Seriously, some days I feel like there’s an angel following me.  Today I came to the realization that I am so damn lucky … it’s scary!  When things don’t seem like they’ll work out they end up working out.  Either that or I’m just making it happen for myself, and I’m leaning towards believing the latter.

I thought moneywise I’d be not doing so well in the next few months, so by some odd chance I got a lot of my entertainment taken care of months in advance.  Next week I’m going to see “The Simpsons Movie” with my fellow MiceChatters at the Arclight in Hollywood, which is going to be fun.  August is of course my birthday, and I’ll be celebrating with MiceChatters as well … not as Disneyland though … but at a local marionette theatre and then eating in Little Tokyo.  September will bring the White Stripes concert with my brother, which I am so looking forward to!  Then you come around to October … which is Mickey’s Halloween Treat at California Adventure … and I got my tickets for that about two months ago. 

So now all I have to worry about is the money I give my Dad monthly, gas , gym membership and my cell phone!  It won’t be too bad at all … and I will be able to keep myself occupied and not feel like I’m missing out on anything.  I just need to reign in my spending a bit more due to something I want to do in the upcoming months … but it looks like it won’t be so bad.

Then I get the notice today before leaving work that they are offering overtime for August and September!!!  I so needed that, and at that moment I swear it felt like I was making things happen for myself.

June, the middle of the year has turned out to be one of the craziest months in my life.  Its a month that included the good, the bad and the ugly!

The Good
Got to ride Nemo during the media preview, away from the crowds.
Got my Opening Day Nemo pin.
Got invited to eat dinner at Club 33 in September!
Have become District Vice President for a region in my Union

The Bad
Got a staph infection.
During staph infection got the worst fever EVER!  It was 115 at one point!

The Ugly
My Uncle got gravely ill and passed away a week ago.

Here’s hoping that the rest of the year unfolds without any major incidents!

There are perks to knowing Disney fans it seems.  On Saturday I got to ride Finding Nemo Subarmine Voyage during the media/celebrity preview – and I got to walk the blue carpet.  I was just at the meet, and someone came up to me and asked if I had been on the ride, I said no … they then said … you are riding it at 4pm!  WOW I thought!!!!  Got in line at 4pm and waited 25 minutes to get on the ride – to contrast … the ride opened today and last I heard … the line is 6 hours long.  You read that right … 6 HOURS LONG … and people are waiting!

Here is my favorite picture of the weekend though.  Our group at the Lilo & Stitch Breakfast Buffet – it was both yummy and fun!

Two of my favorite pictures from Disneyland during Memorial weekend!

Space Mountain is back to normal, and even though I miss it Rockin’ how could I NOT have fun with this group of people!  Plus, I like that we all got in the same picture, since sometimes they cut the top two out (in this case one).  By the way the guy with the glasses did all the picture taking that day.

I personally really like this shot of us looking at the Nemo lagoon.  Pictures taken when you’re not posing, I think, are some of the best pictures out there.

Guess what I did today.  Come on guess … you won’t be surprised … I went to Disneyland!!!!  I was going with the intention of getting pictures of Pirate’s Lair for you all, but I figured I would leave it for next weekend … where I will bring you not only Pirate’s Lair but Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage as well.  I decided to stay at the Disneyland Resort area for the weekend so I could be there bright and early for Finding Nemo.  It seems like it will be great, since they are incorporating digital video technology in the water!!!  Currently they are letting employee’s go on it, and it seems like it is getting rave reviews – June 6 and 7 are Annual Passholder previews.  I didn’t win one of the slots though, so I will be waiting in a supposed 4 hour line to get on it.  Yeah, 4 hours, but I don’t care … how many times do you ride something on opening day?!?!  And I’ll bring you pictures and video of all the madness on Monday!

As for today I just spent a casual day with friends just strolling around the park.  Here are some pictures of my trek throughout the Resort today.  First off though here is a video of the seagulls on the Submarine Lagoon.  There are some Micechatters talking in the  background, but you will be able to hear the seagulls saying MINE, MINE, MINE.  I think it is a nice touch and really cute, hopefully it won’t get too annoying while waiting in line … then again that is what iPod’s are for!

Our day started off as usual on Main Street, just in time to see Mickey with the Disneyland band.  Here Mickey and the band leader are having some fun.

I then went to test out my new camera on the Jungle Cruise, so here you have it folks … part of a jungle.  The best part of the ride is the Skipper who always has some VERY corny jokes to tell.

Here’s a shot of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with the Rancho Del Zocalo in the foreground.  I thought it made for an interesting shot … and just look at that blue sky!

This is a picture from the “shore” of the show they are having on Pirate’s Lair now.  I really enjoyed it, and last week while “Jack Sparrow” was swinging on that pole it broke and he ended up in the water … I guess they fixed that now though … LOL!

In Tomorrowland they also have the Jedi Training Academy, with kids being able to battle against Darth Vader and Darth Maul.  It is a really great show due to the fact that you never know how the kids will react when they are face to face with Darth Vader.  I’ve seen quite a few kids run away crying.

Today was also the 40th Anniversary of the Rocket Jets, pictured above though are the Rocket Rods – which mostly everybody dislikes.  The Rocket Jets used to be higher up, but these are on ground level.  Rumor has it though that the area where these are is going to be removed and something else put in its place, let’s hope its good though …

Here are the submarines that will be taking Guests on an underwater voyage to find Nemo.  I can’t wait!!!  They’re teasing me!!!

Since we thought Disneyland was getting crowded my group decided to head over to California Adventure, or as we call it … the Annual Passholder waiting lounge … LOL!  As you can see we got there in time for attack of the High School Musical parade … note the people fleeing … luckily it was over soon.

Mickey as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice fountain in front of the Monster’s Inc. ride.  God it was a beautiful day!

This is the Hollywood Studios backlot area.  Here you see the Tower of Terror (my favorite ride) in the background.  To the left is also the Hyperion theatre where Wednesday through Sunday they show a live stage production of Aladdin.  I haven’t seen the show, but I hear it is great … maybe this weekend I’ll make it over there.

And to close a nice shot of Grizzly River Run peak.  I’m sure as the days get hotter the line will get ever so longer for this ride … then again folks can always go to Bug’s Land and get wet there too …

That’s it for now.  I’ll be busy at work this whole week, and I’m looking forward to this weekend where I will unwind and enjoy myself at … Disneyland.  It never gets old for me, it’s literally my happy place!

Friday I left work early to go to Disneyland, because Pirate’s Lair was opening and I had to get myself one of those souvenir maps.  Ended up meeting one of my Disney friends and his son at the park and had a blast, it is truly better going there with kids.  I only wanted to stay a few hours but ended up leaving at around midnight.  So because of that I figured it would be good to just stay home.

Sunday was the official Disney forum meet where we would go to Pirate’s Lair, and got there for the first raft out … which was around 9:30 am.  By far Sunday was the best day EVER because I ended up not paying for a thing.  By the time lunch rolled around there were 18 of us and we got split into four different tables.  I ordered the salad, and when our check came they overcharged our table … the waitress was told and she fixed the check … but this time my salad was missing to which the waitress said to just leave the bill that way … so I didn’t have to pay for my salad.  Even better after that was that she gave all 18 of us some free promotional Pirates: At Worlds End promotional coins and temporary tattoos.  After lunch our group of 18 shrunk to 7 and first on our list after a nice lunch was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  We used the handicap line so our group of 7 had to cram into three seats … that is 6 adults and 1 teenager (thankfully he was VERY skinny).  So between myself and this other girl we had this poor boy squished between us … but we all had a blast and that is what matters.  After that we made it just in time to Space Mountain to get some 30th anniversary pins, which ran out just as we got there.  I ended my day on that high note and was tired … so I figured I’d sleep in and take it easy on Monday.

Monday I woke up early and headed to Disneyland, even though I was tired … because I was going to meet up with some of my friends that weren’t able to go on Sunday because they were blocked out.  Most people didn’t go on Monday so there were only five of us, but it was one of the best times at Disneyland because the park was practically empty!  We ended up also running into Maynard (for those who aren’t Disney geeks he is one of THE BEST employees at Disneyland who makes the place magical). 

I have to admit that I was sad to see Tom Sawyer Island go, but this new Pirate’s Lair is great … and I’ll be taking pictures of the place soon.  Now I’ll just have to wait until June 1 to see if one a spot to ride Finding Nemo before the general public.  If not I’ll be heading down there on June 11 to check it out!  I also have to say that I have been enjoying getting to know the people from my Disney forum, it is amazing to just get together with total strangers and just start getting along through our love of Disney.  On Sunday our group was a mixture of many ages and races, and we all just enjoyed ourselves in each other’s company … no drama … just fun.  Plus everyone hugs each other hello and goodbye … how can anyone not like that!

   

I think I have a stocking fetish.  I always think it is the most horrid thing that women go around wearing skirts and dresses without stockings, I don’t know why but I just don’t like it.  I make it a point to never have my bare legs out in public, so I’m always wearing stockings, tights or fishnets – can’t live without them.  So, I was looking to buy some new ones and found this site.  My jaw just dropped at the selection and the COLOR … plus the models aren’t half bad either.  I’m planning on buying all of these stockings, because it would certainly liven up bland business attire.

Looking forward to the weekend.  I’ve been dragged to so many training sessions this week that all the acronyms for the organizations within our department are making dizzy.  Plus we had a reporter from the LA Times sneak into our building, and specifically our floor and steal some sensitive documents.  So now there is a big tightening of security measures going on, mainly we now have a receptionist on our floor who isn’t a people person … go figure.

I took this picture yesterday of my dog, Maya.  It was my sister’s 29th birthday this past Friday, so Saturday we went out to the Glendale Galleria to eat at one of her favorite places – Todai.  After our meal we strolled around the mall for a bit, had to go to the Hello Kitty story because she loves that stuff and I found this.  I laughed about it, because it was in the dog section (I’m laughing that they have a dog section at the Hello Kitty store).  My sister thought it was something she HAD to get, so she could take a picture of Maya and put it up on her MySpace.

Maya, to say the least, was not very proud of wearing this hat.  She didn’t even want to go out and show my mom, but maybe that’s because I was laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants looking at her.  She was a good sport about it though and stood still for her pictures.  I kinda think she looks cute though.  These past few days though she’s been getting in the habit of waking up early, scratching at my bedroom door, and invading my bed.

Oh, and another thing.  I have never been around a dog that sighs so much.  As she starts to relax and get comfy in the bed she will let out this long sigh – as if she’s telling you to leave her the hell alone so she could sleep.  She also snores, loudly … scared the heck out of me the first she did that and she was sleeping in my room. 

I really love her a lot though.  I like having her in my bed, petting her and just falling asleep together.  As I’m typing this she is sleeping in my bed and just let out one of those sighs … looks like I better go then … LOL.

Thanks for all the kind comments, it does help to know that I’m not alone in the way I feel a lot of the time.  So today I ended up going to the doctor for another flu shot, since last time I got sick like this I let it go and ended up getting bronchitis – don’t want that happening again.  Plus, to cap the day I went to Disneyland/California Adventure for a bit.  It’s good to have such a great place nearby and forget reality for a few hours – which is what I do when I enter those gates … leave reality outside and just enjoy myself.  Here’s some pictures (LOTS OF ‘EM) I took throughout the day, as well as adding a new goofy profile pic for myself.  Enjoy!

For those in the cooler climates I’m sure you wish you had this kind of weather.  Greetings to you all!

This is the entrance to California Adventure.  It seems kinda odd to have a theme park about California in California, but then again Californians aren’t known for making sense anyways.  Behind the Golden Gate Bridge replica is Disneyland.  Oddly enough the Monorail runs through the Bridge, but does not stop in California Adventure … why … because it’s California silly!

Opposite the GG Bridge replica you see this – the Sun Fountain.  The water comes and goes to make some sort of pattern, but most people just pass it by on their way to the rest of the park.

Once you hit the Sun Fountain you either go left or right.  Choosing the left side takes you to the dead end Hollywood Pictures backlot.  It’s nice back there, but I didn’t want to bother going through there again after my customary trip on the Tower Of Terror … plus there were way more people by the time I made my way back around here.  Trust me though that the only thing you want to get to in this area is Tower Of Terror.

The closest I will get to Tower Of Tower in this picture show.  Right now I’m walking through Condor Flats, which is supposed to be a desert airstrip and home to Soarin’ Over California … I highly recommend that ride … the smells alone are worth it!

This is part of Grizzly River Rapids, a ride where you WILL get wet.  Oh, and if any of you are going to ride this in the future be aware that there are two drops.  I don’t want you to be surprised like I was … I was scared!  Good thing we got wet in this ride … just in case I peed my pants out of fear … LOL!  Which I didn’t!!!

Walking along the Rapids area it is made to look like a mountain/mining area.  Here is an employee entrance nicely themed to the rest of the area.

A picture of Grizzly Peak and some folks starting their Rapids tour.  The mountain is made to look like a grizzly bear.

More of the popular Grizzly River Rapids ride.  I really am happy with the job they did in making this fit the area.

I doctored this photo to make it look pretty!  This is the Paradise Pier area, which is made to look like a boardwalk park on the California shore.  From left to right you have California Screamin’, The Sun Wheel, and The Zephyr.  The Zephyr will soon be removed and a lighthouse built in its place to make way for the new Fantasy Waters show that will be taking place on all that water you see there.

I really like this picture of the Sun Wheel.  One day I will get on that thing, although I really don’t think I’d be up for one of those swinging gondolas … I’ve heard many people screaming on that ride.

The Jumpin’ Jellyfish for the kiddies.  The colors on this ride are just so bright they make me happy! 

A side view of the Sun Wheel, now you can see the difference between the stationary and swinging gondolas.  Make sure you are in the right line when you get on those things!

California Screamin’ starts on a flat track, goes through a 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 … countdown and then shoots you off that incline – FAST!!!  Love the ride, hate the new music.  Sounds like a warped out merry go round tune – makes me really miss Rockin’ when they were playing Red Hot Chili Peppers.

A merry go round piece hanging in one of the stores on Paradise Pier.

One of the sides that make up Pacific Wharf.  If I didn’t tell you this was at California Adventure would you think I was up north?  Would you?  LOL!

Doctored photo of Splash Mountain which is not intermittently open.  I took my chance and walked onto the ride today … yeah even though I was sick.  I didn’t get very wet though thankfully, but you see this drop.  This is the last drop of the ride, and it is STEEP!!!  Our log got stuck right at the top for a few minutes.  I was almost hoping the ride would get 101′d (which means break down) and we’d have to go through the inside … and NOT GET WET!  But nope, after a while of tettering at the edge we were let through.  Fun ride, but make sure to bring a change of clothes … and shoes … and underwear!

And for those of you who haven’t heard, here is PROOF!  Tom Sawyer Island is slowly going to fade into the sunset, and in its place will come PIRATE’S LAIR!  The Pirates are taking over Disneyland!  Everyone run for your lives!!!!

Thanks to all of you for your patience while I get this friends lock thing in order, and just to let all of you others know if you aren’t on my friends list please request to be added.

In other news things with my new job location have been going swimmingly.  A few weeks ago I got to check out the old Ambassador site, where Robert Kennedy was shot.  Even though it was just a bunch of leveled dirt the Cocoanut Grove still stands, and will be the new auditorium for the high school.  The property used to belong to Mr. Donald Trump, so you can imagine how much it cost to buy that off him – but I feel a school is much better then some expensive high rise condos.  The design of the new schools looks awesome, and I’ll take a picture to show you all sometime during this week.  The high school is going to mimic the front facade of the Ambassador, and a public park with a memorial to Robert Kennedy will be at the sidewalk.  Plus, the design for the new art and dance school in Downtown L.A. looks fantastic too – pictures to come of that too!

A few days ago we had the horrible experience of the Griffith Park fires, and I think the dryness/smokiness of air pushed me into getting a bad cold.  I’m thankful that the fires are over, but the hillsides look so bare and ugly, with little swirling dust storms of dirt and white flame retardant – which I doubt is a healthy mixture for humans or animals that are nearby.  Thankfully I’m getting over my cold now so I’ll be back at work soon.

Although … as I continue to climb the career ladder that I am I feel so … inadequate.  I look around sometimes at the people around me and feel like a little kid, don’t know what I’m doing there with all these folks – but there I am.  I’m thinking I need to get some new clothes to help me with that.

Oh … and I can finally wear heels!  sort of … LOL!