jmicha

Dang, this is going to be an intense coaster. Going from pulling 4.9G at the bottom of the top hat to -1.5G in the camelback. That's an absolutely insane amount of airtime. Nothing like 1.5 times your weight being launched upward into the restraint lol.

I know what it's like to have to deal with this type of a promotion at a KFC. I worked at the one by my house (which is understaffed. One cook, shift supervisor/manager, and another taking orders) and when they had the BOGO offer for the mashed potato bowls, we couldn't keep up with it. Someone literally had to devote their entire night from 4PM to 8PM making mashed potatoes, corn, and gravy for the bowls. And customers couldn't understand that. They'd see that there were only three people working and we were going as fast as we could to take and pack their orders, but we could only move so fast. We always got the most complaints during promotions like this. And after any of these promotions were done or the coupons were expired, people didn't ever understand why they couldn't get the same deal. For example we had a five dollar meal which came with a thigh and a leg, plus two individual sides, a biscuit, and a drink for about a month. And when it was done, we were flooded with complaints that people were being "overcharged." We were put on corporate watch because of this once without any explanation on our part as to why we were "overcharging" the customers. All that happened was that the meal that had been five dollars during the promotion went back up to being around seven dollars like it was before the sale. Things like these are never actually good for a fast food restaurant.

My fear of heights kicks in when a ride has hangtime. Like the former S:UE/Steel Venom at Geauga Lake really made me uncomfortable during the holding brake. X-Flight induced quite a bit of fear when riding. It was still enjoyable, but falling into the restraint was always a heart pounding experience.

Honestly, it looks like the way the boat hits the water probably wasn't as originally as planned. It's not very graceful in the way it slows down. It jolts around. It looks like it skims atop the water for a little bit before slowing down to a certain point where the nose drops suddenly and hits the water hard which might be why the boat doesn't make such a large splash. Kind of a disappointing splash actually, which is strange because the other Intamin splash rides have massive splashes and are very graceful in the way they enter the water. I wonder why this is so different.

The first video (well, up until the noise at the end that sounds like some sort of creature) makes me think of bioterrorism for some reason. That noise that plays through most of it is a very strange choice, but is definitely goosebump-inducing lol.

^^I understand the nature of steel frame construction (architecture school will do that lol) and I understand that there is constant movement (some of which is actually quite noticeable on some coasters such as Top Thrill Dragster, Wicked Twister, and even Diamondback's first hill) but there's no reason why the staircase couldn't be integrated into the brake run's support structure. It just looks so funny and adds to the already messy support system for the ride. This ride is the opposite of modern B&M coasters in terms of support structure lol. B&Ms always have minimal, yet large supports, whereas this ride has a vast amount of smaller supports. Very different indeed.

I'm happy work has resumed on the lift. But I have one question about the ride (that I know no one here will be able to answer but will ask nonetheless lol). Why exactly is the evac staircase for the first MCBR not part of the structure? It looks so strange chilling all by itself away from the track and support structure of the ride.

^^Actually, they all do have zero cars. Only difference is that they have seats on them. http://rcdb.com/ig1.htm?picture=18 If you look at that picture, you can see that the front car is at the exact same angle as the second car, whereas each car after that is perpendicular to the track. The spacing is also noticeably different. This is because the seats on the zero car are always follow the same angle as the second car and the spacing is much more consistent than that of any other two cars on the train. This, however, could be implemented into the design of this flyer.

I'm going to throw something out here about the first POV posted. I have a feeling that the train wasn't full. Because the POV that was just posted has significantly less time waiting in the brakes and the amount of flipping, although never full circle, seems quite good. Lots of awkward upside down movements, and the ending with the brake run looks pretty intense. I think this ride looks pretty successful for such a small little ride. I would definitely love to try one out.

^^Isn't park of the track a very light pink?

^^^Well, knowing your sexuality at that age is kind of something that pretty much everyone knows. I knew I was gay much earlier than that. Well, I've kind of just always known. I could tell that I was different than everyone else was early on and I knew I just preferred boys. And it stayed that way once i matured beyond early childhood...and now I really like boys But in all seriousness, there's nothing wrong with knowing who you are at that age, but there is a lot of thought that needs to go into how you deal with that. Coming out should always be done at a time where it is good for you and you are comfortable doing so.

^If there is indeed a blue crane over at IoA, then that is a very possible explanation as to why it has gone missing from HRRR. Technically, there is no real argument for there being a problem other than the weird change of pace of construction. This, however, really doesn't mean that there is a problem. It is possible that the plan was to finish most of the trackwork quickly so that the crane could indeed be sent elsewhere while the smaller details could be worked on, then sent back to finish any remaining trackwork. I'm thinking they are right no schedule and that the strange change of pace was planned and, although not typical, will turn out just fine.

I saw Crank 2: High Voltage this weekend and loved it just as much as the first one. They are such great movies. You just have to go in knowing you are about to see one of the most ridiculous movies ever lol. Funny thing was, some of the people in the theater clearly had not seen the first one and had absolutely no clue what was going on. The first one is referenced in so many funny ways that only make sense if you've seen it. Otherwise there are a bunch of random jokes you won't get. Like he asks Eve if she got his message (the one sent from falling towards Los Angeles) and it flashes back to her getting the message which is just a loud wind whistling sound. My brother and I were the only ones to laugh at this part and I think it's because we were the only ones to get it which was sad. But if you've seen the first one, definitely see the second one. It's pure awesomeness. I'd give it an 8.5/10

^...I mean, to each their own, but that's just...odd lol. I'm not really sure how that could be a turn on, but I guess if it makes them happy then that's all that matters lol.

^I think the speed is especially impressive when you take into consideration that the train is only like half the size of a real train that would e on The Raven. These trains look like they are just designed properly and will help with the navigation problems of PTCs and hopefully help with maintenance problems on some wooden coasters.

Nice! Lol, I love DAAP. Kind of ruins my social life and ability to ride coasters, but I can deal since architecture is my greatest passion lol. So true. I will never buy any article of clothing unless it looks good on me. I'm a smart shopper when it comes to money, but if it doesn't look good, no thanks lol. It's good that I have so many friends in fashion design because my sense of fashion is...well, less than to be desired. I need assistance sometimes lol. What's most important to me is looking respectful, not necessarily trendy, so I'm happy I've matured in my clothing choices since getting into college. I know that it is extremely important to only come out when you are good and ready (people knowing before you want them to can cause a lot of problems, especially at a young age) but I would say that it is better for your good friends to know. It really is a huge weight off the shoulders telling them, and you may be surprised how many of them already have figured it out or have suspicions. My best friend said he suspected I was back in middle school. I've known him 9 years now, and the moment I told him, although one of the hardest moments of my life so far, was one of the best feelings I've ever experienced. It was the only thing I kept a secret from him, and removing that final constraint was nice. Same goes for when I told my parents and brothers a couple months ago. Coming out is hard on anyone, and should only be done when you feel fully comfortable with telling people, but it is one of the most freeing feelings you will probably ever experience.

^Lol, exactly. I went shopping with my friends Morgan and Rachel (fashion designers) at the beginning of this school year and bought a few t shirts and short sleeve button downs, etc. They were extremely cheap. I think I got something like 7 or 8 shirts for only just under $100. I'm a good bargain shopper lol. And I also can't stand the big box stores. I will NEVER buy anything from Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. I get a bad vibe in those stores lol. And I'm very frugal when it comes to anything else. Not cheap mind you. I will spend money if it means I'll be happy, but I'm not a fan of spending all of my money on worthless junk like some people. I like having money, and that's something that's hard to come by these days being a college student lol. And the butch thing is so true. I'm a very masculine guy. I have my gay tendencies because...well...I'm gay lol, but the majority of the people I know were surprised when I came out. I am more attracted to masculine gays, but this can be a problem too sometimes. A lot of gay guys that I know didn't think I was gay, meaning they won't approach me. This means I need to approach them, and well, I suck at that lol. Too shy for my own good.

I think one of the biggest problems was that the train was very...cute due to its length. And the front car appeared to be missing, with just a set of wheels in its place. I have a feeling a full length train would look significantly better.

^I must have matured faster than most then, because I always found $100 pairs of jeans ridiculous lol. My entire wardrobe (two weeks worth of different clothes) only cost me about $600 total, and that includes 6 pairs of jeans, about twenty shirts, two hoodies, two pairs of shoes, and a very nice, knee-length coat from Guess which by itself was $180. That is the only piece of clothing that I own that was just a pure indulgence. I really liked it and needed a warm winter coat now that I have to walk outside to get to classes and I also needed a relatively formal coat for when I go out to nicer places. This coat fit all these needs and will be with me for a long time lol. I basically shop in the discount or bargain bins at the cheaper brand name stores, unless I find something cheap at one of the nicer stores. For example, I have two Hollister shirts I love to wear, both of which were on clearance for $10 each. So I was fine with that lol. I usually go to Gap to get my clothes. They are more comfortable than A&E, Abercrombie, etc. and personally I think they look and fit better. Speaking of shopping, I need to get some more clothes actually. I've lost 20 pounds in the last three months and a lot of my clothes just don't fit at all anymore. Kind of bittersweet lol. I like a lot of my clothes, especially my button downs, but they just are too large now. I've definitely moved down a size since the last time I went shopping. Oh well, the price you pay for bettering yourself I guess lol...I just realized I have been talking about shopping quite a bit, something I actually kind of hate doing lol. I'm going to stop now.

^^You sound like me when I rant to my friends about the stereotype fixed to gay guys lol. I'm basically the opposite of the stereotype. I love watching sports, I play video games, mostly shooters, I'm a car guy, I don't really have a big interest in fashion (although I do like looking nice obviously. Looking respectable is important to me) and I only go out to party when I am completely sure it will not effect my schooling in any way. My major is extremely time-consuming (architecture), so these times I do go out with friends or to the gay club I go to (The Dock in Cincinnati ROCKS) are awesome, but I'm not the type to overdo it. I don't drink due to personal beliefs, but still have fun when I go out (which is unfortunately a hard idea for most people, not just gay guys, to understand) and would never even consider sleeping around. Something about the thought of sleeping with someone I don't know disgusts me. And like you, I have trouble finding a guy that shares these beliefs and ideals. Doesn't help that I don't really get out of my studio all that much, but even the gay guys in my school (an art school, so lots of gays lol) are mostly the stereotypical ones and I'm just not attracted to that at all. But I do know there are guys out there that share the same stance on life as me, and I know I will meet one someday and be happy with them. Until then, I have no problem keeping focused on getting a good education and job when I graduate. And if they come along during this process, it will only make it better.

^Wow, those really steep drops at the very beginning and end of the ride are interesting. Kind of look like something that you would design into one of your rides in No Limits, but would never actually be integrated into a real ride. This ride looks fantastic though. Very fast-paced and with some unique and intense looking elements.

I'm actually a little disappointed with the graphic on the zero car. It's very...busy. I liked the simplicity of the trains' design before the graphic was put on. They were very graceful navigating the track. This graphic doesn't really match that style. Oh well, maybe it'll grow on me. I really just want to say that I think that B&M coasters are the most graceful coasters out there. And Manta is the perfect example of how every coaster should be "themed." There really isn't all that much theming, just a lot of really well done landscaping. For a full size coaster like this, it looks amazing. It really makes the coaster look at home in the park rather than being plopped down in the middle of a cleared field like most coasters are these days.

^That's exactly what I was just thinking. Looks much more impressive (in terms of scale) than any of the other pictures showed. I really want to ride one of these. Hopefully a park around me will get one someday.

^I don't know. If they are saying it is unconstitutional, I don't see why it would be left up to popular vote as that is one of the biggest reasons it is unconstitutional. The large group cannot be responsible for removing the rights of the smaller group. From what I gathered, it sounds like it is basically a done deal, unless it is opposed, which is said to be unlikely. I'm hoping nothing gets in the way of this because it is a great step forward for gay rights.

^I'm happy it was Iowa and not a more progressive state. This will have more of an effect on helping people realize how wrong it is to deny us the right to get married. The states considered progressive won't want to be behind in the times compared to Iowa lol. I'm hoping this starts a trend in the upcoming years of removing the ban on gay marriages in other states.