Jingle Cruise All the Way

Must be a Jungle Cruise kind of day! Disney Parks blog just released a poster to promote their Christmas themed Jingle Cruise. Happening at both Disneyland and at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, this should be an enjoyable diversion. Kudos to the suits for trying something new. (See my Jungle Cruise article below.)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney World.)

Heads Are Gonna Roll

By most any measure, at the opening of Disneyland, the crowing achievement on the attraction list was the Jungle River Cruise, the centerpiece of the new park's lushly beautiful Adventureland. Walt Disney was justifiably proud of his Imagineers for this thrill ride through the exotic and dangerous. This beautiful piece of concept art depicts headhunter country. Guests instantly queued for the attraction and have never stopped. It's a long time favorite with corny jokes from skippers with just the right playful, irreverent attitude.

The significance of the attraction goes beyond opening day and its continued popularity. I would venture this attraction and its impact had the most to do with Michael Eisner giving the ok to build Disney's Animal Kingdom. Sure, Michael's competitive nature was also driven by Busch Gardens' success down in Tampa, but I believe it was also the public's love of the attraction- and Joe Rohde's clever tiger in the boardroom stunt- that tipped the scales in favor of a brand new wild animal kingdom.

Today, the newer Jungle Cruise inspired park is not the success the suits hoped it would be. Long story short, the team working with James Cameron on the Pandora / Avatarland project had better make it a huge success- or more heads are gonna roll.

(Art copyright the Walt Disney Company.)

Eyes Still Sparkles

After a day like yesterday, I knew I had to blow off some steam...

So, today, I went out for a little exercise. What should come on my i-pod? An old favorite- Art Garfunkel's remake of the classic "I Only Have Eyes For You". I hadn't heard this sentimental favorite in awhile. My wife and I love this song! It sounded so perfect, so nuanced, no sensual, with its delicate lead vocals, doublemint guitars, and ethereal orchestration. The layers of background vocals (all Artie) just make it a perfect love song for a starlit night with your lover. Beautiful.

Goofy's Kitchen- Fun for All Ages!

Who says the Disneyland Hotel's restaurant and character experience Goofy's Kitchen is just for kids? Not me! Here are my wonderful in-laws enjoying the morning with Chip or Dale. (Always get them confused!) Love the Kitchen's Creme Brulee French Toast!

Better Every Year!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, lovely wife! Each year, you are more beautiful, more charming, more and more like Jesus. Thank you for being who you are- and I am a blessed man to have known you, loved you, and been your husband for all these years!

Winter Hasn't Started Yet

No, it hasn't begun, but I'm already dreading it. See those hills in the back of the photograph? This was were we lived years ago. Timing of life and changes in my job led us to leaving Southern California and the life we knew. Yes, the mountains of Colorado are beautiful- but this homeboy longs for the ocean, the sounds, the smells, the life- and that may never go away. Eternal Summer!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Waxy Whitney

Whitney Houston's wax likeness hits New York City on loan from Madame Tussaud's in London. From looking at the image above, I'd say it's a pretty incredible representation of the singer, isn't it?

What a tragic ending...

Space Mountain Still Rocks the Galaxy

A mountain of an accomplishment! In fact, that is what Space Mountain represents. Imagineer John Hench did an absolutely first class piece of art in the 1960's to get the look of Walt Disney's dream just right. Walt had envisioned a space port for Disneyland where guests could blast off into the darkest regions of the galaxies. It wasn't until the 70s at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom that his dream would become a reality. Now, Disneyland saw its attraction come to life in 1977, but soon enough, it was found all over the world. For a very detailed look at this iconic attraction at every Disney park- and with a ton of concept art, go to this post- and enjoy the ride!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Farrah Fawcett's Secret Life

The news is surprising and a bit disappointing. As with most men of the time, Farrah Fawcett and her beauty captured my eye when I first saw her on television's Charlie's Angels. Almost instantly, she was the breakout star, the new golden girl, the one with everything. The hair, the smile, the eyes, the sex appeal- she epitomized the glamour of Southern California and Hollywood. Co-stars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith had their fans (and I was one!), but Farrah's was the star the endured.

Well, yesterday it comes to light that Farrah may have been seeing one of her former boyfriends while still with her longtime lover Ryan O'Neal.  One piece of the dispute between the two men seems to be the multi-million dollar piece of art done of the actress  by legendary Andy Warhol. (Top)

It boils down to money, sex, fame, and what happens to folks when they have it all. I just went to a memorial for a friend yesterday, and it got me to thinking about what kind of legacy I will leave. What about you? What will you be known for? For secrets will be revealed? What stories will be told? How will your life be summed up in the course of an hour long memorial?

Captain America on His Way

While Thor looks uninteresting to me, (and the first one was just plain bad), Captain America is more my style. Retro looking, patriotic hero, and it tells of a man full of courage on the inside not just one gifted with supernatural powers. I'm in! 

The next chapter in the Steve Rogers story is The Winter Soldier, an April 2014 release from Marvel / Disney. Playing our hero, Chris Evans knows exactly when to show restraint and when to burst forth. It's the variety and subtlety of human emotion that adds depth to an already interesting storyline. 

Oh yeah, a Marvel themed third park at the Disneyland Resort? Since we're never getting Westcot, bring it on.

Man in the Grass

The picture perfect Summer day. Laying in the grass, contemplating life, enjoying the sun. The quiet is mesmerizing, enticing, restful. It goes so quickly, and yet, it lingers on and on in my mind.

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever."

This verse from the book of Isaiah (chapter 40:6-8) reminds me of how fleeting life is and how eternal God is. I am thankful. In a season of much loss and struggle and disappointment, God never leaves me. His word holds true even when my emotions say otherwise.

Dark Roast Italian Style

During my recent trip overseas, I fell in love with this ad for LavAzza Italian Espresso. Taken in Venice- and perhaps during its famous flood season- this ad captures the glamour and elegance of this most unique city. Enticing!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Karen Carpenter Solo Album in Living Color

Like a lot of us that frequent the site, A&M Corner's gifted artist Chris Tassin had been following the discussions on Karen Carpenter's solo album for a few years now. As most Carpenters fans know, the final artwork on her album was not the one originally planned. This concept above is much closer to the final but discarded version I saw back in 1989. When the executives at A&M Records decided to halt the release of the disc, it wasn't until after Karen's death that the public got to hear- or see- it. This image is as close as it gets. Too bad the artists putting together their image had little idea how to visually market she and Richard Carpenter. Opportunity wasted- and now Karen only looks like this in our memory. To quote Paul Simon and one of the songs Karen recorded for the venture- "Still Crazy After All These Years"!

(Photograph copyright A&M Records. Artistic colorizing by Chris Tassin.)

Another Round of Babies!

What a wonderful season of life! In the midst of grieving a sweet friend passing away unexpectedly, my son and his wife gave birth to a little baby boy yesterday.

It is in times like these, that I choose to trust the Lord Jesus is fully in control. Although I mourn, I also celebrate. He is good ALL the time, even if I do not understand what He allows or why He allows it.

Honestly, some folks will never understand the peace God gives when we trust in Him- they're just too determined to live their lives in a way that excludes Him. So, they are missing out on the comfort only He can provide! 

Enough of that! I'm a grandfather again- it's time for a party!

Mom Rocks the Hair

My sister just posted this pic on face book, and I have to say, Mom rocked the hair! She was stylish then. And she still is beautiful inside and out. (Mom, you also had to be wearing huge heels. Dad is still way taller than you!)