Magic Makers

I'm one of those creepy people who likes Disneyland to levels inappropriate for their age bracket.  At one point, I was frequenting the park so much that I had even begun creating passing friendships with some of the ride workers (I'm both terribly embarrassed and slightly proud of this fact all at the same time).  However, the inevitable happened and my coveted, most beloved golden ticket to the magical kingdoms of Adventure, Fantasy and Tomorrow was torn from my grips: in other, less hysterical words, my annual pass expired.

I hate to admit how truly devastated I was- still am- at this.  The days just seemed a little less golden. 

I think I know why us Disneyland ex-pats find life on this side of the turnstiles so somber and it's because Disney creates all of the magic for you; Snow in southern California?  Sure, why not!  Barbershop quartets singing your favorite tunes?  Please enjoy these luscious harmonies with a delicious churro!  High five-ing most beloved characters from your childhood?  ...I think that's Burt the chimney sweep over there!  Fly over the city lights of London and into a starry night sky?  You bet!  Jovial laughter of children and of children at heart?  Better than the sound of our sweeping orchestral suites- which are playing 24 hours for your entertainment, by the way.

I won't deny that I've retreated many a time to this wonderland after a hard day; it's as if I could forget everything for a few hours and become part of these fairy tales where villains are vilified, heroes are heroic, complex emotions could be expressed freely in song form, and where flying is just a happy thought and some pixie dust away.  But life isn't like this, is it?

Save the long lines and overpriced food, it's really easy to be happy here.  However, not everyone has this privilege to do away with the difficulties of everyday life- escapism in practice is often times less cute and lighthearted.

I realized- albeit, forcibly- that I could no longer rely on Disneyland to be my source of ease and fun: I had to make my own magic.  I thought, "I should try tandem biking myself with friends instead of just watching the Dapper Dans do it.  And it's January, I should really just go to a place where it's actually snowing."  You see?  Creating my own magic.

This is not to say that I don't miss Disneyland because I do.  But, we all know that there is life to be lived in full out here and so, I'll try my best to continue filling my days with family, friends, good food, good music, and lots of flowers, without the help of Mr. Mouse.  So, attempt #1: visiting the LA Arboretum and Botanical Gardens with my cousins!