space invaders

I personally believe that 40 years ago the United States sent astronauts to the moon. I also personally believe that the video footage is authentic. The fact that there is a growing number of people trying to disprove the authenticity of that momentous event in history is personally offensive to me (Corey). I won't speak for anyone but me. It pisses me off.

40 years ago today, we landed two men on the moon and we were the first country to do it. There, I said it. Furthermore, I believe it. In this case, as in many cases, perception IS reality. What this country (and the rest of the planet for that matter) perceived at that point was that the United States was a force to be reckoned with, a World Power and a country at the cutting edge of...well...everything. Afterall, we had two US Citizens WALKING ON THE SURFACE OF ANOTHER PLANET! I realize they were unable to utilize Twitter to relay their every move, nor could they upload mobile pics to their Facebook pages, but you can bet your next paycheck Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin experienced what only 12 human beings have ever experienced!!! Just sit with that notion for a second. I don't know about you, but I feel like waving an American flag while saluting it and singing the National Anthem at the top of my lungs followed shortly thereafter by eating a slice of apple pie and getting the letters U S A tattooed on my forehead. The sense of PRIDE I have in my country when I think of our spacemen walking on the moon is overwhelming. It FEELS good because of how I perceive it. That IS reality to me. People sitting around and trying to poke holes in that is counter-productive, potentially hurtful and borderline UN-American.

Don't believe me? Watch this.

Disneyland is no more magical than Knott's Berry Farm or Magic Mountain. Arguably, Magic Mountain is the most magical since the word 'magic' appears in its NAME. But really, all of those places are basically amusement parks that have some REALLY amazing visual stimuli mixed with various physical stimuli. And since an ice cube costs $74.99...how is it the HAPPIEST place on Earth?? A steakhouse where all the food is free while they wax your car and change your oil for free would be a FAR happier place. Sorry, maybe I went too far. In all seriousness, you'd save more money ordering pizzas and having a pool party for your kids where everyone comes inside to watch all the Harry Potter movies back-to-back-to-back. That would be a VERY, VERY HAPPY PLACE all the way around (far happier than Disneyland any day of the week). Disneyland is a supremely overpriced, germ-laced real estate phenomenon with fabricated and/or digitally enhanced replications of fantasy items as seen in Disney movies since movies had color and sound (and before). That didn't feel good, did it?

Perception is the ONE AND ONLY thing that makes Disneyland the happiest place on Earth. Somewhere along the way as a kid, as an adolescent or as a parent you perceived your experience to be magical. It was so magical, in fact, some of you might have even SKIPPED to your car afterward. How many of you bought that ridiculous hat with your name and mouse ears?? How many of you actually sought out some random dude in a Mickey Mouse SUIT to have your photo taken?? Some of you have paid big money to have an ANNUAL PASS because you can't get enough of the magic. That magic feels pretty good, thanks to your perception.

Don't spend your time poking holes in perception unless the perception is visibly detracting from someone's life. Notions of Disneyland's magic and the miraculous walk on the moon's surface are uplifting and inspirational...so leave 'em alone.

There is far too little magic in the World today. There is far too little magic in people's eyes these days. Whatever people find magical is a real source of light and happiness for them and as long as it's not hurting anybody else, we should be accepting of their source of magic.

Disneyland is magical to millions of people.
Landing on the moon 40 years ago was magical to an entire planet.

Go find some magic. I would recommend you stop watching the news immediately...you won't find any magic there.

Love.