Osmond Brothers and Disneyland-What's Not To Love?

Peeking from behind a post at Haunted Mansion. Notice a baby-faced Kurt Russell at the top.

Years ago I remember seeing an old Disneyland episode where the Osmonds go to Disneyland and Kurt Russell is their tour guide. I've been trying to get a copy of it for years--even talking to the Osmonds directly, but found no luck. I know, I know--but I love anything associated with Disneyland history. I finally found it on Youtube (because what can't you find on Youtube) and burned it onto a disc. I finally watched it today and it was the sappiest thing I have ever seen! And I mean that in the best way. It had great shots of classic Disneyland. It was basically an extended advertisement of what Disneyland had to offer at the time. It was on TV right after The Haunted Mansion opened, so it had some great information about the creation of the attraction. I have included one section of the episode. If you've got the time, have a go. I love the chippy on the omnibus doing the 60's dancing!

2 Great Albums in 2 Weeks!

I love great finds in music! Last week I found Civil Wars and am still loving the album. Now I have stumbled upon this gem and it's an absolute revelation! There's nothing better than finding new, sweet music.

Gotye (pronounced go-tee-aye) is Belgian/Australian and I first heard one of his songs on the radio a few weeks back. I didn't know who I was listening to, but it was one of the coolest songs I had ever heard. I tracked down the album and it's a winner. Every song is great! I feel like I'm listening to the best of Sting, Peter Gabriel and Ray LaMontagne mixed together, but still something with a unique sound. His album "Making Mirrors" was only $7 bucks when I bought it, but it's jumped back up to $10. I promise you won't regret it! Awesome, awesome sound.

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

My sweet little Brynn turned 4 this past week. I love this girl so much! She is a cuddler, a giggler, a sneaky bugger, and the most beautiful thing I have ever known. If you have the ability, have a little girl. They give life meaning.

The other day I came home from school and went up to her room where she was watching a Donald Duck cartoon. She was sitting in her small princess chair and I picked her up to throw her on her bed. As I was stepping over her chair, I tripped and went tumbling (I'm turning into my dad). Luckily I was able to flip over so that I didn't land on her, but unfortunately I landed on her doll house and slammed my tailbone--or at least the hole where my tailbone used to be. Crap, that hurt! It scared Brynn like mad, but she just looked up at me with wide eyes and asked if I was okay. I said I was and then she ran downstairs in tears. Later that night she woke up from bed and came downstairs on the couch with Lindsay and I for a bit (this is when we cuddle). After a few minutes I took her back up to bed and as we were walking up the stairs she grabbed me by the face and said, "Daddy, make sure you don't trip over in my chair." I couldn't keep a straight face. I love my little girl and hope she never finds anyone she loves more. :)

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is a true movie star. There are actors out there (Colin Firth, Viggo Mortensen, Daniel Day Lewis, Kate Winslet) and then there are "movie stars." Not to say that Tom Cruise is not a great actor--I think he is fabulous. I don't think there is a movie I have seen him in when I have not loved his performance, but he is just on a different level when you think of the whole "Hollywood" thing. He went through a bit of a crazy phase that really hurt his public image. I am bummed that happened because what I have read about him seems like he is totally genuine in many ways. Actors love working with him, directors love working with him, and he is awesome to his fans. I saw a behind the scenes special on TRL (MTV's Total Request Live from the early 2000s) where the hosts said that during the commercial break he took the time to go around to every fan in the audience and shake their hand and talk to them. Awesome. Take a minute to read the following article from Jeremy Renner from M:I-4.

Jeremy Renner on MovieLine

The Civil Wars

I saw their live performance on this year's Grammys and I love their new song with Taylor Swift, so I decided to give their album a try. I don't want to buy albums these days that I won't listen to over and over. I have bought a couple in the past few months that have not offered me repeat listens. But this one has stuck. Great instrumentations (I just created a word there), great harmonies..the album just soars. I'm really liking "I've Got This Friend" and "Poison and Wine." If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. It is so choice.

Family Cruise 2012

The Radebaugh couples took a cruise this past President's Day week. 7 days through the Western Caribbean. It was a great time with much stuffing of faces and sleeping in without worrying about kids. I would love to take my kids on a cruise someday. Someday...

Leaving Miami

This was our deck of the Carnival Glory. It was fun to come up here at night and watch movies.

Mom and Dad Rad

Classic Kevin

The beautiful Rad girls on one of our dress-up nights.

This was a favorite place. Parrot Tree resort on Roatan, Honduras.

Our ship and some of us out there snorkeling.

John Mayer

John Mayer released a clip from his forthcoming album. I'm a huge Mayer fan and this sounds like it should be a great sound. I'm excited!

New Mayer Tune

Valentines

So yesterday Lindsay finally got a cell phone! I feel bad that we have never gotten one for her, but honestly, we have never had the need--and we still don't really, but it's about time she has one. Her phone is quite a bit nicer than mine, but our plan is as basic as you can get. The people at Cricket were making fun of me yesterday because of my prehistoric phone. They asked if I wanted to upgrade to internet and camera capabilities, but then took a look at my phone and saw that was an impossibility. But I love it! I have no need for the fluff--I still need a Facebook account.

Bill Peet

Bill surrounded by many of his characters that he created for his children's books.

Let me tell you a little about Bill Peet and why he is a bit of a legend in my eyes. Bill Peet was a storyman and artist for the Walt Disney studios while Walt was still alive. Bill was the only storyman to storyboard and write an entire feature length cartoon on his own--he actually did this for two films: 101 Dalmations and Sword in the Stone. Walt had enough trust in him to allow him to do this. If you watch the old feature lengths, when it credits "story" there is usually a long list of contributors, but with Dalmations and Stone it's just Bill. Incredible! He had amazing talent; such a keen sense for what would work in a sequence or a "bit." 101 Dalmations is an underrated masterpiece. If you haven't seen it in a while, go back and watch it again. It will amaze you.

Walt disapproving of one of Bill's ideas.

Sadly, though, Bill and Walt did not always see eye to eye. Bill wrote a fabulous autobiography in which he detailed the many trials, tribulations and joys he endured while working with Walt. He loved Walt, but he saw the gruff side of Walt that many people don't like to talk about. Bill actually wrote and illustrated Merlin from Sword in the Stone after Walt: loving and jovial one minute, quick to lose temper the next.

Walt or Merlin?

Bill did not back down during storyboard sessions and ultimately left the Disney studios after he and Walt disagreed one too many times. He went on to write a number of children's picture books, many of which I own. I love Bill Peet. He is one of those guys from Disney history that really fascinates me and continues to inspire my love affair with Walt's past.

Bill with Kathryn Beaumont, the model and voice for Alice, going over storyboards.

I Loved This...

I know I just posted, but I had to post this! This girl is crazy!

Love it!

Justified

It's back and Justified is hands down the best show on TV! Raylan and Boyd are just about as compelling as McClane and Gruber. If you are not watching this show, get the first two seasons and catch up. Not to be missed!

Security

Is it just me or do you love the security words that Blogger asks you to type in when you comment on someone's blog? They almost seem like real words. I like to use them in sentences and pretend that I am speaking my own language. I like pretending...