"Living the Dream"

Have you ever had one of those days that starts off as a downer but ends up on such a high note it could shatter glass? Well, today was that day for me. I got up at 5 (I actually saw the “5:00 a.m.” words flashing on my alarm clock—that is something no human should ever have to witness). I had a bowl of cereal (for all of you who’ve commented on my blog, thanks for informing me that up til now I’ve been having a bowel of cereal every morning ☺), and headed to work. I got there about 6:30, changed, clocked in, and checked in with my duty captain. I was a character reject again today…or so I thought. I step up to the window and she tells me that I’m heading to the Grand Floridian to take a breakfast shift there; however, I’ll need to attend the earlier warm ups to make it on time. After warm ups, I scamper to costuming to pull my outfit and hop on the bus. I get to the Grand Fla. (that’s what the locals call it—you should feel privileged to be blessed with that information, I had to look like an idiot today cause I had no clue in the world what The Grand Fla was) and get my stuff all set up. I ended up doing three sets there. It was pretty good, but by the time I finished packing back up my outfit, I was exhausted and ready to call it a day. I headed back to the base, dropped my costume off, and headed back to the duty captain’s office to check back in. They sent me to lunch. Hallelujah! I got about an hour for lunch after which I headed back to check in (I think at this point, I could get there with my eyes closed). As I checked in, I was praying to myself, “Please say, ‘I’ve got nothing right now, David. Check back in in about an hour.’” However, that prayer was drowned out by the sound of “We’re going to send you to Splash Mountain David but you would have to extend your hours to cover the shift.”
I agreed. A few minutes later, I found myself boarding the Parade Bus with costume in tow. We headed to the Splash Mountain/Parade building. It was at this moment that I started thinking that today was going to be the longest day of my life. That is until I met, Miss Gilda. She was my attendant, and one of the sweetest older ladies you’ve ever met. She is so passionate about her work and truly loves Disney! You can see it in her eyes, I’m not even joking. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. She sat and told us story after story. I just wanted to either A) hug her or B) be related to her.
During my second lunch break, I decided to head into the park to grab some fries; however before I could get in I had to stop and wait for the parade to come back in through the gate, so because of that I got to watch the floats go by. So here comes Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, Bert, and the princesses. Well right at the front of the princess float was the Fairy Godmother. She turns to me, winks and smiles. At that moment, I was three years old all over again! I got chills over all! It was a combination of that and Miss Gilda’s stories that made me realize for the first time since I got here, that I’m truly getting to live out one of my dreams. I’m working as a character performer in the place I’ve always wanted to work! I’m having the best time doing something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I was so thankful! Just loving life really, until I got my fries. I have my fries in one hand and my Coke in the other when what should happen, I get attacked by a crow. I’m talking a legit crow. It was like a scene from The Birds. I seriously almost peed all over myself. This thing just dive-bombed for my fries and before I know it, I’ve got this mess of feathers and beak flapping on my hand. At that point I was so scared, had I been able to scream, I would have been able to hit a high C. Despite the pandemic they caused me, I ate the fries anyway—goodness, they cost me $5. ☺
The weather ended up washing out my last two shifts (so I guess I got my break after all). I headed back to costuming and checking my outfit back in. On my way out of the park, who should I see, but my friend Jessica who so willingly agreed to keep me company on my drive home. She even offered to make dinner. Though I’m exhausted beyond belief (so blame sleep deprivation for this blog’s lack of structure), today was one of the best days yet!