly crowded, like it has been every night this holiday season, but the congestion was made even worse as people tried to escape The Fog That Ate Fantasmic!!!!

I've been watching Fantasmic! since it debuted in 1992 and don't remember it ever being cancelled due to fog. But last night you could stand at the entrance to Pirates and not see the stage. Dangerous conditions to run the show. So at 9:05pm they cancelled the show and sent 11,000 people exiting from the Rivers of America... onto Main Street.

But waiting for them on Main Street were 10,000 other guests getting ready to see the 9:30 firework show. When those two masses met, it was another guest control nightmare (which you can read about on the LaughingPlace.com message boards.).

The fireworks were then delayed until 9:40 or so. But at least they launched... well we think they launched... we could hear the explosions, but The Fog That Ate Fantasmic!!!! turns out to be close cousin to The Fog That Ate The Fireworks!!!! The most you could see on Main Street were a few slight color changes in the sky.

I didn't stick around to see if the evil beast liked snow. When I got to the trams the lines were already forming and leads were scrambling to find drivers and RTs to take trams into action a little early.

That was my night.

Early release!

They're giving us two hours early release as a holiday gift. I'm taking full advantage of it and heading out early for some Holiday Shopping Fun! See you at Disneyland!

Welcome to Friday!

Stacey and I celebrated Hanuakah last night with an exchange of gifts. I bought her a couple of card games from Looney Labs including Chrononaut (which I totally recommend). She bought me three Reyn Spooner Hawaiian shirts, including two totally awesome Xmas designs. Xmas on Hanuakah, kind of ironic, isn't it. Anyway, I'm wearing one today.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to finish the redesign and total simplification of my iURL website today. Then it's off to the stores for some last minute shopping while Stacey is out of town.

Btw, please email me and let me know what you think of this new format.

Have a great weekend everyone.

The first post should aspire to be something great. At least that's the theory right. Well we'll see what we can do.

Tonight I'm at Stacey's place. She's going to vegas baby! to see her nephew Max and his proud parents Mindy and Ryan. I'm staying in LA and shopping for xmas gifts. What, don't tell me you're done already... augh. I'm always so behind.

Found out the results of the Holiday desk decoration contest today. All I can say is that my desk was designed to be seen in person and not via pictures. I don't think the full force of the decor was felt in the long distance judging. Oh well, maybe next year.

See you on the flip side.