the ghost

Yeah... this totally rules! This feels a lot like Dollywood or Silver Dollar City, and I absolutely LOVE this style of building. Sometimes realism can get a bit dull, but this is so clean and polished while still being incredibly detailed and beautiful! I will be following this carefully!

I am not an athlete, I am not a musician, I am not really an actor... so what is it that I do? I participate in my schools(Cal State University Fullerton) debate team. I originally thought it was a pretty specific hobby, but it turns out I am often surprised how many people have participated in the activity. For me personally there are a lot of really cool things about public speaking as a competitive event, like a lot of people do not realize how many events are involved, and one of the reasons I created this thread, because a lot of different people compete in a lot of different events. For example, besides debate there are pros and poetry, where people analyze poetry and what it means, there are dramatic interpretations that can include anything from curse filled monologues in movies to full on musical numbers from Broadway shows. I created this thread for two main reasons... one reason is to see who else does it and what they compete in, what they are researching, what they find interesting about speech/debate and pretty much anything in the confines of public speaking or debating. The other reason is to hopefully encourage people to join... especially those still in school. It really is a great activity as you learn a lot, get to travel to awesome places throughout the state and country, as well as getting potential trophies and even scholarships not to mention being extremely rewarding, or at least I personally find it to be. Now here is a warning so the mods don't kill me... While this is a thread discussing the "sport" of public speaking as well as debating this is not a thread for debating. If you find interesting articles or are particularly interested in a topic you can talk about it, but as a general rule politics and things of that nature are usually a no no here on TPR and while they may come up in regards to discussions of competition keep it civil... THIS IS NOT A THREAD FOR DEBATING, BUT A THREAD FOR SPEAKERS/DEBATERS!!!! discuss the activity, even discuss what you are debating, but do not argue... seems kind of ironic I know, but the last thing I want to do is start a flame war, I just wanted to see if there are others who participate as well. Lastly(this is VERY important) while your coaches or team mates are probably not members of tpr BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU POST! For example, while I can say that we are currently debating alternate energy solutions(which is the nation wide topic in college policy debate) and while I can say that we are using OTEC(oceanic thermal energy conversion) I will not get any more specific than that because I don't want to give any of our evidence away. It's not that I don't trust you guys... your all awesome, but I don't even trust my parents with my evidence files because if they were to somehow get "out there" not only would our entire strategy be ruined, but I would also be letting down the entire team as a lot of us use similar evidence. By all means discuss what you are debating, but just be careful. I have seen threads here for runners, actors, athletes, and a huge variety of other activities. This is my activity and it would be VERY COOL if others have similar interests and would like to discuss them here.

The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago on... I believe this thread, but it could have been another thread. Still pretty sad to think about... also weird to think that I have been on the site long enough to have talked to him in TPR chat before... it just seems so surreal. Kind of in a similar feel to what you said, not necessarily a rant but things that kind of suck in a sad way, looking back through old threads from 2006 ans 2007 I look at posts from people who used to post here and go into TPR chat sometimes, because I have pretty much always frequented chat. There are people I had met on this site and even considered myself semi friends with... not necessarily people I saw or talked to every day, but people I definitely talked to on chat and the forums who have disappeared and who haven't logged in for years. I guess all forums are sort of like that, but it still kind of sucks. However on a happy note(which doesn't traditionally belong in this thread, but as what I said up there was very depressing I figure I will add a bit of light) I am very thankful to be apart of this community and that I have met so many awesome people both online and personally that I share a common interest with and have a blast talking to or hanging out with at parks! The I'm not going anywhere/I feel nostalgic Ghost

This is why your my current favorite park maker on TPR! I LOVE THIS! I have looked over all of your parks, and you may very well be my favorite RCT2 player EVER! I love literally everything!

Full update coming soon! SCR146.BMP SUPER WIP but I'm quite happy with it!

The only ones I have ridden are Revolution at SFMM, which has/had an awesome layout but horrible trains. I was young at the time and I thought it was the ride... turns out it was the trains. However Anton was INSTANTLY redeemed and praised after my second Schwarzkopf coaster, which is the absolutely amazingly awesome Montezuma's Revenge, which to this day remains one of my favorite coasters, and EASILY the second best coaster at Knott's after Xcelerator. From what I can tell the general consensus is that pretty much every enthusiast I have ever known loves Schwarzkopf so I would LOVE to ride more than just the two I have ridden.

I have been here a long time. I have seen several BEAUTIFUL photos of parks from all over the world, yet I have never seen another photographer who is able to consistently make my jaw drop to the floor with virtually every post. I originally thought nothing was going to beat the Thunder Mountain Dino shot, then came the Christmas parade, then Rip Ride Rockit, then the over exposed Expedition Everest shot, and more recently the firework shots... each and every photo seemingly more amazing than the last. I know you are just doing this as a hobby, but you have talent and could easily sell some of these photos/be a photographer. These are amazing and I can't wait to see more!

This is AMAZING! It's atmospheric and realistic, and I am automatically reminded why I love your style!

I love the concept of the volcano and I get what you are trying to do cause you explained it in chat, but I think that because of the way the game works you are unable to get what you want in terms of the looks of the volcano. I think it already works due to the ivy and stuff, maybe add a few tropical plants or something, but for the most part besides the volcano it's PERFECT!

Awesome! This reminds me of Disney architecture for some reason, very detailed but also very "classic"... kinda like Buena Vista Street, and I love this style of building! Looks awesome so far!

Sorry for the double post... but it has been 5 days so I am assuming it will be allowed to slide, especially as I have a little new content. Ghost Gardens San Diego is designed to be the perfect place for everyone from white knuckle thrill lovers to small children. Here is Ranger, the first attraction to be built in the upcoming Camp Diego. The area will be themed around a traditional summer camp and will feature rides and attractions to fit the theme. There will be a lot more coming soon! SCR142.BMP Ranger SCR143.BMP Ranger 2

Maybe not the most musically talented fellows, but one of my favorite bands(maybe even becoming my favorite band) is Masked Intruder... and I am probably the only person on TPR who knows about them... at least one of the few. Anyway they are a "modern" pop punk band taking ques from some great bands like The Ergs, Screeching Weasel, and The Queers. Anyway I am posting this here because they were signed today by Fatrecords... aka Fat Mike from NOFX's label featuring some of the best in punk rock. Please please please give these guys a listen... they are TONS OF FUN and smiling and air guitar/finger drumming are 100% guaranteed. Check em out here... not the entire album or anything but 25 to life and Heart Shaped Guitar are on here and in my opinion they are the two best songs on the album. maskedintruder.bandcamp.com/album/masked-intruder Give em a listen and remember... support local music/your scene! PUNK WILL NEVER DIE!

HOLY F###! AJ... you are a master! I can't wait until this beauty gets released... this thing looks, in your own words, "balls out crazy!"

Ghost Gardens San Diego is getting a major upgrade! More pics coming soon! All pictures here are works in progress and may be changed or modified/finished. For example... the haunted mansion ride whose name I forget right now has additional scenery as well as walls and roofing, but it's not quite ready to be shown. SCR123.BMP New Orleans Square SCR128.BMP A different view SCR130.BMP A haunted house inspired by "old school" theme park haunted houses.

Echoing what everyone has said. I go to Disneyland about once a week, usually with people but on occasion I go to the parks alone if I don't have anything better planned. If I am going with people I can stay at the park for most of the day easily, but if I am going alone for a mid week ride fix then I will just go for a couple of hours. A park like SFMM I can pretty much only bear at events like WCB or with a group of really fun people... otherwise it's a fairly boring day.

Just one of each for me for now... maybe I will think of some more in the future. Pleasant: Revenge of the Mummy(USF): I didn't expect for this ride to be at all unpleasant or anything, but I expected it to be quite mild. I have lived near Disney all of my life and had ridden the Hollywood version the previous year at HHN, and although fun it did not offer much in terms of thrills or airtime. I had always felt that indoor coasters meant that the ride would have to be fairly mild in terms of thrills, speed and airtime but the interior effects and theming usually make the experience awesome, but the ride itself would not be particularly memorable... I WAS DEAD WRONG! The Florida version is in my top 10 and did absolutely everything I like in a ride... it had a fun launch, some amazing effects, and what really got me was the airtime. I cannot claim this ride has ejector airtime... it felt like it did to me, but I was expecting something similar to the Hollywood version because I forgot the layouts were so different and I found myself being suddenly and shockingly ejected! As an(I would like to think) well versed enthusiast rides(at least in terms of layouts) are rarely surprising to me and I was pleasantly surprised with this one! And even as a Disney fan this brings sad yet angry tears. Unpleasant: Disneyland's Famous Matterhorn Bobsleds: Here are some things to know about the ghost aka me... I like roller coasters. I like dark rides. I like classic rides. Build me the first modern steel coaster, add tons of tunnels full of various lighting effects, a few mining tools, and an angry yeti and you have an awesome coaster with dark ride elements... I AM IN HEAVEN! For about 5 years Matterhorn had been my favorite ride at Disneyland... the mountain is beautiful and so cool and the ride experience was just so different... IN THE OLD CARS! The new cars are awful and uncomfortable and there is a sad part of my brain that keeps me getting back on the same uncomfortable coaster trying to find a comfortable way to ride and get my favorite ride back. This has been my least favorite move on a Disney ride or any ride ever because I can no longer put the ride as one of my favorites and will now only give it pity rides hoping to some how find a way to comfortably ride it. It could be worse and it is not like my least favorite ride in the world... but it is certainly no longer the historically awesome coaster it once was.

These dates work well for me! Wasn't expecting the change but I am currently acquiring funds for 2013 in general, so now I know I need to put a little money aside for this! Also convenient this weekend falls after my July birthday, so I can just save up! Can't wait to see old TPR friends and hopefully make some new ones!

Boarder here! Skied quite a bit when I was younger but I wasn't getting better after a year or so and I could barely do intermediate runs because I was not comfortable on skis. Snowboarding come naturally either but I got better as I went along. I don't board too hard but In can do most runs besides a few tough double black diamonds which freak me out a bit. I also don't really do tricks because I am a fairly cautious person, but I have sped up and loosened up as I practice more. I also have a vacation home in Big Bear California so I go there fairly often... at least 2 or 3 times a year.

I think I may be up for this! Will download and attempt the scenario when I get home!

Knotts: Tampico Tumbler(probably my favorite flat ride EVER), Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, Haunted Shack, Parachute drop. Also(even though you will all HATE ME for this) Windjammer as I believe it was my first looping coaster... regardless I have pleasant memories of the coaster because I remember finding it hilarious that I was tall enough to ride but my sisters were not. I also remember enjoying it(I was maybe 7 or 8) but in a way I am happy it's gone cause I did not know anything about coaster then and would probably HATE it if I were to ride it today. Epcot: Journey into YOUR imagination: I visited Orlando for the first time in 2000 so although I have never experienced the original incarnation of the ride I seem to remember REALLY liking YOUR imagination. I visited Florida again in... I think 2009 and hate the current version and kind of hate Figment, who I loved in the original version. I know it's not technically defunct, but I count an entire overlay as a new ride. Disneyland: Rocket Rods. I realize these were a NIGHTMARE for the parks and I realize that RSR uses a more sophisticated version of the same technology and is a far better ride, but there is something about being six or seven and being just tall enough to ride Disneyland's newest and most awesome new thrill ride. I LOVE how the track interacted with Tomorrowland and how the ride seemed to go everywhere. Looking back at POV's it was not even a great ride, but my memories of it will always be me thinking it was an AMAZING attraction. Lastly(and most regrettably) the original Submarine Voyage. That being said I think Nemo is a fine attraction and had it been built as it's own attraction I think I would appreciate it FAR MORE but the original subs were so charming and awesome! I thought it was so cool to actually be underwater and see everything from Sea Monsters to mermaids! I just have all around positive memories of this attraction and every time I ride Nemo, while I enjoy it, I realize it just does not compare to my original love of the ride. Honorable mention: The original Star Wars. Yes... the new Star Wars is AMAZING and is in my opinion the best Disney "re imagining" of an attraction EVER, but I will never miss my hundreds of flights with Captain Rex, even if every flight was his first flight! Don't have too many coasters I remember loving that have been torn down. I really enjoyed Big Bad Wolf when I rode it, but I have only been to BGW once and I feel that Ninja is a better coaster in terms of layout, so even though I have fond memories of the ride I cannot really put it as a favorite. I REALLY MISS Screamin without the trims, but that in my opinion is still the best(in terms of thrill factor, not theming) of all the Disney coasters, and it still provides a fun ride and is not at all defunct.

The Aquabats with Suburban Legends on Friday night! Was a VERY fun show even if it was overcrowded and I got heatstroke in the pit and pretty much collapsed... but besides that it was awesome, and I am probably making this sound way worse than it was. Next up is Ska Luau 3 on December 30th, 2012 then the Toasters in January!

So... mini preview/opinions time. What do you think of the station? Like it or scrap it? I am trying to keep with the "theme" of color but I can't decide if I should start the station over or just refine it a bit. I have never really attempted a "beach" themed area so a lot of the colors and foliage are throwing me off a little so opinions are high appreciated. By the way so mods don't destroy me for posting one picture updates a big one is on it's way... I PROMISE! I also promise this park isn't going to die anytime soon, I am just VERY bust at the moment with testing/Christmas stuff but should have a major update within the next Also thanks for the feedback so far and HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! Now back to finals prep! SCR117.BMP The station for Beach Cruiser!

So there was a gunman on my schools(Cal State University Fullerton) campus, and while it totally sucked and was generally a sucky situation I am VERY happy no one was hurt. I am also VERY thankful that I have AMAZING sisters who let me hang out at their apartment when the school was on lockdown as an apartment is so much comfortable than a classroom and had food and bathrooms. I guess not so much "happiness" but more thankfulness, but I suppose those two things are close enough for me to post here. Also Aquabats tomorrow!

I LOVE THIS! I love everything! This is my favorite style of park for RCT3, the story is simple and theming is CHARMING in a very skilled yet simple way! I love the feeling of this, reminds me of something like Knoebels or a park of that nature and the park is BEAUTIFUL! I am REALLY hoping for something like a mid sized wooden coaster such as Wooden Warrior or something of that nature.

^ There is VERY little you can do unless the physical abuse gets worse. My best and really only advice is just let her rant to you... you will make her feel better by being understanding and it will make you like her more. Also I remember being 16(as it was only five years ago) and those are not the best years as school pressures are insane and "kids" at that age are at their most rebellious, at least in the eyes of their parents. The good news is that everything get A WHOLE LOT better when you turn 18, and if it doesn't you can legally just leave and never talk to the horrible people again. My rant and to all the college students on here who'se ready for finals week?!?! I'm currently almost literally buried under papers and just want it to end... just so much stress for these last two weeks. Good luck to anyone with tests/finals this week cause they totally suck, but on the bright side it's almost Christmas and it is Hanukkah, so hopefully good vibes pull you out of academic depression.