Keeping Busy

Well, things are finally all getting in to a usual grove for me these days. I’ve got a great schedule with work and head to the YMCA almost every day after work. It’s nice to have a job that I love what I do and really enjoy what I do to keep things exciting. I’m also keeping busy with traveling and visiting family in Naples. I was down there last weekend with Mom, Dad and my brother and will be down again this coming week for Thanksgiving with my cousins. It’s always nice to get away for a weekend and relax. Yesterday I had a nice visit int he parks with my college roommate Aaron and we couldn’t have asked for a better day weather wise and attendance wise in the parks.

Today I am just relaxing and cleaning around the house. Not much to watch on TV so I have been flipping though Netflix on my Apple TV looking for something good to watch. So far, nothing that is peaking my interest yet. Time for more laundry and ironing. Anyways, just a quick update for now.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/11/keeping-busy/

Weekend with Dad and another Cruise

Well, work has been going great. I am still very much loving the new role and to date, could not be happier where I am at. It’s also been a nice relaxing last couple of weeks. First, Dad came down for a father and son weekend which was nice and relaxing and included a relaxing visit to Eckerd College, Ft De Soto State Park and the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Here are a few pictures from the visit to St. Petersburg.


So what else can make last week better? How about finishing it off with a 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Wonder? My friend Brian and I took a last minute cruise deal and decided to head to the Bahamas for the weekend. Pictures are up below. That’s all for now folks. I’m back to cleaning house and getting settled back in to dry land.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/10/weekend-with-dad-and-another-cruise/

Relaxing Weekend

So, I’m still getting used to having Saturday and Sunday off after being off different days for so many years. So far, I am really enjoying my new role and am really going to like where this will bring me in my career. Today I’ve been pretty productive and have gone to the bank, the YMCA Aquatic Center and Publix before coming home and cleaning the house. Just taking a break now and then meeting up with some friends later tonight.

I also wanted to share something cool I picked up the other night at The Art of Disney. I had read about these great new items coming out for Disneyland’s 55th Birthday but, I never would have believed that they would show up here in Florida. The first thing I got was the ceramic version of the original paper cups used at Disneyland and the second is a tea cup modeled after the originals in the Mad Tea Party ride. I just htink these are cool and worth checking out. Anyways, that’s all I have for now. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/08/relaxing-weekend/

New Directions

Well, yesterday marked my last day in Ticketing after three years in the role. I have learned a lot and grown a lot while working at Walt Disney World Ticketing. I’ve moved from Park Operations to Finance, expanded from Walt Disney World to Disneyland and Hong  Kong Disneyland and met a lot of really great people along the way. It has been a please working with all of you.

Tomorrow, I will embark on a new role for the first time in three years. I will be moving over as a project coordinator to Global Park Operations. This is a role that is right up my ally with my background in main entrance, Guest Relations, ticketing and attractions. I am looking forward to the new start and new direction I am heading now in my career with The Walt Disney Company.

Before I close though, I thought I would share the really great parting gift my team at Ticketing gave to me at my going away party. For those that do not know what it is, it is a Vinylmation which is a new collectible custom figure from the Art of Disney. Thank you all again and I have to say, I love the vinyl.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/08/new-directions/

Why I Turned In My BlackBerry and Went Android, and I love it

So for those that know me, you all know that I have been a long time BlackBerry user. I’ve been through four devices in the last 5+ years and I have loved my BlackBerrys over the years. Last month, I left all of that behind and deiced to jump on the Android wagon and got a T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide. This so far has been a big change for me but, one that I am still very happy with. So why did I leave my BlackBerry behind and move to Android? I wanted something new. My BlackBerry Curve 8900 was over a year and a half old and was due to be replaced. I loved the device and very much considered upgrading to the Bold 9700. The main reason I didn’t stay with BlackBerry was the lack of what I saw of innovation for the future. The BlackBerry is a great platform but, it hasn’t changed much in the 5 years I’ve used it. Sure there have been system updates but, the OS still very much is the same as it was. That’s where Android interests me. Android is 100% Open Source and thanks to the new App Inventor launched today by Google, anyone can write their own Android App. This is what makes me feel that Android is where the mobile phone platform is moving.

Several of my friends have already asked me why I didn’t get the iPhone 4 which came out roughly the same time I got my MyTouch 3G Slide. There are several reasons why I didn’t get it. 1.) It’s only on AT&T. I’ve had T-Mobile for almost 10 years. AT&T doesn’t come close to offering the same service I have now. 2.) iOS is a closed platform. You are locked to only getting your apps from the App Store and only those apps approved by Apple. 3.) The device in my mind is restrictive. There is only one model to pick from and all you can choose is the size. Don’t get my wrong, the iPhone is a nice phone but, it’s not what I am looking for.

I read an interesting article today on All Things Digital by Louis Gray entitle,  Why I Turned In My iPhone and Went Android. Though I left BlackBerry behind instead of an iPhone, I think the comparison is still very similar. I want something that will continue to grow and be developed. Something that even I could create my own app to do what ever I need it to do. I need a phone that I can truly make mine. So for those looking for a new phone, get an Android. You won’t be disappointed.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/07/why-i-turned-in-my-blackberry-and-went-android-and-i-love-it/

Almost home, finally

Well, I’m finally on my way back home to Orlando (as I write this on the plane). As I said in my last post, it’s been a whirlwind of a week. I was home for about 18 hours on Thursday before hoping on a plane to Minnesota to visit home. I’m going to need to recover still from the cruise.

Trip home was short, only three nights, but was a full weekend. I was about to see a few friends but was mostly home for Mom. For those that don’t know, Mom has been working on her Doctorate in Education and had her graduation this past Saturday. So needless to say, it’s been a busy weekend with family and celebrating Mom.

Tomorrow will be my first day back to office after being off for ten days. Here’s to 200+ emails. Yes, that is after I’ve already cleaned out some while I was on the cruise and home. No other major plans coming up in the near future so it will be nice to get back in to my routine and get back to going to the Y.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/05/almost-home-finally/

Whirlwind of a Day

Well today has been a productive day despite being a complete whirlwind. I debarked from the Disney Wonder around 9 this morning and took Mom and Dad to the airport. Since coming home, I have done all of my laundry and repacked my suitcase for flying out first thing in the morning to Minneapolis. I also got a chance to hit the YMCA today to help burn off some of the great meals I’ve had over the last four days. Just about to go get some dinner now before crashing early but, my latest photos from this past cruise are now up and can be found here or check out the slide show below.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/05/whirlwind-of-a-day/

A Model Vacation on Disney Cruise Line – Exclusive Tilt-Shift Video

Check out this amazing Tilt-Shift video from Disney Cruise Line. It’s almost as good as being on the real thing. Video is from the Disney Parks Blog

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/04/907/

New Host

So, after almost 6+ years, I decided it was time to move Webby Aquatics to a new home. Starting today, Webby Aquatics is now hosted by Super Green Hosting. Not only is are these guys cheaper than my old host, they offer so much more options and services than my old one. Most everything from my pervious install of WordPress moved over but, it looks like there might be a few random characters that will pop up due to the nature of importing and exporting SQL files.

Also, in the interest of Earth Day coming up, Webby Aquatics is now 100% Green hosted thanks to Super Green Hosting.

  • The energy used to power this websites server, is 100% ‘Green’ renewable energy
  • This website is hosted on a ‘Green’ energy efficient server
  • By going green this website has contributed to the Super Green Hosting ‘Green’ tree planting project
  • My web hosting company employ ‘Green’ ethics throughout their data centers and offices.

Green Web Hosting

So look for more updates to come!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/04/new-host/

February 2010 Cruise Photos

My cruise photos are now up from my 4 day cruise on the Disney Wonder this weekend.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/02/february-2010-cruise-photos/