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The following are some of my favourite Disney-obsessed celebrities.

Lively is very vocal about her desire to participate in a Disney movie. Back in March 2018, she documented one of her visits to Disneyland on Instagram posing alongside all the Disney princesses.

She captioned the picture, “@Disneyland this is my official submission. Will work for minimum wage. Happy to be the Beast. Your move …” She added on another photo “@Disneyland can I please move in? Thanks.”

Ryan Gosling has been described as “a Disney freak” by Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro.

 

And let’s not forget the other fabulous Mouseketeers, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Milo Ventimiglia rocked a Mickey Mouse shirt when he appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to talk about his love for Disney.

Ariana Grande celebrated her 21st birthday at Disney World.

Pete Wentz named his son Bronx Mowgli after the main character of “The Jungle Book.”

https://i.insider.com/5aa9351df375f62b008b45d7?width=700&format=jpeg&auto=webp

Ginnifer Goodwin herself confessed that she’s gone to Disneyland “probably a bit more than is healthy.”

Rachel Bilson loves “Sleeping Beauty” so much she named her daughter Briar Rose, an alias used by Princess Aurora in the film.

Jason Bateman dreamed of starring in a Disney film for years, and he finally got his wish when he was chosen to play fox Nick Wilde in “Zootopia.”

This has to be the funniest Disney scene of all time.

The Sloth DMV Scene from Zootopia

https://youtu.be/HHKwnUa3txo?feature=shared

Preview YouTube video The Jungle Book. I wanna be like you. King Louis

The Jungle Book. I wanna be like you. King Louis

Preview YouTube video The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Scene: “Out There”/Quasimodo’s Song.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Scene: “Out There”/Quasimodo’s Song.

Preview YouTube video The Little Mermaid – Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) (Official Video)

The Little Mermaid – Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) (Official Video)

Preview YouTube video Zootopia: Meet the Sloth. HD ( DMV Scene)

Zootopia: Meet the Sloth. HD ( DMV Scene)

Walt Disney was famously fired from a newspaper for not being creative enough. I make no apologies for attempting to justify my Disney obsession by featuring celebrities who are just as bad as me.

Disney created magic. The stuff of dreams, where anything and everything was and is possible. Bringing some of our favourite stories to life. Forever reminding us of what is good in life and to shun what is bad. The battle of good versus evil features in every Disney Movie.

I am off to watch the Jungle Book. Again.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

Continued

8. Curious Disney Facts:

Bruce, the ‘vegetarian’ great white shark of Finding Nemo, was named after the mechanical shark used in Jaws. And who knew that several families have asked to scatter a loved one’s ashes into the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland.

 

9. Disney World Size: The Disney World resort is about the same size as San Francisco. And can you believe It would take 68 years to sleep in every single room at Disney World.

 

10. Disney Anecdotes:

‘Man is in the forest’ was a code used by animators to warn colleagues to get back to work when Walt Disney was coming down the hallway.

Disney played homage to Steve Jobs by flyiing its flags at half-mast on the day the Apple co-founder died.

 

11. Animation Facts:

Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which is probably my favourite Disney fact.

Mickey was also the first animated character to talk which is fitting for a mouse of his magnifecence.

 

12. Disneyland Oddities:

Disneyland is home to numerous feral cats. I wonder why Pogo sticks are forbidden at Disneyland?

 

13. Disneyland Tidbits:

Who do you think was Walt Disney’s personal favourite character?  Well, none other than tie-wearing dog Goofy.

On a trip to Disneyland Paris, George Lucas decided to film the Star Wars attraction during a ride.

 

14. Animated Films:

– The following fact blows my mind. Just the talent and creativity that was in that room at the time. The ideas for Wall-E, Monsters Inc, A Bug’s Life, and Finding Nemo came from a single lunchtime brainstorming session.

– Though commonly referred to as seven ‘dwarves’, the film’s actual title is Snow White and the Seven ‘Dwarfs’.

 

15. Creative Process:

– To capture the movement of Aladdin’s low-cut baggy pants, animator Glen Keane watched M.C. Hammer videos.

– The Beast from Beauty and the Beast was created using inspiration from different animals. What animals were used do you think?

 

16. Disney Theme Park Facts:

– The Matterhorn rollercoaster at Disneyland has a secret basketball court inside for Disneyland staff to use.

– When the Pirates of the Caribbean ride opened in 1967, the only fake skeletons available to Disneyland designers were rather naff, so they used real skeletons. Euuughhhhhhh……

 

17. Disney Princesses and Siblings:

– Ariel was the only Disney princess to have siblings until Brave.

– The rest of the Disney princesses are all only children.

 

18. Disney Animation Fun Facts:

– Disney recycled much of its early animation in a technique called rotoscoping to cut costs.

– This is really very clever. Why re invent the wheel when you have all the footage? Large parts of the 1973 film Robin Hood were taken from Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, The Jungle Book, and The Aristocats.

 

The Little Mermaid and The Hunchback of Notre Dame come second and third as my Disney movies.  I was given the three gargoyle cuddly toys as a gift and I adored them. The horse in The Hunchback is called Achilles and when given the order – Achilles heel, it always makes me smile. Demi Moore plays the beautiful Jasmine in the movie.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

https://youtu.be/jdIP2xmDqx0?si=DDHQTeSXoVo5_8na

Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid

https://youtu.be/GC_mV1IpjWA?feature=shared

 

I don’t believe there has been a bad Disney Movie. Some, of course, are better than others, but they never fail to deliver a magical experience.

FROZEN is the most popular Disney movie of all time.

Unsurprisingly, Frozen was found to be the favorite Disney movie worldwide, with an annual 1.9 million Google searches.

https://i.insider.com/5cbe0c48d4ca470c885690b2?width=700&format=jpeg&auto=webp

Hi Ho Hi Ho

It’s off to bed I go….

Adele

 

It is no secret that I am obsessed with Disney and I could not sleep if I did not blog about Disney being 100 years old.

This great anniversary deserves celebrating, and because I went down the rabbit hole whilst doing my research, I have devoted three blogs to the great man, Mr. Disney himself and fellow celebrity-obsessed fans.  My greatest childhood memories include watching Disney Movies, either in an open-air cinema in Kano (Jungle Book), Nigeria, aged eight or in the cinema in Dublin.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJKCUrvv/

Fascinating Facts and Trivia About Disney and Disneyland

1. Walt Disney’s French Roots:

– Walt Disney’s original moniker was d’Isigny, showing his French roots.

– The name ‘d’Isignyland’ was considered for his animations set in Paris.

 

2. Famous Character Connections:

– Wall-E was named after Walter Elias Disney.

3. Model Inspirations for Disney Characters:

– Ariel and Belle’s proportions were based on real-life model Sherri Stoner, also a writer and producer for animations.

– Several characters like Goofy, Mickey, and Donald Duck are hidden in the background of newer Disney films.

 

4. Disney’s Innovations:

– Disney held the patent for Technicolor, making him the only animator allowed to make colour films.

– Disneyland, California, was built in the 1950s, and Walt Disney built an apartment for his family above the ‘Fire Department’ on Main Street.

 

5. Theme Park Facts:

– The theme parks use a patented ‘Smellitzer’ device designed to pump certain scents around.

– The architecture at Disneyland uses ‘forced perspective’ to create taller appearances.

 

6. Exclusive Club and Secrets:

– The exclusive Club 33, hidden above the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square, has a strict membership of 487 with a waiting list of around 14 years.

Located in the Magic Kingdom in Florida, Disneyland in California, Disney Sea in Japan, and Shanghai Disneyland in China, the club is affiliated with Disney Park, although it is not actually owned by Disney. The club’s name refers to the exclusive membership that comes with its private dining rooms, parking, and other privileges, including access to special events, such as the annual Park Hopper pass. The membership to join the club is limited, and there are often long waiting lists for those seeking admission.

– Cinderella’s castle in Florida includes a swish 650ft apartment that is difficult to access.

 

7. Notable Voice Actors:

– Steve Martin used to work in the magic shop at Disneyland.

– Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck, created the dog barks for 101 Dalmatians.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

I love looking back over the last quarter of 2023 and choosing my favourite blogs. From my poems to publishing my Short Story- Flashing Pope. My poem- Mosquito Mind, was published by Mad in Ireland and Mad in America in December which was a great privilege. And my poem- Templenacarriga, which I wrote for my Aunt, is pretty special too.

Looking back at helping with The Dog Show at The Ballinasloe Horse Festival in October was another great memory. The Axe Lady and my Gypsy Blessing will always stay with me.

The death of the oldest dog in the world broke my heart. They do truly live on love alone ( Oh, and food, and exercise, and cuddles, and barking at delivery men, and belly rubs…… but apart from all that, they do live on love alone.) I would be lost without Buzz and Finn, they are my furry angels. Two adorable heartbeats at my feet.

 

1. http://adeleleahy.ie/short-story-flashing-pope/

 

2. http://adeleleahy.ie/worlds-oldest-dog-bobi-dies-at-31years/

 

 

3. http://adeleleahy.ie/poem-templenacarriga/

 

 

4. http://adeleleahy.ie/the-axe-lady-and-my-gypsy-blessing-part-one/

 

 

5. http://adeleleahy.ie/the-axe-lady-and-my-gypsy-blessing-part-two/

 

 

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

               

I love this photo of Buzz and Finn. If I could just teach them to sing an Abba song……….

Well, it’s been a year to remember, that’s for sure. Where do I start? I climbed Mount Everest, had a baby, taught an Orangutan in Borneo how to speak and played the lead in a movie with Brad Pitt that won an Oscar. Oh, and then I woke up. But it was an amazing dream.

In reality, I averaged 8,500 steps per day. This is blog number 482 over three years. I performed my poetry at Electric Picnic (Thanks to Charlotte and Stephen, The Dublin Writer )  and got to the final of The Fingal Poetry Slam and the Leinster All-Ireland Slam. I performed three stories at The Sugar Club Story Slam and did my first Open Mic Stand up gig before Christmas. Performing for the Festival in a Van and on The Skerries Poetry Trail were also highlights and several other Open Mics.

I attended a few spiritual and mind health courses as well as going to Marseilles as part of a steering group on mind health with Dublin City University (DCU). A few of my poems have been published and I finished the year running an Art of Poetry workshop with my friend Paula at Dublin City University. It went really well and I hope to edit our Anthology and put a performance together for the DCU Spring Festival.

I submitted my book chapters to agents and publishers and realised I needed to go back and re-edit. I entered numerous competitions for short stories and poetry which I will continue to do. As they say, fail, fail again, fail better. Rejections are merely milestones in fulfilling my dream of my debut Romcom being published.

 

Happy New Year

It’s going to be a great one; I can feel it in me water.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Happy Christmas. It’s been a cracker, I have had my icy swim, lots of lovely grub, a few beach doggy walks, and now for the swan dive onto the sofa and some TV binge watching….

My home looks like Santa’s grotto and my external Christmas lights are impressive. Even my neighbour remarked on them.

This year everyone has made much more of an effort with their lights and Christmas decorations. I love walking Buzz&Finn late at night to see all the different lights, flashing, twinkling, and sparkling.

I am feeling festive overall but can vacillate between joy and sadness as the day has glimmers (the opposite of triggers) as well as triggers.

Buzz and Finn look pretty cool in their Christmas jumpers too. My favorite movies to watch at this time of year are

 

1. The Sound of Music
2. The Wizard of Oz
3. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

I have been watching them all since I was a little girl and I still adore them and know all of the songs.

This year my friend and her father watched It’s a Wonderful Life, at The 1920’s ( One hundred year old) Art Deco Stella Cinema in Rathmines. We had such a lovely time as I had forgotten what a lovely movie it was.

 

Happy Christma

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

I believe that little people or people of short stature regard this day as the most important day in their year as being short in stature they feel in alignment with the universe and the shortest day of the year. For many, it can resemble Comic Con as they dress up as the seven dwarfs, leprechauns, the munchkins, and the Oompa Loompas,

People who are not genetically little people but are very short in stature all gather for a Short Festival on the grounds of the Kilkenny Festival in Ireland. No one over the age of eighteen can attend and you must be under five feet. They play dare games, by somebody drawing the short straw and attend cookery classes where they perfect their shortbread skills in baking.

I must apologise, and please do not get short with me but everything written above is complete and utter codswallop. However, what is written below is true.

The shortest day of the year is very short indeed. And according to Irish myth, the evenings will now get longer every night by a cock’s step. This means that each evening will be lengthened by two minutes each day or an hour each month. It appears that it has been said in almost every county in Ireland.

 

Happy Winter Solstice

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

I thought you might like to read my short story, Flashing Pope, which was published this time last year in the Alternating Current Anthology edited by Alan McMunnugal and his team at www.thi-wurd.com. I visited Glasgow for the launch which is truly a spectacular city. It was a privilege to read my story at this time and when I returned in April for the re-launch.

 

Short Story Flashing Pope

 

I was 13 and it was 1983 in a boy’s only Christian brother school disco called ‘The Oasis’ in Dublin. Shalimar’s ‘Make This a Night to Remember’ was playing and I was sitting on the lap of Dave Savage as he surreptitiously fanny fiddled me. I wasn’t sure whether I liked it or not. A great uncle had done it to me when I was seven and it never felt right. But in The Oasis that night it didn’t matter as I liked him, the song and enjoyed my first snog. Although his tongue was a bit like a snake. The picture of the Pope on the wall behind the DJ was flashing. It was illuminated by the strobe lights.

A few of the Christian brothers were milling about watching out for untoward behaviour. One of them came over to us as the savage finger was rather swiftly removed from my pants. I jumped off his lap and went looking for my friends to delight in relaying my snogging news.

Every time I see a picture of the Pope now, I think of the savage fanny fiddler and say a prayer for his wellbeing along with my great uncle. It sounds like a great name for a new Irish Trad band ‘Savage Fanny Fiddler’. I tried various things throughout my life from nursing to webcam nursing fetishism. Which incidentally was a great earner but didn’t do a huge amount for my self-esteem. The sexy nurse and nun fetish is remarkably popular online. The ones that paid the most asked for the nurse-nun hybrid. I always got a kick out of it. However, in the end, none of it nourished my soul.

Everything came full circle when I finally returned to my childhood wish of becoming a nun. I spent a month as a guest in The Abbey to see whether it was for me. Followed by another 6 months and then one month at home to finally consider the new life I was about to begin. It’s not exactly the Nonnberg Abbey from The Sound of Music but it is a beautiful Abbey all the same in a lovely village in County Wexford in Ireland. Sisters of Mercy is my order which incidentally was my favorite band.

This morning I attended a funeral of one of the postulants. She had been a dear friend and confidante and was forever asking me to change my name from Sister Mary Felician to Sister Mary. She knew that one of the reasons I chose it was because it reminded me of the word fellatio. She reasoned that choosing a nun’s name based on the fact that it reminded me of a rude word was not very nun-like. I could see her point but the imp in me still loved to announce my name proudly whenever asked and smile inwardly at my mental wordplay.

Whilst they were lowering the coffin into the ground, I had to stop myself from smiling. I asked Pat the Butcher earlier on this morning how he was and he replied

‘Ah, above the ground’.

As opposed to the usual stock answer

‘Ah, I’m grand’.

I laughed as I had never heard it before. He told me that he saw it on some Irish TV programme. That was all I could think of whilst they were lowering Sr. Eustace. I think I have always used humour to deal with sad situations. To stop myself from smiling I had to think of all the places where you could not use this response. The following came to mind -The Underground in the UK, The Metro in France, coal mining in Australia, Cave diving, Scuba diving, post-apocalypse in a bunker and at a funeral. Definitely not at a funeral.

I enjoy lectio divina- where we study scripture and contemplate in the library- as it stops my mind from wandering to unholy things. A picture of Pope Francis hangs above my bed as I enjoy praying to him. My niece bought me a miniature disco ball as a joke when I announced my intention to become a nun. She said that I could recreate the ‘silent disco’ atmosphere in my room when I needed a break from being so holy. I couldn’t throw it away when I was ordained.

The magic mushroom kit that I bought online has paid dividends. They grow so well under my bed in the cool shade. Sr. Bernadette is a great pal and I have nicknamed her ‘Cupcake’ as she loves them. Particularly the red velvet ones that I make when I can have the kitchen to myself. The first time she had one she said that eating it was like a religious experience which gave us the giggles. We get together tonight as it is Saturday for a catch-up after evening Mass and our seventh period of prayers. I made the cupcakes early this morning at 3 am so that the oven could cool down before I could be found out as everyone rises for the first prayer at 4 am. I have added a few ‘shrooms’ as usual and cannot wait until we get off our merry tits on them. With the flashing Pope giving us his blessing and the disco light on the bible on top of my bedside locker. Our evening is always prefaced by a mutual orgasmic fanny fiddle.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

This has to be one of my favourite and saddest stories of 2023. Favourite because I cannot believe that a dog lived to the ripe age of thirty-one. And saddest because he has sadly passed away. I have always believed that, besides exercise and food, dogs live on love. They give so much of it unconditionally, that if they receive it in return they will live as long as they need to.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/world-s-oldest-dog-dies-as-owner-reveals-secret-to-his-long-life/ar-AA1iGAPK?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=5752f23e8f4848ec8275410a19e68c01&ei=11

He was a purebred of the Rafeiro do Alentejo breed named Bobi. This breed normally has a life expectancy of between twelve and fourteen years. The Portuguese government’s pet database and the National Union of Veterinarians confirmed his birth date.

 He beat the record previously held by Bluey, aged 29 years and five months, an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939. Bobi lived in the small rural village of Conqueiros in Portugal. His long life was attributed to being fed regular food eaten by his owners and roaming free around the land of the Costa family.

The loss of a pet is always devastating to any family but in this case, I am sure they still miss him terribly but realise how blessed they were for their beautiful dog to live for more than twice his normal life span.

They really are our furry angels. They are happy to give and receive lots of love and cuddles once they are fed a nutritious diet and exercised regularly.

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

I wrote this poem for my Aunty Nora who lives in a place called Templenacarriga near Midleton in County Cork. Back in September this year I visited and we went down the field with her dachshunds to meet her cows. It was a cherished moment for me. When she told me that she talks to her cows, I said – Why wouldn’t you?

 

Templenacarriga

Saffron leaves have turned to gold.

The manure farm air invigorates my body and my soul.

My cathedral of God’s given earth.

Blesses my senses on this morning’s birth.

 

 

The Robin worships his tree with song.

Lost in the chirping chorus, this is where I belong.

His proud red breast glorifies my sanctuary.

As I rejoice and give thanks for my health, my farm and family.

 

 

A hush and my secret silence descends.

The chandelier spider’s web with dew drops glistens.

A rabbit spots me and scurries into a bush.

The inky sky attempting to blot out the sun’s blush.

 

 

My dachshunds are dashing around my feet.

As they invigorate my retreat.

Their infectious energy adds to my joy sense.

I amble down the hill to my Friesian friends.

 

 

Communing with my cows always delivers delight.

As they come, we discuss our day and our night.

I tell them what is on my mind and they tell me what is on theirs.

We dispel one another’s worries, troubles, and cares.

 

 

My ancestral divinity infuses this land.

God gathers me in his beauty and takes me by the hand.

This farm is my heavenly compass.

My morning baptismal is how I am blessed.

By

Adele Leahy

All the best

Stay fab

Adele