A Mad Hatter

Today was and is a very special day. Today I finished up my character training process. I AM NOW AN OFFICAL CHARACTER! (insert jazz hands here) Yeah, it was much flashy and exiting in my head! Anyway, all that means is that I am no longer in a group, I’ll be working as an individual now, though Disney has people that check up on you at random times while you’re working, sort of a surprise evaluation, so there will be no slacking (not that there would be even if they weren’t checking, I’m just sayin’).
Today was an early morning! I had to be at the bus stop at 6:15 A.M. When I left my apartment the sun still wasn’t up. I knew right then it was going to be a good day ☺. However, the day really did rock because we got to the Magic Kingdom around 7:15 so we had a ton of time to kill before our shift began at 8, so what better way to kill time than to go romping through the costume department! We headed in there acting like we were looking for something in particular so as not to arouse attention (remember I’m from D-Town people. I know tricks.) I got to see the Mad Hatter costume, which made me so envious I need to ask for forgiveness. It was so sweet looking! But thanks to my cursed sycamore tree legs, I’m too tall for that role! I also found Ariel’s fin! Needless to say, I was freaking out! I figured, hey, this would probably be the only chance I’d get to touch it. Can’t you just see me walking into her grotto: “Would you like a picture?”
“Yeah! Sure.” (awkward pause)
“What are you doing, little prince?”
“Just feeling your tail. It’s awesome!”
Yeah not so much—so I took advantage while the opportunity presented itself. After that, we did some touring down in the infamous Magic Kingdom tunnels and learned the ins and outs of Character dining. It’s pretty hardcore, but I think will be a lot of fun. After that, we headed back to the costume department to grab our costumes for the day. Once finished there, we made our way to Toon Town for round 2. My costume today was a beast. There were so many parts that had to be tucked in and Velcroed—I liked to have never got the fiend on. Anyway, we headed out, did our first set, and then headed to lunch. Once we finished up with lunch we headed back to TT (that’s Disney slang for Toon Town, actually it’s not, I just feel sweet having these insider names). So, we get back, do two more sets and finish up. Once done, we took our assessment, figured out our talent rating, and headed back to costume return. I have to throw this in too, when the majority of our group was done with costumes, we were waiting in the hall, when who should walk by, the Mad Hatter himself. I finally got up the nerve to talk to him (thank the Lord my voice didn’t crack). He let me try on his hat…it. was. awesome.
I headed back to the apartment and decided to make dinner. Hmmm…what should I burn tonight? I decided on steak. So I gave mom a call and asked for directions. And surprisingly enough, the steak was great, the bake potato was a little crunchy, but, hey, beggars can’t be choosers.
I realized today that something’s happened within the past day or so, I really am starting to love my character job. Before all I could think about was the heat, but now that really only comes to mind, once I start dripping sweat or as I’m on my way back inside. Working with the guests, really makes the twenty minutes fly by; I feel like I’ve only been out there half the time. I love the job and looking forward to hopping into work next week!
This morning I read James 2 to go along with the podcast I’ve been listening to. James talks about favoritism and how it stems out of a selfish, judgmental heart. We have to have a standard with which we compare those we deem less than par. What is it? Ourselves (normally). When I look at the sin in my life and the things I struggle with, I have no business being that measuring stick. My measuring stick should be scripture and its picture of Christ, and both those sources reached out to those that would fall “below par” in today’s society. That was one of their primary targets, yet I continually sit back on my comfy high horse and judge people as less than worth it. It was some great stuff to mull over!