Music Monday: Andy Skib's To Have Heroes

I mentioned Andy Skib's solo project To Have Heroes back in March and now, thanks to internet technology (and a fellow fan) you can attend his Black Friday Performance in Tulsa, Ok.

Enjoy!

Disney Store Time Square

With yesterday being Black Friday, and therefore the official start to the Holiday shopping season, it seems like a good time to introduce the Disney Store that opened November 9^th in Times Square. I attended the Grand Opening with two ideas in mind: number one- I had a coupon for a free gift and number two- GiGi might be able to meet Mickey Mouse. The Wonderful World of Disney that formerly existed on Fifth Avenue around 60^th street had character greetings that I wanted so badly to go to but had to contain myself always wanted to take a child to. When we got there we were informed that this store had done away with character greeting, and even though I GiGi was a bit upset by this we were already there so what was the harm in shopping. I thought that the idea of the line wrapping around the block was a bit ridiculous and the singing of the MICKEY MOUSE CLUB THEME quite over the top really, but as I put on my complimentary Mouse Ears (for GiGi’s amusement only) I couldn’t help but smile.

Okay I admit it, I was a totally Disney-centric kid, I wanted to find a handsome gentlemen who would defeat my foes and we would live happily ever after and while I joke that I should sue Disney for false promises of Princes, Every time I watch the movies or enter Disney World I get the smile that starts on my lips and goes straight through my heart, spreading tingles and fairy tales all along my blood stream. I’ve Drank the Kool-Aid, I continue to do so, I have vacationed in Disney going on 10 times, it really is the happiest place on earth, and you can bet your booty I am that adult posing with pictures with giant stuffed animals. So sue me the Mouse makes me happy.

(Disney World, October 2009)

Now, much to my chagrin, the entire world is not Disney World, and I do not live in a world of fantasy, which is why the Disney Store is so amazing. When you enter the doors, the real world stays outside. You are greeted by a smiling cast member (that’s what Disney Employees are called) and surrounded by a world of toys and mannequins dressed in costumes that are for sale but practically nobody ever buys them (though GiGi loves pointing at them and watching them twirl.)

The walls are covered in some of the most famous Disney Quotes and there are even TV screens with seating areas where you can hang out and watch the movies.

But the crowning glory of the store is the castle because what is Disney without a castle? The one story replica is complete with a chandelier and magic mirrors for little Princesses

In the end, it is a store. There are lines and it is quite possible that all of the Disnification and tourist friendly location might cause crowding to be extreme during the holiday shopping season. But you can find something for everyone, I’m sure, and if you have to go through the hassle of shopping anyway, you might as well do it in a place like this. As you leave, Mickey and long time love, Minnie, thank you for visiting and a cast member tells you to have “A magical Day” which, since you are reentering the real world, you know you probably won’t but maybe just maybe you will and you smile at the thought.