September 11, 2013: Patriot Day, Odd Day, Pinto, Don and E.G.

Today is Patriot Day, a day when we recognize those who died in the attacks on the United States and those who died attempting to rescue victims and contain the damage from the attacks. We went to Walt Disney World in July 2001, our first trip. We would not take another trip to WDW until July 2004 and it was obvious that things had changed. Now there are strategic barriers to entry, bag checks at all the entrances, police officers with K-9 support patrolling suspect locations. In our attempt to assure our security, we surrender a certain amount of our freedom and privacy. It’s not just at WDW but also at the airports, at the borders and in our communications. We are not as free as we were before September 11, 2013 nor are we as secure. Listen, WDW is one of the safest places on Earth. It is really a place where you can let your guard down and relax but don’t forget and don’t accept the erosion of our freedoms in the name of security.

Today is Odd Day, 9-11-13, a date with three consecutive odd numbers. We’re all a little odd, I’m a little odder than most, heck, I’m just flat out weird. On this odd day, celebrate your oddity, and hang out with some of the oddest individuals I know, the citizens of Monstropolis at the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.

1892: Pinto Colvig was born in Jacksonville, Oregon. Colvig was a voice master and his voices include: Goofy, Pluto, Sleepy, Grumpy, the wise pig and a turn as the original Bozo the Clown on KTTV in Los Angeles, California. Go check out the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Ride, under construction, in celebration of the man who was two of the seven.

1923: Don Edgren was born in Los Angeles, California. Edgren was hired to help get Disneyland ready to open. Disney hired Don in 1961 and he helped build the Ford exhibit for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Don went on to work on Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. A Disney legend, let’s celebrate Don with a cruise on Tomorrowland’s mountain, Space Mountain.

1962: E. G. Daily was born in Los Angeles, California. E. G. is the singing voice of Beary Barrington in the Country Bears, the voice of Tommy Pickles in Rugrats, and Dottie in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Let’s go to Frontierland and enjoy the original Country Bear Jamboree.

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