Day 591: Kids from Wisconsin

Tonight, or rather a few nights ago, I had the pleasure of heading to one of my favorite summer shows: Kids from Wisconsin. I saw the group a couple years ago when I went with my Camp and absolutely LOVED IT, so when one of my college friends became a part of the group this year, I was more than excited to go see it.

For those of you who aren't from Wisconsin or don't know what Kids from Wisconsin is, it's a group of basically college age kids who tour around our state every summer to perform a complete show filled with music of all kinds. There's 20 singers and then a band that backs them up (Go Jessica on Piano!!!), and they perform literally everything from musicals to jazz to current popular music.

So you can bet that there's always a couple of Disney moments in the show.

This year, and by far my favorite part of the show, they performed their today's hits section, which of course had to feature Let It Go from Frozen, because seriously, that song is everywhere. I think I've had the lyrics memorized since November or so and despite the fact that I do love Tangled more, I have a Frozen dress and am just totally pumped for the addition on OUAT.

But the Disney didn't end there.

Later on they were doing a tribute to the Tony's, featuring songs that were nominated or won there, and you can't have a musical montage without a little Mary Poppins and Newsies.

It's funny, actually. My roommate from this last year loved Newsies, or rather, she loves Newsies, and at some point during the school year I watched it for myself. Now, I don't really know all the words or anything, but I do love that musical, and now I have Megan hooked on it too. So from one Megan to another, the musicals go.

Seriously though, although their tour is pretty much over for this summer, if you ever have a chance to go see Kids from Wisconsin, DO IT! It's sooooo worth it because they're one of the best musical groups I've seen, and it's different every single year!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 18).

Day 590: Chuck

Apparently, amongst the numerous TV shows I'm already addicted to (literally, I need to do something more productive with my life than freak out about OUAT), my new roommates decided that I seriously need to watch the TV show Chuck. "It's only 5 seasons" they said, "It's the best show ever" they said, "You'll love it they said!"

Well, all of those statements were pretty darn true.

So here I am, addicted to yet another TV show. Maybe that's why I need a life. I watch too much TV.

But that's all besides the point because we're here to talk about Chuck, and how this is literally one of the best shows I've watched in years. It's kind of comforting knowing that I can binge watch the entire series basically without having to wait eternities for new episodes (I should have thought OUAT through more), but at the same time, it's a little scary knowing that we'll finish the five seasons and then all cry because it's over.

I don't know which is more painful.

For those of you who have yet to experience Chuck, here's a run down. Basically, this guy named Chuck (played by the one and only Zachary Levi...more on that in a minute), has some super secret government spy information stuck in his head, and he has to become a spy because of it, despite the fact that he fixes computers for a living as a part of the Nerd Herd. If high speed car chases and top secret missions isn't enough to get you to watch, there's also a ton of references to other fandoms, especially Star Wars, which I enjoy tons.

And if THAT isn't enough, let's return to the fact that it stars ZACHARY LEVI. You know, the guy who voiced FLYNN RIDER? Yeah, him. He's been on my favorite actor list for a while, and seriously, it's tough to get and stay on that list recently. Once dominates it. And to get me addicted to a show after like one episode? That's an entirely different feat.

So if you need me now, I'll just be over here wondering how long I have until I can watch the next episode, since I'm watching it with my roommates. We have to bond somehow you know! ;)

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 18).

Day 589: Never Had a Friend Like You

It isn't often that we come across an event that basically stops the world from running. One where it makes us all slow down and think about our lives and those we love and, in this case, our childhoods. Some of the more prominent world stopping stories include 9/11, or Pearl Harbor or the death of JFK. More recently we could probably say we all know what we were doing when we heard about the death of Michael Jackson, and now we can, sadly, add another name to that list.

If it's any indication as to how much I personally loved Robin Williams, here's a bit of a clue. My all time favorite actor isn't Colin O'Donoghue, much as you might think, but rather Harrison Ford. I have at least 12 of his films in my personal collection apart from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, meaning that I have more of his movies than I have of any other actor. But Robin Williams comes in second, with at least 5 that I can think of off the top of my head, and I intend to include at least two more as soon as possible, favorites that I loved to watch on television but never got around to adding to my collection.

Over a year ago, a different actor's death broke headlines, that of Cory Monteith. I happen to remember where I was when that story broke as well, although I think it would be pretty easy to remember I was at Disney. And I remember the date because it also happens to be Harrison Ford's birthday. But that honestly didn't affect me like this news has. Some of my friends talk about how Cory's death DID affect them more, but for me, Robin Williams was that guy that I think we all kind of thought would live forever. He brought us all so much joy, and I can't help but smile every single time I'm on the Great Movie Ride and he says "Good Morning Vietnam." I know I'll probably end up crying next time I go on it.

Other than that, I'm not really sure what to say. Robin was a great man, always making us laugh, and it breaks my heart to know that he wasn't laughing with us. But I did read a really great tweet yesterday that said "If there's any thunder tonight it's just Robin Williams making God laugh," and I like to think that, if there was thunder last night, that was the case.

The world lost a legend yesterday, and so I encourage you all to go out and watch your favorite Robin Williams movie. Mine happens to be Hook, with Robin playing the good old bangarang Peter Pan, although there are plenty of movies out there of his that I love and adore. Whether I'll be able to get through any of them without crying, I don't know, but it's just still heartbreaking. I remember saying that although my least favorite Disney movie is Aladdin, there's one thing I loved about it, and that was Robin Williams. The only thing that made that movie watchable for me. Because to be truthful, he was one of a kind.

And we'll never have a friend like him again.

Carpe Diem everyone.

Have a magical day!

Day 588: Not So Frozen Summer Fun

Raise your hand if you're not at Disney and that makes you incredible angry!

(Unless you actually are at Disney you better be raising your hand).

Seriously, nothing is worse than being stuck at home or at school when at Walt Disney World you know that people are experiencing Frozen Summer Fun at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's been going on for some time now, and since I personally have yet to have my chance meeting Anna and Elsa, it makes me pretty darn sad. I love Frozen just like everybody else, although as I've said before, Tangled will always win in my heart. I'll race across half a park to meet Flynn Rider but I'm not going to wait two hours to meet Anna and Elsa. Thanks very much.

But that doesn't mean I don't want to experience Frozen Summer Fun with the rest of you! I've been seeing pictures since the beginning (a hazard of following so many Disney Instagramers), and gosh it looks spectacular. And KRISTOFF. KRISTOFF PEOPLE. KRISTOFF.

I think the one I'm most jealous of though is the Frozen Fireworks Spectacular. It isn't very often that there are fireworks at Hollywood Studios, and while I've had some super amazing experiences when it comes to fireworks there, it's just not the same sitting here at home. I mean, all I'm asking is for someone to send me to Disney for a Day so I can see this stuff.

Or, alternatively, you could send me a baby Sven stuffed animal. Those things are ADORABLE.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 23).

Day 587: Hot Topic

You know what's a problem in life? I do. It's called "Disney makes clothing and merchandise for children but not for us teenagers who are probably just as obsessed if not more obsessed than those children." And there's no better example of this than the Frozen craze. You can hardly find adult size Frozen shirts, or at least ones that look great, anywhere, and it's a frustrating thing, it really, truly is. All we want is to sport our favorite Frozen characters and showcase our love of the film. That's not a crime, right?

Well, it's ok, because recently I discovered, or realized more like, the answer to all our problems.

Hot Topic.

I don't really know why I never thought about this before, or why I hardly ever went in the store in the first place, but I know how it occurred to me. A while back they had a Captain Hook T-Shirt from Once Upon A Time. Yes, Colin's face was on a T-Shirt. I can't even imagine what that must be like for him. I mean, I had no intention of actually buying the shirt because it just isn't my style (I can look at Colin all day, I don't need to wear a shirt with him on it too).

But the shirt DID cause me to venture into Hot Topic, and it changed my life forever.

Recently, I bought a new Frozen Dress, as well as a Peter Pan shirt and gosh I am just so excited about it and a little afraid for my wallet since I'm totally going to spend half my non-existent paycheck there. Just go look on the website in the Disney section. I died. How about someone just gets me like all of that?

Now we just need to get stuff like this for sale all over the place.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 23).

Day 586: Disney Rewatch

I figured I should at least give an update on where I stand with my rewatch of all the classic Disney animated movies, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Frozen. It's about the third or fourth time I've attempted to do this and I have say that I'm pretty darn proud of myself because this is the furthest I've gotten.

Currently, my next film is The Aristocats. Previously, I think I got to Alice in Wonderland and then stopped, so this is a welcome goal so far, but I am pretty determined to finish this out. The only problem is now I'm back at school and it's a bit harder to watch movies all the time. I'm going to make it work though, even if I have to go a week or two without a movie because I'm so busy. Once I finish catching up on this blog things will get a little bit better though, so that's going to be nice. I mean, I still have plenty of work to do (I should go make a To-Do list before I forget...), but I'm going to have to just figure it out and be as productive as possible.

That's beside the point though. I have to say that so far in the Disney Rewatch I've uncovered some gems that I totally forgot I even liked, because there are obviously those Disney films you love and the ones you don't love quite as much, but sometimes we forget about which ones fall into which category.

Of course, I always love Lady and the Tramp, so that was a pleasure to get to watch, because seriously I can't watch that movie too many times. And Bambi was really great too, as was Cinderella. I'm not even that far into the Rewatch and already I have new favorites. Something tells me this isn't good for the question "What's your favorite Disney movie?"

Otherwise, I'm excited for what's ahead and continuing the entire Rewatch. It's complicated because I'm also rewatching Once Upon A Time, so that's another hour a day and I just can't spare three hours of TV time lately, but hey, we're making progress, right?

Oh, and I'm super excited to watch Robin Hood. Haven't seen that one in AGES.

If you want to follow along with my Rewatch or join me, feel free to do so! I post a picture on my Instagram every time I watch one of the films, so you'll know exactly where I am at any given time!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 23).

Day 585: Tour Guide in Training

Contrary to what you might think, I actually don't spend every single day in the Music Lobby at SNC. But I do spend a heck of a lot of time here, especially since my internet at home will work great one minute and then completely crash the next. It's a struggle. And it's real.

But today is one of the days that I am taking up residence in the music lobby here, and it's funny, because I get to see a lot of different people in my hours spent in this chair. I mean, I'm working on my laptop pretty much all the time, so I can't always stop and talk, especially since the majority of the people I see I don't even know, but once and a while I'll set the laptop aside and chat. 

And again, today is one of those days. 

I'm not a tour guide here. I probably should be because it would be great for me and I am pretty darn good at answering questions. But there's so much to memorize. Either way, I'll probably end up with that job sooner or later, and today only strengthens that idea in my mind. 

So I'm just sitting here, clicking away at my computer like I generally do, when a man and his daughter appear at the other end of the lobby (I'm on the far end, so you kind of have to go around the corner to even see me). People actually do this all the time. I mean, tours go through, and people ask about the music program, which is all in this building, and if you're going to be a music major you'll probably want to see the music building. But these people weren't on a tour, and stopped to ask me questions. 

This has never happened before. 

But I absolutely loved talking to you guys (if you ever actually read this...know that you totally inspired me to be a tour guide here on campus, and I really hope you decide to come to school here! We're a spectacular bunch of people). I mean, I am a music major after all, and surprisingly I have an actual grip on what classes you have to take and when, even if I'm a performance major and not an education major. 

What does this all have to do with Disney you ask? Well it turns out that I would also LOVE to be a tour guide in the parks. I know so much already and memorizing information about Disney and then sharing the magic with other people sounds pretty darn amazing. I guess we'll see where that goes though. Maybe someday, depending on how long I work in the parks versus going off to pursue that career with Disney Performing Arts. That's what's going to make the difference here, I can tell that already. 

But hey, if anyone ever has questions about Disney or anything else just let me know. I'm always more than happy to answer them! 

Have a magical day!