Thrashers - 4, Penguins - 1

There is adversity and then there's what the Penguins had to deal with tonight. Nothing went right for the Penguins tonight... nothing! The officials might as well have been wearing blue Thrasher jerseys. There was no deliberate kicking motion on Nathan Smith's goal. That should have counted! On two different occasions, a Penguin gets his stick taken away from him and HE get the penalty?! And don't get me started on Jarkko Ruutu's ejection! How do you give a guy a fighting major when he didn't fight? Getting jumped on and punches thrown at you while not fighting back DOES NOT constitute a fight! That hit on Kovalchuk shouldn't even be a penalty and he gets ejected for it? Nice. This was just one of those nights that you just take and let go of.

Penguins - 4, Devils - 2

All teams face adversity. The great teams get through it and become better because of it. Tonight, the Penguins showed they can handle adversity. They faced the division-leading Devils with a completely depleted team and thoroughly outplayed them. The Penguins' depth was so bad that defenseman Brooks Orpik had to play left wing! But they managed to prove that they are more than Sidney Crosby. This will only give them more confidence. If this team can keep this up, they will be unstoppable when Sid and the rest of the team returns. Stand tall, Penguins, stand tall!

More Celebrity Disney

Disney just released another set of promotional photos by Annie Leibovitz, depicting celebrities as Disney characters. I love these photos.

Jessica Biel as Pocahontas.



Gisele Bundchen as Wendy Darling, Tina Fey as Tinker Bell, and Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan.



Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as Jasmine and Aladdin.



And funny enough, Whoopi Goldberg as Genie.

A Look Back At 6 Months

I've passed the 6 month mark on my stay here by the most magical place on earth. In that time, Walt Disney World has transitioned from being a place I longed to visit to a place that has become an integral part of my life. Of course, since that very special first July morning at the footsteps of Cinderella Castle, Disney has always had a presence in my life. But the experience is much different now. Gone are the countdowns, the schedules, and the need to run around and do as much as I can. When you're a visitor on vacation, it's a cycle of longing to return, heaven for a week, and then the unbearable departure that leads to longing for the next trip. I think every Disney fanatic goes through that cycle. Fortunately, I don't have to go through that anymore. It's been so nice not ever having to say good-bye.

In the last 6 months, I've visited a lot. In fact, "a lot" would be an understatement. Disney's become as much a part of my life as going to work or even eating. And a common question that I get asked is, "Don't you ever get tired of it?" My answer is "never." It is an answer that many cannot understand. I believe understanding that is the line that divides people who just see Disney as a bunch of amusement parks and those who hold it up as something far greater. To a great many, Disney is just a place that has a bunch of rides and shows. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror... that's what they think of when they think about the parks. But for the others, the ones who get it, they know it's not about the rides or any attractions. Sure, they are fun and definitely a part of Disney but that's not what draws people to it. What draws them... is "magic." But what is magic? To me, magic is freedom. It's the freedom to let go of reality, to let go of the notions of the world that hold us down. It is the feeling of setting loose your spirit, sending it as high as you can dream. It's closing your eyes and letting yourself believe in all the things you want to. It's abandoning cynicism and letting ideals and innocence take over. It's hope in the power of imagination and dreams. That's what magic is to me. How many times can you go on a ride before it loses its appeal? It's not about the rides. It's the magic of Disney that holds on to the hearts of all who love it. Not everyone can understand. But for me, it feels like Disney and I were made for each other. I'm a dreamer, a hopeless romantic, an idealist. All the things Disney is flows through my being. I was once told that if I had never been born, somehow Walt Disney would have created me. And I know I'm not the only one. Look at all the people who've come from all the corners of the world to live and work here. They didn't uproot their lives because they like a bunch of rides that much. They took a huge chance on their dreams because they believe in this place. They believe in this magic.

I'm so lucky to have been able to experience Walt Disney World the way I have over the last 6 months. Instead of the quick splash of a week-long trip, I've been able to see Disney in such a way that many don't get a chance to. I've been able to see it change and grow. I arrived in the peak summer months when everything was bustling and crazy. Then I saw the crowds thin out and experienced how calm this world could be. I saw amazing events like the Pirate & Princess Party and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I grew to appreciate a place that never struck a cord with me before, Epcot. I experience the fantastic International Food & Wine Festival. And the most wonderful season of all became even more incredible. Christmas at Disney was awe-inspiring. How could one not be moved by the Candlelight Processional or brought to tears by the Castle's Dream Lights? I got to experience all those special events by living here. But my time here has been about even more than that. There has been so much to see and do to here. From the classic excitement of the theme parks to finding hidden gems like Disney's enchanting boardwalk, magic seems to be everywhere. It even shows through its food. Whether it be a silly morning at Chef Mickey's or a charming afternoon at Beaches and Cream or an elegant evening at the California Grill, magic has never tasted so good. With so much time to spend here, I've been able to appreciate each little thing. I actually find myself sometimes not doing anything at Disney but just being there and soaking up the atmosphere. My absolute favorite thing to do is just hang around the Fantasyland-Main Street area of the Magic Kingdom. I love taking a simple carrousel ride, making a wish at Cinderella's well, and sitting back and watching her castle change colors in the night. I don't think there's anything better.

I've gotten to meet and share the magic with so many people during my 6 months here. For all those who came to visit, I got to be their guide to this wonderful world. For those who live and work here, I got to experience a new type of magic through them. I gained a new appreciation of what it takes to keep the magic alive in this world. With all the things I got to see and do and live, it's hard to imagine that it's only been 6 months. But you know what? There's a whole world I've yet to see. There is so much more to experience. And that's what I certainly hope the new year brings.

Sierra Performs on Today

NBC is now getting in on the Mermaid publicity. Here, Sierra Boggess is interviewed and performs Part of Your World on the Today show. She's so sweet! Disney really did find the perfect Ariel.

Obama '08: Change We Can Believe In

This is about neither hockey nor Disney, but I wanted to make this post. I'm not a political person at all. Like most people my age, I've been apathetic towards politics. There really wasn't much about it that you could believe in. It just seemed like politicians had not the interests of the people and the country in mind, but those of themselves and their party. Instead of being about moving this country forward, it's been about which party could gain more power. It just felt like some endless race between Democrats and Republicans. Instead of truly being a United States, it's always seemed like an "us vs. them." Why would you want to care about politics then?

That is, until now. Barack Obama has changed that for me. Perhaps it's the dreamer in me that draws me to his message, but I believe in him. Never have I been so inspired by a politician before. He feels truly different from the rest. Everyone has been calling for change, but it feels like he can be the one who brings it. He gives us hope, hope that this country can be a better place. He inspires us to do more. Instead of looking out for our own interests, perhaps we can finally look out for what's best for us all. I actually donated money to Obama's campaign today, something I've never done before. But that's what Obama is about, isn't he? Change we can believe in.

He's Baaaaaaaack!

Guess who returned to the Penguins today. Wait, hold on... *drinks some water*

KRIS %$@%#$ BEECH!!!

*does spit take*

The Penguins claimed him off waivers from who knows where. I don't know what to think about this. Is he going to play for the Penguins or be sent down to the AHL? Whatever happens, Jaromir Jagr's replacement is back in black and gold!

"Kiss Goodnight"

I recorded video of the Magic Kingdom's "Kiss Goodnight" last night. For those who don't know what the "Kiss Goodnight" is, it's a short castle light show played about an hour after park closing. It's Disney's way of officially closing the park... and telling you to get out.

$%#@&* - 4, Penguins - 3

Stupid penalties, that's what cost us this game. Stupid penalties. Ryan Malone, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING TAKING A HOOKING PENALTY WHEN WE'RE PULLING THE GOALIE?!?! Because of that horrible, stupid penalty, we were unable to get a 6th skater on the ice and rendered any possible advantage useless. This was a better game than the last time we met though. I really though Jordan Staal played well. He was a lot more visible than Malkin tonight. While he had a goal, Malkin was pretty much contained. It was evident how much the Pens miss Crosby in this game. Steve Downie finally got a piece of his own medicine, getting hit from behind by Laraque. Unfortunately, he wasn't hurt. Hit harder next time, Laraque. I want this rotten piece of feces' career to be over with. Very few people would mourn that. What was with the refereeing tonight? How on earth do we only get 1.25 powerplays against the most undisciplined team in the league? Again, stupid penalties. That's what cost us this game.

Penguins Sell Cars

Colby Armstrong, Max Talbot, Sergei Gonchar, and Evgeni Malkin recently did a commercial for a local Pittsburgh car dealership. OMG! It's so funny because it's so bad! This is why the Penguins are AWESOME! *can't breathe from endless laughing*

Ariel's Beginning

Looks like this will be one of the last Direct-to-DVD movies done by Disney. I'm gonna get it!

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

Enchanted Oscars

Enchanted received 3 Oscar nominations today for Best Song. The songs nominated were "Happy Working Song", "That's How You Know", and "So Close." I could be mistaken, but this is the first time since The Lion King that a movie has had three songs nominated. This would be a second time for Alan Menken. He had three songs nominated for Beauty and the Beast, "Belle", "Be Our Guest", and the title song. I'm really hoping they have the cast perform all the songs, instead of having someone else sing it like Beyonce did one year. I'd be happy if any of them won, but I'm betting on "That's How You Know."

Toy Story - The Musical

The Little Mermaid isn't the only new Disney musical getting attention these days. Disney Cruise Line is set to debut "Toy Story - The Musical" on the Disney Wonder this spring. Check out this backstage video!

Crosby Out, Geno In

Penguins report that Sidney Crosby will be out 6-8 weeks with a high-ankle sprain. That leaves an opening in the All-Star Game, which has been officially given to Evgeni Malkin. Congrats, Geno! This is your team for the next two months. Make us proud!

Capitals - 6, Penguins - 5 (SO)

Crosby vs Ovechkin? How about Malkin vs Ovechkin! For two guys who are supposed to be friends, they sure wanted badly to one-up each other, with both getting two goals and dishing it out physically on the other. What an exciting game! Eight goals in the first two periods, wow! Nicklas Backstrom is an amazing player. The Penguins spoiled a chance to win it in overtime by not converting on a 5-on-3 powerplay. The Penguins's two money shootout specialists (Christensen, Letang) failed to convert. But the Pens got a point and retook first-place in the Atlantic.

Three Up, One Down

The Penguins sent Ryan Lannon back to Wilkes Barre/Scranton today. Unlike Ryan Stone, Lannon didn't get to play any games during his brief NHL stint. Sending Lannon back, the Penguins called up a surprising number of forwards. Chris Minard, Jonathan Filewich, and Tim Brent join the parent team. The health of Colby Armstrong and Tyler Kennedy must be a concern if this many forwards are getting called up. Monday's game against the Capitals may field a very different looking Penguins team. This will be interesting.

Penguins - 2, Canadiens - 0

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Malkin Show!

Without the services of Sidney Crosby, the Penguins made a statement tonight. It wasn't perfect but their effort showed that they are more than one player. But Evgeni Malkin had the biggest statement of all. Everyone knew the burden of the team would fall on his shoulders and he delivered. It was as though he wanted to scream, "I am every bit as good as Crosby!" While he only had the empty net goal at the end, he pulled off some amazing plays, including going end-to-end undressing every Montreal player along the way and an awesome pass to Petr Sykora for a breakaway. And how bout that forechecking from the fourth line for the first goal! Sabu finally got to play for the first time in about a month and he was solid, earning the shutout. Come on guys, let's keep this going!

New Look

Well, this is going to take some getting used to.

Lightning - 3, Penguins - 0

It is a dark day for hockey in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins had their incredible streak end and lost an opportunity to take the lead in the division. But that wasn't the biggest loss of the game. Sidney Crosby was injured in the first period, diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain. He's the 3rd Penguin to suffer that injury this season, Max Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury being the others. The Pens will now have to move on without the best player in the world for a significant amount of time. A high-ankle sprain can take anywhere from a few weeks to two months to heal. It seems cruel. Just when it seemed like everything was coming together, when everything was going right, when it seemed like this team could beat anyone, they suffer this. But this day is expected. Players, even the really good ones, get injured. The Penguins should be used to it by now, seeing how they just went through the career of Mario Lemieux. The general's been shot. But this team must not back down. It has to rally and hold the fort until he returns. Most of the burden will now fall on the shoulders of Evgeni Malkin. Luckily, the Penguins don't have a shortage of franchise centers to take Crosby's place. But it can't just be Malkin, the whole team need to take their game a step further. They must continue to play sound defense. Guys like Petr Sykora, Ryan Malone, Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Sergei Gonchar, Ryan Whitney, and Kris Letang must step up their offensive game. And please, Jordan Staal, now is the time to end your sophomore slump.

Opening Night Souvenir

Look what came in the mail for me! A official Playbill from opening night! I so want to get this signed by Sierra!

Sealed:



Framed:

Remembering Disneyland

I was going through some of my old videos and it brought back memories of my time spent in Disneyland. It's almost been a year. Hard to imagine that a big chunk of my year wasn't just spent at Walt Disney World, but it's California counterpart as well. I do miss it at times, especially when I ride Soarin' Over California (the correct name!). Here are some videos I took.

Walking Through Fantasyland After Closing:



Sleeping Beauty Castle:

Penguins Care

The Penguins official site has up pictures of the team's annual visit to the children's hospital. Yeah, it's a publicity shoot but it sure looks like it had some sweet moments. The best picture is Tyler Kennedy, Jordan Staal, and Max Talbot making beaded bracelets. Aww!

Check them out!

Penguins - 4, Rangers - 1

Malkin gets his 2nd hat trick in about a week. The Penguins defense was horrible. But Ty Conklin made a career-high 43 saves! He's 10-0-1 now! It must be said.

ALL BOW BEFORE CONKS!!!

Parade of Dreams to Florida!

It's being reported on a bunch of sites that Walt Disney World has purchased Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams from Disneyland and it should arrive late this year. Nothing has been said officially yet, but if this is true... SWEET!!! The Parade of Dreams is the GREATEST PARADE EVER!!! I hope they do the show stops. They're what make the parade so awesome!

*excitedly twirls around a gold ribbon*

Great Mermaid Videos!

ABC News recently aired some clips from The Little Mermaid on Broadway. Check them out!

Under the Sea: (This doesn't feel like Under the Sea to me)



Part of Your World: (Absolutely beautiful!)

Thrashers - 3, Penguins - 2 (SO)

Ok, I didn't see this game but when I found out we lost in a shootout, my reaction was "It was Recchi, wasn't it?" It was just too obvious. I hope you enjoyed your vindication, Mark. You know, if you had even tried to play half as well as you do now, the Penguins would have never dumped you. Oh well, we still got a point. Let's hope our great run hasn't ended tonight. The Atlantic is coming.

Empty Main Street

This is one of my favorite things to do at Disney. It's a video I shot last night of myself going through an empty Main Street, U.S.A. after park closing.

Back To Normal

After all the special events that have gone on over the last few months, it seems as though Walt Disney World has gone "back to normal." I went back to the Magic Kingdom tonight and "normal" actually took some getting used to. Not too long though! Stepping into Main Street, U.S.A, it took about a minute before I was able to fully take in the traditional Main Street music again. I had grown so accustomed to the Christmas carols. But Main Street music is what makes Main Street... well, Main Street! It was great to hear it again. I mean, when you hear that music, that's what you think of when you think "Magic Kingdom." All of the holiday decorations are gone. Oh, and Cinderella Castle. Her holiday lights may be gone, but she is still as beautiful as ever. Watching her glow in the night, changing colors... it makes you remember why you fell in love with her in the first place. For those who have seen the Dream Along with Mickey show, I recommend watching it from Cinderella's well. You get a really different perspective of it. It's almost like watching it from backstage, but not quite. Also, watch out for the pyro that shoots in your direction at the end. The crowds are definitely light this time of year. There were parts of the park that were virtually empty. That gave me plenty of opportunity to get reacquainted with the place. "Normal" is back, and you know what? That's not such a bad thing.

Ariel Finds A Dress

BroadwayWorld.com has up an article that tags along with Sierra Boggess as she looks for her opening night gown. Sierra even provides captions to all the photos. They're adorable!

Check them out!

Sarge In, Geno Out

The roster for the Eastern Conference All-Stars was announced today.

Sergei Gonchar joins Sidney Crosby in Atlanta, but Evgeni Malkin gets a huge snub. Marian Hossa has no business being at this game!

Virtual Opening Night

Tonight was the official opening night for The Little Mermaid on Broadway. And to celebrate it, playbillradio.com aired a virtual opening night with interviews with the cast and broadcast the entire cast recording! I guess they didn't anticipate the demand for it and the site was down for most of it. By the time I finally got through, it was playing the final songs of the show. Though I didn't get to listen to the whole show, what I did hear was fantastic! OMG, "If Only"! It was amazing to finally hear some of the final versions of those workshop songs that were leaked over a year ago. The changes were definitely noticeable. For what I was able to hear, they were for the better. I love the final version of "If Only"! I can't wait to hear the final version of "Beyond My Wildest Dreams." I'm am so excited over this show. I HAVE TO SEE THIS! I'm aiming for sometime late Spring or early Summer. I have to see Sierra and the original cast. I've already pre-ordered the limited edition picture cd of the cast recording. I also ordered a hat, a shirt, and a framed copy of the opening night Playbill. I can't wait!

Penguins - 4, Lightning - 1

The Penguins train just keeping barreling through the competition. The confidence is everywhere now. The Lightning are a team that's given the Pens fits over the years, but you just got the feeling that the Penguins would win this game. Everyone just showed that confidence tonight. Conklin is now 9-0! He's joining the legends of Lalime, Tugnutt, and Moose. The Malone-Staal-Sykora combination was dominant tonight, providing the Pens' first three goals. With news that Mark Eaton would be out for the rest of the season, it seemed like the Penguins were paying tribute to him by blocking a ridiculous amount of shots. Seeing the No. 33 appear now and then, I kept thinking Ziggy Palffy was back. But it was newly called-up Ryan Stone. 17-5 in their last 22. Let's keep the train moving!

The New Spaceship Earth

I finally got a chance to ride Spaceship Earth last night. (BTW, the park crowds are so light now, especially compared to last month. You could actually get on Soarin'!) There was only a 5-minute wait (and not even that!) for the new Spaceship Earth. I can't really compare it to the old one, mainly because I could never stay awake on the old one. But it feels similiar. They added new effects and animatronics. Apple makes a cameo in it now. But the biggest change in the new interactive touchscreen at the end. Throughout the ride, you're shown how man has progressed through history and at the end, you're given the chance to shape the future. It sounds like a good idea on paper but I thought it was really lame. You're basically given a simple personality quiz and a cartoon plays in your vehicle showing the future you created. It wasn't as bad as people made it out to be but it wasn't such a great thing either. Seeing how I never really cared for Spaceship Earth in the first place, it doesn't bother me one bit.

Great Hockey Commercial

This new Verizon ad is hilarious. I crack up each time I see it.

Penguins - 3, Panthers - 1

Total domination. That's pretty much what that games was. It seemed as though the Pens just sucked the life out of the Panthers. Florida had no fire and seemed like they just wanted to call it a night. The Penguins, meanwhile, are rolling on all cylinders, now 16-5 in their last 21. Conklin is now 8-0. It was a good night for Penguins hockey. On the NHL Network, they aired recaps of the 1999 Penguins - Devils Eastern Quarterfinals and the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup Championships.

Fit Sid

Check out who's on the cover of this month's Men's Fitness! It's definitely great publicity for the Penguins and the NHL.

The Final Fear

I rode Rock 'n' Roller Coaster for the first time ever yesterday. It actually wasn't that bad. I could do it again. And with that, there remains only one major Disney thrill ride I have not ridden.

Year - Ride Conquered

2001 - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
2003 - Test Track
2004 - Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain
2005 - Space Mountain, California Screamin'
2006 - Mission : SPACE
2007 - Expedition Everest
2008 - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Only the Tower of Terror remains.

Yesterday, I got the closest to it that I've ever been before.

Farewell MGM

Today was the final day of the Disney-MGM Studios' existence. Tomorrow, it will be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios. I'm not sure why Disney is doing this. I haven't heard a straight answer as to why change the name. It's going to be weird not calling it "MGM" anymore. I wonder what people are going to call it now? DHS? The Studios?

No More MGM

Exit Lights

This is the last weekend that the Castle Dream Lights will be turned on. I'm really going to miss them. I spent so much time over the last month just sitting by the castle, watching them twinkle. Cinderella Castle was already immensely beautiful, but the lights made her gorgeous beyond imagination. They were an absolutely wonderful addition to the holidays, probably the best one. They were better than any other decorations, any show, any fireworks, any parades. There's a scene that happens on almost every Disney vacation, the last night you spend at the Magic Kingdom. As you're leaving, you cannot take your eyes off the Castle. With each step down Main Street, U.S.A, you take a look back to see Cinderella Castle one more time. And then you reach the flagpole and you turn around to take one long last look on her, not wanting to leave. Because if you do, you know that you won't see her again. It's a painfully sad scene and thankfully, I don't have to go through it anymore. But last night I experienced a scene similar to that. Leaving the Magic Kingdom, I kept looking back on the lights. I've gotten so used to them and now they're going away. It will be another year before I see them again. Cinderella Castle will always be beautiful but I will miss her glimmer.

Penguins - 3, Panthers - 0

You can just sense it. It's there. There's an aura of confidence around this team now. Everyone seems to be contributing. The three goals came from Kennedy, Malkin, and Crosby. Ty Conklin got his second shutout in 4 games. He's 7-0 now as a Penguin. Who IS this guy? Amazing! I don't want to jinx him but how much longer will his stellar play go on? How does a journeyman goaltender (number 3 on the depth charts) step in and play so well? The Penguins are now 15-5 in their last 20. They're just picking up steam almost at the same time as they did last season. The Pens may also get better news this week with the possible return of Mad Max. Let's see how far we can take this!

Penguins - 6, Maple Leafs - 2

Now that's how you beat a team! There was no letdown after the emotional high of the Winter Classic. The Penguins displayed their talent and offensive might. Geno got his first hat trick. The Penguins dropped three goals on the Leafs in a 48-second span. Ruutu and Tucker got into an awesome fight with both getting bloodied. Ty Conklin played well and goes to 6-0. The Penguins are getting hot now. It's in the air. You can feel it. And remarkably, they're doing this without Fleury, Talbot, Eaton, and Roberts. An interesting question does come up though. What happens when Fleury returns? The goalie situation all of a sudden gets complicated.

Awesome fight between Ruutu & Tucker.

What's In A Name?

The Dallas Stars official website has up a fantastic article on how all 30 NHL teams got their names. It's a great read.

Check it out!

A Great Day For Hockey

Penguins - 2, Sabres - 1 (SO)

WHAT A GAME! WHAT A GAME! WHAT A GAME!

The 2008 Winter Classic has come and gone but its legacy will live on forever. This game could not have been more perfect. It was everything the NHL could have wanted and more. OMG, I am on such a high now from this game. The atmosphere was amazing! 73,000 people jammed into Ralph Wilson Stadium to witness history. Both teams marching out side by side for the opening. Snow bearing down throughout the whole game. Some of the most exciting hockey you'll ever see outside a playoff game. And how about those retro uniforms! Those powder blue jerseys are a thing of beauty! There's talk that the Penguins will make them their 3rd jersey next season. I hope so! They're awesome! The conditions made it tough for the players but they loved every minute of it. The puck was almost impossible to control. And then through all that, it comes down to a shootout and like a storybook, with Sidney Crosby as the final shooter. Penguins win! Penguins win! Kris Letang is "money-in-the-bank" on shootouts. He's 4 for 4 now! And who is this Conklin guy? How fantastic did Ty Conklin play? He's 5-0 now. The Penguins look to be coming together, with 5 wins out of their last 6, and 13 wins out of their last 18. Give credit to the Sabres, they were great. Both teams should hold their heads up high after this game. This was a great day for hockey!