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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

Just found this thread tonight... I've been on the weight yo-yo my entire life. As an adult I lost weight twice - 80lbs the 1st time, 50 lbs the 2nd time. But as usual for me, I lose it then gain it back. My problem was "stress/nervous eating" - overeating when under stress or nervous. It was uncontrollable... and what did I crave most? Sugar and carbs. UGH. In 2005 my husband and I both lost our first parent... his dad after quad-bypass, mild stroke, pnuemonia & 3 mos in the hospital, my mom after a 2-yr battle w/cancer. In between, my husband and dad both had quad-bypasses, and my husband made an emergency return to the hospital because one of his lungs filled with fluid. Needless to say, that was a VERY stressful year. I had already gained a bit of weight, but 2005 soared me up to 215 lbs (I'm female, 5'7"). That's the most I've weighed in my life. I went to the doctor for another issue in early '05, and found that I had high blood pressure (187/151) and high cholesterol (285). I spoke to my doctor last April about my problem, what I did in the past to lose, the stress/nerves, etc. and told her that my biggest problem was appetite... it never seems to shut off. The 2nd time I lost weight I used the original Metabolife 356, and no matter how stressed I got, I didn't eat... the pills stopped my appetite. But of course the Metabolife (original) was removed from store shelves when the FDA banned ephedrine. Anyway, I asked the doctor to help me with my problem. She prescribed (the site marked the name as Spam so I had to remove it. PM me if you'd like to know what it is) 37.5 mg. We had already worked on the blood pressure and cholesterol, and although both were still a bit high, they were way down from where they had been. I didn't notice much change until the 3rd day; then my appetite stopped. Not having the appetite made it VERY easy to make diet changes that I had NEVER been able to make. At of today, I haven't eaten food from McDonalds, Whataburger, Sonic, Burger King, Wendy's, etc., NO fast food burger joints, since May 1, 2006. I've NEVER gone more than a week without having at least one of those. The only "fast food" I've had is from Cha-Cho's, which is similar to Taco Cabana, and I get one taco. And, I only do that maybe once a month. Anyway... I used to eat a burger and fries every day for lunch, and we ate out almost every night. I can count on one hand now how many burgers I've had since May '06, and only 2 of those have been restaurant burgers (not homemade). Fries I've had maybe 6 times since May, at Denny's. I also stopped eating candy, cakes, pies, etc. Not by choice, just didn't want them. I didn't have an appetite, so I didn't crave them. We began eating at home for all meals except one meal per week (our "award" meal), and I eat a lot of vegetable soup, tuna, and fruit, and a few other things too. Someone earlier in the string mentioned not liking vegetables. I don't like many vegetables at all... I'm almost as bad with fruits. But the basic Campbell's Vegetable Soup didn't have anything in it that I didn't like, and my fruit consists of a daily orange and apple. I noticed that having the orange and apple each evening kept me from eating "bad" foods at night, and it also 'killed' my sweet tooth. When strawberries and blackberries are in season and not as expensive I'll have some of those, as well as watermelon. But mostly just the oranges and apples. One thing I began to notice after a while is that I would begin a meal, get so much eaten, then gag when I took a bite - almost not able to swallow. I didn't "feel" full, but it was like my brain said "I've had enough!" and caused a reflex that let me know to stop. Usually it was after a small amount of food, which shocked me (and my husband. lol). I also gave up caffeinated drinks. I've never been a coffee drinker (maybe 4-5 cups of decaf a year) or a tea drinker (maybe 7-10 glasses a year), but I was a diet-Coke-aholic. That's all I drank was diet Coke. I stopped drinking that and switched to clear diet sodas... diet Sprite, diet 7-Up, Fresca, diet Ginger-Ale. I must admit that, although water is best, I can't stand water... there's no "zip". I will have a bottle of flavored water periodically (Dasani Lemon), but not often. As far as exercise, there's not a good place for walking near us, and honestly, even when we did have a place for walking I didn't do it... too boring so I didn't keep it up. Gyms are not for me... long story, won't bore you, but I don't do gyms. So I made our theme park my "gym". We went to the park every Sunday and walked around for 3-4 hours. The walking was great, climbing stairs and ramps to the rides added to that, and it was never boring... there was always something interesting to watch, see, look at. When the season ended I had to find another exercise outlet, so I dug out my rollerskates and went skating twice a week for about 2 hrs each time. Between May 1 and Dec 31 I went from 215 to 145. I'm now 141. In Sept the doctor changed me to 30 mg tabs, and in Nov she began weening me off them altogether. I was completely off them for a month, but she put me back on - again, long story, won't bore you. I'm now taking 18.75 mg ea day, and that's working great for maintaining. My blood pressure has been "hanging" around 117/75 and my cholesterol at last count was around 170, and falling. As far as the rides, last year at season opening I was able to ride all the rides at our local park (SFFT), but although I fit into the seats and restraints, it was a tight fit. And although I noticed changes in my clothing, I found myself measuring the loss by the way I fit into the seats and restraints... I'd tell my husband "I'm not touching the sides as tight anymore!" or "I got 3 clicks on the restraint this time!!" It was monumental for me when I began getting light bruises from Rattler and some great airtime on Superman Krypton Coaster because I was loose in the seat! lol Hmmm... before and after photos... ~goes to see if there's a couple that'll work~ The following should do... Congrats to all of you who have lost weight, and gotten healthier and feel better as a result!! Me at 215 lbs (11/2005) Me at 145 lbs (12/30/06) Me at 155 lbs (10/2006)

Hello everyone... My name is Stacy and I've been a member since the end of Dec, although I haven't posted a lot. But, I visit as often as I can. I live in a "little" town in Texas where there are two great parks 'just down the road' (SFFT and SW-SA). lol I grew up going to Astroworld in Houston, Texas, with my first visit at the age of ~6. My first "big" coaster was DFERR (Excalibur to the younger generation of Astroworld'ers) at the age of 13, and I've been hooked on coasters ever since. AW was my "home" park (it was the closest to me for many years) until 3 years ago when we moved to SA. Course, AW remained "my park" in my heart, and, well, with regard to how I felt when it closed, we won't go there. I have adopted SFFT as my home park, and love it like I own it! lol I'm a member of ACE, and am an Editor & Asst Photographer for Fiesta Texas Online. My hobbies are just that... rollercoasters and photography... and I'm never in a park without my camera equipment (in fact, my avatar is one of my photos, of Superman Krypton Coaster; don't ask what I had to do to get that photo! lol) But, for as much as I love the parks and wish I could visit them all, I wasn't handed the ideal circumstances to do so. So, I enjoy our Texas parks as much as I can. I have been to the following parks: Astroworld Fiesta Texas Six Flags Over Texas Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags St. Louis Sea World-San Antonio Schlitterbahn-Galveston (not really a "theme park", but still on my list of 'amusement' parks) And hope to visit the following this season: Joyland - Lubbock, Texas (Greezed Lightnin' reincarnated!) Wonderland - Amarillo, Texas (Myan Mindbender reincarnated) Cliffs - Albuquerque, New Mexico (been told we must ride the New Mexico Rattler!) Kemah Boardwalk - Kemah, Texas (for the new Boardwalk Bullet!) Schlitterbahn - New Braunfels (ACE SchlitterCon IV) Schlitterbahn - Galveston And of course, we will be in our local parks... SFFT (new ride, Big Spin!) SW-SA (new ride, Journey to Atlantis!) Oh, and one last thing... I talk a lot. I try not to, but I can't help it. I am what I am. lol

Well, since I suffer from CRS (if you have to ask, you don't need to know. lol.) I don't really remember if it was through a Google search, one of my friends that works at a theme park, or by accident searching the web for info on specific coasters and/or parks. I do know it was one of the above. But does it REALLY matter? At least I found it!!

I said basically the same thing, but a friend pointed out that SW also has a river rapids ride, a log flume, and a water park, all generically like the ones at FT. From the standpoint of local competition and trying to 'lure' people to FT, having BTR would make one less reason for someone to go to SW instead of FT. Course, I'm a bit biased... I live in SA and I "live" at FT. And I would love to have a B&M Inverted at the park!