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Joe, when you get to be my age, there should be generic versions of our more expensive cholesterol-lowering drugs. (I think they'll call it the "ACEr Joe" line of meds.) That is, if a massive coronary doesn't strike you down at age 30.

Hmm--second half of the Ultimate at Lightwater Valley in the UK. My right elbow slammed into the side of the train so hard on the first drop that my arm was numb for about five minutes.

^Yes, I agree that turning Small World into Titanic would suck. Now, if they changed it to Night of the Living Dead, made the dolls into brain-eating zombies, and gave each rider a shotgun, that would rule! This would be much bigger than Buzz Lightyear. "It's a small world" . . . blam! blam! . . ."af . . . ter . . . a . l . . l . . . ."

So German kids like ducks in diapers?

Maybe they should've used the B-52's "Cosmic Thing." Or let Dave pick the music.

While I like PKD's Grizzly, I'm not crazy about PGA's version--quite boring, as I recall. I rode it the first year it was open, too. I was larger then than I am now and fit just fine. But a few years later, after I had lost quite a bit of weight, they wouldn't let me on PGA's Grizzly because I was too big! (The hell? Maybe they were using different trains.)

same genus, different species. If ACErs are like the Trekkies of the coaster world... Coaster Zombies are... um, what's geekier than trekkies? Hmm--Dr. Who or Babylon 5 fans?

^There is a misconception that Huck Finn is a kid's book--it's actually a wicked satire of societal hypocrisy in general. (Huck and Jim, two outsiders, are the only characters who have any sense.)

^Those pimped-out cars always looked like a good bet for a Ripley's museum somewhere.

Yep--that's pretty much how they do things in Fresno. Starts a little slow, but gets better as it goes (my favorite gag was the toaster, which is infinitely more practical than anything they install on Pimp My Ride). On thing that has always bugged me about the show is that they never show the aftermath of all that ride pimpin'. For instance, how much is the insurance on a 1977 Oldmobile that has been equipped with a plasma TV, video game system, and a bowling-ball washer? What sort of mileage does that beast get now? How long would it take your average punk to strip such a car?

^^Huck Finn and Moby-Dick are easily the best American novels of the 19th century, and it's a shame that miguided "political correctness" is keeping the former out of our schools. I agree with you in spirit here, Jahan--I'd like to see the old stories kept alive, too. The sad thing is that so few people read fiction, particularly classic fiction, anymore. (I love immersing myself in old Russian or British novels from time to time.) But if TSI isn't pulling in the visitors like it used to, it will never get the TLC it deserves in this era in which accountants rule the world. At least with the pirate rehab, they'll finally get the island's facilities up to snuff. One thing does puzzle me about this--will this mean that the island will now be part of New Orleans Square as opposed to Frontierland? (Unless you're talking about river pirates, it won't quite fit with Thunder Mountain and Davy Crockett--now talk about a fad . . .)

Tom Sawyer's Island is just a shadow of what it was when I was a kid. Fort Wilderness is closed, as is its "secret passage" to the river, and I understand that the suspension and barrel bridges are often closed. So, I think that it's time for an upgrade. As for this simply being in response to a "pirate fad," bear in mind that most kids today have no idea who Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn are, yet Disney did hold to that tradition when they last refurbished the island. Holding onto a pirate theme won't be any worse than clinging to the works of Twain long after they've ceased to be popular.

I'll see your Questor and raise you . . . er . . . more Questors. Busch blew it when they took that out of BGE (although Corkscrew Hill isn't bad).

Hmm--would that be penis pasta in an Alfredo sauce?

Enjoy the goodies, folks--glad they made it in time. The Wythe Candy Stores in Williamsburg and Lightfoot rule--all kinds of good stuff.

As for me and 2006, I got three words for ya: Best year ever! Thanks to TPR and the UK trip, I've broadened my theme-park and coaster horizons considerably. But there are still some blind spots, as Jeff (pdkcoaster) pointed out to me: "So, you've ridden coasters in England, eh?" "Yep." "But you still haven't been to Pennsylvania." Point well taken, Jeff. I haven't even made the pilgrimmage to Cedar Point (but not that I have a Cedar Fair Maxx Pass . . .). Here are some pics of my highlights from 2006. . . . and Jeff, who knows a lot more about Kings Dominion than is probably healthy for him. See you all next year! I leave you with Big Mike, on Coney Beach's infamous Happy Gater . . . And some more, all paying close attention to Robb's words of wisdom at Oakwood. But, best of all, was making a bunch of new friends. Here are a few of them (wearing sunglasses to protect their identities and reputations). But Sheikra rules all! Bring on Griffon, sez I! And my first visit to BGA (won't be my last either--great park). Scorpion isn't very big, but packs quite a wallop with its "Helix of Death." Journey to Atlantis--it's a coaster, a dark ride, and a flume ride. What's not to like? My first trip to Sea World, and my first floorless coaster--Kraken. Moving on to Florida . . . Expedition Everest is exactly what a Disney coaster should be. And here's credit #100--Thundercoaster at Tusenfryd. Oakwood's Speed really kicked butt. More parks need to add Eurofighters. Southport's wheel was a blast--and a chance to really get to know the folks you're traveling with. Valhalla was BPB's best overall. The Norse gods drench you, freeze you, then flamebroil you like a Whopper! And let's not forget the Ghost Train. Steeplechase was my favorite coaster at BPB. (Why did Knott's remove the Soap Box Racers?) Rita rocked, too. It may not have been the tallest, but it was my favorite of the UK trip's launched coasters. Nemesis was even better than I'd heard--wild, intense, and cleverly themed. Alton Towers was great. I know not what others may say, but as for me in 2006, Balder was the best! And Liseberg is a great park.

Acer Joe or Kim Possible?

^Cool, Jeff--guess they finally pieced together a few extension cords. I'll definitely have to check it out. ^^ Hi back at ya, Chris.

At long last . . . Good job, Tom. Now you'll have to come to Virginia to check out Griffon.

Just noticed this today on the Daily Press Web site: They've posted a video of Griffon topping out and a time-lapse of the consruction up to Dec. 8. You can find them ratchere: http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-life-griffon,0,2323701.storygallery

Et tu, Chuck? I thought we were friends! -James "And a sobbing Julia" Dillaman Well, it is fun when you ride in the very front, James. I do give it that. Especially is hold uo your hands like claws and roar like a monster through the loop.

I'm taking my parents there after Christmas. This was also Gary Oldman's mansion in Hannibal (the sequel to Silence of the Lambs).

^Perhaps a two-for-the-price-of-one-sale is in order. Shockwave also suffers from low capacity, and it has a retraint system built for Togo by Marquis de Sade Industries.

XLC's launch does pack quite a wallop, and there's a nice shot of airtime as you crest the hill and plummet down the other side. After that, the train shakes like it has Parkinson's disease and there's a hard, painful stop with brakes that sound like 100 aluminum trash cans, which are also full of aluminum beer cans, being knocked over at once. Yeah, I think it's fun if you catch it before the line gets too long (and it breaks down). But would I miss it? Not all that much. I wonder if Cypress Gardens is thinking about buying this bad boy.

I can't imagine the pain you're going through right now, but my thoughts are with you.