TIMOTHY

Here's another set, this time for a little guy named "Timothy". He is a huge fan of the movie "Automobiles", so his parents wanted his letters to reflect that theme in his room.

Luckily for me, this was a 'freebie' job so they didn't complain about the way the cars actually came out. Yikes! I need to work on drawing cars more often...these are a tad funky.

Tomorrow: Not letters but a recycle project!

The Baby Care Center, Safe Harbour for Some, Tip of the Iceburg for Others

One good thing about Disney is they have thought of just about everything. For instance, a baby care center where mommy can safely go to nurse the baby, change a flooding diaper, and also little ones can use a tiny toddler potty sized just for them.

As you can see from the photo, daddy can not. (Is this the saddest photo ever? These guys look as if they have just sent their wife and child down the life boat shoot and into the dark waters of the Atlantic!)

Trust me when I say, depending on the day, the trusted employees can be easily named "Master and Commander", as they will not, even under threat of death, allow anyone save mother and child "under a specific height and age", into the sacred inner sanctum of comfy sofas and changing tables.

I was there this summer with my d-i-l and they would not allow me to go with her to watch her 4 year old while she nursed the baby; I had to take him outside. "Tough noogies". Not even a child crying for his mother would soften these guardians of diapers, bottle warmers, and pint sized porcelain.

So we wait; the forlorn and hopeful. We persons without working mammary and empty diaper bags. And we stare at the seemingly innocent brick facade of separation and loneliness.

Hopefully, like rescue ships on the horizon, our loved ones will return to us. Until then we must console ourselves with a fresh churro from across the street.

Mickey Mouse Monday! Retirees, Basketball and Anne Geddes

Alrighty folks! I woke up early today, partly to have some time with Thor before he went off to spend the day in a basement, and partly because we got an early entry into Disneyland.

Upon arrival, the registry desk told us we got a few days that we could go into the park an hour early...whoot! Today was the big day. I walked around for a bit then went to stand in line. when I saw just how many other people got in early I was amazed. It seems that if you stay in any one of the hotels you get in early. That's a lot of people. But hey.

Another surprise, the last time (years ago!) I got in early we only got as far as Main Street. This time we got to go into Fantasy Land and Tomorrow Land. The other lands were closed until regular opening, but some folks were a bit upset about that.

I learned that the last employee to be hired by Walt still works in New Orleans Square, Ernie the guitarist. I actually took his photo last week or so, scroll down and you can see Ernie. The folks at Guest services weren't sure if Ernie was the longest current employee, but they all were betting on it.

I was also told that former employees/retirees meet once a month, wear their badges and hang out to reminisce about Walt, the old days and working with the guests.

In the waiting time I talked with one of the guys who works in Adventure Land. He told me a few secrets about Indiana Jones, and also that, "No", there are no secret tunnels or a town under Disneyland, only a few access tunnels for maintenance. However, there is a basketball half court in the upper section of the Matterhorn. It was built as a favour to building and maintenance crews, who still, occasionally, use it after hours.

Later I was out in Down Town Disney in the Anne Geddes store. This is the only Anne Geddes store in the world, so far... Soon Anne Geddes will have stores within a store at Dillard's across America. Also if you are in SoCAL during the weekend of December 8-9, Anne will be in the store to sign books (limit 5). (8th: 4-6 p.m., 9th: 2-4 p.m.)

Mickey Mouse Monday!- Dia De Los Muertos!

¡Disneyland está celebrando a diá de los muertos! Hopefully Babelfish translated that correctly for me! In the patio by the shooting galleries in Frontierland, Disneyland has put up a very vivid, colourful floral display celebrating the Day of the Dead. A Latin American holiday honouring ancestral dead. Want more info and photos on the celebration and nearby Zocalo Restaurant?
click here!

Mickey Mouse Monday! Finding Nemo Subs!

Thor and I decided to make a pilgrimage to check out Finding Nemo Submarine Adventure, or whatever it is called....Finding Nemo.

Replacing (finally) the pond and subs that have been there stagnate for years. With a new bright yellow paint job and plenty of hype, we wondered...

Is the Finding Nemo ride worth the wait? click here to find out more

Indian Jones and the Rainstorm of Doom

Indian Jones and the Rainstorm of Doom
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

Not a very clear picture (new camera, still trying to figure out how this one works), but trust me when I say it RAINED yesterday at Disneyland... the wettest place on earth. O.k. a bit exaggerated, but it was raining like crazy.

One thunder clap and anyone not inside was immediately drenched in huge rain drops that went on for hours! We happened to be in the line for Dumbo when it first started. After five minutes we were completely soaked through to the skin, making sweatshirts into 10 lb. water containing devices. Riding on Dumbo was intense. Not because of the height for little ones, or the slippery seats, but because we were pelted as were flew through the air! It was crazy!

Most people would have had the sense to come in from the rain, but when you pay that entry fee - you stay and hope for the best. The down pour was applauded by thunder and then the lightning began to come. My daughter in law and I were the last ones on the Thunder Mountain Railroad before they shut it down. We didn't know this until we got back from the ride. The signs on the entrance: "Big Thunder Mountain Railway is closed due to dangerous weather conditions."

Tom Sawyer's Island, Tea cups, Monorail, Bobsleds, most of Toon Town, Jungle Cruise, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan (of course you do fly into the clouds on that one), Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, The Casey Jr. Train, and that horrid Whale were all shut down due to rain and "dangerous weather". I was disappointed that the Haunted Mansion was down due to decorating... I was too early, dang.

The grand baby fell asleep so mommy and daddy went on Indian Jones. I headed inside to try and dry off. The one rain slicker we had was draped over the stroller in an attempt to keep the boy from drowning. I thought, "To heck with all this!" and I whipped out the credit card and bought slickers for everyone and a couple of umbrellas. Mommy and daddy came off their ride and we headed for new territory. Baby woke up about 2:30 and we went for lunch. The rain stopped about 3:30, and so all the weather gear was no longer needed. Figures. Real money could have been made in dryers!

We took pictures with many characters, they stayed as most of humanity left. Baby's favorite was "Winnie the Poop". The Buzz Lightyear ride was rode/played? several times - a walk through; and Mommy and Daddy got to ride the new Space Mountain. SPOILER: It doesn't have any drops anymore, just (cue echo effects) one big huge freaking spiral in space!

We had a pretty good time anyway. I got home about 11:00, still wet in places and damp in most. My feet are still cold this morning! I can't wait to go back in a few weeks to see what Jack Skelington has done!

Safety First!

Safety First!
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

While we are on the subject, the legal department at Disney have strong hopes that the intoxicating music combined with the trance-like lyrics of "It's a Small World" don't lull you and your children to dancing the "Freddy". Doing so would prevent your limbs from staying within the boundaries of the boat.

Let your conscious be your guide!

Let your conscious be your guide!
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

I took this photo a while back and because I have nothing pertinent to proclaim this Sabbath morn, allow me this:

Obviously standing side by each (as dear ol' ma used to say) on a prime piece of Disney property. Jimminy would prefer you recycle; but if that's not your cup 'o tea, then go ahead and waste -please!

One last shameless plug...

Clairmont Young Musicians Orchestra 2005, Walt Disney Hall
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

Here they are! Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra, CYMO

at Walt Disney Hall in L.A. , May 2005.

Don't you just love the organ pipes in that hall? Gorgeous! And there, right over there, yeah her, that's my #5! She's having the time of her life!

Clairmont Young Musicians Orchestra 2005, Walt Disney Hall
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

So, If you're in the Southern California Area and would like tickets to see the show....HAH! No can do! This concert is FREE! But, they usually have a SRO crowd and "sell out", so get in line early if you want a FREE seat! Bridges Hall, Claremont Colleges, Claremont CA. 7:00 THIS Sunday. Doors open at 6:30, "tickets" will begin to be passed out to those in line about 6:20 or so. Come early and grab a seat, these kids are amazing! (There is even a reception following the concert with food and drink and opportunity to meet the musicians and the conductor!)

Program and other information available at: Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra, CYMO

A rose for Lilly...

IM005779
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

Lillian Disney had two particular favorites in life, roses and Royal Delft porcelain. Frank Gehry decided to combine the two to create this tribute as a gift from her grand and great grandchildren.

Iron bars were reinforced to shape the petals of this rose. Wire mesh was filled with concrete and then waterproofed. Thousands of Royal Delft vases and tiles were broken on site and applied to the petals by an eight member team of artisans led by Tomas Oshinski. The mosaic pattern we see today is beautiful sitting amongst the flowering trees and plants basking in the rooftop sun.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, L.A.

IM005776
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

Located on the same block of Grand Avenue as The Mark Taper Forum, The Ahmanson Theatre, The Music Center, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion sits the architectural wonder: The Walt Disney Concert Hall. (Check out the photo gallery! Holy Hannah! Click on the model views of the interior of the concert hall. It is fabulous. The organ has gorgeous pipes and the ceiling structure is terrific!)

Designed by Frank Gehry, it is the newest structure in the : The Music Center. In 1987 Walt Disney's widow, Lillian, donated $50 million to create this hall. It took 16 years to come to fruition. This hall is now the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Also housed within the complex is the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theatre (REDCAT).

The hall contains 12,500 pieces of primary steel, which weigh over 11,000 tons.

Over 30,000 architectural drawings were used to produce the concert hall.

A 750,000-lb. crane was needed to erect the steel support structure.

300 tons of bolts and welds were used.

18,00 cubic yards of concrete were poured, including two roof slabs 15 inched thick.

8 skylights were designed with glass three inches thick to keep the interior naturally bright.

"Tree trunk" columns are made of Douglas fir and serve as supports and air conditioning, lighting, and supports in the lobby. This wood is used throughout the hall because of its aesthetic similarity to the wood used in musical instruments.

The outside of the building is stainless steel. Originally it was left polished and shining like a mirror. Now, only a few places on the building are still reflective. The bright California sun shone so brightly, neighboring buildings were being heated from the WDCH. Air conditioning units were being over run and still unable to cool the surrounding buildings. Eventually the steel was brushed to decrease the reflection. I can tell you, sitting on the rooftop patio, you can still feel the heat from the building!

Melinda Taylor designed the rooftop garden that covers nearly one acre! The plants and full sized trees were placed in specially designed planters to create the illusion that they are growing naturally our of the ground, but keep the building secure and free of root systems. The trees and plants were placed in the same sun facing direction as they were in their original locations, insuring fresh and colourful blooms and blossoms year round. The bumble bees were very happy about this yesterday as they danced from one tree to another and in and around all the flower beds! From the 34 foot high vantage point you can see across the L. A. basin. Yesterday we saw Dodger Stadium!

The REDCAT is home to cutting edge experimental theatre, music, and performance art. Additionally there is a 3, 000 sqft exhibition space and multipurpose cafe.

The lobby of the WDMC is open daily for tours and walk throughs. There is terrific shop with museum quality art and gifts in all price ranges. (I saw a nice metal mesh purse. If anyone is interested, I prefer the silver bag with the ruffle edge and stone closure. A tad over $650.00.) There is a "nice" bistro on site and also a cafeteria type eatery within the lobby.