Celebrate the birth of a new day

With Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s tenth anniversary just days away, and George’s fine review of David Koenig's Realityland over at Imaginerding, I was reminded of this passage:

"At Animal Kingdom, Disney explained, “the Animals are the celebrities.” Even the official dedication ceremony on opening morning was held before any guests were allowed into the park. Fireworks were omitted in favor of a confetti shower of biodegradable rose petals.”
p. 300, Realityland

As well as this quote from Walt Disney:

“I have learned from the animal world, and what everyone will learn who studies it, is a renewed sense of kindship with the earth and all its inhabitants.”

I am leaving tomorrow afternoon for Walt Disney World, and to celebrate Animal Kingdom’s Tenth B-earth Day, travelling the great trifecta of Great American Interstates, I-26, I-95, and I-4. The Flower and Garden Festival, a dinner with a few fellow Disney enthusiasts (including my good friend Greg, aka Doc, from The Disney Obsession), and a lot of magic are some of the highlights I am looking forward to. I won’t return home until late on the evening of the 23rd, and I will not have access to the internet while I am away, so look for the Gazette to return on April 24th.

In the meantime, I hope you find your own way to celebrate earth day. Recycle a soda bottle you would usually throw away, donate to a worthwhile charity that supports the earth, the animals of the earth, or your fellow human beings, throw away some discarded trash, turn off the lights when you are not using them, or simply help another person who looks like they could use a pick me up. In short, find that kinship that Walt was speaking of and make use of it.

When we come back, expect some details from the trip, but also the return of some favorite segments, in addition to a few new series. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and week, and I will see you on the other side.

P.S. – I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but Greg’s birthday is Sunday. He is on his way out of town tomorrow as well, but I am sure it would mean the world to him if you stopped by and wished him a happy birthday!