Day 1459: Keep on Singing

I can't believe that this is the second of these posts I'll be writing this week. 

I don't think I realized how much I needed Debbie Reynolds until the first time I watched Singin' in the Rain. Prior to a few years ago, I guess I hadn't really paid any attention to the film that would, quite literally, change my life. And then one fateful day while riding The Great Movie Ride, I made a decision to watch some of the old films featured in the attraction. Now I'm on a personal mission to watch all of the AFI Top 100 films and any others featured in the original Great Movie Ride Film (so the one previous to what's there now), but that's kind of beside the point. 

When I did watch Singin' in the Rain for the first time, I was absolutely enchanted. There's no other way to describe it. The music, the color, the characters, the dancing, everything. What was once just some movie about singing in the rain somehow rose above all the others, and at some point, it became my all time favorite movie. I'm still not entirely sure when that happened. 

But Singin' in the Rain did so much more than become my favorite movie. I once heard a story about how Gene Kelly once insulted Debbie for not being able to dance, because prior to filming she had next to no dance experience. You'd never know with the way she performs on screen, and that idea alone helped give me the courage to audition for Knights on Broadway. I figured that if Debbie had no dance experience and could accomplish something like Singin' in the Rain, I could accomplish something like being a member of Knights on Broadway, where I too had to do a bit of dancing, so you'd better bet that every second on stage I was channeling my inner Debbie Reynolds. 

Singin' in the Rain was the very first movie I put in the box to bring to college. When my brother complained about me taking it, I immediately ordered him a copy of his own to keep at home so we'd never be without the film. 

At some point in high school, I learned every last word of the film, and I can still remember dancing around the band room on one of my last days there while Debbie and Gene mirrored us on the giant screen. 

To this day, Singin' in the Rain is my cure for even the worst day. My friends all know this, and haven't hesitated to put it on or play or sing one of the songs just to make my smile. 

The night I became an official member of Knights on Broadway we had a discussion at dinner about our favorite musicals and what role we'd most like to play - I said without hesitation Singin' in the Rain and Kathy Selden. 

But this goes far beyond Singin' in the Rain. Where Carrie was my courage and my commitment to be the person I want to be, Debbie was my inspiration. These two wonderful women encouraged me to reach for the stars, take risks, and remind myself that we're all a work in progress. We can only start from where we are right now, and if that starting place is one without Debbie and Carrie, then we'll just have to keep going and strive to uphold the legacy that they so deserve. 

It seems almost redundant now to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the family, but they are, especially with Billie. I can't even imagine what this feels like for her, but I do know that Debbie and Carrie are together again, the way they always wanted to be. 

Although something tells me that Carrie is cursing her mother for stealing her thunder. 

We'll miss you both, forever and always. Keep singing and dancing, even from the stars. 

Have a magical day! 

Day 1168: Dignity, Always Dignity

I definitely have Disney to thank for my love of Singin' in the Rain. After all, if it weren't for The Great Movie Ride, I probably wouldn't have decided to watch the film at all, even if the songs are pretty catch and much more well known than I originally realized. Really though, I could watch this movie every day for the rest of my life and still never tire of it. It makes me want to sing, it makes me want to dance, and it definitely makes me want to go back to the 1920s. However, while watching the film the other day, I realized that there were more than a few lessons between the notes of this film that we all need to keep in mind throughout life. 

"Dignity, always dignity" is quickly represented as an important line of the film, and it may just be one of the most important. It, along with the background music of "Fit as a Fiddle" reminds us that we can't all be the greatest musician, actor, or person straight off. We're going to fall into deep pits of despair and failure at some point, but as Don reminds us, as long as we keep our dignity, things are going to be alright. The hard work you put in now will pay off in the long run. 

"Make 'em laugh" is sort of a universal truth, because laughter really is the best medicine. It's one of the best ways to cheer a person up, and it never fails to make something more entertaining. If we embrace a little more humor in our lives, maybe we'd all be happier and more willing to make others laugh. I don't think we all need to roll around on the floor with a doll, but sitting on a piano is a good way to start. 

Cosmo and Don hold a special place in my heart too, because around I constantly hear the joke about "don't forget the little people when you're off becoming rich and famous." The truth is, I have no anticipation of becoming rich or famous, although I suppose a little extra money wouldn't hurt. However, even if, by some fluke of fate, I do find myself in front of the cameras, you'd better believe that my friends and family will be right next to me. 

Don't forget to dance and sing in the rain. I said a moment ago that Dignity might be the most important lesson here, but really nothing can surpass the simple fact that we all need to remember to have fun. Life is a lot of work, whether it be blogging, going to class, sitting at a desk job, or working at a Disney park. But it won't seem like work all the time if we remember to make it fun and do a little singing and dancing along the way. 

There are tons of other lessons in Singin' in the Rain, but for now, I'm going to go hope that this snow turns into rain so I have something to dance in. Dancing in snow just isn't as fun because it's cold and you usually end up falling on your face...but then again...dignity. Always dignity. 

Have a magical day! 

Day 105: Little Things: FBLA Edition

Once again, I'm writing at a later date, but this one really does have reference to particular day and experiences I had! On the day this article was supposed to be written (and is dated as such), I was smack dab in the middle of my Future Business Leaders of America state competition...which is, was, and would be my final FBLA competition...unless I go back to help next year, but this was it for competing.

Anyway, we spent three days at Wisconsin Dells for the event, and there were several little things present throughout those days that really had references to Disney. The last time I did a "little things" post was back in January, when I talked about the references in my Physics class...but I realize now that "Little Things" could be somewhat of a normal post, because in reality, there are many small details in our lives that remind us of Disney...at least there are for those who are as into the company and parks as I am.

So here's a few things at the FBLA State Leadership Conference that reminded me of Disney:

Off the top of my head, one of the first I can think of was one of the buses we were on. The Dells Center, where all the large events were held, was about a half mile to a mile away, so we had bus shuttling for when we needed to be over there...meaning that multiple times a day we would all crowd onto a school bus for a short trip down a very narrow winding road. It really wasn't all that bad, especially since one time we got on the bus and I immediately thought of two things, and then told my best friend the thoughts that had entered my head. The smell was distinct, and it reminded me of nothing more than a combination of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Spaceship Earth. I don't really know how to describe this smell, other than there was a hint of BBQ sauce stuck in there...but it certainly got my attention and made me think of Disney.

While I didn't take the test itself, a few of my friends competed in an open event and told me there was a question about Disney on the test. I'm honestly not sure what the question was, or if I'd even be allowed to post it online if I did know, but there was a question, and I thought that was really awesome...even if I didn't see it for myself.

My best friend and I also made a small reference to Singin' in the Rain every once and a while. Pretty much every time we were on the bus we started singing Moses from the song...which was just awesome...and each morning we woke to Good Morning playing on my phone. Originally we were going to watch Sleeping Beauty and Brother Bear, but since that didn't happen, it doesn't really count much more than we thought about it.

But I think the most I thought of Disney was with the customer service of the hotel. I'm not saying the hotel was terrible, it was quite enjoyable, but I realized just how many things there are at Disney that we take for granted. The internet was terrible where we were staying, a far cry from the free wifi that works great everywhere on Disney property (especially in the hotels...where it is honestly faster than my wired internet at home...and think! They provide internet for every guest on property...which is way more than any other hotel). Along with this, when we first arrived, we had a group of 15 people and four carts of luggage, and were told that our room wasn't ready and that we wouldn't be able to check in until later...even if our bus was leaving and we had nothing else to do. Now, Disney has similar policies, but it reminded me of when I did go to Disneyland a couple of years ago, and one of my favorite memories was made when we were told our room was ready, traveled up multiple floors and found that it wasn't. We headed back to the lounge and got upgraded to a park view room for free. To this day I wouldn't want to stay in any other room than a park view room at Paradise Pier. I loved seeing World of Color every single night (it is, in every way, my favorite part of Disneyland). That was awesome of Disney to do, and our hotel this past weekend did nothing but argue with our adviser  Every visitor at Disney is a guest, and nothing less. They get the best quality, and if they don't, there's someone there to try and make it more magical anyway.

I'm sure there were a few other things at FBLA that really reminded me of Disney, but those are the main ones in my head, at least at the moment! I can't say for sure if there will be more "Little Things" posts, but something tells me they will make an appearance again.

Here's today's Disney History: 1962: Voice actor Tom Kane is born Thomas Roberts is Overland Park, Kansas. Best known as the voices of Yoda and Admiral Yularen in the TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as of 2012 Kane is the new narrator aboard Walt Disney World's monorail system. His Disney credits also include episodes of Kim Possible.

Have a magical day!

Day 103: Singin' In the Rain

I'm kind of surprised I haven't talked about this yet, and since the April Showers have finally started here in Wisconsin, it was about time to pull out this movie and write a blog post on it.

There is no movie like Singin' in the Rain. I'm not really sure how one couldn't like this movie...since I honestly feel it is one of the best movies I have ever had the pleasure of watching. It's certainly something everyone should see in their lifetime...and I don't suggest waiting, because I know I always want to watch it again and again.

I guess you could say the reason I watched it in the first place was because of Disney, and that's how it ties in. In the Great Movie Ride, very near the beginning, there is a scene from the film, when Gene Kelly is singing in the rain. There are also some clips of the film stuck into the montage at the end, and while I always got the song stuck in my head (I sang "Singin' In the Rain" for a concert type performance a few years ago), I never actually watched the movie until a few years ago.

Now it seems I have everyone hooked...well, at least my best friend and I, who both agree that our favorite character is Cosmo and our favorite songs are "Good Morning" and "Moses." Honestly, we go around quoting all day long, randomly bursting into "Moses Supposes his toeses are Roses, But Moses supposes Erroneously, but Moses he knowses his toeses aren't roses, as Moses supposes his toeses to be!" That is probably one of the most difficult things to type out, but the way. I think it's harder to write out than it is to actually say it!

I also feel it's worth noting that Carrie Fisher's mom, Debbie Reynolds, stars in this film, and it's just awesome to see her and see where Carrie came from. Plus it helps explain that time Princess Leia was singing in the Star Wars Holiday Special...but like always, that's a post for another day. 

Either way, this is a great film, and a must see for anyone, especially if you love movies. The history aspect is great, the songs are very very catchy (be careful...they WILL get stuck in your head), the storyline is captivating and the actors just bring it all home. Of course, there are plenty of crazy dance numbers that make you wish you knew how to dance or that you lived in the 1920's, so there's that too. 

Here's today's Disney History: 1743: Thomas Jefferson, the third United States President (and author of the Declaration of Independence), is born in Albermarle County, Virginia. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Visit Jefferson (and all the U.S. Chief Executives) at Disney World's The Hall of Presidents and Epcot's The American Adventure.

Have a magical day...and remember..Dignity. Always Dignity.