Shiny and New!

Kinda silly, kinda whimsical, colorful and...are those CUPCAKES? I like it!!

So, I've been doing some work, you know, the old "ducks in a row" bit, and came to the conclusion that utilizing Blogger.com for my fledgling new business is the next best thing to an actual website. Realizing this, and not being terribly internet savvy, I thought I could just add on a new blog using the same account. I was half right! Turns out that what you put in your profile will follow you, wherever your new blogs take you! In the interest of keeping business (and hopefully gaining new business and not losing any), I decided to remove the old profile and just post it instead. So here it is, in all it's spectacular glory, for your viewing pleasure.

Of course, I'm sure those who know me, accept the silliness I embrace in my life, but I wouldn't want anyone to accuse me of not taking my job seriously-even if it is a child-centered business! :o)

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ABOUT ME:
I find it harder and harder in the 21st century to behave like a grown-up. I long for the days when my age allowed me to ignore the bumblings of authority-figures, not having the pressure of voting them into office. Back to the time when the only thing that cut my playtime short was the setting of the sun, not late hours at work and an impending early morning alarm. Not to mention the blissful days of being able to eat unnaturally colorful foods without anyone stressing over their nutritional value...I mean, there was a reason Louie-Bloo Raspberry Otter Pops were the first to go from the box!

Much of the nostalgia of my childhood in the late 70's/early 80's, and the current recreation of it for my generation's children proves too tempting. If you have ever found yourself at any age beyond your formative years uttering the phrase "When I grow up..." grab your Speak N'Spell, break out Hungry Hungry Hippos and get the Shrinky Dinks in the oven-I'll add another section to the pillow fort-you're all welcome!

I may have the appearance of a sophisticated grown up on the outside (and have managed to fool others into thinking so as well), but childlike abandon is just under the surface.

Happy Hour @ ZooKazoo!

In a really strange, round-about way, I have Julie Andrews (yes, the very same brilliant actress who gave us Maria VonTrapp and Mary Poppins) to thank for this long overdue post.

How’s that? Do tell…

Alright, I will!

Yesterday, Julie Andrews was presented with a beautiful carousel horse at Disneyland Park to commemorate her Disney Ambassadorship; which also coincided with a book signing of her biography Home: A Memoir of My Early Years. After a morning of what can only truly be described as shenanigans, my friend and I were feeling doubtful that we would actually be able to partake in the fabulousness of the event. But bless the Disney people for keeping hope alive! A few nail-biting hours later, we were face to face with the stunning Dame Julie Andrews! It was the most spectacular experience-and I have the pictures to prove it really, truly happened!

Ok, yeah, she’s amazing, what does she have to do with a bizarre internet world called ZooKazoo?

I’m getting to it, keep your socks on!

So after a whirlwind day, I came home to look up information on the current remodel of “It’s A Small World”. *Note to Disney Imagineers: LEAVE IT’S A SMALL WORLD ALONE!
Sorry, it had to be said. Anyway…
It was at this point I came across sites with bio information on Mary Blair, a beloved and talented artist who designed art for several Disney movies, park murals and “It’s A Small World” (see, it all makes sense). By following this trail of internet breadcrumbs, I landed on a blog site called Fred World. The story goes that as a teenager, this guy met Mary Blair and her husband Lee in his hometown in Northern California, who then introduced him to the world of animation. Inspired, he attended art school and went on to work with Disney, Warner Bros. and has even written storyboards for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim show “Robot Chicken”.

Ok, sounds like a cool guy, so what?

So his latest project is a wacky interactive site called ZooKazoo.com!

Oh, you mean like Webkinz or Club Penguin?

Yes…and…no. It utilizes the interactive world format of those that came before, but WAY COOLER! I mean, do either of those sites let you choose an avatar from a half eaten apple, a monkey, a cob of corn or a roll of toilet paper? Yeah! Toilet paper!

In the great tradition of artists like SHAG and the creative minds behind The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends (Cartoon Network), adventures abound in this newly developed site. Some of the elements are still tagged as “Coming Soon”, but you can interact in either of the current areas of Jungleloo or Hip-Hopolis. Jungleloo sports fantastic tiki culture items, games and a swingin’ tiki bar, what's cooler than a bar with a fez-wearing skeleton playing the upright bass! At Hip-Hopolis, you cruise up in a stretch limo and schmoose with the urban crowd, spinning trax at the club and making graffiti art. And did I forget to mention the arcade?

And, yes, once I got a peek at this craziness, I just had to sign up! You should, too!

ZooKazoo.com

In fact, I say we all get together at ZooKazoo.com after midnight and hit the Funky Tiki for some pineapple juice cocktails or party “Way Past Our Bedtime” at the Stylus club. It’s a night out without spending a dime! And no need to worry about choosing a designated driver-you can just walk back to your home in the Communi-Tree or at Mondo Condos!

Yeah, some of it’s kinda silly and parts of it are really just for kids, but some of it is begging 20 and 30-somethings to come out and play! Spectacular graphics and the more unusual elements up the cool factor that those 7 to 11-year olds just couldn’t begin to appreciate. So what do you say, first round’s on me! See you there!
Just look for the cob of corn named “Chester Copperpot”!

Dame Julie, for so many reasons, I thank you!

"...let's all fly a kite,up to the highest hight, lets go fly a kite and send it soaring..."