cfc

Those words often go together.

Yes, the concept drawing looks pretty good--it would fit well at PKD in the Congo section. But where is it going at Great America? The last time I checked, the USA lacks any heavily jungled areas except for Hawaii. Then again, they do have an Australian-themed water park. So much for the old concept of a "stylistic" vision of America (the park's original concept).

^Thanks for the reminder! And remember: "There's nothing a good agnostic can't accomplish if he's not sure about what he believes in." Or something like that.

You'll be slap dancing in lederhosen at Epcot before you know it, Soren. Go get that stamp!

Could've been Drachen Fire, I guess. How long ago? Hmm--Alpie is blue and white, with two corkscrew-like barrel rolls at the end.

Here's a fast-food, non-McDonald's tip: If you find yourself in San Luis Obispo, California, get ye to Frank's Famous Hot Dogs for a Monster Burger. You won't be disappointed. I think they're on Monterey Street now (not too far from Cal Poly, my alma mater).

^^I worked out roughly how many dollars per pound I had last year when I cashed in my old money basket, but came up $35 short on my guess--so much depends on the mix of change, too. (Memory was probably a bit faulty, as well.) Congrats to you, by the way. Now I'm really looking forward to cashing in my cache of change this spring!

Hmm--so much for my attempt of guessing by weight based on my old change basket. But this could be a good benchmark for the lunch box game in the UK forum.

What's that red dish? Oh, so that's an ashtray! They're disappearing in bars and restaurants in the U.S.

I don't eat fast food as often as I used to, unless I'm traveling somewhere. I avoid it not so much for the fat as for the sodium (I take blood-pressure medication). I've gotten into the habit of ordering vegetables instead of fries when I get a burger in restaurant, too (now that's painful). But it's not just what you eat, it's how much you exercise (been increasing this, as well). It ain't the meat, it's the motion, folks (although this isn't quite what the old song meant). Chuck

Good Lord, I rode this thing with some friends at Winterfest; as Eros of Plan 9 from Outer Space would say, that was "eons of your years ago." Don't remember much, except that it was freezing that night, and we rode for the warmth of the building (not of the Smurfs).

Hmm--and I used to think the old Long Beach Pike was scary . . .

I like Maelstrom--especially the trolls. The little movie is pretty good, too--and it doesn't hurt that the Norwegian girls running the place are so dang cute.

I think the thread is pretty darn cool, too--thanks to one and all, and especially to TPR's gracious hostess. Just got back from a nice birthday meal with a very nice lady at Williamsburg's Blue Talon Bistro--gotta love that "burnt sugar" ice cream! (It tasts like creme brulee.) This is the first time in years that I've actually celebrated my birthday on the actual day (usually have to defer it to the weekend).

So, I guess the moral here is that we really don't know enough about the accident to venture a solid opinion, eh?

^Thanks for the explanation. I've heard other people make the same criticisms (but I know two friends who thought it was great). I haven't seen Mickey's Philharmagic myself, but I share your preference for "traditional" over computer animation. I also have problems with the terms "2D" and "3D" animation. All animation is, whether by pencil or computer, two dimensional--the idea is to give the illusion of three dimensions on screen (which you can do in a traditional animated movie, as well). "4D" also bugs me--we exist in three dimensions, right? Does a "4D" movie involve time travel or some sort of alternate universe? (I guess you could argue for the last one.) But, for lack of a better term, I agree--no more 4D movies! Ever!

They're all disappearing. Even when I was a kid growing up in the 1960s in central California, the only "traditional" park you could easily visit was Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk--and we never went because my parents thought it was just a hangout for "hippies" and "bikers" (sometimes, this was true). There used to be an old-time amusment park at Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Va., but it's long gone.

PKD's commercial for the Outer Limits: Flight of Fear was pretty good, with its creepy atmosphere and terrified riders being shook and banged against its OSRs while grimacing in agony--talk about capturing the ride experience. I still remember the old "mad scientist" commercial Marriott's Great America ran when it introduced its launched shuttle loop: Zee Tidal Va-a-a-a-ve! And there was the California State Fair's irritating jingle from the 1970s: "Come to State Fair. "Fun everywhere! "It's quite a sight to see! "Come ride the monorail, "And see the world below . . ." Aghh! Even today it runs through my head!

Well, if they do turn Joyland into apartments, I'm sure there'll be a waiting list to lease the Wacky Shack.

Indeed--the birthdays of Sonny Bono and Levar Burton are worthy of a national observance.

Thanks for sharing the pictures (particularly of the ever-so-art-deco Lakeside Park--Cyclone's station is cool). But I'm shocked that you didn't visit the Court Consulting Services office of the National Center for State Courts (my employer). As a penalty, I've signed you up as a "Friend of the Court" ($1,000 level); you will be receiving an invoice shortly. We thank you for your support as we continue to provide "leadership and service to the state courts." Come to think of it, I've never been to our Denver office, either. Never mind.

Hey, mom was right--my eyes are staying this way!

Oh, God in heaven, no! What goes around, comes around. Universal Studios started making "monster rallies" like House of Frankenstein, which featured Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, and the Wolf Man, when interest in their old-style horror flicks waned. The best of these was, believe it or not, Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein (a very funny movie, actually). Too bad they never got around to Pancake House of the Mummy or Vacation Home of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. So, what's next? Adam Sandler Meets Freddy? David Spade Meets Jason? Alien v. Predator v. Freddy v. Jason? I will admit that the original Nightmare on Elm Street was pretty good, though.

^I think I'd cut the 70-year-old man a little slack here. Stepping off a conveyer belt onto a moving vehicle can be a little tricky. I know they stop the belt for handicapped riders to make it easier to board.

Hmm--can you elaborate here, Elissa?