Randman's World

A couple of times per year, the Walt Disney World resort gets extremely busy. Sure, it's busy every day, with lines for rides, churros and Dole Whips (ummmmmmmm). But, several times a year, it's crazy busy. On those anticipated days, the upper managements asks the "backstage" troupes to help out. We call them "Cross U's" (Cross Utilizations). What they often mean is taking 4-8 hours out of our day and working on a food cart, quick service restaurant, or other task that takes little to no training for us salaried people to do.

Yesterday, I went to my first Cross U (the last time we had one in July, I had flown back to KC and couldn't take part). At first, I was assigned to work in the toll plaza of the Magic Kingdom, taking money from guests for parking. I had to decline that job, as I'm not allowed to handle money in my position.

So, I was assigned as a crossing guard in the Ticket and Transportation Center. The trams that bring the guests in from the parking lots cross under a bridge, and then into the unloading area. Guests can also walk and cross the street where the trams drive, so it was my job to stop the guests whenever the trams come.

I Had A Blast! I got to interact with guests starting their day. I got to talk to kids, ask them if they were going to see Mickey Mouse, and reminded them to put a good word in for me with the "boss". I talked to the grown-ups, who were all very nice. I was even asked if my cheeks get tired smiling so much. People complained about the cool temperatures that morning, and weren't quite sure if I was kidding when I said that Disney had turned on the outdoor air conditioning so it wouldn't get too hot.

I even saw a guest wearing a t-shirt from CMSU. We talked for a moment and figured out that we went there at the same time. How about that!?!?

Working backstage, I don't get a lot of chances to "make magic". My job deals with a lot of problem people. So, a day like yesterday goes a long way toward recharging the old pixie dust.

Well, Christmas has come and gone. Grandma and Grandpa have flown back to Kansas City, Charlie went back to daycare and his friends, and I can, once again, have control of the tv.

This Christmas was very special, as it was the first one that Charlie really understood and got excited about. Anyone who met him and asked was informed that he wanted a "Monorail Green" from Santa. And, that's what he got. Christmas morning was amazing, seeing Charlie's jaw drop when he walked in the living room. He didn't know what to play with first.

And of course, he also get a choo choo, a set of Disney buses, a Space Shuttle, 18 piece airplane set, target shooting game, Chutes and Ladders and Candyland, a Contemporary hotel model for the monorail (my prize find this Christmas).

and a helicopter from the movie "Cars"

We had some good outtings with the family. A trip to Epcot for dinner at the Germany Biergarten, an evening at Disney MGM Studios to see the Osbourn Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, and a trip to Cocoa Beach. Grandpa wanted to put his feet in the Atlantic ocean, so we rounded everyone up and drove over. Needless to say, Charlie didn't stay dry, and had a blast.

Of course, there was lots of time spent just relaxing, with Charlie sitting with his best friends.

But, now, it's over. Of course, Charlie cried when we dropped Grandma and Grandpa off at the airport, and cried even bigger when I left the daycare. But, tonight, we played Space Shuttle, watched some rocket videos on the computer, and played with the "Thomas the Tank Engine bath squirters" during bath time.

Once again, all is calm, all is bright.

This actually scrolled across the bottom of our tv tonight. I had to go to the website to get the exact verbage:


Wind chill advisory in effect from 2 am to 9 am est Monday.The NWS in melbourne has issued a wind chill advisory, which is in effect from 2 am to 9 am est Monday. Much colder air will sweep southeastward across east central Florida beginning late this afternoon and continuing through tonight. The combination of low temperatures in the mid 30s to around 40 degrees coupled with northwest winds around 10 mph will produce wind chill readings in the upper 20s and lower to middle 30s for a few hours before and just after sunrise. A wind chill advisory means that very cold air and strong winds will combine to generate low wind chills. If you must venture outdoors, make sure you wear a hat and gloves. Make sure children who will be outside are dressed appropriately for the cold.

You'd think the world was coming to an end. It's going to be in the 30's to 40's. Maybe I shouldn't go in to work tomorrow. There's a wind chill. Might be dangerous.

Having heard from several people that I need to update my blog, I thought I would take a few minutes to talk about the last couple of weeks.


First, we had a great time coming back to KC the week after Thanksgiving. We chose that week because the airfare was about 1/3 the price. Charlie got to spend time with his grandparents, whom he adores. We got to spend time with them also, and even snuck in two "Grown-Up Nights" while Grandma and Grandpa babysat.

The first evening started with dinner at Gates and Sons. Orlando has one "decent" bar-b-que place in it, and it's not KC bar-b-que. So we had to hit Gates while we were there. Yummy! Then, we took a trip to Westport Coffee House to see Tantrum, a very good improv troupe made up of many dear friends. I had two feelings watching the show. One was pride, that a group of people I performed with for so long could put on a great long-form improv show, including a Harold. They nailed it. The other feeling was a bit of jealousy, as I would have loved to been in that show, with that cast. It would have been a real blast to work with those people in a long-form improv show (for the non-improv folks reading, that's a different style of improv than the normal games you see at Comedycity or on Whose Line. It's one suggestion, and a 30 minute play is created on the spot. Hard to do, but so much fun).


Our second evening was a quick trip to Ameristar for some fun at the Casino. The only casino near Orlando is a cruise ship that takes 3 hour casino cruises. First, I don't want to be trapped on a ship for 3 hours if my money runs out in 15 minutes. Second, the ship has been shut down a couple of times due to health concerns. So, there have been no casino evenings for us.


I also got to spend some time with my best friend, John. His car broke down the morning we were suppose to meet, and I ended up helping him buy a new car. He's a good friend, and someone I talk to almost every day.

We flew back on Sunday, and worked all week to catch up from the weekend. Charlie is anxiously awaiting Grandma and Grandpa's arrival in Orlando in 2 weeks for Christmas.

He's already talked to Santa, and informed him that he wants a "Monowail Gween"

So, hopefully Santa heard him, and has one ready for him! ;-)

Speaking of Charlie, he really likes going to Home Depot, because they have racecar shopping carts.

The last thing today was an interesting observation. When I saw the Kansas City Star website headline:

Freezing rain, slick roads

lead to wrecks, cancellations

It made me very happy that I'm in Florida. You see, I put up our Christmas lights on the house today, and got a bit of a sunburn! Even worked up a sweat doing it.