Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Post Disney World Depression


It’s probably every child’s dream to someday go to Disney World.  Of course not every parent can afford such a trip and many children make do with Six Flags or even the carnival at the State Fair.  I was one of those who never made it as a child.  My mom, bless her heart, just couldn’t afford it.  It happens.  So, fast forward to last year.  I took my mother to Disney World for my first time and her second time, she went like shortly after it opened in the 70’s. 

Having talked about going for several years, I thought this would just be a quick in and out trip.  Being thirty two years old, it was merely another check off my bucket list.  I’ve seen the shows about Disney World, I’ve seen countless photos on Flickr.  I thought I knew what to expect.  I thought I knew what to see.  But once you get on Disney World property, you enter a totally different reality.  All your cares just vanish and you are on YOU time.  You do whatever you want.  I suppose my trip was more enjoyable as an adult since I could drink alcohol, except in Magic Kingdom of course. 

I felt we did about everything we could possibly do in five days.  We saw the Cirque du Soleil show, La Nouba.  We explored downtown Disney.  We ate dinner at Raglan Road Irish Pub (I’ve read about it for years and had to go).  We only made it to Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios and spent two days at Epcot.  Animal Kingdom just didn’t fit into our schedule but maybe next time.  We even rode the Magical Express bus back to the airport which was an ending fit for a fairy tale. 

Probably the most memorable moment of the entire trip was the second night where we spent the entire day at Magic Kingdom which was technically the first park visit as well.  My mother HAD to ride the teacups and the flying dumbos, her fondest memories from her last trip.  But since we were staying on property at the All Star Music Resort, we were able to spend an extra three hours in the park after closing.  Walking down Main Street at one in the morning with hardly a soul around (if you could even believe that), seeing the Cinderella castle with its ever-changing glowing lights, listening to the park closing announcements (even those are whimsical) and seeing the few remaining cast members waving goodbye to everyone, at that moment my Disney World dream was a reality and I knew I would never forget that moment. 

So this all happened six months ago.  I remember that one commercial with the little girl talking about her trip to strangers as if she just returned but her mother had to clarify that it was like six months ago.  That’s how I feel today.  Call it a long lasting hangover, post trip depression, it’s still with me strong!  Of course, the simple solution would be to go back but I just can’t spend three grand every year.  I have plenty of photos to reminisce.  Lots and lots of plush, pins, Mickey Mouse shaped ice cubes in every drink and lots of other reminders of my fabulous trip.  I suppose I will always want to go back and perhaps one day I will.  I go to the Disney Store every chance I get and buy even more mementos.  Honestly, before going to Disney World, I was never that into Mickey Mouse but now I’ve been to his world, I want more and more! 

There may not be a cure for post Disney World depression and I’m sure it will pass someday, probably the next time I go.  But for now, I relish the memories and hope everyone can experience the magic that Disney World creates each and every day. 

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All photos taken by Paul Clough.  
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Monday, February 13, 2012

Storage Wars TV Show

I'll take door number 2 please


Storage Wars on A&E is quite an interesting show as just about everyone at one time or another has had to put some or all of their belongings in storage.  For most people, it’s just temporary but some people forget to pay their storage, can’t pay or perhaps pass away and told no one that they had a storage unt.  For the latter, people like those on Storage Wars are there to purchase your belongings and sell it off to make their living. 

I have a storage unit right now and I have everything own in the 5 by 10 foot confines.  I pay $82 bucks a month and quite honestly, at auction, this unit would get 10 bucks at the most and the poor sap who bought my junk would probably toss it all away.  It’s quite sad really.  What is greatly important and sentimental to me would be worthless to the next person.  I’m almost tempted to go get a unit and fill it top to bottom with empty TV, computer and electronics boxes.  Such a bidding war would ensue that would empty the pockets of the person with the most cash only to be devasted after opening the first box. 

Many people have wondered if some or all of the units are staged by the producers. I would have to say no.  People put just about anything in storage and sometimes chit happens and the next thing you know, it’s auction time.  A few years back, I did some day labor for an auction company but they it a bit differently.  Rather than sell where is as is, they took the contents of each unit and displayed them in berths at their auction house so you could at least see most of the contents before digging into your pockets.  There were definitely some valuables tucked away.  Boxes of jewery.  Electronics in original boxes.  And countless books, CD’s and DVD’s.  I can see why storage buyers are interested in what they do. 

As for the cast, I enjoy Barry Weiss the most.  If I ever was set in life, I too think I could get into this, just to look for stuff for myself.  The rest of the characters are probably typical of the rest of the buyers, there to make a buck.  I will say that often times, their estimates seem rather high and would be interested to know what their actual profits are.  There's a lot of rounding up, like from three bucks to the nearest hundred. 

In the end, Storage Wars does entertain me as a TV show should of course.  I look forward to new episodes and perhaps, one day, one of my “special” units may appear on this show. 

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All photos taken by Paul Clough.  
© All Rights Reserved.  Please contact for permission to use photos.