mwm1444

As anyone who's been on a trip with me knows, I'm not big on intensity. I305 with trims was close to the edge for me - in fact, upon blacking out in a midtrain seat during ERT, I gave up after 5 rides - but I'll happily admit I'm a lightweight pussy. Really, I'm a rubbish 'coaster enthusiast, but then TPR trips are about so much more than just the rides, that it doesn't matter!

While I agree about over-saturation of 3D..honestly, it's probably the least harmful thing George Lucas has done to the franchise - and, if done well, I wouldn't say no to seeing the original trilogy in 3D, especially if it means seeing the films on a big ol' cinema screen again.

Thanks for the clarification, sounds like what I remember as the dull bit of the island has been Universalised, so all good! Loved the whole report, by the way - made me look forward to Japan, and ALMOST wish I could do Australia as well..

Having been to Singapore, and Sentosa, in 2003, it's great to see how much Sentosa has changed. How much of the island would you say is untouched by Universal?

1. Legoland Billund Sentimental favourite, first theme park I ever went to - and I'm a Lego geek, what can I say? 2. Disneyland Resort (CA) Everything I like about Disney theme parks, and yes, I do include California Adventure in this. 3. Dollywood Atmosphere so thick you could cut it with a breadknife, and so rich I was full after one day - and I still want more! 4. Chessington World of Adventures My favourite steel 'coaster, Vampire..my tied favourite mouse, Rattlesnake..my favourite spinner, Dragon's Fury. Says it all, for me. 5. Alton Towers The closest the UK comes to a fantastic all-round park in the vein of a Busch Gardens, and the 'coasters, on average, are great. 6. Europa Park Good dark ride selection, thoroughly themed, best powered 'coaster in the world. 7. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk My favourite woodie, and the location is to die for. 8. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Same as Santa Cruz, but transplanted to Lancashire. 9. Epcot Just cool, in my opinion. 10. Six Flags Magic Mountain Enough 'coasters that I can enjoy the majority - the only 'pure amusement park' I've ever had a hankering to return to.

Sister Act has been hyped to oblivion in the West End, and while it wasn't terrible, I didn't think it was great, either. Neither Alan Menken nor Glenn Slater's masterwork.

I NEED more Psychadelia in my life.

Quote of the day: 'Is it bad that Kristen does better than this on us?'

What about a good old British Waltzer?

That is the bext remix I've ever heard.

I'm getting a strange sense of deja vu In light of that, I'll report that I saw Tell Me On a Sunday on (ironically, LAWLZ!1!) Saturday evening - Andrew Lloyd Webber's one-woman, one-act show from 1980. It was a slow-burner, but eventually pretty enjoyable - ignoring the expected difficulties that come with having only one set and one woman (with one vocal range, style, personality, occasionally very quiet voice..you know the drill), and no book (standard ALW up to Phantom, I think) - and the 'hit' songs from the show, Unexpected Song and Take That Look Off Your Face were pretty..what's that word?..fierce. Of course, it's ALW, which opens a whole other can of worms; I'm not sure how much it lingers in the memory of the US theatre fandom, but I know Bernadette Peters had something to do with a Broadway version, which apparently ruined the show by 'Americanising' it.

Actually, Larry reminds me, I revise my vote - my favourite Piers-ism (Piersm?) would have to be any use of 'umbrage'.

^ Becoming?

"Blimey!" When Piers and the Bitch twins finally got Kristen to say it last year, I felt a twinge of pride.

^ Certainly was that way with me - of course, most would argue I haven't moved on to anything better

I'd LIKE to be 5'6" being 5'2" is rubbish - although it does mean that my knees are always safe on those bruise-inducing kiddie credits. Otherwise, I could do without the mess that is my skull structure (protuberant eyes and underbite do not an attractive person make), but I've lived with it - give or take some surgical changes - for 19 years, and it's what I am.

^ *sigh* jealous... 16 times during ERT on Terminator, on West Coast last year. I think it counts as a marathon if you only get out to switch rows?

Just seen the final product (the advert at the end) on TV!

Goldblade - Jukebox Generation

The Damned - Eloise

Tears for Fears - Size of Sorrow

Speaking of the Smoky Mountain Adventures thread (and I don't want to resurrect the thread just for this), reading it religiously definitely enrichened my IntimidaTour experience. Even though I didn't experience the majority of the attractions, just being able to recognise them from your thread, see where they were located on the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg strips, was awesome. Pigeon Forge, Dollywood and Gatlinburg were highlights of the trip, and it has a lot to do with the preparation I got from your thread. So thanks, again, for doing it - and this thread is shaping up just as awesome!

And believe it or not, the blurriness in the last Brer Rabbit photo isn't from the train moving too fast for pictures - I believe Jason actually ingested some of that intoxicating carrot juice stuff. Those Oakwood donuts are indeed anomalous, and I think they were just poorly done. Most are nice and doughy. Crystal Maze was a-maze-ing, although I still think we should have been 'The Brits plus Jason', but 'The Leftovers' worked too! Nice amount of physical exertion (like we don't have any on TPR trips), and EXCELLENT kitsch value. I think we closed it (by a week) on a high.

Fantasticks was just in the West End, and I'm now kicking myself that I didn't go. I've also heard great things about Drowsy (which was also in London a few years ago, and again - missed it) and Urinetown, and will definitely check them out at some point. Thanks for the recommendations!

^ About directing Hairspray - awesome! I always feel Wicked was important to me, at least when I was 15/16, in terms of letting me know that going out on my own, in the face of peer pressure, wasn't a bad thing - then, when Hairspray was 'my' show, when I was 16/17, that show helped me see that it was good to have a social conscience - so I guess a lot of it is emotional attachment. I'm also a HUGE fan of watching enjoyable choreography, which is where Cats, Hairspray and Billy Elliot come in, and probably a good reason why I'm not a great fan of the 'meatier' shows - there's just not that much dancing in 'em.