Sunday, February 24, 2013

Pacific Northwest Mousemeet

We live in the Pacific Northwest.  Beautiful as it is here there is some challenge involved to keep some Disney in every day happenings.  Luckily we have a treasure here north of Seattle.  The yearly Pacific Northwest Mousemeet!  A yearly celebration that consists of a one day event held at the Convention Center in Lynnwood, WA.  



The PNW Mousemeet began in 2009 with a small number of attendees.  2013 will mark the 5th year of existence - the event has grown to accomodate 400 attendees and keynote speakers that will blow your Mickey Mouse socks off!

 
 




I have had the privledge to attend the PNW Mousemeet in 2011 and 2012 - (I am not sure how I missed out the first 2 years).   My Disney crazy niece Erin passed the word to me and well... I won't ever miss one again! 

The PNW Mousemeet is a one day event filled with Disney fun - complete with an official "Rope Drop" and many other areas and experiences - complete with an Exhibit Hall - Games - Prizes - Jolly Holliday Cafe' - and many other Disney "themed touches" - even the trash cans!   

In the past few years keynote speakers have included- Jack Lindquist, Floyd Norman, Marty Sklar, Bob Gurr, Margaret Kerry, Jeff Kurtti, Tony Baxter, Paige O'Hara just to name a few!  Definately heavy hitters in the Disney community!  All insightful and interesting speakers.  This event limits attendance to only 400 pre ticketed guests and because of that is a very intimate setting.  Attendees are able to hear these wonderful folks share about their Disney experiences, occupations, and just general fandom!  During the Exhibit Hall time... all of the speakers are available to meet the attendees, sign autographs and chat a little.  Awesome!



Several vendors are present as well to mix and display booths at the Mousemeet... some of the vendors who have participated in past PNW Mousemeets include -
WDW Radio Lou Mongello to meet people and answer lots of questions,   MEI Mousefan Travel is on hand to answer your Disney travel questions (the last 3 years they have also donated trips to Disney that attendees have a free chance to win at the end of the PNW Mousemeet YES - DISNEY trips),  Mousetalgia - The Wildest podcast in the Wilderness! The whole crew usually is attendance - Here is an explanation from their website of what they are all about - Mousetalgia is a place for fans of Disney to express their passion for anything Disney. As a venture based on the west coast, Team Mousetalgia plans to use this podcast to discuss topics regarding Disneyland Resort, the Walt Disney Family Museum (located in San Francisco, CA), and the general impact of the Disney company on today's culture.



Pictured here are the 4 hosts of Mousetalgia - from left to right... Kristin, Jeff, (and ME), Dave, and Becky.  (Can you tell I am big fan of Mousetalgia?)

The PNW Mousemeet is a terrifc event and one well worth attending!  A great way to get a really big dose of DISNEY right here in Washington State!  But - watch the website - once registration opens it fills quickly - with only 400 attendees you don't want to miss out!  So run to the ticket booth and secure your spot before capacity is reached!  Tickets for the 2013 PNW Mousemeet will go on sale soon... the event this year will be held on Saturday - June 29th.  Mark your calendar!  Go HERE to purchase tickets when they are available.

 
 
PNW Mousemeet also holds several "Mini Meets" and recently a few "Mouse Treks" during the rest of the year... Click on the word to find out about those events!
 
 
 
 
*thank you to allears.net for some of these photos.
 
More photos from past Mousemeets...
 

Jack Lindquist - the first official President of Disneyland - PNW Mousemeet 2011





 
 



 
Yes - the only place to get authentic Dole Whip north of the California border!

 My neice Erin with Marty Sklar (above right) and Tony Baxter (below left)





Wednesday, February 13, 2013

New races on the calendar

After completing the Tinkerbell Half Marathon and coming home... the clouds set in for a week or so and I wondered to myself?  What do I do now?  I am a newbie to running and had this Half Marathon goal for a better part of almost 2 years.  Well - now I had done it... where next?

My running friends said... "Set a new goal!"  So I am looking forward it is helping... I have registered for three 5Ks and have plans of another Half in September.  I also have loose plans to return to Anahaim and run the Tinkerbell Half 2014! (The plans are pretty firm actually ... just have to register this summer when it opens for that)! 

The first race I registered for is as a virtual runner... this means you register and run the mileage on your own... it is for a great cause... http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/Events/Sandy_Hook_Run_for_the_Families.htm  It is the Sandy Hook Run for the Families.  This race benefits the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy that happened last December 14, 2012 in Connecticutt.


I am excited about the 5K this July at SAFECO Field!  http://refusetoabuse5k.org/  The finish line is the third base line on the field!  Exciting!

Another fun one I am planning on signing the whole family up for is the Super Hero 5K on April 13th!  Looks like lots of fun! http://afterschooladventure.org/uncategorized/the-firs-super-hero-5k-runwalk/


 
 I love these shoes... I want these shoes... I am a big fan of being fitted for the correct shoes for what a certain person needs... but I think I would wear these anyway.  When I was at the recent Tinkerbell Half Meet Up in January 2013 at Disneyland - they gave away 4 pairs of these via name drawings while we were at the meet up.  For the drawing portion I was sitting at a table with 2 very nice girls I had met from the #rundisney facebook page.  Both of them were drawn for a pair of these shoes... me?  Nada.

HERE is a fun video of how New balance came up with the concept and design of these shoes for runDisney.

As far as I know the only way to purchase these wildly popluar shoes is to attend a runDisney evet and get in line... say a prayer and maybe you will be able to purchase them (I believe they are about $125).  The only other way is to go on EBAY, bid on a pair, and end up paying WAY more than the New Balance price. 

Good Luck.
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