JamesMC

refreshing themselves with Dippin' Dot's "Ice Cream Of The Future". But as they were standing in line, they wondered what Dippin' Dots would actually come out with next when the future turned into "NOW" in real time. Would they just be "Ice Cream Of Today" or "Yesteryear's Ice Cream"? Their thoughts were interupted by the Deeply Tanned Albino Man who was two customers ahead of them in line when he ordered . . .

last for fifteen seasons and not be called "Friends". The show would have gone on for the 16th season but a new cast member played by the former child actor who played "Cousin Oliver, The Jinx" from The Brady Bunch was introduced late in the season. Regardless, the contract for Gary Coleman (one of the stars) was nearing its end anyway. However, while watching the series finale, Robb, Elissa and Kid Tums (who was popping Vekoma the gerbil in and out of her mouth with her newfound motor skills) decided that . . .

To minimize the wait time when they debut (there's not much of a wait for a closed attraction) and to get you to shell out a few extra pennies to come back to the park when the bugs have been worked out (usually just a toggle switch under the operator control board that needs to be jiggled). Why do most amusement parks charge $2.00 or more for soft drinks yet Holdiay World gives them away for free?

No, but IT IS a Classic!!! Do you think Curb Your Enthusiasm is pretty damn funny?

I don't know about Tupac, but I just killed a Sixpac If life isn't fair, why does every county in your state host one in the summer?

Took me a while to "Get Them" but I have no problems now.

I have but two words for this whole situation. Good. Finally.

I just read a very inspired book called "Entry Point" by Peter Schechter- it's all too real. It takes a while to get going, but once it starts, it really is a thought provoking book that's hard to put down.

I smoke. However, if a place is non-smoking, I'm okay with that, BUT give me a designated place to light up if I choose. I don't care if it's inconvenient to get to, or outside a certain amount of feet from the doorway or outside. Just don't tell me I can't do it altogether. Thems Fightin' Words.

A couple of beers after work- spent less than $20

Donny Osmond. But they couldn't decide if they should be a little bit country, or a little bit rock and roll so Donny immediately left the partnership. Thusly, Art Garfunkle stepped in to fill the void and renamed the comcept "Bridge Over Troubled Walter", but . . .

It's okay, so I guess yes. Do you think Diet Dr. Pepper pretty much tastes like the real thing?

My feelings about lines are this: as long as it is moving comfortably along, I don't mind waiting. Raging Bull at SFGAM is a great example, even when the line is forever, it MOVES- what I don't like is the seemingly short lines that are ruined by bad loading procedures or mimimized capacity of the ride itself.

Most theme park pizza is edible and a few qualify as semi-tasty. The only place that I think you get the most bang for your buck (in my experience so far) is the Firehouse Pizza at SFGA. Understand this, it's not the best pizza in the world, but it is the best pizza in the park and it's actually tasty. LaRosa's at PKI is pretty tasty too, BUT, coming from the ChicagoLand area I'm still amazed that they don't offer sausage. Let me tell you, Chicago (and NorthWest Indiana where I live) is ALL ABOUT sausage on pizza.

So today I'm following someone down a two-lane road on a Harley Davidson- and NOT only did he drive under the speed limit (which caused us to be the first two people to get a VERY LONG train at the crossing), while we were stopped he had a news radio station blaring. I think HD should take the cycle back and give the guy a MOPED and a "Nice Try" button for his shirt.

I probably haven't watched it in it's entirety in 15 plus years, but in my head I still think it's a classic. Since we already got Dan Akroyd on the brain, do you like concerts at the House Of Blues Venues?

the used Loop from Son of Beast. Not to worry-Vekoma supplied the trains for this hybrid however . . .

Killian's Red- on tap. They were out of Sam Adams and don't feature Goose Island's "Honker's Ale"

I was at Six Flags Great America once when the power went out for about two hours. It wasn't really interesting or exciting. Most rides were out of commission and it was a hot day. People like me were just walking around sweating and baking in the heat and wondering if we should get in line for anything.

Rumors I've Heard From Park Employees/Reps 1.) Holiday World will introduce an Inverted/Suspended (don't know if B&M or Vekoma) to their coaster lineup in 2009/2010. Supposed to run out over the lake near Raven. 2.) Next Coaster at SFGAM will debut in 2009 in the area between American Eagle and Raging Bull. Also heard that Iron Wolf will be removed during this time. I do not know if the two projects are linked. The likely project for 2008 is a propelled water-coaster type slide for Hurricane Harbor. 3.) What I would like if I had my way is that SFGAM make a more direct link to Hurricane Harbor thru Carousel Plaza by the Pictorium/ Sky Trek Tower Area, instead of having to go all the way out by Viper and double back. (Ten minutes of walking wasted easily).

The Voyage at Holiday World. Unbelievable ride. Great first drop, great 2nd and 3rd hills, amazing airtime, 3 90 degree banked turns, and a Triple Down. Not to mention 8 tunnels and almost no wait the day I visited.

It depends on the coaster. If it's steel, I'll always try the backseat first and then ride the very front later. It it's steel BUT it's a Vekoma I'll have my riding partner punch me in the head for 90 seconds, and then go get a hot pretzel and watch someone else ride instead. Just kidding. Wood- depends on the ride (if I've gone on it before and it's not Son Of Beast- usually last car for multiple rides, and front seat for one round. If it's a new one to me, I'll ride in the middle til I figure out if it's a Son Of Beast Clone or not as far as banging and smashing.)

Good Work- I just went to Holiday World for the first time a couple weeks ago with my girlfriend and her Coaster-Loving daughter. We had very very minimal waits for all the rides, and the waterpark lines as well. Raven, The Legend, and Voyage (especially) are absolute great ride credits for yours truly. The Voyage is just unreal-so many great elements. The people at Holiday World are fantastic (except the dour operator of their version of the "Octopus" and the "Oh, Hey, I'm the ride operator" guy on the "Frightful Falls" log flume) And Free Soft Drinks (it was 85 degrees when we went- I figure we saved fifty bucks in drinks alone that day). If you haven't been to Holiday World- Go!

I rode it in 2002 (after waiting for numerous breakdowns and the "addition of a second train to minimize the waiting time" approx 2.5 hours on a hundred degree day) and thought it was fun. I rode it twice on Tatsu Media Day last year, and while my first ride was okay- but bouncy, the second ride boxed my ears and head pretty good.

Wash hands twice before returning to work for personal safety and good hygiene practices. After he self-sanitized, a member of the studio audience presented him with a free "The Choice For Me Is E-Coli Free!" T-Shirt. Watching this on live TV at home though, a former roadie for the Black Sabbath 1976 roadcrew muttered to himself . . .