[Cadaverous Pallor]

After this post, I'm working on pics some more.

I have so much to write. So much to post. There is no way I can do it in one day, never mind one sitting. And chronological order? Yeah, right.

So what do I want to write first?

As Steve (iSm) pointed out to us, Disney didn’t do much for this birthday. Birthdays past were much more spectacular. There were no surprises.

In a day filled with magical moments….where everything that happened seemed magical….where Greg and I kept looking at each other in absolute wonder over this amazing day….where did the magic come from, if not from Walt Disney Co?

It came from all of our amazing friends. Just being with all of you makes our time more and more special, and on this momentous weekend, everything was magnified to nth degrees.

So the first thing I want to really write is a Thank You. In no particular order:

Thanks to Steve and Isaac (zapp) for all the amazing planning and hard work. You play hard, and we all benefit from it. Ticket books, meets, party, hotel lounging, the list goes on. That extra kick on Space was icing on icing.

Steve, say thanks to Lori, Jim and the rest for letting us into their secret club…those guys are a blast.

Lisa and Chris…I feel that right now I must thank you two for something that happened 3.5 years ago….when you two made this random assortment of virtual Disney fans into a real life group of friends. I can’t imagine any of this weekend without that. We probably would have purposefully avoided going because of the crowds!

Lisa and Steve get special thanks for the Carousel event. It was a moment that we, the CMs, and even many day guests will never forget.

To Erica! For daring to call us at 5:20am to say “Get your asses down here!” Without the call we definitely would have missed being in the Esplanade during the DCA parade of mouse ears into DL, yet another treasured memory for me. You and Stephen (Tramspotter) are always such fun.

Jim (Gn2Dlnd) for dressing the part…and as always, acting the part as well. That moment when we first saw you at the hub is yet another I’ll treasure forever. You are a great emissary of the magic to all around you.

A certain Techie CM friend that I know wouldn’t want to be named! I know you probably won’t read this but just seeing you dressed to the Disney nines, being the best Cast Member you can be, especially among all the suits in the backstage area….hell, you practically ARE a suit!…makes me want to hug you and say how proud we all are of you…and how much we miss you. I swear, I’m tearing up as I write these things….

Jesse (Mousepod) and Heather – thank you so much for braving the drive to be with us. You are such a natural fit with us and we simply cannot wait to see you again.

Cindy (Morrigoon), Teresa (Disneyphile) and Ken (Frodo Potter), among others, for braving the ultimate geekiness of the night in DCA, and allowing us to live vicariously through you. Someone had to do it!

Andrew (awinner) and Janice, and little Matt….you made our wait in line extra special! I hope your day went wonderfully.

Richard (Uncle Dick), for being wonderfully easy to spot – it was great hanging in the morning hours with you. Thanks for braving the traffic!

Joe (Chernabog), I just love hanging out with you again, I missed you! Your friend Greg was fun too.

(Coaster)Matt and Rose, always great to ride coasters with you, for obvious reasons. Matt's screaming on Matterhorn was killing us!

Eric (MBC) and Matthew, who shared a Carousel row with us. Always a pleasure.

Scott (Mickey Lumbo) for being able to spend some of the day with us. A wonderful surprise!

Wendybeth, seeing you in the flesh again was great.

Hastin and Kevy and Susan and Ros and Samir and Heather (MickeyD) and Mark (Bornieo) and whoever else was on the fireworks blanket! What a magical moment that was!

Our Mouseplanet friends! Alex, Lani, Andrew, Jennifer, Shoshana, AVP….everyone! Having some moments with you guys was great. See you in October.

There are too many! Just the brief hellos added to the day!
Heidi (LSPE) and Tom
Gretchen (Bluepeople), it’s been ages!
Rena (LibraryVixen)
Claire, it’s been far too long, and it was great to see you.
All the friendly Mice Chat people
…and even RStar from Mousepad, who we simply waved to as we walked by.

I KNOW I’m missing people. If I spoke to you, if I even just saw you….thank you!