jynx242

Saw a great random bad movie with my friends Sunday night (dinner and a bad movie night...) FRANKENHOOKER!! Really cheesy schlockfest from the 80's that was freaking HILARIOUS!! Highly recommended for anyone who likes campy, bad, horror (comedy) films. All I have to say is "super crack" and "exploding hookers" and anyone whose seen it will laugh! David

^^ I agree as well and would like to give kudos to all of you moderators for doing such a great job. Even looking (let alone reading) at other forums just gives me a headache. Seems that you have to wade through rivers and oceans of crap to get to any information that might possibly be interesting. Not so here - so once again...Thanks!

^^ It also might be a good idea to make friends with some of the Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors who are gay / bi. Just because you are a freshman doesn't mean that you have to hang out with only freshmen. Find yourself a "big-brother" or even better, a "big-sister." Someone who has been where you are right now and made it through it without getting expelled or having to "pull a Terrance " on someone. The experience, strength and hope of others really can help us through most situations, and enable us to help others who go through the same things after we have. Once again, this is just my humble opinion, but it has worked WONDERFULLY for me in the past. D.

I'd recommend posting the best pictures from each park (as long as I'm in them .) Actually, just post what you feel like posting. I don't know about anyone else, but seeing pictures of last summers trip can take the "off season blues" away for me! Even though I'm only like 4 hours from Orlando, I can't get to parks that often during the winter. Thanks again for what you have already posted! David

Hey Will - thanks for the updates so far!! I am very glad you were on this trip with us. I felt certain that any photo opportunities that I missed - you'd get Looking forward to the rest of the trip when you get a chance. David

^and an epic moment that was!!! I'm an official Christiana fan boy!!! Oh yeah- I'd also like to apply for Michael and Casey fanboy status as well. Where do I apply?? Miss you guys, and thanks for the memories!! Looking forward to seeing some of you all next summer (or during Thanksgiving for my main Wh@res!) David

I think you need to keep in mind that for the average Forbes reader, the price tag on these coasters would make them the scariest! Actually - the capital used to build all of the coasters on this list would interest the intended audience for this article more than laterals, airtime, inversions... It was still quite an interesting and entertaining article for me. Even though I am a banker, Forbes usually bores me to tears. Thanks for sharing this one. David

:::giggles and blushes::: You guys rock!!!

This is something that I don't understand with Six Flags (although I'm not a bigwig at an amusement park, so there is probably a method to the madness.) SFoG started removing flats years ago and haven't replaced them. I am grateful for some killer coasters, but kind of miss the spider (Mo-Mo the Monster), the rotor (Spindle Top), the Round-up, the inverter (looping Starship), the swinging ship (Flying Dutchman)... Although not high capacity attractions, I still miss them and think that they gave non extreme riders something to do. They really fill a void for the group of younger guests who are too young for the really big coasters but too old for kiddie land (plus - being a total theme park dork, I love me some spin-and-puke flats ). I always remark (to myself) that the park needs more flats to even out the coasters. Oh well - that is just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.... Take it easy David "Random TPR Dance Party" McCollum

^ Terrance - you slay me!! I loved the questionnaire!! I'll definitely print it off and share it with some friends. They'll get a kick out of it. ^^^ or whatever... As long as you learned from the experience about wasting time with people who don't accept you for who you are - consider it a growing experience and leave it be. One thing I learned is that you can't force yourself on someone. If they don't want to be around you - &*#^ 'em! I'm sure there are plenty of other people who will love and accept you for who you are! D.

^ I totally agree with Terrance! I was just speaking with a friend about this very topic this morning. I was saying that I certainly don't "hate" people that dislike gay people. That would make me as bad as them. But I do have the choice of who I hang out with and who I don't. If someone doesn't like gays - we're probably not going to be spending much time together anyhow. D.

^ I had a response in mind, but couldn't have put it better! AMEN Brother! (or sister depending....) Love ya! David

^ You go "Orgy Boy!" ^^ My experience with what the people above have shared is this: Today I worry about MY side of the street. People who preach what they don't practice aren't my problem. I worry about what I say - not what others do. I'm right with a power greater than myself and that is plenty. What others Preach just doesn't fly with me, and that is okay. I try to be the best person I can be, and don't buy into what others try to force. I can't control how others act and think, and if I try to - I'm doomed to disappointment. If I just worry about me - life is groovy. People with wildly different ideologies than me: I just don't hang with them. Once again - self acceptance seems to be the key for me. I'm gay - I love being gay and there is NO problem with that. Take care all!! David

'01 Toyota MR2 Spyder - and I LOVE IT!!! David

^^ and then some Here is my experience on the Mid-West trip last summer. If you put in a deposit, you have a pretty good chance of getting on the trip of your choice. Even if there is a waiting list, ALOT of people change their minds or change trips etc... Don't stress about it and just send your deposit. As far as size requirements on the coasters - on the Midwest trip, the Intamin's at Cedar Point were the "worrying" points. It seems to me that alot of people that were worried about getting on them - got on. Keep an eye out here and I'm sure that some of them will post later to let you know. I hope that this helped - also, let me assure you that these trips are a BLAST - so if you get the chance to go - take it. David "East Coast bound" McCollum

High School - The Raiders College 1 - Crimson Tide College 2 - ??? We'll call them "the Acorns" College 3 - Panthers David (went to to ALOT of college) McCollum

I've found that these trips are about SO much more than just the parks. The people that went on the Mid-West trip were FAR more fun than the parks alone. I'd never met any of the people going...and it was like "summer camp for grownups!" I now have alot of new friends that I'll be getting together to do things with outside of the realm of TPR. Could I have planned a vacation myself? Yep. Could I live without the "perks?" Yep. Would I have met some of the most amazing people? Nope. Besides meeting Robb, Elissa and KidTums (delightful folks...) I met ninety-some-odd other folks and had a BLAST! In fact, I had so much fun this past summer, that I'm going on another one next year. I will agree that these trips aren't for everyone; but all of the folks that I have spoken with from the trip say that the trip worked for them. For the folks who don't fancy the expense, structure and pace - the updates are here so they can "experience" the trip vicariously. I'm sure nobody here meant to step on anyones feelings. Everyone has (and is entitled to) their opinion. I'm just glad we have TPR so everyone can enjoy the adventures, whether present or not. HAPPY FRIDAY David

On the positive - Pro-TPR trip side of things, I sent the deposit for the East Coast trip for my partner and I. Looking forward to seeing everyone next August. David "traveling TPR style ROCKS" McCollum

The key to all of the above is to learn to love yourself. With self acceptance comes peace of mind. I'm fortunate that my parents are very understanding, but way back when when I came out I lost people. If I weren't comfortable with the person staring at me from the mirror - it would have been awful. I'm cool with me. I love myself and I don't buy into the load of crap that alot of homophobes dump out. Take care all and good luck. David

That varies from person to person depending on how much "stuff" you "must have." For the basics like water/soda's at the parks, unscheduled meals and MINIMAL souvenirs - I found around $20 - $30 U.S. to be plenty each day. If you are the kind of person who likes to do add-ons like Sky-Coasters, Bungee Jumps, etc... you'd want to bring more. Also - if you like to collect park t-shirts and fuzzies - you'd want to bring more as well. Hope this helped. David

The crowds really weren't a problem. Robb and Elissa plan these things down to the Nth degree. We had Q-bots at SFGA, would be at some parks in morning when the crowds were light, then drive during the middle of the day (when crowds were heavier) to arrive at the next park that evening (night ERT rocks!) At Cedar Point - we had Hotel ERT both mornings (even if one morning got rained out) but we also had TWO days there which was necessary due to the size of the park along with crowds. Everyone (I think) got pretty much every credit that they wanted. All of the hotels we stayed at were nice. I know I received great service at them all. Comfortable beds, coffee, the works. Food was a great perk. There were several days where we had all three meals included. We had catered lunches and/or dinners at the parks; breakfasts at alot of the hotels; meal tickets at other places. I will tell you, however; that although the food was great, it wasn't "diet friendly " Luckily we walked ALOT during the trip and worked off some of those oh so delicious empty calories. Hope this helped. I have to say (again) that the Mid-West Trip was the BEST VACATION EVER!! I totally look forward to next years trip. David

Pete - thank you for sharing such LOVELY news with your family here at TPR. My prayers and best wishes go out to you and yours!! Take care and keep us updated David

I really wouldn't worry about this. For 2007, I'm pretty sure that everyone with the means got to go on the trip they wanted to go on. Remember - the list of participants for each trip does change between deposit dates and the actual trip dates. The list of people who were on the Mid-West trip boards in October last year was nothing like the list of actual participants. People drop out due to things like money, life... they switch from one trip to another, they get married, have babies, whatever. If you get your deposits in on time, don't stress on it. You'll be fine. Also - you will have a BLAST! Seriously - the Mid-West trip was the best vacation I've ever been on and I'm eagerly anticipating the East Coast tour next year. I'm also meeting up with several friends I made this summer for Thanksgiving in Orlando! Oh yeah - the deposit for Eli and I will be in next week. Gotta get paid. Take care all! David

Thanks for the update! Looks like everyone is having a blast (and I'm sure they are!) Be safe and have a great time! David

Night ride on The Beast at KI - the closing coaster of the Mid-West tour. ROCKED MY SOCKS! David