April 7, 2013: Around the World in 80 Days... with Jackie Chan.

Today is International Beaver Day. Beaver’s get things done and we almost did them in. Back in the day beaver pelts were used to make hats and people loved beaver pelt hats that had been sized by mercury. The sizing process made the material stiff so the hats could be constructed. The process involved bathing the fur in mercury vapors; these vapors were inhaled by the hat makers who often went insane from exposure to the metal; thus the term mad as a hatter. So for International Beaver Day visit The Magic Kingdom and seek out the Mad Hatter. He has a very mercurial personality.

Today is International Snailpapers Day. As your author and host, I attempt to be an all around expert but, I cannot lie, I had no idea what this one was but it all makes sense to me now. Snail Mail is to E Mail and Snailpapers are to Online Newspapers. This day coincides with the constant and evolving predictions of the demise of the printed newspaper. Admittedly, the traditional print media is on its last legs but those legs may be good for the rest of my lifetime. Don’t count out ink and paper just yet. In fact, go to EPCOT, ride Spaceship Earth and look for the printer scenes (not the HP laser but real men, printing real print on a real press). I love it.

Quickies:

1928: James Garner from The Rockford Files is born. Garner was also the voice of Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke in Atlantis: The Lost Empire as well as having a couple of live action Disney credits. Let’s honor the great detective, Jim Rockford, by completing the Agent P missions in World Showcase at EPCOT. If you don’t like Perry the Platypus, then pretend it is still Kim Possible.

1964: Russell Crowe was born. Crowe starred in Disney’s Mystery, Alaska as well as The Insider. Let’s get some tough guy action for Crowe and visit the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Hollywood Studios. Just watch your takeout box or you’ll feed the squirrels. (We have an earlier blog about that one!)

1860: W.K. Kellogg invented the corn flake. Kellogg was such a flake that they made a movie about him, The Road to Wellville starring Matthew Broderick and Anthony Hopkins. Broderick is adult Simba so let’s go to the Animal Kingdom and enjoy The Festival of the Lion King.

On a local note: 1935: Bobby Bare was born in Ironton, Ohio. He recorded, “Drop Kick Me Jesus, Through the Goalpost of Life.” Nothing more needs to be said. Go to the All-Star Sports Resort, they have goalposts there; you can handle the rest.

And finally, 1954: Jackie Chan was born.  In 2005, Jackie Chan participated in the opening ceremonies for Hong Kong Disneyland. Jackie was also in Disney’s Around the World in 80 Days. So let’s go around the world in one day at the World Showcase at EPCOT.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.