Enchanted

So tonight I saw Enchanted and I cannot express just how much I love this movie. This is the best movie I've seen in years! Enchanted is joining my list of favorite movies ever, I'm talking Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast territory! This movie is just so perfect in every way, from the first frame to the last. From the moment it began, I was captivated. Amy Adams is absolutely adorable! The songs are wonderful and stay with you. I got the soundtrack right after seeing the movie and now "True Love's Kiss" and "That's How You Know" are stuck in my head. Alan Menken has done it again! And Jodi Benson is in it! I was all "OMG, that's Ariel!!!" From the previews, you might have gotten an impression that this was a film that poked fun at fairy tales, like Shrek. But that's not the case. Enchanted is a homage to fairy tales. It pays tribute to Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid.  This is a movie for every dreamer out there, every idealist, every hopeless romantic. It's for anyone who believes in dreams come true and happily ever after. In a time where it seems people are too cynical and sarcastic to believe in the innocent and pure things in life, Enchanted is a breath of fresh air. Enchanted really makes you believe that true love is the most powerful thing in the world. Happily ever after exists, whether you live in a fairy tale or reality.

Birthday Dinner

I celebrated my birthday at California Grill atop Disney's Contemporary Resort last night. It was my second time there. It was really nice. The atmosphere, the service, and the food was just amazing. I had a three course meal with Spicy Sensation (a sushi dish with Scallops, Tuna, Avocado, Tobiko, and Fireball Sauce), a Spiced Butternut Squash Soup, and an Oak-fired Filet of Beef. The sushi there is the best! We were so stuffed, we didn't have room for any desert. And dinner was wrapped up with splendid view of Holiday Wishes. It was so cool how they piped in the music from Main Street into the restaurant.

Believe... in Holiday Magic

Christmas is absolutely wonderful.

Thanksgiving Recap

I was away for the holiday so I didn't catch any of the hockey action but here are the results.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007: Devils - 2, Penguins - 1

Thursday, November 22, 2007: Penguins - 6, Senators - 5 (SO)

Saturday, November 24, 2007: Penguins - 5, Thrashers - 0

Who are these guys and what did they do to the Penguins?

The Disney Cheesesteak

About two weeks ago, I was walking through Pinocchio's Village Haus when I noticed something strange. There was something new, something different on people's plates... but it was also something familiar. They were cheesesteaks. Wha? At Disney World? In Orlando? In Florida? I had already eaten so I didn't have one. But on my visit back to the Magic Kingdom last weekend, I got to try one out. It's made with slices of sirloin steak, grilled onions, melted swiss cheese, and cheese whiz on a roll. I was surprised by two cheeses, especially the swiss. I've never seen swiss used in a cheesesteak before. The steak and the onions were good. And the sandwich was plenty messy, a definite requirement of a cheesesteak. One problem, however, was the roll. It was all wrong and really took away from the contents. It's just not a real cheesesteak with the wrong roll. Still, it was good enough that it will join my list of food options at Disney. Am I surprised Disney decided to serve a cheesesteak? Well, considering the massive amount of guests they get from the Delaware Valley, I shouldn't be. It was about time. Now if only they can get the roll right.

Have you ever seen anything so wonderful in your entire life?

So last night, I was finally able to see them in person, the Castle Dream Lights. I had gone to the Magic Kingdom in the late afternoon and grabbed a quick dinner at Village Haus. While eating, I completely forgot that the lights would be on at night. When I got out of the restaurant and looked up, I was completely floored and left speechless. I had not been that breath-taken since the very first time I saw Cinderella Castle. Now Disney has done some silly things in decorating that castle, including turning it into a cake and hanging a big mirror on its face. But this time, they finally got it right. They've taken the most beautiful structure in the world and made it even more beautiful than anyone could have ever imagined. It's like the feeling of seeing Cinderella step into the ball unannounced in her magnificent gown. You're just left in awe. Spending the night beside Cinderella Castle, I struggled to find ways to describe the Dream Lights. There are no words that can describe it. To be in Main Street, listening to classic Christmas carols, sipping hot chocolate, surrounded by the glow of holiday decor, and setting your eyes on the glimmering beauty of Cinderella Castle... nothing can be more magical.

Rangers - 4, Penguins - 3 (OT)

I can't say much about this one since I didn't watch it. But it looks like the Pens got owned by the Rangers defensemen, who scored all four goals.

The Greatest Hockey Game Ever Made

EA Sports FINALLY released their roster update for NHL 08 yesterday. And with that, at last, I was able to start my dynasty. But not without making one adjustment to the roster, I added Angelo Esposito to the Baby Pens. I'm not gonna use him this year but I want the option of having him for the next season. I gave him a 76 rating, I hope that's fair. It's time to say it. NHL 08 is the greatest hockey video game ever made. It's so cool now that you control not just your NHL team, but its AHL affiliate as well. But the gameplay is what makes this game amazing. Someone has finally captured what a hockey should be. I played my first season game last night against the Carolina Hurricanes and it was absolutely thrilling. The game finished 2-2 in regulation, went to OT and stayed tied and was finished off in a shootout where I won 2-1. Before, hockey games were either ridiculous scorefests with 22-10 results or ones where it was impossible to score and you would lucky to ever see 2 goals. Here, EA did it just right. You can't score doing that same thing over and over (one-timers). You have to work for your points, but it's not impossible. It requires more strategy and creativity. And if you make it to the shootout, wow! They capture the feel and emotion of it so well. I love it! I can't wait to continue my dynasty.

Penguins - 3, Islanders - 2

Michel Therrien finally shook up the roster tonight, playing Kris Letang and Tyler Kennedy while scratching veterans Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor. Before tonight, it felt like there was a double-standard where veterans weren't being punished for poor performance. I don't know what the long term effects of this will be, if any. But the Pens got a much needed win tonight and it didn't come easy. I noticed Marc-Andre Fleury went back to his old mask. Maybe he was hoping it would bring better luck. I wish Jordan Staal had something from his past to turn to. While he made a great play screening DiPietro on Gonchar's goal, he fanned on way too many passes. Malkin is gift-wrapping some shots for him and he's not getting them. Come on Gronk, snap out of it!

2008 All Star Jerseys

Ew, they look like basketball jerseys.

Letang gets the call

The Penguins have called up Kris Letang from the Baby Pens. I'm not sure what to make of this. Letang was supposed to be one of our young stud defensemen this year. His spot on the team was pretty much his to lose, and he did just that. Not only that, but he was actually scratched for a few games in the AHL. I have heard that he had been playing much better as of late, getting a point a game. Well, playing Letang can't possibly make things worse. And he gives us the right-handed shot we desperately need. Let's see how this goes.

Devils - 3, Penguins - 2

These are the times that try men's souls. The Penguin's losing streak has reached six. When this slump began, they were in a battle for the top of the division. Now they find themselves at the bottom. What has happened to the Penguins? It seems the entire team has lost its confidence. Last season's biggest surprise, Jordan Staal, has lost his way. Marc-Andre Fleury has lost his starting job. Gary Roberts is finally showing his age. The great role play of Maxime Talbot and Colby Armstrong is gone. Mark Recchi, well, shouldn't even be here. This team is being carried on the backs of stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. But as been shown, they can't do it on their own. The smiles and fun are gone. There's gloom in the atmosphere of Mellon Arena.

The Pens played their best game in a week last night but still lost in the end. That's another sign of a slump, losing games you deserved to win. Each loss puts us in a deeper hole that becomes harder and harder to get out of. But we can't give up! That's not what we do. We're the freak'n Penguins! Wear your black, white, and gold with pride. We'll pull out of this... somehow. Something must be done though. Something must shake this team up.

Fire Michel Therrien.

A Look Back At Food & Wine

Well, Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival is officially over. It lasted from September 28 to today. With MGM's and Animal Kingdom's ridiculously short schedules and the Magic Kingdom's inconsistent times due to the Halloween Party, I found myself spending a lot of time at Epcot over the last month and a half. And with so much time spent there, I got to sample almost every booth at Food & Wine. There were only a handful that I didn't try. Here is a list of all the things I ate at Food & Wine.

Argentina

- Spicy Beef Empanada

- Grilled Beef with Chimichurri Sauce

Mexico

- Quesadilla con Chorizo

Ireland

- Boxty with Bacon Chips and Kerrygold Garlic and Fresh Herb Butter

China

- Pork Pot Stickers

India

- Samosa with Tamarind Sauce

- Coconut Indian Rice Pudding

South Africa

- Durban Spiced Chicken on a Skewer

Germany

- Debriziner Sausage with Sauerkraut in a Pretzel Roll

Italy

- Lasagna Al Forno

- Zuppa Inglese

Poland

- Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies

Hops & Barley Market

- New England Crab Cake with Barley-Lentil Salad

USA

- Main Lobster Roll

- California Strawberry Shortcake

Japan

- Spicy Tuna Roll

- Crispy Sukiyaki Beef Roll

Morocco

- Kefta

- Bastilla

Oklahoma - Three Sisters' Cafe

- Seared Buffalo with Scalloped Wild Onions

France

- Coupe de Sorbets Champagne, Framboise, & Chocolat Blanc

New Zealand

- Lamb Slider

Canada

- Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup

- Maple Custard topped with Almond Crumble

Greece

- Spanakopita

Peru

- Arroz con Pato

I think my favorite thing in the whole festival was the maple custard at Canada. OMG, it was divine! This was my first time taking part in Food & Wine and overall, it was a good experience. I gotta admit, Epcot's going to feel a lot emptier without all the booths. But the Christmas decorations are now going up. And those are even better... though you can't eat those.

^%#$!@ - 5, Penguins - 2

*shrugs and shakes head*

Fire him!!!

Christmas at the Magic Kingdom

I tried to hold it back but I can't do it anymore, not after seeing the Magic Kingdom tonight. I say screw Thanksgiving, the Christmas season is here! Visiting the Magic Kingdom tonight, I had hoped to be able to see the new Castle Dream Lights. Unfortunately, they weren't out yet. There were, however, Christmas decorations throughout the park. I was met with such a pleasant surprise walking into Main Street, U.S.A. Seeing wreaths and lights hung around all over the area, I just gasped in delight. And while the lights weren't turned on on Cinderella Castle yet, something nearby made me melt. It was a beautiful Christmas tree in the rose garden, next to Cinderella Castle. I was surprised to find the tree there. In Disneyland, the tree is in Town Square. Seeing a Christmas tree and the castle side by side, can I get more magical? Wait till those Dream Lights come on I guess. Christmas is here for the next two months!

Rangers - 4, Penguins - 2

The Penguins played awesome... in the third period. Unfortunately, they didn't in the first two. What they did in the third was a sight to see. Where was it in the first and second? Consistency, guys! Come on! And can I say that I hate Sean Avery? Yeah, I know that it's his job to piss me off. But he's doing a damn good job of it! I don't know what can be done with the Penguins. Something has to jolt them. A trade? Is it time to fire Michel Therrien?

Goodbye to an Enemy

Eric Lindros announced his retirement today. It was a quiet end to the controversial career of a star who didn't quite live up to his fullest potential. Lindros' NHL career was controversial from the very beginning. Labeled as the "Next One", he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991. Lindros, however, refused to play for Quebec and forced a blockbuster trade to the Philadelphia Flyers. Quebec received money and a group of players, including a guy named Peter Forsberg, that they would use to win two Stanley Cups as the Colorado Avalanche. For most of the 90s, Lindros was a dominating force in Philadelphia, showing the hockey world a rare mix of size, power, and skill. It was there that I learned to hate him as he would be a constant thorn to the Penguins' side. He would win an MVP award and take the Flyers to a Cup final. But that would be as high as his career would go. Through a series of concussions (which the Penguins played a part in) and a strained relationship with the Flyers organization, Lindros made his exit from Philadelphia. He would spend the latter part of his career with the New York Rangers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Dallas Stars but he never found the same level of success he had in Philadelphia. Tormented by injuries and decreased production, the former phenom has called it a career. He'll be helping his fellow players now as a representative in the NHLPA.

Without a doubt, I absolutely hated Lindros as a Flyer. However, I can't help but to feel sorry for him. He was a great adversary. You had to respect him. I remember when Mario Lemieux retired in 1997 and bascially handed the torch to Lindros. Ironic that Lemieux would return years later and Lindros would fade away. Sidney Crosby now carries the torch and the mantle of the "Next One." Let's hope Sid's career is able to live up to his potential.

@^$#&% - 3, Penguins - 1

You lost to the Flyers?! The Flyers?! I don't care who they have or if they're better this year. Never lose to the Flyers! Unbelievable! I'm not gonna be able to swallow this. Ok, it's become so very evident that Crosby and Malkin MUST be split up. Yes, they are great together but the other 3 lines provide absolutely NOTHING! What the hell is wrong with Staal? Ugh! How does a team this offensively talented only put up 1 goal against a defense this bad? This Saturday is a chance at payback and I want it!

Penguins - 5, Devils - 0

Now that's what I call a game! That was about as perfect a performance the whole team can have together. If we could only do that for the rest of the season...

Sierra Boggess = <3

Islanders - 3, Penguins - 2

Why can't we hold a lead?! What's wrong with this team? This team is better than this. This team is better than the 105-point team last year. What's the problem? Something has to be done soon. Change of personnel? Change of coach? Something.

On to better news, the NHL Network is finally out on DirecTV. Wooo! I love it! I don't need ESPN anymore. This network gives me all the hockey coverage I need. This joins that only other two things I watch on TV, Simpsons reruns and the Food Network... what?

The Holidays Arrive at Disney

Yesterday was the final night of the Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Today, signs of Christmas have started to appear at Walt Disney World. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights has been out for a few weeks now. They just haven't been turned on yet. And if you look closely, you can see icicle lights hanging off of Cinderella Castle. But it wasn't until today that I saw Christmas out in the forefront at Disney. I visited Epcot and was surprised to find a giant Christmas tree in front of the World Showcase. Some pavilions in the World Showcase have started hanging up decorations, including another tree at the American Adventure. While it is a bit weird to see signs of the holidays out to early, I'm so excited for Christmas at Walt Disney World. I've never been here for Christmas before. I have been to Disneyland once for the holidays. There's going to be so much going on here. All the parks are going to look so beautiful this season. The Magic Kingdom will have Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a new parade, and the Caste Dream Lights. I cannot wait to see what those lights of Cinderella Castle will look like. It must be so enchanting! The Disney-MGM Studios (soon to be Hollywood Studios) are going to have the Osborne Lights and the Harlem Gospel Choir. Epcot will have Holidays Around the World and the Candlelight Processional. I'm not even sure what that is but I'm looking forward to it. Even Animal Kingdom will have Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade. The most magical place on earth is going to be celebrating the most magical season of the year. It seems hard to imagine but I get the impression that I'm going to fall even more in love with Walt Disney World this holiday season.

New Jersey!

No, not the devils. My new RBK Premier jersey finally arrived... after a month of customization. Yeeesh, how long does it take to stitch on a name and number? Anyways, I love it! The stitching was really well done. It definitely feels lighter than the old style jerseys and is more form-fitting. I got a white Jordan Staal one! Here are some pics.

Front:

Back:

Avalanche - 3, Penguins - 2

Three and a half minutes, that's was all that was needed to change the tide of the game. The Pens played great early on with Crosby netting two goals and then in a 3 1/2 minute span in the second, they gave up 3 goals.  After a month of play, this season has so far shown the Penguins to be very inconsistent. Let's get it together guys!