Day 1464: ApprenticeEh

I got into YouTube somewhere in the midst of high school. I remember sitting in my bedroom late at night, going from one video to the next, laughing, crying, and reveling in each new production I saw. Some videos seemed simple, others next to impossible to create, and each one absolutely unique and spectacular. I wouldn't learn until part way through college just how difficult and rewarding and challenging and encouraging being a YouTuber is though.

But one of those late nights in my bedroom, I stumbled across a video I'd be sent time and time again for years, and one that still occasionally pops up in my feed - John Williams is the Man. This video, a four part a cappella medley sung by Moosebutter, was produced by Corey Vidal, and today has over 21 million views on YouTube. I've seen it probably somewhere over a few hundred times since 2008, and it introduced me to Corey and what would ultimately become one of the biggest parts of my life: YouTube.

At the time, I'd just watched Star Wars from start to finish for the first time, and suddenly this video became my favorite thing on the internet (I'd say it's still in the Top 5 for sure). It launched me into a full fledged Star Wars craze and inspired me to watch every other video by Corey and his team, which, starting in 2011, included daily vlogs and other spectacular videos that I watched religiously for years. I specifically remember how thrilled I would be whenever my comment made it into the interactions of the day, or that one time I sent a postcard from Disney and it made an appearance on the vlog (I shared that video below). ApprenticeEh, in every reality, got me through my senior year of high school and led me into college, and in addition, the team inspired me to begin creating my own vlogs.

My vlogs, of course, would take place only at Walt Disney World, but as time went on, I was inspired to create other videos as well, and to be completely honest, it was Corey Vidal and ApprenticeEh that inspired me to be a YouTuber. It looked like fun, and after a bit of messing around on my computer, I realized that I could create things too, albeit on a smaller scale. Unfortunately, as my college schedule grew busier, I ended up missing more of ApprenticeEh than I wanted to, although every so often I'd check back in and see what was up for them, and through social media I've kept up with their adventures over the past few years, all of which continue to inspire me in my own YouTuber goals.

As we continue into 2017, however, the vlogs have concluded. After six years of daily vlogging, the team made the decision to stop the daily videos, which, knowing the work and effort it takes to create daily content, is a decision I completely understand. I'll miss them though, and over the past couple of weeks, I went back to watching some of the ApprenticeEh vlogs, both new and old, and it felt distinctly like coming home. I was reminded of so many wonderful memories, and it rejuvenated my love of vlogging (which means I'm pretty excited to vlog come my trip next week).

So I guess what I'm saying is thank you - to Corey and Corrado and Saskia and everyone that's been a part of the ApprenticeEh vlogs. While I haven't been able to watch consistently for a while, it'll still be very different logging onto YouTube and not seeing the vlogs there. But six years is a huge accomplishment, and for that I congratulate you! May your next adventures be as wonderful and inspiring as the past six years have been, because trust me, even without the vlogs, I'll be following them!

Have a magical day!

Day 303: A Year of Star Wars

You know, time really does fly. In fact, I very specifically remember the day that occurred exactly a year ago. It was the day that The Walt Disney Company bought up Lucasfilm, and therefore, bought Star Wars and Indiana Jones. It was an interesting day, to say the least, on both sides of the equation.

On the negative side, a lot of people were upset about the other announcement of three new Star Wars films coming in the future. It seems that people in our world forget that Disney is more than just Mickey Mouse, and they also forget that Disney and Lucasfilm have had a long and successful relationship before this event occurred. It really surprised people, who thought that if it should go to anyone it should go to like Universal or something, or, "a company that doesn't make cartoons and fairytales."

Personally I believe that to be ridiculous. I have since the beginning. Disney has had Star Wars in the parks for a long time, and it's all been very successful, as have the Indy attractions at the different parks throughout the world. Just as Disney bought Marvel, they bought Lucasfilm, and honestly I felt that this second purchase was much less shocking. If George Lucas was ever going to sell his company, it would be ridiculous to sell it to anyone other than Disney. It just wouldn't make any sense.

And so, as you can tell, I'm happy about it. In fact, my first response wasn't happy, but was worry. I am a fan of ApprenticeEh, as you already know (although lately I've gotten behind because I've been so busy! That seriously makes me sad), and Corey is a huge Star Wars fan. In fact that's how I got into Youtube, and I've talked about all of that previously. Either way, my first question was "what will Corey think? Will he be happy? Angry? Confused?"

It was hardly 20 minutes after the announcement when this appeared:

And then once I knew that Corey was cool with it, I was relieved. Especially since I was Han Solo for last Halloween, and therefore a Disney character (just because me dressed as anything BUT a Disney character is seriously ridiculous). 

It was a pretty legit costume. 

Either way, it's kind of crazy that it's now been a year since all that happened. It feels like it was just the other day, but at the same time, thinking about how much has all happened since then, it feels like it should have been more than a year. I mean, now we've got some various news about Star Wars, such as the latest rumor that Han Solo will be returning for not one, but three films (and that in order to get HF back they are throwing another Indiana Jones into the deal!). It's all just kind of crazy!

So I guess this is kind of a birthday. Not really though, unless you count it as the birthday of the partnership between Lucasfilm and Disney. Not that that's a good way to say it either, but oh well!

Here's today's Disney History (which you already know): 2012: The Walt Disney Company announces an outlay of $4.05 billion for the purchase of the Lucasfilm company, founded by director George Lucas and the creator of franchises like "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones." Disney also reveals that it plans to create a new chapter in the famous galactic saga - "Star Wars: Episode 7" - to premiere in 2015. 

Have a magical day!

Day 124: May the Fourth be with You!

That's right everyone, today is officially STAR WARS DAY!!!!!

And now for a bunch of Star Wars randomness that is hopefully cooler then it is in my head.

First, my May the Fourth banner I made for Facebook yesterday, although it didn't go up until this morning. I had one last year too, but this one is way cooler. Granted, I did all of the work myself (although I did that last year too), and it was freezing cold out when I took the pictures (and it was raining), so that probably adds to the awesomeness I feel on my half of things.

And now, some Star Wars jokes, complete with a new video from Corey Vidal and you should all watch!

And it can't be Star Wars day without the best Star Wars character!!!

Ok, so maybe I went a little overboard on the Han Solo...but one can never have too much Han Solo...so it all works out! 

Here's today's Disney history: 2012: The Avengers, a superhero film produced by Marvel Studios, distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, and based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name, is generally released in the U.S.

Have a magical day, and may the fourth be with you...always!