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Viper can be hit or miss. I went a few years not riding it because it got too rough for me, but I had also been sick and lost a lot of weight, thus reducing my body's "padding" against it. I have started riding it again and it really isn't that bad. In fact, I just rode it last Sunday and had a decent ride on it. What I do is to get the OTSR down as far as possible (but not so far as to not be able to breathe), and I sit up as straight in the seat as I can to get my head above the OTSR. That helps considerably, and my last dozen or so rides on Viper have been OK for the most part. Hope that helps you. Have a great time at SFMM! Eric

^ Bet that was the cat's meow... Eric

Tonight's dinner: bowl of beef barley soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. That really hit the spot on a cold evening. Eric

That skyride doesn't even look like it's at a theme park with all the trees and such. It was my dream to go to WDW, but I didn't achieve that till 2002, when the park was much different from its beginning. I wish I had some photos of trips to SFMM before they added the SF to it, KBF, Busch Gardens (yes, there was one in L.A.), and our Disneyland. But I never thought to take pictures. Keep these reports coming. Everyone will enjoy them. Eric

My visit to SFMM the other day brought this to mind: It really annoys me when people put cups into trash cans in such a way that the lid is propped open. Believe me...that's anything but cool. More stupid than anything else, actually. When I see that, I push the lid open far enough to let the cup drop in and the lid closes all the way. Eric

^ A pepless pep fest isn't very festive. Eric

^ Can go to the zoo...all by himself. < Can do most things by himself. V Can feed himself...sometimes!

I didn't know that USH did that. That is indeed a great way to keep people in the park. Of course, USH doesn't have many outdoor rides, coasters, etc. like other parks. But offering free hot drinks and a return ticket is a great way to build a repoir with the public. About SFMM...I usually check the website before heading out there to check the hours, or, if rain is a possibility, whether it's open. Usually (in my experience), the park hours will note that the park is closed because of rain. Eric

So...the secret is to build the coaster in a grassy field! Yeah, I figured the wooden structure of the ride would cover up the concrete well enough. Eric

Funny...I just went yesterday, and two weeks ago, too! I'd say to definitely get on X2, being that it's only one of two such rides in the world. Riddler's Revenge is the biggest standup coaster, and it's one of my personal favorites. Goliath is flat out speed during the first half, and curves and high G-forces during the second half. Still as smooth as the day it opened in my opinion. Tatsu is the biggest B&M flyer to date, and it's a blast, but beware of slow throughput. Hope that helped. Eric

"It's also going to cover the slab..." (themeparkman25) I don't think the slab will be any more of an issue than the old parking lot under Colossus and Goliath is. Honestly, I hope people riding Terminator will be focused on enjoying their ride rather than thinking, "Why didn't they do something about the concrete?" Eric

^^ Are you guys even allowed to have 19th Century poetic wax in your classroom? That's toxic stuff! Eric

"Conversely, one can argue that it must be incredibly painful to know you're eating your last meal and saying your final goodbyes to your family. It all depends on your perspective." (Kennyweird) Probably not as painful as your life flashing before your eyes while someone is beating/stabbing/strangling you to death, knowing that you will never see your loved ones again. What will happen to your children (if you have any)? What will your parents/family do when you're gone? These are the things that murder victims have just a few frantic seconds to think about. A person facing execution can discuss his/her final wishes with a clergyman, attorney, etc. and think it out. About the meals...if you ever read about what some offenders order, it's often a feast fit for a king. Check out this page. It keeps a running total of executed inmates. Scroll down a bit to the list, then click on an inmate's name. In most entries you'll fiind out what they ate for their last meal and their final words. Eric

^ If that is indeed the case, I like it. Putting the queue inside the structure not only makes efficient use of what would otherwise be dead space, but being in the middle of the action will build excitement. As much as Psyclone sucked, at least its exit ramp going down through the structure was cool. You got a great view of the ride in action, and a front seat to all the riders' bones cracking! Eric

Since we're talking about blonde hair, that reminds me---I need a haircut. Eric

^ Yeah, Happy Birthday, Chuck! Now you're as old as I am! Eric

"IMO, it's just as barbaric as the original crime itself." (Kennyweird) I have to disagree with you there. How many murder victims were allowed their choice of a last meal? How many murder victims were given a chance to spend a few minutes with their loved ones to say goodbye? Prisoners about to be executed get all of the above. As I said previously, my only argument against capital punishment is the time and money that it takes to carry out the sentence. Too wasteful. But the few seconds of pain that may be felt by the offender pales considerably to that of what the victim suffered. Eric

^ They say that blondes have more fun. Well, we have more fun making fun of them. Eric

^ Maybe he's on WiFi outside on a busy street. Eric

Goliath at SFMM, just today. Eric

Just finished another dead of winter visit to SFMM. Got seven coaster rides in with minimal waiting in about three hours, and took a trip up to the Sky Tower to look at Terminator Construction---The Project. Coming along nicely, I must say. Eric

^ Even on the "DO NOT ENTER" signs? Eric

Actually, I have. It's quite interesting as well...sort of a flash and that's it. Do you go to theme parks in the dead of winter?

"This area is going to look so much better with a GOOD woodie behind it!" (Robb) Actually, the last woodie was a good one---at first. But time, an earthquake, and heavy trains did it in. I was out at the park today and was glad to see the progress made since my last visit February 1. The tower was open, so I went up to get a bird's eye view. It's looking nice, and it's hard to believe that we'll be riding it in just over three months! Eric

^ Frustrated chef. < Frustrated job seeker. V Frustrated cross dresser!