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Well, I know you're not celebrating and all, but I sent you a present, anyway. Happy Birthday, Elissa! Yes, it's amazing what you can purchase on QVC.

At last, Kramer's dream of "The Bro," the bra for men, has reached fruition!

^Lift hill Nice niew First dop and inversion fun Rest of it Overall (before being reconfigured) Migraine machine, bruised shoulders from restraints Overall (after reconfiguration) Not too good (but not as painful) At least that sums it up for me.

My apologies to those who've already read "Chuck's Motorcycle Chase" story. When I was in high school back in the 1970s, I weighed about 275 pounds, and Knott's had the Motorcycle Chase--a steeplechase-type of ride that used motorcycles as trains. Guests were held in place with a seatbelt. (This ride eventually became the Wacky Soapbox Racers, but is long gone.) My older brother and I took a ride on the Chase, really liked it, and decided to ride it again. But as we entered the queue, a ride-op asked me to hop up on a sample motorcycle at the ride entrance (there was no ride-op there earlier). She struggled and struggled to fit the seatbelt around my rather ample gut and behind, couldn't do it, and declared that I couldn't ride because the restraints wouldn't fit me. I guess I was lucky the first time around, eh? Well, so was Knott's. I weigh around 225 now, by the way, and am looking forward to riding Blackpool's Steeplechase during TPR's UK trip this June. So, in short, no I don't think it's the responsibility of the manufacturer to accomodate every body type; but it is the responsibility of the park to ensure that safety rules are applied consistently.

^^I dunno. The last one may have been darklingscribe. In that case, I hope he doesn't mind toting my collection of antique anvils and wood stoves--I never leave home without them.

^Why you sneaky little credit whore.

Aw, man--and I just bought annual passes for my niece and nephew.

Yep, that makes it all OK. And now, Robb, Elissa, Louise, and Tom in the 21st-century version of Family Affair. "Mr. French, where's Buffy and Jody?" "Master Jody is trying to fit into that new bikini you bought him, and I belive Miss Jody is making hot, sweet love with Miss Cissy." "Well, as long as they clean their rooms and dress for dinner."

I think the confusion re. the location of this new "structure" is that the paper refers to New France, which makes the current location of Le Scoot the logical spot. But the Le Mans ride is actually in Aquitaine--maybe Busch is thinking of giving New France some of Aquitaine's turf?

^^Premier? Lap bars? Drachen Fire? Huh? I don't think the ride's lack of popularity can be attributed to its location. You could see it from the train and Big Bad Wolf--pretty hard to miss, as I recall. Heck, they use the old Drachen Fire station for Sleepless Hollow Manor at Howl-o-Scream and no one seems to have trouble finding that. To me, it was just a poorly designed ride--too rough for my own good, as my pounding head and bruised shoulders can attest. The only reason the structure lasted as long as it did was because a bald eagle nested on top of the lift hill one summer. But it was a beautiful looking coaster, particularly at night. Here's to hoping Busch puts that space to good use again.

Yep--definitely time for the Navy to phase out the "Tomcat" fighters . . .

That's what happens when you mistake a painting room at a body shop for a car wash. Boy, is his face red.

Looks like it's time for a new TPR "sticky" thread: how about "Tales of Ribaldry"? Oh, and Stealth looks great, by the way.

Looks like your activities have attracted some attention, Louise. Ahoy! Pyrate copies of Louise, Queen of Sleaze, sez I!

Perhaps the gloves are for your protection, not hers.

Lou is licking her Mummy? Ew-w-w-w . . . Suggested title for this high-class example of British porn: "The Incredibly Strange Credit Whores Who Started Living and Became Mixed-Up Ultra Vixens." Or . . . "Let Me Slap You with My Meat!"

^^You mean you're not familiar with the quaint American custom of the meat-slapping dance? It dates from the time of the Louisiana Purchase, when mountain men were forced to slap their meat against each other to tenderize it. The first one to be rendered unconscious from the meat slapping would receive "the tough end of the butt" (of meat, that is). Eventually, to be told "Let me slap you with my meat" bcame an invitation to partake of a meal--a great honor among mountain men, especially during times of scarcity. Yes, this is how we now get dates in America. Never seems to work for me, though. Sigh . . . no one appreciates our great heritage . . .

^Why not "Expedition: Sasquatch"?

Those who would sleep here must first survive combat in the Octagon! We will now roll to see who enters first.

^^Hmm--if they're building this beast in New France, "wolverine" (a real animal) or "wendigo" (a supernatural monster) would be good.

^^Holy cold front! Is it snow? Or . . . Is it sleet? Only Mr. Freeze knows for sure! Tune in tomorrow . . . Same Bat Time! Same Bat Channel!

I think Cracker Barrel put a hurtin' on Bob Evans. Love Bob's chicken-fried steak, though. Actually rather like Cracker Barrel, too.

As I recall, Ripley's is planning to use the existing building (on multiple levels), but I imagine they're going to expand it. An expansion would be necessary, it seems to me. It was a pretty good-sized restaurant. Here's a shot of the building without the sign in the way.

Hmm--better make that the "next few months" if the sign below is to be believed. Looks like Ripley's has jumped through all the essential hoops, and they've started work on their new museum and theater in Williamsburg. The site is an old building on Richmond Road that was home to three failed restaurants: Bob Evans, Klondike Steakhouse, and the Dakota Bay Grille. Will Ripley's somehow defeat the dreaded curse of "The Bad Place Where No One Can Make a Go of It"? Stay tuned. I'll try to post more pics as the project moves ahead. This building previously held three failed restaurants--believe it, or not!

^^If you go on a weekday, the crowds shouldn't be too bad, even during spring break. Ride DarKastle first thing, then the Big Bad Wolf and Alpengeist. Take the train to Festa Italia after that for Apollo's Chariot. You should be able to pick up the Loch Ness Monster easily any time of the day.