generaleclectic

I should point out that all three of these refer to the same person. LOL

Don't you mean it will be leveled?

^Yah... You're probably right. Wouldn't be the first stupid idea that I came up with.

They're the same uniforms, only they are not that obnoxious yellow color. I'm still not sure why they would only wear the blue uniform for one year... seems a terrible waste of money, or a very unfair expense for the employees... I believe SFA is not the only park that kept the blue uniforms from last season... Ok... If the employees are having to buy them, then I can surrender that. Speaking as a stock holder though, I would personally like to see some consistency across the brand. If that means that the company need to buy at least 2 or 3 shirts for the employees, then so be it. The fact that SFA (and apparently some others) are allowed to use the same uniforms again when there is a major change seems to indicate that there some issues between the park and the brand. It tells me that SFA is less of a priority than some others. I seem to remember someone with some information on SF numbers as a whole saying that SFA has remained profitable year after year for sometime. Why then the lack of corporate oversight? The same can be said for half the other parks in the chain... including both California parks, SFKK, SFM, and Great Escape... Is there a reason? After some little bits and pieces of information regarding the Q-Bots, I know that it is quite an expensive system to install. This brings me back to consistency across the brand. If the parks were operated as franchises, I probably wouldn't bring consistancy up as a point since franchises are allowed a certain amount of levity in what they offer their customers. Apparently you've never been to La Ronde... Nope. Haven't been there. I would be interested in your thoughts on this park in a private message as I scour TPR for some posts about the property. The spirit of my original post though is that SFA seems to be getting less corporate attention than the other SF properties that I have visited. It all adds up to a couple of questions: Is SF planning to sell it or close it? Do they simply have a crap local president at SFA? As a new stock holder in the company, I plan on listening closely to the webcasts and participating in stock holder town hall meetings so that I can gain a better understanding of what is going on. Admittedly, like so many others, I don't know 100% or even 50% of what is going on. You can rest assured that if I am going to be pumping my own, hard earned money into something as major as a stock investment, I will be seeking to understand more of what the corporate strategy is.

No... Unfortunately I haven't been to Kennywood. Looking forward to going soon. I have to say though I have lots and lots of positive things about the park; not glowing or spectacular, but positive nevertheless. The point that I was shooting for and more than likely failed at was justifying my vote based on consistency. Based on the Midwest group's take on KW and my take on LC, I would have to say that Kennywood Corp is at least trying for consistency. And I would agree with you that they might have been putting on a good show for TPR. If that was the case, at least they were. We went to at least two other parks that were just utter crap, one of which was a part of one of the big 5. Also, just to be fair, I am basing my opinion of Cedar Fair on the Q&A session at King's Dominion which probably isn't entirely fair. Based on the KD experience, the Q&A, and the Dorney experience, I have elected NOT to buy stock in Cedar Fair as was originally planned. Yah... I know that I am being somewhat cryptic here but, I don't want to post anything to blasting based an experience at one park because it might just be the park itself and not the company. I'd like to point out that Dorney wasn't exactly a "WOW" experience either. I'm happy to discuss some of this in private messages but just don't want to do so in open forum. Not that I don't stand behind my opinion, but the debate could detract from the rest of what this thread is supposed to be about.

I think I like the one you gave me better. I give thanks to you Title Fairy.

There have been some conversations on the board and on the East Coast trip regarding Vegemite. Someone brought some on the trip. Personally, I found it to be somewhat tasty in extremely small quantities. That having been said, I got this in my GraphJam email while I was gone...

Oh Title Fairy... Your beauty is not comparable to any. You shine daily upon those who so willingly offer up the finest suction to your glorious posterior. You come to us in our time of distress to watch over those of us who seek a higher level of coaster geekdom. You ask only that those in your tender care wield the titles which you bestow with courage, integrity and use them to battle the evil powers of Vekoma and any who wouldst partake of of the gluttonous gravy coaster. Therefore, I humbly beseech thee to grant me the title of "Cleverly Disguised as a Responsible Adult" so that I may continue to more perfectly raise the name of TPR in praise and thanksgiving through out all of the Kingdom of Intamin, B&M, GCI and Donkeys. All this I ask in the name of The Robb, The SharkTums and The KidTums, who live and reign as one, true perfect coaster geek for ever and ever, Amen.

I dunno... I think the park itself has great potential. There are some bits that seem to indicate that SF is getting ready to sell it or close it. #1: They don't wear the same uniforms as the other SF parks that I have been to in 2008. #2: No Q-Bots #3: Ride Ops do not appear to have the same training as the other SF parks. If they do, then the trainer sucks. The ops weren't all that good the day that the East Coast trip visited. SROS and Wild One were both scheduled for ERT. BOTH were busted when we arrived or shortly there after. They should have been testing an hour before we got there. Of course we have SFOG in here in Georgia. For one of the brand's oldest parks, they do a fantastic job and the demographic isn't that much different. People from all over the south drive anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to get to it. That having been said and knowing that SF usually does not have more than one park in a given state, I commented to some friends on the East Coast trip that the park would probably do VERY VERY well if it were simply picked up and moved to central Georgia or southern South Carolina. Georgia only has SFOG and Wild Adventures. I think SF would make MORE than bank if they packed up SFA and moved it to Savannah or Hilton Head Island and renamed it Six Flags Coastal Empire. Granted it would take 5 to 10 years to start seeing positive numbers returned on the ROI of a massive move like that, but it would happen especially in an already tourism rich area such as coastal Georgia. Moreover, it would give families and teens something to do around here without having to drive 4 to 6 hours.

Personally, I would like to think that they are doing anything at all to say nothing of theming, building, etc. I know that I shouldn't let one park speak for an entire holding company, but let's face it... Kings Dominion should probably be renamed "King's Depression." I know that they are still trying to retool themselves following the sale of the park by Paramount. I can forgive them some things because of that venture. Cedar Fair may very well be trying to figure out how to brand the place. Dorney redeemed the image slightly thanks to the kick ass water park. Those of you on the East Coast trip will remember the Q&A that we had. I don't really think it would be appropriate for me to post my opinions in this public forum, but if you wanna know what some of the discussion was, feel free to send me a private message and I will respond in kind. I voted for Kennywood Corp. David went to Kennywood on the Midwest trip and thought it kicked ass. I had the pleasure of experiencing Lake Compounce on the East Coast trip. To be such a small company with only a couple of parks, they seem to have a spirit and a drive that none of the other parks I have visited (save for Knobles) could touch. You could feel the positive energy in the park through each ride operator, each food vendor, and every ride. I didn't vote for Busch, Disney or Six Flags because you expect big brands to really bitch slap the smaller operations. I'm always impressed with companies that can at least approach their bigger competitors juggernauts with way fewer resources and less money. Did I mention free Pepsi product at Lake Compounce?

^ I thought David had them. I just finished un-!*(&(#-ing the luggage and haven't found them yet.

I have been to a lot of places with a lot of groups, but nothing... and I mean NOTHING compares to this trip. I am already looking forward to the West Coast trip!!! Loving and missing you all!

You don't. While sitting on your front porch (banjo in the background) you reach for your 30-06 (Thirty Ought Six) What's up with chasing chickens anyway?

Being that I am a political enthusiast, this bit has to be my favorite: “I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.” “This is a little prayer dedicated to the separation of church and state. I guess if they are going to force those kids to pray in schools they might as well have a nice prayer like this: Our Father who art in heaven, and to the republic for which it stands, thy kingdom come, one nation indivisible as it is in heaven. Give us this day as we forgive those who so proudly we hail. And crown thy good into temptation but deliver us from the twilight's last gleaming. Amen.

OMG... I started laughing so hard at this that three people walked by my office to see if I was ok.

Ehhhh.....

^ You know... The one you posted was weird. Then I started watching some of the related videos. Looks like some British television writer REALLY had too much time on his hands. LOL

To answer the question: Was what the California judges did, in fact, legal? After reading the the amendment, I have to say yes. It was legal. Proposition 22, Section 300 and 308 directly contradict a rule passed in 1977 via the California Civil Code, Section 4100 because of gender ambiguity in the 1977 measure. SO, what is going to have to happen now, if the legislature in California decides to pursue this, is the bill is considered dead and will have to start over in the California State Senate. Since the sponsoring senator, William "Pete" Knight, died in 2004, it will likely not be tackled again until after the 2008 general election. Incidentally, it should be noted for edification that Pete Knight had a gay son, David, whose civil union to his partner was struck down in 2004. Steve night, the older son, is running for his father's former seat in the 2008 General Election. Discussion: Georgia had a similar mishap in 2004 when a constitutional amendment was passed by an over-whelming, 76%. The rules for passing an amendment in Georgia CLEARLY STATE that only one subject/question may be proposed in an amendment proposition. If one reads Georgia's amendment, it clearly addresses ALL of the following: * definition of marriage, * prohibition of the recognition of other types of unions between same-sex couples, * an attempt to limit the jurisdiction of Georgia courts, * an attempt to limit the full faith and credit given to judgments and other proceedings from other states. Illegal Ballot Much? IMHO, I think it's really somewhat about how the court stacked politically as to why other states have done what they have done though other states HAVE ATTEMPTED to jump on this issue and the result was similar to what happened in Georgia in 2006. Now please understand... This is about the political process and how it works. I'll flame on about other topics in the appropriate thread. Personally, while I believe our justice system to be one of the most sophisticated in the world. At the same time, it also can be something of a circle-cluster. For the definition of circle-cluster, message me privately. For an example of this circle cluster, read the below article from a popular blogspot political analyst: Now: Here's how this LONG article all ties in with the political process. Just as was the case with racial segregation measures in the 1960s, this issue is passing through MANY MANY different levels of politically stacked justice establishments. It's going to boil down to the political stances of judges that get faced with this. As one can see by reading the above article, the judges in Georgia decided to dispense with what was legal and vote their agenda. Personally, I think that the country has become so embroiled with "keeping up with the Jones'" and not necessarily with what is legal. This is a divisive issue. It will be a divisive issue so long as politicians pick judges that have an agenda and write ballot question that are designed to cloud the questions upon which the people are voting.

This is difficult to question answer. The amount of wood that woodchucks would chuck on a given day varies greatly with the individual woodchuck. According to a Wall Street Journal article, New York State wildlife expert Richard Thomas found that a woodchuck could chuck around 35 cubic feet of dirt in the course of digging a burrow. Thomas reasoned that if a woodchuck could chuck wood, he would chuck an amount equal to 700 pounds. Some say it depends on three factors: * The woodchuck's desire to chuck said wood. * The woodchuck's need to chuck the aforementioned wood. * The woodchuck's ability to chuck the wood. Others say: * He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, if a woodchuck could chuck wood. * If he could chuck wood, the woodchuck would chuck as much as he could! * A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. * A woodchuck would chuck all the wood that the woodchuck would chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. * If a woodchuck could chuck wood, he would and should chuck wood. But if woodchucks can't chuck wood, they shouldn't and wouldn't chuck wood. Though were I a woodchuck, and I chucked wood, I would chuck wood with the best woodchucks that chucked wood. * If a woodchuck could chuck wood, then s/he'd chuck all the wood, s/he'd chuck and chuck and chuck and chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood. * It would chuck the amount of wood that she sells seashells on the seashore divided by how many pickles Peter Piper picks. * One quarter of a sycamore if you give him a quarter for every quarter of the sycamore he cut. * It might depend on how many female woodchucks were present. Or, it could depend on whether the woodchuck's mother-in-law was around or not. If she was, he'd be chucking all day. If not, he'd be watching the football game. * Some maintain that woodchucks could not and would not chuck wood at all. * It depends on how good his dentures are! * A woodchuck, would chuck, as much wood, as a woodchuck, could chuck, If a woodchuck could chuck wood. But unfortunately, woodchucks do not chuck wood. * About 5.72 fluid litres of wood * About as many boards as the Mongol hoards would hoard if the Mongol hordes did hoard boards. * Um....... 23???? * Tons. More than you can count. Honestly. No one can chuck more would than a woodchuck. * If the woodchucks name was Maurice, then it could chuck all the wood that it wants to. However, if its name is Frank, no chucking would be for it. Due to the average size of a wood chuck and the general density of wood (not including cork) if a wood chuck could chuck wood it would probably get through about 6.573 pounds per day, assuming the wood chuck is functioning correctly. Now... Tell me how much wood would Chuck Norris chuck if Chuck Norris could chuck wood...

6 Why did I forget to post a question on my last post?

MOST folks eat pork ribs. The most common ribs are pork and beef.

The highest it has been in Savannah is $4.09. At the same time of that high, there were 2 stations that had it at $3.98. Now they are around $3.92. VERY SERIOUSLY thinking of ditching the SUV and getting a Prius.

^ LOL I think I just peed a little.

A new product evaluation from Ellen DeGeneres http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/01/hawaii_chair.php I ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE ONE!!!