Gratitude. (No Replies Necessary. Just a Thought)

While you're griping about a ride not functioning at your local park, or about how long a line is, or how expensive a Coke is, ever think about those less fortunate ones who don't really have a local park?

Think of people in little corners of the U.S. that would have to travel for days just to get to a park........never mind having time to stay and enjoy it. Not everyone lives near coasters......sad but true....

Which is why, despite any problems they may have, I am grateful for the parks near me. I'm fortunate to have BGT, IOA, WDW, SWO, and even little Boomers with its great woodie the Dania Beach Hurricane, which is so often overlooked among its much larger theme park neighbors.

Next time you get ready to declare your home park a POS.........remember that you're damn lucky to have a park near you at all.

**This message brought to you by the "Lesley Just Had Somethin' To Say" Foundation".

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Lallen said:

While you're griping about a ride not functioning at your local park, or about how long a line is, or how expensive a Coke is, ever think about those less fortunate ones who don't really have a local park?

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Let's take it one step further and mention those that can't afford going to a park at all. I always feel fortunate that I can afford my season passes, my numerous out-of-town trips, and even the trips to my home park.

There are many people to whom amusement parks are a luxury and their money needs to be spent on life's necessities.

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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

Yeah, there are many people that don't have access to a park nearby. I have seen both in the US and in Europe. Over here, many Germans do not have the luxury of traveling across the country to an amusement park because of high gas prices (try $3.80-$4 a gallon), or no money for passes, tickets, trips, etc. Taxes over here are 16% so be thankful for 6, 7, or 8%. By the way, if you are single, working in Germany, and trying to earn some moola for yourself, be ready to pay back to the German goverment half of what you earned come income tax time. Ouch, there went all your trips. . .

So next time you want to complain about not getting a 16th rollercoaster this year/next year (or whatever number), a long line, gas prices, or a park having trouble with a ride, think about all the people who dream of riding a single rollercoaster (be it a boomerang, looper, or whatever) but location, time, and money does not allow them to. Be thankful people. . .

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My place

http://pages.prodigy.net/dominguezgarage

I'll take DEK's 'one step further' ANOTHER step and say we should be thankful we're healthy enough to be able to ride coasters PERIOD!

Matthew

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NUTS - National Union of Thrill Seekers! [Brought to you by the maker of 'LoCoSuMo!']

Or you could live in a country that just plain doesn't have coasters. We're looking at spending a year in Costa Rica learning Spanish (no coasters at all there) and then moving to Colombia, where there is a grand total of 6 coasters in the whole entire country, and that's more than all the rest of South America, with only 2 exceptions.

Not that most of those people would be able to afford to ride anyways.

So be grateful for what you have.

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Sometimes it's up. Sometimes it's down.
But with God, life is one thrill ride that you'll never regret being on.

You have all brought up some good points. I personally find it hard to complain about parks, especially when my very own brother (SFGAManiac, who hasn't posted in some time) had arthritis early on and can barely ride some things, let alone enjoy typical activities we take for granted. The only thing I hate to see is ridiculous prices, but there are plenty of parks to choose from that don't charge an arm and a leg for a day of immeasurable fun (Holiday World, Kennywood, Conneaut, Knoebels and Indiana Beach, for example).
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Brad Sherman
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer, helping to train new ride ops properly!
Model coasters and rides

A place with hardly any theme parks. Oh yeah it's called Seattle. LOL