Kali and friends at the Mansion's 30th anniversary festivities, 1999.
So I’ve been woefully out of touch with the Haunted Mansion scene lately, partly because I don’t have time and partly because I’m sick to death of the merch-o-rama effect that surrounds every attraction milestone. I didn’t attend the 40th anniversary festivities that coincided with the D23 Expo back in September, but I did find this cute interactive Haunted Mansion feature at the Disney site. It features a version of Rolly Crump’s Corridor of Doors wallpaper (for your desktop – basically a larger version of what I offer at Better Haunts & Graveyards), a video clip on the mansion, a stretching portrait gag, little photo galleries, and more. Oh, and it also features my Disney alterego, Marc Davis’ April D., morphing from April to June to September to December. 🙂
My good friend Laurel Ann is conducting another superb themed event at her Austenprose blog, this time centered upon Jane Austen’s epistolary novella Lady Susan. From September 1-14, participate in a group read and enjoy insights from LA and her various guest bloggers.
From the White House, Barack Obama’s recording session for the NEW Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World. His apparent lack of knowledge regarding audio animatronics indicates that Dude needs to get his butt to a Disney theme park, STAT!
I’m a huge, huge, huge 1964-65 New York World’s Fair fan. And on May 23, I finally got to visit the Mecca of NYWF fandom – CORONA PARK at Flushing Meadows in Queens! My good-natured friend Dasha accompanied me. In fact, she assisted me greatly by taking a few photos (See a galleryful of my Corona Park images here).
Here are a few pics of the Unisphere, the fair’s official symbol and the embodiment of the fair’s aim: Peace through [global] understanding.
“It will remain as a permanent reminder of man’s aspirations for peace through understanding, and a symbol of his achievements in an expanding universe. Unisphere is truly the miracle in the meadow.”
This 900,000 pound stainless steel structure was designed by Gilmore Clark and engineered/constructed by United States Steel’s American Bridge Division.
Kali, the Unisphere, and the New York State Pavilion towers. Photographed by Dasha.Classic shot of the Unisphere with USTA-Arthur Ashe Stadium in the background. The tennis stadium sits where the Federal Building (aka the United States Pavilion) sat during the fair (and until 1976, when it was finally removed). Photo by Kali Pappas.The Unisphere and the New York State Pavilion observation towers. By Kali Pappas.NYS Pavilion observation towers, viewed through the "roof" of the Tent of Tomorrow. By Kali Pappas.More NYS Pavilion observation deck action. By Kali Pappas.
You can learn more about the Unisphere, the NYS Pavilion, and the rest of the fair at NYWF64.com, an excellent resource for NYWF enthusiasts.
