The best Thing I ever said,
and the week that proceeded it
Wednesday, September 10th, 2003
On Wednesday, they put me in the ice cream shop. The good part about this is that it is like working in a refrigerator. The bad part is, unless you're on register, or don't get a lot of business, you have a very difficult job. You have to bend down, and scoop up 3-4 relatively large scoops of ice cream out of a tub that could be fairly deep, and the ice cream is either liquefying before your eyes, or it is rock hard. Not only that, but at the end of the evening, you have to do it quickly because of the Fantasmic! Rush. This may not sound so bad, however, they had me in there all bloody day! (I later learned such should not be the case; people are supposed to be cycled through every 2 hours). I only got my break, and about a 1/2 hour where I had to scoop bags of ice and by the end of that day my arm was in excruciating pain. I could barely move my wrist and my thumb. The stupidest part was the next 2 days; they wanted me to work at that again. It is physically impossible for me. It still hurts. I've managed to get out of it. I wonder how long I can get away with it even after it gets better. People were asking me while I was working, "Are you alright?" I would just whimper, "No..."
(This is a good story coming up here)
I came back to the apartment. Cara was there. She and I were going to shoot hoops, but there was a large group of guys using the whole court. We sat around on the sidelines hoping they would get off. They didn't. We decided we would go look for Erik at the pool. We both agreed we didn't want to go swimming. At the time I thought, "Why would Erik be at the pool?" more importantly, "Why do I care?" but it's not like I had anything better to do, and being with Cara was fun.
We got down there. There was one person at the pool, a guy. I recognized him from the night before, when Erik and I sat in the spa together (I don't remember why it was just he and I). I didn't talk to him then. But I did remember him, and that he was cute. Cara and I walked up to the vicinity of the spa and stopped, and he saw us. I don't know what made me do it, why then. But I did that thing that I've always wanted to do but talked myself out of.
I opened my big fat mouth and said, "Hi! You're cute!" Cara's mouth dropped. It was funny. I didn't know what was going to happen. It was probably about the ballsiest thing I ever did. This certainly wasn't any recommended technique I’d heard. I didn't expect results so I just thought, "Let's just get it out there for once." Someone later told me "Yeah, that sounds like something you would do." (OK, back at the pool).
I half expected him to come back with, "Oh...um...I have to go over...uh...here...right now. Uh, bye!" (Run in the other direction). But that didn't happen. "Oh, really," said this apparently cute stranger. "So, what, do you think I'm ugly?" he said to Cara, in a southern accent thick enough cut with an electric knife. "Uh, no..." she said, still not quite sure what to do with what I just said. "What's your name?" said the cute guy. "I'm Amanda." "I'm Cara, and I'm not as blunt as she is." He said his name was Jeremy. I caught him give me a once over from head to foot. (Good thing I was wearing those platforms that make my legs look hot). He invited us to come back.
After resolving not to go swimming that night, Cara and I went back and changed, both of us saying, "He'd better still be down there..." I had a suspicion he wouldn't be there when we got back. People tend to flake like that. Cara told Stacey, who wasn't attending to begin with, that we met a hot guy at the pool and she wasn't invited, (we both know how it goes. Stacey comes along and the guy falls all over himself trying to get to her, neither of us wanted that). Cara also said, "You'll never believe what she just said to this guy!" Stacey looked shocked. I had to wait around a long time back at Cara's apartment while she changed and shaved her legs. All the while, I was getting more and more worried that he would not be there when we got back.
We went back to the pool. I was half surprised to see he was still there (thankfully!). As I walked down the steps into the pool with him, he said, "I forgot to tell you. You're cute too." "Oh, thank you" I said, not sure how sincere he was, or if he just felt he needed to come back with something. Jeremy, Cara, and I talked for a bit. Jeremy was really interested in me. He literally picked me up out of the water. This was very strange at first. But having never had a guy do that to me, it was a bit of a novelty. He amused me. As just he and I started talking more exclusively, Cara made herself disappear, and started trying to figure out if some other guy was gay. Eventually Cara came back, as if to help our conversation along, “So, like do you guys have any of the same days off?” Jeremy asked me out and of course I accepted.
At some point we were sitting on the steps back into the pool again. As he talked I stared at him. At that point I wasn’t even listening to what he was saying, that is I don’t remember it now. What I do remember is I suspected he was going to kiss me. I just kept thinking, "Do it already!" He finally did.
After running home, taking a quick shower, and borrowing a hair drier for my "hair drying emergency," I met him again later. We walked to Wendy's. He bought me fries. I went back to his apartment, made out in his room. I stayed out very late. He asked me that night if I would like to pursue a relationship with him. He was a lot cuter and more interested than any of the other guys that weren't thinking of me like that. Being with him was probably better than badly flirting with too many people. I accepted.
Thursday, September 11th, 2003
I went to work the next day and felt dead during the slower times. I worked at Rosie’s, Turkey Legs, and Fries on register. During my break, I bought official Cast Member junk, including a 50th anniversary shirt from the movie Peter Pan and a pin that looked like a cast member pin that said, CAST MEMBER on it.
I thought about Jeremy all day. How could it be that I got such a hot guy interested in me? He really likes me. He thinks I am special, and not just for blurting out what we kinda now call, "the thing." As in, "Aren't you glad I said the thing?" I don't know quite what to make of him thinking I'm special (in the good way, not in the I have to ride that short bus to and from work every day, which I do. I understand not nearly so many people work at MGM, but between 8-10:00 that bus is full so they really need to give us a bigger one). No one has ever thought that before. He's dated other girls here, but wants to have a relationship with me. He turned down a date once because of me. He keeps making sure I'm not going to cheat on him or anything, I'm like "Dude, you don't get it, no one was biting; you have nothing to worry about." He's treating me nicer than any other guy not related to me. Plus, he calls me Sweets. (Was I reading someone else's journal, I would say, "Gag me." For some reason, when it actually happens to you, it's a lot nicer).
I Text Messaged my friends saying, "My life rocks!" Kelly left a voice message on my phone saying, "Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?" I still need to make her reservations.
I couldn't wait to get home from work, which I did later than I had hoped. I had a suspicion that I would call him, he wouldn't be there, I would have to leave a message with someone, I would never hear from him again. End of relationship. When I walked in the door, I was told, "A guy called for you like a bunch of times." (Wow! That sounded great! Say it again, only a little slower that I may savor every syllable). I called him, and I "Just missed him, he went to the pool." (And there goes the last shred of hope). I swore rather loudly. I forget what I said. He called about 10 minutes later. I didn't answer it. I damn near jumped on the phone when it was handed off to me, though. He wanted me to go swimming, so we did.
Later that night, we went to Waffle House. By this time it was about 11:00. Somehow, before we left the apartment, I had to call my mom. He watched me as I was on my phone. She asked about how the pool was. "The pool is very very nice." Of course my mom lights into me about friends, especially male ones. First off, it was late. Second off, I didn't want to share my good news by way of having her guess it out of me. Third, he was standing right there, "Yeah, I met a great guy, he's standing right here, did you want to talk to him?" how awkward is that? I felt a little bad about not telling her right then about him, having been in situations where my existence was denied.
Jeremy and I went to Waffle House, he paid, and I felt a little bad about it. It's nice to know someone will pay for you because they like you. But at the same time, it always makes me feel a little guilty. Plus, I know how much money he doesn't make.
Friday, September 12th, 2003
Friday I went to work again. It was a long day. 10am-closing. At 10, the head manager talked to us in a meeting. We were supposed to get our assessments, but all the assessors were quarantined in a room where someone found white powder, and of course they were paranoid, especially the day after 9/11 anniversary. So we didn't get our assessments. We just asked questions about the company and working. After that, I was supposed to work at Scoops, but my hand still hurt a lot. So I traded with another girl to be produce stocker. This is a stand that sells fruit and bottled drinks. All the fruit had to be kept on ice. By 12:00, the ice had almost melted so I had to get some more. The ice in the ice shed in bags had been sitting in there awhile, so it was solid. I cut my leg on the ice, and when it got back out to the stand, it was a solid mass of ice retaining the form of the bag so i chipped away at it.
Soon after, I went on break. It was an hour and 15-minute break. I called my mom during the break, mostly to see if she wanted me to buy her anything from the Cast Member store. We ended up talking for about an hour. I told her about Jeremy. She was very glad for me. She also said, "Be good." To which I said, "I always am." She also said, "Don't do anything you wouldn't want to tell your mom about."
After I got back, I was bussing tables (it's boring but it beats Scoops). Right now, as I have mentioned, we are very slow. I clean every table in the place, and I have a system to know which ones need the cleaning. So there are a lot of clean tables in my area that I am responsible for. Therefore, why is it that someone will wait for me to finish cleaning a table? There will be dozens of suitable, clean, empty tables in the area, yet they will wait for me to finish the one I am cleaning? I later got called to Rosie's. I had to work the wonderful, wonderful, Fantasmic! Rush, which gets especially felt at Rosie's. Then I had to close.
I mentioned there are lightning rods all over the buildings at MGM (and presumably the other buildings on property). I just noticed that there are little tiny ones on the tops of the umbrellas around the areas where i work. That will make me feel good if I’m bussing in a lightning storm, I guess.
Not knowing more Japanese has been more amusing to guests than actually knowing it. My mom rode me all summer to brush up on it and of course i was too busy being lazy and "looking for a job." If I see a guest that is Asian-looking and has Japanese books or maps or something, I can say, "Nihongo ka" (Japanese language?). "Hai!" "My Japanese is really bad. All I know how to say is 'wakarimasen'." They laugh. Sometimes I will read their order number back in Japanese. I got the order filler, Carlos once when the order came out, i said, "Say nana." He did, "What did i say?" he said after they left. "7." And as the Japanese people leave, i can say "Arigato!" (Thanks!).
I came in worn out from working. I was given the message that I was supposed to call Jeremy as soon as I got home. I almost did. But I figured he waited all day, he could wait a little while longer. I gave the instructions, "If anyone calls for me, I haven't come home yet." (Jenny said, "Like who, Jeremy?" "Who else calls for me?"). I took a long warm shower and I got fully dressed. I was given the message he would be at the pool. I went down there fully dressed in my Hooters shirt and mud flap girl necklace. He made me go swimming. I so didn't want to. I came back to my room and changed. My roommate said, "I thought you weren't going to go swimming." "I say a lot of things."
Saturday, September 13th, 2003
Jeremy had to go to work late the next day. He works at either the ice cream place or the bakery at the end of Main Street in Magic Kingdom. I had the day off, so I figured I would go with him to work and play at the park, because I had the day off. He has a really bad costume, for a guy. He thinks it makes him look gay. It has white pants, a white newsboy hat (I told him I could do without the hat), and a short-sleeved shirt that has thick white and light aqua stripes on it. It's pretty dumb looking. The girl's outfits there are about as bad as mine, but they don't get the skort "option."
At Magic Kingdom, (at the time) unlike the other parks, they don't let you take the uniforms home. You have to go early, check out a costume, put it on there, and after your shift, and return it. This is unlike me, I check out 3 or 4 complete costumes at a time, bring them home, and wear them to and from work on the bus, usually.
We went to his cafeteria, which is in a system of tunnels located under Magic Kingdom. It's called Mouseketeria. Everything is connected through these tunnels. I had heard about them, but never imagined I would get down there. Everything needed in the Magic Kingdom is down there, including the costume area, changing areas for characters; I saw Pinocchio's head on a stick. Jeremy went to his place for lunch. I bought him lunch from the Subway therein (that's fair). We have a Subway at the Take 5, our cafeteria at MGM too. After we ate, we walked up to an entrance between where he works and Tomorrowland. Before going onstage, he kissed me good-bye. I went off to have fun.
I wandered around and went on several rides. I went on Alien Encounter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and It's a Small World. I like the Disneyland Small World, Pirates and Mansion better. The Mansion in WDW has more scenes, but it doesn't have the hallway with the morphing pictures, which is one of my favorite parts. There was one kid who was pretty scared. I've been on both Mansions so many times and listened to the soundtrack that I have it memorized, so i was mouthing the words. The kid looked up at me, with Paul Frees's deep voice coming out of me. I think it threw him for a moment. I so wish I worked on that ride.
In the line for Small World, (which also is not nearly as good as Disneyland's, it doesn't have the big ol' facade on the outside for one thing), I met a woman, about 25, named Stacey. She was using a day pass to visit a bunch of parks and see shows. She was going to be playing princesses (she looked like the type). She thought they were going to have her be Ariel in the live show at MGM. She was there by herself. We talked in the line for Small World, and I invited her to sit with me on the ride and we talked throughout the ride. Then after that we parted ways. I went to Main Street to see if I could track down Jeremy. I found him at the register at the bakery, wearing that little outfit. He was glad to see me, and he told me to buy something. I got strawberry shortcake. I sat where I could see him and ate it.
After that I went shopping. I couldn't decide what shirt to get so I called my mom on my cell phone (not nearly as many people as I would expect have cell phones here; Cara and Jeremy don't have them either which is just shocking. Guess I'm not in California anymore). I talked to my mom a bit and told her about Jeremy some more. She told my dad about him (he's in trouble now). I told her I was in the tunnels. She's aware of them too and got excited and wanted to know "What are they like?!" Unfortunately, I think I am disappointing her by not telling her how magical and exciting the backstage areas of some of these places are. She'll never be working for Disney, Mike may or may not, but as of right now I’m it, so I've gotta come forth with the nonexistent details. I got a jr.'s Small World shirt that looked like the poster for the ride. (Next time I'll probably Pirates; they don't have one like this for the Haunted Mansion. I'm trying to get one shirt every time I go to a park). I left, and told him I was going.
I took the Monorail to the Contemporary resort, and I took a bus to Downtown Disney/PI. I just wanted to go to the guitar store to buy that Keith Richards bobble head I've been wanting. I spent a bit of time at Virgin records, too. I can get a Cast discount both places.
Only problem now was, since I took a guest bus there, now I had to find the bus back to Vista. First, I couldn't get a hold of Stacey on her cell, then I had difficulty getting through to a WDW operator to talk to someone in my apartment. I went to the wrong place, and then I went to almost the right place, and had to go into the big Disney Store and ask some girls on the program where to get the bus. I barely made it. But now I've got my little Keith Richards and I am happy about that.
When I got back, Cara and Erik (along with everyone else) was in my apartment. Cara was torturing Erik. They all were going to go swimming. I like talking to Erik though. He knows SNL, and funny movies. He's a musician. He casually brought up Spinal Tap one night. I called him on it. We started talking about it. I told him I have it here. I hope sometime if they all do another movie night, they'll let us watch it.
Somehow we ended up going swimming. (We always end up going swimming). Julie came too. She's lived here since June or something and she'd never been swimming. Cara, Erik and Stacey disappeared. I left a message with Jeremy's roommate that "I was going swimming, and that's where he can find me." Julie and I went down to the pool by ourselves. Neither of us wanted to swim alone. So we waited for Cara, Stacey and Erik (and Jeremy; I knew he would come if i did). It took (all of) them forever to get there. Jeremy eventually showed up too.
Cara found a guy she had mentioned that she thought was cute from a few nights ago. She managed to get a date with him. Eventually everyone was in the spa. There was Stacey and Erik, Cara and Matt (her new friend), Jeremy and me, another couple, and Julie. I felt so bad for her. I've been there, feeling like the only one not coupled up. She just sat there by herself. Julie started trying to talk to another guy that was apparently by himself. He left rather quickly. I felt really bad for her. "I feel like such a loser," she said.
Sunday, September 14th, 2003
I had to work the next day. Jeremy had the day off. He and I rode to MGM together on the special bus. After I clocked in he disappeared. I worked at Eddie's Pizza. It was easy. There was no mad rush. Jeremy eventually came back and got a personal pizza; I filled his order. He came back and left. And he found me again when he was going to leave. I worked with Steven for a while. He's a nice guy. He's great with people. Not long after Jeremy left, I was put on break (I wish they would give you at least a hint when your breaks are). I talked to Toccarra, a friend from work, about Jeremy, and cartoons. When I went back to work, I went to the produce stand. I had to make pretzels, and keep everything stocked. So I was running around all night. I had to close the place too. It was not fun, because all the water had to be drained out of the stands full of ice. I didn't know how to do it, and it was a big hassle.
I got back in to my apartment. Stacey and Erik, Cara and Matt, Jenny, and Jacque were all laying around in the dark watching Final Destiny 2. I didn't want to watch, especially in the middle of the cuddlefest. Not having anyone immediately beside me didn't bother me. I wanted to take a shower. About 5 minutes after I got in the door, half out of my shirt, and nothing else Jeremy called. (Everyone else said it was creepy; I figured he just figured it all out logically. Cara is not the president of his fan club). Jeremy invited me out to the pool. Cara starts in, "Don't go. We never see you anymore, stay with us." (I hate this! But I like to do as many things as possible to please everyone). I put my swimsuit on. Sat in the pool for about 10 minutes with him. I told him I needed to be with my friends, and that I was really sorry. But that he could come by the apartment later if he wanted.
I went back. Everyone was glad to see me again. I sat and watched that horrible movie. It was bloody with people dying in random grotesque ways, and full of plot holes. If the crowd were more into it, I probably would have been making fun of it the whole time. I was mad because I would have rather been with Jeremy than watching that messed up piece of cinema, and I wasn't even talking to Cara. Jeremy came in towards the end.
I was still in my swimsuit. I went back and changed. I saw my phone had a missed call from an unidentified caller on it. My mom had been expressing that my dad was disappointed that he never got to talk to me anymore. So I thought it might be him. Jeremy sat on my bed as I tried to get myself together. I called my dad, "Is there something you want to tell me?" he said, "I don't know, is there something you want to ask me?" After getting sick of that little game, I confessed that I had a boyfriend (right there in front of Jeremy).
He's told both his parents about me. They're both happy for him. I'm happy to have a guy admit my existence to members of his family.
Jeremy and I later went to Steak and Shake, a diner type restaurant. After that, we went back to Vista. We walked around the apartments for a while.
Monday, September 15th, 2003
The next morning I drove him to the Magic Kingdom to get his hair cut. (They have salons at all the parks). We went through the tunnels again. I saw Cinderella without her skirt and peasant Belle. Then we went to the beach. I don't remember where exactly. It was near Cape Canaveral. I'm not much of a beach person, but he really wanted to go; besides, I hadn't been to the beach in a long time.
Unfortunately, when we got to the beach, he almost immediately saw someone he knew. We set up a blanket and he set up a chair right next to us. Jeremy and I walked along the beach a bit. He was sitting there when he got back. It was irritating to me. The two of them talked for a while, and I just sat there feeling left out. I know it wasn't Jeremy's fault, and didn't really want to be around him right then either. When he finally left we played in the water a bit. I was having fun right up to the point where I got wiped out and scraped up my back on the sand.
After I went to the beach, I showered and hung out with Cara, Erik and Stacey. We went over to his apartment. I've come to appreciate that it's often obvious which apartments are guys apartments; look for the T & A and/or Beer paraphernalia. Erik was in his room, playing guitar. Cara took a picture of me. Stacey later took a picture of me massaging Cara's back. I was calling out requests to Erik of groups to play on his guitar. He played the opening riffs from Back in Black, Thunderstruck, Sweet Home Alabama, Stairway to Heaven and some others. They all decided they were going to swim. I had had enough wetness for one day, but I went anyway. Jeremy showed up later. Cara left, and later Stacey and Erik.
Jeremy stayed at the pool until closing. We had a good talk about a lot of honest stuff.
Tuesday, September 16th, 2003
I have today off. I walked with him out to the bus. I came back here. I've got all kinds of stuff I have to do, like cash $90 worth of paychecks from 2 weeks. I've got to find a Wells Fargo, develop pictures, buy some chocolate. I should do that now. I checked my e-mail for the first time in a week. I got 10 messages, 3 worth my time. Jeremy wants to come see him at Magic Kingdom. I don't know if I will get around to it.
I drove around and tried to find the Wells Fargo that supposedly existed somewhere near Universal Studios. It doesn't; it's a Chinese Restaurant. Wells Fargo is the biggest bank in the country, claiming to have about 5,000 ATMs all over the country, and according to one teller, none exist in the tourist capital of the country. I called up Wells Fargo central or whatever it is, asked if they could tell me where the nearest ATM to me was, so that I could finally deposit my paychecks, the guy said, "What state?" "Florida." "No." he said shortly. (Uh, what?) Not, "I'm sorry, we don't have any in that state." Just "No."
I was driving around anyway, so I thought I would drive to Magic Kingdom because Jeremy was working there. I didn't really want to go there. But I had said I would. On the way over, I tried to justify to myself why i was doing it. The best reason i came up with is because I don't want to be a flake or appear flakey.
Getting around in Disney World is easy if you follow the signs. But it's very unforgiving if you mess up. My plan was to park at the Contemporary Resort, and take the monorail to the front gate, mostly because I didn't feel like screwing with the Magic Kingdom parking lot. I missed the Contemporary parking lot. Turned around. Where I wanted to turn into it again, there was no turn. I finally found a place to turn around. The road by the Contemporary is 2 lanes wide, going in opposite directions. Where I wanted to turn around there was a car coming. So I stopped and waited for him to pass. Unfortunately, the person behind me did not. It seems I sort of predicted it was going to happen. When it actually did, it took a moment for the incident to sink in. What just happened? What was that? Crap! Someone crashed into me!
We pulled up to a little turn off just up ahead. The guy who hit me was an English guy with his wife and family. He was in a red rental Chevy I-don't-know-what. I was fine, physically, other than being a little shaken up. My car has a few fairly large paint scratches on it. But other than that there is no damage. His car looked much worse than mine. It looked like the driver's headlight was smashed from the inside. The Disney World security pulled up in a van and drew up some paperwork. The English guy and I talked about Disney World and his trip while he did that. When it was over, I didn't want to drive home. Magic Kingdom was out of the question. I could deal with being a flake right then. I used up my cell phone battery bitching to my mom about the lack-of-bank situation. Serves me right. Even if I had been able to call someone and have them drive me back, I still would have to take care of my car somehow. So I had to drive back. It started to rain as I did.
I walked in the front door. Cara was playing a snowboarding video game. Stacey was in the kitchen. I didn't say anything. I put my stuff on my bed and walked out and just started to hug Cara from behind. I just needed sympathy. I needed to be held. I wanted my mommy (or my aunt, or Kelly, or my boyfriend. I debated whether or not to tell Kelly. But she already lost one best friend in a car accident. To tell her would not be a good idea). I told Cara what happened. She started hugging back. Stacey came over and started hugging me too. They gave me cold Chik-fill-a criss-cross fries.
I went into my room where my phone was charging and called my parents. My mom gave me the sympathy I wanted. My dad just asked questions very matter-of-factly. I didn't want to deal with that. I just needed to be sweet-talked and not discuss the papers i got. I was really hungry, and had wanted real, good pizza for sometime; not themepark pizza, and not that Take 5 Aramak crap. I was glad to have people around. We ordered pizza, pretty much because I said I wanted some and I was in an accident. We met Jacque on our way to the clubhouse to pick it up. They told her what happened she hugged me too. We came back to the apartment and ate. Cara played video games.
Jeremy eventually came over. I was so glad to see him (at first). I had it built up in my mind that he would come over, I would tell him all about it, and he would just sit with me and let me hold him and it would be really nice and just what I needed. He sat down and I held him. He just talked. He didn't really give off the warm fuzziness that I craved. Cara wanted me to play her snowboarding game. Jeremy got up and left.
Cara and I went swimming. I was not in the mood. I never am but I always go. I stayed in the spa. Cara wanted me to pick up a new guy. Cara is not crazy about Jeremy. Jeremy isn't too fond of Cara, especially since I told him Cara didn't like him much.
When I got back, Jeremy invited me over to a party at his apartment. It was a lot of fun.
Wednesday, September 17th, 2003
I worked at Produce most of that day. (I think; it's been awhile, the days kinda run together).
I met some a couple from Santa Clara. They said when they left the whether was 102 up there. It's nice here. It's warm, but there's only a little humidity (some days more than others obviously). There was a supposedly impending hurricane, Isabel. It pretty much missed Florida. It seems there's always an impending hurricane, and at the last minute they get downgraded to tropical annoyance.
I worked at Produce, and closed it, 2 days in a row. It's easy, except you have to drain all the water out of the ice carts.
I did my light laundry. Every time I walk in the door lately, Cara is there. Jeremy came over. Cara and I went swimming. Jeremy "just happened to show up" when we got there. Jeremy and Cara ended up splashing each other and I ended up trying to come between the 2 of them. Jeremy threw all the nicknames and bad names he heard (from me) about himself. Cara left eventually. Jeremy and I hung out at the pool, and later we went and got frozen pizza.
Thursday, September 18th, 2003
I worked at Rosie's kitchen on register all day. All the receipts I print say "AMANDA L" on them. I don't know why not Amanda H. That kinda scares me a bit though. I was about 15 minutes late for work because I turned in costumes, and because I lost and recovered my driver's license and nametag in about 10 minutes. (I almost had to be Nancy for the day; I don’t think I could’ve handled being Nancy).
They didn't give me a break until after 6 (I started at 12:30; at least it made the rest of the day go by real fast). Cafeteria was closed. I had nothing to eat. I've got to get me some cash one of these days. In Take 5, they have vending machines that have frozen food in them. The assigner, who's on a no-carb diet, accidentally got a frozen pizza. He gave it to me.
I had to bank out of Rosie's and then go help clean Scoops (as long as I don't have to serve there). I did get one lady while on register yesterday, kinda made me angry. Obviously didn't speak English as a 1st, or possibly even 2nd language. She didn't make her order clear. So she got it, and she was unsatisfied, and so I tried to add on, and she was just being kinda bitchy and really unclear, and saying i wasn't giving her enough change as a result. I am usually patient with foreigners and trying to understand their accents. But I just wanted to scream at this lady, "Learn some bloody English!" I so wanted to vent on the customers who waited patiently behind her. I didn't. But they sympathized with me (first). The even said, "People should learn to speak English before they get into this country." "Thank you!"
I changed back into my street clothes before I went back home. I bought a piece of fudge on my way out and checked to see if the engraving machine was working yet. It's been broken ever since i got here. I thought I would get Kelly a Bruce honorary cast member nametag. That is, if the damn machine ever starts working again, because like I say, no one who comes to WDW is named Bruce, so they have to make it special. I need to get something for Miho too. Her birthday is in October also.
I walked in the door, and everyone was going to PI, right after Stacey and Erik got back. I, without consulting them, invited Jeremy. Jacque and Cara started yelling, "No! Don't bring the boy!" They screamed the whole time I was on the phone with him. I told him they didn't want him to go. I think Jeremy accepted just to spite them. I'm not too into the PI scene. I just like the excuse of getting to dress like a slut and wear my boots. Cara yelled at me, "But I'm not taking anyone!" (And I don't want to go by myself). Erik liked my tight Angus Young shirt. I like Erik as a friend. I can talk music with him.
Jeremy moved out of his noisy party apartment. He lives right by the pool now. I went over and waited for him to get dressed. He told me when I walked in I looked nice. (Yay!) When we got back to my apartment everyone left already. We took my car and stopped off at McDonald's for him to eat.
We got to PI just as the fireworks were going off overhead. We went into the top 40 club, Motions. We found the other 4, (I don't know what happened to Jacque). Jeremy got a beer and we left. We went into 8Trax for about 1 song. (Disco sucks, and the 80's were worse). There was a band on the open stage playing classic rock. I like listening to them. They played songs by Pink Floyd, Guns 'n' Roses, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, and Bon Jovi. I enjoyed that sorta music I can like, sing and dance to. But Jeremy wasn't into the whole dancing thing much.
Cara, Stacey, Erik and Julie found us. Jeremy was just standing near Cara and me. "Go away!" she said to him. Cara started dancing with me. I didn't want to dance with her, not when I had a guy to dance with. I made him dance with me because, "I don't want to look like a loser dancing with Cara." He quipped, "Anyone would look like a loser dancing with Cara. (Not that you'll look much better dancing with me)." "At least you're a guy." We danced for one song by the classic rock group. Cara was very drunk. Jeremy went up to her and said, "So, where's your guy?" (I had to laugh). "Which one? I've got 2." "Well I don't see any,” he said. "Shut up!" she said. (I was cracking up). She threatened to throw Erik's drink on him. She later told me, when she was sober, that that remark was not appreciated.
Jeremy and I went back to Motions. It was too hard to dance. Every Cast Member was at that club I think. We left. I went back to his new, quiet, empty apartment for a bit. We just kinda chilled there. I left at about 2.
Friday, September 19th, 2003
On Friday, I worked at the Fry stand for the first 4 hours of my day on register. I got to work with Thomas. He's a cool guy from Albany. Almost exactly half way through my shift they gave me a break (perfect!). I was told by one of my fellow Cast Members that someone asked her why we are forced to wear our specific costumes. She said, "Because it goes with the theme." According to her, the guy commented, "They were not very cute." (I actually think they are incredibly sexy. Nothing does it for a guy like puffy sleeves and a skort). I told her she missed the perfect opportunity for a sarcastic answer (that's what I would do). "They tell me it builds character." "Because if it doesn't kill me it makes me stronger." After that, I worked Produce register, and then at the last minute they had me filling orders at Eddie's Pizza. I got to work with Steven. I had to close.
I walked in the front door, Cara, Jacque, and Jenny were watching TV. "Can you be ready to go to the movies in about 10 minutes?" (What? You don't want me to go in my lollypop outfit?). One of the things they said outright to me was "No boys allowed!" "Even Erik?" I said. "No boys are attending." (That I don't mind, it's good to just hang out with the girls). Cara, Jacque, and I went. Jenny wasn't invited. I drove us to the AMC at Downtown Disney West Side. We had to wait almost an hour to see our movie. So we went and played in Virgin Records for a bit.
We saw Underworld. It was an interesting movie; the plot was good. But it was definitely not my usual movie fair. (I don't know if the 2 are mutually exclusive). I enjoyed it. It seemed like I should have had a problem following it, but i didn't; they just didn't tell everything right off, which i admire as a writer. There was no color in that movie. It was all black and blue, some red but it wasn't even a bright red, or variations thereon. It was about Vampires vs. Werewolves (or Likens) and the human who accidentally gets involved in the war. I liked all the outfits that the girl vampires wore. Even the main character, Seline, who was involved with the work of killing the Likens, was usually a pretty hot tight leather thing and tall boots. The rest of them were very decadent, and sat around in very gothic but very fancy dresses.
After the movie, I came back, and Jeremy had called (again, apparently; I excused myself before the movie started and informed someone in his new, quiet house of my plans, which he was cool with. I didn't want to do it in front of Jacque and Cara, I didn't need their insults about it, plus it's rude to them. They would underderstand if they had guys). I went over to his apartment after we got back.
Saturday, September 20th, 2003
On Saturday, I worked from 12:30-9:00, closing, like I do every other bloody day! I worked at the fry stand for the first bit, then later at the Turkey Legs place where I closed. I usually work in about 3 different positions. The one before my break, the one after my break, and the one about a ten minutes to a half hour before we close so that I can close at somewhere completely different than my last status.
When I was working the fry cart, some lady asked me "Do you sell McDonald's hamburgers here?" (I get this a lot; it says Fries right there in big bold letters on the sign, there are no burgers on the menu, yet they still must ask, in case it's a secret). "No, we just sell fries here." "Is there another stand or something like this that sells McDonald's Hamburgers?" "No, I believe the only park that sells them is the Animal Kingdom." (I’m still not 100% sure if this is true; if it is though it doesn’t makes the statement totally stupid). "So you don't have another little place that sells them here at this park?" (What did I just say?!). Rachel told me later that she wanted to surprise me at work but couldn't find me. (Aw! How sweet!).
MGM closes at 8:00 now, which means I generally get off a half hour earlier. The best part about this is I get to see Epcot's fireworks from Illuminations while i wait for the bus. They always send a "special" short bus, which is packed full by the time it actually gets there. And it's always packed full, especially when they send the one with the broken seat where if you lean back in it the person behind you can do dental work on you. One time on the bus, i was one of the last ones on, all the seats were taken. Another girl and I started to make my way to the back, and 2 guys got up and offered us their seats. (You don't see chivalry like that much anymore). Once they sent a big ol' 1970's bus for us. It was fabulous; no one had to touch anyone.
On Saturday, (back to reality), The bus driver told the full house that they were not allowed to stand. We left at about 9:20. It is supposed to leave from MGM or Vista Way on every 20th minute. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get to the park/apartments themselves. We were back I think by 9:25.
There was a message on my cell phone, from the last person I expected to hear from again, Louis, the guy I met at PI and danced and kissed with. He claimed in his message he lost his phone, and he really wanted to see me again. He sounded half dead. He never called me first. We were supposed to get together one Tuesday, the day before I met Jeremy, in fact. I told him the building where I lived, he could have guessed-and-checked my number, like I did; if I did tell him my last name, he could have gotten it looked up. I told him where I worked, he could have attempted to find me. There are a bunch of things he could have done to try and find me if he was that interested. But he wasn't. I have made a commitment to Jeremy. I am not going to mess that up, especially with some flaky guy who is not nearly as cute, or respectful (Jeremy's sweet too, and cute; it was worth repeating). I debated the appropriate course of action. I shall show him the same courtesy he showed me. I can't wait around forever. I'm not gonna be on this program indefinitely. Still, hearing him call was just kind of an "Oh, crap!" for me. Never expected that to come bite me in the rear.
I went and decided I wanted to cash my paychecks and get groceries that night. Jeremy was working till 11:30; I wouldn't see him until at least midnight. I invited "anyone who wanted to go with me." This meant Erik, Stacey and Cara. First we went to Goodings, which is an uppity grocery store nearby that cashes checks for only 50 cents. I got my 2 smallest checks done first. (They wouldn't do my most recent, and big one along with the others).
We then went to Walmart. I bought real food at Walmart; real food that I have been eating (or at least that I have been partially eating, and Jeremy has also been eating). I dropped off my film from the first half of my hotel adventure. I started working on that before I had a life. I can get it today. So, I'm proud of myself, I'm actually eating...somewhat.
When I got back, I tried to call my parents. They weren't home. I had a truly brilliant conversation with my brother, which he failed to pass along to my parents.
I got back to my apartment. I later saw Jeremy. I went back to his apartment for a while. Jeremy and I walked back to my place. On the way over, there was a little blonde girl on a bench. "What's your name?" she said as we were walked by. Both Jeremy and I assumed she was talking to him. I started to grab his arm to claim my man. (I already tried the direct approach; he's mine!). "My name is--" I don't think Jeremy even got it all the way out. "No, not you. The girl." (Meaning me; the conversation was as terse as it is written). "Amanda." "Where you from?" "California." "How'd you get here?" "Drove." "How old are you?" "20." "Wow! Are you two engaged?" "No." "Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?" "Yes." "How long have you been together?" "A week." "Are you having sex?" "None of your damn business." "Are you happy?" "Yes." "Oh, ok. Bye" "Uh, bye." Jeremy and I walked away. "Do you know her?" "No." Great. Before I couldn't get any dates. Now I could get up to 3. I think she was hitting on me. I can't imagine what else all the questions would be about. She tripped me out. I'm still not over it. I assume she was hitting on me. But where does she get off asking me if I'm having sex?
Jeremy and I concluded that it's insane for us to be engaged. Some people get married on the day they meet. I don't know exactly what's going on with us. I know that this isn't just about making out. We spend a lot of time together and neither of us seems to mind too much. Yet, I've never cared about a guy in this way before, or been so glad that he was around and an aspect of my life. (This is going to suck if we're still together when January comes around). He returns my feelings. I just wonder what it's all about. It seems like I've been with him since immediately after I got here. He's told his family about me. (I called him "my boyfriend" to my dad over the phone one day. It was funny. There was this long pause, followed by clarifying what I just said). Jeremy thinks I'm special. He does things to intentionally aggravate me, also because he likes my reactions to them. I'm trying not to think too much and just let whatever happens happen. Because he does things to intentionally irritate me, he asked me, "Why are you dating me?" My initial response was, "To piss off Cara." I told him it was because he was cute, he was a good kisser, he seemed to like me back, if his little aggravations don't kill me they makes me stronger. Plus he treated me good, better than I've ever been treated by a guy.
Sunday, September 21st, 2003
On Sunday, that was an interesting day. I went to work at 3:00. I only had to work 6 hours. I was on Turkey Legs register for the first part of my day. One of the things I hate most about working at that place is they turn the fans on the windows so high, to keep the bugs off, it's hard to grab the paper money with it. The fan blows them away half the time. Sunset Ranch complex generates the 2nd most amount of revenue of any fast food restaurant in WDW. Then they gave me my break. It was a whole 15 minutes long. I wasn't quite sure what to do with all that time and myself. I went to the bathroom and bought a candy bar out of a vending machine. Then I went to Produce stocker. It is the one job where I can be consistently busy if I try. They always need, or will need something.
I came back from the backstage with something, probably more ice for the fruit holder deelies (my technical term). About 3 different people told me that the fry cart needed to be drained. "By the way, the fry cart needs to be drained." "Ugh, ok." (It's interesting how the people in the Fry Cart assume that the produce stocker is also the Fry Cart stocker). "Amanda, when you got a minute they need you at fry cart." "I know." (Someone comes out of the fry building) "Amanda--" "I know!" Right in the middle of that madness, Jeremy came looking for me. I found him before he saw me. It's always good to see people I know at work. He says he tried to find me later. I didn't know how to drain the damn cart, so the guy on register did it and I took over for him while he did it. I had to drive that cart to and from backstage. It's a pain to steer. At the last minute that day they decided they wanted me to close bussing on the Tower side of where I worked. They let me go home a half hour early, which meant I got to take the bus that left 20 minutes earlier. It was nice.
While closing bussing, someone asked me the stupidest question since I had to answer the one twice. "Where is the 8:00 parade?" (I'll give you a hint, not here!).
Since I finally cashed those checks, I finally got to do some (black) laudry (and pay some people back). While i was in the process of doing that, the nosy lesbian walked by. "Hey! Watcha doin'?!" "Uh, laundry." "Oh, OK!"
Went swimming with Jeremy that night. Took care of my dark laundry.
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