Meteornotes Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 Before we begin, let's once again review Dave's Rules Of Engagement For His PTRs. - I like to write, make money doing it, and think everyone should read more. So there will likely be more words than you're used to. Think of it as a learning experience. - I will likely say something that offends you and/or makes zero sense at some point during this PTR. What can I say, I'm insane. But in a fun way! - I suck at taking pictures. This, combined with my crap eyesight, will lead to some "questionable" images being used here. Also, some days I took very few pictures, as I'd rather concentrate on having fun as opposed to making sure I document every Vekoma ride I come across or whatever. Occasionally during this report, I may use pictures from previous park visits. If a coaster looks the same, does it really matter what year the photo was taken? I think not. With that established...LET'S BEGIN! So the TPR Europe trip was one of those things that I actually almost didn't get to do. I was signed up originally, but dropped out when I had to spend more than the cost of a trip on a hut tub for the Outer Banks house (long story that I don't feel like typing up now). But when I realized the financial impact wouldn't be as bad as I thought it would be, and realizing that I would be horribly depressed if everyone was in Europe having fun while I was at home feeding the cats, I decided to sign back up. Besides, going to Europe for two weeks gave me the chance to do one of my most favorite things ever: Torture Elissa (hahahahahaha!) So anyway, the day finally arrived to get to France. Due to stupid flight policies, I had to leave a day earlier than I wanted to. This ended up being OK, as I ended up going into Paris with Larry, Rich, and Melanie. I have been to Paris a couple of times, but still had a good time visiting some of the major sites with them (Notre Dame, The Louvre, and some others). I did not take any pictures this day, as like I said, I've been to Paris before, but it was an awesome day of fun, and I want to thank the three of them for letting me hang out. Saturday was the day most trip participants were arriving, and I volunteered to stay at the hotel to greet people while others went out and got some credits at random parks. I have to say, this news was not greeted with the level of enthusiasm by trip participants that it should have been, but at least people seemed cool with the directions I gave them on how to get to Paris. And besides, dealing with me first thing on the trip means it can only get better from there! Even if you eventually have to go to Walabi Belgium...but I'm getting ahead of myself. Sunday was the 'unofficial" start to the trip, with a journey to Jardin d Acclimatation, a small park in Paris. Some new credits were gotten here, and then a culture credit for some of us when we made a short trip over to the Eiffel Tower. The park was nice but not amazing, though there was one awesomely unique attraction (which you'll see below. Yes, I'll soon shut up and post pictures, I promise!). Anyway, below are some photos of Day Zero of the trip. You'll note that I had a special guest with me for the trip, since all my vaginas are lame and didn't want to go with me to Europe (it may be time to re-open the application process for some new ones). Enjoy! dt And we end this part of the update with a picture of some awesome parking on the streets of Paris. Thanks for viewing! Coming up, Day One of the trip with a visit to Parc Asterix... And just in case you have not been frightened beyond belief lately, here's me and Ice Bat. Don't worry, I promise that there will be very, very few photos of me in this update. I don't want to blind all of you... Hooray for nudity! We need more statues like this. Especially at the grocery store. "See?!? I told you, he runs in fear from my awesomeness!" Actually, Ice Bat, I believe he's just distracted by food. You know, kind of like Robb... Ice Bat says "I do not fear the possessed pigeon behind me!" So since none of my vaginas would go with me, I had to bring someone along to keep me entertained. So Ice Bat, who usually guards the pens on my desk, agreed to give up that job for two weeks and to get out and experience some of the world. So here he is, looking annoyed in Paris! This will likely be a theme... Elissa's Mom, Dad, and Kidtums. Elissa's parents are awesome fun, and it was cool having them on the trip. Hopefully I wasn't too annoying... Culture time! I've been here before, but it's still a cool place to visit. I love Paris, it's my second favorite city in the world (London, aka Lou's home town, is still my favorite). Seriously, it was just roaming around the park. We had no idea if it had escaped from somewhere, was just hanging out, or just biding its time until it picked out a victim and attacked and ate their brain. Turkeys are not to be trusted... And now, the coolest thing at the park...RANDOM TURKEY WANDERING AROUND!!! Yarrrrrrgh! I'm going to eat your face! Well no, not really, but it would be cool if kiddie coasters occasionally attacked kids. Keeps everyone paying attention and all that... And more trip peeps getting ready to enjoy another new credit. Track shot! Another coaster, another credit! I remember this one being fun. But we're all having a good time, which is the important thing. I don't even remember this ride, so it obviously left an amazing impression on me. So here we are at Jardin d Acclimatation. And the group wastes no time in starting to whore it up on the kiddie coasters. Robb & Elissa arrive at the hotel with enough stuff for a journey to the moon! Actually, this really reminded me of our 2005 Europe trip, where six of us drove around in a van for three weeks, although I think there was slightly more room... United to Europe! Flight was fine, except for some stupid woman who attempted to steal my seat. Newsflash: seat assignments are given out for a reason, and telling me to "find another seat because you feel like sitting here" is not going to work with me. ...and Sam for two weeks. Don't worry, the pet sitter will feed you! This will be the only reason they will miss me... So leaving for Europe means I have to say goodbye to Jasper...
OldJJman Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 I'm STILL having nightmares about that damned "Ice Bat" (aka Dave's alter ego!). JJ
coaster05 Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 All Ugly dolls rule and our 9 sitting on the couch would like to visit with world traveling Ice Bat. Maybe, Icebat needs to go to a Notre Dame football game.
cfc Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 Ice Bat's countenance has the look of a bat who harbors a dark secret--a bat who has seen things that no bat should ever see.
ginzo Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 ICE BAT LIVES IN AN ICE CAVE INSIDE AN ICEBOX. EVERYTHING HE TOUCHES TURNS TO ICE, YET HE WARMS YOUR HEART. ICE BAT THINKS YOU'RE COOL AND HE WANTS TO CHILL WITH YOU. HE WANTS TO HANG OUT WITH YOU...OR JUST HANG UPSIDE DOWN, IF THAT'S OK WITH YOU. ICE BAT IS THERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE LOSING YOUR COOL, OR GETTING HOT UNDER THE COLLAR. DON'T PANIC! DON'T STRESS OUT! JUST GRAB ICE BAT, CLOSE YOUR WEB BROWSER, LEAVE THE OFFICE, AND GO GET SOME ICE CREAM! ICE BAT'S POINTY EARS HEAR THE BOSS COMING, SO BETTER GET A MOVE ON IT! I enjoyed the anecdote about your seat on the plane. WTF is wrong with people? Is the concept of seating assignments really that difficult to grasp?
ParkTrips Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 So... Dave's TR is going to be a big ripoff of emoboy huh?
Meteornotes Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 ^May the laws suddenly change, and the only beer permitted in your state is Bud Light... dt
BeemerBoy Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 ^ NOOOOOOOOOO!!! I'm in GA too, Dave. Don't punish me from Joe's comment. Nice start, Dave. Although I am sad to not see any pointless SkyMall items. How am I supposed to know what day of the week it is?
ParkTrips Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 With Lime? sad thing is, that wasn't far from reality 4 years ago..
Moose Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 So... Dave's TR is going to be a big ripoff of emoboy huh? This will be unlike an emoboy report because Dave and Icebat actually interact with others and enjoy their time in the parks. Unfortunately we did not get to molest IceBat like we did Hippo on the El-BulletTrain-o.
coaster05 Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 ^ NOOOOOOOOOO!!! I'm in GA too, Dave. Don't punish me from Joe's comment. Nice start, Dave. Although I am sad to not see any pointless SkyMall items. How am I supposed to know what day of the week it is? Unfortunately with Dave's punishment the innoncent often are punished with the guilty. About a year ago cats with laser beams were unleashed on Indiana and I was just an innoncent bystander.
SharkTums Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 Well, Ice Bat did end up in Robb's pants...that should certainly count as molestation! Can't wait to see more!
Groteslurf Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 I love to read your TR's. They always make me LOL. I would have loved to be there watching you argue with the lady on the plane.
Nrthwnd Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 Ice Bat Rocks 'n Rules! Great TR so far, Dave. Looking forward to more.
Louise Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 Dave, this is amazing, I am extremely amused!! More, please!!!
Shockwave Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 I love it! Great report so far Dave, can't wait for chapter 2 of Ice Bat!
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