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.