Ramblings of a Crazy Man

Life remains confusing. Some unexpected things have happened that I cannot yet explain or will be able to. I’m just rolling with the punches at this point. These past few days have been more pleasant. Not sure if it is acceptance of fate or reversal of fortunes. Kids seem to have forgotten what is going on. or are not overtly displaying response.

Have optimistically started planning some coaster trips for next summer. Whether they happen or not at least I have something positive on the distant horizon. Tenative for Holiday world in end of May and New Jersey in mid July. Have never been to Jersey, would be a fun, if not long, driving trip with Mike Parker. He’s a veteran of this place so I will get the full east coast tour. Even planning on riding the Coney Island Cyclone. If it happens. Would like to squeeze a California trip in sometime next year. Need to get the weight loss going. Too many coasters I might not be able to ride comfortably.

Watched the fifth-to-last space shuttle launch yesterday. It was awesome as usual. Watched it streamed live on iPhone. So clear it was almost hd quality. Very impressive. God I love the iPhone. It has made me an apple convert.

Saw 2012 last week. Typical for disaster movie. Weak storyline punctuated by huge destruction scenes. Kinda wonder where all that water came from, must have been dry somewhere.

Also finally watched BobCat Goldwaiths second directed movie “let sleeping dog lie”. Very good movie begun with a very disgusting act. Even by my standards pretty gnarly.

Ya Dianna is coming into town next week. Feel like I know her a little now. Havnt seen her since graduation in 1989. She’s had a tough year and would good for her to catch up with old friends. Maybe we can even convince her to come back to Illinois. Yeah right. She’s more likely to convince us to move down to Orlando or someplace else in florida. Wonder why I didn’t get the brilliant idea to settle in a warm place after graduation. At least I never settled any farther north than Chicago.

Time to start thinking about Christmas presents for Parker and Noah. I think Noah will get a netbook of his own. Parker I have no idea. He is harder to buy for. Maybe I’ll give him a trip somewhere.

Enough rambling. Back to work. Sales Histories are running now.

Dream fulfilled

I'm starting to unwind some of the events from life into words. I have had a dream forever to be an astronaut. Well for various reasons that isnt likely to come true, mainly medical. oh and that education thing. no matter. someday i hope to buy a ticket and go.

Over the`summer of 2009, I finally got to attend a space shuttle launch (STS-127 Atlantis) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It baffles me that they have been flying since April 12, 1981 (~29 years ago) and I have never once taken the trip to Florida to see one. Even in the 20 years post high school, on my own, I never did. someone smack me please. and Now there only 5 launches left. Well i'm grateful that I got see one with my kids. I dont think they really enjoyed it now but someday they will remember it. I put my launch video on my iPhone and watch it frequently. So powerful and awe inspiring.

When I arrived at KSC, I already had a visitor center ticket so I could see the launch from ~7 miles away. Even though I had driven the better part of a day to get there, I was in no mood to sleep. I upgraded my ticket to the Up-close tour of the space center. I boarded a luxury bus that took us all over the secured inner part of the space center. This was a dream tour for a space geek like myself. Got to be up close to the VAB, shuttle landing facility, one of the crawlers that carry the shuttles to the pad. the highlight of the tour was visiting the launch pads. The bus went right up to Pad 39-B was was in the process of being converted to handle the launches of the Ares Rocket. The bus ended up on a beach viewing site situated directly between the 2 launch pads, 39-A and 39-B. Shuttle Atlantis was positioned for launch on 39-A. Got to see it from 4000 ft away. What a site that was. That is as close as the public can get to a shuttle on pad. I was being a real geek on the tour and was answering all the questions posed by the tour guide. I'm sure others were like I wish this guy would just shut up. Hey I was in my element. I would like that job, being the tour narrator. Oh did mention the alligators? all over that place. I certainly wouldn't want to try and sneak around there. Gotta love the built in security system that provides.

Seeing all the historical equipment around the various facilities was just very cool. The Saturn V center, the visitor center museums, the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Even got to walk the Catwalk that the Apollo 11 crew did to board the rocket for the first moon landing. Also got to see the Shuttle Training Aircraft making landing passes as well.

Sat in the hot sun for 4 days before finally seeing the launch. I wasn't surprised, the weather in Florida can change by the minute. The delays were actually welcomed because the family didnt arrive until the 4th launch attempt as they were vacationing elsewhere. Delays were blessing in disguise.

Based on where the visitor center is and the height of the vegetation (~20 ft), we couldnt see the shuttle until it had already left the pad. It was quite spectacular seeing it climb. Boy does it accelerate fast. Quite unprepared for that. At the distance we were it did seem smaller than i expected. I was well aware of the delayed sound from the boosters and was expecting it. Remarkable how you can hear it coming over the trees and then it hits. Very loud and you can feel your ears pop from the pressure. It sets off all the car alarms as well. FROM 7 MILES AWAY! The closet anyone can view a launch is 3 miles. I cant imagine how that feels that close. I WANT THAT EXPERIENCE. How to get it, I dont know. Im not a journalist and I dont think I can fake it with increased security these days. I need someone with an in. i have heard that you can contact congressmen to get close up passes. I hate politicians but I might be willing to suck it up for that.

All in All, a great experience I should have done earlier and often. I am going to try and make the finally Shuttle launch expected in fall 2010.

Coasting thru the winter

Well coaster season in the midwest is over. Time for the non-riding funk. I will need to travel far away, ie west coast, or head indoors, Mall of America maybe? I will definitialy need a winter escape this year. Sure hoping both my kids reach 54" before next season. Parker is 1/2" short, Noah about 2". Come on Growth Spurt

NoCoasterCon is on the horizon now. Its a an all day event in January where we gather (300+) to listen to park reps talk about next seasons surprises and coaster events, watch videos put together by coaster enthusiasts, and be on the look out for freebies (which are always appreciated).

I dont look forward to the 8 hours in hotel conference straight back chairs. Have to bring my ass pillow again (not roids, tailbone pain). Last year some guy got a coaster seat and made and office chair out of it. He sat in the that all day long. Looked dorky but secretly was envious. I heard it was from Superman at Geauga Lake.

Always a great time. Have to buy the requisite 2010 Coaster Calendar which I never to hang up. They are nice pics. someday I will make framed photos of them.

Always fun to see what outrageous outfit Marty Moltz will wear. Hard to believe he is a real Judge.

Well the 2011 Coaster for Six Flags Great America has started arriving. Its the former Chang Standup from Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Rumor is they will make it a sit down instead of standup. Not sure why it is waiting on 2011 for installation though. Rumored themes are super hero based, bizarro superman or green lantern. no one in the know is saying.

Intimadator 305 is looking pretty impressive at Kings Dominion. Might have to finally get there in 2010. Looks like a nice park.

Looking forward to Hollywood Nights at Holiday World. Havnt been there in 4 years. Can you believe I have only ridden The Voyage once? Just sad and wrong. New seats will be an interesting change.

Veterans Day

I have a great respect and admiration for those that have served in the US Military. The sacrifice and hardship they endure is mind numbing. The low pay and long hours is incomprehensible but generation after generation they continue to serve the greatest country in the world.

I so badly wanted to serve but I was medically ineligible (feet) so I honor those who did serve and those who didnt come home.

Yes, I would like to see my kids serve. It would be an honor. I would be the proudest dad in the world.

Well here I am. Where to start. Life is complex. Life should be fun. Right now it isnt so much.