EPCOT 25 — Happy Anny!

In October 1st, 1982 “The 21st Century Began” with the opening of EPCOT Center (My favorite Disney theme park). It was a place to learn and have fun at the same time. Although, for many, that same reason was good enough to ignore EPCOT because “no one wants to learn and be educated in their vacation from school.”

This is what the original logo of EPCOT represent:

“The Epcot logo is a graphic representation of its philosophy. It symbolizes unity, fellowship, and harmony around the world. The five outer rings form the shape of a flower – a celebration of life.

The heart of the logo is earth embraced by a star, symbolizing hope – the hope that with imagination, commitment, and dedication we can create a new tomorrow.”

Congrats EPCOT for the Silver accomplishment of turning 25. Thanks to this place I have been inspired to do many things.

–V.Jay

The Lifeguard

A few posts ago I explained about the crushes on guys I work with and I admitted that they come and go week by week (or month by month). The Rokr is officially off the Crush List with this hotly evovlving crush I have on a guy at work.

For those of you who don’t know I work at Walt Disney World (aka The Happiest Workplace for Gays) and thats how detailed I will go publicly. Besdies bragging about the fun place I work at, I wanted to mention that there are 55,000 people working for the theme park resort almost a half of those people have penises and half of those are cute.

The Lifeguard, my latest man crush, fits in that category very well but I don’t know how to go beyond small talk to really know him. So eventually I can inquire what I really want to ask him… A hangout.

As I wait for that moment, I’ll prepare so when the right moment arrives I won’t pussy out from conversating.

With that said… Am I sure he is gay or bisexual? There is no definite signs, but he gave me no evidence that he is straight or commited to a girl. Plus, he was kind of nervous when I made small talk with him and grabbed a small reciept I handed him in a manner that will advise me he lost focus a bit. Is it wishful thinking? I surely hope not.

–ViJay

[Addendum: As per request, I decided to clarify a few things. First, I am not a lifeguard. I gave my crush that name because he transfered from Lifegaurd duty in one of the Disney water parks to the attraction I work at. Second, the "reciept" was a computer print-out of the new positions we rotate in (we have lots of job positions where I work). So basically we were deploying to  our new place in the job cycle. When I handed the reciept to him he was a bit nervous and shy. I found that cute.]

The Great, Not So Great, and The Good

My Eyes on Guys: The Great will be shared by two things… One occured earlier in the day when I got out of work, walking across Epcot (yes I work at Disney World). Justin talked about this in his blog which I have that same point of view about guys. As I walked out there was a high school aged guy with almost no shirt (it seemed as if it were a hybrid between a sleeveless shirt and a poncho) sitting down next to his buddy. I had my sights with the Sexy Poncho-hybrid dude because his “ripped sleeves” were big enough to catch a glance of his chest and abdomen…. Mmmmmm! Even talking about it now gets me excited.

I’m Not Alone: The other Great News is more of a speculation I overheard when my mother, her cousin, and my aunt were gossiping. If I heard correctly my cousin third removed (my mother’s cousin’s son) which is the aunt of the cousin that came over the house (hopefully you are still following me with no problem) came out of the closet. I can’t confirm anything because I was eavesdropping but I heard the words (in spanish) gay, homosexual, cock (penis) associated with my newly outed third-generation cousin. It seems that the world is getting smaller or at least my family is. I thought I was the only closeted guy in both of my families. It goes to show…. You are never alone.

Not So Great: It’s something that happens every weekend, but I am still not used to it… I have to work tomorrow and slave myself for Mickey Mouse… It would be lots more fun if there were less stupid guests that come into the park. You’ll laugh at the stupidity and idiotic tellings of the people that come to the theme parks. Don’t forget that the arrogant are more egotistical as well.

The Good: I have my room assignment which looks great. My apartment in Gainesville is in a nicely located building of the complex and I have the names and contact info for my three male roommates. The bad news is that they are not gay or bi (from what i know). The good news is that they are not gay or bi (so I won’t have any possibility of dating them). I do hope that they are Stags-in-waiting ’cause I may come out to them sooner or later.

–ViJay

My Work Crush(*es)

Its almost expected as single guys in a workplace… We have that innocent little crush of ours and at times we figure out it won’t work out so we move to the next guy. If that fact ain’t true, then I am speaking for myself.

With me… I had one crush on this guy I will call Rokr. All around he is a very solid guy meaning he has the charm, the humor, the personality, and the looks. At one point he was the reason why I went to work in a happy mood. He always seems to uplift my day like that. No crush has ever had that effect and to this day, because I don’t see him as much because Walt Disney World is sporadic like that, no crush will ever have that charm (it seems).

So far, I have moved on because Rokr ain’t attainable, he is still charming, but my eyes are on another guy. Because as long as I am single there is no guilt to feel. Guys come and go, that’s reality… Crushes are no exception they are also as interchangable.

–ViJay

Since 1776

Happy Fourth of July! Celebrate our Independence Day with style and lots of fireworks. If you can’t go out and enjoy I found a preview on YouTube from last years fireworks at the Magic Kingdom park. I remember those fireworks, they were amazing.

I teared up a bit when the national anthem played and everyone was whispering the lyrics simultaneously. That was a Proud American moment!

To all of the American servicemen and women from the past and present… Thank You for your loyalty and service to our country.

–ViJay

Hoist The Colors: Pirates of the Caribbean 3

What else can I do when the weather is wet and thundery and the mother already saw the movie? Go see the movie with a newly-made friend.

The movie was great is most aspects, but the story dragged and was overwhelming at times. I loved the opening scene when all the prisoners sang “Yo, Ho (Hoist The Colors),” chilling if you ask me. There were a few spurts of enjoyment, but darn….. almost 3 Hours Long.

I suppose that’s the reason why the guy I saw it with (which should remain nameless for privacy) did not mind watching the movie for the second time. I would consider it torture, but there was many, many, many things going on in the movie that there will probably be some things in the story I missed.

All in all I enjoyed the time out. For once I got out of my house and saw a movie with someone I can relate with as a friend. If you are reading this, I hope we can hangout again some time.

Rating: 7 out of 10…. too long of a movie for an 8 rating.

–ViJay

Newsworthy Thursday

[Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel]

It seemed that the news were breaking back to back yesterday. First I heard that Florida Gators college basketball coach, Billy Donovan was making his new home in nearby Orlando to coach the ailing Orlando Magic.

Then an even bigger news, for me and the millions of Potter fans, that there will be a Harry Potter theme park… In Orlando! Universal Orlando Resort was chosen over Walt Disney World to become the theme park to create the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” island in Islands of Adventure.

[Universal Orlando]

The last news is great in so many levels because I can now experience the books that only theme parks can replicate, Universal finally got the creative juices to fire back and challenge Walt Disney World with this Harry Potter island which I feel and hope to be very authentic. I don’t think Disney would have done a greater job and dedication for what Universal is planning now. Besides Disney should focus on the mouse.

Some people follow wars around the world…. The Cola Wars, Burger Wars, Real Wars. I follow the Theme Park war that Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld/Busch Gardens have with each other. Why, do you ask? Well, because it will benefit guests that visit the parks year round.

“I think Cinderella’s Castle now has a new rival: Hogwarts Castle,” said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services Inc. “This is going to be a tough one to one-up right now.”

I love competition!

–ViJay

[Orlando Sentinel || Donovan to become next Orlando Magic coach]
[Orlando Sentinel || Harry Potter coming to Universal Orlando Resort]

Destiny Can Be A Bitch

Sorry, but there is no lighter way to describe the misfortune of not getting the destiny you hoped for. Things happen for a reason and there is a deeper reasoning behind events that happen but you just have no clue for what.

I say this because I simply wanted to kinda stalk this cute guy I worked with temporarily when I picked extra shifts at a different Disney theme park. He picked up my position because it was already my time to go home. I was slick to get his full name but when I went back home, I forgot to find out where he was from because most of the cast members are not from Orlando or from Florida.

In MySpace, there are 25o pages worth of people that share his same name in the US of A. I ain’t looking one by one, so what is meant to be is not what I hoped for. At least thats my perspective until I find a way to find out more.

I am still going steady with M, but that guy from the other day just piqued my curiosity.

Destiny works in mysterious ways…. Yes it does!

–ViJay

A Date @ Disney

The best way I think I can describe the Apr.30th date without dragging it in this post is by having a Q&A.

How many theme parks did we visit?
Three (Animal Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios, Epcot)

Was I nervous throughout the day?
Yes… Especially in the beginning because not only was I late (I felt bad), but I was not making eye contact at all while I was talking. It was a slow start but after a ride through Expedition Everest and an Ice Breaking adventure at Dinosaurs, it went pretty well.

What was the ice breaker?
He held my hand in the darkness

Any Public Display of Affection?
Thankfully, No. We waited until we were in the darkness in some of the rides and alone in a vehicle (roller coasters, boats, etc.) to hold hands and touch each other. I personally don’t like PDA’s whether it’s a straight or gay couple. I just think its no ones business but mine and my date.

What was my Favorite Ride?
Its surprising because I have rode the attraction sooo many times but my Nemo ride I work on is the best one all day because we really enjoyed the alone time with no other guests around. Lets just keep the details as “I enjoyed it!” Read between the lines.

So what’s next?
We are giving the relationship idea a shot. I would not consider him a boyfriend yet, but he definitely a candidate. I just need to know him more with a few more dates planned to have him considered as a boyfriend. But pretty much we are in the same page.

Anything else?
Here’s a factoid not many of you know. On Sunday (the day before our date), we agreed to cancel the date. I was freaking out and because I was so nervous meeting him and thinking that the day could be dull after he finds out I had mixed feelings of dating him after Monday. But he was right, I ended up agreeing to another date.

There you have it…

–ViJay

Disney’s Fairytale Ceremonies for Adam and Steve

Gays can now exchange vows in one of the world’s most popular wedding spots — then get whisked away in Cinderella’s carriage. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said Friday that it has “updated” its policies to allow gay and lesbian couples to buy wedding packages at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, and use all the same wedding spots previously reserved for heterosexual couples.

For a change, lets focus and something other than me. Because I work for the Most Magical Place On Earth, I thought this was some great news for many gay and lesbian partners who love visiting any Disney park. Who doesn’t?

Granted its not marriage, but I don’t care and would not let that from stopping a ceremony to celebrate my love for another man (once I find him). A fairytale wedding for a charming couple whisked away in Cinderella’s carriage.

For me, I prefer my future man and I to be dressed like Prince Charming and Prince Phillip. I’ll act a bit like a princess, but I would keep my attitude mostly macho.

–ViJay

[Orlando Sentinel || Adam and Steve finally can swap vows at Disney]