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2007-03-23 - 2:53 p.m.

Woke up late today. Spent a lot of time at the Park, and it was a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows.

But first...a funny thing happened on the way to the Park (I've always wanted to say that). I had to head out DHL to ship something. On the way up - I'm heading north, here - I get stuck behind a slow-moving catering truck. You know the kind: they go to various businesses, park in the parking lot, and sell fairly fresh-cooked foods and prepackaged snacks and drinks. Well, this particular truck had its left blinker on...and never turned left. So I lane-changed around it and kept going.

Now, I've finished my work at DHL. I'm heading southbound. A catering truck turns in front of me from a parking lot. It's the same one...and the left blinker is still on.

I got the chance to pull around and let the driver know. And she just looked at me like I was the idiot.

I laughed all the way to the Park.

===

Shortly after I got there, I stopped laughing.

I had wanted to purchase a limited-edition pin at the Little Green Shop (this is the store next to Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters). Last time I was there, I didn't have the funds. This time I did. But when I got there, they were all gone.

Dejected that I'd missed my chance, I rode a few rides, walked a lot, people-watched. Then I headed to Caifornia Adventure. I wanted to ride Tower Of Terror. I am a huge fan of The Twilight Zone, and had heard they had little displays that referenced some of the episodes. I wasn't disappointed - in the lobby there were links to these two episodes, and in the "library" there's an envelope that references this one. In the exit hallway there's a display of typewriters; one has a little card that says, "Almost Types By Itself". Referencing the same ep as the typewriter, there's a display of electric razors; one has a card saying "Has A Long Cord - Can Follow You Anywhere". There's a display of old cameras; next to one it says "Takes Very Lifelike Pictures". And so on. I'm standing there giggling at the references...which is okay, because a lot of other people are laughing from the ride.

Ah, the ride. It's an out-of-control-elevator theme, and it's FUN. There's a whole Twilight Zone intro once you're seated, and then it begins. If you get the chance, brave the lines - it's worth it.

In the line in front of me, there were three teenage girls. We got into a bit of conversation. They had never even HEARD of the show. The couple behind me, however, had - and we got into a nice discussion about the show and its stars. The guy talked about how there had been many big-time stars that had gotten their start on TZ, and I gave them a brief list that impressed the lady.

Anyway. After Tower, I went on the Monsters Inc. ride and then headed to the Muppets 3D (yes, I've seen it a lot). This time, the little Studio Store kiosk was open. They had one of those penny-crimping machines - you know, the kind where you put in a penny and it flattens it into an oval with an image on it. They had a machine that could do an image of Animal! I checked my pockets, and I had a nice shiny penny (shiny ones work best - trust me on this). I go to put it in...and noticed the "out of order" sign. So, dejected again, I went to Muppets 3D and then went back to the Park.

Just on a hunch, I went back to the Little Green Store. They still didn't have any of the pin. But they did say that a couple other stores might have it. I went to the Silver Spur in Frontierland - no luck. Went to the Emporium on Main Street - nope. Finally I went into Downtown Disney, and the Pin Traders kiosk on the bridge...and they HAD IT. Not just one, but SIX. I snatched one up and paid, before they disappeared.

With that, I bought a Jamba Juice and headed back to the Park in a much better frame of mind. Rode Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Indiana Jones. By now it was a little past 11, and the Park was closing. As I was walking to the exit, I saw an ad that said the new 2007 edition of the Disney Dollars had been issued. I got one of the $1 bills (it was all the cash I had, and I had already spent enough for the day), and headed home.

So. Highs and lows. But it ended on a high.

===

So what's doing for today? Relaxing. I did a LOT of walking yesterday. And I have the gig tonight. I probably won't budge from the apartment until at least 6:30.

Be seeing you.

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