terrancew_hod

I have more train pictures and a little video as well. And we definitely need to chat... when you swing through Florida, I'll come up and hang with you on the weekend! The vacation is sooo used up for the year! Terry

Hey peeps! I converted the first batch of pictures for my TPR. It's coaster and statue credit-lite, but I wanted to at least set up a bit for when I hit the TPR Europe trip. I'm just going to pick out a few of the highlights... I took very few pics during the first days since I was getting used to being in Europe and I was down a camera man. I was also stressed over some drama that went down, but once I was on my own I was getting back in the groove of things. Anyway, let's get the first few days out of the way shall we? EDIT: Yeah I know. Some of these pics are sideways! I'll fix 'em when I get back from the club! Update list: Alton Towers: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=614538#614538 Thorpe Park and Madame Tussaulds: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=615800#615800 Paris: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45032&start=20 Paris (pt 2), a little Disney, Parc St Paul and Mer de Sable: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=623225#623225 I had to improvise in my statue credits... so this is how I gotta take 'em for the next few days! Well it's back to London for me and the end of this update, since I gotta get ready to go out for the evening. Next update is a brief update of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park (I hope) and the "Assault at Madame Tussaud's! Yeah Yeah, I hear you! Where's the amusement park? Have a scaled down one! Won't get any coaster credits though... You'll need that center to control the night and thunder effects. To control all that you need a kickass control center with multiple people monitoring the railroad. This is the cool part: a model airport with planes taking off and landing! They've even modeled a nuclear plant! Can't get much cooler than that! A scaled down recreation of a medieval recreation! Walking in the next room is the main attraction. A replica of Berlin and the surrounding area! You need replicas of Berlin landmarks? They got them! They have all your needs for an awesome project! Continuing my walk, I found a mall with this lovely attraction. It's a model railroad store! See I knew they had a shop like this around because the peeps had their heads together. Note to France: Call Germany and find out where to get the relaxers! Your heads are a nappy-a$$ed mess! One French chick had the nerve to have a kinky head and then put a ponytail extension that was relaxed. Girl! We know it ain't your hair! I should have "French Crushed" her and snatched it out! Walking around on the opposite side of town I found this lovely store. Yep, I found the black people side of town! In Germany no less. And we're looking at each other funny! Look! I'm a tourist! Doing tourist-y things! Only on a limited budget because I wasn't paid back like I asked. Well after 40 years I can stretch a Euro as well as a dollar. A girl was trying to beg from me by handing me a note then chanting! I told her "Girl, I'm about 30 Euro from joining you! Beat it!" This was my hotel. And no, this isn't when I just arrived; this is me coming in from trying to party. Yep it's dawn... let me get a few winks and go sightseeing. Remember that dish I had? Well it did bring some bad luck. Fast forward to be alone in Berlin, paying for two rooms but only one used... nonrefundable. I'm not happy but I got some peace of mind back and the drama has been ditched. Anyway, I got a kick out of the dual sinks in the bathroom; then I almost fell getting in the shower! I don't have to step up that far to get in! I'm in Piccadilly Circus! Ok, where are the bars? (I didn't have to go to far... they were around the corner!) We went to an Indian restaurant after the play. You tell me: Do you see the same thing I see in my dish? What are they trying to say? Did they give me the hex? I think so! Later on, we go see a play: Cabaret. I'm enjoying the play and then the dancers get butt naked. Imaging a man doing leaps naked... yep, now you got the same visual I got. Ok, a girl leaping... breast jumping around... did that make it better? Yeah! Second credit of the Day! Now the people are staring at me. They'll be alright. Gotta love the name; we need a bar with the same name. "Where you goin' tonight?" "I'm going to The Clink!" I've been in London for 3 hours and I've already scored my first drink: Sangria! And it's strong too! It didn't take long to get my first statue credit (sort of). This is Tony (Zencoaster). And this is the only picture of him for the TPR tour. Hi, I'm Terry and I'm your tour guide for this adventure. I'm in front of the London Bridge for my first camera shot!

LOL! I had to make a point. Be nice and I'll add the video of the go-go girls dancing at the party in Madrid in my TPR. One turns around to show you her assets while dancing in a pseudo-Wonder Woman outfit. She was working it out. Terry

When I'm in a gay bar, please don't try to hook me up with your female friend! And definitely don't be persistent about it. Man: "Do you like to be with girls at all?" Me: "No." Man: "Well my friend thinks you're cute." Me: "That's fine but I'm not interested." Man: "But she would really like to talk to you." Me: "Well I think she's out of luck tonight." (walking off) Also, not being vain, but if I'm putting the work into trying to get this body together, don't approach me if you're obese. Obese Man: "What's up?" Me: "My blood pressure." (walking off) Yesterday wasn't a very good night for me. Terry

^^Mission accomplished! And it's still very creepy. I love scoping the men, put I'll keep my camera put away, thank you very much. Besides, if you ask nice they'll pose with you or even let you take their picture. People have asked me to take pics with them or I've asked to take pictures of other people. Observe: Man on right, I knew. Man on left: Hot trade. I asked to take a picture and he said yes. Give 'em a choice!

There is a saying: Time heals all wounds. Give yourself time. Eventually it will get better for you. Years ago a good friend of mine died of AIDS. I was depressed and sad, but I know he's in a better place because he was in so much pain. But eventually it got better for me. One of the reasons I volunteer at Care Resource is to honor his memory. Also last year on the Midwest Trip I came across a pinball game that we use to play together every week; so I dropped a few quarters in and played a few games. After all these years, I still suck at it. I'm sure he got a laugh out of me trying though. Terry

Now now... you won't get her with that attitude! I'm usually oblivious to the same thing. You know how I met my last boyfriend? I tripped and fell on him! But if you are going to use the camera, scope out the scene and if you see something you like, put the camera away and try to say hi! You won't know unless you try! Terry

C'mon... let's have thicker skin. I'm teasing. But you do know you and that camera are practically inseparable. You can't communicate or interact with people effectively with the camcorder constantly running or snapping every single detail. Wean yourself of the constant documentation and interact with people more! I mean what would happen if Ms Right was standing next to you and you were too busy filming to notice?

^So are my pictures from part 1 of my upcoming European TPR: "Assault on Madame Tussauds" Coming to a web page near you...

That's why I didn't take some of my statue pics until I knew he was gone. At Walibi Belgium we distracted him long enough for me to get a picture with the statue in front and take off. Terrance

Not the food in europe.... the food at the hotel. I got a better and cheaper meal in the park at one of their sit down restaurants. There wasn't much of a selection at the hotel for the price they were charging. Breakfast wasn't bad... although most days at breakfast I ate really quickly to get to the bus. But it was generally your typical egg, bacon, bread and coffee combination. You can't really mess that up... unless you're trying to pass off powdered eggs like the Novatel Amsterdam did. Terry

^The best part that you were oblivious to my shenanigans. Just looking around in your own world. Can't do that when I'm around! The other picture (with the video that I still haven't got a copy of), was a study in how not to pass out. Terry

Things to note: 1) You could produce your own beer in the time that you got served in the Dragon Bar. 2) You paid out of your a$$ for food at the hotel. Where are the cheap snacks? Luckily I ate at the parks so I wouldn't have to pay about $40 USD for a simple meal. 3) Stephan's outfits just keep getting more... um... colorful. You definitely knew he was nearby. 4) That vertical slide was cool. 5) They couldn't have a self-operated ride in France. It would be another French Crush... or Parisian Push as I called it, as the ride slid into the river! But it wasn't as bad as my french (ex)friend and his buddies grabbing my hand then charging the club doors as it quickly became a mob scene... I thought I was gonna get crushed! 6) No one took pictures of the self operated soft-serve ice cream machine? I'll save it for my TPR. We need those in the US! 7) The cashier messed up and gave me 2 extra bratwurst and when I tried to give them away no one wanted them! (No worries, I stuffed them down) But I bet a few wish they had one when we got to the hotel and saw those outrageous prices!

^^Several words you used should not be in the same paragraph as Michael Jackson. We haven't got to Walygator's Anaconda yet. Bandit hurt but I didn't fear for my life until that thing. Terry

I'm going on record to say I DON'T LIKE SPINNING RIDES! I was told it wasn't bad at all and I was lied to! So if you aren't religious you probably don't wanna see the video, 'cause I'm praying to Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Zeus and the Devil.... anyone that can come and switch that darned ride off! I was evil when I got off that thing... so I went to get a drink. Terry

Now for Terry's commentary: He looked so pityful. Gotta be more careful! Wake up in the back! TPR presents "The Nutcracker". Seriously, who designed that crap? (Chuck, great minds think alike... I immediately called that thing the Nutcracker as soon as I got off. I was walking hunched over for about 10 minutes!) Ron looks like he's having a blast. The rest? Not so much. (Are ya into pain, Ron?) Divv looks like he's gonna hurl (Erik are you laughing at him?), I'm screaming for my momma, and Steve... well words can't convey! In honor of Bandit, I'm singing "My Neck, My Back"

You should have did what my aunt did. While a guy (for no reason) started screaming racial slurs at her while she was pumping gas, she calmly took the nozzle out of the tank and showered the guy and the inside of his car with gasoline. Then she pulled out her lighter... Needless to say he got the heck out of dodge before she could get it lit! She said the station attendant ran out of the store saying "No lady, NOO!!!" When you're crazy like that, no one messes with you. And I know I get my crazy attitude honest... my whole family gets crazy when they're mad. Terry "I don't know karate, but I know cr-azy" Weaver

^But my amazing pics get published first... and Hanno didn't take either of them! Surprisingly he wasn't around! Score two for me! Terry

Halfway done importing my Europe pictures! iPhoto makes it easy to break up the trip into events and put them into separate albums. Once I finish, I can start doing my TPR... Terry

^Yeah, that's a technique you NEED to abandon. I get enough of those people trying to take candids in the bathrooms at the clubs. Terry

^Richard and I ready to dance it up! One of my favorite coasters of the trip. I love a ride with theming and atmosphere that can give you a thrill as well. Terry

The difference is you liked it. Please note the positioning... just offering it up! Terry

When I finally attempted to hunt down a waffle, no one was making one! It wasn't until we got to our TPR buffet at Bobbejaanland that I spotted a lone waffle sitting in a tray. I snagged it and heated it up. mmmm... Didn't satisfy my sweet tooth though. It was saying "Uh uh. Where's the custard and cream filled goodies?" It would be days until it said "That's it! That's it!" Terry

That little girl got on my LAST nerve. I was glad when she switched to the other bus for a few days! Tim, I'll have to get the original picture of that pic with me and Bill to add to my iPhoto library. Classic! I hope I can get around to importing all my pictures by this weekend. Terry

Anaconda at Walygator. I was literally in tears from the pain, and the coaster felt like it was going to collapse from the stress! I was leaning away from the seat and gripping the lap bar and I was still getting banged up. Terry