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Strawberry (only good strawberry) Breyer's Vanilla Bean 31 Flavors' Lemon Sorbet Eric

^ Didn't say anything about me. < Didn't say anything about anyone. V Didn't say anything about me because he hasn't posted yet!

^ It's easier to read short random stuff than to read long, rambling random stuff. Eric

I posted this on Westcoaster, but since some of you don't go there, I figured I'd put it here, too. It isn't often that I get out of California, but last weekend I did just that. See, my mom's mother's cousin's daughter contacted my mom a few months back about completing the family tree. She suggested that my mom should go to Texas to meet her and help fill in information. Since I did something like this for my dad's side of the family, it only made sense that I go, too. So I did. Originally, we were supposed to go to Fort Worth, but plans changed almost at the last minute and we found ourselves bound for Amarillo instead. Going to Fort Worth would have meant my first visit to SFoT, but that was not to be. However, Amarillo has a park, and I hoped that I'd get to visit it. Before going to Wonderland, I rode all over the Texas Panhandle to visit local cemeteries looking for the graves of long lost relatives. I guess that was closure for my mom. Kind of interesting, actually, and I learned a lot about family members. But, by Sunday afternoon (May 22), we'd done all the cemetery hopping that we could do, and it was on to Wonderland. Even my mom came with me, but she sat out all the rides. (She got in free, being a senior citizen.) On the downside, we were informed right off the bat that the Texas Tornado wasn't running. I was looking forward to that, being that it was O.D. Hopkins' first coaster and I've never ridden any of theirs. Here is a picture of me at the entrance. The Zyklon and Cyclone were both open, so I bought tickets (only $1.50 for each ride) and went to ride them. My mom was kind enough to hold my camera and drink while I rode. She even got her first experience with my digital camera and snapped pictures. One thing that I found strange was in the Zyklon station. There's a chain that heads downhill into the station as the train completes the circuit. I've never seen anything like that, so I snapped this picture of it. My mom also got a picture of me riding the Cyclone. This ride is just like the Tree Top Racers at Adventure City (down the street from Knott's). Even though the Texas Tornado was closed, I took this picture of what has to be the most demented loops on any coaster anywhere. I'm convinced that Hopkins designed this thing on a napkin, built it, found out it didn't work too well, then made modifications in the field. There weren't any other rides that I wanted to try. They have a flume and a splashdown ride, but I wasn't in the mood to get wet even though it was a typical, hot day in the Texas Panhandle. We were hungry, so we headed out to dinner and had some pretty fine Mexican food at Abuelo's. One day, I'll have to get back there and ride the Texas Tornado. Since I have family in Amarillo, I have a reason to return. But at least I won't have to visit the cemeteries next time! Bottom line, Wonderland is a nice little park. Eric

I haven't posted in about a week and I've been to Texas and I just finished a top sirloin steak and mashed potatoes. I don't know what to do next... Eric

Very nice video, Barry. Eric

I'm waaaaayyyy over 21---twice 21 and change, in fact. Does that mean I get two free beers? Eric

Today was sort of a cruise. Not much going on, work was a bit slow. Good lunch, though---cheeseburger and fries! Eric

coasters 4 me said: "maybe they will come out with a Coke and Orange Flavoured coke. Maybe that might be nice!" Now you're talking! Orange and cola just go together. I've been saying that again and again! Raspberry? Pffft. Eric

^ Thinks "dunno" is a real word. < Thinks sugar-free stuff is real good. V Thinks Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Gumby are real people!

The stars at night Are big and bright [clap, clap, clap, clap] Deep in the heart of Texas...! Eric "Who'll be there in 48 hours" L.

This wouldn't work for me---Every week I'd enter Pumbaa! Eric

I "grew up" at Disneyland, Knott's, and Magic Mountain (before it became Six Flags in 1979). Chances are, SFMM is the park I've been to the most. I have been there at least once during each of the years it's been open, so it's been well over 30 times. Eric

No burrito. No pizza. Just stupid McDonald's---and a long call from a distant family member in Texas who I'll be meeting the first time next Friday evening when we get to Amarillo. Other than that, carry on... Eric

They really need to do Orange Coke/Diet Coke. Orange is great. Strawberry isn't bad, either. I've had both---concocted in my kitchen, of course [evil laughter]. Eric

Time for a burrito! But I'll settle for a slice of pizza... Eric

Maybe that's why I failed as an engineer---I'm good with English! Eric

Robb said: "It's gone forever." Well, it lives on at my house... Eric

Take a lot of math and science courses in college. But, do know that positions like this are few and very far between. I wanted to do this once, too, but it just didn't happen. Eric

I used to turn my back yard into an "amusement park" when I was about 10. There wasn't much there, but I had wheelbarrow or shopping cart rides (human powered---by me!), a haunted house type attraction, a spinning barstool ride, and a petting zoo (the dog!). Eric

Bit of trivia: Those pictures are called "avatars." Eric

I'm not really into sports, but I do like our local teams...Dodgers, Angels, Lakers. I could follow the Raiders, but I'd just end up in jail! Eric

I believe that California has the highest coaster count in the U.S. There are a few noteworthy rides and a few unique rides. We can ride all of our coasters year round (Well, in Southern California, anyway) unlike most of the rest of the country. That makes it nice to live here. Personally, I'm a 90-minute or less drive from Disneyland/DCA, Knott's, and SFMM, so I satisfy a coaster fix anytime I want with little planning or distance to travel. Eric

How is SFMM hard to navigate? It's a big circle with a spur over to Psyclone/Deja Vu, another spur over to X, and a funicular railway and two paths to get to the top of the mountain. Eric

The guy who shares my office blew up at our lead when she asked him why he marked up a drawing in a certain way and didn't get a sufficient answer. He stormed out of the office and took a walk to cool off. He's been looking for another job, and, quite honestly at this point, I wouldn't mind him finding one. Eric