January 14, 2008 - Animal Kingdom Signs

IMG_1087.JPG, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"Environmental graphics and signage serve to establish the time and place while embellishing the visual landscape. "

-The Imagineering Field Guide to the Animal Kingdom.

January 13, 2008 - Animatronics

IMG_1192.JPG, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

" "In a ride system," sculptor Blaine Gibson says, "you only have a few seconds to say something about a figure through your art. So we exaggerate their features, especially the facial features, so they can be quickly and easily understood from a distance. If you examined them closely, you'd find the nose, the cheekbones, the ears, the eyes all somewhat exaggerated. The frowns and the grins are all exaggerated, too, because we have to instantly communicate 'good guy' or 'bad guy.' We try to provide the illusion of life." "

-Disneyland: Inside Story

January 12, 2008 - Port Orleans French Quarter

IMG_3628.JPG, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"Decorative touches such as wrought iron lamp posts in the resort lobby recreate the romance of the French Quarter."

-Walt Disney World

A Pirate's Life For Me

At the Drive-In, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

A long-exposure shot at the Haars Drive-In. Worked better than I thought it would, even with the high level of grain.

January 11, 2008 - Tree of Life

Tree of Life, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"The experience of viewing the tree of life can be likened to that of looking for animals in the clouds. The longer one looks, the more one sees - maybe even all 325 of them. This effect is the result of very careful planning during the design phase.."

-The Imagineering Field Guide to the Animal Kingdom

Media Consumed

Movies

• The Hunting Party
• Charlie Wilson's War

Audio Books

• First Among Sequels

TV

• The Colbert Report: 1/7/08
• The Colbert Report: 1/8/08
• The Simpons 1910
• King of the Hill 1210
• What the Romans Taught Us 101
  

January 10, 2008 - Wonders of Life

IMG_3389.JPG, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"The idea of a pavilion devoted to health and fitness dates back to the original concept of the EPCOT Center theme park, but no corporate sponsor could be found to cover the costs. It was not until MetLife signed on that the attraction was finally constructed. On January 4, 2004, Disney made the decision to make the pavilion seasonal operation only. It reopened when the park was projected to hit near capacity during the high spring months and big holiday season. The pavilion's most recent operational phase was 11/26/06 through 1/1/07. While the pavilion is not operational to the public it is commonly used for private and corporate events. On August 5, 2007 the Wonders of Life sign and the 72 foot tall The Tower of Life Double helix DNA structure were removed."

-Wikipedia.org

January 9, 2008 - Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"Splash Mountain is the first log flume ever built for a Disney park. Log flumes, first cousin to the roller coaster, take guests on a thrilling journey through a twisting, turning trough filled with fast flowing water. As the finale nears, the boats climb to the top of the highest hill and plunge down into the water below. In the case of Splash Mountain, that plunge would be more that 54 feet down, as big as any that had ever been built."

-Disneyland: The Nickel Tour

Spending Less on Books

I spent two years working at Bookspan (now known as Yes Solutions...for some reason) doing soul-crushing data entry. The kind of job where you spend eight hours at an impersonal desk, keying in orders from people who want to join one of 35 different book clubs. The kind of job where you must make no errors, and work a little faster each day. After a year, you get a three percent pay raise. Two upsides to this mindless job: after a probationary period, iPod use is allowed, and the opportunity to purchase many books for dirt cheap.

Where I worked received returns for the said fourteen book clubs, and those returns (along with any books damaged in the warehouse) were sold to the employees for fifty cents each. For two years, I chose four books each day, from a wide variety of titles. This was great for feeding my buying addiction, and a great way to expand my library. Some days, I bought books I had no need for, just because I could. Now, many of those books have been donated to the local library.

(No joke: Dreams come some night where I still work at Bookspan, and keep finding better books)

I left the job because a much better one fell into my lap, and I had to switch my book buying to Amazon. There was no financial way I could keep buying so many books, and I had no need for them. This knowledge did little to help curb my impulsive buying.

Sales helped justify this (buy 2 get 1; free shipping) until I started a couple stop-gap methods to at least delay purchasing:

• When at [Insert Book Store], instead of quickly buying an interesting looking title, I'll note the book in my phone. That way I can look it up at the library or Amazon.
• On Amazon, I add books to either my shopping list or wish list, allowing a waiting period before ordering.
• I turned off one-click ordering, so at least I have to go through the steps of checking out before making the purchase.
• On the shopping list, it is easy to click on 'Select All' to give myself the quick shock about how much stuff I want to buy. Today's total comes in close to $1800, though that includes a DSLR camera, and other fun electronics I can easily convince myself I need.

These methods have not proved perfect, but it can help curb some impulses.

Media Consumed

Comics

The Killer: Volume 1
Kingdom Come (Hardcover)

Movies

Juno
No Country for Old Men

January 8, 2008 - Mexico Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"The pyramid you enter to visit Mexico is a composite of Mesoamerican motifs dating back to the 3rd century, emphasizing the Aztec style."

The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot

Spaceship Earth

Reflection of Spaceship Earth, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"To avoid soaking Guests during a shower, Spaceship Earth is fitted with a gutter system at the belt line of the sphere that gathers the water and funnels it to World Showcase Lagoon."

-The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot

January 6, 2007 - Sonny Eclipse

Sonny Eclipse, originally uploaded by Captain Oblivious.

"The story behind Sonny is that he was discovered by restaurateurs Cosmic Ray while performing his 'Bossa Supernova' musical stylings at cosmic weddings and space mall openings all over the galaxy." -Walt Disney Imagineers.

-Another great example of the back story Imagineers give to all their creations.

(Photo credit to Captain Oblivious)

January 5, 2008 - Mickey's Toontown

"Of course, everyone knows that Mickey's Toontown existed long before Disneyland was built right next door. One happy day in 1952, while Walt Disney was in Toontown visiting his pal Mickey Mouse, his dream for a new park came up in conversation. Mickey knew whenever Walt got that sparkle in his eye, whatever he was dreaming up was bound to come true. So he was dismayed when Walt confided in him that he was having a difficult time finding a site large enough to accommodate all the wondeful things he had in mind.
"Oh boy, I've got a swell idea!" Mickey exclaimed as he grabbed Walt by the hand and led him over to the fence that seperated Toontown from the human world. "Take a look over this fence," continued Mickey. "There's a fine and dandy parcel of land just on the other side that would be wonderful place to build Disneyland." And it was.
Many years went by before it finally dawned on the toons that since it was so easy for them to go next door to visit all their non-toon friends at Disneyland, their non-toon friends could just as easily come visit them in Toontown! And that is exactly what happened when Mickey's Toontown was 'finally' opened to Disneyland visitors in February, 1993." -Page 43: Walt Disney Imagineers

Justify Stuff We Buy

I bought some stuff this week, probably some stuff I really didn't need, but knowing is the first step. I ordered 2 books from Amazon, but those were paid for from profits made selling books, so those fit within my rules. Got 2 X-Box games off Microsoft's retail training site, but those were at a 84% discount off retail, and can be later traded for new games, so that's kind of okay. Also, bought some home supplies at Target, but those were on a gift card from Christmas, so none of my money changed hands. I bought an camera mount for my Point & Shoot that will make it much easier to shoot panoramic images. This purchase was justified by my continuing goals of becoming a better amateur photographer, so it kind of fits.

This brings me to one of the first habits I need to change: How easy it is to justify all the unneeded stuff I purchase.

I'm a sucker for discounts, sales, and clearance merchandise. Last week, while in Wal-Mart for a reason I cannot recall, I noticed a clearance tag on this: Ultimate Bumblebee from the Transformers movie line. The original price tag was $79.99, and not once did I consider buying this large hunk of plastic, because it didn't look very good, and did not look fun. Now, with a clearance tag of $39.98, I wanted one. No, I needed one. Luckily none were in stock, and I have not been back once to check.


Each time I see something on clearance / sale, I need to stop and think, would I have bought this at full price? If not, then there should be no reason to buy it for less money.

Same goes with coupons. Borders sends weekly coupons to my GMail account, because I am a member of their Borders Rewards club, in which I get a slight refund, which can be spent in Borders stores. Coupons come in, offering me 30% off any book or CD in stores, tempting me back in the stores.

Problem: There are no books I 'need'. I'm sure I could browse around, find an impulse book, buy it, and then put it in the 'to read' stack. Not going to do this time, even if it means loosing out on the five bucks.

Next time: How Amazon helps me buy less books!

January 4, 2008 - Main Street USA

IMG_0658.JPG, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

" "I caught sight of a man far down the street. Alone. Quietly regarding the place he so long envisaged, now complete, ready to bring pleasure and happy satisfaction to the millions who will visit it. And I was reminded that he, too, was a Main Streeter, never weened sway from the common bond with the great majority of American small town and country folk, their tastes and ideals, despite long identification with big cities as an eminent world figure." -Jack Jungmeyer: The Disneyland News, July 1955 " -Page 18, Walt Disney Imagineers.

(This is from me, not a book)

I never met Walt, but walking in Disneyland, I feel like I know him. I've been to 'amusement' parks all across this great land, and nothing has come close to the feelings a Disney Park brings. Hershey Park is nothing but rides dropped on a concrete slab, haphazardly laid out, with food and cheap carnival games between them.

Knowing that the Imagineers set up Liberty Square so that in the 1700's section, you cannot easily see the Mark Twain, because steam engines did not exist in that time, is one of the million points of detail that makes the Parks better, more magical. And it is a detail I wouldn't have noticed, and many will never notice.

That is what Walt inspired, this drive to go well beyond something that you spend a day at and never return. Walt inspired his people to make this destinations that, in turn, inspire people to write, record radio shows, edit together massive amounts of home movies, all so others can experience a little part of the Disney magic. And those who spend hours, days, entire chapters of their lives, who do so for little or no compensation, are true off-shoots from Walt's dreams. A thank you to all.

Poll!

There is a poll at the bottom of the page, which is pretty much a test run. I know it is not all-inclusive for every ride in Epcot, but its something fun to try out. Thanks to one person who voted, because here your voted truly does count.

Media Consumed

Nextwave: Volume 2
Transmetropolitan: Volume 6
Twin Peaks: Episode 1

January 3, 2008 - Canada

IMG_1839.JPG, originally uploaded by Jeremy ES.

"The Hotel du Canada's French Gothic majesty rises behind the formal Victoria Gardens..."

-Walt Disney's EPCOT Center

Year of a Million Dreams Commercial

This is straight up magical, no bones about it. I could watch it daily. Watching this makes me smile and want to hop in my car and drive the 20-some hours to Walt Disney World. Only 50 weeks until the next trip.

(Sorry for the lack of quality, but this was filmed using my Canon digital camera, off my TV, from the World's End BluRay disc, as a source was not found online. Hopefully someone will know of a better quality.)

Enjoy!



Video was shot by myself to share with others. All rights are Disney's. Hopefully they'll be happy I'm sharing an ad I could not find online!