Starting from about 2 years ago, I had been wanting a quite unique addition to the Cirque du Soleil collection in my room. And I had no idea at the time of what a long search I would embark on. This was it, the last addition. It always just seemed to scream my name when I saw the sign on the bright taxis. I thought, wouldn't it be cool to have one of those Cirque taxi signs in my room? I mean, after all, I've saved up my money for every other Green Bird souvenir. Why not touch it off with a true treasure, a used taxi sign with this particular performer on it?! It was a special connection for me, and would mean so much.

I felt too young and chicken at first and had my dad call the taxi company. And after much repetition and reconfirming that yes, this is what we would like, we didn't get very far. Who wants to take the time to do such a favor anyway? They probably wouldn't get anything for doing this for me, so why bother? We were told that they'd be taking the signs down and switching them out in a year.

So a year from then, it was August again, and I got my dad back on the phone. This time a Disney employee by the name of Jenn. She seemed a little stressed and flustered by the request. We tried calling her a few more times, she never called us back. So we kind of just gave up. I wasn't sure if I wanted it that bad.

So about another year later (I'm relentless), we were up at Disney in Orlando, when I saw that they were switching out the signs to the new Green Bird. I was so excited, this meant it would be easy to get the old one. They must throw them out anyway! So I called my dad who stayed home on this trip, and had him do the negotiation work for me again! He does exchanges at Wal-Mart, so, why not, right? He's good at it. It's right down his alley. ;)

I gave him the Cirque publicist's name this time going straight to the source, and he called her. I was so excited and anxious to hear what he had to say after calling her. Turns out again, this wasn't her department, so she referred us to another person. Someone through Disney Marketing. Okay, now we're getting warmer. I just need some one who personally cares and wouldn't mind a favor. She gave us her name, it was Teresa Martin. Dad talked with her once, but I didn't think it was quite the same as just having me, the one who wants it, call. So I decided to call her back and re-explain what I hoped to be able to get.

She was absolutely wonderful. So nice and friendly with a happy laugh and I could tell she didn't think the request was the least bit crazy. It was like this light-hearted, "No problem!" that I felt from her. She said they were busy, but she'd work on it. Wow!! So I waited, and had even forgotten about it, when one day about a month later, I picked up the phone and it was her! She said she had it in her office right now. I was almost like, "Have what?!" Was I dreaming?

She had to actually take time off of her work schedule to research how to get this for me, since even as she said, that wasn't her department, and they're not directly associated with whoever owns the taxi signs. But, she did it anyway, just for me. And is even coming into work early on Monday so she can personally hand it to me. And for this, I had a What Would Walt Do pin stashed away, which I thought was perfect and just waiting for her!

So thank you, Teresa for your time and for caring. My passion for Cirque and longing for this taxi sign is fulfilled! =O) Disney's magical cast works their magic again!