Movieguy

I never got to ride to this coaster...but I can tell this is probably one that I'm not gonna miss if it goes, judging from many of the comments. I see potential for a new Intamin woodie on where it stands now...

Well, I booked the one that's 8 miles west of Hershey, so that sounds like the one you're talking about. Thanks for the tip on concerts. I'm gonna go check their site right now Update: I'm in the clear. I'll be arriving the day AFTER a Lettermen concert on the 12th, and then there are no other concerts after that until the 19th.

At the very least, I'm glad that Kobe proved he could win a title without Shaq. I knew my Magic were gonna choke, just like the last time they were in the finals. I'm starting to think that they're a cursed franchise. They didn't deserve to win that series with the way they were playing. I just pray to god that during the off season they can put together a bench that can adequately back Howard up.

Really? I was hearing different on ESPN. This one analyst was calling the Devil Rays the AL's biggest disappointment so far this season.

Well, that's true. But, both the Marlins and the Rays seem to be back to their losing ways this year, while the Red Sox and Yankees look as strong as ever (Yeah, I know people are saying the Yankees are struggling, but look at their record). low payroll teams have had good years, yes, but from what I've seen, those tend to be fluke years. Money is what keeps good teams in top for year after year, even if they don't always make it to the World Series.

Well like I said, the only way they'll ever be able to compete is if they get new owners. I think the Pirates have the lowest payroll in the majors, and let's face it, in MLB, payroll means everything. So until someone comes in to change that for them, I don't see the Pirates getting better even in 4 or 5 years.

The joy over Pittsburgh winning both the Stanley Cup and The Lombardi trophy this year can be quickly sobered by the fact that they are also home to the worst team in Major League Baseball. They've been the worst for some time, as a matter of fact. I'm still a Pirates fan, and I've always hoped through the years, but the fact remains that they have not had a decent season since 1997. Even teams like the Devil Rays have managed to have good seasons in the last decade...not so for the Pirates. Yes, they have a very nice park that was given to them recently, but they're still stuck with owners who won't spend anything on the team itself, and any good player they get has to be traded away for 2 or 3 more rookies. Frankly, I'm starting to lose hope, and forsee one of two possibilities for the Pirates in the future: 1. Contraction. Remember when the Minnesota Twins were threatened with this a few years back? 2. Moving. For years, I've seen jobs, people, businesses, you name it, leaving the North for the South. America is all about the South now, and despite the turnaround the city of Pittsburgh has managed in recent years, people still want to be where it's warm. This is why I could also see the Pirates, despite their history in MLB, moving to a Southern City that doesn't currently have a team, like anywhere in North or South Carolina. Sorry if I sound excessively negative about this, but like I said, after all these years, I can't see my favorite MLB team now being anymore than the modern-day St Louis Browns.

Oh my god...I didn't think my Pens could do it this year. But they proved me wrong! Beating the Red Wings for the cup on Detroit's ice...Impressive! This is just wonderful vindication, after enduring years of all the Sabres fans up here taunting me with "Penguins suck!" remarks, and the like. Go Pens!

I went to Geauga Lake at least three times in my life. One of them was in 1988. As a matter of fact, we still kept the park map from that year around the house for a number of years. Geauga may not have been the biggest, or even the most popular of the Ohio parks, but it still had something intangible about it. Something that just made me look back on it and smile. It's too bad it had to close down, but I'm still happy I got to see the place while it existed.

^ You know, when I first saw an onride video of The Voyage, the first reaction I had, other than "This looks amazing" was "I'll bet you this thing's gonna get REALLY rough in a few years."

^ Great pics! Allow me to add a few of my own. As promised, here are some close ups of the Shrek table in my town. Luckily, it was being serviced today, so I got some shots without the backglass.

I've heard no plans from Islands of Adventure to add any new coasters, but just imagine if they did. What would you like to see from them next? Here's a couple of ideas I came up with: IRON MAN: Imagine a B&M Flyer themed to this character. The movie was a big hit last year, and a sequel is already in the works, so this would be perfect timing. Yes, Paramount made the movie, but I think Universal could work something out with them. VENOM: I think a black painted, tangled web of steel looping track, themed to Spiderman's most memorable nemesis would also be a good fit. I'd like to hear any other ideas that others may have.

This really makes me want to see Europa Park someday as well. Thanks for the pics of Blue Fire. It really looks like an impressive structure.

It's such a same that Curtis D Summers, a man who dedicated his life to creating a great wooden coaster, would leave behind a legacy of unbearably rough and rapidly deteriorating rides, some of which are gone now. Look at the track record: Hercules: Gone Psyclone: Gone Texas Giant: Once one of the top woodies, now with a future in doubt. Mean Streak: CP's least liked coaster, which will also most likely be torn down in the future. Predator: Darien Lake's excruciating woodie still stands, mostly because nothing ever gets done in New York State. So who or what is to blame for this unfortunate legacy? Summers' designing? The builders? lackluster care taking by the parks that have/had these coasters? Discuss...

I remember those...though they remind me of Sbarro, for some reason.

Yeah, the old Devil Rays uniforms always looked like a wrapper for some kind of gummi candy to me. I'm a Magic fan, and even I have to agree that I prefer the old white and black uniforms with only a little blue mixed in, instead of the new, nothing but blue approach. Eww... Seriously...whoever thought horizontal stripes were a good idea? Seeing a theme develop here?

I want to pound my head on something whenever I see this...

I was unsure about this until last year. It's definitely Phoenix for me. Once I rode that coaster, I finally understood the love affair with airtime that exists on this board.

^ Hey, that's great! I remember when I found a POTC table at Knoebels last summer. I had a great time with that one. I'll be sure to bring in some close-up shots of the Shrek table next time I'm at the arcade.

Nice TR. Conneaut has some sentimental value for me, being the sight of my very first wooden coaster, back when I was 6. I haven't been back there in years, but it's nice to see that for all it's ups and downs, they're still attracting some people there.

I haven't seen UP yet, but it reminds me of something I heard on the Howard Stern show once. This cranky little guy who's referred to as Eric The Midget (Though he wants to be called Eric The Actor) once actually considered letting Howard fly him with a bunch of balloons tied to a chair, so that he could meet an actress named Kathrine McFee.

I personally like them both, and can't really a pick a preference. I suppose I'd have to give the edge to more track. I've always loved a good, tall, and fast coaster, no matter where it is, to really get my heart pumping. The thrill factor more than makes up for the lack of theme. On the other hand, I also agree with the power of theming to improve an otherwise uninteresting coaster. In my opinion, both approaches have their major pluses and minuses.

Knoebels is such a great little park. Phoenix is an airtime gold mine, and just the thought of ERT on that coaster makes me salivate. But when, oh WHEN are they gonna finally open Flying Turns?

Glad to hear that the Dominator seems to be doing well in its new home. Ever since Geagua Lake closed down, I'd been hoping some of the coasters would find new life. I've never been to KD (passed it up for a shot at BGE instead a few years ago), but it sounds like its still got a lot of great rides, and that the coasters are receiving the best care that they can. Also, is Rolling Thunder the Rebel Yell? I wasn't aware of a name change, for some reason.

My Bloody Valentine 3-D 7/10 I picked this up today, because I'm a sucker for a DVD that comes with 3-D glasses. The 3-D obviously isn't as good as it reportedly was in the theatrical release, but it's still pretty decent. Plus, the plot, the kills, and everything else that makes a slasher was enough to keep my interest the whole way through. Definitely give this one a look if you get the chance. Just a goofy shot of me with my new glasses on I threw in for kicks.