The Traveling Mickey

Conversations with Mickeys

2008-02-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Before you ask, yes, this title is intended to be a clever take on Michael Eisner's television show Conversations with Michael Eisner. By the way, did you know he had his own show?

Anyway, the other day tTM thought it'd be interesting to compare himself with the vintage Mickey Mouse, as seen here. Both have the same red shorts and friendly smiles, but that's where the similarities end.

Still, it's fun to compare. And don't worry, any upcoming post here will not be nearly as boring as this was, I assure you.

He's Back!

2008-01-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

That's right, tTM is back in full force, although he's snowed in and unable to go anywhere. Check this blog for new updates, as there is a huge surprise in store for this coming February!

Look, someone's homesick!

2007-09-22T11:51:00.001-07:00

Poor Mickey, he wants to go home to Disneyland! This morning I caught him sitting underneath my bedroom's "Privacy" sign, taken directly from Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. This can only mean one thing: he's anxious to visit his hometown (or is it homepark?). No worries, because I am too.

Since school started in early September, tTM and I have had little time to go out and about, which is the reason behind the lack of updates. For those of you interested, Mickey has spent the past few weeks loafing around the house and watching the Disney Channel, while I've been studying hard in class. If you want pictures of that, I'd be glad to provide them!

Notice

2007-09-16T19:54:00.001-07:00

The Traveling Mickey will be taking a short break, which you may or may not have already noticed. See you soon!

Mickey's trip to the heart of Seattle

2007-08-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

Here you have it, the amazing update mentioned in last Friday's post: a visit to Seattle!

There's not a whole lot to do in Seattle besides browse shops, listen to music, take photographs and ride the monorail. Mickey, my mother and I managed to do all of these things in the course of four hours. We even stopped for lunch!

The neat thing about Seattle is everyone and anyone is accepted, so I hardly received a second glance for toting a stuffed Mickey Mouse with me while perusing stores. In fact, I think my little act was appreciated by most! But that is most certainly not the point of the entry; instead, I'm here to tell you about Mickey's point of view.

Well, Mickey was actually tucked away in a Disneyland bag for most of the visit. He's used to this by now, so don't worry. I did take him out on various occasions, which you can see in the many photos I've posted.

First and foremost, we rode the monorail. Fortunately for us, we didn't crash into another vehicle or burst into flames, and instead arrived mostly in one piece at the Westlake Center Mall. I was planning on heading straight towards Nordstrom, but Mickey (actually, my mother) noticed a Thomas Kinkade store and, in the display window, a giant print of his famed "Disneyland 50th Anniversary" painting. I think I have a smaller version of thise piece, I don't know. Anyway, I jumped at this ingenius photo oppurtunity and, as you can see from the above picture, Mickey jumped as well.

Fast forward many minutes spent staring at designer items in Nordstrom and Barney's New York, a quick lunch of frozen yogurt at a café, and suddenly we've arrived back at the Seattle Center monorail station, where I'm ecstatic to take a photo of Mickey. Once I'm satisfied with the result, I bolt towards the heart of Seattle, the Space Needle, and take plenty of pictures. Mickey and I also see plenty of suspicious characters wandering about, so we leave and head towards the Experience Music Project.

In case you didn't know, the EMP is hosting "The Music behind the Magic," a 10-month event centering around the history of Disney music. Because of this, they've got plenty of Mickey Mouse related signs and banners, all combining for a perfect picture.

Lastly, tTM posed with a random pig near our parking garage. I don't know the history of the statue nor why it was placed there, but a pig is a pig. Everything was going smoothly until something, probably the pig, began singing. This obviously bothered Mickey, but as quickly as we noticed the voice, it was gone. Luckily, I filmed most of the song.

Mickey and friends, literally.

2007-08-24T19:06:00.001-07:00

I promised my readers a few days ago that this week would be "full of interesting adventures" for Mickey, and I intend to fulfill that. Things happen, though, and I sometimes forget that tTM exists and leave the stuffed mouse at home. Fortunately for you and me, I remembered to bring Mickey today when I went to the local mall.

Out of sheer shyness, I kept Mickey stuffed in my bag the majority of the visit. However, upon arriving at the Disney Store I immediately lunged for Mickey, a ingenious plan forming in my mind.

What I failed to realize before entering the store was how much of a similarity tTM bore to the other Mickey's for sale. As you can see in the very first picture, there's no definite difference aside from the tags. As a result, I was feeling quite anxious to take the pictures and get out.

Mickey felt differently, though, and had the time of his life posing with cardboard castles, piles of stuffed mice and a statue in his honor. I'm guessing he either didn't see the employees as they cast questioning looks at us, or he simply chose to ignore them. In any case, some great pictures came out of the trip, and now I don't have to post here for another few days. Keep your eyes peeled, though, as I have an amazing update planned for sometime next week.

Just an update

2007-08-20T16:17:00.000-07:00

Now that he's added "major university" to his list of visited attractions, there's not much else for tTM to see in life. As a result, he's been spending his spare time around cats, even if they're not particularly interested in his company.

This upcoming week promises to be full of interesting adventures, don't you worry. But for now Mickey is lying low, having resorted to simply dreaming of traveling to various places.

Mickey visits WSU!

2007-08-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

He's been to Disneyland, Target and Red Robin, so what next but to visit Washington State University?

Yesterday morning tTM and my family left for a 5 hour drive to WSU. Though Mickey didn't exactly grasp what all we were doing there, he enjoyed posing for photographs in front of Stephenson Complex, WSU's entrance sign and a fun cougar-themed gas station convenience store.

Despite being stuck in the backseat of our car the majority of the trip, Mickey managed to have a smile on his face the entire day and a half we were gone. In fact, right now he's sitting on the floor next to me, a grin taking up half his face. What a trooper!

What can I get you to drink?

2007-08-15T15:10:00.001-07:00

Hard as it is to believe, even mice need to quench their thirst sometimes. TTM thinks a large Diet Coke from Disneyland will do the trick, but in this case an iced tea works just as well.

As you can see, tTM came along with my family and I to lunch at Red Robin yesterday. Luckily he didn't attract too much attention, just a few courtesy smiles and stares. Perhaps it's common for people to stroll in with a stuffed Mickey Mouse peeking from their bags.

Safety first!

2007-08-14T16:18:00.001-07:00

In today's entry, tTM demonstrates a few general rules of safety while traveling.

First and foremost, always wear a seat belt. TTM shows us the proper way to do so in both the first and second picture, namely the first. Of course, if you're "petite" like Mickey, you should consider a booster seat. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a decent mouse-friendly seat for sale. If you happen to come across one, leave me a comment.

In the second photo, we see Mickey sitting in a Target shopping cart. In an effort to stay secure no matter the speed of the cart, the mouse has taken the provided seat belt and buckled it, ensuring his safety.

Moreover, when the seat belt in question has the ability to go over one's ear (see photo #1), do so. You know, there's no such thing as being too safe. And that's the whole idea of today's post. No matter where you're headed, make sure your safety is in top shape.

And so our journey begins.

2007-08-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

Originally a flat lump of material sitting in a box at Build-a-Bear Workshop, the Traveling Mickey was "built" on August 7, 2007, in Disneyland's Downtown Disney.

From the moment stuffing was pumped inside his body, the moment stitches carefully sealed his delicate body, the moment his owner Nicole took him in her hands the first time and squeezed him lightly, the Traveling Mickey knew he was destined for adventure. Of course, Nicole's creating of this blog couldn't hurt.

This picture, taken inside a room at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, is the first of many to be shown on this blog. This is where the Traveling Mickey started his journey around the world. Who knows where he'll be next?