jynx242

Steve - we'll definitely be back. SFoG is what we call our Home Park, but Carowinds is closer, cleaner, nicer and I don't feel like I'm going to be mugged by the staff and/or patrons I think Eli is coming up there next month and we'll definitely bring friends again once it cools off a bit.

Thanks Adam. I posted this from work and those pesky clients were calling . You should definitely come and visit soon.

I have to start by saying that ever since the Deep South Tour last year, Carowinds has impressed the heck out of me. I truly love this park, and the addition of Intimidator has gone a long way to making it one of my favorites. Coaster Stock is the annual enthusiast event put on by Carowinds. We drove up to Charlotte on Friday night, and went to the event on Saturday. First off – for those of you from other parts of the country and world, here in the South East United States we are having a heat wave. The heat index on Saturday was somewhere near 115 degrees. It was FREAKING HOT. Did that stop us from having a great time – heck no! We did, however, lose some weight due to the skin slowly melting off of our bodies. There is a water park at Carowinds, but crowded water parks make me rather homicidal, so we skipped that and stood in the splash zone of the Splash Boat ride to cool off and avoid dying. I have to say that the Marketing and PR Departments of Carowinds went above and beyond for a fantastic event and I will definitely be going back again. Day started with an hour and a half of ERT on Afterburn, The elusive (have to have a kid) kiddie coaster, the Jr. Vekoma Invert and the Flyers. Afterburn was amazing, as always. Since we are sad and pathetic, we got the kiddie credits and then went to the flyers. LOVED the flyers. FINALLY learned how to snap a flyer and the ride operator was giving instructions on how to do so and encouraging it. AWESOME. They had a dark ride challenge. Scooby Doo is gone, but they have improved the ride and I really didn’t miss him. They had a luncheon for us. Funny thing, the menu was different than on the event flyer, so they decided to also do a dinner for us with the correct menu. They really didn’t have to do that, but did and I love ‘em for it. We had different events scheduled all day – then dinner – then Park Jeopardy (which was really fun,) the results of their video competition (also hilarious), then an hour-and-a-half (10:30 PM – Midnight) on Intimidator. Night Hawk was supposed to be included as well, but threw a motor gear or something. I personally asked Skycoastin Steve what he did, but he denies all responsibility. Intimidator was simply amazing. It has replaced Goliath as my favorite B&M Hyper. I just love the airtime, plus the twists and turns. Pufferfish and Skycoastin Steve were actually running the ride for ERT and managed to get some rides in with us, which was AWESOME as well. Well – on to the pictures: ADMIN EDIT: I figured you wouldn't want the thread to be confused for the ever-popular Coaster Sock also at Carowinds, so I updated the thread's title! Eli and I at the gate Club TPR - REPRESENT!! Jay (eltoroextreme) and I were stoked! First up on ERT - Afterburn. Truly a great ride. Thank all that's holy they changed the name from Flight Deck or whatever nonsense that was... Afterdeck - Flight Burn - Awesomeness The star of today's show! We decided to get a morning ride when they first opened before the crowds got bad TWISTIES!!! This was just yummy. I really want this for my office It was REALLY HOT. I melted into a puddle of goo about two minutes later and only an infusion of Dippin' Dots saved me Behind the scenes tour of Intimidator had my coaster dorky heart pounding. NERD SHOT! We spent WAYYYY too much time looking at this. Yes - we are dorks. Wheels! Maintenance guru took us through the computer room... Eli was in heaven. I'm having trouble spotting the dummy - can someone help me?? Hi Jay! Twisty, Spinny, Pukey Jay stars in his own Coaster Porn! Details to be announced I leave you with a picture of my German Shepherd taking a nap with her kitten.

Intimidator @ Carowinds. Picture isn't resized at the moment and I'm at work, but this was an extremely impressive coaster! Loved every second of it and ERT for an hour and a half at night was OMFG AMAZING>

I have to post and say what an INCREDIBLE day we had at Coater Stock. Even with a heat advisory, we headed to the park for a PACKED 16 hour day. Morning ERT, Dark Ride Competition, Lunch with Mr. Kinzel (Uncle Jerry) and one of the B&M guys (stateside), Dark Ride Competition, Dinner, Q&A with Marketing, Backstage tour of Intimidator, Snoopy Rocks on Ice, Park Jeopardy, ERT for an hour and a half on Intimidator. AWESOME! It was also great to have Skycoastin Steve and Pufferfish running ERT on Intimidator, and even greater to get to ride a few times with them. Awesome Day. Just awesome. P.S. - Thanks to the Ride-op during morning FLYER ERT for finally explaining how to snap a flyer and encouraging it. I can now "snap."

^ I found that with exams like that (the Series 7, and 66 for Investment Advisors) you study your a$$ off, still feel woefully unprepared, go in and take it over a series of VERY LONG days, and do okay. Not great mind you, but few people "ace" exams like that. Keep it up, take it, stress the hell out about it, pass it and then celebrate! Best of luck to you. David

^Oh - I shudder.

Kimby - the original was just horrific. As was Last House on the Left (the original.) Most movies don't disturb me, but Monster comes to mind. It was like a train wreck that you couldn't stop watching. It was a great movie, but I really wanted it to end, and don't think I'll rush back out and see it again. I think because it is based on a true story is what really gets me. It's sad.

I have to say that this is a KILLER list!! Some of my faves are there as well. LOVED REPO!The Genetic Opera. Everyone should see it. The Hunger is still at my #1 spot for pure beauty, hotness and David Bowie. Here are a couple more: Orlando (Tilda Swinton is amazing in this.) Chainsaw Sally (independant filmmaking is an art and an acquired taste.) ZOMBIE STRIPPERS (I can't express how awesome this movie is. Truly, not even being sarcastic - rented it last week and am planning on a purchase this week.) Battle Royale (Japanese Action Film) David

We're just one big disfunctional family . Actually, it's a big old house, so we really don't annoy each other too much. We see more of each other on trips than we do at home.

Two heaping spoonfuls of crazy

^ Going to the Crab Shack with friends next weekend (this weekend is Coaster Stock so we're making the 3 1/2 hour drive to Charlotte!!) Keeping this on topic - still gay here. Just watched the most awesome B movie, though; called Zombie strippers! Jenna Jamison is in it and I think she is just awesome. Do I lose "gay points" for that? Anywho - I have my partner and two other gay friends living in my house, and a dear friend who we refer to as our Token Straight Guy. David

Elissa - thanks again for this thread. I've been telling people who ask about these trips that one of the reasons I love them so much is that once I arrive at the initial meeting place, I can basically turn off my brain. As long as I am on time for busses and meetings, etcetera - I don't have to worry about anything. EVERYTHING is planned to the Nth degree. Besides being with friends like Robb and Elissa - this is what a vacation is all about. Hence - I'll be on a trip every summer until my body wears out. Love you guys! David

People watching in Savannah? I'm sure that would be a good laugh. I wanna go to Savannah to eat at Paula Dean's restaurant. How far is Savannah from the Atlanta area? Savannah is about 4 hours south of Atlanta. Paula Dean is a hoot! She is hilarious and really nice. You will eat your weight in fried chicken when you go to her place.

^I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE that site. I laugh out loud at my desk and freak out my coworkers whenever I read it (like I just did.) D.

This thread makes me remember why I LOVE Holiday World. They really do care about the patrons and that is amazing. Voyage = Bliss for me. Yeah - it's crazy, psychotic, a bit rough, and all over the place, but man-oh-man do I find it awesome. I can't really marathon it (4 rides in a row would be about it for me at one time) but that's part of what I like about it. Paula - thank you ever so much for keeping us up to date on everything and responding in this thread. This is what I meant about Holiday World caring! Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks with the TPR Middle America tour. David

^ You, sir, are awesome. Don't you come back down to my neck of the woods this fall? If so, we've totally got to get together for coffee or something. We can tourist watch here in the Historic District of Savannah and have a good laugh.

^ For me it was disturbing, but I have past experience with that sort of thing (if you know what I mean.) That being said, it's not the most disturbing film I've seen. Made me kind of uncomfortable and sketchy feeling. Fantastic movie, however.

Yes - There are a couple Just remembered the first time I got my nose pierced was during Ministry at Lolapalooza something... I went to several. I used to listen to a lot of Front 242, hence the screen name. Did you ever listen to Pansy Division? Queercore was awesome in it's day. Then you could be "the gay" and still listen to hard core music. I still ADORE synth-pop. Erasure and Pet Shop Boys are two of my favorites. Also love Dead or Alive - total 80's bubble gum pop. ^ jmicha - I'm totally the same way. I drive a convertible, and probably look like a complete douc#ebag whilst dancing around and singing freaking Ke$ha songs, but I can't help it. Hell, I'm a recovering alcoholic and her music is ALL about getting drunk, but I still listen and sing along. It's like musical crack or something.

Looking forward to meeting you guys. I'll be there with the Middle-America tour. I can promise you, you will NOT be disappointed. Robb and Elissa are amazing at setting these things up. The price cannot be beat for all of the awesomeness that you will experience. David

Jazz - I worked for a hotel for a long while and got alot of experience in the tourism industry. Our city has a Tourism and Leadership Council as well. I'd recommend starting there. Learning about different reservation systems and such really comes in handy as you move around in that field. David

As I've gotten older my tastes have changed as well. I still like to rock out and scare the neighbors on occasion, but I listen to alot more variety these days. Heck - my guilty pleasure this summer is freaking Ke$ha. Everything inside of me screams that I should hate this dreck, but I just can't help myself. Crazy. BTW - 1000th post. Wanted it to be in this thread, because I'm a dork that way.

^Take it from someone who's been there, that movie is AWESOME. Made me a bit uncomfortable, but that's what a good movie does. I definitely think it is a MUST SEE for people. Definitely not a "feel good" film, but is a completely amazing movie.

^That is AWESOME!!! I love him.