cfc

^It's amazing how big a difference theming makes on those Vekoma mine trains. They go from being "meh" to being pretty cool.

Boy, you like to get there early. The Bounce Pass is a good deal and includes Jamestown and Yorktown, as well. I'm pretty sure that the pass will get you admission to all the buildings at Colonial Williamsburg, but you might want to look more closely to make sure. CW used to sell (probably still does) a ticket that includes most of the historic area except for the Governor's Palace and the Colonial Capitol (the two main buildings you should see). So, make sure about what you're getting on the Bounce Pass. Some shows at CW are part of admission, but special programs, usually in the evening, require a separate ticket. CW's "Revolutionary City" program (think street theatre about Williamsburg's role in the Revolutionary War) should be going on, too (it's just part of your admission). I doubt that you'll need BGW's Quick Queue on a weekday. Crowds should be quite manageable. The park opens different sections in phases, which should be spelled out on your park map. Have a great time!

^"Then you will combust and die!"

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a "DarKastle" style of attraction at Tampa--maybe themed to King Tut's Tomb (although I wouldn't mind a big hyper coaster, either).

I voted "no," but I do have one other suggested option for the poll: "Will open, but will not last the whole season." Maybe they should apply for "nonprofit status." Looks pretty bad if they couldn't even pay off the initial debt they assumed from the previous owners.

Hell, two ghost trains and a "bazillion" fun houses? I'm in!

I really like how GCI has been getting into terrain coasters. This one looks excellent (and definitely an enticement for a "best of China" trip), even if it's no Prowler. (All kidding aside, I'm really looking forward to both Prowler and Renegade on TPR's Mid-America Trip.)

I agree--like a family version of a 4D coaster.

Looks like a great set for a SyFy channel horror flick. This setting cries out for a gang of college students, a big hockey-mask-wearing dude with a machete, and maybe even a Mega-Shark or Supergator.

I think that sums it up pretty well. I enjoyed Wolfman, too, but thought its main weakness was the "romantic" angle--it doesn't really have time to develop convincingly (unlike in the old Chaney version). Still worth checking out. Aw-o-o-o-o-o-o!

At least no one was hurt--the clubhouse can be rebuilt. I'll be curious to hear about the cause. I'm happy that you, Elissa, and KT are safe, Robb.

^^The Main Street Electrical Parade: A nightime spectacular that entertained huge crowds for many years. Spectromagic: A massive mistake with disturbing elf-like characters that really annoyed people for about a year.

I was dreading Viper a bit when I rode it a few years ago, but was pleasantly surprised--sure beat the hell out of GASM (which beats the hell out of you) at Great Adventure. It's easily the best of the big Arrow loopers I've ridden, such as Anaconda and Drachen Fire.

Well most of the parade routes are under some sort of construction and will be for a while. I'm glad they are at least doing something with the parade in the meantime. The Electrical Parade never really "fit" in DCA--just seemed out of place. Main Street in Florida or California is where it belongs.

Or keep coaster geeks from going ballistic about restraints again.

Well, being as everyone is so concerned about pants . . .

I recently bought a new computer with Windows 7 (which is running great, so far). I'm toying with getting RCT 3, but I haven't heard anything about any compatability issues between the game and Windows 7, so I thought I'd ask here. RCT 2 runs OK on Windows 7, if that helps. Thanks.

Another day, another port: Puerto Vallarta (one very pretty resort town). Still, I spent most of the day at sea whale watching with Guy, Alana, and Ginny. And, aye we did see quite a few whales, mate. In fact, this whale-watching excursion had just about everything you need--a good crew, beer, and fresh guacamole. Hell, even if we didn't see one freakin' humpback, it was a great day to be on the Bay of Banderas, enjoying the view, drinking the beer, and eating the guac. Let's set sail, shall we? Damn you! Quit playing with our heads! I was up early that morning, so I watched us sail into port. (Well, you can't see me here, but rest assured I was there watching.) Who will outlplay and outlast the others on Survivor: Puerto Vallarata? Let's face it. They're running out of deserted islands. Our whale-watching excusrion was set to shove off at 8:00 am--but not on this boat. Here's our boat. Not what we expected, but nice, and it was named after a Stevie Nicks song. Aye, a scurvier crew of whale watchers there will never be, sez I. OK, whale-watching has two equally important facets: 1) water . . . . . . and 2) beer. Captain's Log, Day 1: 'Tis a beautiful day to be at sea. The crew is in high spirits, and I anticipate fair winds and a fine voyage. Captain's Log, Day 1, 2nd hour: Bored to death. Crew near mutiny. Time to hook up the Wii. Ahoy! Grab yer harpoons! Lower the longboats! Thar be whales to . . . oh, just a bird. Never mind. Avast! It be Mega Shark! Every man for himself. Oh, wait--it's just a whale. Heave to, swabs! This be our whale, it be! "Hey! That whale is totally flipping us off!" Thar she blows! (Admit it. You've always wanted to yell that.) "Oh yeah? Well blow this, pal!" "Dadburn it! They said in the brochure there'd be whales out here! Where the hell are they?" "I fart in your general direction, you unobservant old fool!" Well, time to head back in. This is a boobie. It likes to ride on turtles. Turtles like boobies. And boobies like turtles. Poor, poor turtleless birds! The whale watching was great--as was the crew of the good ship Rhiannon. And we're back--more later.

^It's not a bad ride, just strangely rough for a B&M. It had the old "B&M rattle" when it opened.

Eyes Wide Shut's orgy scene was the most unerotic depiction of sex ever put on film--not a great flick for Kubrick to go out on, in my opinion. There's was some sort of "swinger's party" down the road from Williamsburg in Lightfoot (home of the Williamsburg Pottery and Outlet Mall), of all places, last night. People were talking about it in the office this morning. No one from here actually participated, though. Hell, you could probably catch all sorts of diseases just by walking through the lobby of the motels in that town (they're not known for their cleaniness).

^Actually, you could do that on any cruise. You'd spend most of the time in the brig, of course, and then there's all that costly litigation and lengthy prison time ashore.

Riding a bunch of ziplines at Cabo San Lucas was great, but I was in a mellower mood at our second port of call: Mazatlan. There were two options here--hang out on a beach or rip around on an ATV. I was content to eat lunch, stroll up and down the beach a bit, read, and relax. Others tied on bandannas and terrorized the countryside sitting athwart a red hot motor! To each his or her own. Here's a look at that day. Another sinister towel animal! What did it all mean? Was it some sort of warning? Who was behind this twisted game? I include this with a friendly word of warning: Do not fall asleep under the blazing Mexican sun! I imagine that this poor guy's face was one big blister by that evening and probably exploded at the lightest touch. Once ashore, I barely escaped the evil clutches of Senor Frog! OK, how do we get to this beach? Well, that's encouraging. If I'm going to die at sea, I want it to happen on a boat on which the name is spelled properly. This is our guide, Polo. Not "pollo," like a chicken, but "polo," like the game you play on horseback. He's quite particular on this point. I think you know these two. Looks like the Skipper and Gilligan found some investors. The new "Minnow Shores" development is looking great, guys! Here, there be monsters! Yes, moments after this picture was taken, an enormous tentacle emerged from this cave and tried to yank me off the boat! Fortunately, Polo threw one of his own men in front of me, thus saving another paying customer from a grisly fate. Er, we're getting a bit close to those rocks, Polo! Maybe I'm just being too much of a coaster geek, but that rock bears a suspicious resemblance to the monster in the Alpengeist pre-ride video. "Hello! I'm Smiling Bird Poop Man! Yes, these birds dump all over me, and I keep on smiling! Please kill me now!" "Ya know, even a sea lion likes a little privacy once in a while! Ya think we could get some out on a rock in the middle of the bay, but no-o-o-o-o . . ." Hey, frieghter! Can't you read! No fumar here, pal! The Sapphire Princess and the Mariner of the Seas just don't get along, so they keep their backs to each other. Sad, really. OK, all ashore who's goin' ashore! Noted! Your "Mexican limo" awaits . . . . . . as does your lunch . . . . . . but not your ATVs. Seems there weren't quite enough for everyone, so the group had to split in two. There were actually some cats crawling around in the rafters of this joint. Here's the gauntlet of vendors you have to get past to get to the beach. It was a nice little beach, and the water was fairly warm. Unless I miss my guess, this is our first group of ruthless bandidtos returning on their ATVs. I'm pretty sure this is Hanno. Even this goat gets tips. That's all for now.

Agreed--the talking babies are just plain creepy. They were never "cute." This is especially true of the ad that implies that the babies are "dating." I didn't get the "sleepwalking Coke" ad, either. One of the overriding themes is how women symbolically emasculate men, and how men need to buy certain products (such as Dodge sports cars and even Dockers) to combat this. Nohting new here, but the one where the guy needs to buy a handheld TV because his wife has "removed his spine" by making him go shopping with her during football season was particuarly dumb. Yeah, being an obnoxious jerk (with yet another portable electronic device) in public makes you a man again!