As an employee for Disney--a cast member​--there is a certain standard to which one must adhere. (By the way, I prefer the nonsensical word adhese. You use adhesive, not adherive. But I digress...) After just three years of working for the Mouse, this code is so ingrained in my very being, I carry it with me nearly twenty years later. Of course, some of these may have changed over the years, but such was the case when I was a cast member.

A few examples...

When a guest asks directions, the cast member is allowed to point, but must use two or more fingers. Last week, someone stopped me in the parking lot of my place of employment to ask for directions. And sure enough, I gave them the two-fingered point.

Nail polish must be a neutral color. Boy, did I get reamed on this one more than once! Could I help it if blue nail polish was all the rage at the time? Today...I don't wear any. Nails au naturale for me.

Hair must remain a natural color. Never had trouble with this one, really. But when I was younger, we didn't have all the crazy colors we have today. The craziest I had was dark red. Still that color today.

Disney is a great company to work for. Their standard is what makes the difference and gives guests positive experiences. I enjoyed my time there, and now that I'm on the other side of the berm so to speak (look that one up if you don't get it), I cherish the clean-cut look and polite manners of the cast members I encounter.

And I secretly smile, knowing I still carry a bit of the Disney magic.

 Admit it. You've been in that relationship. You know the one--you do all the work, trying to keep the attention of the other person, only to end up ignored, left behind, and/or pushed away. You keep holding on for some silly reason...but then one day, you wise up. You see the relationship for what it really is. And you decide to move on.

Such is the case with me and social media.

I was obsessed. Addicted. Spent countless hours scrolling through trivial quiz results, other people's memories and experiences, "selfies" (ugh, I hate that word!), and witty...and some not so witty...thoughts. I'd post something and sit glued to my monitor to watch the likes and comments rack up. And when they didn't, I felt deep disappointment and rejection. I'd base my worth on these pathetic responses.

But I'm done. I'm breaking up with Facebook.

No offense to my "friends"--real or not. If you enjoy Facebook and other social media outlets, I 'm glad. My advice...let it be a tool, not the rule.

No, I haven't conquered this. Goodness, I just realized the problem. There are times when I look at my "Favorites" bar, see the link, and think, "Oooh, I should check out..." Letting go is a process. After being off it for even just a few days, my mind is already clearer. I was scatterbrained like crazy, but now I feel more in control of my thoughts.

I plan to check in on Facebook on Fridays. One time...not throughout the day. I'll resolve any notifications at that time. But I won't be scrolling or liking or commenting. I considered deleting my account, but I have my author page and my critique group to keep up with.

So...to use the cliched line from that relationship...it's not you. It's me.

And really, it is. I need to do this for me.

I don't remember how old I was when I first saw Logan's Run, but it's definitely a movie that has stuck with me through the years. We'd rent it from time to time, until I finally bought a copy on VHS. (And quite honestly, I didn't know it was based off a book until I was already a fan of the movie. And yes, I bought a copy of that, too.)

The plot has all the elements of a great dystopian story. Logan's society is full of young, beautiful people who enjoy a life of pleasure. But when you turn thirty, look out! The little jewel in your hand turns red, indicating your Last Day. Then, it's off to Carousel with you, where you'll be "renewed"...as toast. Logan totally buys into the way things are. In fact, he even goes after people who flee from this understood destiny (runners). Until his turn comes. He runs.

It's an epic journey/quest that arrives at an interesting conclusion. Worth watching. And for those of us weirdos who love show tunes, you'll get a kick out of seeing Michael York (of Caberet fame) as a young man. I've not seen this movie in a few years, so it's time for a viewing.

I've read there's a remake in the works, and early rumors said Matt Damon was involved. But more recent articles don't have his name, so there you have it. I'd be interested in seeing an updated version, but the classic will always hold my heart. (And be sure not to miss the scene with Farrah Fawcett's stellar "ick-ting".)