So Keith and I took Natalie to Disneyland yesterday. She slept well during her morning nap, allowing us to indulge during the afternoon. Unfortunately, it kind of backfired. She feel asleep on the car ride home and didn't awaken until about 6:30. That's usually the time of evening after dinner when we're drying her off after her bath and getting her ready for bed. Change of plans! We think she may have thought it was bedtime when we put her in the car. As a result, we put her to bed at about 8:20 and she woke up (for the day) at 4. Fun. Anyway, that's not the reason I'm posting, although it does speak to our need for the rituals and schedule Natalie has set for us.
This post is related to the large group of teens and adults we saw at Disneyland upon entering the line for the carousel. They were all dressed in various goth-looking outfits: black shirts/pants with dark purple and red accents; chains on their necks and wrists; tall, laced black boots; some wearing long trench coats--you get the idea. Keith surmised that they might have been a group of white supremacists, what with their shaved heads (there were also others with spiky do's).
Something they all had in common, though, was a pair of patches on their clothing. One was yellow and black and featured a toy soldier. The other was a picture of a mad scientist-looking guy on a red and black background. I was dubious that these were "skinheads", given that some appeared to be wearing goggles like the ones on the scientist patch. This goofy wardrobe addition just didn't jive with white power. (The pictures below are representative of what we saw--not actual pictures from the House of Mouse.)
It wasn't until later when I Googled the description of the patches that I found this site. Apparently, according to the FAQ page, these "Toy Soldier" enthusiasts are not only NOT white supremacists, but they are committed and united in their zest for life and fun. How totally interesting.
This just goes to show that the people-watching at Disneyland is indeed the best in the world. (Or at least in Orange County.)
