CoastersNSich

NFL: Indianapolis Colts MLB: St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks. I guess I like the Blue Jackets too. NBA: (not so big) Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers NCAA: I'm going to Ohio State this falll, and went to Cincinnati for my bachelor's. I'm also a "closeted" fan of that Ann Arbor team.

Like the others have said, a classic cartoon made into a live-action 3-d animated film, which by itself has issues. Now you hip-hop it = automatic crap. The first Garfield movie was disappointing, but it's gotta be better than Alvin. At least The Simpsons got it right.

About a month ago, and I think I also saw the clip wher Peter out-farts Michael Moore. When was the last time you ate at Arby's? (You must've been hungry)

I took a trip the past few days to Washington, D.C., and on Tuesday, decided to go to Six Flags America - without a car! You might think that would be impossible, but the D.C. area has a great public transit system. The hotel I was staying in was a block from the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro station. I went down the LONG escalators, which took several minutes to descend. I caught the Red Line train toward the city center, where I transferred to a Blue Line train towards Largo at Metro Center. On the platform, I ran into a young lady wearing one of those distinctive Six Flags employee shirts that say "...Because my family goes here too!" on the back, also headed where I was going. Now in Largo, Marlyand at the end of the Blue Line, I wait for the metrobus, along with more SFA employees, and about 30 minutes later, I walk with many of them toward the park (and realizing I saved good money taking Metro because of the $15 parking fee). The front gate was playing the "We Like To Party!" song (the one in the Mr. Six commercials) along with "general announcements" and an ad for the Marines. Going in was a breeze, and the main gate plaza was open all the way down to the end by the theater, where the opening show was going on, featuring Bugs and Daffy. This is a sign that Six Flags is serious about family entertainment and having a good time. They are also serious about not only cleanliness, but having a smoke free park. Right at the front gate, employees were wearing buttons about the policy - and an announcement made prior to the park officially opening saying that smoking outside of designated areas is cause for removal from the park. I'd like to see my home park, Kings Island, try this! I last visited SFA in 2004, when Superman: Ride of Steel was closed due to the incident at SFNE, and Batwing broke down before I could ride. This time, Batwing was open, and S:ROS was almost ready. I grabbed a locker for my valuables next to ROS, and headed for Batwing, got the second train of the morning (1 train op), front row. It turned out to be good, even though I had ridden the relocated and repainted Firehawk two days earlier at KI. Coming back from Batwing, S:ROS was now open, and I got on the next train, sitting in the first row of the next to-last car of the one train they were running. Wow, did this coaster ever make the trek to SFA worthwhile! This IMO has better air than Millennium Force, though MF's layout is more impressive. Next, I hit Joker's Jinx, without any wait, and got in the third car (2 train op.). I actually like this a bit more than Flight of Fear, because it's outdoors, and lacks the mid-course brake. One ride I was hoping to do was the Typhoon Sea Coaster, and while the lifts were running, it was not open, possibly because of a stranded boat/malfunction. Walking past it, I headed for ROAR and the front seat, which delivered a fun, although a bit rough ride, as evidenced buy the passengers behind me. The SLC coaster was down, so I skipped that up. Instead, I did the third KI coaster clone, Two-Face, getting on an empty seat on the next available train, and while riding, thought that this coaster was smoother than Face/Off at KI. Wild One was shut down briefly, so I headed for the drop tower (forget the name, it's an Intamin 2nd gen freefall, like the one at SFKK), and got on quickly. Before dropping, I could see out to Landover and FedEx Field. Wild One reopened as I got off, and I got in the first row of the last car. This old woodie actually true to its name, especially in the final helix! Before heading back to the locker, and out of the park, I went on the Penguin's Blizzard River raft ride, which got me damp, as it was in the 90's that day. I should also note that when I asked for tap water in two occasions at concession stands, they happily gave it to me without hesitation or question. Compare that to an experience at KI two days earlier. The third time I needed water, I chose to buy a bottle of spring water on the way out of the park and to the metrobus stop. I like how SF parks sell real spring water rather than that Dasani/Aquafina stuff at Cedar Fair parks. Overall, my experience at SFA was very diferent from 3 years ago, and it is a sign that the park, and the chain, is getting better. Cedar Fair could do a few things that their big competitor is now doing. Whether you choose to drive, or take transit, SFA is a worthwhile place to visit for coaster thrills and fun.

Yesterday at Six Flags America. Batwing and Two-Face. When was the last time you saw a sporting event, live and in-person?

...Or when I work third shift, and people don't realize when I actually get my sleep.

I'm not sure if Drew is a perfect fit, but it sure makes a hell a lot more sense than Rosie hosting. I am certainly proud of him, as he (and I) are from Ohio. Drew will be on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight - he learned that he was selected to host TPIR just a few minutes before taping of tonight's Late Show.

- There was an ad for a Northern Kentucky auto dealer in which they repeatedly said and shouted "TRUCKS! TRUCKS! TRUCKS! TRUCKS! TRUCKS!" and it got so much louder and faster it started sounding like they were saying "DRUGS! DRUGS! DRUGS!.." - Many commercials that feature this annoying voice-over lady (done by Channel 9 WCPO people). Oh and endless use of Arial Black... I stand by saying that Arial doesn't belong in print or TV use. - Once again, Time Warner Cable. - Argosy Casino "Fun Not Far" It's just on so often.

I would have have placed a football on my shirt, but bowlin's OK too.

Especially when I go to Kings Island and have to deal with other guests being complete morons.

Probably as a little kid, maybe for cub scouts... When was the last time you rode on a rapid transit rail system (i.e. NYC, DC, LA, Chicago, Boston, London...)

USA (since 1981), and Canada (Windsor, ON - 1 night, late December 2001).

After seeing this commercial, Schaefer!

I live in Ohio. Also visited: Kentucky (I've also worked here). Indiana Michigan Pennsylvania Illinois Missouri West Virginia Virginia Maryland District of Columbia Minnesota (Switched planes at MSP) Nevada

"It's a pornography store. I was buying pornography!" - Homer Jay Simpson

I saw it yesterday, and thought it was good and funny, but it failed to be a match for Bruce Almighty. I thought it was a bit... predictable.

Homer (to Lisa): Who's your favorite Travelling Wilbury? Is it Jeff Lynne?

I'm longing to see Evan Almighty, 'cause of Steve Carell. His best scene in Bruce Almighty was the "DooDooCaCa" scene where Bruce possesses Evan into saying funny gibberish. I might look into seeing Transformers, I hear Josh Duhamel and Shia LaBeouf have some good roles in it.

Just got back from Mason, Ohio's 4th of July Festival (on the 3rd). A couple of little bands... Kansas and Asia... you may have heard of. They rawked.

A busted-up Motorola V400 from 3 years ago. Don't know how longer I'll have it, but if I suddenly find myself rich, it'll be replaced with an iPhone. Needless to say, not really gonna happen....

1998 Twisted Twins, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom 2003 Top Thirll Dragster, Cedar Point - first public day Superman Ultimate Flight, Six Flags Great America 2006 The Voyage, Holiday World - Media Day Kentucky Rumbler, Beech Bend Park - Media Day 2007 Maverick, Cedar Point - CoasterMania Home Park - Kings Island: 1991 - Adventure Express 1993 - Top Gun 1996 - Flight of Fear - first public (non-season pass) day 1998 - Scooby's Ghoster Coaster (defunct) 1999 - Face/Off - before the public 2000 - Son of Beast - first public day 2001 - Rugrats Runaway Reptar 2005 - Italian Job - soft opening 2007 - Firehawk (OK, so it wasn't new, and I rode it at Geauga Lake, 2002-2006) - Memorial Day

Probably a few months ago, it was Josh Gracin's first CD. When was the last time you had to go #2 really bad... you weren't at (or near) home... in fact you were on the road, and it was a good distance to a restroom?

Local Water Parks Boomerang Bay, Kings Island - Because it's free with KI admission, I go several times a year. - Has some fun slides, but they seem tame compared to other parks, and beat up even. - Be prepared to walk long distances, especially between the wave pool/tornado and main water slides areas. - Not bad for a "free" water park, but most other water parks impress me more. The Beach, near Kings Island - Older than Boomerang Bay, and has wilder slides and attractions. The wave pool is deeper and has tubes. However, it's showing its age, and few attractions have been added in the past decade. On the other hand, there are some nice deals. Sunlite Pool, Coney Island (OH) - The world's largest recirculating pool, continuously operating since 1926, even after the classic park gave way to Kings Island. It's got a few slides, ands it's more of a huge swim club for the locals, but a one-day pass (you can add rides too) shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Also done: - Wildwater Kingdom, Dorney Park and Geauga Lake - SFKK's Splashwater Kingdom - Holiday World's Splashin' Safari - Wyandot Lake, when owned by Six Flags, prior to its Cols Zoo destruction.

In related news, all Wal-Mart locations located near Cedar Fair amusement and theme parks will be closed indefinitely for an investigation in their parking lots.

In West Chester, OH, which is about half-hour north of Cincinnati, there the new IKEA going up. I pass by it once a week because nearby there's a new McDonald's, which I won a free Extra Value Meal once a week until June 2008, because I was one of the first 50 people to show up. So, double yummy... McD's and IKEA! By the time I run out of free meals, the IKEA will be open, but probably not until spring '08. This September, though, I'll be moving to Columbus to do grad school at Ohio State. (There's a suburb named Dublin near Cols.) Of course, people from hours away from Cincinnati will visit the West Chester IKEA.