I love Disney World. Notice how I said love and not loved. If I could justify it, I would still go every year. However, as a mid-20’s single man with no children it is hard to tell everyone you are headed to Orlando for some Mickey time. Back in my Glory Days though, my folks would take us there often and the whole time I was there you couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. “It’s a Small World”, “Space Mountain”, “The Haunted Mansion”, “Mr. Toads Wild Ride”… the list of adventure never ends. Hell, even “The Hall of Presidents” was fun! I don’t know what it is about walking down Main Street USA that makes all of my problems just disappear. Maybe I should decorate my office in Disney apparel. At least I’d be happy all the time… or get fired really quick. Either way, work wouldn’t be an issue anymore. Am I alone Nation or is Disney World the most magical thing this side of Déjà Vu Christmas? If you forgot the magic, take a quick trip back.

Even though the Olympics are a two-week segment of athletic entertainment for most of us, my friend Chris Uhl has been privlidged to be more than just a spectator for the 2008 Games in Beijing. Chris traveled over to China in June and has been working as a sous chef in the Olympic Village since! I’ve been checking in on his blog to check out stories and photos from the inside. What a remarkable, yet challenging experience! Good work, Chris, and thanks for sharing.

Chris Uhl’s Blog

Today I was stopped by the world’s longest train… or at least what appeared to be the world’s longest train. I was the car right up next to the track, so I got a birds eye view at all the passing boxcars. It turned out to be awesome. I sat in awe of the amazing graffiti art splattered across the sides of these things. Some of these works must have literally took days to create. It made me wonder 2 things: 1) Where the hell are all of those fat train yard security guards and vicious attack dogs that the movies have been showing? 2) Why are these people not brought into the mainstream of art? They are clearly more talented than most of these fools claiming to be the next Picasso. If I could write the name of my gang or hood in big, awesome 3-D bubble letters with sweet neon colored paint, I would like to think I could make some scratch off of it. I think the train car builders need to hire these guys to be their painters. That way we could get rid of those rustic and steel looking colors that make long trains so damn depressing to wait out. Spice it up Union Pacific! Just a thought…

I can’t believe I am saying this, but I like the Olympics. That is tough for me to comprehend because up until this past week I have not been a fan. It could be Michael Phelps’s dominating performances that drew me in. It might have been the magical (an allegedly video enhanced) atmosphere of Beijing during the Opening Ceremonies. Perhaps it is just the hotness factor of the U.S. Gymnastic, Swimming, and Beach Volleyball teams. Whatever it is, I am now hooked. I even watch crap like this…

What has the world come to? Are you guys enjoying the Olympics or am I alone here?

Beijing tourism officials are asking restaurants not to serve xiangrou, aka - dog meat, during the Olympic Games this summer. If a patron of the restaurant requests a dog dish, the wait staff is supposed to suggest an alternative. I was very disappointed to hear this. One of my favorite parts of traveling is trying the local cuisine! When you go to Chicago, you demand the deep dish pizza. When you go to Galveston, you sample the shrimp kisses. When you go to China, you should be able to consume the canine.