ACEfanatic02

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I've talked it over with my parents, and I've decided on SFMM. When would it be best to go to avoid the crowds? Right now I can put it anywhere from June to August (though, early June's iffy... driver's ed...) Any suggestions for what else to do in LA? Thanks, -ACE

If we went to war with NK (not going to guess wether we will... depends how stupid the NK government will be), it wouldn't be like Iraq. Considering Korea is nice and cozy right next to China, we'd have the seed for WWIII right there. It wouldn't be an invasion like we did in the Middle East. We'd probably end up nuking them. (Making us the biggest hypocrites in the world while we're at it, but...) Let's just say a whole lot of the world would glow in the dark afterwards. -ACE

*begins laughing* Didn't bother watching. I will when I have time to waste. A one hour video proving that the US government is behind the 9/11 terror attacks? Let's use some logic here: Why would the US attack its own country? Well, yes, there are several plausible explanations for that. Still... the attacks damaged the government's credibility (hense BS videos such as this one). Also, you'll note the PENTAGON was attacked? Sure... let's just blow up a quarter of our military leaders. Frankly, I'm rather offended by these sort of videos. They're the result of people who want to know the whole story. Face it, folks: we won't know the entire true story behind 9/11 and the ensuing war until ~50 years down the road, when the documents are de-classified. Why are they classified? Sensitive information, the stuff you don't want in the bad guys' hands. I have friends and family in the military. I knew friends-of-friends who died on 9/11. I hate these people so determined to pin this black mark on our own government - which, though not perfect, is doing its damnedest to protect your sorry butts against another one of these attacks. A disclaimir for all who will view the above: expect a propaganda film. Twenty bucks says it is. [/rant] -ACE

I'm also a fan of SOAD. Haven't bought any albums yet (I'm a cheap SOB, so what?) but my favorite songs are: 1. Hypnotize 2. Chop Suey! 3. Question! 4. Aerials I really need to get out and buy Toxicity, though... -ACE

I assume this is the correct forum for this... For my 16th birthday, my parents are giving me a trip, anywhere in the (continental) US, over a long weekend. When, where, and what are all up to me (so long as it's not too expensive). I figured I'd use this as a chance to expand my coastering horizons, but I need some advice. This will probably happen in the late summer... say July or August. So, where to go? Since I don't want to spend the entire time at the park (my poor mother's an acrophobic, and doesn't like crowds much either), I'd like something near a major metro area (architecture buff, right here). Also, my coaster experience is very limited - 3 credits, two woodies and a bobsled. So a park with a large variety of rides would be nice. SFMM has been my major consideration so far... it's in the LA metro area, and has a nice ride selection. However, I haven't heard much good about the place... Does it look like the new management's going to fix things up? Any suggestions are welcome. -ACE

"There!" "What, behind the rabbit?" "It is the rabbit!" "You bastard, you made me soil my armor!" "I'm telling you, that's the meanest rabbit you ever seen!" -Monty Python and the Holy Grail "Oh, don't grovel. I hate groveling..." -ACE

Um... it derailed? The only way that would happen is if the track wasn't aligned correctly or if the trains had faulty/loose wheels. You'd think they'd check that before actually riding it, wouldn't you? Does anyone pay attention to safety regulations anymore? Oh, and does anyone else notice that people there tend to be injured in sevens? Sorry, just stood out to me... -ACE

I'm laughing. Really, I am. Look, no blame goes to the fast food companies. Seriously, they make the food with lots of carbs, salt, and fat, because THAT'S WHAT TASTES GOOD. Sorry if you can't grasp the idea of a bottom line. Regardless, what McDonalds sells isn't all that bad for you, WHEN EATEN IN MODERATION. Sure, if you shove a Big Mac down your throat three times a day, you're going to get fat. Big suprise, eh? But you can eat one every now and then and stay fit. The problem is not people's eating habits. It's exercise. Really, when people refuse to WALK to places, do very little active exercise, that's when problems with weight become serious. And you can't blame anyone else for your not exercising. -ACE

Yes, it's those fast food companies who are FORCE FEEDING people their food. It's statements like these that make me realize that people just don't believe in personal responsibility anymore. It's never "their fault" so it MUST be someone else's. The fast food companies, the coaster manufacturers, etc. I lost nearly 100 pounds eating nothing but carbs and fast food. It's all about moderation, exercise and your eating habits. Having said that, if you're too fat to ride a coaster, especially if you're a coaster enthusiast, lose weight. It's that simple. It's really not that hard. I lost 100 pounds in about 4 months, and every once in a while when I put on 20 pounds here or there, it's gone in about 2 weeks. --Robb Ahem... BBC news January 30, 2003 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2707143.stm That article is misleading. First off, they don't know what they're talking about: suger is a carbohydrate, not a fat. Secondly, sugar in moderate amounts is nescessary for survival, so a 'pleasure' respose is sort of obvious. Finally, if you don't have the self-control to moderate your diet, you're going to gain weight. Bottom line. Don't blame others for your problem. Oh, and it bears noting: rats are not people. -ACE

Yes, but if the belt is already stressed, when you hit higher g's, it's more likely to snap. I don't think it's the manufacturer's responsibility. Consider this: it's not just the restraints that are a problem. Rides have an overall weight limit as well. Otherwise they simply don't pace correctly. It's commonly accepted that if you're too small, you don't ride. The inverse is just as true. If you don't fit on the train, I'm sorry. Besides, the medical issues behind obesity make you more prone to heart problems. Considering that sending you flying around a track at 70 mph puts even more stress on your heart, it's not good for you. And, especially in America, the park doesn't want the lawsuit when you keel over in the exit. -ACE

10 g's. For about 10 milliseconds. 10 g's SUSTAINED can, and probably would, kill you. -ACE

You dont need extreme G-forces to black out as long as its sustained G's. And 10 G's would not kill you. People are often exposed to far bigger G-forces when they are in a car crash, just to mention an example. Like I have said earlier, in theory a launch shouldnt make you black-out because the blood doesnt flow away from your head like it does when you experience positive G-forces. Ok, good points. However, a car crash gives you... ~20 g's for about 10 milliseconds. 10 g's sustained WILL kill you. In fact, 8 g's sustained long enough will kill you. Launches are sustained g's. Still, a launch at 3 g's for about 5 seconds is not going to black you out. And, true, vertical g's are more likely to black you out. It's still possible with heavy acceleration, though. -ACE PS.: Appologies for going (mostly) off-topic.

Haven't ridden any launch coasters, but I feel this point needs to be made: You cannot black out on a coaster. To black out, for most people, takes about 8 g's. That is, 8 vertical g's. To black out from acceleration would take something like 10+ g's which, to put it simply, would kill you. Not to mention, it'd probably tear the track apart. -ACE

The faster section before the lift causes the train to go up the hill and not catch the chain until it slides back down. The lift chain only engages in one direction so that the train can slide off it at the apex of the lifthill. At least, I think that's it... -ACE

If you focus more on the rides themselves, keep RCT3. But if you want the best all-over park building, go with RCT2. -ACE

Two words: Terrain Rocket. -ACE

In general, the one who breaks the record gets to term it. Arrow broke the 200+ marker and called it a hypercoaster. Intamin named both the giga and strata coasters. -ACE

If it's a genuine scream, I don't care. Though, people who scream on turnarounds, lifthills, etc. annoy me. Personally, I don't scream. It's mostly yelling a constant string of explitives. -ACE

It's me: Homecoming '05 BTW: I'm the ugly guy on the left. -ACE

Just watched the POV video for this... Amazing. Figures they have to build it on the other side of the country from me. Somehow, though, 90 degree banking on a woodie just seems... odd. -ACE

Hello, I'm new. Obviously. My name is Bryan, and I live outside the great metroplex of Harrisonburg, Virginia. I'm fifteen years old and a sophmore at Turner Ashby High School. And before anyone asks, no, I am not a member of ACE. If I wern't 15 and broke, I would be, but I am. Oh, and my coaster count: 3 La Vibora @ SFoT Grizzly @ PKD Ricochet @ PKD Go ahead, laugh. As far as my interests go, I'm really into architecture and urban planning, and plan on becoming an architect after high school (if I can get into UVA, that is). Though engineering is another option I'm considering. I also write short-story fiction and poetry. Finally, my list of favorites: Coaster (That I've ridden): Grizzly @ PKD Coaster (Other): Dueling Dragons @ IOA Park: IOA Music: Alt Rock - Green Day, Incubus, lostprophets, Audioslave TV: NUMB3RS Games (Computer): RCT:LL, RCT2, SimCity4 Rush Hour Games (XBox): Halo, Halo 2, TopSpin, Shadow Ops: Red Mercury Books: Revelation Space series by Alistair Reynolds. Best SF I've ever read. Just a little (or not-so-little) bit about me. -ACE