F = Fantasia

Fantasia

1940

Director: Joe Grant, Dick Huemer, Ben Sharpsteen

Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Orchestral music conducted by Leopold Stokowski is featured as the main focus of the 125 minute film. Each piece is accompanied by intense imagery. 

The music includes: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, Nutcracker Suite by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas, Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky, a jazz session, The Pastoral Symphony by Ludwig von Beethoven, Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky and Ave Maria by Franz Shubert.

The innovative Walt Disney developed the idea with Leopold Stokowski to show imagery to go with classical music. The critics hated the idea. The Fantasia Road Show, as it was dubbed was well received by the audiences and has made the TOP 50 list of all time high-grossing films.

Fantasia received an Academy Honorary Award in 1942.

Buy Fantasia: 

http://www.disneymovieslist.com/movies/details.asp?mov=fantasia

Half Marathon

No, I didn't half marathon today. But I am thinking about jumping in on the next one. I say I'm thinking about it because I haven't done any running of consequence for a couple of decades.

Yes, yes I did run a mile in under six minutes when it was required to pass Phys Ed. Yes, yes I did run after toddlers with lightning speed to keep them from the street, cars and other obstacles. But that was a long time ago, and without a reason to run, running stopped.

But today, after taking this photo of the half marathon shirt, hearing the cheers from half marathon runners and audience as they completed the race and seeing that while exhausted the marathoners all looked really happy, I thought to myself, maybe I could try this marathon thing.

The decision needs to be made by registration time. The next race is about six months away. The training schedule starts well after the registration due date which I think is clever of the marketing department. But I think if I'm going to register I need to be training too. Who knows at this point, it may be impossible to run so far?? They tell me know but I have no experience with this retraining as an old person.

Right now, its all about the best intentions.

http://www.examiner.com/article/winning-record-time-at-2013-tinker-bell-half-marathon

Half Marathon

Today was the half marathon at Disney Resort, Anaheim, California. I was privileged to number among the force of volunteers who helped to make the event a great success.

3:30a.m. & I don't see each other very often. It's quite dark at that time, even with the nearly full moon in the sky.

By 5:45a.m. the water station was up and ready for the nearly 50,000 runners, walkers and bicyclists. At the first water station there were participants in all conditions, from 'I'm a runner & 2 miles is nothing' to 'I've got a stitch in my side & this was a very big mistake but I'm not giving up.'

All the runners impressed me. The energy and smiles, not to mention the genuine 'Thank you' put a smile on my face. The enthusiasm was catching even though early morning isn't my thing and running in a large group isn't on my list.

But what I can do is pour water and hand cups to some very nice, health minded people who are great examples of what people can do when they set their mind to it.