805Andrew

I remember Pogs back in the day. They were HUGE when I was in 5th and 6th grade. Everyone used to play them during recess and lunch. By the time I got to Junior High they were banned from school. Too many kids losing Pogs in games and I guess the school saw it as a form of "gambling". Pogs soon fizzled out after this. I remember when I was in HS my younger sisters were into Pokémon and when Burger King had those Pokémon toys in the red and white balls we would have a lot of Kids Meals and collect a lot of the toys. "Gotta catch em all!" is probably the best toy slogan of all time. I was also really into rap-rock in the late 90s and early 2000s - especially Limp Bizkit and Crazy Town (although I never really got into ICP). I also really hated boy bands at this time (still hate them) and made fun of Backstreet Boys and NSync (which my sisters were really into).

It's interesting that Dr Pepper is the one soda that is in both Coke and Pepsi fountains. Coke bottles DP in my area but it is in both Coke and Pepsi fountains. Dr Pepper is the one drink you can get at both McDonalds and Taco Bell. On Coke or Pepsi, I prefer Coke over Pepsi generally (I do like Pepsi Throwback though), but prefer Pepsi for certain products (especially Mtn Dew - which I prefer over Coke or Pepsi). Coke has stepped up its game in recent years with the Coke Freestyle machine. I normally don't order fountain sodas in restaurants if it doesn't come with my meal unless there's an interesting hard to find flavor, but the Coke Freestyle is a way that Coke got me to buy an a la carte fountain soda in a restaurant.

Manzanita Sol apple soda on my lunch break.

^&^^ It wasn't bad or watered down, but I didn't like it enough to buy it again. I bought this one just for fun and to have everyone try it (I wouldn't want to drink a whole 22oz bottle by myself). I bought the Maple Bacon Voodoo Donut beer two years ago and also opened it on Christmas Day. I missed out on the Banana Peanut Butter one they did last year but saw it recently at World Market so I may buy it to try it. I like Rogue's beers in general and I'm glad they are having fun and trying new beers out even if they don't always turn out great.

^^ I had a Sam Adams White Christmas two days ago from the sampler pack. I thought it was pretty good too. Today I popped open a Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Pretzel, Raspberry & Chocolate Ale and I made the whole family try it. Opinions were mixed on this one: my dad hated it, my sister thought it was interesting but couldn't have more than a few sips of it, my mom liked it, and I thought it was alright. It was like a stout and I couldn't really taste the raspberry, but could taste the pretzel and notes of chocolate.

^Bud Light is to beer as Sunny Delight is to orange juice. But I guess some people have to start somewhere. The beer I'm having right now is Ninkasi Brewing Company Vanilla Oatis.

Goliath at Six Flags Great America if I can get on the Mini New Hotness Trip. (*crosses fingers and hopes*)

I know! I procrastinated too but now I put my deposit in and I'm on the wait list. I really enjoyed WCB 2013 and hope I can make a TPR tour in 2014.

I'm having this right now.

WARNING SPOILER ALERT below: Good call to those that predicted a Tyson victory. When it was down to three I knew he was going to when and deserved to win. Tina might have had a chance against him had she made it to the final three but she already won a Survivor anyway. I would of liked to see Ciera in the final three has she made bold moves, meanwhile Monica looked liked she came close to flipping but never flipped. Overall I really liked this current season of Survivor and it's concept.

Cool pics of Arizona and San Diego. I totally forgot about Fry's Food Stores. It was my favorite supermarket chain when I visited Arizona years ago. The logo looks very similar to the Fry's Electronics so I wonder if they have the same ownership. I've never been in a Fry's Electronics though as they are none in Central CA. Did you also go to the Zoo and/or the Wild Animal Park while in SD? I don't go to SD very often but every time I've gone there I've gone to Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and the Wild Animal Park or some combination of the three. The Gaslight District was a really nice downtown area last time I went to SD. I also enjoyed taking the train from SD to the border and walking over to TJ.

Cassis Lambic beer from Belgium. It required both a beer bottle opener and wine bottle opener to open it as it had both a bottle cap and a cork. It was sweet and tart especially for a beer.

^ That is a good album that grows on me with every listen, but they were other good albums that came out this year. Lately I've been listening to Arcade Fire "Reflektor" and Nine Inch Nails "Hesitation Marks".

This is sad indeed.

That's a nice thing they do with their toy drive. I bet that brings in a lot of people. If I lived locally I would come with friends or family members and take advantage of that offer. Don't they also do a food drive right before Thanksgiving where you get an admission with a bag with at least $15 worth of groceries?

This does not look like it was to rival Disneyland and more like it was to rival the Santa's Village amusement parks that used to exist.

With Carnival I will not cruise, For I don't want to get a bruise. They say they will add new stuff. I say it's a bunch of fluff. The food on ship will come out quick. Afterward you will soon be sick. In the middle of sea the boat will get stuck. When you see the people you're with that will suck. They will lure you with a price that's less to pay, But getting on board will make for a bad day. What I am saying may be a bit brash. I just don't want to come back with a rash.

Looks like Australia has some cool parks. Thanks for sharing!

I have a feeling we'll see both teams from West of the Mississippi in the Super Bowl for the first time in a long time.

North Korea because it sounds more interesting (as long as I was with Dennis Rodman ). Would you rather see a theme park build a ride based on Dexter or Breaking Bad?

I had a Sam Adams Hazel Brown last nite.

Cool! The first place I ever bought a lift ticket and did a full day of snowboarding was Squaw Valley USA. This was back and in 2006 so not too far back and of course before I had proper lessons so there was plenty of falling. I was so impressed with the layout of the resort, the network of lifts and gondolas, and the whole experience of the ski resort that it made me want to get professional lessons in both skiing and snowboarding so I could go to more ski resorts. Ski resorts are like winter-time theme/amusement parks for me. I'm glad I'll be getting my Bear Valley credit in a couple of weeks.

Several busloads of Bronies crashing IAAPA. What's worse than all Disney parks worldwide switching from Coke to Pepsi?

Arcade Fire - Reflektor

I would rather have all remaining CCIs get re-tracked because it would probably make more of a difference than new vest restraints on Vekomas. Would you rather go on a trip to Japan with no theme park visits nor coaster riding or go on a trip to Ohio with Fast Lane passes for all the coasters at Cedar Point and Kings Island?