Two More Truths

TGIF Joke of the Week

Thanks to Jun of New Jersey for sending this joke.

Raoul’s 2 Cents. September 11, 2026

Imagineering

Please move on to the jokes if you don’t want to ponder.

This week I worked on an article (you can see it here at TravelingBoy.com) about a famous Imagineering artist named Sam McKim. I never knew the artist’s name but I recognized his style in several books and movies released by Walt Disney. Boy, did this project take me back to my childhood.

When I was a scrawny kid in the Philippines, there was a classified ad section in the Manila Times called “American Leaving.” It was code for bargain hunters that an American family was moving away and they were selling their stuff. It’s similar to the Estate Sale signs we see here in America. My family would buy second hand goodies like books, magazines, toys, vacuum cleaners, etc. One particular item that I treasured was a colorful Disneyland pamphlet that announced the upcoming Tomorrowland, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. I was mesmerized by the artwork of Sam McKim. How did this artist create this dreamworld? What medium did he use? Oils? Watercolor? And how did he get the perspectives accurately? Was there a team behind this? How did he decide what colors to use? For a kid who only drew stick figures, Sam was a artist god. At that point, I prayed for an impossible wish to visit Disneyland and see this fantasy land for myself.

I read countless books and watched videos of Walt Disney and his imagineering team. I drew their characters in my sketch books. I sang their songs. I wanted to be an imagineer. I wanted to learn animation. By some miracle, I wound up studying in Washington DC … in the East coast! Nobody taught animation in the East coast of America! So near and yet so far.

But my wish to go to Disneyland would come true when Bernie, one of my best friends, needed to take a road trip from Washington DC to Los Angeles and asked me to come along. No one warned me of the long lines but that was fine. I enjoyed watching all these excited people. So many people from all over the world lining up in the heat. Mickey Mouse and the other mascots brought smiles to everyone they met. It was indeed the happiest place in the world. Decades later, I moved here to California and my Mom and Dad treated my family to another Disneyland trip and I shared the wonder from the eyes of my children.

When I was looking for a job in my early years in CA, I saw a Disney ad in the LA Times beckoning artists who wanted to be imagineers. I applied but I never got a response. My training was in desktop publishing and graphic design (illustration was strictly a hobby) so the “no response” was expected. I had seen the videos of Walt Disney brainstorming with his imagineers so I was disappointed that I didn’t get an interview just to see the inner workings of Disneyland.

Around that time, my young son was taking violin lessons. Somehow my wife mentioned to his teacher that I was interested in working for Disney. The teacher happened to be the niece of one of the imagineers and that led to my actually going for an interview in the Disney studio. Such was the power of an imagineer. The interviewer looked at my portfolio and showed me around during the lunch break. There were rows and rows of cubicles. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was just released and I could see color swatches of violets and greens and sketches of the characters. (That was pretty wild!) The interviewer said he was looking for someone who drew the “Disney-way.” We both knew that wasn’t me. And that was that. Didn’t get the job but I was more than satisfied.

Later I found out that Disney paid minimum wages. It was the law of supply and demand at work — Disney knew people were willing to work there for the adventure and not for the money. Sad but true. So I was glad I didn’t get the job after all.

Side comment: I may not have ever worked for Disney but my daughter is living my dream. She specializes in foley — background sounds for animations. She and her team won an Emmy for the Netflix TV series Arcane last year. You think I’m proud of her? You bet I am!

Back to the present. Richard (the author of the TravelingBoy article) told me he lived directly across the street from Sam McKim. He said Sam was a good friend. Often, film crews from all over (including far-off Paris and Japan) would come for an interview. If Sam were still alive, Richard said he would have easily arranged an interview through Sam. (Oh, woudn’t that have been the thrill of a lifetime.)

Today is the anniversary of the horrific attack of 9-11. Like you, my heart grieves for all those lives that were rudely interrupted by evil. Yet here we stand in the land of the free (so far). Sure, we have major problems. Sure, we have enemies who have come to destroy our lifestyle. And we can be obsessed with the politics but let’s not lose sight of the blessings and who provides those blessings. We serve a loving God who remembers our childhood prayers long after we have forgotten them. And He has many more gifts for us if we remain faithful. Funny how a piece of artwork (just like old music favorites) rekindles childhood memories and reminds us of blessings we take for granted.

TGIF people!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Joshua 29:11

Quotes of the Week

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

— Walt Disney

“Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.”

— Walt Disney

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you..”

— Walt Disney

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.”

— Walt Disney

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”

— Walt Disney

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

— Proverbs 22:6

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'”

— Matthew 10: 13-16

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

— Proverbs 17:6

Memes of the Week

Send me your jokes & memes so I could share them with the rest of our TGIF family. This week, we thank Norm of Encino CA, Jason of Eagle Rock, CA, Donovan of Ireland, Debra of La Habra, CA and John of Connecticut.

I found these:

I collaborated with my friend and jokester,Terry Cassel for these below.

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