Reflections of 2010

Hey Everybody,

As you already know that the "New Years" is just right around the corner and many of you are thinking of your resolutions or maybe not.

It's been awhile as you heard from me, and I thank you all for stopping by during your holiday festivities (or other practice that you follow) to read up what's happening with us here at 'Themagical.nl' .

Steel Force Simulations Update: Progress continues 12.26.10

Recently via Twitter @themagical, there's still progress of the simulation but its been hard since under the weather of being sick and lack of free time due to work, family activities, and holiday celebrations.

We really appreciate your great patience with the team at Themagical and we are hoping to bring out the beta-ready preview.

Yes, its been a long time since you've heard anything from us. We understand how you feel as well too want you too to enjoy the hard work we've put into the game so far to this point.

It's great to hear the feedback of being testers and to see how the progress that you've seen back in November of this year.

Hang in there folks! We'll announce it when its "beta-quality" according to Themagical Team & Dorneyonline.com standards for public testing.

If you still want to be part of our beta-testing, we are still accepting people who haven't joined in the elite group of testers. Send an email: sdt@themagical.nl You'll get a special email from me to do what's next to fill the requirement to be a beta tester for the 'Steel Force Simulation'.

--- Reflections: Recap 2010 ---

It's been a interesting year for Themagical and we are going to go closely on this year's milestones.

SF Sim with Dorneyonline.com Beta Testing: "We been getting a great response from our visitors to our site and as well our readers from the blog that you are eager to be part of the beta testing!" Progress is still on going but slowly due to circumstances of our daily lives with makes our free time hard to get to developing."

SF Sim: Actionscript 3.0 First Milestone Upgrade Performance: "The performance on the new Action Scripting version 3.0 has been tremendous with the so far progress of the Steel Force Simulation that it will be the foundation of the upcoming simulations and possible newer content."

New Friends: Cosmicreid.com Radio Show and Website, Dorneyonline.com and Newsplusnotes.com: "With a new addition to the TM Network, we are happy to connect with a new pals of ours and looking forward to be doing fun things with them."

New Blog Update UI: "Our blog got a new UI (user interface) to keep it fresh and more stable on many browser platforms and as well mobile users. We feel a nice update and bugs in the coding makes it more easy to use and as well viewable for the mobile platform devices."

Wii Compatible Simulations: "Tested and Capable for the Wii Gaming System, our simulations from Themagical can be played just like you would play on your PC. Without being near your computer, you can have your gaming platform device to use the Wii Internet (Powered by Opera Browser) to play your favorite simulation."

Themagical's 10th Birthday: "Celebrating 10 years online since 2000! A great accomplishment and milestone for Themagical being online for all those years. We thank you "our community" for helping us out with your feedback and support. Just because the 10th birthday has soon to be passing at the end of the year, doesn't mean we have something up our 'magical selves'. ;) "

Themagical Presents: Reighard Live Show (Beta): "From March 26, 2010 to July 22, 2010 short lived Live Show was one way we wanted to have a fun way to interact with our visitors on our website community and as well have special guests on our show into the mix. I myself had a great time on the show and how many people would actually came to see and view our site during that time. Sadly, it didn't do as well as we thought and yet needed to be taken down due to low viewers, low ratings, and lack of audience interaction. We enjoyed the times on the show and hoping to find new ways and paths to bring newer content for our community to enjoy. Of course you can still use our Skype line to chat with us via Skype. Search "randydorney or reighard1" via Skype and we'll love to chat up with ya! :) Special Thanks: Tyson Brooks.org & Networks. He has helped us since the very beginning and started a new friendship with them and as well got us some connection to get us on our feet. We thanked him so much for the opportunity for myself to talk to awesome fellas and talk shows via Ustream.tv and Justin.tv website."

Tweet Meet: Would you be interested? "As this been a thing the Themagical have been thinking of doing for quite sometime and we are wondering what would our community thought about it. Now even though the term 'tweet meet' was for referring to our 'twitter followers' via @Themagical (Tijn's Twitter Feed) and @Randydorney (Reighard's Twitter Feed), it doesn't exclude our community from Themagical's website either. We really want to hear your thoughts and feedback to see if this would come to a reality if we get a good serious feedback. Our polls has been active and its looks pretty solid numbers as taken by 12.30.10 by writing this blog post. If it comes to a new poll numbers, we'll keep you posted on something in the works to have an event. If not, well it sounded like a cool idea to us. Let us know, we are wondering what you think as well. Comment on the forums, email us, and send DM's via Twitter. We loved to hear from you! :) "

---Closing Thoughts---

As this blog post comes to a closed, I feel that I must make a special thank you to my readers of this very blog!

Thanks to you, I'm able to keep on going with great articles to you guys for your personal enjoyment and as well seeing what's happening with us here at Themagical.nl

Yes, you are getting the link via Themagical and web searches online but overall you are checking out this blog. It makes me feel that you enjoy reading and as well view special content that only our blog readers gets to read here.

Thank you for joining me on my adventures this year as it was quite eventful year for myself and Themagical Team as well.

Keep it here for the latest developments news, information of the Simulations, and as well fun stuff to read!

To a great 2010, looking forward for a more magical year in 2011 with you all!

Have a magical New Year and a 'fresh' start in 2011!

ºoº SEE YA REAL SOON IN 2011 PALS! ºoº

Sincerely,


Reighard

Co-Admin of Themagical / Simulation Development Team
Email: sdt@themagical.nl
Twitter: www.twitter.com/randydorney
Skype: randydorney

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! :)

Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!

WOW! Already Christmas 0_O?! Time has been flying by so fast to me this year, (LOL I'm still waiting for thanksgiving to come) and now its the Christmas holiday season!

The wonderful Christmas festivities like cookie baking, Christmas meals with family, presents exchange, drinking cups full of Hot Chocolate and enjoying TV Christmas movies specials (as well watching Christmas DVD/VHS movies). :D

To all from the staff of "Themagical", We wish you 'Happy Magical Holiday's, Merry Christmas and a great Happy Blessed New Year!!"

Thank you for your wonderful support this year!

Merry Christmas,


Reighard

Email: sdt@themagical.nl

New Partnership: Cosmic Reid.com!

Hello everybody!

We have a new partnership announcement that will be joining us in the "TM Network"! Presenting 'Cosmic Reid' starlight cafe Disney Fan website and Radio Show!

About Cosmic Reid's Website:

So, What Is Cosmic Reid's Starlight Cafe?

Cosmic Reid Starlight Cafe is your weekly dose of live Disney music and magic courtesy of Magical Mouse Radio. Every Monday at 1:00pm Eastern, host "Cosmic" Chris Reid spins Walt Disney World Resort music and provides you with the latest information.

We work with the online Disney community.

Our program has many sponsors and partners from the online Disney community who all share the love for the most Magical Place on Earth. Theme Park Insider's Robert Niles, is a regular guest of the program, offering stories from his time as a Walt Disney World Resort Cast Member. The Magic For Less Travel Company, Bongo's Cuban Cafe in Downtown Disney West Side, DisDates.com, Celebrations Magazine, Steve Barrett's Hidden Mickeys Guides are all pieces of magic that make up our weekly program.

About the Host

Chris Reid lives in Winnipeg, Canada and has been in the broadcasting industry since 2003. He has worked for local television stations and radio stations, and previously with other online Disney stations. Chris is happy to be part of the magic of Magical Mouse Radio!

Be sure to make Cosmic Reid' Starlight Cafe part of your lunch hour every Monday at 1pm Eastern, and if you miss it, listen to the replay at 7:00pm Eastern on Wednesday!

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Be sure to tune in January 2011 for some cool stuff coming along with our new partnership! We'll keep you posted on that and more to come!

Look to the top to listen their show on our blog here and soon on our website shortly.

Visit their website at: http://www.cosmicreid.com/

You can follow the magic:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cosmicreid

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107891175906130

Youtube: http://www.cosmicreid.com/specials.html

Ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cosmic-reid-live

Tweet Meet? Would you be interested?

Tweet Meet? Would you be interested?

It's been several years we've been thinking about this concept for a long time but its been pushed to the back burner to work on other project that we are working on.




Today I was just sitting down at my computer and asked up Tijn about the idea if we get some feedback of our community to see if they were interested of doing our first ever tweet meet?

He said, 'I'll post it as a poll and we'll see what response we'll get.'

If we get a great number of responses and feedback from all of you, maybe we can make it happen and not only to meet up but as well do fun 'magical' stuff too!

What's your thoughts?

Vote today and leave a comment below, we'd be happy to hear what you guys think!

VOTE HERE: www.themagical.nl

Thanks,


Reighard

Email: sdt@themagical.nl

Feature Article: Mulan-Snow White in Disguise

Hello everybody!

Boy, I have a great article to share with you all. My very good friend wrote an interesting article for her school writing assignment and I thought I would share with you all.

I found this the most interesting article in relation to our beloved Disney Princesses!

Feature Article: Mulan--Snow White in Disguise?

Enjoy!

Special Thanks to: Debbie Campbell ºoº

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"Mulan—Snow White in Disguise?"

Written by: © Debbie Campbell

White makeup covering her face, Mulan stares at her reflection and wonders when it will match who she really is inside. She then wipes off the makeup and by so doing rejects what it symbolizes: the ultimate Chinese eligible bride of that time who was honored for being delicate, beautiful, and perfect at serving tea. Instead of pursuing marriage, Mulan leaves home, dressed as a male in her father’s old armor, to fight in her father’s place in the war against the Huns. Mulan’s actions and desires contrast greatly with Kathi Maio’s accusations.

Maio feels that the Disney heroines, while having new skin colors, still only have one ambition – to be a happy homemaker. Maio argues that Mulan, though brave, is only trying to fulfill patriarchal duty instead of pursuing her own interests. According to Maio, Mulan’s and Snow White’s main goals are the same: finding an attractive male to marry.

Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) do all appear as passive females who can sing, do domestic chores, and look pretty but when in danger must wait for their handsome princes to rescue them. These heroines do seem to have as their ultimate goal to be happily married homemakers. Although Maio describes Snow White’s, Cinderella’s, and Aurora’s portrayals accurately, Maio’s one-size-fits-all attitude doesn’t work for Mulan or for many of the other Disney heroines.

Disney began to break the pattern of the beautiful but helpless heroines with the introduction of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Ariel’s passion for finding and studying human objects and culture leads her to take great risks such as swimming in shark territory and disobeying her father by visiting the ocean’s surface. While at the surface, Ariel rescues Prince Eric from drowning and thus discovers a live human to study. Her interest in him is not only romantic; he is also a vehicle for her to learn more about humans. At the end of the story, Ariel has managed to realize her passion—to be able to live in the human world— while having a significant relationship. This is not the story of a young woman only looking for a romantic solution for her life, as Maio claims.

In the films following The Little Mermaid (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Disney explored the possibilities of more independent and capable heroines. These next females are shown as strong-willed women who, in spite of their patriarchal cultures, pursue their own interests and unique talents. Maio asserts that the only improvement in Belle (Beauty and the Beast) is that she reads. Yet, Belle states expressly in a song early in the film that she wants “more than this provincial life” offered to her by the small town in which she lives. Maio reduces Jasmine (Aladdin) to a “comely pawn bandied back and forth” from male to male (par. 20). But Maio seems to ignore the fact that, while she is subject to certain patriarchal demands from her culture, Jasmine repeatedly uses what power she has to stand up to the evil vizier Jafar and to reject suitors—including her future husband Aladdin—in spite of her father’s wishes. Pocahontas becomes romantically interested in John Smith, but she only meets him in the midst of her travels to explore “just around the river bend”. Maio doesn’t mention Esmerelda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. An independent gypsy woman, Esmerelda is capable of out-maneuvering the guards. More than once she, through use of bold speech and decisive actions, deliberately defies the powerful villain Frollo. Esmerelda is dangerous, yet good, and her goal through the entire movie is preservation of self and of her friends no matter what the costs. Romance, though she comes to love Captain Phoebus, is not her focus. All of these Disney heroines do not follow Snow White’s standard, like Maio suggests.

Returning her attention to Mulan, Maio ends her article saying that Mulan is just another girl whom Disney is content to make a happy homemaker like Snow White. Yet, Mulan did not go off to the war to find a husband. She had rejected the pretty-eligible-bride image because it wasn’t her true self. Instead Mulan found that military life suited her because she had a brilliant military mind that she could use to save her country and her emperor. In defiance of the patriarchal norms of ancient China, the emperor commends Mulan, considers her for a position in the government, and urges General Shang to stay acquainted with this unique woman. The film ends with Shang coming to see if Mulan might accept him as a worthy partner.

Disney did much more than change the skin colors and trappings of the more recent Disney heroines. Their personalities and their ambitions did evolve from the Snow-White image. Counter to Maio’s argument, heroines from Ariel to Mulan are not Snow White in disguise.

© Debbie Campbell

10!! Start the Celebration!

10!! It's finally here! Let the celebration begin!!

December 1, 2010 marks the 10th birthday for "Themagical" website! 10 years its been faithfully being online and showing an impressive online simulations that continues to grow.

Even to the surprise of the webmaster himself, was surprised that his simulations and website are a huge popular hit online to this day.

Quote from Interview of Webmaster/Founder of "Themagical" website:

"No, really did not, surprises me a little bit. Thought that the Sims never is popular, but it turned out to be a great spot for simulation lovers."

Themagical team is happy for your support over the years and wishing that this site to continue to bring more smiles and enjoyment of playing the simulations. We are glad you can give us feedback on how to improve the simulations and as well suggest new simulation ideas for a possible future simulation.

Thanks to you guys we are still online and as well hoping more years to come for 'Themagical' website community!

I leave you with this personal quote from the Webmaster/Founder of 'Themagical':

"I really hope everybody loves to play the simulations as much as I still do, and I am glad I am not the only one who loves them. Thanks for all the support!" ~Martijn Leseman

Until then,


Reighard
Simulation Development Team

Email: sdt@themagical.nl