A Sign Its Saturday

Once more life has kept me tasked in other directions. What with work, an online art course, Christmas play rehearsals and presentations, planning for the holidays, not to mention family, things keep standing between me and here.

But today, I wanted to return for a moment to share A Sign Its Saturday. This sign is somewhat special, in that it is found on an island that has been a favorite spot of one of my best friends. And today is that friends birthday.

Happy 30th Birthday Ryan! I hope you find the paint brush!

A Sign Its Saturday

Perhaps it isn't a sign exactly, but I am sure you know where you are when you see it. So in that sense, it is a sign.

A Sign Its Saturday

A scene from a bygone day...

The last show I saw there was during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in '08. A nice parting memory.

Editor's Note: my regular readers, those I lovingly call "The Fear - The Proud - The Followers", will have noticed my absence lately. First, I apologize. I have been quite busy with my work and have not had the desire to do much more than rest when I get home. Hopefully life is returning to my particular brand of normal. I still haven't enjoyed two-days off in a row for more than a month now, but that looks possible next weekend.

So, I just want to say thank you for continuing to check in from time to time. I plan to get back into a normal flow of updating here. And so that you know, I have some things I have been working on that I have not been able to complete and post. Maybe I can get those finished soon. There is also a trip to Walt Disney World on the horizon next month. Maybe some new photos.

More to follow...

A Sign Its Saturday

Just under this sign is the entrance to yet another danger zone in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. My home has become home to more than a few items found inside these walls. Next time you visit the WOD, take time to look at things other than the merchandise. The decor is also a treasure.

A Sign Its Saturday

For me, no trip to Walt Disney World is complete unless I have the opportunity to visit The Art of Disney. This then gives me the opportunity to share some of my money with the Disney yet again. It is also is in keeping with a suggestion my wife gave me years ago, in which she said, and I paraphrase, "If you are going to collect things from Disney, they may as well be some really nice things." A good suggestion indeed.

Lately I have been scaled back my pin purchasing (I am not a trader, but a purchaser) and have focused on the Robert Olszewski Galleries of Light. But there are three other items that I have been considering during my last few trips: the Olszewski Cinderella Castle, the replica of the Partners statue, and a particular cell The Art of Disney - Disney's Hollywood Studios location. It is quite possible that at two of these will make the journey home with me following my October trip.

So, here's to The Art of Disney and to collecting "some really nice things."

A Sign Its Saturday

I know I posted this photograph last year. But... it is still one of my favorite signs in Frontierland.

A Sign Its Saturday

Better late than never I suppose. I had to work this morning, then my wife and I joined some other family at the Nashville Zoo for the afternoon. But before settling down for a little dinner and watching the Social Network, thought I'd take a moment to add today's sign.

Not all signs in Walt Disney World are of actual establishments. Some are added to simply create atmosphere. These are a few.

A Sign Its Saturday

When considering today's installment of A Sign Its Saturday, I have just two words for you: Fixin's Bar!

Alright, so not just two words. Here are four more and a few numbers thrown in for good measure: Deluxe 1/3-Pound Angus Cheeseburger.

'Nuf said.

A Sign Its Saturday

I thought that for the month of August we'd spend a little time strolling up and down the streets, and looking at the shops of Frontierland. This morning, let's pay a visit to one of my favorite shops in all of the Magic Kingdom, the Frontier Trading Post. Hardly a visit will pass without me stopping in and selecting a few pins to bring home.

And who is "Texas" John Slaughter you ask? "Texas" John arrives in the town of Friotown. He kills two gunmen in self-defense which, in turn garners him an invitation to join the Texas Rangers; an invitation he declines. He came to town to set up a cattle ranch, but his plans are sidetracked by the outlaw Frank Davis.

Sound familiar? That is the story as it was told in an episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. The episode aired on October 31, 1958 and starred Tom Tyron as "Texas" John Slaughter.

But our little history lesson doesn't end there. There was a real "Texas John" Slaughter. Slaughter was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana on October 2, 1841. During his 80 years he was a Civil War veteran, a trail-driver, cattleman, (actually was) a Texas Ranger, sheriff of Cochise County in Arizona and was State Representative in Arizona. John also liked to gamble. Slaughter died in his sleep on February 22, 1922 in Douglas, Arizona.

If you'd like to learn a bit more about "Texas John", visit the Legends of America. His is an interesting history.

A Sign Its Saturday

This is very possibly one of my favorite store fronts in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Have a said before? If so, this is still one of my favorites.

A Sign Its Saturday

And what is a town without a 5 & 10?

A Sign Its Saturday

I love Art Deco Architecture! There, I've said it. And Disney's Hollywood Studios is loaded with it. It is the design and architecture of this park that keeps bringing me back, over and over.

On a more personal note, while I was working on this photograph, I was advised that I am now Neurotic Disney GrandDad #7 (NDGD#7) on the Disney Driven Life. I almost feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk, once the new phone books arrived. "I am somebody!"

A Sign Its Saturday

Combining my appreciation of the Art Deco architecture of Disney's Hollywood Studios and my love of neon, I give you a different side of Mickey's of Hollywood.

A Sign Its Saturday

Why don't you say we spend the month of July strolling the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Today let's consider Adrian & Edith's Head to Toe.

A Sign Its Saturday

Of all the signs in all the World, this is quite possibly, one of my favorites.

Well, this one along with The Art of Disney, the Emporium, World of Disney, and maybe a few others.

A Sign Its Saturday

For all of your Norwegian High Seas Adventure needs, we give you, the Maelstrom. "You are not the first to pass this way. Nor shall you be the last."

A Sign Its Saturday

For all of your Norwegian curio and collectible needs, stop by Puffin's Roost.

A Sign Its Saturday

On a regular stroll around the World Showcase, I often will pass by Norway. True, there are interesting elements of the pavilion, but the photographs I will most often take are available from the promenade; the Stave Church, the grass roof beside the Kringla Bakeri, the flowers near the walkway. I will sometimes walk into the Stave Church to enjoy its background music. This is especially nice just after dusk as the combination of time and sound have a transportive effect on me. Still, I often will pass by and not walk far into Norway.

On a recent trip I decided to do so, simply to shot a few photographs for the A Sign... series. This was the first. Incidentally, fjording is an alternative name for the Norwegian Fjord Horse.

A Sign Its Saturday

We're moving just a little further along the promenade for today's A Sign It's Saturday. And... we get two signs for the price of one (three if you count the reservation check-in sign in the archway).

If you have not had the experience of the Biergarten, let me recommend it. The food is good, there is plenty of it, and it boasts a fun atmosphere.

A Sign Its Saturday

This is a welcomed sign if you find yourself on the World Showcase and the people who just walked past you could hear your stomach growling.