Ok, I'm going to let Mark tell you about the food, because while it was good, I was distracted by something altogether different. I'm going to start by saying I'm a very proud Texan (just ask Mark.) I love my state and take great pride in being from here. That said, there is more redneck, white trash running around this state and for one month out of the year they converge in Dallas at the State Fairgrounds.
I love people-watching, but what's really sad is that some of the vendors have misspelled signs on their booths. This one just struck me as funny...especially since there were at least 3 booths around this guy that got it right...
Overall we had a great time...just one word of advice - don't waste your time on the laser/pyrotechnic show, Illumination Sensation. It was just crap. The songs didn't really make sense or pertain to anything or anyone in particular and they certainly didn't transition very well. The laser images were just ok and the few fireballs and fireworks there were were just ok. If you've seen the show in the past, skip this one - you'll be highly disappointed. If you haven't seen it, skip it - you'll be highly disappointed. If you just need some time to rest and sit down, I'd suggest doing it in an air-conditioned building, not in the Esplanade.
I'll admit it, I love Disney's Song of the South! I saw it when it was released in theatres in the 80's and have always wanted it on dvd. Because of controversy it was never made for release in the US. After limited release in Europe it was pulled from shelves due to all of the controversy.
When Mark and I were riding Splash Mountain I realized that he didn't know the story of Br'er Rabbit. I explained as we were going through the ride and it made much more sense to him. It's hard to believe how many people have no idea about this movie, yet it's the theme of a major ride at Disneyland. The only thing that I can see to be controversial is the Tar Baby - that's pretty bad for today's highly sensitive audiences. But, this movie was made in 1946. Everything else is fine - it's a movie about slaves and slave stories. I think to hide from this movie is sad - it's a beautiful movie and is one of the first major movies to combine animation and live-action. Anyhoo...someone sent Mark a copy that was made from the laserdisc that was released in the 80's. We watched it last night and really enjoyed it. There were a couple of moments where we cringed a bit, but it was a great movie. I got online and was researching the movie when I discovered that it was again released and sold in Disney Paris, but this time was remastered for US dvd players. It's an official Disney release! So, I bought a copy.
I was always afraid that we would have this great Disney collection and always have a giant hole in it where Song of the South should be. Now we will have a complete collection!
If this isn't proof of my true nature I don't know what is...
This hasn't been retouched or enhanced at all. There was a lot of glass tile on the table in front of us and I think it's just a reflection from the flash, but it didn't affect anyone else in the picture. Just weird...
It just dawned on me that I never wrote about my weekend trip to San Diego/Tijuana...
Deena and I spent this past weekend in San Diego learning as much as possible about Oceanside glass. We arrived Thursday and relaxed before our great adventure began the next morning. The theme this year was "The Glass Crusade: In Search of the Crystal Skull." Everything - and I mean everything - was geared toward an Indiana Jones theme.
Friday morning we registered and found our team. We were Team Willie, named after a character in "The Temple of Doom." Breakfast was spent getting to know our other team members and leaders before climbing on buses and heading to Tijuana. OGT built a brand new factory in Mexico a couple of years ago and we were off to tour it. We spent the day at the factory, which was beautiful, clean, and organized. Afterward, we jumped on the buses and headed back across the border for dinner at a San Diego park.
Saturday morning we got an early start and went to the headquarters located in Carlsbad. We spent the day there doing various workshops about green design, design concepts, and installation - yes, we installed sheets of Tessera on a vertical surface! Amazingly, it's very easy if you follow the directions to a T.
Saturday evening was our final night together and the guys at Oceanside know how to throw a party. We had appetizers, cocktails, and dinner on the beach under a full moon followed by dancing and a guest performance by "Slump" - made up of Oceanside employees and executives. While some of their songs are about tile, most are pretty good covers.
All in all it was a very informative and enjoyable weekend. We're both looking forward to going again!
I'm off to a work seminar this weekend in San Diego with one of our suppliers, Oceanside Glasstile. Deena, my counterpart at work, is going with me. We fly out around 4:00 today (I know - flying on 9/11) and should land around 5:30. Tonight we don't have anything to do but hang out and wait for tomorrow.
On Friday we venture into Tijuana to visit the factory where we'll spend the day watching them pour glass, making our own molds, etc. We even have a "Churro" break at one point (my mouth is watering already.) We'll be back over the border before the sun sets (we ain't stupid) for dinner on the beach.
Saturday is full of workshops - installation, design, product knowledge, etc. with the occasional team building game thrown in - the main thing I hate about these things. Then Saturday night is reserved for the party. Open bar and good food - Deena's determined I'm going to be on the dance floor at one point.
The overall theme to the weekend is "The Glass Crusade: The Search for the Crystal Cranium"...uh huh, I know...they're cheesy as hell, but also a lot of fun. At least their being creative. I won't be so lucky next month when I have to go to a different seminar in Perth Amboy, NJ. It's mostly sitting in a room and listening to lectures - a complete let-down after Oceanside and San Diego.
Oh well - that's next month. It's 10:15 and I'm so ready to go. We're leaving work at 2:00, but I've been here since 7:30 this morning and am tired already. I was up late last night and needed Mark to bring me to work so I could leave my car at home for the weekend. Nobody else showed up until 9-ish so I got a lot of work done and now I'm just a little bored...and ready to go!
Sorry I haven't been writing this week. I'm building a blog for my showroom and it's eating up some time. I promise I'll be back...in the meantime, check out the new shirt design. It hasn't been posted yet, but it will be later on. Let me know what you think!
It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the Republican party, not that I'm a Dem fan either. I'm not really crazy about the party system in general. But I have to admit that I reserve a little more disdain for the GOP. This is a clip from The Daily Show highlighting everything that's wrong with politics in this country and made me laugh out loud at the same time.
How freakin excited am I? I now have tickets for Tina Turner Live on Oct 26th! This will be the 4th time for me to see her - the most I've ever seen any one artist. She's just amazing in person - indescribable energy and attitude.
I think her energy is always better in Dallas, and she always makes a note of the fact, because this is where she finally broke away from Ike. I was just talking about her yesterday when "Proud Mary" came on the radio at work. Then, this morning I came in to work and poof- there she was!
So, how did I get these tickets before they go on sale on September 15, you ask. I'll let you in on a secret - three actually. First, there are 3 different presales going on - two AMEX and one Oprah. Second, the Oprah presale gets you better seats. Third, the Oprah presale password is "proudmary". There ya go!
If you've never seen her, now's your chance - fair warning - there are only two price points. The majority of seats are $165. I put $59 in and it pulled up tickets in the 3rd level. The higher priced one brought up tickets in the lower level - just off the floor.
Overall we had a great time...just one word of advice - don't waste your time on the laser/pyrotechnic show, Illumination Sensation. It was just crap. The songs didn't really make sense or pertain to anything or anyone in particular and they certainly didn't transition very well. The laser images were just ok and the few fireballs and fireworks there were were just ok. If you've seen the show in the past, skip this one - you'll be highly disappointed. If you haven't seen it, skip it - you'll be highly disappointed. If you just need some time to rest and sit down, I'd suggest doing it in an air-conditioned building, not in the Esplanade.
