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."

In Doc's World - A Door

I was sharing with a friend last week saying that "Life would be a lot more fun if it wouldn't get in the way so often." This week has been one of those times. It has been a good week, but a busy week and I didn't have time to get something ready to post on Wednesday. Sorry.

I was puttering around (one of my favorite pastimes) in my office earlier this month and was taking a few photographs, all the while thinking that we haven't paid a visit to Doc's World lately. So here goes. A visit to Doc's World.

This is board I have hanging on the closet door of my home office. When we built our house my wife said I could have one room to fill with all of my Disney things. And, for the most part, I have kept things confined here. Though it has spread a bit; we both believe that every room needs a little Disney. For example, the Galleries of Light live in the living room and dining room. But most of my collection resides upstairs in my little haven, my laughing place, my "Li'l Disney".

The board holds a selection of pins, old wristbands from past events (and PI), a couple of now tarnished jingle bells with a pin saying "Believe" that I picked up at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party a few years ago, some notes to myself and doodles, and a few photos. You may see my son posing by a Photo Spot and then a little further down is a picture of me in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Paris Disneyland. Just below that is a picture of my daughter when she was a bit younger and my dear grandmother, Nannie. We lost her a few years ago. If fact, I was just coming off of Expedition Everest when I got the call that she went home to be with the Lord.

Then about the pins; one of my many goals is to have a pin for every attraction in the Magic Kingdom. So, I have a park map on the board and I place an attraction pin on or near the spot on the map. I still have a few pins to go.

Some day, very soon in fact, I'll show you behind that door. I am in the process of clearing it and then I'll re-purpose the space into a small studio for my drawing. I like to doodle and I like to work on pen and ink renderings. Hoping to get back to it soon.

So there you are. Just a little bit more about life In Doc's World.

Light

Years ago my wife made a suggestion that basically said this, "If you're going to collect Disney, why not spend some money and get some really good items?" What she was referring to was penchant for collecting coffee mugs, plastic character figures, and a myriad of other rather inexpensive things. Sure, there was the occasional collectible thrown in, like Grolier figurines or a signed and numbered plate. I felt that if I concentrated on inexpensive items, my money would go further and I would enlarge my collection quickly.

But my wife's words kept coming back to me, and she was right. "If you're going to collect...money...really good items." Words of wisdom, don't you think? Words I have taken to heart.

Now granted, I am not one of those who can walk into a store, point to just any item, say I want it, and then get it. True, I can say I want it all day, but the actual getting it can be problematic. Depending on the item.

For example, take Robert Olszewski. I have made several trips to Walt Disney World over the past few years and each time I will walk into an Art of Disney store and look longingly at the Cinderella Castle miniature. Yes, I could put down the money for the item. It would mean foregoing a table service or two perhaps. But the issue comes from not actually purchasing the Castle; it comes from the felt need that will arise that I must purchase all the other items that make up the miniature collection and then the next thing you know, I am taking out a second mortgage, adding onto my house, and I just can't be bothered with that.

Remember, I have a few dreams I am working on.

But, I have found some things that I can look at, consider, and then actually purchase to add to my "little bit of Disney" at home. They are the Gallery of Light creations by Olszewski. These are illuminated shadowboxes of Disney scenes or characters and I am becoming a huge fan.

The Pinnocchio Workshop of Wonder was the first item to find its way home. This was followed by Peter Pan's Pixie Laughter and A Starlit Bella Notte from Lady and the Tramp.

This past February I had Alice in Wonderland's Mad Tea Party added to the collection.

My last few trips have also found me searching for Peter Pan and the Darling Family Over London and Mary Poppins Over London. This may be something that I'll have to secure from the Olszewski Studios directly, as I have yet to find them in The Art of Disney.

I appreciate the detail and artistic merit of each of these works. So much so that they are part of the LBODIER project here. That would be the Little Bit Of Disney In Every Room project. Yes, the home office carries most of the memoribilia load, but some things find their way out and about, and the Olszewski Gallery of Light collection are some of those things.

I know I have promised a lot of other topics in the future. But let's go ahead and add a bit about the Gallery of Light items in the future shall we. Not about what has been added, but more about how they are made. I am sure there is something out there about that.

Until then, more to follow...

In Doc's World - PC vs. Mac (The Age Old Question)

So, what do you do when the weather outside is frightful? Why, bundle up and take a walk with the dog. And that is just what Mrs. Doc and I did this morning. Where we live we do not experience a snow of consequence very often so we get out in it and enjoy. At least until we decide it is too cold and that puttering around the house, eating leftover Jet's Pizza and considering an afternoon nap are a better use of time.

I posted a few photographs via my Twitter account earlier today. One was the view from my office. That made me think about how I haven't posted an In Doc's World in quite sometime. I am actually working on something that fits that bill. But it isn't ready yet. So in the interim, here is a bit of Doc's World. This morning there was the picture looking out of one of the windows in my office. This afternoon, here is looking into my office.

First, the PC view...


And then, the Mac view.

As we go on (there is a song in there somewhere), we'll take a closer look at some of the things that make it difficult to walk and work in my office, but provide a great deal of enjoyment and give me cause to recall memories of wonderful trips, times with family, and the friends that I miss all too often.

More to follow...

This Just In...

Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may call them garage sales, rummage sales or yard sales. And our friends across the water call them boot sales (and I have picked up a fine trinket or two from a few of them; in fact almost missed a train because of one in Stratford-upon-Avon. But that is another story entirely.) Me personally, I call them yard sales.

My brother-in-law Russ is a connoisseur of yard sales. Seriously, he is a professional. He will visit sale after sale and come home with items as small as a set of coasters, or as large as a jet ski with trailer. He also came across a rather large collection of antique cameras. I am fairly certain these would sell for a considerable amount of money and he took them home for next to nothing. His collection of pencil sharpeners is rather impressive too. But whatever it is, Russ is a master!

Every so often, Russ, like other family and friends will think about me when they run across something of a Disney nature. For which, I am very appreciative. So, it was not surprising that a few weekends ago Mrs. Doc answers the front door and is given a rather large package addressed to me. Obviously, I am excited. I quickly opened the package and found a first edition The Art of Walt Disney by Christopher Finch. Wow! The book is huge and will take more than a few minutes to go through. You’ll see that the dust jacket is missing as is the paint bucket, but the raised image of Mickey holding a paintbrush is there as are the 458 pages of incredible content.

The stack of books I have to read has just gotten taller. And this, before I lay in a copy of Pierre Lambert’s Mickey Mouse.

Thanks Russ. I know you probably don’t read The Disney Obsession, but I thank you anyway. What a wonderful surprise!
More to follow…

Remiss...

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈmis\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French remis, Latin remissus, from past participle of remittere to send back, relax
Date: 15th century

1: negligent in the performance of work or duty: careless
2: showing neglect or inattention: lax

synonyms: see negligent

In writing about "Pals" last week I featured some photographs of the contents of a certain package I received from one of my many pals. But it wasn't long after I hit in the "publish post" button that I realized there was additional art that I could include. You see, I am blessed with a number of wonderful pals; family, friends and co-workers, who from time to time decide that my cluttered upstairs room could use a bit more to see. A few more things that help me to pass the time away from my central Florida home.

So, I was remiss last week in only posting one photo (well, two). This evening, I correct that small oversight, help the stars to realign, contribute to world peace in our generation and hopefully allow for a good nights sleep.You're looking at some park maps from Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea along with a map from a park that I miss nearly as much as I miss Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris. You'll also see a little something with the Fab Four; someone out there knows I love The Beatles. After all, I was a pre-Shea Stadium baby.

Thanks to my pals Lori and Fee for adding a little more sunshine to my days.

This makes me think it may be time to begin something new on The Disney Obsession. I won't go into much about it now, but let me simply share some words scribbled on a nearby Post It note. "Blog idea...'In My World' - photos of Disney around the house" Yeah Doc, that's all we need, photographs of some of your collection.

More to follow...

Twenty-four Seven, Three Hundred and Sixty-Five

Happy New Year! I felt that since this is my first post of 2009 I should start by wishing each of you a belated but Happy New Year.

Christmas is a difficult time for me and my family. It is difficult for me because I am so excited while it approaches and then I hate to see it end. It is difficult for my family because they have deal with me. I am, according to some, as bad, if not worse, than some of my grandchildren. I am not sure about that, but I do know that the kids and I enjoy opening our presents and seeing what each other got. I am still being bothered about opening my Tinker Toys. Not to mention my Buzz & Friends Pixar Character Train from a few years back.

Last year I had my one of my hands badly nicked by a light sabre. So this year I had to ban light sabre duels in the living room. "Let's take it to the dining room kids!"

Since Christmas is something I look forward to all year, and beginning planning for even as I am throwing all the wrapping paper out (sounds like a Disney trip doesn't it), I decided to have small bit of Christmas year round. Christmas with a little Disney mixed in.

So, to close out the holiday so that I can begin looking to the future of The Disney Obsession, I give you the Doc Disney Christmas Tree.

And what Christmas tree would be complete without a few items under it?

Boxing Day 2008

Two weeks off from school for Christmas; that in and of itself was a gift. I do seem remember though a certain tinge of excitement about the first day back in class after the holidays. This was the day that you got to find out what your friends got from Santa and tell them what you got.

I recall a Christmas during the late 60’s when my parents got me a 1/48 scale model of the Saturn V rocket. This was during the Apollo era and our race to the Moon. I was so proud to have that model and worked very methodically putting the model together, pretending that the table in my bedroom was the Vehicle Assembly Building at Cape Kennedy. If memory serves it was also a white Christmas that year.

A lot of years have passed and I can’t recall whatever happened to that rocket. It now lives in my memory and on a mental list that I call, “Things I Had Then That I Wish I Had Now.” It is a very long list.

That was then and this is now. Though I have grown older I have tried hard not to grow up. Fortunately for me my family knows and accepts this. So in addition to books and music, my Christmas usually includes a few gifts that are labeled “Suitable for Ages 3 and up.” Oh, and being something of a Disney geek, the over arching theme of most everything is definitely Disney.

So, in honor of this 2008 Boxing Day, and since I don't have a first day back at school to look forward to, I thought I would share just a bit of what found its way under Doc’s tree. And I know my family reads these blog every now and then, so to them, thank you. Thank you for how you bless me and for allowing me to share your lives. Thank you for making this a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Boxing Day!

Postscript: George, you'll notice a few of your recommended titles made it under the tree. I feel that The Alchemy of Animation, Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends, The Illusion of Life and Walt Disney's Nine Old Men will keep me busy for a few days at least.

I've Been Slimed!

Well, not really. More to the point would be to say, "I've been scooped!" I will take my solace in knowing that "great" minds think alike. Okay, what is Doc going on about?

Our friend George over at Imaginerding posted an article this morning highlighting the Tin Toy exhibit at the Japan Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. I have been working on a post about the same thing, but was holding off. I have been searching for information about the collector. Only to find that there is not a great deal of information out there about Teruhisa Kitahara.

So, in the spirit of cooperation and to support the wonderful work of a brother blogger, I offer you a litle information about the collector. Along with a few supporting photographs featurering our favorite Mouse.

Teruhisa Kitahara was born in Tokyo and attended Aoyama Gakuin University in Shibuya, Toyko where he received his degree in economics. He has written numerous books on tin toys including Yesterday's Toys: 750 Tin & Celluloid Amusements from Days Gone By and Robots: Spaceships & Other Tin Toys. His vast collection, in addition to being displayed in Walt Disney World, is exhibited in seven museums in Japan. Kitahara also served as a consultant on the 1992 Robin Williams film, Toys.

The next time you're in the Japan Pavilion, be sure to walk to the back of the pavilion and enjoy the Tin Toy Collection.

This I Believe

I believe that "While we have to grow old, we do not have to grow up!" And just as important, "Every room needs a little Disney!

Mrs. Doc has been suggesting that perhaps I should share with you how my Disney Obsession manifests itself throughout the house. Honestly, it isn't throughout the house, but there is a little bit of Disney in each room. The Obsession is only given full expression in my upstairs office.

But for now, here is the "little Disney" in Mr. & Mrs. Doc's Living Room. Viola! A Doc original!

“The Most Unique Gift of the Year – 2007”

When it comes to gift ideas for the old Doc, my family has it easy. If it comes from Disney, is Disney related, or has the name Disney written anywhere on it, it is a safe bet. They can be fairly assured that they are not getting me the proverbial Christmas tie. Consequently, my office, the repository of “my Disney collection” has become quite crowded. In fact, Mrs. Doc is surprised that there has been only a limited amount of overflow into other parts of our home.

But with so much Disney to choose from it can be difficult to find the “special” or “unique” gift for the discriminating Disneyphile. What separates one gift from another and elevates it to the level of “uniqueness”? Well, to be unique is to exist as the only one, to be solitary in type. So, what is unique in that marketing juggernaut that we know and love as the world of Disney? Well, postage stamps, of course.

Postage stamps? Yes. But not of the variety currently being issued by the United States Postal Service. No, I am talking about personalized postage stamps. See the example below:

My mother took this picture of Mrs. Doc and me in Epcot during our April “Fifty in Disney” Birthday Celebration. And, having it turned into a postage stamp, qualifies it as “The Most Unique Gift of the Year – 2007” (in Doc’s world anyway). Only problem, I can’t use them. In my view, their uniqueness makes them a collectible.

So, when dropping your hints next year, be sure to direct your friends and family to The Disney Obsession archive for December 2007, and have them take a look at how someone else discovered that “one of a kind” gift for the geek in their life.

Doc

Postscript: My mother calls herself my “enabler” since she constantly fuels my obsession with regular doses of Disney in one form or another. Here is to the enablers in all of our lives