Sometimes it really is the small things...

Go on. Sing-a-long. You know you want to...I'll turn my back while you rock out to this childhood classic.

After a strangely bizarre couple of days a little childhood nostalgia does wonders. Or maybe it is the brainwashing of Disney - we all know of the power that Disney has over us.

I have never been ashamed of my Disney obsession. And, as I continue to pretend to grow up I still find these movies just as captivating. Though there is so much more there for us as adults, not just the memories of our rose coloured youth.

And it's not just Disney. I still find myself watching Labyrinth every couple of months. No matter how much I wished the Goblin King to come and take me away from here he never showed up. Though, now that I think about it, if David Bowie/Jareth happened to show up now I would probably freak out and attack him with a baseball bat. It's those tight, tights...and the gym socks...you know what I mean, right? I don't have to spell it out? Still, Sarah was my idol when I was little. Her and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I know that you can see the trend building here.

Oh and we cannot forget The Princess Bride with such classic lines as "Inconceivable" or "I'm Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die..." Oh to be a child again...

And it's not just films that make me smile. It really is the small things. For instance, last night I caught up with a friend who had recently returned from overseas. We went out to a local restaurant, like the grown ups we pretend to be, and had real grown up food. Then there was the dessert. Oh, the beautiful magnificence of this dessert cannot be truly described. It was a hazelnut chocolate torte. And it was awesome.(Catching up with my friend was also awesome...but hazelnut chocolate torte, guys!) *

And, finally, it is 'officially' spring tomorrow though I can already feel it in the air. We have lambs bounding around like the spastic, joyful critters they are, the trees are slowly regaining their leaves and I have seen poppies and other spring flowers starting to open their buds.

So, even though I find myself stressed by work at least I know that I can distance myself from it enough to enjoy these small moments of pure awesome...

*Dear Friend, if you do read this, please rest assured that I had a great time catching up with you last night and that you are not second place to a dessert. No matter how amazing and delicious that dessert happened to be. I promise.

My Top Five Disney Films (Animated) and kidney stones...?

If you are starting to think that I am somewhat jinxed or cursed or just really unlucky I don't blame you but I'm just going to stay as optimistic as possible. The reason I say this as because I am currently trying to flush out a kidney stone - doesn't that sound sexy. What this basically means is I am trying to drink as much water as possible while hoping it doesn't get any worse otherwise I'm in for a trip to the hospital. (Which would make it the third trip in the space of 18 months.)

Enough of my moaning though. I've got a steady supply of water and other liquids and I want to hit this list. I'm a huge Disney fan and I have been for a long time. There is something magical about Disney that makes me smile and makes me want to draw. One of my dreams came true last year when I finally got to Disneyland in California where I regressed in age to about five.* I could seriously live there and be quite happy. This leads me to my top five (animated) Disney films.

Aladdin
"Riffraff! Street rat! Scoundrel! Take that!" I loved the story from a young age and Robin Williams turn as Genie was pure comedic brilliance. And Iago was annoying and funny. I just loved this movie and, let's be honest, who doesn't dream about escaping the life they have for something new and different. Every character in this film wants that with the exceptions of Rajah and the Sultan.





The Black Cauldron
This was one of Disney's darker films that I remember scaring me a little as a child. (No where near as much as Alice In Wonderland scared me when I was younger**) Based on Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain it had some lovely scenes and the visual art in this film, although darker, was still quite beautiful. I'd recommend reading the books as well.

Treasure Planet
It's a space western. Actually it's a futuristic version of Treasure Island. And I really loved it. Jim has always been a character that I liked - always wishing for something more and pushing at all the boundaries available. Plus, who wouldn't want to give solar surfing a try.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
If anything deserves to be in a top five list it has to be Snow White. The ultimate classic Disney film and a pure work of art. Plus it has Dopey and he has always been a secret favourite of mine. He is adorable. And we cannot forget the evil Queen in this film. She is terrifying and brilliant.

Tangled
This is my new favourite Disney film for two reasons: Rapunzel and Flynn. I saw it twice in the theatre, once in California and the other time here in New Zealand and I am just waiting for it to come out of DVD here. (Though I might have to buy it online.) It is beautiful, funny, witty and just amazing. The art alone is stunning. Then the character development is spot on. The chemistry between Flynn and Rapunzel is classic. I could really go on and on about this film but you have to just go and see it to understand.

And, because it's Disney and I can't narrow it down here are some honorable mentions: Beauty and the Beast, The Sword in the Stone, The Rescuers, The Emperor's New Groove, Lilo and Stitch...ah crap I'm about to list so many more...I'm guessing you get the drift.

Anyway, enjoy. I'm off to drink a lot of water. Until tomorrow, take care and watch some Disney!

*I'm not kidding. I put my hair up in high ponytails and jumped around the park. I was worse than a child on a sugar high. I had also had a wee bit of caffeine which could explain it?
**I now have a strange obsession with all forms of Alice In Wonderland and would definitely recommend the Disney version and the Syfy mini series for two unique looks at Carroll's world.