CARS

Today, as we've entered the 21st Century, the world keeps going faster & faster and many struggle to keep up with the pace. Our burgers are never cooked fast enough. We get frustrated at the thought of a 56k modem for the internet. Even speed limits of 70mph mean little to many. We all seem to be in a hurry ... But for what? Sometimes, just the few chances that we get to stop and smell the roses end up being the memories we hold onto. And that can mean more to us than just trying to save that extra 10 minutes of drive-time.


This is the message of Pixar Animation Studios' latest release, “Cars.”


The film focuses on the racing hotshot, Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson). A rookie of the racing scene, Lightning has been burning up the racing circuit all season, putting him in the running to win one of racing's highest awards: The Piston Cup.



But Lightning has got some competition if he expects to get to the top. Also gunning for the top award are racing veteran The King (voiced by racing legend Richard Petty), and Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton), a racer who will resort to underhanded means to come out on top.

Unfortunately, Lightning also has a bit of an ego problem. Keeping his image and flashing his "lucky sticker" for the press takes more precedence than having a good pit crew, let alone giving much respect to his sponsor: Rust-Eze Medicated Bumper Ointment.



On the final trip of the season, Lightning loses his way and manages to get lost on Route 66. Where he ends up in "a heap of trouble," according to the resident Sheriff (Michael Wallis) of the sleepy little town of Radiator Springs.

For causing such trouble, Lightning is sentenced to community service for several of his reckless actions. Of course, Lightning would just as soon ditch the little town and get to the big race.



There has been a lot of talk since the first teaser of "Cars," way back in the Fall of 2004, where some felt that the idea of talking cars was a step backwards for Pixar. However, the idea of animating a car looks as difficult as it took to imbue fish in "Finding Nemo" with personality (fish have no shoulders, which is also the same kind of problem with cars). But Pixar does nothing short-sighted. They explore all possiblities. And when it comes to their latest subject, they've pulled off their latest task with gusto. In "Cars," axles extend, tires flatten, and the car bodies contort so believeably that you may start imagining what your own car would be like if it was alive.

Character-wise, Pixar hits almost every character with detail, that even the lesser-used characters have their little moments that capture so much of the essence of this film.

Owen Wilson plays Lightning with a great sense of cockiness, but for one of the most understated performances, I was drawn to the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, Doc Hudson (played with grandeur by acting legend Paul Newman). Pixar and Newman give Doc such a subdued personality, that his dark and mysterious persona will draw audiences in.




One of the most controversial character castings (According to the numerous forums I've browsed for the last year) has been in the casting of Larry the Cable Guy as Mater the tow truck. Many have felt that this was one of the steps backwards in Pixar's casting troupe, but Mater had a good friend along the way: Pixar's late storyman Joe Ranft. Ranft and the Pixar gang found an old tow truck in Kansas, and Ranft then began to craft the role of Mater from that little encounter. After watching the film, my admiration for Ranft swelled. Mater is one of -- if not THE -- funniest characters to come out of Pixar in a long time. Mater isn't some redneck doofus. He may be a little rusty behind the mirrors, but Mater just wants to have a good time. At times, he almost resembles a playful puppy dog, jumping around on his axles. If anything, it just seems that Mater really just wants to make friends.

Much of the film takes place in Radiator Springs, and the surrounding grandeur of Ornament Valley. The landscapes are so beautiful, and there's a majestic beauty in the rock formations, shaped like car fenders and hood ornaments. Even some of the flowers that blow by are shaped like vintage taillights. The setting sun over the hills casts such beautiful pastel-shades that you almost wish you could be standing there in the sand and dirt,watching the long shadows play over the surroundings.


Music also plays a key in the landscape of "Cars." Randy Newman returns to the fold. But this time, he's accompanied by several other artists such as Sheryl Crowe, Rascall Flatts and even James Taylor. Of almost all the artists, I think it's going to be James Taylor's song that will resonate the most with the audience. His song "Our Town" is to "Cars," what "When She Loved Me" was to "Toy Story 2." I won't lie when I say that I felt my eyes dampening during Taylor's number. I think if anyone came from a small town somewhere, and watched as it seemed to get smaller will get something out of this song.

It's been over 1 ½ years since Pixar released their last film and -- if anything -- that last extra half-a-year has probably added to a growing eagerness to see this film. In this day and age, it's difficult to find decent films, let alone those that will leave families feeling that their hard-earned money was well spent. For those who may be wondering, "Cars" is definitely worth it and more. Pixar has never talked down to their audiences, and it shows. The parents will get some of the jokes, and the kids will laugh at some, and then later -- when they grow up -- they'll go "Oh, that's what he meant." I'm already planning to see it again with my friends when it comes out, and I know they'll enjoy it as well. Personally, this is the first time this year I've been so eager to put down $9.50 to see a movie again!


One last thing. Take a look at the picture above. This little guy is named Guido. He's the assistant to Luigi of Radiator Springs' store Luigi's Cassa Della Tires. Though he's small and only knows 2 words of English ("Pit Stop"), I can assure you this about the movie: Guido will have his "moment." And when he does, you'll know, dear readers ... You. Will. Know.


P.S. And remember don't leave once the credits role. "Cars" does have a special treat at the end for the audience, and they even give their "good-luck charm" a fun little roast (from the most unlikely of vehicles).

Rules for Crashing

Rule #1: Never leave a fellow Crasher behind. Crashers take care of their own.
Rule #2: Never use your real name.
Rule #3: When crashing an Indian wedding, identify yourself as a well-known immigrant officer or a county lawyer.
Rule #4: No one goes home alone.
Rule #5: Never let a girl come between you and a fellow crasher.
Rule #6: Do not sit in the corner and sulk. It draws attention in a negative way. Draw attention to yourself, but on your own terms.
Rule #7: Blend in by standing out.
Rule #8: Be the life of the party.
Rule #9: Whatever it takes to get in, get in.
Rule #10: Invitations are for pussies.
Rule #11: Sensitive is good.
Rule #12: When it stops being fun, break something.
Rule #13: Bridesmaids are desperate: console them.
Rule #14: You're a distant relative of a dead cousin.
Rule #15: Fight the urge to tell the truth.
Rule #16: Always have an up-to-date family tree.
Rule #17: Every female wedding guest deserves a wedding night.
Rule #18: You love animals and children.
Rule #19: Toast in the native language if you know the native language and have practiced the toast. Do not wing it.
Rule #20: The older the better, the younger the better (see Rule below)
Rule #21: Definitely make sure she's
18.
Rule #22: You have a wedding and a reception to seal the deal. Period. No overtime.
Rule #23: There's nothing wrong with having seconds. Provided there's enough women to go around.
Rule #24: If you get outed, leave calmly. Do not run.
Rule #25: You understand she heard that but that's not what you meant.
Rule #26: Of course you love her.
Rule #27: Don't over drink. The machinery must work in order to close.
Rule #28: Make sure there's an open bar.
Rule #29: Always be a team player. Everyone needs a little help now and again.
Rule #30: Know the playbook so you can call an audible.
Rule #31: If you call an audible, always make sure your fellow Crashers know.
Rule #32: Don't commit to a relative unless you're absolutely sure that they have a pulse.
Rule #33: Never go back to your place.
Rule #34: Be gone by sunrise.
Rule #35: Breakfast is for closers.
Rule #36: Your favorite movie is "The English Patient".
Rule #37: At the reception, one hard drink or two beers max. A drunk crasher is a sloppy crasher.
Rule #38: Girls in hats tend to be proper and rarely give it up.
Rule #39: The way to a woman's bed is through the dance floor.
Rule #40: Dance with old folks and the kids. The girls will think you're "sweet."
Rule #41: Never hit on the bride -- it's a one way ticket to the pavement
Rule #42: Try not to break anything, unless you're not having fun.
Rule #43: At the service, sit in the fifth row. It's close enough to wedding party to seem like you're an invited guest. Never sit in the back. The back row just smells like crashing.
Rule #44: Create an air of mystery that involves some painful experience when interacting with the girl you're after. But don't talk about it.
Rule #45: Always remember your fake name! Rehearse it in advance and make sure you know your fellow Crasher's code-name as well!
Rule #46: The Rules of Wedding Crashing are sacred. Don't sully them by "improvising."
Rule #47: You forgot your invitation in your rush to get to the church.
Rule #48: Make sure all the single women at the wedding know you're there because you've just suffered either a terrible breakup or the death of your fiancée.
Rule #49: Always work into the conversation: "Yeah, I have tons of money. But how does one buy happiness?"
Rule #50: Be pensive! It draws out the "healer" in women.
Rule #51: Always pull out in time.
Rule #52: Tell any woman you're interested in that you'd love to stay put but you promised to help out at the homeless shelter today.
Rule #53: It's time to put your Drama Lessons in practice! Get choked up during the service. The girls will think you're "sensitive". Bring a slice of onion or artificial tears if necessary.
Rule #54: Avoid virgins. They're too clingy.
Rule #55: If pressed, tell people you're related to Uncle John. Everyone has an Uncle John.
Rule #56: Don't fixate on one woman. ALWAYS have a back-up.
Rule #57: When seeing a rival Crasher, do not interact: merely acknowledge each other with a tug on the earlobe and gracefully move on.
Rule #58: The Ferrari's in the shop.
Rule #59: If two rival crashers pick the same girl, the crasher with the least seniority will respectfully yield.
Rule #60: No "chicken dancing": no exceptions.
Rule #61: When crashing out of state, request permission from the local Wedding Crasher chapter.
Rule #62: No more than two weddings a weekend. More and your game gets sloppy. You'll also attract unwanted notice.
Rule #63: Bring an extra umbrella when it rains. Courtesy opens more legs than charm.
Rule #64: Always save room for cake.
Rule #65: When your crash partner fails, you fail. No man is an island.
Rule #66: Smile! You're having the time of your life.
Rule #67: Mix it up a little. You can't always be the man with the haunted past.
Rule #68: Dance with the Bride's grandmother.
Rule #69: No sex on the altar. Confessionals, okay. Chair lofts, better.
Rule #70: Two shutouts in a row? It's time to take a week off. Ask yourself: what is it that is getting in the way of my happiness?
Rule #71: Research, research, research the wedding party. And when you are done researching, research some more.
Rule #72: Studies have shown that women have a more developed sense of smell. Breath mints: small cost, big yield.
Rule #73: Keep interactions with the parents of the bride and groom to a minimum.
Rule #74: In case of emergency, refer to the rulebook.
Rule #75:
Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion.
Rule #77: Carry extra protection at ALL times.
Rule #78: The unmarried female rabbi: is she fair game? Of course she is.
Rule #79: The tables furthest from the kitchen always get served first.
Rule #80: Stop, look, listen. At weddings. In life.
Rule #81: Occasionally bring a gift: you're getting sex without having to buy dinner, so you can afford a blender.
Rule #82: Always think ahead but always stay in the moment. Reconcile this paradox and you'll not only get the girl, you might also get peace of mind.
Rule #83: Don't let the ring bearer bum your smokes. His parents may start to ask questions.
Rule #84: Stay clear of the wedding planner. They may recognize you and start to wonder.
Rule #85: Don't use the "I have two months to live" bit: not cool, not effective.
Rule #86: Shoes say a lot about the man.
Rule #87: Always choose large weddings. More choice. Easier to blend.
Rule #88: You're from out of town. ALWAYS.
Rule #89: Know something about the place you say you are from, whether be from another US state or another country. Texas is too-played out. For some reason, England, Germany or even New Hampshire seem to work. Master the accents convincingly, and you've nailed them!
Rule #90: Of course you dream of one day having children.
Rule #91: Never dance to "What I Like About You." It's long past time to let that song go. Someone will request it at every wedding. Don't dance to it. No matter how hot the girl.
Rule #92: Tell the bride's friends and family that you are family of the groom and visa-versa.
Rule #93: Only take one car. You never know when you'll need to make a fast escape.
Rule #94: Deep down, most people hate themselves. This knowledge is the key to most bedroom doors.
Rule #95: Try not to show off on the dance floor. This means you Jeremy.
Rule #96: Etiquette isn't old-fashioned. It's sexy.
Rule #97: Catholic weddings: the classic dilemma: painfully long ceremony: horny girls.
Rule #98: The newspaper Wedding Announcements are your racing form. Choose carefully.
Rule #99: Be judicious with cologne. Citrus tones are best.
Rule #100: Save the tuxes for "the big show" only.
Rule #101: Avoid women who were psychology majors in college. There is no kind of woman more clingy and persistent than a psychologist investigating your story later on.
Rule #102: No periwinkle colored ties, please.
Rule #103: Always have an early "appointment" the next morning.
Rule #104: Be well groomed and well-mannered.
Rule #105: Never cockblock a fellow Crasher. Cockblocking an invited guest--okay.
Rule #106: Eat plentiful, digest your food. You'll need the energy later.
Rule #107: Know when to abandon ship if it ain't floating.
Rule #108: Know your swing and salsa dancing. Girls love to get twisted around.
Rule #109: Always carry an assortment of place cards to match any wedding design.
Rule #110: Make sure your magic trick and balloon animal skills are not rusty. If the kids love it, the girls will too.
Rule #111: Never have sex with bride or groom's mother even if she is the hottest bombshell at the wedding. Just control yourself.
Rule #112: Have FUN! It's why you're there!
Rule #113: Don't look for opportunities; make them.
Rule #114: 3-4 months to wedding crash--funerals are year round!
Rule #115: Never walk away from a crasher in a funny jacket. (The rule that Jeremy makes up to insult John)

Vince Vaughn

Recently, I was bored enough to imagine myself interviewing Vince Vaughn. Vince, the star of such hit films as Swingers, Old School, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Wedding Crashers, is used to portraying the quintessentially confident and fast-talking salesman type in his buddy films, but as I was to find out, the real Vince is a quiet, shy, introverted, and exceedingly humble gentleman. So without further ado, I give you my fictional interview with Mr. Vaughn.

Marc Craig – Vince, thanks for taking the time to talk to me.

Vince Vaughn – You motor-boatin’ son of a bitch!

MC – Beg your pardon?

VV – That’s from Wedding Crashers.

MC – Oh…right. Ha. I remember that, that was when –

VV – Marc, baby – what are we doing here?

MC– Uh, well we’re conducting an interview. I was hoping –

VV – No. I mean, what are we doing with our lives? You know what I’m saying?

MC – I’m not sure I follow.

VV– Let me tell you a story, you like stories, good. This one’s about a guy named Vince. It’s hypothetical, it’s about a guy named Vince but it might as well be about a guy named Steve, or Joe, or Ricky, because it’s a universal thing, it’s here and it’s there, it’s up and it’s down, it’s about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. It’s about friendship and success, ambition and dreams. Take me for example. Lots of people say I’m an actor. I don’t know. Maybe I am. Maybe you are. Maybe we all are. Maybe we’re all just actors on this great stage we call planet Earth. Maybe we’re acting right now and aliens are watching us and they’re going, “This movie sucks!” and maybe they’re right. You know what I’m saying? Maybe we oughta get canceled. But I don’t think so – know why? Because I have faith. I’m glad you asked that question.

MC – I didn’t ask a question.

VV – Not with your mouth you didn’t but your eyes – they asked a question and that question got answered. It’s okay. You’re welcome.


MC – Thank you?

VV – Don’t mention it. You know what’s funny? I was at this party in North Hollywood and this guy – Paul or Freddy or Jimbo, I don’t remember for sure – details, details, you know? But this guy comes up to me and says, “Vince, baby, how did you break into the biz? Even better – how did you avoid getting pigeon-holed and typecast, how did you find yourself acting in such a wide variety of films, how did you have the good fortune to get to portray so many different characters?” I say, “You want the long and short of it? Talent.” A lot of things are like that.

MC – Okay…

VV – Another time, I’m doing karaoke with my man Brad Pitt – I’m nailing his ex – and we’re halfway through this kick-ass rendition of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” when some guy starts heckling us. So I turn to Pitt and I say, “You hear that B-Radical? This joker’s knocking our performance. You gonna take that Fight Club?” Pitt turns to me and says, “Forget it man. It’s not that big a deal.” I say to him, “Not that big a deal? What are you – Jesus? You gonna turn the other cheek to this guy? You’re a Hollywood badass! I saw you throw down in Snatch. Let’s get this guy.” But Pitt begged off. Long story short, I followed the heckler home and burned his house down.

MC – Jesus. [shifts uneasily] So, uh, you mentioned Jennifer Aniston. You two are dating now right?

VV – Jen – she’s a great girl. Not too thick in the chest or between the ears, but great girl all around. Love her to death. We did a movie – The Break Up – in theaters June 2nd. Do yourself a favor and go see it. Bring the kids. Bring the parents. Bring the whole family. It’s a date movie. It’s a comedy. Lots of laughs. Regular giggle-fest. Get on it. [slaps me on the ass]

MC – Thanks. Vince, you starred opposite Will Ferrell in both Old School and Anchorman. What was it like working with a man many people consider to be one of the premiere-

VV – DOROTHY MANTOOTH IS A SAINT! Ha ha. You like that? No problem. I’m more than happy to play loveable rival anchorman Wes Mantooth any day of week. Anything for my fans. That’ll be five thousand dollars.

MC – Vince - this brings up an interesting point. It’s alleged that you suffer from some sort of hyperactivity disorder. Is there any truth to this?

VV – Hyperactive? Who’s hyperactive? Are you hyperactive, ‘cause I think you are just jumping around like a regular Mexican jumping bean firing off questions left and right and not letting old Vince get a word in edgewise! I mean, hell man, if you want this interview over just say the word and I’ll take this [slaps own ass] sweet thing right out the door – last thing you see. Or maybe I’ll just sprinkle a couple lines on this table and we get down to business. Your choice.

MC – Vince, I didn’t mean anything by it. Honestly, I was just playing devil’s advocate and-

VV – That’s okay. I understand. You gotta do what you gotta do and I gotta do what I gotta do. That’s just how it is. I love you.

MC – Thanks, Vince. [looks around anxiously for an exit]

VV – Please, call me Vince.

MC– Uh…

VV – Better yet, call me Vince.

MC – Security!

VV – Baby, relax. I’m just kidding. That’s a little trick I like to play where I act like I go crazy. The truth is, I’m totally fucking nuts. BAM! I’m Emeril! Again, just kidding. Look, it’s been real but I gotta go. Stay beautiful. [hurls himself out the win

PIRATES

I have to admit - given that no one (outside of the folks who are currently working 'round the clock to finish up "Dead Man's Chest" 's over-1500 FX shots) has actually seen the finished version of "Pirates of the Caribbean II" - that it seems kind of odd to now be talking about what may lie out beyond "Pirates III."

But let's remember that the key word in the phrase "show business" is "business," folks. And given that Walt Disney Studios has spent the past 20 years trying to develop its very own viable film franchise (Remember "Dick Tracy"? Or - better yet - "The Rocketeer"? Or "V.I. Warshawski"? Or "Judge Dredd"?) … Well, now that the Mouse has "Pirates," Disney's going to do everything it can to insure that all that pirate gold continues to roll into the company coffers for years yet to come.

Don't believe me? Then let's talk about "Pirates IV." I know, I know. Gore Verbinski hasn't even finished filming "At World's End" (I.E. The tentative title for the third installment in the series) yet. And - to be honest - everyone at the studios is kind of pirated-out at the moment. Which is why (strictly as a change of pace) many people at Disney are now looking forward to the production of that other Jerry Bruckheimer sequel, "National Treasure II."

But even so, the folks in the studio's strategic planning office are already looking out over the horizon (I.E. Toward 2010 & 2011). And they're wondering if - three to four years after the third "Pirates" picture finally hits theaters - if audiences might then be ready for yet another film starring Captain Jack Sparrow.



Of course, the real key here will be whether or not Disney can successfully persuade Johnny Depp to once again put on his pirate gear. Given that Johnny's soon to be in for one hell of a payday (Once "Pirates II" & "III" recover their full production & marketing costs [Rumored to be upwards of $600 million], Depp, Verbinksi & several other key members of the "Pirates" cast & production team will reportedly split 25% of those sequels' earnings. Which could eventually add up to tens of millions of dollars for Johnny), this Academy Award nominee will never have to work again.

But what's working in Disney's favor here is that Depp seems to genuinely enjoy playing Captain Jack Sparrow. In a recent Time Magazine article, Johnny was quoted as saying:

"I truly love the character and I didn't feel I'd had enough of him in the first (film)."

Which is why Depp ultimately agreed to get his teeth capped again and then play Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates II" & "III."



Mind you, just because Johnny enjoys playing Captain Jack doesn't automatically mean that he's a lock for "Pirates IV." But Bruckheimer is optimistic enough about this film series continuing that he's actually having the sets for "Pirates II" & "III" stored. With the hope that - in three or four years' time - Jerry will then be able to haul these props & costumes out again. So that Gore & Johnny will then have something familiar to work with as they begin production of the fourth film.

Of course, in the meantime, it's up to the Walt Disney Company to keep the "Pirates" franchise fresh. To make sure that the public stays interested & emotionally invested in these colorful characters. That they stay evergreen.

Which explains why expensive new Audio Animatronic versions of Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbarossa are now being folded into both the Disneyland & Walt Disney World versions of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme park attraction. But how many of you know about the new "Jack Sparrow" junior novelizations …





That Disney Press has recently begun producing? Which detail Jack's career prior to captaining the Black Pearl. Back when Sparrow was just a teenage stowaway trying to make a name for himself in pirating circles.

These softcover books are designed to keep preteens interested in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise. As is the "Pirates" comic …




… that regularly appears in "Disney Adventure" & "Disney Comics" magazine.

Of course, to keep teenagers interested in this new Disney brand, the Mouse had to mount something much more elaborate: Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Where - quoting this website's advertising slogan now - "The most notorious pirate in the Caribbean … is you."


Though this ambitious & massive multiplayer game isn't actually expected to go live 'til 2007, Pirates of the Caribbean Online is already generating huge buzz. The very idea that you'll be soon able to create your very own captain character, then assemble a crew and go off in search of treasure. Where you'll then have to battle other players on their own ships with sword & cannon … Well, that has gamers just chomping at the bit to be selected as one of the beta testers for this new online game.

Speaking of which, Disney's Virtual Reality Studio is already recruiting beta testers. So if you want to be among the first to experience the online approximation of Captain Jack Sparrow's world, you might want to drop by www.DisneyPirates.com today and register.

Anyway, Disney hopes that this online game - with its clever mix of swashbuckling daring-do & teen-friendly scares

… Plus the comic books & the junior novelizations & the theme park rides will help keep the "Pirates" film franchise alive. At least until Mr. Depp decides whether or not he's ready to commit to doing "Pirates IV."

But what do you folks think? Is Disney over-thinking this? Should the studio have first waited to see if audiences actually embraced "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" before planning all of these other "Pirates" sequels & spin-offs? Or was "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" a big enough success to warrant this sort of ambitious investment in a new franchise for the Walt Disney Company?

More importantly, were Johnny Depp to actually agree to appear in "Pirates IV," would you still be eager to see yet another installment in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series in five year's time?

Your thoughts?

The "Do you know...?" game

So you are at a party and you met someone from a town near your own. After you introduce yourself what is the first thing you do.

Do you know ?

Everyone plays the Do you know game.

Usually the person knows your friend. Then they turn around and ask if you know one of their friends.

Honesly can we just talk for a minute.

What is the point of the "Do you know...? game. Think about it. After you and the other person establish the fact that you know the same people WHAT HAPPENS. NOTHING!.... you just say great..


But you are usually to drunk to care about the awkwardness that happens after the "Do you know... game.

Search Beyond Adventures

Day 1 Arrive in Los Angeles late afternoon and check into the beautiful Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo.

Day 2 Enjoy the entire day at Universal Studios. Meet King Kong. Watch out for Jaws. See the 3-D Terminator. Learn how movies are made.

Day 3 Go to the famous neighborhoods of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Tour the neighborhood of the rich and famous as you look for your favorite stars' homes. In Hollywood walk the boulevard of the stars and shop for souvenirs.

Day 4 Today is "check out the people" day at some of the wonderful beaches that make southern California so popular. First stop is wacky Venice Beach. Want your picture taken with a Martian? Can you roller skate while playing a guitar? Then go to hip Santa Monica for lunch. You might get to see dogs roller blade or other street shows. End the day at Santa Monica pier. Ride the ferris wheel over the water, try the bumper cars or other rides. If time permits we'll go to nearby Malibu for more great sun and beach.

Day 5 Today head to Anaheim to visit Disneyland. Watch the parades, shop, and get excited on the adventurous rides! Of course, you have to meet Mickey or Minnie, too!

Day 6 Today we'll wander down to Redondo Beach to enjoy the amusements and food at the pier, then take a cruise. If whale watching is in season you'll have a chance to head into the ocean to search for these great creatures. If the whales are gone, then you'll enjoy a beautiful harbor cruise. Later, we may go swimming at El Segundo beach, or head to the hotel's pool to relax, or go downtown to the lively Mexican district--great for hearing music and shopping for bargains!

Day 7 Back to Anaheim to enjoy the other Disneyland park: California Adventure. Besides more great rides you can experience shows like "It's a Bug's Life".

Day 8 Pack it up and say good-bye to all your new friends as you depart about mid-day for home.

7.4 Billion Dollars in 30 Mins

Friday, May 5, 2006 will likely be a date soon forgotten by many. Yet the importance of a short meeting held at San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art should not be overlooked.

This was the day that Pixar stockholders were to vote on the question of the proposed merger with Disney. A crowd of perhaps a hundred people gathered in the museum’s Phyllis Wattis Theater for the meeting. The stage was set with three stools and a black curtain for a backdrop. Documents mailed to shareholders indicated a 10:00 a.m. starting time. That came and went as the theater filled, with stockholders having to be searched before entering to prevent the use of any recording devices.

At 10:17 a.m., the stage was taken by three people and the meeting was called to order. Simon Bax, the Chief Financial Officer, explained the process that was about to take place and described the content of the morning’s meeting. After the business was conducted, there would be short remarks made by Ed Catmull, co-founder and president of Pixar. Lois Scali, the general counsel for Pixar was the third person on stage and she made no comments during the meeting.

Simon Bax conducted the business meeting. A final call was made to allow stockholders the opportunity to vote their proxies and the polls were closed at 10:23 a.m. The results were then announced with the stockholders voting to approve the merger of Pixar with the Disney-owned Lux Acquisition Company. Pixar then became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. At 10:25 a.m., the business meeting was adjourned.

Ed Catmull then addressed the audience and gave a brief history of Pixar and the merger. In the company’s 20-year history, the highlight’s of that first decade were the partnership between Disney & Pixar and the production of "Toy Story" along with Pixar becoming a publicly held company. Along the way, there were many opportunities to learn lessons, some harder than others. As the end of the second decade approached things had indeed changed with the construction of the studio and the impending end of the partnership deal with Disney.

He highlighted the fact that changes in the leadership at Disney had become a major factor in the decision to resume discussions with Disney. One lesson that came into play was that Pixar had not been as successful as hoped in at efforts of marketing its own products. At the core of Pixar is the goal to make films that touch people all around the world. In the end, it was decided that the best way to do that was to join Disney.

Ed touched on the culture of Pixar. While there had been apprehension when the merger was first announced, he felt that things today were as they had been before the announcement. He also commented that the people at Disney had been nothing but gracious during this process and completely supportive of Pixar.

Finally, he thanked the stockholders for their support of the company and that the success of the company would not have been possible without them all.

And with that, at 10:30 a.m., the meeting was adjourned. On exiting the theater, the audience was given a poster for “Cars," a pin for the “One Man Band” short and the opportunity to visit the MOMA.


Simple, short and to the point, Pixar ceased to be an independent animation studio. A number of people sat as the meeting broke, seemingly waiting for something more to take place. Unlike the Disney stockholders meeting earlier this year in Anaheim, there were no photo ops with costumed characters nor showings of previews for films.

Instead it was a simple, to the point meeting. If anyone was expecting a farewell to company, this was not to be. Instead, this was a clean, quick break as the next chapter in Pixar's history begins.

Your thoughts?

Have you veiwed my blog??

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ENJOY!!

Here are some pics ENJOY... Click for a larger pic

NYPD`

Just think this is cool:


In November Pat and I took the NYPD Civil Service Test... Well we both passed

WAHOO.

They asked us to arrive for the Police Academy in May... Whoops. I am deferring for a year then figuring out my life

#1 Reason why I love Disney

Many people think I am crazy for being a 20 year old guy that loves Disney... Well here is the reason why I love Disney

They spend a large amount of money to bring their movies to life.

Take for examble the "Cars Road trip" Which is two cars from the movie Cars brought to life. The Cars Road Trip is currently touring across the country. Then after that they will be brought to MGM Studios to meet up with the rest of the cars from CARS to participate in the Cars and Stars Motor Parade

Enjoy the pictures

Meet the Robinsons

If anyone has seen Walt Disney's "The Wild" then you saw a preview for next years movie Meet the Robinsons. Well the movie looks marginally ok but there is one joke that I particularly liked
They showed the picture above. Well apparently the main character in the movie travels to the future and sees the "Todayland" get it.... They are in the future... and Tommorrowland became Todayland.... Come on that is funny. You can see Space Mountain and the Astro Orbitor in the background

C-ya DisneyQuest

This "quest" is finally coming to an end.
What was once supposed to have been the flagship of an entire chain of 30 indoor theme parks, one that would have eventually encircled the globe, DisneyQuest will be closing in 18 months. Then this 5-story tall, 100,000 square foot structure -- which towers over the West Side section of Downtown Disney -- will be gutted & turned into a brand-new ESPN Zone.
According to one WDW insider who was privvy to this decision:
"I'll be sorry to see DisneyQuest go. But this is really the right choice for Downtown Disney. A ESPN Zone will freshen up the mix on the West Side. This new sports dining and entertainment venue will have strong appeal to both WDW guests as well as Orlando locals. And given that we'll regularly be doing broadcasts from an on-site studio, this ESPN Zone will also help up Downtown Disney's profile. So it's really a win-win for Walt Disney World."
As you might imagine, the cast members who currently work at WDW's DisneyQuest and/or the ESPN Club over at Disney's Boardwalk Inn resort (Which will be closing once WDW's new ESPN Zone opens) have a very different take on the company's decision to shutter its indoor theme park. Said one DisneyQuest staffer:
"This just stinks. Sure, attendance has been flat at DisneyQuest for the past few years. But that's because we haven't had a new attraction since "Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold" replaces "Hercules in the Underworld" back in 2000. Plus Disney doesn't really promote us anymore to people staying on property. So how is DisneyQuest supposed to attract WDW guests with no shows and zero promotion?
If the company had just gotten behind us, I'm sure that we could have been a success ..."
Ah, but that was the real problem, folks. Disney Company executives felt that they'd already poured enough money into the development & creation of DisneyQuest. Initial work on the indoor theme park project began back in 1994, with proof-of-concept field tests of various proposed DQ rides & attractions (Remember the "Imagineering Lab" at Epcot's Future World? Where two lucky guests from each tour group got the chance to try out the prototype version of "Aladdin's Flying Carpet Ride"?).
After four years of R & D, the Walt Disney Company was finally ready to go forward with the DQ project. Which (in theory) would have brought the Disney theme park experience into urban enviroments. Which would have then allowed the Disney corporation to tap into a potentially huge new customer base.
The only problem was the initial cash outlay for constructing a DisneyQuest was huge. Enormous. $80 - $100 million each. And then ... Well, it was going to take Mickey years (and dozens of other DQs having to be built in untapped markets all around the world) before Disney Regional Entertainment (I.E. The division of the Mouse House that actually ran herd on the DisneyQuests) finally began making any serious money off of this project.
Which is why -- almost from the get-go -- the Walt Disney Company began cutting corners on the DisneyQuests. Whereas the WDW version was 100,000 square feet, the Chicago version of DisneyQuest (Which opened in June of 2000) was only 90,000 square feet. And the DQ that was in the works for Philadelphia (Before that project was abruptly cancelled in 2000)? That DisneyQuest was only supposed to be 80,000 square feet.
Given that the WDW version of DisneyQuest (Which had been built to handle 1400 guests an hour) rarely if ever met its attendance projections, the corporation quickly lost all enthusiasm for this project. Cutting back on its original plan to swap out 15-20% of the rides, shows & attractions every two years as well as abandoning its plan to build the other 28 DQs in the chain. The Chicago operation closed in September of 2001, after only 27 months of operation.
And the WDW version of DisneyQuest? ... Well, that's pretty much limped along ever since. The staff & management team there knew that the end was eventually coming. They just didn't know when Mickey would eventually pull the plug.
But clearly there were signs. When the DisneyQuest Emporium got rid of virtually all of its merchandise featuring the DQ logo and began selling generic Disney trinkets ... Well, that was one indication that Mouse House managers were finally getting ready to make their move.
Then earlier this year, when Walt Disney Company officials announced their plans to begin "freshening up" Pleasure Island by shutting down various stores & restaurants there that were under-performing ... DisneyQuest workers, realizing that this West Side facility hadn't ever met any of its attendance or financial projections in years, knew that DQ would soon be on the chopping block.
So, when I called a couple of DisneyQuest employees earlier this week looking for comment of the upcoming closing, most folks were sad but not surprised. Some even tried to be a bit upbeat. As one cast member told me:
"At least we're getting plenty of advance notice about the closing. Plus if they stick with this 18 months timetable, we'll still be able to celebrate DisneyQuest's 10th anniversary. That should be one hell of a party."
So just a "heads up" here, folks. If you're a big "CyberSpace Mountain" fan, make sure that you drop by WDW's DisneyQuest in the coming months and get in a couple of rides. For -- come January of 2008 (Reportedly right after the Christmas crowds go home) -- DisneyQuest will close its doors forever. And then -- after several months of extensive construction -- this distinct structure will eventually re-emerge as Downtown Disney's new EZPN Zone.
Disney PR types are hoping that this new sports dining and entertainment experience will be ready to open by October 1, 2008 (Just in time for Disney World's annual press event). But those who are familiar with all the work that will need to be done in order to change the old DisneyQuest building into a state-of-the-art ESPN Zone say that the proposed construction schedule is overly optimistic. And that -- more than likely -- it won't be 'til the late winter or early spring of 2009 'til this revamped West Side facility is actually ready to serve its first customer.
But what do you folks think? Are you sad to learn that Downtown Disney will soon be losing the world's only remaining DisneyQuest? Or are you excited to hear the West Side will soon have its very own ESPN Zone?

BOB SAGET

In the last week I have thought about Bob Saget 3 times. In the previous 20 years of my life I have NEVER thought about Bob Saget (Minus during Full House and America's Home Funniest Videos). So here is how I have come into contact with Bob Saget 3 times in the last 4 days

1) Friday I went into Boston, while talking with Cara and her friends she mentioned that Bob Saget was preforming in Boston and she would like to go see him

2) Sunday Driving on Route 1, back to school, I noticed a sign infront of a Chinese Food Restaurant "Bob Saget: Tonite"

3)Monday (11:02) While researching Dane Cooks future movies on IMDB I stumbled upon "Farce of the Penguins". This is a spoof of March of the Penguins that is supposed to come out this year. Well this movie is produced by none other than Bob Saget


So researching Farce of the Penguins further I learned that it is pretty much a cartoon satire. The only interesting part of this movie has to be the cast.

Samuel L. Jackson

Jason Alexander

James Belushi

Jason Biggs

Lewis Black

Dane Cook

Dave Coulier

Adam Duritz

Harvey Fierstein

Whoopi Goldberg

Gilbert Gottfried

Alyson Hannigan

Jim Hazelton

Samuel L. Jackson

Jamie Kennedy

Jon Lovitz

Norm MacDonald

Carlos Mencia

David Michie

Mo'Nique

Tracy Morgan

Bob Saget

Nick Simunek

John Stamos



What a cast, I feel like I could have assembled it.

Take 15 out of work actors and add 5 comediens


One thing I would like to point out.... Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, AND John Stamos are all involved in this

Which means I will be seeing this movie in hopes that the three of them will make SOME sort of joke about Full House Sucking.

Your thoughts?

Meet These Characters!

CARS!!!

Cars comes out in less than one month. I figured I could use my blog to educate everyone on some of the characters in this Disney/Pixar film

LIGHTING MCQUEEN

Mcqueen is the main character of this flick. He is an up and coming young race car, on his way to a race he gets lost and winds up in "Radiator Springs". That is where the movie takes place and where the audience meets all the other characters. McQueen is voiced by Luke Wilson.

Ps.. If you look at Lightinings tires, you will notice that they are "Lightyear" instead of "Goodyear", an obvious play on Pixars Buzz LIGHTYEAR... Hilarious


Mater

Mater is the towns Tow truck (Getting TOW MATER---tomater---tomato).... Well Mater is pretty much supposed to be a redneck who befriends McQueen, much to his dismay. Fiting in with the Redneck theme Mater is voiced by Larry the Cable Guy


PS I am the NUMBER one hater of Larry the Cable Guy but I will give him the benefit of the doubt for this one
Sally

Well it is clear that Sally is a Porche 911. She doesn't fit in with rest of the misfits in Radiator Springs (as she is clean and new) but she loves the desert and owns a motel. Sally is Lightinings love interest. Sally is Voiced by Bonnie Hunt
DOC HUDSON

Doc Hudson is Raditor Springs resident Old Timer, Everyone looks to him for wisdom. Doc is the towns Doctor and Judge. Doc is voiced by Paul Newman


PS I like the obvious play on words

Doc Hudson= Rock Hudson

(Rock Hudson was a very MANLY man actor, turns out he was gay)
Filmore

Clearly Filmore is a 60's Volkswagon Bus. One can deduce that he is a strung out hippie who wishes he was back in his hey day... Voiced by George Carlin, Coincidentally also a strung out hippie

SARGE

Then theres Sarge, My personal Fav.
Sarge is modeled after an mb145 Willy's Jeep. Oh yes folks I am talking about the little gunny that one us WWII. LOVE IT. Sarge is Voiced by Paul Dooley, You might know him as Addison Prudy in Desperate Houswives








Well that is all I have time for today... Perhaps tomorrow I will have time to add a few more characters


Your thoughts?

RED

Ok I know alot of people didn't like the Green Four Door Wrangler from yesterdays update so here is a Red one.



It was unvieled at the New York Auto Show... First it was covered by 6 tons of mud. Then the New York Fire Department used their hoses and cleaned it off... COOL

New Orleans in Post Katrina

Ok So we all know about the Hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast back in September. We know about the Death, the Distruction, the Chaos; but have you heard about the Laziness?. Next month New Orleans plans on holding elections for Mayor, there are currently 23 candidates in the running. Please visit http://www.electkimberly.com/main.php...... Notice the picture with the Candidate in "New Orleans"... (i'll post the picture later)




A quick clance shows the candidate in a small New Orleans street. But isn't that street just a little TOO small. Take a look again, Don't you think that street looks about 5/8ths scale. The same scale that is used to create New Orleans Square in Disneyland, California. Wierd. But it can't be New Orleans Square. I am sure she has been to busy with the Post Katrina clean up to travel to California for a Vacation... Oh wait a second, Take a look to the far left of the picture... That trashcan seems oddly out of place.. I know I have seen those trashcans before... Now where was that, oh yeah DISNEY...


So pretty much this woman is trying to pass off a picture of her in New Orleans Square in Disneyland as being in New Orleans.....

(I don't think you are going to win Kimmy)

4 DOOR WRANGLER

THAT IS FUCKING RIGHT I SAID FOUR DOOR WRANGLER!!!!... OH MY GOD!!!... I WANT ONE!!!!!!!! I AM SOO EXCITED RIGHT NOW




Here is the article.... (THIS WAS JUST RELEASED 2 HOURS AGO!!!

Jeep adds additional versatility (and doors) to its iconic off-roader.
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Rear doors open 90 degrees for easy access to the rear seats.
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Rear cargo space has been increased dramatically over the standard Wrangler, especially when the rear seats are folded flat.
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dap('&PG=CP49EJ&AP=1087',180,150);
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The wheelbase of the 4-door Wrangler Unlimited has been extended by more than 20 inches, providing a roomier interior as well as space for the two additional doors.
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The new Unlimited features an all-new interior with a revised gauge cluster, improved stereo and a larger glove box.
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Jeep says the Wrangler Unlimited provides "wind in the hair" for five as the only 4-door convertible on the market.
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New high-back bucket seats are available in either Khaki or Slate Gray.
From its beginnings as a go-anywhere military vehicle, the Jeep built a deserved reputation on its off-road prowess, with the Wrangler now considered by many as the essence of today's Jeep brand. However, Wrangler has always been limited by its lack of space for people and cargo. Jeep finally addresses these shortcomings with the introduction of the much-anticipated 4-door Wrangler Unlimited.
Jeep unveiled the redesigned 2007 Wrangler 2-door at the auto show in Detroit earlier this year, which features increased ground clearance, larger wheels and tires, available next-generation Command-Trac and Rock-Trac transfer cases, new electric axle lockers, and an electro-disconnecting front sway bar and an all-new stiffer frame.
Do you have a comment on the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited? Click here to post it on MSN's New York message boards.
The new Wrangler Unlimited gets all this and much more. The most obvious addition is indeed the two rear doors—but that's only part of the story.
More Room, More VersatilityThis is the first Wrangler to offer seating for five adults. Rear seats are quite roomy with 37.2 inches of legroom. Doors that open a full 90 degrees provide plenty of rear-seat access. Add to this a dramatic increase in available cargo space: Behind the rear seat is almost three times the cargo space of the standard Wrangler. With the rear seats folded, the available cargo space practically doubles to an impressive 83 cubic feet.
Broadband Video
Jeep Wrangler UnlimitedAnd rear seats fold flat with amazing ease. In one motion the head restraints fold over as the seatbacks drop, almost instantly creating a flat load floor. Another new feature is a lockable underfloor storage area that secures personal items out of sight.
Not only does the new Wrangler Unlimited carry five passengers in relative comfort, it's designed to keep them safe as well. Safety features include front and available side airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation and Electronic Stability Program.
Broadband Video
Seven New JeepsThe new Wrangler Unlimited is also available with Jeep's new three-piece "Freedom Top," which incorporates three removable panels—left and right front panels and one larger panel in the rear—that can be removed separately for a variety of open-air driving configurations. The standard "Sunrider" soft-top also features a number of configurations and makes open-air motoring just 30 seconds away. In fact, Jeep claims this new Wrangler is the only 4-door convertible currently available in the U.S. market.
To further enhance that open-air feeling, Wrangler Unlimited is available with removable full-frame or half doors, as well as a fold-down windshield.
Even with the addition of rear doors and a wheelbase more than 20 inches longer than the standard Wrangler, the Unlimited still retains that iconic Wrangler look. Inspiration came from a number of concept vehicles, including the 1997 Jeep Dakar, which was a first take on a 4-door Wrangler.
"The all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited extends Jeep design cues into a four-door, open-air form that is unmistakably Jeep Wrangler and unmistakably new," said Trevor Creed, senior vice president of design. "The Wrangler Unlimited's appearance is simple and pure, yet signals a new design approach to this familiar icon. Every angle reflects its boldly expanded posture and adventurous spirit, constructed in a head-turning silhouette that is authentic Jeep."
But while appearance is important, first and foremost, this is a Wrangler and it still retains that legendary Jeep off-road capability.
Off-Road Prowess"A long list of proven 4x4 hardware—essential components among off-road enthusiasts—underscores the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited's off-road capabilities," said Mike Donoughe, vice president of the Wrangler's body-on-frame product team. "From beefy axles and heavy-duty transfer cases with low gear ratios to locking differentials, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has more mettle than any other vehicle, and more than enough to conquer a variety of off-road challenges, right out of the box," he said.
The new Wrangler Unlimited boasts an impressive approach angle of 44.4 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.8 degrees, and 40.5-degree departure angle when equipped with 17-inch wheels. Ground clearance with the same wheels is more than 10 inches. Additionally, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers an available electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar which provides a 28 percent increase in wheel travel.
The X and Sahara versions feature the second-generation Command-Trac part-time, two-speed transfer case, featuring a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. An optional Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential provides extra torque and grip during low-traction situations. The top-of-the-line Rubicon comes with an Off-Road Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio, as well as electric front- and rear-axle lockers, Active Sway Bar System and 32-inch B.F. Goodrich off-road tires.
Under the hood is a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 205 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque; it can be teamed with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic. This engine provides more power as well as better fuel economy than the 4.0-liter engine it replaces.
A diesel engine will be available in certain markets outside North America—the first time in a Wrangler.
Wrangler Unlimited will be sold in more than 100 countries throughout the world, in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations, with sales beginning in North America this fall. Available as the X, Sahara or Rubicon, pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.

If you are going to Drink please don't Drive

Some of the people that read this blog Don't know about my friend Rich. They don't know the significance of the faded 18 on my leg. They don't know that I lost one of my best friends in November of 2004. Well Today the man who killed Rich was scentenced to jail. If you have a couple of minutes please read this article. Try to relate it to your own life. Pretend Rich was one of your close friends. Then, maybe, just maybe, you will think twice about Drinking and Driving. Thank you


DOVER, N.H. -- A former University of New Hampshire student convicted of negligent homicide was sentenced to prison Monday.
Kevin Whittaker was sentenced to 7½ to 22 years in prison for running down fellow undergraduate Rich Hegerich while he crossed a road in November 2004. Police said Whittaker was drunk and fled the scene.
Hegerich's parents said that they can understand an accident, but they couldn't forgive Whittaker for leaving their son to bleed to death.
"I wonder, was it five seconds or was it five minutes? I don't know," said the victim's father, Rich Hegerich Sr. "I don't know if he cried. I don't know if he yelled out for help."
"Kevin Whittaker committed an evil thing," said Hegerich's mother, Maureen Hegerich. "He snuffed out that life, that brightness that was Richard's life."
The accident happened just outside the UNH campus. Police said Whittaker and Hegerich had been drinking at different parties. Hegerich chose to walk home, while Whittaker drove. Prosecutors said that after the accident, Whittaker was pulled over for a broken light, and he claimed to be unaware that he hit anyone.
At the sentencing hearing, Whittaker took blame for the crash and then turned to Hegerich's family to say he wasn't heartless.
"Please don't think that I don't think about this every day," Whittaker said. "Please don't think I was cold-blooded. Please don't think that I left your son on the road to die.
The judge said Whittaker had not shown "one ounce of remorse" and seemed "bothered and inconvenienced" by the trial.
After the hearing, prosecutors presented Hegerich's father with the ball cap he was wearing at the time of the accident. His father said that the family was pleased with the outcome.
"It's closure on this crime so we can move on and really think of the good memories of Rich, you know?" he said.
Whittaker must attend substance abuse counseling while in prison and pay up to $17,000 in restitution to the victim's parents.

If you would like to watch the video please click on this link and click the video link

http://www.wmur.com/news/8596457/detail.html



HERE IS A SECOND ARTICLE FROM FOSTERS DAILY DEMOCRAT

DOVER — Sporting a blue, short-sleeve polo shirt that once belonged to his son, Richard Hegerich Sr. said his family now had some closure after a judge sentenced his son's killer on Monday to a minimum of 7 1/2 years in state prison.More than 30 friends and family of Richard Hegerich attended the sentencing hearing for Kevin Whittaker in Strafford County Superior Court Monday afternoon. The sentence, handed down by Judge Peter Fauver, was a year and a half more than what was requested by prosecutors."In the end, the judge did the right thing," Hegerich Sr. said. "There's a feeling of closure on the criminal part. Now that that's done, we don't have to think about it anymore."Whittaker, 20, was convicted at the end of January of negligent homicide and conduct after an accident by a jury of six men and six women. While driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.16, Whittaker struck and killed Hegerich, a fellow UNH student and native of Hanover, Mass., as he was crossing Main Street in downtown Durham.Instead of stopping, Whittaker drove around town, at one point trying to convince his girlfriend to take off with him. He was pulled over on Route 4 by a Durham police officer who noticed a defective headlight on his 1995 Dodge Stratus.Hegerich, a sophomore and member of the UNH swim team, was celebrating his 20th birthday on the night of his death. He had a blood-alcohol content of 0.14.Deputy County Attorney Thomas Velardi, lead prosecutor in the case, painted Whittaker not as a frightened, young college kid in a difficult situation, but instead as "an incredibly self-involved, utterly narcissistic young man who did what he could to cover it up.""It is frankly difficult to come up with any mitigating sentencing factor when you're talking about Kevin Whittaker," Velardi said.Several family members and friends of Hegerich spoke during the hearing, while others bowed their heads and listened quietly. Boxes of tissues were passed from bench to bench to dry wet eyes and noses."When I think of (Whittaker) I think of darkness," Maureen Hegerich, mother of Richard Hegerich, said. "Kevin Whittaker left my son to die alone. Our whole family is broken forever. Please your honor, send the right message to my family. Show my Richard that justice will be served."Whittaker's attorney, Stephen Jeffco of Portsmouth, argued the crime was a tragic accident and requested a sentence of no more than two years."Should Mr. Whittaker have stopped his vehicle? Absolutely," Jeffco said. "From day one Mr. Whittaker wanted to personally contact Rich's family to express his condolences ... Whatever sentence you impose cannot punish him anymore than he is punishing himself."Mick Meyer, a family friend of Whittaker, spoke on his behalf."The Kevin Whittaker I know is not a narcissistic, self involved individual. What happened a year-and-a-half ago was an aberration," Meyer said. "I do know that Kevin is repentant."A shaky, slow moving Whittaker approached the podium to speak, at one point turning to Hegerich's friends and family to share with them his remorse."Please don't think that I don't think about this every day. Please don't think that I left your son in the road to die," Whittaker said. "It happened so fast. I made a terrible, terrible mistake."Friends and family of Hegerich, wearing red ribbons pinned to their clothes with "Rich" scribed across, appeared unmoved by Whittaker's apology. On the other side of the room sat friends and family of Whittaker, poised in silent support."Today is the first day that I have seen you share one ounce of remorse," Fauver said, addressing a standing Whittaker, who he accused of showing too little emotion during the trial. "Instead you projected an image ... of one who is bothered and inconvenienced that this whole thing was going on," Fauver said. Fauver said the case was magnified by the fact that Whittaker did not stop after hitting Hegerich. He said the actions of Whittaker following the accident showed, "Callous disregard for the life of another human being. I'll bet you if you hit a deer or a dog, you probably would have stopped."Tense faces on both sides of the aisle stared toward Fauver as he reached a sentence. Maureen Hegerich clasped a hand to her face."Sentencing is one of the toughest parts of the job, and it's particularly tough when there are so many lives affected," Fauver said. Whittaker was sentenced to a minimum of three-and-a-half years for the charge of conduct after an accident, and four years for the charge of negligent homicide. The sentences are to be served consecutively. He was also ordered to pay well over $14,000 in restitution to the Hegerich family.Velardi said there was no doubt that Judge Fauver's sentence was stiff. He said he believes Fauver held Whittaker accountable for the fact that he did not stop after hitting Hegerich, and indeed would have kept going if he had not been pulled over for the defective headlight."He could have picked up the cell phone and made an anonymous call," Velardi said. "That's what makes this case so chilling and difficult to comprehend."Family and friends of Hegerich hugged each other, smiled, and flashed thumbs up as the hearing concluded, while friends and family of Whittaker shuffled out of the courtroom quickly and quietly.Maureen Hegerich said she felt "much better" after hearing the sentence."I think Tom Velardi, and the UNH and Durham police made this day happen for my son," she said, adding she could tell Velardi really cared about her son, and all those involved seemed to make a real effort to know him.She said she does not put much thought into forgiving Whittaker for his actions, and added she would feel differently if he had been a good kid who simply made a horrible mistake, which she does not believe was the case. "Hopefully, God will forgive him," she said.Friends of Hegerich, from UNH and his hometown of Hanover, Mass., attended the hearing."I'm glad that it's over. It was definitely hard to sit through," Maggie Downes, a friend of Hegerich's from both Hanover and UNH, said. "I think about it every day. I don't think it will ever stop." She said Hegerich was, "The funniest person to be around. He was also a really good friend. He was the one you went to if you had a problem."Dan Hegerich, the 19-year-old brother of Richard, said no sentence handed down could ever compare to the loss of his brother. "Everything I do now is for him," he said. A freshman at St. Anselm College, Dan Hegerich says he thinks about his brother 24 hours a day, seven days a week, "every night when I go to bed, every morning when I wake up."

Expedition Everest

Today Disney's Animal Kingdom, at Walt Disney World, officially opened Expedition Everest. The new attraction has been unofficially opened for the past couple of weeks and I have NOT heard one bad review. Here is the storyline behind the ride: You board a steam train in a small village in the Himalyain Mountains. This steam train is owned and operated by sherpas. The train is supposed to take you on a trip to see the sights of the Himalayan mountains. Unfortunately someone flipped the switch and you travel on the old tracks that lead up Mount Everest, there you encounter the Yeti (abomidable Snowman). That is as much as I am going to givem, but trust me I have seen a video of the whole ride and it is AMAZING...

Now in Honor of Expedition Everest Officially being open Here is some Expedition Everest Trivia


Mountain peak: At just under 200 feet, the tallest of 18 mountains created by Disney Imagineers at Disney parks worldwide.
Chilling thrills: A careening adventure including an 80-foot drop, plus frightening encounters with the mystical yeti.
Length: Nearly a mile of track as riders encounter harrowing twists, tight turns and drops.
Ride vehicle: Modeled after an aging, steam-engine tea train; 34 passengers per train.
Yeti, Guardian of the Mountain: The mammoth-sized Audio-Animatronics yeti has a potential thrust, in all of its hydraulic cylinders combined, of slightly over 259,000 pounds force -- potentially more instantaneous power than a 747-400 airliner.
Forced perspective: To create the sense of an enormous mountain range, Imagineers painted a "mural" of shadows across the face of the mountains. The range with its glaciers and valleys is a canvas of rockwork, carvings and painting creating a forced perspective where closer-in objects have a massive look while appliqués trick the eye into perceiving far off objects.
Bringing the Himalayan environment to Florida: More than 900 bamboo plants, 10 species of trees and 110 species of shrubs were planted to re-create the lowlands surrounding Mount Everest.
Steelwork: 1,800 tons of steel were used in the mountain structure. That is about six times the amount of steel used in a traditional office building of this size.
Mountain make-up: The mountain is crafted with more than 3,000 pre-fabricated "chips" created from 25,000 individual computer-molded pieces of steel.
Color palette: 2,000 gallons of stain and paint were used on the rockwork and throughout the village. The color scheme has ritual meaning to the Himalayan culture.
In the Himalayan regions, villagers commonly preserve yak dung and dry it out on village walls. They later use the hardened material as fuel in their homes. Disney Imagineers recreated the look of these walls in the Serka Zong village area.
Artisans at work: Artists from Imagineering used hammers, chainsaws and blowtorches to "age" wood and buildings in the village, giving them the appearance of being longstanding parts of the landscape.
Hillary step: The famous final ascent of Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953 is represented in Disney's man-made mountain. The coloring of Mount Everest differs from the rest of the mountain range because at more than 29,000 feet elevation, hurricane-force winds often blow the snow off its peak, revealing a raw sheet of rock.
Authentic detail: Some 2,000 handcrafted items from Asia are evident in the props, cabinetry and architectural ornamentation.
Height restriction for ride: 44 inches.
Seating: 17 rows of two-abreast seating .
Restraint: Lap bar.
Disney's FASTPASS: Expedition Everest features Disney's FASTPASS, the innovative system which allows guests, at no additional charge, to avoid lengthy waiting in line.




Now all this being said I MUST tell you about the TV Specials this week Honoring the Immagineers that went to Mount Everest and the Himalyain Mountains several times in the past couple of years to get the theming correct. Also there is a show with Jeff Corwin and the scientists that work at Disney's Animal Kingdom... They discovered 22 new species on their trip.


Expedition Everest: Journey to Sacred Lands

Expedition Everest follows an amazing quest for detail as Joe Rohde, Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, travels through Nepal to study every nuance of its culture, architecture and customs. Providing unprecedented coverage of this artist's journey to reveal the secrets of a complex and unique region, Expedition Everest covers the miles traveled to research and replicate so accurately the culture, architecture and customs of Nepal for Disney newest attraction.
Sunday April 09, 2006 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Channel - Travel Channel


Building a Thrill Ride: Expedition Everest

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the technology, engineering and creativity harnessed to build one of the most elaborate thrill rides in theme park history — "Expedition Everest" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. See the transformation of a five-acre sleepy cow pasture into a 200-foot mountain and Nepalese village. This special reveals the step-by-step creative process behind the construction, culminating in the unveiling of the replica of one of the most mystical and majestic mountains in the world. Viewers will also meet the revered protector of the mountain, the Yeti, brought to life through awe-inspiring technology and painstaking detail, down to the individual strands of hair in the creature's pelt.
Wednesday April 12, 2006 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Channel - Discovery Channel


Corwin's Quest: Realm of the Yeti

(TVKirby note - I am including this show in the listings as Animal Planet is one of the Discovery Networks and the show is linked off of the Expedition Everest page at http://dsc.discovery.com/everesttheexperience/ . In all Likelihood they will somehow link this show to the Expedition Everest attraction's Yeti.) Jeff Corwin joins an elite team of top scientists on an adventurous mission to search out new animal species in one of the most mysterious regions on earth. This region of Nepal is a remote and unexplored area of the Himalayas, in the shadow of the highest mountains in the world. Under Mount Everest's looming presence, Jeff encounters the area's diverse and exotic wildlife much of which has never been captured on film. Jeff also meets the locals, hears their stories and sees evidence of the creature called “the protector of the mountains.” Real or imagined, the Yeti has a profound conservation influence where huge swathes of land are left untouched because the locals believe the Yeti resides in their depths.
Saturday April 15, 2006 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Channel - Animal Planet

The Shocker

Is the "shocker" the peace sign of the 21st century?
I feel like fictional Sex and the City star Carrie Bradshaw after the opening to this column. (And for the record, that has absolutely nothing to do with the fabulous new pair of high heels I am currently wearing as I type this.)
The shocker symbol has come into ascendancy in the national consciousness with the Wichita State Shockers' drive to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. It's gotten so popular with the team's cheerleaders that they're even giving the shocker sign to TV cameras in the midst of their games. One can only imagine senior citizens across the country turning to one another and saying, "Lordy, I think that young lady just said her team was No. 3. These young people today ... so silly."
But on a more serious note, if you asked a random person to explain the symbol that most often appears in photographs from the 1960s, I'm betting that random person would say the peace sign. (This is the kind of due diligence we are famous for at ClayNation). For most of the 1990s, the middle-finger assumed the role of digital prominence, and now, I would argue, the shocker may get to see its day as the finger symbol of choice for young America. I, for one, think this is swell. My support for the shocker symbol's rise in pop culture relevance is the real reason I hope Wichita State goes to the Final Four.
At this point, some of you might be completely confused as to what the hell I'm talking about. This is not entirely by my choice. Remember the classic Seinfeld episode, " The Contest"? This is the ClayNation equivalent. How shall we put this in a delicate manner?
Let's just go with Wikipedia's definition. The opening line states, "The shocker is a hand gesture with a sexual connotation that has become popular in many high schools and colleges throughout the United States."
Did you know Wichita State sold a ton of baseball caps with "Shockers" emblazoned above the brim? Well, someone in Wichita State's marketing department was probably sitting around absolutely stunned about the school's sudden nationwide popularity. That person probably even told the admissions office to expect a tidal wave of new applications based on how many hats were being sold.
I hate to burst their bubble, but it was because the shocker was well on its way to being the most popular hand gesture in the U.S. And also because kids loved wearing something their parents didn't get. Right now, there are probably lots of parents rushing to dig through their kids' piles of baseball caps. Somewhere, I'm certain a father is shedding tears as he holds up the cap he bought his daughter because he finally thought she was interested in sports.
To continue my hard-hitting investigative piece on the use of the shocker signal, I sought out the Wichita State Web site. You can imagine my surprise when I found the cover of the 2003-04 basketball guide featuring several members of the Shockers cheerleading squad showing the shocker symbol. This was absolutely classic.
My theory is at some point in the past, a brilliant cheerleader (oxymoron notwithstanding) managed to pull one over on the administration, which had no clue what the shocker actually was. They probably said something like, "Hey look, we're mimicking an electric socket," or, "No, it's just a W." Right, sure it is. And now the good 'ole shocker has been firmly embedded in the core of the school and the hearts of the country. Good for that brilliant cheerleader.
Personally, I'm hoping that next year, a school, say the University of Miami, announces that from now on, its new spirit finger will be the No. 1, utilizing the middle finger rather than the old-fashioned index finger. I mean, who cares if people have their own vulgar connotations dealing with the extension of the middle finger? That's their problem, right?
But all this leaves us with one question: Why the shocker now? What about our current situation leads to shocker ascendance? I think there are a couple of answers, other than Wichita State's success in the tourney: First of all, the 21st century is a more open sexual society. Can one imagine a 1950s Kansas cheerleader giving a sexual hand signal on television? My guess is no, given that television stations in the '50s were not allowed to show Elvis' swiveling hips.
Second, there's something fairly entertaining about being able to give a hand signal on television and have less than 10 percent of the audience understand what you are saying. For instance, how many times have we seen black athletes give fraternity signs on fields of play? How many white people have spent the collective equivalent of the mental energy required to defeat polio trying to figure out what the hell is being said?
The shocker speaks to an audience of the young within the construct of traditional media. And hardly anyone was the wiser. That kind of humor, lost on a large majority of the people who see it, is a 21st century humor Rorschach test. If you don't get it, per this view, then you really weren't worthy of the joke to begin with.
In order for the shocker to emerge from its cloistered status as a 20-something-and-younger hand signal, a column like this had to be written. In fact, this column might represent the first instance of the shocker phenomenon crossing over into the world at large. We here at ClayNation are very proud to bring you such important and breaking news. For the record, I'm expecting any day to receive my White House press credentials and my Pulitzer.
It won't be too many years now until a suburban housewife with four kids in elementary school rolls into the Boise PTA mixer and brings down the house with the shocker signal. Then the shocker will go the way of the peace sign and the middle finger and the bunny ears as another symbol so embraced it loses its humor and uniqueness. Sadly, the shocker will have become just another hand signal whose very popularity brings it tumbling down the road of obsolescence.
Already, new hand signals are out there, waiting to be embraced. And just maybe these hand signals are waiting on a college wearing a Cinderella slipper to bring them to the forefront of the nation.
I know in my column last week I said it would never happen again in recorded history, but here comes this phrase again: Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo, meet the shocker.

I found this on a Disney Website I am on... Read it


We get into a log/ride vehicle with 4 teenage boys (all with shaved heads, btw. What's that about? Sorry, OT). The teenage boys are in the first two rows, Me and two 6 year olds next and 8 and 7 y/o in last row. These teenage boys were beyond obnoxious!!! First, they screamed throughout the entire ride and kept looking behind them to see what we were doing. They had some sort of big plan that they thought was hilarious. On every drop they would yell louder and put up their arms, and here is the kicker....They were holding up a disgusting hand gesture. There was a huge thread about it awhile back. It is called The Shocker and evidently it must be simply hilarious to teenage boys. Their behavior was so offensive and rude. Do these kids have no idea how to behave in public, especially when there are young children around? Obviously, the kids I was with have no idea what the Shocker is, but they recognized the actions of the boys was infantile at best. Their big plan was for the picture on the big drop.



I just think it is funny because these adults know what the shoker is

Someone (Terri) actually posted that they wanted more WDW trivia so here it goes

1. On Cinderella's Carosel, one horse with a gold ribbon on its tail, that's supposed to be Cindy's horse.
2. In MgM on the street in the New York neighborhood you can hear gangsters talking and gun shots inside the buildings
3. Star Tours, right as your leaving the droid room entering the staging area look up and you'll see 2 mechanical birds; a neat homage to the 2 crows (ravens?) on Splash Mt. just before the big drop
4. Tower of Terror, Images of Mickey Mouse have been hidden throughout the attraction by mischievous Imagineers. During the entire show, for example, the little girl is holding a Mickey mouse doll. Also, look for the famous silhouette of three circles along the balcony railing just before you enter the building and as a water stain on the wall in the boiler room. Although probably not intentional, the bell for the elevator above Rod Serling's head in the Library film also bears a resemblance to those famous mouse ears. A reference to Mickey can also be seen in the sheet music in the Library which is a copy of actual music written in the 1930s. The child actress in the libraryis holding a doll that is one of the first Mickey Mouse dolls ever made, and it is the only Hidden Mickey that the design team has confirmed. The luggage in the lobby is a complete set made from genuine alligator skin. While looking through a 1930s furniture catalog, Imagineers decided to call the company to see if they were still in business. They were, and Walt Disney Imagineering had them reproduce two settees for the lobby. It is said that Imagineers had mahjongg players set up the game in the lobby so guests who know how to play the game can see that it is authentic. The top speed for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is said to be about 39mph. When you board the elevator, on the left side, outside of the elevator itself, is an inspection certificate that's dated Oct. 31, 1939, and signed by "Cadwallader". Cadwallader was a character in the sixth Twilight Zone episode "Escape Clause" who actually turned out to be the Devil himself. the inspection certificate number is 10259, which is cool because The Twilight Zone's first episode ("Where Is Everybody") premiered on Oct. 2, 1959.

WHY?

So I am curious. Why are you checking my blog? Is it because you read my away messages and are compelled to check. I think it is very interesting, I have received tons of hits in the last week alone. So I would like for everyone to hit the Comments section and tell me why they check my blog... You can leave your name anonymous if you would like. Thank you

Fire and Ice

Wanna feel like you went to Fire and Ice today with Bry and Lea, well all you have to do is read this convo and you can feel like you were there!

EM EH ARE SEA: how was fire and ice

EM EH ARE SEA: what did you get

EM EH ARE SEA: are you ful

lMilller116: hah it was delicious

EM EH ARE SEA: did you have a hamburger

Milller116: no i did not

Milller116: i got a little of everything

Milller116: and yes i am full

EM EH ARE SEA: sauce?

Milller116: some kind of hot sauce

EM EH ARE SEA: steak and cheese

Milller116: nah

EM EH ARE SEA: sausages

Milller116: yes

EM EH ARE SEA: noodles

Milller116: yes

EM EH ARE SEA: salad?

Milller116: no

EM EH ARE SEA: what did you drink

Milller116: watetr

EM EH ARE SEA: what did lea eat?

Milller116: hah same thing i did

EM EH ARE SEA: did you pay

Milller116: yes

EM EH ARE SEA: how much did you tip?

Milller116: 6 dollars

EM EH ARE SEA: what did she drink

Milller116: water

EM EH ARE SEA: was it anyones birthday

Milller116: some black bitchs birthday

EM EH ARE SEA: did you choose her drink or did she order it

Milller116: i said listen up bitch ur drinking water

EM EH ARE SEA: was the funny grill guy there

Milller116: haha yea he was

EM EH ARE SEA: where did you sit?

Milller116: over on the left near a window

EM EH ARE SEA: was your waitress hot?

Milller116: nah some ugly spook with bad teeth

EM EH ARE SEA: what did you wear?

Milller116: red polo, jeans

EM EH ARE SEA: what did lea wear?

Milller116: umm jeans and a black shirt

EM EH ARE SEA: how many times did you get food?

Milller116: twice

EM EH ARE SEA: was there a wait

Milller116: no wait

Yummy that was a great meal I am glad I could bring this meal to the masses