Possibly Published Again

OK, so after I ask where all the good Disney sites have gone, I disappear for a little while.

I had no intention on going anywhere but when I have the choice between sleep and posting here, sleep is almost always going to win. And the more I have to make that choice, the more I consider letting the site sleep with the fishes, as it were.

But one of the reasons I have such a hard time letting go is because of the cool chance encounters keeping this site up and running sometimes brings. Tonight I got an email from someone who had previously published an academic book about Disney and wanted to use one of my pictures in the paperback version of the book he's preparing to release. It's a non-profit venture so I'm not making anything off of it but it is still cool to be asked and have my work included in their particular work of love.

I haven't really kept a full list of places where I've had my writing or photography published or where I've served as a source for an article but it is getting to be fairly lengthy. I've had photos printed in my friend Steve DeGaetano's book about the Ward Kimball engine, as well as in several of his train-themed articles on MiceAge.com. I was interviewed and had a quote published in Pat Williams' book How to Be Like Walt. I was a subject of a story that ran in "Cool 'n Smart" magazine, which included a couple of my pictures. My report on Roger Broggie's Main Street Window ceremony got published as the front-page story of the Carolwood Chronicle. I was asked to write a series of articles about Walt Disney for LaughingPlace.com. Burnsland.com has run various articles and posted photos that I've taken. As well as the miscellaneous writing and photos that have appeared in various newsletters.

I've served as the editor in chief of my college newspaper and magazine, and I actually earn my living writing press releases and other collateral pieces for clients at a public relations agency, but it is still thrilling when someone wants to include my work in something they are publishing. I guess that's the thrill I still get whenever I'm able to publish something here on StartedByAMouse.com. I may never be famous because of my writing or photography but I enjoy being able to share my knowledge, artistry and interest in Disney with like-minded individuals. And I'm happy to still have a venue such as this to do it.

Matt

Where Have All the Good Disney Sites Gone?

Recently, I looked at my Internet viewing habits and wondered why I wasn't spending as much time on the various Disney-related websites that I used to visit each and every day. There was a time that I simply went from one bookmark to the next reading as much daily information as I could. Certainly, I don't have the time that I once had to dedicate to scouring the world wide web for nuggets of news but that wasn't the sole reason I wasn't viewing these sites anymore.

The truth is that many of the sites began to resemble one another with very little original content. The same news was reported and discussed ad naseum. When I first started looking at daily Disney sites, there were but a handful of them, but more and more continued to pop up, making it not only harder to keep up, but also making them all look more and more like each other. Some sites with discussion boards again had the same topics over and over - many times with the same poster, posting the same information on each site. Some boards were becoming too negative for my tastes, others were too cliquish. At least one site began offering so many ads that finding content was next to impossible. Plus, after years of reporting on many of the changes in the World of Disney, there wasn't as much to report on without the opening of new theme parks, etc.

I know I was suffering from this very burnout when trying to figure out what I wanted StartedByAMouse.com to be. The fact is that I didn't want to be just another Disney site and I wasn't going to be able to compete against some of the megasites that had larger staffs and more readers. There are posts on some of the discussion boards by average Joes that I would have made entire articles out of for posting here. As time has become a precious commodity that I no longer have much of, I've sincerely thought about closing the doors to this place for more than a year and a half.

But while I've kept pressing on, at an admittedly slower pace, one site this week decided to fold up shop after a recent server crash. MouseInfo.com has been around for about 10 years and was one of my favorite spots on my daily list years ago. Looking back on a review that I had once posted to this site about MouseInfo.com, I was impressed by its Disneyland Resort News & Information Updates, chats and discussion boards. Webmaster Michael McSparran seemed to be able to provide first-look scoops and the interaction between staff and readers was incredible.

Somehow, I'd drifted from frequenting the site in recent years. I'm not exactly sure why. More of the same, I guess. I don't think I loved a format change that had all the information served from their discussion boards rather than a dedicated website separate from the boards. Whatever the reason, MouseInfo.com's closure didn't affect me so much personally but did make me sad that a Disney site that I had once felt such a part of wasn't available anymore. Some of the site's members are working hard right now to take over the defunct site and get it back up and running again. I wish them luck since I know how hard it is to do and I understand the owners' decision not to continue with the venture.

Though I've decided to keep StartedByAMouse.com going for the time being, there might be some closures affecting this site as well. With little activity and too many would-be spammers requiring my administration, our own discussion boards may soon cease to see the light of day. We had a nice, little community even recently but there just isn't anyone talking so I may ax it. I never wanted my list of Disney links to be overwhelmed with commercial ventures such as travel agencies or services. I may get rid of a bunch that I deem unworthy, perhaps pulling the ability to submit sites and just going with a smaller, more intimate list of my favorite places. Sections of this site, such as Mousellany, hardly ever get updated so I may consolidate sections and have a more narrow focus going forward.

One of my "Flickr friends" recently left a comment on a photo saying, "thanks for bringing Disneyland close to me :)" It is this sentiment that makes me want to continue sharing my Disney experiences with others and continues to drive me to keep this site up and running. I'm sure there are many people who lament our lack of updates and may question where all the good Disney sites have gone as well. Hopefully, we're still here. We're just waiting for a little extra time in our day to return to greatness.

Matt

I Passed the M.A.T.



It's strange that just a couple of days ago I mention on this very blog that I still have recurring dreams of working at the Disney Store and now today I've passed a test that will allow me to pursue my "dream job" - that of Chief Magic Official. Haven't heard of this position? Then you must not have seen the press release that was issued today.

"We're looking for that perfect someone to serve alongside our talented Cast of dream makers," said Craig Dezern, Vice President, Global Public Relations, Disney Parks. "The CMO will serve as an ambassador of dreams to help create the magic that only Disney can bring to its guests."

Apparently, as part of the (Second) Year of a Million (and More) Dreams at Disney Parks, they are looking for someone to travel to various functions on behalf of the Disney Company and spread pixie dust and good cheer to all the guests they encounter. It is sponsored by CareerBuilder.com and seems to be a guest ambassadorship in the same vein that there were guest Jungle Cruise skippers and guest Haunted Mansion cast members during a similar contest last year. If you pass the M.A.T., you can then film a 1-minute video telling the world why you should be the C.M.O.

I haven't decided whether I'm going to do the video part. I have a couple of ideas but at least one or two of them can't be submitted because the rules say so ("Music cannot be included in any Online Entry submitted. Any Online Entry submitted with music will be disqualified.") If I am going to apply, I have to do it soon. The contest closes in less than 18 days.

Honestly, it sounds like it could be a lot of fun. I'd certainly love to give it a try but as it is only a part-time job, I'm afraid it would be impossible to give up my present position and difficult to arrange for vacation to accommodate all of the travel and appearance required as part of the gig.

For additional information about the CMO search and to apply, visit www.DreamCMO.com. Good Luck!

Matt

Ever, Ever After

Driving to Kathy's parents' house for our weekly Sunday dinner, we were listening to the soundtrack for Enchanted. After hearing Carrie Underwood's "Ever, Ever After," Kathy asked me if I thought there'd be a sequel to the movie. I told her that I hoped not. My feeling is that when they say or imply at the end of the movie that "they all lived happily ever after" that it should mean that they didn't experience additional drama or conflict that would warrant a sequel.

I don't necessarily hate sequels. I enjoyed National Treasure: Book of Secrets nearly as much as the original and will probably go see the third movie in the series, which was very much hinted at in the current film. I'm looking forward to seeing another Indiana Jones film next summer. And I loved the continuing saga spelled out in the Star Wars trilogy.

But I really seem to dislike some of the sequels that Disney has produced in recent years, especially to many of their animated films. The company is promoting the re-release of the direct-to-video sequel of Cinderella right now. This is one release that is exactly the type of anti-ever after attitude that bugs me.

Was Fox and the Hound so loved that it necessitated a sequel? What prompted the need for 101 Dalmatians II? Aladdin II & III? Atlantis: Milo's Return? Bambi II? Brother Bear 2? Cinderella II & III? The Hunchback Of Notre Dame II? The Jungle Book 2? Lady And The Tramp II? The Lion King 1 1/2 & 2? The Little Mermaid II? Pocahontas II? Return To Never Land? Stitch! The Movie, Lilo & Stitch 2 & Leroy & Stitch? Tarzan II? Even Toy Story 2?

Marketing always played up these sequels as a way to provide viewers (read: children) a chance to reconnect with their favorite characters in brand new adventures. And while I don't doubt that there are enough "viewers" who would fall into that category to have these releases become quite financially popular, many of these same "viewers" also simply ask to have the original movie replayed a thousand times.

I feel that many of these direct-to-video sequels really do harm the Disney brand with their inherent cheapness -- weak story, bad animation, sub par songs, etc. Though Toy Story 2 might have been one that was good enough to warrant being booked in the theaters, I'm not necessarily thrilled about the prospect of a theatrical Toy Story 3 or Monsters, Inc. 2 or Finding Nemo 2 that I've heard rumored.

I'm glad to know that John Lasseter asked Disney CEO Bob Iger to stop making these cheapquels when he took over the reigns of Feature Animation and that Iger agreed, but I have to admit that I was rather surprised to know that Cinderella II is getting a re-issue anyway -- and as a "Special Edition." And that a slate of Pixar movies still have planned sequels -- though as non-Fairy Tales, perhaps that's not as egregious.

But just let me have my ever after. Let me think that the characters who had to overcome whatever obstacles to get to the original endings truly did live that happy, uncomplicated life. I really don't want to know that there's some new danger in Andalasia that's going to require Giselle and Robert to hop down a manhole to return and right whatever wrong needs fixing. Let me believe that there is an end to the story and let me enjoy having gotten there. As Walt Disney said once in reference to sequels, "You can't top pigs with pigs."

Matt

Baby, It's Cold Outside

As a cold, winter storm hits Southern California, I do what any native son would do -- I make ice cream. Well, maybe not necessarily ice cream per se but a very close relative -- the Dole Whip. Yum!

You see, I love frozen treats. And you may have read about my affliction to the pineappley goodness of a Dole Whip in my "Ode to a Dole Whip" poem I posted earlier this year. So it made sense -- to me anyway -- to enjoy one on this rainy night.

One major problem that needed to be overcome is that I'm not a fan of doing Disneyland in the rain. But I am now able to overcome that hurdle because I am the proud owner of a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker from Williams-Sonoma, which I received as a birthday present from my very thoughtful wife.

The instruction manual came with some recipes for vanilla and mint & chip varieties of ice cream but I decided that I needed to use it first to make the aforementioned Dole Whip. I had the recipe at one time but no longer did so I searched online for one. I found a good one from a well-respected place -- Dole. On its website, the company has the recipe for a Pineapple Icee Whip. The description and ingredients sounded about right so I had to try it.

Kathy had gotten the ingredients during her last trip to the grocery store. I decided to try a half recipe since it looked like it might produce more Dole Whip than my ice cream maker could handle.

I put the crushed pineapple, sugar, lemon juice, lime juice and pineapple juice in the blender to try to make it as liquidy smooth as possible. Placing this batch in my pre-frozen bowl, I started the mixing and freezing process. I'd add some heavy whipping cream to it and watched it spin its magic for the next 20 minutes or so.

The taste and consistency was pretty close to the Disneyland treat that I love. It was pretty simple to make -- and judging by the instructions, anyone can make it, though it will probably take longer than the half an hour I spent re-creating it in my ice cream maker.

I'll get to other ice cream flavors in good time but there's nothing like warming up to a frosty Dole Whip on a cold day. It is a slice of the tropics melting in your mouth and it makes me think of warmer days hanging out in Adventureland at Disneyland or visiting Kathy's relatives in Hawaii.

Such yummy goodness!
Matt

Disney Dreaming

Well, yesterday we met up with an old friend that we worked with at the Disney Store and today we met up with an old friend that I worked with at the Disney Store.

Our last hurrah before our vacations end, we decided to visit the Glendale Galleria to do some shopping. Glendale is home to the world's first Disney Store and the location of the last Store that I worked for before leaving the magical world of Disney as an employee. We got there a little before opening and when the gates were pulled back and we were allowed to enter, I saw before me one of my old assistant managers.

Ed was wearing "civilian" clothes but I knew he must have had a reason to be there since he was on the inside of the gates before they opened. I didn't know that he was the store manager - a title he seemed to take with a good deal of pride - and he was in the middle of inventory prep, which explained the attire. I hadn't seen him for a few years since he left the Ventura store where he had served as manager so it was good to see him again. Since then, he married his long-time girlfriend who I had also worked with at Glendale. So I guess you can say that the two of them were "started by a mouse" as well.

I asked how things were at the Disney Store under Children's Place rather than Disney and he mentioned that while things were probably similar for the guest, operationally things were better now. He thought the product was better and less expensive though he concluded that retail was retail. He seemed happy with where he was, which was nice to hear.

After leaving the mall later that morning, Kathy asked if I had any interest in going back and working at the Disney Store. I really don't -- and said so -- but then Kathy reminded me of my recurring dreams that I have working there.

I have two sets of recurring dreams. The first, I am back in high school needing to complete a course or two in order to graduate, even though I have -- and am aware that I have -- my college degree. The second is that I find myself thrust back into working at the Disney Store though I am usually lacking some piece of my costume, making me feel that I'm not ready to properly serve the guests. Sometimes it is my sweater that I'm missing. Sometimes I'm wearing the wrong shoes or the wrong pants.

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to work for Disney again but I definitely don't see myself back at the Disney Store. I guess it was always my dream to work for Disney and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to make that dream a reality. Since leaving the Disney Store, I've tried to hire on at a few positions but never have gotten the job after interviewing. A couple of times it wound up being a good thing as those divisions were cut and I would have been without work. And though disappointing, the other ones that didn't pan out were probably better off for me in the long run since I'm now able to be a work-from-home dad taking care of Chelsea at my present position.

And while knowing that it is better for my family to be doing what I'm doing right now, the last time the Disney bug bit me was this past summer when I was able to visit the Disney Studio as part of a Triviateer Reunion. One of the highlights was visiting the new Archives Library, which is a resource available to any Disney employee who wants to come in and read books, watch DVDs and play the latest Disney video game. It is a Disney geek oasis with tons of cool artifacts, props and documents all throughout the office space. I'm envious of anyone who is able to take advantage of such a great resource.

I have no idea why I dream the recurring dreams that I do. I see no need to return to high school since I properly matriculated more than 15 years ago. And I won't be returning to the Disney Store anytime soon either.

But I guess I do hold out hope that one day I might find an ideal position within the Walt Disney Company again where I can contribute my skills in a positive way and that I can once again enjoy the privileges and honor of working for Disney. It was always a dream of mine to work for Disney and one that I realized by working at the Disney Store for more than 8 years. Who knows? Maybe there will be a recurrence of that dream and I'll find myself as a cast member once more?

Matt

Dinner with an Old Friend

Tonight, Kathy, Chelsea and I got together with Donna to celebrate birthdays and Christmas by exchanging gifts and going out to dinner. If the old Girl Scout saying, "Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold," rings true, then Donna is our most golden joint friend.

We met Donna 16 years ago when we hired on at the Disney Store in Northridge, where she had already been working a couple years. Amazingly, she still works there having survived yet another retail Christmas. I admire her devotion to the Mouse.

We've seen her kids grow up. Donna's mom has been our benefactor, allowing us to stay at her timeshare at Old Key West for our honeymoon at Walt Disney World. She's rooted for me during Disney trivia contests and I've rooted for her. We've taken trips together to Disneyland and gone together to the movies to watch the latest Disney flick.

It's been nice having a good friend to share my Disney obsession with. Old school mates may have tolerated my interest in Disney and Kathy probably humors me more than anything. I still keep in contact with several of my Triviateer friends but distance keeps us from hanging out very often. So when I visit Donna at her house and see her display cases full of Disneyana and look at her bookshelf with nearly as many Disney books as I have, it is a comforting, reassuring feeling. Next to Donna, my interest in Disney seems comparatively mild.

I'm not the most social person and I don't do enough sometimes to keep in touch with old friends, so it is especially satisfying to still have a friend like Donna in our lives. Our friendship was "started by a mouse" and continues to be a fun and fulfilling relationship. I'm glad that after having a chance to see her kids grow up that she'll have a chance to see our little girl do the same. And I'm glad that we'll have the chance to enjoy many more dinners with our old friend Donna.

Matt

That Didn't Take Long



Well, it is only the second day of 2008 and we've already taken our first trip to the Disneyland Resort. It was a beautiful Southern California day with temperatures in the 70s, blue skies and wispy clouds. Gotta love our version of winter.

Going to Disneyland with Chelsea has changed the way we visit the park. We definitely try to do things that she can enjoy, which has meant spending a lot more time in Fantasyland than ever before. Chelsea loves riding the horses of the King Arther Caroussel. We try to do Dumbo before it gets too busy, though today the line was already rather long and Chelsea decided she didn't want to wait. So it was off to it's a small world for one last ride before it goes down for a lengthy rehab.

After spending the morning in Disneyland, we usually head over to DCA for some lunch and a couple other "must-do" attractions. In addition to riding round in circles on King Arthur Caroussel, we also must do a spin on King Triton's Caroussel as well. And before we leave for the day, we must take in a performance of Playhouse Disney featuring Chelsea's favorite character - JoJo. She absolutely LOVES Playhouse Disney and knows when the streamers are going to fly, when bubbles will be blown down upon our heads, and when Bear, JoJo and Winnie the Pooh all make their appearances. For a 20-month-old, she has a great memory. I don't know how she's going to react when they change the attraction to feature newer characters and JoJo is no longer going to make an appearance.

Walt Disney's idea of creating a place where parents and children can have fun together has really become our family's reality. I once would have laughed at the idea of waiting half an hour to ride Dumbo but today will gladly wait to hear my little girl yell "Whee" as we take off and spin over Fantasyland. Kathy hated Playhouse Disney because it took over the location where her favorite restaurant - Soap Opera Bistro - once stood. She swore she'd never set foot in the place and yet now we can't imagine not taking Chelsea there for her to bounce like Tigger and yell "Bye" when JoJo leaves the stage.

I've visited Disneyland hundreds of times before we had Chelsea and I'll visit it hundreds of times with Chelsea. It's amazing that it can be the same place and yet a completely different place. Seeing Disneyland through the eyes of your child is a magical experience. Chelsea's sense of wonder and enjoyment of the all-encompassing atmosphere is remarkable. She's so afraid she's going to miss something that she fights taking a nap with all her might.

I'm glad that I can share my favorite place in the world with her. Our annual passes expire in a few weeks but there's no way we're going to let the fun run out. With the ability to go whenever we want, we don't have to spend the whole day running commando around the park like I did when I was younger. And having our admission already paid for allows us an easy opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and experiences of a Disneyland getaway.

Our first visit to Disneyland in 2008 most certainly will not be our last. We look forward to taking advantage of lots of beautiful Southern California days in the coming year, heading down the I-5 to Anaheim so that we can experience all the "Whee" moments and Tigger bounces we can.

Matt

Happy 2008!

I can't believe that it is a new year already! I don't have a clue as to where 2007 went. It was a great year though. As busy as I was taking care of Chelsea as a work-from-home dad, I've treasured the past 365 days I've been able to do it. She has become her own person with a great sense of humor and a truly independent spirit. She is a handful but being a dad has been a great experience.

There are days, weeks and months when I don't know if I'm going to find the time to breathe and unfortunately it has meant that this site has suffered. I don't think that I'll ever have the opportunity to return to what I was hoping to become - a full-fledged news, information and opinion portal into the world of Disney. Wallpaper of the Week has become Wallpaper of the Whenever. The biggest question posed around here has become when am I ever going to post another trivia contest? The discussion boards are about as lively as a cemetery.

And yet I'm not ready to let it all go. There's still a plethora of information from when we were doing more frequent posting and I'm still making enough money from ads and affiliate sales to cover the costs of hosting that information. So I will continue keeping StartedByAMouse.com up and running into the new year - and hopefully beyond.

Not to go all Doogie Howser and all but I'm hoping that perhaps the most updated section of the site will be this Blog Ride you're reading right now. I hate New Year's resolutions so I won't call it that but I'm hoping to sit down at the keyboard as often as once a day and pound out my thoughts about life - hopefully more Disney-related than not but maybe my thoughts will wander elsewhere. Maybe this grand experiment will last two days before I give up on it. Who knows? But I'd like to give it a try.

This may signify nothing. Business as usual. A new post every so often. Or it may signify a shift further away from a journalist-type Disney site to a more personal-viewpoint site. Or I may find time and inspiration to re-focus my energy on getting this back into the stratosphere of the hundreds of other Disney sites that soldier on each day. Like I said, who knows?

Hopefully, in 2008, we'll continue frequent trips to the Disneyland Resort and I might have some pictures or commentary from these visits to share. Maybe we'll take a trip east to Walt Disney World this year - Chelsea's first and our first in about five years. Maybe I'll catch a Disney movie in a theater, on DVD or on cable and write up a review. Maybe I'll buy Chelsea a Disney toy that she thinks is the bee's knees. Who knows?

But what I do know is that my family and I are happy and healthy and I'm thankful to everyone who visits - whether to check to see if there's something new or because a search engine directed you here. A new year is full of new possibilities. So I'm turning the calendar page anew and wiping the slate clean as I try to revive this moribund website and turn it into something again. What exactly that is, who knows? But let's see where the attempt takes us.

Happy 2008!
Matt