haiderodes

I agree the clapping was awesome! That thing had so much speed through the majority of the flips. That takes a pretty talented operator to pull something like that off. 107 flips in about 3 minutes...I wonder if there's a record on the books. I love flat rides to death, but I don't think I could handle that.

That's exactly what I thought.

Mine would have to be Freefall at SFMM and the first drop on Canyon Blaster at Adventuredome. Both seem to give me that elusive "stomach feeling" everytime. Also on Sky Coasters, I get it pretty much everytime on those as well. I do notice that I used to feel it a lot more on rides when I was younger than I do now...why is that?

GIVE US A FLAT RIDE! Seriously, there hasn't been a new one in what? 15 - 20 years? There are lots of fun flats out there that they could add that are minimal on staffing needs and could better round out the ride selection. SFMM is a park with world class coasters and flat rides that are relics from the 70's. That's a shame.

"Man" - the bird and the bee It's my myspace profile song!

^ Just to back up what you said about CSI and foresic sciences... No one really goes to school for CSI. Meaning, that isn't truly a major for most schools. You'll more than likely end up studying a science field for 3 to 5 years. One of my best friends completed her undergrad in Anthropology last year and is currently completing a graduate level CSI certificate program. That doesn't guarantee a thing, but it puts her in a better position for the future. Her plan is to find work at a lab in her area and work up to actually being a CSI, but its going to take some time. My advice to anyone is to do college as soon as possible after you graduate high school. I know quite a few people get wrapped up in life and never go back, or worse, end up in school for the rest of thier life taking a class here and a class there.

My puny list... Disneyland (2) DCA (2) Universal Studios Hollywood Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney MGM-Studios Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Adventuredome

I'm not a fan of getting soaked to the bone. I'm more of a light refreshing splash kinda guy, so I usually avoid rapids rides. That said, for wetness and atmosphere I have to go with Kali River Rapids at DAK. Even though its short, I liked the mist at the beginning, so thick you can't see anything. The drop is where all the wetness is. The water hits the walls and falls back down into the boat almost drowning you...well not really, but it was rediculous. I think I have taken drier baths! As for fun/thrill factor, I like Big Foot Rapids at Knotts. Its a smaller river in width, so there seems to be a lot of spinning. I also miss Grand Canyon Rapids at MGM Grand Adventures.

Yes. But working for Disney sucked so I went to Universal!! But working at Shrek 4-D sucked so I applied for a job at Busch Gardens! I got the job and better yet I get to work at SheiKra!! I am like so excited!! Yes Busch offers tuition assistance so I will be going back to college but I can not decide what for yet. I really want to be a CSI, but then again I want to design roller coasters, so I have to make up my mind what I want to do first, and then I will go back to college!! ~Matthew Wherebout are you living in Central Florida now? Orlando or Tampa. If you are living in Orlando, that's a long drive to work every day. Honestly, I think you missed a great chance with Disney. Seeing as how you put school on the backburner, Disney would have probably been your best option toward finding a career. Once you are in, you are in and have the possibility of transferring to one of over 30 companies owned by them. Plus just having Disney on the resume looks good. Trust me, my college program with them was the best decision I ever made. Like others have mentioned, you'll learn. Might not be today or tomorrow, but you'll learn. Its one thing to have seasonal theme park jobs that come and go, or even just have little part time work on the side. BUT to have gotten a regular full-time job and then leave because its boring or you don'd like it, cant be good for your resume. The life of an industry employee isnt a glamourous one by far. That is something you will find no matter the park. You have focus on gaining seniority and networking and that only comes with time. I do wish you luck. I know I hate when people tell me I can't do something or that I shouldn't do something, so I wont chastise you for that. But I do urge you some caution. The job market isn't the best these days. Sometimes you gotta take what you can get, especially if you have no college education and limited skills.

^ That is an amazing control panel. I'm a control panel fanatic! From my experience being a ride op, no matter how complex the main panel is, during normal operation you never have to push that many buttons to keep things going. Now have a block setup or something of that nature and all that training comes into play and lots of buttons and keys could be turned. The most difficult task I ever encountered was clearing a block setup on Rim Runner (Adventuredome) with three boats. Basically it involves resetting each block by communicating with the lift and chute people so they use their reset keys and pull their buttons the same time you do. The key was doing it in just the right pattern so that it didnt set itself right back up again. Oh, and hope the ride didnt e-stop itself (it liked doing that...i have stories!).

It amazes me how faded Scream is looking these days. The ride isn't even 5 years old yet! Looks like you had a great time at the California parks. No lines at SFMM means always good time (if the rides are running that is).

The one that I have seen that I want to try is The Flying Circus. That thing just looks sick! Go to youTube and look it up.

As a former MGM Grand Adventures ride op, I'm happy its going somewhere. I always thought it was an underrated ride in its final form. The addition of the airtime hills added to the ride. The former location over the MGM rapids ride was really good, so it should be interesting what they do with this. I just wish they'd get newer Intamin trains or do something with the headrest/coffins they had.

California Screamin' on 9/15/07

I agree with the performances being cut off as a bad idea. They were telling us that they were doing it to make it seem as if these were private parties going on and the viewers were supposedly sneaking a peak as MTV had taken over the Palms. Mediocre idea, poor execution. The majority of the suite parties did actually take place during the show. (All of us "extras/invited guests" had to check in at the same place and then be bussed to the hotel"). BUT, they mocked up the backdrop. Meaning that background was a set piece on a flat wall, notice how every suite had the same view. AND if you have been in a Palm's room or have been to Vegas you would know that view is not possible from where the parties were taking place. The only party that was pre-recorded was the Kanye West one as that one had some outdoor shots. After watching them online, they all came off just as staged as they were. They casted all the people in there (meaning you couldnt just get in on your own free will). The sets were fake and what not. And I think we came out better off attending the Linkin Park thing as they had food and drinks and a lot more space to party in.

I've met a lot, but the largest concentration I met was during the VMAs last weekend. We went to a few parties and we met/saw... Snoop Dogg 50 cent Akon Ludacris Three 6 Mafia Linkin Park Shia Lebouf Jamie Fox Quincy Jones Ron Jeremy Josh Henderson and an ass load of other celebs and reality tv "stars" We also spent some time with Madina Lake. They came a few days early filming stuff for the website. We were at thier taping and got to chat with them a bit. Coincidentally we ran into Nathan at a party at the Hard Rock pool that Friday and chatted with him for a bit.

Yes, but people don't understand that this is how we're brought up. It's not a sin to be gay, but is is a sin to act upon it. And that is the issue I have with the whole religion thing. So many times during my upbringing I was always told to have a personal relationship with God (or whatever you determine that to be). But then there's all these interpretations and protocol things that are thrown at you that make it so its no longer personal at all. Who's to say who has it right and who has it wrong. Granted I prolly shouldnt do some of the things I do, but I fully believe that "God" doesn't make mistakes. He made me gay, because that's how he wanted it. I wouldnt choose to be gay, why chose such a hard life? I equate it to chosing to be black (just so happens I'm both). My main issue that I am dealing with right now (in respect to religion) is the large amount of hypocrisy especially in the "black church". Preachers cheat on their wives or use drugs or launder money. Teen girls have kids at 15 and 16 years old. Then tell us homosexuality is wrong but yet we have flaming-hot-gays in the choir prancing about like its the white party. And don't get me started on the whole down low thing...that's just being greedy. I don't get it.

31st picture down is awesome. Where was that taken, looks like from the Skytower elevator. Really shows of the height of that inversion!

That must have been some insane line. The longest I ever saw it was when it winded back behind the wall and behind that little "snack shack" building. The regular queue itself held about an hour wait (with two trains operating).

^ I'd just say you are lucky Cyrus. But I do think that is the exception not the rule. Not every family accepts it, and many young people find themselves put out by the ones they thought loved them unconditionally. I have a friend who's relationship with his mother was all but destroyed, so it is something very real to consider. I've always felt that to counteract anything bad, to just be prepared to support myself if it ever came up and things went sour. That way, you are independent and it wont be a shock to your livelyhood to need a place to live and what not. If you do these things and the coming out goes well, then that's just a bonus!

I was at the VMAs this year...well technically I was at the VIP Party inside Rain with Linkin Park. They had screens showing the show during the party and I have to say it did leave a lot to be desired for the viewers at home. LP's performance was pretty cool with the lasers and smoke. Actually being there for all the madness was pretty cool though. We managed to get into a few after parties so that was pretty awesome as well. The big talk of the parties was Britney. Honestly, we didnt even know the show had started. We thought that was a last minute rehearsal until we checked our watches and realized, no that was the real thing (we were watching via closed circuit tv). The best part was the shot of Rihanna laughing like "this bitch is played out".

I'm another person that liked Psyclone. I want to say my first ride was in 1994. My last ride on it was October 2002. My best ride I have to say was on a night in November 1997, it had rained so the tracks were really wet. It was the smoothest, fastest ride I ever had on it. A few things I miss about the ride... - The original queue. Especially at night, it was all isolated, lots of trees. No field of switchbacks, just a path that meandered through the woods so to speak. When they built Deja, it was the queue became an afterthought. - That drop near the station (wasnt it a double down). At night it could seriously catch you by suprise. I dont miss how in its later years it ran so slow through the curves. The high banking meant you always slipped in your seats, not very comfortable.

This past Friday night we were at the grand opening of LAX - the nightclub at Luxor. Of course we saw Ms. Britney Spears...and I have to say her face is messed up. It just doesnt seem right. She doesn't take care of herself like she should. She was there making out with Criss Angel...that's right the mindfreak is a freak! We also saw Floyd Mayweather Jr., Josh Henderson, and Dave Navarro, but apparently there were even more than we saw. The club was packed!

This is random but... It amazes me how many people around Vegas still think SFMM is closing down. The other day here at work we were talking about the SoCal parks and someone was like..."Its a shame they are closing Magic Mountain". I was screaming on the inside. Its almost as bad as when I was a kid and people used to proclaim there was a ride called Magic Mountain at Magic Mountain. Um, NO!

The Who's Tommy remains my all-time favorite. The story is something i can relate to...being there, but not really there while everyone around you thinks they know how to fix you. Then, when you come into your own, they wanna jump on the bandwagon and/or criticize. Its great stuff. I'm still waiting to see Wicked...I'm sure that's going to be a new favorite.