How's Everyone Doing?

[UmbrellaFish]

It actually should be fool-proof... do you remember the very first time you “bio’d” and did a Grape take your picture? Every time since then when you’ve bio’d and the CM scanned your magic band with their iPad they were pulling up a profile with that picture to ensure that your picture matched... well, you! And since you matched they were able to reset your biometric so you would turn green this time.

But again, all that’s to make sure people don’t swap tickets, but at this point who cares? Removing the biometrics would be a tiny step in making sure people stay healthy so I hope they do just that!

You’re totally right about hand sanitizer and all the dirty park surfaces. I’m hoping I can still go to the parks later this year— I really want to be able to see my friend if his program isn’t cancelled— but I know that the experience will be entirely different than anything I’ve known before. I’m imagining face masks and gloves and all kinds of new precautions set by Disney themselves.

[Disney Duster]

Wow UmbrellaFish, those experiences sound so hard actually, because of all the stress and fears! I couldn't do it! It really does sound scary! But I'm glad that overall your experience working at Disney was magical!

[MerPrincessJamie]

It warms my heart seeing this thread so active with all the Disney conversations So glad you all fairing well

I hate to sound like a Debby Downer, but being disabled in the mist of a pandemic royally sucks. I'm back in my childhood home, in my childhood bedroom after living independently for the last ten years. Mom has MS and I have CP so we're both high, high risk and trying hard to take care of each other the best we can.

I only see 3 people on a daily basis and can't "social distance" because they are caregivers . 3 people in 3 months..

[Disney Duster]

Oh, I am so sorry MerPrincessJasmine! But you know, it is super cool you were independent for ten years! I have never been! Anyway, I wish you and your mom the best and great health and and that you somehow, socially distanced of course, can see more people.

[blackcauldron85]

Jamie, your mom must really appreciate you being there, right? That stinks that you lost that independence that you had, but this shouldn't last forever...

[UmbrellaFish]

So I’m officially out of a job through June and it sounds probable that I will not be rehired any point past that. Which sucks because I liked this job and I was hoping I’d get to come back soon and I’m not looking forward to searching for a job in the current job market. I haven’t received any unemployment benefits, either, due to my recent work history being split between two different states. Grateful to have some money saved, grateful to have my parents’ support, grateful to have a roof over my head.

Still, not a good day.

[Disney Duster]

I am so sorry you don't have a job and may not get your old job back UmbrellaFish! And I'm sorry you can't get unemployment checks! That sucks so much. But I am glad you have support from your folks and they will help you until you finally do get a job. I will pray you get a job you like soon as possible, and I hope for it!

[Rose Dome]

I'am sorry you lost your job, UmbrellaFish Don't worry, though. The support of your Parents will help you through and I'am sure you'll manage to find a new job you like when things get better

[blackcauldron85]

I'm so sorry, UF. That absolutely sucks. I have read that grocery stores and warehouses have been hiring like crazy...you'd be in high-risk areas, but if you're comfortable with that, you may want to look in those industries...?

Take care of yourself; My anxiety and depression get really bad when I have no job, so I hope you reach out to someone if you get down. <3

[UmbrellaFish]

Thank you guys for your kind words. I’ll be okay, I’m going to update my resume and start looking for jobs this morning. Actually, last night before I even got the email from my work I was already doing research on new jobs so I’ve at least got a few ideas.

This morning I’m mostly sad because of what is happening in Minneapolis. It just feels like everything is wrong and I don’t know when it will get better.

[blackcauldron85]

I hate what this country has become. My husband is a veteran and says he qualifies for a relocation-to-Canada program. I don't know how serious he is about it, or what the dog-quarantine rules are between US & Canada, and our jobs are here, but I'm terrified of a Civil War-type thing happening... The us vs them needs to stop.

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm so sorry, UmbrellaFish. I'm praying things turn around for you somehow and that you'll be able to find another job soon enough.

As for the other thing, I agree with how things in the world just feel broken all the way around these days, not that they were ever perfect. I do feel like we're living in the end times, personally, and if so, it getting this bad was something entirely outside our control... *shrug*

[UmbrellaFish]

Thanks, Divinity. I appreciate it.

Today is a beautiful morning and I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

[blackcauldron85]

I woke up early and couldn't sleep and opened Reddit. I still can't sleep and now I'm sobbing and I can't stop. I hope all that's going on will make change for the better...Hatred from the minority is causing so much pain for everyone else. When will we see more positive change????

[UmbrellaFish]

I’m sorry, Amy. I saw a video this morning and it made me cry, too. It was of a group of protestors from different generations and the hurt was so palpable and real and honest.

Sometimes I think back to 2016. After leaving a music lesson the Wednesday before the election, the teacher encouraged me to vote and I said I would but that I also had faith in the American people and he said “I wouldn’t be so sure.” And then the next Wednesday on campus it was empty and a pall was cast over the school. Literally, the Smokies were on fire and just a little further north on the Appalachian range where I lived we were getting the wildfire smoke so the sky was gray and the air was thick. It was actually like that on Election Day, too, but I disregarded it then.

Around the same time, I had another discussion with another professor. He was in his 60s and he said he thought we were living through our own “Fall of the Roman Empire,” and I thought that was silly. As bad as it seemed then, I was inclined to believe it would one day get better. But 2020 is worse than I could have ever imagined and now I don’t think what my professor said was so silly anymore.

[blackcauldron85]

<3 I think we need to stick with Disney websites to not see sad stuff, huh? I was at work when the election results were announced. I cried and cried and cried. I'm worried how voting in the time of Corona will be. I voted in the primaries at the start of social distancing here, but I was first in line. I hope that people who want to vote by mail will be allowed to, if they fear they'll get sick from going out and voting.

[UmbrellaFish]

Info about voting by mail in my state has been going around on my FB, but the rules are the same as ever, which basically means most voters are not eligible to vote by mail and will have to do so in person. Barring any legislators gaining some common sense (which in TN is even less likely than you think), I’ll be voting in November with a mask on.

Sometimes I feel guilty for trying to take my mind off the protests but I’ve been attempting to do just that this morning. I did chores and watched an hourlong Paley Center talk on the Golden Girls with Betty White and Rue McClanahan. And I listened to a few happy showtunes, too. I’ve got my favorite Magic Candle Company scent in— Philharmonic Champagne.

Here’s something funny. This week I tried to make an almond prinsesstarta which I saw on the GBBS years ago and I always wanted to try. Well, I tried. It ended up looking like a giant boob cake. In my defense, the only thing that really went wrong was attempting to dye the marzipan covering. Your supposed to use blanched almonds but I used unblanched almonds which meant that even a whole tube of green food dye was not going to turn it green!

Here’s what it’s supposed to look like versus mine. It’ll be easy to guess which is which haha! https://imgur.com/a/bPy3MlE

[blackcauldron85]

I think for our mental health, it's totally a good idea to try and get some happiness in our brains right now. I just looked up the Paley Center Golden Girls talk- I'll send that to my brother! And I'm glad you mentioned Magic Candle Company- I emailed myself a while ago when you had mentioned them, but I forgot about them. I don't have $ right now to spend, but I'll add it to my wish list- such a great present idea for my husband. OMG giant boob cake, you made me lol! It looks delicious. Great for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October! Seriously, though, besides not being green, it looks really good.

[UmbrellaFish]

And I'm glad you mentioned Magic Candle Company- I emailed myself a while ago when you had mentioned them, but I forgot about them. I don't have $ right now to spend, but I'll add it to my wish list- such a great present idea for my husband.

When you get them, let me know what you think!!! I can’t wait to read your review!

OMG giant boob cake, you made me lol! It looks delicious. Great for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October! Seriously, though, besides not being green, it looks really good.

Ahh thank you! It was so challenging to make and I was so upset about the color not turning out— then as I finished the cake and put the rose on top I realized what it looked like and it made me giggle. My sister liked the cake so maybe I will take another crack at it for her birthday in September!

[blackcauldron85]

Is that a cream filling, or is it frosting inside?

I will let you know! I just signed up and they sent me a 15% off coupon. I still can't spend $ right now, but they have so many good things, I'm sure I'll get some for my hubby's day in September!