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solimander.bsky.social
John
@solimander.bsky.social
200 followers 150 following 270 posts
Film & TV Assistant Editor

Head of UCLA Marching Band Video Crew
Posts Replies Media Videos
solimander.bsky.social
Today marks the end of my 18th year of attending every UCLA Football home game. It's going to be very weird if we're not back at the Rose Bowl next year.
A neon sign in the shape of a rose and a bow illuminates a dark background. The sign reads "Rose Bowl" in blue and yellow lights.
November 23, 2025 at 9:21 AM
solimander.bsky.social
Oh and I guess they also did it in 2019. But based on my visiting schedule, that number must not reset annually and is cumulative over multiple years of renewed passes.
A digital card displays a profile picture of three overlapping circles. Below, it reads "Welcome, John Signature Annual Passport." Additional details include "Expires July 18, 2020 Park Visits: 334" and a "Renew a Pass" button. The card is set against a light blue background.
November 7, 2025 at 4:27 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Back in 2014 they used to show that stat for your annual pass. I'm not sure how I broke the system to get a negative number of visits.
A digital screen displays a welcome message for a person named John, featuring a blue Mickey Mouse icon. It shows a "Premium Annual Passport" expiring on May 18, 2015, with an option to "Renew Passes." A badge indicates "-48 Park Visits," set against a light blue background.
November 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Went and a saw the 40th Anniversary of Back to the Future in IMAX earlier today. One of my favorite things about rewatching movies on an large screen is how your eyes are drawn to different parts of the frame you might not normally notice.
Illuminated "IMAX" letters rest on a blue wall in a dimly lit room. The letters cast a bright reflection on the glossy blue tile floor.
November 3, 2025 at 5:30 AM
solimander.bsky.social
This is my 18th year with the UCLA Marching Band. I joined the band when I was 18 years old. Which means I've now been doing this for half my life!
An aerial view of the Rose Bowl stadium before a UCLA football game. The field is marked with yard lines and the UCLA logo. Some players are warming up on the field, while the stands are mostly empty because the game starts in an hour.
August 31, 2025 at 2:16 AM
solimander.bsky.social
His name is Tom.

See him in Pixar's Hoppers, March 2026
August 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
solimander.bsky.social
@tvaziri.com I'm reading Paul Hirsch's book and noticed this paragraph about the "shooting star" in "Jaws." I thought it might interest you.
As I watched the film, I noticed something odd in one of the later reels. In a low-angle close-up of Roy Scheider showing the early evening sky behind him, I saw what looked like a brief fiery streak in the sky. Later that evening at a party at Steven's hotel to celebrate the opening, I asked him about it. "Hey," he called out, "Paul Hirsch saw it! He saw the UFO!" As I had suspected, that streak was deliberate; it was a little foretaste of Steven's next picture, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
July 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
solimander.bsky.social
Decided to rewatch Jaws last night. I'm still blown away that Spielberg was 27 when he made it.

Photo originally taken 2024-07-05 at Universal Studios Hollywood
A large, suspended shark model is displayed outdoors, hanging from a wooden structure. The shark is depicted with an open mouth showing sharp teeth and is positioned above wooden crates and barrels in front of a backdrop of a body of water.
July 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
solimander.bsky.social
I've been busy for the last free weeks working on something Incredible at work. But this weekend I finally got to watch "Win or Lose" with my parents! If you're looking for something lovely and fun to watch this Sunday evening, check it out on Disney+

Artwork by: Keiko Murayama
A colorful illustration featuring a diverse group of animated kids in softball gear, engaging in various softball activities. The title "Win or Lose" is prominently displayed in the center. The characters show different expressions and poses, highlighting enthusiasm for the game.
April 14, 2025 at 2:08 AM
solimander.bsky.social
Coco 2 is officially happening!

Photo taken on 2023-08-08 at Disneyland

#Coco #Pixar #Disneyland
A costumed character version of Miguel from the film Coco, riding a parade float at Disneyland. He's wearing a maroon mariachi outfit and a large sombrero, and smiles while playing a guitar. He stands on a stage decorated with flowers, with an audience visible in the background.
March 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
solimander.bsky.social
It's finally time! The last two episodes of #WinorLose are now on Disney+

*the legal team would like me to clarify that the attached gif is in no way a guarantee or implied promise of episode length.
A gif from Muppet*Vision 3D. Sam Eagle is in the background, opening a door and saying "yes, it's a glorious three hour finale!" In the foreground Kermit, Fonzie, Gonzo, and Waldo C Graphic are turned to look at Sam.
March 12, 2025 at 7:03 AM
solimander.bsky.social
@jason.parkendium.com I've got about a 10 issues of the "Buena Vista Bugle" and a copy of the "Martyland News" (I don't remember what it's from). Any interest to you? It looks like Parkendium has some photos of the front page, but not the contents.
March 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
solimander.bsky.social
A brief pause from reminding everyone to watch "Win or Lose" on Disney+ to share an old theme park photo.

Photo taken on 2010-07-30 at Universal Islands of Adventure
A close-up of a realistic dinosaur head, resembling a Tyrannosaurus rex, surrounded by lush green foliage. The dinosaur has an open mouth showing sharp teeth and an intense expression.
March 1, 2025 at 10:02 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Today is officially the final day of a world without "Win or Lose!" The first two episodes premiere on Disney+ tomorrow!

#WinorLose #Pixar #DisneyPlus #GoPickles
A promotional poster for the Pixar show "Win or Lose." It displays various animated characters in different scenes, showcasing a mix of expressions and activities. The title "WIN or LOSE" is prominently featured in the center, with the two episode premiere date of February 19th at the bottom, next to the Disney+ logo.
February 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Did you know: Disneyland actually started a stealth marketing campaign for "Win or Lose" last summer.

Photo taken: 2024-07-06

#WinorLose #GoPickles #Pixar #Disneyland #DisneyPlus #SignageSunday
Photo of a sign on a pickle stand at Disneyland. The sign is in the shape of a pickle, it's wrapped in a ribbon that says "Disneyland pickles are a dill-ight!"
February 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
solimander.bsky.social
And there are posters!
A poster for Pixar's animated series "Win or Lose," featuring characters in a softball setting. It shows a character in a green uniform up to bat, while a purple creature weighs heavy on her back. It highlights the release date of February 19 and includes the tagline, "It's all how you look at it." A poster for Pixar's animated series "Win or Lose," featuring a character looking at her reflection in the mirror. She's wearing a green baseball cap, with braids and is looking up at her reflection. Her reflection is much taller, wearing different glasses, a different sparkly green outfit, and has her braids pointing outward. It highlights the release date of February 19 and includes the tagline, "It's all how you look at it." A poster for Pixar's animated series "Win or Lose," featuring characters in a café setting. It highlights the release date of February 19 and includes the tagline, "It's all how you look at it."
January 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Hopped in the car as soon as I read your post and made it here just in time.
December 27, 2024 at 3:07 AM
solimander.bsky.social
Currently watching "Muppet Christmas Carol" which has one of my favorite magic tricks: making a muppet appear to exhale!
December 20, 2024 at 5:46 AM
solimander.bsky.social
I had a strange moment this morning when walking by the awards cabinet, where I suddenly remembered that I work in a building with a bunch of Oscars.
An Academy Award (Oscar) statue, gold in color, displayed on a wooden surface. The engraved plaque at the base reads: "Academy Award to Wall-E for Animated Feature Film, Andrew Stanton."
December 11, 2024 at 6:14 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Moana in Tokyo Disneyland's parade "Disney Harmony in Color".

Photo taken: 2024-10-31
A woman dressed as the character Moana in a colorful costume adorned with leaf and flower motifs stands on a parade float shaped like a boat, smiling and posing. An animatronic Hei Hei, Moana's rooster companion, is visible on the ground next to her, with greenery in the background.
November 26, 2024 at 12:19 AM
solimander.bsky.social
And here's what it looked like on TV. You can even spot me holding up my phone at the end of the clip.
November 22, 2024 at 7:50 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Tomorrow is UCLA Football's rivalry game against Southern Cal.

In honor of that, here's the greatest slow-mo video I've ever taken. I just happened to be on the field at the perfect spot when Dorian Thompson-Robinson leapt his way to an incredible touchdown.

Original Video: 2021-11-20
November 22, 2024 at 7:13 PM
solimander.bsky.social
Very true! I'll have to get a picture of it next time I'm there.

Fun Fact: my hands are almost the exact same size as his.
A hand is placed on a bronze plaque commemorating Disney Legends, featuring the handprint of Marty Sklar, along with his name and the date, December 9, 2001.
November 18, 2024 at 3:05 AM
solimander.bsky.social
I forgot it's #SignageSunday! In that case, here's another photo where it was still up as of 2011-07-23. I'm not sure when the sponsorship ended, but I know I checked after Galaxy's Edge opened and the sign was no longer there.
November 18, 2024 at 2:51 AM
solimander.bsky.social
Hey new followers! Here's something that's a mix of the two things most people follow me for: Disneyland and UCLA.

This is from the Hungry Bear Restaurant at Disneyland. I believe it's gone now, but it was a nice taste of UCLA whenever I visited.

Photo taken 2010-02-15
The image features a wooden ceiling beam with text that reads "Bear Restaurant," a logo that says "Hosted by Dixie," and more text "Where Good Times Are Always a Bruin!" The background is dark with wooden textures.
November 18, 2024 at 2:42 AM