Scaparri

So, turns out I had a request for a photo TR in another thread. About a week and a half ago, I made a trek back up to the frozen tundra of northern Ohio to the annual Cedar Point Christmas party. I don't intend on being employeed at Cedar Point again so I figured this might be the last time I see some of the best friends I've ever made. It turned out to be an unforgettable night and I definately am glad I made the trip. Working at Cedar Point can suck, but the friends you make you'll cherish forever. I've said it before and I'll say it again, when you spend 12+ hours 6 days a week with each other, you become a family. I don't think it's entirely the job that keeps bringing employees back, it's the people. Anyway, here is my weekend in Sandusky... Ahh, here's the REAL reason I come back to Sandusky! The best fried chicken in the land. KFC doesn't have anything on this small chain. What I would give for some Lee's right now. Ok, the picture sucks, but it was still cool seeing the park in the winter and seeing such a huge body of water frozen solid. My old home. AKA, Cedar Point State Penitentiary. Cedar Point!!! Earlier in the evening, I about set the entire apartment complex on fire, when my ass accidently bumped into the stove burner dial thingy during a picture (see the first group picture of this PTR). The stove happened to have a couple of pizza boxes on it Joe and I have a very special relationship. Apparently, Tara and I make really stupid faces when we dance. Some of the MF crew assembles for a picture. By the way, that's not my hand. Here is the bar and the neon Louie's sign. BIYC apparently stands for Big Island Yacht Club. After hanging out at Spicy's apartment, it was time to head to our infamous club where everybody else would be making their appearance. If you ever work at CP, this is the place to be on Thursday and Sunday nights. I got to catch up with my roommate from the summer, Joe. I'm convinced that if he and Seth McFarlane ever teamed up, they'd create a show even better than Family Guy. Joe is pretty much the funniest person I've ever met. It was great to be back with the MF crew. Before heading to the party at Louie's, we all hung out at a fellow employee's apartment. I always take a picture during the driving portion of a trip. Dave, the former TL of Millennium Force, hates having his picture taken. I don't know what I was more excited about... to be 7 miles from Sandusky or to finally be off the heavily patroled Ohio Turnpike. That's a fun word to say... Turnpike.

That kind of sucks. I was looking forward to riding it in March. Oh well I guess.

Have you been by the park much in the winter? I know during the summer, CP always has lights on TTD, but during the winter they have them turned off. I would imagine they are just saving money on the electrical bill.

This year really blew me away with the rise of Fall Out Boy. To this day, of all the shows I've been to, their performance I saw a few years ago is still the worst live act I've ever seen in my life. I was flipping through the channels one day this summer and saw them on TRL. I pretty much had to pick my jaw up off the ground. They sounded good on album but sucked something awful live. From what I hear though, this has changed and they are actually quite a bit better. For a few months though, I had lost all hope in humanity. Anyway, I'm really not trying to bash them. Like I said, I've heard they are a lot better now and they do put out some pretty good songs. Just thought the whole deal was sort of comical. And I agree SuperGreek, Motion City puts on a great show.

I'm starting to realize that unless construction picks up, there is no way Tatsu is going to be open when I visit the park. On another note, since I got my loan to pay off my bursar, I now get to go through the fun process of picking what schools I want to try and transfer to. I feel like I'm 18 again!

I'll be working until 6pm and then coming home to an empty house to waste away the night in my lonely misery. That's the game plan right now. Maybe something will come up!

No, they scrapped it a few years ago. I don't remember seeing any of the scraps this summer.

^It is still on their site. I must say, it kind of surprises me though that they aren't making a bigger deal about having the most coasters of any park again.

I'm driving across the country to Las Vegas and LA. And stopping at random places on the way there and back.

Wow, that sounds all too familiar. I'm just really irritated right now because the cable keeps going out and aim won't let me sign on.

I enjoy the music of Avril Lavigne.

No. Do you like gumbo?

Swordfish. Mmmm... good eatin'. What's your favorite fast food chain?

Everything is lookin' up! This year has been quite tough in a lot of aspects, but everything seems to be doing a 180 now. I got a promotion at my job, I'm going on the biggest vacation and adventure of my life in March/April, my family seems to be in fairly decent health and happiness, and I'm finally getting my loan approved so I can transfer and go back to school next fall!

I have a PS2. Love that thing. Also have: PS1 N64 SNES NES

That's pretty cool. I met 3 Doors Down this summer. They came to CP and we were having trouble getting a "large guest" fastened securely on MF, so they sat there in the train and talked to me for a couple minutes. Really cool bunch of guys.

"Cities" by Phish

Black and blue Florida Gator shorts "Team Little Red Door" white t-shirt (Little Red Door is a cancer foundation)

A ticket to the 2006 Monster Jam World Finals in Vegas. Scott "At least I know I'm white trashy" Parrish

Great American Scream Machine (SFOG)- What is it about this ride that people like so much!? It is one of the worst rides I've ever been on. The layout is quite boring, the airtime is just meh, if even existant, and for what it is, this ride is much more rough than it needs to be. To top it off, I felt the brake run for the next 3 days. The one good pop of airtime happened to be on the brake run so I slammed into the seat in front of me. Maybe I just had a bad day on it. Maybe it's a waste of pretty scenery. American Eagle- This thing is a heap of junk. The drop and the first couple of bunny hills are great, and then you hit that idiotic helix that completely kills the ride. The rest of the ride is dull and brake-raped. Not to mention, dumbest trains ever. Seriously, are the side guards THAT necessary? This thing could make a lot of nice picket fences, and a nice space for some major rides.

Well, I'm still going to have to say it depends. I've been on a ton of coasters whose drops don't give you that feeling you get from say, Top Thrill Dragster, but there are still a few that top it. A lot of launches also don't give me that feeling anymore. I've become immune or something. I guess overall, I would have to say launches are more consistent, but there are a few coasters out there that easily top it. Cyclops is the first that comes to mind. That's not over 100ft tall, but it still gives you a much more intense feeling. Dominator in the backseat comes to mind as does PKI's Vortex in the back.

No, not really. Do you celebrate Christmas?

I saw Coheed and Cambria with Motion City Soundtrack and Rise Against on December 2nd in Cincinnati. Great show, idiotic crowd. Motion City Soundtrack really surprised me at this show. Really good performance. My next concert will be O.A.R. on February 18th at IU Auditorium.

You can thank IPS for that.

First coaster: Chang at SFKK (April 17th) Last Coaster: Greezed Lightnin' at SFKK (October 28th) 32 new credits 6 new parks Highlights: -July Coaster Trip that consisted of Mt. Olympus, Timber Falls, SFGAm, and Indiana Beach. Hades, Cyclops, Avalanche, and Cornball are all awesome woodies. The Mt. Olympus Robocoaster was definately a highlight. -SFOT -Worked at Cedar Point. I'll never do it again, but it was an incredible experience. If it doesn't fit, FORCE it! -Italian Job. Most people don't care for it, but I thought it was a blast. A lot more 'fun' than most rides at PKI. -Beech Bend tour and announcement Can't wait for 2006. It's going to be a great year. Lots and lots of new coasters and parks. Plus Voyage and Kentucky Rumbler not terribly far away. The Kentucky Rumbler tour with Jeff Pike of GCI. That day was a lot of fun. Thanks again to the Alveys and the Discovery Channel people for that opportunity. Best miniature golf place ever! Pay the extra $2 for the extreme version. It is well worth it. The money shot. Hangin' from MF while doing low zones on my last day of work.