It's a Small World After All...

I'd just recently came back from LA. Would you believe that in the 10 yrs I've flown I've not visited Disneyland once? Well this trip was different. Armed with wads of cash for the merchandise I'll be coming across, and a camera that's fully charged, I started on a 1hr30min bus journey to The Happiest Place on Earth.

One would think that in LA everyone has to drive to get somewhere. Well, it has a wide network of buses and subways that are clean and efficient, if you know which ones to take that is. A tip would be to ask the hotel concierge, most of them has a timetable of sorts.

The bus stopped right outside Disneyland, and though it was a tad bit overcast that day, people were still streaming in. We bought our tickets (no crew discount though), and headed straight to Toontown to meet Mickey Mouse. Photos were taken before we joined another queue to have a snapshot of Minnie Mouse.




From there on it was a slow walk around the huge park. I'd think that any child would be drooling at the prospect of meeting the many characters that have been churned out by this company. And they showed it by buying up every merchandise in sight. Even adults were into it, gosh the power of an icon.



In a way Disneyland brought out the child in me too, though I had a closer affinity to the traditional cast rather than the new fangled ones like Nemo or The Invincibles. Yep, it's old school Goofy, Mickey, Daffy, Pluto for this man-child.

It rained towards the evening and thus the nightly parade was cancelled. We still left happy, knowing that in this big, bad world that we live in, there are still places you can go to feel like a child with no care in the world.

Mr SBS

You were young, you were rash.

You dabbled in vices that got yourself and your love ones into trouble.

Now, you are old and frail.

You have become dependant on those that you'd hurt in the past.

Some have forgiven you, some have forgotten.

Why can't I do either?

Lost for words

I'm taking the word "procrastinate" to new heights. I've words to write down, photos to upload, yet cannot find 30mins online to do it.

Going off to Taipei, then LA. A visit to Disneyland is on the cards.

More to come, I rest assure you readers ... all 6 of you!??

Tough call

Is it that difficult for me to make a trip down to visit the old man? I was dithering about it this evening, after all I was close by.

Instead, I boarded the next bus home.

I can't face the old man alone.

I can't.

God of Gambler... NOT!!

I went to the casino during Chinese new year. It's almost obligatory that one gambles during CNY, it's akin to stuffing your face with tidbits; you know it's not good for you, yet you can't help it.

Well there I was in the casino, looking for any friendly croupier at the roulette tables; my favourite poison. The 1st hundred dollars went fast, the 2nd faster. I tried any system of betting I could think of; some bordering on superstition, others just based on gut feeling. Nope, none worked. It was already 5am so I made a hasty retreat, $400 poorer. Not a big amount to lose, heck I drink that kind of money away on some nights, but enough to keep me from a peaceful nights rest.

I went back the second evening, after all there's not much to do in Christchurch city, hoping this time I have a better chance at courting Lady Luck. I struck a thick vein deep into the night and recovered most of my losses, and left at 3am, $50 poor after 2 nights. I breathed easier and though I only had a few hours rest before my flight, I felt more at ease with myself. I had came away pretty unscathed, and it's not an adventure I'll be going on anytime soon.

I understand how one can be sucked into the promise of big wins and adrenaline rush seeing that little ball bounce around on the wheel. It's the same with any other games inside, whether it's cards, dice or even the harmless looking jackpot machine, you'd be burned if you didn't exercise a good amount of restraint.

Best to just go for the free drinks and cheap food, eh?