Let’s travel to Antarctica to find out what happens when
fledgling penguins are confronted by a predator. “Running isn’t a penguin’s
strong suit.” Fortunately, the Emperor chicks are covered in down that falls
away, and they can form a defensive circle. Standing about three feet tall, the
lead chick rises up to defend those behind it.
This video from BBC Earth begs the question why did the
rescuer get involved? While I didn’t take anything particular from this video,
it did inspire one scene in “Polly Penguin Wants to Fly.” Polly is a newly
hatched chick who wants to fly, but penguins can’t fly, can they?
If you want your name in “Polly Penguin Wants to Fly,” sign up for our Patreon at any level before August 30, 2019. You’ll get a mention in the acknowledgements.
Netflix’ reality game show “The Calling” pits three Indians against each other in a test of skills and personal knowledge of each other as they travel India checking items off their bucket list and earning miles toward the Grand Experience and a scholarship. Preethi, Guarav, and Atmaj are the lucky contestants who are traveling together and, at least up through episode seven, nominally competing against each other.
Each almost-30-minute show begins with a challenge related
to the area they have traveled to. One show, they tied ribbons on Yak horns. Another
show, they tried to steal pineapples while dodging arrows shot by local hunters.
The winner of the challenge gets 1,000 points and the grand experience for that
show.
The losers of the challenge must curate an experience for
the winner based on two choices given them. Once the two experiences are over,
the winner chooses who made the better experience. That person gets to go to
the grand experience with the winner and 900 miles. The person, who’s
experience isn’t chosen, gets 800 miles. At the end of the season, the person
with the most miles will get a scholarship.
This show works as a quick showcase of India and the
possibilities of tourist travel. It also exposes parts of Indian culture that
people may not be aware of. It doesn’t work as much of a competition because
the dynamics of the three travelers tends to make them friends first and
competitors second. It would be difficult for three people who competed in a cutthroat
manner to travel together, Preethi, Guarav, and Atmaj are aware of this.
However, through the course of their travels, each of them
faces very personal challenges, and they need the support of their traveling companions
to overcome the problem. In one episode, the support actually led to the person
having the problem winning the challenge. It’s inspiring and nice, and it
challenges what Americans know from their own reality shows. “The Calling”
shows that people can compete and do so with integrity, respect, joy, and compassion.
Preethi, Guarav, and Atmaj are enjoying each other’s company and the experience
while having fun.
Doing some research for “Polly Penguin Wants to Fly,” I came
across this video from PBS. In it, one baby chick calls to another who is still
in its egg. This encouragement helps the unhatched penguin emerge from its
shell. The chicks all arrive at once.
The father has sat on the egg for two months. Once the chick
has hatched, he or she needs food; the father and chick need to find the mother
in order to get food and survive.
Polly is a newly hatched chick who wants to fly, but penguins can’t fly, can they? If you want your name in “Polly Penguin Wants to Fly,” sign up for our Patreon at any level before August 30, 2019. You’ll get a mention in the acknowledgements.
When I was doing research for “Polly Penguin Wants to Fly,”
the above video from National Geographic played its part. This video talks
about the black tips on the wings, the down washing off during the penguin’s
first swim, and swimming to the north for three or four years.
All of these concepts play a part in book, which is written
for four- to seven-year olds. Parents can read it to their younger children. It
is fiction, and is scheduled to be released in September. “Polly Penguin Wants
to Fly,” but penguins can’t fly, can they?
If you want your name in “Polly Penguin Wants to Fly,” sign up for our Patreon at any level before August 30, 2019. You’ll get a mention in the acknowledgements.
Writing a book isn’t as simple as having an idea and running with it, or at least, it isn’t for me. Writer’s need to consider what will sell, what they have inspiration for, and what their writing plans are. It’s a lot convoluted and other writers have different ways of working. For the moment, these are the titles that I can work on and why they’re included in the poll.
Extermination of the Ice Goddess – This book is about a boy who is recruited into an army that wants to eliminate the Ice Goddess. His companion is a different species. Together, they go out into the world, find the worshippers of the Ice Goddess and destroy their power sources. I’ve already got a part of the story written. I’ve been shopping it to magazines, but I think I can grow it into a trilogy or more. “No man follows the goddesses.”
Rod Serling and the Fifth Dimension – I don’t have all the materials I would like to use for research, but I do have much of them. This examination of the Twilight Zone and its creator would take time; there are five seasons of the original Twilight Zone. But it would be fun to examine his genius and what the Twilight Zone has to say about creativity. My copy of “As I Knew Him” is in Oregon, but that’s a minor problem. This could be used for comic convention presentations.
Saturday Mornings in the 1980s: A Study in Creativity – This would be a book full of nostalgia and it would examine everything about my Saturday mornings in the 1980s. Cereal, cartoons, and commercials would make up the largest components of this book. It would be fun and a lot of research.
Reimagining Tomorrow: Essays and Short Stories – There are a lot of dystopias out there and few utopias. With this book, I want to present a positive vision of the future and something we can work towards. This one will take research and brain power. It’s a little outside what I feel I can do properly, and I’m not sure I could get others to participate in an anthology style without coming up with some sort of payment. (I tried it with the “Haunted Mansion Is Creativity” and only two others participated – Thanks, mom and Darren!)
The Jungle Cruise Is Creativity – The third in the Disneyland Is Creativity series! The Jungle Cruise is one of the original attractions at Disneyland and opened in 1955, which means it has an anniversary next year. These books give me a presentation to pitch to comic conventions that may want Disney related content at their event. They are also my best-selling books. I would do this one a little bit differently because I want to examine the inspiration behind the Jungle Cruise, including “the African Queen” and the imagineers who made it successful, like Bill Evans. Also, no single tour can cover all of the humor in the Jungle Cruise since it changes with each skipper. I don’t have access to all of the information I would need, but I’m okay with that because I think I could get access to much of it by changing my entertainment provider.
Snow Wh-Island – That’s just a working title. I’ve also thought about “Fairy T-Isles.” Still a work in progress. This would be in the style and world of “The Pirate Union.” It wouldn’t be a sequel or a prequel; it would just be its own story. Something funny, something crazy, something weird, and maybe something timely. It’s hard to say what this story would actually be, though I have three chapters outlined, I have no idea where it would end up. Since my collaborator for “The Pirate Union” is no longer available for collaboration (or is he?), it will be a little more difficult to pull of the amazing humor and directions the PU took. Still it could be funny.
The Creativity Workbook – I don’t know if this needs another title, but basically, I have three sections outlined. This would be an intro to why the idea is important, and then how to improve your skills in that area. For example, believing that you’re creative is the first step to becoming more creative. The workbook explains why you’re creative, why you should believe it, and then it takes you through several different activities so that you can prove to yourself that you are creative. This book would contain fewer words than most books because it is a workbook.
Penguinate! At the Movies – This would be the easiest for me to pull together. It would consist of reviews of movies and essays inspired by the movies, most of which I have already published on my websites somewhere. I would just need to take them down, format them and then get a book cover. This would be the third in The Penguinate! series, which has been my least successful in terms of sales. Part of that is probably due to the title of the first one, which is in the process of changing to “Penguinate! Positive Creativity.”
Star Trek and Creativity: Where No One Has Gone Before – This would take a lot of research, and I only have access to part of it at the moment. Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future is fascinating and should be great fuel for a book about creativity and moving toward that future. I don’t have access to any of the books, but I still think I could work this correctly and then use it for comic convention presentations.
So that’s a little bit about the books in my poll. If you haven’t voted already, please do. Thanks.
P.S. I have other titles that didn’t make the poll list because
nine was already enough (Why didn’t I keep it to eight?) and I don’t have the
necessary materials to make them happen. “My Life in the Peace Corps,” “Ray
Bradbury and the Theater of Creativity,” and “My Life in the Soviet Union” are
all under future consideration as is “My Life at Disneyland” though I don’t
know exactly which direction, I’m going to take with that one, it’ll involve
having to go through my stuff that is stored at mom’s.
There may be more ideas floating around, but I have to find
the notes about them. For the moment, I’m just considering the nine that are in
the poll.
While it may seem easy to start working on a new project, it’s
actually one of the hardest things for any creative to do. There are a lot of
reasons for this, including the need to market all of the earlier projects, the
need to make money at a regular job, housework needs to be done, too many ideas
without the corresponding time, not knowing which idea will be profitable, the
last project isn’t truly finished but the creative person is waiting on someone
else to do his or her job… The list goes on and on and includes at least one-part
procrastination and one-part relaxation.
In “The Voyage of the Entdecker” by B.A. Simmons, a small group decides to take on the outpost of an empire in an effort to free the natives and send a message that these seas are dangerous. They realize they are outmanned and outgunned; they will have to use hunting tactics if they want to have any success.
For a variety of reasons, my family and I couldn’t make it to the D23 Expo 2019 this year. But since it is a Disney event, I feel confident that it’s okay to dream about being there. So, here are the panels and events I would most like to do if I were able to go.
Friday, August 23, 2019
While most people would hit the Disney Legends ceremony, and
it is always spectacular, I tend to opt for an easier seat at another panel.
This year would be different though. I would head to the Disney Legends
ceremony and bask in all its glory. If for some reason, I couldn’t get into the
Legends ceremony, I would head to “Great Moments with Walt Disney” and “At Work
with Walt.” Both would be interesting, and they’re back-to-back at the Archives
Stage where I spent most of my time in 2017.
I would then head over to the Disney+ Showcase because we
all know I’m going to sign up for that as soon as I can. People at D23 who sign
up for the streaming app will get a discount and become Founders, so that would
be something I wouldn’t want to miss. I have my D23 Charter Membership, I would
want to make sure I get the same thing with Disney+. This presentation may not
allow me to sign up for it, but it would give me a better idea of what’s in
store.
Then I would hustle back to the Archives Stage to see if there was space for the “In Search of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse” panel. That would give me about an hour on the floor to see what books are available to make sure to stop by the Sweep Spot booth to pick up their new book with autographs!
Saturday, August 24, 2019
This is another of those days when I should probably hit the big panel, but I don’t actually want to know about films before they come out. I like being surprised. Saturday morning is still jampacked, so there’s no way to go wrong with the panel choices, and in this case, it’s a toss-up for me. Do I go see “Women of Impact: Meet the Nat Geo Explorers Changing the World” or do I go to “Digging Deeper: Uncovering Disney’s Hidden History?” Nat Geo could be inspirational and provide actionable ideas on how to change the world for the better, but I love Disney history. I would probably have to discuss the panels with my family, but today, I am leaning toward the History panel. It’s at the Archives Stage.
The panel of the day would be “The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years.” Considering the book I wrote in celebration of the Haunted Mansion and that it’s my favorite attraction of all time, this would be my “not miss” panel of the day. It’s at 12:30 and at the D23 Expo Arena.
From there, I would head over to the Archives Stage to see “Ken Anderson’s Haunted Mansion ‘57: A Year of Horror, Humor and… Voodoo?” Ken Anderson is one of the heroes of the haunted mansion, and he paved the way for the attraction we all know and love today. It starts at 3pm, so I should have plenty of time to get there. The next panel I would like to see is in the same place. “Collecting the Creepy: 50 years of Haunted Mansion Merchandise” would be right up my alley.
The last panel of the day would be “Travels with Marty: A Conversation
with the Sklars and Imagineers.” It’s on the Archives Stage as well. That
leaves about an hour to look at the floor booths and get my Indie book buy on.
The only other panels on Saturday that give me pause for thought are the “Secret Walt Disney Company Project,” which could be anything! ANYTHING! (and will be announced on August 22), and “Marvel Comics: Marvel 80th Anniversary.” There’s a good chance that people going to the latter will get some sort of comic book out of the deal. No guarantee, just a good chance.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
The morning’s “Sneak Peek! Disney Parks, Experiences and Projects” is sure to be crowded and to be the premiere presentation. If I could get in, it would be my first choice. It would also mean missing out on “Heroines of the Disney Galaxies Presented by Box Lunch” and “Marc Davis in His Own Words – Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks” or “Hidden Gems of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.” All three of these panels will be amazing. Marc Davis was essential to bringing humor to the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Imagine what could be in the research library… Yeah, it’s like that. Still, I would try for the Sneak Peek first.
Between the Sneak Peek and the next panel, I would probably
have a little time to get on the floor and go through one or two of the
presentations. I would want to see the Haunted mansion D23 Design winners up
close and in person.
Then I’d head to the Archives Stage for the 2:30pm “50 Years
of the Walt Disney Archives: A Gold Mine of Fun Finds,” and after that in the
same place would be “Magic Journey: Tale a Fantastical Ride with Imagineer Kevin
Rafferty.” Though I would also think about “The Art of Disney Storytelling”
because it fits with what I would like to do for a living. Because of the time
conflict, I’m leaning toward the first two.
The last panel of the day would be “Disneyland ’59: Matterhorn,
the Monorail, and Submarine Voyage.” If the floor was still open after that, I
would make one more pass to make sure I got what I wanted. If any of these fell
through, the Center Stage has “Marc Davis and the Masters Behind the Haunted
Mansion” from 4:45pm to 5:15pm.
At any convention, there are always tough choices to make. D23 Expo 2019 is no different. The Expo is sold out, but D23 did announce that they will be streaming certain panels. I may be able to settle for that depending on which they choose and what time they are as compared to my time zone. To those that will be there: Have a magical time and think about getting me a souvenir!
In a tweeted poll, LaughingPlace.com said, “Pick a ride to be stuck on for all eternity at #Disneyland (the ride is working, you just can’t get off),” and they gave four options: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain.
Space Mountain
Anyone who chose Space Mountain was straight up tripping. If
you take it at face value, there’s no good way to eat or get food while on the
attraction – and you’d be eating on a roller coaster. Probably not the smartest
decision. If you take it at fantasy value, there’s no place to get food in
space. While Disney would switch it up and you could experience Ghost Galaxy,
HyperSpace Mountain and that strange but cool 1970’s disco version of the
attraction. It would still be difficult and horrible to be stuck on it for
eternity. And how would you go to the bathroom? In space, no one can hear you
scream, but if someone started tossing the accumulated waste into the travel
areas, you might find reason to scream, or keep your mouth shut tighter.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – I feel like this attraction is one
that is under the strong possibility of getting removed from Disneyland soon.
There’s nothing keeping it there. The Wind in the Willows animated film isn’t
exactly in the top 12 of Disney films. There aren’t any sequels or (more) live
action adaptations in the work. There isn’t a lot of merchandising. The only
things that the attraction has going for it are it’s a classic and you get to
drive to Hell! That’s pretty amazing in Disneyland. As far as food and bathroom
go, there aren’t a lot of nearby options.
However, in terms of the fantasy realm. Moley is eating a
fine meal. You can go to the bar and get a root beer float. There are pies on
the journey, and there is never a shortage of adventure. Hell might be a little
scarier though…
To Infinity and Beyond…
Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters – Spend enough time on the
ride, and I might finally be able to get to 3 million points, even if they
reset after every pass. Food would be hard to come by, even in the fantasy
version of this – unless you can eat batteries, aliens, or dinosaur eggs.
it’s a small world – I actually like the song, so that wouldn’t
be a huge problem for me. At face value, you’d have a pleasant rip around the
world, you come out into the fresh air, people can deliver food to the boat as
you pass by the dock, and it would be a great place to stretch out and sleep.
Sooner or later, you would also master the lyrics to the song in at least 5
languages. The scene would change as the Christmas season rolled around, so
there would visual appeal beyond what a chiming clock on the outside could
bring. Waste could be thrown over the side if there’s no bucket.
Heading into the fantasy realm, it’s a small world could
provide you with amazing cuisine from all over the world. You’d meet friendly
people and enjoy their hospitality all while floating by on your boat. If you
want to travel to new countries and enjoy other cultures, an imaginary trip
through it’s a small world eternity would be amazing and never boring.
Disneyland Train Station
The Disneyland Railroad – It’s outside. You’d be able to
switch seats, and if you were lucky, you could ride in the comfort of the Lily
Belle. You also get to pass through the Grand Canyon and the time of the dinosaurs.
Food can be delivered at any of the stops, including beignets and mint juleps
or possibly something from the Blue Bayou or Club 33, and you get to watch as the
core elements of Disneyland change. You’d probably need a bucket or you could eliminate
waste over the side of the train cars or out the back.
Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion – it’s my favorite attraction and one that I’ve been dying to join ever since the idea of a death certificate occurred to me. However, as a living person the complication that exists is whether or not we would have to remain seated in our… Doom Buggies. If so, then we would miss out on the Stretching Room, the Portrait Gallery with its staring busts, and Little Leota on the way out. The Haunted Mansion would never be able to have the last laugh again. At least it’s dark, so using the bathroom would be less embarrassing and buckets could be exchanged at either the loading or the unloading zone. Just be sure to go at a time when you won’t have to face the downhill out of the attic.
In the realm of fantasy, the whole tour really is a swinging
wake, and as long as we can avoid the axe of Constance, we should be okay. The
food might be a little old, but the Christmas Overlay would see fresh gingerbread!
Still, without the queue, its comforting atmosphere, the
Hearse, the various cemeteries, and the not-smiling faces of the hosts and hostesses,
the Haunted Mansion might be missing something as a complete experience. You really
need to be able to get the whole experience from the unexpected outside to the
foyer and beyond. (If you like the Haunted Mansion, get a copy of “The Haunted
Mansion Is Creativity.”)
Bertha in the Elephant Bathing Pool
The Jungle Cruise – It’s never a bad day for a good pun. The
Jungle Cruise will have you laughing again and again, especially as they change
riverboat skippers. You’ll get to hear old jokes and new jokes while relaxing
outside and passing by the most dangerous part of the journey – the return to
civilization. If you get hungry, the Tropical Hideaway may be able to throw you
a Dole Whip or Bao. Those are pretty good (and reasonably priced). Waste can be
tossed overboard if there’s no bucket available.
In the fantasy realm, you get a tour of the greatest rivers
of the world. The adventure of a lifetime that includes seeing animals in the
wild and avoiding the perils of a dangerous jungle. You might even get to meet the
head salesman of the jungle. Business is shrinking, so he’s offering a deal:
two of his heads for the price of one of yours. There’s plenty of vegetation
and animals to eat if you can catch them from your boat, and the skipper has a
gun, so you’ll be protected from that tiger that can jump over 50 feet and go
right over the boat.
Pirates fountain
The Pirates of the Caribbean – It would be a cold day for compassion
if you couldn’t get someone to toss you some food form the Blue Bayou. It’s a
part of the attraction itself and has some of the best food at Disneyland. The
adrenaline drops, the amazing effects, and the storyline all add to this
attraction to make it one of the best and possibly the one that you should ride
for eternity if you had to choose. The boat benches are spacious enough to
sleep on. Waste can be dumped overboard if there’s no bucket available.
In the fantasy realm, you would still be able to get food
and rum, lots of rum, so if that’s your thing, Pirates makes a good choice. Plus,
pirates don’t make such bad companions, do they?
Mark Twain
The Mark Twain – Spacious, luxurious riverboat travel down the Rivers of America! This is the attraction that is the best choice for a ride that lasts eternity. Walt Disney had his anniversary party in 1955 on the Mark Twain, in part. There’s a place for a bar, and musicians like Louis Armstrong have performed on the main deck. The leisurely ride has enough nature and sun, and when the weather gets inclement, there are areas that remain dry. Food can be delivered and prepared on board, and if there isn’t a bathroom on board already, one can easily be installed. Need a place to sleep? There’s a bunk in the wheelhouse. And you get to be in Fantasmic!
Penguinate! Positive Creativity 