Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
not a soul was moving not even a mouse
or so they say, but I was frantically packing and wrapping the gifts that were still unwraped.

Dusan had to work a day shift so I was left to do the homely chores and get ready for the big day.

Plied with Diet Coke and a enough Christmas TV to make me a virtual princess, it was never ending fairytales, Princess Diaries, Ela something or other, An Unfortunate series of events...etc. Of course yesterday I watched my faveourite, Miracle on 34th Street to really get me in the mood.

With everything packed I picked Dusan up at Waterloo and we made our way to Boringstoke to have our Christmas eve with Alex and Mikey (Not forgetting Jack the Dog).

Plied with Champagne and mini appetizers the evening was swinging but not for long for as we reach our mid 30's we are no longer the hardcore set and everyone seemed to be ready for bed before midnight. Call me old fashioned or a child at heart, but I cant sleep that early.

Jack I stayed up watching tacky tv till 1:00AM and then stupidly I woke iup by 0630! Must be the child in me wanting Christmas day.

Merry Christmas for now

Neil
x

Battersea Revisited

Normally I never edit a piece once its added to my memoirs, but a colleague of mine left a comment re the post of the ball which astounded me as I didnt kmow they were a reader. I was told I didnt give it enough umpffff.

So in their words with a little flavour of my own.... Imagine a two storey marquee somewhere in a park in London. A place you have visited often but never knew this place even existed. Imagine an enchanted entranceway where snow fell on pine and christmas trees. Imagine Austin Martins hanging there in the entranceway getting slowly covered in the snow.

Imagine a black ceiling dotten with a million small lights. Imagine over 200 tables laid with decorations, shimmering silverwear, glasses and laiden with wine and roles and ready for a sumptious four course meal.

Imagine 2000 people packed into the space of 3 bars, one dance floor and the noise that 2000 people bring. Packed full of festive joy, thanks and praise as are all due at these annual celebrations. Imagine being greated by persons whom you have not seen for some 9 months who's name you have spent a frantic moment trying to remember and to be greated by these same faces with such love and affection telling us how much they appreciated our help and how we changed their lives. Such is the effect of this job when touching on others lives. Such was this night. But imagine it no more for it was real.

My who hearted thanks to my editor for reminding me of things I missed in my previous writings and a huge Merry Christmas to one and all at this magical time of year. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Ball at Battersea Park

Having worked for the company for 9 months nearly it was lovely to get an invitation to the staff Christmas ball in the end. Everybody had since we began talked about how much fun this annual affair was.

With their rapid expansions the place was packed to capacity and this year for the first time it was a Ticket Only event.

My ticket was kindly biked to my house by the lovely Kim and I left just before 6pm heading to Evolution in Battersea park.

As I handed in my ticket to the doormen it was like a winter wonderland. Snow machines cascading a flurry of snow in the entranceway with an array of snow covererd trees on all side.

Moving through into the main arena, past the 3 parked Aston Martins (Prizes for the best performers over the past 12 months), there was a central bar on the lower level packed with people from all of the offices. This once a year event the bar is completely free. On the lower floor there was a single bar and 206 tables laid ready for a four course meal.

Up on the mezanine there was a Verve Champagne Bar and a Ski Bar serving shots of spirits.

I met up with so many friendly faces that we have met at all of the brands over the 9 months working there. It was so nice to see them all again.

Dinner was followed by catching up with all of the people I had met and then went upstairs to the Casino where my play chips were soon making me mega chips. Shame that they could not be cashed in at the end of the evening.

I had booked a taxi for 0100 and got home around 0130. Thankfull that I managed to last without getting mega drunk and able to survive the day in a hangover free zone.

Was also lovely to see Gordon once more. Twas a very merry Christmas party. Thanks to all those friendly faces and a huge thank you to Danny for sorting me a ticket.

Merry Christmas

Feeling Guilty

Its easy to forget how lucky you are when for the best part of a year I have been living out of hotel rooms paid for by other people. Enjoying room service or fabulous dinners out in town and all at a clients expense. Last week I had to confess as I sat back and enjoyed a deep hot soak in the Bath and then the next morning woke and enjoyed a power rain shower that was so strong the base of the shower started to fill with water to a depth of over 2". I felt guilty knowing how lucky we are in this part of the world with ample water and the ability to be decadent and enjoy a shower or a bath.

I finally made it home on Friday after what felt like an age of being away. It was so good to see Dusan again. We had to go home yesterday and spend a day packing up our things in preparation for the forthcoming move. Still waiting to hear from the solicitor on a final exchange date but hopefully soon.

On the way back to London we popped in to see Adam, Verity and their new arrival Thomas. I was amazed at how small he was. He does look a bit like Adam at just 9 days old. I washed my hands in Anti MRSA Gel and Adam picked up Baby Thomas and handed him to me. He was so sweet and peacefull as he lay in my arms sleeping. I wasnt sure if I could hold him but he was so adorable.

Spent my day today running around the West End buying last minute gifts and bits and bobs for Christmas and then settled in this evening with "The Firm" on TV and my gift wrap and tape.

Tomorrow is the work grand ball. I finally managed to get a ticket at the last minute as a Thank you to being a long term contractor. This evening to my delight my dear colleague Gordon messaged to say that he too had been given a ticket! We feel honoured to be invited. My Tuxedo is cleaned and hanging downstairs in the office. My shirt is drying as we speak and my cummerbunds and bow ties are all in the bag. I just have to decide will I go Black Tie or Blue for a bit of colour. Watch this Space. Does anyone know a good cure to a hangover?

12 Years on and the Magic lives on through his vision.

Its hard to believe that its been a full 12 years on since I at the tender age of 22 flew to Florida to begin the magical chapter of my life working as a Walt Disney World Cultural Representative working at EPCOT in Orlando, Florida.

The history of EPCOT is that it was always Walt Disney’s Dream to have a Community of 20,000 people living in an almost Utopia like existence. With a central core that housed all of the commercial buildings it was his vision that all schools and housing would be on the outside of the commercial centre. By only allowing people to rent and not to buy there could be not voting controls. All traffic was to be kept to the underground tunnels much like those that exist at the Magic Kingdom today serving as the maintenance service entrance and Cast Member access points to the park. After all it wouldn’t quite be right to see Mickey in a Space Suit in Frontierland in the same way as Cowboy Mickey would look out of place in Tomorrowland.

Like EPCOT, Disneyland’s start came as a Vision from Walt. A place where adults and children could play together in fantasy lands.

But after the success in California, Walt failed to find the funding to build his EPCOT Vision in Florida without him first repeating the success by building a Disneyland style theme in Central Florida.

Walt Disney sadly passed away before realising him dream and the Walt Disney Company decided after his passing that they did not wish to be in the business of building a city. However, happy with the success of both Disneyland and the newly opened Disney World they decided that the concepts of EPCOT the city could be encompassed in a theme park.

EPCOT Center (Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow) opened in Orlando Florida on October 1^st 1982. Walt may have never got his dream city but the vision was of a community where people work, live and play together. Epcot (It was renamed dropping the word centre in the mid 90’s) had two unique areas set in a figure of 8. Furture World and World Showcase. Futureworld was originally to Pioneer future innoventions of the worlds scientists while Epcot, a Lagoon of 9 Countries from around the world. They added 2 further to include Norway and Morocco later in the 1980’s.

Set around the lagoon it was designed to showcase not only the architecture of the countries mention with replica models of places such as the Mexican Temples, St Marco’s Square, Venice. A Beerfest in Germany, French Restaurants, English Pub. The costumes worn by the cast members were traditional wear from those countries, albeit what the Americans would think of as customary. Of course wearing an open neck beige shirt, blue knickerbockers and Guy Fawkes style shoes is hardly my idea of a traditional English costume. But it works.

It was an honour to be invited to go and work at Epcot. At the time I thought it would be all about living and being in America and fulfilling a dream of working at a place I had dreamed of working since I was a child.

When that dream came true in April 1995 it was far more than I ever thought it would be. It wasn’t about fulfilling my dream, that was now not a dream but a reality. We were taught the History of Disney and the most important lessons a Cast Member can learn. How lucky we were to be a part of the most magical place on earth. A place where people, millions of people from all around the earth save and save and save to try and one day, if at all possible go and enjoy its wonders. To think that if I had nothing better to do on my day off I could use my Cast Member Pass to go and enjoy the parks as a guest.

Just 8 Months after I started, having worked my way up from Cart Tart to Seating Host to Bus boy and ultimately to Server in the restaurant I met so many wonderful people. Friends from around the globe and some friends that I am still in contact with today.

A month ago I went to the Disney Reunion in London. If you are a regular reader you will recall my reunion with Ben. Someone I have not seen since July 2006.

This week I have been working down in Bristol. His home city. With the opportunity to have caught up a month ago we promised if we had the opportunity we would meet up for a drink in Bristol. Last night that became fruitful. Ben met me at my hotel and we went down by the riverside to a local bar.

With 11 years of separation you are either going to be long lost buddies or find it hard to have anything to talk about. We chatted from the moment we met till after midnight. It was as though Disney was not 11 years ago but maybe earlier this year. Talking about common friends, common experiences and the bond that ties. The magical bond that is having the opportunity to work for Walt Disney World. Like people that share a bond that is so intense that they will remain life long friends no matter what distance in space or time may pass.

We both agreed that Disney changed us for the better. Made us the men that we are today. Everytime I see him I am greeted with this enormous smile as though we have been friends forever and you know it feels like we have. Maybe you don’t choose your family in life but you do choose your friends.

After we got fluffy and enjoyed a fantastic night together and Ben caught his taxi home I sent him a text to say thank you for a lovely evening and how lovely it was to have been reacquainted after such a long time. He replied “Thank you for a great night and for including me in your circle of friends”.

Walt may never have got his city but his park was built and his vision lives on 25 years after opening. His harmonious city of 20,000 people was the dream but if you ask me, the harmony and the values of Epcot live on in each and everyone of the 1100 people that are the lucky bitches chosen to go and work as a cultural representative at the park. Now if my Maths is correct that’s around 27,000 people who have lived, worked and played in Harmony at Epcot , part of the Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts and if we can still be dear friends, enjoying and treasuring every moment that we are reunited then Walts City was built. For the vision lives on and the people come and the people go but they take with them the values, the love, the respect, the diversity that they learn and they take with them all that they have learned and all that they became and furthermore they take with them a little piece of Disney. A little piece of magic will live on in each of our souls till our final days. It doesn’t matter whom of my Disney friends I speak to we all feel the same. It was the most magical amazing dream come true you could possibly ask for.

Living, working, playing at Disney we the cast members are the living actual Epcot. Long live the magic. Thank you Walt. Thank you Ben for a lovely evening and indeed for including me in your circle of friends. I hope to se e you again real soon. . Thank you to all of the wonderful dear people I met in my time at Epcot and remember…. It all started with a mouse!

The All New Baby Nephew

After nine months Verity and Adam were proud to announce that they are the happy parents to a healthy baby boy, born this morning weighing 6 lbs 11 Oz. Have not yet managed to catch up with Adam or Verity but apparantly everyone is well and Adam is over the moon.

Mum called to tell me the happy news earlier today and in a small way it makes me feel broody. I wonder how his Aunty Dusan will feel?

So we are all happy, Uncles, Parents and Grandparents.

I am away in Bristol and how unfortunate that my phone chooses this week to near enough die. I can make calls and recieve Texts but I cant send Texts. Its like trapped in the suburbs.

About to enjoy a nice early night in my king size bed at Hotel Du Vin where the bathroom is as big as my whole room at Nite Nite in Birmingham. I have never had such a strong rain shower in all my life. Within a minute I was standing in 3" of water. It was truly fabulous. For once today I was actually wet without it being the non stop rain. Maybe it will get cold soon and we can have some snow. Always far nicer than consistent rain! Or skip winter and roll on spring. Not long till the longest day and the days will be getting lighter at least. TTFN. x