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My Life

My new digs

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Well it’s actually day #2 here in my new/temporary position in Talent Casting & Booking. So far it’s been a pretty smooth road. I’ve spent most of the last two days totally lost on what papers go where and who helps who and what groups deals with what kind of talent and who sits at what desk and so on and so on. This job seems to be a lot of stuff that you just learn and there is no real ‘standard’ operating guidelines. It just a matter of getting a feel for how everyone likes to do things and trying to mesh in somewhere. Now don’t take that the wrong way, everyone I am working with has been really wonderful. Everyone is quite helpful to the little lost boy in Connie’s cubicle (thats me:-))

So… there’s not much more then that to tell about this. I’m sure as days go on I will have more to say about it, but for now…

until next time,
R.

My Life

A new gig

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Well today was pretty interesting.

Let me start with a phone call I recieved a few days ago. While I was actually going in to work to beg for a few more hours from other departments my cell phone rang. On the other end was one of my department managers asking about my interest in a possible temporary postition in another department. To be honest, I didn’t listen very well. All I heard her say was “full time” and “at least one month” and I was sold. I told her I was very interested and I would be happy to meet with or talk to whoever needed to get rockin’ and rollin.

Cut to yesterday when I got another call from the same manager letting me know that I was on a short list of interviewees for this postition. We scheduled a time to meet with the folks I would be working for. I was supposed to meet them at 3:00 today.

Now flash to this morning at 9:00. Thinking I didn’t need to be anywhere till at least 3:00 I was totally asleep when my phone rang. I stumbled out of bed toward the desk that held my phone bashing my knee on the frame of my couch (that last detail really has no significance at all… it just made me mad). The caller ID was flashing DISNEYLAND and for a second I thought about sending them to voicemail. At the last second I decided to answer and I heard somebody (didn’t listen to their name) talking about “can you come in at 10:00?”. Taking a moment to wake up I finally processed that this was the assistant of the woman I was interviewing with and immediately said “Yes… of course” in a suddenly cheery and alert voice.

Speeding in time again to about 10:00 and I’m standing in the TDA building next to the room I needed to be. It was empty. Her assistant found me just outside the door and let me know that she was in another meeting with the VP of Entertainment and it’s running long. Not knowing when she would finally get out we waited without bothering them. about 15 min. later she came swinging out of the conference room and shook my hand as we went into her office.

We were honestly only in her office for no more then 10 min. and she said “I think this will work out great… can you come in monday morning?”

And so I guess the rest is history. I’m starting monday morning in Talent Casting and Booking. for now it’s a 30 day gig, but she seemed fairly certain that the person I’m filling in for (who’s taking a leave of absence) is going to resign when she gets back. That would make this position turn into a permanent one.

And so thats my story… I’m sure there is more to come about it.

but until next time,

R.

Rants

Do’s and Dont’s of a public restroom

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Update: My dear friend (lets call him Fred) Fred has prompted an update of this little topic by pointing out one more MAJOR don’t for a public restroom. I will relate it too you in the form of a story.

I think it best to simply quote him:

Although you did not include it, I just wanted to remind you of that time we both took a [bowel movement] at that super fancy restroom in Chicago (I remember we purposely found a high end retailer for these purposes), and that guy was…

…I better take over here… You see I was sitting in my stall just completing the business at hand, when I heard a commotion coming from another stall. I assumed it was Fred being stupid. But when we met up at the sinks following our respective business, the noise was still going on. At this point it was clear that some fellow (who had occupied the stall between Fred and I) must have found a shopping jackpot in this department store. It was so exciting for him that he just couldn’t wait to get somewhere private and celebrate. This is undeniably on the list of things NOT to do in a public restroom.

Given the currently dismal state of most public restrooms (at least in the united states) that I observed on a recent road trip, i am saddened but I have to write this. these are things you should have learned in kindergarten for pete’s sake, people! or at the very latest by first or second grade. and even if you didn’t, a lot of these tips are just plain common sense.

For starters, respect the bathroom. i can guarantee you that as soon as you are done using that gas station facility, there will be another person that will need to use it. i’m sure that at your home, it’s perfectly natural to pee all over the floor and leave a freshly steaming pile over in the corner by the trash can, but in a public restroom these acts are generally frowned upon.

While occupying the commode, only take and put to use the amount of toilet tissue that you require. yes, we all know how fun it is to strip the entire roll down to the tube, wad it all up into a big ball, and then use the tube as a telescope from atop your floating toilet paper pirate ship, but save it for someplace else; one not used by the general public.

Bathroom walls are walls; not internet pages or college ruled letter. it’s tempting to doodle or write your ex’s phone number on the brick, but this only makes a mess for some poor janitor to suffer removing. this also extends to writing one’s name using their own bodily waste on any surface of the bathroom; something that though may be highly regarded as ingeniously humorous to any average jr high student, is not as such by the rest of the matured adult population.

When the woefully inadequate plumbing backs up and spills onto the floor of the facility, do you:

A) Inform the person responsible for maintaining the restroom?
B) Dance about in the knee-deep sludge like a frog?
C) Sneak silently from the area and then laugh maniacally once you are several miles away?

if you answered “b” or “c,” do not pass go. and you certainly may not collect two hundred dollars.

true or false?
The floor of a bathroom is the correct location for any refuse items you have accumulated during your road trip.

i really, really hope you said “false”…

At the end of your restroom experience, it is typically considered both sanitary and extremely polite to apply a lather of detergent to your hands, and then drying them thoroughly after completely rinsing off any remaining cleanser. Especially if you happen to work in the food industry and are using the restroom during work hours. For the love of god, please.

Essentially, treat any public restroom the same as you would your own chambers, unless of course you act in the same retarded and un-sanitary manner at your home, in which case, remind me not to visit you …ever.

Humor

How to screw in a light bulb

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step one:

In a room, gather up one of each of the following:
a blonde, a brunette, a redhead, a man, a woman, an american, a german, an englishman, a pollok, a spaniard, an italian, a dutchman, a scotsman, an irish person, a russian, an asian, an indian, an arab, an australian, a new zealander, an african, an austrian, a nicaraguan, a mexican, a canadian, a homosexual, a heterosexual, a lesbian, a jewish person, a methodist, a jehova’s witness, a lutheran, a catholic, a muslim, an east coaster, a west coaster, a minnesotan, a bishop, the pope, a baby, a high school student, a middle school student, a college student, a drunk, a stoner, a crackhead, an actor, a director, a producer, a pornographer, a prostitute, a publicist, a secretary, a millionaire, a stock analyst, a mentally retarded person, a guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, a keyboardist, a saxophonist, a cellist, a violinist, a conductor, a composer, an artist, a novelist, a computer nerd, a geek, a role play gamer, a trekkie, a star wars fan, a deadhead, a super hero, a californian, a surfer, a black person, a white person, a software programmer, a network admin, a tech support representative, a photographer, a landscaper, an architect, a door to door salesman, a construction worker, a terrorist, a politician, a snake oil salesman, and a donkey.

step two:

ah hell…

i forgot how the rest goes.

My Life

POTS

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An interesting day to be sure… I had a class today at the resort. It was a CPR/AED class. My department is having all the leads and stage managers get certified to use CPR and all of our mobile defibrillators on property.

There was only 8 people in my class. and 5 of us were from my department. That alone was a little strange since I think the folks sitting on both sides of me were in some kind of a fight… but thats another story for another time.

The class itself was about an hour of intensly boring videos, followed by all kinds of fun with CPR dummies. We all got a chance to show our wares on the dummies with rescue breathing and chest compressions and all that good stuff. I have to say though, even now if I encounter a guest with a health problem I’m waiting for the medics. I’m guessing in the heat of the moment I could be convinced to do more then that… but for now I’m pretty sure thats all I want to do. Having somebody’s life in my hands is a little more then I bargained for when I moved down to work at the Happiest Place On Earth!

I have had several occasions to need a nurse or other medical attention while I’ve been working. Their response times are always so good that I have no worry about just calling them when something happens.

SO… after the class (that only lasted about 1 1/2 hours rather then the scheduled 4) I went down the stairs just as the parade performers were getting dressed for the second parade. And what do you know but my wonderful girlfriend was there getting ready. So I hopped on my little backstage bicycle and rode over to say hello. There were several character department friends there to chat with for a bit, and I decided to stay and watch the parade. So I peddled off just as the blue fairy hit the step-off point. I actually had time to put away my bike behind ToonTown, walk out on stage and find a great spot in front of Small World well before the parade hit my end of the route. I was actually standing around for a good 5 min. before I even got an announcement.

So in my waiting I called my parents just to shoot the breeze. All seemed well on the home front and the parade was starting so I said goodbye to them as the music started.

I have to say that POTS has seen better days. I was noticing on all the floats there was signs of wear and a few of the performers just looked a little bored. I don’t think they were things that a normal guest would notice… but I sure did.

And as the last float was coming by I was waiving and jumping like an idiot… but thats okay because I reached my goal of gettin the attention of the characters on the last float. More specifically the attention of Chip. We blew kisses back and forth and all the guests around me thought I was a crazy man… but thats okay because I had a good time and didn’t bug anybody.

After that I wen’t backstage to head for my car and again happened to run into the parade performers getting un-dressed and ready to head to their next gig. I gave Janey a hug and headed for the car.

And that brings us to this moment. as soon as I got home I hopped online and posted here. not sure why it was the first thing I did… it’s just kinda fun to tell my stories.

I’m amazed that my life now consists of blowing kisses to a chipmunk on a float in Disneylands parade. That I know where each AED is on the resort property. And most of all that this is actually what I do for a living. I’m one of the guys who makes memories that people will have forever. I help make a story for people that they may tell their children someday. It’s very humbling to step back and realize just how cool my situation is.

Alright… enough sappy stuff.

until next time,
R.

My Life

Tonight, we dance

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So tonight I was the Stage Manager at Club Buzz. It’s a really fun gig. I show up around 4:00 in the afternoon and do some ‘paperwork’. After a while everything becomes so routine that the first part only takes about 10 minutes. Then around 4:55 I hop on a shuttle out to pick up my band. Tonight it was Person To Person. Not one of my favorite groups, but they are easy to work with. I pick them up out at BCML and head on property.

Our first set is at 7:00 so we’ve got plenty of time to set up and just kind of shoot the breeze for a while down in the green room. Once the load in is done… theres not much to worry me. Since everyone’s a professional we rarely have big hiccups in the routine. I’ve had a few nights where musicians are acting like babies, and I get cranky quick… or the strange guest behavior we’ve all grown accustomed to. but all in all, thats the gig. Not bad eh’?

So we had a great night of dancing tonight. The park wasn’t crowded at all so it was a good time.

And thats all I’ve got for tonight. I’m sure I will post more if something comes to me.

So until next time,

R.

My Life

All in all it was a good night

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Well… last night ended up quite good. I worked in the Mouse House last night. Kind of a random thing for me to be doing a Character Department shift, but since my own department is slower then snot I gotta do something to live. Anyway, it was a good day. Things are very different there these days. I don’t know if I just caught in on a bad night, but it seemed like things were very self centered there last night. nobody was focusing on the guests… you know… the ones that paid a boatload of money to be here and be entertained. On more then one occasion I had to be the crappy guy and tell CMs to stop leaning and talking about what they were going to do after work. I’m sure I was “that guy” to them but I could honestly care less. They weren’t doing the job they were hired to do and it was pissing me off.

When I was off I headed home to work on a few side projects. I was only home about an hour when it was time to go pick Janey up from work. She was in Critter. So I headed to the big Dland for the last time for the day.

She came over for a little while after work and we played online. Well.. she played for a while while I made brownies, and I played while she made some stove top stuffing. 🙂 Stove top makes a great dinner or lat night snack.

It started getting late and it was about time to go home… so I walked her home. And thats about it. I know it sound pretty boring, but it was quite a plesent day.

Thats todays little update. I may post some more later, but for now I need to get to the Dollar store and get some cheap stuff.

So until next time,

R.