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From the following website, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/18/FDGS24VKMH1.DTL comes the following excerpts (the entire article is very interesting): "A single 12-ounce can of soda has as much as 13 teaspoons of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup." "So, the answer is to just avoid soda, right? Unfortunately, it's not that simple, because the inexpensive, versatile sweetener has crept into plenty of other places -- foods you might not expect to have any at all. A low-fat, fruit-flavored yogurt, for example, can have 10 teaspoons of fructose-based sweetener in one serving." ****** "The theory goes like this: The body processes the fructose in high fructose corn syrup differently than it does old-fashioned cane or beet sugar, which in turn alters the way metabolic-regulating hormones function. It also forces the liver to kick more fat out into the bloodstream." "The end result is that our bodies are essentially tricked into wanting to eat more and at the same time, we are storing more fat." ****** I gave up 'regular' sodas many years ago. Just cutting out the "sugar" in sodas alone didn't change my weight problems, although it certainly didn't hurt from the standpoint of what my body had to deal with. The problem is that sodas aren't the only foods that contain this 'bad' "sugar"... the "high fructose corn syrup" that is essentially one of the biggest culprits of our weight problems. Cutting the sweetened sodas is certainly a step in the right direction, but we also have to watch the corn syrup content in everything else we eat and drink as well. We never know just how much we're taking in without even knowing it.

Coca-Cola owned Columbia Pictures from 1982-1989. The year they bought Columbia, they, along with Time Inc., HBO, and CBS as a joint venture, created Nova Pictures, later renamed Tri-Star Pictures. In 1987 Columbia bought out the venture and Columbia and Tri-Star merged (Columbia Pictures Entertainment). There were other joint ventures created on a smaller scale, such as Nelson Entertainment, Triumph Films, and Castle Rock Entertainment. Coca-Cola sold Columbia Pictures Entertainment to Sony in 1989. So yes, Coke did have a "tie in" with the film and tv industry. I love Coke, and although I can't say I "hate" Pepsi, I definitely don't like it. I do hate it when I go to a restaurant and order a diet Coke, only to be asked "Is diet Pepsi okay?" I've threatened to say "NO, I want a Coke. Go get me one!". I've also thought about stopping at a convenience store, buying a bottle of diet Coke, and taking it with me when going to a restaurant that serves Pepsi. Then, when I order a diet Coke and they ask that inevitible question, I can say "No, that's okay... I brought my own"... then pull the Coke out of my purse or whatever. LOL The very best Coke I ever had was 'back in the day' (well, MY day... early to mid-1970's) when the little GLASS bottles of Coke were in the vending machines. If the compressor was set correctly, the Coke was soooo cold that it had slivers of ice in it... talk about a wonderful "burn" going down the throat, from being so cold... now THAT'S a Coke!! The glass bottles can still be purchased at grocery stores, of course, for a buck or buck and a half more than a 12-pack of cans (), but because of the extra cost I don't buy them that often. But once in a while, when really in the mood for that "old" icy burn, I'll buy a 6-pack and put them in the fridge. When I'm ready for one, I'll stick a bottle in the freezer for a little while, pop the top, and drink it down.... AAHHHHH.... There isn't a Pepsi in the world that can top THAT.

My first "home" park (and forever, in my heart) was Astroworld. I grew up in that park. I rode my first coaster there, and had many of my coaster "firsts" there.... first woodie, first steel, first loop, etc. My home park now is Six Flags Fiesta Texas, about 3 miles away. I could probably see the Scream tower from our apartment complex if I could stand on top of the building. We also have Sea World San Antonio about 10 miles, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels about 40 minutes, and Six Flags Over Texas about 4.5 hours.

Okay, I was able to hear it in the clip at this link. Too weird!! And the plot thickens.....

Hm. Well, I listened to it, and although I heard some low mumbling sounds in a couple of spots, I couldn't/didn't hear anything that resembled normal speech. So, I didn't hear "only fools will survive on this isle". May try it again with earphones.... Interesting though. And who thinks to themselves... "Hey, that scene was WILD... wonder what it would sound like backwards!?!?" lol

It's about an acre, as I recall. I think that's what is going to make it such a daredevil ride... over 3200 feet of strack twisted up in an acre of space, with headchoppers everywhere... Wooohooo! In the photo of the site "Front" at the bottom, you can see the corner of the Saltgrass Steakhouse's front/corner facade (red brick). At the right of the photo you can see edges of the wood and some framing. The area there that can't be seen in the photo will be part of the footprint from what I can tell in the renderings. Amusement Today's article from Dec 7 shows a rendering with one of the bends sitting there. Thank you!! Wish I could go back and get more from up there as construction progresses, but I live 4 hours away... ~sighs~

Well, I read through the string before posting, and not everyone did the "V"... that's why in my last post I included the "I didn't do a 'V' because I'm not psychic" spiel! ^Likes to engage in conversation. V I don't know, because I'm not psychic. ~snickers~

Uh, what do you mean I forgot to put something for you? Isn't that what I did with the info next to the "^"??? lol ^Got to ride a rollercoaster recently (maybe even today!) ~sighs~

Did you poll everyone in the state? I don't recall you asking me if I ever went, and I haven't lived in or near Houston since I was 7. And, I know (and know of) a lot of people who traveled to AW from out of town. "It seems like no one traveled..." would have been a better, more accurate statement. (sorry guys... that just kind of hit me wrong ) I'm VERY excited about Boardwalk Bullet, and think it looks insane. Although a 50-something speed doesn't sound like much, putting that into a ride that is crammed into a small site, that criss-crosses itself in the way this does, is going to be radical. I don't think this one will be about airtime... this one will be about lateral (and positive) G's... OOHH YYEEAAHH... Before the name was announced I called it the "Kemah Screemer" to have something to refer to it by. It was sooo difficult changing to Boardwalk Bullet (lol), but I like it; now I call it 'Bullet'. Jason definitely provides some awesome weekly photos of the construction. He was also gracious enough to post a few of the photos I took on Jan 27 on the ACE South Central site. I went up in the tower and took a few "aerial" photos. Obviously construction is further along than this now, but thought I'd share: More close-up view of structure... "Back" of site (water side)... Middle of site... "Front" of site (street side)... Overview of site...

Well, for someone who lives in SA, doesn't get to travel outside the state (the last time was '01 and only for a funeral), and has never ridden or even seen one of the other JTA's in person, I'm just excited we're getting something new, regardless of theming (or the lack thereof). "Don't look a gift-horse in the mouth" comes to mind - we could be getting nothing (as it has been around here for a number of years). Sure it would be awesome to have elaborate theming... that's something I enjoy about photos of rides around the country and the world. But sometimes we have to be thankful we're getting something. And besides... it could be worse.

Well, I'm not a "young whipper-snapper" like a lot of you guys, but I can still "hang"!! (well, 'hang' out at the theme parks, that is. lol) (Edit: Photo removed from computer file)

Hm. We've only rec'd the best treatment by the parks during our ACE events. If there are parks that don't give the best, then my answer is Yes. But ours have been fantastic! Are you going to a park near you for opening day this season??

^Thinks Panic! At the Disco isn't as great as it's made out to be. Loves the show The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

I would LOVE it if they'd run the previous week's episode and the 'new' episode back to back. I always seem to miss something when watching an episode the first time, and when the show finally repeats I inevitably see something I missed. The guide is definitely a "catch up", but like others have said, this one was a little "confused"... I think you'd only be able to follow it if you watched the previous seasons. It certainly wasn't meant for someone just discovering the show for the first time. But the new episode was great! Very action-packed and "edge of your seat"... and I'm soooo glad there won't be any repeats this round. I was getting a bit aggrivated at 4-5 new episodes, then 6 weeks of repeats. Don't get me wrong... I definitely don't mind the repeats, it's getting only 4-5 new shows that drives me nuts! The only draw back to the show is how they will weave new storylines, and/or make the storyline of the Others last, without the show getting slow and boring... I mean, if they answer all the questions, there won't be a Lost to watch!! ~shutters the thought~ And have any of you noticed that this one hour is the fastest darned hour of the entire week!?!?!?! Wish my work hours went that fast! lol

Thanks! You too!! That's great... 20 more? No problem... you'll get there! The sign of a true enthusiast... what we won't do to get our rides... "Just a moment... let me 'suck it in a bit more'..." ~holds breath~ "Okay, now try to click the restraint!" LOL