Beauty and the Beast, Star Trek VI, My SVHS Graduation (it happened in 1991)

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I am curious... Who has attended a class reunion of some kind?  Seems like an odd question, right?  I have attended gatherings of like-minded people ( Disney), but these are people I have known in my adult life.  Well, In just a few days I will attend a 20 year reunion of the Saucon Valley High School class of 1991.  Now, before you think things like "twenty years, Steve?" "YOU? No way!" (HEY- why didn't you think that?).  I started to wonder how this little event will play out.  I didn't attend my 10 year reunion.  Mind you it wasn't some rebellious act, my work/personal schedule just didn't allow for it. And now I wonder: "What will it be like?"

Full disclosure, I keep in touch with (or read about on occasion) quite a few people I went to school with on Facebook.  I have a pretty good idea for what is going on in their published lives. By "published lives" I mean the facts that are part of knowing what's going on.  I think this has become the norm in this day and age of social media.  One interesting thing I have noticed, though- Many of the people (maybe you) in my Facebook circle are not necessarily the folks I ran around with back in the day.  I find this to be a unique dynamic.  It's exciting to think that those I was close to will be there, as well as those I knew, but maybe wasn't as close to.  We were a small school, relatively speaking (just over 100 in our class as I recall).  I remember that senior year I was one of two voted "Most Friendly" (You don't say, Steve). Not "most popular" or "most liked" (which is OK with me)... but most friendly.  Here's hoping that continues this weekend with everyone who will be there.

What are your class reunion thoughts?  Have you attended your own?  Did you bypass this part of your life?  AND for the curious... The pictures are a little walk down amnesia lane with me and those in the class of 1991.

Enjoy-

Steven

 

Getting from there to here

Less than a year ago, I took my solo trips to Walt Disney World to a new level when I specifically went to attend Lou Mongello's WDW Radio 24-hour show/meet and Illuminations Dessert Party Event. I can trace so much of my Disney happiness to this point in the space time continuum. (yeah, that was scifi).

I have been a Disney Parks fan for decades now, yeah I'm that old (and I know someone who loves that fact). But there were was a friendship that was forged that weekend which was the "start of something new." In fact, he's a cabin mate of mine next week on the WDW Radio Disney Dream Cruise. Imagine this, I arrive at the Studios as soon as i get off the plane and tweet "anyone here?" That first night I get a reply from @disdug71 (Doug) that he was with others watching and streaming Fantasmic with Beci Mahnken and Matt Hochberg. Well, the rest is history.

As I mentioned, I am sailing on the Disney Dream with the group from WDW Radio next week. Doug, Kristen, and I are cabin mates for this high seas adventure. I just wanted to pause and reflect on the point in history that has made this and many other things magical this year.

What to buy at WDW? Retro EPCOT Center attire!

Does anyone else do this?  I am just days away from departing for Walt Disney World and I am already trying to keep a level head as to what I am going to spend on WDW swag while I am there.  Let me explain:

I would say that 60-70% of my wardrobe comes courtesy of Walt Disney World (and some from Disneyland).  Plenty of T-shirts, but I need to consider a few new ones.  Polo shirts are a weakness since I can wear them in casual and business casual environments.  I have but two regrets of clothing purchases I didn't make.  Both are jackets.  One was the leather jacket from the Millennium Celebration era.  It was all four parks on the sleeves.  The other jacket was the limited edition Main Street Electrical fiber optic denim jacket.  Ahh,  woulda coulda shoulda.

BUT, back to today- EPCOT Center (yes, I typed it that way- the right way) retro shirts will easily make it into a package delivery run to Disney's Old Key West this trip.  I have three as it is now, but one is sooo worn out.  I love the designs and look of the original icon-based system of pavilion and attraction identification.  It will be great to build more of that into my wardrobe :)

Moral of the story is this:  If you know me, you know my clothing selections are usually influenced by Disney.  Love it or hate it, it is a representation of me and my tastes. :)

Who am I? My first official blog post :)

Welcome, curious reader. This is my first "official" stab at blogging. I have grand plans to write about trips, experiences, thoughts, TV, the cats, and other miscellaneous things. You may detect the spin and future majority of the content of the blog from this introduction. We'll see how I do. But, before I expect anyone to read anything I take the time to write, I thought I should introduce myself. This way you can choose to enter into the relationship that we will have (too soon? moving on...). Everybody neat and pretty? Then, on with the show.

I was born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania (shout out to Hellertown). I moved to Florida in the 1990s, where I had my first exposure to the dream jobs (part time) in radio. I worked in promotions and on-air (Saturdays Midnight to 7 AM, don't worry - only 17 people listened I think). But, a move to Orlando gave me the dream chance to be part of the Magic!

I was a part time Cast Member from 1998-2000. I worked at the Studios park as an Attractions Host and Disney Trainer. My primary role was tour guide at the Magic of Disney Animation (when it had a full tour and animators); Making of... (now Walt, One Man's Dream); and Backstage Pass. I was also a Trainer at those attractions and Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Bear in the Big Blue House (now Playhouse Disney). I loved the experience both personally and professionally. Being a part of people's memories or at least contributing to a positive experience a la Walt Disney can truly motivate you if you allow it to. In my opinion, as a cast member, you have to do it with this perspective. Days are long and hot in the summer and crowds of humans can get overwhelming. BUT- you always have to remember, no matter how insignificant to you, you are part of something greater than yourself. Most people only get to experience the parks and the Disney magic as a guest, and that is an experience all its own. Being a cast member, for me, gave me an appreciation for what Walt Disney and the Imagineers meant when they created the experiences that started with Disneyland.

Professionally I am a training consultant for a software company. So much of how I present myself (word choice, expression, sincerity) came from my exposure to the Disney Traditions. It is also a great thing to have on your resume throughout your professional lifespan. If the opportunity presents itself (advice from a Disney fan to other Disney fans), the experience is life changing (if you allow it to be).

Before this section sounds like a personal ad, I will use bullets to make it seem more rigid :)

• I am a former travel professional, and I travel quite a bit with my job.
• I am a TV/DVR addict.
• I am dependent on being connected to the world and my iPhone, and RSS tend to keep me occupied.
• OH, and I have embraced Twitter (and Facebook, kind of) as a great tool of communication. So nerds, unite.

Now before I ramble on and on... We'll see how I do. Thanks for reading and I will post again soon :)

WDWStevieB