Tuesday, March 28, 2006

 
MOVIE REVIEW
Saw V For Vendetta today: excellent! Unique, intelligent and very entertaining. An experience. Go see it!
-Jud

Saturday, March 25, 2006

 
AN EXTRA GOODIE!!!


The newest Jud blog is the next one down, so don't miss that, but I wanted to post the following. This is a brief little story that was sent me today and I loved it and asked for permission to post it (and got it!)

This is by Binnie Betton, owner of the MouseForLess group, among many other things. One of those other things that she occasionally indulges is writing. I have had the fun of receiving a few of her writings and have always enjoyed them. This one seemed to be especially timely as well as poetically insightful, so I bring you...

Call of the Wild

QuickBooks looms open on the computer desktop in front of me - behind it a simple, blank WORD document. I flip between the two programs with the buttons at the bottom of my screen.
Undecided, I know what must be done - what I am compelled to do.

There are only seventeen more days until I meet with the accountant. I used to punctuate that countdown with a proclamation: "There is still time to write!"

This is no longer the case. My back is against the wall. The government has its deadlines, and they must be adhered to. Again, I stare at the empty WORD document. It beckons to be filled - peppered with my words, thoughts and emotions. It's my call of the wild.

My entire life, I've done the responsible thing, the lawful thing, the moral thing. It's almost as if I've drawn an invisible box around myself - its mystical lines so potent I can never step over them. Lawlessness and chaos creep along its unseen perimeter. On occasion, I have invited the marauders inside.
I'm mystified by society's rule breakers - those who fail to make their tax filing dates.
I prick up my ears like an old housedog - listening to an evocative wild call. I think I may lunge for it - but that would be a ruse, a quick jaunt around the master's yard - a mere bit of flash.
-Binnie Betton

Friday, March 24, 2006

 
MARDI GRAS, THE DESTROYERS, NFFC, ANIMATION AND UNIVERSAL
This is way late, being a report of events of two weeks ago, March 11, 12 and 13th. But I make up for my low production with this, a huge report! See accompanying photos at my photo album.
Please bookmark this and the photo site and tell a friend!

I took off suddenly on Saturday at 4pm to get down to Universal for the Mardi Gras Parade and the live concert after the parade. My last chance before my Annual Pass runs out, for both visiting the theme parks and this celebration of Mardi Gras, and never having made it to NOLA for the real thing, I figured I could at least get a taste of it.


I had just learned through the MouseForLess that Spring Break had sprung, so I had no illusions as to what I might expect in way of crowds, and more so on this special party night at Universal. My fears only grew when, at the late afternoon hour; I had to wait in line at the tollbooth thirty miles out. It only grew more certain when I entered the parking structure to find it all but full, and dozens of cars roaming in search of a space. As I powered my ECV through City Walk and over to Universal, the density of the numbers showed its effects, however, it all moved along well enough. Inside the park at 6:15, people were lining the sidewalks for the 8 pm parade! I decided to forego that long wait and took the intervening time to check out the opening act on the stage next toward the back side of the park next to the Jimmy Neutron ride, and thus discovered there was a special area for wheelchair access right up next to the stage left. This would come in handy later for the show I came for, even though it turned out to not be whom I thought it was: I was expecting Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes, and was then disappointed to see it was to be George Thorogood and the Destroyers. This was a feeling that would be drastically changed by the end of the night.

Finding the volume of the amps, which sat on the ground right in front of the special section, to be way too high vis-à-vis the music coming through them, I departed and headed over to Revenge of the Mummy, taking two turns at that short yet exhilarating experience, and then heading over to the far end of the park to at least momentarily escape the crush of the crowd. It was a good move as it was sparsely populated as soon as I left the streets of the parade route. As I headed past my old favorite, Back to the Future on my way to Men in Black, I thought, given this would be my last visit for at least some time, that I would check the regular line to see how long I would have to stand if I chose to go that route. It was only 20 minutes, a very reasonable time considering, but too long for me to stand, so I talked to the staff member (what do they call them there???) and explained to him that if I went in via the handicapped line, I would, like everyone else so entering, be in one of the lower cars, and the strain on my neck at looking up to the screen was simply too painful. I asked if it would be possible for me to get to one of the higher levels. He called in and it was granted, and I was directed to what turned out to be the regular Express Pass line, which was virtually as long as the regular line. I stayed there until the first batch of movement showed that it would be at the very least ten minutes, and I was already hurting, so I left the line. I had to pass the staff member going the wrong way as I left, so I explained to her that I simply couldn’t stand that long so, thanks, but I gotta go! She made a phone call and arranged for me to use a back door and sent me up right away on a higher floor! Thank you staff member! So I did get to ride what used to be my very favorite ride, but one I had done only once in the last five years or so due to the neck problem with viewing it- and it was good! It is truly amazing what a different show it is from the higher levels. I am happy to report that despite being “old hat” ride-technology-wise, it still holds up. I enjoyed it and was very pleased to be able to have an enjoyable re-viewing of it on my final visit.

I left, and simply walking the exit ramp back to my ECV was draining, making me even more grateful for the special treatment I had received. The staff member at the front asked me how I liked it, and I told him it was great! Checking the time with him, he suggested that it being still 15 minutes before parade time, I could get in one more ride, just what I was thinking when I asked! So over to Men in Black, where I am pleased to report a score of 372,000 without getting the big bonus!

Out of Men in Black, and over to the just started parade, I checked a couple of locations for possibly shooting it across the lake with my 10 X zoom, but though I could get a close enough shot, the movement of the float and the long exposure in the dark made for only a blur of lights against a very sharp background. I moved on to another location with the same results, and finally bit the bullet and faced having to actually merge into the crowds. I ended up behind a four person thick wall of people, and again, fruitless photography- a theme that ran through much of this visit. Of 163 shots, I have maybe a dozen or two of everything that are useable.

But it was an impressive parade. The floats were colorful, unique, varied, and beautiful! There were a total of fourteen, ending with a giant glowing green gator! Each was also manned top and sides with gaudily costumed revelers throwing beads to the begging screaming arm-waving masses! This is unlike any other parade, so interactive and making the crowd really a part of it! The spirits were high and the competition fierce for the so-desired 2-cent strand of plastic beads. But I saw no arguments when two different hands grabbed the same strand- one simply released. In fact, this happened with myself, as a strand that was clearly thrown to me, isolated way back- still trying for the occasional photo- was cunningly intercepted by a small boy destined to be a future goal tended in the NHL! I surrendered without contest and we were both still smiling. The wonderful thing was that several minutes later, this same boy came over and happily handed me a different strand of beads! With the end of the floats, there were the usual parade followers, the search for missed strands on the ground as the crowd cleared, and the rush to get over to an adjoining street where the parade was just beginning: I ended up viewing from three different locations, and with three strands by my own hand, and two given by others. I also passed on another strand to a lady whose husband had assisted me in recovering it from the high branches of a tree.

I hung around in my last spot for a bit watching the crowd disperse and relaxing, then I heard the rumble growing from the stage as the beginning of the night’s show commenced. I made my way to the special area, found a space, and it was on! The place was packed from the stage right out to the building across the street and it was a party crowd. A large screen to each side of the stage showed varying views of the show, but I was close enough to see the actual performers live, and George Thorogood’s hands working the strings- wow! Basically, it was a blur of huge volume for the next two hours, rehabilitating my belief in rock and roll. This is why electric guitars were made. This man was amazing! I never particularly followed the Destroyers, and was surprised at just how many of their songs I knew simply by airplay, but what impressed me most was the intensity and joy with which they were all playing, especially George. And they wouldn’t stop! The show ended after maybe half an hour- typical, all the big numbers played, the contract fulfilled... but the crowd kept yelling- like in the old days! After several minutes, much to my surprise, the band came back on! Okay, I figured they would do one more... then I figured, okay- three more. I forget exactly how many more they did, but it was like a whole additional set, then they left again... and came back again and played on and on again! It just kept going! It was fantastic! It was so fresh and alive and loud: maybe I am not too old! Loud ain’t bad when the music is this good! By the end of the night, heck, by the end of the first song, my ears were ringing, but it felt good! This guy could work a guitar! I thought of that opening spiel on the Meatloaf album when the son cries out, “Dad, you know I love you, but you’ll just never understand Rock and Roll”. This was rock and roll. Born again!



During the first set, there was this family next to me, ranging in age from very young to older than me, and the Dad kept crying out for what sounded to me like the “Haircut song”. Well, it finally came on and the whole family went wild! Rocking out! Later, near the end of the last set, when the special area had emptied quite a bit and we in the back had made our way more forward and center, George actually pointed specifically at that man and waved to him!

I also interacted a bit with a couple of other people and one lady was the bestower of my second strand of beads. All in all it was a fine family concert and night, beautiful warm moonlit, and the now-heads-of-families grew up on rock and roll. Even the old retired men serving as park security knew this music, and this spirit! We were all smiles as we slowly emptied the stage area and the park...

I made my way slowly out of the park enjoying the sites of City Walk on the way, left in my van, found a place to park and settled down for the night.

I slept well that night, only waking three times, and in the morning after cleaning up I headed down to Celebration Florida, the Disney town, for a show being put on by the National Fantasy Fan Club, a large organization of Disney fans in the main, based in California and now making its way to the East Coast, this being their second such show with more planned in the near future. I arrived early on this the second day of the event, and hung around in the very visually appealing town of Celebration on this fine day. After a while I went in and spent some time talking with Gary Schaengold, the Vice President Finance for the group, and later met Kendra Trahan, the National President, as opposed to Arlen Miller, the president of the local, “World” chapter. The show, much like the many woodcarving shows I have participated in, consisted of various members and vendors having spaces in which they either displayed their collections, for sale or simply for sharing. There were some remarkable items on display.


As I set about to get an overview of the show, I met Lou Mongello, author of the book Disneyland Trivia, who was there promoting it. We had a nice chat and I looked through his book noting a few very nice details and fascinating facts. He gave me a lapel pin, and a few other goodies, including a very nice lanyard with clear plastic pouch that will come in handy!

Later, I discovered another book, Disneyland Detective, and much to my surprise it was by Kendra! Her husband Russell was manning the table, as Kendra was busy running around as is normal for one in charge of such an event, and again, a fascinating book! She said she wrote it when she couldn’t find a guide that fulfilled her expectations of what a guide should be. And again, lots of fascinating extras throughout! Also gave me some good info on Disney and copyrights...

Further down the line I met Arlen Miller, the president of the World chapter, where he was both manning a club sign up table and his own filled with rare and delightful print material related to Disney, including many magazines that had had short lives.

Across the way, I was checking out the multi-space location of WDW itself and noticed someone who somehow seemed a tiny bit familiar and when I saw the embroidered name on her polo shirt, AllEarsNet, I asked, “Are you the Deb?” She laughed and modestly agreed at last that she was the one I was thinking of, and we chatted very briefly as she was playing hooky from some guests to just check out the show.

The highlight of the day was when I came upon a booth where a rather longhaired fellow was promoting his movie on DVD, complete with a TV playing it. I learned very quickly that he had been a Disney animator, and that locked in my attention right there. I soon learned that he was in fact at the Florida Animation Studios and that he had been there for 15 years! The movie was about the rise and fall of Disney animation during that period, and is called “Dream on Silly Dreamer”. Using the excuse of me being “press”, he gave me a copy to review, but that may or may not be as interesting as the hour or more of conversation I had with him following, interrupted only by my giving way to those wanting to buy the DVD or the sudden appearance of friends.


He was Tony West, and as I said, for 15 years he was an animator at the Disney Animation Studio in Florida. The conversation was very disjointed, jumping from one matter to another mid sentence as new things were learned, so what I got did not come in a logical orderly fashion, but by the time I left, I learned a lot of fantastic things about animation and Disney Corp.


Tony’s main job was effects animation, and he did the explosions in Mulan! For those of you who know little about animation, that magical process by which Mickey Mouse and many others have been brought to life, done with a pencil on a piece of paper one frame at a time, in making a movie of such, there are hundreds of people involved, each with a specific job. If one watched the credits on any animated feature, one will see the animators listed by character, that is, there is a lead animator for character #1, and several assistant animators that may or may not be listed as in-betweeners, clean up animators and other such things. Another specialty is effects, those who have shown remarkable talent in creating the effects of clouds or rain or snow or other such details that create the atmosphere of a scene. These are specialists who do this, so for any given single frame of an animated feature, there may be twenty or more people who have contributed to it, one for each character, several to assist or clean up or paint a single color of that character, and several more for any particular effects in that scene! For most of the general public, the idea of being an animator is glorious and exciting, but what they are thinking of is the lead animator! And a few steps within reach of that exalted position! For those on the lower rungs of the drawing scale, it can mean, for instance, as I witnessed myself in 95 while touring the then functioning animation studio at Disney/MGM, painting one particular shade of brown on Pocahontas dress again and again for tens of thousand of frames. Bo-ring!

Back to the story: Tony was an effects animator. He did the rocket explosions in Mulan. Later in the day, I discovered, that he also worked on LILO AND STITCH!!! Oh! Wow! I mean, this is my favoritest bestest movie since 101 Dalmatians, and here I am sitting with a real animator who was one of the people who actually created that movie!!! Specifically, Tony told me, he did the ray guns for Stitch, Bantu and the other guy... I should know the names… He also told me he did a sequence that I cannot for the life of me recall, so I am wondering if I missed it or he forgot that it got cut? Anyway. This was all very exciting! He also told me several amazing stories concerning the making of the movie, material that was cut and other that was modified, which greatly clarified certain things that seemed slightly a bit off in the movie. One thing I can pass on that will most directly clarify a certain moment in the movie is that originally there was a scene on the beach just before Stitch does his Elvis thing and all heck breaks loose- well, just before that, Lilo had done something to raise a bit of a stink herself- thus the results of that scene- which remains in the movie- were brought about by more than just Stitch getting bugged by the flashbulbs, and the resultant declaration of Cobra is a bit more in line with what actually happened. But it was decided that Lilo’s behavior made her a little too nasty for the mood of the movie so it was cut.

As four o’clock and the end of the show approached, I grudgingly ended off, and Mark suggested I give him a call when I was at UNI the next day and we could do lunch. I got his machine when I did call so he was probably in meeting or something. His new place is Project Firefly, one of three studios to start up with the remains of the people and equipment of the former Disney Animation Studio in Florida. One of those, Legacy, has gone under, funding problems like so many start-ups, but Firefly is carrying on, along with Cecropia (Cecropia was established in 2001 by gaming entrepreneur Omar Khudari, co-founder of the game developer Papyrus Design Group: see http://www.cecropia.com) which came out of Boston, funded by a man who made a lot of money in another field, but as the animators didn’t want to relocate along with their families to Boston, it opened a studio down here, reportedly in offices adjoining Sea World. So, Disney is over at UNI and Sea World...

Thus it was that Tony suggested we meet for lunch while I was at Universal.

After leaving the show, I headed out to Kissimmee to lunch at Checkers, then up to Universal where I took a nap in my van before heading in. I had decided, given the warmth of the day and the short period I had for it to do the “wet” rides, so brought my swim suit and water shoes to be prepared, but alas, Dudley Doo Right Falls was down for rehab, and Bluto’s Bilge Rat raft ride had just broken down with its reopening time unknown, I went over to Jurassic Park and took a couple of drops there. On the second one, I was next to the most precocious little girl who knowingly exclaimed that this was impossible cause the dinosaurs all died. We debated the matter for most of the ride, but alas, I could not make a believer out of her, and she simply refused to be intimidated by any of the special effects- until for one brief moment, his eyes did widen a bit as we went over the top and headed down that drop! She explained though that that was understandable as we dropped straight down! Her father thoroughly enjoyed our discussion and suggested I had met my match with his ten year old. I enjoyed it anyway.

After leaving the park, I went to the theater at City Walk and watched Johnny Depp in The Libertine. While interesting and always enjoyable watching Depp, and the other actors were excellent, the film was dark and moody and well done, but I have no idea the point of it. I am not sure to recommend for or against it, for I am not at all certain what I saw. Lets leave it at interesting.

Back to the van, place to park, sleep for the night.

Monday, I headed back to Universal for my last day, deciding I would simply go through it in order, starting with the Hulk. The place was mobbed, but with the handicapped pass, I was able to ride without waiting. I did Hulk, then the spinning thing- can never remember what that is- then Dr Doom, always a rush: good airtime! I leave my arms outstretched for the lift and even as familiar as I am with it now, it still surprises. That harness is defiantly needed! But the view is breathtaking, if oh so brief! Then over to Spiderman, and then I saw that Spidey was out for pictures and the line had dwindled to naught so I grabbed a postcard and had him sign it for a young friend, then headed on over to the now working Bluto’s Bilge Rat ride. I changed in the men’s room into my swim trunks and water shoes, and noted I had failed to bring an extra t-shirt! On the first ride, much to my surprise, as I thought I had it all figured out, I got the dump seat! Wham! Soaked in an instant! And while I have been so saturated by this ride before, I forgot that that had been in summer, and the water was welcome refreshment! This was cold! And the day, though warm, was not that warm! And as is the course, he who gets the first dump gets many more, and I did, and when I got off, I removed my t-shirt and wrung it out, easily creating a large puddle at my feet. I rode twice more, not getting the worst of it, that being reserved on the third trip to an older gentlemen across from me, and not, as would have been so fitting, for three teenage girls in complete denial and horror once they saw just how thorough drenching was possible on this ride! It would have been worth the risk to my camera if I had had it to shoot the face of one girl in particular! It was so thoroughly strained and fixed on denying what was happening! She did get a good soaking, but not the total dump that is always visited on one rider on each trip.

After finishing and changing back into dry clothes, simply forgoing a T-shirt and wearing my vest, I reflected that I think this is the ride I enjoy most at IOA. It is a good ride, with or without the soaking, a better than typical river run, with some real twists and turns in it.

I hit Spiderman again, being technically the best ride experience in Orlando, and then headed over to Seuss Landing, tried to connect with Tony West, failing, then riding each of the three rides, and getting some potatoes and corn on the cob at Circus McGurkus. The funny thing is, the kitchen for that restaurant is the same one that, on the other side, serves the cafeteria that serves the offices in the building that Tony’s offices are in!

Took a second ride on Cat in the Hat, love that ride, then just “strolled” around in this exceptionally well themed area for a while. I explored the little ones’ play area a bit just to see what was there, some wonderful use of characters and motifs in decorating the area, and then headed out and eventually decided to call it a trip and head home. Got home in time to watch 24: love that show!

A few days later, I did get time to watch the movie Tony West produced, Dream on Silly Dreamer. As a fan of animation, it was completely engrossing and informing while still being gripping in its story. It is very well done and a must see for anyone with any interest in animation or the inner workings of Disney. The only downside was summed up by a common question many viewers have asked Tony as they dab at their eyes, “Where’s the happy ending?” I can totally recommend this movie.

-Jud

Monday, March 20, 2006

 
CHECK IT OUT!

Something to share while I work on my next post...
Amazing...


-Jud

Thursday, March 16, 2006

 
FUN IN THE AFTERNOON
About 4:45 pm yesterday, the phone rang, and I answered, expecting the usual daily auto-call or empty air, and to my complete surprise and total delight it was an old friend from Boston who had recently bought both my books and was calling to tell me how much she loved them, especially Me & Tange... Though she has no particular interest in woodcarving, she was delighted with it: "It's just such a beautiful book!", and went on to explain that she had started to just take a glance through it, and got "captivated for the next several hours with the fascinating stories." She went on to explain how a couple of her friends would just love this book and placed orders for two more copies, also informing me that she would be taking her copy everywhere with her to show to others. She did note that she had had a bit of trouble getting into Halita and the Third Planet, explaining that it was just a bit too far out for her to get into it. Having faced this problem with one other person, I told her to skip Part One and start with Part 2- about page 50- much more "down to Earth", as Haltia literally hits the road! She was thrilled with this new possibility of being able to enjoy the book. I assured her by the time she finished, she would then be so in love with Haltia, that she would want to go back and read the first part. It is always nice to hear from old friends, but this was especially delightful both in content and with her sounding so good, and her voice so happy and melodic and clear! (She is getting on in years and having some problems.) Nice spot of joy in the afternoon.
-Jud

Sunday, March 05, 2006

 
TWO DAYS IN ORLANDO
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I just got back from two days in Orlando: one at Universal Studios theme park; one at Sea World. I have 219 photos to go through, but many are of woodcarving- brought the tripod and finally got some shots I have tried three times before at Royal Pacific Resorts- beautiful carvings all over the place!
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The main entrance is lined with carved frogs, topping each rail post, playing various musical instruments and in various states of excitement.
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Inside the main doors on each side is a large extremely character dense pierced relief of detailed scenes from the jungle and exotic life. A few decorative pieces adorn the walls throughout the resort, and additionally the fixtures, such as the signage, the bar and the front desk and lobby are extensively carved with basic motifs. Of particular excitement to me, being one who is most thrilled by relief carving, is a panel that circumnavigates the wall on the large open stairwell to the lower level. A huge window above it, open to the brilliant Florida sunshine, is what made getting good shots so very difficult.

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On the lower level, there are more carved pieces decorating the walls.

Back up on the main level, and not at all carving related, there is simply a wonderful space in the center of the level, an open-air area of fountains and flora. I have never seen anyone (except myself!) actually enter the area, but it is delightful!

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The next day I headed to Sea World, and started the day with a ride in the newly refurbished Sky Tower. Though not intended as a shooting visit, I was once again drawn into that activity when at the Arctic Adventure, a few opportunities presented themselves. After the ride, one is on a walking tour through the various habitats of several Arctic mammals, starting with beluga whales, and including polar bears, walrus, and other residents of the colder climes. All of these areas, due to the thick glass and the dim lighting are difficult to shoot, but the opportunities presented this day demanded I try once again.

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Oh! I also wanted to comment that upon entering Sea World, I discovered that they have made a new map, a great improvement over the former one: much clearer and easier to “read”. I haven’t checked it against the older version yet, but I think they simply removed a lot of the detail and information that they had (mistakenly) tried to include before, which made it so hard to follow, especially given that completely irregular layout of the park to begin with! Also of note is that they have purchased a large parcel of land across the highway and have begun demolition of the existing old hotel. You can see this as you exit I-4 to the tollgate. The little I got was that a tunnel will be built under the highway, or a bridge over it, to connect the properties. I think the thing to do would be to move the parking to the new property and expand the park into the existing parking lot, but who knows! If that is what happens, remember, you read it here first!
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First to tempt me was a rare close up view of one of the 4 polar bears that live there. This one, in an unusual action, had chosen to lay down and nap right at the glass, and though sleeping, was in clear close up view! Naturally, several guests also chose to be right up against that window! The guide was clearly delighted to be there with such a great viewing opportunity and I asked several questions. On a marker board it had stated that polar bears can detect the scent of a seal from up to 20 miles away! I asked if they could also tell it was twenty miles away, as if I smelled diner, and it was twenty miles away vis-à-vis, in the next room, this would make a bit of difference! He went around on this for a while, but finally decided to state that they could differentiate relative distance, that is, would know that this one scent was significantly further off than say a seal a mile off in another direction. He also pointed out, much to my surprise, that polar bears have black skin and two layers of fur!
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I moved on from there, and raced my ECV down the ramp to the lower level, where one is looking into the habitats from below water level and can observe the incredible grace with which these animals move under water- usually fast and sleek! However, one of the windows held a rare and glorious surprise this day: in the window for the Walrus habitat, there was this one that was being a real ham! It quickly became clear that he knew we were shooting, and he was posing! Really! Unbelievable! He would pose for whoever held a camera, look right at them and hold it! Then he would go up to the surface and pose for someone there! Then come back under and pose for us again! It was unique! I have never seen any but the dolphins and whales showing such awareness of the viewers!

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My next planned visit was to the Odyssea show and it turned out I had some time to kill before that, so I made several passes through the shark tank (the shark tank is a clear tube running under the water through the shark habitat- the floor is a conveyor belt, so you are moved through at a fixed rate. As it wasn't particularly crowded this day, it was no problem heading back to the start for another run!)

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Then onto the show! I hadn't seen Odyssea for a few months and they have made a few changes that have improved an already delightful and impressive show. For those who have seen this often overlooked attraction, the lady in the pearl?- well, now there are two, and it is much more than twice as impressive! For those who have not seen this show, put it on your list! I have no idea how to describe it, or tell what kind of show it is, but it is worth seeing, and I guess it is best described as simply good entertainment!

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By this point, I was pretty exhausted so went out to my van for a nap, then returned for the 4:15 show of Blue Horizons, a spectacular show of whales, dolphins, birds, acrobats and swimmers built around a story of a girls dream. I have seen this every visit, and it gets better every time: they really put it together for this one!

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I wanted to end the day with the final Shamu show, an hour away, so dropped in to see my “buddies”, at Penguin Encounter, always good for some fun and laughter;

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and after that, I found a new spot (from one end of the Clydesdale stables) to shoot Kraken, the extreme coaster, had a snack at the Anheuser-Busch hospitality house, tried a few games at the arcade, then entered Shamu Stadium for the 6:30 show.

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They are doing major refits of the stadium in preparation for a new presentation to open shortly, and that, coupled with the recent birth of a new baby Shamu three months ago, has resulted in the rather brief and limited show running currently. But even so, seeing these magnificent mammals swim and leap and do pretty much anything is always inspiring! The refits are to include 7 large video screens where before there was one. I was told that this will allow multiple views to be projected at the same time. One of the great advantages of the previous screen was that during the show, it often showed the view of the underwater camera, so one could see when a whale was heading up to the surface and about to break into a leap- with the delay in snapping a photo with a digital camera, this was a helpful thing.

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Headed home and got there in time to watch Battlestar Gallactica which was only slightly delayed when sudden power loss hit the neighborhood for about five minutes.

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For more photos, see the album of the same name at my photo site.



:)

Jud


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