Having this sudden thought when I got off the train really makes me wonder whether I'm doing the right thing, making the right choice, or even walking the right path.
But as the lowly lifeform and unpredictable human being as we are, I wouldn't really know the answer except to continue with my journey and take on my responsibilty.
I believe that each of us has a purpose for living. And honestly speaking, I'm still finding mine. Have you found yours?
But still, no matter how much my heart desires to be with some place else, I still can't shake away the fact that I'm gonna be stuck here for another few years and be part of the workaholics in Japan.
Wish me luck in surviving this ever dynamic paradigm 20th century.
A Farewell to all D&M readers , with a final surprise
That's it, my friends, it's Disney and more last post. And just like at Disneyland where each day ends with a firework, Disney and more also have its final fireworks as you can see above. But at Disneyland before the firework there is generally a great show or parade. I don't have any parade for you but i have a final surprise: a brand new website, dedicated to a great man who was also a WDI Imagineer: Tom Scherman.
Without Tom we won't have the almost real-size Nautilus at Disneyland Paris. He was without a doubt the Nautilus world specialist and a genius model maker. Since he saw "20000 Leagues under the Sea" at 17 Tom found in love with Harper Goff's submarine, did his first Nautilus model and many others later, became Harper Goff friend and even designed his own apartment with a gorgeous Nautilus style!
So, let's have a look to what you will find in the Tom Scherman's web site that i've tried to design with a Nautilus theming. First, the url to put in your bookmarks is: http://tomscherman.blogspot.com/. There is a slide show of fourteen different header images and four of them shows Tom at different ages of his life. On the right side bar you have the links to each article and the front page article is a tribute to Tom Scherman and will learn you more about his life and career.
There is a lot of never seen before documents in the site and the first of them is the incredible scrapbook that Tom did when he redesigned his apartment as a submarine at the end of the 1960's.
Rowland Scherman, Tom's brother who provided most of the documents for this site also found back great Nautilus paintings that Tom did a long time ago.
Before he passed away in 1995 Tom sent to me exclusive pictures that he shot while he was creating DLP Nautilus at WDI facility. This article will tell you everything on the making of DLP's attraction.
For this project Tom did a lot of "napkin sketches". Some of them were reproduced in my DLP book but here you will find an extended selection of Tom's sketches.
And because "Les Mystères du Nautilus" attraction is Tom's masterpiece you will find a full pictorial report AND a brand new 10 minutes video of the whole Nautilus walk through that i've filmed last week at DLP!
Tom did also some great sketches for the Discovery Bay project which inspired TDS Mysterious Island.
I've added to this new web site previous articles posted on D&M before, like this one about the amazing Nautilus Two model.
You will find also others great articles about 20000 Leagues under the Sea, the now extinct WDW attraction and also all about the beautiful eFX Nautilus Replica model available for pre-order and which will be released next month!
Finally, in the "Vulcania Treasures" section you'll be able to order beautiful limited edition prints of Tom's artwork. Now, and although i might add one or two more articles to this new site, this will not be a site where i will post daily articles as i did the last three years on Disney and more. The Tom Scherman site is pretty complete as it is right now and we tried Rowland and I to give a totally deserved tribute to a great man, in a elegant way. I hope you will enjoy this new site, let me know in your comments!
Before i end this final post i want to thank all of you to have been so faithful to Disney and more during the last three years. All i've tried to do was a really good web site and the best possible tribute to Walt Disney Imagineering. I'm glad that so many of you enjoyed it and i'll try to comeback from time to time when there will be a new attraction or a major announcement - like Shanghaî Disneyland. A last and good news for those of you who were not there from the start of Disney and more and missed a lot of good articles: a best-of of Disney and more articles will run on Mice Age each Sunday, beginning in some weeks from now.
If you miss Disney and more articles, remember also that you'll find all D&M archives on the right side bar, or on Disney and more Artwork, or on Disney and more Movies. Don't forget too the new Innoventions Blog with interesting tech articles.
Again, many thanks for your loyal support, and i wish you all the best for your life and future projects.
Alain Littaye
Israel's new secret weapon: Skunk stink!
Israel tries new tactics against
Palestinian protesters
A white armored truck rumbles toward the scene. Protesters dive for cover as a small cannon on the vehicle's roof takes aim and fires — not bullets or tear gas, but a heavy stream of the foulest-smelling liquid imaginable. Is it the sickly sweet odor of decomposing flesh? A trash dump on a hot day? Vomit? Those who've been doused wax on in vain, trying to find a worthy description for the stench that won't go away, no matter how hard you scrub, for several days. Israeli soldiers call the truck the Skunk, and they say it has become one of their favorite tools in confronting the rising challenge of West Bank demonstrations.
As Palestinians have reshaped their resistance in recent years from suicide bombings and armed attacks to civil disobedience and nonviolent demonstrations, Israel's military is grappling with how to alter its tactics as well. "This is a new trend, and we're trying to address it in a new way," said Lt. Col. Eliezer Toledano, operations officer for the Israeli army in the West Bank. "We have to adjust ourselves to the reality today."
With no suicide attacks or armed clashes last year, he said, one of the main West Bank security threats today is the surge in organized civilian protests. A year ago, there were two such weekly demonstrations in West Bank cities. Now there are at least 10, involving up to 2,000 protesters a week, and the numbers keep rising.
Though often billed as peaceful, the demonstrations can turn violent, and Israeli soldiers have been accused of using guns against unarmed protesters. Two young Palestinian demonstrators were killed in March near Nablus by what Palestinians say were Israeli rifle bullets. The Israelis are investigating whether live rounds were used. But they said this week that they had reprimanded officers involved, saying the incident would not have occurred with better training and supervision.
With the increase in standoffs between armed Israeli soldiers and rock-throwing Palestinians, Israeli officials say, they have been searching for better tools, such as the Skunk, to give troops options for controlling the demonstrations.
"The challenges today are sometimes more of a police challenge rather than a military challenge, so we are trying to react in a police way," said a top Israeli commander, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "If you take things from your military toolbox and use them for policing, you end up with a bad result."
Of the more than 300 arrests made during protests since 2005, nearly two-thirds have occurred in the last year, according to figures from protest organizers. In recent months, soldiers have begun conducting nighttime raids of protesters' homes, a tactic usually reserved for suspected terrorists, protesters complain.
The military is also testing some controversial legal strategies. In Bilin and Niilin, two West Bank villages with long-running weekly protests against Israel's separation barrier, the military recently decreed that the cities would be designated "closed military zones" from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. MORE
How soon before the UN passes a resolution accusing Israel of cruel and brutal treatment of protesters? And no doubt the Skunk Lovers Association will get into the act complaining about Israel ruining their pet’s reputation.
His Holiness meets His Shmuleyness (and a local note)
Shmuley gives the Holy Father advice on how to improve the Catholic church's standing and reputation. It's a real pity that he wasn't around a few hundred years ago when the Inquisition was in full swing.
And seeing that the whole Christian church "business" was started by a "Jewish rabbi", it makes sense that Rabbi Shmuley has such altruistic feelings towards it.
My Meeting with Pope Benedict
by Shmuley Botach
I had my meeting with the Pope today at his Wednesday audience. Let me first give you an idea of the setting. There were approximately fifteen thousand people from all over the world gathered in St. Peter’s Square speaking an untold number of languages. The sun shone very brightly. The day was perfect. The Pope arrived in his pope-mobile to great excitement and fanfare. His vehicle was open-top. I assumed they didn’t need the protective bubble that has become so iconic on TV because there was security screening for each person present. As the Pope drove among the crowd they shouted ‘Viva Papa - Long live the Pope.’ There seemed to be genuine affection and excitement among the Catholic pilgrims who had gathered from all over the world.
The pope drove up the incline and arrived in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The people who were there to meet him sat on both sides of his dais. There were clergymen from all over the world: Cardinals, Bishops, and priests from the Catholic Church. I sat next to three Anglican Bishops from the UK. With me was my friend Gary Krupp, head of the Pave the Way Foundation, who had arranged the visit and several of his officers.
The Pope read greetings in give languages and an American priest welcomed our group publicly from the Pope’s dais. The Pope waived to us.
When the formal ceremony, lasting about two hours ended, the Pope came off his dais and moved along the receiving line to greet us. Gary introduced me to the Pope warmly with my formal titles. I gave the Pope a special gift we had gotten for him. It was a beautiful dual-time Phillip Stein watch. The Pope lit up when he saw it and said, “Look, it has two faces on it,” which, as it happened, was the perfect introduction for me to share the issues I had prepared. I said, “Pope Benedict, it’s an honor to meet you. This watch has the times of Rome and Jerusalem on it, signifying the eternal friendship between our two faiths. I also hope that when you wear it the future of the Jew people will always be on your mind, as Israel struggles with existential threats, like Iran, who threaten to wipe it off the map. You’re voice against these threats is essential, Your holiness.”
He said ‘Yes,’ nodding his head in agreement, and I continued. “In addition, Your holiness, the dual clock face is a symbol of my request that you please join us in establishing a global family dinner night which we call, ‘Turn Friday Night into Family Night.’ It involves what we call the triple two. Two hours of uninterrupted time that parents give their kids, inviting two guests, just as I am your guest today, and discussing two important subjects.”
While I said this Pope Benedict again nodded.
I concluded, ‘Your holiness, it’s so important that our two religions work together on this.’ He said warmly, ‘We will work together. We will work together.’ He held my hand while we spoke. The watch we gave the Pope as a gift has special resonance because the owner, Will Stein, is an orthodox German convert to Judaism.
I had invited my close friends David Victor, Chairman of the Board of AIPAC, and Rodney Adler, to the meeting with the Pope. Rodney emphasized to the Pope the importance of partnering with me on creating an international family dinner night and how much he believed in the idea. The Pope again warmly agreed. David then respectfully but firmly pressed the Pope on the need to address the Iran crisis, ‘a regime which denies the holocaust and threatens to destroy Israel and is building nuclear weapons.’ The Pope said, “I have spoken about it and will continue to.”
As soon as the meeting was over, I was granted another meeting with Cardinal Walter Casper, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.’ Gary introduced me to the Cardinal and made a strong pitch for the importance of the worldwide Church partnering with us to create our international family dinner initiative. The Cardinal, a very pleasant priest from Germany who has been close friends with Pope Benedict for forty years, strongly endorsed the idea and related his memories of family dinners with his own parents.
I made the case to the Cardinal that the pedophile priest scandal has many influential American commentators skewering the Church for being an all-boys club, seemingly anti-family. It was essential, I argued, that the Church recapture its reputation as one of the world’s foremost champions of the family. He agreed emphatically and said he agreed that the Church should partner with us.
My friend David Victor then again brought up the threat that Iran poses to Israel. The Cardinal said that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to the world. He asked David to write to him and Cardinal Bertone, the Cardinal Secretary of State, with suggestions of what could be done.
It was an exciting day. Five of my nine children were with me, as well as both my parents.
And here's the beginning of a CNN report on Shmuley's vatican adventures:
A rabbi walks into St. Peter's Square, meets the pope, and tells the Holy Father that one way to defuse the sex abuse scandal plaguing the church is for the Vatican to begin promoting a secular version of Shabbat dinner, the traditional Jewish Friday meal.
It's no joke. MORE
Shmuley is sure giving his kids a well-rounded upbringing. Playing with Michael Jackson's children and visiting "Uncle Pope".
Oh, and anyone know how Rodney Adler got included in the mix? (Did you notice how Shmuley doesn't even try to explain to his readers who Rodney is? A bit strange, no?)
And seeing that the whole Christian church "business" was started by a "Jewish rabbi", it makes sense that Rabbi Shmuley has such altruistic feelings towards it.
by Shmuley Botach
The pope drove up the incline and arrived in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The people who were there to meet him sat on both sides of his dais. There were clergymen from all over the world: Cardinals, Bishops, and priests from the Catholic Church. I sat next to three Anglican Bishops from the UK. With me was my friend Gary Krupp, head of the Pave the Way Foundation, who had arranged the visit and several of his officers.
The Pope read greetings in give languages and an American priest welcomed our group publicly from the Pope’s dais. The Pope waived to us.
When the formal ceremony, lasting about two hours ended, the Pope came off his dais and moved along the receiving line to greet us. Gary introduced me to the Pope warmly with my formal titles. I gave the Pope a special gift we had gotten for him. It was a beautiful dual-time Phillip Stein watch. The Pope lit up when he saw it and said, “Look, it has two faces on it,” which, as it happened, was the perfect introduction for me to share the issues I had prepared. I said, “Pope Benedict, it’s an honor to meet you. This watch has the times of Rome and Jerusalem on it, signifying the eternal friendship between our two faiths. I also hope that when you wear it the future of the Jew people will always be on your mind, as Israel struggles with existential threats, like Iran, who threaten to wipe it off the map. You’re voice against these threats is essential, Your holiness.”
He said ‘Yes,’ nodding his head in agreement, and I continued. “In addition, Your holiness, the dual clock face is a symbol of my request that you please join us in establishing a global family dinner night which we call, ‘Turn Friday Night into Family Night.’ It involves what we call the triple two. Two hours of uninterrupted time that parents give their kids, inviting two guests, just as I am your guest today, and discussing two important subjects.”
While I said this Pope Benedict again nodded.
I concluded, ‘Your holiness, it’s so important that our two religions work together on this.’ He said warmly, ‘We will work together. We will work together.’ He held my hand while we spoke. The watch we gave the Pope as a gift has special resonance because the owner, Will Stein, is an orthodox German convert to Judaism.
I had invited my close friends David Victor, Chairman of the Board of AIPAC, and Rodney Adler, to the meeting with the Pope. Rodney emphasized to the Pope the importance of partnering with me on creating an international family dinner night and how much he believed in the idea. The Pope again warmly agreed. David then respectfully but firmly pressed the Pope on the need to address the Iran crisis, ‘a regime which denies the holocaust and threatens to destroy Israel and is building nuclear weapons.’ The Pope said, “I have spoken about it and will continue to.”
As soon as the meeting was over, I was granted another meeting with Cardinal Walter Casper, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.’ Gary introduced me to the Cardinal and made a strong pitch for the importance of the worldwide Church partnering with us to create our international family dinner initiative. The Cardinal, a very pleasant priest from Germany who has been close friends with Pope Benedict for forty years, strongly endorsed the idea and related his memories of family dinners with his own parents.
I made the case to the Cardinal that the pedophile priest scandal has many influential American commentators skewering the Church for being an all-boys club, seemingly anti-family. It was essential, I argued, that the Church recapture its reputation as one of the world’s foremost champions of the family. He agreed emphatically and said he agreed that the Church should partner with us.
My friend David Victor then again brought up the threat that Iran poses to Israel. The Cardinal said that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to the world. He asked David to write to him and Cardinal Bertone, the Cardinal Secretary of State, with suggestions of what could be done.
It was an exciting day. Five of my nine children were with me, as well as both my parents.
And here's the beginning of a CNN report on Shmuley's vatican adventures:
A rabbi walks into St. Peter's Square, meets the pope, and tells the Holy Father that one way to defuse the sex abuse scandal plaguing the church is for the Vatican to begin promoting a secular version of Shabbat dinner, the traditional Jewish Friday meal.
It's no joke. MORE
Shmuley is sure giving his kids a well-rounded upbringing. Playing with Michael Jackson's children and visiting "Uncle Pope".
Oh, and anyone know how Rodney Adler got included in the mix? (Did you notice how Shmuley doesn't even try to explain to his readers who Rodney is? A bit strange, no?)
******
Meanwhile locally our rabbis will have to make their journey to the Vatican one step at a time. Who knows? Maybe one day Rabbi Meir Shlomo too, will have the privilege and honor to give advice to the Bishop of Rome and even wish the Pontiff "a good Yontiff".
The Golden Week
The week where Japan (or rather just Osaka??) literally has this approximately one week of holiday. Which meant good news for me as I can do some sightseeing around. And what's even more precious is that my dad and my mum was encouraging me to get out from the house and do some visiting around.
I was thinking about going to adjacent cities like Kobe, Nara but I don't think I'm brave enough to navigate those big ass cities myself and just a map (or maybe a compass). So I guess, I'll wait for Yoong to arrive before I begin my big adventure.
So here are some sightseeing pictures that I'd done with my dad. I don't wanna post up any pictures with myself in it because I look hideous with that big furry coat and without any makeup on.
So here goes:
So this sums up what we had been to. For the next post, its going to be more on food stuff. These photos were taken few weeks before. I haven't really got myself to snapping any pictures since I started working. The working hours are totally tedious and I don't think I can update my blog that regularly anymore
Imagine working for at least 12 hours every single day. OMG!!! Where got time like that?? Unless I schedule post and write like 500 posts on the weekends.
I was thinking about going to adjacent cities like Kobe, Nara but I don't think I'm brave enough to navigate those big ass cities myself and just a map (or maybe a compass). So I guess, I'll wait for Yoong to arrive before I begin my big adventure.
So here are some sightseeing pictures that I'd done with my dad. I don't wanna post up any pictures with myself in it because I look hideous with that big furry coat and without any makeup on.
So here goes:
The very confusing lines. And this is not even all of them where there are more subways and trains in different station. OMG!!! How transport-convenient can you get??
Bicycle is basically the main vehicle you can get here where almost every working white collars or obasans(aunties) ride on the pathway and you really have to becareful to look behind your shoulders.
This is where I'm working. Its call crystal tower and looks absolutely sophisticated and tall and high-tech looking. Haha, proud of my company. ^__^ (And by the way, I'm working on the 15th floor where I get a pretty good view of the city)
This is like the most advanced toilet bowl I'd ever encounter. See that wee remote control thingy on the side?? You can do wonders with that when you are having a big break such as:
1. Deodorizing your cubical
2. Fake flushing musical control (just the flushing sound without really any real flushing)
3. Water to spray your butt
4. Warm up your toilet bowl seats
5. Volume control for your fake flushing music
6. And etc (there are others which I'm not too free to experiment with)
Close up of Sakura. (I hope that this is the flower -__-''')
The entrance to the old Osaka castle.
The ancient structure near my office. And it looks absolutely magnificent.
Freaking huge slabs of rocks to build the walls surrounding the castle. Great skill of construction work they'd got there.
Apparently, you could drink from this.
One of the shrine.
Lucky us got to witness some traditional wedding held there.
Some sakura trees going on. Which is also the only spot where sakuras are still in full bloom.
Imagine working for at least 12 hours every single day. OMG!!! Where got time like that?? Unless I schedule post and write like 500 posts on the weekends.
Editor's Note: It's an exceptional document that you will discover today: the early draft of the Main Street 1920's version "that never was"! Also, all the beautiful 113 D&M header images are now in a slide show! If you want to see all of them it'll take you 5 min and 39 sec only! And tomorrow do-not-miss the final and great surprise that i have for the end of the daily posts on Disney and more!
Hate Mongrel Michael Kandola JAILED
UPDATE!
Calling it a “senseless” and “vicious” attack motivated by hate, a judge has sentenced a man accused in an alleged gay-bashing assault in Vancouver to 12 months in jail.
Michael Kandola, 22, pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm in connection with the attack on Jordan Smith in September 2008.
Smith, 27, was walking down a street in Vancouver’s West End, holding hands with his boyfriend, when he was confronted by a group of young men including Kandola, who were shouting homophobic taunts.
When Smith questioned them, Kandola circled around the group and sucker-punched Smith, who fell to the ground unconscious.
The blow broke Smith’s jaw, which had to be wired shut for six weeks. He also suffered a concussion and lacerations.
Prosecutor Dasein Nearing argued that it was a hate crime. Danny Markovitz, Kandola’s lawyer, told the judge it was “idiotic” and “juvenile” behaviour, but not motivated by hatred based on sexual orientation.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves agreed with the Crown and found there were numerous aggravating factors. He noted that Kandola’s punch was “vicious and unprovoked. It is a cowardly-like approach, sneaking up on someone from behind.” He imposed a sentence of 17 months in jail, reduced to 12 months after credit for pre-sentence custody. He also imposed a period of 12 months’ probation. Included in the conditions of probation are that he stay away from areas of the downtown and have no contact with Smith and his friend. Outside court, Markovitz argued the sentence was excessive and said Kandola was “seriously considering” an appeal. But Nearing said outside court that the judge’s ruling was “extremely well reasoned.” She added: “I believe that it sends a message that this type of behaviour cannot be countenanced.”
Click HERE to read The Province- Kandola vicious
gay basher Michael Kandola
__________________________
10. 01. 08
__________________________
10. 01. 08
One of Kandola's victims was in surgery all day today having his jaw put back together piece by piece after Kandola and his gang of hate monger thugs smashed it into pieces. I have a friend who was gay bashed, also on Davie and had his legs and ankles broken and his face beaten so badly he was unrecognizable. These four individuals may be the same who gay bashed him, he is currently speaking to law enforcement about the possibility.
MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF THESE SCUM WHO HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING OUT AND FREE IN OUR SOCIETY!!! CANADA IS ABOUT TOLERANCE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL RACES, GENDERS, AND SEXUALITIES. WE WILL NOT ALLOW YET ANOTHER GAY BASHER TO RECEIVE A SLAP ON THE WRIST.
Please invite all your friends to join this, the more support we have, the stronger our case. Thank you!!!
This evil ugly monkey needs to ROT in prison.
Please join us and sign the petition.
If you care about ending gay bashing and homophobia, please help me with this!
No matter where it happens, we need to help stamp it out.
a toilet trained gorilla who MUST PAY!
" Eruv 'treif' ": Another misleading AJN headline
The AJN continues to misinform its readers with deceptive and sensationalist headlines, as seen in our sneak preview to this Friday's edition.
Maybe, as they did with former editor Ashley Browne, its time to send their headline writer packing.
Maybe, as they did with former editor Ashley Browne, its time to send their headline writer packing.
Main Street 1920's concept early draft and construction panoramic pictures
I thought that yesterday's article would have been my last D&M article but I had last evening a great surprise in my mail box with a mail from Eddie Sotto, show-producer of Main Street U.S.A at Disneyland Paris.
In the Disneyland Paris that never was Part 2 and 3 articles Eddie explained wonderfully what would have been Main street U.S.A 1920's first concept. Eddie found back the early draft of this 1920's version who describes in details what Eddie envisioned, back in 1987. It's a fascinating document as we discover what could have been Main Street shops, restaurants and attractions if this 1920's version has been chosen. In addition, Eddie also found great and never-seen-before panoramic pictures of DLP Main Street U.S.A's construction and the rare artwork above showing the EL Station, Main Street Station for the elevated tramway that never was. Here is the kind email from Eddie Sotto:
Alain,
I was going through a box of old papers and ran across this 1987 memo and some photos. You have written so much about the Disneyland Paris that never was, I thought you'd enjoy sharing this early draft of what the 1920's Main Street could have been! there were many more drafts after this for sure, but it's fun to see what was being talked.
Here are some images from the summer before we opened from one of those kodak single use panoramic cameras. You'll notice the elevator cab for Walt's Restaurant was being threaded (brown box on it's side) through the doorway , stained glass and all, long before the doors went in to seal the space. The white surfaces you see are the ornamental pieces and primed moldings, some made of MDF, a pressed board material that although inexpensive, expands in the rain and bursts apart. So a year later much of that was to be replaced.
Eddie Sotto
Let's begin by the Main Street 1920's "script". Click on each image to see the three pages in larger scale.
Let's have a look now to these never-seen-before panoramic shots of Main Street's construction. Eddie shot the pictures in summer 1991, approximately 9 months before opening day. The first panoramics shows Town Square, the castle in the background is still under construction.
Next panoramic seems to have been shot from what is now the Walt's Restaurant, the Disneyland Hotel is in the background.
The two next panoramics are extremely rare pictures showing the arrival of the Walt's Restaurant elevator. It is so big that they had to wait to put it in place before they put the doors of the restaurant.
The last panoramic is vertical and is a rare view of the castle under construction!
I would like to thanks again Eddie Sotto for these great documents, i'm sure you were as fascinated as i was to discover them.
Tomorrow will be Disney and more "Grand Finale", and i have a last and great surprise for you, so make sure to come on D&M tomorrow!
Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat
Artwork and Main Street draft: copyright Disney Enterprises Inc
Panoramic pictures: copyright Eddie Sotto
Pickles the Wonder Dog
The day started out great for me.
That day.
My birthday.
February 27, 2001.
I was turning 31.
I had to drop by the clinic though.
First thing that morning.
For a quick second.
The nurse had left a message the previous day on my machine, telling me my doctor wanted to see me.
Any excuse to see my good doctor.
Very cute.
Wonderfully calm and centered.
David is his name.
I thought nothing of it, as the week previous, I had been ill, so I went to see him.
We had some tests done.
I had a flu.
A shocking flu.
Felt real bad.
I sat down and smiled.
I love my doctor.
So good to me.
He began to speak.
He said something to me.
I looked up at him with a jolt.
"I'm what?, I said in utter disbelief.
"You've tested positive for the HIV virus". He said to me.
Huh? I though to myself.
"What did you say mate?"
What the fuck?
My entire life changed that very second.
The whole thing.
I just could not believe I had contracted HIV.
I was always so careful.
Apparently, not always.
I was such a tidy boy.
Almost proper. Too proper.
For a gay boy.
How?
How did this happen?
Oh yeah. I remember.
Fuck!
I went out with friends one night in Sydney. We were celebrating a birthday.
To a pool hall. Smoky, hazy. You know the kind.
Played some pool.
Had great laughs.
Drank way too much.
Had an Ecstasy pill with my mates.
It was a long time ago.
That night I made a HUGE mistake.
I lost control of myself on drugs.
I took this guy home.
I was in heaven.
We fucked.
With no condom.
From this man, I got HIV.
UHG!
But soon, I got control of my emotions and started to react.
No one was to blame but myself.
I own everything I do.
I phoned the man who gave me HIV and told him.
I knew who it.
He was it.
I had been tested on routine for my Australian permanent residency and citizenship program.
I just knew it was him. I remembered what we had done that night.
He eventually got tested and discovered that indeed he was positive.
And had been for a while most likely.
Since that day, I have had to live my life differently.
I lost the luxury of dreaming for a while.
I was 31 years old when I was told I was positive.
I had a great life at the time.
A great business that I worked very hard to establish.
Wonderful family and friends. Still do.
I had a heart full of passion and love.
And now, it was all at risk.
Evaporating like mist before my very eye's.
But eventually, things begin to settle.
You just learn to pick up the pieces, somehow.
And reassemble them in a new fashion.
A new shape.
It's a new bloody world, that's for sure
You have to recreate your life.
David is his name.
I thought nothing of it, as the week previous, I had been ill, so I went to see him.
We had some tests done.
I had a flu.
A shocking flu.
Felt real bad.
I sat down and smiled.
I love my doctor.
So good to me.
He began to speak.
He said something to me.
I looked up at him with a jolt.
"I'm what?, I said in utter disbelief.
"You've tested positive for the HIV virus". He said to me.
Huh? I though to myself.
"What did you say mate?"
What the fuck?
My entire life changed that very second.
The whole thing.
I just could not believe I had contracted HIV.
I was always so careful.
Apparently, not always.
I was such a tidy boy.
Almost proper. Too proper.
For a gay boy.
How?
How did this happen?
Oh yeah. I remember.
Fuck!
I went out with friends one night in Sydney. We were celebrating a birthday.
To a pool hall. Smoky, hazy. You know the kind.
Played some pool.
Had great laughs.
Drank way too much.
Had an Ecstasy pill with my mates.
It was a long time ago.
That night I made a HUGE mistake.
I lost control of myself on drugs.
I took this guy home.
I was in heaven.
We fucked.
With no condom.
From this man, I got HIV.
UHG!
But soon, I got control of my emotions and started to react.
No one was to blame but myself.
I own everything I do.
I phoned the man who gave me HIV and told him.
I knew who it.
He was it.
I had been tested on routine for my Australian permanent residency and citizenship program.
I just knew it was him. I remembered what we had done that night.
He eventually got tested and discovered that indeed he was positive.
And had been for a while most likely.
Since that day, I have had to live my life differently.
I lost the luxury of dreaming for a while.
I was 31 years old when I was told I was positive.
I had a great life at the time.
A great business that I worked very hard to establish.
Wonderful family and friends. Still do.
I had a heart full of passion and love.
And now, it was all at risk.
Evaporating like mist before my very eye's.
But eventually, things begin to settle.
You just learn to pick up the pieces, somehow.
And reassemble them in a new fashion.
A new shape.
It's a new bloody world, that's for sure
You have to recreate your life.
One that's more conducive to the predicament you find yourself in.
Because, having HIV has also been a blessing for me.
A nightmare.
And a blessing.
Double edged sword.
The day I was told, I called my mother in Canada.
I needed to hear her sweet voice.
I needed to hear her breathing on the other end of the line.
I was desperate for a hug from her.
My mother makes everything better.
Her soothing way.
A mothers way.
I really needed her around me.
I arranged for her transport to Australia.
I was fragile.
Scared.
Alone.
No one could help me but my mom.
When she arrived.
My world made sense again.
But there was a problem.
I could not tell her.
Too afraid. Embarrassed. Deeply ashamed at the time.
My mother had always warned me to have safe sex.
A million times while I grew up.
I told my mom I was gay when I was eight years old.
I was going to let her down.
BIG TIME.
She could see that I was unwell.
She knew I had problems.
My eyes were swollen for weeks.
Deep inside, I was stuck.
I was deeply affected by the new 'status quo' in my life.
Totally alone with my new friend, HIV.
Hey mate, how ya doing?
Bastard!
The next day after arriving, out of the blue, my mom suggested we go buy a puppy from the pound.
"What"? I said in amazement.
I was crazy about the idea.
So we went.
Just like that.
We were going to find a puppy.
A new puppy.
It seemed like my mom knew I needed a HUGE diversion of some sort.
She has told me since, she thought all along, that I was hiding HIV from her.
Mothers are so brilliant.
You can't fool mine.
Smart as Einstein.
I swear.
She knew a puppy would help me.
We arrived and went into the animal shelter.
I had visions of puppies in baskets with felt lining and ribbons.
Walt Disney-ish.
It was nothing of the sort.
A typical shelter. It stunk. It was so sad to see the homeless dogs and cats.
Gods creatures.
In cages.
I remember relating to them at the time.
As I felt caged too.
Caged with my secret.
My HIV.
"Where are the puppies" I asked.
As soon as we got there, I looked down.
There she was.
My new baby.
The prettiest puppy I had ever seen.
Split second love.
I scooped her up in my hands and declared that she was my new daughter.
At the very spot, I named her Pickles.
A fox terrier crossed with a corgie.
DIVINE. Teared up on the spot.
My new baby.
Pickles the great.
She just looked like a Pickles.
I took her home. Beautiful little angel dog.
And it worked.
For a few months, I was able to put aside 'the news', and focus on my puppy.
She needed me.
I had to love her. Teach her.
SPOIL her.
My puppy saved my life. She canceled out the fear.
She filled my heart when I needed it to be filled.
Pickles.
I love you my precious doggie.
HIV is NOT a death sentence anymore.
Having HIV is NOT something you should be ashamed of. EVER.
Nor should you be ashamed of HOW YOU GOT IT.
Needles, anally, orally, straight sex, gay sex, in a hospital.
Your body does not care where you got HIV from.
You've just got it, and you have to deal.
Fast.
Millions of people live with HIV around the world.
I am no different then a baby in Africa with HIV.
The baby's mother.
Her husband, who also has it.
Anyone on the planet who has HIV.
I am just like them.
Just living the best way I can.
With dignity and honor.
With my disease.
I am lucky to have the medications I need to live well.
I know and understand the problems associated with HIV and the Philippines.
It's the same for other countries in a similar position.
I have done so much research on the topic.
Fascinating indeed.
It is cheaper not to educate people.
Free actually.
It's also easy not to educate people.
You just don't do it.
Simple.
That's why there is so much intolerance and ignorance.
People have used HIV on this blog like a weapon.
Against me and others.
Please stop.
It's not only because I have it.
But others have it too.
People in your country too afraid to tell others.
This is an international blog now.
We have moved beyond both our countries borders.
We are a global community who should work together to stamp out ignorance.
All ignorance.
We are all the same.
If you became sick or diseased,
You would not want to be judged. Trust me. It's the last thing one needs.
Just loved.
And nourished.
Nurtured into health again.
Not badgered because you fucked one night without a rubber.
That sucks.
And how many people in the Philippines do you think have HIV that have never been tested?
How many people can afford an HIV test?
And even if they can, do they?
How many people with HIV are going to have a life's worth of unprotected sex because they can't afford to be tested.
Before you toss HIV grenades at others, makes sure you go get tested first.
Because unless you have been tested.
You just don't know.
When a very young girl/couple gets pregnant, and it comes as a surprise,
what's the difference?
We all make mistakes.
You don't toss out the baby, do you?
And we have to live with them. Our mistakes.
Own them. Embrace them.
Understand them.
These mistakes that we make.
Please don't punish the very people who need acceptance and understanding the most.
Compassion.
God created HIV.
To test us.
To test the people he gave it too.
And to test the infrastructure around those chosen.
To test our communities.
Our growth as a humanity.
His humanity.
Let us not disappoint him.
Ok?
Because he is watching.
Stereotypes are just that. Don't fuel them please.
It's very nineties.
People need a sense of community in their lives.
Don't be prejudice against people with HIV.
The 'edge dwellers' are the very people we have to bring back into the wider sense of feeling and compassion.
Love and acceptance.
Many people who have HIV have contacted me.
Bless you all
I have been moved to tears.
Woman as well, with HIV have contacted me.
Please do not think that only 'faggots' get it.
Because that is truly ignorant.
I worked very hard throughout my life.
Not only for money.
But for a sense of pride and honor.
Do we shun people with a herpes on the face?
On the lip?
NO.
But this disease is much worse for many people than HIV.
Destroys lives.
It can kill you too.
And it does.
As can many, many more afflictions that humanity deals with everyday.
So as a nation, let's make an effort to look beyond the stereotypes.
My ex boyfriend DJ set me back many years.
Not only did DJ take my money from me,
But he took away the only real sense of security I had.
My savings.
He targeted me. I know it.
I was his money ticket.
He took everything.
And now I am at square one.
I can't fly to Canada to see my mom anymore.
I no longer have enough money for organic veggies, as they are too expensive for me now.
I can't afford petrol like I used to.
Which means I don't go out much.
My life has changed so dramatically.
I have had to cut out so many things since DJ devastated my savings.
I want an electric blanket because it's so cold here at night.
But my internet bill takes priority.
Without it, this blog stops. Along with my dream.
Getting back my savings.
70,000 dollars.
Go on line. Find out for yourself if you need more facts about HIV.
I do all the time.
And I have HIV.
I am always learning more.
So should you.
Please don't promote hideous stereotypes that further injure the hearts, minds and souls of those people who are actually 'dealing' with it.
You are no better than the person beside you who has HIV.
We are all the same until we die.
We live our lives the best we can.
With dignity.
With honor.
And in my case,
with a little dog names Pickles.
Because, having HIV has also been a blessing for me.
A nightmare.
And a blessing.
Double edged sword.
The day I was told, I called my mother in Canada.
I needed to hear her sweet voice.
I needed to hear her breathing on the other end of the line.
I was desperate for a hug from her.
My mother makes everything better.
Her soothing way.
A mothers way.
I really needed her around me.
I arranged for her transport to Australia.
I was fragile.
Scared.
Alone.
No one could help me but my mom.
When she arrived.
My world made sense again.
But there was a problem.
I could not tell her.
Too afraid. Embarrassed. Deeply ashamed at the time.
My mother had always warned me to have safe sex.
A million times while I grew up.
I told my mom I was gay when I was eight years old.
I was going to let her down.
BIG TIME.
She could see that I was unwell.
She knew I had problems.
My eyes were swollen for weeks.
Deep inside, I was stuck.
I was deeply affected by the new 'status quo' in my life.
Totally alone with my new friend, HIV.
Hey mate, how ya doing?
Bastard!
The next day after arriving, out of the blue, my mom suggested we go buy a puppy from the pound.
"What"? I said in amazement.
I was crazy about the idea.
So we went.
Just like that.
We were going to find a puppy.
A new puppy.
It seemed like my mom knew I needed a HUGE diversion of some sort.
She has told me since, she thought all along, that I was hiding HIV from her.
Mothers are so brilliant.
You can't fool mine.
Smart as Einstein.
I swear.
She knew a puppy would help me.
We arrived and went into the animal shelter.
I had visions of puppies in baskets with felt lining and ribbons.
Walt Disney-ish.
It was nothing of the sort.
A typical shelter. It stunk. It was so sad to see the homeless dogs and cats.
Gods creatures.
In cages.
I remember relating to them at the time.
As I felt caged too.
Caged with my secret.
My HIV.
"Where are the puppies" I asked.
As soon as we got there, I looked down.
There she was.
My new baby.
The prettiest puppy I had ever seen.
Split second love.
I scooped her up in my hands and declared that she was my new daughter.
At the very spot, I named her Pickles.
A fox terrier crossed with a corgie.
DIVINE. Teared up on the spot.
My new baby.
Pickles the great.
She just looked like a Pickles.
I took her home. Beautiful little angel dog.
And it worked.
For a few months, I was able to put aside 'the news', and focus on my puppy.
She needed me.
I had to love her. Teach her.
SPOIL her.
My puppy saved my life. She canceled out the fear.
She filled my heart when I needed it to be filled.
Pickles.
I love you my precious doggie.
HIV is NOT a death sentence anymore.
Having HIV is NOT something you should be ashamed of. EVER.
Nor should you be ashamed of HOW YOU GOT IT.
Needles, anally, orally, straight sex, gay sex, in a hospital.
Your body does not care where you got HIV from.
You've just got it, and you have to deal.
Fast.
Millions of people live with HIV around the world.
I am no different then a baby in Africa with HIV.
The baby's mother.
Her husband, who also has it.
Anyone on the planet who has HIV.
I am just like them.
Just living the best way I can.
With dignity and honor.
With my disease.
I am lucky to have the medications I need to live well.
I know and understand the problems associated with HIV and the Philippines.
It's the same for other countries in a similar position.
I have done so much research on the topic.
Fascinating indeed.
It is cheaper not to educate people.
Free actually.
It's also easy not to educate people.
You just don't do it.
Simple.
That's why there is so much intolerance and ignorance.
People have used HIV on this blog like a weapon.
Against me and others.
Please stop.
It's not only because I have it.
But others have it too.
People in your country too afraid to tell others.
This is an international blog now.
We have moved beyond both our countries borders.
We are a global community who should work together to stamp out ignorance.
All ignorance.
We are all the same.
If you became sick or diseased,
You would not want to be judged. Trust me. It's the last thing one needs.
Just loved.
And nourished.
Nurtured into health again.
Not badgered because you fucked one night without a rubber.
That sucks.
And how many people in the Philippines do you think have HIV that have never been tested?
How many people can afford an HIV test?
And even if they can, do they?
How many people with HIV are going to have a life's worth of unprotected sex because they can't afford to be tested.
Before you toss HIV grenades at others, makes sure you go get tested first.
Because unless you have been tested.
You just don't know.
When a very young girl/couple gets pregnant, and it comes as a surprise,
what's the difference?
We all make mistakes.
You don't toss out the baby, do you?
And we have to live with them. Our mistakes.
Own them. Embrace them.
Understand them.
These mistakes that we make.
Please don't punish the very people who need acceptance and understanding the most.
Compassion.
God created HIV.
To test us.
To test the people he gave it too.
And to test the infrastructure around those chosen.
To test our communities.
Our growth as a humanity.
His humanity.
Let us not disappoint him.
Ok?
Because he is watching.
Stereotypes are just that. Don't fuel them please.
It's very nineties.
People need a sense of community in their lives.
Don't be prejudice against people with HIV.
The 'edge dwellers' are the very people we have to bring back into the wider sense of feeling and compassion.
Love and acceptance.
Many people who have HIV have contacted me.
Bless you all
I have been moved to tears.
Woman as well, with HIV have contacted me.
Please do not think that only 'faggots' get it.
Because that is truly ignorant.
I worked very hard throughout my life.
Not only for money.
But for a sense of pride and honor.
Do we shun people with a herpes on the face?
On the lip?
NO.
But this disease is much worse for many people than HIV.
Destroys lives.
It can kill you too.
And it does.
As can many, many more afflictions that humanity deals with everyday.
So as a nation, let's make an effort to look beyond the stereotypes.
My ex boyfriend DJ set me back many years.
Not only did DJ take my money from me,
But he took away the only real sense of security I had.
My savings.
He targeted me. I know it.
I was his money ticket.
He took everything.
And now I am at square one.
I can't fly to Canada to see my mom anymore.
I no longer have enough money for organic veggies, as they are too expensive for me now.
I can't afford petrol like I used to.
Which means I don't go out much.
My life has changed so dramatically.
I have had to cut out so many things since DJ devastated my savings.
I want an electric blanket because it's so cold here at night.
But my internet bill takes priority.
Without it, this blog stops. Along with my dream.
Getting back my savings.
70,000 dollars.
Go on line. Find out for yourself if you need more facts about HIV.
I do all the time.
And I have HIV.
I am always learning more.
So should you.
Please don't promote hideous stereotypes that further injure the hearts, minds and souls of those people who are actually 'dealing' with it.
You are no better than the person beside you who has HIV.
We are all the same until we die.
We live our lives the best we can.
With dignity.
With honor.
And in my case,
with a little dog names Pickles.
Breaking News: Disneyland Paris officially announced today that Captain EO will re-open at DLP Discoveryland on June 12th. AND also at Epcot on July 2 ! Considering that Captain EO will also open on July 1st at Tokyo Disneyland, we can say now that EO will be back in all the parks where he used to be twelve years ago.
The Disneyland Paris that never was - Part Seven : Hotels and Disney Village
Here is the last part of this “Disneyland Paris that never was“ series, in tribute to this wonderful park. And this one should make happy those of you who like never realised projects.
For this last article we go outside the park to have a look to what was formerly known as “Festival Disney “ - now “Disney Village” - the nightime entertainment and shopping area. On our way, let’s stop a minute. One of you once asked me if there were a big fountain project for DLP - i mean, a big one like the one in Epcot, for instance. Well, it’s true that unfortunately there is no big fountain at DLP but WDI imagineers did think about having one as you can see on the picture above.
The entrance of the WDS are up front, the Magic Kingdom is on the left and Disney Village on the right. The concept with the sorcerer’s hat was okay, but i must say the dimensions were by far too big.
This rendering show the entrance of the Disney Village. The metallic tower were done, but not the guitar or the hat theming.
More regrets, however, for this incredible restaurant concept....
And the hotels, you say? Well, here is some incredible hotels-that-never-were concepts. First I have to tell you that some of the most reknown architects in the world were asked to propose different hotel concepts. And the central theme for all the hotels was: America. Weeks later , they all came back with their own proposals: For Austrian architect Hans Hollein, Amercica mean “war”, so he proposed an hotel with the shape of an aircraft carrier (!) as you can see below.
Jean Nouvel, a famous french architect proposed an all-transparent hotel.
Architect Ron Koolhass concept was pretty modern, too.
Robert Venturi proposed another original concept, a tribute to “Fantasia”.
But one of my favorite is this unique concept by Bernard Tschumi with an inside marina.
All of these projects were not developped, and, frankly, if the central theme was “America” , the hotels that were finally built were obviously a better choice. Hope you enjoyed these Disneyland Paris "that never was" articles!
Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat
All photos and artwork: copyright Disney
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