Part Of That World

So if you've been following this blog, you may have wondered why lately its been dominated by hockey entries with far fewer Disney posts. The answer to that is two-fold. One is well, the NHL season is coming to a close and the playoff race is heating up. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of attention to hockey then. The second part comes from a bit of change in my life. In the last month, my perspective of Disney has gone from that of guest to cast. So my guest experiences have been much more limited as of late and my new cast experiences, well, those aren't meant for the public eye. But I can definitely say that my experiences so far have been an absolute dream come true. If I could only sum up these experiences with one word, it would be "wonderful."

First, my fellow cast members have been a blast to work with. Everyone has been so nice, friendly, and helpful. Now I know that there are going to be people who aren't as nice and you'll wonder why they even bother to be here if they're like that. But a lot of the people here are special. I've never been to a place before where the people are so passionate about what they do and how much they believe in what they do. I've actually had a few people hold back tears in describing the magic of Disney to me. It's amazing to see passion like that. So many have come out of their way to make me feel welcomed. There always seems to be a smile somewhere greeting you. And it always helps to return one yourself. A smile goes a long way. There are so many people here like me. My hope is that I'll get to know a lot of these people and get to form some great friendships.

The second thing that has made my experiences wonderful so far has been the actual job itself. I now work for Disney. I don't think my mind has yet to fully grasp that concept. I am now part of making that very magic that has touched so many hearts, including my own. I've never had a job before that wasn't concerned with profit, whose main focus was to bring more money in. Yes, Disney is a corporate entity and a business first, so they do want money. But my role isn't concerned with that. My role is to purely make people happy. I'm there to take them into another world and help instill fantasy and magic in their hearts. My measure of success isn't how much money I got from them but whether or not they left with a smile. How amazing is that? I get to interact with so many people throughout the day. I know now more than ever that I am extraverted because I love the interaction. In fact, when my day is done and I head back to my empty apartment, I can't help but to feel a bit lonely. Sure, some guests can be rude and mean. But the majority of them just want a piece of that magic and it's so satisfying to be able to supply it.

This isn't a full-time thing. It's merely something I do on the side in addition to my real life. It's just a few days of week and I know not every one of those days will be so wonderful. But if I can keep that magic within my heart and remember why I'm here, I can pull through with a smile. It also doesn't hurt that you can sometimes look up and see Cinderella Castle. Not too many jobs can boast that. What makes this special is the fact that I'm not here because I need to be. I'm a cast member at Disney because I want to be. This is a dream for me. I truly feel that I belong here. I remember my first day when I was given my Disney name tag. Some people think name tags are demeaning, but not this one. It was a badge of honor for me. Seeing my name engraved in that little hunk of plastic, it was a dream come true that was almost 7 years in the making. I don't know how long it will last, but I will make the most out of it. I don't want any regrets from this. This place is magical. Me and all the cast, we're here to continue Walt Disney's legacy and keep his dream alive.

Penguins - 3, Rangers - 1

With four games left in the season, this was a huge win for the Penguins. They're now back atop the Eastern Conference. For how long, who knows. It's back and forth with Montreal. Marc-Andre Fleury has been amazing since his return. It seems as though he only lets in a goal a game. That's Fleury we're talking about! If he can keep this up, the Penguins will go far in the playoffs. The defense has been so much better lately. As scary looking as the Penguins' powerplay can be, there does seem to be a problem with it. They had 3 powerplays where they didn't get off a single shot. That has to be addressed. Evgeni Malkin has a scare when he was cut in the face with a skate blade but after getting stitched up, he seems to be ok. We need these team complete and healthy. Only 3 games left to go!

Penguins - 3, Islanders - 1

What a bizarre game! Let me get this straight... Ruutu and Laraque score goals while Petr Sykora and Darryl Sydor fight? What in the... While we got the win and in the process extended our division lead and moved into 1st in the East, it came at a cost. Just as Sidney Crosby returned, we lost Marian Hossa, not once but twice! First, we got a scare when he was on the receiving end of a cheap low hit by Rob Davison. Hossa came back but it wouldn't be the last time he would be cheapshot. He would leave the game later from a hit from behind. I hope it's not serious. I fear it may be a concussion. Let's hope not. I hate games like this. You have everything to play for but a team like the Islanders have nothing to play for and decide to just take liberties on your star players.

Penguins - 2, Devils - 0

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the playoffs!

This was a huge win for the Penguins. Not only did it officially clinch a playoff spot for them, it gave them the potential tiebreaker against the Devils for the Atlantic crown. This means for the Devils to win the division, they MUST have more points than the Penguins. The division is now the Penguins' to lose. In their last meeting, the Penguins displayed their offensive power. Tonight, they showed they can be just as strong defensively. Newcomers Hal Gill and Marian Hossa played a huge part in the defensive show. Marc-Andre Fleury has pretty much locked in his role as the playoff starter. Congrats, Pens!

Islanders - 4, Penguins - 1

Well, that just sucked! The Penguins had no business losing this game. A Stanley Cup contender against a team out of playoff contention with nothing to play for. The Isles were also decimated by injuries. I guess with the Devils up tomorrow, this game just screamed "trap game." The Penguins were dominant in the first period. I guess they thought that would continue the rest of the game and got a little arrogant. As much as the Penguins have matured this season, this game shows that they aren't completely there yet. You have to question the decision to start Ty Conklin when Fleury has been so hot as of late. But with back-to-back games on the schedule, that could explain it with saving Fleury for the Devils. Each game is worth the same amount of points though.

Penguins - 7, Devils - 1

Lucky 7's?

The Penguins seem to have a thing for the number 7, with this being the 3rd time in the last two weeks that they dropped 7 goals on an opponent. Not just any opponent either. This was a battle for the top of the Atlantic Division. It ended up being not much of a battle. It was more like a beatdown with one team curled up in the fetal position. Malkin passed 100 points for the first time in his career and is right there with Alex Ovechkin in the scoring race. While his line continues to be impressive with 8 points between the three of them last night, the Dupuis-Staal-Hossa line is making its mark as well. Hopefully, Crosby will be back full healthy soon and we can make one heck of a run to the playoffs!

Penguins - 4, Lightning - 2

Bend it like Ruutu?

Moment of the game was when Jarkko Ruutu got his stick knocked away and skated up the ice kicking the puck like a soccer ball and then even passing it for a shot. Hilarious! This was a pretty dull game for two offensive teams. That is until the 3rd period where 3 goals were scored in the first 2 minutes. The Malkin line was great again. Staal looked very impressive. And how bout that Pascal Dupuis! Why is he playing better than Marian Hossa? Step it up, Hossa! The Penguins should have had two more goals but were a split-second late as they scored just after two periods ended.

Rangers - 5, Penguins - 2

Well, I guess you can't win them all. It was a very sloppy effort overall. It was a game of mistakes, it's just the Penguins made more mistakes. The Rangers were mostly able to keep the Malone-Malkin-Sykora line quiet. So has Hossa start playing for the Penguins yet? I don't think I noticed him. It's true that he's not a fit with Staal however. Staal's just not a playmaker. Hopefully, when Sid comes back, we'll see some magic. I pin this loss on Conklin's dad.

Three No. 1s

Check out this awesome quote from Max Talbot about the Penguins' star players.

"It's not No. 1 and No. 1-A. It's not No. 1 and No. 2. With Geno and Sid, it's Nos. 1 and 1. Throw in Marian Hossa and it's Nos. 1 and 1 and 1. We've got a lot of No. 1s. It's not a terrible problem."

The Other Side

Disney brings magic to the hearts of millions of guests that pass through its gates. That magic is what makes Disney special and unique and has people coming back over and over again for it. Anyone who can afford a ticket to go can experience that magic. Most don't realize it but that isn't the only type of magic that exists at Disney. There's a very different experience that you'll find behind the curtain. People say the magic ends when you cross that line, but I don't think it does. I think you get a different type of magic. There's a whole new world back there and you can't helped but to be humbled and awestruck by it. The magic that exists on the other side comes from the people there and the work they do to make dreams come true for people on both sides of the curtain. It's quite amazing! And I consider myself so lucky to finally be able to see this magic from the other side.

Penguins - 7, Flyers - 1

Hahahahaha... there is no other word for it other than OBLITERATION! The Crosby-less Penguins simply dismantled the Flyers. It felt just like last season! The Malone-Malkin-Sykora line was absolutely deadly! Evgeni Malkin keeps proving that he is one of the most dominatiing players in the game and is making a strong case for the Hart. Marian Hossa made his full-game debut and registered 2 points, including his first goal as a Penguin. Any time you beat the Flyers is great but to humiliate them like this, it's incredible!

That's right! Suck it, Flyers! Suck it!

Sid Writes For ESPN

Check out this article Sidney Crosby wrote for ESPN the Magazine. It's a very good read into what Sid thinks of himself and the expectations put on him.

Penguins - 7, Sabres - 3

Is it me or does it seem like the Penguins play better without Crosby? Must be a coincidence. Anyway, a dominating performance for the Pens last night. It was an entire team effort. Maybe it's just that the whole team comes together without Crosby to rely upon. Well, hopefully Sid and Marian will be back this Sunday. It seems like the Penguins do very well against finesse teams that try to outgun them. No one can outgun the Penguins. Their problem seems to be team that play trapping style defenses and try to suffocate the Pens, ie. Boston. I really hope we don't have to play the Bruins in the playoffs. They seem to have our number. We're much better off against a team like Buffalo or Washington. Also, it's likely the Pens will be without the services of Laraque for at least a game or more. His elbow didn't seem that serious, but it was still an elbow. With the Flyers coming, we could really use Laraque.

Penguins - 4, Capitals - 2

Again, I didn't get to catch this and I heard it was a great one. These weekend games are killing me! What an ending though! The game was tied with less than 30 seconds left in the game and Nicklas Backstrom scored in his own goal to give the Penguins the lead and the win. Wow! Still no Hossa. Hopefully, he'll be ready to go this week.

Panthers - 5, Penguins - 2

What a disgrace! There is no other word for it. The Penguin's effort in this game was shameful and pathetic. There is no way a team this good should play so poorly against an inferior opponent. But that's what happened. Fleury was horrible in net. The defense was non-existent. Ryan Whitney, you are not paid to stand and watch opponent forwards score on our goalies! Both Crosby and Malkin seem invisible. What's going on? What has happened to the chemistry of this team? We can only hope the return of Marian Hossa will light a fire under this team. They better get their act together real soon.

Oh... Em... Gee...

A 5-minute sneak peak at The Little Mermaid prequel! I can't believe I'm saying this about a direct-to-dvd but it looks awesome!!!

Penguins - 2, Lightning - 0

You know, this was a very low scoring game for one that was filled with so many scoring chances. Crosby looked like he hasn't missed a beat. I can't wait to see how Hossa looks at his wing. Malkin was amazing and looked like the dominant franchise player he was in Crosby's absence. Marc-Andre Fleury was solid and earned his tenth career shutout. I love seeing Ty Conklin come in at the end and congratulate Fleury with such a huge smile on his face. That's a team!

He's Back!!!

The Chosen One returns tonight!

Penguins - 3, Thrashers 2 (SO)

You knew it was going to happen. You knew this game was going to a shootout and you knew who the first Atlanta shooter would be. But so did Marc-Andre Fleury. He stopped Erik Christensen, like so many times in practice. Kris Letang, the Penguins' new shootout ace, didn't miss, however, and gave the Penguins the win. It was a good win to get in what was an emotional game. Fleury was terrific in his first start since December.

Senators - 5, Penguins - 4

Didn't see this game, I was at ESPN the Weekend making hockey's presence felt. If you watch Baseball Tonight or NFL Live this week and see some dude in a Penguins jersey... yeah! But from what I hear, this was a pretty intense and wild game. Sorry I missed it. Sucks that the Pens lost another but they put up a fight against a tough opponent with a very depleted team. That's only a positive.