Up to the Minute Blogging

I've noticed a growing trend of late amongst my brother and sister roller coaster enthusiasts. Periodic updates on Facebook while at a park.

While Twitter has been around for a while now, it seems the Facebook equivalent feature is picking up steam (well of course I HAD to make a Steampunk reference...don't be ridiculous!).

To those unfamiliar, Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/) is a micro-blogging service where members send "tweets" or text messages of 150 characters or less as often as desired. Yes it's agreat way to stalk, er, keep up with your favorite random people going about their daily lives.

Facebook boasts a similar feature that has allowed for similar kinds of updates on a member's "wall". Couple that with more and more people carrying smart phones, iPhones, or Blackberrys, and you have a growing system of reporting / living vicariously in almost real time.

For the record, the creative and tech savvy among us (obviously I'm out considering my "The Digital Life?!" series here on the blog) can do something similar with a regular blog and a lot of short updates from a Blackberry.

While I've noticed all this and even tested some of it out last fall at Dollywood, what does this latest movement really mean for enthusiasts and how they deliver trip reports or just enjoy parks?

I think you'll see even more people glued to phones and texting in line at the parks. This could be good and bad. Good, in that you get a better idea of the weather and general operating conditions of the park before you get there. If it's pouring rain and most of the coasters are closed, such as the case at Six Flags over Georgia (Thanks to John Turner for this past weekend updates on Facebook), why drive out and spend money knowing it's an iffy day at best? It's also bad in that there will be even more people, even more distracted, and not paying attention to the world around them. And, unfortunately, accidents can happen to the unwary all too often.

Ultimately, it's a good bet you'll see more updates from people going to parks, so you can squirm in jealously as they say "Just got off Goliath after 2 front row rides and only a 15 minute wait!" This will be music to the ears of die-hard fanboys, fiercely dedicated to any given park. To the rest of us, it will be the creative people who embrace and grow this trend, that will show just how much it can benefit the enthusiast community and beyond.

Yep, just something I noticed. We'll just watch it and see.

Blogging Buffet & Nerdly News

Ok, lots to cover in this installment, so, like Mr. Arnold said in Jurassic Park, "Hold on to your butts."

• Got out on the stilts this past Sunday for 1 hour 10 minutes. Tested a couple costume ideas, including some support poles that really helped with balance. Good shakedown for a 5th time walking around. Enjoyed it thoroughly and was tired out after that, archery, AND Wing Chun Kung Fu that afternoon. Even so, great to be out in gorgeous weather with good friends. The grilled ka-bobs (my first) were the cap on a terrific day.
• Thanks to Randy Kilgore for picking up a vintage acetylene blowtorch at a thrift store. This great find was caked with years of paint and grit that eventually came off with some Brasso and scrubbing. The metalwork and details on the handle are really nicely done. It's a toss up between Steampunk costume prop, or living room antique display. Thank you Randy, I'll enjoy that for years to come.
• In yet more stilt news, I hit the after St. Paddy's Day sales and got 3 new top hats to wear for various occasions. Will put together some simple costumes over time and want to eventually walk in parades for Mardi Gras, Independence Day, and St. Patrick's Day, as well as sci-fi cons. Yes, the cliché Uncle Sam costume has been mulled. Yes, God help us all!
• Special Congrats to Sinful and Tikki who got married this past weekend on Second Life. Best wishes to two wonderful (and WELL armed people). A case of Neros and Catnip are on the way. ;) =^.^=
• Congrats go out to Kimberly Richardson, newly published author of "Tales from a Goth Librarian". I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Richardson at ConNooga earlier this year and photographing her during our recent railroad depot Steampunk photo shoot. I'm hoping to line up an interview with her between her busy con engagements and numerous panels. For those interested, Ms. Richardson's latest work can be found here (http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Goth-Librarian-Kimberly-Richardson/dp/0982374518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237468873&sr=8-1) on Amazon.com.
• It's official. I bought my membership for Dragon Con 2009 this past week. Very much looking forward to the weekend mayhem in Atlanta with my Revenger crew mates, come August. After 2 years of missing out, I'm REALLY looking forward to this trip.
• Ever since interviewing Lloyd Kaufman, I've really been bitten by the journalism bug and want to do more interviews. Yep, this is a whole new side of the blog and a whole new set of rules to establish. It's also time once again to learn something new and grow.
• With all the creative energy swirling about the Steampunk world, I've been inspired to write a few short stories about the A.S. Revenger's crew on Captain Tomas Quin's MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/captaintomas). Special thanks to Captain Quin for graciously posting those contributions.
• Since I've spent so much time costume building of late, gadget lust is taking hold in the form of a mini blow torch and a Dremmel Tool. While I don't necessarily NEED either, yeah, those would be fun to have. ;) Dremmel is a strong possibility next payday. + 1 to Gadget Lust, meanwhile, +2 Craft Tool pending.
• Not only were the guys at Coaster Crew (DING!)(http://www.coastercrew.com/) kind enough to take a couple pics on Popeye Barges for me during their recent trip to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, but they topped themselves on the recent Busch Gardens Williamsburg outing. Clint, John, and several others hit all the water rides in 50 degree weather for pictures...and they even put up a thread in the forum! What a great gesture! You can see it here: http://www.coastercrew.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2054. Big thanks you guys!
• Speaking of In The Loop, longtime fan CoasterBoy will get his dream shot next week, to not only be on the show, but host. And who is his special guest? Robb Alvey of Theme Park Review (DING!) (http://www.themparkreview.com/) fame AND producer on the upcoming "A Boy and His Blob" (DING!) for Nintendo Wii. Trust me folks, if you're a coaster fan, you DO NOT want to miss this. For those that don't know, In The Loop records a live show on Blog Talk Radio (DING!) (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/) every Monday night at 8pm eastern and has a live chat session during the show. Glad to cheer you on CoasterBoy, and I think you'll do great!
• And finally, my buddy Pat McCabe (The A Walk In The Park Podcast) (DING!) will be on his way to Orlando Florida next Monday, hence is absence from In The Loop. Why? He's moving to his new apartment...5 minutes from Disney World. Yep, a dream come true for MANY coaster enthusiasts...and even a few Roombas. Good luck Pat and have a safe trip.

Horse Sense

A couple nights ago I was talking with a good friend over the phone and recounting a college horse-back riding trip. Thinking back, this particular trip was not only a great adventure, but a moment of Zen as well. And hey, I'm kinda strapped for material of late, so humor me here, ok?

A few weeks before leaving Belmont University in 1994, our RA (Resident Assistant) Neil organized a rag-tag group of folks in our dorm to go out and just have some fun. It somehow ended up being horse-back riding somewhere on the outskirts of Nashville. There were about 10 of us in this party and I'm pretty sure none of us had ever ridden a horse. Yep, this was going to get fun.

Our group consisted of Neil, yours truly, a friend of mine named Margaret, a Russian exchange student, a couple guys from Uzebekistan (who gave me a coin from their country which I still have to this day), a guy from 2nd floor who was an avid country line dancer on the weekends, and a couple other people I just can't remember much about.

After driving out to the horse farm and neighboring walking trail, we met up with the owners for Horse 101. We were assigned our horses and taught basic riding. Being the littlest guy, I got the biggest horse, who was named Lonesome. The owners and guide joked that the horse always came back without a rider, hence the name. Yeah, they were having some fun with me too, so we all had a good laugh. I just turned around so they couldn't see my panic.

Not long after learning how to "throw it in reverse" (which gave the owners and guide ANOTHER laugh at my expense), we were headed down the trail...and the sky was darkening. We wound our way through the rather peaceful woods for a while. Time disappeared as we would occasionally stop to rest the horses, talk, and just take in the sights and smells of the forrest. Then the fun started...

Our guide turned us loose with the idea of meeting up back at the start. Time to meander. Lonesome took this opportunity to charge down hills with a slightly concerned rider on his back, pulling up on the reigns. After a couple instances of this, he got the message I didn't like high-speed, down-hill charging and backed off the idea. Curiously, during these hijinks, we did forge a peaceful and spiritual bond, like two old friends or the experienced cowboy and his trusty mount of many years. I liked my new/old friend, even if he was crazy.

For quite a while it was Lonesome and I, in the middle of nature. I felt so at ease and connected to life and the universe in a way that just can't be put into words. It was almost a soothing warm blanked of contentment and harmony. It was a mixture of feelings and serenity without equal and a totally new experience. I truly did not want that ride to end.

When we came to the next hill Lonesome started to charge out of habit, but then slowed himself down remembering my apprehension. Didn't have to pull on the reigns a bit. He just knew. I smiled and thanked my friend with a pat on his shoulder.

A few minutes later, another down-hill charge, and another slow up from one very smart horse. Since I felt much better about his habits, I gave Lonesome a "go ahead" kick. He looked back at me as if to say "are you SURE?". Another kick was a firm "yes friend, I trust you, so go for it." I think he smirked and thought "ok buddy, you asked for it!" And we were off like a rocket. Yaaaaahooooooo! I was scared to death but quickly switched to thrilled as Lonesome galloped with a fiery vengeance down the steep trail. Was he ever hauling it! Oh man, please don't let me hit a tree!

Lonesome tired out and reverted back to a leisurely walk. I returned to oneness with the forrest as a gentle rain began. Neither of us were bothered and we took in the fresh clean smell. The moment and rain were healing, refreshing, renewing and several other things. We just walked for several minutes, wordless, in harmonious tune with the few clinging leaves and dampened bark of the woods.

About this time Neil went flying by on a horse he had traded from Margaret. The spirited mount was not slowing down for anyone, especially it's rider, who was screaming "Shiiiiiiiiiiiit!" at the top of his lungs. Lonesome looked back at me right on que as if to say "should we go after them?" "Yeah, we better go after him," I said out loud. Lonesome fired up another gallup and we careened through the woods with cornering and leaning akin to a moto grand prix racer. Once again, he just knew what to do and listened. No kick or flip of the reigns needed.

A few minutes later we rejoined the others back at the trail start. Everyone was safe and accounted for, and maybe a bit saddle sore. I reluctantly said good goodbye to my new old friend. Had I the money and land, I'd have bought Lonesome on the spot. Such a good, smart horse! He also helped me earn my nickname for the next several weeks, The Marlboro Man.

I miss Lonesome to this very day and always think of him (and that trip) with a smile. Truly, one of the best adventures of my life.

Meet RapidsNerd Skytower

Rapids, as he is better known, is my Second Life avatar.

For those that don't know, Second Life is a massive 3D online virtual community comprised of "sims". Sims are specific areas themed to everything from amusement parks, to beach resorts. To navigate Second Life, one has to create an avatar, or 3D representation of one's self. It's absolutely INSANE (and fun) how much they can be customized!

Naturally Rapids comes in a couple modes, dependent on the situation. If I'm checking out an in-world tourist spots, he wears basically the same things I would wear to a Real Life theme park. These are typically a green shirt, cargo/outdoor pants, and sandals. If I'm just hanging out or going clubbing in-world, it's time for club wear. This is usually a black, hard rock/biker look with some Steampunk and Neko thrown in. Second Life is an alternate reality, so why not live a little?

Yes, there is formal wear for special occasions like weddings. Well of course it's Victorian! Don't be ridiculous! (Thank you Balki) ;)

I've enjoyed the many realms of Second Life since joining in 2008, and look forward to even more in-world adventures.

2009 Huntsville Depot Steampunk Photo Shoot

Between beautiful weather and a great turnout of old friends and new, this was really a fun day downtown. (Some photos courtesy of Jake Polatty)

We invaded the Huntsville Railroad Depot Museum around noon on Saturday. Interestingly, while buying our passes, depot management pegged us right off as a Steampunk group and told us of another group that had also been there recently. Authorized and wrist banded by the amused depot staff, we scouted the grounds for photo spots.

Between the steam engine and cars right near the gift shop, and the building that would regularly "reboot" with a very loud Windows tone, there were more than a few pictures taken...and shennanigans. I got my must do lamp post shot for some friends on ThemeParkReview and learned a few stripper pole dance moves. We paid homage to stair climbing scene in Ghostbusters with some of the funniest facial expressions around. Speedy, one of few resident mercenaries, took some seriously bad-arse pictures and came into her own as "The Angel of Death". In full gear, she looks bloody scary in a few shots. Speedy also gave wonderful hugs (as did several others this day).

Yes, there were so oops moments too. I tipped up an old oil drum like I was taking a drink, and choked on a mouthful of dirt and grit. While taking the lamp post pics, I almost fell off the thing. And, the grand poobah, while shooting a comedy duel, I fell to the ground, and my gas mask landed right on my crotch. Yep, shutters went rapid fire at my accidental cod piece. Great, my crotch on the internet. Just great.... Then my crewmates attempted to throw me under the train. Usually it's a bus I get thrown under, but at least we kept with the theme. LOL!

One of my favorite shots was my finger gun jamming during the duel, and my female adversary rushing at me with a wrench for the beat down. That just tickles my gears to no end. The Barrel of Monkeys, Jazz Hands (now an official group photo tradition), and all the ladies giving the Captain a right good kickin' were also top contenders.

Other comical moments of note were "Story Time: With Captain Quin" and "Air Pump Karaoki: With Oliver Skyline". I also found out that if we were compared to the A-Team, I would be B. A. Baracus! Truly a progressive and honored moment in my Steampunk career. Well, I pity the fool who laughs at my engineering! Poor V is still shaking her head over that one. ;)

Professor Sid, V, Heather, Jesse, JJ MacCrimmon and family, so very glad you all could join us regulars. I suspect there will be WAY more embarassing stories told in the future and looking forward to more adventures with you all!

Blogging Buffet & Nerdly News

More odds and ends from the far corners of my life. Hope you enjoy!

• The big news the past week was Facebook. I grudgingly broke down and created an account. Well, one Mr. Pat McCabe can AGAIN say "I told you so". Facebook really did end up being great. I connected with people from high school and hadn't spoken with in 15+ years! Also connected with lots of the great folks at ThemeParkReview and Coaster Crew. Yep, even a few of my cohorts from work are on there. I'm blown away by the community of it all. Been uploading several rounds of trip photos for folks to enjoy. Curiously, I also keep hearing people say over and over "Yeah, I hardly ever check MySpace anymore...". Hmmm, is this a trend? Facebook is also a very interesting mirror to see where you're going, as well as where you've been.
• Was debating hitting Six Flags over Georgia for opening weekend, but sickness, weather, and their closing all said otherwise. Even so, I'm so jonesing for a park. Seriously!
• Building the next round of Otto Von Clank steamborg enhancements isproving VERY tough. Balancing something that travels well, is modular, light weight, and believeable for Neo-Victorian with appropriate materials, is a real puzzle. While I have some quality ideas and looked at various industrial machines of the day, finding the modern equivalents that "click" just hasn't happened yet.
• After what would be strike 5 for the HD cam, I'm hunting a new one. Unpredictable battery life, audio that was crappy from the start, but somehow got worse, and losing the interview footage, just sealed the deal. No clue what the replacement will be, but at least I have a back-up still camera in the Blackberry (one of the reasons I bought it in the first place).
• Yes, there's another new banner for the blog. Why? Well, all the business type cards that were flying back and forth at ConNooga got me thinking of doing the same thing. Also wanted to make the blog more friendly for mobile readers. That, and I've always been a fan of artsy/modern/minimalism. Don't worry, this one stays for a while. ;)
• While the new Netbook is running like a champ, getting on to Second Life is a real pain. Just so slow on a computer that wasn't designed for that anyway. Logins may be few for a while, but I'm lining up a new laptop geared toward Second Life excursions. I miss finding new and cool stuff, and REALLY miss all the great folks in Beltain and Club Paradox. Haven't forgotten you all one bit and I'm definitely there in spirit. =^.^=
• ConNooga stirred up a lot of old feelings from my days in the Music Business program at Belmont University. It was great to feel the positive creative energy again and be close to parts of the entertainment world. Didn't realize just how much I missed all that. Nashville has a special place in my heart. That city was very good to me.
• Seems the blogger mobile posting server is on the fritz tonight, so no picture yet of my Steampunk pocket watch mod. Hopefully one or both posts will show in the next couple days. Yes, I got the creative itch once again and added some goodies to my pocket watch.
• Congrats to Phoynix on Second Life for opening a great new club. Enjoyed the visit and will definitely be back. It keeps getting better. ;)
• Congrats to Pat McCabe on his new digs in Orlando Florida. Not only did the man score a good deal and some nice extras, but he's 5 minutes from Disney. 5!! Man, I'm gonna be sick...;)
• Looks like good weather for this weekend's Steampunk photo shoot at Hunstville Railroad Depot. Glad to have our friends from ConNooga coming in to join us. Hope you all have a safe trip. :)

Happy Friday everybody! 8:)

Steampunk Smilie 8:)

Captain Tomas Quin could be on to something here. It even has goggles. Nice!

2009 ConNooga Photo Trip Report Up on ThemeParkReview.com

I swear this is the last of updates, etc, and then I'll shut it about con. ;) Just click the title above, the link below, or go to the Photo Trip Reports page.

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49616

I'm also steadily adding my park photos and other odds and ends to Facebook. If you're on there, check 'em out.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=2&aid=2001453&id=1509275062#/profile.php?id=1509275062&ref=name

Lastest additions are 2007 Busch Gardens Europe and 2007 Alabama Adventure (Visionland).

And, of course, it's AWESOME to see so many folks from my old high school, college, ThemeParkReview and Coaster Crew. Very much appreciate all the friends and friend requests! Wish you all could see the grin, as this has really made my weekend.

Cheers, Best, and Thanks!

Snow in Huntsville

Well I'll be snookered! It did snow after all. Just a dusting, but still nice to see. This was at 5:40 am this morning.