NY Giants in role reversal

This time the Giant had the sling and the small stature. He’s still got one heck of an arm though.

If you just came out of a coma, the New York Giants just won the superbowl in the last quarter, with less than a minute on the board. Considering the vast odds they overcame to get to the game and even more to beat an offense that has broken records and had yet to lose a game, it seems just a little noteworthy.

Can we see the same happen in politics? Not with Ron Paul of course, but we’ll see. Both Obama and Romney still have a few tricks up their sleeves. One of them is of course not being liars or political opportunists. That’s always a plus. Once again, I truly fear for this country if the vote comes down to Hillary vs McCain. I don’t trust either of them, regardless of their issues.

Why is it people always forget character when looking for a leader. I know it doesn’t seem like any politician has character in this day and age, but do you honestly think you should vote for someone just on the issues? There’s a lot more to being president than that. Doing whatever you can to smear your opponent, no matter how unethical, undermines that. So does carpet-bagging because you’ve become addicted to the smell of the White House. If you’re not in it for the good of the country, you don’t deserve my vote.

Stay tuned, if time allows I will have something a little more substantial (and less known) tomorrow. You might like it, if you’re interested in things that have the potential to change society as we know it.

Human Statues at Disneyland

Just a short post today, I’ve been busy lately. Thank you to all of you who have comforted LDS members and for your kind words considering my tribute to the late prophet: Gordon B. Hinckley.

I’ve learned a great deal today about comedy, crowd mentality, and what makes people happy. How I learned it is something you’ll have to figure out yourself.

Awesome Group Antics For Going to Disney World (in no particular order)

1. Invisible trip wire: While in a crowd, have all the members of your group stop and take a large step over some unseen barrier on the ground. You can plan for one member of the group to not notice and get their foot caught in it or fall if they’re up to the task as well. Effects include odd looks, pointing and whispering, and other people stepping over the invisible barrier as well.

2. Hitting your head: This is similar, but it’s overhead instead of by your feet. Often, the first person to reach the barrier is the one that hits their head on it, while the others duck. This one is more likely to get others to react as if the barrier was there if done properly.

3. West Side Story: Form a line, and then step and snap as a group. For more details on the specific movements, watch the movie. I’m sure you can get the general idea. Sometimes, Disney staff will start singing the opening song to the musical upon noticing you.

4. Impromptu parade: March in time as a group around the circle in front of the castle while saluting. The crowd response is surprisingly good.

5. Pose as statues in Injun Joe’s cave: This is by far one of the most satisfying group activities. In one of the larger chambers in the cave on Tom Sawyer Island, set up in a pose of some kind and stare at the corridor. Tourists will jump upon first sight, and then question whether you are real/be terrified/laugh hysterically/turn around and go the other way. Priceless.

6. Human statues in general: Freeze in some sort of choreographed pose in front of an oft-frequented part of the park, but not directly in the way of the crowd. Crowd response is increased when the poses match the theme of the area (Pirates, superheroes, ballroom dancers, sailors on a ship (good for the ferry between Tom Sawyer and the mainland), etc.). The best locations include the Robinson Family Treehouse, the benches in front of The Laugh Floor, the aforementioned Injun Joe’s cave (which is such an incredibly good location it warranted it’s own number on the list), the ferry outside the park, and Pirates of the Caribbean. You can also spontaneously freeze while on a ride (point directly in front of you while on Thunder Mountain in a heroic fashion and you’ll see what I mean).

These are just a few of the possible things you can do at Disney World or Disneyland. There are many more, but these are tried-and true crowd stoppers. You might even make some cash in the process. Just don’t try it as a business venture or you’ll be kicked out of the park.

Theme parks, especially Disney parks, are an excellent location for these kinds of antics. They fit the state of mind of the park (you will find that many people will wonder if you are part of the park or if you work at the park), people expect the unexpected here…but will still find it odd and humorous. Putting a smile on someone’s face can make the day all that much more worth it, even if you do miss your fastpass time. You’ll get something out of it, and they will too. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up in some complete stranger’s scrapbook some day.

I know I will.

Questions and comments in the comment section please.

Rhyme and Reason: Part Two

Here is the second portion of my take on Samuel Beckett: Reason.

Clemens takes off his pack, reaches inside, and extracts two apples. He tosses them to his entangled friends, who snatch them up greedily and begin to devour them.

Edward: I say…what is that?

Clemens looks offstage, where a light appears to be glowing. It grows steadily brighter and brighter until an odd looking man with a lantern in hand steps away from the curtain on a balcony overlooking the stage, apparently at the edge of the pit looking in on the travelers.

Joseph: Hullo there! It seems you’re in a bit of a fix down there! I could lend a hand if you’d like!

Edward stares in amazement. The other two are facing the opposite direction and have not noticed the new arrival.

Edward: Why would we need help?

Joseph: (baffled) Are you daft man? You’re in a pit!

Edward: No I’m not! I’m in a pool!

Edward proceeds to make swimming motions and move around the pit, making fish faces and bubbling noises as he goes.

Clemens: (annoyed) Now what are you doing?

Edward: I’m swimming! How else am I to move about in a pool?

Clemens: This isn’t a pool. It’s impossible for this to be a pool. We’d have drowned by now if this were a pool. You can’t stay this long underwater without drowning.

Edward: Yes you can! I haven’t drowned yet, and I’m in a pool. I must be in a pool then, since I’m not drowning. There’s a man here, by the way. He said he wanted to smell our pits.

Edward begins swimming in circles around Victor.

Victor: That’s not possible. The old grocer told me that nobody passes by here except every full moon.

Clemens: It’s a full moon right now.

Victor: No it isn’t. There’s nobody here.

Edward: Then who is that?

Victor turns and is shocked to see someone there.

Joseph: Hello there.

Victor: Hello. You don’t exist.

Joseph: (startled) I don’t?

Victor: Nope. It’s not a full moon.

Joseph: (pointing up) Yes it is. See for yourself.

Victor: Hello full moon. You don’t exist.

Joseph: How can you say that moon isn’t full?

Victor: Because there’s nobody here.

Joseph: Ah.

Edward begins to blow raspberries in Clemens’ ear, which grabs Joseph’s attention.

Joseph: (calling to Clemens) You there! You look like a man of sense. Come, I have a ladder here. I can get you and your friends out.

Edward: (shouting) Aren’t you going to answer the nice man!?

Clemens: Are you going to stop eating your own refuse?

Edward: (surprised) No!…err…what are you talking about!?

Clemens: (startled and disgusted) Nothing…

Edward: I do that a lot.

Clemens: I noticed.

Edward: You should talk to the nice man.

Clemens: There is no nice man.

Edward (jumping up and down and pointing): Yes there is! Look at him! Right there! He’s the newest person here; I think he has something smart to say!

Clemens: I won’t believe it until I see it.

Edward: (vehemently) Then look at him!

Clemens: (puzzled) Why?

Victor: I’m hungry.

Edward: Me too.

Victor: Everyone must be hungry.

Joseph: I’m not.

Victor: You don’t exist.

Joseph: Why is that?

Victor: You don’t exist.

Joseph: Can you give any evidence to support that argument?

Victor: Sure I can. You don’t exist.

Joseph: (impatient) I don’t have a lot of time. There is a storm on its way and we all need to head to shelter before it hits.

Victor: Nonsense! You don’t exist. Therefore, nothing you say is true. We don’t believe you.

Joseph lowers the ladder into the pit.

Edward: Ooh! I can use this to fight the lions!

Lightning flashes and thunder rumbles from offstage. Joseph jumps at the sound.

Joseph: (panicking) Time’s up! Keep the ladder, but I’ve got to get to safety. I hope to see you back in town.

Joseph turns and exits in a hurry.

Edward: What a funny man.

Victor: Indeed. It’s a pity he wasn’t real.

Edward: (nodding fervently) Agreed.

Clemens rises and opens his pack. He begins shuffling through it, trying to find something. Edward sees him and creeps over, ladder in hand. He checks over his shoulder repeatedly for lions. It begins to rain heavily.

Edward: What are you doing?

Clemens: Looking something to get us out of this pit.

Edward: You mean tent. Why do you think the way out will be in your pack?

Clemens: (trembling with anger) Because my pack has never failed me and no…I mean pit! This bloody pit we’re in! It’s already starting to fill with water. Look over there!

Edward: (pleased) Excellent! Now I won’t drown!

Edward scurries over to center stage and plunges his face into the floor.

Victor: (looking up at the sky) Please help us! Send someone! Anyone! Help!

Clemens: (pausing in the search of his pack) Your God won’t save you!

Victor: (casting a glance at Clemens) Your pack won’t save you!

Victor and Clemens: (together) We’ll see about that!

Victor resumes praying and Clemens searches more violently. He pulls out a frying pan, a magazine, and a rubber duck and throws them behind him. The duck hits Edward on the head, but he does not notice as he is too busy flailing. The water level continues to rise. Clemens cries out in frustration and Victor sobs in despair.

Victor and Clemens: (together) If only someone had passed by who could help us!

Edward: (pulling his head up) If only that nice man had brought a ladder with him!

The curtain falls as Victor prays, Clemens pulls more strange items out of his pack, and Edward flails while the water level rises higher and higher.

Thoughts?