JamesMC

I have jumped out of perfectly good airplane at almost 14,000 ft. I have met Nicole Jamrose of Nashville Star fame. I theorized the feasability of the Illinois "I-Pass" tollway system almost a full 10 years before it debuted. Damned that I didn't try to patent it. I have gotten to ride "The Beast" at King's Island all by myself. I look a good 10 years younger than I am (yay)

What if Aliens are real, only they are real, real small. Next time you take a deep breath, just imagine if you are ingesting microscopic creatures that have travelled trillions of miles to make contact with us on Earth. And then promptly sneeze them out.

I truly wanted to go see Queen+Paul Rodgers, but it didn't happen. Last concert was the "Eagles" in Nov. 2004. Great show-all the hits plus Joe Walsh's funny antics-truly worth the price of admission. Best concert I have EVER seen (not even my favorite band) was AC/DC on "The Razor's Edge" Tour. I felt like I owed THEM money after watching them perform. Plus it introduced me to their opening act "King's X" which is wholeheartedly the MOST underrated rock trio in the history of the U.S.

My name is James. Please never call me Jim. I'd rather you call me an unflattering noun, prounoun, or adjective than to call me Jim. Just one of those things I guess.

On my way to a fishing trip 200 miles north of the Dells, I did indeed stay at Pleasant View motel last year. It was OKAY, tho no frills. Your basic Drive-Up-To-Your-Window-Motel. But the rooms were clean (though outdated) had cable, a GOOD air-conditioner, and because I stayed there, the price of Mt. Olympus was included. Nothing bad to say about it, but nothing great either. A Motel-6 w/a good location really. They did have a decent pool, but never got to use it. Friendly people at the motel office though, they were very, very nice and hospitable. If you wanna get a room and Mt. Olympus for about 80 bucks, it's decent enough. The way I figure it is this, if all you are gonna do is sleep n shower, I don't need whistles and bells at the motel I am staying. If you want to spend a lot of time at the motel room itself, you may want to look elsewhere because it's kind of plain. Hope that helps, if not, e-mail me at AlarmingToast@aol.com

My question would be this: Regardless if it is on B&M's drawing boards, is a launched Flyer theortetically possible. For those of you on the TPR board here is what I mean. Imagine sitting in a "Flying B&M Train" but instead of facing forward and being pulled up into the flying-mode, do this in reverse. Board the train facing the rear of the station (like X at SFMM) and be lowered onto your back. After vacating the station and hitting the launch element (face to the sky, still "Backwards" per se) climbing up a one-half pretzel element (curving skyward but still looking backwards to the launch). It would pull roughly the same G's as diving into a pretzel (speed and position) and you would emerge at the top facing forward in the flying position. The ride would then go on to traverse multiple flying elements in the traditional B&M face-forward mode. I am not talking a Hyper-flyer, but just something in the 55-60 mph and 110-125 foot max. height. To me it seems like it could be done, but hey, I don't design coasters for a living (other than Roller Coaster Tycoon 3). Just a thought.

I am banking on a B&M flyer, but I think the 500 ft or dueling flyers may be a bit of an exaggeration. I do think they will build the tallest, fastest and most inverted Flyer yet. I don't think there is enough space for two good coasters, but I do think there is enough space for one GREAT one. I also think that the "Maverick" might also be used at Knotts and not necessarily at CP. Just my .02 though.

Last coaster I rode was "Screaming Eagle" at SFSL- but the next coaster I ride will be TATSU on Media Day. Let it be known that I may ride "Speed" at Sahara in Las Vegas though. I am spending a few days in Vegas before I make the trek out to SFMM on my vacation next week.

I'll be headed to SFGA in the next couple weeks. I like to go the first week they are open to the public on weekdays, usually all the lines are 15 min or less, nice weather or not. Last coaster trip I took was in August to SFSL- (rained 90% of the day) but hey, bought a poncho, sucked it up, got on ALL the rides multiple, multiple times (even though they weren't all SUPPOSED to be water rides) and had myself a blast. Way to carry on- wish I'd a chance to be there with ya in the rain n rides.

The first time that I got to see "Flashback" is when it was still called "Z-Force" and operated at my home park of Six Flags Great America. It wasn't operating that day either. So every time I have been to SFMM and see it not operating again, I get a real sense of "Deja Vu". (sorry, couldn't resist) Note: I actually have ridden it at both locations.

Any of the "Bobsled Coasters" built in the mid to late 80's were a let down. Cedar Point Has made theirs semi-reridable by enclosing it though. Superman The Escape Iron Dragon Vertical Velocity (or V2 as it's sometimes called)- let me point out that although this ride is still fun, it's not all that spectacular. Wicked Twister -see above

Hey OkinawaBoy- Just a quick note about SFGA's "American Eagle". Although it is not sitting on a current or former parking lot, it is located immediately along IL 120 (Milwaukee Ave.) And there is a spot where traffic can pass underneath the Eagle, so it does border roadways/ and parking-lots, but the majority of the ride was built "In The Green" so to speak. By the way, the entirety of the New For 2005 Hurricane Harbor at this location was all parking lot. Note: "American Eagle" debuted for the 1981 season. Happy 25th Birthday this year.

Six Flags Great America's "Shockwave" was a parking lot coaster that I rode probably a hundred times before it's eventual disassembly. However, when they put Superman-Ultimate Flight onto the same patch of ground, they actually landscaped it and made it a 'green area'. It looks nice now, but I still miss "Shockwave" tho I love Superman. Can't wait to try out the bigger Pretzel Loop of Tatsu on Media Day.

I love Donkeys. They are best sliced thin, breaded and deep fried, sevred with a tangy marinara sauce for dipping. Papa John's is getting into the public sector with this offering, so hopefully by the time we ride Tatsu on Media Day at SFMM, we can indulge together.