(no subject)

[mrv3000]

Back in 1985, my world revolved around horrible dayglo colors and Michael J. Fox. I was 13 years old and in my last year of junior high. Every year for a "field trip" my school would take grades 6 - 8 to Disneyland. And set us loose. Of course at that age it was really important who you went with and hung around with and what boy you sat with on Adventure Thru Inner Space. Not that I was brave enough to do anything more than sit there and giggle when the boy (whose name I can't even remember) would lean out of the car and knock on the one ahead of us.

My best friend who was always *way* more cool than me, would keep me in check so that I would be acceptable to the in-crowd. I distinctly remember her whispering to me as we followed clique into the park, "Michelle, quit bouncing!" Bouncing is so not acceptable at that age. And I still have the hat that everyone in the clique all bought, with my name embroidered on it. Not one of those Mickey ears (not cool enough) but this blue thing that the most popular girl thought looked cool, but is in fact similar to a fishing hat. But hey, it was the 80s.

This was also the year that the park was having its 30th birthday celebration. There were decorations everywhere and they gave out prizes to everyone who came in the park that year (times have changed a bit.) I won a box of popcorn. A kid in my class won a car. (Dammit.)

But in 1985 while wandering down Main Street, I decided that I was going to be there for the 50th birthday of the park. Of course I had no idea that in 2005 there wasn't going to be a year-long event like back then, but a one-day happening. July 17 to be exact.

I'm so torn right now if I should go. It will be crowded as hell - they're pretty much figuring on a "hard close" sometime during the day because they will have reached capacity. But at least the weather will be decent enough. I've heard they're giving away gold mouse ear hats and cupcakes. But still, the crowds.

I would be nuts to go. I'd probably regret it if I didn't.

sesaworuban asked me what the hell it was with me and Disneyland. I'm not sure I can describe. It's a part of my childhood - like a beloved community park or a childhood home. As a kid we moved around a lot, but somehow I always managed to get to Disneyland every year. It was always there, always pretty, and fun, and exciting, and safe. And that's probably why I'll always have more of an attachment to it than I should.