Looking Back: 2014

It's the end of 2014.  It's that time of year when we look back at the past 365 days and remember the good and the bad things that happened.

This year has been a doozy.  We've had missing airplanes and Nigerian girls. Shootings and riots. Ebola scares and elections. Abuse by NFL players and NBA owners. ISIS. Ukraine. Re establishing relations with Cuba. North Korea and The Interview. 

We've had quite a few deaths this year. Actors Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Kiel and Richard Attenborough. Actresses Joan Rivers and Lauren Bacall. Musicians Joe Cocker and Tommy Ramone. Comedienne Jan Hooks. Artist H. R. Giger. Wrestler the Ultimate Warrior. 

Personally, it's been a rough year. I've lost a job, gained one and lost it again.  I've helped one kid move into her own apartment and another move to college.  I've stretched out the distances of my running. At the beginning of the year, the farthest I'd run was a 5k (3.1 miles). In May, I ran a 10k (6.2 miles) and in October a half marathon (13.1 miles/21.1 km). I've been planning a trip for Disney World to run another half marathon. (That trip is next week.)  I've reconnected with old friend, moved on from others and have made new friends around the world.

It's at times like this that I look back over my life and try to think of what I'd do differently.  Would I make those same decisions if I had them to do again?

I've had a few regrets in my life.  I should have stayed in college when I was younger.  I went for two years and then dropped out, because I wanted to be with some girl.  (OK, I married her and we're still together, but I should have stayed in college, and not spend my tuition money on an engagement ring.)

I should have waited to get married and have children.  (Not that I regret having my wife and kids.  I love them more than they'll ever know.  I just think I should have waited until I was more mature.  However, now that they're moving out and I'm still fairly young, I can enjoy them as adults and friends.)

I should have done whatever it took in order to keep my job.  (Not that I liked that job.  I hated it.  It actually caused a lot of depression issues.  I was nearly unbearable to live with because of those issues.)

Maybe what I'm saying is that we need to live without regrets.  Even those things that I regret having done (or not done) have become positives in my life.  I didn't finish college, but I married the love of my life.  I married early, but have a longer lifetime to spend with her, my children and possibly grandkids.  I lost a job, but I was miserable there and now have an opportunity to grow and be happier.

When I'm gone, what will my family remember of me?  Will they remember that I didn't have a degree?  Will they remember that I was unemployed for most of a year?  Will they recall that I was only 20 years old when I got married and my wife was only 17?

Or will they remember me as a loving husband?  A caring father?  A loyal friend?  Someone they could depend on when they needed me?

Try to think on how you want to be remembered and once you've found that out, do your best to live it.

I might not be world famous and be mourned by millions, but it's more important to me that those whom I love remember me well.

Happy New Year to you all.  Live to make 2015 a year to remember.

The Eyes of the Enemy

The disgustingly holy light had finally faded.  Unblessed darkness returned and shadows fell across the field.  The pitiful ones to whom the message had been given had all gone.  Only I had remained.  I had stayed in the corner of the field, hidden in those shadows.  I had to think this out.

I thought I knew how my Enemy worked.  This war had gone on long enough and the plans were always the same.  But this message was something different.  Uncertain, I began to walk toward the place, the little town referred to in the message.  It wasn't far.

How was this time going to be different?  What was His plan this time?

Up ahead, I saw the place.  It was just a cave, used to keep the animals out of the weather.  A dirty, wet cave.  Could I have heard the message wrong?  No, I could see the guard standing next to the cave's mouth.  This was definitely the place.  Inside that cave was the One the Enemy had promised so long ago that He would send.  At least, that's what the message had stated.  I left the shadows and walked toward the cave.  Immediately, the guard saw me.  He chuckled as he said, "I was wondering if you would show up.  Go on in."

This had to be a joke.  The One that I had been warned about for millennia was in this cave and now I was being invited in to see him, as if I was there to enjoy a cup of coffee with my neighbor.  I must have had an incredulous look on my face, because the guard laughed.

"We have no worries about you any more.  You have no power here.  There's nothing you can do."

We'll see about that.  I knew I still had my power.  I've had it since the beginning of time.  I will always have it.

I walked into the cave and the stench of animal dung hit me in the face like a brick wall.  Again, I thought this had to be a joke.  Why would the Enemy send His warrior here?  A smelly, dirty animal pen.  And send him as a human baby?  Ridiculous!  I'd kill him before he could take his first step.  I'd kill him tonight.  They never should have allowed me to find out where he was.  Making that announcement in public was a big mistake.

My eyes adjusted to the dark and I looked around.  I saw them at the back of the cave.  There were two more guards, unseen by the others, standing next to the trough where the animals would feed.  In front of them knelt a number of people, the shepherds that had been in the field I had just left.  Also, there was a man and a woman, obviously the brat's parents.

I entered, unseen by the humans, but noticed by the guards.  They looked at each other, grinned as if enjoying a joke, and looked back to me.  One nodded, acknowledging my presence, and invited me closer.

I approached and saw the baby.  He was asleep.  He looked just like any other child of a human.  Nothing spectacular.  Extremely fragile.  This was going to be easy.  None of the guards had any weapons that could harm me.  I knew this as fact.  I was once one of them, the greatest of their number.  Only the Enemy alone could defeat me.  He couldn't stand the fact that I wanted and deserved to have a share of the glory and power.  So I was banished, myself and my followers, a third of His army.

"We were told you might show up.", said one of the guards.  "Come and see.  You'll be surprised."

"I am surprised.", I said.  "I'm surprised that He's done this.  I thought He didn't make mistakes.  No human can beat me.  Not even Michael, the greatest of your warriors could.  If I wanted to destroy that baby, there's nothing either of you could do to stop me.  That's why I'm here.  Stand back."

I reached down into the feeding trough to grab the child when he awoke.  Good.  I wanted to hear his cries when I allowed him to see me.  But he didn't cry.  The child actually laughed when he saw me.  It was then that I looked into his eyes and saw my doom.  I looked and saw the eyes of the One who had banished me, the eyes of the only One who could defeat me.  I knew then what my Enemy's plan was.  I had no way of stopping Him.

My scream could be heard from my realm all the way to the Enemy's throne.

*****

Merry Christmas

1984

Recently, I was rereading George Orwell's classic 1984. I say rereading because it's not the first time I've read it. I don't remember how many times I've read it, but I do remember not reading it in school, when I was supposed to read it. Yep. I'm a scholar and a rebel.

Even if you've never read 1984, I'm sure you have heard something about it. Even if you only have heard the phrase "Big Brother is watching you". Basically, it's the story of one Winston Smith, a member of the Party living in London, Oceania. (Oceania consists of North and South America, England, Australia and part of Africa.). The Party (the government or Big Brother) controls every aspect of life. Citizens are continually watched. Even their very thoughts are monitored. Winston meets up with Julia, a girl in the Anti-Sex League and they both decide to join a movement against Big Brother. Antics ensue (and not funny antics).

This time while reading, I paid more attention to the technology behind the world Winston inhabits. I wondered how easy it would be (now 30 years after the books setting and 66 years after it was written) for the government to do the things mentioned in the book. 

Now, before I go on, I want it made known that I don't believe in conspiracy theories that the government is doing all these things. Anyway, this article isn't about whether or not it's truly doing these things, only if these things are possible. No conspiracies, only possibilities. 

Winston works in the Ministry of Truth, which is what could be called the media of Oceania. His job is to rewrite news articles which are found to be in error by the government. For example, at the beginning of the book, Oceania is at war with Eurasia and allied with Eastasia. During the story, the alliances change and Oceania is at war with Eastasia and allied with Eurasia. Winston's job is to rewrite every article and book written since the war began, changing "Eurasia" to "Eastasia" and vice versa. Then all "incorrect" copies of the books and newspapers are destroyed and reprinted with the "corrected" information. 

Would this be possible today?  The answer is turning more and more closer to yes every day. 

At one time, even during the writing of 1984, this would have been near impossible. It would have meant collecting and destroying every copy of every book ever printed, millions of books per year. However, with the invention of the e-book, it becomes much easier. Your average person does not have a physical copy of the book, just downloads the information, which is stored in a single computer server. That info can be easily edited, so that those who read it will download the updated, "correct" version. 

Another item I noticed was that citizens in Winston's world were under constant surveillance. There are cameras everywhere in his world. How about ours?  

It depends on where exactly you live.  In larger cities you're on camera quite often  I've recently read an article that states we are seen on camera more than 75 times per day.  And that was written 7 years ago.  I'm sure the number has risen since then.  There are cameras at street lights, on buildings, at ATM's, on buses, in taxis. Everywhere.

And those of us who live in smaller towns aren't safe from scrutiny either. The next time you're at the grocery store, look around at how many security cameras are attached to the ceiling. You may be surprised. 

Continuing with that idea, in Winston's apartment, he has what's called a telescreen. It's like a television, except it broadcasts, as well as receives signals. During morning exercises, Winston is yelled at by the instructor on screen because he isn't touching his toes. She sees him as well as he sees her. Do we have this?

Yes. We do. 

Sitting on top of my computer monitor, there is a camera, no larger than a postage stamp. While I have control of when that camera turns on, all one would have to do to control it would be to bypass my system firewall (which really isn't a difficult task).  Even my phone has a camera.  Two cameras, if you want to be specific: one in front and one in back.  If a government were to mandate that I give it control of my computer or my phone, they could very easily turn my webcam on and find out what I'm doing. (No one really wants to know that.)

I mean it.  You really don't.

I have one more item to mention.  However, it's not mentioned in the book, but I thought about this and I think it's worth mentioning here.  In the book, Winston and Julia leave the city and go out into the country in order to be able to get away from the all-seeing cameras and from having their every movement scrutinized.  Today, it's getting harder and harder to do that.

On my phone, I have an app I use when I run.  It tracks my movements and tells me, down to the closest meter (or yard for you American readers), where exactly on the planet I am.  If I can use this to find out where I am, I'm sure Winston's Big Brother would use this technology to track its Party members movements.

My latest run.

Again, I'm not writing all this in order to say "The Government's watching us!  We're living in the world of 1984!"  I'm just writing this as a thought exercise.  Could the world of 1984 be possible?  I think that's a strong YES.  We need not be worried about it, though.  Alert, but not worried.

Just Keep Moving

This past weekend, I ran in the Grand Rapids Foster Swift Half Marathon.  For those of you who may not know, a half marathon is 13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometers.

The reason I was running was that I needed confidence about my speed.  In January, I'll be running in a half marathon in Disney World.  For that race, I have to stay at a speed of 16 minutes per mile.  If I can't keep that speed, I'll be pulled off the course and driven to the finish line (and I won't get my medal).  So, by running in Grand Rapids, which has no time limit, I'm able to get a good view of my speed.  As long as I can run it in under 3 1/2 hours, I'm good.

A Little History

It was a cool October Saturday morning in 2013.  I was awake and sitting in front of my computer, probably on Reddit or playing a game.  My wife came into the room and asked a question.  "How long is a half marathon?"

My brain works like this: question in, answer out.  No thought behind it.  So I say, "13.1 miles."

"Thanks" and she goes back into the living room.  It was a couple of minutes before the meaning of that exchange clicked.  I ran into the other room.

"What are you doing?"  I know my wife much too well.

"There's a half marathon tomorrow and I'm thinking of running it.  My friends think I'm crazy because they've been training for 6 months for it and I'm just now thinking of doing it."

Her friends are right.  But when she gets it in her mind to do something, it's near impossible to talk her out of it.  So the next morning, I found myself in a crowd of people, waiting for my wife to finish running.  Her goal was to finish in under 3 hours.  She did it in 2 hours 53 minutes.

Back To The Present

So this year, It's me who is running and she's on the sidelines, cheering me on.

The sun hasn't risen when we get to the YMCA, where the race begins (and will end).  I haven't been feeling good for the past week.  I'm coming down with the flu.  Great.  The most difficult race in my life and I'm sick.  If I was well, I'd really push myself and try to beat my wife's time.  But since I'm not, I'm just going to try to beat the 16 minute per mile mark.  I hope.

Yes, I was thinking "What am I doing here?"

The race began and over 4000 of us idiots are running.  It's chilly, so I have on a long sleeve shirt, a jacket and gloves.  I'll be glad for those gloves later.

 I had set up my phone to play music while I was running, along with my voice every couple of minutes, telling me to run or walk.  Pacing myself.  That went out the window.  I tried running when it said to run, but I skipped quite a bit and extended my walks quite a bit.  Eventually, I just ended up ignoring it completely and ran when I felt like it.

About 4 miles in, I started getting warm.  The sun was now up and it was going to be a bright, shiny day.  I pulled off my jacket and tied it around my waist.  I took off my gloves, so I could repin my number onto my shirt, since it was first on my jacket.  I stuck the gloves in my pocket.  I guess one fell out, because about a mile later, a guy came up to me and said I'd dropped it.  I wasn't about to go back to get it now.  Just keep one glove and keep moving.

That became my mantra throughout the race:  Just Keep Moving.  When I crossed the 7 mile check point, I was at 1 hour 40 minutes.  At that pace, I'd finish in 3 hour 10 minutes.  Mentally, I wanted to push and go faster, but physically?  Nope.

The first 7 miles are in town.  From mile 7 to about 11, it's out in the middle of nowhere.  Nothing to see, except corn fields, and trees.  Oh, there's the water treatment plant.  Don't step on that dead skunk.  Grab a water and Gatorade at each aid station.  Ooh, this aid station also has gummy bears!  Get some of those, too.

At about mile 9, my body decided it was done.  I went to begin running, and almost ended up on the ground.  So I kept walking.  While I was tripping, I'd hurt my leg.  I had pain in my left leg from my hip to my ankle.  It was only through strength of mind that I stayed up.  (Strength of mind?  I have a mind?)  Just Keep Moving.  Just Keep Moving.

I don't remember passing the signs for miles 10 and 11.  I kept my eyes on the ground ahead of me and kept moving.  As I went, there were more and more people on the side of the road, cheering us runners on.

Finally, I turned a corner and there it was in the distance: the finish line.  I had to cross that line, no matter what.  After I crossed, I could collapse and it would all be over, but first I had to cross that line.  Just Keep Moving.

My mind was so focused on the finish line, that I went into tunnel vision.  I really couldn't see anyone on the side of the road, even my mother or my wife.  (That's fine:  my mother didn't see me run by either.  Don't worry about it, mom.)  I found the strength to run those few hundred feet or so.

After I crossed the line, I got my medal, got a foil blanket to get warm and went through the line to pick up some after race snacks: banana, orange, yogurt.  I didn't realize just how cold I'd gotten during the race, until I noticed I was shaking.  Not just shivering, but a full out shake.  And I still had to find my family and get back to the car.

I pulled out my phone and texted my wife, telling her where I was.  (Not an easy feat, considering how much food I was holding.)  She came and got me and we walked (very slowly) back to the car.

In the end, my official time was 3 hours, 13 minutes, 22 seconds.  Slower than I'd wanted, but faster than my goal for Disney.  And any way you slice it, I'd finished.

Disney World, here I come.

Machete Order

SPOILER ALERT:  This is where I'd normally say there are spoilers of a movie or TV show, but the newest of these films I'll be discussing is almost a decade old and the oldest is almost as old as I am.  I'm saying this stuff anyway.  You got a problem with that?  Tough!

------------

I'm watching the Star Wars movies (again) and have come to a problem: what order to watch them. Should I watch them in episode order or chronological order?

Episode order is starting with Episode 1 and following with 2, 3, 4, 5, and (wait for it) 6. The problem with this order is that it removes the suspense of the biggest cliffhanger (and also the most misquoted line) in movie history: "No, I am your father."

Chronological order is the order in which they were released: 4, 5, 6, then 1, 2, and 3.  The issue with this order is there is no tension in the newer trilogy.  We already know how the story ends.

Now, before I go further, it should be noted that I am a fan of the original trilogy, but not so much of the newer.  Too much CGI, too much love story, too much Hayden Christensen.  Yet, the new trilogy is a part of George Lucas' vision for the story, so as a true Star Wars fan, I put up with it.  But back to my original question:  viewing order.

I've recently found online an order which disposes with the problems stated above, and highlights a few items that are not apparent with the other viewing orders.  It's called "Machete Order".  The reason for the name will become apparent in a moment.

Machete Order is this: Episode 4, 5, 2, 3, and 6.  No, I haven't missed anything.  Read that order again.  I repeat, I haven't missed anything.  Episode 1 is not there.  It's been cut out (like with a machete... get it?)  Why?

Episode I: The Phantom Menace tells of Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kinobi discovering a young Anakin Skywalker.  They also meet up with Padme Amidala, queen of Naboo.  They also find out along the way that the Sith (the ancient bad guys who practice the dark side of the Force) have returned.  So how can I just get rid of this film?

None of the plot points in Phantom Menace are necessary to the overall plot of the series.  Anything that is important is introduced again (sometimes even better) in the other films.  We don't need to know that Qui-Gon Jinn was Obi-Wan's master.  We don't need a love story between a 14 year old and a 9 year old.  We don't need to have a half hour of pod racing.  We don't need Jake Lloyd.  (Don't know who that is?  Google is your friend.)  We don't need Jar Jar Binks.

George's biggest mistake.

Now, you can watch Phantom Menace after you've watched the others.  See it as bonus material: cool, but not necessary to the story.

So, now that we've cut out over 2 hours of movie to watch, that leaves us with the order of the others.  George had it right when he filmed Episode 4: A New Hope first.  It's has the strongest story that is able to introduce the characters.  In my opinion, Episode 5: Empire Strikes Back is stronger, but would be a difficult place to start.  So, you watch them back-to-back, which then ends with the infamous cliffhanger.  Where to go from here?

To a flashback, of course.  To Episode 2: Attack of the Clones.  It introduces us to Anakin as a cocky, whiny teenager (much like Luke in Episode 4).  Also, we see Padme as an old friend of Anakin's.  Their age difference isn't as shocking here as it was in Episode 1, so the thought of them being an item isn't creepy.

This leads directly to Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith.  We see Anakin fall to the dark side.  Luke and Leia are born, which is a big reveal in itself.  Padme dies.  Yoda fails to defeat Emperor Palpatine.  Obi-Wan goes into exile in order to protect the children of Anakin.

So, now we finish to story with the film that ties everything together: Episode 6: The Return of the Jedi.  We see Luke as a fully-trained Jedi, dressed in black, just as his father had.  In his dealings with Jabba the Hutt, Luke seems a bit ruthless, as if he is using the dark side of the Force.  In fact, that possibility is made stronger now when the Emperor urges Luke to use his anger to kill.  Yoda also tells Luke "do not underestimate the Emperor."  Now that we've seen Yoda fail in his fight with Palpatine, this statement has more meaning.

I could get deeper into this topic and go longer (a lot longer), but I'll just stop here.  Are there problems with this order?  Sure.  But there are more positives here than negatives, which can be passed by with little effect on the story.  Let's just say that this seems like a much better order for the story than either chronological or episodal.

Now, where do I fit my copy of the Holiday Special?

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

It's that time of year again. No, not Christmas. Time to buy cereal. A certain special cereal.

Yeah, Count Chocula's open.  I couldn't help myself.

It's become a tradition around my home to buy a box of each of the Monster cereals each year.  When my daughter went off to college, we bought her a box of each and shipped them off to her dorm.  She later told me she used a measuring cup to ration out servings to each of her friends.

That was also the year the decided to rerelease two other Monster cereals: Yummy Mummy and Frute Brute.

I hadn't heard of them before, either.

Halloween is my favorite holiday.  You get to dress up as something completely different, eat candy until you barf and then, for food that's good for you (relatively), you have the Monster cereals.

I've already sent three boxes to my son, who is now in college himself.

Now, my daughter tells me she mixes all three flavors together and eats them all at once.  I think I hear my cereal bowl calling me...

Differing views

The Bible tells us that Jesus had 12 disciples. If you know the stories, I'm sure you've heard about Peter, James and John. You've probably heard of Judas Iscariot. You may have heard of Andrew or "doubting" Thomas. But the other half, most people don't know much about. I'd like to talk about two of those: Simon and Matthew.

Photo in public domain

Simon was a Zealot. The Zealots were a group of Jews that wanted freedom from the Roman government. They were known to be among those starting revolts and today would be considered terrorists. One faction of the group, the Sicarii, even went as far as to murder fellow Jews who collaborated with the Roman authorities.

Matthew was a tax collector. He worked for the Roman government, collecting money from the Jews to pay the soldiers who were occupying their land. It is very possible that Matthew became very rich, taking extra tax money from his fellow Jews.

You couldn't find two people in the Bible with more opposite views in the politics of the day.  Yet something happened which brought them together.

Some traditions hold that it was at Simon's wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine.  Of course, he would wonder, "Who is this man who could do such a thing?  What can I learn from him?"

Jesus called Matthew while Matthew was at work, sitting at his table.  Capernaum was a small town, population of about 1500.  Everyone knew everyone.  Matthew would know about Jesus and had heard the stories of his miracles.  So when Jesus came to him and said, "Follow me", He got up and left his job behind to follow.

Jesus brought these two men together.  Working together in peace.  To spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Today's Church is riddled with factions, each one declaring they are the correct one and the others are wrong.  There are some groups of people who have been excluded from the Church simply because their political beliefs are not in line with the mainstream Christian thought.  Many different Christian denominations refuse to fellowship with those of other denominations, simply because of these differences.

Do you remember these?

Photo by CrazyLegsKC

What Would Jesus Do?

It didn't matter to Jesus what political views his disciples held.  He just asked them to follow.  He brought them together, government official and terrorist, in order to spread the news that Jesus is alive.  Their beliefs had no bearing in that fact.

The Church is called for one thing: to spread that news.  Over the past 2000 years, we have lost that call and have gone our own way, going on witch-hunt after witch-hunt.  Over the years, the Church has demonized many different groups.  Instead of being a place for all to come to God, the Church has become an exclusive club for those who think the same way.  I don't think Jesus is pleased by this.

We need to open our doors, open our arms and invite everyone in.  Don't tell them their lifestyle is wrong.  Tell them Jesus loves them.  Don't say their beliefs are too far to the left (or right) for them to be Christians.  Tell them Jesus loves them.

Jesus called together people from both sides of the political spectrum and started a phenomenon that changed the world.  We can continue that, if we simply follow Christ.

Color Run 2014

Yesterday, my wife and I ran the Color Run in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For those who don't know, the Color Run is a 5K race where they throw different colored paint at you each kilometer. It's really fun and you end up covered with purple, blue, pink and other colors.

Before the race.  When we're still clean.

This was our third year running this race, so there were no real surprises in the course or anything. The biggest surprise for me was how fast I was able to run it. I've never trained for a race before, but since I've been training for the Disney World half marathon in January, I've gotten quite a bit faster than previous years.

The purple area, sponsored by a cancer research hospital.

Running into the pink area.

About to get the blues.

Hey, what are ya?  Yellow?

Finally!  The Finish!

During the race, and after, there is a DJ playing music and a mosh pit for you to dance and have fun.

The Color Run mascot is a dancing unicorn.  Don't ask me why.

In the mosh pit, they pass out hundreds of packages of paint.  About every 15 minutes or so, they have everyone throw the paint up into the air.

Get ready to hold your breath.

Let the party commence!

You begin wearing white.  You end covered in paint.

Picture taken after wiping the paint off the camera lens.

I've taken 4 showers and I still have paint in places I can't mention.

My Lake

I've grown up around Lake Michigan. I was born in a town on the shores and I've never lived (for long) farther than a couple hours drive from the beach.

While sitting in the sand (which I'm doing as I write this), I realized something. It may seem boring and ordinary to you, but it's neat to me: I've been on beaches on all four sides of the lake. 

Right now, I'm on the east shore of the lake. I'm in Holland State park. Here's a picture:

That's "Big Red".  I was trying not to take pictures of the bikini-clad girls.

I grew up on the south side. I lived in Michigan City. My grandparents owned a home that was actually inside Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. I would go down to the lake all the time growing up.  I have pictures, but none that are on my computer right now.

I also lived on the west side of the lake, in Chicago.  (Yes, I know that's close to the south side, but it's still on that west side.)  When I had the chance, I'd walk down Addison Street to the lake and walk around.  Again, I don't have any pictures for you.

The last side I made it to was the north side.  Up there, the lake is only a small point before it curves down to the east and west, but I was able to get up there a couple of years ago when I would visit my daughter, who was attending college in the U.P. of Michigan.

The lake is in the background, not what I'm jumping over.

As I said, I've lived near Lake Michigan my entire life.  I keep making jokes about moving to Florida, but I don't think I ever will be able to leave the Great Lakes area.  This is home.

Disney Trip 2015: Making Dining Reservations

Recently I made advance dining reservations (ADR's) for my trip to Disney World in January.

Have I mentioned I'm going to Disney World in January?  Oh yeah.  My wife and I are running in the Disney World Half Marathon in January.

I'm not really a runner, but I've been training for a while.  I've run a few 5K races over the past couple of years and earlier this year I ran a 10K.  (For those non-metric readers, a 5K is about 3.1 miles and a 10K is about 6.2 miles.  A Half Marathon is 13.1 miles.)  I'll write more about that later.  This is about making the ADR's.

You can't make Disney ADR's until 180 days (plus the length of your stay) before you arrive at the resort.  So, I was counting down the days before we had to make them.  The reservation phone lines and web site don't open until 7:00 am.  It's sometimes difficult to get ADR's for the more popular restaurants, unless you make them early.

This trip, my wife and I planned to go to very few table-service restaurants.  What's a table-service restaurant?  Disney has (mostly) two different types of restaurant: counter-service and table-service.  Counter-service is where you pick up your food at a counter, such as at McDonald's.  Table-service has a waiter that brings you your food.  Usually, at Disney, you have to make ADR's for table-service restaurants, but not usually for counter-service.

Anyway, we planned on on only 4 table-service restaurants for the week we're going to be there.  We REALLY wanted 2 of them and the other 2 were just an afterthought.

First of all, my wife wanted to eat at Be Our Guest restaurant.  It's in the Magic Kingdom and is now the hardest restaurant to get into in Disney World.  You get to eat inside the Beast's castle, from "Beauty and the Beast".  My wife wanted to eat there for dinner.

Second, I wanted to have breakfast at Crystal Palace, also in the Magic Kingdom.  I didn't really care about the food, or the fact that I'd get to see Winnie the Pooh while I eat.  The reason I wanted this restaurant was that it opens at 8:00, while the park opens at 9:00.  Yes, I'd get to get into the park a full hour before it opens.  I hope to get a picture of me in front of Cinderella's castle with NO ONE in the background.

The other 2 restaurants, Tokyo Dining at EPCOT and 50's Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios, were a couple of places we wanted to go to, but if I couldn't get ADR's for, then it's fine.

So, at 6:50 am I was sitting at the computer, ready to start typing.  I actually had my information for the Be Our Guest restaurant already typed in, so I could just hit enter.  So, at 7:00 I hit enter and got my ADR for Be Our Guest.  Great!  That was easy.

I checked for times available for Crystal Palace.  It was 7:02 and already all breakfast times were taken.  WHAT?  Already?  Crap!

So I moved on and tried my next restaurant, Tokyo Dining.  It was then that Disney's web site was overloaded and I got kicked off.  I just sat there hitting refresh on my browser, trying to get back in.  I also texted my wife, saying what had happened.

Eventually I got back on and tried again.  I got my ADR for Tokyo and 50's Prime Time.  But that Crystal Palace kept nagging me.  So I tried again.  Again it said no availability.  I accidentally hit refresh instead of back and it came back on with one availability at 8:05.  I grabbed it and got it.

ALRIGHT!  I got every ADR I wanted.

Unknown to me, though, after I'd texted my wife, she went online and tried to get the ADR's on her own.  She was also trying to get the 8:05 Crystal Palace.  I actually kicked her off by hitting enter before she was able to.  Hehehe.

So, I got all my ADR's and am excited  to go to Disney World.  I can't wait.

Looking Back

I feel like I'm just undoing work that I've done before.

A few years ago, I had video files on my computer, which I burned onto DVD's so I could then delete those files, thus making more room on my computer.  Now, I'm ripping the files from those same DVD's and placing them on my computer, in order to place those files onto YouTube, thus removing the need for those DVD's.  (This is perfectly legal.  These are old home movies that include me and my family.  If there is any copyright, I or family members own it.)

So, while waiting for a disc to be ripped, I started thinking of all the different forms of audio and video technologies that I've lived through.  Now, I'm in my 40's, so some of you may remember more and some of you may have never heard of these, either.  (Whipper Snappers, get of my lawn!  Shakes cane)

Let me start with video.  Many of these home movies started as actual film.  I remember watching them on a 8mm movie projector.  For those who don't remember, it looked something like this:

I remember watching scenes from Star Wars on this thing.  No sound, so we made our own soundtrack.  It took forever to set up and if the lightbulb blew, you're screwed.  Sure you could by a new bulb, but really?

Then came the VCR.  I remember going to a store (Colortyme, if my memory serves) and renting a player and movies.  Then we bought our first VCR.It looked something like this:

Finally, we could record TV shows!  It only could record from 20 different channels, but you could program which channels to get by turning these extremely small wheels.  Once you had that set, then you could return to it just by hitting a button.  Later VCR's you could get all the channels and programming meant telling it what time to start recording.  In order to tell the old one to record, you hit "Record."  To stop, you hit "Stop."  Wow.  Such technology.

Of course, all this meant you had to buy the right type of machine.  There was Betamax and VHS.  For the longest time, there were both.  You had your fans of both and stores had to carry both.  Until, finally, sales of Beta fell.  VHS became the standard and it reigned the video throne for a long time.

Then came DVDs.  I was married by the time DVDs came out.  Now, your movies wouldn't look like crap after repeated viewings.  No more accidentally recording over your wedding video.  You could put bonus stuff on the disc, so you could watch behind the scenes of your favorite movies.  Perfect picture!  Perfect sound!  Until HDTVs came out.  Then that perfect picture wasn't so perfect.

So then we come to Blu-Ray.  Now, I still don't own a Blu-Ray player.  My son has one (actually he watched them on his Playstation 3), but I'm still in the DVD camp.  For a while, there were two different formats: Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.  But HD-DVD went the way of the dodo and the Betamax and Blu-Ray is now the standard.  Much better picture.  Better sound.

Now, however, the trend is to remove the physical medium.  The public is no longer going to buy film or tape or disc.  All content is going to be in the "cloud" and we download it to our computers to watch.  Quality can be anything from perfect to potato.  All in the name of ease of use (and corporate dollar).

We've come to where I began.  I'm taking my old home movies.  I had them transferred from film to VHS.  Then from VHS to DVD.  Now, I'm going from DVD to YouTube.

What's next?

Eggs & Bacon

Watching TV, I've recently seen this commercial.

It reminds me of this commercial.

One is supposed to teach me the importance of sunscreen. The other is supposed to teach me the dangers of drugs. The biggest lesson I've learned?

Someone needs to make a Public Service Announcement using toast and coffee.  I need something to go with my brain on drugs and skin in the sun.

Cola Commercial Idea

I have an idea for a Coke commercial. (If you're from Coca-Cola, and want to use my idea, get in touch.)  Actually, it's for a series of commercials.  This idea would be great for use during a certain champion football game held in early February, where they could do a series of commercials.

In the first clip, you'd have a couple of guys, one of which is a scientist.  The scientist has invented a time machine.  The only problem is that he doesn't know how to power the machine.  He's showing the thing to his friends, one of which spills his Coke all over the control panel of the time machine.  The machine powers up and disappears.  To be continued...

In the second clip, the time machine appears in the middle of a field.  The guys get out and walk over a hill.  They end up in another Coke commercial.

The advertisers could put the guys into this older Coke commercial using CGI or whatever the latest technology is at that time.  The guys walk around the group, singing, hitting on the girls, etc.  Then they walk back to the time machine.  To be continued...

Third clip.  The time machine appears inside a football stadium, in a hallway.  The guys get out and turn a corner and see...

All the while the guys get Mean Joe's autograph, and just act like fans of the football legend.  Then back to the time machine.  To be continued...

Next clip.  The machine appears in a futuristic post-apocalyptic wasteland.  The guys get out, warily, and find an old TV monitor.  It pops on and...

I'm sure you get the idea.  To be continued...

One last clip.  The machine appears on an arctic glacier.  The guys get out and see...

The guys, initially scared of the bears, become friends with them when a bear holds out a Coke bottle to them.

OK, ok.  I lied.  One more clip.  You gotta get them home.  Connecting the Max Headroom box to the time machine, they get home.  Maybe with a stowaway (such as a bear).  The End.

I've had this idea for a number of years.  When I first had it, it would have been impossible to do.  Over the years, CGI has gotten good enough that it would be possible and look good.

So, Coca-Cola Company and whoever does their ads.  Call me.

One Lord, One Church

The Church has divided itself.  You have Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists, Wesleyans.  There are many different reasons for a church to split, some serious, some stupid.  I know of a church that split into two because one half didn't like the color of the carpet when the chapel was renovated.  Stupid.

Many churches split because their teachings are different.  I grew up in a church that taught against alcohol and smoking.  They didn't teach communion or baptism.  The church I attend now is also against alcohol and smoking, but they practice communion (with grape juice) and baptism.  I know that Catholics practice communion with wine.  I know of churches that it's OK for members to smoke.

You have Christians today who argue with other Christians about these teachings.  Some believe that they are right and those others are wrong, not saved and going to Hell.  "The Bible says this," a group will shout and proceed to bash the others over the head, proclaiming how wrong they are.  Some denominations have even gone so far as to call other denominations as the "Antichrist."

So, who's right?

An outsider will look at us Christians and see us fighting among ourselves and be completely confused.  We are supposed to represent Christ to the world and lead the way to the truth, but what is the truth?  If the Church can't seem to follow one truth, then what is the truth?

Who is right?

Saint Augustine of Hippo once wrote:

"In essentials, Unity; in non-essentials, Liberty; in all things, Charity."

In other words, the Church needs to be unified in those teachings that are essential and in those non-essentials, we are free to believe what we will.  But in all things, we need to do in love (which is what charity means.)

So, what are the essentials?

The jailer in Phillipi asked that very question of Paul.

Acts 16:29-31

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household."   

That's it.  That's all that is essential to salvation:  believe in the Lord Jesus.  Paul and Solas didn't say that the man had to follow a set of rules and regulations, or wear a certain type of clothing, or any other non-essential thing. As long as a church teaches the fact that to be saved one must simply believe in Jesus, they are a true church and are following God's command to them.

There can be good reasons for a church to split.  I presently attend a church that has a fairly traditional service.  We have an orchestra and choir.  The music is pretty contemporary, but we do sing the old hymns regularly.  I'm comfortable there.

But what if someone doesn't like orchestra music, but likes rap instead?  Not far away is a church that caters to those people who like rap.  Hard rock?  There's another church for them.  I've attended churches that offer Caribbean style music and worship.

The way we worship is a non-essential.  We have freedom to worship as we see fit and are comfortable.  Just because I prefer to worship with slower, older hymns doesn't make me any more (or less) saved than someone who prefers to worship with an electric guitar and drum set.

The Church (big C) needs to stop fighting between the churches (little c) and become unified in the command given us by Christ himself:

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

Mental Movie Game

When I'm doing something that doesn't require me to think (such as mowing the lawn), I sometimes play a mental game.  It's kind of based on the old Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon idea.  I take two movies (the more different, the better) and try to link them by their actors.  For example:

Weird Science to Being John Malkovich

In Weird Science, Anthony Michael Hall played Gary.  He also played Rusty in National Lampoon's Vacation.  In the sequel, National Lampoon's European Vacation, the man in the bathroom was played by Robbie Coltrane, who also played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.  Which also starred Alan Rickman as Severus Snape.  Rickman played Hans Gruber in Die Hard, which also starred Bruce Willis as John McClane.  Willis played Frank Moses in Red, which also starred John Malkovich, who starred in Being John Malkovich.

Simple, right?

Notice that I usually take movie series as a single entity.  That's just to make things easier.  Usually, the same actors play the same roles in each film of a series, so it just makes sense.  With this game, you can make your own rules.  Can you count Wilson from Castaway in the beach volleyball scene from Top Gun?  That's your choice!  You can count the directors of the films if you wish.  The Key Grip?  The Gaffer?  The possibilities are endless.

Also, many times there is more than one path to take.  In the above example:

Anthony Michael Hall (Gary in Weird Science) also played Farmer Ted the Geek in Sixteen Candles.  His friend, Bryce, was played by John Cusack, who was Craig Schwartz in Being John Malkovich.

I've yet to find two movies that I couldn't somehow link.  (Now that I've said that...)  Have fun.

Weenies of WDW (Part 1): Cinderella's Castle

When Walt Disney was designing Disneyland, he wanted to find something that would pull the crowds to the different sections of the park. Something that would get peoples attention and bring them into Adventureland, into Fantasyland, into Tomorrowland.

Walt called these people magnets "weenies."  He called them that because when he'd get home late at night, everyone would be asleep. He wanted someone to greet him, so he'd go to the refrigerator and pull out a hot dog, or weenie. The dog would hear and come running for the treat.

So Walt wanted something in his parks that would attract the people, just as the weenie attracted the dog.

Each land has its own weenie.  Tomorrowland has Space Mountain.  Frontierland has Splash Mountain.  Fantasyland's weenie became the main weenie for the entire park: Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

After Walt's death in 1966, it was decided to build another Disneyland in Florida, which became the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.  They kept the same basic arrangement as the park in California, with a few changes.  One big change was the main weenie: they designed an entirely new castle, naming it Cinderella's Castle.

I've started a series of paintings of these main park weenies.  Now, I'm no professional artist.  I don't consider myself great (or even good).  I'm just doing this because it relaxes me.  So, here's the first in a (hopefully) series of (at least) 4: Cinderella's Castle.

Someone's in the doorway.  Who could be home?

Cinderella's Castle was completed in July of 1971.  It is 189 feet (57.6 meters) high.  It appears to be made of stone and brick.  However, there is not one stone in use.  It is entirely concrete, steel, fiberglass and plastic.

Inside, there is a shop where children can get their hair and makeup done to look like a princess called Bibbity Bobbity Boutique.  On the upper levels of the castle, there is a restaurant (Cinderella's Royal Table) and a suite.  Originally, the suite was designed for Walt and his family when visiting the park.  After Walt died, the suite was unfinished.  In 2005, the suite was finished and given as a prize to guests during Disney's Year of a Million Dreams promotion.

The castle has undergone a few changes over the years (including being turned into a big, pink birthday cake) but I prefer to view it as it is currently: Off-white, blue, grey; like a classic castle.

Coming soon: Weenie of EPCOT: Spaceship Earth!

Information on Cinderella's Castle taken from Wikipedia

Frozen Heart (Part 2): Conceal, Don't Feel

I'm sorry I cut the last post so abruptly.  There wasn't a really good stopping point.

Spoiler Alert: If you read any further, you may encounter spoilers to the plot of the movie "Frozen."  You have been warned!

As I stated in the last post, I heard the soundtrack before I saw the movie.  I had this idea of a connection to depression in my head while sitting in the theater.  What I saw did nothing to push the idea away.  In fact, it grew stronger.  Anyway, since the idea started with the music, I'm going to focus on the music here.

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

In the film, Anna originally knew about Elsa's power, but after she got hurt by it, she was made to forget about the power.  But she still remembered having fun with her sister.  She can not understand why Elsa has shut herself away from her and everyone else.

In the same way, someone with depression often shuts themselves off from the world and those they love.  Often, they don't even realize they are doing it.  The healthy person keeps trying to have a relationship with the depressed person, but keeps getting the door shut in their face.

Also, we hear the first use of the phrase "Conceal it, Don't feel it, don't let it show."  This is quite close to things that depressed people hear quite often.  "If you just smile, you'll eventually feel happier.  Fake it until you make it.  Don't worry, be happy."  I've also heard "No one wants to be around someone who frowns all the time, so if you smile, you'll have more friends and be happier."  As if I had a choice.

The gloves that Elsa wears help her to hide her power.  In the same way, depressed people have a few things to help them to mask their symptoms.  Anti-depression drugs mask the feelings one has and makes it hard to tell what you are actually feeling.  Am I happy, sad, mad?  Don't know.  I felt like a zombie the entire time I was on the drugs.

For The First Time In Forever

Having been shut in the castle for a long period of time, Anna and Elsa have two opposite reactions on coronation day.  Anna is extremely excited and runs out to meet the people, while Elsa is nervous and keeps to herself.  Even when they are using the same words, they have differing meanings.  When they sing "It's only for today.  It's agony to wait." Anna means it's agony to stay inside, so she runs outside.  Elsa, on the other hand, means that she's in agony in going out.  She wants to do it, so she can get it over with.  Then she can once again lock herself away where her secret will stay safe.

This song continues the theme of the depressed person wanting to lock themselves out of the public eye, away from others.  They feel if they keep to themselves, they can't be hurt, or at least hurt worse than they already are.

Let It Go

Here's the song you were waiting for.  Everyone knows it, so I don't really have to go into it much.  Elsa's secret powers are known by the entire village, so she runs away, where she can live without having to keep that power in check.

This scene actually caused problems with my theory.  My first thought was that the song is in the wrong place.  It seems as if Elsa is singing about not having to worry about her problems any longer, as if the depressed person has gotten better.  In this case, shouldn't the song go at the end?

Then, I realized that Elsa is still isolating herself.  Nothing has really changed.  When I isolated myself, I felt as if nothing was wrong.  In my mind, life was going fine.  But, just as Elsa didn't know that her powers were freezing Arendale, I didn't know that I was hurting my family.

In Summer

How in the world am I going to connect this song with depression?  I'm not.  I just love this song.

To be continued...

Frozen Heart (Part 3): Worth Melting For

Spoiler Alert: Don't read past this point if you don't want to see spoilers... yada yada yada... plot of "Frozen"... yada yada.  You get the drift.

For The First Time In Forever (Reprise)

During the course of this song, Elsa is told about the consequences of her actions.  She realizes that Arendale is frozen (in summer).  Anna believes that Elsa can change things back to where they were before, but Elsa is sure she can't.  Anna goes to Elsa, saying that Elsa can come home.  She doesn't have to worry, because Anna will be right beside her.  Elsa responds by saying that she's happy being alone, where she knows others will be safe from her power.  Anna then tells Elsa of the problems Elsa's power has caused.

It is difficult for me to even just listen to this song, because it has the strongest connection to depression of all the songs in Frozen.  I clearly remember my wife coming to me, telling me that I don't need to shut myself away from everyone.  She would always be there for me to lean on.  Then she told me of all the problems in my family that my isolationist attitude had caused.  My reaction was about the same as Elsa's.

I can be hard to hear the lyrics when the two are singing together at the end of the song, so here's what Anna is singing.:

"For the first time in forever, you don't have to be afraid.
We can work this out together.
We'll reverse the storm you've made.
Don't panic.
We'll make the sun shine bright.
We can face this thing together.
We can change this winter weather
And everything will be alright."

While Anna is singing those words, listen to what Elsa's response is.:

"I'm such a fool.  I can't be free.
No escape from the storm inside of me.
I can't control the curse.
Anna, please, you'll only make it worse.
There's so much fear.
You're not safe here.
I can't!

First of all, notice the words they choose to sing.  Anna keeps using the word "we."  We can work this out.  We'll reverse the storm.  We'll make the sun shine.  We can face this thing.  We can change.  She knows that the key to dealing with the curse is to work together.

Elsa, on the other hand, keeps singing "I."  I'm such a fool.  I can't be free.  I can't control.  I can't.  She has isolated herself so far that she can't acknowledge the fact that she no longer needs to be alone.  She has someone to help, but she still feels alone.

I felt the same way.  I believed I was alone, that no one could help, that I had to do this by myself.  Even though my wife was right in front of me, saying "We can do this together," I was thinking "I can't do this."

When you've dug yourself deep into the pit that is isolation, it is so easy to believe you have gone too far to get out again.  There seems like there is no escape.  Everything you do seems to just pull you in deeper.

When you have depression, it's not just a feeling of sadness.  There are also feelings of fear, exhaustion, and anger.  These must be overcome in order to live a more normal life.  ("Normal" is not the right word for this.  I can't think of a word that truly fits here.  Healthy?  Productive?  I still don't know.)

But, in a sense, Elsa's right.  She can't do it.  She needs help.  And in my experience, only one thing helped.

Fixer-Upper

OK.  The whole idea may seem sappy and , dare I say it, Disney-film-like, but yes love helped me get out of depression.  Here's some lyrics of the song:

"We're not saying you can change him,
Cause people don't really change.
We're only saying that love's a force
That's powerful and strange.
People make bad choices if
They're mad or scared or stressed,
But throw a little love their way
And You'll bring out their best.

Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper.
That's what it's all about.
Father, Sister, Brother
We need each other
To raise us up and round us out.
Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper
But when push comes to shove
The only fixer upper fixer that can fix a fixer upper
is True Love."

When my wife told me how much she loved me and I finally realized that fact, it started a turn around in my life.  I finally was able to begin to let others into my life and get myself out of isolation.  That "Frozen Heart" that I had created began to thaw, to melt.

I have always loved my wife more than she'll ever know.  To me, she was the one that was worth melting for.  For her, I would do anything, just to have the privilege to call myself her husband.  For her, I am pulling myself from my kingdom of isolation and doing whatever it takes to remain in the land of Summer with her.

Now, I'm not saying that all depression can be fixed by finding true love.  Far from it.  Even in my own life, I still have times of depression, times where I find myself running away back into isolation.  But in my experience, the love I have for (and from) my wife has made dealing with depression possible in a way that would be impossible alone.

If anyone reading this is dealing with depression, I beg you to please find help.  It can be going to the doctor and talking about it.  It can be just as simple as hanging out with a friend or a loved one, someone you trust and discussing it.  Heck, you don't even have to discuss it.  Just being there and being alive can sometimes be enough to thaw that Frozen Heart.  Please, just don't give up.  There are things (and people) out there worth melting for.

Fallen Robin

Recently, I lost my job.  Yes, your humble storyteller is unemployed.  I lost my job over a stupid mistake on my part.  I won't go into details, but I admit it was my fault.

So, being me, I've been depressed and angry about it.  I moped around for a few days, but eventually put on my big-boy pants and started doing what needs to be done.

During my "Mopey" period (sounds like a new Seven Dwarf), I was taking a walk and came across this guy.

It was a robin.  He was a fat little booger, but now he was gone.  I always feel sad whenever I see one of these guys on the ground.  I understand that life has a beginning and an end, but birds were meant to fly, to be free.

I usually don't stop when I see a dead bird, but something stopped me that day.  I had just lost my job that morning.  It was cold and rainy.  But I stopped.  And a thought appeared in my mind.  A couple of (unrelated) Bible verses  that I had read, many times, before, but now had personal meaning.

Matthew 10:29

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father."

 Matthew 6:26

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?"

I have read these verses many times.  I believe I have even preached on them at one time or another.  But the meaning behind them finally hit me like a ton of bricks.

I went home.  Dried myself off and got to work looking for a job.  So now, even though I'm still unemployed, I'm not worried.  Things will work out for the best.

"Whatever you go through He's right beside you."

Kokomo

I was listening to "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys today. I remember when it came out back in 1988.

I remember thinking, "Who are these old guys?  And Uncle Jesse from Full House is with them."  The song was huge. I just couldn't see what the big deal was.

At the time, I listened to 1980's rock. Groups like Van Halen, Def Leppard, and Twisted Sister. My musical tastes were limited, to say the least.

I remember watching MTV (back when they actually played music) and saw this video.

I remember thinking "Who's the old guy with Michael Jackson?"  (Now that I'm in my 40's, Paul, at 41 in the video, doesn't look so old anymore.)

Since that time, I started reading the liner notes included in the albums. Usually they would list people that helped in the making of those albums. Also, bands would sometimes list those other bands who influenced them. So I determined to find music by those influential groups and artists and listen to them. By doing this, my mind was blown!

It started slowly. The groups I listened to we're influenced by groups such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd (which is still my favorite). So I got into those groups and also found out who influenced them. The Beatles, the Beach Boys.

So, what's my point?  You should keep your mind open to new (or old) experiences.  By finding out those things that inspired my favorite artists, I was able to move beyond them and discover new favorites.  Instead of being bound to the 1980's hair bands, I've moved on and now I listen to quite a number of genres.  Even Disco.

Additional Note:  Those who know me know that I'm an extreme Disney-phile.  If I'm able, I turn most any conversation to the Disney parks or movies.  So here goes...

The video for Kokomo was filmed at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World, which hadn't even opened to the public.  The Beach Boys were the first guests ever to stay there.