My informant tells me that in each attraction at Disneyland, there is a subliminal hidden mickey inserted for patrons to find. The most common hidden mickey spotted is three circles formed to make to make the silhouette of Mickey’s head. However there are other forms of the hidden Mickey. It is hard to tell what a true hidden mickey is from a decorative hidden Mickey; my informant cautions against this. “If, lets say during Christmas there is wreath in the shape of Mickey’s head, that doesn’t count because it for decoration.” There has never been an official statement of these Hidden Mickey’s. “It’s just known by true Disney fans,” says my informant. My informant would consider herself a true Disney Fan. She remembers her first time at Disneyland in 1963. “It looked nothing like it does now. But I still love it!” Disneyland has always been a happy place for my informant. She recalls several memorable times she has gone with her parents as a child and with her children now. She sometimes challenges them to find the Mickey’s but no one has been completely successful. The Hidden Mickey’s could be a way to lure patrons to Disneyland and pose a fun, challenging competition. It allows for visitors to feel included into this Disney subculture.
Author Archives: Jacqueline Mendez
Pi Day
On March 14th, Mayfield Senior School celebrates Pi Day. It plays upon the fact that the math calculation of pi equals around 3.14. On Pi Day each of the math class’ students are served slices of pie. Students usually have a variety of type of pies to choose from such as cherry or apple. Along with eating pie, the students partake in contests to see which student can get closest to the accurate calculation. The accurate calculation of pi can pass ten figures and can be quite challenging. Students also race each other to see who can solve equations the quickest, usually involving trigonometry.
This is a great way to get students excited about math and partaking in trigonometry. Pi is a mathematical constant, 3.14 being the three most significant digits. Pi Day is mostly celebrated in educational institutions, particularly math classes. This tradition has been ongoing in the Mayfield history.
Desk of Secrets
The Alcove, an earthy and decadent cafe in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, holds desks full of secrets. In the back room of the cafe there is a desk, used as a dining table. Inside the desk drawers are small papers that have confessions, secrets, intentions, and hopes written by the people who have dined there in the past. Not advertised by the cafe, this ritual is a random and secret occurrence. One is able to open up the drawer and read small scraps filled with hopes and heartbreak. After reading and reflecting on the hundreds of secrets kept in the drawer, a small pad of paper and pen invites the diner to write his own confessions. It’s almost a spiritual experience as you are let into someone’s thoughts and secrets.
Christmas Gift from the Heart
My informants’ family is filled with artists. The father is a cinematographer, photographer, and painter. The mother sculpts, creates installations and writes poetry. My informant, the eldest, is majoring in photography at NYU and also dances. The youngest of the family is a painter and drawer and attends LACSA. The parents have encouraged and supported their daughters’ interest in the visual arts the day they were born. The parents exemplify their value of art by upholding the tradition that all of the family’s Christmas presents must be created by the giver and must be some kind of art. For example, last year, my informant gave her father a framed photograph that he had especially expressed high regard for. The mother gave her an abstract sculpture of Santa Claus. When learning that most parents give their kids gifts from stores, my informant said that she though it was completely strange. She wondered how a child could love and want something so uncreative and cold.